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 rebel who once tried to unite a fractured nation—he's been trained since childhood to be a weapon, not a boy. His father, a battle-hardened hero, believes power means control. But Casimir believes real strength lies in restraint—and he's about to find out how dangerous that belief can be.
On a covert mission, Casimir uncovers a brutal government conspiracy targeting Preterhumans. Alongside a mysterious girl who claims the enemy isn't who he's been trained to fight, Casimir's world begins to unravel. Questions rise about his mission, his father's loyalty, and Diego Scott's death. What if everything he's been fighting for... is a lie?
With a prophecy from the Oracles looming and the fate of the Exiled on his shoulders, Casimir must make an impossible choice:
Is being a hero about saving the world... or deciding who gets to survive it?
Hero: A Villain's Origin is a morally charged, emotionally explosive YA/NA dystopian sci-fi debut perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Hunger Games, Legend, and Invincible. With the cinematic action of Invincible, the political fire of The Hunger Games, and the dark heroism of Red Rising, Hudson's series opener launches a universe of Preter-Humans that redefine the superhero genre. If you crave superpowered warfare, cinematic storytelling, and antihero arcs where mercy has a cost—this story is for you.
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.