The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: A Hero Dreams by Mark Ristau

Book Details:

Author: Mark Ristau
Release Date: 21st September 2017
Genre: Coming-Of-Age, Supernatural
Series: Hero’s Path (Book #1)
Format: E-book 
Pages: 288 pages
Publisher: 
Blurb:
Devastated by his father’s sudden death, eight-year-old Ricky begins to see things—a ghostly silhouette in his bedroom window, a gruesome train accident involving four local teenagers, a terrorist attack that won’t occur for another twenty-five years. After a traumatic incident at a New England summer camp, the visions become more frequent, more vivid, and more disturbing. A mysterious voice assures him everything will be okay if he crosses the “threshold.” But just what is the threshold? And what lies beyond? 

IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award 
– Popular Fiction (Winner of Silver) 
National Indie Excellence Awards 
– New Fiction (Winner) and Visionary Fiction (Finalist) 
Next Generation Indie Book Awards 
– First Novel (Finalist) and Inspirational Fiction (Finalist) 
Best Book Awards 
– Best New Fiction (Finalist) and Visionary Fiction (Finalist) 

Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

A Hero Dreams by Mark Ristau is an imaginative and unique supernatural book about a protagonist that will remain in your heart long after you’ve put the book down.

This book is really well-written and has a brilliant concept, for the book itself as well as the series – from what can be seen as the foundational layout of the plot. The characterisation is good and I was able to connect and relate to the protagonist, Ricky, who is an 8-year-old kid on a path to something he cannot comprehend entirely for the most part. This raises the stakes in the story to a point where the book becomes unputdownable.

The only thing I had a problem with is the sexual abuse that kind of felt forced in the way to only drive the plot forward and justify the visions the kid has. This could have been tackled in a better way in my opinion. Apart from this, the book as pretty good.

I liked this book and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series to know what happens next in Ricky’s life. I’d definitely recommend it to readers of all genres as this book is a coming-of-age story that has a little something for every reader. Though if child sexual abuse is a trigger for you then you might want to reconsider.


You can also read this review on:

Goodreads


Amazon


I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
September 2021
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: Christmas In Flanders Fields by Chris Waddington

    Book Details: Author: Chris Waddington Release Date: 19 October 2025Series: Genre: Historical Fiction, WW1Format: E-book Pages: 288 pagesPublisher: Coffee Shop Publishing (Self-Published)Blurb:I don’t know if I’m living longer or dying slower…Armed with dreams of heroic victory and Lord…

  • Author Interview: J.J.N. Whitley

    Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome J.J.N. Whitley, author of The Orichalcum Crown, for an author interview with The Reading Bud. About The Author J.J.N. Whitley J. J. N. Whitley is a licensed attorney and…

  • Book Review: The Orichalcum Crown by  J. J. N. Whitley

    Book Details: Author: J. J. N. Whitley  Release Date: 1 November 2025Series: The Orichalcum Crown (Volume 1)Genre: High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Coming of AgeFormat: E-book Pages: 337 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:Makoto lost her mother to a battle she can’t remember…

  • Book Spotlight: Christmas In Flanders Fields by Chris Waddington

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Chris Waddington for his latest release, Christmas in Flanders Fields. Book: Christmas In Flanders FieldsAuthor: Chris WaddingtonPublication Date: 19 October 2025Publisher: Coffee Shop Publishing (Self-Published)Page Count:…

  • Book Review: Filaments by KZK

    Book Details: Author: KZKRelease Date: 23 September 2025Series: Genre: Horror, Body Horror, Psychological Thriller, Eco-HorrorFormat: E-book Pages: 215 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:When Thea returns to her quiet Minnesota hometown, she expects to confront her mother’s erratic behavior. Instead, she finds…