Secrets: The Hero Chronicles (Volume 1)

I love hero stories, and I especially love it when the heroes are humble. Nicholas is a good kid thrown into a horrific situation, but he handles it with strength and maturity. A new school, new relationships, and new-found popularity shake him up and lead him to revelations about himself and his family. This is a great start to a fascinating new YA series, and I'm really looking forward to the next book!

I loved this book, because since the beginning it gets your attention, because you want to know what is happening with Nicolas, why he is hiding.
It's an excellent book that can be read by teenagers and adults

Tim Mettey's Secrets starts off with a resounding bang. When it opens, the reader is introduced to Alex, a young boy who has just gone through a terrible disaster. As you read about the events that transform Alex's life, anticipation of what is to come builds. Then you turn the page and Alex, he is gone. Instead the story focuses on Nicholas Keller, a high school student who has been on the move with his aunt Cora since the tragic death of his parents. The transition between plots is both sudden but subtle, and will have you wondering how these two characters have anything to do with each other.

After reading a bit more, you may begin to wonder if the book was printed wrong- I definitely did, considering I had a galley copy. But it is not. The form of writing is constant, and Mettey's style is constant throughout the telling of the lives of both Alex and Nicholas.
What may infuriate you is the fact that the bond between Alex and Nicholas isn't mentioned for much of the book. This however is an amazing feat for the author to pull off, because when the clues as to how they interact begin to emerge, and the paranormal reason behind it is revealed, the impact of the story is heightened profusely.

Nicholas' life is an exciting one, and witnessing his interactions, actions, and knowing his thoughts is an enjoyable experience.
This book took me through the wringer, and after reading it I immediately wanted more- which is shameful since Secrets will not be released until tomorrow- November 3.

After reading Secrets, I am highly anticipating the continuation of The Hero Chronicles, and more of Mettey's dynamic writing. I would recommend this book to many.

5 shining stars from me!

I would describe Tim Mettey's SECRETS as a paranormal teen romance with a hint of apocalyptic spiritualism. That sounds like a complicated mix, but it's actually a fairly straight-forward story. The novel begins with a ten-year-old boy named Alex Taylor who experiences something traumatic - it's not clear exactly what that something is, but it's transformative for Alex and for the community in which he lives. Then the story shifts ahead five years and we meet fifteen-year-old Nicholas Keller, who is wrapped up in some sort of mystery. Ever since the death of his parents, Nicholas has been living with his Aunt Cora, who has become a surrogate mom for him. But there is something strange about Nicholas's life - he and Cora are hiding from someone or something. They have moved annually for the past five years, so that Nicholas has never spent more than one year in the same school since fifth grade. What is the connection between Nicholas and Alex, and what is the mystery behind Nicholas's nomadic lifestyle?

While the mysteries behind Nicholas's life do permeate the background of SECRETS, the majority of the story is actually a fairly straight-forward teen romantic drama. Nicholas is the new kid in school, which is tough for any 10th grader - he wants to play football (which was his dad's sport), but his new school has a really top notch team, so making it will be hard. He also wants to get to know Elle, the gorgeous junior he keeps seeing - he calls her his "angel," and he describes her as "adorable." At the same time, Cora keeps reminding him that he can't attract any attention to himself, or they'll have to move again. Problems arise when he does remarkably well during football tryouts - better than any sophomore has done in the school's history. And when he and angelic Elle start seeing each other, it looks like Nicholas's sophomore year might actually be his best year ever. But being the only JV player on the Varsity team brings Nicholas a little too much attention, and some of the other players (especially big-shot captain Oliver, who feels threatened by both Nicholas's skill at football and his growing relationship with gorgeous Elle), aren't too happy about his presence in their high school.

