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The book gathers a number of strange reactions in people who read it.
* TwentyFourHourArmor: Power armor is a closed system which can be worn for weeks at a time but starts to stink after a while. This is also a setting in which children's everyday clothing is comfortable, blade-resistant, Class IIIA body armor.
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* TwentyFourHourArmor: Power armor is a closed system which can be worn for weeks at a time but starts to stink after a while. This is also a setting in which children's everyday clothing is comfortable, blade-resistant, Class IIIA body armor.
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* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: {{Justified|Trope}} with the main characters, as the Operator [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke made them this way]].
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* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: RankScalesWithAsskicking: {{Justified|Trope}} with the main characters, as the Operator [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke made them this way]].
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* LiteralGenie: The control implants ''Billy and Howard'' work this way. Anyone who can't avoid the obvious pitfalls is considered TooDumbToLive.
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* LiteralGenie: The control implants in ''Billy and Howard'' work this way. Anyone who can't avoid the obvious pitfalls is considered TooDumbToLive.
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* BuxomIsBetter: Kylie was buxom before she could genetically alter herself. Afterwards, she jumped chest-first into this trope.
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* BuxomIsBetter: BuxomBeautyStandard: Kylie was already buxom before she could genetically alter herself. Afterwards, herself, afterwards, she jumped chest-first into this trope.
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* DodgeTheBullet: The engineereds dodge single aimed bullets easily but have a harder time with things such as poorly aimed [=AKs=] and shotguns.
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* DodgeTheBullet: The engineereds dodge single aimed single-aimed bullets easily but have a harder time with things such as poorly aimed [=AKs=] and shotguns.
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dewicked trope
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* CoolPet: Fido is a bioengineered, white-furred canine quite a bit smarter and much deadlier than the average RightHandAttackDog and (like [[ImAHumanitarian its owners]]) with a taste for manflesh.
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* RightHandAttackDog: Fido is a bioengineered, white-furred canine quite a bit smarter and much deadlier than the average animal and (like [[ImAHumanitarian its owners]]) with a taste for manflesh.
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* LiteralGenie: The control implants ''Billy and Howard'' work this way. Anyone who can't avoid the obvious pitfalls is considered TooDumbToLive.
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* YouExclamation:
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* AerithAndBob: Roughly three-fourths Bob, one-fourth Aerith. Howard and William [[MeaningfulName Dominus]], Sarah [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Mortis]], [[MultiArmedAndDangerous Quadrus]] and Stanley Dominus, Paul Smith, Jeremy Jorgensen, Judas Rockefeller, Hadji Rajadhiraja...
* AirVentPassageway: The small kids who live in Northberg Educational Facility discover that they can go anywhere they want in the air vents and the child-sized "secret" areas they lead to.
* AirVentPassageway: The small kids who live in Northberg Educational Facility discover that they can go anywhere they want in the air vents and the child-sized "secret" areas they lead to.
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* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Played dead straight for the main characters. This is because [[EvilutionaryBiologist the Operator]] [[JustifiedTrope made them that way]]. GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke.
* BigBadDuumvirate: The title gives a hint.
* BigBadDuumvirate: The title gives a hint.
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* AprilFoolsPlot: In ''Billy and Howard'', the twins play jokes on each other. Hilarity ensues, for certain values of hilarity.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking:Played dead straight for {{Justified|Trope}} with the main characters. This is because [[EvilutionaryBiologist characters, as the Operator]] [[JustifiedTrope Operator [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke made them that way]]. GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke.
this way]].
* BattleButler: The various personal servants often fit this trope, especially if they're [[{{Transhuman}} genetically engineered]]. However, the master might be even more physically dangerous.
* {{BFG}}: The book is loaded with [=BFGs=]. Fusion-powered microwave lasers, ''atomic slugs'', and there's a subplot involving "room eraser" spread weapons.
%%* BigBadDuumvirate: The title gives a hint.%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking:
* BattleButler: The various personal servants often fit this trope, especially if they're [[{{Transhuman}} genetically engineered]]. However, the master might be even more physically dangerous.
* {{BFG}}: The book is loaded with [=BFGs=]. Fusion-powered microwave lasers, ''atomic slugs'', and there's a subplot involving "room eraser" spread weapons.
%%* BigBadDuumvirate: The title gives a hint.%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample
* BlatantLies: Sarah raids and kills a pervert, then "finds" a will on his hard drive that everything he owned was to go to her son. More a PayEvilUntoEvil than a lie meant to be believed.
* BrosBeforeHoes: Jeremy references this trope by name when realizing that his servant is far more valuable to him than his girlfriend.
* BuxomIsBetter: Kylie was buxom before she could genetically alter herself. Afterwards, she jumped chest-first into this trope.
