Though there have been so many superhero-related books and movies lately, this one really stands out with its intriguing plot and character development. It puts the spotlight on an awesome female character and surrounds her with a diverse cast of characters. I can't wait for the sequel.
TeenReads.com/The Book Report
Step aside, Katniss: It's time for a teenage journalist to take over…
"Lois Lane Is Your New YA Fiction Hero" The Hollywood Reporter
It's not a bird, it's not a plane, it's Lois Lane, boldly following clues wherever they lead, taking readers along for a thrilling ride.
...Bond’s take on the character already shows traces of the qualities that have made Lois Lane such a role model. She stands up for what she believes in while still pursuing the truth. . . .But at the end of the day, she still has all the insecurities and worries a teenage girl would have—not unlike her sleuthing contemporaries, Veronica Mars and Nancy Drew.
The Community Entertainment Weekly
While Fallout is not a comic book, let's try not to hold that against it; it is a book starring one of the most enduring and influential characters in American comics, front and center where she belongs... and way too rarely ever appears in comics.
...basically Lois Lane in a Veronica Mars-esque plot, which sounds like all kinds of awesome.
"Lois Lane to star in new YA novel" Entertainment Weekly
Fast paced enough to appeal to today’s impatient young adult readers, Fallout is a great guilty pleasure read for their parents as well.
Review District Smart Moms
Gwenda Bond concocts an intelligent novel that moves faster than a speeding bullet. . . .Lois proves a model of trusting one's instincts and standing up for what's rightthe rest will follow. May this be the first of many more.
Bond clearly intends to spin out the mystery over a series. Her Lois Lane is an endearing mix of spikiness and vulnerability.
Bond cleverly reimagines star reporter Lois Lane as a teenager today. . . .Superman fans will delight in the nicely detailed ties to the man of steel, while enjoying Bond’s focus on the fearless reporter. . . .it’s pretty clear what steps will lead to the happy ending, but to Bond’s credit, the dry wit of the narrative and the satisfyingly coy online romance between Lois Lane and Smallville Guy make each of those steps delightful.
...should appeal not only to YA readers, but fans of the heroine who may have felt neglected with 20 page comics lately.
Lois can't let it stand, so with her wit, her brand new reporter's credentials, and the help of mysterious online friend, Smallville Guy, she's determined to get to the bottom of things. This creative reimagining of classic DC character Lois Lane is first in a series; make sure to pick up the second, newly released volume, Lois Lane: Double Down, too!
"40 Young Adult Books Starring Mighty Girls For Ev A Mighty Girl
FALLOUT is fresh, engaging, and impossible to put down. From the first page, readers will be captivated by the voice of Lois Lane, narrator and rebel with a hundred causes.
...Fallout‘s publication is exciting news for anyone who thinks Superman’s main squeeze has gotten a short shrift in the comics and movies…
"A Young Adult Novel Starring Lois Lane Will Be Pu The Mary Sue
This is a story with a strong female protagonist. Lois is smart and gutsy. . . .The plot is well paced; the reader is immediately pulled into the story and taken for an enjoyable ride. A bit of romance, plenty of adventure, and intrigue add up to a tale that will engage most teen readers.
...everything a contemporary superhero adaptation novel should be: funny, smart, and with just the right balance of action and suspense. It’s got just enough references to the world of Superman to hook in anyone who picked it up for that reason, but the story belongs entirely to Lois, shows her adventures as a journalist and her growth as a young woman finding a place to belong.
Author Gwenda Bond writes the young Lois Lane with all the tenacity and intelligence her older counterpart displays in the comics. . . .Sticking true to Lane’s nature, Bond makes it clear that She is a heroine for the ages, and doesn’t need a dystopian society to prove her worth. . . .Lois shines and Lois Lane: Fallout is a fantastic example of expanding the DC Universe. It is a book even non-YA readers will enjoy.
Finally, finally our favorite intrepid journalist is getting her due. . . .Picture this: Lois Lane as the snarky, whip-smart Veronica Mars character she was before she stood her ground alongside the Man of Steel.
If you’re a fan of comics, this has been an exciting year. We’ve seen tons of new comics, but even more exciting is that we’ve seen many of these comics and comic heroes find their way into novelizations for YA readers. What’s been great about this is that the novelizations have, in many ways, allowed female comic stories to be told in a fuller light.
Lois Lane Is Your New YA Fiction Hero
Lois Lane is new to Metropolis and gets swept into a mystery that she feels she has to solve.
