What do you think?
Rate this book
The Omega Superhero #2
Trials
Superheroes aren’t born. They’re forged in the Trials.Theodore Conley’s troubles are just beginning after he spares the life of the supervillain who murdered his family. Theo must now endure the Hero Trials to further prove he is worthy of wearing a superhero’s cape.On alien worlds and in other dimensions, Theo must fight other superhumans, his personal demons, and even his friends in the Trials’ vicious battles, tests, and contests. If he doesn’t prevail, he’ll lose the use of his superpowers. Even worse, he’ll never bring to justice the dark forces behind the supervillain who killed his family.Little does Theo know those murderous forces are sabotaging his efforts. They know he has the potential to become the world’s greatest superhero.With powerful and mysterious enemies hounding his every step, the question is not only if Theo will triumph in the Trials.The question is if he’ll even survive them.Filled with action, adventure, drama, and a dash of humor, Trials is the exciting sequel to Caped.
- GenresSuperheroesFantasyAction
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2017
473 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 28, 2017
So, the book was very entertaining, but there are some serious problems with Brasher's little world.
Anyone else notice what a dystopia that place is? You give up all privacy just because you were born different -with superpowers- and in order to ever use them you basically have to give up your free will to the government.
The trials are basically the Hunger Games. With a 22% fatality rate, the Heroes Guild's rhetoric about self-sacrifice and not killing rings a bit hollow. There is no reason the holographs need to be lethal. There is no way the duels are never lethal. How many Heroes are also murderers? Best case scenario, the Heroes Guild alignment is no better than lawful neutral. They definitely aren't the good guys.
They also aren't as smart as they think they are. TWO assasination attempts through their computer program and no one does anything or has any suspicians about who it might be.
These problems don't detract from the enjoyability of the book, however. I just don't find the official Heroes to be very heroic.
Anyone else notice what a dystopia that place is? You give up all privacy just because you were born different -with superpowers- and in order to ever use them you basically have to give up your free will to the government.
The trials are basically the Hunger Games. With a 22% fatality rate, the Heroes Guild's rhetoric about self-sacrifice and not killing rings a bit hollow. There is no reason the holographs need to be lethal. There is no way the duels are never lethal. How many Heroes are also murderers? Best case scenario, the Heroes Guild alignment is no better than lawful neutral. They definitely aren't the good guys.
They also aren't as smart as they think they are. TWO assasination attempts through their computer program and no one does anything or has any suspicians about who it might be.
These problems don't detract from the enjoyability of the book, however. I just don't find the official Heroes to be very heroic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2018
So I really like this series so far but I have major issues with the premise of this book. I totally get how in the first book potential heroes must get training in power and ethics. But the trial is stupid. Especially the end when they take the best of the best and put them against each other. Especially the fact that potential heroes can die. It’s like taking the cream of the crop and cutting it in half because the proctors need entertainment. I’m surprised there aren’t more villains in this series simply because it’s near impossible to be a “hero” in this universe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2020
Entertaining Read, Entertaining Series
Theo gets into trouble again trying to help people. No good deed goes unpunished. However, his mentor allows him to register for the trials to become a licensed Hero. He finds love and friendship during the trials. But who is trying to kill him? He must draw on all his talents and intellect to get through the trials. This includes emulating an old hero of his, Captain James Tiberius Kirk. I like the action, humor, and romance.
I look forward to the next book.
Theo gets into trouble again trying to help people. No good deed goes unpunished. However, his mentor allows him to register for the trials to become a licensed Hero. He finds love and friendship during the trials. But who is trying to kill him? He must draw on all his talents and intellect to get through the trials. This includes emulating an old hero of his, Captain James Tiberius Kirk. I like the action, humor, and romance.
I look forward to the next book.
September 15, 2021
Rating 3.5 stars
Pretty good. The issues I have are pretty much the same that I had with the first book. The world setup didn't work for me. I was waiting for something that made a little more sense for the system of heroes. I think the best system I have read so far is in the Super Powereds series. Where people can use their abilities whenever they want by they have to be trained in order to be a licensed hero. People that can't be heroes can still be support and use their powers to help. In this world that isn't the case. If you aren't a hero, you aren't allowed to use your powers. The trial to become a hero has a 82% failure rate and a 24% chance of death. What kind of system is that? That would be like shooting a police officer in the police academy to make sure he understood what it feels like to be shot. I was hoping for more of the powers which is my favorite part. There was a little too much internal monologue and exposition for my taste to make this a great book. I will continue the series when I get around to it.
