[itykii]

Hi.

I've kept mainly to fantasy books, as one of the types of stories I enjoy most are very typical of the genre - a normal boy finds he has superpowers/magic/etc. I know, cliche and overdone, but I enjoy them.

Anyway, lately I've been looking to branch out a little - not necessarily in the type of story, but at least in the setting.

I've searched this forum and googled around, but I am having difficulty finding the type of book I want: something set modern-day, or at least in the near future and a young(ish) protagonist with, of course, some type of superpower. The ability to freeze time sparked my interest, as well as telepathy and telekinesis. Being a genius would be cool, too.

I don't really have any hard preferences for the plot, but a romance would be nice. If there were any books about simply exploring the use of a superpower in a realistic modern day setting, I would love to hear about them. I don't need too much action, or some over-arching quest, if that matters.

If anyone has any ideas, I would be very grateful.

Thanks.

[peadarog]

Hi.

I've kept mainly to fantasy books, as one of the types of stories I enjoy most are very typical of the genre - a normal boy finds he has superpowers/magic/etc. I know, cliche and overdone, but I enjoy them.

Anyway, lately I've been looking to branch out a little - not necessarily in the type of story, but at least in the setting.

I've searched this forum and googled around, but I am having difficulty finding the type of book I want: something set modern-day, or at least in the near future and a young(ish) protagonist with, of course, some type of superpower. The ability to freeze time sparked my interest, as well as telepathy and telekinesis. Being a genius would be cool, too.

I don't really have any hard preferences for the plot, but a romance would be nice. If there were any books about simply exploring the use of a superpower in a realistic modern day setting, I would love to hear about them. I don't need too much action, or some over-arching quest, if that matters.

If anyone has any ideas, I would be very grateful.

Thanks.

You might enjoy Michael Carroll's Quantum Prophesy (http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Prophecy-Awakening/dp/0399247254/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218098243&sr=1-2) series. It's fast, it's fun and it seems to fit quite neatly into the criteria you've laid out.

Although not involving superpowers, I reckon you'd like Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game (http://www.amazon.com/Enders-Game-Orson-Scott-Card/dp/0765342294/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218098488&sr=1-1) if you're one of the few people on the planet who still hasn't read it and if stay away from reading any of the author's political views.* ;)

*Don't worry, they're not part of the book.

[mindstream]

Hi itykii - I'm a fairly novice reader of sf, too, and one of the first books I read is Ursula LeGuin's Lathe of Heaven. You might find it worth a look given the interests you've described.

[fk1523]

Orson Scott Card had a couple books like this, Ender's Game and Treason.

Dune by Frank Herbert is another.

Maybe Peter Hamilton's Night's Dawn trilogy could fit into this category. Many would disagree with me.

Robert Heinlein wrote a whole slew of "coming of age" stories like Starman Jones and Citizen of the Galaxy, where the protagonist, a young boy, finds out he possesses a special talent and saves the ship/world/universe.

David Wolverton wrote a two book series, Serpent Catch and Path of the Hero. Not in print anymore, but can be found on most used book sites. Its about a group of future paleontologiest who recreate prehistoric eras using fossil DNA on an Earth-like planet, where they get stranded due to an attack by an alien civilization and must then live on this new world they created. The story is about one of their creations, a young Neanderthal boy. And of course, he's special and will one day save this new world. For Orson Scott Cards review of the first book, look here: http://www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/f&sf/91-09.html. Like Card, I think its a masterpiece, not because of the writing, but due to the moral and philosophical themes he integrates into the story, without lecturing the reader. Card does the same in his novels, but with a heavier hand.

btw, since you are into fantasy, you probably know David Wolverton as David Farland.

[itykii]

mindstream: thanks for the suggestion. I don't particularly care for Ursula LeGuin, though. I read her Earthsea books, and Gifts. I don't really know why, but there is just something about her writing style that turns me off.

peadarog: I've read (and loved) Ender's Game. I actually started it on a whim around midnight on night, and didn't stop until I finished, sometime after the sun came up.

Quantum Prophecy seems interesting. I'm not too sure about the superheroes aspect(I know, it is strange considering the type of books I want, but I am really hoping to get a more, I don't know, realistic? setting. At least, less comic-bookish), but I might give it a look-see.

fk1523: Read and loved Dune and Ender's Game series.

Peter Hamilton Night's Dawn sounds interesting, if a bit more space age/space opera than I am really looking for. I've been reading reviews around the web, but I am not exactly sure what type of special ability the main character has, if any. Half the synopsis simply cite how complex the plot is and give a very generic overview. If you could explain a little more, I might go find the first book in a book store tomorrow.

The Robert Heinlein also sound interesting. I am planning on getting them soon, starting with Citizen of the Galaxy. From what I can tell though, the main character doesn't have any special abilities. Darn.

I'm not sure if David Wolverton is for me. Too out there, maybe.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

Sill hoping there might be a a few more that match my coming-of-age story in a modern setting, with the main character possessing special abilities.

Thanks, again!

[fk1523]

itykii, your reply implies that you think Treason is part of the Ender's Game series. It is not. It is a stand alone sf/f hybrid about a teen on a planet which was originally colonized by scientists exiled from Earth. After years and years in exile, each group of scientists developed a godlike talent, specific to their concentration of scientific study. The first group introduced by the book has the ability to regenerate their own bodies. I think this was Card's first attempt at writing, but I'm not sure. Not the greatest by Card, but if you're looking for sf stories about a normal boy turning into a god-like being, this is the definitive representative of that genre. Actually, Dune might have that honor.

I really do urge you to take a look at David Wolverton. His fantasy books are more popular than his sf, probably since his fantasy seems geared toward YA, but his sf is sick. But then again, Ursula LeGuin is my favorite author, so you probably won't agree with any of my suggestions.