I think comic readers would really love this. I’m sure I missed a ton of references/easter eggs because I did get a few. The is well plotted, well written story. Annie is a great main character with an appropriate amount of baggage to make her interesting. I did finish the book, but it didn’t grab me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Alter Ego by Alex Segura.

I loved Secret Identity by the author, so was thrilled to get the advanced audio of Alter Ego. This was another fantastic mystery/thriller in the comic book world, and the audio was particularly great. Sound effects and production were amazing. Great story, fun references, good mystery.

Alter Ego was a propulsive and well-written read. I liked the audio narrator. the character study was thorough.

Alex Segura is the master of the literary mystery. I'm not always sold on that genre because I think a lot of what makes mystery so good is the camp embedded in it. But Segura does it perfectly with flawless prose, character development, and exquisite tone setting.

In Alter Ego, Segura's follow up to Secret Identity, we turn our attention to the world of comic books. Annie has done it all: movies, comics and receives an offer to create her dream comic--the elusive Lethal Lynx. But is the offer too good to be true? That's what Annie has to find out.

This book is billed as the second in the Secret Identity series and while I think readers of the first will be delighted with the connections the stories make, I think you could easily read this as a standalone. This is a fabulous title for any reader who likes their mystery a little more highbrow and a little less cozy.

The audio version was a great way to enjoy this title too. The narration was perfectly paced and really enhanced the overall vibe. I would highly recommend it.

**4.5-stars**

I adored Secret Identity when I read it back in 2022. It took me completely by surprise how invested I became in that story and the characters. Literary Mysteries aren't necessarily a go-to genre for me. I do enjoy them from time-to-time, but I found Segura's noir-feeling writing style, as well as the back-drop of the comic book industry, absolutely enchanting.

Unsurprisingly, I was stoked to hear about this sequel, Alter Ego. I listened to the audiobook, as I did with Secret Identity, and cannot recommend that format enough for both. It's not just a reading. There are sound effects, and other enhancements, that make these books special productions indeed. Especially considering the comics aspect.

One big change is that this 2nd-book is set in the present day, whereas Secret Identity was set in the 1970s. As you can imagine, the comic book industry has been through a lot of changes over that time period. I did slightly missed the backdrop of 70s-era NYC, NGL, but not enough to effect my overall rating.

Our MC is Annie Bustamante, who is a successful filmmaker, author and illustrator. She's had many opportunities over her career, but perhaps the one that means the most is the one she has just been presented: the opportunity to bring back to life her longtime favorite superhero, the Lethal Lynx. While Annie is excited about the possibility of delivering the Lethal Lynx to a whole-new generation of superhero enthusiasts, she's not crazy about having to work with the people at Triumph Comics, including Bert Carlyle, whose father founded the company.

Fanning the flames of her uncomfortability, Annie begins receiving mysterious messages from an individual urging her to be careful, to trust no one. All Annie's alert bells are going off and the more she digs into the history of the Lethal Lynx, the more she believes she may not know the whole story. But what sorts of secrets could be hidden within the comic book industry, and what would someone do to keep them hidden forever?

This was so good. I didn't love it quite to the same level as Secret Identity, but pretty darn close. I feel like some of my over-the-top joy with the first book was just how surprised I was by it. I knew more what to expect here. IMO though, this is such an underrated series. The concept is wildly-creative and interesting. I love the backdrop of the comic book industry and the ways it explores the role of the creatives within that space.

I did love getting to know Annie in this story as well. She's a single-mom, who is talented and successful, yet still struggles with some aspects in her life, just like any other person. I liked how real she felt.

I also appreciated how connected the novels felt. Even though they are separated by a fairly large span of time and follow different characters, the connections are there and I feel like they were so well done. I loved being reminded of little things that had happened in the first book and coming across various people who I remembered. I hadn't been expecting a sequel initially, so didn't brush up on the first book prior to picking this up. I didn't need too though, as Segura's execution was seamless transitioning between the two works. Even though this is its own, individual story, the influence from the first book was felt throughout and for me, provided great food for thought.

It was interesting to think about these kinds of art and intellectual property, and what happens to them over time. Who owns the rights and how they can be used. I feel like this may be an issue that is near and dear to Segura's heart, as it was certainly explored with care.

Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This was incredibly well done. I highly recommend this audio!!!

