Compared to other places in what was the United States, Newcago is well run, with normal people generally having access to food, water, electricity, jobs, etc.ĭavid's father was killed by Steelheart around the time of the collapse. Steelheart is apparently invulnerable, is able to fly, can hurl blasts of energy, and can turn inanimate matter to steel he has turned all of Chicago to steel for kilometers around and into the ground. Newcago is ruled by the extremely powerful Epic named Steelheart, who has created a society run by other powerful Epics, with normal people living with normal jobs. The story is told through the perspective of David, an orphaned teenager living in Newcago (formerly known as Chicago).

The United States, and possibly other parts of the world, was changed when a burst in the sky known as Calamity gave normal people powers. For years, like the Reckoners, David has been studying, and planning, and he has something they need. When Steelheart came to Chicago, he killed David’s father. nobody but the Reckoners.Ī shadowy group of ordinary humans, the Reckoners spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. It is said that no bullet can harm him, no sword can split his skin, and no fire can burn him. Steelheart possesses the strength of ten men and can control the elements. Now, in what was once Chicago, an astonishingly powerful Epic named Steelheart has installed himself as emperor. And to rule man, you must crush his will. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. The awed public started calling them Epics.Įpics are no friends of man. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary people extraordinary powers. Something precious, something incredible. I’m not one of the Reckoners, but I intend to join them.

A shadowy group of ordinary humans who spend their lives studying powerful Epics, finding their weaknesses, then assassinating them. It is said no bullet can harm him, no sword can split his skin, no explosion can burn him. Steelheart has the strength of ten men and can control the elements. Here, in the city once known as Chicago, an extraordinarily powerful Epic declared himself Emperor. Every single person who manifested powers - we call them Epics - turned out to be evil.

The reckoners