Shadowbird

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

What if the villain won?Under the rule of a powerful mage who shapes the world to suit his desires, very little has changed in the last thousand years... until now.

Destiny's magic is forbidden, just like anything else that breaks the norm. Just like the faerie who inspires her to leave home in pursuit of a life she can truly love. Soon, Destiny realizes that their magic never was a curse, and that their found family is working to overthrow the god-king who protects Illustria from people like Destiny.It will be difficult. It will be dangerous. It might be Destiny’s path to their true self.

(In beta, constructive criticism welcome. LGBTQ+ fantasy cross-posted to Tapas. Updates Thursdays. New! cover byH. Wholegrain)

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Robin Kailis

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.9/ 5.0
Followers: 8
Views: 6,285

Reviews

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Community Reviews(2)

Miquella233Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I just binge-read the first ten chapters of this story, and I have some thoughts. This isn't a quick, shallow read; it’s a story that builds its world and characters with deliberate, often beautiful, care. I can see the passion put on the project from a mile away, specially considering the fact that the author did say that this is something that has been developed through their life for a long time.
The premise—"what if the villain won?"—is the hook! But the real narrative engine is intimate character drama. The first two-thirds of what I read are a masterclass in slow-burn setup. We follow Destiny’s escape from a stifling village and their integration into the Cantores pack, a traveling troupe of werewolves, sprites, and humans. It’s a found-family narrative executed with warmth and authenticity. The plot is about Destiny chasing a self they can truly live as. This deep focus on identity (both queer and magical) is the story’s greatest strength. The promised "overthrowing the god-king" plot simmers in the background through lore and atmosphere until Chapter 10, where it explodes into the foreground with tension!
My only critique is that readers looking for immediate, action-packed rebellion might find the pacing of the first nine chapters deliberate. But for those who value character foundations, it’s perfectly paced. The inciting incident lands with maximum impact because you’re so invested in these people.
Now for the character aspect. This is where the story absolutely shines so far! Destiny is a profoundly relatable and sympathetic protagonist. Their journey of gender discovery is handled with nuance, showing the confusion, fear, euphoria, and ongoing negotiation of identity in a way that feels real, not like a checklist. The surrounding cast is equally vivid. Vida is charismatic and layered, her flirtatious exterior hiding her own vulnerabilities, which are peeled back brilliantly in a key chapter from her POV. The Cantores pack also has each member with a dis
Goreman the GormlessRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
> Grammar - Nothing wrong that i noticed
> Style - The style is really well done, the world feels fleshed out from all the wee comments the first person narrator, as well as giving good insight into the protagonists thoghts and feels. The prose of the language does extent well to descriptions of characters and location, a good picture of them is established. The general tone of the novel, is quite well conveyed, I'd say that it reads rather similar to JA Andrews Keepers Origins, really good use of prose.
> Character & Story - (Character driven Story so they're intertwined) - The plot's pace is rather slow, not a criticism, the story feels confident to go at its own pace, establishing and building character. A good picture of the protagonist is created, their struggle with their idenity is well conveyed, particularly with the way the monologue discusses it in rather simplified or pidgeon terms. Although their is a lack of external conflict to play off the protagonists internal struggles most conflict they have with Vida is resolved rather quickly, meaning book gets into a slightly lerching pace, an with the constant positivity between characters, it can read at times like fan fiction. There is also occasionally a poor convaince of time, meaning everything feels like it came all at once. Still there is a good cozy tone established and you get a good feel for the protagonists conflicting desires fears wants and feelings, even if that comes at the cost of that depth and focus on other characters, but given the introspective nature of the conflict that is to be expected and still works.