Pretty good. The issues I have are pretty much the same that I had with the first book. The world setup didn't work for me. I was waiting for something that made a little more sense for the system of heroes. I think the best system I have read so far is in the Super Powereds series. Where people can use their abilities whenever they want by they have to be trained in order to be a licensed hero. People that can't be heroes can still be support and use their powers to help. In this world that isn't the case. If you aren't a hero, you aren't allowed to use your powers. The trial to become a hero has a 82% failure rate and a 24% chance of death. What kind of system is that? That would be like shooting a police officer in the police academy to make sure he understood what it feels like to be shot. I was hoping for more of the powers which is my favorite part. There was a little too much internal monologue and exposition for my taste to make this a great book. I will continue the series when I get around to it.
February 19, 2018
Very good book 😁
Really enjoyed this series so far. It contained action,comedy,and suspense. Just as important,I could relate to the characters and their perspective to life in the south. I grew up in Augusta,but worked in Aiken. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Really enjoyed this series so far. It contained action,comedy,and suspense. Just as important,I could relate to the characters and their perspective to life in the south. I grew up in Augusta,but worked in Aiken. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
May 4, 2017
Darius Brasher’s second book about Theodore Conley, a reluctant super hero who went to the academy after his father was murdered by a super villain. He has to face the Trials (ebook for DABA publishing) to get his super hero license. Unfortunately the trials are rigged this time. I literally couldn’t put this book down staying up way too late. Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press
September 9, 2018
I'm disturbed by how oblivious the protagonist is to how screwed up the system he's part of is. What happens in the trials, killing applicants who are unlucky or inadequate is nothing short of actual murder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2017
Superbly crafted
While the first book was an okay attempt at a superhero genre, this book makes a good character drama, rife with confusions and dilemma, that defines a hero.
While the first book was an okay attempt at a superhero genre, this book makes a good character drama, rife with confusions and dilemma, that defines a hero.
March 4, 2018
TRIALS is the second volume of the THE OMEGA SUPERHERO series. It follows the adventures of Theodore Conley, a teenager who discovers he has the power of an Omega-level superhuman. That means he's the most powerful man in the world, potentially, but also the target of hundreds of people who would prefer to see him dead than develop into a fully-formed superhero. The first book dealt with his going through Basic Training as a hero and the sequel follows him going through, "The Trials" which work essentially like the Jedi ones to determine if he's worthy of being a licensed hero.
Trials is a lot more over-the-top than CAPED and actually takes place in a parallel world where the Sentinels have set up a Hunger Games-esque hellhole to push our hero trainees to the limit. Being as, like Theo, we've been conditioned to believe they're good guys, we expect the Trials to be tough but fair. Unfortunately, this is where the series changes a bit as we discover that not only are the tests arbitrary and ruthless but occassionally lethal. It's the first hint the establishment is a lot darker than Theo could have imagined.
I was surprised by the darker and edgier interpretation of superheroes after the previously idealistic portrayal of superheroes. However, that increased my interest in the series considerably. With a cynical and dark interpretation of the heroes but a heroic lead, there's a lot more interesting places to go. Is he going to reform the heroes of the world, become a darker character himself, or strike some sort of balance.
If there was a flaw with the book, it was the fact one of the villains is a little too contrived of a character. His backstory makes him a monster who did terrible things to Theo's best friend's sister, is conveniently trying out to be a hero at the same time as Theo, and is perfectly despicable as an enemy. The fact he's not the primary villain, though, makes up for this a bit. Still, given he is a rapist and racist, I was hoping he'd get horribly killed and his punishment is actually fairly tame.
