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Esper Files #1
Esper Files
Set in London during the latter part of the 19th century. An experiment goes wrong at The Oxford Academy of Science, giving certain people extraordinary powers which turns them into 'Espers'. An institute is set up to teach Espers how to control these power, and stop corrupt Espers from abusing theirs. Nathan and James, two agents from the Institute team up with Freya, a young Esper whose brother (gifted with the strange ability to manipulate emotions) is abducted by a ruthless Baron. The group has to fight against a dark threat to protect the fragile peace of Victorian London... And the rest of the world.
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Published October 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 23, 2017
If there’s one thing that I could deduce from reading this book, it’s that the author is a fan of Hugh Jackman films. Namely the X-Men series and Van Helsing (which is a terrible film that I have a huge soft spot for), if he’s not, then he has unknowingly quoted one of my favourite films from the latter.
This book is very much inspired by the first X-Men film, a minority of the population have super powers and are discriminated against by the wider world. Older man with a troubled past rescues teenage girl with same, takes her to a facility where Espers (*cough*mutants*cough*) are trained to control their abilities by a man known only as ‘The Professor’. Peril ensues.
That’s the plot summed up there and coupled with the cheesy dialogue, I think the author is going to have to do some serious editing before I can be convinced to continue with this series. I was expecting something with a lot more sophisticated world building for something that’s advertised as Steampunk, but it left me confused at times as to whether or not this book was even set in the past or modern day.
The highlight of this book for me was the variety of powers that the author described: that’s always been my favourite part in any supernatural fiction. I loved the more original spin on things that each power is based on the wielder’s personality and the emotions that they feel.
This is a series with a lot of potential, as long as the writing can match the brilliance of the author’s ideas in future instalments. I love me a rag tag bunch of super heroes!
Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com
This book is very much inspired by the first X-Men film, a minority of the population have super powers and are discriminated against by the wider world. Older man with a troubled past rescues teenage girl with same, takes her to a facility where Espers (*cough*mutants*cough*) are trained to control their abilities by a man known only as ‘The Professor’. Peril ensues.
That’s the plot summed up there and coupled with the cheesy dialogue, I think the author is going to have to do some serious editing before I can be convinced to continue with this series. I was expecting something with a lot more sophisticated world building for something that’s advertised as Steampunk, but it left me confused at times as to whether or not this book was even set in the past or modern day.
The highlight of this book for me was the variety of powers that the author described: that’s always been my favourite part in any supernatural fiction. I loved the more original spin on things that each power is based on the wielder’s personality and the emotions that they feel.
This is a series with a lot of potential, as long as the writing can match the brilliance of the author’s ideas in future instalments. I love me a rag tag bunch of super heroes!
Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com
April 7, 2017
I loved this book! I love the complexity of the characters, the action scenes were written beautifully and I loved how the book ended. I can't wait to read the next book (if there is one).
February 9, 2017
Esper Files by Egan Brass is the first book in the series of the same name and is an enjoyable supernatural fantasy read.
I had no idea what to expect from this book when I was first asked to review it, but when I started reading it and was only a few pages in, I knew it for fact that I was in for a fun ride. And as it turned out, I wasn't wrong.
Even though the entire concept was quite similar to the X-men team - Professor X, Logan, and Magneto, still I was able to enjoy the new take on the whole "being different" thing.
The writing was captivating and the story was really engrossing. The concept was not unique but it was definitely good. The story progression was really good and I really liked reading this book. I was pulled into the story from the very start right till the end. It was a fast-paced read which proved to be a quick one (another plus for me.)
In this book, I liked the story better than the characters. I won't say the characters were completely one-dimensional because I liked them, but I wasn't able to feel a striking connection with any one of them. It was one of those books that made me take enough interest in the characters to want to know what happens in the end and also what happens after it. So I'll be definitely looking forward to reading the sequel (hoping that now that I know the characters well, I might feel a connection with them.)
I'd recommend this book to fantasy lovers and to anyone who is looking for a light and quick supernatural series to read.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud.
I had no idea what to expect from this book when I was first asked to review it, but when I started reading it and was only a few pages in, I knew it for fact that I was in for a fun ride. And as it turned out, I wasn't wrong.
Even though the entire concept was quite similar to the X-men team - Professor X, Logan, and Magneto, still I was able to enjoy the new take on the whole "being different" thing.
The writing was captivating and the story was really engrossing. The concept was not unique but it was definitely good. The story progression was really good and I really liked reading this book. I was pulled into the story from the very start right till the end. It was a fast-paced read which proved to be a quick one (another plus for me.)
In this book, I liked the story better than the characters. I won't say the characters were completely one-dimensional because I liked them, but I wasn't able to feel a striking connection with any one of them. It was one of those books that made me take enough interest in the characters to want to know what happens in the end and also what happens after it. So I'll be definitely looking forward to reading the sequel (hoping that now that I know the characters well, I might feel a connection with them.)
I'd recommend this book to fantasy lovers and to anyone who is looking for a light and quick supernatural series to read.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud.
October 21, 2016
The 'Esper Files' by Egan Brass is a Steam Punk Mystery novel featuring beings with peculiar Psionic abilities, which range from teleportation to the ability to replicate the power of another Esper, whatever that may be.
The story follows Nathan, a highly skilled Esper and operative of The Institute, a place created for the safety of other Espers. When the infamous Baron captures a young Esper by the code name Siren, the race is on for Nathan and his colleagues to come to his rescue.
Various perspectives are explored in this novel. We see through the eyes of Nathan, The Baron, Shadow (a ruthless assassin,) as well as those of The Siren and his sister Freya. Each accounts their personal experience as The Baron plots to steal all power for himself.
Nathan provides the main perspective, lending a thrilling and at times sarcastically witty feel to events. The setting of old time London really suited the storyline and its Victorian like super-thugs. I felt a strong connection to the characters, particularly to Cyrus (The Siren) as I am on the Autistic Spectrum myself.
The Institute members act as one, a true family, which seems to be a central theme to this book. Other obvious themes include the corruption of power and greed to individuals. A fascinating tale of strange abilities being used for both good and evil, of family, and drama.
A worthwhile read. 5/5 stars.
The story follows Nathan, a highly skilled Esper and operative of The Institute, a place created for the safety of other Espers. When the infamous Baron captures a young Esper by the code name Siren, the race is on for Nathan and his colleagues to come to his rescue.
Various perspectives are explored in this novel. We see through the eyes of Nathan, The Baron, Shadow (a ruthless assassin,) as well as those of The Siren and his sister Freya. Each accounts their personal experience as The Baron plots to steal all power for himself.
Nathan provides the main perspective, lending a thrilling and at times sarcastically witty feel to events. The setting of old time London really suited the storyline and its Victorian like super-thugs. I felt a strong connection to the characters, particularly to Cyrus (The Siren) as I am on the Autistic Spectrum myself.
The Institute members act as one, a true family, which seems to be a central theme to this book. Other obvious themes include the corruption of power and greed to individuals. A fascinating tale of strange abilities being used for both good and evil, of family, and drama.
A worthwhile read. 5/5 stars.
October 22, 2016
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved it! I'm not always into Steampunk, but something about this book just grabbed me and took me along for the ride! Not unlike the X-Men, there is a place where gifted people, called Espers, can go to learn how to control their powers and to act on the side of good. After an incident referred to as the "Great Storm" people began to manifest abilities that has something to do with their electromagnetic energy. Of course people fear the unknown and most were made outcasts in a London society that saw zepplins and airships/ballons as an everyday method of transport. However for every Esper that has decided to use their gifts for good, there are many that choose to use them for self-gain. Several Espers from the Institute, serving the greater good, try to save the non-gifted community from their opposites. However, there is a scheme being planned that will test them to their very limits. I don't want to accidentally include spoilers, so I will just say if you like action, paranormal, humor, or good vs. bad you MUST read this book! I hope that there will be more soon!!
November 12, 2016
The book starts with a prolog, set in something resembling Victorian times, in which a grandstanding professor creates a machine that blows up. The resulting explosion alters… something. And as a result, twenty percent of Earth’s population become Espers—mutants whose abilities are based on their personalities. So an easily-enraged individual can suddenly shoot fire from his hands and melt metal. Or a timid girl can do the same with ice. They’re called superheroes for a good reason: the Espers have powers commonly seen in the pages of comic books, especially Marvel’s X-Men.
Firebrand has a fiery touch like Pyro. James teleports like Kitty Pride. Shadow can take on anyone’s form, just like Mystique. Aria manipulates air like Wind Dancer. Freya has the same power as Iceman. And Nathan? Like Rogue, he can absorb and replicate any other mutant, er, Esper ability. They even have an Institute and a Professor leading them!
Only they’re set in Victorian England.
