Best products from r/Parahumans

This is what I send to friends - - -

TLDR version;

(1) worm is one of the best things i've read in any genre

(2) don't tell my parent's i'm a supervillain is fun, age appropriate for kids but good enough for adult

(3) Dire, Super Powereds (and corpies spinoff) are excellent - don't miss these

(4) the rest listed are the best of what i've found in the genre



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Each book or series has the following information





ranking:

age:

rating:

Strengths:

Genre Detail:

Comments:

Cons:

link to book/series

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Each of the above catagories is rated, ranked, or noted using the following (obviously opinion based)



ranking:

n/10 (range for series)

• : books improve over time (often new author or genre for author, learning on the go)
  
  

• : books get worse over time (often first book is excellent, whatever made it enjoyable decreases in future books, the first book is often worth reading)
  
  
  
  Strengths:
  
  "I"nteresting powers, power sets - not just cookie cutter powers (Worm is the best at this)
  
  "W"orld building - how well the world around the story is built (Worm is the best at this)
  
  "F"un - just plain fun to read (don't tell my parents im a supervillain is the best at this)
  
  "D"rama and storlyline - character interaction and depth of plot (Worm is the best at this)
  
  "T"heme - depth behind the story (Worm is the best at this)
  
  "E"xcellent protagonist / strong main characters - how engaging are the main characters (Worm is the best at this)
  
  
  
  Genre Detail:
  
  Fantasy (powers based on magic)
  
  Sci-fi (powers based on altered person)
  
  
  
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  worm
  
  note to readers - One friend of mine who read this didn't enjoy it because it is so violent/grey morals, others have unanimously loved it. I was floored at how excellent the story was, had to read it again to pick up what I missed first read through.
  
  ranking: 10/10
  
  Strengths: I/W/D/T/E
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: putting here as a baseline - linked to goodreads seperate writeup. this is a must read as long as the negatives noted there are not a problem
  
  
  
  
  
  wearing the cape (5 books in series, not complete)
  
  note to readers - this is the most comic-book like of the novels/series, if you are patient with it it gets better as you go along.
  
  ranking: 8/10 + (6.5-9)
  
  Strengths: F/E
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: worth reading, first book isnt great, each one gets better.
  
  Cons: first book isnt very good. story lines take a while to get decent. characters are fairly cookie cutter power wise.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Wearing-Cape-Book-ebook/dp/B004XRCC1G/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504392&sr=1-2&keywords=wearing+the+cape#navbar
  
  
  
  super powereds (3/4 books done)
  
  note to readers - I really enjoyed this series, Drew Hayes (author) is an excellent indy author who writes what he loves. One of my favorite characters in any book (Nick) in the series.
  
  ranking: 9/10 + (7.5-9.5)
  
  Strengths: I/W/D/E
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: unique, first chapter of book 1 is first chapter written by the author (first 10 chapters or so are rough reading). has good story, good depth, good powers and treatment of powers, gets better with each book. annoyances (some bad writing early on, and cadence in sections of the overall story) are outweighed by some really long term cool scenes.
  
  Cons: Truly rough reading first few chapters, pacing can be tough, non essential characters motivations are 2 dimentional
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Super-Powereds-3-Book-Series/dp/B010HIUG1C/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504369&sr=1-1&keywords=super+powereds
  
  
  
  after reading the above books, this spinoff is a virtual must read, best of the bunch: https://www.amazon.com/Corpies-Super-Powereds-Spinoff-Book-ebook/dp/B01D9C21DE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1473257391&sr=1-1&keywords=corpies
  
  
  
  
  
  action figures (5 books done, 3 in works for next year)
  
  note to readers - this is more YA targetted, but on occasion goes way beyond what I would expect in YA - still fun and well done
  
  ranking: 8/10 (7.5-8)
  
  Strengths: F/D
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: steady, easy, enjoyable
  
  Cons: not much depth, angsty, simple, seems to target YA but occasionally breaks boundry to be potentially inappropriate for younger audience
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Action-Figures-Issue-Secret-Origins-ebook/dp/B00GC74K4M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504262&sr=1-1&keywords=action+figures+michael+bailey#navbar
  
  
  
  dire (3 books, not complete)
  
  note to readers - Outstanding lead character and really nicely written. I loved DIRE.
  
  ranking: 9/10 (9-9)
  
  Strengths: W/D/E
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: dire is a great character, its a good story, inspired by worm (was originally fan-fiction on parahumas site, the intro to dire)
  
  Cons: taking a while for next book to come out, only sample size of 2 books in series. third book was just released, didnt like as much as first two.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/DIRE-BORN-Dire-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B018L5DJN0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504229&sr=1-1&keywords=dire+born#navbar
  
  
  
  Gailsone (2 books, then shifted to periodical short novella releases)
  
  note to readers - Least good of the good ones, If you leave any off this is the most leave-off able.
  
  ranking: 8/10 (7.5-8)
  
  Strengths: F/E
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: fairly unique story, strong main character, quite murdery at times.
  