If this all sounds a little tame, stick with it for the payoff, which is both interesting and fairly satisfying. Mettey admittedly teases the reader for most of the novel's 320 pages with veiled hints about what Nicholas's secrets really are, but he does provide answers in the end, and those answers do make sense in terms of the story. This is ultimately a supernatural story, and there are suggestions that Nicholas's ultimate purpose in life may have spiritual connections. SECRETS is the first in a proposed series called THE HERO CHRONICLES, and Nicholas's heroism has many levels. Is he just a kid who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time? And why is he suddenly so good at football, so strong, so fast, and so able to do things no ordinary fifteen-year-old can do? Stick with the novel and you'll find out.

Personally, I found all the football in SECRETS to be a bit tedious - I'm not a fan of the sport, and there's a lot of it in the first half of the novel. But this shouldn't be a problem for most teen readers (and boys, especially, may relate to Nicholas through his dedication to football). I will admit that Nicholas is a bit more polite and courteous than most fifteen-year-olds today. No way would any "bad language" cross his lips! He's deferential to adults, chivalrous with women, and a constant user of "please" and "thank you." And while he definitely feels a physical attraction to lovely Elle, their relationship is ultimately platonic - there's no way anything's happening between these two beyond a chaste kiss. Any parent would be delighted to have their kids reading this book - it portrays teenagers in a sweet and wholesome light that is seldom seen in this era of violent video games and offensive music.

I do recommend SECRETS to teen readers looking for a mix of romance and paranormal adventure. I'd say it's aimed more at the young end of the YA range (12-15, probably). The book was published through Matthew 25 Ministries, which is a humanitarian Christian organization providing relief to those in need. Although it does have a spiritual context, I would not describe SECRETS as a Christian novel. Non-Christian readers will not be bothered by anything Mettey is doing here. Bottom line, it's a good story. And I do think future installments of THE HERO CHRONICLES could be very interesting. It wouldn't make a bad TV series, either!

[Please note: I was provided a copy of this book for review; the opinions expressed here are my own.]

Nicholas Keller and his aunt Cora, I mean mom, move to a new town every year on the same day. To Nicholas she is his aunt, but to the rest of the world, Cora is known as his mother. She wants it this way to help keep his identity a secret. That is also why they move every year. She does not want anyone finding out the truth about her nephew.

What is his secret? Nicholas doesn't know all of it nor that there is more than what he does know. Five years ago he rescued some people during the 10-10 earthquakes that killed his parents. The media has been after him since then. Nicholas believes that is the whole secret, but there's more.

The new town the two usually move to is small and away from where they originally lived, but not the one Cora has picked this time. The town of Winsor, located only an hour away from Nicholas's original hometown, has a sprawling high school with a very publicized football team. At the request of his guidance counselor to get involved in something, Nicholas joins the football team. Trying out, he's not sure he'll even make it, but suddenly finds himself on the varsity team and the bane of the captain.

This story is about Nicholas's time at the high school. He's supposed to keep quiet and not draw attention to himself, but everything he does goes against his aunt's wishes. He tries to do what she wants but it always backfires on him.

It is a decent story. It is one of those fantasy hero stories with a secret world humans are to know nothing about. I think it's best suited for an older middle grades reader. Everything about the book screams cliche. There's the cliche captain of the football team, the new kid, the girlfriend, everything. It is corny, but it doesn't feel out of place. I don't know if that's saying what I want it to say. What I'm saying, I guess, is that it fits. The story would not be the story without the cliche.

What's Nicholas's real secret? Read the book to find out!

Nicholas is starting school two hours away from his home town. This year he is coming under a change. Some may think good and others, not so much. He decides to take football. This year it's gonna be different from the past. His father played when he was in high school and excelled at it, so Nicholas does it as an homage to his father. He is the first underclassmen to play in varsity. His Aunt Cora, whom he calls mom, has him drop out. He's bringing too much attention to himself and it frightens her for various reasons.

This year Nicholas won't be able to hide as well as he has in the past. He makes friends with his fellow teammates and finds the one girl that is the calm in his storm, Elle. They start out as friends and things progress from there and they end up dating.