The relationship between Isaac, Neha, and Theo is also something that goes in unexpected directions. I'm a big Neha and Theo shipper so watching the two have some bumps along the road is actually good because having perpetual lovey-dovey relationships are rarely entertaining or realistic.I also like how Neha and Theo are just hooking up while being friends in her opinion while Theo assumes it's something deeper. The fact this fantasy is played off of during one of his Trials (sort of like the Black Mercy from Superman comics) is really devastating and one of the book's best moments.
In conclusion, Trials is an excellent novel that goes a little overboard with its enemies. I like the set up its established for upcoming novels and the darker, greyer world which our protagonist is going to have to navigate.
8.5/10
Trials is a lot more over-the-top than CAPED and actually takes place in a parallel world where the Sentinels have set up a Hunger Games-esque hellhole to push our hero trainees to the limit. Being as, like Theo, we've been conditioned to believe they're good guys, we expect the Trials to be tough but fair. Unfortunately, this is where the series changes a bit as we discover that not only are the tests arbitrary and ruthless but occassionally lethal. It's the first hint the establishment is a lot darker than Theo could have imagined.
I was surprised by the darker and edgier interpretation of superheroes after the previously idealistic portrayal of superheroes. However, that increased my interest in the series considerably. With a cynical and dark interpretation of the heroes but a heroic lead, there's a lot more interesting places to go. Is he going to reform the heroes of the world, become a darker character himself, or strike some sort of balance.
If there was a flaw with the book, it was the fact one of the villains is a little too contrived of a character. His backstory makes him a monster who did terrible things to Theo's best friend's sister, is conveniently trying out to be a hero at the same time as Theo, and is perfectly despicable as an enemy. The fact he's not the primary villain, though, makes up for this a bit. Still, given he is a rapist and racist, I was hoping he'd get horribly killed and his punishment is actually fairly tame.
The relationship between Isaac, Neha, and Theo is also something that goes in unexpected directions. I'm a big Neha and Theo shipper so watching the two have some bumps along the road is actually good because having perpetual lovey-dovey relationships are rarely entertaining or realistic.I also like how Neha and Theo are just hooking up while being friends in her opinion while Theo assumes it's something deeper. The fact this fantasy is played off of during one of his Trials (sort of like the Black Mercy from Superman comics) is really devastating and one of the book's best moments.
In conclusion, Trials is an excellent novel that goes a little overboard with its enemies. I like the set up its established for upcoming novels and the darker, greyer world which our protagonist is going to have to navigate.
8.5/10
March 13, 2018
I liked this one better than the first. It was a smoother read, and the plot moved really well.
But there were still bumps of the grammatical variety (like the wrong verb tense, or "too" instead of "to"). And it took me until midway through to figure out my biggest gripe: the writing style sometimes drove me nuts.
For example, why would you write sentences like this:
"The sun shining brightly overhead was not the sun I was used to seeing. This sun was much bigger in the sky than the sun I was used to. If the sun I was used to was the size of a dime in the sky, this sun was the size of a half dollar."
When you're able to write sentences like this:
"She tasted like peppermint and possibilities. Kissing her felt like the way a sunrise looked."
Both examples describe what's going on, but the first is clunky. Really clunky. Isn't there a better way to write that first passage than over-using the word "sun"? If it happened once or twice, I could ignore it. But this happened multiple times in both books, so it's a style thing, not a mistake.
I'm not putting down Darius Brasher. Dude is talented, and I appreciate his imagination. But again, why would he choose to describe something in such a mundane manner when he's clearly able to write better like the second passage? It comes off as a little sloppy, which does his book a disservice. That, coupled with the grammatical errors, makes me think he needs a better proofreader.
But all of that aside, what I said in my review of the first book still stands. There is something really compelling about this series, and I'm looking forward to book three.
4 stars
But there were still bumps of the grammatical variety (like the wrong verb tense, or "too" instead of "to"). And it took me until midway through to figure out my biggest gripe: the writing style sometimes drove me nuts.
For example, why would you write sentences like this:
"The sun shining brightly overhead was not the sun I was used to seeing. This sun was much bigger in the sky than the sun I was used to. If the sun I was used to was the size of a dime in the sky, this sun was the size of a half dollar."
When you're able to write sentences like this:
"She tasted like peppermint and possibilities. Kissing her felt like the way a sunrise looked."