SLJ's Good Comics for Kids blog
...be inspired by Gwenda Bond’s “Fallout”...the first novel in her series about Superman’s Lois Lane as a high school journalist out to uncover the truth behind a creepy mind control experiment.
You had me at Lois Lane. . . .I love her sassiness and wit, and I love her passion to help and to never be defeated even when the odds are against her. I love her realness and how the reader can relate to her. . . .Reading this book, I found myself completely mesmerized and gripped with the story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and didn’t want it to finish.
...Lois picks up the girl-detective mantle with enough sass and spunk to earn her a place among other recent undercover heroines . . .the novel is a possible choice for readers who want to see Lois step into the spotlight, and it may be an option for those who want their feisty teen mystery with a side of Superman fandom.
Bulletin of the Centerfor Children's Books
Just the first chapter of Fallout told me that Bond gets Lois Lane. Lois is tenacious, fearless (or at least knows how to pretend to be), and never hesitates to do the right thing no matter how much trouble she might get in. Lois is likable and relatable, the perfect YA heroine, and I want her to be my BFF immediately.
Teenage army brat Lois Lane (yes, that Lois Lane) moves with her family to Metropolis, becomes a fledgling journalist, and takes on local bullies.
"Summer reading guide: The 136 books you'll w Los Angeles Times
This is one of the most amazing books I have read in recent times, it might even make it into my top ten. . . .Full of convincing descriptions and rich language, it is bound to hit the bestsellers list with a smash!
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Young reporters make great protagonists, see. Fiction has a long and proud tradition of producing lovable, insatiable, distinctive, and tireless journalists. . . .Would any list of intrepid fictional reporters be complete without Lois Lane? Negative, and here she is as a fiercely independent high-schooler.
I loved this incarnation of Lois Lane. She is focused, single-minded and determined. . . .It's also nice and pacy, making for both a satisfying and page-turning reading experience. . . .Fallout is a great new entry in the Superman universe. I want to read more about the fabulous, crusading Lois, and I'll be interested to watch SmallvilleGuy gradually integrate himself into the proceedings.
02/01/2015 Gr 7–10—Sixteen-year-old Lois Lane, daughter of decorated army general Sam Lane, has promised that this move to a new city, Metropolis, will be different—her goals are to stay out of trouble and make friends. Unfortunately, trouble seems to be her middle name and she easily finds it at her new school when she overhears a conversation between a student and Principal Butler regarding incidents of bullying. Lois, unhappy with the principal's response to the situation, vows to investigate, and a chance meeting with editor Perry White of the Daily Planet allows her the perfect opportunity. She discovers that the bullies, the Warheads, are gamers and part of a research project. With the help of secretive SmallvilleGuy, Lois's online "friend," and her peers, she eventually infiltrates the research lab. This somewhat plausible tale of bullying, mind-control, and gaming, with a hint of alien activity, steadily builds, but regrettably comes to an unimpressive conclusion. Students inclined to make things right in the world may relate to the protagonist, and will most likely be willing to overlook any flaws. VERDICT A Superman prequel that doesn't quite get its feet off the ground.—Susan Harris, Ridgeway High School, TN
★ 2015-02-16 A teen reporter busts a cyberbullying ring at her new school in Metropolis. Lois Lane is new in town, and she's doing her best to keep her head down and her nose clean. Her Army general father is hoping to make their family's stay in Metropolis permanent, and Lois doesn't want to jeopardize that. She joins the Daily Scoop, a teen subsidiary of the Daily Planet, in an effort to make friends. Of course, trouble always has a way of finding Lois Lane. This first entry in a planned series gets plenty right. Lois is as fully rounded as she is in the comics, headstrong, smart, capable, and equipped with a solid moral compass. Bond (Girl on a Wire, 2014, etc.) provides her with plenty of interesting supporting characters to bounce off, establishing a world worthy of a series. Bond also resists the fan-service urge: there's no mention of Gotham, the Waynes, Lex Luthor, Central City, or any other landmark DC icon. The one big connection Bond makes is a playful one: Lois' online pal goes by the name "SmallvilleGuy," and few readers will not put the pieces together quickly regarding his true identity. Bond plays with their knowledge though, effectively turning this eye-roll-worthy quirk into a knowing smile, similar to the one Supes gives to viewers at the end of many a comic book and film. This lighthearted and playful tone permeates the novel, making for a nifty investigative mystery akin to Veronica Mars or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Readers are in for a treat. A spectacular prose start for DC Comics' spectacular lady. (Fiction. 12-16)