The problem in all of this is Oliver. He was the teams "golden boy". The face on several billboards around the city. He's used to being in the spotlight and doesn't take kindly to Nicholas. Nicholas is all that he isn't. Where Oliver is an arrogant prick, Nicholas is quiet and modest. Another problem. Elle is also the girl Oliver wants as his own and definitely doesn't like that Elle is more interested in Nicholas.

One would think this was enough to deal with. But, Nicholas's secrets and past is about to catch up to him. He will learn more about his family history and what came to pass five years earlier. And why it has been so important to keep him hidden.

I really liked this. It wasn't boring in the least and kept my attention the whole time. The only thing that drove me nuts was wanting to know why he had to stay on the down low. However, the clever author knew that would keep me from putting the book down. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next one!

Nicholas Keller lives with his Aunt Cora, who he calls "mom"; for the past five years they've been moving to different towns. Cora always says to "keep a low profile" or they'll have to move again. Nicholas wants this year to be different so he tries out for the school football team. Upon playing there's something off... like how fast his speed is and other weird unexplainable occurrences. No one notices and just believes he's really good at sports; he makes the JV team. His aunt said it was fine, but still warned him to not bring attention to himself. To him, things were finally looking up, but it didn't stop there. We meet a girl name Elle, who Nicholas falls in love with at first site. She's cute and they become a couple. Problem: Oliver. He bullies Nicholas because Nicholas is dating Elle.

Wowza! This book really keeps the reader intrigued from beginning to end! Secrets is a great name for this book, because that's what happens through out the whole book. Something paranormal and mysterious is happening to Nicholas and he doesn't know why; his aunt is running from something he doesn't know about. The mystery keeps the reader flipping through the pages. There are some definite hints while reading, but it's still very hard to figure out the ending. Some books have too many obvious clues where you end up going "Yeah. I saw that one coming". In this book big twists happen. At the end of the book everything ties up nicely... no loose ends or questions that need answering. I recommend this book for a great paranormal, drama, romance, and mystery.

*Received for review, this in no way affects my review*

I received Secrets for review in return for an honest review. Nicholas Keller isn't your typical teenager. Five years ago his life changed forever his parents died in a disaster that killed thousands, and he emerged with a secret. He lives with his aunt now who pretends to be his mother to help avoid unwanted attention that they would draw otherwise. Every year on August tenth they move to a new city to start a new life all over, attempting to blend in as much as they can. Since the disaster five years prior they have been hiding from the what the future hold for Nicholas attempting to avoid it. For the last three years Nicholas has played football but he's never played in a game. He's been in five different schools on the run from a secret from his past that changed his life.

Upon moving a hundred miles from his home town things start to change. Instead of being in a small town like the typical town his aunt has chosen to move them to a bigger town that happen to love their football. At the insistence of his guidance counselor Nicholas decides to try out for football after all his father played football it's something he wanted to do for him. Cora isn't thrilled about the idea of Nicholas playing but she agrees to let him try out and see what happens. Its while at practice that Nicholas learns when he gets angry he sees the world slowing down, and has super strength. He proves himself an asset to the team and even makes varsity which is extremely rare considering it's never happened before so much for trying not to draw attention.

During the first game Nicholas catches sight of a dark haired girl he describes as an angel she instantly has his attention and when he learns he shares a class with her he can't help falling for her. The attraction is mutual and the pair became instant good friends. After an accident that ends Nicholas's football chances it also takes some of the heat off him as he tries not to draw attention to himself. Nicholas is nominated for homecoming but when he asks Elle he finds out that she's already agreed to attend the dance with Oliver the senior who has been tormenting him. Though she tells him she wants him to go to the dance, at the last minute he agrees to go with an Eric and the group he's going with.

I found the story entertaining, I like the mystery around Nicholas he has this big secret that we don't learn about till the end of the book. It keeps you guessing and wanting to know more so for me it was hard to put the book down till I knew what it was. I liked the football aspects my hubby is a huge football fan and with football season it seemed to fit as well. I could see lots of teen boys being into the story because Nicholas does something that most teen boys do or watch. Nicholas is a very easy to relate character, he's quiet and a little shy but he comes off as the good guy you don't see too often in books anymore. I would describe the story as a suspenseful paranormal coming of age love story with a little post-apocalyptic thrown in. The story is well written it flows smoothly so it's easy for anyone to get lost in the story and lose track of time. Overall it's a great first book in the series and I'm curious to see what happens next.

