The New Heroes

Introduction

The New Heroes (US series title: Quantum Prophecy) is a series of novels and short stories by Michael Carroll, first published in January 2006 by HarperCollins in the UK.The New Heroes (US series title: Quantum Prophecy) is a series of novels and short stories by Michael Carroll, first published in January 2006 by HarperCollins in the UK.

The stories centre on realistic depictions of superhuman abilities manifesting in the world and the subsequent appearance of superheroes and villains.The stories centre on realistic depictions of superhuman abilities manifesting in the world and the subsequent appearance of superheroes and villains.

The first trilogy follows young adolescents as they become aware of their abilities and the danger that those powers may put them in.The first trilogy follows young adolescents as they become aware of their abilities and the danger that those powers may put them in.

In December 2007, the author published a collection of short stories entitled Superhuman, which expanded upon the mythology.In December 2007, the author published a collection of short stories entitled Superhuman, which expanded upon the mythology.

The first in the original HarperCollins trilogy is titled The Quantum Prophecy (, January 2006), the second is Sakkara (, October 2006) and the third Absolute Power (, July 2007).The first in the original HarperCollins trilogy is titled The Quantum Prophecy (, January 2006), the second is Sakkara (, October 2006) and the third Absolute Power (, July 2007).

A prequel series has been completed, this series includes four novels, beginning with Super Human.A prequel series has been completed, this series includes four novels, beginning with Super Human.

The other three novels in the prequel series are: The Ascension, Stronger, and Hunter.The other three novels in the prequel series are: The Ascension, Stronger, and Hunter.

Crossfire, released in October, 2015, and The Chasm, released in June 2017, make up the final two books in the series, both taking place after the original trilogy.Crossfire, released in October, 2015, and The Chasm, released in June 2017, make up the final two books in the series, both taking place after the original trilogy.

The Quantum Prophecy

The first of the original trilogy.

Plot summary

The story opens with a seemingly random battle among the many superhumans that inhabited the western world, set ten years ago at the foot of a gigantic tank that was on its way to New York City.The story opens with a seemingly random battle among the many superhumans that inhabited the western world, set ten years ago at the foot of a gigantic tank that was on its way to New York City.

During the course of this slugfest, the superheroes and supervillains all seem to lose their abilities.During the course of this slugfest, the superheroes and supervillains all seem to lose their abilities.

Ten years later, Colin Wagner and Danny Cooper, the children of these superhumans are discovering their abilities and they soon learn that they have also inherited their parents' enemies.Ten years later, Colin Wagner and Danny Cooper, the children of these superhumans are discovering their abilities and they soon learn that they have also inherited their parents' enemies.

The teenagers are kidnapped in order to calibrate the machine that might take away their powers and stop a war that was prophesied by Danny's father, the man once known as Quantum.The teenagers are kidnapped in order to calibrate the machine that might take away their powers and stop a war that was prophesied by Danny's father, the man once known as Quantum.

Danny was believed to be the cause of this war, and so he allowed the supervillain known as Façade to take his place to let Maxwell Dalton record his visions of the future as he broke down.Danny was believed to be the cause of this war, and so he allowed the supervillain known as Façade to take his place to let Maxwell Dalton record his visions of the future as he broke down.

They had hoped to avert it by stripping the world of superpowers ten years ago, but the machine was destroyed and Danny's powers continued to manifest.They had hoped to avert it by stripping the world of superpowers ten years ago, but the machine was destroyed and Danny's powers continued to manifest.

The new machine would be unstable, and potentially kill hundreds of thousands of people, but it was a risk they were willing to take.The new machine would be unstable, and potentially kill hundreds of thousands of people, but it was a risk they were willing to take.

With the help of old heroes, including the frozen in time Renata Soliz (Diamond), they stop this from happening and have those behind the plot taken away.With the help of old heroes, including the frozen in time Renata Soliz (Diamond), they stop this from happening and have those behind the plot taken away.

