The Chrome Horde

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Sixteen years into a fossil-fuel apocalypse, a motorized Mongol Horde rides again. Baraat Buriyat, a young concript, finds himself launched up the ranks after a near-suicidal display of bravery and will soon have to learn how to be a leader of men in a world filled with cruel techno barbarians, predatory gods and savage strangeness.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2022
Author: wose

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 23
Views: 13,224

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

wordsinalineRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The Chrome Horde reads like a book I would have happily bought off the shelf at a book store in my 20s.
I'd see that cover, sit on the floor of the [BOOKSTORE NAME REDACTED], and read a few chapters on the sly, and then happily drop $14.99 on the paperback. Except this is free.
I'll get upset if it gets too malicious later on, but I'm on board with the setting at the time of this review.
Still needs an edit pass, but barely.
DreameroftheUnknownRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a very detailed story, focusing a lot on world-building. It definitely has historical context and links, but at the same time, it's clear to anybody reading it that this is something original. The addition of advanced technology makes this an intriguing read.
Style score: It's in 3rd point of view, and stays like that throughout the story, maintaining its consistency. The writing flows well, and you can clearly see whenever there's a shift in POV by way of 3 stars. Speaking of POV, there are several times when the POV shifts from Baraat Buriyat to other characters, but they all serve a purpose and help expand the story while contributing to the world-building.
Story score: This is where it gets good. As mentioned many times already, there is a ton of worldbuilding. Right away, you understand that this isn't your average setting. Most importantly, we get this information not through boring exposition, but clever and fun-to-read ways. It's a prime definition of 'show, not tell.' There are also action scenes, which creates a nice tension. The story manages to reel you in, by giving you a lot of information, but at the same time, creating plenty of questions.
Grammar score: Pretty flawless. Don't have much else to add. There weren't any spelling or punctuation mistakes I could find. The vocabulary is also very enriching, lessening the chance of the story feeling repetitive in its choice of words.
Character score: The main character, Baraat Buriyat, is a deep character. He has humility and he's not an OP character from the start who can do no wrong. While I do believe there can be more characterization of him, I'm not going to detract the score because of this, as this is only the beginning of the story. There will be plenty more to come, and I'm sure Baraat will be developed more. The occasional different POVs also let us gain insight into the various characters around Baraat and their motives. Their interactions draw us in and make us wonder about their backsto
HoofHeartedRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a story that is simply a cut above the average stuff on RR. It's possibly the best written story I've come across on RR so far. It is flawed, as I'll discuss in the ensuing sections of my review, but those flaws should be taken with the base understanding that this story is just at a higher level than most others on this site.
Style
The style is of an extremely high quality. It's easily professional level. However, there were a few issues I had along the way. The most glaring one is the author's occasional tendency to allow sentences to run on too long, leading to some pretty chunky prose.
Additionally, the action scenes lack a sense of urgency. In my opinion, during the action, the prose would be more effective with a more kinetic energy. Instead, the pacing stays pretty even with the rest of the prose.
Those both sound like big drawbacks, but they really aren't. I'm only discussing them in the first place because the style is otherwise immaculate. If this was a regular RR story, they likely wouldn't even make the list.
Grammar
Not much to say here. Grammar is unimpeachable. There are going to be typos in any story, but in terms of polish, there's not a negative to be found.
Story
Really interesting world and story. It's certainly the most unique setting I've come across so far. A lot of attention to detail lends it a lot of authenticity. It's a real accomplishment that this feels like a whole different world to our own, given the setting.
Character
Unfortunately the weakest element, but one I think is going to get stronger with time. There is a lot of distance between the reader and the characters. The main character is especially affected. Thusfar, the author gives us very little window into his internal dynamics. Other characters have benefited from a closer third person, but not close enough, in my opnion. However, as I've said, I think this problem is going to fix itself as we get more time with the characters.
NatarajaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A steel horde that reminds us of the historical Mongolian hordes. The image is captivating and immerses us immediately in the atmosphere. The descriptions are extremely well written, even poetic, and only reinforce the immersion.
After a very long first chapter, it is however a disappointment to have only very short texts to read. Usually, we see the opposite: a short prologue and then more substantial chapters. Fortunately, they lengthen a bit afterward but I would appreciate length consistency.
- Style & Grammar
Good grammar, good layout, sentences & paragraphs could be shorter on average thought, and the chapters numbered. Also, I am not convinced by the use of parentheses in a literary text, nor by the presence of a prologue as a second chapter.
Otherwise, the fiction reads very well and these details are not of consequence. However, English is not my native language, so I may have missed some things...
In any case, I really like the poetic style.
- Story
The first chapters focus on the atmosphere, the world-building, and the introduction of characters (which is extremely well done). The story hasn't really started yet... and to be honest it's getting a bit long waiting to really get into the plot!
