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Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs #1
The Never Hero
Librarian Note: Alternate Cover Edition for ISBN10: 0692231749 / ISBN13: 9780692231746.
At the gates between worlds...
In a war outside of time...
He fights for us.
Reclusive college student Jonathan Tibbs wakes in a pool of blood, not a scratch on him. His life is about to undergo a massive shift. A violent and merciless otherworldly enemy unleashes slaughter in the streets, calling out in a language only he understands.
And it is seeking its challenger.
In order to defeat the threat, Jonathan must become a temporal weapon... while remaining completely anonymous. Unfortunately, harnessing off-world powers has its own special challenges...
The Never Hero is the first installment in The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs -- a mind-bending, genre crossing, action-adventure trilogy.
At the gates between worlds...
In a war outside of time...
He fights for us.
Reclusive college student Jonathan Tibbs wakes in a pool of blood, not a scratch on him. His life is about to undergo a massive shift. A violent and merciless otherworldly enemy unleashes slaughter in the streets, calling out in a language only he understands.
And it is seeking its challenger.
In order to defeat the threat, Jonathan must become a temporal weapon... while remaining completely anonymous. Unfortunately, harnessing off-world powers has its own special challenges...
The Never Hero is the first installment in The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs -- a mind-bending, genre crossing, action-adventure trilogy.
428 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2014
1686 people are currently reading
3938 people want to read
About the author
T. Ellery Hodges
6 books471 followersT. Ellery Hodges was born in Sacramento, Ca in 1981. He moved to Seattle at nineteen and received his Bachelors of Science from the University Of Washington.
Somewhere in high school and early college, he gravitated toward writing. Then he forced unsuspecting students, who had made the mistake of taking creative writing during the same period as him, to endure the reading of his short stories.
During his twenties he worked in a laboratory performing drug trials, traveled most of Washington State fixing computers for Apple, sold gym memberships, and helped manage an international supply chain for a chemical distributor. Yet, much like the rest of his generation, he found that he wasn't well suited to doing any type of work for long.
So, he brushed the metaphorical dust off the novel he'd been writing in his head for the last six years. Then, he looked up the definition of 'metaphorical' because he was pretty sure that people who called themselves writers knew that one. He found that there was at least one thing he could endure doing for forty hours a week for the rest of his life.
There is a lesson in all that about ignoring what you want to do for what you think you should, but this is a biography not a lecture.
Currently, he lives with his wife, sons, and daughter, in Seattle. He has two dogs, a Border Collie and a Doberman, Darwin and Dharma, respectively.
In the 2015 Reader's Favorite book award contest, T. Ellery Hodges' debut novel, The Never Hero, was awarded an honorable mention in the category of Science Fiction. In 2017, the sequel, The Never Paradox, was awarded a Bronze Metal for the category of YA Urban Fantasy.
Somewhere in high school and early college, he gravitated toward writing. Then he forced unsuspecting students, who had made the mistake of taking creative writing during the same period as him, to endure the reading of his short stories.
During his twenties he worked in a laboratory performing drug trials, traveled most of Washington State fixing computers for Apple, sold gym memberships, and helped manage an international supply chain for a chemical distributor. Yet, much like the rest of his generation, he found that he wasn't well suited to doing any type of work for long.
So, he brushed the metaphorical dust off the novel he'd been writing in his head for the last six years. Then, he looked up the definition of 'metaphorical' because he was pretty sure that people who called themselves writers knew that one. He found that there was at least one thing he could endure doing for forty hours a week for the rest of his life.
There is a lesson in all that about ignoring what you want to do for what you think you should, but this is a biography not a lecture.
Currently, he lives with his wife, sons, and daughter, in Seattle. He has two dogs, a Border Collie and a Doberman, Darwin and Dharma, respectively.
In the 2015 Reader's Favorite book award contest, T. Ellery Hodges' debut novel, The Never Hero, was awarded an honorable mention in the category of Science Fiction. In 2017, the sequel, The Never Paradox, was awarded a Bronze Metal for the category of YA Urban Fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 503 reviews
June 16, 2015
Holyy Crap. I can't explain how much I liked this book.
Well, anyways, I got this in exchange for an honest review. All I can say is: This book was sooo epic. I agree with some people that it started out slow and confusing but as the story unfolds, it gets even better. This is one of the best books that I've read this year and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Well, anyways, I got this in exchange for an honest review. All I can say is: This book was sooo epic. I agree with some people that it started out slow and confusing but as the story unfolds, it gets even better. This is one of the best books that I've read this year and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
November 11, 2017
3.5 stars.
How would you feel if you were fated to shoulder the responsibility of saving mankind from violent inter-dimensional creatures and yet have to remain anonymous to the point that no one even remembers it?
This is the origins story of Jonathan Tibbs, a reserved college student whose life was literally seized by the throat and changed permanently. There isn't very much plot development in this debut except for the growth of Jonathan into a role that he did not volunteer for. Being forced to harness an off-world power built into the very cells of his body to enable him to stand a chance of fighting these otherworldly enemy, he was thrust into a situation where he had no choice but to train and hone himself into a weapon. But there's a difference , he will not be remembered as a hero for saving anyone nor will anyone even recall that they needed saving. To make an allegory from of the book itself, Tibbs will never be known as the Batman who fought Superman.
While the book's genre is kind of a current day science fiction, the story at this point was not predominantly so. Even though we have all the weird time paradox as the fight between Tibbs and the aliens happen in another plane of existence and inter-dimensional travel, the bulk of the story was focussed on his development into becoming the "never hero" that he needs to be in order to survive. It dealt with him coming to terms with his destiny and how he was going to balance his need to be a strong and skilled fighter while maintaining his friendship with his housemates whom he had to keep in the dark (not that they can even begin to comprehend).
A promising debut, although it might not be for everyone. When I say this is an origins story, I really meant it in its truest sense. There were only two action scenes, one which occurred fairly early on when our main protagonist had no clue what was happening and the other towards the end after he had sufficiently trained to properly use the powers given to him. However, I find Jonathan's very human journey in becoming a hero captivating enough for me to keep turning the pages. I will finish this review with a little snippet which humourously summarises what training was like for our reluctant hero.
This review can also be found at Booknest
How would you feel if you were fated to shoulder the responsibility of saving mankind from violent inter-dimensional creatures and yet have to remain anonymous to the point that no one even remembers it?
This is the origins story of Jonathan Tibbs, a reserved college student whose life was literally seized by the throat and changed permanently. There isn't very much plot development in this debut except for the growth of Jonathan into a role that he did not volunteer for. Being forced to harness an off-world power built into the very cells of his body to enable him to stand a chance of fighting these otherworldly enemy, he was thrust into a situation where he had no choice but to train and hone himself into a weapon. But there's a difference , he will not be remembered as a hero for saving anyone nor will anyone even recall that they needed saving. To make an allegory from of the book itself, Tibbs will never be known as the Batman who fought Superman.
No one but he could see or remember. His story could never be like theirs; his alter ego could never be unmasked. He would never be the hero revealed, and therefore, never the hero.
While the book's genre is kind of a current day science fiction, the story at this point was not predominantly so. Even though we have all the weird time paradox as the fight between Tibbs and the aliens happen in another plane of existence and inter-dimensional travel, the bulk of the story was focussed on his development into becoming the "never hero" that he needs to be in order to survive. It dealt with him coming to terms with his destiny and how he was going to balance his need to be a strong and skilled fighter while maintaining his friendship with his housemates whom he had to keep in the dark (not that they can even begin to comprehend).
