Heir of Storms

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In the nation of Strettia, rule is determined by strength. Favor, a power that is distributed randomly amongst the population at birth, determines the future ruling generations. Every year, twelve year old children have their blood rated in the Bloodstone Ceremony, the climax of the harvest festival.

Those with modest favor guarantee themselves membership in the ranks of the warrior class while powerful favor will allow anyone from anywhere to breach into the highest echelons of power.

Valentin Duvin, the youngest child of a wine merchant whose future feels almost predetermined, dreams of the adventure that is awarded with even the most miniscule amounts of favor. When that fated day does come, will Valentin's wish come true or will the reality of the life that comes with that power prove to be too great for him?

What to expect: heavy amount of lore, a slow moving character drama, coverage of various issues both historical and contemporary.

Note: this story contains dark themes and can be uncomfortable at times.

Information

Status
Hiatus
Year
2023
Author
Hallulaya

Tags

FANTASYADVENTURETRAGEDYDRAMAMALE LEADLOW FANTASYGRIMDARK

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.3/ 5.0
Followers
396
Views
172,652

Chapters(106 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

  • shallrenRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    No fanfare this time! Let's get right to the point!
    Welcome to Heir of Storms by Hallulaya!
    This is definitely one of the slowest burns I've read in a while. Some people say it's bad, others say it's good. Me, I don't mind a slow burn so long as I'm entertained.
    And I am, very much so.
    So, on to the review.
    The short of it first: If you're into heavy prose, descriptions and sentences that'll knock your socks off, a storyline promising epic proportions, you have come to the right place. Give it a chapter or two, you'll get sucked right in.
    Now the breakdown.
    Style: Hallulaya is one of those writers. A wordsmith some would say. An artisan. He comes up with sentences and descriptions with a flow so refined, it can be too much to handle for some readers. You'll get exactly what I mean when you read it. Give the story a prologue and chapter pass to get a feel for this awesome writer's style. And for the love of all that matters in life, don't rate the story down if it's too much for you to handle. I love it, some people do as well, but some people don't. Our writer can't please everybody.
    Grammar: With great power comes...a bunch of mistakes. For all the wonder and beauty Hallulaya's prose possesses, simple mishaps become exponentially more disruptive. Nothing too great that an edit pass can't solve. But I always get that "so close" feel when I get pulled away from an amazing line blemished by a minor error.
    Story: This is something I would like to work with, with the author. The pacing of the story is terribly slow, this much I will admit. The sense of urgency our MC has isn't as interesting as the problems our side characters have. But the LORE, dear Mother! It is rich, it is deep, it is presented in such a way that I'll gobble it up! All this needs now is a good balance.
    Character: Our characters are all fleshed out (winks at Euna). They have their own objectives, they have their own problems, they have their own stories to tell. My only gripe is sometimes I forget Va
  • Chaen225Royal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    A great story with a rough and slightly boring beginning, which improves as the story progresses. Loving it so far, can't wait for more releases. I really wish the author released a new chapter every day. I also can't wait for the training arc that I'm sure will come, making me wonder what weapon of choice our Mc will pick. (Hopefully a spear/ guandao).
    At this point in time, I'm just rambling. I think I've written 50 words now right? Right.
  • NineAMRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Overall: HoS, to the extent I've read, follows mainly Valentin, a 12 year old boy on the cusp of his coming of age ceremony, which involves an artifact called the Bloodstone... And can I just say I love actual Bloodstone, and have a head canon it looks like the real deal? Just a massive chunk of irl bloodstone that can glow when resonating with certain people. I digress! There's much at play in this story for a young boy, and for as far as I read, it's bound to be a fascinating adventure.
    Style: The style is novellic and concise, with little need for guesswork on the goings-ons inside. I'd argue it's beautiful the way Hallu writes. The author has packed chapters full of detailed exposition and settings, every last bit rich to the point where I had to break out the highlighter to ensure I was keeping track of all the new concepts. There is, however, one thing an average RR reader may complain about in their stay; length. I will not dock points for this because I believe an author should make the chapters as long as they please, but there does come a balance, and I think regarding traditional novel length, the chapter lengths as is are perfectly fine. :)
    Grammar: I found a few loose threads for grammar every now and then, but nothing flow- or story-ruining by any means. These loose ends can be provided privately, but they are so few and insignificant that I feel it's perfectly fine without an edit. I will have to dock .5 for the fact that I did find a few errors, though I'd personally only dock .1 for how small they were.
    Story: Gosh there is so much potential in the outset portrayed to where I read to. I've got high hopes for what is to come. The outset read was rich and flowed well and believably, making it a joy to absorb all the information provided. I will only deduct points for being a little oversaturated, but I don't think there's anything lastingly wrong once soaked in. I'm keeping HoS on my reading list for a day where I have the time to read more, because I
  • Rhea ZuluRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Reviewed at Chapter 5.
    Overall this a really good read that I found to be immersely enjoyable. It really is well written, and has the markings of a well-thought out story.
    Style
