ARC Reader Review – Livewire by Sarah Raughley

Thank you for the chance to read an advanced copy of Livewire. As an ARC reader, I was eager to see Sarah Raughley’s interpretation of this complex DC character, and overall, the story offered a compelling and introspective take on what it means to wield power in the public eye.

What I Loved:

Livewire’s Character Arc – Her inner conflict was portrayed with nuance, and I appreciated how the story gave space for her emotional and psychological journey. She felt like a fully realized character navigating the consequences of past choices.

Themes with Depth – The narrative touches on redemption, power dynamics, identity, and control in a way that feels timely and thought-provoking. It adds weight to the action and makes the story stand out in the superhero genre.

Writing Style – Raughley’s writing is clear and compelling. The tone strikes a balance between introspection and momentum, making it easy to read while still hitting emotional beats.

What Could Be Stronger:

Supporting Characters – Some side characters felt underdeveloped, especially compared to the depth given to Livewire. A bit more attention to their backgrounds or motivations could elevate the overall narrative.

Pacing in the Middle – While the opening and ending are strong, the middle of the book slowed a little. A tighter progression there would keep the energy more consistent.

DC Universe Context – For readers less familiar with Livewire or her history, a touch more background or grounding in the world would improve accessibility and immersion.

Final Thoughts:

Livewire is a thoughtful and character-driven story that goes beyond standard superhero fare. It offers a unique lens on power, responsibility, and public perception—all while staying true to the comic book spirit. I think readers will appreciate its intelligence, heart, and emotional-honesty

After a rocky start, I have to admit I quickly began looking forward to the rest of the story. I feel like the FMC's characterization is a little inconsistent, but she moves the plot along at an excellent clip. The magic and action is fun, maybe especially so if you enjoy anime in general. This book is best suited for a younger audience. It pretty directly lifts from a lot of references that stand out starkly - Persona 5 is a big one, and I get hints of Evangelion, Pacific Rim, maybe a little Carrie, and strangely "Friday" by Rebecca Black. It does a lot of telling instead of showing.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Livewire follows 16 year old Andrea Porter who possesses the ability to control technology. In addition to keeping this superpower hidden she must also grapple high school conflicts, and navigate a strained relationship with her adoptive father Toyo Harada. Everything comes crashing down when a young assassin comes, claiming “one day, you and Toyo will destroy humankind.”

I thought the world-building was great and the Digital World was a unique twist. Each digital castle was well described and I found myself wondering what mine would look like.
Livewire had many layers to the story. Andrea grappling with self-acceptance, the good vs evil narrative, complex motivations, and ethical power concerns. A case of how far someone will go to achieve their ideal world.

Outside of the superpower aspect Andrea’s struggles were very relatable for teenagers, especially black teens. Navigating identity issues, body image concerns, and peer acceptance, the author did a great job showing the misplaced search for acceptance.

The first few pages were a bit of a challenge to understand, but the story quickly smooths out after that. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys sci-fi/superhero books where the heroine is flawed but redeemable

I really liked this book! It was full of interesting concepts and whole new world. It was very entertaining, and I loved the mix of science fiction themes thrown in. It was a good book, and I loved the way it looked at psychics.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Andy P

I had the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book was about Black Girl Magic…..Literally! Andy is gifted with psychic powers and they are not always used for good. She is tasked with saving humanity while dealing with typical teenage girl stuff such as body image issues, race and acceptance.

The book started out a bit confusing and the plot jumped around a bit. I think a little more character development would help the flow of the story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

First experience with this author! Thank you to Blackstone for the earc in exchange for my honest opinion. I really enjoyed this story. It was emotional, exciting and kept me entertained the entire time! Character growth was so good!