The first book was definitely better but this was enjoyable and I was glad I read it. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has transformed comic book stories from niche serials into mainstream cultural staples. While I’ve enjoyed my fair share of superhero movies, I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan—more of a casual viewer with limited knowledge of the comics that inspire them. Still, when Alex Segura’s publisher sent me a copy of his latest novel, Alter Ego, I was immediately drawn to its premise. Combining the imaginative flair of comic books with the tension of a modern thriller, the story delivers a unique and exhilarating page-turner.

Annie Bustamante has experienced all the highs and lows of being a great artist. She’s been hailed as an auteur filmmaker, a celebrated author, and the visionary behind one of the most acclaimed superhero comics of recent years. Yet she’s also been labeled a hack, a sellout, and countless other disparaging names—par for the course, especially as a woman navigating a male-dominated industry. Through it all, one project has always eluded her grasp. Since she stumbled upon a tattered copy of The Legendary Lynx #1 as a child, Annie has dreamed of bringing the long-forgotten character to life. Obscure and out of print, The Legendary Lynx is known only to die-hard fans, but it remains Annie’s ultimate creative ambition.

The rights to The Legendary Lynx have been shrouded in mystery for decades, but now they appear to be within Annie's reach. She’s wary of the offer's source—Bert Carlyle, heir to Triumph Comics, whose late father long claimed ownership of the character. Her unease deepens when she receives cryptic messages warning her not to trust anyone. To complicate matters further, Carlyle insists on partnering her with a disgraced filmmaker in a risky bid for publicity. Faced with mounting suspicions and her lifelong dream hanging in the balance, Annie must decide how far she will go to make the Lynx her own.

In Alter Ego, Alex Segura delivers a thrilling novel that taps into comic book culture while offering a taut, contemporary suspense story. Annie's quest to balance a career shaped by commercial success and creative dreams immediately drew me in. The novel expertly explores the tension between profit and passion, heightening the stakes as Annie navigates a world where those lines can easily blur. Although this is a sequel to Segura's 2022 novel Secret Identity, I had no trouble diving into the story and quickly became engrossed in the action. Pages from The Legendary Lynx comic are interwoven throughout the story, adding a unique depth and connection to the world Segura builds. Alter Ego is a fast-paced, captivating thriller that is a pure joy to read.

That’s what I get for not paying attention—totally did not realize this was a sequel (to Secret Identity)! But that did not diminish, one iota, my complete enjoyment of this thoughtful, timeless/timely tale of the oh-so tricky world of comic book creation. This was a true caper with plenty of suspense, a complex main character, gaslighting galore, not to mention a series of exciting superhero interstitial moments. Hats off to narrator Frankie Corzo who had a lot of heavy lifting to do and acquitted herself handily. Excuse me while I go back and download the first book now…

Annie Bustamante is now best known for being an acclaimed director, but her latest project has been shelved for a tax break. As she is looking for new projects she is drawn back to one of her greatest passions in the arts, comic books. Her passion for the longest time has been to work on the Lethal Lynx comics, an old character that is now long out of print. Then she gets an offer from Triumph Comics, claiming to own the Lethal Lynx character, and offering Annie the chance to work on a new line of Lethal Lynx comics. But the offer has a lot of strings attached, including a maligned director trying to tie the Lynx into a new film series. Annie begins working for Triumph, only to discover that everything about the character's origin and Triumph's motivations may not be what it seems.

Full disclosure I did not read Secret Identity before reading this book, not fully realizing that it was a side sequel. That said the opening chapter did a good job covering the ground that I imagine Secret Identity covered before the book moves on to mostly new characters set in the same world (but it is a sequel, the book very much comes back around to the aftermath of Secret Identity in a very good way). Alex Segura seems to have a lot of fun writing about the background deals that help comics get made and the new interactions between the comics industry and Hollywood motivations. Annie is a fantastic lead, always questioning others motivations and fighting for who she cares about. Segura splices Annie's backstory into the character to create a fuller picture of the woman she became and why she is so passionate in her fight to save the Lethal Lynx. The book builds to a very exciting climax and has plenty of reveals to keep the reader invested. Between chapters there are also excellently drawn comics pages the help add to the story, and the audiobook does a great job with sound effects to bring those pages to life. A great book for comics lovers or those wanting to learn a little more about the comics industry, and a great thriller on top of that.

Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for a copy of Alter Ego in exchange for an honest review.

I throughly enjoyed this book! It was a gripping from start to finish. If you arent really into thrillers, this is a good one! Its pretty mild, but still suspenseful. Also women supporting women is amazing

Thank you to Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for the #gifted copies to review.

This was quite a different read for me, but once it got started, I found I could not stop, and the audio was great, complete with sound effects on some of the chapters which worked so well. I liked the comic tie in, and the cat and mouse chase combined with the Hollywood setting. The pacing was fast and steady all the way through, and I liked the short chapters. I did not realize this was the second book in a series but it read just fine as a standalone. Very entertaining, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book.

I picked this book as my Aardvark box pick for December, but also thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley because they approved me for the ability to have the ARC audiobook as well! So I am able to review both formats.
I would say I actually used the audiobook about 80% of the time. The only reason you may want the physical over the audio is that some chapter breaks have a comic strip page of “The Lynx” comic that is created in this book. The audio does a great job with making this page like a mini action film clip complete with sound effects and music. It's up to you what you prefer, or maybe pick up both like I did.
This book is listed as a #2 and the author does explain how this book morphed from book #1 in the end acknowledgments. I didn't find that I needed to have read book one, it seems like its a crossover more than a continuation. Annie Bustamante has her own story in this. I do want to read book 1 eventually though, to see the connections.
I don't think someone should go into this thinking “thriller”. Its pacing is quick, but we get a lot of flashbacks of Annie's past as a childhood, relationships and life that sets her up for where she is in the now as an artist. I almost feel like the murder mystery is the backdrop to a lot of different drama.
It deals with a lot of the comic book industry and corporate greed. I really loved this commentary from Annie's perspective as an artist putting love into the work she creates. I don't want to spoil what happens with specifics, but I'll say this book touches on so many topics within the current creative sphere. As an artist myself, I couldn't help but root for Annie.
If you go into this with those things in mind, I believe you will enjoy this as much as I did!

Great story. Wonderfully narrated. The narrator does great voice work without seeming too same or over the top with each character.

12-5 update: Posted expanded review on TikTok

I'm glad I chose the audiobook. The narrator is talented, and brought to life the voices of the various characters. I enjoyed her clear and expressive vocal performance. The sound design for the comic book segments enhance the listening experience.

Based on the description, I expected a fun, exciting book. Although I had some empathy for the frustrations, struggles, and passions of the central characters, this book was not for me.

I liked the glimpses of the comic book world. The details of how the creators were treated, the personalities, and the economics of it kept my attention. The intriguing mystery of the Cuban woman who created the Legendary Lynx character hooked me. The young comic artist’s passion for the first issue of the comic and how it inspired her resonated.

I found the pace extremely slow due to loads of time spent in flashbacks. The prolonged interior monologues became aggravating. Too many times, I’d start becoming interested and then there’d be another jump away or slow memory segment with the character doing nothing but sitting around thinking.

The MC has a few gutsy moments that kept me from giving up on the book. Unfortunately, I couldn't believe key elements of the plot, and some of the MC’s decisions made no sense to me.

Many readers find this novel enjoyable. I would not want to discourage anyone from trying this book. These things are a matter of taste. The book works as a standalone, and Seguero’s previous book achieved popularity and acclaim. I rounded up my rating to 3 stars due to the excellent audio production. The acting, music, and sounds greatly improved my experience of Alter Ego.

Recommended for comic book and mystery fans.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley for consideration. These are solely my own opinions.

3.5. As a huge comic book fan this was a really fun read. Felt like I got to peek behind the curtain a lot on the industry and there are so many great nods to writers and artists within. The audiobook was well done and the sound design for the Lynx portions was fun. Segura clearly loves noir and set the story up well to live in a noir like space surrounded by well fleshed out characters and a simple but also complex mixing of mystery and industry. In the end the quick, simple, and obvious bad guy took away from it all a bit for me. Annie is a great lead though, and every character felt thought out. At its core is a story of creativity and capitalism and their struggle to coexist. It dives into rights and who truly owns anything. How easy it can be to take someone else's voice and relabel it your own. Which is all wrapped up in real and flawed people. Honestly, the main reasons it is not a 4 or higher for me are the easy end and it was a lot of exposition. It helps with story but I wish more of it was shown then just told. Overall well plotted and maybe a tad over long but I still enjoyed it and would recommend to novel and comic fans alike. I see Segura has a Daredevil novel as well and I will def be jumping on that. I think his style based on this will lend itself well to that gritty world. Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron for the advanced audiobook.

