HS: The Novel

Information

Status

Hiatus

Author

Matt Fusion

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• Avid Reader GuyRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Found this gem through another book from a different writer I liked and boy was I skeptical but it turns out I am really enjoying this book. I like the slow progression of the characters growth and their relationships and I like how the kids aren't stronger than the adults like in real life.
  The story follows a young boy who practically runs away from his orphanage to go join the knighthood academy where they train young boys to be knights. There he meets friends and rivals and for the earlier parts of the book its just your typical adventure teen slice of life then obstacles gets thrown at the friend group and become a fantasy action still with slice of life and adventure but by ready you know this is more of a fantasy book than anything else
  I love a good third person POV and this book does that well. The style is very nice with a lot of cool descriptions and dialogue. The prose is solid and the storytelling I like.
  The grammar was not a problem as there weren't any bugs of major errors that made reading difficult.
  The cast of characters I found to be very true to the story. The aren't the same washed up copy of one another and actually seem interesting enough to carry the story. I saw one otherr reviewer that compared it to early naruto and when I think about it that's kind of true. It does give that kind of vibe sometimes but with a medieval Europe kind of vibe. I like the introduction of the foreign characters in the tournament too. Good job.
• BugyRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I really like the story, and appreciated the initial backstory for the MC. Definitely helps explain the MCs situation and also gives reason for his mischievous nature.
  I really like the writing style. The story flows really well and the dialogue is seamless. Everything is explained very well, and the author truly paints a picture of the MCs situation. The author makes it easy to picture the world and the characters' motivations.
  The dialogue really stands out within this story. The dialogue between the MC and his dad was very seamless and it continues to be throughout the story. It truly feels like a conversation.
  The grammar is perfect. I found no grammatical issues when reading the story. The author is obviously a very proficient writer.
  I found some parts that didn't quite make sense. Very notably was when the MC dove into the water, and it was said that he was surprised he wasn't dead. It seems crazy to spend very little description on a seemingly large event. I wish that it was gone into more detail, or if it wasn't supposed to be a big point maybe make it less of a death defying stunt.
  Overall, I really like the story. The story doesn't disappoint and I found myself wanting to read more.
• ElaraRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This is a YA fantasy novel about a young boy named Zackeus who aspires to become a knight like his father. The world that the author creates is rich and lived-in, with a good balance of description and action. The scenes are fast-paced and concise, with dialogue between characters painting a picture of this world. However, there are some flaws in the dialogue which may feel unnatural to some readers. The plot follows the standard progression of training to become a knight, with a focus on the Academy and finding both friends and rivals through his training. Although the pacing is fast, some readers may prefer a few filler chapters to flesh out the world more. The grammar and style need some work, but the author has made significant improvements in these areas. The main character could benefit from more development, especially before joining the academy, and could use more air time to truly show off his stride. Overall, if you're looking for a fast-paced and straightforward fantasy novel, give it a try.
  Style: I've found the style to be fitting for the genre and type of story. It was enjoyable to read, and I liked the fast pacing.
  Grammar: I think the grammar is the weakest part of the story. It is not to the point of being a real problem, but I noticed at different points in the story that the wording was a little awkward. It is not a big deal though, overall.
  Story: The plot is not revolutionary by any means, but the execution is very good. I found myself enjoying the journey far more than I would have expected.
  Characters: The Characters are probably the focal point of the story. It is clear that the author put a lot of thought into the cast of the story, I found the dynamic between the characters to work out very well.
• Jack0fheartRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Hunter Sky is a thrilling and action-packed journey through the world of knights and sword fighting!
  Overall score 5/5: The protagonist, Zack, is a determined young man on a mission to join the Altean Knighthood Academy and become a skilled knight.
  Style score 5/5: The author's writing style is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish, with each chapter leaving you eager for more.
  Story score 5/5: The story takes us on a journey through Zack's training and the trials he must overcome to achieve his goal, with twists and turns that keep the reader on their toes.
  Grammar score 5/5: The grammar is clear and easy to follow, with only a few minor errors that don't detract from the overall reading experience.
  Character score 5/5: Zack is a dynamic and interesting character, and the supporting cast, including Lea and Kelly, add depth and complexity to the story. Even the villainous Jirell adds an extra layer of intrigue.
