The Hero Complex

By: Helen Comerford

Narrated by: Carla Harrison-Hodge, Leda Hodgson

Bloomsbury presents The Hero Complex by Helen Comerford read by Carla Harrison-Hodge and Leda Hodgson

In the second book of this swoony, striking YA duology, a teen girl finds herself reluctantly stepping into the role of superhero.

It turns out that having superpowers doesn't always make saving the world any easier. Jenna Ray has to sign up with the Hero and Powers Association to become a registered superhero. This means going back into the belly of the power-stealing, potentially murderous beast, and hiding the fact that her mother is involved with the Villains. Worst of all, it means she can’t be with Blaze--workplace relationships are strictly forbidden.

As Jenna tries to fix the HPA from the inside, she's forced to make a choice: save the world or follow her heart?©2025 Helen Comerford (P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Critic reviews

Manages to strike a beautiful balance between satire and storytelling; it's a hilarious sendup of the superhero genre and of modern superhero fandom that serves up an exciting action story peppered with creative superpowers.

The nonstop action is incredibly fun, and clever jokes combined with swoony, tender moments between Laurie and Jenna make this adventure a real page-turner. . . . Fast-paced, cinematic action paired with a heartfelt love story.

A fun, smart, trope-laden read for fans and haters of superhero stories alike.

A picturesque superhero universe and the 21st-century world collide in Comerford's rom-com debut, which features comedic dialogue, sophisticated depictions of mental health, and empowering, authentic female relationships.

Comerford peppers her work with clever, inventive twists as Jenna starts falling for Blaze. This fast-paced story culminates in a dramatic, satisfying conclusion that promises an exciting sequel . . . A sharp romantic comedy that takes aim at the patriarchy.

Excellent sequel!

Excellent sequel to the Love Interest. Fresh and relevant to our times superhero story—it made me think of how the X-men was based on the Civil Rights Movement. Superb narration too!