* CantKillYouStillNeedYou: Happens more than once. The biggest example is when William wants revenge on [[EvilutionaryBiologist his creator]] for enslaving him to his own brother, but this trope kicks in instead.
* CaptainObvious: Billy and Howard have vastly different ideas of what is and isn't obvious, occasionally leading to this trope being named.
* BrosBeforeHoes: Jeremy references this trope by name when realizing that his servant is far more valuable to him than his girlfriend.
* BuxomIsBetter: Kylie was buxom before she could genetically alter herself. Afterwards, she jumped chest-first into this trope.
* CantKillYouStillNeedYou: Happens more than once. The biggest example is when William wants revenge on [[EvilutionaryBiologist his creator]] for enslaving him to his own brother, but this trope kicks in instead.
* CaptainObvious: Billy and Howard have vastly different ideas of what is and isn't obvious, occasionally leading to this trope being named.
* CoolCar: Illuminati assassins have the shapeshifting, fusion-powered Deathmobile. There's a crematorium under the hood for body disposal.
* CoolHouse: First-time visitors to the Dominator's island may think that it's just a mirrored-steel BigFancyHouse with lasers on top. There's a weapon embedded in every wall, jets hidden under the grass outside, and an elevator that goes down to a massive basement with its own pool, video arcade, library, ''enormous warehouse of weapons...''
* CoolPet: Fido is a bioengineered, white-furred canine quite a bit smarter and much deadlier than the average RightHandAttackDog and (like [[ImAHumanitarian its owners]]) with a taste for manflesh.
* CoolHouse: First-time visitors to the Dominator's island may think that it's just a mirrored-steel BigFancyHouse with lasers on top. There's a weapon embedded in every wall, jets hidden under the grass outside, and an elevator that goes down to a massive basement with its own pool, video arcade, library, ''enormous warehouse of weapons...''
* CoolPet: Fido is a bioengineered, white-furred canine quite a bit smarter and much deadlier than the average RightHandAttackDog and (like [[ImAHumanitarian its owners]]) with a taste for manflesh.
* ElaborateUndergroundBase: TheIlluminati's Bavarian headquarters is one of these. Parts of it are a couple of centuries old.
* FanDisservice: In one particularly memorable scene, the inside of a vagina is likened to a hole in a brick wall lined with sandpaper.
* FictionalVideoGame: After a harrowing run through an ''Franchise/IndianaJones''-styled hallway loaded with traps and a massive fight at the end of it, Billy and Howard go home and play a game ''based on what they just did''.
* FirstNameBasis: Unless they're trying to make a point, even masters and servants are on first name bases. The only exceptions are for people who hate their given names or have a formal title and [[SingleMindedTwins can't be told apart]].
* FreeRangeChildren: [[{{Transhuman}} Bioengineered]] children are treated as adults by age eight, and the 6-year-olds know how to fly jets. [[MuggingTheMonster Want to mess with one]]? [[SchmuckBait Go on, try it]]. [[WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong What's the worst that could happen?]]
* FictionalVideoGame: After a harrowing run through an ''Franchise/IndianaJones''-styled hallway loaded with traps and a massive fight at the end of it, Billy and Howard go home and play a game ''based on what they just did''.
* FirstNameBasis: Unless they're trying to make a point, even masters and servants are on first name bases. The only exceptions are for people who hate their given names or have a formal title and [[SingleMindedTwins can't be told apart]].
* FreeRangeChildren: [[{{Transhuman}} Bioengineered]] children are treated as adults by age eight, and the 6-year-olds know how to fly jets. [[MuggingTheMonster Want to mess with one]]? [[SchmuckBait Go on, try it]]. [[WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong What's the worst that could happen?]]
* GigglingVillain: The title characters can do the EvilLaugh, but far more often they just do some version of this.
* GoFetch: This actually works, because the dog likens the stick-thrower to his masters.
* GoFetch: This actually works, because the dog likens the stick-thrower to his masters.
* IControlMyMinionsThrough: As the book is about TheIlluminati, almost all techniques are represented to some extent. Although we never see excerpts, the title characters own a "big book of control techniques". Normals are controlled through Authority, Money, Fear, Indoctrination, Power, and Divine Right, unwitting normal powerholders are usually controlled through Corruption (of the political, not supernatural, variety) and presumably Money, and for servants, mind-control implants are used instead of Fear and Power strategies but instilling true Indoctrination/Kindness/Love-based loyalty is considered best. The Illuminati also have a tendency to use Power and Love on each other along with various flavors of deception. The Duumvirate themselves rule through Authority, Birthright, Power, and Agenda.
* IJustWantToBeBadass: Paul's best friends are {{Transhuman}} badasses, and he desperately wants to keep up.
* IJustWantToBeBadass: Paul's best friends are {{Transhuman}} badasses, and he desperately wants to keep up.
