Colors ~ Volume 1

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In a world that is ruled by only one regime, the Redwood administration, due to a deathly combination of power, money, and support. George and his friends proceed to a high school in the rough new town of Altandor where they discover an abandoned, lost, and scarce factory.

Their eventual determination to reach that factory would unleash terrifying, mythical beasts and ancient lands all across the world alongside their newfound mythical powers that go way beyond their wildest imaginations.

They would embark on a multitude of dangerous and sometimes hilarious quests to keep themselves alive where they encounter unique people from within their world. . .

And from the other world.

In a place so hazardous as the newfound world they live in, will they form romantic relationships and connections to keep each other safe or not? Will George and his friends utilize their newly acquired powers to defeat their ruling government, or will they be slain by the monsters and beasts they have unleashed on themselves?

Join me. In the world of the unknown. In the world of pain, bloodshed, and tears. In a world that will eternally be warped from all of their previous perspectives alongside twists and turns throughout George's tale.

Who knows? He and his companions just might prevail.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: Black2408

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.9/ 5.0
Followers: 7
Views: 6,387

Chapters(34 total)

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(6)

Babel19977Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story opens with a dream sequence that immediately creates a sense of mystery. In the first chapter, we are introduced to George on his way to his first day of high school. They are accepted to the most prestigious high school in the country on a scholarship.
Once George gets to school, we are introduced to a few kids who went to his middle school. The first is a young man named Steve, a smart kid who solves cross-world puzzles as easily as breathing. The boy was one of George's only friends in middle school, along with Emily, the second kid we get introduced to. She is a troubled kid with family drama.
The story takes place in a world controlled by a single family, the Redwood family. The Redwood family monitors the town George lives in, watching every move the citizens make. So far, we do not know how the family gained control of the world or for how long, but their presence in the story adds a sense of tension. Our lead and his friends must keep their conversations about the Redwood to a whisper because their entire school is flooded with cameras.
The story is interesting, but the opening chapters may seem slow to some readers. The good news is that readers who love a slow burn are in for a treat.
Overall, it has Strong prose, great worldbuilding, and promising characters.
So far, I'm hooked and eager to see what you have in store for us in the future. Keep writing; I hope you craft a fantastic world readers will love.
Good luck.
Haviel2102Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story masterfully blends the relatable anxieties of high school life with an increasingly complex and thrilling dystopian mystery. The story shines in its world-building, gradually unveiling the oppressive control of the Redwood family and the peculiar, technologically advanced society of Altandor. The protagonist, George, is a compelling guide, his initial mundane school days starkly contrasting with the unsettling dreams and the dark secrets he begins to uncover with his burgeoning group of friends.
The narrative excels at introducing a diverse cast of characters, each with distinct personalities and backstories that add depth and intrigue. From the steadfast Steve and the "Troublemaker" Emily to the enigmatic Angel and the formidable Jack, their developing friendships and interactions are the heart of the story. The introduction of antagonists like Veronica and the shadowy figures behind the school's strange occurrences builds suspense effectively.
What makes "Colors" particularly engaging is its pacing and the slow burn of its central mysteries—the truth behind the "Colors", the purpose of the D-building basement experiments, and the hidden history of the Redwood Federation. The blend of adventure, humor, emotional moments, and genuine peril keeps the reader hooked, eagerly anticipating what secrets will be unveiled next.
J. A. PowersRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Colors is a very interesting story that grips the reader with its slow exposition and natural reveals. The story is told through what feel like a future George's journal entries as he is recording what happened in the past while speaking in the present. The friends deal with injuries, terror, questioning reality, and more as they have to navigate this dystopian future. The terminology that Black2408 uses throughout the story is advanced and I had to break out a dictionary at one point to ensure I understood what was being said. That degree of reading can certainly be enjoyable as it can feel interactive and engaging. Overall I found the story to be worth the read and would recommend it to anyone looking for a slower paced mystery that is methodically peeling away at the "reality" George finds himself in.
Nemo BlancRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Wow, this piece really captures that surreal mix of waking dream and everyday teenage awkwardness. The opening scene is genuinely captivating, it paints a vivid picture of a crumbling dreamscape and shifts into the humdrum routine of brushing your teeth and hauling yourself to school. The writer has a knack for making tiny moments feel significant, like finding an old journal buried in the closet or the sound of a creaky bed, and this gives the piece an air of intimacy and relatability.
