Hero in Queereaders

May 11, 2010 Erastes rated it it was ok

Shelves: emperor-s-new-clothes

Apparently I read this a couple of years ago, but it was odd because although I'd rated it 3 stars (and now I've re-read it, that's generous) I didn't remember one thing about it, not the plot, not the characters, nothing.As I started to re-read, some things struck chords in my memory, namely the character of Ruth, but nothing much else.

I am knocking a star off down to 2 stars now because it really fails in so many ways it's not a good book. The fact that it's been published by the mainstream an Apparently I read this a couple of years ago, but it was odd because although I'd rated it 3 stars (and now I've re-read it, that's generous) I didn't remember one thing about it, not the plot, not the characters, nothing.As I started to re-read, some things struck chords in my memory, namely the character of Ruth, but nothing much else.

I am knocking a star off down to 2 stars now because it really fails in so many ways it's not a good book. The fact that it's been published by the mainstream and everyone saying "oo how new and fresh" is simply a case of The Emperor's New Clothes as far as I'm concerned. Perhaps the problem is that being in a small genre I've seen this book before, and done a lot lot better. If you sort of liked this, then get Hayden Thorne's Rise of Heroes series because they are much better written, much better plotted and the heroes don't make you want to smack them around the face with a wet fish.

It reads like Perry has tried to write a teenager because YA fiction is hip, but he doesn't actually remember what it's like to be a teenager. He's just shoved in a lot of angst, but with no actualy substance to that angst. Thorn gets himself into a funk about the disasters that happen to him, but when it comes down to it, these problems aren't actually worked through. There's an instance where he leaves his Dad's laptop on a gay porn site and then breaks the laptop and the machine has to go into the shop. But there's no comeback on this. He goes to pick it up, and although he angsts endlessly that someone must have seen it, there's no further description of it. Similarly he pours sauce all over his Dad's hero costume but there's no follow through on that. He gets the sauce off (mainly) and nothing more is said about it, despite the fact that his dad saw it.

There are loads of smoking guns/loose ends that litter the book and Thorn's emotions turn on and off like a tap, hold little or no residue which - considering this is first person - means that we don't get invested in anyone else.

But what annoys me most about the book is the lazy world in which it's set. Rather than spend a little time inventing superheroes, all Perry has done is to describe superheroes who already exist and simply change their outfits and names. Superman is Justice, who was rescued from his dying planet by his parents by putting him in a ship, and rescued by an elderly couple in Kansas. He's affected by rock from his own planet and so on and so on. Warrior Woman is a loosely disguised Wonder Woman, right down to an Island Kingdom and magic lariat. Was it too much effort, Perry, to use your own brain? Granted, writing a superhero novel in the first place is going to use a lot of tools that other authors have created, but that's an acceptable plagiarism, but just filing the serial numbers off existing superheroes because you can't be bothered to create them is just lazy. It also makes the book hugely predictable, because we know exactly how Justice is going to die.

I'm glad I've written this review, because in a couple of years time when I've forgotten every single detail of this crud again, I can refer to this and stop myself from subjecting myself to it for a third time. ...more

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Nov 01, 2010 Akiva ꙮ rated it it was ok

Shelves: f-c-mg-ya, 3-fmt-f-novel, f-queer

The story was "eh." The gore was far too detailed but also far too casual---the gruesome and unnecessary descriptions were almost totally emotionless. The writing was surprisingly bad---a motheaten plot, extremely poor pacing, and stuff that was just plain confusing.

Example: Thom has been secretly coming to scope out the gay bar's parking lot "hundreds" of times. One night he goes to his usual surveillance spot. A sentence later, he states that he's going in now. (No emotional development? Why n ...more

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Apr 29, 2011 Cristov rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbtq, young-adult, romance, public-library, superheroes

Thom Creed is the teenage son of one of the worlds best know superheros but life hasn't been easy for him. His father was disgraced while trying to save the world and his mother disappeared years ago. To top it off, Thom must deal with being a gay teen with budding superpowers of his own; both of which will not go over well with his father.

I honestly don't ever recall reading a book so quickly. This was an incredibly fast read with an engrossing story; much like reading a comic book but without ...more

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Feb 22, 2011 Kristen rated it really liked it

I'm a sucker for a superhero story, so this was a quick and enjoyable read. For me, Hero is a little more complex than other super-books because the main character struggles with more than just his superhero identity. It was very teenagery, awkward and at times angsty. The characters were interesting, and the story was fun. The events were a little predictable, but it was written for a teen audience, so I didn't mind. I can't wait to lend it to someone else! ...more

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Jan 02, 2010 Suuanda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, lgbt, young-adult, favorites

Like Ang Lee's note on the back cover, this is a can't put it down page turner. I read this really fast, and I although I was a bit disappointed by the ending that I thought was a little rushed, I really liked it. The characters are well developed and likable, and the intrigue doesn't let you down one minute. It may not be the most original book ever, but I liked these portrayals of super-heroes outside of clichés. The bad guys aren't what they seemed and neither are the good guys. I'd definitel ...more

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