You may not have chosen this, but it has chosen you. Fearing it will not save you from it.
A promising debut, although it might not be for everyone. When I say this is an origins story, I really meant it in its truest sense. There were only two action scenes, one which occurred fairly early on when our main protagonist had no clue what was happening and the other towards the end after he had sufficiently trained to properly use the powers given to him. However, I find Jonathan's very human journey in becoming a hero captivating enough for me to keep turning the pages. I will finish this review with a little snippet which humourously summarises what training was like for our reluctant hero.
It must have been like watching Batman run down to the Batcave and jump into the Batmobile, if Batman had the salary of a part-time hardware store employee.
This review can also be found at Booknest
October 18, 2014
I tend to dislike reviews, as they typically read like school book reports, or lengthy diatribes of spoilery doom. However, the author gave me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion, so let's just get on with it, shall we?
My opinion: Just, read it. Now. It's well-paced, balanced, thoughtful, intelligent and funny.
Do you enjoy compelling characters? This has got 'em covered. Action? Check. Comedy? Check. Intrigue? Government conspiracies? Aliens? Check. A story you actual care about: that satisfies, while still leaving you desperately wanting more? Check and mate.
There are some occasional first novel mishaps, but, frankly, not many...and they don't detract from the overall story. There are things you'd probably like explained better, but it is first in a series, so one supposes we'll get that information eventually. Overall it's a solid debut and definitely worth your time. I, for one, am impatiently awaiting the next one. So stop reading reviews and just READ THE BOOK ALREADY!
My opinion: Just, read it. Now. It's well-paced, balanced, thoughtful, intelligent and funny.
Do you enjoy compelling characters? This has got 'em covered. Action? Check. Comedy? Check. Intrigue? Government conspiracies? Aliens? Check. A story you actual care about: that satisfies, while still leaving you desperately wanting more? Check and mate.
There are some occasional first novel mishaps, but, frankly, not many...and they don't detract from the overall story. There are things you'd probably like explained better, but it is first in a series, so one supposes we'll get that information eventually. Overall it's a solid debut and definitely worth your time. I, for one, am impatiently awaiting the next one. So stop reading reviews and just READ THE BOOK ALREADY!
September 12, 2014
The Never Hero was not something I would usually choose to read but I’m very glad I did. I read a lot and there is the most pleasant yet annoying affect that happens with a great book. At random moments of the day, I’ll catch myself thinking about the story and wondering what will happen as if I’ve paused a movie. This book is definitely among that category. I connected well with the characters, was impressed by the unique storyline and genuinely enjoyed the style in which it was written.
One of the best parts of this book is the supporting cast of friends the main character has. Without going off on random tangents the story artfully provides details about the side characters that build and strengthen your feelings towards them. You’re left with a feeling you know them almost as well as the main character but without piling on 10 more chapters. I found myself smiling to the pages as if sharing whatever witty comment or insight that was just made with my friends!
Although I’ve read a lot of fantasy books, I’ve never read anything with such a unique storyline. Not only did the tale begin with an intriguing set up, the tale only continued to deepen and expand as you read. I was fortunate enough to read this book with a few friends and we spent an embarrassing amount of time discussing and hypothesizing where this story was going (if you get the chance, strongly recommend book-clubbing this read).
The narrative to this story is another important aspect to remark on. Not only is it funny and entertaining and the dialog completely relatable but it’s SO insightful. Multiple times while reading this I found these unexpected, “Innnnnnteresting, I never thought of that” moments that genuinely shocked me, especially in the casual manner they were incorporated into the story. It wasn’t a soapbox-preaching-type deal but just a different perspective that carried true value for me in the real world. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book!
One of the best parts of this book is the supporting cast of friends the main character has. Without going off on random tangents the story artfully provides details about the side characters that build and strengthen your feelings towards them. You’re left with a feeling you know them almost as well as the main character but without piling on 10 more chapters. I found myself smiling to the pages as if sharing whatever witty comment or insight that was just made with my friends!
Although I’ve read a lot of fantasy books, I’ve never read anything with such a unique storyline. Not only did the tale begin with an intriguing set up, the tale only continued to deepen and expand as you read. I was fortunate enough to read this book with a few friends and we spent an embarrassing amount of time discussing and hypothesizing where this story was going (if you get the chance, strongly recommend book-clubbing this read).
The narrative to this story is another important aspect to remark on. Not only is it funny and entertaining and the dialog completely relatable but it’s SO insightful. Multiple times while reading this I found these unexpected, “Innnnnnteresting, I never thought of that” moments that genuinely shocked me, especially in the casual manner they were incorporated into the story. It wasn’t a soapbox-preaching-type deal but just a different perspective that carried true value for me in the real world. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book!
March 24, 2018
Jonathan Tibbs is a college student studying biology. Yuck! I hate everything about science so I was kind of hesitant to start this book.. HOWEVER, that damn prologue sucked my soul into the book. I was hooked.. but then I was confused.. because where the hell is this Peter guy that was in the damn prologue? I was looking high and low, side to side, and he was nowhere to be found. It was like playing Where's Waldo or hide-and-go-seek with an invisible friend or something. It sucked ass guys.
Back to Tibbs, he was an okay character. I liked him and his friends. I also enjoyed the heck out of his storyline where some random ass blonde guy, yes they tell you the guy has blonde hair..great stuff, mysteriously breaks into his house and injects him with a damn syringe. THIS IS WHY I HAVE DOGS PEOPLE. No one is going to mess with two big ass dobermans and try to break into my house. HELL NO, they would try to break out of my damn house.
Anyhoo, everything changes for this guy because monsters are coming to Earth and they want to fight him. Like okay.. hold up.. wait, what? A magical portal just shows up and monsters are coming to earth like it's a vacation or something? Then Tibbs is magically getting stronger.. which he doesn't question for some odd reason. Luckily for him, he drops school and starts training to make these monsters his bitches.
Meanwhile, he also starts pushing away his friends which kind of annoyed me. I liked his friends - they were freaking hilarious! Sometimes Paige annoyed me but hey.. I got over that pretty quickly since there were monsters and shit.
Overall, it was a pretty interesting book. I expected a better ending or at least some questions answered.. but I'm also assuming I'll get that in the next book. Hopefully?
Back to Tibbs, he was an okay character. I liked him and his friends. I also enjoyed the heck out of his storyline where some random ass blonde guy, yes they tell you the guy has blonde hair..great stuff, mysteriously breaks into his house and injects him with a damn syringe. THIS IS WHY I HAVE DOGS PEOPLE. No one is going to mess with two big ass dobermans and try to break into my house. HELL NO, they would try to break out of my damn house.
Anyhoo, everything changes for this guy because monsters are coming to Earth and they want to fight him. Like okay.. hold up.. wait, what? A magical portal just shows up and monsters are coming to earth like it's a vacation or something? Then Tibbs is magically getting stronger.. which he doesn't question for some odd reason. Luckily for him, he drops school and starts training to make these monsters his bitches.
Meanwhile, he also starts pushing away his friends which kind of annoyed me. I liked his friends - they were freaking hilarious! Sometimes Paige annoyed me but hey.. I got over that pretty quickly since there were monsters and shit.
Overall, it was a pretty interesting book. I expected a better ending or at least some questions answered.. but I'm also assuming I'll get that in the next book. Hopefully?
