Hiraeth

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Damian, such a boring name. Basic, one would say. Im just an ordinary boy. I'm just an ordinary boy, trying to not fall apart at any given moment. Trying to not get killed in the boys locker room. Trying not to get beat up in the toilets. Fuck the swim team hates me. I'm just an ordinary boy trying to slide through life, getting at least D's in all my classes. Trying not to be seen in the dorm rooms. Trying not to be heard from the back of the class. Just an ordinary boy who doesn't want to be picked on. Just an ordinary boy trying not to get stabbed behind the school. Just some gay kid who wants to survive till' morning in an all boys boarding school.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2016
Author: Phangirlmolly

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 3.5/ 5.0
Followers: 2

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(6)

Haviel2102Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
"Hiraeth" plunges readers into a relentlessly bleak post-apocalyptic world, masterfully crafting an atmosphere thick with despair and lurking danger from its opening chapter. The narrative excels in its vivid world-building, painting the grim settlement of Golgotha and the monster-infested ruins with unflinching, often brutal, detail. At its heart is Harlan, a complex and morally ambiguous protagonist whose internal struggles and pragmatic, sometimes heart-wrenching, choices drive the intense narrative forward. His journey is fraught with peril, forcing him into impossible situations that test the very limits of his humanity, particularly evident in his shifting relationships and the sacrifices he deems necessary.
The chapters unfold with a raw intensity, never shying away from the savage realities of survival in a world where monstrous creatures and equally monstrous humans prey on the vulnerable. From gruesome public executions and chilling encounters with grotesque beings to the fragile, fleeting moments of connection, like those with Aggie or Suzanne, "Hiraeth" consistently evokes strong emotional responses. The author’s exploration of a society governed by cruel, self-serving Bosses and the desperate measures individuals take to endure, or to rebel, is both disturbing and compelling. While the narrative is undeniably dark, its strength lies in its uncompromising look at the cost of survival and the deep psychological scars it leaves. "Hiraeth" is a gripping, thought-provoking read that lingers powerfully.
Night ScholarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall
"Hiraeth" is a gripping, post-apocalyptic tale that masterfully blends horror and survival. The story immerses readers in a bleak world overrun by grotesque monsters, where humanity clings to existence in fortified compounds. The narrative is rich with tension, emotional depth, and philosophical undertones, making it a standout in the genre. While the pacing occasionally lags in the middle, the vivid world-building and complex characters more than compensate. This is a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
Style
The author’s style is visceral and atmospheric, with prose that paints a stark, haunting picture of a ruined world. Descriptions of the monsters and settings are particularly striking, evoking a sense of dread and wonder. The dialogue feels authentic, blending grit with moments of dark humor. The writing is compelling, with a voice that feels uniquely suited to the story’s grim tone.
Story
The plot is a harrowing journey through a world teetering on the edge of annihilation, driven by Harlan’s mission to rescue a missing girl and the moral dilemmas he faces. The story excels in its tension and unpredictability, with standout scenes like the encounter with Baphomet and the grotesque spider creature. Grammar
The grammar is flawless, with a polished and professional presentation. The writing flows smoothly, and the author’s command of language enhances the immersive quality of the story. There are no noticeable errors, and the prose is consistently clear and engaging.
Characters
The characters are the heart of this story, each meticulously crafted with depth and nuance. Harlan is a standout protagonist, morally ambiguous, weary, yet compelling in his resilience. Secondary characters like Aggie, Dave, and Gemma are equally well-drawn, with their own arcs and motivations. Even the antagonists, such as the monstrous Baphomet and the ruthless Bosses, are vividly realized. The interactions between characters feel authentic, driving the em
Potato LordRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am perhaps more familiar with old western radio shows that most people my age, as my grandfather would listen to them insistently.
This story reminds me of them, except for the fact it takes place in a post apocalyptic world.
If you’re looking for a grim and dark story with an intriguing premise, and less-than-a-hero protagonist, I imagine you’ll quite like this story.
Style
The style is probably what sets this story apart from others which might be similar. You’ll realize quite quickly if it’s one that’s for you. It’s gritty, but not in a way that is unpleasant. It’s also a rather dark story. If you’re uncomfortable with harsher narratives, then you won’t be comfortable with this. However, that very well might be what you’re looking for.
