The Stormrunners - A Science Fantasy Novel

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Mother Nature is cruel, but humans are worse. In a world battered by colossal sandstorms, Shon has lived his entire life as a second-class citizen. There is one way out: By mastering his people’s innate ability of heat manipulation, he can become a Stormrunner — humanity’s last defender against Mother Nature, and the only force capable of destroying storms. But as a new wave of storms approaches — bigger, stronger, more unpredictable than anything before —Shon must rise to prove his worth... or watch his worst fears come true. Recommended for fans ofRed Rising, Dune, Attack on Titan What to Expect: -Man vs. NatureandMan vs. SocietyThemes - Magitech science fantasy, biology-based science / magic, hard science explanation - Multiple POV, morally gray characters, underdog MC - NOT a purely action-packed story, lots of other scenes, dialogues, internal thoughts, etc.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: matt_klein

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.9/ 5.0
Followers: 142
Views: 24,370

Chapters(55 total)

What readers say about The Stormrunners - A Science Fantasy Novel

“I went into this thinking it’d be a typical action-packed adventure with big battles and wild nature scenes. But it turned out to be so much more. The world feels real and alive—even small moments, like a chat on a train. The author does a great job showing…”
tony430Royal Road5.0 / 5
“The Stormrunners is a very well-crafted dystopian adventure that recalls the societal oppression and alienation of books like Dune and Red Rising. Matt Klein has created a unique world where his characters must struggle against not only gargantuan, immensel…”
CorvusJonesRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

