In Hero Years... I'm Dead

I have been a fan of Michael Stackpole since I read the first Rogue Squadron book many years ago. He writes action quite well, and seems more comfortable with writing in the first person perspective than many authors.

In Hero Years is a “super hero noir” novel. Told from the perspective of an normal person who played the super hero game, the novel takes place in a world where super heroes are the norm, as are villians. After a 20 year absence, the reasons for which we discover later, our hero finds himself back home to a world where heroes and villains are bet on and treated like fantasy football. There is a hero stock market and heroes and villains bid on the rights to either commit crimes or stop them.

The public treats this like every day entertainment. That is, until serious, deadly actions begin.

An interesting story, in a compelling and almost believable world, In Hero Years is an enjoyable novel for those who love super hero fiction. It also is an interesting story for those who might find super heroes just a tad ridiculous. Quite enjoyable.