Shattered Soul, Boundless World

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Asher was a man who had already lost the war. His family—gone. His purpose—shattered. His will to live—reduced to embers. Betrayed by those he trusted and broken by a past steeped in blood, he made a single, desperate choice... and vanished into the unknown.

But the void is not silence. Not here.

He awakens in a world torn apart by ancient cataclysm, where floating shards of land drift through a sky laced with raw magic. Ruins mutter to themselves in dead languages, and power thrums beneath the surface like a second heartbeat. In this fractured realm, where kingdoms rise atop Aether Veins and shadowed things stir behind the Veil, Asher must face more than monsters and warlords—he must confront the wreckage of himself.

Guided by riddles, haunted by memory, and bound to a mark he doesn’t understand, he walks a path of blood and fire, forging a new legacy from the ruins of the old. The deeper he goes, the clearer it becomes: this world doesn’t need a hero.

It needs a survivor. A rebel. A reckoning.

And Asher may be all that’s left.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: Veylor

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Followers: 42
Views: 14,261

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

Queenie IVRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style Score
The style is very good, the descriptions makes you feel like you are in the story. You can practically see everything in your head like a movie. The flow of the story is good and nothing felt out of place. It also feels like isekai but with a different spin.
Story Score
The story and world building is impressive, I like the different types of magic (Elemental, Arcane and blood magic) also the use of aether. It feels like there is more to be uncovered in this new world with the god that assists both Asher and Vicky. The story has a plot that leaves you wanting more to see our everything unfold in the new world.
Grammar Score
I am not perfect with grammar but I honestly found no grammar mistakes. Maybe it's there but I was too distracted by the story to notice. There is no jarring grammar mistakes or mix of dialogues that breaks you out of the story. Good job!
Character Score
I love the cast, Asher (MC) and what he went through which he still struggles with. I sympathize with him and his loss and glad it wasn't glossed over.
The only problem I had was that Vicky feels unnatural, from her care of Asher, to follow him to another world despite the consequences. I don't have the emotional attachment towards her like I feel for Brynn but as I continued to read on, she was starting to grow on me slowly and I plan to read more to follow her development.
Overall
I hope readers give this a try and show this story the love it deserves. I'm a bit happy I found this story late so that I can binge read the rest later xD
Support the author by following or adding to favorites and I hope the author keeps it up!
flosslikeabossRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Love the book! The haunting and beautifully written exploration of a shattered soul, this novel pulls readers into the depths of pain, resilience, and redemption. The prose is lyrical, the emotions raw, and the journey unforgettable. A gripping, introspective tale that lingers long after the final page. It’s truly a masterpiece of the human spirit.
DragonsAndFaeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Veylor’s Shattered Soul, Boundless World doesn’t pull punches. From the opening chapters, it grips you with raw emotion and relentless stakes, throwing protagonist Asher into a world that is as broken as he is. There’s no easy heroism here—only pain, struggle, and the thin line between redemption and destruction. It’s dark, immersive, and at times, gut-wrenching. And despite a few areas that could use fine-tuning, it’s an absolute standout in dark fantasy.
The Writing (4.5/5) – There’s a poetic brutality to Veylor’s style. Combat is visceral, the landscapes feel alive, and the internal struggles hit hard. Occasionally, the prose gets a little lost in introspection, but the weight of the words never feels unnecessary.
The Story (4.5/5) – A mix of personal tragedy and world-shattering conflict, the narrative does an excellent job of balancing emotional depth with high-stakes adventure. The lore surrounding the Aether Veins and the Sunderingadds a layer of mystery and grandeur. The only minor drawback? A few transitions between major events could flow a bit more smoothly.
The Characters (4/5) – Asher is compelling, torn between his own demons and the burdens placed upon him. Supporting characters like Brynn and Vickyare strong, though a few side characters could use more presence. The internal corruption that threatens Asher is one of the book’s best elements—it’s not just an external force; it’s woven into his very being.
Grammar and Flow (4/5) – Mostly polished, with some areas that could be a little tighter. There are a handful of minor grammatical hiccups, but nothing that derails the immersion.
This is not a light read. Shattered Soul, Boundless World is heavy, layered, and unafraid to explore the darkest corners of loss and vengeance. It thrives on raw emotion, stunning world-building, and a protagonist who is as haunted as he is dangerous. If you like your fantasy with depth, intensity, and a world that feels lived-in, this one is worth picking up.
Would I rec
RponkRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The narrative bursts with energy and excitement, drawing readers in with its high stakes and real consequences for the characters. This creates a captivating and unpredictable atmosphere that keeps the audience fully engaged. The story thrives on its intensity, immersing readers in a whirlwind of events and emotions.
An even clearer approach to the plot and character development could enhance the story's flow, making it easier for readers to follow and appreciate the intricate details. Simplifying certain aspects would ensure that the excitement and action stand out even more, delivering a more impactful experience.
Overall, the story is an exhilarating read, filled with dynamic action and compelling characters. Every twist and turn adds to the excitement, making it a memorable and enjoyable journey for the audience. The characters' adventures and the high-energy events they face create a vivid and engaging world that readers will love.
Keep up the fantastic work, and continue to thrill readers with your exhilarating storytelling. With a few adjustments to the narrative flow, the story has the potential to become even more outstanding. It's a commendable and riveting piece of work that promises great things ahead. The readers are bound to be eager for more. Cheers!!
OmniLightningRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Style: A dark and gritty story from the start. The story moves easily from scene to scene. The action is not drawn out, overly dramatic, or overly choreographed. I do find the way the monsters at the beginning are formed a little confusing, and suggest a little more explanation on that front.
Grammar: No issues that I could detect as far as spelling and grammar go. There are, however, some spacing issues that could be easily fixed to enhance the reading experience.
Character: The main character is tough and gritty. However, the way he suddenly accepts that he is in a new world tied to some entity and seems to get over or move on from the traumatic events that got him there, feels too sudden and does not align with his demeanor up until that point. A little more explanation of his feelings or inner dialogue may help the transition feel more organic.
Story: A new take on the isekai phenomenon, where a person from Earth is summoned or somehow pulled to a new world to help save it as its new hero. However, this story is much more than that. It is a story of a man finding a way to live in his new life with the tragedies of his old life still haunting him.
Eva_EverquillRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
What really caught me off guard was how Asher’s past gets probed by Brynn, and he has no idea it’s happening. It adds an intriguing layer to his character, making him even more complex and multifaceted. Despite the heavy burden of his past, he ultimately becomes a beacon of hope for the town, fighting for something greater than himself. His personal growth and struggles are compelling, and it’s inspiring to see him rise above his past.
The camaraderie between the characters is another highlight of the story. It’s refreshing to see everyone working together, helping each other survive in a world that’s been ravaged by war and filled with dangerous creatures. The dynamic between the characters is rich, with each one bringing their unique strengths to the table. This sense of unity gives the story a deeper emotional resonance, making it more than just a fight for survival.
That being said, the chapters do vary in length, and sometimes the read feels a bit heavy. It’s an intense story—sometimes dark enough that you might want to keep the lights on while reading, because it can get a little scary. There are also some grammatical errors here and there, but honestly, they don’t detract from the overall immersion of the story.
If you’re into dark, complex tales with rich character depth, this one’s definitely worth checking out.
Melanie86Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
It took me too long to figure this out, well to be honest I never saw the review panel. I can blame it on my little girl who hasn't arrived yet. So far Veylor I have only read two chapters, yes I'm a little slow, but I do get there.
I wanted though to express my immediate views, can I simply say I am impressed, deeply. I can see this is going to be a very emotional journey, not only for Asher, but for me as a reader. And I'll be honest, I normally won't even look at horror. But there was something in your first message to me, that said, now here is a great and sincere writer. So I am compelled to follow you on your journey. Thank you for your immaculate story so far.
Melanie
M.E. CheRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Shattered Soul, Boundless World is a fantasy story that begins with a strong noir-inspired prologue, introducing a compelling protagonist and his complex relationships. The narrative transitions into a fantasy setting, where the protagonist is thrust into a new world with mysterious entities, high stakes and potentially deep lore.
Strong Opening: The prologue set's a noir-like tone, which is rare and refreshing in fantasy.
Compelling Characters: The protagonist and supporting characters are well-written and relatable, with nuanced relationships this trend continues.
Nuanced Themes: The story handles themes like despair and betrayal with depth and sensitivity.
Engaging Writing: The prose is clean and immersive, making it easy to read and enjoy.
I recommend Shattered Soul, Boundless World to fans of dark fantasy and apocalyptic mythoses who enjoy character-driven narratives. The story isn't perfect, but its strong opening, compelling characters, and unique world make it worth a read. If you’re looking for a fantasy story that gets right to the action and keeps going, give this one a try!
Rune_ReaderRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Here’s my honest review of your story up until Chapter 24, rated in four categories:
Your story is an ambitious and immersive fantasy tale with a lot of heart, blending strong world-building with character-driven storytelling. It has moments of brilliance, particularly in its more emotional and intense scenes, but there are areas that could benefit from tightening in pacing, prose, and consistency.
Your plot has a solid foundation, with a compelling premise and intriguing developments. The world feels lived-in, and there’s a clear effort to create depth in lore and history. Some twists work exceptionally well, catching the reader off guard in a good way. However, at times, pacing can be inconsistent—some sections feel a little drawn out, while others rush past major developments that deserve more weight. A little restructuring could help elevate the storytelling further.
Your prose is engaging and, at times, beautifully written, but it occasionally struggles with balance. Some descriptions are vivid and cinematic, while others lean too much into exposition or could use more refinement for clarity. When the writing flows well, it’s excellent, but in some places, it feels either overly elaborate or too sparse. There’s a lot of potential for a more polished and cohesive narrative voice.
Overall, your grammar is strong, with only minor issues—occasional awkward phrasing, misplaced commas, or sentences that could be restructured for better readability. It doesn’t detract from the reading experience too much, but a professional edit or another careful pass would smooth things out.
Your characters are the strongest aspect of your story. They feel real, with distinct voices, personalities, and motivations. The relationships between them are well-developed, and their growth over the chapters is believable and satisfying. There are a few side characters who could use a little more depth, but your main cast is compelling and easy to get invested in.
Your story is already quite
TheLostBoyRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Shattered Soul, Boundless World is a story that takes place in, ironically, the complete opposite of a boundless world -- at least at its start. The world Asher finds himself in is plagued and rotted, dying and on its last legs. Hope had all but been extinguished with each passing day growing darker and solemner -- humanity and life as we know it was coming to a bitter standstill. Until, a Hero is born; and Asher is our Hero.
The story's style is rich when it wants to be. It excels, particularly, in scenes involving loss and depravity. Do be warned, this story immediately delves upon triggering content; our main character is ruptured from the inside out and later finds himself in a world far more shattered than even himself. With that, I only wish the story's pace occasionally slowed -- I'd appreciate more time to smell the roses -- to highlight hope in a world that appears hopeless.
The story's grammar could occasionally use some work; nothing a quick read through couldn't fix. Sometimes the beginning word of a sentence isn't capitalized or a character's dialogue won't be placed in quotes. Overall, however, none of the grammatical errors ruin the understanding of the story, so it's still able to be easily digested.
The characters are by far the highlight of this story. As aforementioned, Veylor does an incredible job delivering the utter depths of a character's inner-turmoil. We feel their stress, tiredness, and fear through the page. Additionally, many of the characters are full-fledged adults. Some even Elders. It's a pleasant shift from the young adult dominated website we find ourselves on.
And finally, the story's... well... story is a unique blend between grimdark, isekai, and classic fables of old. Early on in the story, we have an established good side and bad side. Our objective is made clear and, although the path is treacherous, our main character will stop at nothing until the corruption is vanquished. Expect it to be action packed and a bumpy road, but