tony430Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I went into this thinking it’d be a typical action-packed adventure with big battles and wild nature scenes. But it turned out to be so much more.
The world feels real and alive—even small moments, like a chat on a train. The author does a great job showing the tough life the main character, Shon, has to deal with. You can really feel the unfairness and the struggles he faces.
What really stood out to me is how the story touches on real-life issues in a subtle but meaningful way—it really makes you think. :)
CorvusJonesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The Stormrunners is a very well-crafted dystopian adventure that recalls the societal oppression and alienation of books like Dune and Red Rising. Matt Klein has created a unique world where his characters must struggle against not only gargantuan, immensely destructive sandstorms, but also a divisive totalitarian regime that keeps much of its population as second class citizens.The first five chapters center on Shon, a Fraxian (one of the underclass in Valerian society) as he prepares to take his final Academy exam to become a Stormrunner – an elite class of highly trained specialists tasked with battling deadly sandstorms. Of course, Shon has unique potential that could set him apart from other Stormrunners if he can build up his abilities (he is, after all, the MC). But for me, experiencing how Shon navigates a world designed to persecute his people and the ways he has both internalized and rejected that oppression is where the story really shines.By dropping us in on Shon’s final trials, we get a crash course on the world Shon inhabits while keeping the story moving. There are a few moments where it gets a little too in the weeds for this reader, but overall Klein does a masterful job at using the exams to reveal important aspects of Valerian/Fraxian society, Shon’s abilities, and drops some breadcrumbs for future conflict.A solid introduction to a beautifully unique sci-fi world.
ElojkzRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The Stormrunners is a scifi fantasy novel following young Fraxian Shon as he navigates a world plagued by deadly sandstorms and racial discrimination. It's a futuristic scifi world with fantasy elements. Valeria is home to the upper class Valerians and the discriminated against Fraxians. The Fraxians can control thermal energy and are trained as Stormrunners, an elite force sent to control and dissipate the deadly sandstorms that threaten Valeria. Storms that frequently rip homes out of the ground, destroy cities, and take Stormrunner lives.
The worldbuilding in this story is simply fantastic. Point blank, period. Despite only being 10k words in, I feel like I've lived in Valeria for years. The magical element blends with the overarching scifi bend of the story. The Fraxians can sense and manipulate thermal energy. This allows them to perform more magical feats like flame manipulation, but the author does a great job grounding it in real science and thermodynamic theory. As someone with a technical background, seeing a speculative fiction story with actual scientific thought given to the science behind the magic is refreshing. Most importantly, it feels real. The characters, and even the thermal-related behaviours of the Fraxians (like sucking up heat as a response to threats, lowering the temperature of their surroundings noticeably) feel like they would actually exist in a world where abilities like this exist.
Shon is a well built character. I'm invested in him, but also curious to see where his story goes and to discover more about his family's history.
The writing is fast paced and the descriptions provide great imagery. The author does a great job balancing technical info and detail relating to the magic and thermodynamics with the good pace of the chapters.
I absolutely ATE through the first 8 chapters of this story. Would definitely recommend for scifi fans, fantasy fans, or anyone looking for an engaging read.
FarbmondRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Shon has a goal. He wants to become a Stormrunner so that he and his family can rise up the ranks. From second-class people to Valerian citizens with all the rights and benefits that go with it.Story / Style:The author has mastered the art of writing with descriptions that give you a vague idea (of landscapes, for example) without limiting your imagination. The writing style is pleasant to read, abrupt scene changes keep the tension high.The cliffhangers at the end of the chapters just compel you to read on.The story starts with a great first chapter that holds nothing back. The world is described so vividly that you almost feel like you're on the planet yourself. Mixed with interesting characters who are hit by a catastrophe, you can't help but read on. Even if you already suspect that the story will probably affect you emotionally.What I can't quite understand is why Fraxians are second-class people and why they are met with such hatred. As I understand it, in such a threatening world, the beings better adapted to the circumstances should be held in higher esteem. But perhaps it will be more explained later on.Grammar: Nothing to complain.Characters: Shon is a likeable character with a slight hero complex. You can already guess that there will probably be internal struggles and external conflicts as the story progresses. A sense of justice and systematic oppression simply don't mix well. The author skillfully describes the inner turmoil, Shon's personality seems true to life and multi-layered. Interestingly, many of the protagonists are described in detail, but the main character's description is missing (age? height? hair?). Or maybe I just missed it.Summary: A wonderfully written story in a unique context with endearing characters and interesting powers! Definitely recommended!
AlexanderScottRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Sharply drawn story, with very clear rules for this world outlined from the start. We see immediately that we’re in a deeply racist society, and I’m loving finding out more about the powers of each race and how they work.
Also: The author takes his time with the story, and I appreciate that - the authors allows time to let the story build in the very best way and each chapter still moves the story along. Tough balance to strike.
Also, storm running sounds like a badass thing to be a part of and I can already visualize some amazing and epic scenes to come. I’m gonna keep reading this one!
Shon is a wonderful main character so far (I’m five chapters in) and I’m intrigued enough to see what happens next every time. Strong writing throughout - recommended!
LokiTheQuickRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It takes one paragraph to see that this book is a cut above the rest, just in terms of simple literary quality. It builds an immediate trust with the reader because of that extremely high writing bar, and the story and world building take it from there.
It's an actual joy to be able to give someone's work five-stars and know that it's completely deserved, and I feel that's the case here. Not just because the author capitalized on a trend, or wrote for a specific audience, but because this is a great *Novel*. Not a great work --for royal road-- or a great work --for this genre-- this is a beautifully crafted work that could be in book stores in a heartbeat.
