Tallah [Book 2 Stubbed]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Tallah means to end an eternal empire and take the head of an empress. Her enemy is nigh immortal and wields power only few really understand. To take her down, Tallah's going to need power of her own. Lots of it. But time is not a friend, not when a mistake has brought the empire's attack hounds onto her scent.

Sil is stuck between a past she can't think on, and a future that will likely have her swinging on the end of a short rope... if lucky. Having escaped the empire's dungeons once, she has no other choice but to follow her friend on the warpath in the vain hope for a calm life beyond the mission.

Vergil should be dead. Twice even! Given a second lease on life on an alien world, he finds himself in thrall to an obviously insane sorceress and her equally terrifying partner, with the ghost of a dwarven hero sharing his headspace with a nearly useless AI companion. His rescue by the terrible duo may not be the stroke of luck he was hoping for. Dragged along by forces he can't conceive, he can only hope to find a clue as to why he's been brought to a place as horrible as Edana.

--------------------------------------

What to expect:

- Competent, highly-motivated MCs pursuing their own agendas on both sides;

- A mysterious world that may not be what it seems on first glance;

- Gods and their games, bloody battles and body horror;

- More magic than you can shake a wand at;

- Strategic soul theft.

--------------------------------------

Release schedule: Friday, 15:30 GMT

Average chapter length: 2000 - 3000 words

Feel free to reach me onDiscordfor any questions or just to say hi.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: C. M. ANTAL

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 1,467
Views: 221,323

What readers say about Tallah [Book 2 Stubbed]

“One of the most interesting dark fantasy novel I read. Each character has motto and sense, some has history to uncover and potential to develop. Got some popular references like Al*en, but tries to tell it's own story. It has its own vocabulary that looks r…”
rad10headRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Tallah provides an intriguing mix of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. The way technology and magic intertwine is something that makes you want to keep reading in order to figure out exactly how it all works together. The horror elements are woven throughout in…”
CKMoRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

