Scarlet Dominion

Information

Status

Completed

Year

2023

Author

MizarCaph

• Chapter 15: Descent
  May 4, 2023
• Chapter 14: Bad Omens - Part 3
  Apr 29, 2023
• Chapter 13: Bad Omens - Part 2
  Apr 27, 2023
• Chapter 12: Bad Omens - Part 1
  Apr 22, 2023
• Chapter 11: Confrontation
  Apr 20, 2023
• Chapter 10: Ambush
  Apr 15, 2023
• Chapter 9: Restoration
  Apr 13, 2023
• Chapter 8: Pierce the Veil - Part 3
  Apr 8, 2023
• Chapter 7: Pierce the Veil - Part 2
  Apr 7, 2023
• Chapter 6: Pierce the Veil - Part 1
  Apr 6, 2023
• Chapter 5: Collapse
  Apr 1, 2023
• Chapter 4: Lullaby
  Apr 1, 2023
• Chapter 3: Acclimation
  Mar 30, 2023
• Chapter 2: Judgment
  Mar 27, 2023
• Chapter 1: Ascension
  Mar 27, 2023
• Prologue
  Mar 27, 2023

Reviews

Community Reviews(9)

• rachasuddRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This story gripped me with its relatable lead. She is a fantasy princess who makes a pact with a god, but her concerns and problems were understandable and compelling. The friendship between her and her handmaiden was the main reason I kept reading. Their scenes felt genuine and light, despite the dark tone of the story, but they never detracted from my suspension of disbelief.
  Grammar: no complaints. The author clearly cares about the story and everything reads fine.
  Style: there is an effective use of description when it comes to landscapes and clothes. As the reader, I am never left guessing what is happening and where. The description is not lavish, and though there are occasional descriptive paragraphs it never disrupts the flow of the prose. Overall it paints the world and keeps the pace humming along.
  Story: Even though the prologue is a flashforward, I was still kept guessing during the early chapters. This shows real skill on the author’s part and I’m excited to see what they do next. Even in the first few chapters, there is a twist or revelation in every upload. I have just read chapter 5, and the outcome really shocked me. Despite knowing how some things play out, the journey is authentic and not at all predictable. I don’t just care if something happens, I’m excited to see how it happens.
  Character: I love the dynamic between the two main characters. Both women -- the princess and her friend/assistant  -- and they both offer each other a complementary personality trait. I am not sure if a romance will bloom between them, but it is either suggested or they are just good friends. Not that anything erotic has happened, the chemistry is just that good. REALLY GOOD CHEMISTRY. There is banter without it being cringe, and whenever the spotlight is on those two the whole story feels like it is taking a breath.
  The other characters all serve their functions. There is a sense of “one dimensional with depth” in that a character is presented as one thing i.e. “cruel
• Dads Bedtime StoriesRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Whenever I write a review, I like to point out a few things that explain why I write what I write and how I get to the score I give.
  First, I read a lot.  Like well over 1000 pages each week across Kindle / RR / Paper Books / etc.  My wife hates it sometimes, but I'm ok with it since I find time to hide away and do this.
  Second, reviews are based on that story in its genre.  It doesn't matter if its progressive, LITRPG or straight fantasy.  I hold it to its own category.
  This is one of the first stories I have come across in a while that features a MC like this and has a relationship that is well created and done with their 'sidekick' (I use that word lightly, but it isn't a true sidekick either.  Read the story to understand).
  Relationship there is well done and I like how the author sets it up.
  The conflict between the King / Queen (Parents) is handled well also.  One rules by their authority and follows the rules as they see fit and the other has a hatred for the MC.  It builds up nicely for an early climax that sets the stage for what happens early in the story to create the future that this world revolves around.
  Other characters add well to the mix of story development and provide a good feeling for how the world as a whole interacts with the MC as well as other's.
  Story development is good.  We see a glimpse of 'power' reached in first chapter and flash back to what brought us to this point.  Think of a slow burn at the start.  Background is important and often people ignore giving us a good understanding of what drives a MC or led them to the place they are.
  I found the grammar and word usage to be very descriptive and well done.  Many of the words used to describe feelings, emotions, ways of speaking, and other aspects of the story caught me off guard as often RR and other stories fall into limited categories of repeated words over and over.  The author does a good job of using strong verbs, conveying the actions without a lot of extra verbiage.
  The story i
• VeryBigMessRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Overall
  Scarlet Dominion is a gripping tale of a woman clawing her way out of the fate she has been thrust into while grappling with the price of her ambition. Set in an intriguing fantasy world, it is a captivating read all the way from the prologue which leaves you wondering how things will progress with every chapter.
  Characters
