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I, Hero #1
The Beginning
An everyday man, living less than ordinary life in New York City, simply makes his way about his work life and one at home. A kind heart and an empathetic soul, who tended to think of others before he thought of himself.
With his childhood totally left behind and gone with the final resting of his father, Nathan has come to terms with his past as he forges his life in the present, unaware of what lies ahead.
An unlikely friendship, a random act of violence, a budding romance, all part of a life changed.
“When it’s your time, there’s nothing you can do to change that outcome. The only thing you can do is meet it head on. You have to hope that the life you had with others, while you were here, has made a positive impact.” – Brian Devron
“Where there is darkness, you are light. Where others know fear, you will be brave. When there are setbacks, you will persevere. Where others find weakness, you bring strength. Where there is despair, you are hope. Where cowardice falls, you rise courageously. Where others do not have the ability to believe, you have faith. You will suffer, so that others will endure. You will triumph where others would fall." - Cici Johnson
“This is it; it all changes tonight. Anything I do tonight, at a minimum, is going to at least expose all of this to the world." - Nathan Devron.
With his childhood totally left behind and gone with the final resting of his father, Nathan has come to terms with his past as he forges his life in the present, unaware of what lies ahead.
An unlikely friendship, a random act of violence, a budding romance, all part of a life changed.
“When it’s your time, there’s nothing you can do to change that outcome. The only thing you can do is meet it head on. You have to hope that the life you had with others, while you were here, has made a positive impact.” – Brian Devron
“Where there is darkness, you are light. Where others know fear, you will be brave. When there are setbacks, you will persevere. Where others find weakness, you bring strength. Where there is despair, you are hope. Where cowardice falls, you rise courageously. Where others do not have the ability to believe, you have faith. You will suffer, so that others will endure. You will triumph where others would fall." - Cici Johnson
“This is it; it all changes tonight. Anything I do tonight, at a minimum, is going to at least expose all of this to the world." - Nathan Devron.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2015
6 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 2, 2015
"I Hero: The Beginning" by Jason Zandri is an interesting short read. As far as genre this story would fit nicely into the YA Adventure niche, (with a sub genre perhaps of Superhero Graphic Novel), as its thrust and focus are on the transformation of an ordinary man into something of a modern day demi-god/superman and the subsequent adventures and challenges that occur as a consequence of that transformation.
Our story opens with an introduction to our hero, Nathan Devron, a twenty five year old who lives alone in a borough of New York City and works as a programmer analyst for a financial firm. Nathan's life is that of a nerdy, (he is a 'comic book' geek who wears superhero shirts to work), rather lonely young man with few friends and a job which he performs dutifully if not with any especial drive or pleasure. He is also a kind and helpful soul and he makes a point of trying to befriend the poor and often neglected street people who he sees on his daily commute.
On this particular morning Nathan and his friend Lisa are walking to work together as is their normal routine and carrying a breakfast that Nathan intends to give to Cici, an elderly street woman whom he has befriended. On this morning however tragedy has struck! Cici has been mortally wounded by thugs who attacked her for her meager possessions. Nathan is devastated by this turn of events. Cici calls out to him and he goes to the side of his injured friend to try and comfort her. She clutches his arm, and unbeknownst to Nathan places a strangely inscribed metal bracelet on his wrist. She mutters a bizarre almost spell-like chant and as she does so Nathan is overcome with dizziness and faints dead away.
When Nathan awakes it is in hospital with Lisa at his side. He learns from Lisa that Cici succumbed to her injuries and that he too seemed to be in a near coma after the encounter. Together they begin to unravel the mystery of the metal bracelet that Cici was so intent on giving to Nathan and its odd properties grow stranger the more they explore them! No spoilers but the story picks up pace from this point with a series of comic-book inspired adventures that comprise the heart of this superhero origin novel.
I gave this story a rating of three stars. It is well written and does contain many entertaining scenes. Further, it presents an interesting twist on the more typical 'man becomes superman' type tale. This story looses some points for the abbreviated and somewhat disjointed timeline as well as the undeveloped characters throughout. The plot twists are interesting and well described and fans of 'manga'type graphic novels and/or comic books will not be disappointed.
