Books matching: underdog heroes
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- #1
Save:The book follows the story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, a young Viking boy who is expected to prove himself by training a dragon and showcasing his abilities to lead his clan. Despite being seen as cowardly and not fitting the typical hero mold, Hiccup embarks on a journey filled with challenges, humor, and unexpected victories. Alongside his dragon, Toothless, Hiccup faces dangerous situations, overcomes obstacles, and ultimately emerges as a hero, defying expectations and earning the respect of his tribe.
Filled with humor, adventure, and themes of courage and friendship, "How to Train Your Dragon" is a tale of an underdog finding his place in a society that values strength and bravery. Through witty writing, clever plot twists, and engaging characters, the book explores the journey of self-discovery, the importance of embracing individuality, and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
This is what comes of not following the Law, he thought to himself. If I had banished the boys last night like I should have done, they would not be here to die with the rest of us. I should have put ... - #2
Save:The Star Cross by Raymond L. Weil is a space adventure novel that follows Admiral Kurt Vickers and the colony world of Newton as they face off against aliens called Profiteers who are plundering Earth for its wealth. The book is described as a thrilling and entertaining read, filled with dramatic space battles, great characters, and aliens. The plot involves Admiral Vickers and his small fleet traveling to Kubitz in the Gothan Empire to find a way to remove the Profiteers from Earth space for good.
The writing style in The Star Cross is noted to be action-packed, fast-paced, and exciting, with plenty of likable characters and some not so likable ones. Despite some reservations about certain aspects of the story, readers express interest in seeing a continuation of the book series, highlighting the potential for a good adventure series to develop from the initial installment.
'Year Zero' by Rob Reid is a satirical sci-fi comedy that explores the consequences of aliens pirating Earth's music and the resulting copyright licensing chaos. The book follows the story of a copyright lawyer, Nick Carter, who must find a solution to prevent the destruction of Earth by extraterrestrial beings due to the massive fines owed for illegal downloading. The writing style is described as humorous, engaging, and filled with pop culture references from the '70s and '80s, making it a nostalgic and entertaining read for fans of satire and sci-fi.
Aliens suck at music. And it’s not for a lack of trying. They’ve been at it for eons, but have yet to produce even a faintly decent tune. If they had, we’d have detected them ages ago. We’ve been scan...- #4
Save:Improbable by Adam Fawer is a thrilling novel that follows the story of David Caine, a poker-playing, epileptic slacker who is also a professor of probability theory. The book delves into weighty topics such as Einstein's Theory of relativity and French mathematician LaPlace's writings, while exploring the meaning of life itself. Fawer skillfully weaves a complex plot around these themes, making quantum mechanics understandable and entertaining. The story is filled with intrigue, involving a double agent, the Russian mob, the North Korean secret service, evil scientists, and various government agencies, all set against a backdrop of Texas Hold'em poker.
The writing style of Improbable is fast-paced and engaging, keeping readers hooked till the end. The characters, especially Nava, are well-developed and believable, adding depth to the storyline. Fawer combines hopelessly arcane scientific theories with non-stop action, creating a unique blend of science fiction and thriller that is both adrenaline-rich and thought-provoking.
- #5
Save:Nickel Plated follows the 12-year-old Nickel through the ins and outs of a slimy underground world where children are commodities to be traded or discarded after use. The story revolves around Nickel, a hard-boiled survivor, who supports himself by growing and selling weed and forcing perverts to pay for their sins. The book portrays Nickel's journey of emancipation and survival, depicting his unconventional methods of dealing with abuse and adversity. Aric Davis introduces a gripping plot with believable characters, showcasing Nickel's resilience and resourcefulness as he navigates through a world filled with danger and challenges.
- #6
Save:'Turbulence' by Samit Basu is a unique take on the superhero genre, where ordinary people on a plane from London to Delhi suddenly gain superpowers that align with their personalities and desires. The story follows a group of individuals with diverse powers as they navigate the consequences of their newfound abilities, facing off against powerful villains and exploring the complexities of being a superhero. The writing style is described as fast-paced, engaging, and filled with cinematic action sequences, making it a fun and entertaining read for those looking for a fresh perspective on the superhero trope.
