Like a Hero

by Michael J. Bowler

Courage can be costly. Orphaned brothers Vincent and Dennis Villanueva learn the truth of those words when they create a masked crime fighter and turn him loose on Los Angeles. The brainchild of fourteen-year-old Dennis and embodied in twenty-one-year-old Vincent, “Invictus” hits the streets to jumpstart apathetic Angelenos into taking a more active role in their city.

But reality isn’t a comic book. Vincent finds poverty, homelessness, drug addiction, abuse, and cast-off children. Labeled a vigilante and criminal, the shy grad student with formidable martial arts talent and abysmal people skills soon doubts his ability to make an impact.

Forced to straddle an ambiguous line between moral and legal, he becomes disheartened and secretive, hiding the truth of what he’s doing from Dennis and driving a wedge between them. Feeling neglected, Dennis infiltrates a dangerous drug ring to show Vincent he can be just as heroic, not knowing that the woman in charge is weaving an insidious plot against Invictus as part of her citywide scheme of vengeance. In a race against time, Vincent must regain Dennis’s trust before he loses the brother he loves.

343 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2024

About the author

Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author who grew up in Northern California. He majored in English/Theatre at Santa Clara University, earned a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential in English from LMU, and a master’s in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Michael taught high school in Hawthorne, California for many years, both in general education and students with disabilities. When Michael is not writing you can find him volunteering as a youth mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, volunteering within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles, or caring for his newly adopted son. He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, and hopes his books can show young people they are not alone in their struggles.

You can find Michael at:
Website: www.michaeljbowler.com
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Michael-J.-Bowler/e/B0...
Facebook: www.facebook.com/michaeljbowlerauthor
Twitter: twitter.com/BradleyWallaceM
tumblr: michaeljbowler.tumblr.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/michaelbowler
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stuntshark
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2NX...

Reviews

[READER VIEWS]

“Like a Hero: Courage Can be Costly” by Michael J. Bowler is the first book of The Invictus Chronicles. This genre-busting superhero novel defies succinct description. Probably the best way to describe this creative work is to call it a graphic novel without graphics. But that sounds like I’m selling this story short. In fact, I’m giving high praise to the author for producing such a stunning effect in my brain as I read this story, that my mind created the scenes in graphic novel style. Normally when I read a book, my mind provides live-action-style scenes like sections of “video” in my head as the action evolves in print. Instead, as I read this immersive novel, it was as though a high-quality graphic novelist had free rein in my brain. Amazing.

This novel focuses on two young brothers, 21-year-old Vincent and 14-year-old Dennis. Their parents were tragically killed, and the brothers now live alone in the family home, watched over by neighbors James and Linda, who love them as their own. James was also the long-time partner of the boys’ father as they served together in the local police department.

Vincent is a good student, strong, organized, and a loving big brother. Dennis was cut from different cloth. Dennis is highly creative, a poet with strong emotions, and dreams of becoming a graphic novelist. Dennis creates Invictus, a superhero modeled in many ways after his big bro, whom he idolizes. This is where the fun comes in. The character, Invictus, has no actual superpowers. He’s more like Batman, relying on wit, strength, and great gadgets. He’s also excellent at martial arts. In the way only a younger sibling could convince an older, wiser one, Dennis persuades Vincent to become Invictus.

This was when I knew I was in the presence of a great work. Dennis titled his superhero after the poem, Invictus by William Ernest Henley. Invictus, Latin for unconquered, defines the best attributes of these young men. The adversity they faced does not rule them; they have no desire to lie down and become victims of society. They will keep their heads unbowed, as the poem proudly states:

My head is bloody, but unbowed….

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul.

These young men are undefeated by their circumstances, and they will not allow that mindset to overtake them.

Wow.

I could write pages more about how inspiring Dennis and Vincent are. But there’s so much more to share. The boys are not the only amazing characters here. James and Linda provide strength, stability, wisdom, and positivity to the brothers in their roles as “foster parents.” Then there are the people Vincent meets as he patrols the streets as Invictus. He’s looking for crimes to stop and criminals to catch. But what and who Invictus finds on the street is much more than he expected. He meets the homeless, hungry, poor, and disenfranchised. He develops a warm friendship with two young boys. Joe sells himself on the street to survive. He prefers to live in this manner rather than face the abuse he previously suffered. Franky is a little guy who goes out into the street to buy drugs for his mother. He’s also addicted thanks to his mom. Many nights, Franky sleeps on the street because it’s safer than home.

These characters and others wrapped me up in their world completely. The storyline the author unravels through these personalities is intense, raw, heart-breaking, and gritty. It’s also tender, sweet, thought-provoking, and astounding. As the plot builds steam and heads toward a mind-numbing conclusion, the reader is completely caught in the maelstrom. How do you make a difference when there’s so much evil, and even some of the good guys are against you?

