Published: July 30, 2011
Words: 42980 (approximate)
Language: English

Short description

'Vs. Reality' is the first in a series of urban fantasy novels set in a utopian society where everything is not as it seems. People are manifesting super-powers around the globe, and are able to bend the laws of physics with the help of an addictive new drug. Donovan Cole gets inadvertently drawn into this dangerous world by the beautiful and mysterious Dia, changing his life forever.

Extended description

If your deepest desires spontaneously manifested into reality, giving you powers and abilities once limited to your dreams, what would you do?

Donovan Cole hates his life: his body, his job, his relationship…until one night a violent confrontation outside a nightclub causes him to change – instantly infusing him with almost supernatural size and strength.

The transformation is only temporary, and before long he realizes that he’s not the only one; people around the world have been manifesting at random, able to bend the laws of physics that govern our universe…but they’re rarely seen or heard from again.

Who, or what, is causing them to disappear? What’s the trigger that causes someone to change? And is it arbitrary when someone manifests their powers?

Cole is drawn to a beautiful but troubled girl named Dia who is looking for similar answers, but has a solution to the unreliable nature of their unstable powers: an experimental drug known as ‘Muse’ that enables the... (Read more) If your deepest desires spontaneously manifested into reality, giving you powers and abilities once limited to your dreams, what would you do?

Donovan Cole hates his life: his body, his job, his relationship…until one night a violent confrontation outside a nightclub causes him to change – instantly infusing him with almost supernatural size and strength.

The transformation is only temporary, and before long he realizes that he’s not the only one; people around the world have been manifesting at random, able to bend the laws of physics that govern our universe…but they’re rarely seen or heard from again.

Who, or what, is causing them to disappear? What’s the trigger that causes someone to change? And is it arbitrary when someone manifests their powers?

Cole is drawn to a beautiful but troubled girl named Dia who is looking for similar answers, but has a solution to the unreliable nature of their unstable powers: an experimental drug known as ‘Muse’ that enables the user to trigger their abilities and transform at will.

Battling a powerful and mysterious faction known as The Collectors – as well as their own addictions – Dia, Cole, and a small group of friends race against time to unravel the secrets of their uncanny abilities…but they may not live long enough to find out.
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Adult-content rating:

This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages. For more information, see the Support FAQ.

Tags

urban fantasy, action, young adult, superhero, superhero fiction, super power, fantasy action adventure, superhero drug, blake northcott

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Reviews

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Review by: Tahlia Newland on Nov. 27, 2011 :
VS reality is exceptional, an entertaining and thought-provoking superhero story. The novella has a larger than life comic book feel but with very real and relevant themes running beneath the surface. Manifesting a superpower is a rush and the drugs that bring it on could easily become emotionally (& perhaps physically) addictive. Like a junkie, Dia has been finding it harder and harder to feel what she needs to make the change and Donavon challenges her to ‘come clean’ and be her natural self. Donavan’s challenge is different and in a brilliant moment at the end, he stands up for every person who has ever been bullied, saying, in essence, you can beat us up but you can’t break us unless we allow ourselves to be broken.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Marcel Stangenberger on Aug. 26, 2011 :
The author has this to say about who would like her book:

People who are tired of sparkling vampires and hunky werewolves. If you like Young Adult, but with an edge, this might be up your alley. Think ‘Hunger Games’, or maybe Amanda Hocking’s ‘Hollowlands’ (for tone).
To make a movie analogy, I was inspired by everything from The Matrix, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dark Knight, Alice in Wonderland…even Superbad and the Kevin Smith movies for their hilarious dialog and character interactions.
I basically wanted to write the kind of story that I would like to read – fast paced, filled with action, and some funny moments as well. I hope I achieved that. I will let you decide!
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In short, she hits the mark right on the spot, both the story as the writing style are refreshing, not perfect, but definitely refreshing and worth reading.

Starting in the book you quickly notice a point i would personally recommend needs some work. Blake is very eager to quickly describe someone. Going from facial expressions, to hair, to clothing and then jumping back to the story. These descriptions are not always needed so directly and can cause some “distraction” in the reading.

Going a bit further you can feel her passion for the MMA circuit, she describes fights so eager and passioned that hardly any fantasy is required to see the fight in your imagination. Combined with the quick-pased storyline this makes it all very promising for the continuation. The story on it’s own is well thought off and set for a long series of books with exciting settings and confrontations.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Dale Phillips on Aug. 14, 2011 :
Blake Northcott has created a slam-bang action story that rips and roars along, leaving you breathless. Try to keep up, because it's a fast, fun thrill ride.

People access powers and abilities, as in other stories that have been touched on in different media: Heroes, The Matrix, Jumper. There's a cadre of baddies, and a renegade band of good guys just trying to stay one step ahead of the Collectors.

This ain't no quilting bee, it's a street-fight of a book. If you like it tough and raw and quick,
if you like gritty urban tableaux, bone-crunching fight scenes, and snarky, sly, witty dialogue, this book is right up your dirty, dangerous alley. Be careful, because once you start, you have to tear through to the end. You'll feel as adrenaline power-pumped as the characters when you're done.

I'm giving it 5 stars because it's such a rush.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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