Nightfinder

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

NEW CHAPTERS EVERY WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SUNDAY.

Ten years have passed since the Nightfinder set foot in his home country, Candor. Ten years since his master died stopping the Shadefall.

But now, Verac, Nightfinder of Candor, has returned. Haunted by the unspeakable evil he committed in New Eden and driven to find the only woman he loved to rebuild what he destroyed.

But when the Lordkeep warns that the Shadefall, a darkness that spreads over land and destroys everything in its path, has returned, Verac faces a dire choice: pursue redemption for the murder of his daughter, or heed the Lordkeep’s order to hunt down the man responsible for the Shadefall.

As Verac begins his journey to the city of Whetalon, he encounters a young girl who reminds him of the one he buried in New Eden. Lost and far from home, the men caring for her dead.

Determined to protect her, he becomes entangled with the Moths, a fledgling group of rebels standing against the Highduke Kenelm, who threatens the people of Whetalon with a poisonous ideology and an evil creature lurking underground.

Verac must overcome his past to conquer these new monsters, the first fruits of the Shadefall, and save the girl as well as the country he swore to protect—even if it means leaving behind the woman he came back to find.

Nightfinderis a dark fantasy novel that delves into themes of trauma, found family, and the pursuit of freedom and redemption despite impossible odds.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Fazen Lai9

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.8/ 5.0
Views: 4,844

Reviews

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Community Reviews(2)

HastumRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Nightfinder is a grimdark fantasy with a setting that lets the darkness shine. With the approach of shadefall and morally grey characters that add to the setting, the word comes together nicely.
As for the setting itself, the author clearly thought through the world, with unique names and history, all described with a bit of a poetic flair. The main character is a tired man, brought on a mission and forced to contend with the demons of his past. His internal monologue fits the atmosphere and style of the story very well.
Style: The writing style fits the vibe the author was clearly going for, with vivid descriptions and emotion-filled scenes. We are given multiple POVs showing events happening all over. The story also does a very good job in the show-not-tell aspect, painting characters through their actions, small and large. The only thing I would criticize would be that sometimes chapters are too short, with some scenes feeling like small inserts.
Story: Dark and sometimes really heavy, with the threat of shadefall and the MCs past looming over the character. The world is dark and unforgiving, and it is described as such from the very start with the hard-hitting prologue.
Grammar: Not much to say. It's good, really good.
Character: The MC is a tired and scarred man. He embarks on a mission due to his past coming to haunt him. We are given snippets about him, as practically everyone he meets recognizes the man, usually with fear. His inner monologue fits him very well, and the scenes when he goes from old and tired to swinging a massive sword are a real pleasure to read, providing a satisfying shot of adrenaline. My only small criticism is that almost every time he appears on the page, we encounter a melancholic sequence or some reminiscing of someone's death. This fits the story, but with such short chapters, it becomes somewhat repetitive after a while. However, this is a minor nitpick, and as I mentioned, the sequence always aligns with the style.
If you're look
Lord Turtle the firstRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Spoiler Warning: Mild plot elements discussed
The writing style is vivid, lyrical, and emotionally charged. The prose balances grimdark atmosphere with poetic imagery—like thunderclaps in prayer or darkness swallowing cities. While the world-building is dense and the vocabulary rich, it remains accessible. Occasional shifts between perspectives keep things dynamic, though they may challenge less attentive readers. Overall, a masterfully immersive tone that grips you from the first page.
The plot builds steadily with strong momentum. The prologue alone is an emotional gut-punch, setting up the central conflict between light and darkness. The story deftly juggles multiple subplots—from Verac’s return and haunting guilt, to Avila’s desperate escape, and Damarion’s moral dilemma. Every chapter adds layers of tension, foreshadowing an epic convergence of fate and ideology. The Shadefall looms ever larger, promising a high-stakes confrontation.
Grammar is nearly flawless, with clean sentence construction, strong pacing, and professional formatting. The occasional typo or minor misstep is so rare it’s hardly noticeable. Dialogue is natural, fitting each character’s background and tone, and internal monologues are effectively used for depth.
The characters shine—emotionally resonant, morally complex, and thematically rich. Verac, the tormented Nightfinder, walks a path of painful redemption. Mach, his ideological nemesis, is tragic and terrifying. Raina is a compelling wildcard, and Avila’s innocence adds heart. Even side characters like Damarion and Schal are memorable. Everyone feels purposeful and fully realized, with strong, unique voices.
Nightfinder is a beautifully written, emotionally intense dark fantasy that blends action, introspection, and world-shaking stakes. If you enjoy richly built worlds, broken heroes, and meaningful conflict, this one’s a must-read.