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New Heroes #1
Heart and Hero
KARLA has always loved Superheroes. Always watching the news on local crime fighters who fly around the capital and save the day. Now if they were only inspiring enough to help her power through her first year at New Hero University, a mysterious school no one seems to know about, tucked away in a city by a mountain.
What Karla didn’t count on was that she enrolled in a school exclusively for superhumans–care of an elaborate scheme made by the country’s superhuman government, The Organization. Suddenly, Karla is caught between being the girl of a prophecy meant to either bridge the secret world of superhumans with the non-supers, or be a threat of destruction to all. But she doesn’t even have any powers yet. As if all that wasn’t hard enough, she’s a fumbling mess in the presence of her crush, Andre.
ANDRE already expected that at the very least his Junior year at New Hero University will be anything but static. After being appointed stand-in leader of Blue Team and getting dumped by his long-time girlfriend, he’s at an all-time low. But when a new mission involves protecting the prophecy girl and ensuring she doesn’t discover the truth of why she’s there, he finds out he’s the last person anyone should trust near someone that important. Especially with his difficulty controlling electric abilities.
But Karla seems to have this strange tendency to wander into his corner. Soon a significant connection between the two leads the Head of the Organization to believe that maybe Andre had something important to do with the prophecy of Heroes as well.
Together, they must work to ensure the safety of all worlds, super or not.
A SUPERHERO SERIES IN AN ALTERNATE MODERN PHILIPPINES...where superhumans and creatures of myth are closer than you think.
Publication Day: September 8th 2021
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Superhero
What Karla didn’t count on was that she enrolled in a school exclusively for superhumans–care of an elaborate scheme made by the country’s superhuman government, The Organization. Suddenly, Karla is caught between being the girl of a prophecy meant to either bridge the secret world of superhumans with the non-supers, or be a threat of destruction to all. But she doesn’t even have any powers yet. As if all that wasn’t hard enough, she’s a fumbling mess in the presence of her crush, Andre.
ANDRE already expected that at the very least his Junior year at New Hero University will be anything but static. After being appointed stand-in leader of Blue Team and getting dumped by his long-time girlfriend, he’s at an all-time low. But when a new mission involves protecting the prophecy girl and ensuring she doesn’t discover the truth of why she’s there, he finds out he’s the last person anyone should trust near someone that important. Especially with his difficulty controlling electric abilities.
But Karla seems to have this strange tendency to wander into his corner. Soon a significant connection between the two leads the Head of the Organization to believe that maybe Andre had something important to do with the prophecy of Heroes as well.
Together, they must work to ensure the safety of all worlds, super or not.
A SUPERHERO SERIES IN AN ALTERNATE MODERN PHILIPPINES...where superhumans and creatures of myth are closer than you think.
Publication Day: September 8th 2021
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Superhero
582 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2021
13 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Gianne Rabena
4 books14 followersGianne is a writer of heroes and rom-com and an artist of characters and comics from Lipa, Batangas, Philippines.
Gianne has been interested in making her own stories with illustrations since her mother gave her little scrapbooks to fill in when she was in Gradeschool. She has never stopped writing and creating since.
She is also a lover of all things superhero, from the compelling origins to the dramatic and tragic love between fellow caped crusaders. There are enough Batman-themed items on her bookshelf, but admittedly Robin and Batgirl have her heart. Her favorite book genres are Fantasy and Romcom and everything in between.
She is also interested in sharing more fun and epic stories about Filipino characters, especially YA, for young Filipinos around the world.
Gianne has been interested in making her own stories with illustrations since her mother gave her little scrapbooks to fill in when she was in Gradeschool. She has never stopped writing and creating since.
She is also a lover of all things superhero, from the compelling origins to the dramatic and tragic love between fellow caped crusaders. There are enough Batman-themed items on her bookshelf, but admittedly Robin and Batgirl have her heart. Her favorite book genres are Fantasy and Romcom and everything in between.