Well, OK. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is your (comic) book. And like a comic book, “Espers” is charged with nonstop action. Right from the start we have Nathan and James battling Firebrand and the Shadow. And the bits with the vampiric trio of Carla, Marla, and Darla, channeling Huey, Dewey, and Louie, are funny.
The characters are likeable and appealing. The writing is sharp and fast-paced. Clearly, Brass has a lot of enthusiasm for the subject and it shows. If you like high fantasy without any plausibility, check out this book.
But it didn’t work for me.
Fiction is based on the willing suspension of disbelief. Readers of this series will need to suspend disbelief by the truckload. Not only is there nothing provided like a scientific explanation of why people can suddenly teleport or catch on fire but their abilities fly in the face of physics and common sense.
We expect that of superheroes, but not Steampunk.
Firebrand has a fiery touch like Pyro. James teleports like Kitty Pride. Shadow can take on anyone’s form, just like Mystique. Aria manipulates air like Wind Dancer. Freya has the same power as Iceman. And Nathan? Like Rogue, he can absorb and replicate any other mutant, er, Esper ability. They even have an Institute and a Professor leading them!
Only they’re set in Victorian England.
Well, OK. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is your (comic) book. And like a comic book, “Espers” is charged with nonstop action. Right from the start we have Nathan and James battling Firebrand and the Shadow. And the bits with the vampiric trio of Carla, Marla, and Darla, channeling Huey, Dewey, and Louie, are funny.
The characters are likeable and appealing. The writing is sharp and fast-paced. Clearly, Brass has a lot of enthusiasm for the subject and it shows. If you like high fantasy without any plausibility, check out this book.
But it didn’t work for me.
Fiction is based on the willing suspension of disbelief. Readers of this series will need to suspend disbelief by the truckload. Not only is there nothing provided like a scientific explanation of why people can suddenly teleport or catch on fire but their abilities fly in the face of physics and common sense.
We expect that of superheroes, but not Steampunk.
January 28, 2017
Esper Files by Egan Brass is simply amazing. This is my first ever Steampunk superhero story and I am hooked. At first, I was a bit skeptical about whether or not I was going to like it, but I decided to give it a shot. I’m really glad that I did.
The story is well written and has complex characters. The action and drama reeled me in. I swear there were moments where I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. A tip of the hat to Egan Brass for writing such a rich and dynamic story.
I enjoyed how Nathan and his partner interact with one another and how well they work together to save the world.
I give this 5/5 Platypires. I’m looking forward to reading other books by Egan Brass. I will definitely recommend this story to others.
The story is well written and has complex characters. The action and drama reeled me in. I swear there were moments where I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. A tip of the hat to Egan Brass for writing such a rich and dynamic story.
I enjoyed how Nathan and his partner interact with one another and how well they work together to save the world.
I give this 5/5 Platypires. I’m looking forward to reading other books by Egan Brass. I will definitely recommend this story to others.
January 7, 2017
Esper Files starts with an explanations of how and what happened; I appreciate writers that start this way. I have never read steampunk, or even knew what it was for that matter, before joining the boundless book reviews blog, so this was a new adventure for me. In addition, this was my first Steampunk Mystery; I’ve only read Steampunk Romance, until now.
The characters were exceptionally developed and the imagery was perfect. I enjoyed the action and suspense. It was hard to put it down; I would have read it in one sitting if I had the time! I highly recommend this book. I love the “beings” in this book and their abilities; Brass has an imagination I would call extraordinary.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book; it’s a strong 4.5 Boundless Stars from me.
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The characters were exceptionally developed and the imagery was perfect. I enjoyed the action and suspense. It was hard to put it down; I would have read it in one sitting if I had the time! I highly recommend this book. I love the “beings” in this book and their abilities; Brass has an imagination I would call extraordinary.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book; it’s a strong 4.5 Boundless Stars from me.
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https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
November 8, 2016
https://ravenandbeez.wordpress.com/20...
[Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review]
This book has been one of my best October reads. I haven't read a lot of steampunk (something that I hope to change) and reading this has convinced me to read more of it soon.
The book is set in a Victorian era, steampunk, London and begins with a scientist (known as Professor) conducting an experiment that goes real bad, real fast and before you know it, super enhanced human beings known as Espers start popping up. An institute is set up where people with such cool powers are taught to use it for good but naturally we have some villainous peeps with villainous intentions trying to burn the world down. Cue, Nathan and James, Espers from the institute who are later joined by Freya, who wants to save her brother, an Esper, from the evil Baron.
I love the writing style of this book, especially loved the fight scenes because they played out like a cool movie in my mind. Every time I finished a fight scene I'd be thirsty for some more kick-ass and thankfully a healthy amount was provided for me. (gorges on it and turns into an instant hippo) Let's also bask in the glory of the fact that romance is in no way the important aspect of this book like, good lord! It's so hard to find a good book like this.
The characters, on the other hand, are very well formed and I absolutely love Freya's character development. The Baron and the people under his "care" are very bone-chillingly creepy. And this is coming from a girl who thinks movies and books are much better when there is a lot of well-shed blood and gore *cough*season7TWD*cough* I love the pure evil in all of them. (laughs like a maniac)
I was a bit sad that the element of steampunk was not that engraved into the book. I'd have liked to see the characters actually engage with that aspect because we are told that they traveled on a steam-powered airplane but I wanted to see it happening, or read it, whatever.
I won't lie, when I started reading this book I felt like it resembled X-men a lot. For example, the Professor who is like a father figure for these Espers who are treated like outcasts was similar to Professor X, and the Espers themselves are sort of like mutants and the whole institute providing shelter to the Espers thing is like Xavier's school for gifted youngsters but that's where the similarity ends.
The book has a very interesting plot and it has ended on a good note. It's not a cliffhanger but there are some loose threads and that's what makes me want to read the next book in the series which I hope is in the works... or something.
Definitely recommended for people who love superheroes and a book filled with action and mystery.
Lots of love,
Raven
Edit: OH MY GOD I JUST FOUND OUT THAT BOOK 2 IS RELEASING ON MY BIRTHDAY! (January 25, 2017)
[Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review]
This book has been one of my best October reads. I haven't read a lot of steampunk (something that I hope to change) and reading this has convinced me to read more of it soon.
The book is set in a Victorian era, steampunk, London and begins with a scientist (known as Professor) conducting an experiment that goes real bad, real fast and before you know it, super enhanced human beings known as Espers start popping up. An institute is set up where people with such cool powers are taught to use it for good but naturally we have some villainous peeps with villainous intentions trying to burn the world down. Cue, Nathan and James, Espers from the institute who are later joined by Freya, who wants to save her brother, an Esper, from the evil Baron.
I love the writing style of this book, especially loved the fight scenes because they played out like a cool movie in my mind. Every time I finished a fight scene I'd be thirsty for some more kick-ass and thankfully a healthy amount was provided for me. (gorges on it and turns into an instant hippo) Let's also bask in the glory of the fact that romance is in no way the important aspect of this book like, good lord! It's so hard to find a good book like this.
The characters, on the other hand, are very well formed and I absolutely love Freya's character development. The Baron and the people under his "care" are very bone-chillingly creepy. And this is coming from a girl who thinks movies and books are much better when there is a lot of well-shed blood and gore *cough*season7TWD*cough* I love the pure evil in all of them. (laughs like a maniac)
I was a bit sad that the element of steampunk was not that engraved into the book. I'd have liked to see the characters actually engage with that aspect because we are told that they traveled on a steam-powered airplane but I wanted to see it happening, or read it, whatever.
I won't lie, when I started reading this book I felt like it resembled X-men a lot. For example, the Professor who is like a father figure for these Espers who are treated like outcasts was similar to Professor X, and the Espers themselves are sort of like mutants and the whole institute providing shelter to the Espers thing is like Xavier's school for gifted youngsters but that's where the similarity ends.
The book has a very interesting plot and it has ended on a good note. It's not a cliffhanger but there are some loose threads and that's what makes me want to read the next book in the series which I hope is in the works... or something.
Definitely recommended for people who love superheroes and a book filled with action and mystery.
Lots of love,
Raven
Edit: OH MY GOD I JUST FOUND OUT THAT BOOK 2 IS RELEASING ON MY BIRTHDAY! (January 25, 2017)
November 26, 2016
So Esper Files is published by a platform called Inkitt. I have been in touch with them about this book and another that I am also looking forward to read and review.
Esper files follow a group of people known as Espers with extraordinary powers which they got from an experiment gone wrong at the Oxford Academy of Science. The Institute was built to help young Espers learn of their powers and how to control them, however there are still rogue and dangerous Espers in London. We specifically follow Nathan and James as they run into troubles with a man known as the Baron was kidnapped a young boy known as the Siren. The Siren's sister, Freya, comes into her powers as he is kidnapped and helps Nathan and James stop the Baron before he builds an army to destroy Espers.
