The Outlaw: Origins

This could have been an excellent book-- if not for the author's complete failure to write anything remotely like a realistic version of a teen from an affluent-to-rich family, living in the second decade of the twenty-first century.

I don't know what bothered me more; a high school full of kids who don't swear, or a high school full of virginal teenagers, up to and through seniors. The one character who is shown as having an active in sex? He's someone you're supposed to dislike. That's an attitude that I'm pretty sure is actually unhealthy.

The author's inability to keep his religion out of his fiction wrecked an otherwise interesting premise, and turned it into another sermon about unreal teenagers dealing with unreal problems in utterly unreal fashions.

I went to two stars because, again, the premise had promise, and the action scenes were at least a little better than average.

Wow. This book is a page-turner from beginning to end! I had no idea what to expect from the book - no context about the plot, setting, nothing. This book deviated some from my "usual" read - I know positively nothing about most sports and am generally not much of a sports fan. The Outlaw revolves around a sports setting, but this did not impact the quality of the book: it enhanced the plot beautifully. The characters are fascinating, the plot engaging, and there is no lull in the action of the book. I bought the 2nd ebook within minutes of finishing The Outlaw - I have already ordered the paperback version of Infected, but couldn't wait for it to arrive to continue reading. Alan Janney is an artist with words and this book definitely won't disappoint. Buy it.

Outlaw is an origin story about a teenaged superhero. Unlike many superhero stories, there are not-so-subtle hints that Chase’s condition is actually a deadly disease rather than a supernatural or alien power, which piqued my curiosity.

Beside the hero stuff, both Chase and his history are interesting and complex. His relationship with his dad reveals his struggles at home and how he had to grow up too soon. I specifically like how many of the choices he makes are inspired by a desire to help his father recover.

Adding to that, his feeling of being a nobody, even when both his known and secret identities become famous/infamous, was one of Chase’s most interesting characteristics. He’s a reluctant, accidental hero. With every game and with every appearance of the Outlaw, Chase does crazy, extraordinary things and does not quite realize their magnitude, and he never quite gets why everyone is so interested in his alter ego.

I thought the emotions around his crush, his girlfriend, and the starlet he saves are well described and developed, and I also love that his secret identity feeds into his romance troubles. Then again, Chase is rather fickle, and I got a little frustrated with him misunderstanding, overlooking, and caving in to the hints, tendencies, and whims of all three. On the other hand, despite Chase’s attraction to three girls, he is loyal to his official girlfriend while they are together, a definite plus in my opinion.

I thought the football games tended to be rather long and detailed, although they are easy to picture and to follow. Chase’s performance in the games relates to his progressing condition, so I didn’t get the feeling that the games were filler. I think folks who love football will really dig the detail in those parts.

Overall, this is a great origin story. Fans of YA, superheroes, and football will like this. I’m really curious about Chase’s condition, and I suspect it’s caused by something scientific, rather than paranormal, which I like.

I received the review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review was written for the blog at PureTextuality.com.

This book is written strictly for a Y.A. audience. If you don't fall into that demographic, nothing to see here... move along. It was not terrible, but it was very juvenile, which is obviously not my thing.

I was tricked into buying this book by several reviews that said it was more than the usual Y.A. drivel, and foolishly I fell for it. The author apparently has an extremely large number of friends and family cranking out those 5 star reviews, so at least he has that going for him.

It is too late for me - run... save yourselves.

In The Outlaw I find surprisingly good writing and a well-developed character, but unfortunately the quality stopped there. This book was entirely too long, and obviously written by a football fan. Pacing really needs to be improved. My eyes glazed over on the first football game diatribe, and then every time I came to a football game scene, I flip-flip-flipped the pages, which was a shame because in one of them I found an actual pertinent tidbit that moved the story forward and had to flip back to figure out its validity. Agonizingly long winded, but at least it kept me interested enough to finish it, which is more than I can say for a lot of books I’ve purchased over the last year.

This was an excellent story. The pacing was appropriate, the inter-character drama interesting, and the action heart-pounding. My personal measure of whether or not a book is "good" is whether it forces me to stay up too late at night, and this definitely does that.

I found the romantic subplots at times frustrating and somewhat juvenile, but they weren't unemployable nor disinteresting. I actually and actively dislike football, but even I found the football scenes to be nail-biting attention-drawers.

Overall, a truly exceptional book. I very much look forward to reading the sequels and exploring more of this world.

P.S. I live in Los Angeles and am appalled at how much Alan seems to like our horribly bright, painfully warm sky. xD

Smooth, rich, fulfilling.

That's the voice and tone of the first 3 paragraphs of The Outlaw: Origins. Generally I don't enjoy first-person POV stories as the characters seem shallow and incomplete. Not in this case. Mr. Janney reveals a depth to Chase Jackson, a wholeness, that brought him vividly to life in my mind's eye. Chase's thought processes, his relationships, his actions are all realistic. Mr. Janney had me spell-bound, his words flowing effortlessly, no jarring redirects of place and time, his cadence, rhythm, and voice rich and smooth. I'm a fast reader and tend to skim; not possible with this book. Every word is necessary to the story; there is no fluff to skim. As I read I had to take periodic moments to process the emotional impact of the story, to appreciate the journey Mr. Janney crafted.
I took to social media to encourage others to read Chase's story; the irony is inescapable.

If you love young adult paranormal, then you will love The Outlaw: Origins.

This a fast paced story about a young man slowly coming to grips with extraordinary abilities and trying to do right by those around him.