Both examples describe what's going on, but the first is clunky. Really clunky. Isn't there a better way to write that first passage than over-using the word "sun"? If it happened once or twice, I could ignore it. But this happened multiple times in both books, so it's a style thing, not a mistake.
I'm not putting down Darius Brasher. Dude is talented, and I appreciate his imagination. But again, why would he choose to describe something in such a mundane manner when he's clearly able to write better like the second passage? It comes off as a little sloppy, which does his book a disservice. That, coupled with the grammatical errors, makes me think he needs a better proofreader.
But all of that aside, what I said in my review of the first book still stands. There is something really compelling about this series, and I'm looking forward to book three.
4 stars
May 5, 2021
Decent story. The writing has ups and downs, sometimes it's good and draws me in and sometimes it's not so good and I get jarred out of the story.
The world is kind of dystopian. The first book wasn't too bad. The requirement to register powers and restrictions on their usage are more extreme than they need to be (particularly the restrictions, there's so many good things that could be done with powers that shouldn't need a hero license, especially when it's so hard to get one). The training academy is a good idea, though modeling it after a military boot camp is not. (Trying to break people down while simultaneously telling them they can do anything, and then washing them out when they hit their breaking point sounds like a good way to have a lot of disgruntled supers roaming around).
But the second book was much worse as far as bad ideas go. The trials are just plain terrible. 22% fatality is too high and definitely not something to be proud of like the people running the show seemed to be. Especially since the only deaths they actually show should never have happened. It's one thing to put your candidates in potentially dangerous situations, but there's absolutely no reason to make things even more lethal than they need to be. And when someone tries to assassinate one of your candidates, there should definitely be more concern than was shown.
Overall a fun read, but some serious issues with world building
The world is kind of dystopian. The first book wasn't too bad. The requirement to register powers and restrictions on their usage are more extreme than they need to be (particularly the restrictions, there's so many good things that could be done with powers that shouldn't need a hero license, especially when it's so hard to get one). The training academy is a good idea, though modeling it after a military boot camp is not. (Trying to break people down while simultaneously telling them they can do anything, and then washing them out when they hit their breaking point sounds like a good way to have a lot of disgruntled supers roaming around).
But the second book was much worse as far as bad ideas go. The trials are just plain terrible. 22% fatality is too high and definitely not something to be proud of like the people running the show seemed to be. Especially since the only deaths they actually show should never have happened. It's one thing to put your candidates in potentially dangerous situations, but there's absolutely no reason to make things even more lethal than they need to be. And when someone tries to assassinate one of your candidates, there should definitely be more concern than was shown.
Overall a fun read, but some serious issues with world building
July 12, 2022
Needs more time in the oven
This is a mixed bag. The world is still pretty unknown, and I don't really know about the hero's, the villains, or just the regular folks. Apparently heroes are comparable to enlisting for the army rangers or navy seals except 100x more dangerous and sinister. Let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if these heroes exterminated races and destroyed worlds on the regular. I assumed that these heroes were the stop robbers and spoil evil plots type of heroics, but they're more of the send you across the fields of Normandy with a plastic gun type of organization. The trials are really malevolent, meant to weed down the numbers rather than instill lessons and chose the people who embody your values. I hope the author expands on the world and how it functions with these crazy powers and technologies out in the world. There is even alternate worlds, near alien invasion apocalypse's, and wormhole tech, but people seem to be ignorant of this. The MC is constantly being targeted with assassins and life threatening circumstances but the heroes don't care about the obvious lack of security or the potential loss of a valuable strong asset. A lot of plot issues, but I'm in it for the interesting nonsensical scenarios so it's not a big issue with me. Your experience may differ.
This is a mixed bag. The world is still pretty unknown, and I don't really know about the hero's, the villains, or just the regular folks. Apparently heroes are comparable to enlisting for the army rangers or navy seals except 100x more dangerous and sinister. Let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if these heroes exterminated races and destroyed worlds on the regular. I assumed that these heroes were the stop robbers and spoil evil plots type of heroics, but they're more of the send you across the fields of Normandy with a plastic gun type of organization. The trials are really malevolent, meant to weed down the numbers rather than instill lessons and chose the people who embody your values. I hope the author expands on the world and how it functions with these crazy powers and technologies out in the world. There is even alternate worlds, near alien invasion apocalypse's, and wormhole tech, but people seem to be ignorant of this. The MC is constantly being targeted with assassins and life threatening circumstances but the heroes don't care about the obvious lack of security or the potential loss of a valuable strong asset. A lot of plot issues, but I'm in it for the interesting nonsensical scenarios so it's not a big issue with me. Your experience may differ.