I was happy to read this book for my honest review as I always want to help unknown authors start out with reviews and also because the synopsis sounded interesting. The book is really fast paced and I actually read this in two sittings. The books isn't that long, a little over 200 pages, so is definitely something nice and easy to pick up, read and be sucked into an enjoyable read. The setting of this book is late 19th Century in London, so the language is quite in relation to this time, which works for this book. The characters also work really well together and the writing flowed reasonably well. I would have preferred the paragraphs to be a bit more 'together', rather than a few sentences most of the time, but I wouldn't say this is an issue.
There was certainly nothing wrong with this book as an overall piece and nothing I particularly disliked. I gave this book 4 stars because I enjoyed it but I didn't fall utterly in love with it (please don't take this as a bad thing!). The book I would say is definitely aimed at teenagers and young adults. I don't think an older demographic would enjoy it as much, but obviously some older adults do very much enjoy younger aimed books!
Overall, a very likeable book and I enjoyed it. Certainly something fast paced and easy to get through if you like that kind of thing. I would definitely say that Brass should make a series out of this book and should be enjoyed by a young adult audience.
Esper files follow a group of people known as Espers with extraordinary powers which they got from an experiment gone wrong at the Oxford Academy of Science. The Institute was built to help young Espers learn of their powers and how to control them, however there are still rogue and dangerous Espers in London. We specifically follow Nathan and James as they run into troubles with a man known as the Baron was kidnapped a young boy known as the Siren. The Siren's sister, Freya, comes into her powers as he is kidnapped and helps Nathan and James stop the Baron before he builds an army to destroy Espers.
I was happy to read this book for my honest review as I always want to help unknown authors start out with reviews and also because the synopsis sounded interesting. The book is really fast paced and I actually read this in two sittings. The books isn't that long, a little over 200 pages, so is definitely something nice and easy to pick up, read and be sucked into an enjoyable read. The setting of this book is late 19th Century in London, so the language is quite in relation to this time, which works for this book. The characters also work really well together and the writing flowed reasonably well. I would have preferred the paragraphs to be a bit more 'together', rather than a few sentences most of the time, but I wouldn't say this is an issue.
There was certainly nothing wrong with this book as an overall piece and nothing I particularly disliked. I gave this book 4 stars because I enjoyed it but I didn't fall utterly in love with it (please don't take this as a bad thing!). The book I would say is definitely aimed at teenagers and young adults. I don't think an older demographic would enjoy it as much, but obviously some older adults do very much enjoy younger aimed books!
Overall, a very likeable book and I enjoyed it. Certainly something fast paced and easy to get through if you like that kind of thing. I would definitely say that Brass should make a series out of this book and should be enjoyed by a young adult audience.
December 14, 2016
First of all, I loved this book. I’m not a big fantasy/steampunk person, but the plot behind this book was amazing! To start off, I don’t usually like prologues, but the one here beautifully set up the world in the book by showing the day of “the Great Storm,” when Espers, people with super powers, were created.
In the world created by Egan Brass, there are a handful of good Espers who train at the Institute and set out to stop the bad. Now, there’s a new storm coming because the bad Espers aren’t just getting out of hand, they’re joining up to do so! Right away, chapter one starts with action, and I just didn’t want to stop reading from there. The characters are witty and humorous, Nathan is my personal favorite, and I felt their characterization was really well done.
The array of different powers by the Espers was also very well-written. Perfect score on my radar!
In the world created by Egan Brass, there are a handful of good Espers who train at the Institute and set out to stop the bad. Now, there’s a new storm coming because the bad Espers aren’t just getting out of hand, they’re joining up to do so! Right away, chapter one starts with action, and I just didn’t want to stop reading from there. The characters are witty and humorous, Nathan is my personal favorite, and I felt their characterization was really well done.
The array of different powers by the Espers was also very well-written. Perfect score on my radar!
November 4, 2016
A steampunk novel that starts with a adventure on the first page.
Nathan is a smart alec esper, with a unique power that mimics everyone's power. With his partner Jason who can teleport to places. They help keep esper criminals to a minimum. Or at least try too.
In this adventure our two hero's will go on adventure to save London and possibly the world from a madman who is bent on ruling everyone. No one really knows him but they know he is powerful but how powerful and how did he get all his powers? And what are his plans with a singing child?
Nathan is a smart alec esper, with a unique power that mimics everyone's power. With his partner Jason who can teleport to places. They help keep esper criminals to a minimum. Or at least try too.
In this adventure our two hero's will go on adventure to save London and possibly the world from a madman who is bent on ruling everyone. No one really knows him but they know he is powerful but how powerful and how did he get all his powers? And what are his plans with a singing child?
May 19, 2017
Esper Files mixes the charm of your usual Victorian steampunk setting with the spectacle of a superhero popcorn flick and keeps the action pistons pumping throughout this first novel by Egan Brass.
Nathan and James are Espers with superpowers, feared and hated by the public at large, and when they aren’t bickering with one another like step-brothers, they’re getting into your usual fisticuffs around town with their less reputable counterparts and rescuing pubescent children who are only beginning to understand the changes they’re going through. Along with the requisite evil henchmen, they confront a villain named simply the Baron, a former associate of their enigmatic mentor known only as the Professor who runs an Institute for Espers to learn to control their powers. If this is starting to sound familiar, you aren’t the only one thinking this is just another X-Men knockoff set in set in a vaguely steampunk Victorian England. The only part that didn’t feel X-Men to me was the little girl they rescue after her unexpected expression of powers turns the entire scene into a block of ice, threatening to kill everyone. That’s straight out of Disney’s Frozen.
Egan’s novel is published by Inkitt which is a dubious publishing website that’s difficult to do any research on. There are several sources who find their model, however innovative it may claim to be, to be little more than a highly suspicious vanity publishing site. All I can speak to is that the cover art looks good and the novel felt a little more polished and smooth than a lot of the indie stuff I normally review. Since it is not clear that Inkitt staffs editors or is even run by people with any editing experience, perhaps this credit should go back to Brass. Unfortunately the whole novel smells of a marketing ploy built out of familiar and sellable themes. Maybe I’m being hard on Brass and he really was just abnormally influenced by the X-Men (and Frozen).
In that case, the characters are underdeveloped and flat, and their banter is banal. The powers are neither original nor used originally. The premise fails to add anything new to its archetypal foundation, and the world building feels incomplete. X-Men comics have been popular for thirty-forty years, often with five or more titles selling concurrently; you have to do better than what’s here if you want to find new ground and exploit it. Luckily there is plenty of action and the story moves along reasonably quick (make no mistake the story is actually quite readable in a casual primetime, network television sorta way) but none of it has any heart. There is no drama, no tension and no consequences. Even the attempts to tie the use of powers to one’s emotional state can’t stir up any meaningful sentiment.
I realize most of the Amazon reviews are quite positive and I’m willing to concede I might be the outlier here. Maybe this premise is likeable enough to go beyond the limits of the Marvel comic books and still find an audience (it wouldn’t be the first time: I’m looking at you Heroes, Alphas, Powers and many more!) The story flows quickly and clearly, and Brass deserves credit for tight plot progressions and comprehensible motives and plenty of confrontational action. Things many new writers struggle with. You can check it out yourself on Amazon using the Look Inside option. Within the first few pages, you’ll you should have a sense of whether I’m being harsh or the other reviews are overly forgiving.
Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars. Extremely polished and competently constructed, Esper Files can’t seem get out of the X-Men’s shadow or imbue its narrative with anything deeper than popcorn fiction and basic archetypes going through their paces.
Check out my website at www.cwilliamperkins.weebly.com for more reviews!
Nathan and James are Espers with superpowers, feared and hated by the public at large, and when they aren’t bickering with one another like step-brothers, they’re getting into your usual fisticuffs around town with their less reputable counterparts and rescuing pubescent children who are only beginning to understand the changes they’re going through. Along with the requisite evil henchmen, they confront a villain named simply the Baron, a former associate of their enigmatic mentor known only as the Professor who runs an Institute for Espers to learn to control their powers. If this is starting to sound familiar, you aren’t the only one thinking this is just another X-Men knockoff set in set in a vaguely steampunk Victorian England. The only part that didn’t feel X-Men to me was the little girl they rescue after her unexpected expression of powers turns the entire scene into a block of ice, threatening to kill everyone. That’s straight out of Disney’s Frozen.
