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Hero-Type
Everyone is treating Kevin as a hero. He was in the right place and the right time and he saved a girl from being murdered. Only Kevin knows though, why he was able to save her. Things get even more complicated when Kevin is seen removing two patriotic “Support the Troops” ribbons from his car bumper. Now the town that lauded him as a hero turns on him, calling him unpatriotic.
Kevin, who hadn't thought much about patriotism up to then, becomes politically engaged, suddenly questioning what exactly supporting the troops or even saying the pledge of allegiance every day means. His unpopular opinions bring up his father's questionable past and ostracize him from his classmates and the community. As Kevin struggles to refine his opinions, he also questions his relationship with his estranged mother in California as well as with the Catholic Church.
Kevin, who hadn't thought much about patriotism up to then, becomes politically engaged, suddenly questioning what exactly supporting the troops or even saying the pledge of allegiance every day means. His unpopular opinions bring up his father's questionable past and ostracize him from his classmates and the community. As Kevin struggles to refine his opinions, he also questions his relationship with his estranged mother in California as well as with the Catholic Church.
295 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2008
23 people are currently reading
1422 people want to read
About the author
Barry Lyga
73 books2,203 followersBarry Lyga is a recovering comic book geek. According to Kirkus, he's also a "YA rebel-author." Somehow, the two just don't seem to go together to him.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
August 31, 2014
Okay, I am going to try my best to be fair with this book. Try is the key word in that sentence. You know how you come on my blog and sort of expect happy 5 rose rate reviews? Well, here you go, I am human - I'm giving this book 1/5 roses.
What drove me to turn this audiobook off half-way through it? (I am the type that usually plugs through a book at this point...)
I'm going to list them because it makes me feel better.
1. Main character is a hero because he is a stalker. And I really just would have been satisfied if he had admitted that very frankly. But no, he has to beat around the bush.
2. Point of View - I'm sorry, when you have a completely dull pimpled teenage boy who is a stalker and constantly talks down to himself in his head... I just can't handle that.
3. The only interesting parts were left out. Like, why was his dad discharged from the army? Just leaves you hanging and not in the way that keeps you reading to find out. No, the information just seems drop out. The main character finds out, but you don't.
4. The distraction plot. I felt like there was this weird separation between Kevin's obsession with videotaping Leah and his newer obsession with freedom of speech - started to impress Leah and then turning into a monster of its own.
5. The lack of positive female characters. Leah is an object, not a young woman in Kevin's mind. Flip's girlfriend is only around because Flip likes having sex with her. She has some better qualities but Kevin thinks of her as Flip's girlfriend, not as a person. Kevin's mom divorces Kevin's dad, loses weight, becomes a lesbian and forces Kevin to choose who he should live with - his dad or his mom and little brother. Kevin chooses his dad - and his mother and brother move states away to California. She doesn't call him unless he calls first.
Any redeeming qualities?
Not for me, but I can see guys getting into this book. As a girl it just didn't appeal and I often yelled at the CD player in the car for Kevin to admit his stalker-ness. To quote me "You're a stalker, repeat after me - STALKER". But no, there can be cursing, drugs and references to sex but he can't bloody call himself a stalker - he's just "a bad person". Lame.
I think it's also Lyga's style that I just can't get into. I could barely get through Fanboy and Gothgirl by him - and I could relate to some of the issues in that book.
So, sorry Barry, but I had to give up on this one or I might have damaged library materials
What drove me to turn this audiobook off half-way through it? (I am the type that usually plugs through a book at this point...)
I'm going to list them because it makes me feel better.
1. Main character is a hero because he is a stalker. And I really just would have been satisfied if he had admitted that very frankly. But no, he has to beat around the bush.
2. Point of View - I'm sorry, when you have a completely dull pimpled teenage boy who is a stalker and constantly talks down to himself in his head... I just can't handle that.
3. The only interesting parts were left out. Like, why was his dad discharged from the army? Just leaves you hanging and not in the way that keeps you reading to find out. No, the information just seems drop out. The main character finds out, but you don't.
4. The distraction plot. I felt like there was this weird separation between Kevin's obsession with videotaping Leah and his newer obsession with freedom of speech - started to impress Leah and then turning into a monster of its own.
5. The lack of positive female characters. Leah is an object, not a young woman in Kevin's mind. Flip's girlfriend is only around because Flip likes having sex with her. She has some better qualities but Kevin thinks of her as Flip's girlfriend, not as a person. Kevin's mom divorces Kevin's dad, loses weight, becomes a lesbian and forces Kevin to choose who he should live with - his dad or his mom and little brother. Kevin chooses his dad - and his mother and brother move states away to California. She doesn't call him unless he calls first.
Any redeeming qualities?
Not for me, but I can see guys getting into this book. As a girl it just didn't appeal and I often yelled at the CD player in the car for Kevin to admit his stalker-ness. To quote me "You're a stalker, repeat after me - STALKER". But no, there can be cursing, drugs and references to sex but he can't bloody call himself a stalker - he's just "a bad person". Lame.
I think it's also Lyga's style that I just can't get into. I could barely get through Fanboy and Gothgirl by him - and I could relate to some of the issues in that book.
So, sorry Barry, but I had to give up on this one or I might have damaged library materials
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
November 26, 2024added this to my tbr because I saw my crush reading it 😜😜
December 26, 2010
Okay, so it's 10:51 Christmas night, I just finished reading a totally different book, and I actually finished this one a few weeks ago - but still I feel it warrants a review.
Oh, and this is my first real review since my brother basically forced me into the other reviews that I have posted on here.
Enough with the jibber jabber and on with the review... jabber...
This book by far is one of the better ones I've picked up in a while. I tend to only read things that are entertaining and not books that actually educate me - I avoided education like the plague when I was in school, I'm not going to willingly partake in it now that I've somehow miraculously graduated - but this one managed to sneak up and teach me some stuff. Now I need a shower to wash off all the knowledge.
I guess this is where I should warn you about possible spoilers. I don't know if I'll actually reveal anything, but just in case - here's your warning.
The book starts off with the typical idea of a storyline of the "unlikely hero" mold, but slightly different because it picks up after the inciting incident and follows the hero's rise to glory. We spend a good portion of the book finding out what exactly occurred to bring fame and glory to said hero, and why he doesn't feel he deserves it and him wrestling with his feelings of guilt and yadda yadda yadda.
