Simon: Not Your Average Superhero

Not Your Average Chronicles, Book 1

By: Lucas W. Mayberry

Narrated by: Steve Field

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Simon Emerson is a regular, suburban, out-of-work 30-something guy. But then he is mortally injured in a terrorist bombing on the London Underground. Afterward, he discovers he has superhuman abilities. Simon quickly transforms from a nobody to the most powerful person on the planet.

Forced to navigate life with his newfound powers, he discovers the police investigating the attack are suspicious of him, but that is the least of his worries. Simon’s most significant challenge lies ahead. He’s not the only one with incredible abilities. Simon has questions, and his search for answers takes him across the globe to find the mysterious man who gave him his powers.

The Underground terrorist is still on the loose and Simon must learn to control his powers fast before his greatest power becomes his greatest weakness.

Simon has been chosen to be a hero. Will he step up?

©2020 Lucas W Mayberry (P)2023 Lucas W Mayberry

Unexpected superhero

Heading home after a job interview, Simon Emerson is caught in a terrorist attack in the London Underground. He sees the bomber leave a bag and does his best to alert and then help his fellow passengers. He is severely wounded and during his recovery finds that he has superpowers. Most of the book is from the point of view of someone retelling Simon story. It’s shadowy and creepy and it’s unclear what is happening. Certainly the next book will clear things up. The narration by Steve Field is excellent. His performance brings the story to life. I received a free audiobook code for my honest review.

Pleasantly surprised

The genre is outside What I usually listen to, but it hooked me pretty much from the first chapter. The “hero” Is a simple man, who appears to simply want to be left alone to live his life, but as usually happens, life has other ideas. The story is well written, and the narration is top shelf. As a non Brit, it was a bit difficult at times to understand what was being said though, but it added some authenticity to the program. Well done! Looking forward to parts 2 and 3!

Fun and interesting concept twist on a superhero

Overall I enjoyed this book, it kept my interest and made me want to find out how everything turned out in the end. I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the series as well. the only to real draw backs for me personally were the lengthy sex depictions that to me didn't add anything to the story, and the narrator, although I was able to somewhat grow accustom as I listened. all in all, not a bad listen.

Definitely Not Your Average Superhero

Enjoyed story about Simon and his journey to superhero-hood. Didn't particularly like the story telling from the point of view of an unknown person, who seemed to know absolutely everything about Simon and his life, although at the end it became more understandable for that choice. The sex scenes did absolutely nothing for the story. The narrator took some getting used to, but in the end, I really liked getting to know Simon and his quirks and bumblings in becoming an unwitting superhero.
I received this book free in return for an honest review.

You Opened the Audible App. You Clicked Play...

Similar to films like Hancock, this is a grounded superhero story starring an everyday Brit named Simon Emerson who discovers he has superpowers following a terrorist attack. No cool codenames, no super-suits, no Batarangs or Batmobiles. Following the prologue, the story's told in the unusual choice of second person, past tense. Second person, *present* tense can be used effectively in small doses to provide a sense of unease or creepiness, as if some malevolent force is taunting the main character. An entire novel in second person, telling the story in past tense to the lead as if he's an amnesiac and doesn't remember all the cool stuff he's just done, is an odd sensation, but perhaps most readers won't mind.

The narrative occasionally slips into some very adult material, clashing against the juvenile power fantasy of superheroes (perhaps an intentional choice on the author's part.) If you're looking for material more in line with the MCU films, this is quite different. If you're not offended by The Boys, you'll be okay. Fans of nerd humor, British humor, and more modern takes on superhero material will likely find something to enjoy.

Well Written

This story is much different than I'd expected. It's a unique, dramatic story that's very well written.

Wounderful Story

Simon, the main character, is in a train accident in London, and after he has saved a multiple of people, he is injured and rushed to hospital for immediate surgery to save his life. Afterwards he starts having superpowers and does not know why. Narrator does a Great job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.

Clever

Loved how humble and unassuming Simon was. He had to be told he was a superhero by an older man retelling the stories. Very unique.