Next up after Morgon Newquist's Heroes Fall: Serenity City (which I reviewed here) was Kai Wai Cheah's entry, Hollow City. After the first book in the Heroes Unleashed series was released the bar was set high for future offerings, so was this lofty goal reached?
That would be a resounding 'yes'.
Hollow City is set in the same universe as the first, but in a different city. This time we follow the life of Prime, Adam Song, a police officer whose life is turned upside down after he takes out the son of a powerful cartel boss. A hit is then called in on Adam, the higher-ups in the police force play politics, and things proceed to get out of hand from there.
Much like the first Heroes Unleashed novel, the world feels real without being bland. Although we see super-powered individuals on both sides of the law, it remains grounded in reality without losing the more 'magical' aspects. The attention to detail was also fantastic with guns, and all the attachments Adam has customized them with, shown to great effect.
Adam Song is a great character, with an interesting background. His sense of justice, and background in the military combine to make a character that, while restrained by his morals, could just as easily remove every target he chose if he so wished. The way that he wrangles with the dilemma this creates I found great, and when he finally decides to handle the situation he is handed, it was really satisfying. In fact it was so satisfying that when the book finished, I was itching for more.
The book was a real page-turner, and much like the first Heroes Unleashed novel, I blazed through it and loved every moment. Now I can't wait for the next installment.
If you like superhero fiction, or action-packed thrill-rides, this is the book for you. Get it now. You won't regret it.
