Official Review: Welcome to Utopia by Alan M. Atkinson

[Poppy Drear]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Welcome to Utopia" by Alan M. Atkinson.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

I'll just come right out and say it: Welcome to Utopia by Alan M. Atkinson is a very good book. It's quite possibly one of the best books I've read in years. If you have even a passing interest in science fiction or superhero stories, you should be reading it. Set in a world where superheroes are relatively commonplace, it follows Jericho, a small-town hero who wants to make it big in Utopia City, where the superhero team Force Majeure reigns supreme.

Every part of the world is brimming with character, and it balances realism and excitement very well. There are mundane things like public transport and shopping malls, but these familiar concepts are fully reimagined in terms of the technological advancements possible in comic books. The author even incorporates elements from American history, like the Space Shuttle Challenger and the War on Terror, grounding the fantastical in the real to create a genuinely unique and imaginative setting.

This book also has a huge number of interesting and vibrant characters, even outside of the main cast. My favorite example is Black Dragon, who only appears for a chapter or two. She's a foul-mouthed teenager who struggles with social decorum, and despite her apparent disrespect, I found myself rooting for her to grow up emotionally and become a great hero in her own right. The book's structure for superpowers is incredibly versatile, too, producing characters like a disabled person who transformed her wheelchair into a mech and a boy who can turn his bones into armor.

With such excellent side characters, it stands to reason that the main characters are masterfully crafted as well. Just like real people, Jericho himself has different elements of his identity that overlap and sometimes conflict. He does things just for fun, makes mistakes with realistic consequences, and overcomes some very tough decisions while maintaining his integrity, making him likable and engaging. The other two characters he allies himself with are just as well-rounded, with backgrounds that are exciting to discover.

Blessedly, the book is free of the misogyny and general bigotry that plague the superhero genre. While I think male characters have more screentime, so to speak, the gender ratio is practically equal, and the narrative never sexualizes women more than men. Even if the book occasionally plays into stereotypes, like when the leader of Force Majeure is a man with a temper, or when a female character has powers revolving around emotional empathy, it's leagues better than most other superhero media.

I also really enjoyed this book's more drawn-out pacing, even if it was a bit sluggish to start off with. The author takes time to flesh out every aspect of the novel, and I love how immersive this level of detail can get. The story itself still stays focused, though, and I always found the events taking place to be exciting and intriguing. Overall, this book is certainly not a quick read, but it's very rewarding. It's also remarkably well-edited, and the prose puts characters at its heart, vividly showcasing their emotions and perceptions.

It goes without saying, but due to its outstanding worldbuilding, characters, plot, and polish, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It contains some explicit language and some moderately graphic content, so it's not fit for younger children, but these elements didn't feel forced or out of place. I, for one, will certainly be checking this author's Amazon page for the next book in the series - something I've only been able to say once before in all of my reviews for this site.

******
Welcome to Utopia
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords

[NetMassimo]

It's great to see a mature work about superheroes with characters that go beyond stereotypes. Thank you for your interesting review!

[khaulah]

Thank god it doesn't sexualize women. Such an interesting setting and sounds like the author handled the world-building and characters nicely. Thank you for the review!

[SunVixen]

"a world where superheroes are relatively commonplace"

It must be a wonderful world. Thanks for the review!

[Kristin Ransome]

A superhero book without sexualization of women? And even and in-depth characterization? I'm going to go check out the author's amazon page! Thanks for your review

[Nisha Ward]

Superhero books are a weird genre for me, usually because I prefer them in the graphic novel format, but this one sounds pretty good. Black Dragon sounds like a treat and I do like the fact that the author doesn't sexualise the female characters. It makes forgiving the stereotypes used much easier to do.

[rhenanlee]

Superhero books are superb because superheroes always saves the day. I'd like to become one.

[nanglada]

Good, in-depth characterization and women who are not over sexualized? Sign me in. This sounds like an amazing book. Thank you for review!

[Priyanka2304]

Your review has really piqued my interest in reading this book. Thanks a lot.

[Uchechukwu Okereke]

Thank you for your insightful review. Utopia seems like a great book to delve into during a trip. While I do not see superhero stereotypes the same way you do, it stands to reason that people see things from different lenses.

[Aisha Yakub]

From your review, the author did a great job on character development.

Thanks for the review

[Ay Obaj]

I love it when books storyline are constructed perfectly, and contains every single element of thrill. A book like this will surely wow any reader. Thanks for a honest review.

[ellimctreph]

I always love to see an author's rendition of a Utopia because I believe it's something unachievable, so this sounds like it's going to be a fun read.

[Stevenmusk]

I like the plot it seems like something out of a movie or would make a good one. Thanks for the detailed review.

[Shelby Ayres]

The title and the cover are fitting for each other, though it leaves quite a few questions as to what the book is about. I look forward to reading this book. Great review!