Shadow-walker

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Ean, a shadow-walker’s apprentice, only has two months left before he must take the final trials. Hestillcan’t catch an arrow. Growing desperate, he accepts a treacherous offer: assassinate the Crown Prince in exchange for his graduation. He is promptly captured in the attempt. Instead of execution, he is released on a blood-oath to protect that same Prince on a dangerous quest to find a magical sword. As they journey, Ean finds himself thrust into the role of protector, advisor, and friend to the Prince and party. That trust will surely be shattered if they ever learn of his crimes. Battling spies, Wildmen, and his own guilt, Ean struggles with the unexpected choice in front of him—remain the cynical assassin he always thought he was, or become the noble hero, even if that means sacrificing himself for the Prince. But Ean isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Someone manipulated him onto this quest for a purpose of their own. The only question is: will Ean live long enough to discover it? What to expect: - Anit-hero lead - An epic quest through breath-taking landscapes, hidden villages, and astounding cities - A satisfying redemption arc - Action, adventure, danger, and battles - Some light martial arts - Found family dynamics - A surprising amount of singing - Maybe some dragons? This story is completely written, minus some light editing I do before each post. It stands at 130,000 words. New chapters are posted Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: NaomiMcQuown

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 224
Views: 23,037

What readers say about Shadow-walker

“This story is the example of a simple, solid fantasty story done right.It offers an intriguing premise of a young assasin attempting to kill the prince, only to end up in servitude.The worldbuilding, plot, and character dynamics are among the best I've seen…”
167fiveRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“First things first, I gotta say I first read this novel with a review swap in mind. By the time I finished what I said I'd read I already followed. This is a fantastic novel in concept and in execution, and has turned me into a reader. Not out of obligation…”
MonkeySleepsWellRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

167fiveRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is the example of a simple, solid fantasty story done right.It offers an intriguing premise of a young assasin attempting to kill the prince, only to end up in servitude.The worldbuilding, plot, and character dynamics are among the best I've seen, and the writing style and prose is great.The tiny things that make up the MC is great, like the detail that no matter how much he tries, he cannot catch an arrow.Overall, this story is a fantasty and action must-read. Readers who are interested in such things will enjoy this one very much.
MonkeySleepsWellRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
First things first, I gotta say I first read this novel with a review swap in mind. By the time I finished what I said I'd read I already followed. This is a fantastic novel in concept and in execution, and has turned me into a reader. Not out of obligation but out of the joy I get from the content.—Style—Amazingly written prose with a tendency towards purple, but does so in a fantastic way that keeps you immersed and wanting for more. Descriptions are vivid and really set the mood for what you're getting into.There were only one or two sentences in the entire first portion of the novel that made me stop and have to re-read. Very, very good.—Grammar—Well written and paced, only one sentence stood out to me as something that could be re-written.—Character—The characters are absolutely the driving force of the novel, each character believable, distinct and interesting. The main character Ean is flawed and has moments of weakness, making him a very interesting character you want to root for. Even those around him who may seem openly cruel all have good reasonings to do so, there isn't a single character that I've read so far that felt convoluted or forced.Insanely well done by the author!—Story—It feels weird to call a story this good the weakest part of the novel. That's not me trying to say it's at all bad, I've still placed it at 5 stars because it's great. The reason why I say it's the weakest part, is that for Royal Road and webnovels the pacing is slightly slower paced. I quite like slower paced works which is why I've placed it at 5 stars.The world is in-depth and interesting, and is well presented over the course of the chapters. You're not left wanting for details and exposition as they seamlessly set themselves into the story.—Overall—I highly recommend you read this novel, it's shadow-walker might seem cliche at first and that's because it is. But that doesn't detract away from the story at all, it's honest, it's believable and it does what it promises very
Tim WoodRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Wow! What a first chapter. I was immediately drawn into the situation and rapport between the MC and their mentor. I really like the world building in this story, the
failure the MC has in catching arrows
gives me great background into their motivation to get the job done but also suggests that this particular issue will come up, it's nice seed laying.
I'm impressed by this, this story is right up my streets and feels dark, juicy and cool as heck.
I'm impressed, have my follow!
blugailRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
“Shadow-walker” reminds me of some of the best works of fantasy out there, like those by Robin Hobb or Lois McMaster Bujold.
The MC, Ean, is an apprentice shadow-walker, a sort of ethical assassin. He thinks he’s going to fail the final test to become a full shadow-walker, so he delays his trials by taking on a job… to assassinate a prince… which goes horribly wrong…
…and now he finds himself bound by a blood oath to save that same prince’s life, and is thrown into a group of caring, supportive people, that just feels wrong to an introverted assassin like himself. (Only the king knows Ean tried to assassinate the prince)
A lot of the narrative takes place in Ean’s head as he gauges his new companions. His own guilt for trying to assassinate one of them seems to be building, so he finds himself an outsider looking in.
The dialogue between the companions shares center-stage with Ean’s introspection. They’re a fun lot: a general, an apprentice mage, a noble, and a Chad(who’s very wich).
Parts of it definitely feel slice-of-life, like when the group discusses romance novels, or settles local agricultural disputes.
I guess I’m just impressed by the level of detail and care that went into this. Naomi McQuown has lovingly crafted a whole world for us to explore. It’s familiar enough so that I didn’t have to “get my bearings” while unique enough, so that I’m never quite sure what’s over the next hill.
No issues with grammar or anything like that.
This is a book that makes me feel like I’m spending time with friends...
… and I want to see Ean grow and change.
There’s so much possibility, I recommend it!
emexoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Shadow-walker does such an incredible job with the world exposition and story set up, I was hooked from the get go!! I really like the main protagonist Ean, and I feel like his character is complex and nuanced in a way that makes him so compelling!
Style and Grammar:
LET ME TELL YOU WHEN I SAY the prose and narrative voice of this story is SO GOOD! The author does an incredible job of balancing descriptions with narrative beats, letting important moments simmer, and really immersing the reader in the world of the story. The choice of words and sentence structure is just--chef's kiss. I love it!
Story and Characters:
the main protagonist is meant to be an outsider seeking reluctant redemption, and I think the way the rest of the core cast is introduced-- paired with their mannerisms, interactions, and Ean's internal voice-- really highlights the disparity he feels between him and them! I absolute love how guarded and skeptical Ean is, how he's so unwilling to reach out and connect with the others who, in turn, don't seem as willing to interact with him either. It's such a juicy tension that I know will lead to some powerful narrative moments!
Overall, this is an incredible read!! I really enjoyed it so far, and will definitely keep checking back in for future updates! I can't wait to see how the story unfolds, and I highly recommend this if you're into fantasy! This story will not disappoint!!
Independent at TwoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is super immersive—draws you right in from the get-go. The best part is protagonist Ean’s whole deal: he’s trying to survive by passing his trials, so he bites the bullet and takes on this job to assassinate the prince. But he fails, gets captured, and ends up being forced to protect the guy he was supposed to kill. That twist is so dramatic and it makes total sense. Ean’s anxiety about failing, that mix of relying on his mentor Felix but also pushing back against him—it all feels so real. He’s not some over-the-top, unrealistic hero. You can actually relate to him.