I would comment that this effort would be much better presented in an illustrated or graphic novel format. The addition of well executed artwork in combination with the dialog and scene-setting in this current version would be a powerful and compelling combination. Overall good show!
Our story opens with an introduction to our hero, Nathan Devron, a twenty five year old who lives alone in a borough of New York City and works as a programmer analyst for a financial firm. Nathan's life is that of a nerdy, (he is a 'comic book' geek who wears superhero shirts to work), rather lonely young man with few friends and a job which he performs dutifully if not with any especial drive or pleasure. He is also a kind and helpful soul and he makes a point of trying to befriend the poor and often neglected street people who he sees on his daily commute.
On this particular morning Nathan and his friend Lisa are walking to work together as is their normal routine and carrying a breakfast that Nathan intends to give to Cici, an elderly street woman whom he has befriended. On this morning however tragedy has struck! Cici has been mortally wounded by thugs who attacked her for her meager possessions. Nathan is devastated by this turn of events. Cici calls out to him and he goes to the side of his injured friend to try and comfort her. She clutches his arm, and unbeknownst to Nathan places a strangely inscribed metal bracelet on his wrist. She mutters a bizarre almost spell-like chant and as she does so Nathan is overcome with dizziness and faints dead away.
When Nathan awakes it is in hospital with Lisa at his side. He learns from Lisa that Cici succumbed to her injuries and that he too seemed to be in a near coma after the encounter. Together they begin to unravel the mystery of the metal bracelet that Cici was so intent on giving to Nathan and its odd properties grow stranger the more they explore them! No spoilers but the story picks up pace from this point with a series of comic-book inspired adventures that comprise the heart of this superhero origin novel.
I gave this story a rating of three stars. It is well written and does contain many entertaining scenes. Further, it presents an interesting twist on the more typical 'man becomes superman' type tale. This story looses some points for the abbreviated and somewhat disjointed timeline as well as the undeveloped characters throughout. The plot twists are interesting and well described and fans of 'manga'type graphic novels and/or comic books will not be disappointed.
I would comment that this effort would be much better presented in an illustrated or graphic novel format. The addition of well executed artwork in combination with the dialog and scene-setting in this current version would be a powerful and compelling combination. Overall good show!
October 31, 2015
An entertaining, light read!
Mystery, action and romance - a crazy homeless lady, a puzzling bracelet, a powerful wardrobe and a budding hero with women fighting over him! What more could any man want?
Nathan is a self-sacrificing, reluctant hero whose belief in super-powers comes from his love of comic series. Through the book he develops from a geeky misfit, to a hero for mankind, one to rival the characters of his beloved comics - except in Nathan's case, he doesn't have to pick which one he wants to be, he gets to be all of them.
I have been mired in technical reading for so long that I have forgotten what reading for entertainment was like. This book brought it back. Sure some things are pretty far-fetched (like the women having reasonable, no eye-clawing discussions about divvying the hero up) but we are talking a man with super-powers here! The story is fun and has some good social commentary and moral life lessons.
And remember, if you accidently dress in the wrong outfit - leave it on. There might be a good reason!
Mystery, action and romance - a crazy homeless lady, a puzzling bracelet, a powerful wardrobe and a budding hero with women fighting over him! What more could any man want?
Nathan is a self-sacrificing, reluctant hero whose belief in super-powers comes from his love of comic series. Through the book he develops from a geeky misfit, to a hero for mankind, one to rival the characters of his beloved comics - except in Nathan's case, he doesn't have to pick which one he wants to be, he gets to be all of them.
I have been mired in technical reading for so long that I have forgotten what reading for entertainment was like. This book brought it back. Sure some things are pretty far-fetched (like the women having reasonable, no eye-clawing discussions about divvying the hero up) but we are talking a man with super-powers here! The story is fun and has some good social commentary and moral life lessons.
And remember, if you accidently dress in the wrong outfit - leave it on. There might be a good reason!
August 30, 2015
I have a love for most genres of books. The same can be said for books on Heroes. While some books in this genre are way over the top, I Hero: The Beginning by Jason Zandri starts with a simple humble man and keeps him that way.
Nathan is alone in the world with the death of his parents. He is an ordinary man with an ordinary existence. Even with that, he is a gentle man with a sweet soul. Just one show of kindness is the fact that he takes meals to a homeless woman – Cici. After Cici is attacked, she places a bracelet on Nathan’s arm and his world is turned upside down.