Five years following the earthquake that destroyed the Midwest, leaving thousands dead and injured, Nicholas Keller is still on the run, trying to protect his identity. However, when his aunt finally decides to let him settle in and be a normal kid for a change, all of Nicholas' dreams are starting to come true... but at a price. Will he be willing to sacrifice all he's ever wanted for the anonymity his aunt so desperately wants for him?

Nicholas Keller is a different sort of boy. After becoming a hero following the great quake on 10-10 five years earlier, he's been forced into hiding for his own safety. Even though he's forced to move every year on the same day, he doesn't let it get him down. Not one to make friends, it's easier to pick up and go on to the next city and the next life. His character was a nice mix of hero and real boy. He knew his duty and yet, he had his moments of insecurity and rebellion as well. It made for a more realistic Nicholas.

While the story was engaging and the characters interesting, sometimes the writing, mostly the dialogue, fell a bit flat. Although the story is aimed at an older audience, the more simplistic writing style makes it perfect for younger readers in the 12 to 14 age range to cut their teeth on.

Secrets is a novel full of just that - lots and lots of secrets. As they're slowly revealed to both the reader and Nicholas himself, you're drawn farther and farther into this new alternate universe that is so familiar and yet very different from our own. Aside from a few issues I had with the author's style, the novel itself was interesting and engaging and a good read for younger audiences.

Originally posted at LAS YA Reviews

Secrets is one of those stories that grab you from the beginning and continues to get better by the minute. I was so pulled into this story that I stayed up late to finish it because I just had to see what was going to happen. In the beginning of this story I was a bit confused because the story starts off with Alex. Alex is walking to school when a stranger asks him if he has seen what has happened. Alex is a little confused because he has no idea what the person is talking about. As he goes to see what happens he finds out that there was this accident and other things happened. I will not say because it will spoil it for you and I don't want to do that.

Then I turned the pages and I was introduced to Nicholas Keller who lives with his aunt because his parents died in an accident. They constantly are on the move and this is like his fifth school. As the story moves on you get to see what Nicholas is going through. He tries not to draw to much attention to himself and stays to himself until he gets to his new school where the guidance counselor persuades him to try out for football. He does try out and makes the varsity team. At first he is excited but then he gets hurt and can't play football anymore. That is when he meets a girl and he instantly wants to know who she is.

Once Nicholas and her get close things start to change for him and he notices things that he never has. See Nicholas has a secret that only he and his aunt know about and he is trying to figure out what it is. He thinks he knows but he is not sure. This story has the right amount of everything. It has just enough Paranormal to keep you reading and as the story unfolds you are in awe because you never expected that at all. The romance in the story is great because it goes slow and is not rushed and unbelievable. And the mystery is totally EPIC because it keeps you guessing and wanting to know more and more about Alex and Nicholas.

This is a MUST READ! Thank you Tim for allowing me to read the beginning of an epic series!

There was one constant throughout this book and that was the mystery behind why Nicholas had to be kept in the background. Always hidden behind the scenes, could not invite friends over and seemed to be talented at any activity he put his mind into accomplishing. When he steps outside his aunt's comfort zone and tries out for football, it puts him in the immediate spotlight at his new school. (also one of her worst fears)

When it came down to really trying to get to know Nicholas, as I reader I became more conflicted as the story went on. By the time I finished the book there was a part of me that wished the secret wasn't left so far into the end of the book, instead brought forward into revelation earlier in the book. The shy, cowering character that Nicholas is in the majority of the book is not too attractive to me as a reader. I did like who he started to become in the end, and would have liked to see more of that.

As the story starts getting more detailed in to the mystery, the fact that Nicholas has a destiny that is beyond his control is appealing. There is a whole world out there that he has yet to discover and for me, some questions that have been left open,to be continued in the sequel I'm sure.

