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Icons #1
Paragon
Hero or Villain.
A choice that every Icon, a person born with powers, eventually has to make if they don’t want to live a life of mediocrity. For most Icons the decision is easy. Just do what your parents did. Then, there is Hunter Monroe. A powerful young Icon born from the unimaginable union of a hero and villain.
Seventeen years later Hunter is seen as a half-breed abomination by some, and as a certified powerhouse by others. With his time at Purgatory Academy, the premier institute for Icons, coming to an end, Hunter must embark on a two year internship with a supergroup.
After being selected to intern with The Imperial Lords, the world’s leading supergroup, Hunter’s life begins to slowly unravel.
Between a shaky love life, facing an old rival, and seeing his mentors for who they truly are, Hunter is in for the longest two years of his life. Things get more complex when an Icon serial killer emerges with unthinkable power, and begins to shed light on Hunter’s life that will leave him wondering if he should use his powers to save the world, or conquer it.
A choice that every Icon, a person born with powers, eventually has to make if they don’t want to live a life of mediocrity. For most Icons the decision is easy. Just do what your parents did. Then, there is Hunter Monroe. A powerful young Icon born from the unimaginable union of a hero and villain.
Seventeen years later Hunter is seen as a half-breed abomination by some, and as a certified powerhouse by others. With his time at Purgatory Academy, the premier institute for Icons, coming to an end, Hunter must embark on a two year internship with a supergroup.
After being selected to intern with The Imperial Lords, the world’s leading supergroup, Hunter’s life begins to slowly unravel.
Between a shaky love life, facing an old rival, and seeing his mentors for who they truly are, Hunter is in for the longest two years of his life. Things get more complex when an Icon serial killer emerges with unthinkable power, and begins to shed light on Hunter’s life that will leave him wondering if he should use his powers to save the world, or conquer it.
- GenresSuperheroesAudiobook
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2017
20 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Riley Tune
12 books31 followersA native of Virginia, Riley Tune originally wanted to be an actor. His decision to be an actor would eventually lead him to wanting to learn how to read a script. Shortly after, he had the idea to try and write a screenplay of his own. That single idea, was the spark that would ignite the fire inside him that fueled him to be a writer. In the years that followed he wrote various screenplays, short stories, and novels before publishing his debut Warper series. He has told many writers, and readers alike, that he just loves to tell a story, and that spelling and grammar aren’t his strong points. This statement is usually followed by a compliment to his editor. He is a lover of video games, lifter of weights, and pizza aficionado. He currently resides in Raleigh, NC.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 28, 2018
Not bad. The characters are a little simple as is the universe, but the writing seems professional.
It just feels a little dated, like superhero comics from 40 years ago. The Icons must be either heroes or villains. There seems to be no government oversight. The protagonist starts an internship with the world's greatest heroic team but is sent out to help the public with zero training, supervision or support. As I said, it's all too simple.
I'll put this one in the "young-adult" category and hope the author takes a more serious turn for his later books.
It just feels a little dated, like superhero comics from 40 years ago. The Icons must be either heroes or villains. There seems to be no government oversight. The protagonist starts an internship with the world's greatest heroic team but is sent out to help the public with zero training, supervision or support. As I said, it's all too simple.
I'll put this one in the "young-adult" category and hope the author takes a more serious turn for his later books.
April 16, 2019
For some reason i was expecting a superhero story with no depth or plot, glad it was not the case. So far i have read 2 S-hero novels that makes sence Super Powereds year 1 and children of the deterrent. Well i guess its now 3.
August 30, 2018
Good story. I did the audiobook version and it was a lot of fun.
I look forward to the next one.
That was a hint, Riley ...
:)
I look forward to the next one.
That was a hint, Riley ...
:)
October 13, 2019
This novel starts slow but has a wild finish. I can’t stress that point enough. After a couple of chapters I almost stopped reading the book, yet by the time I finished I was very glad I stuck with it—glad enough I’m fairly certain I’ll be reading the sequel. So let me break down the good and the frustrating.
On the positive side, Riley Tune has thought of a large number of superpowers and his characters often use them very well. He builds his story around both a mystery and a conspiracy. I found both fairly transparent, but that didn’t hurt the story. We’re watching a fairly dumb teenager slowly put the pieces together and it’s credible that he has more trouble doing it than the reader does. As he gets closer and closer to the truth, the tension builds and the final battle is highly enjoyable. A couple of the supporting characters are also very well drawn as Tune plays off our knowledge of famous heroes and uses that knowledge to steer our expectations. I respect that. It strengthened the ending considerably.
