Emika Grows

Information

Status

Hiatus

Year

2022

Author

Little Help

• Chapter 7: Invasive Manoeuvres
  Jan 18, 2023
• Chapter 6: Great News, Actually
  Jan 14, 2023
• Chapter 5: Gasoline
  Jan 11, 2023
• Chapter 4: Time to Sleep
  Jan 7, 2023
• Chapter 3: Cuddles & Horror
  Jan 4, 2023
• Chapter 2: Not Much of a Sharer
  Dec 31, 2022
• Chapter 1: The Woods Under Her Skin
  Dec 28, 2022

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• inneresPartyhuetchen:aufsetzenRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Emika Grows is a story that re-opened reading storys for fun for me. It is captivating with great characters and a lot of very nice puns that fit into the story and are not cheesy or anything. It is a nice balance of things happening and some time to breathe.
• Dingo_shablinkoRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I don't know what I expected when I started this story, but this was intense!
  Emika finds herself in a bizarre situation where a tree is growing out of her. She navigates her way around this problem in an equally bizarre manner.
  The story is told from the third person past tense viewpoint, which is my favourite way to read. So far there are no alternative POVs which is also always good.
  The narrative is straightforward, progressing from point to point in a logical way. The story is compelling and horrifying, prompting me read further in hope of relief. So far the horror and bizarre situations are unrelenting. If you are a horror fan, this story delivers in spades. Hurr hurr gardener joke there.
  There were no grammar issues that I noticed.
  The MC maintains a surreal level of calm throughout the story. Awful things are happening to her and her loved ones, but the way she reacts is almost psychopathic. She is a fascinating character, and her reaction to the events is one of the reasons I found this story so compelling.
  I look forward to seeing how Emika continues to respond to the challenges her new situation presents her.
• EggTeddyRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Very unique concept and great execution, can’t wait to see where it leads.
  Strong points of the story are how Emikas’ personality is shown, alongside her flaws. I like how Emika can come across as being a completely normal woman, if a bit dull, who is thrust into a side of life she would have no business in in a realistic way.
  The chapters themselves flow well and I’ve yet to notice and issues with grammar or continuity but they are a bit on the small side at around 1.3 words per chapter. This has the possibility to be a hidden gem, given more time.
• ElaraRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Emika Grows can be seen as having some similarities with Franz Kafka's The Transformation in terms of the themes of body horror and the protagonist's struggle with a situation beyond their control. Both stories deal with the idea of a physical change or growth that the main character experiences, which causes them distress and forces them to confront their own identity. The protagonists in both stories are struggling to maintain their sense of self in the face of the transformation and are left feeling powerless and confused. But the stories are still distinctly different and I was wondering for the entire time how the author would manage the change the format into a fantasy drama.
  Story: Emika Grows is a body horror fiction about a curse that quickly grows out of control for the protagonist, Emika.
  The style of the story has a slow start but picks up pace as it progresses and delves into its mystery elements.
  The grammar is excellent and there are no issues noticed. The premise of the story and world-building are solid.
  The characters are well-defined and unique with their own traits. Emika makes a sympathetic and authentic protagonist, while the rest of the cast also feels alive and interactions are enjoyable to watch. I would have wished though, for a little more time with the cast.
  The body horror elements are unrelenting and the story is a compelling and gripping read. The protagonist's reaction to the events is almost psychopathic, which is fascinating to the reader. The story has been well received by horror enthusiasts and is a must-read for anyone not squeamish about the genre.
• Eric VanderlipRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Emika Grows is the story of Hasegawa Emika, a young woman in the bonsai tree growing business, who suddenly discovers a sapling growing out of her wrist.  This deadly curse appears contagious, killing off everyone around her.  Will she save herself and solve the mysterious ailment afflicting her?
  Style:   The perspective is consistent and smooth.  The pace is solid and exciting.  Dialogue feels natural. No complains.
  Story:  Conversation and events flow naturally.  The world-building and descriptions satisfyingly paint the setting.  The deadly curse's evolution works well to slowly ramp up the stakes and drive the narrative forward.
  Grammar:  Excellent.  My need to edit (for grammar reason) went unfulfilled.
  Character:  Strong cast.  Emika makes a sympathetic, ill-fated protagonist (although her lack of empathy for the tragedies around her is a tiny weak point).  The rest of the cast also feels alive and authentic (no matter how brief their appearance).  Interactions are a joy to watch.  Overall 5/5.
  Conclusion:  I highly recommend Emika Grows to any horror enthusiasts (or anyone not squeamish about the genre).  The excellent writing and the way the curse "grows" combine in a glorious spiral of tension.  You'll soon find yourself relentlessly clicking "next chapter".  It's a gripping read.
• Laser CrowsRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Emika Grows follows the struggles of the eponymous heroine of the story after a growth turns her life upside down. And from the looks of it, time isn't on her side.
  The premise was an easy sell for us. Inexplicable body horror, with shades of Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) if he was more environmentally-conscious? Sign us up. In each chapter, Little Help unfurls eldritch elements like leaves on the first day of accursed spring. So far, we're left wanting more.
  The titular Emika does a good job at anchoring the story, with believable reactions to her ever-growing conundrum. Her internal thoughts and observations manage to keep things compelling even when she has no one to bounce off of. We're especially curious how her dynamic with other major characters will shift, if ever.
  The prose is simple and straightforward, making it a really accessible story. There is some repetition, but not to the point where it negatively affects our reading enjoyment. Little Help gives plenty of attention to detail when concerning movement of characters, which can make the pacing of scenes seem uneven. With some tightening, it'll be as smooth as a rose leaf.
  Overall, we think this story is a solid representative for the horror side of Royal Road. If body horror and existential dread is your jam, Emika Grows is definitely worth your time.
• countingfoxesRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Do you like TREES? Do you like TERROR? Do you like imagining branches growing from your skin like extra limbs? I do. Mostly because I want to grow my own fruit and cure myself of allergies.
  Emika Grows is cute. It's fun. It's tragic. It's gutwrenching. But it's very very endearing.
  I'm gonna start with the negative first because it's one slight thing, and even then, it's a subjective thing. I wished we spent more time with the characters at the beginning, but after reading deeper into the story, I can see why the author wrote it in the manner it played out. But my wish to know them more is because for the brief moment they were on screen, they were very lovable.
  Okay, onto the good. What this story does well is make you *feel*. I felt things dude. I didn't think I'd cry over some gloves, but here we are. You can't help but root (hah) for the characters after getting to know them, and the author uses very vivid imagery to bring their powers and abilities to life. Several times, I was like "whoah that is beautiful" and I'm sure you will too. I want to list them all out, but spoilers!
  After the initial exposure to her abilities, Emika's powers grow out of control, she runs into more characters from the magical side of the world, and the pace moves along confidently. It's fun watching her grow. (Even as horrific things happen!) The story is creative and passionate, and you can really feel that passion in the way the characters/creatures are described so vividly.
  Ultimately, if you love plants, great characters, and unique "monsters" (you'll understand the quotation marks once you read), you want to check this story out. I'm very excited to see where this story will grow.
  Emika is a sweetheart. I'll fight anyone who hurts Melisande.
• ArkaresRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Emika grows is a really interesting story about a cursed girl who suddenly discovers a tree growing out of her wrist. Everyone around her dies because of said curse, and now Erika finds herself alone, in a world of magic she didn’t know, and slowly turning into a monster. It’s a really interesting and original premise, one that I haven’t seen in royal road before. I’m personally a fan of body horror (all of my favorite artists do something of the sort) so this story caught my attention, and I was not disappointed.
  Style: Third person past tense. The prose is consistent, smooth, and flows really well. It maintains the tension, and the horror element is always there.
  Story: As I’ve mentioned, the premise is interesting, and so far, the story has delivered on that front. It has the right amount of horror and fantasy. Another reviewer mentioned this has the feeling of a dark fairy-tale, and I have to agree.
  Grammar: I haven’t seen any mistakes, but then again, I’m incredibly blind to them. I also would like to personally thank the author for helping me with my own grammar. Clearly, she knows what she is doing, and it shows on the story.
  Character: Strong cast so far, Emika specially. The way she reacts to the events happening around her might seem weird at first, but you start to understand her thought process as the story progresses. My only complain is that I’d have liked to see more of the side characters.
  Overall, it’s a pretty interesting read, of a genre we don’t really see a lot of on this website. Lots of body horror and existential dread. Very recommended.
• WhiteRose-BlueSpaceRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Now, here is something rather unique! It’s a brilliant idea, which, while suffering pacing issues in it’s first few chapters, ends up finding it’s footing a couple of chapters in and settles in nicely. So far it’s been a joy to read and after some debate I feel is worthy of a 5/5 score from me, just about. But anyway, onto the categories as usual!
  Style:
  Fairly standard prose I’d say. It steps up its game in the later chapters like everything else however. The descriptions for the various supernatural phenomena however are wonderfully vivid and detailed throughout. And nicely disturbing as well…
  Grammar:
  And here we go again with no issues seen by me. With the disclaimer that this is me so I may have missed some mistakes, but I didn’t see any personally.
  Story:
  A nicely grotesque horror story with oddly cosy cottage and haunted wood stuff thrown in, which makes it kind of feel like a dark fairy-tale. I quite like it personally and there is quite a lot to see of our protagonist slowly trying to figure out their deadly and gruesome curse. A curse that is very much detrimental to life, unless it’s already plant based. Your cat is not surviving a cuddle up to our poor MC here!
  Character:
  I currently don’t have much to say and the series is taking its time to set them up but that is good so I don’t have any issues with it at all. Though I am getting nicely attached to them as the series continues on so that’s a good sign.
  Anyway, tentative 5/5, but still a 5/5.
• NenhetoRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  I've noticed a little growth in my heart, I think it's called 'Emika Grows'?
  After a brief diagnosis, yes it's called 'Emika Grows'.
  A very well-written (so far!) and stylistic novel that is comfortably making its way on to this site. With sufficient world-building and a clear 'plot motivator', the future is bright!
  On to brain thoughts...
  The chapters are well-paced and the plot itself moves at a confident pace that doesn't feel like it is being rushed nor is it dragging its heels. I particularly like the writing itself as it isn't overly descriptive and decorative, but it also doesn't lack in the department of creating vivid imagery for you as a reader. Scenery is adequately described, providing a sense of immersion, and it immediately ties in to the character of 'Hasegawa Emika' herself since her own home, living situation and her lifestyle reflects of quite a unique character.
  Speaking of the characters of this story, I really like practically all of them. They feel fleshed out, even the initial characters who are briefly described. The next spoiler is in reference to them and Emika's reaction, which I found... disappointing? Strange?
  Emika already feels like a total sociopath/psychopath with her reaction to her friends dying. I'm not sure if this is intended, since its clear she does seem to bear negative feelings in regards the death of her friends and her personal involvement in it. Except she gets over it really quickly? Like, extremely damn quickly.
  I do like Emika, but as a character I believe she is probably the weakest out of all of the ones introduced. I think her feelings should have been explored more, or maybe any contextual clues given if she does have mental disorders relating to sociopathy and the likes? It could also be explained by how her new curse is potentially affecting her?
  It's a little disappointing as Emika herself feels like she could be such a poignant part of the story, more so than she is simply being the main and focused on characte