Some Kind of Hero

A Hesitant Hero #2

by S.J. Delos, Traci Odom (Reading), Angela Brazil (Reading)

Kayo's back and kicking ass.

It's been a hard six months since Karen Hashimoto quit being Crushette—number one henchwoman of Doctor Maniac and super-villain extraordinaire—and became Kayo, member of the superhero group, The Good Guys.

After winning a candidacy for the most prestigious award possible, Kayo's not-so-far-gone past comes back full-swing, determined to show the world that changing the name doesn't really change the girl. Facing off against friends, foes, and everyone in between, Karen must prove once and for all that she truly is some kind of hero.

Genres: Superheroes, Paranormal, Science Fiction Fantasy, Audiobook

1 pages, Audio CD

Published March 1, 2021

Reviews

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second instalment in S.J.Delos A Hesitant Hero series was every bit as engaging and fun as the first book in the series. This series has joined the ranks of my superhero favourites now. The story had a good mix of action, humour, character development, fun twists and turns, and even had a tad of romance and moments of drama. The writing was engaging enough that the story held my interest from start to finish which is the sign of a good book!

This was pretty much just a direct continuation of the story we got in the first book. Reformed supervillain, Karen Hashimoto (once Crushette and now Kayo) is settling down as a member of The Good Guys but still has to deal with issues from her past as well as the complications going on in her personal life. Dr. Maniac was still obsessed with her, a few new villains were hatching evil plans of their own, the government was becoming more wary of superpowered people and it was beginning to show in how they cooperated with The Good Guys, and on top of all that Karen had been nominated for the highly public spectacle that is the Superhero of the Year award!

It was all pretty fun and exciting. I love the balance in the story between the events in Karen's life as a superhero and the events we get from her personal life. It really helps flesh her out as a character and helps give the story that perfect balance of action, drama, comedy, and emotionally engaging moments. It also really helps that Karen is a super easy character to like!

There was a lot going on in this one but Delos did a great job with the pacing as nothing felt rushed and all of the various story arcs ended up being interesting and engaging. The other thing Delos did really well was character development. Karen showed plenty of growth but so did a lot of the secondary characters. Speaking of the secondary characters they really do play a big part in why this series is such a fun one. All the support characters are well drawn with their own individual personalities and voices.

All in all I felt like this was a fantastic read and may even have been a tiny bit better than the first book in the series. Delos seems to have ironed out a few of the minor flaws of the first book without losing any of the stuff that made it so good! I'm eager to read more of Karen's superhero adventures so hopefully the third book makes it way to us soon.

Rating: 4.5 stars. I'm rounding up to 5 stars as this book was close to getting that from me anyway.

Audio Note: The first book in this series was narrated by Angela Brazil and I thought she did a fantastic job with the audio for So Not A Hero so I was a little worried going into this one that she had been replaced by Traci Odom. To make the transition easier I took a month long break between the first and second book and I think that really helped as it made the audio transition feel pretty smooth. I think I still prefer Brazil but the truth is Odom did a great job with the audio for this one and seemed a similar style narrator to Angela Brazil which made the transition very smooth and painless.

[Stefan Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been waiting for Kayos second appearance for some time now. After starting reading i could not quiet get what some of the comments i saw at amazon where about, Karens little "anger management problem" and her impulse issues were to be expected within an interesting (albeit a little predictable) story...

Then came the last 1/4 or so of the book and especially the last (say) two chapters + Epilogues.
Those were kind of disappointing. It kind of read like S.J. was in a hurry to get it over with. A fast tie up of the main plot in a t”his may continue” fashion, with Epilogue 1 being a like “not as fast as you may think” and E-2 giving a glimpse into an interesting “What if...” alternative realty, that adds a “huh” to the “Seriously, this is it?” feel of the ending of this book.

[M.A. Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the first. Good character growth from the consequences of the first one, better prose, a fun ride all around. Worth sticking around for, no doubt in my mind. Good female friendships. Bechdel Test pass, if you worry, plus a really lovely set of character arcs.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the world building and liked the characters and story as much as the first but constantly jarred by missing words and fragmented sentences. A better edit would have got another star!

