The Infinite Spear (A Sci-fi Progression Fantasy)

Information

Status

Ongoing

Year

2023

Author

Marc Mulero

• New Story Announcement
  Jun 8, 2024
• Amazon and Audiobook Announcement
  Jul 27, 2023
• Chapter 3 - Assassin!
  Jan 4, 2023
• Chapter 2 - A Challenge to do More
  Jan 3, 2023
• Chapter 1 - One Man's Trash
  Jan 2, 2023

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• AllanGrant88Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  When I was first starting this, I accidentally hit one star when trying to follow, and since I couldn't back out, I put three stars until I could get into it and give a proper review, which is now a full five stars. This may be my favorite story on RR, and I've been reading on here for years. The world building is top notch, with info given organically through story telling rather than just info dumps, which is a sign the author trusts the reader. It's very refreshing. There are pieces of the world that the MC doesn't know about which means the audience doesn't know about. I'm excited to see how much is explored and when.
  The reasons for a gamified existence are believable, and the connection to the Ancients and mythology is great fun for a lifelong mythology geek like me.
  I can't wait to see where the story goes. I'll have to see where I can tweak my budget just to get more chapters on Patreon
• AustimizedRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This story feels somewhere between Illium - Dan Simmons' masterpiece about far-future, near-omnipotent beings recreating the war between Greece and Troy - the Matrix, and Gladiator.
  The world the MC starts on, or at least the area where he scrabbles for to survive, is a junkyard, packed with broken relics of more advanced civilizations. Few of the scavengers hold any hope of a better life than their day-to-day scrounge for scrap, the MC among them.
  Until he meets a former gladiator and his daughter who open up the possibilities not only of a chance at glory, power, and fame, but revenge. And not revenge on just anyone, but the Sci-gods.
  Taking on the mein of the various pantheons of Greece, Rome, Norse and Egyptian mythology, these "gods" use their inestimable technological prowess to lord over the commons and do as they will. They giveth, they taketh, such as granting technological replacements for disfigurements, missing limbs, and other limitations, then arbitrarily hitting those they've gifted with deadly EMPs. Including the MCs' family.
  As cool and unique as the setting is, where it really trips down a path I haven't visited in fiction before is the nanotechnology. Each person carries a "bead" of nanite "dust", usually fairly limited in function, but, with the right skill and advancements, capable of forming weapons and armor for a start then progressing to seemingly magical abilities.
  If the MC can master this technology, learn to fight, and advance his stats enough, perhaps he can get revenge for his slain parents... and throw some God of War into the mix as he Kratos' some Sci-gods on the way.
• ButterBoy9000Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Set in a dystopian futuristic world, our protagonist starts from the very bottom of society, among the broken and the lost, scrounging for parts amongst a graveyard of metal and electronics. The execution of the story thus far has been original, with a truly unique and flavourful world. If you're interested in tons of action, intrigue, and an excellent cast of characters, then I'd definitely recommend checking this out.
  Grammar/Prose - The prose is pretty simplistic and clean, and generally flows well from sentence to sentence. I don't find myself getting hung up on sentences finding any particularly awkward phrasing/writing. There are relatively few typos/errors that I've observed thus far. My biggest gripe with the writing is that it can sometimes be a little difficult to tell who's speaking, and the pacing in and around the dialogue can be a little whiplash heavy, giving little time to breathe and feeling a little forced.
  Story - Thus far the story has been well executed, maintaining a medium pace that sucks you in and leaves you hugry for more, without leaving you exhausted and needing a break. Thus far the plot has been unique and well executed, without deferring to any obvious cliches. That said, there's not a ton written, so my rating is subject to change in the future.
  Worldbuilding - The worldbuilding itself is fun and interessting thus far, spliced in with tons of cool things and mystery. Instead, almost 100% of my issues with the worldbuilding are based around how the worldbuilding is explained to the readers. The worldbuilding is VERY much focused around show don't tell, and many of the finer details are heavily glossed over, leaving you to fill in the blanks (perhaps this is intentional on the part of the author, and we'll get more later). For example, we know that the people are heavily physically integrated with regards to the machinery and technology, but it's never really clear exactly how integrated they are. I have blatantly no idea how much of ou
• FJBRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Okay, let’s just clear the air right now: the MC’s name in this story is Slip Disk. That’s just... I’m not even sure what. A technology-based pun? A reference to his broken condition? An unfortunate coincidence? I dunno.
  What I do know is that this is basically my only complaint about this story (so far). The writing is clean, snappy, the premise draws you in from the first chapter, and the MC is both relatable and driven. What little hints about the system given early on are also extremely promising.
  In short, this looks like the whole package to me. While I haven’t read any of Mulero’s previous works, it’s pretty obvious they’ve built up a solid base for both storytelling and progression from their experiences.
  Character— Slip, unfortunately named as he is, is engaging right for the get-go. He’s got a world of problems, not the least of which being that his life was ruined by something called a ‘sido bomb’ several years earlier, which left his home as one gigantic rubbish heap, and the survivors as little more than scavengers picking through the remains to sell anything worthwhile to (presumably) wealthier nations.
  Besides that, Slip has an artificial leg that constantly sparking and giving him trouble, and a ‘bead’ (some sort of nanotech?) imbedded into him that provides both his system abilities (meager that they are) and companionship. This relationship immediately caught my attention, and I loved the way that Tammy (as he refers to his cybernetic buddy) communicates mostly through emoji and other simplistic symbols that appear on Slip’s skin. Their dynamic is immediate, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it grows.