On the less positive side, I was frustrated by a couple elements in this story. First, I only began to like the main character in the last chapter or two. He’s a fairly stereotypical teen with a huge chip on his shoulders who is also certain that he knows everything he is ever going to need to know about living. That might be realistic, but it’s not attractive in a hero. It also makes him stupid. He has impressive force-field creating powers. But he never figures out very simple things he could do with his powers to quickly defeat just about anyone. For example, making a skintight forcefield around the face of any air-breathing foe. He also fails to simply enclose a mist-form villain in a force field, trapping her. I could go on, but you get the idea.
I also was disappointed in the world building. If you’re going to tell a serious superhero tale—and I believe that’s what the intent was here—there has to be at least some marginal credibility regarding the birth of new heroes and villains. Frankly a prep school for supers in which everyone talks about the need to decide one day if the students will become heroes or villains just didn’t do it for me.
That being said, the actual plot is pretty well thought out with critical elements being introduced early and then “forgotten” until they are needed later in the story. It’s always nice when you see that sort of planning come to fruition.
There’s a lot of potential in this series. I look forward to seeing what Tune will do with it.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
On the positive side, Riley Tune has thought of a large number of superpowers and his characters often use them very well. He builds his story around both a mystery and a conspiracy. I found both fairly transparent, but that didn’t hurt the story. We’re watching a fairly dumb teenager slowly put the pieces together and it’s credible that he has more trouble doing it than the reader does. As he gets closer and closer to the truth, the tension builds and the final battle is highly enjoyable. A couple of the supporting characters are also very well drawn as Tune plays off our knowledge of famous heroes and uses that knowledge to steer our expectations. I respect that. It strengthened the ending considerably.
On the less positive side, I was frustrated by a couple elements in this story. First, I only began to like the main character in the last chapter or two. He’s a fairly stereotypical teen with a huge chip on his shoulders who is also certain that he knows everything he is ever going to need to know about living. That might be realistic, but it’s not attractive in a hero. It also makes him stupid. He has impressive force-field creating powers. But he never figures out very simple things he could do with his powers to quickly defeat just about anyone. For example, making a skintight forcefield around the face of any air-breathing foe. He also fails to simply enclose a mist-form villain in a force field, trapping her. I could go on, but you get the idea.
I also was disappointed in the world building. If you’re going to tell a serious superhero tale—and I believe that’s what the intent was here—there has to be at least some marginal credibility regarding the birth of new heroes and villains. Frankly a prep school for supers in which everyone talks about the need to decide one day if the students will become heroes or villains just didn’t do it for me.
That being said, the actual plot is pretty well thought out with critical elements being introduced early and then “forgotten” until they are needed later in the story. It’s always nice when you see that sort of planning come to fruition.
There’s a lot of potential in this series. I look forward to seeing what Tune will do with it.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
May 26, 2019
Paragon is the story of an outcast trying to find his way in a world of black and white heroes and villains. It’s the story of a superhero team harboring a secret so profound that it could reshape not just how the city sees them, but the world.
Or at least, it could be, if Riley Tune decides to take this outline and write the epic it presents.
That is the issue with this book. It’s basically an outline to a greater story. We are mostly told what happens with a handful of Shows here and there. We are told the protagonist is an outcast. We are told he has a nemesis; we are told the superhero team is great. We are told a great many things, but none of if it supported by the little we are shown.
Oh, and we are told the protagonist is in a relationship with a girl, a villain, and yeah, hardly shown any of that too.
This book has to potential to be an epic. Just the first 1/3rd of it hints at some very interesting time at school for the protagonist that I would have loved to have seen in details. I would have loved to see the evolution of the nemesis be more than ‘he bad mouthed my parents.’ We’re told that, not shown, it happen the year before the story starts, supposedly destroyed part of the school, without any real consequences for either person as far as I could see.
We get side characters that I would have loved to see better fleshed out, again, he hints at so much, especially with a character I’m calling Frigid, since she doesn’t pick a name of her on in this book. Her inner conflict could be enough to feel a book of its own, with the way her family treated her.
We get hints of a lot of characters like that, but because nothing is down with any of them, they are all forgettable.
We don’t get to care about anyone, so when someone is killed it’s just. Well, the story called for someone to die so it was him.
And the story is predictable. except for one details, I saw every other plot point coming multiple chapters before they impacted the story.
As I said, this story had immense potential, but because there isn’t even an attempt at fulfilling it, Mister Riley Tune as ensure I won’t be looking at any more of his work.
Or at least, it could be, if Riley Tune decides to take this outline and write the epic it presents.
That is the issue with this book. It’s basically an outline to a greater story. We are mostly told what happens with a handful of Shows here and there. We are told the protagonist is an outcast. We are told he has a nemesis; we are told the superhero team is great. We are told a great many things, but none of if it supported by the little we are shown.