August 26, 2017
I was always hesitant to give this book a go since it didn't sound like it would be the kind of story I enjoy. And my gut feeling turned out to be right. It just took itself WAY too seriously considering how silly the premise was. There were way too many flaws in general actually, from stilted and unnatural dialogue to unsatisfying explanations for the various sci-fi elements. Nothing really worked on a technical level and I can't actually think of a single redeeming factor. This review actually started as a 2 star, but the more I thought about it, the less I could justify an 'ok' rating.
I've got nothing against independent authors, but I can see why no publisher picked this up. The writing is very basic and there's a lot of issues from a structural point of view. The pacing tended to be on the slow side and towards the end, I was literally thinking this book needed some proper editing. I especially found it weird he chose to have the comic book and movie discussions, particularly pointing out typical hero story structures and themes, then just applying them in this story. I was expecting something interesting or clever to be done with those action hero tropes, but nope, it ended up being just another action hero story. Very disappointing.
There's not much to say in terms of world building since it's an urban/modern day setting with some aliens showing up from another dimension. I'd normally put that in spoiler tags, but it's such a cliche, it's not really much of a spoiler. I'd recommend not holding your breath, like I did, for a good explanation for it all either. It's flimsy at best and it smelled of the author having an interesting idea, but with no good way to explain how or why it would play out the way it does.
Now onto my biggest gripe with the book: the characters.OMG, they were so stupid. I found them rather illogical and unnatural in that uncanny valley sort of way. Their reactions to certain events made absolutely no sense . Things like and made me think the protagonist was going out of his way to be stupid. I didn't find him likeable at all and while that's not a deal breaker, the fact that he sulks he way through the book just made me hope he'd die in his big anti-climactic fight (but we all knew he wouldn't since the name of the series is "Chronicles of [insert cheesy hero name]" after all).
This is another book where one star isn't really fair since I didn't actually hate it, but I couldn't find anything nice to say about it either. It's probably another case where half stars or a 0-star rating would be welcomed on Goodreads. I'm very surprised how good the rating is on Goodreads though and even my friends gave it quite good ratings which prompted me to give it a try. However, it just didn't do it for me on any level and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
I've got nothing against independent authors, but I can see why no publisher picked this up. The writing is very basic and there's a lot of issues from a structural point of view. The pacing tended to be on the slow side and towards the end, I was literally thinking this book needed some proper editing. I especially found it weird he chose to have the comic book and movie discussions, particularly pointing out typical hero story structures and themes, then just applying them in this story. I was expecting something interesting or clever to be done with those action hero tropes, but nope, it ended up being just another action hero story. Very disappointing.
There's not much to say in terms of world building since it's an urban/modern day setting with some aliens showing up from another dimension. I'd normally put that in spoiler tags, but it's such a cliche, it's not really much of a spoiler. I'd recommend not holding your breath, like I did, for a good explanation for it all either. It's flimsy at best and it smelled of the author having an interesting idea, but with no good way to explain how or why it would play out the way it does.
Now onto my biggest gripe with the book: the characters.
This is another book where one star isn't really fair since I didn't actually hate it, but I couldn't find anything nice to say about it either. It's probably another case where half stars or a 0-star rating would be welcomed on Goodreads. I'm very surprised how good the rating is on Goodreads though and even my friends gave it quite good ratings which prompted me to give it a try. However, it just didn't do it for me on any level and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
May 29, 2018
3.5
This...was actually really unique! I'm impressed with the amount of thought the author put into this. Everything, from the history to the psychological aspects felt very well researched and planned out.
So basically this book is about a college student named Jonathan Tibbs and one day he's attacked and wakes in a puddle of his own blood. Yup. Trauma for daaaaays. He discovers he's needed to prevent a hostile alien invasion, and the story proceeds from there.
The writing is neither here nor there, it's simplistic and gets the point across which works very well well for the book. As for the plot, it's not the most original on the planet, yet, it's engaging in its own way. The combat scenes were well written!
Gotta love those pop culture references!!! Honestly, you mention Rocky, Karate Kid, or Doctor Who, I''m there. I loved the whole inspiration idea! One thing the author did amazingly, that makes him stand out, is the fact that he dug into the mental and emotional side of things. It added a welcome layer of depth to what would be an otherwise shallow story.
I enjoyed this book, and would highly recconend! It had some issues but I definitely think the author shows a ton of promise :)
This...was actually really unique! I'm impressed with the amount of thought the author put into this. Everything, from the history to the psychological aspects felt very well researched and planned out.
So basically this book is about a college student named Jonathan Tibbs and one day he's attacked and wakes in a puddle of his own blood. Yup. Trauma for daaaaays. He discovers he's needed to prevent a hostile alien invasion, and the story proceeds from there.
The writing is neither here nor there, it's simplistic and gets the point across which works very well well for the book. As for the plot, it's not the most original on the planet, yet, it's engaging in its own way. The combat scenes were well written!
Gotta love those pop culture references!!! Honestly, you mention Rocky, Karate Kid, or Doctor Who, I''m there. I loved the whole inspiration idea! One thing the author did amazingly, that makes him stand out, is the fact that he dug into the mental and emotional side of things. It added a welcome layer of depth to what would be an otherwise shallow story.
I enjoyed this book, and would highly recconend! It had some issues but I definitely think the author shows a ton of promise :)
September 17, 2014
This story belongs on the big screen! This is a very unique spin on a hero's tale, and the unexpected angle was a refreshing change from the latest sci-fi/action literature. I highly recommend for those interested in getting lost in well written action, challenging their psyche with moral dilemmas, and indulging in a modest amount of romance. I really do hope this gets made into a movie, but first I need to get my hands on the sequels!
July 11, 2015
I got a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
I'M SERIOUSLY SPEECHLESS...
To be honest, this book was very confusing at first. I didn't get it all for the first few chapters. As the story developed along with the characters, everything seemed to make sense. The twists were very well thought out. I was quite impressed with how the author answered my unanswered questions throughout the story.
Another thing - I didn't think this book would get me so hyped up about wanting to know what was going on in the story. Who was who and what was what.
I liked the protagonist. His character development was very nice. Thinking of reality, he was a normal guy, living normally. And soon enough, you see him fighting for what he wants, for what he felt guilty of. There was the change in him that I liked. How he got himself to become stronger. How that took months for him. And the climax of the story, damn, it was well written.
One last thing. That ending totally left me hanging. Just how good will the next book be?
I'M SERIOUSLY SPEECHLESS...
To be honest, this book was very confusing at first. I didn't get it all for the first few chapters. As the story developed along with the characters, everything seemed to make sense. The twists were very well thought out. I was quite impressed with how the author answered my unanswered questions throughout the story.
Another thing - I didn't think this book would get me so hyped up about wanting to know what was going on in the story. Who was who and what was what.
I liked the protagonist. His character development was very nice. Thinking of reality, he was a normal guy, living normally. And soon enough, you see him fighting for what he wants, for what he felt guilty of. There was the change in him that I liked. How he got himself to become stronger. How that took months for him. And the climax of the story, damn, it was well written.
One last thing. That ending totally left me hanging. Just how good will the next book be?
June 3, 2015
I was kindly gifted 'The Never Hero' in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this novel. It's original (so much so that I couldn't really compare it to anything else), the characters are fun and very likeable ( especially Jonathan's roommates Collin and Hayden) and the plot kept me interested and engaged.
The book is incredibly well written, more than I originally thought it would be. Hodges' style, use of words and the way he incorporated movies, comics and even religion into the story made the reading experience just that more enjoyable.