[John Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I reviewed the first book in this series, So Not a Hero, I said it was no great work of literature but was enormous fun, and I gave it five stars. And I feel much the same about this book as it's basically more of the same. The plot is risible and the characters are straight out of a superhero comic book, but Delos writes with a lot of enthusiasm and this is a lively and entertaining book.

I felt there was a bit too much talking this time. I know it's traditional for the bad guys to gloat when they think they are winning, but it's a bit overdone and it does detract from the pace of the story. The first book is a better book, hence only four stars this time, but this is still highly recommended if you just want an undemanding and highly entertaining read.

[Robert 'Rev. Bob' · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the previous book, there were enough editing mistakes to cost this entry a star from its four-star rating, but the story was still worthwhile and I look forward to a sequel. Karen's world is eminently plausible as a take on "the real world, with existing comic books, plus supers," and the A-plot is set up rather well. In fact, it is in part that excellence of story and world that makes the grammatical issues so frustrating; a good proofreading pass would have put this in contention for a fifth star.

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough book to rate. In the first book of this series the MC was herself a mystery, and so the extensive time spent on the drama of her life was less onerous. Here, that mystery has been solved and so the family, work and friend drama is more of a distraction. Plus I personally cannot relate to the MC's relationship with her parents. I cannot imagine putting up that kind of crap and I don't have super powers. (That was a problem for me in book one as well but the author gets to pick the story to be told so I tried to take it in stride.)

So, the major mystery of the story is about who is attempting to maneuver things to discredit the MC and, by extension, other supers who would back her up. That part of the book is well done. The parental drama is drawn out and doesn't add to the main story- it just there to let us know the MC has feelings essentially. Personally I long for books that realize someone who can fly and lift trucks is already interesting and so unnecessary drama can be omitted.

The main story line with unnecessary drama is about 65/45 to the good. Then we get to the culmination of the bad guy's plot and it is 90% good. Unfortunately the bad 10% is particularly obnoxious but it can't be discussed without SPOILERS so, if you haven't read this book yet, skip the next paragraph.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT THE VILLAIN GETS AWAY ESPECIALLY WHEN THE MC GOT THE DROP ON HIM, MECHANICA AND HIS EVIL DEVICE. SUPER STRONG KAYO COULD HAVE THROWN BOTH MECHANICA AND THE BAD GUY OFF THE ROOF ON HER WAY TO DESTROYING THE EVIL DEVICE. THAT WOULD HAVE MADE MECHANICA RESCUE HER BOSS BUT IF MACHANICA DIDN'T, TOUGH SHIT. BASICALLY THIS WHOLE ENDING FELT CONTRIVED JUST SO THE AUTHOR COULD HAVE AN ONGOING VILLAIN- WHICH HE ALREADY HAS IN THE FORM OF DOCTOR MANIAC.

So the we get to the wrap up of the book. The first scene involves the MC heading back to work and ends in an amazingly stupid way that seems completely contrived as a set up for the next book. 90% bad. Scene two, however, is in an alternate universe and is pretty fantastic (except for what happens with Phantasm and even that was appropriate to the scene).