She is also interested in sharing more fun and epic stories about Filipino characters, especially YA, for young Filipinos around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 8, 2021
It’s not a coincidence at all that this comes out during a pandemic. I came to read this book through an advanced reader copy (ARC) not having read YA for a long time, since Harry Potter maybe. And I am so glad that was the comparison, because it certainly holds up well and is perhaps weightier because this one is closer to home, with creatures of Filipino mythology and folklore aside from the superhumans themselves.
The best thing about this book for me is that it maps introverted sensibilities well. Karla is a heroine I can certainly relate to, reluctant as she is at first but with heartwarming keenness once she is initiated to the superhuman community. I felt like I was being slowly introduced to that world too, and how gentle a(n) (re)introduction to someone like me who hasn’t read YA and fantasy for a long time. Heart and Hero takes me back to that wide-eyed time of my youth and then some, because it made me see that even now, even in an alternate modern Philippines, pure-hearted youth can still overcome the sadness and disillusionment of grown men.
I stayed up past bedtime just to finish reading this, and I must say that that was one of the perfect pursuits of happiness – even if and maybe especially because there are classes the next day (and I’m the teacher :D).
This one’s for the introverts. And even if you’re not one, this is still for you, especially now. Read this and believe, again.
The best thing about this book for me is that it maps introverted sensibilities well. Karla is a heroine I can certainly relate to, reluctant as she is at first but with heartwarming keenness once she is initiated to the superhuman community. I felt like I was being slowly introduced to that world too, and how gentle a(n) (re)introduction to someone like me who hasn’t read YA and fantasy for a long time. Heart and Hero takes me back to that wide-eyed time of my youth and then some, because it made me see that even now, even in an alternate modern Philippines, pure-hearted youth can still overcome the sadness and disillusionment of grown men.
I stayed up past bedtime just to finish reading this, and I must say that that was one of the perfect pursuits of happiness – even if and maybe especially because there are classes the next day (and I’m the teacher :D).
This one’s for the introverts. And even if you’re not one, this is still for you, especially now. Read this and believe, again.
February 12, 2022
This book is sooooo good!! I finally have the time to read so I decided to read this masterpiece!! I can't wait for the Book 2! I wanna be a part of the Junior Division, hmmm nag-iisip na ako anong magandang powers hahaha. Overall, i gave this book a 5 star! ♥️
March 16, 2023
What a ride!!! I loved it 😍. This book had everything, a great group of characters dealing with their insecurities, a fantastic magic system, a little bit of romance, and great friendships.
We are introduced to a world where people with magic (often referred to as "supers" or "superhumans") and people without magic coexist.
When the organization's director thinks that an old prophecy has come to pass, he appoints the blue team to care for and protect the person whom he believes is the Heart (who will either bridge the world or divide it).
Karla is a nerd who loves superhumans and wishes to be one of them. Little does she know that she is in the middle of it. Her new school, New Hero University, is covered with supers who are hiding their powers from her and a team of supers who are trying to protect her. Not knowing anything about her situation, she is just trying to power through and make some new friends along the way.
Andre is a super and is also the leader of the Blue Team. He and his team are put in charge of protecting Karla, but he has his own struggles to deal with. Being born with a unique magical power, he has not yet learned to control it. In addition to this, his new responsibilities and his breakup with his girlfriend are not helping him in any way.
When an unknown enemy rises and threatens to destroy the world, they will need to work together and control their power to save the world.
Plot and Magic system: This is the first book in the series, so the major part was introducing us to the world and the cast.
It is written in first person, from the dual POVs of Karla and Andre. There are a few chapters from other characters points of view. Who doesn't like a book that keeps readers frantic, guessing till the end, and on their toes? And although being on your toes is a good reading experience, sitting back, stress-free, and relaxing with a book is also required sometimes. There are a few twists and turns, but it is written in a way that we as a reader are able to guess a few of them well before the characters find out, which for me elevated this book to a whole new level of getting a stress-free, even-paced experience, the opposite of always being on your toes, which I really enjoyed.
The Magic System is very well structured and very well explained to the readers from the start.
Characters: I loved all the characters and was kind of rooting for each of them. Even though this book is not character-based, the author has done a fantastic job with each and every one of them, introducing them and then keeping them relevant throughout the book. I was very attached to all the cast.
