Indie Review: The Miranda Contract By Ben Langdon

The Miranda Contract By Ben Langdon

Published April 1, 2014  (Kalamity Press)

Supervillain. Pop Star.

Sometimes the life we're given isn't the life we'd choose for ourselves.

For the past five years, Dan Galkin has been lying to everyone about just how ordinary he is. But Dan's the grandson of The Mad Russian: one of the world's most powerful, and insane, supervillains. And Dan has powers too. He's a living battery, able to absorb and discharge electricity with his mind. Normally he keeps his powers hidden, but when the old man returns with an offer to make his grandson heir apparent, any chance at an ordinary life is blown apart.

Miranda Brody thought she wanted to be a pop star, but now she's got the international profile and the entourage, she doesn't recognize the Miranda she has become. After getting caught up in the cross-fire between Dan and his grandfather, Miranda realizes there's more to life than being famous. Staying alive, for example, becomes a high priority. And not falling in love with the pizza boy comes a close second. Labeled by society, trapped by expectation. Dan and Miranda might actually be able to change everything. As long as they don't kill each other first.

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My Review

*A copy was provided by the author (Ben Langdon-Kalamity Press) in exchange for an honest review* 

I honestly can’t remember the last time I picked up a superhero book—unless you count graphic novels. But I watch a lot of “superhero” TV and movies and can’t quite seem to get enough. So, when Ben queried me to read his debut full-length novel, I was really excited. And let me just say, The Miranda Contract does not disappoint. This book reads just like a really good season of Smallville. Great cast of characters, a formidable villain and just enough of a love interest to keep things interesting. 

Our MC, Dan, is the grandson of the top dog of supervillains, The Mad Russian. When he was younger, Dan was one of his grandfather’s pawns. Now he keeps his powers hidden the best he can, and hopes The Mad Russian doesn't resurface. All at once his life is tossed about: his grandfather is back and wants him as his protégé. To top it off his life collides with that of famous pop star Miranda Brody, when he is forced to join her security detail. Together they make quite the pair, and embark on a mission to end The Mad Russian’s reign of terror for good. The Miranda contract is quality story telling. All the pieces fit perfectly in Langdon’s well-crafted world of superheroes and supervillains. The action keeps the story rolling, and readers will get sucked in from chapter one. This is the first book in The Small Gods series and I can’t wait to read the rest! Perfect for fans of science fiction, but with the ability to appeal to just about anyone, I am definitely recommending this one!