Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Junior Hero Blues” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Junior Hero Blues

J.K. Pendragon (Goodreads Author)

3.71 · Rating details · 157 ratings · 44 reviews

Last year, Javier Medina was your average socially awkward gay high schooler with a chip on his shoulder. This year, he’s…well, pretty much the same, but with bonus superpowers, a costume with an ab window to show off his new goods, and a secret identity as the high-flying, wise-cracking superhero Blue Spark.

But being a Junior Hero means that Javier gets all the responsibi ...more

Get A Copy

ebook, NineStar Edition

Published March 29th 2021 by NineStar Press (first published November 7th 2016)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Junior Hero Blues, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.71 ·

Rating details

· 157 ratings · 44 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Junior Hero Blues

Sep 23, 2016 Kai rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of Perry Moore's Hero

Shelves: queer

Actual Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Junior Hero Blue introduces us to Javier, a lanky, gay teen and part-time super hero who struggles to survive high school as well as life and death fights with superheroes turned evil.

Plot:
Kid turned superhero, trying to keep his double life secret while juggling his superhero responsibilities and everyday life - It's a well-tried story, but one that's still immensely popular. This book reminded me a lot of Perry Moore's novel Hero, which also features a gay protagonist ...more

flag 29 likes · Like · see review

Mar 24, 2021 Shawna (SugoiShawn/SugoiReads) rated it really liked it

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review an advanced reader's copy of this book.

I struggled with how to rate this book. Everything about this book was nearly perfection (the characters, the plot, the superpowers), but I despised the writing style. The main character was supposed to be a 17 year old boy but instead it felt like I was reading about a 12 year old kid. The writing was very childish and I hate how the narrator kept addressing the audience and how the narrato ...more

flag 27 likes · Like · see review

Sep 16, 2016 Ije the Devourer of Books rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was great fun!

I shall ignore the fact that the main character thinks 50 is 'old', because at 17 everyone over 25 is old. I can also ignore this because Junior Hero (Javier) is such an endearing character and this is a really great story.

It starts off quite simply with Javier otherwise known as 'Blue Spark'. He is a Junior Hero in the city of Liberty. Junior Heroes are young people who have discovered that they have special powers. They get to assist the Senior Heroes who act as the city gua ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 02, 2016 Bárbara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

*ARC received from Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This was so much fun to read! Through its young narrator, whose voice is genuine and hilarious and oddly compelling, we get an inside look on the least glamorous side to being a superhero (or, rather, one in training, whose job seems to be the dirty work- while the actual, official superheroes are all about PR and giving orders, without getting their clothes too dirty themselves).

Javi's story is relatable and e ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 15, 2016 Lisa The Novel Approach rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I’m always looking for new books in the LGBTQ+ YA space, so I was excited when I saw that Riptide Publishing was launching a new YA imprint. J.K. Pendragon’s Junior Hero Blues is one of Triton’s first titles, and if it’s a good representation of the quality we can expect from them, then I’m very optimistic about their future books.

First, a little cover love…I want to give a shout out to Michelle Fairbanks, whose work I haven’t seen before, and who absolutely nailed the cover. I love the color sc I’m always looking for new books in the LGBTQ+ YA space, so I was excited when I saw that Riptide Publishing was launching a new YA imprint. J.K. Pendragon’s Junior Hero Blues is one of Triton’s first titles, and if it’s a good representation of the quality we can expect from them, then I’m very optimistic about their future books.

First, a little cover love…I want to give a shout out to Michelle Fairbanks, whose work I haven’t seen before, and who absolutely nailed the cover. I love the color scheme and representation of Liberty City in the background, and just the overall freshness of it. It’s so eye-catching. The cover was the reason I initially wanted to check out the book, and I’m very glad I did.

Second, the title is perfect. Our hero, Javier, truly does have the Junior Hero blues. It’s rough being a high schooler, having to keep a secret identity, constantly coming up with excuses and dodging your parents’ questions, and being at the beck and call of the Legion—all while trying to be a normal teenager. As the blurb tells us, being a Junior Hero means all the responsibility and none of the cool gadgets; and as far as I could tell, that seems like the absolute truth! I loved Javier’s assessment here:

“It’s a complete rip-off being a Junior Hero, by the way. You’re supposed to be only assigned to low risk stuff, but half the time it’s just as dangerous as anything else anyway, and the rest of the time it’s freaking boring.”

