Eryshae

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Sam Faeloc was no one remarkable, until the sky tore open and the ground vanished.

At thirty, he drifted; restless, disconnected, half-asleep in his own story. Then the world that claimed him began to change.

This is Eryshae: a land of living myth, ancient bloodlines, and power inherited, not learned. Among its tribes, none are more feared than the Eryshae themselves, bound by blood to an ancestral throne.

At their head stands Vael Eryshae, young heir to a fractured court. With her parents gone and rebellion rising, she must hold a realm on the brink of collapse. Every silence hides a dagger. Every choice risks betrayal. She has no time for a stranger without lineage, magic, or purpose.

Yet the land reacts to Sam. Prophecy stirs. Vael cannot ignore him. He is an Outsider. Threat, key, or both.

As secrets bleed through bloodlines and enemies gather in shadow, their bond tightens. Dangerous, undeniable, more than either can face. Together, they might save a kingdom, or ignite a war that consumes everything.

Will Sam survive a world that does not welcome him, or will he change it?

Welcome to the world of Eryshae.

265K+ words and growing. Posting daily, each chapter at least 2000 words.

Under Revision

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Lumick

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 23
Views: 27,366

Chapters(125 total)

What readers say about Eryshae

“If you’re looking to go beyond the expected, you might want to stop and read Eryshae. With lines like “A sliver of Will where none should exist. From that impossibility came Desire. And with Desire, choice,” you’ll quickly recognize that you’ve stumbled int…”
Ayela ArcanaRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“The worldbuilding’s great. It doesn’t shove lore in your face but gives you just enough... stuff like the forest-city, sacred trees, and runes,it all feels real without being explained to death. Pacing is great. Slow when it needs to be, fast for the action…”
BTS_STORIES_HEARTRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(8)

