This one took me a second to get invested, but boy does it take off! The story opens with a bartender who used to do hero stuff, but is now a jaded and sarcastic bar owner. Quips fling at you right and left, and you get an idea of Jim’s interaction with the world including his long abandoned hero dreams as Lode. (The scene with the waitress and the special dessert he uses to deal with rude patrons- chef’s kiss!)

Yeah heroes are great and all, until they aren’t. About halfway, we get to the meat and the action. Jim is talked into finding out what really happened after his sister and hero partner, Lock was asked to join the Spectrum and died under mysterious circumstances. It’s soon revealed that the invitation Jim received along with many other hero hopefuls was not in good faith. Win or die, there’s no other choices.

The flow is fast, the banter is hilarious and you can’t help but get sucked into the story. The inner monologues are peak.

And that ending… Daaaaaamn. Archer Thorn sure knows how to leave you hanging.

Thank you to Book Sirens and Everwatch Books. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.