Hero

By: Perry Moore

Narrated by: Michael Urie

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

In the story comic book legend Stan Lee calls "spellbinding" and "totally original," Thom Creed has secrets. For one, like his father, he has super powers. Also, he's been asked to join the League—the very organization of superheroes that spurned his dad. Then there s the secret Thom can barely face himself: he's gay.

But becoming a member of the League opens up a new world to Thom. There, he connects with a misfit group of aspiring heroes, including Scarlett, who can control fire but not her anger; Typhoid Larry, who can make anyone sick with his touch; and Ruth, a wise old broad who can see the future. Like Thom, these heroes have things to hide; but they will have to learn to trust one another when they uncover a deadly conspiracy within the League.

To survive, Thom will face challenges he never imagined. To find happiness, he'll have to come to terms with his father s past, and discover the kind of hero he really wants to be.

Timely and inspiring,Hero tackles love, friendship, and the struggle to come to terms with who we really are in a sincere and suspenseful way.

This audiobook includes an exclusive introduction written and read by Stan Lee himself.

©2007 Perry Moore (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Moore's casting of a gay teen hero in a high-concept fantasy marks an significant expansion of GLBTQ literature into genres that reflect teens' diverse reading interests; given the mainstream popularity of comics-inspired tales, the average, ordinary, gay teen superhero who comes out and saves the world will raise cheers from within the GLBTQ community and beyond." ( Booklist)

I can't believe there won't be a sequal

amazing narration. fun suspencful sad heart warming...but left too many questions. story got little crazy at end wrapping it up you get a zinger and then that's it? not enough explanation.

Great story

The story was well written and and the narration brings the story to life. The main characters are well thought out and are voiced in a way that you can picture them. This is a good super hero novel but also speaks to LGBT youth. I loved it.

Remarkable and Touching

This book hits at so many levels I can't do it justice in a brief review. While I'm inclined to to warn about the gay content, and encourage the listener to be tolerant, that would violate the spirit of the book.

I've read professional criticisms of this book and laugh inside at how the critics so easily can miss key points. The book intentionally reads like a comic and so the characters are supposed to be somewhat 2-dimensional. Comics are written for kids---it's brilliant that some of the 'action' is predictable. It's not an autobiography!!!

But the ideas are profound. That we torment super heroes with bigotry is very wonderfully presented. That we don't know what the real lives of those around us is really about is brilliantly portrayed.

To the rigid moralist there may be some objectionable passages but I find my own tolerance going deeper as I get older. I think that's called maturity.

I highly recommend this book. I also believe it is an important book.

Chris Reich

I really liked it.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the book but after hearing the audio excerpt I decided to give it a try in the audio version and was surprised! It was pretty good, definately made me laugh out loud in some places! I loved "KickAss" and this was a good combination of it and other super hero characters.

Wonderful!

Michael Urie does a wonderful job narrating this story. I loved the book so much I wasn't sure I was going to like the audio version. I was wrong-it is terrific. The subtle nuances of the text are perfectly presented. Thank you.

Cute

Where does Hero rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was a cute story. Some characters you'll recognize from already established lore, but with different names. Superman reimagined as 'Justice', and Wonder Woman as 'Warrior Woman

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hero?

When father and son join together to fight the bad guys

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The intimate moment between the main character and 'Snake'

Best Gay Superhero Story

What did you like best about this story?

Engaging story with great characters. I purchased the audio book years ago and have enjoyed the listening to the story many times. Tom's a young adult with more than one secret. This is a story about self discovery and that moment when Tom has to decide how he'll live his life.

What does Michael Urie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wonderful narration, especially for the Ruth. Her voice gave me such a clear mental picture of the character.

Any additional comments?

Its rare these days to get a whole, complete story in one book without having to wait for the sequel. I do wish there were follow-up stories, but Hero was published many years ago, so a sequel appears unlikely. We need more gay superhero's.

Wow WOW wow

what a brilliant story i was so scared buying this thinking it was going to be corny but boy was i wrong the narrator was brilliant and the story was not all about the gay, it a story where the character just happens to be gay and that didn't take it away from the adventure of the story.

INTERESTING AND DEFINITELY NOT BORING

First of all, let me say I hate prejudice of any kind. This book shows a young boy trying to come to grips with his sexual preferences with today's society of morons. Yep, morons. It was heart wrenching at times for me, when listening to his coping with this. I did enjoy this book very much and yep, would recommend it for others to read. Especially our society's "morons" who keep insisting everyone needs to fit "their mold". Please read this book, it's quite entertaining, educational, and at times will make you laught and cry.

Good story, worth the credit

Pretty good book that is easy to listen to and a character that you can relate to. The narrator does a pretty good job and is entertaining. Liked the ending. Thought it dragged in a few spots but overall a really good book. Would highly recommend.