Seven Steps to Becoming a Superhero

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Step #1: Super-School is for Suckers.

Innshadow U is where you go to learn how to save the world.

But Zack Kestler isn’t here to save the world. He’s not here to save anyone. All he wants is his father’s killer.

From enlisting the help of a C-List supervillain to assuming his father’s superhero identity, there’s nothing Zack won’t do to find his father’s murderer.

But no plan comes without complications. From the re-emergence of his former teammates - among them his psychic ex-girlfriend - to the arrival of an old family friend who knows more than he’s telling, Zack Kestler soon discovers saving the world might be easier andsaferthan solving his father’s murder.

—----

My Hero AcademiameetsThe Count of Monte Cristo

What to Expect

A confident and competent MC who has a lot to learn, will make mistakes and will grow from them.

A MC dealing with grief and unprocessed trauma.

A fun and engaging supporting cast

Dark academia setting

Strong-to-skilled progression

No harem.

Cover by Emiliano Urich.

Information

Status: Cancelled
Year: 2024
Author: Thrillian

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 146
Views: 62,914

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

shadowfirekittyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am LOVING this story!
Right from the start the author pulls you into their world and hooks you with engaging characters and interesting questions. The characters are engaging and believable, each with their own unique personality and driving forces.
I've been enjoying the world building, with its superheroes and superhero schools. I can't wait to learn more about the world and the mysteries it holds.
As for grammar, punctuation and all that jazz? The author is a pro! I've only noticed a few typos. The point of view is clear and consistent throughout.
Even if you don't think you'd like a superhero fiction, give this book a shot! The characters, world building and plot are all worth reading!
Pianos In The Evening SunRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am someone with only a casual interest in superheroes...but I love comedic Pixar style superhero movies and shows like Miraculous and the Incredibles. While this story is clearly a throwback to the classic heyday of retro comics and superheroes, it is also so funny, compelling and charming like my favorites. In fact, this is my favorite superhero story thus far on Royal Road and one that might influence me to do one of my own in the coming year.
The characters are vibrant and great. They are not grim dark and hyper realistic like some superheroes, but rather they have a campy charm and powers that remind me of the good old days of men in tights. The multifaceted supervillain Icer for instance has Frozone like powers but also has this hilarious ability where he can brain freeze psychics 😂 I was cracking up over the puns and humor.
Zack is a great anti hero too. He is sympathetic and likeable as he embarks on his quest to avenge his father.
His relationship with his ex girlfriend is really funny and compelling too. Especially because she's a psychic! (Id be horrified to date someone who could read my mind haha)
The setting is really cool too. It's a superhero school, but Zack is infiltrating it rather than attending it normally. His father was murdered and he is looking for answers and vengeance!
The grammar is perfect from what I've seen. People pointed out mistakes in comments and the writer has dutifully fixed them.
All in all, as someone who values campiness, puns, fun and vibrancy over darkness and morbidity, and prefers superheroes who use cheesy wordplay and colorful costumes, this was the story for me. Highly recommended and one of my favorites of many trades I've made.
iammmunyosuRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I was able to get through this read quite quick, which is always a good sign in my book, it was engaging, and wonderfully told. I especially love the choice in prose, it was what kept me reading the most and the story itself was intriguing, and the blend of genres was truly something that kept me reading about Zack and his tale. I highly recommend this!
FiddlesoupRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, which is both well-written and rich with immersive character motivations, world-building, and superpowers. The world feels lived-in, and the characters come across as authentic and compelling.
Characters: Zack Kestler feels real from the moment the first page starts. It takes a second for his motivations to become understandable, but the second it's clear, the story threads flow smoothly. Zack runs into an old friend from a previous attempt at being a hero, and you can tell there is so much history behind them.
Story: I mentioned this a little bit above, but Everything Zack does revolves around solving his father's murder and getting revenge. It's handled in an intriguing way, and I will definitely come back to it if it ever gets a Kindle run.
Style: This may be a weak point, but not so much that it takes away. Much of the action gets glossed over in favor of the story and dialogue. It's great. It's serviceable, but I prefer more actiony stories.
Grammar: I noticed very few mistakes that were detrimental to the story, or the author's ability to tell it.
If you like the super hero genre you will definitely like this one. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Kevin M. McGuireRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
TLDR: I've been having fun reading it, and if you like comics, I recommend it.
I know I'm just at the start, but Issue #6 put to rest my two biggest concerns. How will he deal with mind readers? Panic followed by cute animal videos. And how bad the teenage drama will be? They feel believable and like they're actually in their late teens or early twenties.
The story is a classic revenge plot where someone finally used the exploit of taking out a mech suit pilot while he wasn’t in his suit. It starts strong, giving Skyhigh vibes. As I read more, I find myself comparing it to different comic book runs and early 2000s animated DC TV shows. I'm excited to read more and have to remind myself I don't have to go to my local comic book store to get the next Issue.
The only criticism I could give is that occasionally, there's an extra quote or one missing. Everyday things that pop up whenever anyone writes and doesn't have a professional editor. I hope this gets a webtoon or comic adaptation and half hope that the author will add classic comic book sounds. Yes I know they're not needed and it would probably take away from the work but I half expect to see a "POW!" Or "COBHAM!"