Oh, and we are told the protagonist is in a relationship with a girl, a villain, and yeah, hardly shown any of that too.
This book has to potential to be an epic. Just the first 1/3rd of it hints at some very interesting time at school for the protagonist that I would have loved to have seen in details. I would have loved to see the evolution of the nemesis be more than ‘he bad mouthed my parents.’ We’re told that, not shown, it happen the year before the story starts, supposedly destroyed part of the school, without any real consequences for either person as far as I could see.
We get side characters that I would have loved to see better fleshed out, again, he hints at so much, especially with a character I’m calling Frigid, since she doesn’t pick a name of her on in this book. Her inner conflict could be enough to feel a book of its own, with the way her family treated her.
We get hints of a lot of characters like that, but because nothing is down with any of them, they are all forgettable.
We don’t get to care about anyone, so when someone is killed it’s just. Well, the story called for someone to die so it was him.
And the story is predictable. except for one details, I saw every other plot point coming multiple chapters before they impacted the story.
As I said, this story had immense potential, but because there isn’t even an attempt at fulfilling it, Mister Riley Tune as ensure I won’t be looking at any more of his work.
June 8, 2019
Pretty good story just was a little slow
March 22, 2018
This was a good story, but it needs a lot of proofreading and a bit of editing. I would like to read more books in this world if they were polished a little more.
August 14, 2018
Felt juvenile. I might have liked this as a teenager, but the current me kept wondering why everyone seemed to take the MC so seriously? I mean, for crying out loud, he’s a only punk teenager with a decent combat capability, so what?
December 13, 2018
Different story about superheroes and growing up
The hero wasn't that likable, but the author was willing to kill off people, so it's a decent start ;)
The hero wasn't that likable, but the author was willing to kill off people, so it's a decent start ;)
February 4, 2021
Can't wait for the next book in the series I really loved this book it was awesome and actionpacked.
February 21, 2019
I've never been a big fan of superhero stories, so this book was a new venture for me. It was definitely an interesting concept to see a more modern take on heroes and villains. Each chapter held my attention and I finished the book in a fairly short amount of time.
I really liked the inner struggle Hunter faces as he learns more about being a hero or villain and must choose between the two. Also, the world they live in is very unique and has all sorts of interesting details (like plants that act almost like animals, and a city divided between perpetual day and night). The fact that it's almost acceptable to become a villain is also kind of interesting; like they understand the balance between good and bad is necessary. It was interesting to see the world through Hunter's eyes because he had his own voice; never did it feel flat or boring.
On the flip side, I had a lot of questions about peoples' motivations throughout. For instance, I couldn't quite understand the whole "baby trade" thing and how it stopped the war. (Read to the end and you'll see what I mean). Or why Hunter gets back with his girlfriend in the end, because she seemed like a throwaway character to me. Also, some details were brushed over either too quickly or put in a spot that didn't quite make sense (i.e. Detatch kissing her clone and comparing it to masturbation as we're supposed to be focused on the super badass villain who's going on a murder spree. It didn't fit the mood of the situation and would've been pretty inappropriate, if you ask me). Also, there were a few characters who were brushed over and didn't really feel as important as they were supposed to be. (The Icon police officer and CL, in particular.) The way they defeated the bad guy was kinda cool since it brought an aspect of the story full circle. However, aside from that, I managed to predict a lot of stuff before it happened and I found things weren't as fully explained as I'd hoped. The epilogue didn't quite feel like a genuine ending, rather the start of a new chapter, but it did leave an opening for book two.
Overall, I think this was a fun adventure into a new world. I had a lot of questions and felt like there was a lot missing from the plot, but it was a good first step into Hunter's world.
I really liked the inner struggle Hunter faces as he learns more about being a hero or villain and must choose between the two. Also, the world they live in is very unique and has all sorts of interesting details (like plants that act almost like animals, and a city divided between perpetual day and night). The fact that it's almost acceptable to become a villain is also kind of interesting; like they understand the balance between good and bad is necessary. It was interesting to see the world through Hunter's eyes because he had his own voice; never did it feel flat or boring.
