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protoman21's review
3.0
A quick decent read that has its moments of entertainment value, but ultimately is pretty forgettable. I read this several months ago and can't remember many details and none of the character names. Sadly, the plot twists didn't get much of a rise out of me because I wasn't attached to the characters enough to really care.
mmotleyu's review
3.0
My family and I listened to this one as an audio book. It is on the girls' battle of the books' list. It took me at least a third of the way to get into the book, but it really picked up once the boy discovered he had powers. My girls, who are 9 and 10, loved this book and couldn't wait till we could listen to more. They enjoyed trying to figure out who the bad guy in the book really was and are disappointed that no sequel is here yet. I would say this would appeal to those who like Action/Adventure books... reminded me a bit of Alex Rider series.
jennymock's review
3.0
This book didn't really catch my attention until after the first 100 pages. From that point on I did like the development of the story and I can see this leading into an exciting series.
ryanjamesburt's review
3.0
1) Rating - 3 out of 5
2) Genre - Young Adult
3) Synopsis - The world is full of Bads and it needs a hero to save it. Could that Hero be Zach Harriman?
4) Feelings - I have read several of Mike Lupica books but they normally are sports related. This is his first time wandering in this world. I liked it but didn't love it. Nothing I can really point to but just didn't really grab me. I did like the way he probed the am I a good guy or a bad guy dilemma. Fun read but not fantastic.
5) Final recommendation - Good read but not the best of Mike Lupica's books. I did enjoy it and would read anything else he puts out.
2) Genre - Young Adult
3) Synopsis - The world is full of Bads and it needs a hero to save it. Could that Hero be Zach Harriman?
4) Feelings - I have read several of Mike Lupica books but they normally are sports related. This is his first time wandering in this world. I liked it but didn't love it. Nothing I can really point to but just didn't really grab me. I did like the way he probed the am I a good guy or a bad guy dilemma. Fun read but not fantastic.
5) Final recommendation - Good read but not the best of Mike Lupica's books. I did enjoy it and would read anything else he puts out.
ayaktruk's review against another edition
Allright, so I've started outlining a YA novel of my own and the concept is similar to this novel. Picked it up for a quick read to garner inspiration.
Okay, I gave him 100 pages, but just couldn't get into it.
DNF
Okay, I gave him 100 pages, but just couldn't get into it.
DNF
cleah's review against another edition
4.0
Billy Harriman's father is a national hero, always off fighting bad people in the name of good people. When his father suddenly dies in a terrible plane crash, Billy is devastated. But he also doesn't think the crash was a mistake. A short trip out to the crash site and Billy runs into a mysterious man who calls himself Mr. Herbert, who tells Billy that he has the same magic in him as his father did. Suddenly Billy is discovering incredible powers he never knew he had. Together with his best friend Kate, Billy travels all over New York City trying to figuring out what is happening to him and who he can really trust.
In all these years, I have never read a book by Mike Lupica. Hard to believe, right? I'm glad this was my first though, because I really liked it! There have been a ton of superhero YA books to come out in the recent years, but I thought this one had a nice flavor of it's own. Billy is anxious to test his limits and see what he can do, but I liked how ultimately he discovered his powers slowly. Lupica didn't rush the reader right into being all powerful after being completely normal a moment before. I found myself wanting to see more of the school bully Spence. He was a cool antagonist in the beginning but then he dropped away somewhere in the middle. I also liked the giant mystery Billy is trying to figure out surrounding who is and where he comes from. And with Lupica's background in sports writing, the action scenes ROCK! Hero is sure to snag that elusive young male reader. Check it out!
In all these years, I have never read a book by Mike Lupica. Hard to believe, right? I'm glad this was my first though, because I really liked it! There have been a ton of superhero YA books to come out in the recent years, but I thought this one had a nice flavor of it's own. Billy is anxious to test his limits and see what he can do, but I liked how ultimately he discovered his powers slowly. Lupica didn't rush the reader right into being all powerful after being completely normal a moment before. I found myself wanting to see more of the school bully Spence. He was a cool antagonist in the beginning but then he dropped away somewhere in the middle. I also liked the giant mystery Billy is trying to figure out surrounding who is and where he comes from. And with Lupica's background in sports writing, the action scenes ROCK! Hero is sure to snag that elusive young male reader. Check it out!
blackerbird's review against another edition
3.0
I am a Mike Lupica fan, but this book just didn't do much for me. I'm trying to figure out how it became a 2012-2013 Texas Bluebonnet nominee. Hmmm...
cameronwaller's review against another edition
1.0
This was the worst book I have ever read. Avoid at all costs.
kevinscorner's review against another edition
4.0
I actually enjoyed reading this book. However, it was a bit too short and anticlimactic. Nothing much happened in the book, which leads me to believe that this book might be the start of a planned series. If not, then this book was completely pointless. It's a fun read but could have been more and improved.