Our Little Dark Age

Information

Status

Completed

Year

2023

Author

Jarex

• Announcement - New story
  Oct 15, 2024
• 127 - Our little Dark Age
  Jun 27, 2024
• 126 - Agnosteosis
  Jun 27, 2024
• 125 - Rise, o' Red Sun
  Jun 25, 2024
• 124 - Deicidal Downturn
  Jun 20, 2024
• 123 - Small oversights
  Jun 18, 2024
• 122 - The one who would be tar
  Jun 13, 2024
• 121 - Encounters of the divine variety
  Jun 11, 2024
• 120 - Through fire and death
  Jun 6, 2024
• 119 - Just gotta get there first
  Jun 4, 2024
• 118 - Studying
  May 30, 2024
• 117 - Short Reunion
  May 28, 2024
• 116 - Ups and Downs
  May 23, 2024
• 115 - Iced
  May 21, 2024
• 114 - Back to back
  May 16, 2024
• 113 - Life unbound
  May 14, 2024
• 112 - Daughterrr
  May 9, 2024
• 111 - Tartazon, Land of the Unwanted
  May 7, 2024
• 110 - Too many snakes
  May 2, 2024
• 109 - If you can't beat it, run like heck
  Apr 30, 2024

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• scythe3000Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Great content. If you like the retarded MC that learns just how retarded they were acting over time, this has that. If you hate the retarded MC, you can just wait for the other one to take the reins. EZ gamed the system xd
  dark souls references and humor are on point, the aforementioned 'retarded' MC makes sense, Elia is bing chillin
  Favorited, done
• PersimmonRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This is a wonderful find. The story is engaging, clearly written, and gives a fresh new spin to the game-like elements.
  Style Score:
  Honestly, it's hard even to find anything to complain about. Suspense and tension abound and are interspersed with witty quips, which allow the reader not to feel burdened.
  Story Score:
  Possibly its strongest point, the world-building is interesting and hints at a wider world I can't wait to learn more about. The system is consistent and serves its role well. The author's attention to detail in describing the surrounding allow the reader to immerse themselves fully. The themes this story talks about are serious ones, but the author manages to keep it fun.
  Grammar Score:
  The reading flows well, and there are no apparent mistakes. The writer has an evident mastery of the language, and it shows.
  Character Score:
  Another strong point is that the peculiar situation the main characters are in allows for a unique dynamic. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's worth reading just to find out.
  Overall, I'd definitely recommend Our little dark age. The author is building a story I can see continuing for quite a while and has set up plot points that will keep it engaging for long.
• damienrjamesRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Elia is such a refreshing character to read. She's spunky, tenacious, and full of energy. Her interactions are entertaining and laugh out loud worthy. While you don't know much about the world from the jump, the author slowly immerses you into the tale. First, Elia's struggles, of which there are plenty! Then some juicy world development. I am still reading on, but so far I'm invested in seeing how Elia survives this nightmare.
• Bored monsterRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  (This story might not be for everyone, but it's something I think you'll enjoy)
  I just want to say that I really really hate writing reviews, cuz you have to say why something is good, and what that something still has to work on(doesn't help that I tend to be overly critical). With that being said,
  I really enjoyed Rye. She's a fresh addition to this very saturated game-lit, RPG timeloop genre.
  Ya see, with Elia, it's the 'Been here too long, done with optimism and positivity, just wants a drink' borderline psychotic, will kill mostly unprovoked combat veteren because everyone she's ever met has been muderous (undead) that every timeloop/xianxia/'gamer' novel that starts off with after they transmigrated and have already started cultivating/grinding/fighting.
  (A mouthful of a cliché, isn't it?)
  But with Rye, instead of a burden in the form of friend/(usually sick) female family member, she's the original soul/ego (whatever you want to call it) of the body. The body that Elia is currently piloting. One Elia uses to... disarm (and dishead) the 'sick' people wandering about. And how does she process this tidbit? By calling her a demon and a savage, very based Rye.
  (Keep in mind there will be spoilers and I will be quoting from memory so it won't be exact)
  The thing that sets her apart from most of the clichés however, is when she screams in distress to Elia, "I can't do it Elia, I'm just a farm girl. I'm not cut out for this." You really feel for her.