By the end of the book, they realise how much risk is involved in becoming superhuman, with Danny's arm now missing, his real father dead, and many lives irrevocably changed.By the end of the book, they realise how much risk is involved in becoming superhuman, with Danny's arm now missing, his real father dead, and many lives irrevocably changed.

US title and publishers

In the United States, the series was originally published by Philomel Books as Quantum Prophecy, and so the titles of the books were changed.In the United States, the series was originally published by Philomel Books as Quantum Prophecy, and so the titles of the books were changed.

The series is to be republished by Puffin Books starting in 2008.The series is to be republished by Puffin Books starting in 2008.

The first is called The Awakening (, April 2007 and , May 2008).The first is called The Awakening (, April 2007 and , May 2008).

Reception

The Quantum Prophecy was nominated for the Ottakar's 2006 Children's Book Prize.The Quantum Prophecy was nominated for the Ottakar's 2006 Children's Book Prize.

The book received positive reviews from nearly all critics, but some criticised the kitsch marketing of the series.The book received positive reviews from nearly all critics, but some criticised the kitsch marketing of the series.

Sakkara

The second of the New Heroes trilogy.

Plot summary

Sakkara revolves around the titular superpowers research facility in the heart of the United States.Sakkara revolves around the titular superpowers research facility in the heart of the United States.

The adolescent superhumans of The Quantum Prophecy return.The adolescent superhumans of The Quantum Prophecy return.

Their covers are blown and they are forced to flee to the US in order to protect themselves from attack and publicity.Their covers are blown and they are forced to flee to the US in order to protect themselves from attack and publicity.

The facility that they hide in is thought to be secret, until its name is known around the world following a terrorist attack in which the supervillain turned assassin leaves the word Sakkara spraypainted on the wall of an airport after killing dozens of people.The facility that they hide in is thought to be secret, until its name is known around the world following a terrorist attack in which the supervillain turned assassin leaves the word Sakkara spraypainted on the wall of an airport after killing dozens of people.

Someone among the "New Heroes" or "old heroes" has broken protocol, but everyone is a suspect.Someone among the "New Heroes" or "old heroes" has broken protocol, but everyone is a suspect.

As more and more attacks begin to occur, the pattern emerges that they are going after Trutopians.As more and more attacks begin to occur, the pattern emerges that they are going after Trutopians.

Trutopians are an international organisation designed to give each of its members security and equality, but with reduced freedoms.Trutopians are an international organisation designed to give each of its members security and equality, but with reduced freedoms.

It is revealed that they are run by the antagonist of the last novel, Victor Cross, who has his own ideas of international peace and wishes to impose them on the world.It is revealed that they are run by the antagonist of the last novel, Victor Cross, who has his own ideas of international peace and wishes to impose them on the world.

Reception

Nominated for Best Novel in the British Science Fiction Association Awards in 2006.Nominated for Best Novel in the British Science Fiction Association Awards in 2006.

Absolute Power

A direct continuation of the previous book.

Synopsis

Not so long ago, the world believed superhumans dead after a great battle wiped out heroes and villains alike.Not so long ago, the world believed superhumans dead after a great battle wiped out heroes and villains alike.

Ten years later, "The New Heroes", a group of second generation youngsters possessing superhuman powers have emerged and are now faced with difficult decisions when their leader Colin Wagner runs away in the midst of a political attack from the globe spanning Trutopian organization led, unknown to them, by their enemy Victor Cross and his accomplice Yvonne.Ten years later, "The New Heroes", a group of second generation youngsters possessing superhuman powers have emerged and are now faced with difficult decisions when their leader Colin Wagner runs away in the midst of a political attack from the globe spanning Trutopian organization led, unknown to them, by their enemy Victor Cross and his accomplice Yvonne.

The pair have begun to plant the seeds of a dark shadow game that will manipulate the heroes into a series of actions that threaten to throw the world into war.The pair have begun to plant the seeds of a dark shadow game that will manipulate the heroes into a series of actions that threaten to throw the world into war.

