Paternum: A Superhero Story
by theVoidWatches
When Quinn finds an experimental superpower-granting costume in their parents’ attic, they didn’t expect to be drawn into a web of superhuman intrigue, but their discovery serves as the catalyst for that conspiracy to slowly unravel.
At it’s heart, Paternum is an extended coming-of-age story for the main character as they become a superhero, in a world with more reasonable stakes and less powerful heroes than many superheroic worlds. Themes include what art means to different people, and what it means to be a patron, whether as a sponsor, a parent, or a supporter.
I consider Paternum‘s primary influences to be the various versions of Spider-Man, J. C. McCrae’s own superhero story Worm, and Drew Hayes’ story SuperPowereds. I hope that fans of such stories can find something to enjoy in mine as well.
Paternum is primarily hosted on my website (thevoidwrites.com) where it updates weekly in groups of scenes totalling approximately 2000 words. Here on Royal Road, it will update once daily with one scene at a time, but only after each act is completed on the home site - the next batch of updates is scheduled to begin on February 5th. There is a discord channel for discussion (discordapp.com/invite/QFMM6yA), and you can vote for Paternum on topwebfiction (topwebfiction.com/vote.php?for=paternum) as well. Finally, you can buy the first book of Paternum, The Swift Uplifting Rush, in a couple different ways - as an ebook through Amazon, or directly from me for a discounted price, or as a physical paperback from Amazon. Buying the book will give you access to Drawing Hands, an exclusive arc that won't ever be published on either my site or Royal Road.
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A Solid Start (Early review)
Reviewed at: 1. 1. Scene 7
This is an early review but so far this story is off to a great start. Quinn, the main character has a well defined personality so far and an intriguing situation in a world of super powers and magic.
The powers and magic systems also seem to be fairly complex allowing for all sorts of super beings. I'm looking forward to seeing where this one goes!
Finally, a normal hero story
Reviewed at: 1. 2. Scene 16
it's 20 chapters in, and I couldn't be happier with the protagonist. Amidst the sea of isekai and villain stories, this is the standout hero story that reminds one of lighthearted marvel and dc comics.
The power system is reasonable, with a classification system that makes sense, and i'm sure will be of use in coming arcs. There are no world-breakers here, just down to earth superheroes vs supervillains battling it out in the city. It's just a good story to sit down and enjoy after a long day. The stakes are reasonable, the decisions are real with relatable consequences, and every single character so far is enjoyable.
the heroes are decent people with banter that makes you think of family members and coworkers. the villains are complex and mysterious with motives that I personally can't wait to explore. Sometimes drinking together, sometimes stopping each other from a horrible mistake they might have made, the interactions between the groups is always an addicting read. This world is great and deserves a lot more attention here.
perdy good
Reviewed at: 1. 2. Scene 6
while the story uses different pronouns than he/she, the story is not centred around these (as of writing this review 1.2.scene 6)
I would consider this story the best attempt I have yet seen at writing a LGBT respectful story
Excessive droning
Reviewed at: 2. 1. Scene 20
Okay decent overall story....good world building.......a good but flat "origin"......even a bit of a "super" plot rearing it's head by the very end of the first arc.
The author keeps it slice of life style which both works and doesn't with the complexities and problems that generally get glossed over in hero tales.
The biggest problem however is the lack of a more interesting plot to support the day to day one. The MC is in a word boring, She is premed but "super" medicine doesn't figure into the story as far as I read, she just got her powers but has no stereotypical fun with them, and then there is the gender obsession...........
Blue Phoenix is as far as I read before going meh.
The one over all "plot" of the story isn't supers, villains, ancient magic, strange artifacts, weird science, or any of the other standard hero tropes that are actually in the story and deserving of more time. The focus is a long winded discussion on transexual gender identity thru the lens of a parade of people go "tck....sorry about saying him/her".
I gave up at the introduction of Blue Phoenix an 89 year old super whom is brought up to point out embarassing transgender pronoun insensitivity.
It would be fine if the story was a gender fluid romp and we the readers needed a score card to keep track. But it's not a romp and despite the story going on and on about gender pronouns they don't really contribute anything of interest.
A touch of subtlety would however make it relevant.
There is a rebuffed advance, a super identity reveal, and a not so rebuffed advance......cut the gender pronoun discussion to just those and it would add a flourish instead of just noise.
Absolutely brilliant
Reviewed at: 2. 1. Scene 10
I absolutely love this story. It has a strong lead with incredible ingenuity. Their power is a unique spin on a already rare concept and is done incredibly so as not to be overpowered nor stupidly weak.
the style of writing is very nice, smooth and easy to read. It feels right, and that's not easy to make happen, and doesn't happen often.
the grammar is ace, the only mistakes are either quickly fixed up or so minute that it doesn't matter. I've never noticed a their, they're, there mistake which is super important to me.
story is smooth. It has so many intracasies and little wiggles that make it fun to traverse. Nearly every chapter furthers the story or the characters and it it's just beautifully done. Without spoilers the story is different, unique, and worth discovering.
characters feel as though they are alive. They all have downfalls and up lifting moments, virtues etc... I've never been truly disappointed and their discisions make sense and aren't just 'because the author said so.' They always have reasons and it's always shown why.
overall... this story is beautifully done. 10 out of 10. My only real wish is the selfish On my one for more chapters and longer chapters. Keep up the good work theVoidWatches