A Viper in the Hole (Pokémon)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Follow Ran Carr, a teenage trainer setting out on his first journey as a Pokémon trainer, as he sets out from Azalea Town on a quest to acquire Johto's eight badges. If he manages to do so within ten months, he'll get to participate in the Silver Conference at the end of the league season.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: TheDave

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 545
Views: 258,859

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(5)

AressweRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
So im not much of a reviewer but I quite enjoyed the story so far.
I think the pacing is good and from what we have seen so far the characters are interesting. I quite like the more mature tone of the world, with it being a good middle ground between some of the grimdark stories and the more bubbly fanfics ive read.
Im looking forward to seeing where it goes and would recommend others to give it a try.
SomecrazyguyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Without getting into spoilers, this MC is interesting. He has set-backs, and makes non-optimal decisions due to personal convictions, then works hard to move forward on his chosen path. This is still early in the story, but I am excited and hopeful that he will keep with his convictions even when the going is tough, and come out of the other side stronger for it.
As a side note, I am very happy that the MC isn't another isekai'd power tripper, which has been a disappointing trend in many of these fics.
The spelling and grammar of the story are on point, and i didn't notice anything on my first read-through to complain about on that front.
Giving 5 stars here for a well-thought out beginning of a story that I am excited to see more of.
Strictly WorseRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
This is a grittier take on pokemon than my usual preference but characters still feel like they have plenty of agency, if a little less than they'd like. The real highlight of the tale are the characters with strong motivations and flaws interacting with one another as they seek to navigate the challenges of training, social mores and gym politics. I'm honestly surprised to see the story doesn't have the drama tag.
On the negative side, while characters acting on their flaws is a strength, one of the early decisions seems like a particularly extreme reaction despite being in line with a known flaw. We later get some added context for this and it is presented as a mistake in retrospect, but it takes some time for the story to get to those points after the initial decision.
Finally, as much as I think the MC is interesting and generally a good blend of smart enough to think things through but makes childish mistakes that line up with his flaw, I'm really riveted by this story's portrayal of Bugsy. Thankfully the MC sees him as something of a rival (though Bugsy is currently much, much more capable).
YnochTGRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Things are honestly getting better, bumping up my rating
Old Review:At the point I'm currently at, drama takes precedence over the pokemon aspect of the story. 13 chapters in and honestly, it just isn't satisfying if you're mainly in it for the pokemon. Don't get me wrong, drama done right can be good for a story. The key word being "done right."
It might be a personal hang-up of mine but I don't see the point of having drama when you barely know the characters involved, even the protagonist himself. The story jumps straight in to conflict with other characters while literally knowing nothing about them. All it does, in my case at least, is make me frustrated because 10% of the fic in, I barely know anything about Ran's pokemon. Nothing but superificial entries. I mainly read fics for enjoyment and I'm decidely NOT enjoying the fic. With no attachement to the other characters, it just seems pointless. I know that Ran needs to realize his mistake but it's not being handled all that well. Case in point, Ran's alleged friend resembles a few toxic people I know and its grating on my nerves. The author writes well mind you, but if reading the fic just ruins your mood, whats the point?
If you like drama this story is for you. Although, keep in mind that the fic is 80% drama and 20% pokemon at the point I'm at. It's incredibly toxic and not a good time.
dkj224Royal Road
★★★★ 4.0
I really enjoy this story so far, especially in regards to the bonds that Ran has with his Pokemon team. The interactions between them are organic, in my opinion, and really show the care that Ran has for each of his teammates. Ran started off a little rough for me as I typically do not care for vengeful characters but the growth and realizations he has gone through really won me over to him. I really enjoy his interactions with the other characters as well, especially Grady, who he treats similar to a younger sibling and friend. Overall I found myself really coming to like this story.
Spoiler: I am just putting this disclaimer here just in case the reader hasn't progressed very far into the story! If you have not please do not read further!
I don't much care for the blossoming romance between Josie and Ran. I very much enjoy them as friends and rivals but as romantic partners? Not so much. I understand that teenagers and hormones are a bad combination but I just cannot seem to understand the chemistry between the two. Like I said a bit earlier, I can see the chemistry as friends and rivals, someone who pushes the other to be better and is there for them but romantically I'm just not seeing why it went there. I can kind of see that it might be because of how they are somewhat opposing as trainers in philosophy where Josie is fiery and passionate while Ran is surgical and steady but other than that I am not sure what would draw them together.