Grammar‑wise, it’s pretty solid. The text has a natural, rambling quality that suits its diary‑like, stream‑of‑consciousness feel, though a handful of typos and inconsistencies (like “sheen” vs. “seen”) crop up, and a few long paragraphs could be tightened for clarity. The narrator’s voice shines when it’s dry and self‑deprecating, lines about his disheveled room, broken hangers, and feelings of obscurity worked especially well.
Plot‑wise, it’s more a snapshot than a fully resolved story, an introduction that sets the scene for bigger events to come. We get a colorful cast (Steve, Emily, Angel, Fron, Jack), a setting that teeters between everyday school and something deeper and darker, and intriguing threads about the D Building and its hidden basement. Those moments hint at a larger world and kept me engaged. At times the scene felt crowded, introducing too many names and dynamics too quickly, which might overwhelm some readers. But for a first chapter or opening segment, it’s rich with potential.
If I had one piece of advice, it’d be to give certain moments more room to breathe. Let the reader sink into the narrator’s internal state or make the character connections stick a bit more before rushing into the next scene. Otherwise, the mix of sharp, awkward humor and looming tension is very promising.
All in all, this is an intriguing and colorful starting point for a longer piece, a glimpse into a world that feels like it has secrets worth uncovering. As a bookish guy with a soft spo
SahqoreythRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style: The writing style is sharp and laced with personality. Every line feels like it's coming directly from George's exhausted, sarcastic brain, which makes even mundane scenes charming. The blend of stream-of-consciousness and detailed narration feels deliberate and consistent. You can tell the author knows exactly what tone they want.
There are a few moments where the pace moves so quickly that it risks losing emotional weight, but the humor and momentum keep it grounded. Scene transitions sometimes happen so fast they feel like a memory skip, but it fits the vibe of the world and the narrator.
Highlight: The dreamlike intro and George's voice carry the tone with style and confidence. The story isn't afraid to slow down for introspection or speed up for chaos.
Story: It starts out like a dystopian school story, then gradually pulls the reader deeper into a conspiracy layered with social commentary and bizarre underground secrets. The pacing is snappy, and the progression from school cafeteria nonsense to "we just broke into a secret Redwood bunker" feels oddly natural. The dream sequence at the beginning sets a mysterious tone, and by the end of the segment, the reader knows something much larger is happening under the surface.
The world of Altandor is unsettling in all the right ways. Cameras everywhere, robot teachers, social hierarchy enforced by tech and trauma, and a past full of secrets. This isn't just teen angst with a futuristic coat of paint. There's something sinister brewing, and the story is already laying the groundwork.
Minor suggestion: Let some scenes breathe. The characters are strong, so trust the quiet moments as much as the chaos.
Grammar: I saw very few errors to speak of. Sentence structure, punctuation, and formatting are all solid. The occasional long sentence runs a little wild, but the style supports it. Dialogue is consistently well-formatted and natural. Even in high-emotion scenes, the text remains readable and clear.
There's good r
nickdavisRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Colors - Volume 1
Overall
I'm giving this story a 4.5 and recommend it for those seeking something that begins more slice-of-life (almost) and progresses toward true dystopian adventure. It is character-focused with a cast of young teens in a strange world, promising interesting twists and turns. I look forward to seeing the author develop the story and their writing, improving on the areas that need it, as outlined below, while strengthening their already-present skills, particularly in style.
Style
The author is quite creative with literary devices, formatting for effect, and infusing personality into their prose such that it feels alive with their style. There were some areas that could be improved and tightened up but that will come with experience. Overall, on style, I thought the glimpses of intrigue with worldbuilding in the later few chapters did a good job in establishing stakes and raising tension, even if they might not have advanced the story on their own yet.
Story
The first four chapters consist of character introductions almost entirely inside a lunchroom during breakfast on the first day at a new school for freshman teenagers. There are hints of background and lore throughout, with a beginning lore dump via a diary that gets the reader up to speed, albeit a little too directly. While there are the beginnings of story hooks for future conflicts, I did not feel there was enough to grab my attention, even with the understanding that this was a slower-paced story. That being said, I think there is strong potential for development should the author tighten up some sections and advance the story going forward.
Grammar
Besides some small issues and prose choices I had a differing opinion on, I had no significant issues with grammar. Therefore, Colors gets a 5.
Character
The characterization here is decent as the author seeks to introduce a cast of characters in these first few chapters. It feels like each chapter is somewhat dedicated to a new character who