Champion

Just Cause Universe, Book 6

By: Ian Thomas Healy

Narrated by: Brittany Nickel

"I will show you fear in a handful of dust." ~T.S. Eliot

When Just Cause hero Orb is murdered using a new kind of nanotechnology, Mustang Sally will stop at nothing to find and bring to justice his killer. Not even her longtime mentor Juice's dismissal from his position as team leader can distract Sally from her mission.

A sensational new parahuman named Champion brings old-fashioned morals back to the world, training others to follow in his footsteps and heralding the onset of a new age of heroism. But Champion isn't all that he seems, and there is a sinister side to his organization. To find Orb's killer and uncover the motive for his murder, Sally must risk everything that makes her a hero.

Champion is the sixth novel in the popular Just Cause Universe superhero fiction series.

©2014 Ian Thomas Healy (P)2019 Ian Thomas Healy

Nanotechnology and Superhero Politics

'Champion' has two story lines told in parallel, sometimes intersecting. One is the titular character, Champion, a new super hero who is creating more super hero teams - inviting those powered people who don't have 'traditional' super hero powers, or don't have what it takes to be a big hero with Just Cause. But Just Cause, and the government, are cautious and concerned. Is everything as it seems?

The other story line is following the fallout of the death of a Just Cause member, Orb, by some nanotechnology. Who created it, and for what purpose? Both stories lines have Mustang Sally on the case.

This is book 6 in the series, and if you are this far into the series you know the style of the books and somewhat to expect. Book 6 fits in well with the prior ones and those following the series won't be disappointed.

Just Cause book 5 (Jackrabbit) is not currently available on audible yet. However this doesn't appear to be too much of an issue to have not read it before hitting this book. I was able to read book six without book five, and pick up what was going on without any problem.

I enjoyed that Just Cause broaches the subject of government regulation and how it works in a super hero world. It doesn't get bogged down in it, but with a major Just Cause character moving over to the regulations/management side of things, and with Champion setting up 'non sanctioned' teams, it does come into play here.

The narration for book six changes form the first four books. Here Brittany Nickel narrates, compared to Leslie Howard. Changes in narrators partway through a series can always be hard, but I do not think this was a terrible change. It has been a while since I listened to the prior books, so a direct comparison is difficult. I recall really enjoying Howard's work, and while Nickel does do well I don't think she was as good.

Nickel is good. She is generally well paced, clear and enjoyable. She gives emphasis where required, showing emotion and action. She provides voices, accents, emotions etc to all the characters, which is possibly where the change in narrator will most stand out - with characters changing voices.

So this book has potentially two things going against it: skipping book 5 and a change of narrator. Yet neither are strong enough reasons not to get it, if you are already invested in the just Cause books.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this review voluntarily.

I Love The Just Cause Series

I love the Just Cause group and this series. This book brings Mustang Sally front and center and the storyline did not disappoint. I listened to the first 4 books so adjusting to a new set of voices due to a change in narrators was a tad distracting. As with the other books in the series there is tons of action, adventure and suspence to keep you engaged through out.

world is interesting with lots of potential

I wanted to like it more as I like the genre. I like the world created. plot as an outline was good but not delved into enough. too obvious right at the start...needed a lot more reader misdirection for a mystery...make the bad guy seem much more like a good guy to surprise the reader. less time in the head and personal life where it only distracted from the story and character. it needs a whole other 'act' somewhere in the middle it felt like. a ton of potential for this author with this world and characters...maybe some will be realized in a future book.

a great story

the story was great you had to love characters I think it could have been amazing if the narrator wouldn't try so hard the story was very enjoyable and I loved it it drew me in but I had some issues with the nurture it wasn't awful but it could have been better if the narrator used a lower voice it could have been much much better but it wasn't awful in my opinion it was a great story to listen to

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

It was hard to listen to

I felt like Brittany Nickel was yelling at me the whole time. Her character voices were all over the place and sometimes she forgot to do them all together.

The book is about a female speedster who belongs to a hero team going through some changes. They set out to solve a murder of another parahuman.. The narration made it hard to focus on the story.


I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A world of superheroes and villains that would give dc and marvel a run for their money

If these were comic books instead of novels they would give marvel or dc a good run. There are great heroes and great villains. It is a darker universe with more death and destruction in it. This novel focuses on the beginnings of change almost like the super hero registration act as well as the resurfacing of an old nemesis in a new form with a truly diabolical plan the likes of which I haven’t seen in any storyline before. The just cause novels could be read stand alone but are better when read together as there are many links in both storyline and characters that help flush out the story and make it even better. Well written and well narrated. Highly recommend. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher

Totally captured me

Hadn't been into the super here novels but now I'm sold. great job of bringing all the characters to life and presenting the trials they go through. The only problem now is that I will have to go back and pick up the rest. Brittany did a great job of bringing the world to life and keeping you engaged. I received a free copy of this audio in return for an unbiased review.