The author, Samit Basu, uses simple language to narrate a plot that is both comical and serious when needed, creating a balance between humor and depth in the storytelling. The characters in the book are praised for their cool powers, diverse representation, and engaging personalities, adding layers of complexity to the narrative that keep readers invested in the outcome of the story.
In 1984, Group Captain Balwant Singh of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command had dangled his then three-year-old son Vir off the edge of the uppermost tier of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, nearly g... - #7
Save:'A Gathering of Crows' by Brian Keene is a horror novel that follows the story of Levi Stoltzfus, an ex-Amish magician, who finds himself in a small town called Brinkley Springs. The town is under attack by five demonic beings who take the form of crows and wreak havoc, consuming the souls of the townspeople. Levi, with his occult abilities, becomes the town's last hope in facing this supernatural threat. The book is described as fast-paced, entertaining, and filled with suspense, horror, and elements of the author's Labyrinth mythos.
The story in 'A Gathering of Crows' is a mix of gruesome horror and supernatural elements, with a focus on character development, particularly that of Levi Stoltzfus. The narrative weaves together past references from the author's previous works, creating a sense of familiarity and continuity for long-time readers, while also providing enough background for new readers to follow along and be intrigued by Levi's mysterious past and magical abilities.
When the sun went down, and dusk gave way to night, the mountain came alive. A chorus of insects buzzed and hummed in the darkness. Birds chirped from their treetop nests. Tiny frogs—called spring pee...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Levi Stoltzfus ) - #8
Save:In picturesque Moonlight Cove, California, inexplicable deaths occur and spine tingling terror descends to this edge of paradise. Growing numbers of residents harbor a secret so dark it is sure to cost even more lives. Tessa Lockland comes to town to probe her sister's seemingly unprompted suicide. Independent and clever, she meets up with Sam Booker, an undercover FBI agent sent to Moonlight Cove to discover the truth behind the mysterious deaths. They meet Harry Talbot, a wheelchair bound veteran, who has seen things from his window that he was not meant to see. Together they begin to understand the depth of evil in Moonlight Cove. Chrissie Foster, a resourceful eleven year old, running from her parents who have suddenly changed and in whom darkness dwells, joins them. Together they make a stand against darkness and terror. The novel is set in a small town in Northern California, where an experiment has been transforming humans into something else. An FBI agent and a ragtag group of survivors bands together to respond to the horror.
Nearly every evening between ten and eleven o'clock, Janice put on her gray sweats with the reflective blue stripes across the back and chest, tucked her hair under a headband, laced up her New Balanc... - #9
Save:'Nerve' by Dick Francis follows the story of Rob Finn, an up-and-coming jockey who discovers a series of sabotages that are ruining other jockeys' careers. As Rob investigates the source of the sabotage and seeks revenge, the plot unfolds with elements of suspense, psychological depth, and a touch of romance. The narrative is set against the backdrop of the horse racing world, providing a unique setting that adds to the appeal of the story. The writing style is described as engaging, with a focus on character development and a well-crafted plot that keeps the reader hooked until the end.
He had walked out of the changing-room ahead of me, his narrow shoulders hunched inside the khaki jerkin he had put on over his racing colours, and his head down on his chest as if he were deep in tho... - #10
Save:'The Dragon Waiting' by John M. Ford is an alternative historical fantasy novel set in a Europe where the Byzantine Empire never fell and Christianity never became the dominant religion. The story follows a quartet of unique individuals, including a Welsh wizard, a German vampire engineer, and others, as they navigate a world filled with mages, vampires, political intrigue, and historical figures like Richard III and Lorenzo de Medici. The plot weaves together elements of medieval Europe, the War of the Roses, and fantastical components like magic and vampires, creating a rich and complex narrative that explores themes of power, betrayal, and survival.
The writing style of 'The Dragon Waiting' has been described as clever, elliptical, and occasionally horrific, blending magic, mystery, and political intrigue seamlessly. The book features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets, set against a backdrop of a Europe where deadly dynastic conflicts and ancient rivalries shape the course of history. While the plot may be challenging to follow at times due to abrupt scene changes and subtle storytelling, the novel offers a unique and engaging reading experience for fans of historical fiction and fantasy.
Dimi was well down the valley before his companions topped the rise; he heard their shouts, their horses' protests, then finally the rumble of hooves far behind. He laughed and whispered to white Luna...
