Title: Dreadnought
Author: April Daniels
First published January 24, 2017
280 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781682300688 (ISBN10: 1682300684)
Rating: 4.12
Overview
Danny Tozer never expected to become a superhero. But when Dreadnought, the world’s greatest hero, died in front of her, he passed on his powers to her.
Now Danny has the body she’s always wanted, but being a girl with superpowers comes with a whole new set of challenges. Her father’s obsession with “curing” her girlhood, her best friend’s entitlement, and her fellow superheroes’ reluctance to accept her all make her feel like she’s in over her head.
On top of that, a dangerous cyborg named Utopia is threatening the city, and Danny must learn to master her powers and come out to the world if she wants to stop him. Can Danny navigate the complications of being a transgender superhero and save humanity from destruction?
Editoral Review
Dreadnought, by April Daniels, is a young adult novel that dives headfirst into the superhero genre with a trans protagonist. The novel was first published on January 24, 2017.
Daniels is a white, queer author who centered the LGBTQ+ community in this book, and it is the first in a series of four. Dreadnought is a book that addresses themes of identity, gender, and acceptance in superhero contexts.
The novel follows a 15-year-old girl named Danny Tozer, who inherits the powers of a superhero named Dreadnought. Danny has always felt like a girl, despite being born male, and the transformation into Dreadnought gives her the body of a cisgender woman.
With her newfound powers, Danny confronts her transphobic father, defends her city from criminal activity, and struggles with keeping her secret identity safe. Daniels captured the nuances of Danny’s gender identity and the trauma that comes with it.
She explores the difficulties of being trans in a society that misunderstands and marginalizes trans people. The novel also has a diverse cast of characters of different races, religions, and sexual orientations.
This is a welcome change from the traditional superhero stories that are typically dominated by cisgender, heterosexual, and white men. Daniels’ writing style is uncomplicated yet engaging.
The plot moves at a quick pace, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The dialogue is witty, and Daniels imbues the story with moments of humor and romance that humanize the characters.
The novel has some faults, though. The antagonist, Utopia, could have been more fleshed out, and the romance between Danny and Calamity feels rushed, which also hinders the exploration of Calamity’s character.
Overall, Dreadnought is an impactful and refreshing addition to the superhero genre. Despite its occasional weaknesses, the novel’s topical themes and diverse characters put it ahead of the curve.
Readers who are interested in superhero fiction and want to explore themes of identity and acceptance will find this novel a compelling read. Therefore, I would recommend Dreadnought to young adult readers who are looking for a well-written, engaging superhero story with trans representation.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I would rate this book a 4.5 because of its excellent themes, diverse cast, and engaging plot.