April 23, 2018
Even better than the first of the series
Darius Brasher outdid himself with Trials, the second volume of this series. Theo, the Eddie's protagonist, spends two years as apprentice to Amazing Man, learning how to be a Hero while improving his control of his powers. Then come the Hero Trials, a strenuous series of tests which he must pass -- somehow -- in order to earn his Hero license and white cape. These are not just trials of his powers, or even of his fighting skills and intelligence, but of his worthiness as well ... although he does not always recognize it. Meanwhile, someone "on the inside" -- that is, someone with access to the testing environments and equipment -- is trying to kill him by rigging the Trials. You know Theo will survive, since there is a third entry in the series; but will be receive his license and cape? And who is out to kill him? I'm downloading the third volume as soon as this review is posted, because I have come to care about Theo, Isaac, Neha and the rest of the people in his life.
If you haven't already read the first volume, get it now! Then follow it with this book. You won't be sorry.
Darius Brasher outdid himself with Trials, the second volume of this series. Theo, the Eddie's protagonist, spends two years as apprentice to Amazing Man, learning how to be a Hero while improving his control of his powers. Then come the Hero Trials, a strenuous series of tests which he must pass -- somehow -- in order to earn his Hero license and white cape. These are not just trials of his powers, or even of his fighting skills and intelligence, but of his worthiness as well ... although he does not always recognize it. Meanwhile, someone "on the inside" -- that is, someone with access to the testing environments and equipment -- is trying to kill him by rigging the Trials. You know Theo will survive, since there is a third entry in the series; but will be receive his license and cape? And who is out to kill him? I'm downloading the third volume as soon as this review is posted, because I have come to care about Theo, Isaac, Neha and the rest of the people in his life.
If you haven't already read the first volume, get it now! Then follow it with this book. You won't be sorry.
March 15, 2021
An improvement from the first book. The first book was missing one component, constant entertainment, as in that book had noticeable dull/repetitive moments. This book provides you with the character development, action, and humor the first book did but without the same dull/repetitive parts.
For sure one of the better sequels, I've ever read. There are some personal negatives for me though...the amount of monologue the MC engages in is astronomical and takes up big sections of the book, and the whole time jump thing. Also, the book...I mean I know the guy's like 18...but even the typical 18-year-old isn't this perverted and despite this being a solid book...I think ima have to pass on reading the other books in this series. It's just hard to read a book where the main character is literarily oogling every single female he meets in vivid detail beyond just finding them attractive. And it's just hard to read a, supposedly super-packed action superhero book, that involves more monoloque then it does action.
For sure one of the better sequels, I've ever read. There are some personal negatives for me though...the amount of monologue the MC engages in is astronomical and takes up big sections of the book, and the whole time jump thing. Also, the book...I mean I know the guy's like 18...but even the typical 18-year-old isn't this perverted and despite this being a solid book...I think ima have to pass on reading the other books in this series. It's just hard to read a book where the main character is literarily oogling every single female he meets in vivid detail beyond just finding them attractive. And it's just hard to read a, supposedly super-packed action superhero book, that involves more monoloque then it does action.
November 30, 2018
Brasher's Omega Superhero series does not read like a comic book or the script to a Marvel movie. The first novel, Caped, and second, Trials, both have well-characterized people with serious conflicts. We have plenty of action and we also see moral, personal, ethical problems and challenges. Trials is a fast read with lots of plot because main character Theo faces a series of maybe-fatal challenges to prove his worthiness to become a licensed superhero. Along the way Theo wrestles with his reasons for wanting to pursue this career, his affection and brotherhood with his best friends, and a few ethical problems.
Overall excellent, fun read.
Please see my full review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/tri...
Overall excellent, fun read.
Please see my full review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/tri...