Ayela ArcanaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you’re looking to go beyond the expected, you might want to stop and read Eryshae. With lines like “A sliver of Will where none should exist. From that impossibility came Desire. And with Desire, choice,” you’ll quickly recognize that you’ve stumbled into something that is more than a book.
Eryshae is not faerie, but you could be forgiven for thinking so with its dangerous courts and woodland surroundings. It’s not the Norse Nine Realms, though I wouldn’t blame you for thinking of them the way layers of reality overlap.
It’s something different. Portal-fantasy gets reconstructed when Sam merges with a mystical orb and finds himself in an unfamiliar world that holds echoes of Earth. A world with a complex mythos birthed from the seven deadly sins, and a love that is both dangerous and sweet.
Lumick’s prose reads like poetry. It is line after line of perfection, and the author responds quickly to Edit Suggestions when there are punctuation errors, justifying a five-star rating.
Reading Eryshae is a sensory experience for the heart and mind. You won’t find anything else like it on Royal Road: “Like standing in a place you’ve never been before and realizing you’ve dreamed it a thousand times.”
See what I mean? Evocative. You read it and feel like it’s something you were just thinking of yesterday. That’s how every page of this book is.
The wit is as subtle as the romance, and is delivered with just as much lyricism as the rest of the lines. The world-building is intricate, but communicated so simply you don’t feel overwhelmed or bogged down. The story carries itself because the characters make you want to follow them from page to page.
The resulting character transformation pushed the love story into fiery depths that will satisfy every lover of steamy romances.
My only regret about Eryshae is that I don’t have the completed book in my hands to binge.
BTS_STORIES_HEARTRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The worldbuilding’s great. It doesn’t shove lore in your face but gives you just enough... stuff like the forest-city, sacred trees, and runes,it all feels real without being explained to death.
Pacing is great. Slow when it needs to be, fast for the action. You’re meant to sit in the tension, the setting, the character’s head, but also feel their confusion in this new world.
The writing is great, it can be poetic, but not too floral. It's the right balance of just the right amount of detail to keep things vivid without tipping into purple prose.
Characters: Vael’s internal struggle is super well done, and Sam feels like a real "fish out of water" character which always works best in a fantasy setting as we learn about the world through his eyes.
I feel like this story knows what it is, and doesn't apologize for it. It's an adult book, so expect adult things. But, while graphic at times, doesn't feel gratuitous. It's tactful, even if it is uncomfortable (think villains doing bad things kinda vibe).
I like the tension in the story that there's always more going on than what we're reading. And that we're being taken somewhere, narrative-ly speaking.
Dialogue is sharp and believable.. Every convo isn't wasted, and there's always more going on under the surface. There's lots of tension.
It’s a slow burn, but in a good way.
BabyFlikRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The writing style in "Eryshae" is fantastic. The author has a very poetic and evocative way of describing scenes and characters. I especially loved the prologue, which felt almost mythological and set a very intriguing tone for the story. The descriptions are vivid and really pull you into the world, making it easy to visualize the "earthen" chamber and the characters' appearances. The prose flows smoothly, making it a quick and enjoyable read.
As of writing this review I have read the first 20 chapters and I can say that it is very compelling. The opening immediately grabbed my attention, It threw me into a situation full of mystery and danger. The way the narrative jumps back to show how Sam got to this point is a great choice, building suspense and giving me a solid look at his character before everything changed. The plot promises a deep, ancient world full of secrets. I'm already hooked and eager to find out more about the orb, the tribe, and Sam's connection to everything.
Although I am no expert I found the grammar and spelling are very clean. I didn't notice any major errors that took me out of the story. It's a very polished read overall.
Both Sam and Vael are fascinating. Sam feels very relatable as a tired, unassuming man who is thrust into an unbelievable situation. His internal monologue and dry humor make him an easy protagonist to root for. Vael is a captivating and mysterious presence from her first appearance. Her dialogue is sharp and her motives are unclear, which makes her a great source of tension and intrigue. Their dynamic is already is very dynamic and I can't wait to see how it develops.
This is a very strong start to what promises to be an excellent story. The author's elegant style, compelling characters, and intriguing plot setup I feel makes this a must-read. If you're looking for a novel with a unique fantasy world and a touch of mystery, I highly recommend giving this a try!
Moon JinhouRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I don’t normally write reviews, but this story has wrapped its roots around my ribs and refuses to let go. What begins as a quietly political fantasy quickly unfurls into something much richer, darker, and more intimate than expected.
At its core, this is a slow-burn dark fantasy with romance elements, but it’s also a psychological excavation. One part court intrigue, one part mythic undercurrent, one part emotional autopsy. The prose is elegant without being purple, grounded in sensory detail that makes every scene feel lived-in, the writing lingers just long enough to make you feel the tension in your teeth.
Let’s talk about the characters.
Vael is a standout. A political force, sharp-edged and capable, but underneath her discipline is a woman with deep convictions and just as many doubts. She isn’t strong for the sake of it she feels strong because she’s written like a real person navigating power, pressure, and deep emotional scars. I’m invested in her journey not just because of what she does, but because of how she’s unraveling and evolving.
Sam is the foil and the spark. A mystery to himself and to the world, he straddles the line between soft vulnerability and untapped, terrifying potential. Watching him resist his transformation and then slowly begin to accept its cost is compelling, especially in how it affects his dynamic with Vael. Their relationship is a simmer, not a snap, and it feels earned. The romantic tension is restrained, and all the more effective for it.