Then, a few short pages in, he commits a seemingly innocuous (I think that's the word I'm looking for - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong or ream me out or whatever) act that gets blown bigger than life and he's made out to be a villain, and we spend a great deal of the book reading about him defending himself.
So while I signed up to read a book about an unlikely hero (a standard feel-good kick-back-and-relax book), I'm suddenly caught up in a storyline about a kid coming to terms with his own demons, coming into his own as a man, standing up for what he believes in, fighting mob mentality, and all the while learning a lot about the documents that founded America.
Seriously - this was some real head scratching material here.
Honestly it's very well written and has a lot of legitimate information about the bill of rights and the constitution all wrapped up in a narration that kept me entertained and flipping pages.
My brother is the history buff - I never really liked the subject. I never would have thought you'd get me to willingly pick up a book that could teach me social sciences and read it. I would have laughed if you would have told me that I would like it.
But I did like it. I liked it quite a bit. And that - I think - is quite an accomplishment.
Oh, and this is my first real review since my brother basically forced me into the other reviews that I have posted on here.
Enough with the jibber jabber and on with the review... jabber...
This book by far is one of the better ones I've picked up in a while. I tend to only read things that are entertaining and not books that actually educate me - I avoided education like the plague when I was in school, I'm not going to willingly partake in it now that I've somehow miraculously graduated - but this one managed to sneak up and teach me some stuff. Now I need a shower to wash off all the knowledge.
I guess this is where I should warn you about possible spoilers. I don't know if I'll actually reveal anything, but just in case - here's your warning.
The book starts off with the typical idea of a storyline of the "unlikely hero" mold, but slightly different because it picks up after the inciting incident and follows the hero's rise to glory. We spend a good portion of the book finding out what exactly occurred to bring fame and glory to said hero, and why he doesn't feel he deserves it and him wrestling with his feelings of guilt and yadda yadda yadda.
Then, a few short pages in, he commits a seemingly innocuous (I think that's the word I'm looking for - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong or ream me out or whatever) act that gets blown bigger than life and he's made out to be a villain, and we spend a great deal of the book reading about him defending himself.
So while I signed up to read a book about an unlikely hero (a standard feel-good kick-back-and-relax book), I'm suddenly caught up in a storyline about a kid coming to terms with his own demons, coming into his own as a man, standing up for what he believes in, fighting mob mentality, and all the while learning a lot about the documents that founded America.
Seriously - this was some real head scratching material here.
Honestly it's very well written and has a lot of legitimate information about the bill of rights and the constitution all wrapped up in a narration that kept me entertained and flipping pages.
My brother is the history buff - I never really liked the subject. I never would have thought you'd get me to willingly pick up a book that could teach me social sciences and read it. I would have laughed if you would have told me that I would like it.
But I did like it. I liked it quite a bit. And that - I think - is quite an accomplishment.
August 17, 2010
4.5 stars.
After reading this I have to say that Barry Lyga is a breath of fresh air. He is a Young Adult Author who should be treasured. His books have something to say, to make you think. He takes on almost unlikable characters, but turns them into your hero and makes you root for them whole-heartedly.
'Hero-type' is not at all what I expected it to be, in fact it was better.
This book is a tribute to soldiers everywhere, although I think some would read it and think otherwise considering our 'hero' defends the right to burn a flag. I know it sounds a little off, but he is defending our freedom of speech, our right to the first amendment. He states that simply owning a ribbon or a flag pin does not make you a supporter of our troops, it takes more. Donating, having fundraisers, care packages. He talks about the difference in saying you love your country and actually proving it. It's such a simple concept, but which ever side of the coin you reside it's easy to upset the other side with the wrong choice of words.
Note: If you have not read "The astonishing adventures of fanboy and gothgirl" you should do so. This author should be way more popular. He's in his own playing field.
After reading this I have to say that Barry Lyga is a breath of fresh air. He is a Young Adult Author who should be treasured. His books have something to say, to make you think. He takes on almost unlikable characters, but turns them into your hero and makes you root for them whole-heartedly.
'Hero-type' is not at all what I expected it to be, in fact it was better.
This book is a tribute to soldiers everywhere, although I think some would read it and think otherwise considering our 'hero' defends the right to burn a flag. I know it sounds a little off, but he is defending our freedom of speech, our right to the first amendment. He states that simply owning a ribbon or a flag pin does not make you a supporter of our troops, it takes more. Donating, having fundraisers, care packages. He talks about the difference in saying you love your country and actually proving it. It's such a simple concept, but which ever side of the coin you reside it's easy to upset the other side with the wrong choice of words.
Note: If you have not read "The astonishing adventures of fanboy and gothgirl" you should do so. This author should be way more popular. He's in his own playing field.
Read
December 24, 2022I am cleaning out some old books I got through the years, and reading the ones I never read.
This book came out in 2008. It is now 2022. That is 14 years. That as if, if I read a book as a senior in high school myself in 1982 that was written in 1968. Because this book feels like a lifetime ago.
From everyone "supporting the troops" (Oh, I remember it well) to the absolute sexist way Kevin talks about Leah, it just feels like forever ago. But now let me turn this on its ear.
How refreshing to get a wildly unsympathetic character in Kevin. Because that room does not exist now in YA literature. Of the last BFYA list, only 2 books were by men and about male straight Cis characters. And both of those were romances. Not to say that we don't need diversity. We sure do. But where are the new Barry Lygas, or John Greens, or Tim Tharps or Chris Crutchers? Is there no room for them?
Food for thought.
This book came out in 2008. It is now 2022. That is 14 years. That as if, if I read a book as a senior in high school myself in 1982 that was written in 1968. Because this book feels like a lifetime ago.
From everyone "supporting the troops" (Oh, I remember it well) to the absolute sexist way Kevin talks about Leah, it just feels like forever ago. But now let me turn this on its ear.
How refreshing to get a wildly unsympathetic character in Kevin. Because that room does not exist now in YA literature. Of the last BFYA list, only 2 books were by men and about male straight Cis characters. And both of those were romances. Not to say that we don't need diversity. We sure do. But where are the new Barry Lygas, or John Greens, or Tim Tharps or Chris Crutchers? Is there no room for them?