August 20, 2019
I started reading Trials right after I finished Caped because I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. And I'm glad I didn't wait, because this book had me on the seat of my pants. It's an excellent book that keeps you suspensed and develops the characters even further. I like how the characters became more powerful, but how the challenges were realistic and made you wonder if they could succeed. Another excellent superhero fiction that you definitely want to read.
April 15, 2018
This book was more polished than the author’s first and the trials reminded me somewhat of those found in many such as the Hunger Games. Why do we have to have trials to death? The MC still has a problem in voice ie. he still is infatuated with girls even as he has a girlfriend, but again - an entertaining series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2021
So this has fixed the issues book one had, but only because of the content.
Having this only focussed on one event removes the issues of choppy narrative, but I'll have to see if it comes back later in the series. And on a personal note, without giving any spoilers, I completely agree with Amazing Man concerning Kinetic.
Having this only focussed on one event removes the issues of choppy narrative, but I'll have to see if it comes back later in the series. And on a personal note, without giving any spoilers, I completely agree with Amazing Man concerning Kinetic.
July 9, 2022
Still only two stars, still moderately readable. The MC is more than just a bit of a tool as well as being a narcissistic cheat, but this could just be the type of character the author wanted him to be.
That being said, I was sufficiently interested to continue reading, just to see what happened next.
That being said, I was sufficiently interested to continue reading, just to see what happened next.
August 13, 2022
An improvement from the first
I love the superhero genre. Theo’s overly long Spiderman-esque sass at the beginning of the last two books seems ill-placed. That said, as it goes on the narrative finds it’s footing well, with the odd quick tangent regarding women that Theo finds attractive (all of them). Other than that, the trials are an interesting variable in this universe.
I love the superhero genre. Theo’s overly long Spiderman-esque sass at the beginning of the last two books seems ill-placed. That said, as it goes on the narrative finds it’s footing well, with the odd quick tangent regarding women that Theo finds attractive (all of them). Other than that, the trials are an interesting variable in this universe.
March 29, 2018
Super Good
The first book was really good. This book was excellent. Lots of action and plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to the end. Creative, wholesome and entertaining.
The first book was really good. This book was excellent. Lots of action and plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to the end. Creative, wholesome and entertaining.
September 21, 2019
Great story
I loved how Darius manages to create an entire story out of just a series of tests. I was especially happy to see Hitler's Youth get exactly what he deserved. I hope he comes back as a villain.
I loved how Darius manages to create an entire story out of just a series of tests. I was especially happy to see Hitler's Youth get exactly what he deserved. I hope he comes back as a villain.
March 17, 2020
Enjoyed the second book in the series. Looking forward too the 3rd book . Liked the main characters and that they keep progressing.
Enjoyed the second book in the series. Looking forward to book 3 . Liked the main characters and that they keep progressing.
Enjoyed the second book in the series. Looking forward to book 3 . Liked the main characters and that they keep progressing.
June 29, 2024
Great story!!
The author writes very well, the moral situations are interesting, and the interactions between the characters are believable. Much better than some of the other superhero fiction I have read.
The author writes very well, the moral situations are interesting, and the interactions between the characters are believable. Much better than some of the other superhero fiction I have read.
March 13, 2017
Wow
Loved it! I definitely did not see the end coming. I can not wait for the third book to come out!
Loved it! I definitely did not see the end coming. I can not wait for the third book to come out!
September 4, 2017
Good super hero read
I very much enjoyed this book good fast read some small editing problems that pulled me from the story but all in all a fun read
I very much enjoyed this book good fast read some small editing problems that pulled me from the story but all in all a fun read
September 25, 2017
Excellent series. Books are too short but very entertaining.
November 9, 2017
Great part 2 book happy start book 3. Easy read great story love all characters.
January 18, 2018
Lets keep this party goin
I'm officially hooked on this series! Now, pardon me while I download #3, so I can see how bad Theo whups #####'s ass!
I'm officially hooked on this series! Now, pardon me while I download #3, so I can see how bad Theo whups #####'s ass!
March 8, 2018
decent book plays off the set up in book 1 and a nice kinda goblet of fire harry potter feel
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews