Shades of Gray

Authors: Jackie Kessler

Tags: #Fiction, #General, #Science Fiction, #Contemporary, #Fantasy, #Science Fiction And Fantasy, #Fiction - Fantasy, #Superheroes, #Friendship, #Fantasy - Contemporary

BOOK: Shades of Gray

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PRAISE FOR
BLACK AND WHITE

“In this complex tale, Kessler and Kittredge create a dark world where the narrow line between hero and vigilante is defined by corporate interests…. Jet and Iridium’s multifaceted relationship will appeal to all who have come to want more from their superheroes than good vs. evil and mindless battles.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“A fast-paced and compelling take on superheroes.”

—
Romantic Times
(4 stars)

“What could one possibly add to the superheroes’ lore that hasn’t already been done in comics? … Could
Black and White
offer something fresh to the genre? In one word: yes…. This is a story and a world that both pay tribute and make a parody of superheroes. It works and it is cool.”

—The Book Smugglers

“Not since
Good Omens
by Gaiman and Pratchett has a co-authored novel come across as seamless as
Black and White
does…. Ms. Kessler and Kittredge know their superhero comics [but] please don’t just think that this is just a comic book in novel form. Kessler and Kittredge blend elements of romance and mystery into this well thought out story [and] fans of thrillers will end up satisfied as well…. 4 out of 4 stars!”

—Preternatural Reviews

“The gripping first volume of the Icarus Project series captures the reader’s interest and holds it hostage until the very last page…. Full to the brim with action, emotional resonance, and humor,
Black and White
has something for everyone. The Icarus Project series sets a new standard for superhero novels, and this reviewer anxiously and avidly awaits the next installment.”

—Bitten by Books

“Kessler and Kittredge do an impressive job in laying the foundation and building their world of heroes and villains…. If you’re not instantly caught up in the action, then the emotional aspect of
Black and White
is sure to capture your attention and hold you spellbound until the very end. Whether you love a good comic book, or just enjoy getting caught up in the fantasy of superheroes, this is one book that readers should have on this year’s wish list.”

—Darque Reviews

“There are no words to properly describe how much I adored this book….
Black and White
has action, suspense, mystery, and fantastic characterization. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it and could not stop thinking about it! I was immersed, obsessed, and in love with this book for three days of nonstop reading…. Kessler and Kittredge are the ultimate writing duo and are sure to gain a huge following with this exciting new fantasy series.”

—Night Owl Romance (5 out of 5, Reviewer Top Pick)

“This is a must for comic book fans that like their heroes three-dimensional. I couldn’t put it down. I’m panting for the sequel due next year.”

—
University City Review

“
Black and White
is cover-to-cover superhero girl power awesomeness…. A wild, fun, irresistible ride. It’s fast-paced enough to read in a day. Just don’t plan on doing
anything
else until you’re through.”

—Waiting for Fairies

“Besides being a terrific character study of two female superheroes in the early twenty-second century, I loved the pervasive duality of this novel…. I loved getting to know these two complex but wounded characters….
Black and White
does an admirable job of making us care about Jet and Iridium and their friendship…. Superb character-driven storytelling with no prerequisite for comic book appreciation needed.”

—SciFiGuy

“A stunning superhero story … The plot is fascinatingly layered, with the authors leaping between past and present to drop story seeds and watch them grow. There’s so much happening, and it all ties together, making for a compelling exploration into the secrets at the heart of this society. There’s something corrupt and dark hidden in the depths of the extrahuman world, and watching it all unfold changes the nature of things considerably. Toss in some well-executed action scenes, and you pretty much have an ideal comic book in novel format. It’s going to be a long wait until the next installment of this series.”

—The Green Man Review

“This complex story explores the good and evil in all of us, even superheroes…. Without taking itself too seriously, this Justice League–meets–Harry Potter novel offers some valuable insights into the nature of being human…. Kessler and Kittredge definitely filled a void for me by creating female superheroes who stand on their own and aren’t connected to existing male superheroes…. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in this series.”

—SF Signal

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Also by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge

BLACK AND WHITE

The authors dedicate this book to their parents,
who bought us all those comic books
when we were kids.

Acknowledgments

JACKIE SAYS…

A huge thank-you to everyone who made this book possible—my co-author Caitlin Kittredge, without whom none of this would have happened; Miriam Kriss, the best literary agent in the world; the entire Ballantine Spectra team, most especially Anne Groell, our tireless and phenomenal editor; Heather Brewer and Renee Barr, for their support and humor; my mom and dad, for understanding the importance of comic books in a girl’s formative years; my Precious Little Tax Deductions, Ryan and Mason, who watch the best cartoons; and my Loving Husband, Brett, the thief who stole my heart many years ago.

CAITLIN SAYS …

First and foremost, I have to thank my superb co-author, Jackie Kessler, for being endlessly patient and creative. This book is a true collaboration, and we couldn’t have done it alone … only together. To my lovely agent, Rachel Vater, solver of problems and soother of nerves, and our wonderful editor at Spectra, Anne Groell. All of the readers who enjoy the Icarus Project around the world, my parents, Team Seattle, and Ed Brubaker, a fantastic guy who writes fantastic comics. Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, John Byrne, and Neil Gaiman—for me, they started it all.

Contents