The side characters aren’t just afterthoughts either. Felix’s worry isn’t just empty nagging—it’s genuine concern for his student. The king isn’t just some one-note tyrant, and even Royal Mage Aldine has that calm, secretive vibe that totally works. The worldbuilding unfolds naturally too. The tension between Eastmere and Westenvale, the Shadow-Walker guild’s rules, the legend of the Eld Sword—all that stuff comes out as the plot moves along. It doesn’t feel like the story’s shoving lore down your throat, which is awesome. It’s easy to read without feeling like a chore.
This story has so much potential. Watching Ean learn to work with the group later, dealing with Westenvale pursuers or whatever dangers pop up on the road, and him figuring out what “justice” really means for him—all that stuff promises to be awesome.
J.MarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you’re looking for a well crafted fantasy adventure story, this is worth your time.The story follows Ean as he makes some less than advisable choices on an assassination target and gets looped into a quest with said target. While the story is still in the beginning stages, the engaging characters, detailed prose, and interesting world building have made it an enjoyable read thus far.Character:Ean is an interesting, relatable main character who I’m curious to see developed throughout his quest. The supporting characters are unique enough to stand out from each other, and the character interactions and group dynamics are smooth and well done.Grammar/Style:The story itself is well written and, if there are gramatical errors, they’re not so glaring as to have disrupted my reading and I’ve not noticed them. The story flows well with nicely detailed scenes with enough description to paint a picture but not so much as to bog down the pacing.Story:The actual content of the story has been engaging so far and the dynamic of an assassin traveling with the man he was originally going to kill is an exciting prospect for drama later in the story.The only reason this isn’t a 5/5 score is because I feel we’re still in the setup and have not yet gotten to the meat of the story, so it’s hard to judge. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes a 5/5 story.Overall, I could easily see myself picking up this book in the fantasy section of my library and I’m excited to see what unexpected dangers Ean will face on his quest.
KnifeslayerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
From the opening mis-step to the early quest, Shadow-walker takes a bold, suspense-filled arc and gives it emotional weight. The protagonist, Ean, starts with desperate failure—and by chapter six he’s immersed in a dangerous mission with no clear path back. The writing balances heart-pounding action with quieter moments of reflection and guilt. I especially enjoyed how the story feels like a stealth-mission videogame turned fantasy epic—every mis-move matters, every shadow hides risk. There’s a clever blend of betrayal, redemption, and found-family dynamics that keeps you invested. If you like action-fantasy with serious stakes and meaningful growth, this is a strong start.
Character
Ean is well-crafted: flawed, relatable, and haunted by choice. Supporting characters show depth and purpose, not just side-roles—but allies, adversaries, and everything in between.
Grammar
The prose reads smoothly and confidently. Transitions between action scenes and internal monologue are seamless, and there are no jarring grammar issues—the writing supports immersion.
Story
A clever premise—assassin becomes protector under duress—gains momentum across six chapters. The setup is strong, stakes clear, and each chapter builds on the last without filler.
Style
The voice is atmospheric, tight, and cinematic. The use of shadow imagery, tension in pacing, and the world’s gritty realism make the tone memorable and immersive.
L.D.B.Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Nice story. I have started reading it, and there is something about it that is important for me; it is different. An assassin ends up protecting his former target! That's a really good thing to base a story on.
This style is excellent; it is well written with good pacing, which means I do not feel like I am being overloaded with information nor being left in the dark. Really cinematic too, which I like.
The grammar is excellent, as you would expect, with no glaring mistakes, and everything fits together well.
The story is really impressive. As I have already mentioned, the idea is excellent, and this is finally a true, guild-building story. Not as much about the main character as it is the actual guild. I haven't seen one of these in like forever. If this changes later, I will be upset.
The characters are probably the highlight of this, which makes it so good though. The flashbacks and the prologue both help give an excellent impression of the main character and who he is. Also, his kind of 'normality' is really good in my opinion, as it makes it a slice of life despite him being an adventurer, because it would be really hard to use short flashbacks with lots of action; the flashbacks would probably become too long. The use of side characters is excellent too, and though they are not described quite as well as him, they are still excellent and very entertaining.
Miquella233Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Okay, I just binged through the first arc of this story, and I need to talk about it. If you’re into the "enemies-to-reluctant-allies" trope mixed with high-stakes fantasy and a main character who is absolutely going through the wringer, you need to pick this up!
Basically, we’ve got Ean, a "shadow-walker" (think ninja-assassin with some nasty dance moves), who failed to kill Prince Leo. Instead of getting executed, he’s bound by a blood oath to protect the Prince on a quest. It’s a classic setup, but the execution is spicy. The tension within the party is thick enough to really captivate the reader. Everyone hates Ean, Ean hates himself (and everyone else), and they are stuck camping together. It’s a great angst!
The Northpoint Arc was the highlight for me! The story shifts from a standard travelogue into straight-up survival horror. When Flora finally snapped and burned the whole town down? I was cheering, tbh. That was a massive payoff for her character!
The action scenes are crisp. I love how Ean’s fighting style is described as "dances" (Storm Dance, Fire Dance and etc). It makes the violence feel fluid and artistic, even when he’s stabbing people in the throat.
The travel chapters between the big events can drag a little. There’s a lot of walking and camping. But honestly, the character interactions usually carry it through.
The story is solid. It’s gritty without being grimdark or edgy, and the character dynamics are shifting in a really satisfying way. I’m fully invested in seeing if Ean ever gets the respect he deserves or if he just snaps (I wouldn't blame him). The writing flows well along with it. The descriptions of the shadow dances are unique, and the dialogue feels natural. No purple prose, just straight to the point.
Ean carries the cast, btw. The side characters are a bit archetypal (the Jock, the Ranger, the Wise Mentor), but they serve their purpose. Flora is breaking out of her mold nicely.
The grammar is squeaky clean! Didn't notice any glaring