Egan’s novel is published by Inkitt which is a dubious publishing website that’s difficult to do any research on. There are several sources who find their model, however innovative it may claim to be, to be little more than a highly suspicious vanity publishing site. All I can speak to is that the cover art looks good and the novel felt a little more polished and smooth than a lot of the indie stuff I normally review. Since it is not clear that Inkitt staffs editors or is even run by people with any editing experience, perhaps this credit should go back to Brass. Unfortunately the whole novel smells of a marketing ploy built out of familiar and sellable themes. Maybe I’m being hard on Brass and he really was just abnormally influenced by the X-Men (and Frozen).
In that case, the characters are underdeveloped and flat, and their banter is banal. The powers are neither original nor used originally. The premise fails to add anything new to its archetypal foundation, and the world building feels incomplete. X-Men comics have been popular for thirty-forty years, often with five or more titles selling concurrently; you have to do better than what’s here if you want to find new ground and exploit it. Luckily there is plenty of action and the story moves along reasonably quick (make no mistake the story is actually quite readable in a casual primetime, network television sorta way) but none of it has any heart. There is no drama, no tension and no consequences. Even the attempts to tie the use of powers to one’s emotional state can’t stir up any meaningful sentiment.
I realize most of the Amazon reviews are quite positive and I’m willing to concede I might be the outlier here. Maybe this premise is likeable enough to go beyond the limits of the Marvel comic books and still find an audience (it wouldn’t be the first time: I’m looking at you Heroes, Alphas, Powers and many more!) The story flows quickly and clearly, and Brass deserves credit for tight plot progressions and comprehensible motives and plenty of confrontational action. Things many new writers struggle with. You can check it out yourself on Amazon using the Look Inside option. Within the first few pages, you’ll you should have a sense of whether I’m being harsh or the other reviews are overly forgiving.
Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars. Extremely polished and competently constructed, Esper Files can’t seem get out of the X-Men’s shadow or imbue its narrative with anything deeper than popcorn fiction and basic archetypes going through their paces.
Check out my website at www.cwilliamperkins.weebly.com for more reviews!
October 31, 2016
Experiments often take on different results and the reasons for them vary. When a well-known Professor speaks about electromagnetic energy the end result was anything but he expected. Claiming that he can harness this energy hoping to show those present his success. But, instead the machine explodes and what happens will astound readers from the start as people were affected but not in the normal sense. Imagine having paranormal abilities that could teleport you to different places, give you the power to create ice and cause the world to turn frigid or what about fire not the fire within you but the fire that breaths within your body and creates flames do dangerous it can destroy anyone coming too close. Imagine turning people, places and things to ash. Welcome to the world of the Espers a class of people that are either good and hope to destroy evil or bad and want all of the powers for themselves.
The time period is the second half of the 19th century and when this experiment at The Oxford Academy of Science goes awry the very same professor creates an Institute to instruct and teach these Espers how to use their powers and control them for the good. Some will fight it and others will embrace his teachings and then some with abuse theirs hoping to gain control of what others have as we meet Nathan and James two agents from the Institute. Nathan has the power to create fire and flames and James can teleport himself and others anywhere.
Meet Cyrus the Siren and his sister Freya who play an integral part in this plot as we hear Cyrus sing and hypnotize the audience with his magic voice but what he does not know that he has more powers that are more powerful than this young child is aware of. The Institute’s primary job is to teach Espers how to use their powers and control them and stop those that have Esper powers and are using them for other purposes. Imagine being able to manipulate the feelings and emotions of others. Imagine being able to replicate the powers of someone else and use it for you own self and for the good. Meet the Baron whose purpose is to wield his power over the helpless and use them to do his bidding and crimes. Firebrand and Thomas are two that work for him and a mystery entity called THE SHADOW who lurks in the dark, you can’ t see him and you wonder throughout just which side he is on and whose. Even though this might be a paranormal book the issues brought to light are not any different than any others where we find a caste system in place, prejudice in the forefront and a group of people fighting to stay alive with powers many of us would love to have and others that are deadly. The gifts that these people have range from creating ice and fire to teleporting and more. Using their electromagnetic energy to help create their powers. Outcasts in a London society created to help others yet at times when we see something we don’t know instead of learning more about it or them we create panic or fear and what would you do if you saw people flying in zeppelins or airships in the form of balloons? Author Egan Brass brings to light these issues and more as we learn more about Nathan who is quite powerful yet at times fragile like the rest and what happens when Cyrus is kidnapped by the Baron and Freya is found by the Institute and she is set on finding and saving her brother at all costs. Nathan is powerful and the Professor runs the Institute as well as a doctor who can cure any injury or illness using her hands. But, the Baron has his own plan as does The Shadow but there is someone hiding in plain sight and the wings orchestrating and running the show for a different reason yet no one realizes it as yet.
The fun part of the story is Nathan and the doctor’s flirtations, interactions and sarcastic comments adding humor to the story. The loyalties of the Espers to one an other promising to always be there for them carries over to both Cyrus and Freda as she learns about her own powers using ice and snow.
Starting with a simple bank robbery and escalading into the hunt for who kidnapped Cyrus, the real reasons behind what the Baron had planned for him and why the outcasts that were orphans and less fortunate lacked a voice and were held captive by him.
Freya tried to help but instead almost done overusing her powers to create solid ice and storms that froze people, their movements and the scenery kill everyone. But, when she finally realizes what she did Freya understands however, being a kid and wanting her brother back does not stop her from one more wild and dangerous act that could not only put him in more danger but her and everyone else too. While Nathan now was able to adopt her powers and that of Firebrand, the Baron had other plans in mind for them all. Just how far would he go to gain all the power he wanted and what was his plan for the Siren? The Professor is astute and realizes that something is off as he rehashes the following events trying to come to a startling conclusion: a device of unknown function is stolen by Espers, a boy with powerful hypnotic abilities is kidnapped, the Institute is broken into for the purpose of kidnapping a single crook but why? The Professor continues by explaining the definition and meaning of multiple possibilities and how that affects them. Next we meet the Oracle who fascinates Freya as the author brings all of these powerful characters into one place hoping to create a plan to recapture Cyrus, free the inmates that are helpless and capture Firebrand and Thomas.
The Oracle tells readers the importance of the Lotus flower and shows the invitation to the Peace Summit hoping to bring everyone together and create some type of harmony. But, reading our news in the present time you wonder if that will be possible anywhere even in their time and place. Lord Mortfield meets with the team and promises to help using his power and influence anyway that he can but can we trust him? Learning more about the Baron and what some scientists call their control group is deadly and frightening thinking he will over come it all and take the powers that belong to others and own the Siren. When things get out of control or someone fails you don’t want to be there and see what happens to the victim and the horrific ending they are subjected to by the Baron.
When the Baron and the Professor enter into combat in what most would say is a dangerous chess game played with their own special pieces and board, who will win and who will lose and who will have to pleasure of the final CHECKMATE? When Freya decides to leave the Institute and find Cyrus she not only endangers him but the lives of others but at the same time as she wields her powers over the others and Cyrus begins to realize that he is far from powerless the ending is explosive, heated with flames, filled with ice and frigid snow and the possibility of the wrong side winning as both Cyrus and Freya learn some hard lessons about loyalty, trust, faith, hope and survival. What will the final fate of these interesting and unique characters be? Will Nathan come out alive? Will Cyrus be safe or will the Baron keep him chained and locked up for his own purposes? What happens when someone realizes what is happening and the Baron faces off with a deadly foe?
Esper Files: Just what’s in them? What will be added and when will the rest of the story be told? The ending allows readers to know that they are not quite safe just yet. Will the Baron get his wish and control the minds, bodies and souls of London’s peacemakers or will Nathan, James and the rest of the members of the Institute prevail? Will Nathan hone in on his powers and learn to handle them or will the entire effort and the world implode? This is one story that is quite unique in nature, plot line and whose characters you will either love or want destroyed depending on which side you are on? Espers Good: vs Espers EVIL! WHOSE KING WILL PREVAIL IN THIS DEADLY GAME OF CHESS?
Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine
The time period is the second half of the 19th century and when this experiment at The Oxford Academy of Science goes awry the very same professor creates an Institute to instruct and teach these Espers how to use their powers and control them for the good. Some will fight it and others will embrace his teachings and then some with abuse theirs hoping to gain control of what others have as we meet Nathan and James two agents from the Institute. Nathan has the power to create fire and flames and James can teleport himself and others anywhere.