  In more than one way, this is also Elia's start, her beginning because even Elia wasn't like this when she was first brought to this world. Rye is a reflection of Elia's beginning. All her fears, all her naiveté that was slowly leached away by the constant struggle of survival and murder is showcased in Rye. I really like what the author did here.
  But the part that makes me love her is
  When she's put in charge of the body (not the first time), she makes herself a cape. At first, I scoffed and thought that was stupid, but
• KanecaRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I am greatly enjoying this story. The characters are likeable while being realistic and the writing quality is professional level. The plot makes sense and is realistic and harsh just like the games it's based on. Plus it finally made Dark Souls playable which says a lot since I didn't like those types of games. I tried the games several times but never got into them. So a novel like this is a real boon.
• LUCIFER36Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Overall Impression:
  Within the depths of this labyrinthine tale, I find myself yearning for more. Showcasing a Dark Souls-inspired atmosphere, the story immerses readers in a relentless maze, where escape seems like an elusive dream. While the plot is still in its early stages, the hints of a broader narrative promise an intriguing journey ahead.
  Grammar:
  The meticulous attention given to spelling and grammar is commendable. The absence of errors ensures a smooth reading experience, allowing readers to fully engage with the story without any distractions.
  Story:
  With each turn in the labyrinth, the narrative unfolds, balancing elements of mystery and suspense. The protagonist's repeated deaths and the intricate maze add to the sense of entrapment and heighten the stakes. The author's ability to "show, don't tell" is a testament to their skill, drawing readers deeper into the enigmatic world.
  Style:
  The descriptive prose envelops readers in an eerie ambiance, capturing the essence of the labyrinth's foreboding nature. The author's careful attention to detail brings the world to life, creating a vivid and immersive experience. The Dark Souls-inspired atmosphere resonates, evoking a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
  Character:
  Our protagonist teeters on the precipice of sanity, their psyche fractured by the cycle of death. This internal struggle adds a layer of complexity to their character, making them both intriguing and relatable. The enigmatic voice in their head serves as a captivating foil, hinting at potential revelations and further character development.
  In conclusion, this labyrinthine journey, with its haunting atmosphere and well-crafted characters, holds great promise. The flawless execution of grammar and the author's ability to immerse readers in the world contribute to a captivating reading experience. As the story continues to unfold, I eagerly anticipate delving deeper into the maze, unraveling its secrets and discovering what awaits us at it
• NedacRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  A spectacular story. I read the entire thing in a week, at most, because I was enthralled. Sure, there were a few points early on where the story felt a little rough to me (the crossroads), but I pushed through, and I don’t regret it. The story was the right combination of tragic and thrilling moments, with just enough hope to make it all beautiful. There were times where I was on the edge of my seat, but in the same breath, they were usually followed by a smile of relief, and joy that something had finally gone right for Elia. And the ending. The ending made me tear up. In the interest of not spoiling it, on the off chance someone reads this, I won’t say more about the ending, and just leave it at: I wish it hadn’t ended there, but there was no better way for it to end. Elia (and Rye) had a hard journey, but they never stopped, and they didn’t stay down for long. And in the end, it was worth it.
  What a grim, glorious, beautiful world. I wish there was a sequel, because I’m not ready to let go of this story. This one’s one I’ll remember for a long time.
• ishnerRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  I am happy to report that the imersion breaking question of "Why does she go backin time when no one else does" actually DOES have an internally consistent watsonian justification. Not going to spoil *which* chapter this reveal comes down in, but it ain't in the first 4 score, so dont hold your breath.
  Other than that, Welcome to an exceptional exploration of extrordinary violance and what it means to be close to another person.
  -
  The characters are a highlight of this story. Elia and Rye are both excelent leads and it is a delight to watch them both learn from eachother and grow into all they could be.
  The surounding cast do not disapoint either; especially Quibbles.
