Godsplague

Information

Status

Hiatus

Year

2025

Author

jcooligan

• Chapter 1 - Nathair I
  Oct 1, 2024
• Prologue - Malerisch I
  Jul 10, 2025
• Appendix 0.1: Calendar
  Aug 14, 2025

Reviews

Community Reviews(3)

• ArdalanSamirRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Reading this novel, I found myself one moment in Daggcasur’s shadowy taverns, the next in the cold, echoing corridors of Serah’Kan Academy. The author masterfully crafts a world woven with Malerisch’s cryptic wisdom and Nathair’s yearning for freedom, making it impossible not to get lost in the pages. The story delves heartfeltly into racial discrimination, class divides, and the fierce struggle to forge one’s own destiny, stirring deep emotions that linger long after reading.
  Malerisch and Tofra’s moonlit clash with the ghost is almost cinematic, vivid in my mind, with every detail painting a haunting scene. Yet, Malerisch’s bursts of anger feel slightly underdeveloped; a deeper glimpse into his psyche would’ve enriched his enigmatic character. Nathair’s arc- a slave boy dreaming of soaring skies and forming a tentative bond with Keisara- tugs at the heart, though their friendship feels rushed, craving more time to blossom naturally and deepen their connection.
  The magic system and Zentrum’s mythic tapestry are the novel’s heartbeat. The tension between Godsplague and Miracles weaves a profound layer, sparking curiosity about the world’s lore and its moral complexities. However, some expository dialogues lean too didactic, occasionally tripping the narrative’s otherwise seamless flow.
  Despite these minor stumbles, the book is an immersive, thought-provoking adventure that lingers long after the final page. A true treasure for fantasy fans, it leaves you eagerly awaiting the next chapter, wondering what paths Malerisch and Nathair will tread.
• KLeo GertsRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Godsplague is a breathtaking work of dark fantasy that weaves together the bleak beauty of a ruined world with the quiet strength of human connection. Drawing richly from the atmospheres of *Dark Souls*, *The Witcher*, and *Game of Thrones*, it brings to life the war-torn continent of Zentrum—a land where ancient magic festers, gods lie forgotten, and the line between salvation and damnation is razor-thin.
  But beneath the blood and ash, this is a story about people—flawed, wounded, fiercely alive. Their paths cross like threads in a tapestry: a servant and a student bound by forbidden knowledge, a girl chasing the impossible dream of becoming the greatest swordmaster alive, a fallen man seeking redemption in a world that has no room left for mercy. Each story pulses with depth, heart, and consequence.
  The magic systems are beautifully layered—each one tied to the user’s essence, belief, or sacrifice, drawing inspiration from the philosophical intricacy of *Hunter x Hunter*, *Jujutsu Kaisen*, and *Soul Eater*. Every spell cast is a choice, a cost, a reflection.
  Unflinching and lyrical, Godsplague is a story that stays with you. It wounds. It uplifts. And in the darkness, it dares to offer something rare: hope born through connection.🌹
• Anna KavestaRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  Godsplague is a proper fantasy story set in a rich world full of culture, intrigue, racism, and xenophobia. The descriptions are vibrant, exciting, and full of detail. The characters, despite the little time I've spent with them, already have strong, distinct voices.
  However, there is an issue inherent to the story's structure that I struggled to look past. The POV character changes with every chapter. Usually the transition is smooth and the plot within is relevant to the previous, but there exists still an issue. After six chapters, including the 0th, I do not feel we have an established central conflict. Of course, just six chapters doesn't sound very long, but that is 18,000 words. Yes, there is Nathair and his book, and exposition on the godsplague, but what does that have to do with Keisara? What about Malerisch? Or River? Of course, it's all bound to come together in the end, but that doesn't change how it feels in the moment.
  In my mind, there is only really one way to remedy this. Spend more time on each character until you actually reach something the readers can latch onto. Alternating between Nathair and Keisara is fine because they are so proximal to each other, but everything else needs to be moved. In my opinion, Malerisch and River need to be moved to after Nathair and Keisara by at least a chapter or two past where I've read. Linger on those two just a little longer before moving on. Either that, or move River or Malerisch to be first, and linger on one of those two. You don't have to do anything I say, of course, but there is a problem. You can find your own solution.
  Despite my complaints, there really is just something about this story that works. It's slow, but steady, and guided with a sure hand. With a little polish, it really has the potential to pick up.