* ImAHumanitarian: Billy and Howard occasionally eat raw human flesh, but only when they're [[HyperactiveMetabolism particularly hungry]] and nothing else is available.
* ImprobableAge: Genetically engineered [[OrphanageOfLove Northberg]] children become Illuminati at eight. Taking advantage of their inexperience is generally a bad idea.
* JustAKid: This trope is generally {{inverted|Trope}} because everyone knows how dangerous young engineereds are, but one [[TooDumbToLive poor fool]] messes with a certain [[MultiArmedAndDangerous four-armed]] boy escaping from an AmusementParkOfDoom. The kid's a fraction his size, WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong
* KillSat: The fusion-powered microwave satellites can burn and melt a building.
* JustAKid: This trope is generally {{inverted|Trope}} because everyone knows how dangerous young engineereds are, but one [[TooDumbToLive poor fool]] messes with a certain [[MultiArmedAndDangerous four-armed]] boy escaping from an AmusementParkOfDoom. The kid's a fraction his size, WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong
* KillSat: The fusion-powered microwave satellites can burn and melt a building.
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* MoralGuardians: It really should be no surprise that they've come after this. [[http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/hdwdw/billy_and_howard_free_ebook_blacklisted_by/ Reddit has a link.]]
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* MoralGuardians: It really should be no surprise LivingForeverIsAwesome: This trope is one of the Duumvirate's stated goals. They refer to it as "going to the future". Their [[ImmortalityBeginsAtTwenty rejuvenated]] fifty-year-old [[EvilutionaryBiologist creator]] strongly agrees.
* MoralityPet: {{Inverted|Trope}}. Luke is Paul's ''Immorality'' Pet, there to let him know thatthey've come after this. [[http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/hdwdw/billy_and_howard_free_ebook_blacklisted_by/ Reddit has a link.]]brutality, murder, and full-scale genocide are perfectly all right.
* MoralityPet: {{Inverted|Trope}}. Luke is Paul's ''Immorality'' Pet, there to let him know that
* MuggingTheMonster: A flashback in ''Billy and Howard'' features this. Three goons decide to pick on [[{{Transhuman}} Billy]]'s friend. Billy [[BerserkButton goes nuts]] (and more than a little racist) and brutalizes all three.
* NamesToRunAwayFrom: Sarah Mortis' last name is derived from "mors", Latin for "death", which she tends to live up to.
* NiceToTheWaiter: Being on good terms with your servants is a mark of competence as a master. The titular characters even use it to [[spoiler:decide who to let live]] at the end of the book.
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* ProfessorGuineaPig: The Operator developed a retrovirus to bestow {{Transhuman}}ity on whoever received it and injected himself with it the second it was done synthesizing.
* PsychoElectro: Parricidal Luke is less flashy than most examples on this page. It's the [[LightningBruiser speed, strength]], and raw hatred that make him so horribly dangerous.
* PsychoElectro: Parricidal Luke is less flashy than most examples on this page. It's the [[LightningBruiser speed, strength]], and raw hatred that make him so horribly dangerous.
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* PoweredArmor: Development of this is finished near the end of the book. The people wearing it are already [[{{Transhuman}} genetically engineered superhumans]]. The combination tends to work well.
* PowerPerversionPotential: Luke has electric eel DNA. It turns out that his girlfriend enjoys electrical play...
* ProfessorGuineaPig: The Operator developed a retrovirus to bestow{{Transhuman}}ity {{transhuman}}ity on whoever received it and injected himself with it the second it was done synthesizing.
* ProperlyParanoid: Everyone has to balance this and being able to get things done. Too little paranoia and you [[spoiler:take a railgun through the chest]] -- too much and your organization [[spoiler:cannot get any new members because they might be spies]].
* PsychoElectro:Parricidal Luke is less flashy than most examples on this page. It's the [[LightningBruiser speed, strength]], and raw hatred that make him so horribly dangerous.dangerous.
* PunctuatedPounding: Luke does this [[spoiler:while beating his father to death]].
* PowerPerversionPotential: Luke has electric eel DNA. It turns out that his girlfriend enjoys electrical play...
* ProfessorGuineaPig: The Operator developed a retrovirus to bestow
* ProperlyParanoid: Everyone has to balance this and being able to get things done. Too little paranoia and you [[spoiler:take a railgun through the chest]] -- too much and your organization [[spoiler:cannot get any new members because they might be spies]].
* PsychoElectro:
* PunctuatedPounding: Luke does this [[spoiler:while beating his father to death]].
* SeparatedAtBirth: In ''Billy and Howard'', one of the title characters is left to live among [[{{Muggles}} normals]] for a decade, to give perspective to his controlling twin when they are reunited. He is able to confront his creator in the second book about this. He is not pleased.