All of a sudden, Nathan can do things that others can only dream about. But still, Nathan stays humble and true to himself. But are those around him as true to him as he is to them? As this is the first book in a new series, there are a lot of questions to still be answered and I look forward to the next book in the series.
If you enjoy heroes with a heart, then you will greatly enjoy I Hero.
Nathan is alone in the world with the death of his parents. He is an ordinary man with an ordinary existence. Even with that, he is a gentle man with a sweet soul. Just one show of kindness is the fact that he takes meals to a homeless woman – Cici. After Cici is attacked, she places a bracelet on Nathan’s arm and his world is turned upside down.
All of a sudden, Nathan can do things that others can only dream about. But still, Nathan stays humble and true to himself. But are those around him as true to him as he is to them? As this is the first book in a new series, there are a lot of questions to still be answered and I look forward to the next book in the series.
If you enjoy heroes with a heart, then you will greatly enjoy I Hero.
August 14, 2016
I enjoyed Nathan's origin story. I read the other reviews, and the basics of the story seem to be well reported. Nathan is an upstanding guy, better than most of us, and that's why he's chosen. I would have preferred a bit more character development, and a bit less episodic learning in the early chapters. I appreciate that Nathan doesn't have full understanding of what's just happened to him. It creates a nice tension when it comes to the free will decisions he will make as the story unfolds. Choices have consequences, and they aren't always happy. It gets four stars from me because I enjoyed myself, and I think you will too. I also appreciate how much room this character has for future stories.
September 21, 2017
This is an entertaining story that takes a couple of hours to read – the author does a good job of quickly getting you into the head of his main character and have you daydream about the “what if” scenarios if you were to have super powers. While I could see this title primarily being marketed to the young adult market, parents should watch out as there are several sexual references you may not want your children reading.
I picked this up for 99 cents in the Amazon Kindle store during a Kindle promotion vs. its normal price of $2.99. If you enjoy a quick read fantasy-type novel, I would recommend this one.
I picked this up for 99 cents in the Amazon Kindle store during a Kindle promotion vs. its normal price of $2.99. If you enjoy a quick read fantasy-type novel, I would recommend this one.
August 2, 2015
The cover of I, Hero: The Beginning caught my eye. I read the blurb and the sample on Amazon and decided to read the entire book. Good choice for me!
Synopsis (from the author): An everyday man, living less than ordinary life in New York City, simply makes his way about his work life and one at home. A kind heart and an empathetic soul, who tended to think of others before he thought of himself.
With his childhood totally left behind and gone with the final resting of his father, Nathan has come to terms with his past as he forges his life in the present, unaware of what lies ahead.
An unlikely friendship, a random act of violence, a budding romance, all part of a life changed.
“When it’s your time, there’s nothing you can do to change that outcome. The only thing you can do is meet it head on. You have to hope that the life you had with others, while you were here, has made a positive impact.” – Brian Devron
“Where there is darkness, you are light. Where others know fear, you will be brave. When there are setbacks, you will persevere. Where others find weakness, you bring strength. Where there is despair, you are hope. Where cowardice falls, you rise courageously. Where others do not have the ability to believe, you have faith. You will suffer, so that others will endure. You will triumph where others would fall." - Cici Johnson
“This is it; it all changes tonight. Anything I do tonight, at a minimum, is going to at least expose all of this to the world." - Nathan Devron.
What I liked: For me, this was a feel good read. Nathan is a good guy, who spreads simple acts of kindness by helping feed a homeless woman. When the woman is stabbed, she places a bracelet on Nathan’s wrist and he has access to amazing powers. He uses the powers for good, while learning some harsh lessons along the way. If you enjoy superheroes, I, Hero: The Beginning is a good way to continue reading about them!
What I didn’t like: As much as I enjoyed the book, I had a hard time connecting with Nathan, and his relationship with Lisa was a little odd. Nathan really didn’t appear to have any faults, and he seemed one dimensional. I hope that, in the next book, Nathan’s character will flesh out some.
Overall impression: I liked the book! The idea of Nathan’s powers coming from the Greek Gods was interesting, and the way Nathan used his powers was nicely done. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about superheroes, and how Nathan got his start.
My rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis (from the author): An everyday man, living less than ordinary life in New York City, simply makes his way about his work life and one at home. A kind heart and an empathetic soul, who tended to think of others before he thought of himself.
With his childhood totally left behind and gone with the final resting of his father, Nathan has come to terms with his past as he forges his life in the present, unaware of what lies ahead.
An unlikely friendship, a random act of violence, a budding romance, all part of a life changed.
“When it’s your time, there’s nothing you can do to change that outcome. The only thing you can do is meet it head on. You have to hope that the life you had with others, while you were here, has made a positive impact.” – Brian Devron
“Where there is darkness, you are light. Where others know fear, you will be brave. When there are setbacks, you will persevere. Where others find weakness, you bring strength. Where there is despair, you are hope. Where cowardice falls, you rise courageously. Where others do not have the ability to believe, you have faith. You will suffer, so that others will endure. You will triumph where others would fall." - Cici Johnson
“This is it; it all changes tonight. Anything I do tonight, at a minimum, is going to at least expose all of this to the world." - Nathan Devron.
What I liked: For me, this was a feel good read. Nathan is a good guy, who spreads simple acts of kindness by helping feed a homeless woman. When the woman is stabbed, she places a bracelet on Nathan’s wrist and he has access to amazing powers. He uses the powers for good, while learning some harsh lessons along the way. If you enjoy superheroes, I, Hero: The Beginning is a good way to continue reading about them!
What I didn’t like: As much as I enjoyed the book, I had a hard time connecting with Nathan, and his relationship with Lisa was a little odd. Nathan really didn’t appear to have any faults, and he seemed one dimensional. I hope that, in the next book, Nathan’s character will flesh out some.
Overall impression: I liked the book! The idea of Nathan’s powers coming from the Greek Gods was interesting, and the way Nathan used his powers was nicely done. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about superheroes, and how Nathan got his start.
My rating: 4 Stars
September 7, 2016
I really wanted to like this book and I actually did before Chapters 16 & 17. The chapters after 17 were somewhat downhill for me though better than those faithful chapters.
Pros:
-Good writing
-good characterizations
-good story telling [for a fictional story not everything turns out how you expect or even want]
-good vocabulary [no cursing that I recall, always a plus for me]
Cons:
-immoral behavior by the "good" people seen as positive
-while showing some respect for "only one total Creator" by Cici less respect is paid to "the son of the one true God" - note lack of capitalization-not the only thing but a major clue
Cici says some of the gods, explained as "powerful beings from another realm of existence", "are of the opinion that the one true God is too allowing of mankind's free will and too absent a deity"
-the hero, Nathan, even after being told by Cici of the "Creator" and "son of the one true God" says concerning Jesus Christ, "I don't really believe in him myself" - it doesn't even make sense for the character to disagree with Cici since all his powers stem from her choosing him- and he believes everything else she tells him- except about the true Creator and Jesus Christ.
-the author doesn't understand the inspiration of the Bible and has Nathan explain [poorly from the point of view of one who has studied it for over 40 years] why it is not reliable
Personally he could have avoided the issue ala Captain American in the first Avengers movie- without denigrating Christianity while lifting up Greek mythology and comic books to almost infallible writings. I can read fiction books and suspend disbelief in reality to enjoy them- I just prefer the reality is not mocked, either intentionally or ignorantly, but from the lips of the main character.
Pros:
-Good writing
-good characterizations
-good story telling [for a fictional story not everything turns out how you expect or even want]
-good vocabulary [no cursing that I recall, always a plus for me]
Cons:
-immoral behavior by the "good" people seen as positive
-while showing some respect for "only one total Creator" by Cici less respect is paid to "the son of the one true God" - note lack of capitalization-not the only thing but a major clue
Cici says some of the gods, explained as "powerful beings from another realm of existence", "are of the opinion that the one true God is too allowing of mankind's free will and too absent a deity"
-the hero, Nathan, even after being told by Cici of the "Creator" and "son of the one true God" says concerning Jesus Christ, "I don't really believe in him myself" - it doesn't even make sense for the character to disagree with Cici since all his powers stem from her choosing him- and he believes everything else she tells him- except about the true Creator and Jesus Christ.