If the planet is to survive, the new heroes will have to fight harder than they have ever have before.If the planet is to survive, the new heroes will have to fight harder than they have ever have before.

Plot summary

The lives of the teenagers have been changed forever, and they decide to proactively use their powers of their own free will, in order to better the world.The lives of the teenagers have been changed forever, and they decide to proactively use their powers of their own free will, in order to better the world.

Collin does not know that the Trutopians are led by Victor Cross and he soon finds himself under the spell of Yvonne's mind control.Collin does not know that the Trutopians are led by Victor Cross and he soon finds himself under the spell of Yvonne's mind control.

Unable to resist Yvonne's orders Collin soon finds himself turned against his fellow heroes, fighting on the side of the very people he had vowed to bring to justice.Unable to resist Yvonne's orders Collin soon finds himself turned against his fellow heroes, fighting on the side of the very people he had vowed to bring to justice.

US Title

In the United States, Absolute Power, the third book in the series, is published under the title The Reckoning.In the United States, Absolute Power, the third book in the series, is published under the title The Reckoning.

(, June 2010)

Superhuman

Superhuman is a collection of short stories set in the New Heroes universe.Superhuman is a collection of short stories set in the New Heroes universe.

One story is long enough to be considered a novella, however.One story is long enough to be considered a novella, however.

The author released the book exclusively through the New Heroes website in December 2007, and each one is signed and numbered.The author released the book exclusively through the New Heroes website in December 2007, and each one is signed and numbered.

It is limited to 1,000 copies.It is limited to 1,000 copies.

Super Human

A prequel to the events of the New Heroes trilogy called Super Human was released on the official New Heroes website.A prequel to the events of the New Heroes trilogy called Super Human was released on the official New Heroes website.

It was released May 13, 2010.It was released May 13, 2010.

Plot summary

A mysterious group is trying to bring Krodin, a four thousand year old super human, forward in time to control the modern world.A mysterious group is trying to bring Krodin, a four thousand year old super human, forward in time to control the modern world.

The story begins with Abby, a seemingly average girl with the power of superhuman strength, but only with metal.The story begins with Abby, a seemingly average girl with the power of superhuman strength, but only with metal.

She is in the middle of working at a dinner when a television report comes on about a siege at a nearby warehouse that a terrorist group is using to hold hostages.She is in the middle of working at a dinner when a television report comes on about a siege at a nearby warehouse that a terrorist group is using to hold hostages.

Abby rushes to the scene, along with a mysterious and quiet boy that would come to the dinner daily.Abby rushes to the scene, along with a mysterious and quiet boy that would come to the dinner daily.

Abby and the boy (who is revealed to be Thunder and has the power of sound wave manipulation) try to infiltrate the warehouse with the help of Paragon and the US Military.Abby and the boy (who is revealed to be Thunder and has the power of sound wave manipulation) try to infiltrate the warehouse with the help of Paragon and the US Military.

The Ascension

Another prequel to the events of the New Heroes trilogy, and a sequel to Super Human, The Ascension was released summer 2011.Another prequel to the events of the New Heroes trilogy, and a sequel to Super Human, The Ascension was released summer 2011.

The plot involves Krodin who has mysteriously survived death by being sent back in time by six years after his battle with Abby, Thunder, Roz and Brawn.The plot involves Krodin who has mysteriously survived death by being sent back in time by six years after his battle with Abby, Thunder, Roz and Brawn.

In the present the kids begin to notice changes in their America.In the present the kids begin to notice changes in their America.

It was released on June 30, 2011, and is the fifth book in the New Heroes series.It was released on June 30, 2011, and is the fifth book in the New Heroes series.

Stronger

The sixth book in the New Heroes series was released on June 14, 2012.The sixth book in the New Heroes series was released on June 14, 2012.

It is the backstory of Brawn, a rather minor villain of the series up until this point.It is the backstory of Brawn, a rather minor villain of the series up until this point.