Meet Cyrus the Siren and his sister Freya who play an integral part in this plot as we hear Cyrus sing and hypnotize the audience with his magic voice but what he does not know that he has more powers that are more powerful than this young child is aware of. The Institute’s primary job is to teach Espers how to use their powers and control them and stop those that have Esper powers and are using them for other purposes. Imagine being able to manipulate the feelings and emotions of others. Imagine being able to replicate the powers of someone else and use it for you own self and for the good. Meet the Baron whose purpose is to wield his power over the helpless and use them to do his bidding and crimes. Firebrand and Thomas are two that work for him and a mystery entity called THE SHADOW who lurks in the dark, you can’ t see him and you wonder throughout just which side he is on and whose. Even though this might be a paranormal book the issues brought to light are not any different than any others where we find a caste system in place, prejudice in the forefront and a group of people fighting to stay alive with powers many of us would love to have and others that are deadly. The gifts that these people have range from creating ice and fire to teleporting and more. Using their electromagnetic energy to help create their powers. Outcasts in a London society created to help others yet at times when we see something we don’t know instead of learning more about it or them we create panic or fear and what would you do if you saw people flying in zeppelins or airships in the form of balloons? Author Egan Brass brings to light these issues and more as we learn more about Nathan who is quite powerful yet at times fragile like the rest and what happens when Cyrus is kidnapped by the Baron and Freya is found by the Institute and she is set on finding and saving her brother at all costs. Nathan is powerful and the Professor runs the Institute as well as a doctor who can cure any injury or illness using her hands. But, the Baron has his own plan as does The Shadow but there is someone hiding in plain sight and the wings orchestrating and running the show for a different reason yet no one realizes it as yet.
The fun part of the story is Nathan and the doctor’s flirtations, interactions and sarcastic comments adding humor to the story. The loyalties of the Espers to one an other promising to always be there for them carries over to both Cyrus and Freda as she learns about her own powers using ice and snow.
Starting with a simple bank robbery and escalading into the hunt for who kidnapped Cyrus, the real reasons behind what the Baron had planned for him and why the outcasts that were orphans and less fortunate lacked a voice and were held captive by him.
Freya tried to help but instead almost done overusing her powers to create solid ice and storms that froze people, their movements and the scenery kill everyone. But, when she finally realizes what she did Freya understands however, being a kid and wanting her brother back does not stop her from one more wild and dangerous act that could not only put him in more danger but her and everyone else too. While Nathan now was able to adopt her powers and that of Firebrand, the Baron had other plans in mind for them all. Just how far would he go to gain all the power he wanted and what was his plan for the Siren? The Professor is astute and realizes that something is off as he rehashes the following events trying to come to a startling conclusion: a device of unknown function is stolen by Espers, a boy with powerful hypnotic abilities is kidnapped, the Institute is broken into for the purpose of kidnapping a single crook but why? The Professor continues by explaining the definition and meaning of multiple possibilities and how that affects them. Next we meet the Oracle who fascinates Freya as the author brings all of these powerful characters into one place hoping to create a plan to recapture Cyrus, free the inmates that are helpless and capture Firebrand and Thomas.
The Oracle tells readers the importance of the Lotus flower and shows the invitation to the Peace Summit hoping to bring everyone together and create some type of harmony. But, reading our news in the present time you wonder if that will be possible anywhere even in their time and place. Lord Mortfield meets with the team and promises to help using his power and influence anyway that he can but can we trust him? Learning more about the Baron and what some scientists call their control group is deadly and frightening thinking he will over come it all and take the powers that belong to others and own the Siren. When things get out of control or someone fails you don’t want to be there and see what happens to the victim and the horrific ending they are subjected to by the Baron.
When the Baron and the Professor enter into combat in what most would say is a dangerous chess game played with their own special pieces and board, who will win and who will lose and who will have to pleasure of the final CHECKMATE? When Freya decides to leave the Institute and find Cyrus she not only endangers him but the lives of others but at the same time as she wields her powers over the others and Cyrus begins to realize that he is far from powerless the ending is explosive, heated with flames, filled with ice and frigid snow and the possibility of the wrong side winning as both Cyrus and Freya learn some hard lessons about loyalty, trust, faith, hope and survival. What will the final fate of these interesting and unique characters be? Will Nathan come out alive? Will Cyrus be safe or will the Baron keep him chained and locked up for his own purposes? What happens when someone realizes what is happening and the Baron faces off with a deadly foe?
Esper Files: Just what’s in them? What will be added and when will the rest of the story be told? The ending allows readers to know that they are not quite safe just yet. Will the Baron get his wish and control the minds, bodies and souls of London’s peacemakers or will Nathan, James and the rest of the members of the Institute prevail? Will Nathan hone in on his powers and learn to handle them or will the entire effort and the world implode? This is one story that is quite unique in nature, plot line and whose characters you will either love or want destroyed depending on which side you are on? Espers Good: vs Espers EVIL! WHOSE KING WILL PREVAIL IN THIS DEADLY GAME OF CHESS?
Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine
November 13, 2016
This book would make a great comic book or series of comic books. Or maybe a video game. All that’s missing is the artwork.
The premise involves a lot of people with super-powers, the Espers. Some are criminals who have it in for humanity. Others make a career of trying to control the criminals. Many of them, especially the criminal types go by nicknames reminiscent of Batman characters – e.g. Firebrand, Shadow, the Harpies, the Baron.
The inciting incident for creating all the Espers ostensibly occurred in the late 19th century. A character known as the Professor, now the head of the policing Espers, was engaged in an experiment to create some massive amount of electricity, like a million volts or something (it doesn’t say why), when things went very wrong. There was a massive storm, and the experiment drew down a bolt of lightning and exploded, destroying the building where the experiment was housed and in the process creating the Espers by means of somehow altering their electromagnetic fields. So it’s supposed to be a steampunk thing, although except for the occasional appearance of an airship instead of an airplane or helicopter you really can’t tell much difference.
The first character we meet – Nathan, one of the good guys – has the superpower of being able to copy anyone else’s superpower once he has encountered it. The Baron – almost the highest-ranking of the criminal Espers in this book – achieves the same effect by eating some gland found only in the brains of Espers after he kills them. Normally Espers only have one superpower, and they seem to be nearly all different.
Just like in any good comic book, the Baron is trying to take over the world. It falls to Nathan, the professor, and their team to save the world. But it seems the Baron had his own evil overlord.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The premise involves a lot of people with super-powers, the Espers. Some are criminals who have it in for humanity. Others make a career of trying to control the criminals. Many of them, especially the criminal types go by nicknames reminiscent of Batman characters – e.g. Firebrand, Shadow, the Harpies, the Baron.
The inciting incident for creating all the Espers ostensibly occurred in the late 19th century. A character known as the Professor, now the head of the policing Espers, was engaged in an experiment to create some massive amount of electricity, like a million volts or something (it doesn’t say why), when things went very wrong. There was a massive storm, and the experiment drew down a bolt of lightning and exploded, destroying the building where the experiment was housed and in the process creating the Espers by means of somehow altering their electromagnetic fields. So it’s supposed to be a steampunk thing, although except for the occasional appearance of an airship instead of an airplane or helicopter you really can’t tell much difference.
The first character we meet – Nathan, one of the good guys – has the superpower of being able to copy anyone else’s superpower once he has encountered it. The Baron – almost the highest-ranking of the criminal Espers in this book – achieves the same effect by eating some gland found only in the brains of Espers after he kills them. Normally Espers only have one superpower, and they seem to be nearly all different.
Just like in any good comic book, the Baron is trying to take over the world. It falls to Nathan, the professor, and their team to save the world. But it seems the Baron had his own evil overlord.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2016
Cover page is not so amazing, could have been better. But as you will start reading the book, you can not hold back without completing it; It is an Action thriller drags you in another world.
Events are beautifully knitted ; Action scenes described in a manner that reader can visualise them.
While reading i got goosebumps and thrilled. Although most of events can be predicted till the book is gripping and eventful. (This one is not a suspense story obviously)
Well developed characters of the book is the most creditable; who have supernatural power derived from their emotions and feelings.
Author has used Simple Britain English, to keep the book readable Non-English readers also.
The climax of the book is open to keep space for the second part of the book.
Best sentence of the book, 'Trust your own power, not copied one.'
Who should not read the book?
Children below age of 15 years ( Action scenes many pages of the book)
Who should read the book?
If you love reading action, thriller, supernatural..then go and grab the book.
(Disclaimer: The Complimentary copy of the book was given by the author for honest, unbiased review. No payment was accepted for the review of the book )
Events are beautifully knitted ; Action scenes described in a manner that reader can visualise them.
While reading i got goosebumps and thrilled. Although most of events can be predicted till the book is gripping and eventful. (This one is not a suspense story obviously)
Well developed characters of the book is the most creditable; who have supernatural power derived from their emotions and feelings.
Author has used Simple Britain English, to keep the book readable Non-English readers also.
The climax of the book is open to keep space for the second part of the book.
Best sentence of the book, 'Trust your own power, not copied one.'
Who should not read the book?
Children below age of 15 years ( Action scenes many pages of the book)
Who should read the book?
If you love reading action, thriller, supernatural..then go and grab the book.