    The writing style is great, and from the start, some of the history of the world is laid out, although not fully explained, it goes a long way to show the mechanics of what the world is like, the values and the roles of the people/clans and nobility. Sometimes the explanations of things can get tedious, but that is understandable as it is important in the beginning of a story to clarify the most important parts for the readers as much as possible.
    Grammar
    The grammar is really good. and well written. There is a simple sentence structure without over complicating the story unnecessarily. The English is sometimes very deep, and not very easy to read, and plenty of times I had to reread several sentences to ensure that I understood it. It takes some getting used to to understand the medieval language and the terminology used in the story, but it is not to the detriment of the story. It just means that readers will have to pull in a lot of their focus in order to understand the story.
    Characters
    There are a lot of characters, and it does become a bit hard to keep up with everyone when I am not exactly sure of what their place/relation to each other is. They are all given some level of depth, and are easy to connect with, its just that it takes time. Valentin is a boy just coming of age, and getting into the customs of his clan and anticipating the ceremony as well as what he will get from it. His life seems moderately peaceful, living with his family and the people close to them. He does seem a bit impulsive, but eager to learn about the world from both their esteemed guest and Euna. He is young, and I feel as if he does not truly understand his world, so perhaps it will take a tragedy for him to grow, or he could learn from the experiences of the warriors around him.
    Story
    The story is just get
  • Rookie12Royal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    This review is based on the prologue and the first 21 chapters that were available at the time.
    Before you, we have a slow burn, interesting fantasy set in a rather unique world. The prologue is doing masterful work in misrepresenting the reader. When the truth about the prize that the hunters set out to get comes out, it feels like a genuine cool payoff.
    Everything is in its place here, from the realistic description of the local village to the economics of selling wine and how the MC's family is making a profit from it. In fact, the slow-burn slice-of-life moment of the MC's life was even more interesting to me than the local magic system. Don't get me wrong, the magic is cool here; the way you learn if you have "favor" or not and what it does is interesting. But IMO, the political intrigue, the economics, the connections between the characters—all of this felt way more intriguing.
    Style. It is a slow burn. The story does not take time to go on; each chapter opens us to something more about the world in a rather organic way. Yes, the events that are explained in the prologue do not come into play for a long-long time, but none of it matter, because the story was captivating for me. We get to see the world through the MC's eyes, and he is quite often biased. This creates rather unique situations and helps nudge the reader toward his viewpoint.
    Story. I adore the interactions between the upperclass and the lowerclass of people in aristocratic settings when they are pulled just right. All too often, the nobles burn and kill everyone, with no regard for who they will rule. This novel does these interactions right; you can see how the aristocracy tries to benefit others, yet the common folk are smart too. Nobles are portrayed as arrogant, but rarely stupid. Their intrigue and plots come out logical, and the MC's father also ends up being rational and opportunistic.
    Worldbuildng. Five stars so far. Ranging from the way people learn who has a "favor" or not to how they s
  • VioletMoonRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Overall, this was an easy 5/5 for me. I found myself instantly caught by the prologue and am excited to see more!
    Style: 5/5. The pov's were consistent and the style of writing is vivid and descriptive. I found it easy to envision whatever Valentin was experiencing as it went along. I would, however, suggest that the author break up some of the earlier chapters. There were several that were quite frankly too long this early in the book. You're going to turn away new readers before they can get hooked into your story. Once you have them, you can add in the 10k chapters, but not right away.
    Story: 5/5. I'm so curious as to why the clan feeling such shame. I will read until I find out more! But in all seriousness I found the plot to be quite compelling. I want to see this family rise up the ranks and join the nobility, or die trying. The author clearly knows a lot about the approximate time period this is set in, and that comes accross.
    Grammar: 4/5. Biggest issue in the story was consistent missed commas and issues with dialogue. It was enough that it was distracting at times. A simple line edit should catch most everything, though.
    Character: 5/5. They felt real and authentic and I'm excited to see what happens next to them! I felt like This was maybe the strongest aspect of the story, besides the lore. The author does an excellent job conveying the personality of each character we encounter.
    I'm excited to see more! Definitely dropping a follow.
  • HitmarkRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Your story is probably the first one to actually interest me enough for me to keep going and read it without getting bored.
    First off, the story is really well made. It has this nice flow in the way you narrate things. All the information shows itself naturally especially with how you incorporate lore reveals in small dialogues or in storytelling. It's also highly leaned on how not all nobles are depicted like in other shows or novels that they dine in these fancy gold plated restaurants.
    A strong point in your work is their way with language. The way they speak, converse and basically everything with words is highly appropriate for the theme of their world which really adds up to the experience. The custom and events they hold are also not out of place. However, I did find that in some cases, you sometimes over extend your paragraphs. Now, this might be more of a personal choice of mine but large clustered paragraphs can be very overwhelming for other people. This is true for those without that much patience leading them to sometimes just brush past the paragraphs. I would suggest you cut them up so they can be a little more appealing to the eyes but it is up to you.