  Overall, Hunter Sky is a fantastic read that any fans of adventure and sword fighting will love. The world-building is immersive, the characters are well-developed, and the story is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and action-packed read! ♥
• Joe Frazer SquarePantsRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I have been looking for a book that fills the rurouni kenshin void ever since all the films ended and I binged the anime and I'm glad I found this book. This book kind of has a similar vibe which I like plus it has a few Shonen qualities. I realize that some other people pointed out some errors in the comments but the writer has already fixed them up so he has earned my trust in the fact that the book is constantly improving. I like the characters of Zack and Lea who I think are just so cute. I also like Jirell he's kind of the aloof badass type which is cool too. The only part I didn't like was when the MC''s dad died. It was just too sad. That hooked me into the first chapter and I just kept reading. And I like how we get to watch their relationship grow into a much deeper bond that's just so cool.
  I highly recommend this book if you love Knights, mercenaries, samurai, ninja, martial arts, magic, war, swords, and fantasy. It's a good book that dabbles in a lot of cool genres and the tags are accurate so far. I like the consistency of the frequent uploads so I can binge read without losing track of the story. Plus the writer is good at foreshadowing. I'm enjoying it maybe you will too. Just give it a try.
• RosemundasRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Hunter Sky is an action-oriented (and school-oriented) fantasy following the adventures of a young boy as he trains to be a knight after a tragic event.
  Style Score (5): The style is pretty entertaining. I have to admit, when I read the sentence, “This martial art is called Brawlhalla, the trademark style of every Altean Warrior to ever walk the earth,” I knew this was going to be pretty cleverly humorous. The author never disappointed on that front.
  Grammar Score (5): No glaring errors that made the reading difficult. Overall, the writing was quick-paced, concise, and enjoyable.
  Story Score (5): On the one hand this storyline is familiar. On the other, it’s handled in a very amusing way, and I’m not sure I’ve seen anything quite like it since Protector of the Small. The story is simple yet certain, as Zack comes into his own.
  Character Score (5): The narrative would be nothing without its characters. Our hero is distinctive and spunky, and his school rival who seems to excel at almost everything is equally well-characterized. I enjoyed the character of Lea as well. Zack is certainly a type—not infallible, not right about everything, but you wouldn’t mind having him along on an adventure.
  Overall Score (5): I enjoyed reading this immensely. The character dynamics are fun, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the author continues the story.
• kanundraRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Opening.
  This is an interesting story and opening, we’re following Zach and his father who are attacked, it instantly sets aside all the what ifs, and I can see why Zach might want to follow his father at least in training. Depending on the outcome, of course. 
  Story.
  From chapter one we’re introduced to a variety of people. Lea, Kelly and Jirell. It does read a little young, in the taunting, but I think that’s perfectly fine considering they are : ) It does progress a lot as the story moves.
  Style.
  I liked the arcing of this, and the ending of this section, the break between with backstories again, I thought it was a really interesting way of engaging me as a reader, and making me think as an author. For the most part I’d no issues with the authors voice. There’s some good banter between the male mc’s and the girls later on, and humour which is sometimes something I struggle with. If you can make me laugh you’re onto a winner.
  Grammar.
  Clear that this needs a good edit, (only reason I marked it down a bit) both on here and probably in the final MS document. But editing takes time away from writing, not everyone can manage both especially if there’s some extensive edits and changes they want to do. Keeping up online with suggestions also becomes a job, which is okay to fix at a point, but can detract from just getting the story down. So I ignored all the fixes I would have done, and just noted that you might have some decisions to make on your own for what you want and don’t want in terms of direction and voice. That’s finally up to you. Taking too much inside your head in altering your work can ruin it. (There are good people here I’ve seen so far. But I also know people get bogged in with comments and re-writing/editing)
  Characters.
  They really stood out to me, yes young, and it was really good to see the even younger side later on. Not too much of Lea because, but again it was the subtle touches here that made them unique in their own way.
  Closing.
  Over all this
• M.G DriverRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  While a significant amount of effort has gone into the book in terms of rewrite, I cannot give it full marks yet as there is still a few minor flaws. Overall, it's a good teen fiction story, easy for young readers to love.
  Style:
  The scenes are fast paced and concise. No beating around the bush, straight into the action. The story moves along as you read rather than dwelling on mundane things, which I can appreciate.
