Burgess O'Bannon's Superhero Saga - An Archetype Novel

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Book one is stubbed and available onKindle Unlimitedand Ebook purchase.Or listen to Volume 1 as an audiobook free in fullHERE.

When you’ve parted ways with your best friend, who else can be trusted?During an unprecedented global crisis, teenager Burgess O’Bannon is faced with a choice:Either go on the run and become a fugitive alongside his best friend, or put his trust in a government-enforced evacuation effort.Burgess will have to harness a strange new power that is as corrupting as it is addictive if he’s going to have any chance of surviving the mounting dangers all around him.Can Burgess maintain his moral code while not knowing who he can trust? Or will he compromise everything he stands for now that he has something others want?It’s one thing to appreciate heroes; it’s another thing entirely to be one.This is the first book in a long-running superhero epic. Starting from the very first emergence of superpowers in our real world, the series will focus on telling a deeply psychological, character-driven, superhero journey. The world will get crazier, the heroes and villains more vibrant, and levels and tiers of superhuman abilities thoroughly explored in vivid detail.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: AnotherArchetype

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Followers: 663
Views: 182,621

What readers say about Burgess O'Bannon's Superhero Saga - An Archetype Novel

“Hello! Future reader! Take heed of these words! This is not the usual power-grab cheat fantasy, or overpowered protagonist breezes through all the issues without a real sense of challenge. No, this isn't a litrpg, this isn't a web-novel like worm, this isn'…”
efiLyMkcuFRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“So for me this feels like a superhero's origin story, combined with the American cult classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Imagine that movie, but Jack Nicholson is developing super powers and so is everyone else in the asylum. Not that the MC is anythi…”
Carnifex27Royal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

efiLyMkcuFRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Hello! Future reader! Take heed of these words!
This is not the usual power-grab cheat fantasy, or overpowered protagonist breezes through all the issues without a real sense of challenge. No, this isn't a litrpg, this isn't a web-novel like worm, this isn't some quick and easy long winded cultivation story you pick up, read about Fang-Wen slapping someone's face and laugh and wait until chapter 1002 is posted tomorrow. So I'm sorry if that's what you're looking for! This novel isn't that.
This novel has no place on Royal Road.
This is a true novel, I'm talking like paper-in-cover novel, something you'd find in a library and be like, Woah, and then read and feel depressed because it's over. It's slow paced at first, but the exposition and foreshadowing set the tone of the novel going forward. The story contains the unnatural superhero experience (which does include superpowers), fear driven selection and containment by unknown government forces and a suprisingly relatable teen boy who clearly has no clue what's going on and is probably sporting an awkward pant tent just being there. It's gritty realistic, and darker than the usual fanfare on here. This has distinction, lots of depth with its minor characters and an original idea.
This shouldn't be on Royal Road. It has the potential to be a series of novels, seriously. Try to talk to a publisher or something. I'll be excited to see what the author does with the story considering it has so much potential!
Carnifex27Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
So for me this feels like a superhero's origin story, combined with the American cult classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Imagine that movie, but Jack Nicholson is developing super powers and so is everyone else in the asylum. Not that the MC is anything like Jack, that's just the over all feel of the story so far.
As an American that watches a significant amount of British media, I also really appreciate that the dialogue uses British slang while the writing doesn't. Many authors fall into the trap of writing the way their characters talk. This one doesn't.
ps. Feel free to use "One Flew Over the ____'s Nest" as the title of the first book in this series once it gets published, which I believe it will 😉
mr cimaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm really enjoying this novel — especially the characterization and the subtle mysteries that unfold throughout the story. Even though the current stage I'm reading is focused mostly on escape and survival, the action scenes are very well written and engaging.
I do wish there were more details about the world surrounding the characters. A deeper exploration of the setting would help immerse the reader even further. Additionally, a secondary point of view from another character could add a valuable perspective and enrich the narrative.
Overall, this is a great piece of work. It's already among my favorites.
LunaMoth19Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Old Review:
I only rated it 3 & 1/2 stars, because despite the fiction being at chapter 38 (and also being well written), the superhero element feels lacking. What I mean by that is well... The MC he doesn't have his superpower yet, and while other characters don't have theirs either, the side characters have like distinct minor powers at this point (freely changing their hair color, making things they touch colder) the MC completely lacks this. Which makes me worried he might get a boring superpower, which is up to personal opinion, but there's a reason why Worms protagonist controls bugs, and The Perfect Runs protagonist has time stop powers. More mythical powers like those, are more interesting (again personal taste), than a guy whose powers boil down to "I can punch gooder". Its a bit unfair yeah, but what superpower the MC has, I kinda want to know that information from the very first chapter, and yeah chapter 38 and the MC lacks a distinct unique one, a lot of superhero fic starts the MC already having the power or the audience knowing what power the MC will have from the get-go. Which I personally believe is important to have in superpower fiction. I mean I know this is a slow burn, but I do want to read about the crazy supernatural powers.
Anyways this story is good regardless of the MC's power, but personally, when I read superhero fic what power the character has is a key part of whether or not I will keep reading; not the only part but a big part. I would like to have that information up-front, but that's all.
This is a super-hero story that I initially thought of as too slow, but now that its got a lot of chapters out, it's a very engaging read; I found myself eagerly reading every time a new update was posted. Like it's well written, much better than a lot of other stuff here on royal road (no offense to litrpg's intended).
The story follows, a very real MC who manages to feel like an actual person, he hesitates, he makes mistakes; and he isn't seemingl
RiotbreakerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Listen this is one of the best books that I've read in a very long time.I am left hungry to read the next chapter. In my eyes this is just the beginning.I can see this becoming a multi book series easy.
Please drop the next chapter soon. I mean it this could just be the beginning.
tobascoasakoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
As written on the tin the start is slow. However, this is by no means bad as it allows the author to create a more detailed world with certain rules and conditions that are both more grounded and just really make more sense. This is a far cry from your typical OP at the start cheat skill nonsense fantasy!
You can really well how the character struggles to come to terms with simply just putting the next foot forward. It is a very human aspect of a very superhuman story! From what I have read so far, the MC has yet to get his superpower, unlike his peers that have started to get some very dubious or minor ones.
This means there is a lot of buildup as to what the MC will eventually get, if he does so at all. He could end up going down the batman route! but that is part of the mystery and the story! [I really hope he gets something amazing that is at the same limited as it would be a huge relief from your usual OP nonsense characters that are so prevalent on this site].
This is all joined together by solid prose that is written well and well-polished grammar. This story is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise oversaturated genre!
The_Eternal_Ocean_SoulRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This author is undeniably talented, and their work has so much potential. From the very first chapter, the book exudes a gripping "The Darkest Minds" energy that immediately draws you in. However, I strongly believe this story belongs beyond the realm of Royal Road. The author should seriously consider pitching it to literary agents, as it has the foundation of something truly publishable. That said, it's clear that the author is refining their craft, which is a great journey to witness. The intensity and emotional pull of the story start off strong but wane as the book progresses, which suggests room for growth.
One of the standout elements is the main character’s humanity—their unwavering kindness is admirable, even to the point of self-sacrifice. However, this idealism feels one-dimensional as the story unfolds. No one is purely good for the sake of goodness—not even historical figures like Joan of Arc. Every act of goodness stems from a deeply personal reason, and I feel the main character lacks a compelling, believable motivation for their moral stance. After enduring such intense trauma—watching friends die, suffering abuse in a facility, and being manipulated by adults—it’s crucial to show why they continue to cling to their ideals. What drives them to rise above their pain? Without that foundation, the character risks coming across as a pushover rather than someone who has earned their moral high ground.
To elevate the narrative, I suggest the following:
Deepen the connections between characters. Show the bonds that make their humanity tangible. Highlight genuine relationships, not just surface-level interactions.
Incorporate POV switches. Use this to explore the devastation caused by powered teenagers and the human cost of these powers. Show us why soldiers would be willing to kill teens—it doesn’t have to justify the actions, but it makes them more understandable.
Give the main character nuance. Instead of simply forgiving those who commit atrocities, let
mysterious1112Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I made an account for the first time after several years reading on this site to give this novel a review. Ignore any negative review about this novel — it’s the best thing on this site. The author cuts no corners — every character is rich and interesting, the premise is unique and well thought out, the world building is excellent. The novel is paced perfectly. Please give it a read!
tom435Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Gotta say at first I really wasn't sure I liked this story. I found it on the Hogfell yt channel and powered through the slow start. But now I just can't stop thinking about this story. I am 115 chapters in and I am soooo entranced by it. This story isn't for everyone, it's a slowburn, it gets kinda dark at times, and MC often makes questionable choices. But beyond all that you can feel how human MC is and the whole story if first person of the MC too, you know what he knows. Give it a try and have patience, it is worth it.
InsaneinventorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Easy recommendation for those who are interested in what the title says; a slowburn superhuman progression. It does well in letting you feel MC's progression in both powers and in how going through what those powers entails grows without being so slow it's frustrating or boring. His actions also make sense in story, and how he responds to what happens is included in that. It's also very good at the progression of Burgess as a person. You see him slowly developing more of a moral backbone as well as in general understanding his goals.