My favorite character was his aunt, Cora. Most likely because I am a female myself her perspective was more relatable for me. I was happy to see that she plays a major roll in the book and was a constant and developing character just as much as Nicholas is.

I do feel that this story has appeal for both boys and girls. A little sports, a little romance and most of all, the supernatural.

Secrets tells the story of Nicholas Keller, a fifteen year old boy living with his aunt Cora. Five years ago something horrible happened, forcing Nicholas and Cora to go into hiding. On August 10 of every year they move to a new town or city and try to blend in as best as possible while trying to hide who they are and what happened all those years ago. They move to the town of Winsor where Nicholas starts school and eventually joins the football team.

Even though he knows nothing about the game he is surprisingly good at football. He has the ability to see things in slow motion before they happen. To a normal person it would look like he was moving very quickly. He also is stronger than the average human, but can only use his powers when angered. One day he looks into the stands and sees a girl named Elle who he thinks is so beautiful he can only describe her as an angel. Nicholas thinks about her often and wants nothing more than to get to know her.

I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning. Started reading it yesterday morning, finished it before my husband got home from work, then spent most of the night talking about it. What I loved the most though was the main character, Nicholas Keller. It is very rare to see a guy who is as well mannered and respectful as him. We need more guys like him where I live.The characters in Secrets are very memorable and I found myself getting attached to quite a few of them.

Secrets is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone. It takes a while to find out what the big secret is but once you find out it is worth it. This book does not disappoint and I can't wait to read the next one.

Secrets is a very appropriate title for this book! It sucked me in right from the get go. In the first chapter we are introduced to Alex Taylor. On his way to school he is asked if he has seen "The strange lights in the sky that look like clouds with rainbows trapped inside." That, for one, had me instantly intrigued. I wanted to know more about it right away, but the author switches gears, and all of a sudden something terrible happens. By this time, my eyes were as wide as saucers because I was trying to figure out what was going on.

Then,you flip to the next page, aaaand, you are fast forwarded five years and introduced to Nicholas. Now, I know you're frowning and trying to figure out if I'm trying to trick you. No, I'm not. This is really part of the story, which had me absolutely thrilled. I love books that keep me on my toes, and trying to figure out what's going on.Nicholas has lived with his aunt Cora ever since his parents died. Nicholas loves Cora, and even calls her mom, but for the every year on August 10, they move to a different city, and after five years of the same thing, it gets tiring. Especially since they must always keep a low profile...

Nicholas was one of those characters that you can't help but fall in love with just a little. He's just so sweet and polite! I wish I knew more guys that were like him. I loved seeing how his character grew throughout the story, and how he interacted with the rest of the characters in the book. It seemed like I almost always had a smile on my face, especially when he was around Elle, his "angel". Awwww! :)

Secrets is a great book that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a new book to read. There's just the right mix of paranormal, romance, football, and mystery, that it will appeal to guys and girls of all ages. It was extremely tempting to flip through the book to find out what was going to happen, and figure out what the whole Alex/Nicholas connection was. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story changed direction, and I was stumped once again. Tim Mettey sure knows how to keep his readers flipping through the pages of the book until the wee hours of the morning. The story was smooth, and I was never confused as to what was happening. I didn't feel like I was being led around in circles. All the questions that I had while I was reading this book were answered by the time I finished reading it. The only bad thing is the fact that now that I have finished Secrets, I have no idea when the next book is going to come out!

*I was given this book in exchange for my honest review*

A pretty good debut YA novel from newcomer Tim Mettey. Tim's bio paints a picture of a family man, a man with a clear set of values and that is certainly reflected in his story, but it is in no way a distraction, in fact I found it somewhat refreshing..

Fifth grader Alexander Taylor is a bonafide hero. On 10-10, the day of the giant earthquake he becomes a hero and it turns his life upside down. Five years later, he's still on the run.

