Resenting the Hero (Hero, #1)

Apr 08, 2008 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: good-uns

I first read about this series on Ann Aguirre's blog. She recommended it so highly and, given how much I enjoyed Grimspace, I immediately picked up a copy of the first book. By the time I cracked it open, I'd been sufficiently warned not to be deterred by the ridiculous cover and anemic title. It's difficult to get past the outside, they said, but persevere you must. The cover is truly cringe-worthy. But the contents are not. The story has its laughable parts. But they're meant to be funny. So...more I first read about this series on Ann Aguirre's blog. She recommended it so highly and, given how much I enjoyed Grimspace, I immediately picked up a copy of the first book. By the time I cracked it open, I'd been sufficiently warned not to be deterred by the ridiculous cover and anemic title. It's difficult to get past the outside, they said, but persevere you must. The cover is truly cringe-worthy. But the contents are not. The story has its laughable parts. But they're meant to be funny. So that's all right.

Lee (short for Dunleavy) Mallorough has trained her entire life to be a Shield. Shields work together with their Source counterparts. Sources have an uncanny ability to detect natural disasters and avert them. Unfortunately, channeling that much power is guaranteed to kill a Source, unless he or she is bonded to a Shield, whose job it is to protect the Source's mind for the duration of the channeling. A few times a year, unbound Sources and Shields are brought together for The Choosing. Tradition has it that the first time a proper pair sets eyes on each other, the bonding occurs and they both just know. And to make The Choosing even more nerve wracking, the pairing is a lifelong bond. When one dies, so does the other. So, yeah. No pressure.

Suffice it to say Lee is less than thrilled when she looks up into the eyes of Taro (short for Shintaro) Karish, the infamous golden boy of the Source-and-Shield world, and just knows. The unlikely and, on Lee's part, completely unwilling pair are immediately assigned duty in High Scape--the most hazardous city in their world. Shortly after they arrive, a series of inexplicably powerful disasters strike the city, cutting down all but the newest Pair. Lee and Taro are left alone to protect the city and discover the force at the root of the disasters. Moira J. Moore has set up a rather unique fantasy world and two interesting, complex characters whose strengths and insecurities drive the story. I liked Lee and Taro and the fact that things didn't feel rushed. This is the first in a series and there is plenty of room for development and exploration, inside and out.(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Jan 08, 2010 Kiri rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Haven't finished it yet, but just had to comment on a few things. The writing style is starting to bother me; there's a lot of summation of events that could have been told in a more narrative style. The dialogue has been snappy and humorous all along, but a lot of it seems unnecessary, especially when important plot points are glossed over.

I found the entire bench dancing sequence really hard to picture - the description left me imagining the dancers hopping from one foot to the other back and...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 13, 2012 Bookworm1858 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2010, sffp

Summary: Dunleavy or Lee has been training to be a Shield her whole life. All she wants is to be bonded with a nice reliable Source. Instead she gets Lord Shintaro Karish (Taro), the Stallion of Triple S. They are assigned to the most high profile area in the land where an inexplicable disaster strikes down all of the other Pairs. Lee and Taro must work together to save everyone.

Thoughts: I was really excited about this; I'd seen good reviews and I liked the covers of the series (yes, I judge bo...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 04, 2013 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I was looking for something fluffy and easy to read that wasn't terrible, and I was intrigued by Resenting the Hero since it was on both a Kirkus review list, "Top 10 Fantasy Novels by Female Authors," and the Goodreads list for "Wonderful books with Awful Covers." (In my opinion, the title is awful as well...) Clearly, the cover for this book is awful, combining the worst of cheesy fantasy covers with the suggestion of romance, but at least the guy on the cover isn't shirtless with an oily ches...more I was looking for something fluffy and easy to read that wasn't terrible, and I was intrigued by Resenting the Hero since it was on both a Kirkus review list, "Top 10 Fantasy Novels by Female Authors," and the Goodreads list for "Wonderful books with Awful Covers." (In my opinion, the title is awful as well...) Clearly, the cover for this book is awful, combining the worst of cheesy fantasy covers with the suggestion of romance, but at least the guy on the cover isn't shirtless with an oily chest. Also, if this awful cover was designed to snare people wanting to read fantasy romance fare, those readers would be disappointed since the two main characters don't end up together, and I personally hope that that don't in future volumes, though I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Although I wouldn't necessarily call the book "wonderful," I was pleasantly surprised.