Considering the length of the book there weren't as many action scenes or major events as I thought (or hoped) there would be, but on the other hand I got an in-depth look at the characters and their lives which is a major part of story-telling and is how you make readers get attached and feel for the characters which, by the way, I did!
All in all this is a wonderful debut novel from T. Ellery Hodges and I can't wait to continue on with the series.
Side note: this would make a great movie and I wish the author all the success this book and future books will surely give him.
I really enjoyed this novel. It's original (so much so that I couldn't really compare it to anything else), the characters are fun and very likeable ( especially Jonathan's roommates Collin and Hayden) and the plot kept me interested and engaged.
The book is incredibly well written, more than I originally thought it would be. Hodges' style, use of words and the way he incorporated movies, comics and even religion into the story made the reading experience just that more enjoyable.
Considering the length of the book there weren't as many action scenes or major events as I thought (or hoped) there would be, but on the other hand I got an in-depth look at the characters and their lives which is a major part of story-telling and is how you make readers get attached and feel for the characters which, by the way, I did!
All in all this is a wonderful debut novel from T. Ellery Hodges and I can't wait to continue on with the series.
Side note: this would make a great movie and I wish the author all the success this book and future books will surely give him.
August 8, 2015
Complex and thought provoking take on the modern day superhero. With The Never Hero, T. Ellery Hodges gives us a story that is part action adventure but equal parts analysis on modern manhood, our culture of hero worship, and what drives us to become more than what we are. Those looking for a Marvel movie plot are not going to find it here. This story does not shy away from the unpleasant realities of what it would mean to live a dual identity. This book spends a lot of downtime between action scenes but Hodges imbues the interludes between plot points with a fair amount of humor and a unique look at what it would mean to be forced to become a savior, using movies and hero tales we all know and love as points of comparison. This story takes the simple archetype we are used to and forces us to examine it anew. The story keeps you wondering how it will all come together but ties the loose ends up nicely by the final pages. Hodges has set up a saga that I will be happy to follow. Fun, creative, and ultimately satisfying, The Never Hero gives a fresh take on a story we think we know. I eagerly look forward to the next installment
September 12, 2014
I got a chance to read a pre release version of this story. I am so glad I did. The prologue is all it took for me to fall in love. It grips you from the start and I was turning pages as fast as I could read.
The main character, Jonathan is relatable and down to earth. Most superheros are very black and white, but this story has a lot of grey. The struggle and the sacrifice to save not just himself but mankind leaves you wanting to jump through the pages and hug Jonathan.
The supporting characters are great. The male room mates were my favorite, they're hilarious and you just wish you could sit back and watch them argue. Who doesn't want friends like these!
The dissection of the super hero story formula is insightful, interesting, and fun; even to me who isn't a huge super hero nerd fan.
The book leaves you excited, asking questions and dieing to get to the next chapter. Action, comedy, government intrigue, personal sacrifices, all compile to create an amazing story you just cant put down.
You will be glued to the page, as the main character tries to make sense of what has befallen him. Thrown into a situation he didn't choose and never would have asked for, to be the savior of mankind, he struggles to survive and find his new normal.
An original story I know the world will fall in love with. Exciting to be one of the first people to fall in love with the characters! Cant wait for the next book!
The main character, Jonathan is relatable and down to earth. Most superheros are very black and white, but this story has a lot of grey. The struggle and the sacrifice to save not just himself but mankind leaves you wanting to jump through the pages and hug Jonathan.
The supporting characters are great. The male room mates were my favorite, they're hilarious and you just wish you could sit back and watch them argue. Who doesn't want friends like these!
The dissection of the super hero story formula is insightful, interesting, and fun; even to me who isn't a huge super hero nerd fan.
The book leaves you excited, asking questions and dieing to get to the next chapter. Action, comedy, government intrigue, personal sacrifices, all compile to create an amazing story you just cant put down.
You will be glued to the page, as the main character tries to make sense of what has befallen him. Thrown into a situation he didn't choose and never would have asked for, to be the savior of mankind, he struggles to survive and find his new normal.
An original story I know the world will fall in love with. Exciting to be one of the first people to fall in love with the characters! Cant wait for the next book!
June 8, 2015
I am so surprised at how much I love this book! I decided to check this out after reading the little blurb about it. I'd never read any comic type stories, or comics for that matter, and I thought maybe now was the time. Holy cow, now was the perfect time!!
It's been not even a full 5 minutes since I finished this book, and I am here typing up this review. That's how much I loved this. The way Mr. Hodges draws comparisons between heroes in comics, heroes in movies, and the type of people many of us wish we could, or hope we would be, was eye opening. This could be because it's my first time reading a story with a comic type hero, but I found myself struggling to understand, and coming to accept certain ideas and desires, right along with the hero, Jonathan.
If you have any interest in hero stories, this book will NOT disappoint! Read it. Read it now!
It's been not even a full 5 minutes since I finished this book, and I am here typing up this review. That's how much I loved this. The way Mr. Hodges draws comparisons between heroes in comics, heroes in movies, and the type of people many of us wish we could, or hope we would be, was eye opening. This could be because it's my first time reading a story with a comic type hero, but I found myself struggling to understand, and coming to accept certain ideas and desires, right along with the hero, Jonathan.
If you have any interest in hero stories, this book will NOT disappoint! Read it. Read it now!
July 3, 2015
I loved this book from beginning to end. In fact I couldn't put it down. I found the characters to be well thought out and portrayed. Their emotions and relationships in the story are great. The story line was original and well written. I found the integration of both comics and religion to be amusing and thought provoking. I especially liked the comic book spin on that aspect. There were some great quotes in there and I can't help but appreciate the integration of all of the "classic" movie and book references.
Job well done Sir! I can't wait for your next book!
Job well done Sir! I can't wait for your next book!
April 10, 2025
"The Never Hero" by T. Ellery Hodges, was published in 2015 and brought to life by narrator Steven Barnett. This 1st installment of "The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs" is a genre-blending marvel that fuses science fiction, action, and introspective character drama into a compelling auditory experience. It’s a slow burn that rewards patient listeners with a rich narrative tapestry and a protagonist who feels achingly human.
The story centers on Jonathan Tibbs, a reclusive college student whose mundane existence is shattered when he wakes up in a pool of his own blood, unscathed. This bizarre incident marks the beginning of his transformation into an unwilling temporal warrior, thrust into a hidden war against a merciless, otherworldly enemy known as the Ferox. Hodges crafts a premise that’s both thrilling and philosophical: Jonathan must harness mysterious powers to combat these creatures, all while keeping his identity a secret from the world he’s destined to protect. The stakes are cosmic, yet the focus remains intimately personal, exploring themes of duty, identity, and the psychological toll of heroism.
One of the audiobook’s key highlights is its character development. Jonathan is no caped crusader; he’s a flawed, relatable young man grappling with trauma and responsibility. His interactions with roommates Collin and Hayden inject humor and warmth into the narrative, their banter about superheroes and faith providing a lighter counterpoint to the darker, action-packed sequences. These supporting characters aren’t mere comic relief - they evolve alongside Jonathan, their loyalty tested as his secret life unravels. The mysterious Heyer, an alien figure who seems to pull the strings, adds an enigmatic layer, leaving listeners questioning his motives and the larger forces at play.