  The characters - especially the protagonist and deuteragonist - are definitely the core of the story, and it is probably what makes or breaks the story for readers. But subjective preferences aside, there is no denying that they are wonderfully fleshed out. Rhea and Remuria share a sweet bond that occasionally seems very stark in contrast to the bleakness of what's going on around them (in the good, "she is the only light in my world" kind of way). I can't help but root for them and their struggles as they try to defy what the world expects of them.
  Story
  Although the general skeleton of the plot itself is nothing overly unique in the fantasy scene, I think the world-building more than makes up for it. It is truly a pleasure to explore the world through the eyes of the characters and the dialogue. It is rich in both magic and political intrigue, and each new revelation about it leaves me in wonder.
  I do hope to see more about the price that Rhea has to pay for her newfound power, though, and how she grapples between her ambition and her humanity.
  Style & Grammar
  The writing style flows very well and is very fitting for the story's setting. Grammar seems to be on point for the most part, and any mistakes are near negligible.
  Will be keeping my eyes on this story. Can't wait to see how things unfold!
• keeganashleyliveRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  What a thrilling read! This one hooked me from the beginning and, I have to admit, that is hard to do. I was immediately drawn in by the characters. Even in the beginning, when we know hardly anything about them and the story is at its infancy, they feel deep and well-developed. And this is only something the author only further develops as we dive into the story. Rhea was an at-once favorite of mine---instantly. I felt she was extremely relatable, and I really wanted her to win as things began to go south for her. I was rooting for her!
  The twist was good---I won’t give it away. The story is well fleshed out and well thought out. I enjoyed the entire sum of it. This isn’t a review where I’m just giving it five stars to give it five stars. I really enjoyed the premise, the characters and the world. Moreover, I feel everything was very well done: the grammar, the style… Everything just made for an action-packed, grip-you-tight, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat read.
  And I appreciate that.
  So, kudos to the author. Well done and bravo. You led with the characters, and I followed. Thank you for the treat of reading this one!
• IcanicaRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Read until chapter 8 part 3! My take so far!
  Overall:
  I love it! 10/10 so far! I'll continue reading!
  Style:
  - Tone: The tone is quite serious and interesting. Not much of a comedic element which is good for this work. Sometimes comedy can add something but this story doesn't need it at all!
  - Voice: The voice of the author is one that is not complicated yet not overly simple either, a good narrative style. The POV is third person but doesn't go into too much unnecessary lore descriptions, that's something I myself have problems with when writing. The narration describes the MC's life and thoughts pretty well and mixes in plenty of intrigue alongside the events of the current plot for any chapter you're reading. I also appreciate the attention to detail that the author has when describing various settings, especially noble / royal type settings and the world in general.
  - POV: Third person mostly over the shoulder of Rhea, the MC. Good for this story.
  - Narrative structure: The prologue begins in an odd way but I'm enjoying the story nonetheless. The pacing feels just right to me.
  - Imagery: I think the imagery is definitely well described. Potent depictions of dragons, demons, gods, magic circles, odd planes of reality, etc. All of it described in just enough detail without ruining the narrative flow.
  - Symbolism: The most obvious symbolism can be found in the ritual and its aspects. Otherwise, nothing noteworthy, though that might just be my own reading ability lol
  - Themes: Humanity, Desperation, persecution, friendship, love, revenge(?)
  Story:
  The prologue starts in the future and we're taken to the past. Sometimes this has a limiting factor to a story, as if you are now constrained so that whatever you write, it has to reach this point exactly. However, I'm intrigued by how things got there so I'm fine with the prologue. I very much appreciate the attention to detail concerning the settings as well as the world building slowly being introduced chapter by chapte
• JohnNadaRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Excellent fiction so far,
  Rhea and Remuria's relationship is fantastic and the hint you gave of where they will end up in the Prologue was an excellent way to foreshadow the coming conflict between the two.
  What is the price that Rhea is paying for her decision? I really hope this is going in the direction I believe it is.
  This is a great mix between supernatural elements and classic Game of Thrones world building - I'll be back for more.
• NotoriousRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Occasionally I like to go through stories that are just starting out, just to see what other people have thought up. Truth is, when I did it today and chose the Scarlet Dominion to pick up, I didn't expect to be quite as captivated as I was.
  To get the negatives out of the way, there's some mixed tenses in the prologue, a mistake which is present nowhere else in the story. It'd be a shame to have a reader drop it just because of that, because the rest is so, so worth it!
