Review: Little Miss Evil by Bryce Leung & Kristy Shen

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

When you live in a volcano, ride to school in a helicopter, and regularly see your dad on the news with the caption “EVIL GENIUS” underneath his picture, it takes a lot to rattle you.
Until you get a message that says: We have your father. Deliver the NOVA in 24 hours or we will kill him.
What’s a NOVA you ask? It’s a nuclear bomb capable of turning the city into a radioactive mushroom cloud, and ever since Fiona’s dad built it, it’s caused nothing but grief. But telling him to stop building weapons is like telling Michelangelo to stop painting.

And that’s why thirteen-year-old Fiona has a flamethrower strapped to her arm. After all, who’d mess with a girl who can throw fireballs?

Apparently, these guys. Big mistake.

MY TAKE:
The first thing I thought of when I read the summary for this book was Vanessa Doofenshmirtz.

In Little Miss Evil, Fiona is the daughter of a super villain but she doesn't want to be a super villain like her dad. When her dad is kidnapped, she now must step up and lead her family's army to get her dad back.

The first part of the book made me think like Fiona could be Vanessa when she was a kid. They just both want to be normal and not have a super villain for a dad. Fiona's dad is also a bit goofy at times, just like Doofenshmirtz. However, as the book progresses, the parallels disappear and it becomes very clear how different this book is from the show and from most children's books out there.

I remember reading somewhere that, compared to before, the lines between good and evil are more blurred now. For example, in wrestling, lots of people cheer for the heels now. In movies, one example that comes to mind is Loki. He's a villain, in Avengers, at least, but he has lots of fans because he's a complex character.

In this book, the characters are all super villains, but the funny thing is, you find yourself cheering for them. They may like causing mayhem and getting their way, but underneath it all, they want to keep their families safe. They're not pure evil, and that kind of complexity is fun to see.

The plot was interesting, and the twists made this one a fun ride. It resolved in much the same way as I thought it would. Really, it was the best ending for this. It leaves room for a next book but it can also work as a standalone.

The only thing I didn't like so much was Fiona. She was so naive and vulnerable during the first part of the book that it was painful to watch. Thankfully she was stronger and tougher later on. However, as a whole, I wasn't really a fan. Young girls who are just starting to learn how to assert themselves may find a role model in her, though.
 
Thanks to NetGalley and Spencer Hill Middle Grade for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. It's a fun story.
2. The super villains are entertaining to read about.
3. The plot twists are interesting. 

THE BAD:

1. Fiona wasn't my cup of tea. 

READ IT IF:

1. Your young daughter needs a confident boost.
2. You like stories about super villains.
3. You like stories with interesting twists. 

RATING:


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