  One key issue is the way the dialogue is written - it's too unnatural in my opinion for a young child. Some of the dialogue is not consistent between chapters, but it's a personal opinion for this case.
  Story:
  Great standard progression, with a focus on the Academy and finding both friends and rivals through his training.
  I generally feel like there was a missed opportunity to further develop the main character before he joined the academy. The entire period of the orphanage could be a good development phase to really flesh out how the main character acts.
  I'm not suggesting a complete re-write, but it might be fun to think of what exciting events our MC would have gotten himself into.
  As previously mentioned, the story is very fast paced. I would prefer at least a few filler chapters and events to really flesh out the world more, but that's a personal opinion as well.
  Grammar:
  No major flaws that really ticked me off. I see that others have already commented on the chapter with edit suggestions, so as long as the author implements them, it will be useful.
  Character:
  I understand it is a teen fiction novel, and has a very young ensemble of characters from the start.
  However, I can't help but feel that the main character could have more air time. Due to the introduction of his rivals and friends during the entrance trials, there's not enough space for the main character to truly show off his stride. I feel like he's more of a side character than anything else in the first few chapters.
  The way the side characters interact with him is a bit unrealistic as
• EythaRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  A more grounded low magic fantasy setting with a martial focus.  It is focused around a school life setting, but like other similar fantasy settings it’s more about the extra-curricular activities that the students get up to outside of the school than being a purely school centric story.  And for those with a familiarity in the shounen demographic, the characters and plot will be reliable and comfortable hallmarks.
  Where it breaks away is in the grounded progression keeping the characters growth realistic and the main character with a lot of room to grow.  Though it is a story focused on teenagers, unlike others in the genre, the adults remain relevant and important as teens can’t solve everything on their own.
  The style of the story keeps things straightforward and moving at a steady pace.  Early chapters move quickly setting characters and the world steady through introductory events.  Once the story settings are established more developed story arcs begin to let the characters develop and grow.  The only noticeable weakness at times is a more tell than show at times.
  For the story, things are familiar with a simple start with training and exams, common staples of the school life setting.  Once the characters get time to find their voice and personality, longer deeper story formats start to take over.  This has so far been helping to expand the greater world around and show the growth in the characters.  About the only thing unclear at the moment is the direction the story plans to go long term either as a journey of growth or a save the world adventure.  The summary implies the latter, but as of yet there are not many hints to that direction with a smaller focus.
  The grammar I didn’t find much in the way of mistakes.  It has already been through a couple of edits with help, so it is quite clean and easy to read.
  The main cast of characters are recognizable archetypes, but they are good models that are popular and people enjoy.  There will be some familiarity with
• Wander NatamaruRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Hunter Sky takes place in a fantasy world made of medieval inspired countries, along with some inspiration from other cultures as well. Zackeus is a young boy who has entered the Academy to train as a knight to follow in his father's footsteps.
  Style:
  Writing is minimalistic and not too much exposition. This makes it easier to read. Scenery and action sequences are defined, and creates some picture of what is going on. However, there are some problems that might need to be reädressed.
  Action sequences, while mostly fluid and quick, periodically there are some run-on sentences. This slows down the pace. I think that with some editing they are easily fixable.
  This might be a personal grievance, but the font chosen for this story is quite painful for me to read on the web version of RR. Often times I have to squint to focus in the sentences I am reading. When reading on mobile however, is a different story. It reads well.
  Hunter Sky appears to be written in third person omniscient, with multiple head-hopping throughout the chapter. At first I thought it was third person limited only following Zack, but later on it begins to head-hop to several other characters. This might be a problem for people as some people can't keep up with different POVs.
  Story:
  It is evident that the author spend some time thinking about his world. Worldbuilding is dripped in slowly, and not dropped in all at once as beginning exposition. People come from different parts of the country of Altea, and it is obvious that those regional differences are there.
  Zack is following his father's will to become a knight, and does so by passing and enrolling in the Academy. Plot sequences are followed through in excellent order. We see Zack go places as events continue to unravel around them, adding to the world the author has created. This drives the plot and progression we see the group head towards.
  Grammar:
  There are also errors in dialogue punctuation prevalent throughout the thirteen chapters I have r