Food for thought.
March 9, 2014
This book haunts my freaking nightmares.
I seriously wish someone could just erase the memories I have.
So our main characters name is Kevin but his friends call him Kross. He saves this chick Leah because as he claims he was at the right place at the right time. Because of this everyone now want to be friends with him.
Of course because he "saved" someones life from a serial killer/and possible raping media and news reporters are all interested in his story. That is until he throws away a magnetic troops sticker for the car the mayor gave Kross a deal on because his dad told him too. Thing is because he's a celebrity a sleazy reporter takes a picture of him and says that Kross is unpatriotic turning him from hero to zero.
At first he's sorry then it turns into a giant thing where the kids at school all hate him and he's telling people that they shouldn't say the pledge allegiance of independence.
And then
My issues-
Why the hell does it matter he threw away a magnet, and should anyone really care that this teenage "hero" threw away a sticker without the full story. It just immediately jumps to him being unpatriotic.
How everyone is angry at him because of this, seriously the entire problem about the magnet is just plain dumb.
I suppose there is a better message, one that you should know what your doing and not just doing it and there's an element of free speech. Respecting a choice. I can appreciate this but the book is lost on me. I find it slow and the plot has so many things i consider unrealistic to this particular book.
I seriously wish someone could just erase the memories I have.
So our main characters name is Kevin but his friends call him Kross. He saves this chick Leah because as he claims he was at the right place at the right time. Because of this everyone now want to be friends with him.
Of course because he "saved" someones life from a serial killer/and possible raping media and news reporters are all interested in his story. That is until he throws away a magnetic troops sticker for the car the mayor gave Kross a deal on because his dad told him too. Thing is because he's a celebrity a sleazy reporter takes a picture of him and says that Kross is unpatriotic turning him from hero to zero.
At first he's sorry then it turns into a giant thing where the kids at school all hate him and he's telling people that they shouldn't say the pledge allegiance of independence.
And then
My issues-
Why the hell does it matter he threw away a magnet, and should anyone really care that this teenage "hero" threw away a sticker without the full story. It just immediately jumps to him being unpatriotic.
How everyone is angry at him because of this, seriously the entire problem about the magnet is just plain dumb.
I suppose there is a better message, one that you should know what your doing and not just doing it and there's an element of free speech. Respecting a choice. I can appreciate this but the book is lost on me. I find it slow and the plot has so many things i consider unrealistic to this particular book.
April 19, 2010
Kevin is a hero. He saved a popular girl, Leah, from getting raped and murdered, and if that wasn't good enough, the person he saved her from is a serial killer. So, Kevin went from a fool that tried to not really get noticed to the center of attention. In school, everyone wants to be his friend and sit next to him. He is even given a pretty good deal on a car from the mayor of the town, who also owns the car dealership. Only, Kevin doesn't feel like a hero. Actually, he is keeping a secret that makes him feel worse every time his heroism is brought up. To make matters worse, a local reporter catches him throwing away two magnetic patriotic ribbons off of the back of his car when Kevin's father tells him to. This reporter turns Kevin into a villain. Kevin is all of a sudden everyone's enemy because they believe that he is not patriotic. Instead of coming clean and just saying that his dad made him do it, Kevin takes hold of this new image and brings about a debate about free speech. Not only does Kevin have to deal with this new villain treatment, but he also has to deal with the secret that he is keeping, and his mom wants him to move to California away from his dad.
I usually like Barry Lyga, but I just did not get into this book. There were too many issues that were happening at one time and I don't believe that any of them were written well enough for me to grip onto and struggle through with the main character. Lyga may have shared what was going on, but it was not done in a way that I cared about. I think part of the problem is that I just never really cared about Kevin. I could relate to him from time to time, but he wasn't a character that I liked. The challenges that Kevin goes through in order to find his identity and what is important to him are not gripping. The secret that he struggles with is easy to figure out within a few pages of the story and it probably turns me off to the character as a whole. All in all, I really think that Lyga was trying to do too much with this novel and because of that he barely scratches the surface of each topic making this book shallow and not worth the extended amount of time it took me to read it.
I gave it a 2/5 stars. I finished it and it was written by a great author, but I don't recommend it and I would not read it again.
I usually like Barry Lyga, but I just did not get into this book. There were too many issues that were happening at one time and I don't believe that any of them were written well enough for me to grip onto and struggle through with the main character. Lyga may have shared what was going on, but it was not done in a way that I cared about. I think part of the problem is that I just never really cared about Kevin. I could relate to him from time to time, but he wasn't a character that I liked. The challenges that Kevin goes through in order to find his identity and what is important to him are not gripping. The secret that he struggles with is easy to figure out within a few pages of the story and it probably turns me off to the character as a whole. All in all, I really think that Lyga was trying to do too much with this novel and because of that he barely scratches the surface of each topic making this book shallow and not worth the extended amount of time it took me to read it.
I gave it a 2/5 stars. I finished it and it was written by a great author, but I don't recommend it and I would not read it again.
March 9, 2015
The path to hell is paved with good intentions. I feel that is quite true of this novel.
It's clear that Barry Lyga was told a moving story, or bore witness to a particular event or trend, and so felt compelled to write this book. It's basically a little tome that's trying to make us think about our attitudes and our actions when it comes to soldiers and the war effort. The problem is that the narrator, and the story, aren't all that interesting.
For starters, Kevin Ross, the narrator and subject of this novel, is dull. This is due in large part to Lyga's prose, which sounds very much like a middle-aged man trying to sound like a 15 year old boy. "But of course I didn't say that. Duh." And so on. He's someone that's very hard to care about, which is a huge problem - you need to be able to root for this guy given what he's up against. As it was, I was so distanced from him that I didn't much care what happened - he's so annoying at times that you actually want him to get beat down. Also, his friends, who are supposed to be lovable misfits, are just annoying little idiots. Only 'Fam' comes out of it feeling like an actual person, and don't get me started on the scene where Kevin ('Kross' to his friends) wonders if Fam wants her to kiss him. It's weak writing, and wholly unbelievable. All in all, it took me three attempts to finish this novel, which is awful considering how basic the prose is and how short the chapters are - I just couldn't get into this novel at all.