(Disclaimer: The Complimentary copy of the book was given by the author for honest, unbiased review. No payment was accepted for the review of the book )
October 15, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had high hopes going into this book. Supernatural abilities are, when done right, outright fun, there's so much to play with. But I can't say it lived up to expectations particularly well.
The plot is okay, but no more than that and it has a few holes in it. As for the setting, it was pretty much (Victorian) London meets the X-Men. There seemed to be a lot off inspiration from the X-Men to be honest, though if that's a good or a bad thing I can't really say.
There were a few scenes in the book with gore and sexual harassment (and threats off abuse) that felt somewhat out off place, they didn't really fit the tone of the book.
I also have to say I didn't really feel the rivalry between Nathan and Firebrand, it felt forced. I don't know what it was exactly, maybe that it felt like in one scene they reached a sort of understanding and in the next scene with Firebrand he insists on beating up Nathan anyway?
There is potential here, it could be an interesting story, but right now there are just too many small things pulling it down.
I had high hopes going into this book. Supernatural abilities are, when done right, outright fun, there's so much to play with. But I can't say it lived up to expectations particularly well.
The plot is okay, but no more than that and it has a few holes in it. As for the setting, it was pretty much (Victorian) London meets the X-Men. There seemed to be a lot off inspiration from the X-Men to be honest, though if that's a good or a bad thing I can't really say.
There were a few scenes in the book with gore and sexual harassment (and threats off abuse) that felt somewhat out off place, they didn't really fit the tone of the book.
I also have to say I didn't really feel the rivalry between Nathan and Firebrand, it felt forced. I don't know what it was exactly, maybe that it felt like in one scene they reached a sort of understanding and in the next scene with Firebrand he insists on beating up Nathan anyway?
There is potential here, it could be an interesting story, but right now there are just too many small things pulling it down.
November 2, 2016
This is the first book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed this book. The backstory leading up to what caused the Espers was nice. It really helped to set the stage for the whole story. Nathan and James were great. The way they used their abilities was smart. Thus, this story came off as smart versus superhero. Not, that I have anything against superheroes. I love waiting the DC and Marvel movies. Back to the book. I have to give a shout out to Freya. She may be young but I liked that she was not easily fooled by anyone and is a fighter. James and Nathan treated Freya with respect and did not talk down to her. So, Freya came off as older then she really was.
While this story takes place in Victorian London, it had a bit of a steampunk vibe to it; which I thoroughly enjoyed. There was not a dull moment in this book. There is another book coming out in a few months that continues on with this journey. I can't wait to check that book out. You have to check this book out. It is worth both your time and money.
While this story takes place in Victorian London, it had a bit of a steampunk vibe to it; which I thoroughly enjoyed. There was not a dull moment in this book. There is another book coming out in a few months that continues on with this journey. I can't wait to check that book out. You have to check this book out. It is worth both your time and money.
July 23, 2018
Esper Files is a fantastic opening to this series written by Egan Brass. I got hooked reading the third book in the series, so I had to go back and start reading the other ones from the beginning on. This book is very well written and has a well thought through plot. It explains on how it all started which is great, well some of it at least since in book 3 you find out soe of the missing gaps still. The pace of the book is perfect, with something happening all the time. There is never a dull moment and you definitely never feel bored, but you also never feel like the author is trying to rush you through the story.
I admit I really like Nathan, he is a very likable character and he is accompanied by some other great characters like James. The professor of course holds them all together. Of course while reading this you can't help but get an X-men kind of feel, with the steampunk undertones, but this book is a blast to read in its own way. I for one enjoyed it a lot and am glad I came across it. I can't wait to read more in this series.
I admit I really like Nathan, he is a very likable character and he is accompanied by some other great characters like James. The professor of course holds them all together. Of course while reading this you can't help but get an X-men kind of feel, with the steampunk undertones, but this book is a blast to read in its own way. I for one enjoyed it a lot and am glad I came across it. I can't wait to read more in this series.
October 24, 2016
The scene begins with the Professor on the cusp of fame and fortune. He discusses electromagnetic energy with a group of his peers and how he was able to harness this energy and now is about to demonstrate it and make history. The machine explodes and people are affected by it and now manifest paranormal abilities. These people are called Espers.
Some are good and some are bad, really evil and gruesome.
Nathan and James are the good guys. They hunt villains in order to protect the innocent. They catch two of the evil ones in the middle of robbing a bank.
There is a criminal mastermind involved in the plot and plenty of scary accomplices and assassins to do his bidding.
All of the Espers are in danger and it is up to James, Nathan, and a few others to save the world.
This is the perfect book to read if you want to be frightened, grossed out, mesmerized, and find out whether the good guys win or lose the fight. Get your copy today!
Some are good and some are bad, really evil and gruesome.
Nathan and James are the good guys. They hunt villains in order to protect the innocent. They catch two of the evil ones in the middle of robbing a bank.
There is a criminal mastermind involved in the plot and plenty of scary accomplices and assassins to do his bidding.
All of the Espers are in danger and it is up to James, Nathan, and a few others to save the world.
This is the perfect book to read if you want to be frightened, grossed out, mesmerized, and find out whether the good guys win or lose the fight. Get your copy today!
July 22, 2017
An exciting beginning of an urban-fantasy/steam-punk series of magical beings in the 19th century. There is a bit of an X-Men vibe, as beings with emotion-specific powers fight all kinds of supernatural threats that try to take over or destroy London. There is a varied cast of different characters, who interact in a range of ways with each other. The setting can take a bit more development, as it is easy to forget what century this is meant to be happening in.
September 11, 2017
Great read, a cannot put down story that I read in a matter of hours. Egan Brass, the pseudonym foe author Ryan Attard has moved near the top on my list of favorite authors! His books have it all, nonstop action, espers (think Marvel’s X-Men), sarcasm, & humor. I very much enjoyed this book & can't wait for more.
June 7, 2017
This is the story of an experiment that affected people with super powers in many different ways. There is never a boring part of the book. Plenty of action and excitement.
I recommend this book to everyone who likes fantasy.
I recommend this book to everyone who likes fantasy.
November 28, 2017
Such a phenomenal book. I couldn't put it down. I was transported to Victorian London. The plot and the characters are well developed and carry the plot forward. I am enjoying it and can't wait to see how it all turns out.
December 13, 2017
This excellently written but feels like a back story missing that makes you loose interest in the story halfway through. I struggled with the last half because it felt like there was something missing. Was glad to finish it.
March 4, 2017
This steampunk novel, set in Victorian London, starts with a person named The Professor demonstrating a new energy machine. The major consequence of its untimely explosion is that twenty percent of the world's population have had their latent mental or psychic abilities suddenly awakened. They have become Espers.
Fast forward a number of years. The Professor runs what looks like a private school, but is actually a place where young people who are Espers can be with others like them without fear of being hunted and feared. There is a young child, nicknamed The Siren, with a singing voice that is not to be believed. With his voice, he can reach into a person's soul, and cause feelings of joy, sadness or any other emotion. If a nefarious person is able to plant mind control instructions at such a moment of emotional openness, the proverbial sky is the limit.
An extremely shadowy figure called The Baron wants The Siren (his real name is Cyrus) no matter what. A trio of murderous harpies are sent to get him. His adoptive parents are murdered, but Freya, his sister, escapes by unleashing some pent-up abilities of her own. Back in the day, The Professor and The Baron were colleagues.
Freya takes matters into her own hands when she and The Professor (and the other "good guys") don't share the same timetable for attacking The Baron's private estate to rescue Cyrus. She is captured, and nearly murdered, by a group of teenage Espers who agree to do anything The Baron wants.
The Baron makes his mind control move during a special performance by The Siren. Is there any way to "jam" his voice, or otherwise stop The Baron, once and for all? Is there going to be a sequel?
This is an excellent piece of writing. It has everything a person could want; a shadowy villain, plenty of action, strange mental abilities and murderous harpies. This will certainly keep the reader entertained.
Fast forward a number of years. The Professor runs what looks like a private school, but is actually a place where young people who are Espers can be with others like them without fear of being hunted and feared. There is a young child, nicknamed The Siren, with a singing voice that is not to be believed. With his voice, he can reach into a person's soul, and cause feelings of joy, sadness or any other emotion. If a nefarious person is able to plant mind control instructions at such a moment of emotional openness, the proverbial sky is the limit.
An extremely shadowy figure called The Baron wants The Siren (his real name is Cyrus) no matter what. A trio of murderous harpies are sent to get him. His adoptive parents are murdered, but Freya, his sister, escapes by unleashing some pent-up abilities of her own. Back in the day, The Professor and The Baron were colleagues.
Freya takes matters into her own hands when she and The Professor (and the other "good guys") don't share the same timetable for attacking The Baron's private estate to rescue Cyrus. She is captured, and nearly murdered, by a group of teenage Espers who agree to do anything The Baron wants.
