Valiant*

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Jace was just your average high school student, to him life wasn’t exciting, but it was simple. Until the day everything changed, gifted immense strength by an ancient deity Ischys, Jace suddenly found himself faster, stronger, and nearly unstoppable.

But power comes with consequences. After a high-speed chase exposes his abilities, a mysterious organization takes an interest in him, believing he’s tied to a dangerous figure known only as The Maker. They offer him a deal—work for them or risk becoming their next target. Forced into brutal training and high-stakes missions, Jace struggles to prove himself while grappling with the weight of his abilities.

As tensions rise and enemies close in, Jace must decide who he truly wants to be before the path ahead is chosen for him.

This action-packed thriller explores power, identity, and the cost of being extraordinary.

Information

Status
Completed
Year
2025

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.8/ 5.0
Followers
21
Views
7,408

Chapters(27 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(6)

  • KaywyeRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    As someone who grew up on, and still enjoys superhero content, I am pleased to say that this story is well planned, well written, and well read. In today's society of "the Boys" where superheroes are happy to be morally gray, if not outright villainous, it was both exciting and relaxing to read a story of a teen finding his place in the world, and having that place be on the Lawful Good end of the alignment chart. And not Lawful stupid either. A young man who is filled with a need for justice and for that need to be tempered with compassion...rare. Very rare. Thanks to the author for sharing this with us. I will be keeping an eye out for any sequels.
  • Lucian T. EinarRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    The story is a thrilling mix of superhuman action, personal struggle, and the moral dilemmas that come with power. Jace is a compelling protagonist, caught between duty and identity, and his journey is filled with tension and emotional depth. The fast-paced action sequences are well-crafted, keeping readers engaged while also allowing room for character development. The world-building, particularly the shadowy organization CDE, adds a layer of mystery and intrigue that enriches the narrative.
    Style: The writing style effectively balances intense action with introspection, allowing readers to connect with Jace’s emotional and physical battles. The prose is vivid, particularly in fight scenes, making each moment feel dynamic and cinematic. However, some passages are overly detailed, which slightly slows the pacing. Trimming excess descriptions, especially during high-energy moments, would enhance the story’s momentum. Additionally, refining internal monologues could make Jace’s thought process more concise and impactful.
    Story: The plot is engaging and well-paced, introducing Jace’s powers in a compelling way while building intrigue around the CDE and The Maker. The stakes feel real, and Jace’s struggle to balance his personal life with his newfound abilities is both relatable and engaging. The conflict between his moral compass and the organization’s methods adds an interesting layer of complexity. Yet, certain plot elements, like CDE’s ultimate goals, could be clarified/hinted earlier to strengthen reader investment. Expanding on The Maker’s influence would also help deepen the story’s central mystery.
    Grammar: Overall, the grammar is solid, but there are minor issues, such as run-on sentences and occasional tense inconsistencies. Some dialogue sequences could be tightened for a more natural flow. There are also a few repetitive phrases that could be varied for better readability. A careful proofreading pass would smooth out these minor hiccups and further enhance t
  • Ryujin2xdRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    This story comes in swinging like it knows what it wants to be: a blend of My Hero Academia and Ultimate Spider-Man, but stripped down and rooted in something more grounded. The pacing is fast and confident. It knows how to hit action beats hard and move on. Jace Carter is set up quickly, and the story wastes no time showing us what he can do, which is good: it trusts the reader enough to dive in. There’s also a clear arc starting to take shape by chapter 6, where the “teen hero” trope starts giving way to a more paranoid techno-thriller atmosphere. That tonal shift is honestly one of the best things going for it.
    The action is solid: visceral, cinematic, and physical. You can feel Jace hit the ground, crash into the car, crush the drones. It’s kinetic without being cartoonish. The dialogue between Jace and Leo also feels natural. It captures that awkward new-friend energy well, and it’s refreshing to see Jace try to be decent without being edgy or brooding.
    The CDE section introduces some real stakes, and Axel Reed is compelling. He’s not twirling a mustache, he’s calmly dismantling your sense of autonomy, and that’s scarier. The shift in tone when they realize Jace wasn’t protecting “the Maker” gives the story its first real “oh shit” moment.
    Let’s talk about grammar and sentence structure first, because it’s a real issue. Punctuation is scattered like a shotgun blast: inconsistent spacing around commas, missing colons, random capitalization, and semicolons thrown in like they’re grenades. That needs a hard cleanup. It’s not about nitpicking—it’s about rhythm. The wrong punctuation kills flow, especially when the rest of the prose is moving fast. Right now, it’s like flooring the gas in a sports car and then hitting a speed bump every paragraph.
