Horde doom (Old version)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In the agony of destruction, the Old World perished, bringing death and misery to once-civilized lands. From the ashes, new tyrants came to power, trying to bend the world to their will. As a result of the Extinction, mutants and superpowers started appearing in the world.

And from the fires of the Old World came the Reclamation Army, a force hellbent on reuniting the world under a single banner to prevent any new catastrophe from happening.

It is a time of legends, when the Reclaimers were still young and lacking in resources, and when their commanders, the strongest mutants of all, still took to the field personally.

Ravager, the commander of the Third Army, is one of such mutants. In her service to Dynast, she pushed her army to the limit, bleeding it more and more with every battle. Among her forces is the young Warlord Janine, eager to prove herself in combat.

Ordered to rest and recuperate, the Third Army retreats to Houstad, one of the largest cities within the Reclamation Army. Their respite ended up being short-lived. The Gilded Horde, an enormously large nomadic army, has invaded the state, bringing death and destruction in their wake.

Outgunned, outnumbered, and plagued with insider rivalry, the Third Army ended up at the very front of this invasion. Can Janine and the Third Army survive against all odds and preserve Houstad in the wake of the coming slaughter?

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2023
Author: Rookie12

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.4/ 5.0
Followers: 30
Views: 26,776

Chapters(61 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(9)

CatVIRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Beware, for Horde Doom is a captivating and dread-inducing dystopian tale that melds flawless grammar, evocative prose, and the creation of intricate characters to weave a web of suspense and unease. The author's writing style masterfully constructs an atmosphere of mounting tension and impending doom, ensnaring readers within a world teetering on the edge of annihilation.
The trajectory of the plot in Horde Doom, with its well-measured development and relentless pacing, ensnares readers from the very inception, ensnaring them in a labyrinth of anxiety and curiosity. The initial endeavor of the Ravager to escape from a perilous institution immediately invokes apprehension and kindles a burning desire to witness her triumph. The story harbors immense potential, its creator having clearly devoted considerable cogitation to the intricacies of the characters and the realms they inhabit.
The characters themselves are the pièce de résistance, exuding an enigmatic allure intertwined with profound intricacy. The trials of the Ravager in the prologue, in particular, are undeniably enthralling, while the subsidiary personas contribute to the opulence of the narrative. Yet, a modicum of refinement in the management of the profusion of introduced characters is warranted to forestall bewilderment, especially when designations of rank and title are invoked.
The technical craftsmanship displayed in Horde Doom, encompassing spelling, grammar, and punctuation, is largely commendable. Although minor breaches in punctuation and sporadic omissions or misplacements of commas persist, they scarcely detract from the overall readability. Given that the author's native tongue is not English, the execution of the prose is praiseworthy indeed.
To conclude, Horde Doom beckons as an enthralling tome with the potential for further refinement. Adjustments in the cadence of narration, the infusion of dialogue, the adept handling of personages, and subtle enhancements to the grammatical fabric have
Wolfgang HuxRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I knew this would be an enjoyable read as in the second chapter we watch one of our MC's be slowly fitted with power armour as the intricacies of the character dynamics become clear. It was a scene of rising tension for a battle to come.
This reminded me in some strange ways of the warhammer books I so enjoy. Big in scale, heavy in action but also with a depth of lore that can take the reader quite a bit of time to get into and understand. And I think this can be quite a good thing. Its a lot of up front but if you keep going it becomes very rewarding, and that is what I reccomend a reader do!
Style Score: Well written, very very descriptive. I think this is one of the high points of the story. The author takes the time to really explain what is happening and go deep into things when required but also to pull back and have short snappy descriptions when its time to write action sequences.
Grammar Score: Nothing wrong here at all! I actualyl didn't notice anything beyond one or two missing pieces of punctuation so this is really well done! Great job in the edit bay soldier!
Story Score: Again, I'm repeating myself here but there is A LOT going on! So pay close attention when reading. This is a tale for readers who want a deep and rich story not a light fluffy piece. So if you are that audience, this is for you! Enjoy the well crafted world :)
Characters: Well motivated characters that make you want to keep reading to find out what happens to them, if their relationship issues will resolve or not. This is another area where I can tell the author spent quite a bit of time planning.
All in all if you want a world you can dive into and enjoy meaty content with action and drama, this is it!
ZanafarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Do you like grimdark sci-fi stories with a lot of epic battles, super-mutants, and great prose? Well 'Horde Doom' is that and more!
Style: The style of this story is distinct and engaging, with great prose and measured pacing. The author expertly crafts a grim, dystopian world filled with visceral imagery and tense dialogue. The language is rich and evocative, and the voice of the narration really immerses me in the world. The chapters are longer than average in RR, but it doesn't feel daunting to read.
As other reviewers have mentioned, the author's writing style does capture that Warhammer vibe in the scale of its conflicts, its dark tone, its unabashed violence, and its cast of gritty characters. That might seem like a simple comparison, but it is not an easy task to emulate.
Grammar: I haven't seen any major issues that detracted from my enjoyment of reading this story. Good job on the edits!
Story: The story follows Janine and her Wolf Tribe as they lead the charge against tyrant forces such as the 'Techno Queen'. At the surface level, one can enjoy the story for its adrenaline-filled combat sequences and its sci-fi elements portraying mutant Wolfkins in power armor wielding massive weapons. Beyond that, there are political and social conflicts that readers can also sink their teeth into as the tribes under the banner of the 'Blessed Mother' Ravager have their own morals, values, and cultural distinctiveness that the author reveals in a natural way as the character, Janine, interacts with them.
The extensive details the author put into creating and presenting the lore of this world speak to their passion for the story. One thing that immediately caught my interest is that the Wolf Tribe and their counterparts remind me of Klingon culture in many ways.
Characters: The story has a dynamic and memorable cast of characters with one in particular standing above the rest, Janine. After the prologue, the story is told from her perspective, and boy, she is one of the m
keeganashleyliveRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This one packs a punch right from the first few lines! I was immediately drawn in. In fact, the word I used in my comment on the Prologue was "enraptured", and I never really use that word but...damn, this one just has an overarching feeling of dread and suspense and action. I was immersed.
I think the surprise element that really did it for me was the point of view. I, admittedly, haven't read many stories with mutant or not-entirely-human main characters, but, wow, it really added an urgency and mystery to the text that I thoroughly enjoyed. I wanted to know more about the world, which meant, of course, that I had to keep reading. :) And there is plenty of world building too! Another element I enjoyed!
There were no glaring grammatical errors that stopped my enjoyment of the text in any way. Actually, the language is very flowing, detailed and action-packed. It reads more with an epic vibe---longer paragraphs and, definitely, longer chapters though don't let this diswade you in any way even if you prefer shorter because there is so much action that it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. This story is a thrilling ride. Kudos to the author!
D.M. Rhodes (Razzmatazz)Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Horde doom, written by author Rookie12, is a dark, bloody, urban future-fantasy story with mutants, born after the destruction of the old world, at its core. The story allegedly primarily follows a canid protagonist that I will not explicitly call a werewolf, named Ravager, a military commander. But we seemingly more often follow other characters as well, especially Janine, who gets a lot of time in the spotlight (Not a bad thing, she's fun too). A large focus of the story is not only the violence/action, which is of course always great, but the social and military hierarchy and structures of the different tribes of mutants. The author goes into great detail, breaking down the nuances of how this works. This is useful, as some relationship dynamics (Ravager/Janine or just about Janine/everyone) can get pretty complex in the meat of things.
The setting is very much power-armor and radiation, but grimier and more bitey than shooty.
The spelling and grammar are both on point and I found no noticeable mistakes. The prose flows very well, and everything reads nicely from A all the way to Z.
All in all, if you are looking for a gritty, dark, and very action based story about a dark world, then you should definitely give this one a fair shot! =)
S.nufflesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME
Style: is very intricate. Leaning towards the more poetic side of things, especially for this site, the author takes care with their words and crafts sentences with intention. Although the density may intimidate some readers, those not deterred will not be disappointed. It's a style well suited to the story being told here.
Grammar: held some issues, but nothing too extraordinary. Some repeated words here and there, missing commas and punctuation, but nothing overly serious that would prevent anyone from enjoying the narrative.
Story: is interesting. I've never frequented other web novel sites, where I know the wolf genre is prominent, so this was a first for me. I found it really intruiging how the author has thought deeply about their world, especially how the substitution of humans for wolves affects societal norms and structure. It's brutal, unapolagetic and almost primal, as I would expect from such a species. Combine this with the distinct sci-fi flare, and it is quite a compelling narrative.
Character: benefits most from the aforementioned thought put into society. Each of the main cast surrounding Janine, and Janine herself, do not hold a semblence of human about them, feeling fleshed out in their roles in their pack. The only place I would say character suffers is the sheer number of names, yet perhaps I am just not good at remembering them and it is just a personal issue.
Overall: god I promise I did not find the lady wolf with the revolvers attractive please PLEASE I PROMISE
CosmicQuillRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This one was a wild ride, I must say. A postapocalyptic urban fantasy with mutants - a very interesting premise.
Story and characters: I must admit that it came to me as very confusing right from the start, and I didn't quite understand what was happening and what the story was about until I was a few chapters in.
In the prologue, we are introduced to the character of Ravager—or is it a blessed mother? Again, so confusing... Why are there two different names for the same character? I thought they were two different people at first! Then we are introduced to Janine... Who I thought at first was yet another name for the Ravager, but they are different persons... So who is the main character? As I said, it is very confusing. But then we are quickly thrown right into the open maws of violence and destruction, and my confusion was quickly dissolved by the everpresent carnage. So it was fine in the end, I guess...
Style and grammar: The grammar seemed fine, and I didn't notice any clear mistakes. The author obviously paid a lot of attention to it. The style itself is full of colorful descriptions, even poetic at times. However, it came across to me as too poetic. I was getting a little bit lost in the prose, which overshadowed the story at times.
Overall: A well-crafted story with many interesting characters. The only thing I would critique would be the initial delivery. I was feeling suffocated by all the pieces of information and characters that were thrown at me right from the start. Combined with the heavy prose, I believe it will take a significant effort on the part of the reader to immerse himself in the story. But if the reader is ready for the commitment and likes these types of stories, he will be delighted in the end.
Lile BanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Disclaimer: This is for a review swap, I have currently read 71,198 words of the novel, I will keep updating this review once I read more.
Summary:
The story follows Janine, a member of the Wolf Tribe who serves under the warrior Ravager. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where some people have developed powerful abilities. Janine and her pack are tasked with helping Ravager reclaim and rebuild civilization. However, tensions arise between Ravager and another leader, Devourer, putting Janine in a difficult position.
Structure & Plot:
The plot is well paced and flows logically from one event to the next. The world building and character development are seamlessly woven into the narrative. There are no obvious plot holes or inconsistencies. The story effectively jumps between past and present to provide backstory.
Characters:
Janine is the central perspective and a compelling protagonist. Her motivations and internal struggles between duty, honor, and mercy are conveyed vividly. Other characters like Ravager, Devourer, and Bertruda are multidimensional, with unique voices and complex relationships. The dynamics between the Wolf Tribe and the Ice Fang Order are especially interesting.
World-Building:
The post-apocalyptic setting is vividly realized, with intricate world building around the various factions, creatures, history, and geography of this universe. The hierarchy, abilities, and culture of the Wolf Tribe are particularly well fleshed out. The world feels lived-in and immersive.
Writing Style:
The writing style is highly descriptive yet straightforward. Action sequences are engaging and easy to visualize. Dialogue suits the characters and moves the story forward. The shift between Janine's present and past is smoothly handled.
Themes & Symbols:
Main themes include duty vs humanity, ends justifying means, and the sacrifices of leadership. The rituals and traits of the Wolf Tribe symbolize their animalistic yet noble nature. Janine's axe represents her c
EmpyreanLordRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Interesting read with a lot of unrealised potential.
Style: The author's writing style effectively creates a sense of urgency and tension throughout the chapters. The vivid descriptions and sensory details immerse the reader in the protagonist's perspective, evoking emotions and a visceral response. The prologue, in particular, was exceptionally well done, immersing the reader in the struggles of Ravager. However, it could benefit from being slightly shorter, and integrating the present Ravager's point of view into the first chapter. Additionally, the chapters contain lengthy paragraphs that could be balanced with more dialogue to enhance the "show, don't tell" aspect of the story.
Story: The plot development and pacing in these chapters are engaging, keeping the reader invested in the story. The initial attempt of the protagonist to escape from a dangerous facility creates immediate tension and a desire to see her succeed. The story has a lot of potential, and it's evident that the author has put significant thought into the background of the characters and the world. However, the chapters tend to be too long, and at times, there is an information overload that makes it difficult to fully grasp what is happening. For example, in a tense scene where a character scolds her child for learning forbidden information and grips his neck, the immersion is disrupted when the location and the reason behind the child's forbidden knowledge are explained.
Grammar: The technical aspects of the writing, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation, are generally well-executed. There are a few minor punctuation errors and occasional missing or misplaced commas that could be addressed to enhance readability. Considering English is not the author's native language, the writing is commendable.
Characters: The author delves into the backgrounds and dynamics of several characters, showcasing their individual traits, relationships, and motivations. The characters exhibit depth and compl