That's not just empty praise, I plan to show my work! A great novel needs clear, and solid world-building. That means the reader needs to be able to picture what they're reading, and if it's a fantastical place, they need to understand the world, and it has to feel real. You will get that without question in this book. Sometimes you'll feel the fear of the oncoming storm, sometimes you'll hate the racist bullies that litter this world.
You WILL be emotionally invested.
MORE! A great novel also needs characters with specific wants and needs, as well as obstacles blocking that path. This is established immediately--Shon desperately wants to be a Stormrunner, and we know why--it's the only path to any kind of real life for one of his people. I won't spoil the how, but there's absolutely barriers for Shon to overcome to get there, and they're both logical and compelling.
Finally, a great novel needs both character, and story plot arcs, and once again Stormrunners establishes those quickly, and realistically. There is societal inequity, there are terrors both natural and unnatural. There's a world and a people in need of saving.
Not only does this book check all those boxes--but it does it artfully, and interestingly. The characters matter. Their struggles hurt. This is a world I WANT to see saved.
Criticism! I add thi
Queenie IVRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm going to start glazing a little bit so pardon me.
Story Score
The story is so unique and beautifully thought out and well done. It definitely feels like a fantasy, you will keep thinking if it's possible to survive. The plot of the story is still unfolding. The rivalry between the Valerians and The Fraxians is so intriguing and I'm curious about how the author plans to carry it out further into the story.
Grammar Score
Grammar is good and perfect 👍
Character Score
The characters in this story are so good, I love how they all have a distinct voice and a personality to them. Shon is my favorite because of how he struggles so much for his family just so they can be treated as equal among the Valerians. His struggle feels real and you constantly root for him to achieve his goals.
Style Score
The style, world building, pacing and prose is beautiful. The academy, the storm runners, the bits of racism, the transitions in the story are so good. I love it very much.
Overall, the author is doing a good job and you can definitely feel the hard work put into it. Author please keep up the good work! You are doing a wonderful job.
SamiceeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
We follow Shon, a student with enormous pressure to succeed not just for himself, but for his family and ultimately his people. The Stormrunners themselves, through great effort, danger, and cool gadgets, protect the frontier from threats clearly growing in scale.Story:everything you want from Scifi is here. The technology and 'magic' (the minority race's biology) are explained well, explored fully, and interact with the characters in meaningful ways. I like that the technology - which definitely has a STEM writer behind it - is summarised with easy metaphors for meagre creative minds like mine to grasp.The main theme of the story is racial conflict, particularly the immigrant experience. Readers dealing with this in real life will notice those small details of daily sacrifice.Stormrunnershandles this in a nuanced, candid way, without lecturing; this is a story beyond the Californian hubris of a Disney or an Amazon, showing brilliantly we can explore social issues without the irritation of know-it-all morality tests.Style:Crisp and clear, easy to follow. Parts that benefit from flowery language, have it. Parts that need to land without faffing about, do. The author does rely on references to modern culture that readers have struggled with - mentions of olympics, football, golf... The one area ofStormrunnersI'd challenge is its setting's current relationship to Earth.Grammar:Minor, forgivable slips as we are all guilty of. None of it distracting.Characters:Distinct, with clear goals, and sympathetic motives. A great variety of personalities who are fun to watch interacting.The books strongest point is how it paces and balances its characters. We spend enough time with the protagonist, then switch to a secondary, suitably different character, at a natural scene break. The thing most compelling me to carry on reading is watching how these disparate characters converge.Overall a great read, begging to be adapted into a series. Resolution on the Earth references, a dash
ThousandDaosRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Initially, when I read the description of the story, I thought it would be a classic adventure story that would be action-packed with legendary battles against nature. I was wrong in a positive way.
The story is well written and the characters are deep. Even a small interaction on the train is enough to understand that the world is alive.
The worldbuilding is solid, the author knows how to convey to the reader the harshness of the protagonist's life and made me feel the injustice and a certain dissatisfaction with what happens to him.
The fight scenes are well written, only the simulations are enough to demonstrate the seriousness of the world and the author's talent for creating engaging fights.
It is easy to get involved in the story and it is an enjoyable and addictive read.
I hope Zon grows up enough to become powerful enough that no Valerian will look at a Fraxian the wrong way.
And going beyond the story, you can easily notice real-life issues that the author skillfully transports you into the story in a subtle way, sometimes like a mosquito and sometimes like an elephant.
It's a story that you read and feel reflective
WinterwispRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall, this is a well written sci-fi story with the science of meteorology at the center. As conflict, the story has classic elements of racial tensions within a nation of first- and second class citizens, based more or less on race. If you're into an underdog story and a hero facing social adversity, this is a story worth reading.
We meet Shon as he is about to undertake the stormrunner exam. He is a second-class citizen, aiming to join the stormrunners in order for his family to be fully accepted into their adopted nation. The exam is extra difficult this time, however, and Shon is challenged both as an individual and as part of a team.
Style: The prose is good and explanations are clear and understandable--even if they are science heavy at times. That's fine when it's sci-fi. I like that there are plenty of descriptions of environments, people's appearance, Shon's emotions and his senses. I did find the early chapters heavy on exposition, though, some of which I didn't think was immediately important to the story, and didn't need to be spelled out. Keeping things vague at times is okay.
Story: The story hits all the right beats from the start. We get an colorful introduction to the world and the racial tensions brewing, then an impactful moment for our MC, before we're shown he's capable and empathetic. Although we're then hit with the exposition hammer, if you get through it there's lots of action waiting. The action is tense and well described, and the characters are truly tested. It's all good stuff.
Character: I've mentioned the MC gets a good introduction, and there are some immediate side-characters who receive some good characterization moments. A lot of the undercurrent of racial tensions is character-driven, in their actions and words, and in the opening chapters we've seen a lot of bad people who are easy to hate for how they treat Shon and his people. While it sets the stage nicely for some challenging, social development, it also frames the issue in