  This is a story of love, change, and the sheer force of human ambition. I honestly admire the world and characters the author has woven together in this narrative, and I can start to fathom at all the small, interconnected threads they used in the background. There's a certain confidence in the storytelling that leaves you shaken and with a pit in your stomach when things inevitably go awry. I won't spoil anything, but you should definitely give this story a shot!
  Style
  As far as style goes, it is crisp and sharp, with descriptions that are straight to the point and illuminating. Enough to create a scene and give you a hint of more, before the action and dialogue draw you in again. I was considering leaving this at 4.5, but there's a noticeable improvement toward the later chapters so I'll make that a 5 as well.
  Grammar
  No mistakes that I could spot. Not an expert, but I'm sure there's nothing egregious.
  Story
  Original, I'd say. Royalty turning to dark forces beyond is not an uncommon theme, but it's executed so well here that it keeps your interest throughout. The world seems meticulously built, and a great canvas for the conflict that lies ahead.
  Characters
  I love them. Rhea and Remuria have such a sweet genuine connection, quickly turned unique by the nature of their forms, new and old. It's cute to see all their interactions and how they experience the world around them with bravery despite the odds and the unknown, strange forces that have been so closely entwined with their lives.
  For fans of
• FreiPixelzRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Overall:
  Scarlet Dominion is an engaging story about a woman fighting against her predetermined destiny while facing the consequences of her ambition. Set in a fantasy world, it keeps you hooked from the beginning, leaving you eager to see what happens next.
  Character:
  The characters, especially the main and secondary protagonists, are the heart of the story. They are well-developed and their bond provides a contrast to the harshness of their surroundings. You can't help but root for them as they challenge society's expectations.
  My only small gripe is that only the two protagonists are explored early on, while the other characters are either forgotten, ignored, or only explored by the two protagonists talking to each other. Though I'm sure it's only happening at the beginning of the story and may change in the future.
  Story:
  While I haven't progressed far into the story, I can tell that there is some deep lore hidden that is progressively being revealed, Gods, Kingdoms, magic, and mysteries, It will keep you yearning to read more.
  My only complaint with the story is that not much of the background of this world gets explored, maybe It'll get explored later on, but there are a lot of questions that are unanswered in the beginning such as why is there a centuries-old tradition of only the most magically gifted sons could inherit the throne? If the king and Queen don't like the main protagonist, then why didn't they just kill her or marry her off to a different kingdom? is there even a different kingdom? why do the kingdoms exist in the first place? Is it because there are many dangers outside the kingdom? Do they have wars? Is there a threat outside the Kingdom? Why does Remuria (Second protagonist) follow Rhea (first protagonist) when it seems like everyone doesn't like her? There are a lot of questions that aren't explored though I'm hopeful that everything gets explained later on.
  Grammer/Style:
  The writing style is seamless and complements the story's setting. Gr
• CKMoRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Without spoiling it, if you like fast-paced action in a gothic-horror(-ish) setting, this is a story to check out.
  The author sticks to their setting and does a fantastic job of making sure you know it's there without it being the centerpiece. The writing conveys the story well and the plot beats progress at a steady pace. I have no complaints about the world so far, and it has the basics of everything necessary to sustain the suspension of disbelief.
  There were a few moments where I thought I'd fall into an expected trope only for it to be turned on my expectations, which was quite something.
  The plot's next goal is always clear and the motivations are explained in due time. This is less of a complaint and more of a personal taste thing; it isn't much of an issue for readers who want more plot and things happening instead of less build-up time. I also think this might be unavoidable given that the trifecta of plot-character-world is always very hard to balance in a satisfying manner, and I fully acknowledge that I'm the type of reader who prefers intricate plots and settings.
  The characters themselves are quite interesting enough to follow, and some quirky details do breathe life into them. Some revelations bring along more questions, which is never bad. However, it does feel at times that the characters are playing their parts to serve the plot and story. I do hope that going forward, more about the characters are revealed and more life is given to them.
  My advice to the author in this case would be to ask yourself where your characters would disagree with where you are trying to bring the plot.
  Overall, it's a very approachable story to get into and worth a read just for their treatment on setting alone. I also very much appreciate that it is LGBTQ+ friendly.