* SingleMindedTwins: Billy and Howard actively try to fulfill this trope. Telling them apart is considered a major challenge even for their close friends.
* SteelEarDrums: Generally {{averted|Trope}}, but played somewhat straight for the superhuman title characters, who can also [[GoodThingYouCanHeal regenerate hearing damage]].
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* {{Transhuman}}: Almost everyone is either born transhuman, becomes transhuman, or desperately wants to be transhuman. When your regeneratively immortal friends can play BulletHell games at maximum difficulty without breaking a sweat, and [[DodgeTheBullet dodge actual bullets]] for that matter, you tend to get a deep appreciation for genetic superiority.
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* ThatThingIsNotMyChild: Luke ''agrees'' with this sentiment when [[spoiler:killing his parents]].
* {{Transhuman}}: Almost everyone is either born transhuman, becomes transhuman, or [[IJustWantToBeBadass desperately wants to betranshuman.transhuman]]. When your regeneratively immortal friends can play BulletHell games at maximum difficulty without breaking a sweat, and [[DodgeTheBullet dodge actual bullets]] for that matter, you tend to get a deep appreciation for genetic superiority.
* {{Transhuman}}: Almost everyone is either born transhuman, becomes transhuman, or [[IJustWantToBeBadass desperately wants to be
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* TykeBomb: Every last Northberg kid is this and a ChildProdigy.
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* TwentyFourHourArmor: Power armor is a closed system which can be worn for weeks at a time but starts to stink after a while. This is also a setting in which children's everyday clothing is comfortable, blade-resistant, Class IIIA body armor.
* TwinBanter: Billy and Howard bicker duo-style, without finishing their own sentences.
* TwinThreesomeFantasy: It's never explicitly stated what goes on in Billy and Howard's bedroom, but it certainly involves this trope.
* TykeBomb: Every last Northberg kid is both this and a ChildProdigy.
* TwinBanter: Billy and Howard bicker duo-style, without finishing their own sentences.
* TwinThreesomeFantasy: It's never explicitly stated what goes on in Billy and Howard's bedroom, but it certainly involves this trope.
* TykeBomb: Every last Northberg kid is both this and a ChildProdigy.
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* VillainInAWhiteSuit: TheIlluminati all wear white, and their servants wear black. The bioengineered title characters ''are'' white for the same reason.
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* WallJump: [[LadyOfWar Sarah]] can do this between walls ''ten feet away.''
* WallOfWeapons: In the first book, it's just a room full of weapons. In the second book, they have weapons embedded in literally every wall in the house, as well as an underground Walmart of guns, flamethrowers, and lasers.
-->''The child-sized weapons were helpfully placed on the bottom shelf, so kids wouldn't have to climb to reach them.''
* XanatosSpeedChess: Various Illuminati members are so good at this that it's impossible to know whether or not they planned everything out in advance.
* YouExclamation:
* WallOfWeapons: In the first book, it's just a room full of weapons. In the second book, they have weapons embedded in literally every wall in the house, as well as an underground Walmart of guns, flamethrowers, and lasers.
-->''The child-sized weapons were helpfully placed on the bottom shelf, so kids wouldn't have to climb to reach them.''
* XanatosSpeedChess: Various Illuminati members are so good at this that it's impossible to know whether or not they planned everything out in advance.
* YouExclamation:
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* NGOSuperpower: The Illuminati has evolved from a more traditional conspiracy into one of these, but still secret. They're technologically superior, so they intend to drop the {{Masquerade}} and start ruling openly once their internal problems are settled. [[spoiler:They do.]]
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* HeKnowsTooMuch: Anyone getting too close to certain truths is most commonly fed misinformation, with options for inflicted insanity, death, and acquisition.
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* OurDragonsAreDifferent: With the amount of genetic engineering thrown around, it was inevitable that someone made a dragon with it. Fire breath, six legs (two of which end in hands), and they have wings in childhood but lose them as they grow up.
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* SquareCubeLaw: The dragon species has wings in its juvenile stage but loses its ability to fly as it grows up.
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* HyperactiveMetabolism: Engineereds eat quite a bit more than a normal human, particularly if they're regenerating severe wounds.
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* SyntheticPlague: [[EvilutionaryBiologist The Operator]] creates at least ''[[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill five]]'' of these. [[spoiler:The book ends]] when it's time to unleash them.
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* TheDragon: Sarah.
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* ElectricTorture: A brain-electrodes variant that can also induce [[ElectricInstantGratification pleasure]].
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* EliteMooks: Enforcers.
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* HappinessInSlavery: Good (as in competence, not as in morality) masters have their servants get to this state quickly.
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Cross-wicking tropes.
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* TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior: Even the littlest kids are perfectly willing to kill at the drop of a hat. It's all just a game to them.
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Cross-wicking tropes.
