The long-awaited second novel in the UltraAgent series is here, and "Dama X" by J.T. Bock was worth every minute of the wait. This novel is a heartfelt, personal romance story that centers a massive world-threatening epic battle. It's emotional. It's adventurous. It's magnificent, and it's filled with characters and story that will turn many readers into instant fans.
Let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of superlatives. I've watched years of sportscasters talk about "best evers" and "never seen this befores" and it gets old quickly. Bock is an amazing author, and she created a fantastic universe with the 2013 novel, "A Surefire way." That story introduced the UltraAgents, their power archetypes, the potential enemies they faced, and opened the world up to a million possibilities of adventure. It was a true Pandora's box, and it hinted that maybe, just maybe, Bock knew exactly what she wanted to do with this world, the way that Jim Butcher slowly reveals the multi-faceted world of Harry Dresden.
Basic RGBWhile "A Surefire Way" introduces these concepts and canon, it is not a necessary read to those interested in "Dama X." In fact, I would challenge any reader to need any outside motivation after reading the prologue and first chapter of Dama. Bock's introduction is so abnormal, thought-provoking, and daring, that readers will have a hard time putting the book down at any point. Her scenes and character building are incredibly descriptive, and she once again pulls from her intimate relationship with the city of Baltimore to build an engaging environment for those learning about the UltraAgents and their world.
The heroine of "Dama X" is Oracle, a telepathic UltraAgent who also happens to be blind. Bock masterfully works in other senses through Oracle's perspective while painting colorful environments when writing in the point-of-view of other characters. Oracle's incredible strengths and vulnerabilities are juggled to make a sympathetic protagonist who readers can sympathize very easily. She's not perfect, but she's not helpless. She has an incredible range of emotions, and Bock explores all of them.
Bock continues to expand her universe, engaging and expanding previously introduced characters, while introducing others. Every character has a purpose and a mission, desires, goals, and their part in the conflict. There are no throwaway characters. Everyone serves a purpose and a part. There's even the feeling that the series and the story will expand further as it continues. "Dama X" is a masterful piece of storytelling, and potentially a brilliant piece of a larger epic, but it doesn't need to be anything other that what it is - a well-told story, full of emotionally diverse characters, paced well, told in compelling fashion, and simply a great read.
Bock has continued by releasing a teaser of sorts to the next book in the series. Readers can grab a tidbit of the next story by reading "The Grandfather Paradox." This one centers around Agent Timetrap, who I would describe as Garcia from Criminal Minds if she could bend time and space to her own will. (It's every bit as cool as you think, and then some. Pick it up!)
If "Dama X" is your first introduction to the UltraAgency, do yourself a favor and grab "A Surefire Way." You'll enjoy it every bit as much (and if you own the first book and don't yet own Dama, go get it ASAP.) Bock is a writer with a very clear path and direction, and a great sense of her characters. This series is worth your time and interest, whether you start with this book or the others. "Dama X" is a wonderful representation of the UltraAgents, and a great introduction into a fascinating and compelling series.
Now, if we can just get a little more Inferno...
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