The Baron makes his mind control move during a special performance by The Siren. Is there any way to "jam" his voice, or otherwise stop The Baron, once and for all? Is there going to be a sequel?
This is an excellent piece of writing. It has everything a person could want; a shadowy villain, plenty of action, strange mental abilities and murderous harpies. This will certainly keep the reader entertained.
October 15, 2019
View edited review on Read With Me (https://readwithme2018.com/2016/11/10...)
I was so excited when I realized that this was another steampunk novel. I must have missed it in the blurb.
This book is fascinating. It starts with the Professor giving a demonstration on Electro-Magnetic energy at The Oxford Academy of Science to a crowd of people, including some influential Lords. Unfortunately, there was an accident involving a storm that blew up the lab, which was called the Great Storm. But not only the lab was destroyed in the Great Storm. Something was released, and it began to affect 20% of the Earth’s population with paranormal powers and natures. That was the day that the Espers were created.
Fast forward 30 years into the future, and Nathan and James, who are Espers, are introduced. They are about to jump off an airship and use James’s power of teleportation (he can teleport anywhere he has seen once) to the Bank of England, where there is a robbery occurring. After a bloody and fire-filled fight (one of the rogue Espers could control fire), they end up back at the Institute with the rogue Esper, who was robbing the bank.
While Nathan is being healed that it is disclosed that he has a rare paranormal ability. Just by touching another Esper, he gets their abilities and the emotions associated with them. It is while interrogating Firebrand (the rogue Esper), they find out that there is a diabolical plan being set into action by a mysterious Esper named The Baron. The first plan was to rob the Bank of England for a mind-control device. The second plan is to kidnap a 9-year-old Esper called The Siren. The reason the boy is called The Siren is that he has a voice that can hypnotize people, and The Baron needs him for his diabolical plan.
That’s when Freya is introduced. She is The Siren’s (aka Cyrus) older sister and his protector. Freya is also an Esper, but she has repressed her powers until the night that a trio of blood-drinking Espers brutally murders her adoptive mother and father. After that, her brother is kidnapped by The Baron’s assassin.
Freya is rescued from the ice block she made of her house and neighborhood by Nathan and brought back to the Institute. There she is told about the plan to use Cyrus for a nefarious reason. That is when she decides to take action.
I felt terrible for Freya at first, but then she got on my nerves. She didn’t listen and found herself in some pretty dangerous situations while not knowing how to use her powers. I said to my Kindle, “Just listen to Nathan, you silly girl” during the last battle.
I liked Nathan, but I couldn’t imagine the toll his power had on him. What I liked, even more, was that he used Tai Chi to ground himself and to keep his emotions in check after gaining a new power. Plus, he was able to use it in battle at the end of the book when his powers wouldn’t have been able to help him, and I liked that. He was also a sarcastic, cheeky son of a gun, and his mouth did get him in trouble (and made me laugh).
Not going to go into the story from there but man, it was full of action and evil people doing evil things. There is one scene of an Esper taking over another Esper’s mind that freaked me out. Also, The Baron at the end of the book was downright spooky.
Not going to go into the story from there but man, it was full of action and evil people doing evil things. There is one scene of an Esper taking over another Esper’s mind that freaked me out. Also, The Baron at the end of the book was downright spooky.
There wasn’t a happy ending with this book. Some storylines were wrapped up, others were left open, and new ones were started. It paved the way for a second book, which I can’t wait to read
I was so excited when I realized that this was another steampunk novel. I must have missed it in the blurb.
This book is fascinating. It starts with the Professor giving a demonstration on Electro-Magnetic energy at The Oxford Academy of Science to a crowd of people, including some influential Lords. Unfortunately, there was an accident involving a storm that blew up the lab, which was called the Great Storm. But not only the lab was destroyed in the Great Storm. Something was released, and it began to affect 20% of the Earth’s population with paranormal powers and natures. That was the day that the Espers were created.
Fast forward 30 years into the future, and Nathan and James, who are Espers, are introduced. They are about to jump off an airship and use James’s power of teleportation (he can teleport anywhere he has seen once) to the Bank of England, where there is a robbery occurring. After a bloody and fire-filled fight (one of the rogue Espers could control fire), they end up back at the Institute with the rogue Esper, who was robbing the bank.
While Nathan is being healed that it is disclosed that he has a rare paranormal ability. Just by touching another Esper, he gets their abilities and the emotions associated with them. It is while interrogating Firebrand (the rogue Esper), they find out that there is a diabolical plan being set into action by a mysterious Esper named The Baron. The first plan was to rob the Bank of England for a mind-control device. The second plan is to kidnap a 9-year-old Esper called The Siren. The reason the boy is called The Siren is that he has a voice that can hypnotize people, and The Baron needs him for his diabolical plan.
That’s when Freya is introduced. She is The Siren’s (aka Cyrus) older sister and his protector. Freya is also an Esper, but she has repressed her powers until the night that a trio of blood-drinking Espers brutally murders her adoptive mother and father. After that, her brother is kidnapped by The Baron’s assassin.
Freya is rescued from the ice block she made of her house and neighborhood by Nathan and brought back to the Institute. There she is told about the plan to use Cyrus for a nefarious reason. That is when she decides to take action.
I felt terrible for Freya at first, but then she got on my nerves. She didn’t listen and found herself in some pretty dangerous situations while not knowing how to use her powers. I said to my Kindle, “Just listen to Nathan, you silly girl” during the last battle.
I liked Nathan, but I couldn’t imagine the toll his power had on him. What I liked, even more, was that he used Tai Chi to ground himself and to keep his emotions in check after gaining a new power. Plus, he was able to use it in battle at the end of the book when his powers wouldn’t have been able to help him, and I liked that. He was also a sarcastic, cheeky son of a gun, and his mouth did get him in trouble (and made me laugh).
Not going to go into the story from there but man, it was full of action and evil people doing evil things. There is one scene of an Esper taking over another Esper’s mind that freaked me out. Also, The Baron at the end of the book was downright spooky.
Not going to go into the story from there but man, it was full of action and evil people doing evil things. There is one scene of an Esper taking over another Esper’s mind that freaked me out. Also, The Baron at the end of the book was downright spooky.
There wasn’t a happy ending with this book. Some storylines were wrapped up, others were left open, and new ones were started. It paved the way for a second book, which I can’t wait to read
July 11, 2017
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Before starting this book I had hardly read any Sci-Fi books and had only just discovered what Steampunk was. I had wanted to get into these genres for a long time so I was very excited to start this one.
An experiment goes wrong in a lab in London. Due to this, Espers are created who are people with supernatural abilities. Every esper has a different ability and while some espers use their abilities for the good, others use it to gain power. Nathan and James are among the good espers and are agents of the Institute. The Professor teaches them how to use their abilities to hunt down Espers who go the wrong way.
The starting of this book was amazing! I got chills within the first few pages. I had a feeling that this book will make me fall in love with steampunk.
One thing that I found weird was that the espers went to an oracle.
The plot moves at a good pace. It is very exciting as there are a lot of exciting fighting scenes.
The writing of this book is quite simple and I felt that it should have been at least a little unique. There are so many books coming up nowadays that its hard to create a completely original plot so I think atleast the writing should standd out. I know every author has a different style of writing but I just prefer to read a book who's writing is different.
A lot of interesting characters are introduced. The villains especially, were very clever.
I loved Nathan. He was handsome and cocky and he actually reminded me a bit of Jace from The Mortal Instruments. His ability to replicate any power of another Esper was very interesting. At first, I felt that there isn't enough focus on him in the book but that changes at the end.
I also really liked James.. He was very sweet and funny.
The Siren or Cyrus was a child with an angelic voice and I felt really bad for him. He was extremely powerful but he was just an innocent kid. The Baron wanted him as he was creating an army of young espers and he wanted to become more powerful.
I really liked Freya. She was very fierce and protective towards her brother. She feared her own power as it could be really destructive. I felt really attached to her and Cyrus.
The Espers had a lot of different and fascinating powers and I loved reading about their abilities.
I got a very TMI feel from this book so If you liked that series, I think you'll enjoy this too.
This book is not emotional. There is also no romance in this book and I honestly can't recall the last book I read that had no romance. There is some violence. The book is very action packed and is a very enjoyable read overall. The plot isn't very unique but it is unpredictable and refreshing. One of my favorite things was to read about the different powers the espers had. This book is a fun read and isn't very deep. I'm looking forward to the next book and I hope it is even better. The steampunk part of this book was my favorite thing and I also loved the use of technology. I just wish that everything in this book was a bit more- the writing, characters, depth, plot twists, emotions. I feel like this series can develop a lot and I hope it does.
I definitely recommend this book to everyone.
“I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are honest and unbiased.”