Steven Barnett’s narration is a standout feature, elevating the text with a performance that’s both steady and expressive. His voice carries a grounded tone that suits Jonathan’s everyman quality, while subtly shifting to convey the tension of fight scenes or the levity of roommate debates. Though some might wish for more distinct character voices, Barnett’s consistency ensures the story remains immersive, his pacing aligning perfectly with the novel’s gradual build toward its climactic confrontations.
The audiobook shines in its world-building, too. Hodges introduces a complex mythology involving inter-dimensional conflict and time manipulation, doling out details sparingly to keep the mystery alive. The Ferox, with their guttural cries only Jonathan understands, are chillingly alien, and the fight scenes - particularly one in a darkened street - are visceral and cinematic, enhanced by Barnett’s measured intensity.
As the 1st book, "The Never Hero" prioritizes setup over resolution, which might frustrate listeners craving immediate answers. Yet, its thought-provoking premise and emotional depth make it a gripping listen. This is a hero’s journey for those who prefer their saviors reluctant, their battles internal, and their audiobooks unforgettable.
The story centers on Jonathan Tibbs, a reclusive college student whose mundane existence is shattered when he wakes up in a pool of his own blood, unscathed. This bizarre incident marks the beginning of his transformation into an unwilling temporal warrior, thrust into a hidden war against a merciless, otherworldly enemy known as the Ferox. Hodges crafts a premise that’s both thrilling and philosophical: Jonathan must harness mysterious powers to combat these creatures, all while keeping his identity a secret from the world he’s destined to protect. The stakes are cosmic, yet the focus remains intimately personal, exploring themes of duty, identity, and the psychological toll of heroism.
One of the audiobook’s key highlights is its character development. Jonathan is no caped crusader; he’s a flawed, relatable young man grappling with trauma and responsibility. His interactions with roommates Collin and Hayden inject humor and warmth into the narrative, their banter about superheroes and faith providing a lighter counterpoint to the darker, action-packed sequences. These supporting characters aren’t mere comic relief - they evolve alongside Jonathan, their loyalty tested as his secret life unravels. The mysterious Heyer, an alien figure who seems to pull the strings, adds an enigmatic layer, leaving listeners questioning his motives and the larger forces at play.
Steven Barnett’s narration is a standout feature, elevating the text with a performance that’s both steady and expressive. His voice carries a grounded tone that suits Jonathan’s everyman quality, while subtly shifting to convey the tension of fight scenes or the levity of roommate debates. Though some might wish for more distinct character voices, Barnett’s consistency ensures the story remains immersive, his pacing aligning perfectly with the novel’s gradual build toward its climactic confrontations.
The audiobook shines in its world-building, too. Hodges introduces a complex mythology involving inter-dimensional conflict and time manipulation, doling out details sparingly to keep the mystery alive. The Ferox, with their guttural cries only Jonathan understands, are chillingly alien, and the fight scenes - particularly one in a darkened street - are visceral and cinematic, enhanced by Barnett’s measured intensity.
As the 1st book, "The Never Hero" prioritizes setup over resolution, which might frustrate listeners craving immediate answers. Yet, its thought-provoking premise and emotional depth make it a gripping listen. This is a hero’s journey for those who prefer their saviors reluctant, their battles internal, and their audiobooks unforgettable.
September 13, 2014
The Never Hero is a book that will refuse to let you go; the deeper you enter Jonathon's world, the more you come to care for him, and just when you're at the edge of your seat with concern, then come the revelations. They're big, but beautifully set up, and the action-based premise is in fact a framework for posing much deeper questions about honour, duty and the identity of modern masculinity. Needless to say I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who loves heroic stories that leave a residue of contemplation, long after they're over.
dnf
July 18, 2021Remarkably tedious and passive prose, even in the midst of an action scene, quickly had me dnfing this one. At one point the author actually wrote that a character was "hurt, but not injured", which had me laughing out loud.
July 11, 2015
Full Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this audio book by the author.
I wasn't sure what to expect though the description looked promising. I really enjoyed the depth of this novel, the layers and even at the end there were twists in the plot I didn't see coming and I usually see them. I always appreciate well done plot twists without foreshadowing.
The book starts out with a fight between some kind of an alien creature and a human man falling down an elevator shaft. But after the prologue the book moves to the story of Jonathan Tibbs, who is not really a geek, but then again is most certainly not a Jock in the beginning of this book. He is just your average college student with a biology major. Jonathan lives with his three room mates and everything is going just fine until one night Jonathan returns from the bar earlier than his room mates and when they get home the discover him in a pool of his own blood....
As Jonathan pieces together what really happened that night we start to learn more of the layers of this story.
I enjoyed the whole comic book aspect of this book, even though as a rule I don't care much for comic books or super heroes. There is a subplot of two of the room mates writing a comic book arc where Jesus is a super hero and I enjoyed how that continued to develop throughout the book even though the main character had very little to do with that subplot, it shows the depth at which the author took the time to really think through his characters and perhaps his love of comic books as well?
Over all I will be spreading the word of this book, and I hope enough others will read it so that Hodges publishes more about Jonathan Tibbs. I want to learn more about him and what happens between him and Leah.
I wasn't sure what to expect though the description looked promising. I really enjoyed the depth of this novel, the layers and even at the end there were twists in the plot I didn't see coming and I usually see them. I always appreciate well done plot twists without foreshadowing.
The book starts out with a fight between some kind of an alien creature and a human man falling down an elevator shaft. But after the prologue the book moves to the story of Jonathan Tibbs, who is not really a geek, but then again is most certainly not a Jock in the beginning of this book. He is just your average college student with a biology major. Jonathan lives with his three room mates and everything is going just fine until one night Jonathan returns from the bar earlier than his room mates and when they get home the discover him in a pool of his own blood....
As Jonathan pieces together what really happened that night we start to learn more of the layers of this story.
I enjoyed the whole comic book aspect of this book, even though as a rule I don't care much for comic books or super heroes. There is a subplot of two of the room mates writing a comic book arc where Jesus is a super hero and I enjoyed how that continued to develop throughout the book even though the main character had very little to do with that subplot, it shows the depth at which the author took the time to really think through his characters and perhaps his love of comic books as well?
Over all I will be spreading the word of this book, and I hope enough others will read it so that Hodges publishes more about Jonathan Tibbs. I want to learn more about him and what happens between him and Leah.
December 5, 2014
First time author T. Ellery Hodges enters the scifi genre with both barrels blazing! His debut novel The Never Hero is an unexpected thrill-ride through both time and space as our protagonist Jonathan fights an alien force hell-bent on destroying humankind.
From the back cover:
At the gates between worlds
In a war outside of time
He fights for us
First, I have to admit: I read this novel after a previous binge on the Doom and Alien/Aliens series. In many ways Jonathan Tibbs reminded me of a contemporary portrayal of Dafydd ab Hugh’s first introduction of Fly in Doom: Knee-Deep in the Dead, a capable protagonist thrown into a war he did not want to fight. In both novels, Jonathan and Fly are all that stand between Earth’s destruction by a monstrous alien army. They are reluctant to fight but honorably rise to a role as faceless defenders—a plot that only fate could orchestrate.
Hodges’s writing style is clear and appropriate for the genre; his dialogue is fluid. The characters are well rounded and meaningfully contribute to the story, providing a few subplots that add instead of distract from the main plot. The action sequences are well composed and easy to visualize. Overall, Hodges’s writing is solid.
This is definitely a new creative series for fans of Science Fiction, Superhero, and Alien Invasion. An imaginative amalgamation of genres!
