The Gist: A coming-of-age novel with a modern twist on the classic superhero vs. evil villain storyline.
Summary: With hopes of joining the prestigious League of superheroes, Thom Creed must decide whether or not pursuing his dream is worth risking his already wavering relationship with his father, a now scorned former member of the League. Along the way, Thom discovers secrets regarding the disappearance of his mother, only building more tension in his family life as he deals with his homosexuality. While meeting other aspiring heroes his age, he starts to realize their painful struggles in life, letting him know that he isn’t the only one with hardships. Action-packed, mysterious and even with a bit of romance, Hero tells the story of “a dynamic new superhero for a new generation”.
Review: I have to say, this book exceeded my expectations. The whole homosexual-superhero concept initially came off as ridiculous to me, but the more I read, the more insightful Moore’s characters became. I feel compelled to applaud Moore’s writing, proving that a modern, young-adult book (even daring to involve such a controversial subject as homosexuality!) can still convey life lessons such as “love, loss, and redemption”. There was a considerable amount of cussing used, however, in my opinion it did not degrade the story.
Overall: 7.5/10. Recommended to young adults or older who are looking for a good, easy read.