  -
  The author does a very good job of trickling down a lot of setting knowledge with minimal exposition. When there is exposition it is almost always "this is my story" instead of "here are some setting things you should know". For example, when the BBEG gives an big speech before the big showdown, it is her sharing her perspective and motivation rather than any sort of big reveal of hidden lore, but little bits of that story fit together with other people's stories piecing together the wider story of the world but by bit.
  Not sure how you do that without writing the entire lore before hand, but it is certainly impressive either way.
  -
  The plot line is pretty solid, but suffrrs somewhat from an excess of Diablo Ex Machina. The thing that happens when they leave the Tar Knight castle is particularly jarring.
  -
  The grammar is *fine* why am I mandated to adress this‽
  -
  The setting is amazing, no spoilers but this book has a much better slow and grinding apocalypse than Dark Souls ever did.
• JoplingRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  Sososo!
  If one were to boil down Our little Dark Age into a succint if insufficient description, then "an NPC with Edge of Tomorrow powers in a soulsborne-like setting" would kinda work. As usual, such boiling-downs remove a lot of the subtleties, but help in pitching the story to an interested audience.
  There are two MCs sharing one body, and I'd advise anyone to read til chapter 9 at least, which is doable in about three hours. In those few chapters we already see that Elia is of, well, questionable sanity, but that might be a prerequisite if you're basically stuck in a body of a low-level NPC in what might ostensibly called a tutorial level of a soulsborne-like setting. Or it might be selection bias and only the slightly insane survive under these kinds of conditions. In any case, while Elia drops references left, right, and centre it's relatively obvious that while she does that because it's entertaining, it's also part of an acquired coping mechanism to survive in this kind of world, live through hundreds and thousands of deaths, without much, if any, human contact, and still remain sane. Sane-ish.
  So far the litRPG elements are mostly in the background, and flavoured by the setting, and only vague in its exploration. It's relative clear that it is merely a means, not a focus for the story.
  Furthermore it feels like the story is currently (chapter 26, after Rhuna) getting into the overarching plot points, and the main quest is getting a few of its points checked. I expect a couple side-quests to pop up with time, that are more or less directly related to the main arc, but they're on the down-low for now.
• NameChosenWiselyRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  Hello! I have realised that my last review here was a dumpster fire, so I've decided to rewrite it. And this time, I hope it's decent and gives people a bit more insight into the webnovel.
  The world
  Imagine a world, created by the great Gods because they're merciful and righteous. Now imagine it getting abandoned by those same gods, with all the natural world order disturbed.
  Undeads are rampant and everyone is dying. Though, if you play your cards well, being undead might actually be better.
  The world has similarities in tone to the Dark Souls series, with a sprinkle of a lot of other stuff. The world is grim, yes, but not truly hopeless.
  Power system
  A really unique power system where you literally roll for your abilities. Kill more, better chance of getting better abilities, simple and rng based.
  If rng-only power isn't your thing, there's also a conventional scholar/mage type magic where you have to learn. Some Elden Ring influence seems to have seeped in, but it's still its own thing. Besides, there's a risk for doing it terribly.
  People
  Different from Characters. They're the NPCs of the world, serving the plot namelessly. Humans, demi humans (bekkis), giants and special "Crafted Races" are the shtick here, and they even get ample screen time! Diversity is pleasant.
  Characters and the Protagonist(s)
  Debatably the best part of the story. Most characters are fleshed out with their own personalities. The story has dual protagonists living in the same body and there's a great dynamic between the two. Near the end, though, she does get a bit overpowered.
  Abilities
  Most are unique with out of the box use cases. Love seeing seemingly normal and niche things getting applied in a clever way to get astonishing results.
  The villains
  Well, the boss characters are great, but there's mainly one overarching enemy that feels like more of a natural disaster than an actual being. I really love seeing overpowered main villains and this story delivers.
  Romance
  Why is (almost) ever