The world and magic system are different enough to be refreshing, although I would've liked it better if both had been developed in more detail. I suppose that the setting might become more fleshed out in the following (six!) volumes, but I got the feeling that main reason that the world and magic weren't further developed was because they weren't particularly fleshed out in the author's mind. However, the idea of a partnered Source (who prevents natural disasters by channeling away the elemental energy) and Shield (who protects the Source's body and mind from being destroyed while channeling) provides opportunities to explore partnerships/roles in general, personality traits valued by society, learning to form one's own opinions, and even a little bit of politics.

Sources and Shields are ideally identified as young children and then taken to the Triple S Academy where they are isolated from the outside world and trained until adulthood. When their training is finished, Sources and Shields are ideally bonded and then sent out into the world to prevent the planet's otherwise devastating natural disasters. Whether by nature, academy training, or both, Sources tend to be, or are at least stereotyped as, extroverted, charismatic, take-charge people who have a tendency towards hedonism while Shields seem to be introverted, reserved and responsible. In Resenting the Hero, it becomes evident that both society and the academy are doing both Sources and Shields a disservice by pigeon-holing them in such a way, both by treating like Sources powerful but temperamental and petulant children that much be baby-sat by their Sources, and undervaluing Shields by allowing them to be treated, or at least perceived, as less-valued servants for their Sources.

In the novel, there are also suggestions that Triple S may not be as benevolent as it seems for various reasons: the requirement that potential Sources and Shields are taken at such a young age from their family and isolated so that the only teachings, home and friends that they know belong to Triple S; the teaching and reinforcement of Source-Shield roles; the punishment of both members of a Source-Shield pair even if only one partner made an error; the potential that Triple S cultivates Source-Shield bonds which may prove incompatible; and the idea that Triple S may be a fascist state-within-a-state (akin to Babylon 5's Psi Corps) that holds too much power (since without it, natural disasters would destroy any settlements on the planet and lead to uncountable loss of life) that leeches off the public (Triple S and any Source or Shield needs are completely free, funded by taxes).

I like the fact that Moore alluded to all of these things, but didn't necessarily make it black and white. While there were some characters who fit the stereotypes for Sources and Shields, including the main characters many times, they didn't always. Furthermore, although the "villain" of the story was insane and attempted to change Triple S for all the wrong reasons and was ultimately defeated, the propoganda he fed to the mob about Triple S and the changes that he would supposedly make weren't without the possibility of truth.

I suppose that if I pick up the next book or books I'll find out if these themes were further explored and if the partnership between the two main characters remains entertainingly sarcastic (similar to Korean drama flirting rather than typical American romantic comedies) and platonic.(less)

like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 Madame X rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, romance-established-couple

RESENTING THE HERO is the start to an excellent series, much better than you'd guess looking at the title or cover art. I decided to trust other reviews pointing this out, and now I'm repeating it in mine because it's true.

The origin story for this fantasy series sets up the odd world where Lee and Taro, our hero and heroine, have their adventures: nearly six hundred years before the start of the story, spaceships descended from the sky. The passengers intended to settle, but when their sophist...more RESENTING THE HERO is the start to an excellent series, much better than you'd guess looking at the title or cover art. I decided to trust other reviews pointing this out, and now I'm repeating it in mine because it's true.

The origin story for this fantasy series sets up the odd world where Lee and Taro, our hero and heroine, have their adventures: nearly six hundred years before the start of the story, spaceships descended from the sky. The passengers intended to settle, but when their sophisticated machinery didn't operate properly and the beautiful landscape was constantly beset by terrible natural disasters, most of them packed up and left. The result? The state of technology is relatively primitive, but morals are relatively modern. Example: characters travel on land via carriages but enjoy near total gender equality. Since I really like a good medieval-style sword and sorcery novel and also really enjoy modern sensibilities, I was pretty tickled by how cleverly this world was designed.