Javier—aka Blue Spark—is an awesome kid. I’m not always a huge fan of first person narratives, but I loved Javier’s voice from the beginning. Sure, he’s a superhero, but he’s also a real teenager with homework who’s experiencing first love, and pouting and slamming the door when his parents piss him off. Pendragon’s portrayal of Javier was fantastic. Javier’s crush, Rick, wasn’t quite as likeable, though I realize that was partly by design. However, I did enjoy their little courtship, for the most part.

The story itself revolves around the ongoing fight between the Legion (the good guys) and the Organization (the bad guys), and foiling whatever current trouble the Organization is stirring up. And right in the center of that trouble is Blue Spark’s sworn enemy, Jimmy Black. The alternate universe/sci-fi aspects of the story are so fun. I enjoyed the world building and fun Sky High feel of the action scenes. The battle between Blue Spark and Jimmy Black takes on a different turn as the story goes on, and the author does a good job of keeping things interesting. I also loved how Pendragon handled Javier’s disillusionment with the Legion, and subsequent realization of how he felt about his involvement and them.

“And that was what the Legion was. Not a perfect force for good straight out of a comic book. Just a group of people trying to do the right thing. And that was why I belonged with them.”

Junior Hero Blues also touched on so many elements that are staples in YA books—bullying, acceptance, class differences and diversity—and handled them all wonderfully, with sensitivity and often humor. This book was such a fun, refreshing read. There was great action, a sweet little romance, and enjoyable characters. I would definitely recommend this to YA fans, and will be putting it on the gift list for some of the teenagers in my life!

Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach Reviews ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 26, 2016 Wendy F rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016

I was honestly really excited to read this book. I think I have a fascination with YA Superhero novels, as apparent by my love of Renegade X. I love how you can play with current events in a fantasy element, which I know you can do in most genre’s, but there’s something almost accurate when you play with the black and white world of heroes and villains.

Anyway, that concept plus the idea of an LGBT main character, is what drew me to Junior Hero Blues. Javi was an unpopular gay kid at his school, I was honestly really excited to read this book. I think I have a fascination with YA Superhero novels, as apparent by my love of Renegade X. I love how you can play with current events in a fantasy element, which I know you can do in most genre’s, but there’s something almost accurate when you play with the black and white world of heroes and villains.

Anyway, that concept plus the idea of an LGBT main character, is what drew me to Junior Hero Blues. Javi was an unpopular gay kid at his school, starting to date an extremely popular kid, and in addition he’s dealing with having superpowers and working as a Junior Hero for the Legion.

What Junior Hero Blues had going for it:

Oh, the snark! Javi had a self-deprecating level of snark that made me laugh more than once. I enjoyed his outlook on himself, his best friend Kendell, and the jocks of the school. I appreciated how the author used her main character to highlight bullying too. I liked that Rick and Javi came from opposite sides of the high school spectrum.

I really liked Javi’s superpower. I thought it was a nice change to have Javi both proud of his ability, be pretty adept, and yet at the same time give him aspects of his power that even embarrassed him, like the bouncing. I loved the physical manifestation of Javi’s powers also. It was creative. I loved liked how Javi wanted an superhero costume that showed off his awesome new abs! I feel like that’s exactly what a teenager would want when they’re suddenly granted a super hot bod. He can’t show it off in his reality, but Blue Spark sure can wear a revealing costume!

What didn’t work in Junior Hero Blues:

I felt like Javi’s personality devolved a bit over the course of the story. While in the beginning he read as funny, by the end he felt whiney. It was a problem for me, because I’m such a character driven reader. When there’s a lack of substance, or consistency, in the character I notice and focus on it.

In addition, I didn’t believe the relationship between Javi and Rick. Their relationship started at the beginning of the book, and they only dated for a week. Javi even jokes about it. Yet, still they act like they’re madly in love at the end. I don’t even dislike whirlwind romances, if they’re done right. This felt too fast paced, and without enough one on one time to truly develop a romance.

I also thought not enough time was spent on Javi and his parents.

Really, I think my dislikes all boiled down to the rushed feeling, and not enough time marinating in the characters and the plot.

Thank you to Triton Books and Riptide Publishing for providing a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2017 Alison rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: my-e-things, queer, sff, lgbtq

This was a fun and entertaining YA superhero story. I quite liked it. It's very YA in tone (certainly older-kid-appropriate) and definitely more of an action story than a romance. I loved the diverse cast and it's cool to have a gay immigrant superhero story. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2020 Danii Allen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtq, 2020-popsugar

Read as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2020, to fill 14) A book by an author with flora or fauna in their name.

Oops, didn't exactly mean to read this all in one day, but sometimes these things just happen.

I really enjoyed this. I love that it started with the relationship, rather than culminating in it, because so much queer fiction is entirely about the gay guy getting the guy and when that's just the given first step, it leaves room for so much more, whilst still allowing there to be a ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Oct 10, 2016 Mel rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: poc, genre-sff, genre-ya

Let’s see. Junior Hero Blues wasn’t a bad book but I wish it had been different in several aspects so I would have been able to enjoy it more.

My main issue—or we can call it a preference—is that there was way more superhero stuff going on than romance. If I had to say it in numbers, there’s maybe 25% romance and 75% superhero action. I generally do not like to read too many action scenes because I think they work better in a movie than a book, so I was bored and skimmed several scenes in the fir Let’s see. Junior Hero Blues wasn’t a bad book but I wish it had been different in several aspects so I would have been able to enjoy it more.

My main issue—or we can call it a preference—is that there was way more superhero stuff going on than romance. If I had to say it in numbers, there’s maybe 25% romance and 75% superhero action. I generally do not like to read too many action scenes because I think they work better in a movie than a book, so I was bored and skimmed several scenes in the first half and also in the last 10%. In the end, honestly, because I finally wanted to see some love and just couldn’t stand to read another fighting scene.

I have to say that not only was there not enough romance on-page time for me but the little that was there could have been better as well. I didn’t buy that Javi fell for Rick in the short amount of time they spent together in the beginning of the book. Also most of the time they are together on page is not pleasant and the reunion in the end was just too short and… I think you realise that I really wanted more romance and less fighting. Maybe that won’t bother you but I was expecting something else.

Another thing that I didn’t like was the predictability of basically everything. In the beginning the book actually plays with this and tells the story in hindsight from a later point in time, but that changes after the first third and yeah, I knew what would be happening every single time and there were no surprises or twists I didn’t see coming.

Then… The message was just really simplistic. And maybe that’s okay for a young adult book but I don’t think it has to be, and it just doesn’t play in favour of the book.

I realise that I have a lot to complain about, but I finished reading this, and this kinda means a lot coming from me since I stop reading books all the time. (Mel the Queen of DNF, that’s me.) What saved the book and is the reason why I just kept on reading, despite all the things I didn’t love, is the quirky and funny and honest narration. The story is told in first person from Javi’s perspective and I just got lured in by it—even though it might be a bit over the top from time to time. I also liked Javi’s parents and his friend Kendall.

So. I don’t really recommend this book but if you want some easy superhero action stuff with some romance on the side, you might enjoy this and you could give it a try.

_______________________________
Genre: YA, Superheroes, Romance
Tags: M/M, Enemies to Lovers, POC (Spanish)
Content Warnings: Bullying (Off-Page), Violence, Homophobia
Rating: 3 stars
Blog: Review for Just Love Romance
Disclosure: ARC for Review ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Oct 23, 2016 Sara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Finally a believable, entertaining, not-too-cliche superhero book! And with a gay main character! If you like the new Ms. Marvel comics then you'll like this. Like Kamala Khan, Javier Medina deals with balancing family, school, romance, and being a new superhero called Blue Spark.

Javier is hands down the best thing about this book. He's really, really funny, witty, self-deprecating, down to earth, selfish at times, gets scared, loyal, and feels like a real person. He's gay, but it's not the thin Finally a believable, entertaining, not-too-cliche superhero book! And with a gay main character! If you like the new Ms. Marvel comics then you'll like this. Like Kamala Khan, Javier Medina deals with balancing family, school, romance, and being a new superhero called Blue Spark.

Javier is hands down the best thing about this book. He's really, really funny, witty, self-deprecating, down to earth, selfish at times, gets scared, loyal, and feels like a real person. He's gay, but it's not the thing that defines him. That's not to say he isn't out and proud (with great, supportive parents), but there's more to him than just being a gay teen and a gay superhero.