-the author doesn't understand the inspiration of the Bible and has Nathan explain [poorly from the point of view of one who has studied it for over 40 years] why it is not reliable
Personally he could have avoided the issue ala Captain American in the first Avengers movie- without denigrating Christianity while lifting up Greek mythology and comic books to almost infallible writings. I can read fiction books and suspend disbelief in reality to enjoy them- I just prefer the reality is not mocked, either intentionally or ignorantly, but from the lips of the main character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2015
We have all grown up with superheroes such as Superman and Batman and they’ll always have a special place in our hearts but it’s definitely time to introduce another superhero: His name is Nathan and he’s the perfect man for the job! He has the right personality to take on the many challenges of a superhero and his attitude and personality will appeal to people of all ages. I really enjoyed this book and it was difficult to put down. The whole story is very cleverly constructed and I liked the way Nathan has an array of different super powers which makes his character all the more fascinating. I honestly think this author has done a wonderful job of portraying the depth and scope of the protagonist as well as the supporting characters and it was nice to see the author introduce characters such as Lisa in a subtle way to allow for more scope later in the series. I also wanted to comment on this author’s writing style. This book is obviously written by an intelligent person who knows how to cleverly describe a variety of emotions on every page within a very well-constructed plot. At the same time, the book is written in a language even young adolescents would enjoy. I also really liked how the author complemented his writing style with the clever introduction of the Greek gods at different stages in the story. The appearance of these gods and their conversations really were a joy to read. On a final note, I believe this book should definitely be made into a movie because it would be very popular and it has all the key elements of a great superhero story.
October 24, 2015
I love superheroes and super hero stories and Jason Zandri adds a new twist on the genre. We first meet Nathan and he’s just a good guy, buying a homeless woman named Cici a breakfast sandwich. He does this everyday often going without to make sure she has something to eat. Cici is stabbed when a thief tries to take her bag. Before she dies she places a bracelet on Nathan’s wrist and he wakes up in a hospital. Lost and confused, he senses something is very different. He couldn’t be more right.
Cici in her dying words called upon the Gods of Olympus and they start tuning up. Each one brings an aspect of power. The engagements with each is unique and clever. Unlike a lot of superheroes Nathan end up with a variety of powers. While it was interesting, what I find more intriguing are limitations. Not that Nathan does have anything to overcome. He seemed to have a power to take care of any situation by the end. His personal relationships with Adia and Lisa keep him off balance. There is a sex scene in the book and I liked it. It added dimension to a relationship rather than being something gratuitous. I liked Lisa, I think she’s going to become very interesting in future stories.
I found the story elements to be well done. The story wrapped up well and for a first book, I thought it was very good. It could use a little more polishing, but I don’t think it will keep me from the rest of the series. I’m sure Jason will continue to evolve with as a writer. He certainly has a solid base. Keep Jason on your radar.
Cici in her dying words called upon the Gods of Olympus and they start tuning up. Each one brings an aspect of power. The engagements with each is unique and clever. Unlike a lot of superheroes Nathan end up with a variety of powers. While it was interesting, what I find more intriguing are limitations. Not that Nathan does have anything to overcome. He seemed to have a power to take care of any situation by the end. His personal relationships with Adia and Lisa keep him off balance. There is a sex scene in the book and I liked it. It added dimension to a relationship rather than being something gratuitous. I liked Lisa, I think she’s going to become very interesting in future stories.
I found the story elements to be well done. The story wrapped up well and for a first book, I thought it was very good. It could use a little more polishing, but I don’t think it will keep me from the rest of the series. I’m sure Jason will continue to evolve with as a writer. He certainly has a solid base. Keep Jason on your radar.
October 18, 2015
Are you a fan of super heroes? Do you enjoy a spot of Marvel or those of a similar ilk? If so then this book is one for you.
Nathan Devron is a nice ordinary guy, emphasis on the “nice”… he’s one of the few people who has time to spare for the crazy old homeless woman he sees on the way into work each morning, so much so that he always takes her a sandwich to make sure she eats at least once a day. He has a normal life, normal friends and never expects anything abnormal to ever happen to him.
So what changes? Well just about everything! After a sad but seemingly unremarkable event Nathan’s life will never be the same again as he becomes the proud owner of a selection of superhuman powers.