Panda01Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Now this was a pleasant surprise! Usually, when someone talks about a superhero story, it’s the same old tropes—over-the-top powers, classic hero vs. villain showdowns, and predictable arcs. But this story takes a fresh spin on the genre, and I am here for it. The characters are great, with each one feeling distinct and layered. The protagonist stands out the most, his emotional journey being both gripping and complex. His feelings for his ex are far from just a side plot; they add a deep layer of internal conflict, making him feel real and relatable.
What really sets this story apart, though, is the heavy secret the protagonist is carrying. He’s hiding the truth about his father’s death—not just a tragic loss, but the fact that his father has been murdered and that he is trying to solve it makes the story so much more then a simple superhero story. With the real reason he’s attending the superhero university is tied to his father murder, and he’s desperate to keep it hidden until he finds the true culprit makes the story a page turner.
It’s not just about fighting villains or saving the day; it’s about finding out the truth no matter the cost or how painful it will be. This unique blend of personal struggle and superhero drama makes the story all the more compelling.
ElectrikBlueRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Everyone who likes superheroes and stories featuring students will enjoy 7 Steps to Becoming a Superhero.
Unfortunately, it's not usually my cup of tea. That being said, it was still a pleasant read.
The descriptions are vivid, and you'll find everything you'd expect to find in a school of supes. Morally grey teenagers, people flying everywhere, superpowers used outrageously and no adult supervision. This is one of the main strengths of this fiction.
Sometimes, though, the narration was too heavy, overexplaining things that seemed clear to me or repeating names too much. But it's a minor inconvenience; someone else might be the intended audience.
The characters are well-written, and I discovered many of them only a few chapters ago. The main thing is that I don't really resonate with the MC, which is why I struggled to bond with the story; this might only be a subjective issue. Chapters centred around other characters, like Icer, were pretty fun, and you can tell the Author liked writing those.
This is another strength of this fiction: the Author has a blast at writing it, and it translates well into the story and the characters. It feels like someone is describing his dream project to you, and whether you resonate with it or not, it's a pleasant feeling, and it captivates you.
Overall, it's well-written and enjoyable, and you'll have an excellent time reading it.
BeomJunKooRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
With intentions to get to the bottom of what happened to his father, the son of a murdered superhero attends a university for supers where blasts from the past, questions that confuse more than answer, and typical university things amalgamate into an intriguing YA tale of mystery and vengeance.
Fitting with how the chapters are labeled as "issues", the whole thing feels like a superhero comic a la Marvel/DC (from its exciting breakneck pacing to the equally exciting worldbuilding of its supers), but with words only - an entirely new kind of experience for me as someone who's never even set eyes on a single superhero comic issue of these kinds. Helping to deliver such a story is the simple-to-read yet engagingly written prose, though the grammar admittedly could use quite a bit of fixing due to typos and such here and there.
As I've said in the review's title, this IS a revenge story, and so as you read, you're put in the shoes of a main character who's so devastated by a traumatizing event to the point he's forgotten to live life and unable to realize what he's sacrificing or if all this is even worth it, giving the story some dark and tragic gravitas that I can commend. And both the main and side characters are written well enough to drive this aspect of the story home. On one hand you'll want Zack to succeed at his quest for the truth, but on the other hand there will also a part of you that thinks if it'll be possible for him to let go and rekindle what he has left, that being what he used to have with his high school friends (who are what I meant by "blasts from the past").
Overall, this is a very high recommend for fans of superheros, as proven by the fact that I personally have rather little interest in the genre and yet still found myself greatly loving this.
CJ HolmesRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
I'm only a few chapters in, but I'm enjoying Seven Steps. The MC and people around him all have ulterior motives, in a world where "superhero" is a valid career choice. Besides discovering what everyone is really up to (and the possibly dark storylines therein) I look forward to learning more about the super-industrial complex Thrillian has going on in this world. I found the controversy around accreditation to be interesting, as well as the observation that many "supers" are looking to make a buck in a different field where they don't have to get punched.
I took a star off for clunky prose, but the grammar and spelling are sound. Keep those chapters coming, Thrillian! I plan to read them all.
profpdduvallRoyal Road
★★★★ 3.5
So, reading "Seven Steps to Becoming a Superhero" by Thrillian gave me major Sky High vibes, which I absolutely love. The story's got twists and turns that kept me hooked all the way through. Even if the characters are younger than what I usually go for, the whole idea of a kid on a mission really resonates with me. I really like how Zack, the main character, is written. He's so relatable and flexible that it's easy to put myself in his shoes.
Yeah, some parts feel a bit scripted, but that's kinda expected with stories like this. Certain beats are gonna happen when they happen, and honestly, its predictability is part of its charm. This story doesn't hide what it is; it wears it right on its sleeve, and I dig that.
What's great is that it's vague enough on the details to keep you guessing, without spoiling anything. If you're into superheroes or enjoyed the Harry Potter series, you'll probably get a kick out of this book.
All in all, I'd give "Seven Steps to Becoming a Superhero" a solid three and a half outta five stars. It's a fun read that doesn't try to be something it's not. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes superhero stories or is just looking for an entertaining read.