I do believe the flow of the writing could do with some minor adjustments. At points it is near perfect, while at others it feels to stutter. This isn’t a pacing problem, but rather a problem present at a sentence/paragraph level. Overall, this doesn’t influence the enjoyability of the story or even its overall style, at least in my opinion.
Character
Having only read a part of this story yet, I can’t speak on any character arcs.
However, the base of the protagonist so far is quite strong, and I am intrigued to see how their story develops.
However, this is not heroic character. At least not yet. If you prefer your protagonists to be valiant knights in shining armor, you won’t find any in this dusty demon-riddled world.
Story
This story has a strong premise. The world itself isn’t something unseen before, but I believe it has been implemented well here. This is the topic I am least able to judge at this moment, but I from what I have seen so far, I believe it has substantial potential.
Grammar
I didn’t find any errors in the grammar. There are points I found myself having to reread a sentence to ensure I understood it, but they are not frequent. There is a tendency towards sentences I would describe as “maybe too long”, but it he
The Writer MeaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
It's a dark world. It's full of people who have lived hard lives, and that's nice. I don't like spoiled people. People here live hard lives and need to make smart decisions. I hope the characters don't make decisions that they think are actually logical but aren't. That would be entirely the writer's fault.
I think the grammar is pretty good, and the style is similar, ensuring that there are no more or less words between the dialogues. The flow is nice, and the introduction to the world is also done quite skillfully. We slowly witness the events on the surface, and since a rookie is with us, he is told the things we need to know, so that we can also learn. Considering this kind of beginning and progress, I can say that a great job has been done so far as I read.
The story is one of the points I liked the most. Our character, who is already an experienced figure, ensures that we don't waste time with unnecessary rookie parts. Of course, such situations don't always progress linearly. The experienced character finds himself at a point where he seems amateur and goes through a long rookie period, which always leads to a confusing story.
I think I mentioned before how much I enjoyed the interaction between the characters. It seems like this story is really unexpectedly good. But still, whether it belongs at the top or not will be shown in the following episodes.
yinyangcricketRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I, as a consumer, tend to enjoy those types of cliffhanger every chapter, super hype novels, such as Shadow Slave, or Lord of the Mysteries. But Hiraeth, while being a type of fiction I'm not as familiar with, manages to be a standout even in this old, western setting.
Story:
The hook is amazing, and I found myself being drawn into the plot quite easily. It's not that hard to wrap your mind around, with it being a post-apocalyptic dystopian world. Hiraeth somehow manages to take this type of setting, which has already been used many times before, and execute it better than a lot of other stories I have seen. I haven't read enough to give real thoughts on plot depth and such, but I am interested in knowing where the story will be going?
Style / Grammar:
The writing style of this story is pretty new to me, as I am used to short, punchy lines and only very descriptive prose around situations that require that type of prose; emotional situations, climaxes, events with high stakes or tension, stuff like that. But the writing style in Hiraeth is still captivating without being like a fast-food, tension driver like many other stories. It doesn't try to grab your attention like an advertisement with hype scenes and flashy words. Instead it is meaningful, slow, and immersive. The grammar is perfect for me.
Character:
Definitely not a chivalrous, hero-type protagonist, but nonetheless a believable one for the situation at hand. While I don't have enough information to know exactly how his character arc will develop, the protagonist is very... realistic I would say. His morals aren't gone, and he isn't some depraved, edgy psychopath. Instead, he is necessary, if you get what I mean.
Overall, this has great potential, and I will be reading more!
Thanks for a great read, and peace out :)
Iccy_strawberryRoyal Road
★★★★ 3.5
So far I like where the story is going, you have made an amazing character that is relatable to a large group of people. I enjoyed the current plot that you've set up a lot but I recommend that you make your chapters a little shorter as there is a lot of information, maybe break it up into a few chapters or something of that type.
I also noticed that you've used an obscene amount of commas in your sentences, please dial down a bit with that. There are a few grammatical issues sprawled here and there, for that you could simply make a Grammarly account and copy and paste it there just for extra assurance.
Your character is quite good but at times it seems that she is getting protected by the plot a bit too much, its a simple fix if you make her seem a little less special or if you add characters that are in a similar position as her. Your style of writing is a delight, however when you refer to the snake you use 'they' at times which confuses me greatly as I am unsure if it is one snake or a multitude of them, please fix that soon.
Keep up the conpetent work!