Invictus, with the help of Dennis coordinating from home with a police scanner, begins to make a difference on the streets. But not everyone is happy. The police want to stop Invictus, who they believe is endangering the lives of others with his “vigilante justice.” The drug dealers want to stop him because he’s killing their profits. James and Linda want to stop him because they’re appropriately terrified for him. Even Vincent himself reaches a point where he’s ready to give up the Invictus concept. He’s discovered courage can be costly.

As I struggled with the dilemmas presented to the boys, I also struggled with more mundane issues. My “mom voice” kept uttering in the background— things like, “this is a bad concept for young minds to consider” and “why does there have to be cussing in a YA book?” I kept thinking that I loved the story but had genuine concerns. By the time I reached the end, all my worries were vanquished. Yes, it’s graphic, raw, and violent. It has some coarse language. It feels real. It also deals with big issues in adult ways.

This story does have the feel of a graphic novel. The characters do some amazing things that are outside the bounds of plausible sometimes. For a graphic novel, that’s acceptable. If it bothers you as a reader, however, please consider that when choosing this book.

Fans of superhero novels, good-vs-evil stories, and action/adventure books will find much to love in “Like a Hero: Courage Can be Costly” by Michael J. Bowler. So will readers of graphic novels. This book isn’t just for teen/young adult readers in my mind. I loved this story and heartily recommend it for adults as well.

[Dallas Vinson]

What IS a hero? Dictionary.com defines it as: “a person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal”

But that is NOT how Invictus sees himself.

Society is crumbling to ruins because there is no longer any feeling of community. Laws no longer protect the citizens, but rather keep them crushed beneath the heels of the rich and powerful.

Following the tragic death of their parents, Dennis and Vincent set out to improve the city of Angels by bringing back a sense of community where the citizens help each other, each giving back and helping those less fortunate than themselves.

Will their dream become a reality, or will they get crushed under the boot heels of those who oppress the less fortunate?

-Dallas

[LitPick Book Reviews]

Michael J. Bowler comes into the limelight again with a sensational new series book; The Invictus Chronicles. The first book of the Chronicles, titled Like A Hero, was an intense read.

After the tragic deaths of their parents, fourteen-year-old Dennis Villanueva—also the brainchild who created the fictional super hero, Invictus, convinced his brother, "Vincent,” to help create Invictus and to actually become Invictus at night. Vincent Villanueva, a PhD, bound twenty-one-year-old who had just been chosen for a prestigious brain research position at UCLA, was unable to refuse his brother's plea, and so the double life started. However, when Invictus made his first appearance at a shootout during Dennis’s graduation, the government protested his interference while the public supported it.

Fortunately, the brothers were not affected by the terrible reaction from the government but were spurred on to save more lives from danger. Vincent, an expert in martial arts, displayed his skills through the Invictus disguise, while Dennis helped keep track of the calls for help, relaying these calls to his brother Vincent and then watching out for the police and for any attempt they made to catch Invictus (Vincent). On one fateful night, when Invictus met Joe—a homeless fourteen-year-old boy who ran away from home because of his sexuality and Frankie—a ten-year-old boy addicted to drugs, both brothers' lives were permanently altered. However, Invictus did not have the heart to tell Dennis about the meeting since he did not want him to feel left out. When Dennis finds out that Joe and Frankie have taken his place as support for Invictus, Dennis becomes jealous since he always saw himself as his brother's sidekick. In the meantime, while Invictus is out on the streets at night, he learns of an Asian drug ring that sells a different kind of substance to non-Asians.

The story takes a terrible turn when Invictus tries to infiltrate the Asian drug ring without Dennis, thus—driving Dennis to secretly join the ring to gather information that will impress his brother without his knowledge.

What the brothers do not realize is that they are part of a larger conspiracy. Will Vincent/Invictus be able to save his brother and himself before it is too late? And was Vincent's status “Like A Hero” worth it in the end?

Opinion:
Like A Hero is the dream book of every action book lover. The novel grips your attention, heart, and mind because it was like being in a racing car speeding towards the finish line. The emotions felt are almost indescribable. It was mostly about family, about how humanity would still prevail even when all hope is gone and about finding your purpose. The novel—a simply marvelous read, was a combination of an action-packed story and an emotionally inspiring mood.

Michael J. Bowler went all out on the first book of the Invictus Chronicles as it is incomparable to every action book I have ever read. The characters each had unique characteristics that we see in our daily lives which makes the book relatable. Vincent—a human who despite his insecurities, went out in disguise at night to do his part in the world while Dennis, the genius behind the idea, still needed validation from his brother. The author’s writing style is the most admirable of all, as he perfectly weaves the truth about our world, the importance of family or those like family, and inspiration on how a little help goes a long way, with action-thriller scenes that make you hold your breath.