The zeitgeist is familiar, rational and scientific, with the notable exception of the Sources and Shields - who are able, through their combined efforts, to "channel" the energy of natural disasters into a harmless form. Sources channel the energy, and Shields stop them from dying in the process. While any Shield and Source can work together, almost all of them bond to a particular partner, forming a Pair. The connection is instant and life-long, and if one member of the Pair dies, the other does too.

The narrator, Dunleavy Mallorough (Lee), is a Shield, and a very gifted one. Shields are unemotional, sensible people who are numbed to physical sensations like pain but profoundly, intensely affected by music. Lee is intensely practical, intensely cerebral, with a wicked dry wit. She's very funny, though sometimes it's just because she finds regular people - people with emotions - completely mystifying.

Much has been made of Lee's dislike for the Source she's matched up with - handsome, aristocratic, charming, and wildly talented Shintaro Karish (Taro). After all, what's to dislike about being professionally attached at the hip to a bona-fide hero? Well, as Lee points out, "I would die with this man. He'd catch some sexual disease, or some enraged spouse would kill him, and the bond would drag me down with him. He was that sort, the sort that shone too bright and burned out fast." Can I just say that I love her narrative voice? Lee is straightforward, always cutting right to the stinging heart of the matter. And Taro shines brightly indeed. It would be noble of Lee to want her destiny tied to his - but it's sensible to hope for something less dramatic.

RESENTING THE HERO seems to wander a bit as Lee and Taro meet up, travel to their assigned city of High Scape, and settle in. But the wandering is an illusion - everything adds up at the end, as the Pair unravel a plot to destroy the city. I've read all four books currently available in the series, and I really like the way that the series is going. Not only do Lee and Taro develop as characters, but the world they live in does too. Big changes are afoot, and Lee and Taro are at the center of them. But the real centerpiece of this series, it's spine and chief delight, is the relationship between Lee and Taro - opposites in almost every way, they are excellent partners to one another. (less)

1 like · like · see review

May 24, 2011 Myonlycookie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy

I liked this book enough to read the rest of the series. This review is post-reading the entire series as it stands now. (Books 1-5.)

The thing that grabbed me the most about this series is the concept of Sources and Shields. I think that's pretty unique, and Moore does a good job of creating a world where these types of people exist. She also has well though-out explanations of the rules and laws concerning Sources and Shields.

I cannot say the writing is stunning, because it's not. Moore uses ve...more

like · see review

Feb 27, 2011 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Ok yes, totally cringe-worthy cover, but I really enjoyed this! It's been a while since a book so engaged me that I stole any spare moment I could to read a few pages. The plot isn't particularly strong, nor is the world building. But the two main characters make the book. The magic system is unique ... the environment of the world is extremely volatile and cursed with natural disasters like tornadoes and floods that would threaten to destroy all humanity. However, certain people, known as Sourc...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 23, 2010 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, humor

I've read this series completely out of order and, now that I've swapped most of it away, I finally read the first book... and want to read them all again. (that sound you hear is me banging my head against the wall)

It's fun, mostly light-hearted and even though there isn't a whole lot of action, I found myself tensing or laughing because of what's going on in the story. Having read the others in the series, I found myself getting really upset by how resentful and mean Lee was to Taro at first....more

like · see review

Sep 05, 2010 C.G. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2010

I read this book on a recommendation, which is a good thing as the picture on the cover would have put me off ever reading it! I enjoyed it for the most part, although I'm not sure I liked it enough to pick up the second book of the trilogy.

I prefer books that are not written in the first person - I can usually lose myself in them more easily. Having said that, however, most of the books I have read lately, including this one, have been narrated in the first person and for the most part have bee...more

like · see review

Aug 15, 2010 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vaginal-fantasy, fantasy

I think this book, the first in the series, really actually deserves 3 1/2 stars, but since it compelled me to read all five books in the series in a 3 day period, I believe the extra 1/2 star is an "obsessiveness bonus".