Karla is an introvert; she gets embarrassed, tongue-tied, and nervous, and this was so relatable, I just loved her. I also loved all the other characters as well and am looking forward to reading about them in the next books.
Recommendation: I would like to recommend this book to every middle-grade and adult reader out there who would like to read about super heroes with an introverted main character in a very heartwarming way.
We are introduced to a world where people with magic (often referred to as "supers" or "superhumans") and people without magic coexist.
When the organization's director thinks that an old prophecy has come to pass, he appoints the blue team to care for and protect the person whom he believes is the Heart (who will either bridge the world or divide it).
Karla is a nerd who loves superhumans and wishes to be one of them. Little does she know that she is in the middle of it. Her new school, New Hero University, is covered with supers who are hiding their powers from her and a team of supers who are trying to protect her. Not knowing anything about her situation, she is just trying to power through and make some new friends along the way.
Andre is a super and is also the leader of the Blue Team. He and his team are put in charge of protecting Karla, but he has his own struggles to deal with. Being born with a unique magical power, he has not yet learned to control it. In addition to this, his new responsibilities and his breakup with his girlfriend are not helping him in any way.
When an unknown enemy rises and threatens to destroy the world, they will need to work together and control their power to save the world.
Plot and Magic system: This is the first book in the series, so the major part was introducing us to the world and the cast.
It is written in first person, from the dual POVs of Karla and Andre. There are a few chapters from other characters points of view. Who doesn't like a book that keeps readers frantic, guessing till the end, and on their toes? And although being on your toes is a good reading experience, sitting back, stress-free, and relaxing with a book is also required sometimes. There are a few twists and turns, but it is written in a way that we as a reader are able to guess a few of them well before the characters find out, which for me elevated this book to a whole new level of getting a stress-free, even-paced experience, the opposite of always being on your toes, which I really enjoyed.
The Magic System is very well structured and very well explained to the readers from the start.
Characters: I loved all the characters and was kind of rooting for each of them. Even though this book is not character-based, the author has done a fantastic job with each and every one of them, introducing them and then keeping them relevant throughout the book. I was very attached to all the cast.
Karla is an introvert; she gets embarrassed, tongue-tied, and nervous, and this was so relatable, I just loved her. I also loved all the other characters as well and am looking forward to reading about them in the next books.
Recommendation: I would like to recommend this book to every middle-grade and adult reader out there who would like to read about super heroes with an introverted main character in a very heartwarming way.
January 4, 2023
Thank you so much to the author and the publisher, Midnight Tour Publishing, for sharing a copy of this book with me !!!
“ANDRE IS THE NEW LEADER of the Blue Team. Apparently.”
“She doesn't get it, Karla loved Superheroes.”
Not bad at all !!! Definitely an interesting story about a young girl, in love with superheroes (like me after all) who somehow finds herself being the Heart of a real life Superhero Division with real powers !!! Every girl’s dream basically !!!
There even was a little romance blossoming where it was not expected with a Heart and her Hero !!!!
You can have fun while also enjoyed a very fast-paced, action driven fantasy superhuman story with many different characters and dynamics !!
I very much appreciated the found family trope that was well done … I love when it happens in a fantasy involving teenagers !!
I’m not a huge fan of particularly long chapters but honestly … it’s fine as long as the story is catchy and this one definitely was.
“The Heart of Heroes has a crush on you, and it makes her so easy to read”
“Our powers can become lethal if we so choose them to be. And the more lethal they are the higher we are in the pyramid”
“You better go. Your Heart is waiting”
“ANDRE IS THE NEW LEADER of the Blue Team. Apparently.”
“She doesn't get it, Karla loved Superheroes.”
Not bad at all !!! Definitely an interesting story about a young girl, in love with superheroes (like me after all) who somehow finds herself being the Heart of a real life Superhero Division with real powers !!! Every girl’s dream basically !!!
There even was a little romance blossoming where it was not expected with a Heart and her Hero !!!!
You can have fun while also enjoyed a very fast-paced, action driven fantasy superhuman story with many different characters and dynamics !!