The worldbuilding is exceptional. Instead of long expository dumps, we’re fed culture and history through ceremony, implication, and ritual. The political system feels lived-in, the Court has actual gravity, and even side characters (like Myrtle the herbalist or Elder Thornhollow) leave an impression. The author understands restraint, when to hold a mystery close and when to let it bloom, pun intended, and that gives the narrative a sense of maturity that’s rare on this platform.
Criticisms? O
The Toad FamiliarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Note: this review was written as part of a swap.
Eryshae is a story that grabs hold of you and pulls you in, luring you into reading more and more. I found myself wanting to know more about the characters and what exactly was going on.
Style: 5/5
The prose is great - incredibly lush and detailed, but with an easy flow that isn't bogged down by *too* much description. The writing style suits the story's tone perfectly.
Story: 4.5/5
For the most part, the story progresses at a good pace. I never felt like any part was rushed nor drawn out unnecessarily. One small critique though: the first chapter was repeated word-for-word a few chapters later - then again in the chapter after that only from Vael's POV. I like having one telling from Sam's POV and one from Vael's, but I would nix one of the two Sam tellings since it's a bit repetitive.
Grammar: 4.5/5
No egregious errors, just some punctuation issues here and there. Lots of semi-colons where other types of punctuation would do, but not enough of a problem for me to dock more than 1/2 a star.
Character: 5/5
The characters are great, each one unique. At this point in the story, I know the most about Sam and you learn a fair bit about him in such a short time. You get as much of a feeling for all of the characters' personalities and motivations as you can reasonably expect in the amount of text I read.
In conclusion, Eryshae is a deliciously-written story that promises an interesting premise with great characters. People looking for a fantasy romance with a bit of a dark streak will not be disappointed!
Yang GiRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Advanced Review of Eryshae
Overall
Eryshae is one of those stories that lingers after you finish a chapter. It blends dark fantasy, politics, and a slow-burn romance into something that feels both intimate and sweeping. I find the atmosphere is heavy and deliberate, drawing you in rather than rushing you through.
Writing Quality
The prose is rich and immersive. There’s a strong sense of mood in every scene, from the tension of whispered court politics to the raw weight of magical encounters. I did find descriptions can run dense, but they never feel wasted, everything adds to the tone. Dialogue is sharp and layered, often carrying more meaning than what’s spoken aloud.
Story & Pacing
This is a slow build, so if you’re looking for nonstop battles from page one, it won’t be your style. But if you enjoy watching tension simmer, both political and personal. Then this will absolutely reward you. The story feels like it’s laying a foundation for something massive, and each chapter deepens that sense.
Characters
The heart of the story is Sam and Vael. Sam is the 'Outsider', grounding us with his confusion and gradual growth. Vael seemed to me to be commanding but vulnerable, a character who feels real in her contradictions. Their dynamic is charged, subtle, and refuses to take the easy route. The supporting cast doesn’t feel like filler either. Everyone seems to have their own stake in the world. I hate Ruwan and everything he does. I suppose that is the author's goal.
Worldbuilding
I enjoyed the setting as it feels alive, with lineage, bloodlines, and ancient powers woven into nearly every aspect of society. Magic isn’t just a flashy trick or a magic word here. It’s tied to identity and legacy, which makes every use of it feel important. The world has the weight of history behind it, and the story does a great job of making you believe this place existed long before page one.
Highlights
Atmosphere that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
A romance that burns slowly, with rea
blugailRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
[This is Part of a Review Swap]
Beautifully crafted, Eryshæ is a contemplative story with strong world building and a mythical quality all its own. There are dark undertones as though something could go horribly wrong at any moment… if it hasn’t already. But there’s a hopefulness to it, one that’s endearing.
The setup: A young man is obsessed with an enigmatic artifact for reasons he can’t quite explain, which transports him to an alternate world. There he becomes involved both with Væl, a young woman, heiress to some sort of fæ court.
The style is beautiful with steady and deliberate pacing that focuses on subtle details and character thoughts.
I found it easy to read and follow. Lumick, the author, reveals the world organically, giving the reader just the right information at just the right time, so there’s no info dumping here.
The Grammar is very good, but not perfect. Semicolons are used to stand in for colons, parenthesis, and sometimes commas. But it’s done consistently, so it’s you can figure it out rather quickly. And the structure is good, using the standard action beat convention.
The two MCs Sam and Væl are well developed with chapters often switching back and forth to give both of their perspectives during the same events.
minichiropsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I joke, referencing the sci-fi concept, but there's an element of truth here. The grammar and imagery here are very good, and the atmosphere is consistently heavy. We don't usually see such a visceral introduction of an isekai character, for example. But by chapter 8 the story takes a plunge into very dark territory. If the characters weren't well done I wouldn't have cared as much, so full marks there.
This isn’t gore; it’s domination, humiliation, and coercion played out in detail. The scene barely stops short of outright sexual assault — you feel like one more line would tip it over. Instead, it pulls back just enough that you’re not in a “worse time,” but you are very much in a “bad time.” That’s effective writing, but it’s also the point where readers will either commit or bounce.
I’m usually dismissive of trauma warnings. I’m in a group where they could matter, but I’ve never been triggered myself. This chapter didn’t trigger me either—but it made me viscerally uncomfortable, and I can see how it could hit hard for others, particularly women. So take the tags seriously: this author pulls no punches short of literal bodily description of some very dark territory. 'Trigger warning: bad guys are bad' indeed.
If you can handle the heaviness, it’s compelling and well-crafted. Just know that chapter 8 is where the gloves come off, and the tone is much darker than most “dark fantasy.”
I am going to learn to do all the read-throughs of people's stuff before agreeing to review swaps.