Anglers and Amberkin

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Magic is dying, and he can save it. Derek Dunn, a lazy grocer and part-time college student, is now the Hero of Prophecy due to a scroll misfire. He would rather spend his days preparing for the upcoming fishing tourney than fulfill a prophecy, but it looks like he isn't going to be given much of a choice.

Expectations:

Urban & High Fantasy

LitRPG elements (Not a ton of number crunching)

Creative Application of seemingly weak abilties

Deep Characters beyond the MC

New Fantasy Races

Updates: Each chapter will be about 5,000 words or so, some a bit longer and some less so.

This story updates every Tuesday.Hint: Look Closely at the cover, and comment on Chapter 1 if you spot the hidden image.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: TheHoffer

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.8/ 5.0
Followers: 241
Views: 16,520

Chapters(15 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

thirstyoctopusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It was amazing! Very talented author that really helps us see in the minds of the characters. And uses impressive verbage throughout the whole story. You can tell this story was created with love. I cannot wait to see how the story ends. Each chapter I have to keep reading. I was hooked from the very first chapter. I think the characters are written in a way that I have seen in very few books. You can really see into their minds and understand their thoughts. I love when characters aren't perfect and have their ups and downs as people. Then on top of that the fantasy element adds to the overall story and it was seriously a pleasure to read. I hope we get more chapters very soon. I will be on the edge of my sweet. Does anyone know if this other has any other books I could read? I love his writing style. I think it is very well done. The names of the places and characters were very unique and different than other stories I have read. I have feeling it is gonna keep getting better and better as well. And I am already in love with the story. I am very excited for this book and I hope it is a series at some point.
DaCrozRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
As an English teacher, I am surprisingly not a voracious reader. As a child, I loved reading all things fantasy and sci-fi. I feel like the foundation of this book (as I have only completed the third chapter) promises to deliver a beautiful intersection of both. Between teachers using reading as a punishment in my school days and my own students punishing me with their own writing (I jest... sort of), I have a lot of earned inertia when it comes to reading. Very few things have me excited about reading more. Thus far, I am very much looking forward to the next chapter.
The style is easy to read, and it certainly lends itself to this particular narrative. In order to see the complex action take place, the writing style delivers.
There are grammatical corrections that I would make here and there, but oftentimes it is due to personal preferences rather than hard-and-fast rules.
The story has me completely gripped thus far, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for Derek.
The character score only isn't perfect because it's so early. I would imagine myself amending this score down the road. The early character dynamic is effective and efficient. The first chapter had a lot of character interaction, but we've veered off for a moment in chapter two and three to set up the story. I anticipate nothing but excellence when we return to character interaction, since I thought chapter one was well executed in those terms.
FuriesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
🎦 Overall
This is a great novel with excellent craftsmanship that is worth reading. The characters are rendered realistically, and the dialogue feels like it’s straight from the neighborhood. The vivid descriptions make it feel like you’re in a real town. It’s clear that a lot of effort was put into this.
🔲 Style
The writing style is masterful. Every word is carefully chosen and serves a purpose in telling the story and the thoughts and behaviors of the characters. It requires focus while reading, as missing a word can mean missing important information.
However, as the second chapter begins, it becomes easier to read. The introduction of the game field makes the words flow more smoothly. I appreciate how Mr. Hoffer aligns the text to the left, right, and center, allowing for a break before diving into another paragraph. This makes the chapter a joy to read.
♒ Story
The first chapter, which spans 5,000 words with just one character sitting with his fishing pole, Mr. Hoffer managed to keep me engaged. The vivid descriptions of how his frozen leg turned into a mental picture were truly impressive. The story becomes intense when the big fish approaches, even without any magic or spells. It’s really well done.
📝 Grammar
I apologize for any mistakes in this review. English is not my native language, so I may not be able to correct or identify anything. Your work is already professional in my eyes. I can only provide my thoughts. Personally, I found it challenging to read at times, and I had to use a dictionary app frequently. It felt like a fire burning, and although the app didn’t always help me understand, I had to rely on context and a clue to understand it. It reminded me of my college days when I learned that every word has meaning and depth.
Despite the difficulty, your work is gorgeous, much like an an elegant piece of art in a museum.
I particularly loved the line, “Derek began to peel layers of care and worry from his mind like an onion.” as well as the phrase,
TraceyHoffRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am loving this book. I do not usually read much fantasy or science fiction, but my daughter suggested this book so I decided to give it a shot. I have been really enjoying it and am finding myself really looking forward to additional chapters being made available. I may have just found another genre to begin reading.
ArthicernRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Anglers And Amberkin is an extremely well written story that invokes memories of classic fantasy stories in the way that many shows go for that sort of 90's nostalgia despite clearly being set in current day with the magical system binding itself to the protagonist's phone to create a modern system far more realistic than the usual floating screens found in most LitRPGs.
The story itself follows Derek Dunn, a small town slacker who is perfectly happy and content to continue on with his simple days of living in his hometown and working his family business. Something that many of he people in his life are less content with, many of them leaving or having left the town in what they consider to be a better life. One he wants no part of in spite of his many talks with his mother, talks that were extremely real in their tone and dialogue in a way that a lot of media can't quite pull off.
