Hero

A gay teen superhero who has to keep his heroic attempts secret from his dad, who is a disgraced hero? Sounds absolutely amazing! And it is. It's such a good idea that I ended up reading to the end. But beyond that... there were some problems. The beginning is slow and unnecessary. The book doesn't begin until a few chapter in, and there's so much irrelevant content! Also, Thom isn't very intelligent. I mean- he's a teenager with healing powers and it never once occurred to him to use them on himself? Ever? Not even for a paper cut? The characters are very surface level, and every bit of important information is revealed in the same way (usually by a big confession). It's not a very dynamic book, and honestly, most of the characters aren't very likable, except Larry, Golden Boy, and Ruth. There are important scenes that never come back to mean anything. Also, the love interest is barely in the book at all! There are like no scenes to show them building a relationship! The author tries way too hard to make his teen hero young, and it feels forced and strange. Like how an adult thinks teens are instead of how they actually are. He also refers to one character by two different names throughout the book, and that's confusing. However, the climax is really good! Really really good. And it's kind of unexpected. Although there are a lot of plot holes (a few major ones). And some stuff that doesn't make sense. But then again, it's an amazing idea, and I feel like it just needed a good editor. But I finished the book. So... I guess it's okay! But I wouldn't recommend it to my friends.

A friend who was really into fantasy novels recommended this book to me. I hate fantasy novels but he kept pushing. Begrudgingly, I ordered this book and the day it arrived I had committed myself to reading the first chapter so that I could write it off as something I'm not interested in and that would be that. What actually happened was that I read the first few pages then I was absolutely hooked. I don't have a lot of time for reading lately but I actually made time for this book and I was done with it in a little over a day because it was that captivating. I guess my point is that this is a great book and the premise might cause the serious reader to not consider it. Don't judge this book by it's synopsis! It's so much more!

I went on a reading binge, and struck gold with "Hero". This book is incredibly easy to fall into. The voice of the main character, Thom, has clarity and depth - in some ways he's your typical budding super hero teen, easy to relate to and connect with. The story itself is over 400 pages but is so smooth that I read it in one sitting - the pace was steady and between the family relationships, the super powers, the new teammates and situations, there wasn't a single dull moment. It was easy to see this transferred into a movie or graphic novel, but as a story, it really allowed you to just immerse yourself in Thom's world. The plot lines are tied up and the relationships settled by the novel's conclusion, but the style is such that when you close the book, you can't help hoping for a sequel, 'cause it's just that good. If you enjoy reading slash fiction and/or fanfiction, comics books or heck just enjoy a good superhero romp, this book might just click perfectly with you. Do give it a try.

I first heard about this book when I read a preview for it from Gaygamer.net. I thought that it was going to be a novel rife with the stereotypical gay teen, depressed about being alone, looking for the next way to, forgive my vulgarity, get off. This novel blew me away. Perry Moore has created one of the best fiction novels I have ever read. The story centers around young Thom, a 17-year old boy. Thom has a double dose of a problem, his father is a disgraced superhero and not very gay-friendly. Thom reveals to use early on in the novel that he is indeed gay and is quickly developing superpowers. The book's main theme of coming out, acceptance & redemption is put together nicely. I would whole-heartedly recommend this novel to anyone who is willing to read an excellently well-written novel.

I bought this book with the thought that I might use it during a social justice unit in my middle school English class. While the book proved to be a little too mature for my students (strong language, some pretty explicit sexual remarks), it would be excellent for a high school humanities or senior English class. The book dives into themes that are rarely explored in children's literature. By paralleling the protagonist's struggle with his own sexual orientation with the discovery that he possesses superhuman powers, the reader starts to connect the different ways in which people are outcast in our own, non-comic book society. I strongly recommend this book to anybody, be they a teacher, a student, or just a regular reader who wants to expand their understanding about tolerance and coming of age.

I bought this book after reading it's review in People magazine for my daughter and I to read...she was busy rereading a Harry Potter book, so I decided to read it first. GOOD THING! This book is much more appropriate for LATE teen and adult readers. It is a beautifully powerful book about the strains of growing up different, and really not feeling accepted. Set in a familiar world of comic book reality, it's points are not missed and you really want to hold the main character as he proceeds through this minefield of life as he makes his way in very extreme conditions. Even when the scenerios become outlandish, this book captivates you...I didn't want to put it down. I would caution that you may not like this book if you are conservative in your views of family and sexual relationships, but this book might help you to open your mind a bit if you are!