  Cons: after second book author started releasing .99$ 100 page short excerpts, books are fun but no depth, some annoying interplay between characters
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Gailsone-Big-Japan-Casey-Glanders-ebook/dp/B00GXTADYA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504156&sr=1-1&keywords=gailsone#navbar
  
  
  
  
  
  Dynamistress (2 books, series done)
  
  note to readers - fan fiction at its finest, a talented author who played City of Heroes wrote a 2 book biography for his character, lots of "labor of love" and nicely written story.
  
  ranking: 8/10 (8-8)
  
  Strengths: F
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: unique autobiography format, this is more a story of a person who happens to engage in the super human community than a hero story, very well done. oddly enough - inspired by the MMO City of Heroes, written by an author who played the game.
  
  Cons: if you are looking for a heroic story, this is more a person story that unions the genre.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-Many-Deaths-Dynamistress-Book-ebook/dp/B00F6F8NOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470503535&sr=8-1&keywords=dynamistress#navbar
  
  
  
  confessions of a d-list supervillain (3 books, not really a series though there is a timeline)
  
  note to readers - These were fun, first ones in the genre I read. Not as good as others in the list, but worth reading if you get into this format (novelization of super/parahuman stories)
  
  ranking: 7.5/10 (7-7.5)
  
  Strengths: F
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: One of the first "super hero" genre books published, fun read but not much beyond that. it has not held up to other books/series since it came out, but still decent enough read
  
  Cons: others are better, not terribly unique or deep. just fun and one of the first forays into this genre.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/D-List-Supervillain-3-Book-Series/dp/B00XM5XKWA/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504127&sr=1-1&keywords=confessions+of+a+d+list+supervillain
  
  
  
  don't tell my parents i'm a supervillain (3 books, not complete)
  
  note to readers - book 1 was a blast, and is also very appropriate for young readers (5th -8th grade reading level advised). cant suggest it more highly for a fun read, and you might find it appropriate/fun for your kids too after reading it
  
  ranking: 8/10- (9.5-6.5)
  
  Strengths: I/F/E
  
  Genre Detail: Sci-fi
  
  Comments: first book has Worm inspiration, excellent introduction and very creative. second and third books are not as good. worth reading first book.
  
  Cons: very ya, first book captures a story in a "harry potterish" enjoyable story with a ton of discovery and creativity. second and third books fell off that mark.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Please-Dont-Tell-Parents-Book/dp/B01A951V2G/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504101&sr=1-1&keywords=don%27t+tell+my+parents+i%27m+a+supervillain
  
  
  
  wild cards (many books, all anthologies of short stories by various authors)
  
  note to readers - anthologies by dozens of authors, with an overall theme and world canon maintained by the editor (George RR Martin). you have to take the good with the bad to get through this series, there are alot of both
  
  ranking: 7- (8.5-5)
  
  Strengths: I/W/D
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi
  
  Comments: anthology format, very unique. some amazing, some awful stories. multi author short stories covering a variety of characters over the course of 30-50 years or so. first of its sort. George RR Martin editor. the first 5 books are mostly good, there are a bunch of bad mixed with some good after that.
  
  Cons: expensive, and quality of stories varies wildly.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Cards-I-Trust-ebook/dp/B003P8OZ0U/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504054&sr=1-3&keywords=wild+cards+george+rr+martin#navbar
  
  
  
  steelheart (3 books, complete)
  
  note to readers - I just didn't like the story, seems like almost everyone disagrees with me based on online reviews. really well written, but it never hooked me.
  
  ranking: 7.5
  
  Strengths: I/D
  
  Genre Detail: sci-fi.
  
  Comments:I didnt enjoy these as much as I thought I would, many others enjoyed more than me based on reviews. well written (the author is a top notch writer) but there was just something off about them that I couldnt place.
  