Alter Ego by Alex Segura offers an engaging blend of mystery and comic book culture. Though it is the second book in a series, it functions well as a standalone novel, requiring no prior knowledge to follow the story.

The novel excels in its world-building and character development, particularly in its detailed exploration of the comic book industry. The narrative weaves together different generations of artists, creating a mystery driven by deep emotional connections - family bonds, friendships, artistic passion, and storytelling. Segura's evident expertise in the comic book (and film) industry provides readers with an authentic immersion into this specialized world.

The story successfully balances multiple elements: the protagonist's internal struggles, complex mother-daughter relationships across generations, and a compellingly nuanced romantic subplot. These components mesh together to create a cohesive narrative.

The audiobook ventures into the thrilling style of an audio drama with its immersive sound effects and atmospheric elements. This format enhances the comic book atmosphere and brings the story to life. The narrator's performance also captures the protagonist's voice with remarkable authenticity.

This book should particularly appeal to readers interested in comics, filmmaking, mysteries, Latinx stories, and narratives featuring strong female protagonists, among other subjects. With its well-crafted mystery and engaging characters, Alter Ego proves to be a rewarding read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this audiobook.

I found this story to be honestly a little bit confusing. I found that the plot and characters were not as developed as they could've been. If I am being honest, I went into this book pretty blind and the main reasons I requested this book were because I liked the cover and Frankie Corzo is an amazing audiobook narrator. So this book is a slight dissapointment for me.

I had been meaning to read Secret Identity since it came out and receiving this copy was the push I needed. I absolutely loved it and immediately started this after finishing it. While both the novels are set in the same universe, Secret Identity takes place in the 70s and establishes how the Lynx came to be. Alter Ego takes place in the present day and while I think it can be enjoyed as a standalone without knowing all the background details, it is so much richer when you do have all the info. I really proceed with caution when male writers have FMCs but for both novels I loved that there wasn’t a trace of ‘women written by men’ issues. Segura is a prolific comic book author and I loved getting the commentary on the industry and really liked the strong FMCs he built. I think I loved Secret Identity a bit more than Alter Ego, it had stronger Noir vibes and the era was more interesting to me. But as far as the mystery went, Alter Ego definitely stands fine on its own.

The audiobook is narrated by Frankie Corzo, who I really loved in Mexican Gothic. Similar to Secret Identity (narrated by Aida Reluzco), this one had immersive sound design included (think footsteps, door creaks, rain etc.) and I absolutely loved it. I recommend both of these novels on audio.

Let me just start by saying that although this is book 2 of Segura’s Secret Identity series, it reads extremely well as a standalone. In fact, I had no clue it was a sequel until I went to add it in my tracker. Also, the book is built around a love for comic books, but you certainly don’t need to be a comic fanatic to enjoy this story. That being said, I now want to read book one, because this one was so fun.

The gist:
Annie Bustamamte grew up loving the art of comic books. It was her sanctuary. Her obsession lied with one heroine - The Lynx - which was co-created by a Cuban woman which gave Annie great inspiration. Many years later, as an accomplished filmmaker, writer and artist, she is given the opportunity to recreate the legend of The Lynx but finds herself unraveling long lost dark and dangerous secrets along the way.

As an audiobook, this was Top Notch! With great character development and dynamics and the coolest comic interludes. This honestly is no where near a go-to genre for me but WOW did I have fun with it. Very much recommended 👍🏼

*thanks to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the arc opportunity*

The second in a duology that is such a love letter to comics. I would say this is a pretty great standalone, however, I believe that Secret Identity needs to be read before tackling Alter Ego, at least for the background information regarding the Legendary Lynx.
Annie Bustamante is a jack of all trades; award-winning director, artist, visionary and she has a chance to bring the Lynx back to life. However, she soon discovers that Triumph Comics (or what's left of it), is just making a giant cash grab and not staying true to the character. They don't even want the world to know that Triumph doesn't actually own the Lynx. Annie will find out more than she bargained for and team up with the Lynx's creator, Carmen Valdez to bring the comic back to life.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*