On the flip side, I had a lot of questions about peoples' motivations throughout. For instance, I couldn't quite understand the whole "baby trade" thing and how it stopped the war. (Read to the end and you'll see what I mean). Or why Hunter gets back with his girlfriend in the end, because she seemed like a throwaway character to me. Also, some details were brushed over either too quickly or put in a spot that didn't quite make sense (i.e. Detatch kissing her clone and comparing it to masturbation as we're supposed to be focused on the super badass villain who's going on a murder spree. It didn't fit the mood of the situation and would've been pretty inappropriate, if you ask me). Also, there were a few characters who were brushed over and didn't really feel as important as they were supposed to be. (The Icon police officer and CL, in particular.) The way they defeated the bad guy was kinda cool since it brought an aspect of the story full circle. However, aside from that, I managed to predict a lot of stuff before it happened and I found things weren't as fully explained as I'd hoped. The epilogue didn't quite feel like a genuine ending, rather the start of a new chapter, but it did leave an opening for book two.
Overall, I think this was a fun adventure into a new world. I had a lot of questions and felt like there was a lot missing from the plot, but it was a good first step into Hunter's world.
March 24, 2019
“You still want me to pay for this? I just saved your lives.” I said in a low voice to her. Jen cleared her throat. “We just saved your lives.” I said. Asisa smiled at me. “And we are very thankful, but-” I cut her off as I picked the box up.
I was disappointed by this one. Given the high star rating on goodreads, I expected a lot better.
As always, let's start with things I did like. The supporting characters all felt very real and fleshed out, with their own wants and dislikes.
The abilities are quite unique, and well thought out.
Now the things I didn't. The punctuation, grammar, spelling and paragraphing all needed serious work (I read this on Kindle). Several times per chapter, two people would have a conversation in a paragraph – with no warning that the viewpoint was going to switch! Nothing brings you out of a different world faster than that.
The main character was very unlikeable. Even if he is being constantly harassed and bullied – something he tells us he is, but not something we really see – he tries to solve every problem with his fists, which gets him into all sorts of trouble. Sadly, he never learns from it. He also alls into the “more powerful than everyone else” trope that so many YA books lean on – he has four powers, only a select heros can stand against him.
The world building plays little role in the story, and sometimes directly contradicts itself – the author states that being a hero doesn't pay, but later on says that the funding was going to good use on luxury transports and a plush base. Interesting characters have a habit of popping into being – for no real reason other than to get the main character in or out of a bind – with no foreshadowing or even mentioning this person and their abilities before.
I was disappointed by this one. Given the high star rating on goodreads, I expected a lot better.
As always, let's start with things I did like. The supporting characters all felt very real and fleshed out, with their own wants and dislikes.
The abilities are quite unique, and well thought out.
Now the things I didn't. The punctuation, grammar, spelling and paragraphing all needed serious work (I read this on Kindle). Several times per chapter, two people would have a conversation in a paragraph – with no warning that the viewpoint was going to switch! Nothing brings you out of a different world faster than that.
The main character was very unlikeable. Even if he is being constantly harassed and bullied – something he tells us he is, but not something we really see – he tries to solve every problem with his fists, which gets him into all sorts of trouble. Sadly, he never learns from it. He also alls into the “more powerful than everyone else” trope that so many YA books lean on – he has four powers, only a select heros can stand against him.
The world building plays little role in the story, and sometimes directly contradicts itself – the author states that being a hero doesn't pay, but later on says that the funding was going to good use on luxury transports and a plush base. Interesting characters have a habit of popping into being – for no real reason other than to get the main character in or out of a bind – with no foreshadowing or even mentioning this person and their abilities before.
October 24, 2019
This was an interesting and enjoyable piece of superhero action, with the author setting up an interesting world where the nature of new superheros and villains has become formalised. The young icons (powered people) having to choose their path towards the end of their school years, once they have been trained in their powers.
While this decision is an easy one for many, it is not so simple for the main character, Hunter Monroe, as he has had a difficult time growing up as the child of a union between a hero and an infamous villain, both of whom perished while fighting against an alien invasion. He still has his doubts about whether or not being a hero is right for him as he sees the grey of many situations rather than the simple black & white.
The narrator's performance was a strong one with a good range and distinctive tones that ensured the varied cast could be clearly distinguished from each other, nicely enhancing the book as a whole.
Overall, a very entertaining introduction to this superhero world with a strong story and good character development, I will look forward to future instalments.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
While this decision is an easy one for many, it is not so simple for the main character, Hunter Monroe, as he has had a difficult time growing up as the child of a union between a hero and an infamous villain, both of whom perished while fighting against an alien invasion. He still has his doubts about whether or not being a hero is right for him as he sees the grey of many situations rather than the simple black & white.
The narrator's performance was a strong one with a good range and distinctive tones that ensured the varied cast could be clearly distinguished from each other, nicely enhancing the book as a whole.