Anther issue that there's a great mess of themes here that don't quite connect, and whilst the primary theme is bashed into our heads in the most didactic manner possible, there are also themes of stalking, family, secrets, shame, the idolization of women, and more. It's all over the shop, and it never really comes together in a way that makes you care, or is even all that interesting.
This book is doubly disappointing given Lyga has produced some terrific work in the past - Boy Toy is a personal favourite of mine, and a sensitive handling of a difficult subject. Sadly, Lyga shows no such nuance here. It's heavy-handed, repeatedly dull, and filled with characters it's near impossible to invest in.
File it under "Noble Misfire", and read Boy Toy instead.
It's clear that Barry Lyga was told a moving story, or bore witness to a particular event or trend, and so felt compelled to write this book. It's basically a little tome that's trying to make us think about our attitudes and our actions when it comes to soldiers and the war effort. The problem is that the narrator, and the story, aren't all that interesting.
For starters, Kevin Ross, the narrator and subject of this novel, is dull. This is due in large part to Lyga's prose, which sounds very much like a middle-aged man trying to sound like a 15 year old boy. "But of course I didn't say that. Duh." And so on. He's someone that's very hard to care about, which is a huge problem - you need to be able to root for this guy given what he's up against. As it was, I was so distanced from him that I didn't much care what happened - he's so annoying at times that you actually want him to get beat down. Also, his friends, who are supposed to be lovable misfits, are just annoying little idiots. Only 'Fam' comes out of it feeling like an actual person, and don't get me started on the scene where Kevin ('Kross' to his friends) wonders if Fam wants her to kiss him. It's weak writing, and wholly unbelievable. All in all, it took me three attempts to finish this novel, which is awful considering how basic the prose is and how short the chapters are - I just couldn't get into this novel at all.
Anther issue that there's a great mess of themes here that don't quite connect, and whilst the primary theme is bashed into our heads in the most didactic manner possible, there are also themes of stalking, family, secrets, shame, the idolization of women, and more. It's all over the shop, and it never really comes together in a way that makes you care, or is even all that interesting.
This book is doubly disappointing given Lyga has produced some terrific work in the past - Boy Toy is a personal favourite of mine, and a sensitive handling of a difficult subject. Sadly, Lyga shows no such nuance here. It's heavy-handed, repeatedly dull, and filled with characters it's near impossible to invest in.
File it under "Noble Misfire", and read Boy Toy instead.
February 3, 2016
Barry Lyga spricht mit diesem Roman ungewöhnliche und ungemütliche Themen an. Wieso wird an jeder amerikanischen High School jeden Morgen der Treueschwur aufgesagt und warum wird es als so verwerflich angesehen, wenn ein Schüler sich dazu weigert? Protagonist Kevin stellt absolut berechtigte Fragen. Er will nicht mal provozieren, er will nur, dass die Menschen über ihr Handeln nachdenken, aber da kriegt er direkt sowas von ein Stoppschild vor die Nase gesetzt, dass ich innerlich am heiße-Ölbrühe-Kochen war. Es ist frustrierend wie realistisch es anscheinend ist, dass jemand der zum Selbstdenken animiert mit so viel Verachtung und Ignoranz gestraft wird. Umso besser, dass der Autor mit Hero Type den Mund weit aufreißt und seine Nachricht verbreitet. Mit dazu gibt es typische Leiden eines Teenagers: verliebt in die Unerreichbare (es endet nicht wie Klischees erwarten lassen) und der Kampf mit der Trennung der Eltern (sein Vater ist Müllmann und bringt ständig halbkaputte Geräte mit nach Hause, die man noch reparieren könnte und ist einfach herzergreifend ungelenk im Vatersein ♡). Wer schon andere Bücher von Barry Lyga kennt, wird als kleinen Bonus dem ein oder anderen bekannten Namen in Kevins Schulflur über den Weg laufen.
read-in-the-past
November 6, 2023I think the only reason I read this book was because I had read The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl and enjoyed it enough to check out other books from the author.
Kevin saves girl. Kevin is now a hero. Kevin throws away some patriotic magnets or stickers or whatever and a sleazy reporter turns him into a villain. Queue him fighting for free speech and battling against everyone's opinions on him.
🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨
The only reason that Kevin gets labeled as a hero, the only reason he was in the right place at the right time, is because he was stalking the girl. We learn at the end that Kevin has been doing this for a while, even recording her with his camera hidden in his bag.
Kevin saves girl. Kevin is now a hero. Kevin throws away some patriotic magnets or stickers or whatever and a sleazy reporter turns him into a villain. Queue him fighting for free speech and battling against everyone's opinions on him.
🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨
The only reason that Kevin gets labeled as a hero, the only reason he was in the right place at the right time, is because he was stalking the girl. We learn at the end that Kevin has been doing this for a while, even recording her with his camera hidden in his bag.
July 3, 2019
Interesting what we think being patriotic is all about. The author has been able to create many different stories situated in the same town.
March 11, 2021
There were some tough - yet necessary - topics covered here. I'm only sorry I didn't read this sooner.
July 10, 2009
Rating B+
Review In the opening paragraphs of this book Lyga is setting up a scenario in which Kross says he's a "Before" picture--ugly smile, bad teeth, bad skin, scrawny physique--which is a set up for the first 85-90% of the book where Kross does some serious self-loathing. And, in my estimation, the self loathing isn't completely off base (nor does Lyga want it to be).
Plot: The plot of this book was good--not a lot of "action" per se, which I think a fair number of guys might want in their reading, but I enjoyed it. I also immensely enjoyed the ending. The ending makes all of the 85-90% of Kross' self-loathing completely worth it. At some points there might be a tendency to get bogged down in the story and want to give up (I admit that during the second debate on free speech, which kind of goes on a little too long in my opinion, I started skimming). My recommendation to would-be readers of this book is: don't put it down, skim, skip, do whatever you must, but get to the ending. You need to read the ending. The ending is awesome.