  Story— Ah, but what is a character without conflict? While not explicitly stated as the antagonists, early on mention is made to the ‘sci-gods’, all powerful creatures that lord over humankind, and apparently spend much of their time spectating glorious, gamified combat. Being unleveled and basically the worst dreg of humanity, Slip can only dream
• Jack0fheartRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  In The Infinite Spear, Slip, a lone cyborg seeking vengeance against the Sci-gods who destroyed his life. He enters a new reality where he must choose allegiance to ancient mythological deities and fight in the arena for upgrades to his Tech, leading him on a journey for retribution and the power to slay gods.
  Overall score 5/5: This story is an impressive blend of sci-fi, action, and adventure, with a richly crafted world and well-developed characters that draw the reader in. The plot is fast-paced and engaging, with many unexpected twists and turns.
  Style score 5/5: The writing is expertly crafted, with vivid descriptions and well-defined characters that come to life on the page. The story is well-paced, with a perfect balance of action, character development, and world-building that makes for an enjoyable read. The author's writing style is engaging and immersive, with a tone that perfectly captures the gritty and dangerous world that the characters inhabit.
  Story score 5/5: This is a gripping and action-packed story, with a well-developed plot that keeps the reader engaged from the beginning. The story is set in a dystopian world where workers must scavenge for scraps to survive, and it explores themes of survival, loyalty, and revenge. The author does an excellent job of building tension and suspense, and the action scenes are well-written and exciting.
  Grammar score 5/5: The grammar is excellent, with clear and concise writing that flows smoothly without any obvious errors. The author's attention to detail and careful editing make for a polished and professional reading experience.
  Character score 5/5: The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with well-defined motivations and backstories that add depth to the story. The main character, Slip, is a particularly compelling protagonist, with a tragic past that has left him bitter and resentful. His interactions with the other characters, particularly the enigmatic Drusilla Spear, are well-written and add
• MisterViiRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This story is clearly a solid story and the author has experience. It is worth taking a look at. The MC's name Slip is a bit annoying, but at least it is memorable. You won't ever forget it.
  Overall the story touches all the right notes and has good pacing.
• OnicRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Story. Okay, this is my kind of story; stab me in the neck with it and I'll ask for more. The pacing is good, the worldbuilding is excellent; it's truly unique and remarkable. In my opinion, starting from scratch is a very good story trope. Nothing beats the satisfying feeling of seeing the main character rise to power, right?
  Style. The author's writing style is excellent. Every detail required has been explained, as well as hints about what to expect in the future arcs. The foundation has been laid, and all that remains is to wait for it to bear fruit.
  There are no obvious grammatical errors. Every paragraph or sentence is well written and easy to understand. You will not become disoriented by the flow of the words as the story progresses.
  The characters, particularly Slip, are well developed. As the story progresses, we learn more about Slip and the people in his life. They are not like NPCs who are only there to say dialogue or exposition; they are real people with emotions and a story to tell. The story is actually taking its time to build them properly.
  Overall. The story is fantastic, and the world is well-constructed; the only reason you won't want to live in it is because you know it's dangerous. The grammar and syntax are excellent. The premise, like the execution, is intriguing. As a fan of the genre and tropes, I highly recommend this book.
• SitricoRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I loved everything about this. Character development, interplay between characters, premise, travel, adventure, different societies. All of it is fantastic. I stumbled upon this and it may be the best find of the last 2 years. Slip is a great MC, reluctant hero, second guessing himself, constantly improving despite himself.
• SpattykinsRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  The Infinite Spear centers on the struggles and strifes of Slip, a poor worker ant, crushed under the bootheel of The Sci-Gods and the myriad people above him of the ladder rungs of capitalism. The austerity is everywhere and everyone's spirit is crushed in the fields he works in order to afford even a meal for the day. This all changes when a fellow "fieldy" makes him an offer he cannot refuse.
  Style:
  The story is told in third-person limited perspective. This is an effective tool the author uses to keep the reader on their feet and out of the loop of the greater mysteries at hand. Who are the sci-gods and what part do they play in the world? How does one escape the austerity of the fields? Who are the strangers that have positioned themselves amongst the downtrodden fieldies?
  Grammar:
  The story is very clealy well-edited and run through with a fine-toothed comb. I didn't notice a single error in the entire piece.
  Story:
  The story is intriguing and doesn't feel the need to overexplain things. I feel respected as a reader that I don't need my hand held to understand what stats are and how they are woven into the reality of this world.
  Character:
  Slip is a very interesting main character. He is cynical but his internal monologue betrays that little spark in his heart that there's more out there. The people around him are well-characterized too with their quips and kindnesses.
• azul_boyRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Infinite Spear is as unreal as its title suggests, and some times even more, relying on a goofy sense of humor coming from the main character that's mostly hit or miss, but won't spoil the story due to common sense filled characters around him, granting a immersion onto a world that throttles the edge between the natural and the artificial