The author provided SFBook.com with an advanced copy for an honest review.
From the back cover:
At the gates between worlds
In a war outside of time
He fights for us
First, I have to admit: I read this novel after a previous binge on the Doom and Alien/Aliens series. In many ways Jonathan Tibbs reminded me of a contemporary portrayal of Dafydd ab Hugh’s first introduction of Fly in Doom: Knee-Deep in the Dead, a capable protagonist thrown into a war he did not want to fight. In both novels, Jonathan and Fly are all that stand between Earth’s destruction by a monstrous alien army. They are reluctant to fight but honorably rise to a role as faceless defenders—a plot that only fate could orchestrate.
Hodges’s writing style is clear and appropriate for the genre; his dialogue is fluid. The characters are well rounded and meaningfully contribute to the story, providing a few subplots that add instead of distract from the main plot. The action sequences are well composed and easy to visualize. Overall, Hodges’s writing is solid.
This is definitely a new creative series for fans of Science Fiction, Superhero, and Alien Invasion. An imaginative amalgamation of genres!
The author provided SFBook.com with an advanced copy for an honest review.
February 4, 2016
It's always odd to see a book start so strong only to come to a dull, abrupt halt and remain there for a good long while. I struggled to like this book, I truly did. After reading the two support characters (who are incredibly obnoxious) drone on about rebooting the Bible, again and again, I stopped pounding my head off the desk and put the book down. I was hoping it was some kind of foreshadowing but it was just useless filler, a poor attempt at humor, I suppose. Despite some of the fun and exciting moments where the characters seem to be developing and actually doing something, it just fizzles out.
It's sad too because the synopsis sounds interesting but is ultimately a boring cliche: seemingly ordinary character gets thrown in the middle of a supernatural/extraterrestrial war, gets powers, has to learn how to use them, etc, etc. Perhaps if you don't read graphic novels, and enjoy young adult fiction, you may find this interesting. However, there are better stories out there.
It's sad too because the synopsis sounds interesting but is ultimately a boring cliche: seemingly ordinary character gets thrown in the middle of a supernatural/extraterrestrial war, gets powers, has to learn how to use them, etc, etc. Perhaps if you don't read graphic novels, and enjoy young adult fiction, you may find this interesting. However, there are better stories out there.
September 25, 2014
Great read! It had a refreshingly unique plot, relatable cast, and finished very strong leaving plenty open for the sequels.
-im normally a fantasy reader and i mix SciFi in occasionally and I found this book to be a nice change of pace. There is nothing "standard" about the story. I was impressed with the originality of the plot and a hero dilemma I've never come across.
-Its written in a way that makes the main cbaracter and his supporting cast mush more real and relatable than your average novel. I waa more immersed in the story than in my normal reading experiance.
- Unlike many series this debute finshed very strong. It teased on some of the theories and predictions i was considering and had several great surprises i didnt see coming at all!
All in all,the book built very well and you will enjoy it if like the challenge of puzzling out what's in store for the next page!
-im normally a fantasy reader and i mix SciFi in occasionally and I found this book to be a nice change of pace. There is nothing "standard" about the story. I was impressed with the originality of the plot and a hero dilemma I've never come across.
-Its written in a way that makes the main cbaracter and his supporting cast mush more real and relatable than your average novel. I waa more immersed in the story than in my normal reading experiance.
- Unlike many series this debute finshed very strong. It teased on some of the theories and predictions i was considering and had several great surprises i didnt see coming at all!
All in all,the book built very well and you will enjoy it if like the challenge of puzzling out what's in store for the next page!
June 26, 2015
Brilliant
I found this book entrancing beyond expectation. The story was a web being weaved, not yet knowing it's own design until the final word. Hodges' insight into the human psyche under the portrayed circumstance was surprisingly thorough, and his presentation of the protagonists moral dilemma and how it was overcome was beautiful in its own, dark, way. I must admit that there were more than a few sections which where especially long winded, but over all I would consider it a great success and will be eagerly awaiting the sequel. A true masterpiece.
I found this book entrancing beyond expectation. The story was a web being weaved, not yet knowing it's own design until the final word. Hodges' insight into the human psyche under the portrayed circumstance was surprisingly thorough, and his presentation of the protagonists moral dilemma and how it was overcome was beautiful in its own, dark, way. I must admit that there were more than a few sections which where especially long winded, but over all I would consider it a great success and will be eagerly awaiting the sequel. A true masterpiece.
July 16, 2015
*I received a free copy from the author for an honest review*
This is the first audio book I have ever "read" and well I am not sure if I want to repeat the process or not. I think I like reading better than listening to a book. Maybe for the next one I will be better prepared. I am not able to decide.
But personal preferences aside, the audio quality was good and the story was narrated at a good pace and with good diction so I could understand it perfectly. Remember that I am not an English speaking person and the narration was clear enough for me. It might seem a bit slow to others though I guess.
I went into the book expecting a perfect hero but what I got was a perfectly portrayed one with personal baggage and issues. Jonathan was well developed in stages with his calm demeanour and his slow realisation that he has to do everything possible in order to survive. He is never heroic in any of the scenes but he rocks as a hero in my opinion. The side characters add a much needed check on the crazy goings on at intervals. Wow, Grant totally irked me with his attitude while Paige made me love her with her vulnerability hidden under a tough exterior. Hayden and Collin added the required nerdy-ness to the story. Leah seems to be a mystery whose character is slightly revealed at the end.
The book is so appropriately named. Jonathan will never be the hero because people forget his heroics. That made me sad because I feel the protagonist has to have some encouragement from the people for risking his life every time. The prologue was mysterious and had me thinking in terms of What, Why, How etc., Then the tale started off slowly and picked up pace with my interest being piqued when Jonathan started to become the "super" hero. The ending has me questioning Leah, Heyer and the other mysterious persons in the book.
In short, I had a good time seeing Jonathan turn his life over to Heyer for mankind's protection.
My one line review : A Hero who is never remembered has a coming of age story for the readers.
My rating : 3.5/5
My reread factor : 3/5
Floryie
This is the first audio book I have ever "read" and well I am not sure if I want to repeat the process or not. I think I like reading better than listening to a book. Maybe for the next one I will be better prepared. I am not able to decide.
But personal preferences aside, the audio quality was good and the story was narrated at a good pace and with good diction so I could understand it perfectly. Remember that I am not an English speaking person and the narration was clear enough for me. It might seem a bit slow to others though I guess.
I went into the book expecting a perfect hero but what I got was a perfectly portrayed one with personal baggage and issues. Jonathan was well developed in stages with his calm demeanour and his slow realisation that he has to do everything possible in order to survive. He is never heroic in any of the scenes but he rocks as a hero in my opinion. The side characters add a much needed check on the crazy goings on at intervals. Wow, Grant totally irked me with his attitude while Paige made me love her with her vulnerability hidden under a tough exterior. Hayden and Collin added the required nerdy-ness to the story. Leah seems to be a mystery whose character is slightly revealed at the end.
The book is so appropriately named. Jonathan will never be the hero because people forget his heroics. That made me sad because I feel the protagonist has to have some encouragement from the people for risking his life every time. The prologue was mysterious and had me thinking in terms of What, Why, How etc., Then the tale started off slowly and picked up pace with my interest being piqued when Jonathan started to become the "super" hero. The ending has me questioning Leah, Heyer and the other mysterious persons in the book.
In short, I had a good time seeing Jonathan turn his life over to Heyer for mankind's protection.
My one line review : A Hero who is never remembered has a coming of age story for the readers.
My rating : 3.5/5
My reread factor : 3/5
Floryie
May 1, 2016
A much more complex story than I was thinking. I was very pleased and, honestly, surprised by the nuances, especially the emotional and psychological twists and turns. I even admitted to my wife that this book had really grabbed my interest. I finished the entire second half in one reading.
On his blog, the author discusses how he was guided in part by mind-bender films such as Vanilla Sky and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and I can see that, though I actually enjoyed The Never Hero more because Hodges didn't try to take it too far and let the concepts overshadow the characters. This is very much a character-driven novel, and I appreciated that. The characters are all very well-defined. And you can also feel Hodge's love for the superhero/sci-fi genres — a more X-Files-y sci-fi —which makes the author's attempt come across as truly genuine.
The only things that kept this from being a five-star book is the pacing plods a bit here and there when the author really could have moved the story along (the story could have used some tightening up and not spent so much time on minutiae), and also some scenes POV-hopped, a real peeve of mine. For me this was a 4.25-star read and I definitely recommend it, especially if you like to read superhero-influenced fiction. Bonus points for so many '80s film references (I mean who here remembers Soldier and Vision Quest?! Love it!).
I hope Hodges is almost ready to release book #2, The Never Paradox. I'm in.
On his blog, the author discusses how he was guided in part by mind-bender films such as Vanilla Sky and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and I can see that, though I actually enjoyed The Never Hero more because Hodges didn't try to take it too far and let the concepts overshadow the characters. This is very much a character-driven novel, and I appreciated that. The characters are all very well-defined. And you can also feel Hodge's love for the superhero/sci-fi genres — a more X-Files-y sci-fi —which makes the author's attempt come across as truly genuine.
The only things that kept this from being a five-star book is the pacing plods a bit here and there when the author really could have moved the story along (the story could have used some tightening up and not spent so much time on minutiae), and also some scenes POV-hopped, a real peeve of mine. For me this was a 4.25-star read and I definitely recommend it, especially if you like to read superhero-influenced fiction. Bonus points for so many '80s film references (I mean who here remembers Soldier and Vision Quest?! Love it!).
I hope Hodges is almost ready to release book #2, The Never Paradox. I'm in.
March 15, 2018
Jonathan Tibbs was your average college student until a blond man broke into his house and injected him with a syringe. He woke in a pool of his own blood surrounded by his friends and with an ache in his chest. He later learns that he has been implanted with a device that will make him stronger so he can fight monsters that come through a portal to Earth. Johnathan doesn't want this responsibility but accepts it nonetheless. He drops out of school and starts to train. He also pushes away his friends while he struggles internally with his situation.
I liked this book. Jonathan's character seemed pretty realistic to me. He mourns the life he had before but he also knows he must prepare himself for the battle he cannot escape. Most of this book is devoted to his internal struggle and explanation of his situation. I expect the next book to get into solving the problems before him.
I liked this book. Jonathan's character seemed pretty realistic to me. He mourns the life he had before but he also knows he must prepare himself for the battle he cannot escape. Most of this book is devoted to his internal struggle and explanation of his situation. I expect the next book to get into solving the problems before him.
November 25, 2018
I'm sorry to give such a bad review, but it really was bad. I don't even know what to say. The premise? Ridiculous. The characters? Blend. The action? Non-existent. And to have so many bad 80's action movies as a beacon of inspiration for the characters.. seriously? It's just-- I'm sorry, it's just juvenile.
April 13, 2017
This book failed to grab me. I was very bored with the first few chapters, waiting for generally anything at all to happen, and I quite disliked all of the characters. I saw no reason to continue reading. Any book I can't finish gets one star by default.
April 19, 2015
The Never Hero by T. Ellery Hodges - "It's that very formula." The Quest writ large.
“This was never about good and evil” is the phrase which prefaces the book. The dedication reads: “Dedicated to all who wondered where their Mr. Miyagi was while life was beating them down.” (Mr. Miyagi is the fictional karate master who advised The Karate Kid in times of trouble, prized for his philosophy as much as, if not more than, his martial arts skills.)
Finding The Never Hero was pure serendipity made possible by the cyber world of bloggers, twitter and indie authors. The Never Hero is a surprisingly philosophical novel, full of well-developed characters who do NOT think in bubbles.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Friedrich Nietzsche, the author of that quote, undoubtedly inspired The Never Hero, as did Joseph Campbell (The Hero With A Thousand Faces is explicitly mentioned by Hodges).
This novel also owes its considerable substance to the author’s understanding of any number of comic book and/or graphic novel heroes and antiheroes: Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, The Hulk, Neo and others unknown to me.
One of Hodges’s characters explains to the reluctant hero: “Tibbs, you have to understand, in comic books superheroes and super villains are essentially the same character,” Hayden explained. “The hero or villain has something bad happen to him, and then they [sic] either become good or bad.”
These are the weighty issues examined in this novel: “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” Friedrich Nietzsche.
“All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.” Friedrich Nietzsche.
The heaviest weight faced by the hero in this book is the weight of inevitability – maybe faced by all heroes.
We follow Jonathan Tibbs from his calling by an other-worldly Übermensch, the flawed and not-all-powerful Heyer (who is Aryan in his appearance), to Tibbs’s apotheosis at the top of an unfinished skyscraper (remember Howard Roark?).
However, this particular apotheosis means a life-or-death struggle with a monster from another planet. The result of this struggle will determine the fate of human kind on the planet earth.
Now, if this sounds a bit grandiose, it is. But then, are not all of the divine myths explored by Campbell? Hodges ambitiously explores these mythologies in a very complex way. The protagonist’s two best friends are writing a comic book based on the New Testament while their friend, Tibbs, is living out the same story unbeknownst to them. His heroics will never be known or understood by anyone other than Heyer and the monsters that he slays. The reader will have to purchase and read the novel to determine why.
There is a nod to the jewel in the lotus, to supernatural aid when necessary, the quest, the dreams, the crossing of thresholds. Let us not forget the main trope or device in this work is the comic book.
“Hayden, come on. Ask an atheist if the Bible is a work of fiction. They’d hold it with the same esteem they do legends of Zeus and Hercules, which I might add are both also comic book characters ,” Collin argued. “If I get a Superman tattoo on my arm, it would be a symbol of values that I happen to find inspiring, just like a crucifix would be on your arm.” “A crucifix isn’t just a symbol. It’s not based on a work of fiction!” Hayden said.
Gentle reader, you will have to abide the usual silliness found in other science fiction books about incomplete knowledge. Neither the government nor the aliens can explain why they are breaching our time and space because humans cannot handle the truth. There are plenty of instances in which the explanations make no sense, but then perhaps they are part of the trope. The battles between and among the Roman and Greek gods were often explained by the ancients in incredible terms.
But to counter the silliness, there is a serious examination of growing up male in the United States:
“When his mother had told him his father was gone, when what she was saying had truly sunk in, he’d been ashamed at his initial reaction. It hadn’t been grief, although that had come later. It had been a suffocating fear. Jonathan had known, quite suddenly, that the shield between him and the world, the force that had defied reality to keep him sheltered, was suddenly gone, and he was afraid; afraid that he wasn’t ready to rely on himself.”
There is a serious examination of the loneliness faced by a reluctant hero who knows death is inevitable.
“This isn’t a comic book.” “Yes!” Hayden said. “That is exactly what it is. It’s exactly what those stories are about. You have to get down there.” “I didn’t volunteer for this!” Jonathan yelled, his fear spilling over into anger at Hayden for taking some moral stance when the situation required nothing of him.”
“There was no choice; it had the strength to move that he couldn’t find. When he let the thing take hold of him, its fury wrenched his eyes from the broken body of the girl and back to the monster in the street. Part of Jonathan curled down into a ball as the thing grew stronger. It fed on the responsibility, the disgust, the frustration, the unfairness, the very adrenaline pumping through his veins and silenced the part of him that wouldn’t act.”
For the comic book fans, there are plenty of “kaboom” and “kapow” moments and the writing is quite cinematic (no actual pictures necessary). For the action fans, there are battles. For the science fiction fans there are teleportation and transformation. For the romance fans, you will find romance. But for serious readers willing to sidestep the implications of a comic book trope, there is some fine writing contained in The Never Hero.
Leila Smith for The Kindle Book Review.
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author nor with Amazon.
“This was never about good and evil” is the phrase which prefaces the book. The dedication reads: “Dedicated to all who wondered where their Mr. Miyagi was while life was beating them down.” (Mr. Miyagi is the fictional karate master who advised The Karate Kid in times of trouble, prized for his philosophy as much as, if not more than, his martial arts skills.)
Finding The Never Hero was pure serendipity made possible by the cyber world of bloggers, twitter and indie authors. The Never Hero is a surprisingly philosophical novel, full of well-developed characters who do NOT think in bubbles.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Friedrich Nietzsche, the author of that quote, undoubtedly inspired The Never Hero, as did Joseph Campbell (The Hero With A Thousand Faces is explicitly mentioned by Hodges).
This novel also owes its considerable substance to the author’s understanding of any number of comic book and/or graphic novel heroes and antiheroes: Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, The Hulk, Neo and others unknown to me.
One of Hodges’s characters explains to the reluctant hero: “Tibbs, you have to understand, in comic books superheroes and super villains are essentially the same character,” Hayden explained. “The hero or villain has something bad happen to him, and then they [sic] either become good or bad.”
These are the weighty issues examined in this novel: “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” Friedrich Nietzsche.
“All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.” Friedrich Nietzsche.
The heaviest weight faced by the hero in this book is the weight of inevitability – maybe faced by all heroes.
We follow Jonathan Tibbs from his calling by an other-worldly Übermensch, the flawed and not-all-powerful Heyer (who is Aryan in his appearance), to Tibbs’s apotheosis at the top of an unfinished skyscraper (remember Howard Roark?).
However, this particular apotheosis means a life-or-death struggle with a monster from another planet. The result of this struggle will determine the fate of human kind on the planet earth.
Now, if this sounds a bit grandiose, it is. But then, are not all of the divine myths explored by Campbell? Hodges ambitiously explores these mythologies in a very complex way. The protagonist’s two best friends are writing a comic book based on the New Testament while their friend, Tibbs, is living out the same story unbeknownst to them. His heroics will never be known or understood by anyone other than Heyer and the monsters that he slays. The reader will have to purchase and read the novel to determine why.
There is a nod to the jewel in the lotus, to supernatural aid when necessary, the quest, the dreams, the crossing of thresholds. Let us not forget the main trope or device in this work is the comic book.
“Hayden, come on. Ask an atheist if the Bible is a work of fiction. They’d hold it with the same esteem they do legends of Zeus and Hercules, which I might add are both also comic book characters ,” Collin argued. “If I get a Superman tattoo on my arm, it would be a symbol of values that I happen to find inspiring, just like a crucifix would be on your arm.” “A crucifix isn’t just a symbol. It’s not based on a work of fiction!” Hayden said.
Gentle reader, you will have to abide the usual silliness found in other science fiction books about incomplete knowledge. Neither the government nor the aliens can explain why they are breaching our time and space because humans cannot handle the truth. There are plenty of instances in which the explanations make no sense, but then perhaps they are part of the trope. The battles between and among the Roman and Greek gods were often explained by the ancients in incredible terms.
But to counter the silliness, there is a serious examination of growing up male in the United States:
“When his mother had told him his father was gone, when what she was saying had truly sunk in, he’d been ashamed at his initial reaction. It hadn’t been grief, although that had come later. It had been a suffocating fear. Jonathan had known, quite suddenly, that the shield between him and the world, the force that had defied reality to keep him sheltered, was suddenly gone, and he was afraid; afraid that he wasn’t ready to rely on himself.”
There is a serious examination of the loneliness faced by a reluctant hero who knows death is inevitable.
“This isn’t a comic book.” “Yes!” Hayden said. “That is exactly what it is. It’s exactly what those stories are about. You have to get down there.” “I didn’t volunteer for this!” Jonathan yelled, his fear spilling over into anger at Hayden for taking some moral stance when the situation required nothing of him.”
“There was no choice; it had the strength to move that he couldn’t find. When he let the thing take hold of him, its fury wrenched his eyes from the broken body of the girl and back to the monster in the street. Part of Jonathan curled down into a ball as the thing grew stronger. It fed on the responsibility, the disgust, the frustration, the unfairness, the very adrenaline pumping through his veins and silenced the part of him that wouldn’t act.”
For the comic book fans, there are plenty of “kaboom” and “kapow” moments and the writing is quite cinematic (no actual pictures necessary). For the action fans, there are battles. For the science fiction fans there are teleportation and transformation. For the romance fans, you will find romance. But for serious readers willing to sidestep the implications of a comic book trope, there is some fine writing contained in The Never Hero.
Leila Smith for The Kindle Book Review.
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author nor with Amazon.
December 31, 2024
I liked the start of The Never HEro by Ellery Hodges way more than the second half to be honest.
The premise was good, but the main character got more unlikely along the way. At first he felt like the very normal person who is suddenly confronted with a new fate he can't escape. But over time he just got to be too perfect at everything, while feeling more arrogant to me.
And who knew all you need to get past trauma is a pretty woman telling you to "nut up". Life will be so much easier now!
There's also this one scene with "annoying girls" at the gym, who just want attention. But then they aren't so good loooking they deserve it. So how funny is it to watch the super big dude bro trainer go up and make them feel so uncomfortable they leave. Haha.
Yeah, no thank you.
Not a horrible read, but also not one a series I'll continue.
The premise was good, but the main character got more unlikely along the way. At first he felt like the very normal person who is suddenly confronted with a new fate he can't escape. But over time he just got to be too perfect at everything, while feeling more arrogant to me.
And who knew all you need to get past trauma is a pretty woman telling you to "nut up". Life will be so much easier now!
There's also this one scene with "annoying girls" at the gym, who just want attention. But then they aren't so good loooking they deserve it. So how funny is it to watch the super big dude bro trainer go up and make them feel so uncomfortable they leave. Haha.
Yeah, no thank you.
Not a horrible read, but also not one a series I'll continue.
July 5, 2018
It took me awhile to get into this book. But it is an origin story so to speak, and the story needed to grab our attention early then the long build-up to the end. Jonathan Tibbs is a very reluctant hero. Who because of the unusual circumstances, can never get credit for putting his life on the line. Written for Young Adults? Probably, but in my mind, older YA readers. A different storyline than I was expecting. But I would assume for future stories that Jonathan is going to have to figure out how to have a life of his own and still prepare to defend the human race. All work and no play sort of thing. By now the 2nd book should be out and maybe a 3rd, I will do some research and check this out.
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