This first book (and it is the sort of story that warrants sequels, which I am glad to see are already happening) deals mainly with Nathan acquiring and then learning to deal with his special powers, with a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
As all good superheroes know, or learn, having such gifts can also be a curse.
One unusual element of this story, marking it as quite different to your usual superhero tale, is the revelation of where these powers come from and, while not wanting to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read, I have to say I was quite surprised but Jason blends it into the overall story well and it gives the tale an added dimension.
All in all a fun and enjoyable read and well worth grabbing a copy
Nathan Devron is a nice ordinary guy, emphasis on the “nice”… he’s one of the few people who has time to spare for the crazy old homeless woman he sees on the way into work each morning, so much so that he always takes her a sandwich to make sure she eats at least once a day. He has a normal life, normal friends and never expects anything abnormal to ever happen to him.
So what changes? Well just about everything! After a sad but seemingly unremarkable event Nathan’s life will never be the same again as he becomes the proud owner of a selection of superhuman powers.
This first book (and it is the sort of story that warrants sequels, which I am glad to see are already happening) deals mainly with Nathan acquiring and then learning to deal with his special powers, with a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
As all good superheroes know, or learn, having such gifts can also be a curse.
One unusual element of this story, marking it as quite different to your usual superhero tale, is the revelation of where these powers come from and, while not wanting to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read, I have to say I was quite surprised but Jason blends it into the overall story well and it gives the tale an added dimension.
All in all a fun and enjoyable read and well worth grabbing a copy
June 9, 2015
Due to my love of intriguing hero’s journey style novels, I purchased this one and read it over a warm weekend at the coast. Immediately upon reading the author’s style I knew I was in good hands. The material is vivid and illustrative, painting the picture of Nathan’s life colorfully. From there, the scene with CiCi was a peak highlight not too far in that set the pace of the novel into a faster motion. After Nathan discovers specific abilities he, as a good man, is able to do things that others could only dream of. Outside of this, his relationships with Lisa and Adia were believable and the entire story was easy to suspend disbelief for. By the time I reached the end, I was so happily wrapped up in this world, that I now highly anticipate the next in the series. This was a thoroughly entertaining novel indeed.
As a note, there are a couple chapters from the authors other book Another Sunset, another intriguing novel that I’m going to pick up and read this weekend. So, in summary, if anyone else is looking for a novel with a stand up protagonist, multidimensional characters, and supernatural qualities, you can’t do better than this one. I’ve no doubt you’ll love it as much as I have.
As a note, there are a couple chapters from the authors other book Another Sunset, another intriguing novel that I’m going to pick up and read this weekend. So, in summary, if anyone else is looking for a novel with a stand up protagonist, multidimensional characters, and supernatural qualities, you can’t do better than this one. I’ve no doubt you’ll love it as much as I have.
January 4, 2016
"I Hero, The Beginning" is an interesting concept, and somewhat novel in its approach. Nathan is chosen by a dying woman to have 'the powers', given in the form of a bracelet, powers granted by the ancient gods of myth. Nathan believes his various powers emanate because of the various shirts he wears, the shirts of comic-book superheros; each shirt enabling him with its superhero ability.
"I Hero" is the first in a series by Jason Zandri; the birth of a superhero. Between the opening scenes of Nathan receiving his powers and their too few uses, the story was slow, wordy, and much of the dialog laborious... at least till it got to the end. The intermediate parts could have been condensed and more seen of Nathan with his new abilities.
I've given this opening entry three stars. If the end is any indication of what might be in store in the next installment, I would hope for no less than four or five stars. He's a superhero, and superheros are busy saving the world.
"I Hero" is the first in a series by Jason Zandri; the birth of a superhero. Between the opening scenes of Nathan receiving his powers and their too few uses, the story was slow, wordy, and much of the dialog laborious... at least till it got to the end. The intermediate parts could have been condensed and more seen of Nathan with his new abilities.
I've given this opening entry three stars. If the end is any indication of what might be in store in the next installment, I would hope for no less than four or five stars. He's a superhero, and superheros are busy saving the world.