    Going further, I like how you made sure the readers know the connection Val (Mc) has with his family. You can actually feel the love they have for each other and its a very refreshing take considering how his life fell apart eventually, adding to the pain and dismay.
    Still, 5/5 for me.
  • Mithradates EupatorRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    A highly enjoyable work that personally evokes memories of the authorial style of Elizabeth Moon's Paksenarrion series, despite the early lack of overt physical conflict, but there is a whole truck-load of characterisation and world building that yours truly really enjoys.
    Though this has to be made clear. Do not sit down to read this and expect rapid, swash-buckling action. It is a series that early on in its onset clearly defines how the story will develop, and that is in time with the main character Valentin, who's a pre-teen during the early chapters.
    As has been pointed out by many before me, this is an epic fantasy in the true sense of the phrase. It sacrifices what would by many be considered story pacing for world building, but in a work in this style and employing this prose, those aren't separable. The story is set in an close-to-analogous Merovingian Francia with heavy Celtic or Middle-Germanic pagan undertones, but that is quite hard to actually grasp because the author doesn't go out of his way to make this clear, which is a plus; it requires reading between the lines to picture this world. That's not to say it lacks descriptive writing, it certainly has that in spades, but it doesn't do the cop-out of saying "it looked like a 12th century so and such", instead using hints like the characters sitting down on the floor during meal time and no utensils are used, not even knives, and there's just enough of those tidbits to entice the reader to form a historical picture.
    As said, the story is mostly told through the eyes of a young boy who in the early chapters on the cusp of entering into adulthood through a coming-of-age ceremony. Valentin is for the most part portrayed as an actual child, though at times somewhat extremely precocious, and at others somewhat surprisingly dim. The best example is switching from using very formal speech and nominal master suppression techniques in meeting a very important noble for the first time, to three chapters later no
  • Mr Alex666Royal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    What to expect from this story? It's well-written, with an eye for small details, has interesting characters, and it's slow-burn. At (the current) Chapter 14, the main story just starts, everything before that is just winding up.
    This fits the story very well! We have a lived-in world, with history, its own myths, and background politics. The first 12 or so Chapters are needed to understand, how the MC's journey came about.
    The author clearly cares about the story and the world!
    Style: the story flows easily, it's fun to read. The author has invented new terminology for nobles, seasons and months - while this adds flair to the story, it is sometimes a little bit hard to figure out, what the terminology means. I will give a 5.
    Story: As said, the main story starts around Chapter 14, and so far only the foundation has been laid. I'm quite curious, how Valentin's adventure will pan out! A 5.
    Characters: The MC is a kid, dreaming about becoming an adventurer/hero - and he got his wish. Him being a kid has its drawbacks too, he is... well, a kid, and does what kids do. He is intelligent and well-raised enough to not do overly stupid things, but he is quite naive and carefree. I will stick with a 5, and am looking forward for him meeting the real world.
    Grammar: This is the hardest point for me - I'm not a native speaker. The Grammar is basically good, and I haven't found many mistakes. However, there are a few, and I think, they crept in after some editing. Those small mistakes don't degrade the reading experience, and probably most won't even notice them. A 4,5.
    All in all, a very good story with quite a potential. I will definitely read on!
  • DarkodiaRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    "Heir of Storms" is a captivating narrative set in a richly detailed medieval fantasy world. The story centers around Valentin Duvin, a young boy from the village of Orsulie, who is navigating the complexities of family legacy, societal expectations, and personal aspirations.
    The author skillfully crafts a vibrant setting in Orsulie, a village deeply rooted in tradition and closely tied to the land. The vivid descriptions of grape harvesting, the intricacies of village life, and the preparations for the arrival of a high-ranking envoy immerses the reader in a world that feels both fantastical and authentic.
    Valentin, the protagonist, is a relatable and well-developed character. His journey from a carefree boy helping in the vineyards to being thrust into the center of political and familial expectations is portrayed with depth and nuance. The story excels in exploring Valentin's internal conflicts and his struggle to balance his own desires with the expectations placed upon him as the heir of the Duvin family.
    The supporting characters, including Uncle Gilles, Valentin's mother Marion, and the envoy Steward Tressavie, are well fleshed out, each adding layers to the story's rich tapestry. The dynamic between Valentin and his family, particularly his interactions with his more adventurous uncle, provides a compelling contrast to the more formal and duty-bound nature of his parents.
    The narrative is beautifully paced, blending moments of introspection with well-crafted action and intrigue. The preparation for the envoy's arrival and the Killicia festival are particularly engaging, showcasing the author's ability to build suspense and maintain the reader's interest.
    One of the most striking aspects of "Heir of Storms" is the intricate social and political backdrop. The story delves into the complexities of village politics, familial duty, and the larger political machinations of the region, adding a layer of depth to the fantasy setting.
    In summary, "Heir of Storms" is