I picked this book up on a whim from an Amazon List (honestly, I find the best books that way! Thank you Amazon contributors!) It looked to be something I wouldn't necessarily love (a bit twee from the description) but I quickly fell in love with the characters and the world. J...more

17 likes · like · see review

Mar 21, 2010 Leandra rated it 2 of 5 stars

Essentially a pretty trashy novel, but I was in the mood for a typical romance novel and this was a fast read for late evenings when I just needed something to get my mind off things. (I should have been warned by the trashy cover - but went for "Never judge a book by its cover." - also, it was an ebook.) The writing was so-so - not glaringly bad, but surely nowhere near as good as it could have been. The premise is your typical romantic setting - Sources, who channel natural disasters to avert...more Essentially a pretty trashy novel, but I was in the mood for a typical romance novel and this was a fast read for late evenings when I just needed something to get my mind off things. (I should have been warned by the trashy cover - but went for "Never judge a book by its cover." - also, it was an ebook.) The writing was so-so - not glaringly bad, but surely nowhere near as good as it could have been. The premise is your typical romantic setting - Sources, who channel natural disasters to avert them, bond with Shields, who - yeah, you get it - Shield them from the effects of the channeling. The heroine, Dunleavy, fresh from the Shield-accademy, bonds with Shintaro Karish, who she deems flashy, inappropriate and annoying, a womanizer everybody loves, and whom she loves to hate.

Just... there's seriously nothing wrong with that guy. He's like... the nicest guy on the planet and he treats her well and with respect. One of the main problems is that you just can't fathom why Dunleavy resents Karish. Bascially, it's a character flaw - she doesn't like him solely based on what kind of rumors she has heard about him.

The story involves a pretty contrived plot dealing with abduction (Karish's), a crazy, scheming Source who has terrible ideas of freeing Shields from bonding with Sources (there are undertones of abuse in most Source/Shield relationships described - the bonding isn't sexual, just a kind of soul bonding), Dunleavy unenthusiastically looking for Karish (seriously, she dawdles around for ages before she finds him) and lots of confusion on my part (why did she go to Middle Reach at all? why do they have to leave the weak Sources in their earth cave in the end? and so on and so on).

The best parts of the book are definitely the interactions between Dunleavy and Karish - I would have enjoyed more of their witty banter and their obvious chemistry. Overall, Karish was pretty one-dimensional, though, and I didn't especially like Dunleavy, which makes it unlikely, that I'll read the rest of the series.

2 stars instead of just 1, because after all, I finished the book. (less)

like · see review

Apr 28, 2013 Thenia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, fantasy, series

Not quite what I was expecting, but enjoyable nonetheless.

I will skip over the details, but in the world the story is set in there are natural disasters occurring frequently and people who can neutralize them, the Sources, and people who protect the Sources from dying while doing so, the Shields. The Sources and Shields make unbreakable, lifelong term bonds with one another, forming the bonded Pairs. Neither the Source nor the Shield have a say in who they bond with and that is the case with our...more

like · see review

Feb 20, 2011 Sally Linford rated it 4 of 5 stars

UPDATE: David informs me that my review is lean on real info about the book, for example . . . "Why would I want to read it?" So, here's a bone for those of you who like more of a teaser. (Don't worry, no spoilers.)

In this world of extremes, the population is constantly threatened by violent atmospheric events (earthquakes, floods, tsunamis). A few gifted people "Sources" are able to channel their mental resources to dispel these events, but left undefended, they die in the process without prot...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 22, 2009 CJ - Secret Charm rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, mystery-meets-supernatural, out-of-the-ordinary, sci-fi, women-detectives

I waited forever to read this book finally found it in the library and grabbed it immediately.