Bottom line: worth the read and I am interested in the next book in the series, but, on the whole, just a good book, not a great one. Also had the unfortunate side effect of lowering my opinion of book 1 but that book was read during a time when I was reading a lot of super hero books and most of them suck so book shone by comparison. Anyone really wanting a super hero fix should read SuperGuy by Kurt Clopton and the Superpowereds series by Drew Hayes. So far those are the best super hero books I've found.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the super hero Kayo series, wherein once super villain Crushette becomes the premier hero, this book is good and bad in much the same ways as the first book in the series. The action scenes are well written and I found the characters fairly engaging, especially the tension between Kayo and those who remembered her from her villainess days. However, there were lots of problems. Usually I don't mention grammer errors as that's more the editors job, but there were a lot of these, so much so that it was distracting at times. Also, there is a general rule in writing that one should not introduce new elements unless they fit correctly with the current universe, and if they do introduce new elements, it should be done in a gradual way. There were a couple times were this was not adhered to, such as *spoilers* when sundly Kurt's family member is one of the agents and victims at a villain's attack. I wracked my brain but I couldn't remember this character from earlier. Were they introduced earlier? If so, they just didn't have the emotional impact for me that was evidenced by Kayo when they were injured. If the character had been introduced earlier the pain and anger that Kayo experienced when they were injured would be more real for the reader. Also, I call absolute shanigans in Kurt's character sundly being there to save the day at the end of the novel. He was supposed to be in another city all together. What on earth was he doing there? I was very happy with the second epilogue as I rather thought we hadn't seen Dr. Maniac's character as advertised yet and this at least gave us a glimpse. If Kayo does get her powers back it might be a nice set up for the eventual good universe vs. bad universe tale. As with the previous book, the sexuality was off kilter and was more off putting than anything. In general I'd very quickly scan through the Kurt sections so I could get back to the actual story. Not sure if this is the end for Kayo. Many heroes loose their powers and gain them back, its one of the tropes. Be nice to see more in this series as there really aren't to many good comic book novels out there for some reason and with a little tweeking this writing could be a lot better.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 2 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the first book in this series, but this sequel didn’t move me in the same way. First the good: I like the world Delos is building with its mix of heroes, villains and government agencies. It very easily could be a four color comic book which is a lot of what I look for in a superhero novel. On the other hand, Kao is suffering from two distinct problems in this novel. First, she is way too powerful and Delos doesn’t know how to challenge her at this power level. As a result I very rarely felt any tension at all in her fights. Second, and far more important, Kao caught a case of genuine stupidity and it affected her ability to fight the bad guys. (Maybe she had this problem in the first book and I didn’t notice, but it is glaringly obvious here.) Kao is super powerful, but her mind-numbing arrogance lets the bad guys get away again and again and again. I lost track of how many times she approached the bad guys, stopped to spout melodramatic nonsense at them, and as a result they got away to continue developing their nefarious schemes. Kao can fly, she’s very fast, and she’s super strong and highly invulnerable. Almost every time she surprises the bad guys and I think every single time she gives away this advantage so she can stop and tell them how stupid they are being for acting evil around her. And she never learns from her mistakes. Spider-man sprouts all kinds of great one liners at the bad guys, but he’s bouncing around like a super ball avoiding their attacks and smacking them all over the place while he does so. Not Kao. She just stands or hovers and spouts off and it didn’t work for me. (She also fails to share critical evidence which would prove to the heroes the identity of the bad guy, but that’s a whole different kind of stupidity.) Add in two highly depressing epilogues and I think I’m done with this series.

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOME KIND OF HERO by S.J. Delos is the sequel to SO NOT A HERO, which was a book I really enjoyed and follows the events of half-Japanese Karen Hashimoto Basically a cute bruiser with the power of She-Hulk or Wonder Woman who got a power upgrade to Supergirl levels last book. Now she's managed to become a hero everyone loves despite her past as an ex-con and is uncomfortable with her success.

I like the set up for Some Kind of Hero, with the idea of all the superheroes in America get together for a convention in Chicago where they present an award for hero of the year. Karen doesn't believe she's worthy to receive this award but has been shortlisted for it. This is despite the fact she's neck deep in tabloid journalism as the papparazi love taking compromising pictures of her. It's doubly so with the fact their previous darling had her looks affected by the events of last book.

I really liked this book and think it actually improved on the original a great deal. The conspiracy of extra-judicial law enforcement to make things worse for heroes was a nice bit of world-building. I also appreciated meeting the big heroes of the setting as well as discovering the fact she's only a big deal in Charlotte, NC. The ending where she isn't able to score a clean victory is also interesting and sets up an excellent sequel.

In short, this is another great superhero novel and lacks some of the flaws of the previous book like the gratituous sex as well as overly sexualized depiction of women. It's just plain fun.

10/10

[Greg Kopstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

We meet again Delos (this was play at a witty line that could be found in this book). SJ Delos's second attempt was good- I'd say on par with the first. Truthfully, it made me crave a superhero flick, but not the conventional ones. So I binged The Incredibles, My Super Ex Girlfriend, and Megamind. This book is very similar to those, but a little more adult oriented. Solid development, storyline, characters, and action. I'd gladly read the next installment. Even the villains were interesting and set up for a return in the trilogy.

Here's where I get frustrated. You've got a kickass heroine, a great supporting cast, room for growth, and dozens of paths to choose from...why do all her problems get solved with anger, super strength, or sex? You've given this woman Class 6 (note: that's apparently very powerful) strength - why does she constantly need to screw or punch? Engage the team, do something with Braddock, or whatever, just start being more creative. There's room here, so utilize it. If it continues to drag on this way, the third will be my last.