Rick is Javier's love interest, the only other "out" guy at school, and he's also dealing with a lot of stuff outside of just schoolwork. I like Rick and that he's a big, sporty guy and sees things as not just black and white but gray. The romance between Javier and Rick is so cute and adorable and had me rooting for them the whole time!

Kendall is so feisty and tells it like it is and I like that she always has Javier's back, even if she doesn't have super powers. I wish we got to see more of Javier's lesbian BFF.

I found the world that Javier lives in to be very believable for a place in which superheroes are a thing that exists. There are two superhero groups that a person with powers can join: the Legion, who are the good guys, and the Organization, who are the bad guys. That part is a bit cliche, but I thought it was great that the Legion works like the police instead of a hidden group because in this world being a superhero doesn't mean being a vigilante. Javier goes on patrol and can call back up and gets paid. It all felt real because Javier worried about the little things like not having enough money if he quit the Legion.

I don't want to give anything away about the plot because I enjoyed discovering it as I went along. It follows a classic superhero trope but in the best way and I really loved following Javier's life as he attempts to balance school, taking down bad guys, falling for a cute boy, dealing with his parents, dealing with the Legion, and always working to be a better person and hero. I NEED MORE BLUE SPARK!

Love this quote: "I know now that there were no good guys, just people trying, and sometimes failing, to do the right thing. Maybe there were no bad guys either."

**I received this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 04, 2016 Jim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: gothamcitypubliclibrary-fiction, jims-reviews, lgbt

It's nice to relate to the superhero that, in his secret identity, is all awkward and socially backward. Clark Kent has nothing on Javier Medina. (Plus, we all know Clark's just an act.)

Javier is a great character. And this book was well-written. In an interesting foreshadowing hitting you over the head kind of way. But it was a great story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Riptide Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 10, 2016 K.K. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Surprisingly good, adorable and fun read. MM teenage romance between hero and villain. Pretty great story. Lovable characters. Quite exciting plots. I enjoyed Javier and Rick a lot. Hope to see the sequel soon.

4.5 Stars

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 14, 2021 Stephen rated it really liked it

Shelves: gay-reads, 3-read-for-review, 9-books-read-in-2021, zz-amazon-reviews-rejected

Since the author decided to introduce his readers to a story already in progress, it’s only fair for me to do the same in this review. That (figurative) “chip on his shoulder” that they mention in the book blurb has migrated a bit further south and is implanted somewhat deeper. And that’s just one of Javier’s problems.

All of the heroes in the Legion of Liberty, (both full time and junior grade) have been tagged with chips that allow for GPS location if you’ve got the right secret software. Probl Since the author decided to introduce his readers to a story already in progress, it’s only fair for me to do the same in this review. That (figurative) “chip on his shoulder” that they mention in the book blurb has migrated a bit further south and is implanted somewhat deeper. And that’s just one of Javier’s problems.

All of the heroes in the Legion of Liberty, (both full time and junior grade) have been tagged with chips that allow for GPS location if you’ve got the right secret software. Problem is, rival super group “The Organization” has designs on gaining the ability to track those chips.

Ever since I first encountered Peter Parker many, many years ago, I’ve had a thing for young, overly kvetchy superheroes with some insecurities, and a snarky sense of humor. Javier continues a long and entertaining tradition. He certainly plays Peter Parker to his potential beau’s, Harry Osborne. Skinny, self-deprecating, Javi comes from a close knit and accepting hard-working lower income family where English is a second language. Meanwhile his athletically gifted, white-bread potential beau has access to a palatial family lake house but mostly absent parents.

They say that reading allows you to walk a mile in the other guy’s moccasins and here we get to do a bit of that. But with Javi the metaphorical moccasins are a pair of expensive sneakers that he pestered his parents into buying for him, despite their limited budget. Of course, being Javi, he loses them day one to a bunch of school bullies who relieve him of the shoes, tie them together and toss them high into a nearby power line. His quixotic quest to get them back, despite his fear of heights, is at the same time, telling of our boy’s character, the beginning of his bigger problems, and a super-hero origin story all rolled into one. True to his character, despite a life-changing accident, more than a year (and many mishaps) later, he still wears the now thread-bare sneakers… and still complains about the whole thing.

With Javi’s Latino background, we also get some insight into what it must be like to be transplanted into a culture where you can’t even speak the native language. At one point Javi revels in being able to slip back into Spanish with his family after speaking English all day in a sometimes hostile outside world. His initial inability to communicate is part of what made him the tough little loner that he is, and it’s clear that he’s also proud of how he’s adapted. Though, being Javi, it’s equal parts insecure adolescent and cocky super-hero (junior grade).