Before starting this book I had hardly read any Sci-Fi books and had only just discovered what Steampunk was. I had wanted to get into these genres for a long time so I was very excited to start this one.
An experiment goes wrong in a lab in London. Due to this, Espers are created who are people with supernatural abilities. Every esper has a different ability and while some espers use their abilities for the good, others use it to gain power. Nathan and James are among the good espers and are agents of the Institute. The Professor teaches them how to use their abilities to hunt down Espers who go the wrong way.
The starting of this book was amazing! I got chills within the first few pages. I had a feeling that this book will make me fall in love with steampunk.
One thing that I found weird was that the espers went to an oracle.
The plot moves at a good pace. It is very exciting as there are a lot of exciting fighting scenes.
The writing of this book is quite simple and I felt that it should have been at least a little unique. There are so many books coming up nowadays that its hard to create a completely original plot so I think atleast the writing should standd out. I know every author has a different style of writing but I just prefer to read a book who's writing is different.
A lot of interesting characters are introduced. The villains especially, were very clever.
I loved Nathan. He was handsome and cocky and he actually reminded me a bit of Jace from The Mortal Instruments. His ability to replicate any power of another Esper was very interesting. At first, I felt that there isn't enough focus on him in the book but that changes at the end.
I also really liked James.. He was very sweet and funny.
The Siren or Cyrus was a child with an angelic voice and I felt really bad for him. He was extremely powerful but he was just an innocent kid. The Baron wanted him as he was creating an army of young espers and he wanted to become more powerful.
I really liked Freya. She was very fierce and protective towards her brother. She feared her own power as it could be really destructive. I felt really attached to her and Cyrus.
The Espers had a lot of different and fascinating powers and I loved reading about their abilities.
I got a very TMI feel from this book so If you liked that series, I think you'll enjoy this too.
This book is not emotional. There is also no romance in this book and I honestly can't recall the last book I read that had no romance. There is some violence. The book is very action packed and is a very enjoyable read overall. The plot isn't very unique but it is unpredictable and refreshing. One of my favorite things was to read about the different powers the espers had. This book is a fun read and isn't very deep. I'm looking forward to the next book and I hope it is even better. The steampunk part of this book was my favorite thing and I also loved the use of technology. I just wish that everything in this book was a bit more- the writing, characters, depth, plot twists, emotions. I feel like this series can develop a lot and I hope it does.
I definitely recommend this book to everyone.
“I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are honest and unbiased.”
February 19, 2017
Trigger warnings: torture, gore, mention of suicidal thoughts, slavery mention, rape threat
It reminds me of some other stories.
Mostly of the X-Men, because of the powers the different characters have and because of a 'all-knowing' professor, who teaches humans with special abilities at an institute, where they live as well.
I feel like I'm not the main target audience for this, because the writing style is not one that I enjoy very much and there is a lot of fighting. Seriously, a lot. The plot idea is still interesting and while I had to skim the fighting scenes a little bit, I was interested in all other scenes. I especially liked the banter between Nathan and James (if only James would take a bigger part in this).
Freya is an interesting and promising character, but I'm not too sure about Nathan on his own. He reads very Gary Sue to me. He's very special - way more special than all other special people - and he can do... anything easily. I would have liked if there would have been more/any character development for him.
If you like a very fast paced action fantasy novel, this is the one for you. If you want to be able to like the characters and feel with them... rather not.
Let me finish this with a little side note: I don't know a lot about autism, but there is an autistic side character and I don't know how sensibly done he is. Just a fair warning. I would love to read reviews of Esper Files written by bloggers with autism.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
It reminds me of some other stories.
Mostly of the X-Men, because of the powers the different characters have and because of a 'all-knowing' professor, who teaches humans with special abilities at an institute, where they live as well.
I feel like I'm not the main target audience for this, because the writing style is not one that I enjoy very much and there is a lot of fighting. Seriously, a lot. The plot idea is still interesting and while I had to skim the fighting scenes a little bit, I was interested in all other scenes. I especially liked the banter between Nathan and James (if only James would take a bigger part in this).
Freya is an interesting and promising character, but I'm not too sure about Nathan on his own. He reads very Gary Sue to me. He's very special - way more special than all other special people - and he can do... anything easily. I would have liked if there would have been more/any character development for him.
If you like a very fast paced action fantasy novel, this is the one for you. If you want to be able to like the characters and feel with them... rather not.
Let me finish this with a little side note: I don't know a lot about autism, but there is an autistic side character and I don't know how sensibly done he is. Just a fair warning. I would love to read reviews of Esper Files written by bloggers with autism.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
November 12, 2016
It was the end of the 19th century, a time of floating air ships and great advances in science. In Victorian London a man known as The Professor is conducting an experiment with electro-magnetic energy at the Oxford Academy of Science. An explosion occurs causing twenty percent of the Earth’s population to acquire strange paranormal abilities. These people are called Espers, they all have different powers and don’t always use them for good. In order to help Espers control their powers and stop others from abusing theirs, an institute has been set up by The Professor.
Nathan and James, two Espers from the institute have to team up with a young girl named Freya who is just discovering what she is. Their mission is to save Freya’s brother from The evil Barron. His evil plan is to kidnap Espers and create an army of super powered soldiers with the goal of taking over the world.
When I first heard of Esper Files by Egan Brass I thought it sounded like Marvel’s X Men with a different setting. Being a comic fan I couldn’t wait to start reading it. At first I thought it was an ok book but things got interesting when we are introduced to Freya, an orphan girl with ice powers and her younger brother Cyrus who is an autistic boy referred to as The Siren.
The Siren has the ability to manipulate emotions through singing and the only person he talks to is his sister. Freya and Cyrus have gone through a series of foster homes and neither one understands the power they have. Freya and Cyrus have a heartbreaking story and I felt for Freya as you see how protective she is of her brother and how horrible and alone she feels when she uses her powers. My favorite scene was when three harpies and a henchman named Shadow storm the home where Freya and Cyrus live. This was an emotionally charged scene that is horrifying and exciting. Another great scene is when Nathan tells her that she is an Esper and she gets upset saying ‘I’m nothing like you freaks.” This scene showed that even the Espers themselves have a hard time accepting that they are different.
There aren’t many books out there with an autistic hero and I loved the way Cyrus is portrayed. At first he doesn’t show much emotion but as the story moves along we see that he is more aware of the world around him then anyone thinks and is also more powerful. This book is a fun ride, my only complaints were that we were introduced to quite a few characters in the Barron’s compound but not many in the Professor’s Institute. At one point I wondered why there weren’t more students training there.
To put it simply if you are a fan of comic books you will love Esper Files. Egan Brass is creating his own superhero mythology in a a steampunk setting with unique characters and lots of action. The idea behind it is not an original one but the setting and detail put into the characters makes this a fresh spin on an old idea. There are some good potential stories in the Esper’s universe and I’m happy to see that a second book coming in January.
Nathan and James, two Espers from the institute have to team up with a young girl named Freya who is just discovering what she is. Their mission is to save Freya’s brother from The evil Barron. His evil plan is to kidnap Espers and create an army of super powered soldiers with the goal of taking over the world.
When I first heard of Esper Files by Egan Brass I thought it sounded like Marvel’s X Men with a different setting. Being a comic fan I couldn’t wait to start reading it. At first I thought it was an ok book but things got interesting when we are introduced to Freya, an orphan girl with ice powers and her younger brother Cyrus who is an autistic boy referred to as The Siren.
The Siren has the ability to manipulate emotions through singing and the only person he talks to is his sister. Freya and Cyrus have gone through a series of foster homes and neither one understands the power they have. Freya and Cyrus have a heartbreaking story and I felt for Freya as you see how protective she is of her brother and how horrible and alone she feels when she uses her powers. My favorite scene was when three harpies and a henchman named Shadow storm the home where Freya and Cyrus live. This was an emotionally charged scene that is horrifying and exciting. Another great scene is when Nathan tells her that she is an Esper and she gets upset saying ‘I’m nothing like you freaks.” This scene showed that even the Espers themselves have a hard time accepting that they are different.
There aren’t many books out there with an autistic hero and I loved the way Cyrus is portrayed. At first he doesn’t show much emotion but as the story moves along we see that he is more aware of the world around him then anyone thinks and is also more powerful. This book is a fun ride, my only complaints were that we were introduced to quite a few characters in the Barron’s compound but not many in the Professor’s Institute. At one point I wondered why there weren’t more students training there.
To put it simply if you are a fan of comic books you will love Esper Files. Egan Brass is creating his own superhero mythology in a a steampunk setting with unique characters and lots of action. The idea behind it is not an original one but the setting and detail put into the characters makes this a fresh spin on an old idea. There are some good potential stories in the Esper’s universe and I’m happy to see that a second book coming in January.
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