Behind The Mask by Elizabeth Coldwell at Pride Publishing
Genre | Gay / Fantasy / Superpowers / Romance |
Reviewed by | Serena Yates on 21-September-2017 |
Genre | Gay / Fantasy / Superpowers / Romance |
Reviewed by | Serena Yates on 21-September-2017 |
He keeps his true identity hidden, even from the man he loves…
Twenty years ago, superheroes were outlawed by the mayor of Mokum City. Christopher Chase has grown up knowing that he has all the strength and speed of Sprint, his superhero father, who died attempting to save the mayor’s niece from being kidnapped. But, unlike his father, he is unable to fulfil his destiny and become a masked crimefighter. Even Christopher’s boyfriend, bar owner Jimmy Brennan, doesn’t know Christopher’s true identity.
A chance encounter with a purse snatcher in the city cemetery gives Christopher a taste of what it’s like to use his powers for good. And when Jimmy becomes caught up in a hostage situation, Christopher can no longer stand by. Even if it means losing his own life, he must pull on the costume of Sprint to save the man he loves.
Publisher's Note: This bok has preivously been released as part of the I Need A Hero Anthology with Pride Publishing.
What an interesting idea for a story this one offers: a city where superheroes are outlawed, the son of a deceased superhero in hiding for fear of his life if anyone found out he has superpowers as well, and a conflict that forces junior to decide between his boyfriend’s life and his own. I liked the idea of having a superhero hide his identity – not because nobody is supposed to know superpowers exist, but because they are against the law. It takes the existing trope and twists it into something altogether new.
Christopher is used to hiding his powers – it is either that or lose his life. He may have inherited his father’s power of speed, but he can’t let anyone know he has them because they are illegal. The reason for this situation is about as human as it gets – the mayor is power hungry and afraid that some superhero might take him down, so he made them outlaws. Christopher even suspects the mayor arranged for his father to be “killed on the job”, but he has no proof. Hiding is not a matter of inconvenience for Christopher, it is one of life or death. I can’t even imagine what it’s like not to be able to help others when you know you could, and Christopher’s feelings about that as well as his abject fear of being found out come through loud and clear from the start.
It’s a small incident, one that allows Christopher to use part of his powers to stop a woman from being mugged, that makes him change more than he thought possible. The one small taste of what it feels like to do good, to help someone, is enough to make him want – even need – more. It awakens his long-suppressed instinct to do good, and when his boyfriend is in danger, Christopher just has to act.
If you like superhero stories with a twist, if you enjoy human problems and issues playing a big part in someone’s personal growth, and if you’re looking for a read that is suspenseful, touching, and combines on action/adventure with romance in a developing relationship, then you will probably like this short story.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. The anthology this short story was published in has been provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review.
Format | ebook |
Length | Short Story, 36 pages/12163 words |
Heat Level | |
Publication Date | 18-July-2017 |
Price | $0.99 ebook |
Buy Link | https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/behind-the-mask |