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Brooke's Reviews > Hero
Hero
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Almost every review I've read for this book applauds the subject matter (a gay teen superhero) but laments the sloppy writing. I'm going to add my voice to this choir.
The writing reminded me of problems I've had with some other YA novels. Everything is just a little too melodramatic, a little too overwritten, and a little too loud. The pacing is inconsistent; months will go by without much mention and yet events will be mentioned as if they just happened yesterday. There are countless contradictions within the text - I'd started off trying to remember some to mention as examples and quickly gave up. The main character's super power is healing, and yet he doesn't heal people close to him when the plot requires that they have an injury or ailment. There's a minor mystery involving murdered superheroes that never seems to be resolved, and then there's a surprise final villain that suffers from a lack of any foreshadowing that would make it believable. And then there's a complete lack of exploring themes that lend itself to the story - how about some musing on the parallels between an in-the-closet teen and a superhero with a secret identity?
2.5 stars is probably a more accurate rating, since I enjoyed it and it was a quick read, but the problems made me wince so many times and I was completely frustrated that a great opportunity had been squandered.
The writing reminded me of problems I've had with some other YA novels. Everything is just a little too melodramatic, a little too overwritten, and a little too loud. The pacing is inconsistent; months will go by without much mention and yet events will be mentioned as if they just happened yesterday. There are countless contradictions within the text - I'd started off trying to remember some to mention as examples and quickly gave up. The main character's super power is healing, and yet he doesn't heal people close to him when the plot requires that they have an injury or ailment. There's a minor mystery involving murdered superheroes that never seems to be resolved, and then there's a surprise final villain that suffers from a lack of any foreshadowing that would make it believable. And then there's a complete lack of exploring themes that lend itself to the story - how about some musing on the parallels between an in-the-closet teen and a superhero with a secret identity?
2.5 stars is probably a more accurate rating, since I enjoyed it and it was a quick read, but the problems made me wince so many times and I was completely frustrated that a great opportunity had been squandered.
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Karen
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rated it 2 stars
May 14, 2011 01:46PM
You really nailed all the flaws that I just couldn't put my finger on. Off pacing, poor transitions between time periods, lack of decent foreshadowing (to be fair, there was the one thing, but it was so weak the author had to point it out again)... It was good enough to finish, but not good enough to recommend.
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I agree with you. I especially agree that the lack of foreshadowing at the end was a huge fault in the story. Definitely a crucial mistake on Moore's part. Though, despite the flaws, the story was very touching.
I agree with the plot, especially the way he would describe things as if they'd just happened. I don't feel it was overwritten, a\but I'll admit that some parts were a bit too loud and melodramatic. However, when it happened, it was justifiable, especially for a YA novel. I didn't notice any contradictions. And yeah, why the fuck didn't he heal S when he discovered her issue or H after... About the whole parallels thing, it would have made a way more awesome novel, but probably one that's a bit too much for YA readers.
That's so funny, I agree with you on most points yet I was still completely enthralled with the book the whole time!! How did that happen?? The author is a magician...
Throughout the story Thom retains his humanity, even as his powers develop. S doesn't want his pity and is very sensitive to people touching her, so he probably couldn't have healed her, because she doesn't seem like she would let him try. R was too far gone. H - Thom was a little bit busy, reeling from discovering DH and losing his mom. The immediate threat was Justice, healing H would have had disastrous consequences (such as the rocket going off and destroying the world). I didn't notice any inconsistencies. I've read the book four times so far. The villain was foreshadowed by what happened with Thom's parents and the purple stone. It was pretty damn obvious who was killing everyone.
well I haven't read it so I wouldn't know but it sound boring from what I've heard on reviews
You know, I was just wondering why the ending bugged me so much... This explains it! No foreshadowing whatsoever:/
noooo! i read this "sloppy writing" comments far too often to pick this one up.
I was glad they're wasn't loads of foreshadowing, too many books make it stupidly obvious what is going to happen to the point where you can guess the entire plot. The scene in the office looking out at the galaxy was enough
Huh! I didn't see any of those problems. None. Including if there were any stupid miss-outs on chances to heal; I suspect any misses happened because Thom (how DO you pronounce that name?) was still learning how his power worked. Moreover, any open acknowledgment of hidden-gay vs. hidden-super parallels would have been super-tacky, to my mind.But sincere thanks for a clear and thoughtful review.