Overall, a very entertaining introduction to this superhero world with a strong story and good character development, I will look forward to future instalments.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
August 17, 2018
Audible version: A good superhero story with a comic book vibe. I thought I would hate the MC, but he actually grew on me (for example by being a huge, squealing fan of a rapper). I didn't notice the flaws other reviewers have written about so maybe the audio book version has been edited or the narrator was good enough to balance stuff out? Or maybe it's because of my limited English proficiency?
October 26, 2018
I'm a big fan of all books by Riley Tune. This book is a worthy continuation of the series. This is quite a difficult task to create something truly interesting, new and original in this genre. I am delighted with the plot, the disclosure of the character. I look forward to new books! Paragon: An Icon Story by Riley Tune is worth 5 stars!
August 13, 2021
Totally Great
Very good book. Well written, well thought out. Very nice take on the superhero universe. Only problem I had was you are not born a hero or a villain and can choose their own destiny. Making the protagonist an outcast because of his heritage really made no sense.
Very good book. Well written, well thought out. Very nice take on the superhero universe. Only problem I had was you are not born a hero or a villain and can choose their own destiny. Making the protagonist an outcast because of his heritage really made no sense.
December 2, 2019
Full review to come.
November 2, 2020
I adore this book! It was like my hero academia but grown up!!
August 5, 2019
Audiobook review
Do you like comic books? Me too! This book is just the way a comic book/graphic novel should be fleshed out into a full blown novel.
Imagine a world where the people who are born with super powers get to go to their own school to learn how to master said powers, and then upon graduation they choose to be a Hero or a Villain. These people are called Icons. Most, if not all, Icons come from couple that are either Villain or Hero and they follow in the path of their parents. 17 yr old Hunter, on the other hand, had a Hero mother and a Villain father. Some would call him an abomination. Nobody quite knows which path Hunter will choose, including himself, and since his parents died in the great Icon war he hasn't had them to help him choose. While his parents best friends took Hunter under their wings and roof, it's still not the same.
While in what is best described as internship with his adopted father's hero squad, The Imperial Lords, Hunter is paired up with the beautiful sister of his arch-nemesis, and it takes all his concentration to not hold it against her. His crazy hormones aren't hurting either. Things seem to be going ok until someone starts killing Icons. Hunter keeps finding himself in the middle of danger, and wrestling with a mouth that just won't stop boasting. These situations and the choices he makes in the heat of the moment have his struggling within himself. When he realizes he's been betrayed in possibly the most heinous way, those decisions become life-altering.
I would put this book's rating at about a PG-13 due to the violence and the teenage hormones. I would more than likely let my super hero loving 9 year old listen to this, but he’d be super uncomfortable with the hormonal crush talk and descriptions. It’s not explicit and there are no f-bombs. I still may listen to it with him and just turn it down when the embarrassing stuff comes up.
The narration is fantastic! I definitely wouldn't hesitate to listen to more by Chistopher Boucher. His voices were great and his enthusiasm comes through loud and clear.
This is up there on one of my favorite books and am looking forward to listening to the rest of the series!
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review."
Do you like comic books? Me too! This book is just the way a comic book/graphic novel should be fleshed out into a full blown novel.
Imagine a world where the people who are born with super powers get to go to their own school to learn how to master said powers, and then upon graduation they choose to be a Hero or a Villain. These people are called Icons. Most, if not all, Icons come from couple that are either Villain or Hero and they follow in the path of their parents. 17 yr old Hunter, on the other hand, had a Hero mother and a Villain father. Some would call him an abomination. Nobody quite knows which path Hunter will choose, including himself, and since his parents died in the great Icon war he hasn't had them to help him choose. While his parents best friends took Hunter under their wings and roof, it's still not the same.
While in what is best described as internship with his adopted father's hero squad, The Imperial Lords, Hunter is paired up with the beautiful sister of his arch-nemesis, and it takes all his concentration to not hold it against her. His crazy hormones aren't hurting either. Things seem to be going ok until someone starts killing Icons. Hunter keeps finding himself in the middle of danger, and wrestling with a mouth that just won't stop boasting. These situations and the choices he makes in the heat of the moment have his struggling within himself. When he realizes he's been betrayed in possibly the most heinous way, those decisions become life-altering.
I would put this book's rating at about a PG-13 due to the violence and the teenage hormones. I would more than likely let my super hero loving 9 year old listen to this, but he’d be super uncomfortable with the hormonal crush talk and descriptions. It’s not explicit and there are no f-bombs. I still may listen to it with him and just turn it down when the embarrassing stuff comes up.
The narration is fantastic! I definitely wouldn't hesitate to listen to more by Chistopher Boucher. His voices were great and his enthusiasm comes through loud and clear.
This is up there on one of my favorite books and am looking forward to listening to the rest of the series!
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review."
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews