Secrets (The Hero Chronicles #1) by Tim Mettey

The Midwest lies in complete ruins after a catastrophic disaster kills tens of thousands and leaves hundreds of thousands injured. Nicholas Keller emerges out of the devastation as a shining light of hope for all. But his newfound fame comes with a price that his aunt will not let him pay. They flee into the shadows in order to protect his secret. However, as Nicholas begins his sophomore year at his fifth school in five years, strange and unexpected things begin to happen. He soon tumbles into a web of doomed love, extraordinary talents and a secret past, which threatens the lives of everyone he cares about. It’s up to Nicholas to confront the truth, even if it means his own death.

When I was first approached about the book, it sounded good, but I didn’t think it would be sensational. While I can’t put it on a pedestal with my utmost favorites, I did REALLY enjoy the book. I loved the style of writing.

When he introduced Nicholas, it was really intriguing. You know something happened, but you don’t know what. And every so often, Tim would dangle another reminder about this unknown thing infringing on Nicholas’s life. The true art in that, is that he made it curious, without annoying the heck out of me (Another book comes to mind, when the author attempted to do this, and just ended up aggravating me to boredom.) I really liked Elle in the story, and I felt like I could relate to her (yeah, I like to eat croutons, I wear glasses and I couldn’t give a hoot about fashion, makeup, or popularity.) I was shocked to read a few negative reviews on this book!

They brought up ‘Cheesy Romance’ and ‘Middle Grade’ appeal. Yeah, I’d hand it to a middle grader if I felt they could handle it. But I’m in college and I loved the heck out of his love for Elle. Part of what frustrates me about the modern industry, is that the consumers (teenagers) don’t understand love OR romance. Sure, a lot of relationships have sexual, more physical components. But romance, and sexuality AREN’T mutually exclusive. You don’t have to tear someone’s clothes off to prove love – EVEN in a fictitious relationship. The amount of love you have for someone, or the amount of love you perceive to have received from someone else, shouldn’t have to be measured by kisses and touches.

Take the lovely cover for example. After reading the book, I look at that cover and the word that comes to mind, is intimate. It speaks of an unrestrained love. A love that would willingly die, not just for one you love, but for anyone.
To me, sacrifice is the ultimate love.

I need to wrap this dissertation up!

This is the first review I have Facebook commenting on, so I’ll probably get a few “You don’t know what it’s like.” Comments. I’m okay with that.

I won’t respond to those individual comments, but this is generically what I would say: I reject your reality and substitute my own.

BOTTOM LINE: I adore this book, and would absolutely recommend it to everyone.  This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review