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* HealingFactor: Killing an engineered is a matter of either inflicting direct brain damage or making them lose enough blood. Their regeneration isn't what makes this [[DodgeTheBullet difficult]], however...
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Cross-wicking tropes.
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[[http://www.duumvirate.net Duumvirate]], the sequel to [[http://www.billyandhoward.com Billy and Howard]], like many other novels, features a few gifted teenagers discovering their place in the world.
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* ApeShallNeverKillApe - Engineered shall never kill engineered.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking - Played dead straight for the main characters. This is because [[EvilutionaryBiologist The Operator]] [[JustifiedTrope made them that way]]. GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke.
* BigBadDuumvirate - The title gives a hint.
* ColorCodedPatrician - Masters wear light colors, and servants wear dark ones. This is the only clothing rule they tend to follow.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes - The main characters have a number of people they protect and cherish, including each other.
* EvenEvilHasStandards - Apparently running an OrphanageOfFear is something that can get you killed.
* EvilVersusEvil - Hedonistic, bioengineered killers who don't see ordinary humans as people, versus insane, sadistic creeps.
* EliteMooks - Enforcers.
* EvilOverlord - Deconstructed entirely. The [[EvilOverlordList Evil Overlord's Guide]] is quoted more than once. The Illuminati is portrayed as a society of six thousand of them, and it's the Duumvirate's job to keep them under control.
* GambitPileup - Where to even begin? Between the two books there is a pileup of Gambit Pileups. It is implied that this state of affairs is more or less constant.
* LittleMissBadass - At the age of fourteen and a half, Sarah Mortis has a body count in the hundreds and commands a small army of assassins. The previous commander steps aside because he knows what's good for him.
* MoralGuardians - It really should be no surprise that they've come after this. [[http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/hdwdw/billy_and_howard_free_ebook_blacklisted_by/ Reddit has a link]]
* MoreDakka - A five hundred megawatt laser isn't enough? Try [[UpToEleven two hundred gigawatts]]!
* PowerEchoes - The twins have a doubled larynx for exactly this reason.
* RuleOfCool - It is heavily, repeatedly implied that Illuminati technicians regularly sit down and work for years on projects simply to accomplish this trope.
* ShownTheirWork - There are a number of parts where the author clearly did the math and wants everyone to know it.
* TheDragon - Sarah.
* {{Transhuman}} - Almost everyone is either born transhuman, becomes transhuman, or desperately wants to be transhuman. When your regeneratively immortal friends can play BulletHell games at maximum difficulty without breaking a sweat, and [[DodgeTheBullet dodge actual bullets]] for that matter, you tend to get a deep appreciation for genetic superiority.
* TranshumanTreachery - Averted, with the main characters ''wishing'' this would happen.
* TykeBomb - Every last Northberg kid is this and a ChildProdigy.
* UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans - The main characters eventually determine that [[spoiler:human society cannot survive genetic alteration]]. No points for guessing their solution.
* VillainProtagonist - And villain antagonists, villain contagonists, and villains for minor characters. There are [[AffablyEvil nice guys]], but no heroes. Paul [[spoiler:tries to be one, but his loyalty to the villains puts an end to that quickly]].
* YoungAndInCharge - Howard takes total, world-controlling power at age '''ten'''. He is underestimated at first. That does not last long.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking - Played dead straight for the main characters. This is because [[EvilutionaryBiologist The Operator]] [[JustifiedTrope made them that way]]. GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke.
* BigBadDuumvirate - The title gives a hint.
* ColorCodedPatrician - Masters wear light colors, and servants wear dark ones. This is the only clothing rule they tend to follow.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes - The main characters have a number of people they protect and cherish, including each other.
* EvenEvilHasStandards - Apparently running an OrphanageOfFear is something that can get you killed.
* EvilVersusEvil - Hedonistic, bioengineered killers who don't see ordinary humans as people, versus insane, sadistic creeps.
* EliteMooks - Enforcers.
* EvilOverlord - Deconstructed entirely. The [[EvilOverlordList Evil Overlord's Guide]] is quoted more than once. The Illuminati is portrayed as a society of six thousand of them, and it's the Duumvirate's job to keep them under control.
* GambitPileup - Where to even begin? Between the two books there is a pileup of Gambit Pileups. It is implied that this state of affairs is more or less constant.
* LittleMissBadass - At the age of fourteen and a half, Sarah Mortis has a body count in the hundreds and commands a small army of assassins. The previous commander steps aside because he knows what's good for him.
* MoralGuardians - It really should be no surprise that they've come after this. [[http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/hdwdw/billy_and_howard_free_ebook_blacklisted_by/ Reddit has a link]]
* MoreDakka - A five hundred megawatt laser isn't enough? Try [[UpToEleven two hundred gigawatts]]!
* PowerEchoes - The twins have a doubled larynx for exactly this reason.
