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SYNOPSIS

Lambda Literary Award Winner: LGBT Children's/Young Adult

Thom Creed is used to being on his own. Even though he’s a basketball star, his high school classmates keep their distance. They have picked up on something different about Thom. Plus, he can’t escape his father’s history. Hal Creed was one of the greatest and most beloved superheroes of his time until a catastrophic event left him disfigured and a pariah -- and led to the disappearance of Thom’s mother.

The last thing in the world Thom wants is to add to his father’s pain, so he keeps secrets. Like that he has special powers. And he’s been asked to join the League -- the very organization of superheroes that disowned Hal. The most painful secret of all is one Thom can barely face himself, much less admit to anyone else. To make matters worse, he knows someone’s been following him. Someone who now knows everything.

But joining the League opens up a new world to Thom. There, he connects with a misfit group of aspiring heroes, including Scarlett, who can control fire but not her anger; Typhoid Larry, who can make anyone sick with his touch; and Ruth, a wise old broad who can see the future. Like Thom, these heroes have things to hide, but they’ll have to learn to trust one another when they uncover a deadly conspiracy within the League.

To survive, Thom will have to face challenges he never imagined. To find happiness, he’ll have to come to terms with his father’s past and discover the kind of hero he really wants to be. This groundbreaking novel tells an unforgettable story about love, loss, and redemption.

REVIEW
A refreshing voice has joined the genre of fiction for young gay adults. Perry Moore’s newest novel tackles several issues facing a young man on the verge of adulthood, dealing with profound differences in a not too welcoming world.

Thom is a star on the basketball team and the son of superheroes. His father Hal has fallen from grace, disfigured from a tragic accident and ostracized by the public he saved. His gardenia loving mother disappeared long ago under mysterious circumstances.

Thom’s bright future becomes questionable as he starts to discover his own superpowers and his confusing sexual attraction to photogenic superhero, Uberman. Despite his love for his father he keeps these secrets and doesn’t tell him when he is given the opportunity to try out for the “League.” Surrounded by the heroes he has long admired his powers strengthen and he learns how to use them. Along with a team of misfits including Typhoid Larry (ability to make people sick), Scarlett (control of fire) and Ruth (ability to see the future) he must prove his self worthy of the first string of superheroes and live up to his parents’ legacy.

Facing super villains and being followed by the mysterious outlaw, Dark Hero, the great mystery of his mother’s disappearance unfolds leading to an unbelievable showdown between good and evil.

With an unflinching boldness Thom breaks down the walls of his sexuality and through a façade of beauty and strength to find that everything is not as it seems.

-- Nick Strathern