The story is very reminiscent of early Spider-Man comics from the 60s and 70s where you have a hero that does the most amazing things, but hopelessly struggles in his personal life.

I'm not usually one to write reviews although this is my 2nd today… But I just wanted to stop in and say that I really loved this book and this series. I initially bought this as a 'I'll give that a go' type purchase because super heroes aren't usually my thing. Little did I know how much I would love the series and for the record this isn't your typical super hero type book. Have just read book 4 Carmine and I'm even more addicted than before. I SO hope they get there happy ending.

If you enjoy superhero fiction you'll be hard-pressed to find better than "The Outlaw: Origins". With so much superhero-genre fiction out there it's all too easy for characters to begin to seem stereotypical and plotlines to become predictable, so it's wonderful to find a story with such distinctive and memorable characters and a fast-moving plot that is full of unique twists.

Janney definitely left me hungry for more. "The Outlaw" 's sequel is at the top of my "read next" list.

SPOILER ALERT

Ok, I like this book I really do but there are some minor issues I have but first let's focus on the positives. This book KEEPS YOU READING this book I didn't to put it down and that is where the book shines its fast pace, yes it has is slow moments but it revels in this fast action packed moments the description of Chase turning into the Outlaw character is both descriptive and enticing you feel the power he has and you know what he feels via his descriptions and his actions. I also enjoyed how this wasn't the generic Vigilante vs. Hero book the subplots felt meaningful and not fodder. The dialogue was vivid and life full, the characters though somewhat generic still were loveable. Now the things I dislike about the book, I don't enjoy the fact that they didn't delve into the outlaw as much, who he was, or who he was a symbol for. They also barely touched what his disease was and how it affected him. The setting were also not described very much in the story outside the football field. Still a great read.

Great characters, compelling plot and awesome world building. I've now read all 6 currently available books and can't wait for more. This series (and the next one) are so well written. They're also very diverse, this first book is almost a coming of age high school story, but over the next 5 books it morphs into a world changing epic. I love the character redemption too. I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say I wish the world had more Zealots.

The word "Outlaw" itself already strikes a familiar chord in my heart and Janney stuck true to the tone throughout the whole book. It's been about a decade or so since I've gotten caught up in a good series and this one seems like a good place to restart.

Where to start with The Outlaw: No Heroes, it was a brilliantly written thought out engaging twist on the whole genre of superhero/paranormal stories. It was fresh and exciting. The mystery still surrounding the story at the end makes book 2 a must read.

Chase Jackson is a likable and typical clueless high school guy. He makes a perfect hero for the story since he's so real in his story. I love male narrative novels and feel there are not enough of them that are realistic and authentic sounding. He bumble his way thru relationships between his 3 love interests, his best friends and father all while hiding this huge secret he doesn't really want to keep up.

The climax of the story was twofold and Mr Janney wove it beautifully. It was a perfect twist to the entire story and sets you up perfectly for book 2 and all following novels. I see this becoming a classic of the young adult genre and will be obtaining the psychical novels for my personal collection and to share when my son will truly appreciate a hero like Chase. He's the type of role model that is admirable for my son and I know already this will be a favorite in our household. I'll also be having my husband read the novel when it reaches my home because he loves having a physical book and he will absolutely love this story with the reluctant hero and his trials and tribulations. Bravo Mr Janney this story is a wonderful start and your dreams have been reached!

5 stars because: good story. Great characters, the kids are perfect on outside, but, have flaws, fears, insecurities. A mystery revealed in first book. Why are Chase and Tank super human. Who was the bald guy?
Can't wait for #2

A kid goes into some gang bangers house to retrieve his friends stolen cell phone and puts a bandanna around his face to not be recognize. On his way home from that he stops some robbers from jacking a starlet which is caught on a atm camera and a national hero is born... This is a very entertaining fast paced action packed series that I really enjoyed despite destroying LA.

No sex, no god mode invincible heros. No wise and all knowing yogi. No simpering victims. No whining angst. Just a story that drags you in, pulls you under, and doesn't let go until you're breathless.
Chase is the perfect struggling teenager. Tank is the perfect anti hero. And I am going to stop this review there since Infected is out and I am dying to read it.

This book was eccentric! I haven't been captivated by a book like this one in a long while. Actually since I read the Hunger Games. This book, overall, is an outstanding book. I believe it is great for all ages to read as a fun, enjoyable, but also has amazing moral's and a phenomenal plot line. Chase with his love for Katie, Hannah, and Natalie is far more captivating than Katniss with Peeta and Gale. I believe this book has underlining messages that teach great qualities. The from the cover, to the texture of the pages, this book contains everything a best selling novel needs! What a privilege it was to read this book!

I liked this story. It felt fun and interesting. I liked the size of his problems and enemy in this one a lot more then the books that come after this one. It would have been nice for it not to escalate as quickly as it does in the later books. I am a fan of the series but this one is my favorite book.

The characters are in High School. The genre is of the 'super' fiction, the main character has unexplained extra strength, but has realistic problems of growing up. Entertaining and fun, but also delves into human nature a bit. A good read.

A fun read. Main characters abilities somewhat reminds me of Bane from DC. Close to a five star book, would have given if 4.5 if I could. A main character you automatically like. A refreshing new look to superhero novels.

I really enjoyed this book. Great writing and a unique story made for a very enjoyable read. It was so good had to dive into book 2 immediately afterwards and it's even better. Can't wait for number 3 to come out.

Well written story that captured my attention from the first page. I haven't been in high school in 40 years, but was taken back in time with the development of the high school relationships and high school drama. Totally enjoyable read, and I ordered the second book after I had read one chapter of the first!