what the critics are saying:
“The Sylver Platter is an incredible start to what promises to be a fantastic, original, and atmospheric new series.”
“Big-hearted, dog-loving, bursting-with-wit superpowered adventure...a laugh-along pleasure.”
This big-hearted, dog-loving, bursting-with-wit superpowered adventure from Fitzgerald, author of the rescue-dog memoir The Sun Orbits My Dog, opens with a tempest in a tea shop as the charming, hyper-verbal twentysomething Sylvia Platt gets shot four times by an invading gunman—and not only saves a family but survives with nary a scratch.
Fitzgerald’s first novel, the start of a projected four-book series, is powered by voice, especially Sylvia’s rococo phrasing (as narrator, her sentences gush from one incisive, surprising phrase to the next) and her friends’ relentless good humor and camaraderie…Readers who relish the feeling of hanging out with a funny friend group, especially one with a pup, Moondogger, who might be more than she seems, will find much of this series starter a laugh-along pleasure. BookLife
J.B. Fitzgerald has crafted a superb work of superhero drama and fantastic fantasy mystery that will keep fans of either genre engaged from beginning to end. One of the things that most impressed me about this work was its unique approach to crafting an anti-hero who is far from the usual gritty, grumpy renegade archetypes. Sylvia is wonderfully distinctive, with witty, well-spun dialogue that includes quips and big giggles but also really characterizes her perspective on the situation she’s found herself in. She’s deeply reluctant, which makes her all the more endearing to root for as challenge after challenge is thrown her way, and the author’s inventiveness at finding solutions to these issues, which are uniquely Sylvia, is second to none. The Sylver Platter is an incredible start to what promises to be a fantastic, original, and atmospheric new series, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here. K.C. Finn, Five-Star Review for Readers’ Favorite
J.B. Fitzgerald's The Sylver Platter: Becoming artfully explores themes of self-discovery and empowerment exemplified through Sylvia's remarkable evolution from passivity to becoming a superhero. The novel's dynamic pace propels readers through an enthralling narrative, and clever twists in the mystery flesh the story out and add layers of intrigue and suspense. I love that the protagonist is a woman, and the complexity of her relationship with her mother adds another solid layer to her character arc. As the inaugural installment of The Sylver Platter series, the novel sets the stage for an exciting future in Fitzgerald's vivid and imaginative world and offers a promising introduction to its genre. Jamie Michele, Five-Star Review for Readers’ Favorite
Sylvia Platt probably would have been voted Least Likely to be a Superhero in her high school yearbook based on her character in The Sylver Platter: Becoming by J.B. Fitzgerald. The deep well of Sylvia's insecurity is the main challenge in her pursuit to grasp her identity, responsibilities, and the struggle to reconcile these extraordinary abilities with the ordinary world. Sylvia is nearly a textbook definition example of an individual moving from an outsider to a symbol of hope who embodies the triumph of self-acceptance and the ethical dilemmas of power. Fitzgerald shows readers what Sylvia cannot see, and this is her suitability for the role as she is someone who could be trusted not to abuse her remarkable abilities. Sylvia represents moral integrity, teaching the importance of compassion and empathy, and her story delves into the tension between individualism and collective well-being, highlighting the need for personal sacrifice for the betterment of society. The nuanced themes of Becoming not only give us an engrossing story, but deliver insight into power, choices, and our capacity to be everyday heroes. Very highly recommended. Asher Syed, Five-Star Review for Readers’ Favorite