I very much appreciated the found family trope that was well done … I love when it happens in a fantasy involving teenagers !!
I’m not a huge fan of particularly long chapters but honestly … it’s fine as long as the story is catchy and this one definitely was.
“The Heart of Heroes has a crush on you, and it makes her so easy to read”
“Our powers can become lethal if we so choose them to be. And the more lethal they are the higher we are in the pyramid”
“You better go. Your Heart is waiting”
October 26, 2025
I thought I was over with the young adult genre but seeing Gianne's recent reels about her book made me pick it up and finally meet her beloved children.
Set in an alternate modern Philippines, Heart and Hero features two main characters: Andre, a son of two iconic superheroes who has trouble controlling his rare powers, and Karla, an ordinary teenager who enrolls in a mysterious university located in Batangas that turns out to be an exclusive school for supers.
And there's the prophecy which links the two characters and explains the title.
The book is thicc but don't let that intimidate you! I found that there was never a dull moment in this one. I felt a bit overwhelmed with the amount of characters but their own personalities made it easier to remember them. It felt like we just got enrolled in New Hero University alongside Karla, we get to meet a lot of people, be introduced with different pillars, and understand the world-building.
This book is a love letter of all the things she fangirled over: superheroes. You can feel the passion she had poured over these pages. If you love superheroes (especially X-Men), Percy Jackson, and Avatar The Last Airbender, please get a copy and read it. I highly recommend it.
Set in an alternate modern Philippines, Heart and Hero features two main characters: Andre, a son of two iconic superheroes who has trouble controlling his rare powers, and Karla, an ordinary teenager who enrolls in a mysterious university located in Batangas that turns out to be an exclusive school for supers.
And there's the prophecy which links the two characters and explains the title.
The book is thicc but don't let that intimidate you! I found that there was never a dull moment in this one. I felt a bit overwhelmed with the amount of characters but their own personalities made it easier to remember them. It felt like we just got enrolled in New Hero University alongside Karla, we get to meet a lot of people, be introduced with different pillars, and understand the world-building.
This book is a love letter of all the things she fangirled over: superheroes. You can feel the passion she had poured over these pages. If you love superheroes (especially X-Men), Percy Jackson, and Avatar The Last Airbender, please get a copy and read it. I highly recommend it.
September 10, 2024
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTHAT WAS INCREDIBLY AWSOME I am obsessed about superhero’s and this was like the best of all the ones I’ve ever read this was like my first none graphic novel and it is my favorite book of All TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 4, 2023
This book was so good. I am so sad that so few people have read it
December 17, 2025
𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰 was such an unexpectedly fun and heartfelt read. I loved how it blends superhero elements with YA fantasy while still keeping the characters—and their emotions—at the forefront. Karla's journey from an ordinary girl who fangirls over superheroes to someone suddenly caught in a prophecy is engaging and easy to root for. Andre's quieter, more internal struggles as a leader add a thoughtful layer, and their dual POVs make the story even more immersive. The world-building around New Hero University and the Organization feels fresh, imaginative, and full of promise. It's one of those books that surprises you with just how much heart it carries beneath all the action. 🦸♀️🦸♂️
What kept it from being a full 5-star read for me:
Some chapters dragged a bit, especially in the middle where the pacing slowed down to make room for heavier world-building. A few twists were also on the predictable side—something you might notice if you read a lot of YA fantasy. But honestly, these are more on the nit-picky end.
Overall, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰 is a charming and entertaining start to the series—packed with adventure, warmth, and just the right amount of romantic tension to keep you turning the pages. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where Book 2 takes these characters. ✨️
What kept it from being a full 5-star read for me:
Some chapters dragged a bit, especially in the middle where the pacing slowed down to make room for heavier world-building. A few twists were also on the predictable side—something you might notice if you read a lot of YA fantasy. But honestly, these are more on the nit-picky end.
Overall, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰 is a charming and entertaining start to the series—packed with adventure, warmth, and just the right amount of romantic tension to keep you turning the pages. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where Book 2 takes these characters. ✨️
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews