Shattered Memories

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Saul, a retired shaman, exiled for leading a rebellion, awaits his final rest in the quiet woodlands of his homeland. When a wounded demon-child appears on his doorstep, however, he discovers that humanity has need of him yet. Follow along the brave duo as they travel around their corner of the world.

This is a story of growth, of connections, and not of high-tension combat (or, at least, not a large amount). My hope with this story is that you come away from it feeling better than you were before.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: GrandstandingTortoise

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 2
Views: 3,301

Reviews

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Community Reviews(2)

Aaron P. CurryRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
A gritty, atmospheric Progression Fantasy that blends "Found Family" tropes with a hauntingly unique magic system. Saul, a veteran with a scarred past, and Anna, a demon child fleeing an unknown "storm," anchor a story that feels both intimate and epic.
The prose is sensory-heavy—relying on the scents of pine and blood to ground the reader. The dialogue is a standout; watching Saul and Anna navigate their language barrier is both charming and heart-wrenching. The transition from "cozy cabin survival" to "political road trip" is handled with a sense of encroaching dread that keeps the pages turning.
The Memory Magic (using "Memory Marbles," "Popbushes," “Feathers”) gives a new and creative magic style. It creates a literal "empathy link" between characters.
A massive shout-out to the author for the Lexicon provided in the comment section after each chapter. The author includes a "Demon-to-Common" dictionary (e.g., Ħadar for Father/Elder; ʡüš for rest) that adds an incredible layer of immersion. It transforms the reading experience into a puzzle, allowing the community to decode Anna’s warnings (like “ʜučár”) alongside Saul.
While the chapters are on the shorter side, they are dense with development. There is a lot covered in a short amount of space.
If you love The Witcher’s grit mixed with the "Protector" energy of The Last of Us, this is your next binge. The added effort in the comment-section glossaries makes this a near 5-star experience for lore-hunters.
LightBlueAndGoldenBrownRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Quite nice, but if I have one complaint, let it be this:
Format your goddamn paragraphs properly! Is double-spacing really that hard?
It wouldn't be hard to do! and not spacing properly makes your story so much harder to actually read!
... Half a star has been taken for sheer indignance, that's really the only thing I hold against you here.