rad10headRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
One of the most interesting dark fantasy novel I read. Each character has motto and sense, some has history to uncover and potential to develop. Got some popular references like Al*en, but tries to tell it's own story. It has its own vocabulary that looks real, not some gibberish.
CKMoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Tallah provides an intriguing mix of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. The way technology and magic intertwine is something that makes you want to keep reading in order to figure out exactly how it all works together. The horror elements are woven throughout in such a way that you stay on your toes but aren't bogged down by it either.
Style 5
Speaking as a writer myself, C.M. has a very interesting style. Their descriptions and dialogue struck a good balance of detailed but not overbearing, and thankfully I didn't find myself having to bust out a thesaurus mid sentence. Some works I've read have been a slog to get through, but not this one! Other than a few mildly confusing narrator switches between characters (possibly reader error on that part) I found Tallah easy to delve into. I really enjoy the stylistic choices and the level of detail is incredible.
Story 5
The story is great so far, and I'll honestly end up continuing to read the whole thing. The author has built an intriguing world that has you questioning everything, as you can tell there's so much information and detail behind it all. There are twists and turns one wouldn't expect, but after they happen it's a bit of an "Aha!" moment thinking back to the way they were set up or hinted towards.
I want to call out the worldbuilding as very well thought-out and detailed. Some stories the backdrop isn't really well thought out - this one, the background does matter and makes me feel far more immersed. It's not carried by characters alone.
Grammar 4.5
There were a few typos here and there but nothing that really detracted too badly from the story. Overall it seems to be a pretty polished piece. I have no complaints.
Character 4.5
The characters shine. Each one has their own unique personalities and backgrounds, and piecing together the information on them throughout the writing is quite fun. I particularly enjoy the attention to small quirks or ways they do/think things, and I'm really looking forward to where their
EAD12Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a pretty good read since you might get scared off by the media res beginning but it’s very much worth it. The writing style is also a bit unusual if you’re accustomed to reading litRPG that is common on this site but it’s for the better. The characters are intriguing complex, and complicated but I think it’s best if I leave out as many details as possible since it might hinder the experience. The style definitely takes some getting used to but its actually quite immersive as it leaves a lot to the imagination but fill in just enough gaps as you go along so that you discover this world in a very organic manner with little to no exposition as possible and thus immerse the readers through the viewpoint in a very well fleshed out manner.
I think that this is also a character first story and world second, the setting is definitely very strong but I would recommend this on the basis of amazing character work before anything else. Especially as you follow Tallah and Vergil’s viewpoints and get to see their internal and external conflicts, the drama within their hearts is just as captivating as the action.
HisperiaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Must say I’m hooked no two ways about it. The hard dark edge of mystery surrounding the past which is teasing the reader around the fringe of the storyline. The multilayered and perhaps multidimensional layers of intrigue in this violent and yet personally engaging world push the bounds of my own imagination. I love the balance of concepts and yet grate against the flawed sometimes incomprehensible and even cruel lead ladies. Yet I I’m invested and root for them nonetheless as while nothing has validated their actions hint enough at something admirable in the ends if not the means. With all this said the specter of doom hangs by a thread unknowingly under their noses in the form of their most earnest ally as powerful forces known and unknown seem drawn for purposes yet fully unknown. That is if seemly justified yet mysterious plans for revenge don’t come crashing down around them as competent enemies some admirable and some as stated a mirror of our two dangerous ladies. As plots thicken and hidden identities unravel in a race to stay one step ahead of fates worse than death all the while danger of a kind that seems inescapable and inexorable seems to have gained a stronghold in these mysterious lands. I’m blown away so far, it’s a shame it had to search so hard to find this work.
InterroganteRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a wonderful fantasy story that starts in media res and then slows its pace to make the world building we need, while raising slowly the suspense.
Well written, addictive, an isekai that is less obnoxious than I thought it would be, no lit anything (that is a good point for me).
KanecaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The Tallah series is a sharp, grounded, and often brutal work of dark fantasy that stands out for its consistency, character focus, and refusal to follow familiar genre patterns. It’s about dangerous, damaged people trying to survive in a collapsing one. It contains some of the most horrific body horror I've ever read.
The Tallah series isn’t for everyone. It's a story that doesn't want to be told so you need to drag every scrap of information from the words and understanding is very slow in coming.
The main character, Tallah, is a former soldier and a powerful channeller—smart, experienced, and ruthless when she has to be. She’s not likeable in the traditional sense, but she’s compelling and fully realized. Her internal voice, and the two soulbound entities—Christina and Bianca—that live in her head, form the backbone of the series.
The worldbuilding is heavy and slow-burning. The continent of Edana is full of dying cities, failed empires, haunted mountains, and oppressive magical systems. The rules of magic—called illum—are dangerous and demanding. Channellers suffer for every ounce of power they use. There are no safe shortcuts. This isn’t a setting where clever tricks solve everything. Everything has weight. Everything has a cost.
The pacing is deliberate. Dialogue drives much of the story. Inner conflict often matters more than external threat. Some chapters are just conversations or strategy sessions. Others explode into violence, or body horror, or psychological collapse. When fights do happen, they’re fast, ugly, and final.
Sil and Vergil—Tallah’s allies—round out the cast. Sil is a healer with a broken memory and strange powers. Vergil is an offworlder with ties to lost tech and a practical view of the chaos around him. Neither of them is comic relief or fan service. They’re both struggling with their own problems, and their relationship with Tallah changes over time in believable, tense ways.
The writing is tight, intelligent, and clean. There’s no wasted
Lecture FillerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Dark world with dark characters, yet multiple funny and lighthearted interactions. The multiple POV really helps with fully understanding the characters. Lot of potential stories set up in the world, yet the plot progresses, and the current adventure always feels important too. Aside from the 3 main characters, we get to know multiple side characters too, who are written just as well too. Really like it, hope it never ends.
MojnRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Just wanted to leave a quick review and thank you for this story.
A highlight for me would be the authors style of writing, which throws you into the deep end and leaves you to figure out, through contextual clues, what is going.
If you're new to the story and wondering if you should try it out then i can absolutely recommend it. Though it does require a bit of investment from the reader before youve got the basics down on what's going on in this world. This is a good thing!
Nick11179 (Nick Timm)Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall - Tallah is a wonderful mix of fantasy, sci-fi and horror. The first chapter leads in hard with a POV from a "Monster" being slaughtered and the dark mind controlling a fleshy monstrosity. This dovetails into a nice few chapters of worldbuilding and character development. If you like 40k you'll love this.
Style - I generally don't rate style - each writer has their own pace - but this is a good 5/5. Easy to read, fun and engaging.
Grammar - No glaring errors. A few personal syntax things, but it doesn't detract from the story at all.
Story - Grimdark mash of sci-fi and fantasy. One minute you're scuttling through a fleshy cave monstrosity and in the next you're on a matriarchal run space ship terraforming a planet. It's a fun mix and something you don't see often enough. The story flows around the characters and the entire work feels natural and not contrived.
Characters - The Characters are all very organic feeling. Vergil is a neat touch as he's introduced as little more than a brainwashed fight-slave, but not for the reasons you'd think. The supporting casts within the different occupied areas are all 3 Dimensional and jump off the page. You don't get the feeling they're just throw-aways. Sil and Tallah's interactions are very relatable and enjoyable. I think they have the strongest pull for me in the story thus far.
Can't wait to read more! My only complaint is there isn't more to read now!
-Nick Timm
PawnsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Note: this story is so great that this review will not do it justice, I really recommend you to read it as the author put so much effort into it (including a map of the world which I hope a lot of fantasy does but making such quality of reading adds might take a lot of money). at the time of writing this, the story has not yet come with major events but it is so enjoyable, top 5 fantasy I read for sure.
Honest opinion on "Tallah":
Style and Story: The unfolding story within Tallah is a captivating journey through a meticulously crafted fantasy world much like "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End". The author skillfully navigates rich detail and intricate world-building, transporting readers from vibrant cityscapes to foreboding caves. The immersive narrative style draws you into a realm brimming with magic, adventure, and intrigue. The prose flows effortlessly, painting each scene with vivid descriptions. While the use of dialogue effectively fleshes out characters and propels the plot, there are moments where its elaboration might challenge reader accessibility. that must be 5/5
Characters: Tallah excels in character development, a standout feature of this narrative. Characters like Tallah and Sil are multifaceted, endowed with clear motivations, distinct personalities, and intricate relationships. The depth afforded to these characters allows us to intimately connect with their struggles and triumphs. Supporting characters, such as Vergil (DMC reference maybe?) contribute additional layers to the narrative, enhancing the overall tapestry of the story. 5/5
Grammar: The author's command of language shines through in solid grammar and well-structured paragraphs and dialogue. While these elements contribute to the story flow and comprehension, a heightened focus on punctuation, particularly in lengthy, descriptive sentences, could enhance overall readability. 5/5
Conclusion: Tallah stands as a compelling and intricately woven fantasy tale, showcasing the author's prowess i