Of course, like with many heroes who would happily stay home, Derek isn't given much of a choice when a denizen from a hidden world of magic informs him that he's been chosen by a prophecy to save the magic world. A world separated from the mundane by a constant if invisible wall, that has now been shattered for him revealing that all of those small town mysteries he's grown up with have a certain level of truth to them.
While still early -having not quite crossed the 100 page mark yet- I've little doubt that if given a chance this story has the potential to become something great.
R.MagnusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story truly feels like a hidden gem. Someone mentioned it has Percy Jackson vibes, and I can see the resemblance - especially with it being an urban fantasy as well. The world-building clearly had a lot of thought put into it, leaving me curious to learn more about the magical world that exists parallel to the hero's "normal" life.
Style: I really enjoyed the writing style. It felt polished, with smooth-flowing paragraphs and clear, engaging English. The dialogues stood out, feeling realistic and unique. The System is also well-integrated into the story and doesn't disrupt the flow, which is always a bonus.
Story: The narrative seems to be building toward a "reluctant chosen one must save the world" plot, which is a fantasy classic. However, unique elements like the app, for example, give the story intriguing twists that set it apart from others in the genre.
Grammar: I don't think I caught a single grammar mistake - full points from me here!
Character: The cast introduced so far is fantastic. Even side characters, whose future roles aren't yet clear, feel special, interesting, and highly likable. The MC hasn't quite grown on me yet, but he's still well-written. I'm hoping we get to delve deeper into his character to build a stronger connection.
A promising start to what seems to be a great story. Definitely worth checking out!
SaintJoe303Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I just started writing and I thought I was decent at it. After reading this set of chapters and getting a feel for the characters, world building, relationships and style of magic involved it was a breath of fresh air. The cell phone is genius. The classes are a new take on everything I have ever seen.
I'm looking forward to more!
I feel like I learned a few things about story crafting. Thank you.
ScrybeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is a delightful mix of small-town charm, quirky humor, and fantastical adventure. The prose is straightforward but evocative, and I found myself rereading several passages to fully appreciate the depth and wit.
Derek is a standout character, not because he’s a natural hero, but because he isn’t. His banter with other characters is sharp, and the supporting cast adds color and depth, particularly the Alphabet Squad.
The pacing strikes a great balance so far, with a mix of light-hearted moments, action, and introspection. The humor never overshadows the stakes, and Derek's gradual realization that he might be more capable than he thinks feels earned.
What truly stands out is how grounded the fantastical elements feel against the backdrop of Derek’s life in Golden Lake. The contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary makes the story uniquely compelling. It reminded me of my own childhood adventures and wonders.
The integration of the MythMaker app as both a narrative device and a connection to Derek’s powers is also clever and decidedly modern. I like the seamless merging of fantasy and technology.
If there's one critique is that I need more story, right now! This is a highly engaging start, and I can't wait to see where Derek’s journey takes him next.
thedyingauthorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Overall Score: 4.5/5
Anglers and Amberkin kicks off strong, mixing small-town charm with some eerie mystery. The characters are instantly likable, and while Derek’s persistence to ice fish against all odds is relatable, there’s this growing sense that something much weirder is brewing beneath the ice (and not just a giant fish). The tension builds in all the right places, making me want to dive deeper into whatever strange happenings are waiting in Golden Lake. You definitely get hooked by the end of the first chapter—no pun intended. ^^
Style Score: 4/5
The writing is smooth and easy to get into, with a nice balance of humor and suspense. Derek and his friends feel like real people having real conversations (and some serious teasing), which adds a nice touch of authenticity to the story. There are moments when the language could use a little more flair, maybe a bit of stronger imagery, but it’s still enjoyable. The tone’s casual but keeps you intrigued. A little more variety in sentence structure might amp things up, but I’m still a fan of the style overall. :D
Story Score: 4.5/5
What really drew me in is the mix of everyday small-town life with the creepy unknown. Derek’s determination to fish in the middle of nowhere is relatable but also feels like a recipe for disaster (in the best way possible). The first chapter sets the stage perfectly: you get the characters, you get the playful tension, and then boom—mysterious bioluminescent creatures and maybe the beginning of a larger threat? I’m totally down for that. The supernatural elements are subtle but intriguing, and I’m invested in seeing how it all plays out (this review was written at chapter 3, for the people from the future reading this xD)
Grammar Score: 5/5
No complaints here—everything’s clear, polished, and easy to follow. Grammar is solid, punctuation is on point. It's one of those books where you can just let the words flow and not worry about stumbling over weird sentences or awkward phrasing. Smooth
Pens&KeysRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
This story is written in third person. My personal favorite.
Out the gate I adore a good platonic girl/boy friendship. Derek and Harmony have great chemistry and well.. Harmony. Their friendship mirrors real life. I hope it stays platonic. Skipping over the "love of my life is my best friend" trope.
The story kicks off with a lovely mystery. The author creates a scenario in which ice fishing might be worth it. (Bravo)
The writing style is good. Not dark enough for my personal taste. However, the humor has the potential to keep my interest.
The plot reminds me of Sharingan La Frontier (Anime). Although there are some major differences. The main characters from each story and the main plot feels/reads the same to a certain level.
Overall I suggest this story, especially if you are a gamer. I will continue because I have my own theory about the flashing lights. I want to know if I am right or somewhere in the ballpark.
If I would have known beforehand by the end of the first two chapters, I would have a working theory. I would have waited to read this.
Dear Author, seriously. Who thinks to make ice fishing interesting. Way to go