It was completely worth it. Two unlikely people learning to live, work and like each other (think Pride and Prejudice if only Darcy and Lizzie were permanently stuck together on the day of the ball and couldn't separate because it would result in either death or uselessness. I don't think they would get along so well either). Underlying that, Source Taro - reputation: playboy, hero and adventurer- is ta...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 22, 2009 Dorri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

A mildly entertaining first book. With an almost sweet naivety that could put off many reader. Especially if the reader is looking for a quirky fun read. This book is kind of dark and dim witted. But I wouldn't say that it was bad. It really did have the 'first book' syndrome.

The main character, Lee (Dunleavy Mallorough), was more naive than most three year olds I know. She comes off as almost a simpleton who is suddenly thrust into this role that she has supposedly prepaired for her whole life....more

like · see review

Jan 22, 2012 Jacob Proffitt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This book is done an active disservice by its cover. Even the cover copy is, at best, misleading. Dunleavy (sometimes Lee for short), the heroine, is a Shield and trained to service in a partnership that is inherently unequal. This much is true. But she is never subservient and the tone of the novel isn't nearly as light or farcical as the cover would have you believe.

Further, while Lee is unquestionably naieve and this book is largely about her growth and maturity and overcoming her (understand...more This book is done an active disservice by its cover. Even the cover copy is, at best, misleading. Dunleavy (sometimes Lee for short), the heroine, is a Shield and trained to service in a partnership that is inherently unequal. This much is true. But she is never subservient and the tone of the novel isn't nearly as light or farcical as the cover would have you believe.

Further, while Lee is unquestionably naieve and this book is largely about her growth and maturity and overcoming her (understandable) ignorance, she never feels weak or helpless. And while Karish is noble to the bone, he never abuses his exceptional abilities or considers himself above his company. Indeed, from the start of their partnership, he is ever the generous and considerate person Dunleavy refuses to believe he could possibly be.

I have two reservations in recommending this book, however, as much as I liked it and one is a spoiler, though not much of one. First, the attitude towards sex in the book is deeply inconsistent. I don't mean just that everyone seems inherently bisexual. I mean that sex seems to be an open expectation of even casual interest at the same time that the heroine's own sexual activity is completely absent. Throughout the novel, Lee's relationship with Aiden is a close one and based on obvious physical attraction. Yet we never get the sense that they are actually sexually active. Indeed, the one over-nighter depicted, Lee sleeps on the couch. There is no reason for that abstinance and it was kind of weird, really.

(view spoiler)

Reservations aside, I deeply enjoyed the book. Possibly because I identified rather strongly with Karish while never losing sympathy for Lee. The characters were strong, even when flawed, and the world is interesting. I'm definitely interested in further titles in the series.(less)

like · see review

Mar 10, 2009 Donna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I'd been putting this one off because the title and cover make it look like a romantic comedy, very possibly one of the often-terrible "girl fantasy heroine performs feats of greatness thought beyond her sex" variety.

Thankfully, it's not. It's a story about unlikely partners who have innate defensive magic that they use to protect their world from the constant threat of disaster.

It was a bit tough to get into, because there's a lot of exposition about the world and magic system right up front. T...more

like · see review

Dec 27, 2009 Anne Osterlund rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lee is absolutely ordinary. Well, except for the fact that she is a Shield (someone born with the unique ability to keep a Sword from dying when he or she channels the forces that cause natural disasters on Lee’s world). And the fact that Lee is particularly sensitive to music (not in a good way). And that she left her family before the age of ten to be prepared for the day, which happens to be today, that she will be bonded with a Sword.

A bond to someone she has never met. And a bond that will...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jun 27, 2009 Grace rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Grace by: Josh Keezer

Shelves: fiction, read-in-2009, science-fiction-fantasy

I don't usually read fantasy, but I will admit that I did request the sequel of this book from the library. Here's why - it was a phenomenal story line. Maybe I think so because I'm not well versed in fantasy novels or because it is an original story idea.