    There are also some weird shifts in tense and phrasing. The story occasionally drifts into passive voice, or it doubles back to over-explain something the scene already made clear. For example, the inner monologue in the c
  • Br_yceRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    Read this fiction if you want
    - Beautiful fight sequences
    - Great dialogue between characters
    - Relatable characters
    - proper progression
    - A cool ass MC and menacing villains
    Your story is an engaging and intense blend of action, mystery, and moral conflict, set in a world where power is both a gift and a curse. Jace’s struggle between his own ideals and the CDE’s brutal methods makes for a compelling protagonist, and the tension surrounding. The fast-paced storytelling works well for the action sequences, but at times, the emotional weight of key moments could be explored more deeply to heighten their impact. The worldbuilding is solid, with a well-thought-out organization in the CDE, but expanding on society’s perception of enhanced individuals would add even more depth. Overall, the story has the makings of a gripping superhero thriller with a strong foundation, and with some refinements in pacing and emotional depth, it could be truly outstanding.
    The CDE itself is an interesting organization—dangerous, manipulative, and full of people who seem more like enemies than allies. Axel is probably the most likable of the bunch, but the fact that he gets replaced later makes it clear things are only going to get worse. Zara and Kai are terrifying in all the right ways, and Rob and Steve add a bit of levity(very funny characters 😂) to balance things out. The looming presence of The Maker is great, although he doesn't seem to being doing anything significant.
    Edit: few more chapters in and I think the story has slowed down. At least for Jace's interaction with his mother, the scenes hit hard which is a great improvement.
    Overall, this is a really engaging story with strong characters, cool action, and a world that feels dangerous and unpredictable. I’m excited to see where it goes next.
    Edit I’m several chapters in, and I can’t believe it’s almost over.
    This fiction might not be perfect, but it absolutely knows how to entertain. The fight scenes are described with preci
  • Josef H.S. CreationsRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    Well, the story has been interesting so far; there is potential to take many paths for Jace. So let's go through a few pointers first.
    Strong Inciting Incident & Clear Stakes
    The story opens with a classic but effective superhero progression hook: Jace is an ordinary high schooler until he’s suddenly empowered by the ancient deity Ischys. If I were to point it out, it would be when Jace’s first uncontrolled use of superspeed and strength creates a public spectacle, which is exactly what draws the mysterious organization’s attention. This early cause and effect maintains a realistic aspect of how things can come to be by slight mistakes. So Jace, be aware of where you do your stuff.
    The Mysterious Organization Adds Tension & Direction in the story
    Just like in Invincible, in Valiant, Jace’s forced training sequences, which are brutal, high-pressure, and constantly monitored, show how little control he actually has. His power is a blessing, but his situation is a cage. Who knows if he might get cloned or something even more drastic.
    Fast Pacing & Clear Progression Structure
    Jace’s early missions, likely surveillance, retrieval, or controlled combat, showcase incremental improvements in his strength and speed while also revealing the organization’s hidden agenda. But this could go even deeper, just saying.
    One Area of  improvement following what I've read so far
    Jace’s Internal Conflict Could Be Explored More Deeply
    The premise sets up a rich emotional landscape for me. Just imagine a teenager suddenly burdened with godlike power, forced into service. Unsure who to trust while being potentially hunted by a secret organization. But in the early chapters, the story focuses more on external action than internal processing. You could be making a turn-up story of a hero becoming an antihero or a villain, and then to redeem himself, he comes back to save everyone. But not without an excruciating pain going through all the trauma physically and psychologically. I like to see
  • The AmadeusRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    This story masterfully blends superhuman action, emotional struggle, and moral conflict, creating a thrilling and immersive experience. Jace stands out as a compelling protagonist, grappling with the burden of his newfound powers and the ruthless methods of the CDE. His internal conflict between personal values and the organization’s brutal approach adds emotional depth to the narrative.
    The fast-paced action sequences are vividly written, keeping readers on edge, while the world-building—particularly the mysterious and manipulative CDE—adds intrigue and complexity. The characters are well-developed, with Axel providing a rare, relatable presence within the organization before his replacement signals darker times ahead. Zara and Kai exude menace, while Rob and Steve offer comedic relief, balancing the tension. The enigmatic Maker looms in the background, though his role feels somehow bland.
    While the writing effectively balances action with introspection, some scenes are weighed down by too much detail, which can disrupt the momentum. Streamlining descriptions and refining Jace’s internal monologues would enhance the pacing and emotional impact. Additionally, exploring society’s perception of enhanced individuals could deepen the world’s complexity.
    Overall, this superhero thriller lays a strong foundation with engaging characters and a rich, shadowy world. With some adjustments to pacing and emotional depth, it has the potential to be truly exceptional and a good library add.