- Character
The names of the characters are colorful but complicated to remember! Otherwise, they are interesting, we understand well their personality, their weaknesses, we want to know more about them and their story. This is a strong point.
VedoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I expected to read a story, but then I looked down the scope of a sniper rifle and killed a man.
The Chrome Horde defies expectation - loud and violent as gunfire, but at the center of it all is the engine of humanity; survival, and a brotherhood.
If you starved man - until the fat of society was gone and all was left was an emaciated masculinity, this is that story. Exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. Tribal violence. Iron horses, and mayhem.
The Chrome Horde will be the ride of your life.
wolveswanderersRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
An action-packed, professionally-wrirten fiction with a looming sense of defiance and an authentic atmosphere. The author really knows his stuff, from the rich Mongolian cultural references to the geographic accuracy, couple it up with accurate descriptions of weaponry and advanced technology. You'll feel elated and packed with adrenaline reading this good stuff.
The Chrome Horde is a fun read for me overall despite the fragmented characterization some other reviewers have pointed out. It doesn't matter much for me in a book clearly more focused on worldbuilding and mood setting which it's clearly achieved.
HorusMyDudeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Right off the bat, you read the summary of this book and you know exactly what it's about, and what it's about is kickass. Imitating other reviews on here, the vibes are very Mad Max, both in terms of overall feel as well as world-building, that taking aspects of the old world and mythologizing them and consigning them to the same realm as folktale and legend.
Pros
-The worldbuilding is the strongest part of the novel. The author has an excellent opening chapter where they establish the world and character, grabbing you by the throat and pulling you in. I adore that this is the Mongol Horde on wheels, and you can see the everyday aspect of their lives through the descriptions and explanations for everything.
-The way that the author approaches descriptions is really interesting, a really nice blend of mythmaking mixed with real-world concepts. The entire conversation about the Tngri was my favorite part.
A Few Points
-I feel like we're a bit early in the game here, but it's a bit difficult to pin down some of the characterization. I would like it if character's appearances were described, considering how much detail the author puts into the history of the world.
-In some areas, I feel like a lot of chapters are infodumps, when they either don't need to be or can be better woven into the narrative. I feel like the second chapter is perhaps the most guilty of this, because despite it having some of the best writing in the entire work, it feels awkward to have it right in the middle of the action. The best worldbuilding description came up with the conversation and explanation of the Tngri, because it was characters in the world talking about the world, and the world not simply being told to the reader via prose.
Conclusion
This book rocks, really excited to see what's to come! Seriously, the melding of Mongolian culture (both old and new) with the post-apocalyptic Mad Max insanity is really cool, and the author had done a really good job making the world both believab
nathanaelroyaleRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
A fun and interesting read.
Each chapter is a little on the short side but this makes you want to keep reading to find out more.
Fantastic detail and description of the world and the well-paced action. Good grammar, as I did not notice any glaring mistakes.
We are given just each information about the main character that we wish to follow his exploits and learn about him more.
I initially found the perceptive switching in each chapter a bit confusing but then realized it was based on the chapter name. My bad.
Definitely deserves a high star rating!
SR FauthRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This was a fun, short read so far. I enjoyed the characters. The action. The way the scenes and world are set up.
As one prior review put it so aptly, its a Mongolian Mad Max.
There was some issue with grammar and punctuation. particularly a few run on sentences. But overall nothing that ruined the read or the immersion.
A solid 4.5/5 in my book.
Fountain_InsightRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Let me just start with this Wose! You've ruined my reading activities for the next few days. It just so happens that I have the ritual of not reading if I can still remember what I read before. When a story is particularly good, it's just harder to forget and thus my suffering begins.
Story: Ultra-violence. Cannibalism. Fight for resources. General death. Massacre. This is just, you got me man. You got me. Nothing excites me more than a underdog MC striving for power in a dog eat dog world. On his way, he just fucks things up and just does what ever.
The main reason I stopped watching anime or reading manga was the forced goodness. It wasn't really the character's nature but was done to please the audience. To get more views, they debase the fuel and make it worse. (topical for this story)
Style: Just immaculate. Good blend of descriptive imagery, dialogue and plot movers that I dare say, hits not diffirent but precise. Obviously, has written a few things before which kinda scares me. Lots of ongoing stories makes me worry.
Characters: This is the roughest part of the novel for now. I'm not really sold on any of the characters yet. Though the base of what's been given gives me faith. So, I'm in a stand and watch mode for this part. The general feel of the characters is real and raw. No punches held.
My favorite is the shaman already. I just love zealotry and their weird philosophy to this machines reminds of a certain group in a certain franchise - 40k Adeptus Mechanicus.
Plot Progression: Is fun and clear. A grand motive to march through all of Russia possibly reaching the Baltic but I don't if they will be stopped once more in Poland. Great potential.
Overall, great work Wose. We might have ourselves a great novel here.