Who Would Like This Book:
If you've ever wondered what happens to the little guys in a world of superheroes and villains, "Hench" is for you! It flips the superhero genre on its head, following Anna - a data whiz who temp-henches for supervillains and ends up discovering that "heroes" might not be so heroic after all. The story is funny, dark, and full of snark, with clever takes on workplace politics, the gig economy, and the enormous (and ignored) costs of superhero showdowns. This book is a treat for fans of The Boys, Watchmen, or anyone who enjoys sharp satire and fresh perspectives in urban fantasy. Office workers, spreadsheet-lovers, and anyone sick of traditional hero tropes will find Anna's journey relatable and highly entertaining.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you're looking for classic good-vs-evil or a swoon-worthy romance, this might not be your jam - "Hench" is more interested in moral ambiguity and bureaucratic shenanigans than capes and kisses. A few found the protagonist too morally gray or unsympathetic, and the plot’s focus on data, spreadsheets, and office work may not excite action-only readers. Some also found the ending uneven or a little too graphic, with a dash of body horror that might make squeamish readers uncomfortable.
About:
In "Hench" by Natalie Zina Walschots, readers are introduced to Anna, a low-level henchwoman who becomes determined to take down superheroes after being injured by one. The book delves into the world of supervillains and superheroes through the eyes of a character who uses spreadsheets and data analysis to seek revenge and highlight the collateral damage caused by superheroes. The story combines elements of humor, action, and trauma as Anna navigates her newfound power and purpose in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred.
With a feminist take on superhero tropes, "Hench" offers a fresh perspective by focusing on the overlooked sidekicks and henchmen who are often sidelined in traditional superhero narratives. The book cleverly explores themes of bureaucracy, trauma, and the consequences of heroism, all while maintaining a fast-paced plot and engaging writing style that keeps readers hooked until the thrilling conclusion.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include body horror and themes of injury and trauma, along with casual swearing.
From The Publisher:
"This book is fast, furious, compelling, and angry as hell." -Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author
The Boys meets My Year of Rest and Relaxation in this smart, imaginative, and evocative novel of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption, told with razor-sharp wit and affection, in which a young woman discovers the greatest superpower-for good or ill-is a properly executed spreadsheet.
Anna does boring things for terrible people because even criminals need office help and she needs a job. Working for a monster lurking beneath the surface of the world isn't glamorous. But is it really worse than working for an oil conglomerate or an insurance company? In this economy?
As a temp, she's just a cog in the machine. But when she finally gets a promising assignment, everything goes very wrong, and an encounter with the so-called "hero" leaves her badly injured. And, to her horror, compared to the other bodies strewn about, she's the lucky one.
So, of course, then she gets laid off.
With no money and no mobility, with only her anger and internet research acumen, she discovers her suffering at the hands of a hero is far from unique. When people start listening to the story that her data tells, she realizes she might not be as powerless as she thinks.
Because the key to everything is data: knowing how to collate it, how to manipulate it, and how to weaponize it. By tallying up the human cost these caped forces of nature wreak upon the world, she discovers that the line between good and evil is mostly marketing. And with social media and viral videos, she can control that appearance.
It's not too long before she's employed once more, this time by one of the worst villains on earth. As she becomes an increasingly valuable lieutenant, she might just save the world.
A sharp, witty, modern debut, Hench explores the individual cost of justice through a fascinating mix of Millennial office politics, heroism measured through data science, body horror, and a profound misunderstanding of quantum mechanics.
Ratings (29)
Incredible (8) | |
Loved It (11) | |
Liked It (9) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (96):
Read It (32) | |
Want To Read (46) | |
Not Interested (18) |
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Hench?
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