Another aspect most of us will identify with is when Javi expresses his concerns about an out gay boy needing to keep his super-hero status closeted, the ramifications are intriguing, enlightening, and a bit comical. His concerns about keeping his super-hero costume hidden are oddly reminiscent of most baby gays’ worries over keeping mom from finding their porno stash.

At one point, Javi’s continual belly-aching had me singing along with his “internal soundtrack.” Beck’s “I’m a loser” with it’s bi-lingual refrain came to mind and seems to sum things up perfectly. Soy un perdedor, I’m a loser baby so why don’t you kill me??”

But this tale’s not all comedy. Complicating Javi’s romantic and family concerns there’s also a darker sub-plot in that it’s unclear just how idyllic his Legion of Liberty really is. What if the much maligned “Organization” also has a valid point of view? And what if they’re using tactics that might deprive folks of their free will? Is it ethical to force people to abandon their delusions? Even if those delusions were imposed on them in the first place? These are big and important concerns that have relevance in the real world. and readers who prefer looking for deeper meanings will find a few things to think about here. (Ex-gay movement metaphors anyone?)

But don’t expect any answers here. Given that the tale is told from the POV of a stressed out teen who’s still trying to graduate from high school… and who hasn’t been laid in a while, don’t expect that analysis to run too deep. What do you expect from Junior Grade super-hero?

As might be expected when the angst quotient is this high, the concerns about Javi’s sexual preferences never get much beyond the theoretical stage. If you’re looking for a read with plenty of sweaty bedroom action, then this is NOT the book for you. But if you’re up for a ride-along inside the head of an angsty, smart, and sometimes overly-snarky teen Super Hero (Junior Grade) then perhaps you should check this out.

*** Note: I was given a copy of this e-book in exchange for a fair and honest review ***

...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 01, 2021 Veronica of V's Reads rated it it was amazing

4.5 Stars

Javier is a high schooler who is out as gay, and loved by his parents who are immigrants from Spain and work hard for their very modest life in Liberty City. About six months back Javier had a freak accident and his body grafted with the energy of an alien life form that had been a Legion hero but was slain in the moments before. Now Javier is more than the weird kid who couldn’t speak English in primary school. He’s now a Junior Hero working for the Legion of Liberty. And, that’s an ac 4.5 Stars

Javier is a high schooler who is out as gay, and loved by his parents who are immigrants from Spain and work hard for their very modest life in Liberty City. About six months back Javier had a freak accident and his body grafted with the energy of an alien life form that had been a Legion hero but was slain in the moments before. Now Javier is more than the weird kid who couldn’t speak English in primary school. He’s now a Junior Hero working for the Legion of Liberty. And, that’s an actual paying gig with a costume and everything. Javi hides his body from nearly enveryone because he’s covered in blue streaks, but in his alter-ego he’s the Blue Spark, with powers like almost-flying, and making shock waves, and sparks. He’s also really strong, but you know, not invincible or anything.

While out on patrol, Blue Spark discovers some Organization baddies robbing places. The head of this posse seems to be Johnny Black, who is a wise-cracking nefarious dude. He seems to be able to walk up vertical walls, and is super strong. This encounter reveals a secret plot by the Organization to gain access to the Legion database, digitally unmasking all the superheroes and their whereabouts in Liberty City. Battles between Organization and Legion operatives had been legendary, but there’s been a tentative peace for the last seven years or so–since the Legion had mostly eradicated the Organization’s forces. Now it seems as if they have been building up their team again, using a brainwashing agent known as a Hound to turn Legion members and new heroes to their malicious cause.

On the life front, Javier meets Rick, an attractive and popular boy at school, who seems like he wants to date him. And they hit it off. It’s so sweet and a bit overwhelming, which is why Javi doesn’t immediately notice the physical similarities between Rick and this Johnny Black guy.

I seriously adored this story. Javier is such a good and honest kid. He’s way out of his depth, but he’s striving to be the best person he can, while also keeping his big secrets. He learns pretty early that he’s fallen for Rick, and Rick is unfortunately under the sway of the Organization’s Hound. The ramifications mean they are always on opposite sides, even as Javier fights to win his mind and heart back. They have lots of discussions about right and wrong, and how to manage the divide across which they find themselves.

