Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

  • Apple
  • Android
  • Windows Phone
  • Android

To get the free app, enter your email address or mobile phone number.

Buy New
$9.99
Qty:1
FREE Shipping on orders with at least $25 of books.
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Heroes R Us has been added to your Cart
Want it Tuesday, April 12? Order within and choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Ship to:
To see addresses, please
or
Please enter a valid US zip code.
or

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon
Flip to back Flip to front
Listen Playing... Paused   You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more
See this image

Heroes R Us Paperback – December 10, 2011

3.9 out of 5 stars 41 customer reviews

See all 2 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions
Price
New from Used from
Kindle
"Please retry"
Paperback
"Please retry"
$9.99
$7.61 $10.04

Up to 50% off select books
Featured titles are up to 50% off for a limited time. See all titles
$9.99 FREE Shipping on orders with at least $25 of books. In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE

Product Details

  • Paperback: 188 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 10, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1468063030
  • ISBN-13: 978-1468063035
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,533,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Heroes R Us differs from most other superhero novels out on Kindle. It was originally published by Random House India, and so has a level of polished editing and proofing that's rare in low-price ebooks. The tone of the novel is also more serious. Unlike most novels in this genre, which have an almost obligatory "poke fun at superhero stereotypes", Dhar's (the author's) novel is an interesting contrast between the truly irreproachable hero Arnab, his public perception, and the grim, corrupt environment in which he lives.

Well written, the plot seems like a very realistic possibility for someone with a high sense of morality gaining super-powers. The author's portrayal of India and its governance should appeal to western readers, in much the same way as did "Slumdog Millionaire". I won't use any plot spoilers, but will say that the protagonist goes through an emotional roller coaster during this original and unpredictable story, which has a satisfying and inspiring conclusion. Overall, an awesome read, and one which I'd recommend to a wide variety of fiction, action, fantasy and sci-fi readers.
1 Comment 17 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
At the start of the novel, bespectacled librarian Arnab has located a lost copy of War and Peace that he would have had to pay for from his meagre wages. His supervisor is at the bank, so he takes the book there, and winds up losing his glasses during a bank robbery in progress. He nearly drops Tolstoy, and book-bashes one of the robbers in his blind attempts to catch it.

And then, he is a hero, to be manipulated by the corrupt regional politician in India. Instead of the bank robbers, a political opponent is punished. Arnab is forced to stay quiet, and continues his routine as a poor student, hoping to do well enough in exams to attain a slightly better life for himself.

Arnab really does wind up getting powers, soon after. He can see perfectly at night, without his glasses. He's strong and fast. On a bus, he keeps a girl from being molested. He starts tackling some larger criminals.

The rich and the powerful then start trying to control and manipulate the new hero. Meanwhile, bigger threats are looming, and Arnab needs money to get the crucial information. What is a good hero supposed to do?

I found the story engaging (He's a book lover!) right from the start. I haven't read a book set in modern India before, and enjoyed learning those insights. The plot moved quickly, realistically, and unpredictably in a very character-driven way. All the antagonists were intelligent and ruthless.

Great story. Highly recommended.
Comment 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
At first glance, this is a typical loser-develops-super-powers book. Being written by an Indian author and set in Delhi instead of a Western city gives it a different flavor from most superhero books, but I thought it was just another version of the same. But, it's dirtier than the average one and here the main villains are regular crime and the system itself. It builds and builds and suddenly the climax is completely unexpected and the book gets an added dimension that really makes the whole thing worth while.

It's written an edited well and its a fast read - it only about 3200 locations - and it's worth a read. This is my second book by this author and he has a new follower....
Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I'm going to vary from the rave reviews on this one. While the book is, stylistically speaking, identical to the two other offerings I've read from him, the result is clearly not as good.

First the good stuff. Like in his other books, this one is set in India with an all Indian or at least subcontinent cast which gives is a distinctly more interesting setting than most books which tend to be centered around the US or the UK. Like his other works, this book just charges right ahead from setting to scene making for a very fast read indeed. Due to the setting and the people, we get a look at a vastly different culture and outlook from the protagonist and his associates (and his opposition) than in the usual US set book. All this is terrific and, for me, a resident of the US whose never been to India, makes it a valuable read educationally speaking.

Another really top aspect of this book is that we have a super hero but one which faces the real problems a super hero may actually face should one exist. None of this idiotic business where Lois Lane can't see that Clark Kent isn't Superman because Clark is in a suit rather than Spandex or multi-billionaire Batman who, lacking any educational credentials, manages to invent devices which re-define physics for us.

Now for the bad. The thing which really bothered me almost constantly throughout this book was the annoying pious hand wringing about harming people the hero does all through his encounters even with the most disgusting thugs and criminals out there.
Read more ›
Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Mainak Dhar wrote a zombie novel that I loved (Zombiestan) and in "Heroes R Us" has added a superhero novel that I would rate one and a half stars lower but round up because of the unique setting in India. Arnab is a librarian who becomes faster and stronger, but then is consumed by an internal conflict with his pacifist nature, concerns for the safety of his friends, and resentment over the fickle acclaim of the public. I found Arnab to be a bit whiny for my taste but believable as an ordinary person who is suddenly put in an unasked-for position of great power and influence. Mr. Dhar clearly has some issues with the politics and corruption of India, and these comprise the real villains of his story. Although Arnab does his superhero thing every night, the story seemed to drag a bit, especially when he engages in what feel like constant soliloquies. Will he triumph over evil? Will he find true love? Why can't people leave him alone? The title refers to the commercialization of Arnab's superhero persona, and the problems this poses for Arnab's personal code. The Flash was never the favorite superhero of my youth, and the fact that speed is Arnab's key power may be one reason I didn't love this book; but the Peter Parker-esque figurative hand-wringing didn't do too much for me either. Nonetheless, "Heroes R Us" is a pretty good story and the fact that it is set in India makes it that much better.
Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Most Recent Customer Reviews

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Heroes R Us
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more
This item: Heroes R Us