Parting thoughts: solid book for entertainment and it definitely meets expectations, but it is formulaic at times and is in dire need of new ideas. The epilogues were interesting. Loved the first, hated the second. Parallel planets? Come on...pass.

We'll meet again Delos, but next time be ready with some new moves.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem I have with many Super Heroes is that they either become too powerful and their encounters become ludicrous, or they just become arrogantly stupid and we have to put up with the ridiculous banter before they finally get around to doing their job.
For example Karen could have simply taken out a few criminals, but she decided to strut around and tell them how stupid they were. While she was doing this they just set off a bomb and walked away. Of course the bomb doesn’t hurt her because she is now so powerful.
I just got so fed up of people hanging around giving it lots of ‘trash talk’ instead of actually doing something.

I think my main problem is most of the heroes are either superficial or pathetic. I suspect it is because I prefer my heroes to be kickass, no nonsense, do whatever has to be done to make sure the bad guys don’t win, but these seem to be about making sure you don’t hit a multi murderer too hard or even worse, get photographed without a bra after picking up a truck to rescue a mother and child.

[Sean Duggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as the first book, but with better editing

I enjoyed "So Not a Hero". I held off on buying the sequel at first because I'm cheap, but an author, and a friend, recommended it, and I'm glad to say I was not disappointed. Much fewer errors in this one. Things are still a bit bleak at times, but it all comes around. Until the final twist. I find myself wondering which epilogue is canon, particularly since I've is an alternate universe.

Anyhow, I liked it a lot, and I'm looking forward to more.

[Art Lueder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good sequel with Kayo dealing with extreme stress and anger management issues as she steadfastly continues on her hero's journey. Plenty of character arcs and a nice ending until the epilogues. The first will make some major changes for any sequel. I really like the hero so I'm hoping for another book but if it takes more than a couple chapters to get her powers back I'm afraid I'd just pass. The second parallel universe was a nice touch with a villain perspective.

[Philip Pleiss]

A fun series, shame it got abandoned on a cliffhanger

This is a fun redemption story. A bit grittier than some superhero novels, but still follows some of the traditional comic tropes.

Unfortunately, it seems that Book 2 was supposed to be part 1 of a set, and ends on a wicked cliffhanger that isn't going to be resolved due to the story being abandoned.

I HIGHLY recommend closing the book after reading the final battle, but not the final chapters or the epilogues.

[Nick Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book

I hope this is not the end. But understand if it were to stop i liked how it plays but found some things unanswered. Like what of her former parole officer fate and the first ending screams no you didn't. Alas as with all literature mind is only a single opinion.thanks again for your hard work i loved it even if I only wish you to keep going😎

[Josh Talbot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved it... Right up to the end.

I really enjoyed the book, until the ending. I hope that there is another book on the series coming, because that could easily redeem the ending.

[Terry Marine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first book. Some experimental/mental/experiential stuff added to afflict the comfortable.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored returning to S.J. Delos world (though just a tad irritated with the ending -- I want more dammit!).
Serious superhero fun.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Davis Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one thing I really disliked in the first book was that the main character had been raped frequently and that was just sort of glossed over. The author dealt with it in this book which was very gratifying.

[Ryan Mangrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment wasn't as good as the first one. The character is too powerful and the story lost its underdog appeal. What made the first book so phenomenal was how the main character faced social and personal pressures and still chose to do the right thing when backsliding to a life of crime would have been easy. While this book is still a fun read, it lacked cohesive motivation. She's now loved and adored, so when she does slip up, it's immediately forgiven.

Something else that I didn't like is how the author has moved the world into the "World of Action Girl" trope. Nearly every character is female.

An editor is sorely needed: lots of misspellings, bad grammar, missing words, and transposed words.

[Gene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun, lots of action, good characterization. But if you like happy endings, skip the epilogues.

[Amanda Kovacic · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent follow-up!

I truly enjoyed the first book, and have been waiting on pins and needles for the next installment! It met expectations and I am once again staring longingly into the future for the next!

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, but the 1st book was much more so.