  Cons: premium cost, other stories (indy pub/other) are just more enjoyable.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/The-Reckoners-3-Book-Series/dp/B0141KGAIK/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470504007&sr=1-1&keywords=steelheart
  

Steelheart is definitely intersting. I like the book, however i definitely feel it's quite juvenile. Especially compared to Worm. I made a post about super hero books in /r/fantasy and it's actually how I came across Worm. As for smart and in depth books, I don't have any super hero or power related books to suggest.

However I would suggest checking out Black Jack Villain by Ben Bequer. It has a lot of that team based super hero combat that's featured in Worm and it tells a similar story of somebody starting off with powers. It manages to do this without being too similar to any other story i've read.

Blackjack Villain, Ben Bequer - $3 on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Blackjack-Villain-The-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B007PV3QW6

You can see my post at the link below:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/1m29t7/super_hero_style_books_got_any_more/

Also some other books i've read:

Meta, Tom Reynolds - Really easy read. Pretty basic story, nothing too surprising. Only the first book is available. A pretty Young Adult super hero read.

Control Point, Myke Cole - The tagline is Black Hawk Down meets X-men. The book starts off very similar to x-men in terms of background. The gov't has a huge hand in super hero relations and it's easy to relate too. However, the last half of the book is fairly lacking in the same to type of story building and reasoning as the X-men series. The characters can be very frustrating

Wearing the Cape is a good superhero series; powers are generic compared to Worm's and tend to fall into common "packages" such as the protagonist being an Atlas class hero (flight, strength, durability). Think of it as a deconstruction of the genre rather than a full reconstruction like Worm.

• The superheros organizations main day-to-day concern is being seen patrolling and helping people and building good will because they know one day things will go to shit in a huge villain attack and they will need the public on their side to reduce backlash.
  
  
• Superheros have no legal powers but work with local police on enforcing warrants, including controversy about the use of "no knock" warrants against powered targets.
  
  
• Aircraft have "powered assist lift here" markings indicating where a flying hero should lift from if supporting them in an emergency.
  
  
• the Villain in the first book has a proper rational motivation and goals, even though this is not clear at first and he just seems like a random terrorist. I'd rate him as very compelling in characterization and motivation, but telling you why without major spoilers isn't possible.
  
  
  
  
  Overall I'd say it's the best superhero series I've read other than Worm. Worm tying backstory and powers together via trigger event and making evry power unique is missing, but I can't think of any other superhero setting that comes close to doing that as well as Worm.

Resources they have available isn't a problem at this point in the story, because of Coil. Untraceable firearms are a non-issue when one is willing to wait a few days, and (at least in post-9/11 Earth Aleph), uranium is available on Amazon.

As for mentality, I'd understand if this was Regent or Bitch's power, but Grue is pretty diligent, and Tattletale is all about information. Getting a more detailed understanding of a teammate's power seems like something they would... well, get around to eventually.

The stuff I like that are similar free web creations are:

• Heretical Edge
  
  Basically harry potter but if it were internally consistent and with realistic and good characters, does a lot of subverting expectations and tropes.
  
  
• The martian
  
  Astronaut munchkins Science! to survive on mars
  
  
• RWBY
  
  Cute girl with giant scythe that also is a sniper rifle, everyone in this one has superpowers.
  
  
• Toothless
  
  Realistic medieval setting wherein templar knights fight against undead horde which is almost the only divergence from our normal nonmagic world.

Nice, congrats! I recommend reading The Law of Superheroes. It explains all the real world legal issues that superheroes would encounter.

Thanks for the help, everyone. I think I finally found a [mask that works well enough.] (https://www.amazon.com/Black-Animal-Venetian-Costume-Accessory/dp/B01K7XHVD8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1537397475&sr=8-6&keywords=plastic%20dog%20mask&dpID=41OJKSmdY2L&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch) I guess it might look more like mask Taylor makes for Rachel later in the story, which my brother hasn't gotten to yet, so we might spray paint it to look crappier.

Couldn't find a suitably cheap-looking one of a rottweiler, but amazon has this if its any help.

I'll also add (again) Super Powereds by Drew Hayes is still ongoing, although he's finished the first three books and working on the fourth.
Or, if you're looking for something less involved but still fun: Please Don't Tell My Parents I'm a Supervillain by Richard Roberts. Has kind of a Worm-like plot, but with middle schoolers and considerably less dark and heavy.

Everything is now radioactive. Carry a small sample of Uranium (you can literally order it off of Amazon). Convert copper, aluminum, or concrete, and you'll be glowing in the dark.

Here is the mobile version of your link