Description

Welcome to the gladiocracy: a futuristic society where the strongest warriors rule as celebrity kings and tyrants. To those at the top goes prestige, power, and absolute rule. And runaway fighter Tay Mons is learning the hard way what happens to those who stand in their path.

Tayusedto be the daughter of the greatest hero her world had ever known. But for the past three years, she’s been the Section’s most-wanted ghost instead: the last loose end of a bloody coup at the apex of the gladiocracy. Hunted by agents of the new Champion, she survives as a nameless street fighter in the shadows of her world, dodging the mercenaries and killers sent to track her down. Every night she dreams of finally taking revenge on the men who took everything from her. Yet it’s not until a brush with the prodigy assassin Feint that Tay realizes her chance has finally come, and in the most unlikely shape possible.

BecauseFeintisn’t just any hired killer. She’s the definition of the enemy- but she’s also Tay’s last shot at revenge.

FRAYis the third story in the FRAY series, set twenty years afterShowmaker. Its sequel, HARMONY, began on 1/18/2025. New chapters are currently posted once per week on Saturday.

Readers can expect:

•Regression Fantasy•Female Protagonist•LGBT+ Romance•Dynamic combat•Themes discussing trauma, lost love, and family.• Slower, more character-focused pace.

Community Reviews(1)

r0taRoyal Road

★★★★★ 5.0

Slow cooking, character-driven story with the occasional bout of frantic action and displays of raw emotion. Lots of detailed, multi-dimensional and believable characters. Even side-characters have multi-faceted motivations and agendas. There aren't many authors like hiraeth who write grand emotions the way she does.
Worldbuilding seems a bit narrow at first glance, because of same setting used in no less than three fictions by now. But the amount of detail she squeezes out of it, hinting at more to come and all the while instilling an overwhelming curiosity for how this world works on a macroscopic level. Almost as if the world is a character of its own.
Absolute must-read! Also check out her other works - fine pieces of entertainment!
No more words needed for the great story, only typing to reach the 200 words requirement for review. Believe me, having to type so much nonsense which is not too nonsensical is quite the chore. Especially when you are doing it on a phone. Moreover so when you had one or two beers too many. But hey - hiraeth really deserves this good review.
By the way hiraeth, do you know Alex Gilbert, aka mecanimus? The Calamitous Bob? A journey of Black and Red? Changeling? He is as fine a character weaver as you are!
Damnit. 200 words still not full?
Might as well listen to Ceterum - Sidewinders while I am at it. Ty Jividen's voice has a soothing quality. Helps me over the fact that I only wanted to drop some positive lines for hiraeth and now am forced to write recommendations for other great artist's work only because I have to write at least 200 words.
This of course is in no way meant to compare any works. These recommendations are rather meant to complement hiraeth's work, just like you would with cheese to a fine wine. I really enjoy those. At best together with a new chapter of FRAY.
EDIT: spelling, formatting and choice of words. Some (much needed) clarification and expansion on thoughts . Addition to "Story-Stars" bc of progression and s