Hero Status by Kristen Brand

Superhero fans, you won’t want to miss this! Hero Status is packed full of action, humor, and old-fashioned good guys versus bad guys.

I received an ARC or review copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

Title: Hero Status
Author: Kristen Brand
Series: The White Knight & Black Valentine, Book 01
Publish Date: November 25, 2014
Genre: Superhero fantasy
Source: Provided by the author

Publisher’s Description: Dave Del Toro used to be a superhero. Now he’s retired and happily married—to his former nemesis, Valentina Belmonte, better known as the Black Valentine. The two have settled in sunny Miami and left the past behind them. No more masks, capes or handcuffs. At least, not outside of the bedroom.

But then the famous hero Supersonic turns up dead, and Valentina is arrested for the murder. Dave knows she’s innocent, but he has to find the real killer if he wants to prove it. Investigating on his own, dodging the law, he gets tangled in a web of conspiracy that will take more than super-strength to break. If Dave wants to save his wife, he’ll have to cross lines no hero ever should…

Possible spoilers beyond this point.

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Kat Mandu says…

I can’t tell you why it has taken me so long to finally read this book. Busy schedules and life, I suppose. But I can’t believe the greatness I’ve been missing!

Dave is an older character and a retired superhero with a bum knee. He used to be famous (and he still kinda is, there are just newer ones out there who have taken over) and one of the good guys until people found out he was in a secret relationship with notorious telepath and villain, Black Valentine. Despite this fact, they also have a daughter together named Elisa, and for a while, have enjoyed their life together.

But then Val gets accused of murder and Dave, who believes she’s innocent, starts investigating. He’s led down a path of several telepathic baddies, a lovestruck damsel in distress, and a mafia gunman with a superhuman strength that matches his own. And as he navigates the chaos of fighting against one of his worst enemies, he’s gotta figure out if he can maintain his superhero morals.

I absolutely LOVED this. It’s funny, it’s a little romantic, it has a really great plot and characters I like. There’s really nothing negative about it, to be honest.

Another thing I enjoyed was the writing. It was well-edited and flowed perfectly, even during the fight scenes. I loved the personal touches the author imbues within the flashbacks and scenes with the whole family.

I picture Dave as Bruce Willis sometimes. I know with a last name like Del Toro, it’s probably not quite the facial visual you’d expect, but I still do it anyway. Mostly because they’re both badasses.

This gets five stars from me. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Other recommendations…

Recommended for fans of Jennifer Estep (Bigtime), Lexi Dunne (Superheroes Anonymous), and Alex Hughes (Mindspace Investigations).

I received an ARC or review copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.