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Just Cause Universe #13
Hero Academy: A Superhero High School Academy Thriller
To attend the Just Cause Hero Academy is a great honor, and Freshman superhero Chloe Wyld is eager to impress her classmates and instructors--especially legendary combat instructor Mustang Sally. Chloe is off to an excellent start for the year, with an awesome roommate, some great new friends, and even a handsome boy who seems as interested in her as she is in him.
However, only days into the semester, things get weird. Chloe begins to experience unexplained visions. Mysterious fires ignite around campus with no apparent source. Disturbing emails suggest a sinister organization is attempting to recruit students for . . . something. All the evidence points to an approaching catastrophe, and Chloe and her friends must try to stop it before it's too late.
However, only days into the semester, things get weird. Chloe begins to experience unexplained visions. Mysterious fires ignite around campus with no apparent source. Disturbing emails suggest a sinister organization is attempting to recruit students for . . . something. All the evidence points to an approaching catastrophe, and Chloe and her friends must try to stop it before it's too late.
- GenresSuperheroes
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2018
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Dellwo
12 books5 followersAdrienne Dellwo has a BA in Journalism & Communications from the University of Oregon and has worked as a TV news producer, newspaper reporter, magazine columnist, and freelance medical writer. She also writes and produces indie film with her husband.
Adrienne has had short stories published by Siren's Call, Alliteration Ink, Local Hero Press, and DarkFire Fiction.
She's also a classically trained singer and violinist who picked up some guitar and piano along the way.
A life-long Northwesterner, Adrienne lives in Washington state, where she's raising a son and daughter who keep life magical. She's a self-professed geek, drinks lots of tea, and frequently changes her hair color.
Adrienne has had short stories published by Siren's Call, Alliteration Ink, Local Hero Press, and DarkFire Fiction.
She's also a classically trained singer and violinist who picked up some guitar and piano along the way.
A life-long Northwesterner, Adrienne lives in Washington state, where she's raising a son and daughter who keep life magical. She's a self-professed geek, drinks lots of tea, and frequently changes her hair color.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 20, 2018
Not a continuation of the Neighborhood Watch storyline, but quite delightful none the less. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
January 4, 2022
After growing a set of dragonfly wings, Chloe Wyld enrolls at Hero Academy. She meets a bunch of other young people with superpowers, including up-and-coming hero Zayden Lord, already known for saving people in several major accidents.
Even though this is listed as being Book 13 in the Just Cause Universe, this can be read as a standalone, though the faculty of Hero Academy has starred in other Just Cause books. This was first and foremost a high school drama, reminiscent of all the indie paranormal academy dramas currently on the market, with the superhero bits strictly secondary, so there was a lot of focus on Chloe discovering dating, getting to know her roommate, tangling with another student, and learning when to seek the help of teachers. There wasn’t much imagination put into the classes, which seemed rather standard: there was a philosophy class, a history class, and gym (for a superhero school, I expect amazing classes). The age of the kids was Percy Jackson demographic, so think early teens. This story did have fun introducing the reader to a host of characters with varied powers, with everyone being unique in their powers (it felt weird that no one had the same powers), including the fliers who all had different types of wings even. I loved that this book starred a girl just coming into her powers and didn’t try to sexualize her or reduce her to being the only token girl in an all-boys club. This book makes a point of being diverse (which it really wasn’t. I mean, there were characters with Spanish names and one with an Asian name, and some with darker-colored skin, but beyond that, there were no cultural details brought in) and topic conscious, which felt very forced at times, specifically the sexual harassment parts felt very lectured and pointed, rather than just touching on it organically, though it was interesting how it spotlighted the idea of a disabled superhero. It was nice seeing everyone work together as a team and get to know each other, but for my tastes it was too high school drama and I was hoping for a slightly older demographic.
Even though this is listed as being Book 13 in the Just Cause Universe, this can be read as a standalone, though the faculty of Hero Academy has starred in other Just Cause books. This was first and foremost a high school drama, reminiscent of all the indie paranormal academy dramas currently on the market, with the superhero bits strictly secondary, so there was a lot of focus on Chloe discovering dating, getting to know her roommate, tangling with another student, and learning when to seek the help of teachers. There wasn’t much imagination put into the classes, which seemed rather standard: there was a philosophy class, a history class, and gym (for a superhero school, I expect amazing classes). The age of the kids was Percy Jackson demographic, so think early teens. This story did have fun introducing the reader to a host of characters with varied powers, with everyone being unique in their powers (it felt weird that no one had the same powers), including the fliers who all had different types of wings even. I loved that this book starred a girl just coming into her powers and didn’t try to sexualize her or reduce her to being the only token girl in an all-boys club. This book makes a point of being diverse (which it really wasn’t. I mean, there were characters with Spanish names and one with an Asian name, and some with darker-colored skin, but beyond that, there were no cultural details brought in) and topic conscious, which felt very forced at times, specifically the sexual harassment parts felt very lectured and pointed, rather than just touching on it organically, though it was interesting how it spotlighted the idea of a disabled superhero. It was nice seeing everyone work together as a team and get to know each other, but for my tastes it was too high school drama and I was hoping for a slightly older demographic.
March 24, 2019
Minor spoilers
Hero Academy is the first book in the Just Cause Universe not written by Ian Healy. While Adrienne Dellwo’s writing has a different feel (as is to be expected), it doesn’t feel out of place in the JCU. I really enjoyed getting to see Hero Academy from the inside and meeting a bevy of new characters.
Our hero, Chloe Wyld, is a parahuman whose wings have only just sprouted. She’s new to the idea she could be a superhero and is suddenly surrounded by young paras, some of whom already have superheroic deeds to their names. Watching her acclimate not only to parahuman training but also high school teenager-ness is a delight.