* RuleOfCool - It is heavily, repeatedly implied that Illuminati technicians regularly sit down and work for years on projects simply to accomplish this trope.
* ShownTheirWork - There are a number of parts where the author clearly did the math and wants everyone to know it.
* TheDragon - Sarah.
* {{Transhuman}} - Almost everyone is either born transhuman, becomes transhuman, or desperately wants to be transhuman. When your regeneratively immortal friends can play BulletHell games at maximum difficulty without breaking a sweat, and [[DodgeTheBullet dodge actual bullets]] for that matter, you tend to get a deep appreciation for genetic superiority.
* TranshumanTreachery - Averted, with the main characters ''wishing'' this would happen.
* TykeBomb - Every last Northberg kid is this and a ChildProdigy.
* UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans - The main characters eventually determine that [[spoiler:human society cannot survive genetic alteration]]. No points for guessing their solution.
* VillainProtagonist - And villain antagonists, villain contagonists, and villains for minor characters. There are [[AffablyEvil nice guys]], but no heroes. Paul [[spoiler:tries to be one, but his loyalty to the villains puts an end to that quickly]].
* YoungAndInCharge - Howard takes total, world-controlling power at age '''ten'''. He is underestimated at first. That does not last long.
to:
* ApeShallNeverKillApe - ApeShallNeverKillApe: Engineered shall never kill engineered.
*AuthorityEqualsAsskicking - AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Played dead straight for the main characters. This is because [[EvilutionaryBiologist The the Operator]] [[JustifiedTrope made them that way]]. GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke.
*BigBadDuumvirate - BigBadDuumvirate: The title gives a hint.
*ColorCodedPatrician - BioAugmentation: There are [[PsychoElectro electroplaques]], [[MultiArmedAndDangerous quadbracchalism]], [[PlayingWithFire combustive gases]], and other things as "extras". The new ''basic'' humans have regeneration, super-strength, and super-speed.
* ColorCodedPatrician: Masters wear light colors, and servants wear dark ones. This is the only clothing rule they tend to follow.
*EvenEvilHasLovedOnes - DodgeTheBullet: The engineereds dodge single aimed bullets easily but have a harder time with things such as poorly aimed [=AKs=] and shotguns.
* TheDragon: Sarah.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: The main characters have a number of people they protect and cherish, including each other.
*EvenEvilHasStandards - EvenEvilHasStandards: Apparently running an OrphanageOfFear is something that can get you killed.
*EvilVersusEvil - EvilVersusEvil: Hedonistic, bioengineered killers who don't see ordinary humans as people, versus insane, sadistic creeps.
*EliteMooks - EliteMooks: Enforcers.
*EvilOverlord - Deconstructed EvilOverlord: {{Deconstructed|Trope}} entirely. The [[EvilOverlordList Evil Overlord's Guide]] is quoted more than once. The Illuminati is portrayed as a society of six thousand of them, and it's the Duumvirate's job to keep them under control.
*GambitPileup - Where GambitPileup: Every Illuminatus has his own agenda. There are six thousand Illuminati, some more devious than others. The title characters have no choice but to even begin? Between the two books there is a pileup of Gambit Pileups.''not care about'' what everyone may or may not be plotting, so long as it doesn't affect them directly. It is implied that this state of affairs is more or less constant.
*LittleMissBadass - TheIlluminati: The story is written from the point of view of the Illuminati themselves.
* ImmuneToDrugs: It takes an ''enormous'' amount of pot to get an engineered even mildly buzzed.
* LittleMissBadass: At the age of fourteen and a half, Sarah Mortis has a body count in the hundreds and commands a small army of assassins. The previous commander steps aside because he knows what's good for him.
*MoralGuardians - MoralGuardians: It really should be no surprise that they've come after this. [[http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/hdwdw/billy_and_howard_free_ebook_blacklisted_by/ Reddit has a link]]
link.]]
*MoreDakka - MoreDakka: A five hundred megawatt five-hundred-megawatt laser isn't enough? Try [[UpToEleven two hundred gigawatts]]!
gigawatts!
*PowerEchoes - MultiArmedAndDangerous: Quadrus "Quad" Dominus starts carrying a gun for each of his four hands after a brush with death. He's [[TykeBomb six]] at the time.
* PowerEchoes: The twins have a doubled larynx for exactly this reason.
*RuleOfCool - ProfessorGuineaPig: The Operator developed a retrovirus to bestow {{Transhuman}}ity on whoever received it and injected himself with it the second it was done synthesizing.
* PsychoElectro: Parricidal Luke is less flashy than most examples on this page. It's the [[LightningBruiser speed, strength]], and raw hatred that make him so horribly dangerous.
* RuleOfCool: It is heavily, repeatedly implied that Illuminati technicians regularly sit down and work for years on projects simply to accomplish this trope.
