The Nobody People is perfect for superhero fans looking for a mature sci-fi read

If you’re a fan of stories that explore what would happen if superheroes revealed their powers to an unaccepting public, you’ll love diving into Bob Proehl’s The Nobody People.

It’s a story we’ve seen time and time again. People with powers begin to emerge in the dark corners of society — a society that’s fearful of what such abilities could mean for its own structure and safety. And when those with abilities find their way into the spotlight, society reacts, showcasing the darker side of humanity.

And that’s exactly the tale you’ll get while reading Bob Proehl’s The Nobody People —  except that Proehl’s take on the story feels fresh and unique, something that likely has much to do with the novel’s maturity and relevance to modern-day social issues. The author manages to weave topics like domestic terrorism, Islamaphobia, and even the notion of concentration camps into the book, while never losing focus of the main storyline at hand: What happens when humans begin to develop extraordinary abilities?

The Nobody People opens with a journalist named Avi, who’s been asked to look into a pair of bombings — except, looking at the video clips, it doesn’t appear that bombs were involved in either of the tragedies. This investigation leads Avi into a world that’s been existing on the outskirts of his own for years: the world of Resonants.

The Resonants exist much like Marvel’s X-Men. There’s a school for those who want to hone their powers and use them for the good of mankind, but there are also plenty of kids with powers who wind up living elsewhere. Naturally, some of them being using their powers in criminal ways.

The book sets up this dynamic through Avi’s eyes, all while throwing his daughter into the mix. She’s a Resonant too, something he only discovers after he’s been asked to introduce the Resonants to the general public in an article. And that article changes everything about the way the Resonants live their lives. While they’re no longer forced to hide what they can do, they’re also scrutinized and deemed inhuman by a good portion of society.

Proehl’s novel offers a large and diverse mix of characters, none of whom ever feel like they’re merely a part of the supporting cast. Readers will relate to each and everyone of them, even at their worst moments — from Bishop to Fahima to even Avi — and that’s part of what makes this story so easy to fall into. The fact that so many real-world issues are also lurking beneath the story’s surface also helps.

With so many storylines happening side by side, The Nobody People also offers readers a tale full of twists and turns that they won’t want to put down. You’ll want to unravel all of the mysteries that Proehl presents, and you’ll want to see what happens to these characters next.

Anyone looking to pick up a sci-fi read that’s both refreshing and familiar should make a point of adding The Nobody People to their reading list. The book is available now, and it’s the perfect way to kickstart your fall reading.

Are you planning to pick up Bob Proehl’s The Nobody People this month? Let us know in the comments section!