Characters: I had mixed feelings about the characterization in this book. The characters that Lyga uses most prominently--Kross; his friends Flip, Tit, and Fam; Kross' family; Leah; and the high school "it" boy, John Riordon--are all done very deftly. They all are distinct characters with interesting idiosyncrasies that are essential to the plot and development of the book and their interactions are worth reading and thinking about. Unfortunately, my problem lies in the fact that there were other characters who muddied it up, most notably were two other friends in Kross' inner circle nicknamed Speedo and Jedi. I think that Lyga might have wanted some additional friends in the circle for laughs and/or to make it plausible when the Band of Fools pulled some pranks, but they were throw-away characters. (And I hate throw-away characters.) I strongly feel that a character should impact the story, be moved to the background as a nameless, faceless "other person at school," or cut all together. But above all, please don't leave them in the book with a bunch of details and back story that you want me to remember if they're non-essential to the book.
Themes: All that being said, the subjects that Lyga tries to tackle: What makes a hero? How should we judge others? What does freedom mean to us? etc., are all important topics for young adults (and older adults) to be thinking about, and the author does a good job of presenting them so that teens can do that grappling.
The final verdict on this book is that I think that Lyga writes about great topics in an incredibly relevant way for teens, this isn't his strongest book, but it's still really good.
Review In the opening paragraphs of this book Lyga is setting up a scenario in which Kross says he's a "Before" picture--ugly smile, bad teeth, bad skin, scrawny physique--which is a set up for the first 85-90% of the book where Kross does some serious self-loathing. And, in my estimation, the self loathing isn't completely off base (nor does Lyga want it to be).
Plot: The plot of this book was good--not a lot of "action" per se, which I think a fair number of guys might want in their reading, but I enjoyed it. I also immensely enjoyed the ending. The ending makes all of the 85-90% of Kross' self-loathing completely worth it. At some points there might be a tendency to get bogged down in the story and want to give up (I admit that during the second debate on free speech, which kind of goes on a little too long in my opinion, I started skimming). My recommendation to would-be readers of this book is: don't put it down, skim, skip, do whatever you must, but get to the ending. You need to read the ending. The ending is awesome.
Characters: I had mixed feelings about the characterization in this book. The characters that Lyga uses most prominently--Kross; his friends Flip, Tit, and Fam; Kross' family; Leah; and the high school "it" boy, John Riordon--are all done very deftly. They all are distinct characters with interesting idiosyncrasies that are essential to the plot and development of the book and their interactions are worth reading and thinking about. Unfortunately, my problem lies in the fact that there were other characters who muddied it up, most notably were two other friends in Kross' inner circle nicknamed Speedo and Jedi. I think that Lyga might have wanted some additional friends in the circle for laughs and/or to make it plausible when the Band of Fools pulled some pranks, but they were throw-away characters. (And I hate throw-away characters.) I strongly feel that a character should impact the story, be moved to the background as a nameless, faceless "other person at school," or cut all together. But above all, please don't leave them in the book with a bunch of details and back story that you want me to remember if they're non-essential to the book.
Themes: All that being said, the subjects that Lyga tries to tackle: What makes a hero? How should we judge others? What does freedom mean to us? etc., are all important topics for young adults (and older adults) to be thinking about, and the author does a good job of presenting them so that teens can do that grappling.
The final verdict on this book is that I think that Lyga writes about great topics in an incredibly relevant way for teens, this isn't his strongest book, but it's still really good.
August 29, 2009
Kevin' doesn't think he's much of a hero. The whole town considers him one, though, since he saved a girl from his school from being kidnapped by "The Surgeon," a brutal serial killer and rapist. Sometimes the attention is nice, since his dad barely pays attention to him at home and it's not like he's the most popular guy or the handsomest guy in school - he's far from it. Kevin told everyone that he was just at the right place at the right time, which, in a way he was. But the truth is there is more to that night, and the secret reason that he was there to save the girl - Leah, the unwitting object of his affection - is less than honorable, perhaps even perverse. So when the town stops worshiping Kevin and starts treating him like the villain he really is, it wouldn't bother him so much, except that they still don't know his secret. They're up in arms over the "Support the Troops" magnets that he refuses to put on his car. And it's not even that Kevin doesn't support th troops - he just believes in free speech, and he doesn't think that putting magnets on your car does very much for the soldiers fighting overseas. So Kevin starts a debate, one he is sure to lose. Meanwhile his friends, the self-appointed "Council of Fools" are pulling some politically-inspired pranks all over town. But when the local paper starts publishing less than flattering stories about Kevin's dad, and the Council starts to lose perspective, Kevin sees that proving his point about free speech is more important than he could have imagined. And so is confronting the ugly truth about the night that he saved Leah.
Lyga's presentation of some very relevant issues is engaging and fast-paced. The character of Kevin, despite all of his flaws (the darker of which come to light over the course of the novel) is sympathetic and his problems aren't unlike those of most teenagers - he isn't in with the in crowd, his self-image is terrible, and he has trouble at home. As Kevin narrates the story, while sometimes the reader is acknowledged in a way that nearly pulls him away from the fiction at hand, it is done with a skillful conversational tone that is easy to fall into. Hero-Type is an important book, one that should be considered for high school libraries across the country.
Lyga's presentation of some very relevant issues is engaging and fast-paced. The character of Kevin, despite all of his flaws (the darker of which come to light over the course of the novel) is sympathetic and his problems aren't unlike those of most teenagers - he isn't in with the in crowd, his self-image is terrible, and he has trouble at home. As Kevin narrates the story, while sometimes the reader is acknowledged in a way that nearly pulls him away from the fiction at hand, it is done with a skillful conversational tone that is easy to fall into. Hero-Type is an important book, one that should be considered for high school libraries across the country.
May 19, 2015
Hero type is an good book. Hero Type starts out when Kevin saves this girl named Leah. It is a coincidence that he saves Leah though. He really likes Leah and will do anything to see her. It just so happens, that Kevin was stalking her, and all of a sudden he sees someone try to kidnap her. Kevin then intervenes and saves Leah. He then becomes popular. Then one day Kevin removes a set of stickers from his car that says " Save the troops." Unfortunately a camera guy was there and took pictures of him doing it. The picture goes around the town and everyone thinks Kevin now is a loser. No matter what he does, he is never going to amount to anything. His father even says that. Kevin's father is a war veteran, and he is not mad for what Kevin did. Then came the lectures. Kevin is running against a kid named John. Everyone likes John and Kevin wants to win the lecture. Leah likes John, so she is on his side. Everyone hates Kevin except for a one group of kids who nobody else cares about. But they sometimes even hate Kevin. So do the teachers. No matter what Kevin does he will be hated.