*ShownTheirWork - ShownTheirWork: There are a number of parts where the author clearly did the math and wants everyone to know it.
*TheDragon - Sarah.
SpacePlane: The main characters' fusion-powered jet can take them to Mars without a booster.
*{{Transhuman}} - {{Transhuman}}: Almost everyone is either born transhuman, becomes transhuman, or desperately wants to be transhuman. When your regeneratively immortal friends can play BulletHell games at maximum difficulty without breaking a sweat, and [[DodgeTheBullet dodge actual bullets]] for that matter, you tend to get a deep appreciation for genetic superiority.
*TranshumanTreachery - Averted, TranshumanTreachery: {{Averted|Trope}}, with the main characters ''wishing'' that this would happen.
*TykeBomb - TykeBomb: Every last Northberg kid is this and a ChildProdigy.
*UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans - UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans: The main characters eventually determine that [[spoiler:human society cannot survive genetic alteration]]. No points for guessing their solution.
*VillainProtagonist - VillainProtagonist: And villain antagonists, villain contagonists, and villains for minor characters. There are [[AffablyEvil nice guys]], but no heroes. Paul [[spoiler:tries to be one, but his loyalty to the villains puts an end to that quickly]].
*YoungAndInCharge - YoungAndInCharge: Howard takes total, world-controlling power at age '''ten'''. He is underestimated at first. That does not last long.
*
*
*
* ColorCodedPatrician: Masters wear light colors, and servants wear dark ones. This is the only clothing rule they tend to follow.
*
* TheDragon: Sarah.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: The main characters have a number of people they protect and cherish, including each other.
*
*
*
*
*
*
* ImmuneToDrugs: It takes an ''enormous'' amount of pot to get an engineered even mildly buzzed.
* LittleMissBadass: At the age of fourteen and a half, Sarah Mortis has a body count in the hundreds and commands a small army of assassins. The previous commander steps aside because he knows what's good for him.
*
*
*
* PowerEchoes: The twins have a doubled larynx for exactly this reason.
*
* PsychoElectro: Parricidal Luke is less flashy than most examples on this page. It's the [[LightningBruiser speed, strength]], and raw hatred that make him so horribly dangerous.
* RuleOfCool: It is heavily, repeatedly implied that Illuminati technicians regularly sit down and work for years on projects simply to accomplish this trope.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
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Deleted line(s) 18 (click to see context) :
* EvilAlbino - Howard and William are very, very white.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Dangerously Genre Savvy is being merged with Genre Savvy. Misuse and zero context examples will be cut.
Deleted line(s) 16 (click to see context) :
* DangerouslyGenreSavvy - Almost every named character. Being Dangerously Genre Savvy is considered basic competence.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
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Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/duumviratelogo-tvtropes_4281.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Two Dominators are better than one.]]
[[http://www.duumvirate.net Duumvirate]], the sequel to [[http://www.billyandhoward.com Billy and Howard]], like many other novels, features a few gifted teenagers discovering their place in the world.
The only difference is that here, they own it.
The book gathers a number of strange reactions in people who read it.
----
!!Tropes present:
* ApeShallNeverKillApe - Engineered shall never kill engineered.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking - Played dead straight for the main characters. This is because [[EvilutionaryBiologist The Operator]] [[JustifiedTrope made them that way]]. GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke.
* BigBadDuumvirate - The title gives a hint.
* ColorCodedPatrician - Masters wear light colors, and servants wear dark ones. This is the only clothing rule they tend to follow.
* DangerouslyGenreSavvy - Almost every named character. Being Dangerously Genre Savvy is considered basic competence.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes - The main characters have a number of people they protect and cherish, including each other.
* EvenEvilHasStandards - Apparently running an OrphanageOfFear is something that can get you killed.
* EvilAlbino - Howard and William are very, very white.
* EvilVersusEvil - Hedonistic, bioengineered killers who don't see ordinary humans as people, versus insane, sadistic creeps.
* EliteMooks - Enforcers.
* EvilOverlord - Deconstructed entirely. The [[EvilOverlordList Evil Overlord's Guide]] is quoted more than once. The Illuminati is portrayed as a society of six thousand of them, and it's the Duumvirate's job to keep them under control.
* GambitPileup - Where to even begin? Between the two books there is a pileup of Gambit Pileups. It is implied that this state of affairs is more or less constant.
* LittleMissBadass - At the age of fourteen and a half, Sarah Mortis has a body count in the hundreds and commands a small army of assassins. The previous commander steps aside because he knows what's good for him.
* MoralGuardians - It really should be no surprise that they've come after this. [[http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/hdwdw/billy_and_howard_free_ebook_blacklisted_by/ Reddit has a link]]
* MoreDakka - A five hundred megawatt laser isn't enough? Try [[UpToEleven two hundred gigawatts]]!
