World Famous Comics: Heroes: Saving Charlie: A Novel
Heroes: Saving Charlie: A Novel
By: Aury Wallington Publisher: Del Rey Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Del Rey Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 272 Publication Date: December 26, 2007 Release Date: December 26, 2007
Product Description: “Save the cheerleader, save the world” are the defining words of Heroes, the phenomenal series that has transformed television drama. They are also the cryptic marching orders for the show’s cross section of ordinary individuals united by an extraordinary bond. Each possesses a superhuman ability, and together they must prevent the course of history from taking a terrifying turn. Now, in this original novel based on the TV phenomenon, in a thrilling story that will captivate even those who haven’t seen the show, one of these unexpected saviors steps center stage on a deeply personal quest that will test the limits of his gift, the depth of his love, and the ultimate strength of his will.
Hiro Nakamura possesses the remarkable power to control time. And like his uniquely blessed comrades, he’s on a mission for the good of humankind. But another challenge awaits him: saving the love of his life from an unspeakable death. Charlene “Charlie” Andrews is the big-hearted, small-town beauty whose sunny smile and sweet soul knocked the shy Hiro head over heels. But when Charlie’s young life is snuffed out by a grisly serial killer, their budding romance is brutally cut short.
Or is it? Thanks to his astounding newfound skill, Hiro has the means to do what no tragedy-stricken lover in history ever could–turn back time. And no matter how raw his abilities, or how many twists of circumstance conspire to foil him, he vows to deliver Charlie from the evil poised to claim her. He will be her hero.
But what possible consequences might changing the past visit upon the future? How could saving one cherished life affect millions of others? And what ultimate choice will Hiro make when the power of fate rests in his hands?
cool book of a Great Show This book is a chapter of Hiro's life which was started in season one. Hiro and Ando are on their way to a "save the cheerleader, save the world" story arc. Hiro becomes distracted by love when he meets a waitress named Charlie, a Texan woman that speaks fluent Japanese. Hiro is just learning his time trailer ablates and Charlie is discovering her memory has more storage power than Microsoft. Unfortunately, his first time love experience is short lived because Sylar (big bad guy of season one) kills Charlie before Hiro and Ando finish their breakfast.
Hiro, being a time traveler, feels he can go back in time and prevent Charlie from coming to work that day, thus, saving her life, their love and still staying on track to "Save the Cheerleader..." Consequently, he accidentally ends up six months in the past. He has to go to work at the diner, meet Charlie for the "first" time again and convince her of his special ability of time travel and her future gift of memory. None of this is easy, nothing for Hiro Nakamura ever is. This book starts off like a NBC meets Lifetime love story. I'm not a fan of love romance novels, but a fan of Heroes especially Hiro Nakamura.
The book works as a story between episodes. Some reviewers may complain that the book doesn't provide any new information about Hiro, but keep in mind that the book and show are produced by different writers, and if the book writers introduced new information it would conflict with upcoming television shows.
One thing I like most about this book is that "Saving Charlie" shines with back story of Hiro as a kid. It provides a background of the powerful business of The Nakamura family. I enjoyed the scene of Hiro's first crush on his big sister's best friend. Hiro has major insecurities with girls and fails to live up to the expectations of his father.
The entertainment value of this book is high. The author Aury Wallington writes with the witty dialog of the NBC hit Heroes. It's a nice read wile waiting for the DVD of season 2 and the premiere of season 3 Villains in September. The only thing missing is a hook for the non Heroes fan. If you have never seen the show I doubt you would like this book. I read this as a fan and I'm very happy to have it in my collection.
What I was expecting I expected this book to be the love story between Charlie and Hiro that we dind't got to see on TV. As I'm not particularly fond of Hiro, prefering other heroes before, I didn't got the book as soon as it came out, but finally I had to lie my hands on it.
The book was what I expected it to be: a sub plot (for calling it with some name) inside the universe of HEROES. A story of love told as a romance. This books is light, one of these books you read, enjoy, and also have some very fine points that stick with yoy, like the one of being happy right until the end. But also one of those books who aren't cataclismic or something like that, but just a fun read.
If you're expecting this book to provide some insight on the HEROES universe, forget it, this is not your book. This book is about Hiro being smitten with Charlie, and doing things like holding hands, kissing and be in love.
Forget Charlie; Save Your Money I love Heroes. I watch it religiously, I'll buy as many graphic novel compilations as they care to publish in hard copy, and I enjoy discussing the show's finer plot points with fellow fans. So, when I heard a novel was being published about Hiro's mission to save Charlie, I jumped at the chance to have my questions answered about a somewhat unsatisfying subplot. I was excited to immerse myself even more deeply into the unfolding Heroes universe. I assumed the powers-that-be would be careful in their handling of this process. Of course a supremely gifted author would be chosen to steward the storyline of a wildly popular series.
I was wrong. I suspected I'd be made to endure something less than excellent when I read the line, "Hiro peacocked in front of the men's bathroom mirror, bringing sexy back." This was barely into the beginning of chapter 1. I pressed on, however, reasoning that among the ridiculous nods to pop culture idiocy of the last two to three years there would be a minuscule nugget of enlightenment, some small treasure of explanation that would make even Charlie's having "dropped it like it was hot" worth the read. Wrong again.
This novel barely adds meaning to the story of Hiro and Charlie, and some passages even read like a terrible romance novel. I agree with other reviewers in that this is like fanfic--really bad fanfic. Save your money to buy the graphic novels or the shortened season 2.
Not the Hiro we know and love A case of trying to hard coupled with mediocre writing, this book really didn't do it for me. The author even somehow managed to turn the single most lovable character in Heroes into an annoying, emotional, even whiny unlikable loser. I get that Hiro isn't perfect and that he's kinda been a disappointment to his father and all, but jeez...how many times did they have to get into his utter lack of ever even managing to kiss a girl? Or, the need to bash us over the head with his extremely exaggerated emotional swings? (Since when is Hiro manic?)
I just didn't enjoy it. I don't generally read books based on existing properties, but I thought it'd be a light, fun read. I mean, how could it go wrong? Hiro is just so gosh darn likable on the show. But this book didn't read like him at all. Clearly, the author didn't understand the character and that came through as you felt, reading the book, you didn't either.
Likeable Story If you like, or love the tv show Heroes you will probably enjoy this book...as to how much you will like it may depend on your tastes. The story basically fills in the romance between Hero and Charlie, with no great surprises. On the positive side it is a quick read, on the other it is mostly a romantic tale. I cannot help but think this was a story arc that the writers thought about developing through a season of the show, but decided to go another way and figured they would put it out in book form. That being said...without other story lines to take us away from this, the story of "Saving Charlie" ends up to be a nice one, but with no real surprises or excitment...more of a romance than anything else.
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