Kevin is a very cool kid. He likes to do sports but he is also a nerd. He has some friends but not really any friends. He has a crush on a girl named Leah but won't admit it. Kevin gets really mad easily and likes to prove anybody wrong that he can. Kevin also has no family support. He has a brother, but his brother is in California. Kevin does not like his family though. He wishes that he had more friends who he could talk to. Sometimes Kevin is very shy though. Rarely he doesn't speak his opinion.
I would recommend this book to people 12 to 19 years of age. I would recommend this book to teens. Mostly males though. This book shows you how to stand up for yourself, and that's a big issue with teenagers.
I rated this book a three out of five stars because the ending is not that good. It is very bad for the endings compared to the whole story. Otherwise this book is somewhat inspiring. It also is very fast paced, and I like books like that.
All in all it is a decent book.
Kevin is a very cool kid. He likes to do sports but he is also a nerd. He has some friends but not really any friends. He has a crush on a girl named Leah but won't admit it. Kevin gets really mad easily and likes to prove anybody wrong that he can. Kevin also has no family support. He has a brother, but his brother is in California. Kevin does not like his family though. He wishes that he had more friends who he could talk to. Sometimes Kevin is very shy though. Rarely he doesn't speak his opinion.
I would recommend this book to people 12 to 19 years of age. I would recommend this book to teens. Mostly males though. This book shows you how to stand up for yourself, and that's a big issue with teenagers.
I rated this book a three out of five stars because the ending is not that good. It is very bad for the endings compared to the whole story. Otherwise this book is somewhat inspiring. It also is very fast paced, and I like books like that.
All in all it is a decent book.
October 26, 2013
My brother recommended this book to me, and I finally got around to reading it. I have to say, it's caused me more trouble than I anticipated because there are others around me who are upset that I haven't recently read any of the books they recommended to me.
*Ahem* You know who you are *Ahem*
I'm fairly certain he recommended the book because it's his legs on the cover of this edition. I'm not 100% on that, but close. I'm going to call him for a picture of his legs to prove it to you. For real. Those jeans. Those shoes. That posture.
The book was good. A little weird at times - given that it was trying to tackle blind patriotism and voyeurism at the same time... Yeah... a little weird. But it was good.
It reminded me a lot of Avi's book, Nothing But the Truth. Both deal with kids who question whether saying the pledge is a good indicator of how much we actually love our country.
There are several sections which reminded me of Where Men Win Glory as well.
Some good news? The US is moving up in the world. ...Although, I bet the rankings came out before the NSA disclosures. Changes? I'm pretty sure the changes will be: People working for the NSA/CIA/FBI/Illuminati/ETC are no longer allowed to disclose what's going on. YEAH! I'M TALKING TO YOU SNOWDEN! AND ASSANGE! AND ELLSBERG! AND MANNING!
Hopefully I won't get in trouble for posting this review online. PRISM - you know I love you.
*Ahem* You know who you are *Ahem*
I'm fairly certain he recommended the book because it's his legs on the cover of this edition. I'm not 100% on that, but close. I'm going to call him for a picture of his legs to prove it to you. For real. Those jeans. Those shoes. That posture.
The book was good. A little weird at times - given that it was trying to tackle blind patriotism and voyeurism at the same time... Yeah... a little weird. But it was good.
It reminded me a lot of Avi's book, Nothing But the Truth. Both deal with kids who question whether saying the pledge is a good indicator of how much we actually love our country.
There are several sections which reminded me of Where Men Win Glory as well.
Some good news? The US is moving up in the world. ...Although, I bet the rankings came out before the NSA disclosures. Changes? I'm pretty sure the changes will be: People working for the NSA/CIA/FBI/Illuminati/ETC are no longer allowed to disclose what's going on. YEAH! I'M TALKING TO YOU SNOWDEN! AND ASSANGE! AND ELLSBERG! AND MANNING!
Hopefully I won't get in trouble for posting this review online. PRISM - you know I love you.
May 26, 2017
This book reminds me of the dark days of the bush jr presidency. People acted like war was the right answer, and to defy that sentiment was treason. This book does a great job on calling people out on their narrow-mindedness; That having a couple of stickers on your car "supporting the troops" is not really supporting them, but self-indulgence in the status quo and undo self-pride.
The Main character becomes a victim of unintentional isolation, and this leads him to saving another persons life. As you find out, he fits the reluctant hero persona well.
This book did a great job of infuriating me, the mass ignorance of the town, the way people were quick to attack Kevin because of blindly following their collective ignorance. Some of the bravest things Kevin did, involved not backing down from the mob mentality of his peer's sciolistic nature.
The Author does a great job of showing how meaningless peoples words and actions are if they don't serve a point. When the majority of people get stuck on simpleminded actions, reciting the pledge, saluting a flag, throwing meaningless bumper stickers on your car, they lose sight and reason for doing these things.
I like the other message this book has about how Kevin dealt with his interest in Leah, and how Fam was able to make him see that she was neither a goddess or a sex object. That the all or nothing mentality that society has created in respect to women is utter bullshit. That by the end of the book, the illusion of what Lean meant to him was finally shattered and that he realized she was not the sum of his imagination.
The most Heroic things Kevin did in this story was face the truth and try to spread the knowledge he gained.
The Main character becomes a victim of unintentional isolation, and this leads him to saving another persons life. As you find out, he fits the reluctant hero persona well.
This book did a great job of infuriating me, the mass ignorance of the town, the way people were quick to attack Kevin because of blindly following their collective ignorance. Some of the bravest things Kevin did, involved not backing down from the mob mentality of his peer's sciolistic nature.
The Author does a great job of showing how meaningless peoples words and actions are if they don't serve a point. When the majority of people get stuck on simpleminded actions, reciting the pledge, saluting a flag, throwing meaningless bumper stickers on your car, they lose sight and reason for doing these things.
