Black Horns, Mountain Shadow [High Fantasy, non-LitRPG]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Val, a horned Fae warrior, is sworn to serve the Cinereal Prince, Dorius S’dias. In a realm where ancient magic lingers and political intrigue thrives, she is both weapon and protector,her strength and loyalty Dorius' shield in a family that sees him as the severed limb of their dynasty.

Prince Dorius is naive and impulsive, but beneath lies a disdain for the Pentarchy and smoldering ambition. When his uncle, the Fourth Pentarch, dispatches him on a diplomatic mission to the Free Mountain State, Dorius sees a chance to reclaim his lost prestige, and with it, the power and influence he desperately needs for reform.

As Dorius' actions threaten to uncover the machinations of those leading them to war, the mystery of Val's heritage unravels. Caught between loyalty to her prince and a destiny she doesn't understand, Val must confront her own identity as a Fae in a human world and decide where her true allegiance lies. Together, they navigate an awakening, ancientlegacy far more complex and dangerous than they ever imagined.

[Winner April 2025 Writathon]

Updates: Sporadic. Determined to finish, but managing other fics as priority.

What to Expect:Fantasy, Slow-Burn, Character-Driven Story, Strong Female Lead (that also has human faults).The narrative explores themes of identity, loyalty, ambition, found-family, and the struggle for power. This is a story with a mature tone, but does not feature gratuitous sex or violence. Diverse characters.

What not to Expect:Grimdark, it's got some grit but it's not bleak. Overpowered MCs. LitRPG or system elements.

Content warnings for scenes/chapters that might need these warnings.

All written work is by a human, if you see mistakes please let me know so I can correct them. AI is currently used for the cover art.

Information

Status: Cancelled
Year: 2024
Author: nyctophilus

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 75
Views: 23,319

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(5)

Abby FallsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
In a world rife with prejudice and hardship, Val's Journey invites readers to follow the titular character as she embarks on a path of self-discovery. The novel's immersive world-building and rich lore linger in the background, creating an atmosphere that feels both authentic and deeply layered. However, readers should be prepared for a slow-paced narrative that demands careful attention to detail—there's much to uncover between the lines.
For readers like myself, whose first language isn't English, certain parts of the novel can be challenging. The language occasionally ventures into advanced territory, which may require some patience. Despite this, the writing remains rewarding, especially for those who enjoy piecing together intricate details.
The story itself shines with its vivid descriptions and carefully crafted scenes. Told from a third-person omniscient perspective, the narrative offers clear insights into the unfolding events, making it easier to grasp the story's depth.
From a technical standpoint, the novel is well-structured, with no noticeable grammar issues that hinder the reading experience. The prose flows naturally, reinforcing the author's skill in constructing a compelling narrative.
Character development is another standout feature. The author has clearly dedicated significant effort to shaping distinct and memorable personalities. As the story progresses, the characters' motivations, strengths, and flaws become increasingly apparent, enriching the overall experience.
In short, Val's Journey is a slow-burn novel that rewards patient readers with a beautifully crafted world, thoughtful character arcs, and a plot that steadily unfolds. It's the kind of book best enjoyed on a quiet, rainy day—one that invites you to lose yourself in its intricacies.
With clear signs of dedication and love poured into its creation, this novel is well worth exploring. I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try.
KGHeathRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Really enjoyed the opening of this book. The world building is very solid, with great descriptions to draw you and allow you to appreciate the fine details. Some great questions posed in the first chapter and it’s a solid follow for me. Really interested to see where this goes.
Would love to know your thoughts on my own book.
Mar QarollRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a phenomenal read! It's not quite my type, but it is nonetheless a story I highly recommend for lovers of high fantasy! The first chapter may seem drawn-out, but can you believe that there's a reason for that? Just get past that chapter, you'll see what I mean, and you won't regret it! 😉
Style: Written like a true lover of words! Descriptions are rich and don't seem to slow things down too often, if at all. Even then, there's a sort of cadence to it that I found enjoyable!
Story: This is maybe nothing end-of-the-world-like, but it's a story that definitely knows where it's going. I see a clear path into character histories, and the story unfolds real naturally.
Grammar: Perfection!
Character: Hoo, boy, I wish I could write characters as well as this!! 😩 Characters are fun to read about, and you can easily pick out a favorite or two at the point I read up to. In fact, I have an inkling that a certain character will be a fan-favorite. 👀
Again, while not quite my type of story, I think it is a gem here on RR. I really do. I can easily see myself picking this book up and it becoming a favorite of mine in my younger days (back before darkness consumed my soul). 😉
RohlfingRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This story is both a story of commerce and political intrigue. In some places the vibe is that of Spice and Wolf, whereas in others it is more Game of Thrones, often even giving off flashbacks of David Eddings’ books.
The major characters are enjoyable and have a blissful camaraderie together. The world feels very lived in. The story flows together quite nicely. The grammar is good, with very few mistakes.
My biggest hurdle was that for all its descriptions, sometimes things are hinted at far too obliquely to be easily understood. This, on occasion, forced me to reimagine previous scenes after being given new information much later in the story.
All in all, an excellent story. Pairs well with a nice Taeyeon playlist.
Aetherchasm ExplorerRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
First off — this is a rich, immersive chapter with a strong sense of place and power dynamics. The world feels lived-in, the social hierarchy is clear, and characters like Val, Elias, and the Pentarch emerge with distinct, memorable tones. You’ve clearly built this world with care, and it shows.
That said, I want to offer a few notes on prose density and readability pacing, especially for serial platforms like Royal Road where readers often scan quickly before committing.
Atmospheric worldbuilding: The forest thinning, the four-horned dragons, the fell beasts — all of this sells a world with deep roots and political texture. You don’t over-explain, which is great.
Character contrast: Dorius and Val are polar opposites, and placing them side-by-side in both movement and silence gives real weight to their dynamic.
Social tension: The moment with Val refusing to move from the chair was a highlight. It created a moment of genuine tension that paid off emotionally.
Your sentence structures lean long and ornate, reinforcing the regal tone of the setting, however it can slow the pace, especially in the beginning when readers are still anchoring to characters and stakes.
For example:
“The approach had always been densely forested, protecting the privacy of the Fourth Pentarch and in reverence to the ground's ancient roots.”
That’s a strong visual — but it might land quicker with slightly leaner structure. Consider:
The visual is strong, yet may land faster with a leaner structure, how about:
“Dense trees lined the approach, shielding the Fourth Pentarch’s grounds privacy and reverence.”
This keeps your cadence and formality but improves flow.
A clear pattern can be seen throughout the chapter: ideas delivered vividly in slightly overburdened sentences. If that’s intentional for voice and world tone, that’s valid, but you might consider breaking up longer passages with shorter, sharper sentences every now and then to give the reader breathing room.
Early pacing: The first 40