There’s a lot going on at the Hero Academy: unexplained fires, eerie emails, teenage drama, and so on. We’ve even got the great Mustang Sally as combat instructor.
It’s worth noting that though we’re following Chloe’s story, there are a lot of characters in this book, and when things start going down, it can be a lot to keep track of. Fortunately Ms Dellwo does a good job keeping the various young heroes distinct.
Hero Academy is a fun book. There’s the difficulty of growing up different, of insisting in doing the right thing, of standing up for yourself. It’s a worthy addition to the JCU and I look forward to more from Ms Dellwo.
Hero Academy is the first book in the Just Cause Universe not written by Ian Healy. While Adrienne Dellwo’s writing has a different feel (as is to be expected), it doesn’t feel out of place in the JCU. I really enjoyed getting to see Hero Academy from the inside and meeting a bevy of new characters.
Our hero, Chloe Wyld, is a parahuman whose wings have only just sprouted. She’s new to the idea she could be a superhero and is suddenly surrounded by young paras, some of whom already have superheroic deeds to their names. Watching her acclimate not only to parahuman training but also high school teenager-ness is a delight.
There’s a lot going on at the Hero Academy: unexplained fires, eerie emails, teenage drama, and so on. We’ve even got the great Mustang Sally as combat instructor.
It’s worth noting that though we’re following Chloe’s story, there are a lot of characters in this book, and when things start going down, it can be a lot to keep track of. Fortunately Ms Dellwo does a good job keeping the various young heroes distinct.
Hero Academy is a fun book. There’s the difficulty of growing up different, of insisting in doing the right thing, of standing up for yourself. It’s a worthy addition to the JCU and I look forward to more from Ms Dellwo.
April 30, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It was a bit slower to start than some of the other Just Cause books but that was because you were being introduced to a whole new set of characters but don't worry a few names will be familiar to you but with less of an impact than usual. If like me you have listened to the previous books in this great series then you will recognize the Hero academy, which has been mentioned many times and it was great to finally get a book set there. This book was less about the battling action scenes (not that there isn't any because hey this is a super hero adventure and bad guy's need to be stopped) but more working out and unravelling a deadly plot. The story is told by several of the characters but it works well, as it slowly reveals how they are all connected and shows what impact each character has on the out come. A great addition to the series.
Chloe thought her life was over when she suddenly sprouted wings in a gymnastics competition and got the whole team eliminated for cheating. With all the bullying going on she is excited to leave it all behind when she gets called up to join the Just Cause Hero Academy. Things are off to a good start she loves training with Mustang Sally, she likes her roommate and is making friends. She even finds herself a boyfriend but then the dreams start and random fires keep braking out in the corridors not to be unexpected with teenager learning to use there powers. The problem is Chloe has the feeling the dreams mean something and the fires aren't so random. What about the strange emails asking her to join and become an elite hero? Why did she get one and what does it mean? Can Chloe and her new friends figure it all out before it becomes deadly?
I like the narrator. She does such a wide range of voices that like Chloe means the story flies by in a flash.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Chloe thought her life was over when she suddenly sprouted wings in a gymnastics competition and got the whole team eliminated for cheating. With all the bullying going on she is excited to leave it all behind when she gets called up to join the Just Cause Hero Academy. Things are off to a good start she loves training with Mustang Sally, she likes her roommate and is making friends. She even finds herself a boyfriend but then the dreams start and random fires keep braking out in the corridors not to be unexpected with teenager learning to use there powers. The problem is Chloe has the feeling the dreams mean something and the fires aren't so random. What about the strange emails asking her to join and become an elite hero? Why did she get one and what does it mean? Can Chloe and her new friends figure it all out before it becomes deadly?
I like the narrator. She does such a wide range of voices that like Chloe means the story flies by in a flash.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
August 27, 2020
The complexities of WyldWing
The story was well told, full of drama, and exciting characters. Look forward to more stories and character development. Always love happy endings.
The story was well told, full of drama, and exciting characters. Look forward to more stories and character development. Always love happy endings.
February 18, 2019
The story actually wasn't too bad, but it was very cliche with some random McGuffins in play to further the plot. Basic idea is: girl gains her powers, is forced to leave gymnastics, loses her friends, goes to the academy, makes new friends, discovers plot to kill supers, saves the day with her friends where the adults can't seem to get their act together.
The last bit is what kills it for me as far as the story goes. The adults, including Mustang Sally, are portrayed as incompetent. Basic security measures would have discovered the plot long before it became a problem. Yes, a bunch of 14-17 year kids out perform adults with decades of experience.
My other BIG problem with this book was all the virtue signaling. Throughout the book, there are little things here and there that bring up racial stuff, gender stuff, etc that has NO PLACE in the book. It's just thrown out at random. Id bet dollars to donuts the author is an upper-middle class white liberal that lives on the West coast and thinks she has to champion her causes lest she be accused of being a racist, et al. Had the politics been left at the door, this would have been a fun read. Instead, I found myself constantly rolling my eyes.
The last bit is what kills it for me as far as the story goes. The adults, including Mustang Sally, are portrayed as incompetent. Basic security measures would have discovered the plot long before it became a problem. Yes, a bunch of 14-17 year kids out perform adults with decades of experience.
My other BIG problem with this book was all the virtue signaling. Throughout the book, there are little things here and there that bring up racial stuff, gender stuff, etc that has NO PLACE in the book. It's just thrown out at random. Id bet dollars to donuts the author is an upper-middle class white liberal that lives on the West coast and thinks she has to champion her causes lest she be accused of being a racist, et al. Had the politics been left at the door, this would have been a fun read. Instead, I found myself constantly rolling my eyes.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews