Darkhelm (Grimdark Progression Fantasy)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

You are a brief candle in a long night. You pass through, and we are grateful, but the blackness will take you.

As a Knight of the Road, Daine Darkhelm is charged with keeping the King’s peace. For thirty years she has travelled the cities of the West, and done what she can to push back the shadows.

But when she is charged with protecting a stableboy, things spiral out of control. The eyes of those in the dark are fixed on this boy.

The realm needs heroes, and Daine Darkhelm may not be enough...

Book One: Darkhelm(Stub -read on KU)

Book Two: Stonehand(Stub -read on KU)

Book Three: Shadowbound

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Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2023
Author: BardLyre

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 780
Views: 119,415

Chapters(51 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

kanundraRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
So here’s my thoughts on DarkHelm, which I read last night.
Style.
The author has a wonderful way with words, it flows and ebbs like the ocean might. There are no info dumps, which is great, especially for a character than is older than most would expect here. The main character Daine’s past out on the road is hinted at over numerous chapters, tiny little snippets of what she did, and why, and this keeps us interested and wanting more, without bogging us down.
The style itself really follows fantasy to a high end level which yes is very different for RR but wonderful to read, and I’m saying that coming from some very high end books that I’ve been reading/listening to of late.
Story.
Considering there’s 9 chapters it goes fast, and maybe just a little too fast, I would like some more details, some more character interactions, but that’s not a flaw on the story by any means, it’s just me being impatient, lol. I very much am an action gal, and yet I want those conversations, the interaction to give me more what I crave, which is obviously to learn more about this world and Daine. I am still left satisfied with what’s here though.
The author hinted to me that there were some elements I would like and very much so, I want to see these details!  hehe kudos to making this grim, dark and very interesting.
Grammar/punctuation.
There’s not really much that needs work, a proof-reader would catch the missing comma/punctuation marks. I didn’t notice any other mistakes, but I’m not the best when it comes to knowing, I hire in myself. Great job here.
Characters.
Daine – she’s 50 ish, been on the road a good while and has a hell of a past it seems. There’s several questions I have, but I know they’ll unfold as the story does, being impatient for it all at once won’t help me with this beautifully crafted world. I need to experience it as it develops. Which is overtime. Daine is a character that’s seen it all and done it all, which leaves her just a little bitter/jaded.
I want to se
AJ FluffRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I love chocolate. And the darker it is, the more I savor it. Each bite an exquisite experience of texture and subtly shifting flavor, from an initial sweetness that delves beneath the richer earthy tones before culminating in a sharp, bitter tang right as you swallow. Only to begin anew with the next bite.
My friends, Darkhelm is like that. It's complex and rich and dark, and made all the better for the shadows BardLyre plays with.
The characters are people. I won't say "well-rounded", because some are definitely missing something like a soul (cough Dru cough), but they're messy and complicated and I want to find out what will happen to them. Daine is the cynical knight stereotype with this softness that flits about her, but only when viewed from a certain angle. Makes me want to know how she ended up the way she has. What adventures have I missed?
And then the plot kicks in, and I'm too busy wondering how this adventure will end to worry about which ones lead Daine here and now. This story kept me hitting "next chapter" until the button grayed out and the sun peaked up over the horizon.
The language is very specific. It's lyrical and grammatically lovely, but also beautifully efficient. It has a certain Middle-Ages-feel to it such that I didn't need any other stamp to sink right into "ah, that's when we are" vibes. Action scenes have impact and are brutal while being described so tastefully that BardLyre avoids actual gore. It's really effing impressive!
5 stars, easy
Alexanders (Katsu)Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Darkhelm huh. We follow the story of a knight of the road, a knight that gives a tour every 10 years to administer justice to a world surrounded by darkness...
And as she very aptly said "You might think 10 years is plenty of time to get away with bad deeds, but there will be reckoning" Now...I might have butchered that somewhat, but the idea persists!
Style -Clear writing that is very efficient at worldbuilding.
We get explained quite well the religion, magic, and caste system early on. And it was quite flawlessly at that. The prose is done well and so I have no complaints at all!
Story -
As stated before we will follow (At least so far) our lovely(?) Knight of the Road Daine (funny use of vowels I also say this as a certain old man did). She goes around the road knighting and bringing justice to the world in need!
A splendid paragon of justice and a hero to the little man!
Also, I love this part, she is quite ruthless at that, making an example of a poor fire mage who didn't read the resistance to fire magic the knights of the Road have. And off with her head!
Grammar - Me dumb dumb with this one, but I didn't had problems with them grammar, so I guess its good !
Character -
So far Daine is a stoic character that does her job and doesn't want to deal with bs. Even if she really should have cut off the head of a certain dumbass in the first chapter.
Other characters follow their own style like a lazy ass father that thought he was doing a good job at parenting, while it was original wifey work all along! And so now that he has a new model he is surprised his world has turned upside down.
BalerikRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Darkhelm is a fantasy tour de force. Using the clay of medieval fiction, BardLyre has lovingly sculpted a fascinating tale of one woman's quest to bring order to a chaotic world. With each spin of their potter's wheel, the author teases their creation into focus using vivid imagery and engaging dialogue. As the chapters go by, revealing more and more of their sensational artwork, there can be little doubt that the finished product will be nothing short of a masterpiece.
Style - BardLyre's work is a model of consistency. They employ a style of prose that flows seamlessly from one sentence to the next. Mood and tone are carefully cultivated throughout the work, lending Darkhelm a level of immersion rarely seen on this platform.
Story - Darkhelm is centered around its titular character, Daine 'Lady Darkhelm' Orban. As a knight-errant, Daine travels the famous King's Road dispensing justice and protecting the commonfolk from dangerous beasts that prowl the wilds. Her long years of travel have brought her back to a village she'd passed through years before. On this fateful trip, Lady Darkhelm will find far more than petty crimes lurking in the dark corners of the seculded village.
Character - From the first chapter it is glaringly obvious that BardLyre has spent a tremendous amount of time toward fully realizing the characters in their novel. While Daine Orban is, justifiably, the star of our show, all the ensemble cast deserve credit for helping to build a seamless narrative. Each individual, from the taciturn Lady Darkhelm to the diabolical Drunnoc Trellec to the effervescent Genoes, bring their own personality, wit, and charm to the stage.
Grammar - The grammar and punctuation are flawless.
There really isn't much left for me to say regarding Darkhelm. The only thing I have left to share are two simple words of encouragement. Read it. BardLyre has offered us all a chance to join them on an epic journey. You have no excuse to decline the invitation.
Why n
C.T. YarrowRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A facinating dark medeiveal fantasy story full of rich detail.
Style: The central character, the titular Lady Darkhelm, is the queen of the dramatic entrance and I am here for it. The story is told in a bold, confident style and I am also her for that.
Story: While it's stil too early to tell exactly where the story is going I have my suspicions and if I'm right then this is an instant classic. If I'm wrong then it will be a delightful subversion and thus still an instant classic.
Grammar: I'm often at a loss with the Grammar score. It's hard to shine with good grammar but it's easy to catapault a reader out of the story with bad grammar and there's none of that here.
Character: It's great to see a gumpy, disilusioned old warrior character who genuinely has some age on them. It's even better to see a woman in the roll as female characters are so rarely allowed to age unless they're mothers or evil crone types. We also have a selection of great antagonist characters, whether they're sociopaths, jobsworths, or not nearly as smart as they think they are, they're all painfully beleiveable. Lady Darkhelm has some intresting potential allies and it's nice to see secondary characters acting as the protagonists of their own stories and not as pawns to be moved around in the sevice of the protagonist of this story. I'm really looking forward to finding out who lives, who dies and who switches sides.
PeterRobertsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
An astounding triumph.
Style: Where do I start? The crafting of the atmosphere that runs through these chapters is breathtakingly consistant. The dark undertones of this morally ambiguous world are supported by scene descriptions, character actions and most importantly the POV of the characters. It's grimdark fantasy imo and I love it.
