Published by Geeky Grace on June 2014
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Suspense, Speculative
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In this short story, John Otte returns to New Chayton to further flesh out the series he’s created. Kynetic: On Target reads like just another day in the life of your average high school aged vigilante. It’s a fun and quick tale, a great way of getting in Failstate’s world between full-length novels.
A few years ago, Marcher Lord Press (now Enclave Publishing) signed on this Lutheran pastor named John Otte with a story about a teenage superhero wannabe who gets his chance on a reality show. In the world of Failstate, superpowers exist, though not all superpowers are created equal. In a Sky High meets The Incredibles kind of way, Otte weaved a fast-paced fun YA comic book style tale that was a solid debut.
Fans demanded a sequel and they got one with Failstate: Legends. But between those novels, Otte tested the waters with an ebook short story called Gauntlet Goes to Prom. Takes about a half hour to read, just a way of reconnecting with the characters between the full-length novels and a great way to flesh out the world he’s created. It must have been a rousing success, because now that book three, Failstate: Nemesis, is planned, he’s now released another short called Kynetic: On Target.
The basic premise is that Kynetic, a super with her eye on gaining her vigilante license, has also turned her other eye toward gaining Rob Laughlin, aka Failstate. Kynetic is a troubled soul with a dark past who has no problem using her powers for her own purposes. Of course, her lifestyle vastly conflicts with Rob’s, leading to an inevitable crisis of identity. Kynetic’s story takes center stage as Failstate appears only as a supporting character.
The redemptive storyline is very well done, though the subject material (sexual and physical assault) is a bit darker than Failstate’s previous tales. Otte handles it well, only alluding to situation, but I do feel it bears mentioning, as it’s a deviation from previous novels. If you have young children reading the series, then I feel discretion may be needed.
Overall, I’m absolutely loving the Failstate world and really enjoying these small tidbits of backstory between full-length novels. It’s an excellent way of deepening the world, continuing the story, and keeping readers immersed in the universe.
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