Bowler achieved his purpose in the novel because the title which says, “Like A Hero” resonates with the happenings in the book. The characters, mostly the main characters, acted both like a hero and not like a hero because they were everyday humans with no superpowers; different, in the aspect of helping the world in every means. The book has an amazingly, comfortable cliffhanger; not intense but the ending worked its magic to calm a reader’s racing heart and pushes you to appreciate the world anew.

The novel had no weaknesses but instead weakened the reader’s tear ducts because it was a real tearjerker. It is highly recommended to action-thriller fans or a normal reader from age 12+. I learned that even the strongest person you know will still have emotions when life becomes overwhelming, and that kindness must be practiced. Throughout the book, Bowler emphasized the importance of letting yourself feel, acknowledging the love you have for your loved ones, and helping people whenever you can. I hope after you read this book, you take a deep breath and start spreading your light to the world; and when your light starts to get tired, just remember that there are people to fall back on who will help rekindle that bright burning light. Like A Hero; the first book in The Invictus Chronicles has a rating of 5 out of 5.

[Teresa]

Title: Like a Hero
Author: Michael J. Bowler
Publisher: Michael J. Bowler
ISBN: 978-1-7333290-2-6
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Like-Hero-Invi...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Invictus Chronicles 1
Courage can be costly. Orphaned brothers Vincent and Dennis Villanueva learn the truth of those words when they create a masked crime fighter and turn him loose on Los Angeles. The brainchild of fourteen-year-old Dennis and embodied in twenty-one-year-old Vincent, “Invictus” hits the streets to jumpstart apathetic Angelenos into taking a more active role in their city.

But reality isn’t a comic book. Vincent finds poverty, homelessness, drug addiction, abuse, and cast-off children. Labeled a vigilante and criminal, the shy grad student with formidable martial arts talent and abysmal people skills soon doubts his ability to make an impact.

Forced to straddle an ambiguous line between moral and legal, he becomes disheartened and secretive, hiding the truth of what he’s doing from Dennis and driving a wedge between them. Feeling neglected, Dennis infiltrates a dangerous drug ring to show Vincent he can be just as heroic, not knowing that the woman in charge is weaving an insidious plot against Invictus as part of her citywide scheme of vengeance. In a race against time, Vincent must regain Dennis’s trust before the brother he loves is lost to him forever.
Total Score: 5/5

Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel

Summary:
Vincent and Dennis’s lives changed forever when they lost their parents. Vincent spent most of his time working on his experiments with little understanding of the needs of his younger brother. Dennis lived his life believing in the good in people and that belief led him to creating a cartoon character Invictus. But he did much more than that when he brought it to life with Vincent becoming Invictus.
Now Vincent had lived a sheltered life until he went out to help anyone who needed him on the streets of Los Angeles. He encountered everything you would expect; homelessness, apathy, drugs, and dangers from not only the perp, but also the police.

On his journey Invictus meets Frankie, a young child whose mother has him strung out on drug when all he wants is somewhere to belong and Joe, a teen who left to live on the streets because it was safer than home. What Vincent learns challenges everything he believed as he fights to save the homeless and hopefully inspire others to follow his lead.

Dennis is determined to find his own way, but he has no idea of the dangers that Vincent has faced.

This was an inspiring story about friendship, love and second chances.

[Literary Reviewer]

Like a Hero by Micheal J Bowler is an exciting story that follows the life of a superhero named Invictus, the brainchild of two young brothers who want to make the world a better place. However, only the older brother can wear the suit and fight the bad guys, the other must stay at home and man the police radio. Readers are first introduced to the hero of our story as he saves a group of classmates from a flaming helicopter. As tensions rise between the boys, the youngest brother struggles to resist the siren song of the criminal underworld.

Offering a fun twist on the genre, Like A Hero incorporates classic superhero staples whilst maintaining a fresh and interesting take. The author draws upon his background working in the juvenile justice system to explore how societal expectations of class, race and sexuality can impact young people’s lives. Invictus himself possess no superpowers, he is simply fueled by the boy’s ambition to remedy the injustices they see happening to the vulnerable people in their community. Though tackling dark themes, it is an uplifting young adult novel about sensitive characters striving to leave the world better than how they found it.

This action adventure novel would be an exciting read for teenage audiences, especially those who struggle with the themes described. Like a Hero has a lot of heart, exciting action, and a genuine message. It is clear that the author is passionate about the ideas he explores in his work because it is felt in the story.