Story: This small arc (chapters 1- 12 so far) is wonderfully balanced to introduce the world, the characters. It focuses on a small but interesting plotwhile letting small glimpses of the wider world-building and history of characters slip in. No heavy lore dumps or exposition here, it's interwoven so skillfully you don't even know it's there.
Grammar: No issues.
Character: Daine is a masterpiece. She is a super badass, but it's her inner thoughts on the events happening around her that add layers and layers to her character. In direct contrast (as if the writer hasn't done enough) we have the deliciously evil Drunnoc. Being in his head is chilling and here's hoping that if we see his demise there are other antaganists of his calibre or greater waiting in the wings.
My first conflict: I'm happy to stay in this village forever, but at the same time I can't wait to get on the road and see the wider world.
My second conflict: I want Drunnoc's head to be cut off, but also I want to see his characters evolution.
My final conflict: I wish I had written this.
ToshiroOneRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
the world of "Darkhelm" is an interesting world and the writing style was not something i was familiar with but it makes sense since they are in medieval times.
When it comes to grammar 0 mistakes it was nice to see that. the story is rich and vivid and absolutely recommend reading it.
VVerityRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Darkhelm is the tale of an old lady knight, as quietly bitter and salted by her experience as any knight of great age and the dim world she travels in as a one of a few candles of hope.
The story is only beginning so far but it is clear that the stage is being prepared for a much deeper look into the world and a judgment of sorts for Daine herself. What does it really mean to be a Knight of the Road, after all? The story is also a System. A Tailor can only ever be a Tailor, a Baker a Baker. They reproduce to make more. Yet occasionally there are those born... different. If systems, however understated and unobtrusive they aren't your thing than you might be put off by such, but the excellent style may keep you drawn in. BardLyre weaves a skillful tapestry of words that bring to life a gloomy world where just is precious light, all too rare, and exceptionally violent.
Dainese is an interesting character herself and so far the most stand out. She gives the impression of weariness, and yet she still holds tight to her job as a Knight of the Road. She is, after all, of that Class. It is all she ever can be. You gradually get the impression that she's something other than human. How many humans have hair that normal scissors can't cut after all? One cannot help but wonder where this story will take her.
The grammar is clean and concise, with no noticeable flaws to really mention.
A Failed Author (TLH)Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall: This fiction is very, very nice! The images in the beginning of each chapter are a very original, and in my opinion wlecome addition. I feel conflicted about the stye, but there is no doubt in my mind that this fiction will one day be a hit (how big is hard to know).
Style: I feel very conflicted abou the style. The images and diction seem to give a heavier feeling to the story and a tenser atmoshpere. The diction and sometimes big block of texts are occasionally hard to read. And yet, there is a beautiful flow. The fights (esspecially the tavern one) is amazingly coreographed and I really like how everything is as of now (although I hope it does not go very dark).
Story: Very good. It is the first time that I read a story that seems to begin in the middle of a wider plot and don't find myself lost. Everything makes perfect sense and it just keeps you wanting to come back for more.
Grammar: Very few mistakes. All and all very good. Although I do not like very big paragraphs as they are a bit cumbersome to read
Chracter: Daine Darkhelm is a great MC—she is a very well-crafted archetypical protagonist. The villains and secondary characters are also very well thought and written.
Great job! :)
J. J. WalshRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is a must-read for fantasy fans.
The patient, detailed approach to developing the connections, customs, and characters gives you confidence that you're discovering a new, ever-expanding world to which you'll be able to escape for years to come.
And despite the fantastical setting, the story-telling is wonderfully painted with realism--and the inner dialogue is thoughtful and relatable.
Now, did I have to look up a few words because the author is better educated and possibly altogether smarter than I am? Perhaps. But I'm afraid that says more about me than the author :)
In other words, the sentence structure and vocabulary are more sophisticated than the "write to an eighth grade education" rule would allow, but that feels very intentional and organic to the ethos of the story. More than anything, there's a maturity to the prose that adds to the sense of immersion--a testiment to a truly gifted story-teller's craft.
All in all, fantasy readers should jump into this one asap!