* PowerEchoes - The twins have a doubled larynx for exactly this reason.
* RuleOfCool - It is heavily, repeatedly implied that Illuminati technicians regularly sit down and work for years on projects simply to accomplish this trope.
* ShownTheirWork - There are a number of parts where the author clearly did the math and wants everyone to know it.
* TheDragon - Sarah.
* {{Transhuman}} - Almost everyone is either born transhuman, becomes transhuman, or desperately wants to be transhuman. When your regeneratively immortal friends can play BulletHell games at maximum difficulty without breaking a sweat, and [[DodgeTheBullet dodge actual bullets]] for that matter, you tend to get a deep appreciation for genetic superiority.
* TranshumanTreachery - Averted, with the main characters ''wishing'' this would happen.
* TykeBomb - Every last Northberg kid is this and a ChildProdigy.
* UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans - The main characters eventually determine that [[spoiler:human society cannot survive genetic alteration]]. No points for guessing their solution.
* VillainProtagonist - And villain antagonists, villain contagonists, and villains for minor characters. There are [[AffablyEvil nice guys]], but no heroes. Paul [[spoiler:tries to be one, but his loyalty to the villains puts an end to that quickly]].
* YoungAndInCharge - Howard takes total, world-controlling power at age '''ten'''. He is underestimated at first. That does not last long.
----
[[caption-width-right:300:Two Dominators are better than one.]]
[[http://www.duumvirate.net Duumvirate]], the sequel to [[http://www.billyandhoward.com Billy and Howard]], like many other novels, features a few gifted teenagers discovering their place in the world.
The only difference is that here, they own it.
The book gathers a number of strange reactions in people who read it.
----
!!Tropes present:
* ApeShallNeverKillApe - Engineered shall never kill engineered.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking - Played dead straight for the main characters. This is because [[EvilutionaryBiologist The Operator]] [[JustifiedTrope made them that way]]. GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke.
* BigBadDuumvirate - The title gives a hint.
* ColorCodedPatrician - Masters wear light colors, and servants wear dark ones. This is the only clothing rule they tend to follow.
* DangerouslyGenreSavvy - Almost every named character. Being Dangerously Genre Savvy is considered basic competence.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes - The main characters have a number of people they protect and cherish, including each other.
* EvenEvilHasStandards - Apparently running an OrphanageOfFear is something that can get you killed.
* EvilAlbino - Howard and William are very, very white.
* EvilVersusEvil - Hedonistic, bioengineered killers who don't see ordinary humans as people, versus insane, sadistic creeps.
* EliteMooks - Enforcers.
* EvilOverlord - Deconstructed entirely. The [[EvilOverlordList Evil Overlord's Guide]] is quoted more than once. The Illuminati is portrayed as a society of six thousand of them, and it's the Duumvirate's job to keep them under control.
* GambitPileup - Where to even begin? Between the two books there is a pileup of Gambit Pileups. It is implied that this state of affairs is more or less constant.
* LittleMissBadass - At the age of fourteen and a half, Sarah Mortis has a body count in the hundreds and commands a small army of assassins. The previous commander steps aside because he knows what's good for him.
* MoralGuardians - It really should be no surprise that they've come after this. [[http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/hdwdw/billy_and_howard_free_ebook_blacklisted_by/ Reddit has a link]]
* MoreDakka - A five hundred megawatt laser isn't enough? Try [[UpToEleven two hundred gigawatts]]!
* PowerEchoes - The twins have a doubled larynx for exactly this reason.
* RuleOfCool - It is heavily, repeatedly implied that Illuminati technicians regularly sit down and work for years on projects simply to accomplish this trope.
* ShownTheirWork - There are a number of parts where the author clearly did the math and wants everyone to know it.
* TheDragon - Sarah.
* {{Transhuman}} - Almost everyone is either born transhuman, becomes transhuman, or desperately wants to be transhuman. When your regeneratively immortal friends can play BulletHell games at maximum difficulty without breaking a sweat, and [[DodgeTheBullet dodge actual bullets]] for that matter, you tend to get a deep appreciation for genetic superiority.
* TranshumanTreachery - Averted, with the main characters ''wishing'' this would happen.
* TykeBomb - Every last Northberg kid is this and a ChildProdigy.
* UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans - The main characters eventually determine that [[spoiler:human society cannot survive genetic alteration]]. No points for guessing their solution.
* VillainProtagonist - And villain antagonists, villain contagonists, and villains for minor characters. There are [[AffablyEvil nice guys]], but no heroes. Paul [[spoiler:tries to be one, but his loyalty to the villains puts an end to that quickly]].
* YoungAndInCharge - Howard takes total, world-controlling power at age '''ten'''. He is underestimated at first. That does not last long.
----