However, I wish that Moira J. Moore did a better job at executing her story line. Chapters didn't flow into the next as easily as they could have, which often shook me out of the narrative flow. I think she should have gone more into the world...more

like · see review

Jun 03, 2011 Sunhi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Sunhi by: The Book Smugglers

Shelves: fantasy

Look at that stupid silly cover. Look at that title. I know what you're thinking, because I thought it too. I'm sure that everyone who passes this novel in the bookstore thinks the same thing, if it's even on the shelves. "That's a comedic fantasy." Maybe you thought it was a childish Piers Anthony pun filled level of humor. Maybe you thought it more mature and sophisticated humor like Pratchett or Christopher Moore. I thought it looked incredibly silly myself and the copy on the back of the boo...more Look at that stupid silly cover. Look at that title. I know what you're thinking, because I thought it too. I'm sure that everyone who passes this novel in the bookstore thinks the same thing, if it's even on the shelves. "That's a comedic fantasy." Maybe you thought it was a childish Piers Anthony pun filled level of humor. Maybe you thought it more mature and sophisticated humor like Pratchett or Christopher Moore. I thought it looked incredibly silly myself and the copy on the back of the book didn't help matters. I read the back several times at the store and passed it by each damned time. Then, the bloggers started to chat about it and it seemed it wasn't a comedic fantasy at all and many of them seemed to either hate it or love it.

This novel is actually just plan old fantasy. And how you like it might depend upon how much you like the main character of Lee and how well you're willing to forgive her foibles and prejudices. As for me, I'm a forgiving sort when I like a main character, and I did.

When we're introduced to her, she's at the beginning of being forced into a permanent non-optional working relationship with a man whom has been the source of a lot of gossip, both positive and negative. Lee is an introverted, quiet, reliable, and naive person. She takes the gossip as gospel and it causes both her and Taro (a name I hated since I kept thinking of taro plants and now I will only be calling him Karish from here on in) a world of problems, further complicated by the fact that the two of them are both very good at their respective jobs. Yes, there are times I wanted to force Lee to see Karish for what he was. When she does make concessions and when she realizes that she is prejudiced, you can see her trying to force him into what she expects him to be, even though this is not to her advantage.

Humorously, the novel is really about the relationship (non-romantic) between these two people, but Karish spends a great deal of the novel out of commission, so it really comes down to Lee and her feelings about the relationship they have. Yes, there is a mystery and there is a villain, but the important meat of the novel is how Karish and Lee get along.

I felt the writing was a bit weak, in a tell don't show way, and I had given it a seven or eight in my head when I realized that I wasn't blogging about it or moving it off my GoodReads list because I kept enjoying picking it up to read a section from it again and I was enjoying it more than any of the other books that I was supposed to be reading. That says a lot to me. Mostly it says that I tried to buy the sequel at Barnes and Noble today and they didn't have it. Hello, library. Get me the next two, please!

Reviewed at: http://sunhibooks.blogspot.com/2011/0...(less)

like · see review

Sep 26, 2010 Jack rated it 5 of 5 stars

Thanks, Ken, for lending me all these "Moore" books! *LOL* They were all just what I needed to get me over my funk.

This one has a deeper plot than the John Moore books. What if space explorers come to a planet and find that the planet doesn't necessarily "like" them. What if some decide to leave and others stay behind, braving the natural disasters. What if they find that the "odd" people, the ones that "don't quite fit" or maybe say or do things that are just a little bit off are people who, wh...more

like · see review

Jul 09, 2012 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, owned-books, fiction

I love fantasy (which it appears to be), romance (which it also appears to be), personality conflicts and misunderstandings (which it appears to have), and conceited men (which Shintaro Karish simply must be). Appearances are deceptive sometime.

The fantasy's there certainly. Shintaro "Taro" Karish and Dunleavy "Lee" Mallorough are Source and Shield respectively--basically magic users, one an active channeler and the other the channeler's protector, who intervene with nature when frequent disaste...more I love fantasy (which it appears to be), romance (which it also appears to be), personality conflicts and misunderstandings (which it appears to have), and conceited men (which Shintaro Karish simply must be). Appearances are deceptive sometime.

The fantasy's there certainly. Shintaro "Taro" Karish and Dunleavy "Lee" Mallorough are Source and Shield respectively--basically magic users, one an active channeler and the other the channeler's protector, who intervene with nature when frequent disasters strike their geologically unstable locale. Pairs are bonded for life (and one's continued existence depends on the other's), but unfortunately they don't have so much choice in the matter of who their better half gets to be. Lee got stuck with Taro, which is absolutely the last thing she wanted. It's a perfect setup for a "meet cute" romance, but it's not because Lee just won't let it happen. We'll ignore the fact that Pairs aren't supposed to hook up. Lee just won't let it happen.

There are personality conflicts and misunderstandings to be sure. There's just not enough, or, rather, they're not reasoned enough or spectacular enough. The book is told from Lee's POV, and she really doesn't like Taro. The excellent reasons she must have for such animosity? Rumors. Rumors that are never substantiated by the text. Taro is nothing at all like the Gaston wannabe there on the cover. He'd never get Lee to shine his shoes (I don't think he'd ask even if Lee'd go for it, not that she would), and I can't even imagine him striking that pose. He's a nice guy who just happens to be wealthy and extra pretty. In short, he's an innocent victim of prejudice against the popular kid.

And yet I liked it quite a bit. It's an easy breezy book with an interesting but not brain taxing plot about trying to figure out why the natural disasters are increasing in one specific location. It's also quite witty at times. Lee can be delightfully sarcastic; she just needs to adjust her perception of reality to actually reflect realty. She is working on it, just slowly. (less)

like · see review

Jul 07, 2012 Mitticus added it

Shelves: 2012-readings, faraway-from-earth, paranormal-sci-fi

Heroina más egoista del mundo. No le encontré el humor por ningún lado, aunque se supone que lo es.

Un mundo asolado por desastres naturales necesita pares de personas especiales que son capaces de canalizar la energia y disiparla sin que cause daño a nadie (Source), y alguien que evite que al hacerlo termine friéndose el mismo (Shield). Estas parejas tienen un lazo de por vida (no es sexual, ni romantico, aunque puede serlo o bien se detestan), a tal grado que cuando uno muere el otro también.

A...more

like · see review

Jan 28, 2010 Writtenwyrdd rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, science-fantasy

What a fun fantasy read! Actually, this is technically science fantasy just as the Pern series is science fantasy, but it reads (like the first Pern books do) like straight fantasy.

The story's world is one where horrible natural disasters constantly threaten the human colonists. Long ago, however, a solution was found in the form of Sources, humans who can channel the energy of natural disaster and prevent them from occuring. To keep the Sources from death or going insane from channeling, there...more

like · see review

Nov 26, 2008 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dunleavy Mallorough has prepared for years to be a Shield, and it's finally the big day, when she will be Chosen (hopefully) by the Source she will be paired with for life. Together Source and Shield are a bonded Pair, who work together to keep their world safe from the natural disasters that beset it.

To Dunleavy's chagrin, she is Chosen by the Source she finds unbearable: the fabled Shintaro Karish, who is not only handsome and noble-born, but popular, self-assured and heroic. Lee wants to do...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 15, 2013 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: research-for-book, 5-star, adventure, fantasy, funny, girl-saves-love, hate-first, reread-able, kindle, to-reread, unusual

I LOVE this book. It is such a breath off fresh air from the other books I have been reading lately.

I really like the characters, the world, the plot, everything. I love the way the narration is done, and it is inhanced by Lee's thoughts which contridict what she says and are hilarious.

This book is so refreshing in so many ways.

The chemistry between Lee and Taro is just electric. There is a give and take that is funny to watch and makes the story a page turner, at least for me. I would highlight...more

like · see review

Jan 28, 2012 Lix Hewett rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this! It took a while to get going and I could have done with a little less exposition of the historical variety in the first chapter, but it was good once it found its groove. I found the plot engrossing and complicated enough that even though some things were obviously suspicious I wasn't entirely sure how it was all connected, and I really loved Dunleavy. I hope the rest of the series shows Karish as a more three-dimensional person, though, because in this book he was sort of - blan...more

like · see review

Jan 25, 2012 Coucher de soleil rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-read

I enjoyed this one. While not the most profound novel ever writen, it was well done and good fun.