November 17, 2015
This is a good story. I really liked the premise of it - an ordinary guy, Nathan, finds himself in a position of having superhero powers. With his powers he is able to save people just in the nick of time however he is not always successful. Simple things put him in the place of not being able to use his powers to save others. He flounders as he has no rules and no direction, so he has to figure it out pretty much as he goes. It makes you wonder who you'd save if you had those superpowers? Nathan is put to the ultimate test of having to choose one thing over another (sorry no spoilers). Somewhere, however I got disconnected from the characters, especially Nathan. I'm not sure why but I think that he was somewhat detached from what he was doing, the emotional journey didn't seem to be there. This is a first in a series, so it will be interesting to see where the author takes the story.
June 10, 2015
While not a huge fan of the superhero genre, I was pulled to this book by the descriptive outline. It seemed to embody more than just "cartoon action" and I was pleasantly surprised. There was a mix of real life thrown in with Greek mythology and of course Nathan and his new superpowers.
I would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of comic / superhero / graphic novel themed stories / subject matter. There were some subtle twists in the story as well and I suspect it was set for follow up stories (which I will be looking forward to).
There is also a six chapter preview of the author's other major title "Another Sunset"; I read the preview and I am considering that book as well (that story appears to be fully a contemporary fiction writing).
I would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of comic / superhero / graphic novel themed stories / subject matter. There were some subtle twists in the story as well and I suspect it was set for follow up stories (which I will be looking forward to).
There is also a six chapter preview of the author's other major title "Another Sunset"; I read the preview and I am considering that book as well (that story appears to be fully a contemporary fiction writing).
September 21, 2015
I, Hero: The Beginning is a Sci/Fi and supernatural suspense story. It's a journey for main character Nathan, and also for the reader. The plot is engaging, and I found the author's writing style easy to read. I enjoyed it.
The characters were fun to get to know and they have their own layers of complexity, which keeps you interested. The plot has its origins in the Superman/Clark Kent theme, but the characters are ordinary people, which grounds the story, and makes it more interesting to read.
It is a thought provoking story with a positive uplifting feel, which I also enjoyed. I am happy to recommend this book as a good read.
The characters were fun to get to know and they have their own layers of complexity, which keeps you interested. The plot has its origins in the Superman/Clark Kent theme, but the characters are ordinary people, which grounds the story, and makes it more interesting to read.
It is a thought provoking story with a positive uplifting feel, which I also enjoyed. I am happy to recommend this book as a good read.
October 5, 2015
This story idea has great promise as it combines superhero powers and Greek gods with an ordinary young man who doesn't see himself as a hero, but it was like reading a comic book without the pictures. A couple of the scenes are easy to visualize, but I wanted to feel with the characters, and there were plenty of missed opportunities to wring sympathy and empathy from the reader during scenes of loss and danger. With content editing this could be a stellar story. For those expecting a clean read, there was also one unnecessary sex scene that made me respect Nathan and Adia less.
June 11, 2015
This is a really inspiring book that centers around the main protagonist Nathan. His relationships and abilities made this one so interesting to read and the supernatural theme of the story has really appealed to me from the very start. The writing is imaginative and presents the landscape and scenes in such a realistic way. It truly has set me in a different world from the very start. I loved this twist on the genre, I would highly recommend this one.
October 12, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed I, Hero: The Beginning! It is not a genre I've read before, and I did not expect to become attached to the characters--but I did! I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved this book! Zandri is a gifted and creative writer. I look forward to the continuation of his Hero Series.
December 24, 2015
I downloaded I, Hero: The Beginning as a free book from Amazon. This was a slow read for me, but it picked up toward the end when things started to come together with the plot line. There were awkward spots, where action seems to jerk forward or be missing, but overall, I enjoyed the freshness and uniqueness of the tale.
September 19, 2015
Creative and original concept
The story of Nathan is every little boys dream, becoming a real live super hero. It's an exciting tale.
I would have given 4 stars, if the book had been more thoroughly edited and the characters a bit more fleshed out.
The story of Nathan is every little boys dream, becoming a real live super hero. It's an exciting tale.
I would have given 4 stars, if the book had been more thoroughly edited and the characters a bit more fleshed out.
July 26, 2015
Good start to the series, looking forward to the next book!
February 28, 2016
1st in a series
I'm not a fan of serial stories. As with this book they start out feasible then quickly turn to the unbelievable.
I'm not a fan of serial stories. As with this book they start out feasible then quickly turn to the unbelievable.
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