I don't want to go into a lot of detail on the story, learning the Secrets one by one is what makes the tale enjoyable. We do get a number of answers by the end of book one, but there are still plenty of mysteries remaining for the sequel(s).

One thing I really wanted explained, and never did learn, is the Tic Tac effect. You'll understand what I mean when you read the book, and I do recommend this one, especially for Young Adults. This book is certainly not in the Harry Potter league, but it does compare well to The Hunger Games and is somewhat better than the Twilight books.

Available now in both paperback and e-book formats. I know you can definitely find it at the store.com and may be available from other retailers, as well.

Secrets: The Hero Chronicles (Volume 1)

Review by Rachel at Rachel's Book Reviews

When I was first approached about the book, it sounded good, but I didn't think it would be sensational. While I can't put it on a pedestal with my utmost favorites, I did REALLY enjoy the book. I loved the style of writing.

When he introduced Nicholas, it was really intriguing. You know something happened, but you don't know what. And every so often, Tim would dangle another reminder about this unknown thing infringing on Nicholas's life. The true art in that, is that he made it curious, without annoying the heck out of me (Another book comes to mind, when the author attempted to do this, and just ended up aggravating me to boredom.) I really liked Elle in the story, and I felt like I could relate to her (yeah, I like to eat croutons, I wear glasses and I couldn't give a hoot about fashion, makeup, or popularity.) I was shocked to read a few negative reviews on this book!

They brought up `Cheesy Romance' and `Middle Grade' appeal. Yeah, I'd hand it to a middle grader if I felt they could handle it. But I'm in college and I loved the heck out of his love for Elle. Part of what frustrates me about the modern industry, is that the consumers (teenagers) don't understand love OR romance. Sure, a lot of relationships have sexual, more physical components. But romance, and sexuality AREN'T mutually exclusive. You don't have to tear someone's clothes off to prove love - EVEN in a fictitious relationship. The amount of love you have for someone, or the amount of love you perceive to have received from someone else, shouldn't have to be measured by kisses and touches.

Take the lovely cover for example. After reading the book, I look at that cover and the word that comes to mind, is intimate. It speaks of an unrestrained love. A love that would willingly die, not just for one you love, but for anyone.
To me, sacrifice is the ultimate love.

I need to wrap this dissertation up!

This is the first review I have Facebook commenting on, so I'll probably get a few "You don't know what it's like." Comments. I'm okay with that.

I won't respond to those individual comments, but this is generically what I would say: I reject your reality and substitute my own.

BOTTOM LINE: I adore this book, and would absolutely recommend it to everyone.

"What has he done?" "He has given us hope."

Nicholas has been living a life full of secrets that he isn't aware of, even though they revolve around him. Having fled his hometown with his aunt after a disaster kills thousands, Nicholas has drifted unnoticed through four other schools in four towns. Now, starting his sophomore year, he's determined to make this year memorable, to be a part of it, even if it means his death.

While the transition from chapter one to chapter two is very confusing, as readers continue through, they find the story of a (mostly) typical teenager going to high school. The simple writing depicts Nicholas and Elle clearly, yet leaves older readers wanting more and noticing the inconsistencies that characters like Cora seem to be full of. There is a lot of build up, of potential, from the start that seems to get lost in the football games and school lunches.

Overall, Secrets was an entertaining read, fast-paced and full of mystery that keeps readers turning the page. Hopefully more will be explained/expounded upon in the second book, making Nicholas' 'secret' come to life.

(I was given a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.)

Secrets is the first book in the Hero Chronicles

Nicholas has spent his life since his parents died moving from town to town with hi aunt, never staying longer than a school year in one place. His aunt has always stressed that they keep everything about themselves secret, no friends or connections o any town or place.

This year starts a little different. Nicholas is getting older and interested in a girl in school. He wants friends, and so he wonders are the secrets really worth it. As he tries to becoming more in this town, allowing himself friends and a girlfriend he learns more of the reasons for the secrets.

This is a great first book from this author. In fact I was so caught up in the story that I read books one and two within a few days. Now I am waiting for the next book to come out!