I enjoyed the two main characters, who seemed mismatched at first but wound up getting along *quite* well by the end (and who saved the day along the way). The world building was well-done enough to satisfy and the adventure was believable and interesting.

I will admit that the main character did annoy me once or twice with her initial (and unfair) high degree of prejudice towards her partner, but I...more

like · see review

Sep 05, 2009 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

"Judge not a book by its cover". How many times has any book lover said that quote to her or himself over their years of reading? Unfortunately, I did pass on this particular book just based on the cover. The illustration did not even draw me in enough to pick it up and read the plot summary on the back. However, a book review in Library Journal gave suggestions on other books similar to the one critiqued. One of the suggested titles was Resenting the Hero. So I found some online reviews about t...more "Judge not a book by its cover". How many times has any book lover said that quote to her or himself over their years of reading? Unfortunately, I did pass on this particular book just based on the cover. The illustration did not even draw me in enough to pick it up and read the plot summary on the back. However, a book review in Library Journal gave suggestions on other books similar to the one critiqued. One of the suggested titles was Resenting the Hero. So I found some online reviews about the book and saw that cover again. But the bibliophile's mantra was being chanted in the back of my brain ("Judge not..., Judge not...")and I decided to read the book despite its lackluster jacket.

What a great story! The "magic" part of this fantasy world is found in the form of Sources and Shields. Dunleavy is a Shield who has been trained at her academy to protect her Source. Shintaro is a Source who has been trained to channel the forces in their world so that natural disasters do not occur. Each Source needs a Shield, so each year Sources are brought to a Match ceremony to see if any Shields will be able to bond with them.

Looks like Taro and Lee may turn out to one of the best pairings of their year. The only thing? Lee knows all about Taro's reputation. Full of charm, with a winning smile and the fact that he is the second in line for a dukedom has made Shintaro VERY popular. He can make friends easily and tends to party with them way too often. Dunleavy however comes from a merchant family and has a natural tendency to be quiet and reticent. The kind of traits that her training reinforced. She had been hoping for a Source that would allow her to make a living without being noticed and maybe garner a little praise now and then. With Taro, that will now be impossible, since things tend to happen when he is around. (Here is where the "Resenting the Hero" bit comes in, because Taro tends to be in the right place at the right time when bigger disasters occur and he can circumvent them easily).

Their first assignment is one of the more active sights in the world that already has six other pairs handling the disasters. They work in shifts because whirlwinds and earthquakes tend to happen at odd intervals. High Scape is no place for a newly partnered Source and Shield to be, but Taro and Lee go as bid by the Source and Shield Service.

Once they get there not everything is as it seems. And why does someone want Shintaro dead?

If you are looking for something in the fantasy genre that does not involve convoluted plot lines, numerous characters with multiple agendas that are impossible to follow or worlds with overly complex magic systems, Moore's Resenting the Hero is for you.

Very Recommended.

(less)

like · see review

Aug 17, 2010 Meredith rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this - it's a light, fun read. Not particularly earth-shattering as far as fantasy goes, but it's got enough of a new take on magic (the source and shield system) to be intriguing, and the characters are enjoyable and well-written. The main character, Lee, is both sarcastic and in some ways totally insensitive. It's funny, but it also begins to grate after awhile. She reminded me a little bit of an early-season Toph from A:TLA. I also did not understand some of the relationship dynamic...more

like · see review

title link	preview: Resenting the Hero
avg rating	preview: Resenting the Hero Goodreads rating: 3.65 (1864 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/987507.Resenting_the_Hero?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309282213l/987507.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/987507.Resenting_the_Hero?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Resenting the Hero by Moira J. Moore[/url]

Resenting the Hero (Hero #1)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Moira J. Moore

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Resenting the Hero

Quotes from Resenting the Hero