SKYE is the storm-tossed comic character out for revenge on the author who murdered his family. JACE is the math-loving #blerd trying to escape his father's deadly legacy. When their worlds collide, Jace must choose between the real world he's always hated, and the comic book world he's always loved - and Skye must decide if killing his author will save his world...or damn his soul.

Inside each copy of this gritty, expanded text edition, you will find the unsolved literary cipher of the century, designed by mathematics PhD Daniel Weingard; BECOMING HERO was a semi-finalist in the nationwide cinematic novel competition, and both of the voice actors for the audiobook have won performance awards.

Why so meta? Skye's a comic book superhero with a gun in his hand and a gripe against his author. Every girl Skye's ever dated is either dead or trying to take over the world, and in the series finale, Skye's best friend kills him.

Or so he thinks. The weapon meant to disintegrate Skye lands him in his author's universe. With a shot at revenge.

Skye, meet Jace. Jacen Howard's a brilliant #blerd math whiz and comics aficionado-but at his West Baltimore high school that's a bad thing, and if the bullying isn't bad enough, Jace's cop-father regularly pisses off the neighbors. Jace doesn't see himself as a hero; he's just trying to survive.

Jace might be just the hero Skye needs.

But Skye won't open up when Jace tries to ease him out of PTSD, and the author's still torturing his friends. As Skye's mood swings and nightmares escalate, Jace realizes that if he doesn't uncover his roommate's real identity soon, Skye will hurt someone-and Skye's still deciding if murder will save his world, or damn his soul.