The tone and language of the story is perfectly aligned with a YA story framework. Javi and Rick have real-life teen drama angst, on top of the superhero/villain issues they both face. It’s a creative story with heart and interesting experiences and plotting. I loved Javi’s heart and his questioning of the situation and his plans. He loves his parents, and he’s trying to protect them, Rick, Rick’s family, his friends and all the people of Liberty City. He’s a good kid, and he does save the day, over and over, while also following his heart. ...more

flag Like · see review

Mar 14, 2021 Charlotte rated it really liked it

This book was a fun read. If you read YA, and enjoy the fantasy world of superheroes and crime fighters then you're going to enjoy "Junior Hero Blues" by J.K. Pendragon.

It took me a few pages to get used to the writing style. That narrative was great though. Javier's voice was quirky, funny and endearing. It read to me a bit like a film ... the way a character will start off at the beginning of a film talking to the audience. I settled into the style and came to really enjoy Javier's wit and his This book was a fun read. If you read YA, and enjoy the fantasy world of superheroes and crime fighters then you're going to enjoy "Junior Hero Blues" by J.K. Pendragon.

It took me a few pages to get used to the writing style. That narrative was great though. Javier's voice was quirky, funny and endearing. It read to me a bit like a film ... the way a character will start off at the beginning of a film talking to the audience. I settled into the style and came to really enjoy Javier's wit and his self-deprecating humour.

The plot is not complex although parts of it are quire original. I really enjoyed the idea that superheroes join an organization to be "junior" to the people who have been in the game longer. I mean, it makes perfect sense. This book is heavy on the super-action...there are several pretty awesome altercations between the villains and the heroes. As the story progresses, the plot becomes more complicated in terms of "who is good" and "who is evil". I liked the way things were complicated by the author - it made the book. much more interesting read.

At the beginning of the book, Javier begins a relationship with Rick. They are, in many ways, opposite of one another and Javier struggles a bit as he tries to figure himself out. He's not just figuring out what it's like to live as a superhero, he's figuring out who he is as a person. The interactions between these two young men were great and really authentic. They were fun and even with the whip-snap turns in the plot, I kept finding myself cheering for them.

The only issue I had with this book was that the ending was a bit abrupt. I was hoping for a little bit more time to sit with the author's resolution but it was suddenly over! I suppose that's a good thing - I mean, I would have been happy if it continued so I was definitely enjoying it. There's plenty of resolution in terms of the plot, so don't worry about that. I just wish there had been some more time for the ending to sink in.

This was such a fun book and I will miss Javier! I will definitely pick up future publications by J.K. Pendragon. ...more

flag Like · see review

Mar 27, 2021 Wart Hill rated it it was amazing

Shelves: queer, arc-2021

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

About halfway through this book, I was feeling a little disappointed. I'd been so excited for it, so hyped, and I saw what I thought was a twist coming from a mile away and I was like well that's kind of disappointing...

But then the main character addressed the twist straight on, commenting on how yeah sure maybe he should've realized it earlier but he was a little distracted and I was like okay, okay, this is not what I was ex ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 02, 2021 Danial rated it it was amazing

A fledgeling superhero falling for a brainwashed villain? Rick asks Javier out on a date. They get along until they find out each other's secret identity. Javier then works on saving Rick. There is a somewhat happy ending. I enjoyed the flow of the story. The author has done a splendid job to ensure that there aren't any dull moments in the story. I loved the characters ( main & supporting characters). They were all lovely. I liked how the author made sure that the MC did not get what he wanted ...more

flag Like · see review

Mar 19, 2021 Nicola rated it liked it

The idea of a teenage superhero working for a superhero company was really interesting and came with all the usual tropes about having to hide his identity. I liked the character of Rick and Kendall was a great best friend character, I thought their personalities were really great and engaging. I thought the way we got the backstory bit by bit worked really well. I thought the action scenes with Jimmy Black were a bit cliché and the action felt a bit rushed. I didn't find Javier the most relatab ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 04, 2016 Hristina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, from-netgalley, e-books, ya-and-na, first-read-arcs