All Gethin Rao wants is to be like every other boy his age.All Gethin Rao wants is to be like every other boy his age.

But normal twelve year olds are not blue.But normal twelve year olds are not blue.

And they certainly are not thirteen feet tall.And they certainly are not thirteen feet tall.

That is what happens when his superpowers kick in.That is what happens when his superpowers kick in.

And from that moment on, his life is never the same.And from that moment on, his life is never the same.

Nicknamed Brawn and treated as a villain – a monster – Gethin spends years on the run or as a prisoner in a secret military facility.Nicknamed Brawn and treated as a villain – a monster – Gethin spends years on the run or as a prisoner in a secret military facility.

When he finally falls in with a group of superpowered teens, he becomes the one thing he never thought he would be: a hero.When he finally falls in with a group of superpowered teens, he becomes the one thing he never thought he would be: a hero.

But as the years pass, Gethin learns that being a good guy is a lot more difficult than he thought.But as the years pass, Gethin learns that being a good guy is a lot more difficult than he thought.

Hunter

The defeat of the near invincible villain Krodin has left a void in the superhuman hierarchy, a void that two opposing factions are trying to fill.The defeat of the near invincible villain Krodin has left a void in the superhuman hierarchy, a void that two opposing factions are trying to fill.

The powerful telepath Max Dalton believes that the human race must be controlled and shepherded to a safe future, while his rival Casey Duval believes that strength can only be achieved through conflict.The powerful telepath Max Dalton believes that the human race must be controlled and shepherded to a safe future, while his rival Casey Duval believes that strength can only be achieved through conflict.

Caught in the middle is Lance McKendrick, a teenager with no special powers, only his wits and the tricks of a con artist.Caught in the middle is Lance McKendrick, a teenager with no special powers, only his wits and the tricks of a con artist.

But Lance has a mission of his own: Krodin's ally, the violent and unpredictable supervillain Slaughter, murdered Lance's family, and he intends to make her pay.But Lance has a mission of his own: Krodin's ally, the violent and unpredictable supervillain Slaughter, murdered Lance's family, and he intends to make her pay.

Hunter was published in the US on May 1, 2014.Hunter was published in the US on May 1, 2014.

Crossfire

The world is slowly recovering from the chaos of the Trutopian War, but that was only the beginning.The world is slowly recovering from the chaos of the Trutopian War, but that was only the beginning.

A dangerous enemy has emerged, and the New Heroes quickly find themselves outmatched and outnumbered.A dangerous enemy has emerged, and the New Heroes quickly find themselves outmatched and outnumbered.

When their enemy starts to pick off their colleagues one by one, they realize that in order to win, they must fight the battle on the enemy's terms But how far are they willing to go to save the simp race?When their enemy starts to pick off their colleagues one by one, they realize that in order to win, they must fight the battle on the enemy's terms But how far are they willing to go to save the simp race?

Crossfire is the eighth book overall and is the first book of a final series taking place after the original trilogy.Crossfire is the eighth book overall and is the first book of a final series taking place after the original trilogy.

It was published worldwide in October, 2015.It was published worldwide in October, 2015.

The Chasm

The Chasm is the ninth and final book in the Quantum Prophecy series.The Chasm is the ninth and final book in the Quantum Prophecy series.

It takes place after Crossfire and sees the return of Krodin.It takes place after Crossfire and sees the return of Krodin.

It was published worldwide in June, 2017.It was published worldwide in June, 2017.

Trivia

Crossfire, The Chasm, and the short story collection Superhuman were all published under the company MaxEdDal Publications, the author's private publishing name for this series.Crossfire, The Chasm, and the short story collection Superhuman were all published under the company MaxEdDal Publications, the author's private publishing name for this series.

It is named after the in universe corporation MaxEdDal Pharmaceuticals, run by the character Maxwell Edwin Dalton.It is named after the in universe corporation MaxEdDal Pharmaceuticals, run by the character Maxwell Edwin Dalton.