I like the other message this book has about how Kevin dealt with his interest in Leah, and how Fam was able to make him see that she was neither a goddess or a sex object. That the all or nothing mentality that society has created in respect to women is utter bullshit. That by the end of the book, the illusion of what Lean meant to him was finally shattered and that he realized she was not the sum of his imagination.
The most Heroic things Kevin did in this story was face the truth and try to spread the knowledge he gained.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2010
Kevin Ross saves a classmate from a serial killer and goes from a nobody to hero overnight. But his reasons for being in the right place at the right time are not exactly something he wants everyone to know and he doesn't exactly feel like a hero. His time at the top doesn't last long when he is seen removing some 'Support the Troops' ribbons from his car and he goes from hero back to zero. Suddenly, he is viewed as someone who doesn't support the troops and hates America.
My Thoughts:
I love Barry Lyga's writing style and characters. Hero Type takes place in the same school as Goth Girl Rising & Boy Toy and characters from those books make brief appearances.
One of the things I loved the most about this book is that I agree with Kevin and I love that he stands up for his beliefs. I think it is important for people to think for themselves. I support the troops and love America, but I don't have to have ribbons on my car or say the pledge at every gathering to prove it.
Like Kevin says, "I guess what I'm saying is that I wish people would think for themselves. Don't just do what everyone else does- use your own brain and figure things out for yourself. If you want to put a ribbon on your car because it's important to you, then great-just don't do it because everyone else is doing it or because you're afraid not to. Because freedom of speech is pretty pointless if everyone keeps saying the same thing." (Hero Type, pp 136-137)
My Thoughts:
I love Barry Lyga's writing style and characters. Hero Type takes place in the same school as Goth Girl Rising & Boy Toy and characters from those books make brief appearances.
One of the things I loved the most about this book is that I agree with Kevin and I love that he stands up for his beliefs. I think it is important for people to think for themselves. I support the troops and love America, but I don't have to have ribbons on my car or say the pledge at every gathering to prove it.
Like Kevin says, "I guess what I'm saying is that I wish people would think for themselves. Don't just do what everyone else does- use your own brain and figure things out for yourself. If you want to put a ribbon on your car because it's important to you, then great-just don't do it because everyone else is doing it or because you're afraid not to. Because freedom of speech is pretty pointless if everyone keeps saying the same thing." (Hero Type, pp 136-137)
January 12, 2010
Okay, at the end, this story got preachy. Very very preachy, but I can see why:
this entire book made me so so so angry. But for the reasons it was trying to - most people (most Americans) don't/can't think for themselves. There was an article a few days ago, about how Jane Lynch (in Glee) blamed Obama for the lack of movement for Gay Rights.
But if she READ or knew ANYTHING about the Government, she'd realize that he doesn't have much, if any power for that. They moved it to the states. And he can't control the states with a wave of his MAGICAL WAND.
MY GOD.
but this. I didn't know if I liked it, and his SUPER SCARY SEEKRET wasn't as bad as I thought (I thought he might have killed someone) so his unveiling wasn't... super. But his passion, his ability to stand up for something that made him so lookdown upon because of a douche bag.
And that ending, with Leah... just... aljdl Finally. He grew a mind.
So, I liked it. And it included his other character, Josh (or Crazy J in this book), and although I love Josh, it made me sad to see that, while Kevin wanted to not be talked about, they talked about Josh for something he did when he was young like it was nothing. :/
but still.
quite nice.
this entire book made me so so so angry. But for the reasons it was trying to - most people (most Americans) don't/can't think for themselves. There was an article a few days ago, about how Jane Lynch (in Glee) blamed Obama for the lack of movement for Gay Rights.
But if she READ or knew ANYTHING about the Government, she'd realize that he doesn't have much, if any power for that. They moved it to the states. And he can't control the states with a wave of his MAGICAL WAND.
MY GOD.
but this. I didn't know if I liked it, and his SUPER SCARY SEEKRET wasn't as bad as I thought (I thought he might have killed someone) so his unveiling wasn't... super. But his passion, his ability to stand up for something that made him so lookdown upon because of a douche bag.
And that ending, with Leah... just... aljdl Finally. He grew a mind.
So, I liked it. And it included his other character, Josh (or Crazy J in this book), and although I love Josh, it made me sad to see that, while Kevin wanted to not be talked about, they talked about Josh for something he did when he was young like it was nothing. :/
but still.
quite nice.
November 4, 2009
Hero Type
By Barry Lyga
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin company
# of Pager: 290
Age Rating: +13
My Rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis:
Everyone is treating Kevin as a hero. He was in the right place and the right time and he saved a girl from being murdered. Only Kevin knows though, why he was able to save her. Things get even more complicated when Kevin is seen removing two patriotic "Support the Troops" ribbons from his car bumper. Now the town that lauded him as a hero turns on him, calling him unpatriotic. Kevin, who hadn't thought much about it up to then, becomes politcially engaged, suddenly questioning what exactly supporting the troops or even saying the pledge of allegiance every day means.
Review:
I thought that this book would be one of those light boy-wants-to-be-a-hero book, but it's not. Hero Type is a story that had somethings in that made me think about things like what is freedom and america and other things.
It was complex and very well-written and powerful.(and I now understand why the nice-looking people almost alway win.) You should read this book!
I give it 4 stars
Enjoy! :D:D:D:D
By Barry Lyga
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin company
# of Pager: 290
Age Rating: +13
My Rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis:
Everyone is treating Kevin as a hero. He was in the right place and the right time and he saved a girl from being murdered. Only Kevin knows though, why he was able to save her. Things get even more complicated when Kevin is seen removing two patriotic "Support the Troops" ribbons from his car bumper. Now the town that lauded him as a hero turns on him, calling him unpatriotic. Kevin, who hadn't thought much about it up to then, becomes politcially engaged, suddenly questioning what exactly supporting the troops or even saying the pledge of allegiance every day means.
Review:
I thought that this book would be one of those light boy-wants-to-be-a-hero book, but it's not. Hero Type is a story that had somethings in that made me think about things like what is freedom and america and other things.
It was complex and very well-written and powerful.(and I now understand why the nice-looking people almost alway win.) You should read this book!
I give it 4 stars
Enjoy! :D:D:D:D
March 6, 2009
Nothing But the Truth (AVI) meets Silent to the Bone (Konisburg). meets The Gospel According to Larry (Tasjian). Kevin is hailed as a hero when he saves Leah from a serial killer, only he knows how he happened to be 'on the scene' when he really does rise to the necessity of the occasion and truly save Leah. In the course of the ensuing adulation and scrutiny by his community, scoop seeking reporters most especially, Kevin's patriotism is challenged. He is nudged to carefully consider personal freedom in post 911/enmeshed in Iraq War America. Along the way he is forced to examine free speech, interpersonal relationships, personal courage, and family secrets.
Written in first person teenspeak the story addresses contemporary themes. Even if Kevin is confused, we believe in him throughout as he flails his way through a challenging year.
Written in first person teenspeak the story addresses contemporary themes. Even if Kevin is confused, we believe in him throughout as he flails his way through a challenging year.
November 30, 2009
This book is about a boy named Kevin Ross who saves another girl, Leah, from being medicated, raped, and murdered by a rapist known as 'The Surgeon' because he was a doctor, and and medicated his victms.
I learned about this book on my own. It was in my teacher's library, and I was looking for an intresting book to read, within a short amount of time. I think the author wanted us to take away from the book what the meaning of a hero is. There is a lot of different ways to think of hero, but after reading this book, I decided that my definition of what a hero is, is a person that is honest, and makes the right desicions, that create a better society. This book does not remind me of any other books.
I learned about this book on my own. It was in my teacher's library, and I was looking for an intresting book to read, within a short amount of time. I think the author wanted us to take away from the book what the meaning of a hero is. There is a lot of different ways to think of hero, but after reading this book, I decided that my definition of what a hero is, is a person that is honest, and makes the right desicions, that create a better society. This book does not remind me of any other books.
March 4, 2015
Mr. Lyga, you're getting too preachy for me in this one. Sure, you can write about flag burning, and ribbons on cars, and American symbols, but try not to stuff it down my throat, okay?
Kevin Ross lives with his dad and misses his mom and brother who live in California. He's an instant hero when he saves the life of a fellow classmate. She was about to be killed by a serial killer, but Kevin saved the day. He loves the girl, but he doesn't want to admit why he followed her into the alley that day either. When the press spots Kevin remove some yellow ribbon magnets from his car, quite the controversy ensues. Kevin goes from hero to dirt pretty quickly and manages to research and debate the topic pretty heavily. This just fell short of Fanboy and Goth Girl and Boy Toy.
Kevin Ross lives with his dad and misses his mom and brother who live in California. He's an instant hero when he saves the life of a fellow classmate. She was about to be killed by a serial killer, but Kevin saved the day. He loves the girl, but he doesn't want to admit why he followed her into the alley that day either. When the press spots Kevin remove some yellow ribbon magnets from his car, quite the controversy ensues. Kevin goes from hero to dirt pretty quickly and manages to research and debate the topic pretty heavily. This just fell short of Fanboy and Goth Girl and Boy Toy.
September 13, 2017
The beginning of this book caught my attention very fast. I like this book a lot and i recommend it. Its about a boy around the age of 15 who has a rough at home life but then he becomes a hero, but something bad always happens to the hero.
All of the characters are interesting and they all are very different. The person talking in this story is Kevin and he is writing about his life and what's happening. This book makes me want to keep reading it. My favorite part is when Kevin talks about something he did but nobody else knows.
The author wrote this story in a very good away. He keeps things interesting and doesn't make you dread reading if you don't like reading.
All of the characters are interesting and they all are very different. The person talking in this story is Kevin and he is writing about his life and what's happening. This book makes me want to keep reading it. My favorite part is when Kevin talks about something he did but nobody else knows.
The author wrote this story in a very good away. He keeps things interesting and doesn't make you dread reading if you don't like reading.
September 10, 2013
I was surprised by how much I liked this book.
A boy saves his classmate from a violent attack and becomes the town hero.
He is given all kinds recognition and rewards.
This boy was someone who went about daily life mostly unnoticed but now every move he makes is front page news. So when he removes the support the troops magnets from his new car he is accused of being unpatriotic. A lesson about free speech ans personal responsibility follows. Divorce, teenage relationships, freedom of speech and nationalism, personal responsibility, and self-esteem are all covered in this book that I am happy to have on the library shelves.
A boy saves his classmate from a violent attack and becomes the town hero.
He is given all kinds recognition and rewards.
This boy was someone who went about daily life mostly unnoticed but now every move he makes is front page news. So when he removes the support the troops magnets from his new car he is accused of being unpatriotic. A lesson about free speech ans personal responsibility follows. Divorce, teenage relationships, freedom of speech and nationalism, personal responsibility, and self-esteem are all covered in this book that I am happy to have on the library shelves.
August 5, 2008
why on earth do I keep reading barry lyga books? I was underwhelmed by fan boy and goth girl, couldn't get through boy toy, and am now frustrated with this one. i guess because i like realistic fiction from a boy point of view, but his are just too... too. he throws so much in there. too many plot points, that you stop caring or something. and i always feel like the books are very message-y. like he's really trying to make a point, which is incredibly distracting. i don't know! i can't explain it, he just bugs me.
July 10, 2015
This is the first book by Lyga that took me forever to get into. Man though, once I did it really clicked. I wish this book had been out when I was in high school going through something very similar to Kevin. I could have used the arguments about free speech and saying the pledge. I was in JROTC and to not say the pledge was downright abominable to some. I really enjoyed how Kevin grew from the beginning to the end, it really gave the book a sense of completion.
November 16, 2016
This book is not one of those books about a teenager in highschool. The main character of the story is Kevin Ross who is treated like a champion by saving the life of the most popular girl in his school, but as the story goes on kevin reveals how he was in the right place at the right time. I gave the book four stars because I thought it was very unique, I picked it up and could not put it down due to how interesting the story is. I totally recommend this book.
February 8, 2019
Considering how political it got later on, I'm impressed it managed to keep me fully captivated. No, Kross isn't a good person. But he knows it too and reading about how be dealt with his obsession was really interesting.
April 16, 2019
I finished this last marking period and it was ggoooooooodddddd
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