I requested this book on NetGalley after I read the summary, which I thought bore resemblance to one I read last year. I wanted to find out first hand.
And while I wasn't wrong, and the plot isn't the newest thing on the block, Junior Hero Blues is still an entertaining read. The characters are developed, they're diverse and relatable, along with the amazing voice the author used - the narration is what kept me reading. The book is engaging, very fun.
Now excuse me, while I go obsess over J.K. Pen ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 28, 2021 Alex rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 10-and-11

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Junior Hero Blues in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not going to lie and pretend that this was an intellectual masterpiece, but it was still really fun. It's campy and cliché but superhero books are historically supposed to be that so I think J.K. Pendragon choose a genre that really supports their writing style. We've had so many cheesy straight superhero books so it was really fun to read such a campy queer one. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 10, 2016 Achim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1-urban-fantasy-paranormal, 2-ya

Maybe even a bit more than 4 and maybe it even cured my slight reluctance regarding YA. Have to write a bit more as soon as I get to a proper keyboard because this is more than some super hero fun with awkwardness and teenage angst, with family solidarity and young love. It's also a tale about what's good even in the face of failure and too complicated decisons. ...more

flag Like · see review

May 18, 2017 Shelley Chastagner rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5 stars for me. This was a wonderful YA novel. There is plenty of action and great characters. I loved that Javier and still kept his human frailties even with his super powers. I like that he kept trying, even when it seemed hopeless. Rick vs Jimmy black was a real Jekyll and Hyde character for me. I loved that his innate sense of good wins out.
All read

flag Like · see review

Aug 01, 2017 Lie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Was hoping for one more make out session in the end : p
Javi's and Rick's back and forth problems felt a little dragged out. And the romantic aspect between them coulda been handled better.
I liked that essentially the Organization was evil no doubt about it, but you had to question the individuals. It was p clear in this story, but how many victims were there still? ...more

flag Like · see review

Sep 03, 2017 Estance DH rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: t-good-no-great

The characters were not enough fleshed out for my taste, I felt that a lot a heavy & complex questions posed in the book were not treated in enough details, without enough resolution leading to the main character defining his value...
A lot a good, but it felt unfinished to me...

flag Like · see review

Oct 24, 2017 Li rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, read-in-2017, 2017-new-to-me-author

Probably a "it's not me, it's you" issue - superheroes are just not my thing. The story zipped along at a fast pace, but I never really connected with the characters. ...more

flag Like · see review

May 15, 2020 Skylar rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, enemies-to-lovers, superhero-supervillain

I have an obsession with MM superhero & supervillain pairings so I knew I was gonna love this one.

flag Like · see review

Sep 17, 2020 Irissska rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi-fantasy-paranormal-horror

I very much enjoyed it but well i do not give more than 3 stars to this kind of fiction, not usually.

flag Like · see review

Nov 04, 2016 Thegirlintheafternoon rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, popsugar-2016

Task: A romance set in the future - 4/5 stars

flag Like · see review

Oct 01, 2016 Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtqia

I received this book for review from NetGalley, and just let me say, I was so excited when this was approved. It breaks the mold from the traditional superhero story, and gives readers a different type of hero to look up to, which is especially fantastic for its targeted audience. The voice is remarkable, and the action was paced well throughout this book, making this a highly entertaining read.

Javier Medina is a Junior Hero in Liberty City, and he's still trying to figure out how to navigate fr ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 05, 2016 Mare SLiTsReaD Reviews added it · review of another edition

Meh. I really enjoy super hero books but this one may just be a tad bit immature for me.
I have a love hate relationship with YA books.
Id give this one to my 13 year to read so its way out of my reading range.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Madison Mega-Mara...: #121 Junior Hero Blues by J.K. Pendragon	1	2	Nov 04, 2016 12:45AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Young Adult

15 users

Fantasy

14 users

Comics > Superheroes

13 users

Romance > M M Romance

11 users

Romance

11 users

LGBT

9 users

GLBT > Queer

6 users

Contemporary

4 users

Fantasy > Urban Fantasy

3 users

Science Fiction Fantasy

3 users

See top shelves…

About J.K. Pendragon

J.K. Pendragon

62 followers

J.K Pendragon is a Canadian author with a love of all things romantic and fantastical. They first came to the queer fiction community through m/m romance, but soon began to branch off into writing all kinds of queer fiction. As a bisexual and genderqueer person, J.K. is dedicated to producing diverse, entertaining fiction that showcases characters across the rainbow spectrum, and provides queer ch ...more