Hero

Born with every power. But mercy might be his downfall.

Casimir was raised to end a war he didn't start. As the only Preter born with all eight rare abilities since Diego Scott-the legendary leader who once united a fractured nation-he's been trained from birth to be a weapon, not a boy. His father, a battle-hardened hero, believes power is control. But Casimir believes real strength lies in restraint-and he's about to learn how dangerous that belief can be.

During a covert mission, Casimir uncovers a brutal government operation targeting Preterhumans. Alongside a girl who claims the enemy isn't who he's been taught to fear, Casimir's world begins to unravel. Questions arise about the Preter war, his father's loyalty, and Diego Scott's death. What if everything he's been fighting for... is a lie?

With a prophecy from an Oracle looming and the fate of the Exiled in his hands, Casimir must make an impossible choice:

Is being a hero about saving the world... or deciding who gets to survive it?

Cinematic and unflinching, Hero: A Villain's Origin is a gripping, genre-bending dystopian debut that blends superpowered warfare, emotional intensity, and a morally charged coming-of-age arc. With the cinematic action of Invincible, the political fire of The Hunger Games, and the dark heroism of Red Rising, this explosive sci-fi epic challenges everything you thought you knew about power, justice, and legacy. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Vicious, and The Umbrella Academy, Hudson's series opener launches a universe of Preter-Humans that redefine the superhero genre. Hero is the story of a boy born with every gift-except the freedom to choose who he wants to be.

Genre: Superhero Fiction, Dystopian, Coming of Age, Sci-Fi, Action Adventure

Perfect for readers who love: Morally gray protagonists, father-son conflict, rebellion themes, found family, government conspiracies, powerful origin stories, slow-burn transformation arcs.