The Cruel Horizon[Old]

Information

Status

Hiatus

Year

2024

Author

Michi_The_Author

• GO CHECK OUT RE-RELEASE
  Aug 6, 2025
• Chapter 100
  May 28, 2025
• Chapter 99
  May 11, 2025
• Chapter 98
  May 5, 2025
• Chapter 97
  May 5, 2025
• Chapter 96
  May 4, 2025
• Chapter 95
  May 3, 2025
• Chapter 94
  May 1, 2025
• Chapter 93
  Apr 28, 2025
• Chapter 92
  Apr 27, 2025
• Chapter 91
  Apr 26, 2025
• Chapter 90
  Apr 14, 2025
• Chapter 89
  Apr 11, 2025
• Chapter 88
  Apr 7, 2025
• Chapter 87
  Apr 7, 2025
• Chapter 86
  Apr 5, 2025
• Chapter 85
  Apr 5, 2025
• Chapter 84
  Apr 3, 2025
• Chapter 83
  Apr 3, 2025
• Chapter 82
  Apr 2, 2025

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• CIGAPRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  After reading the summary, I had my doubts about this story, but I am happy to say I was mistaken. It's a well told, well thought out narrative that definitely gets more and more interesting the further you go on.
  The pacing feels very smooth, starting with an incredibly mysterious and suspenseful scene that immediately disappears, leaving you wondering what it all means. The story seems a little normal and dry at first, but the characters and relationships feel so real and human that as a slice of life story or drama, this would still pass for me. They have flaws, they have wants, they have dreams, regrets, and they feel so alive. That's not all it is, though.
  The story takes a little time to pick up, which I suppose could be something I might have an issue with, but others might enjoy the slow burn. However, once it starts to pick up pace, it really does. The story gets dark, and while we should've been ready for that from the start I was surprised at how deep it started to sink.
  The writing is also very well done for the most part. I have some issues with the styling here and there, but I'm not sure if that's my personal taste or if it's just something the author picked up from somewhere, so I won't nitpick on it too much, especially since it doesn't take away from the story itself. There are also a couple grammatical errors here and there, but they're so few and far between that again, it's not really an issue.
  Overall, it's a shame this story doesn't have more reads, because it's definitely worth checking out. Hats off to the author.
• Eternal WinterRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Overall
  The Cruel Horizon is good enough to be on the first page of best rated imo. The prose and characters are league's above most stories I have encountered on this site. The story is unpredictable at all and all the better for it. While there are some mild grammatical mistakes, they are easily ignored in favor of everything else.
  Style
  2Gud2True's (I hate that he calls him self that and is actually good lol \s) style starts off good and becomes great with a couple chapters. There is no 'show' to be found here, it is all tell. Because of this, it is easy to lose track of time when reading this story. I certainly plan on catching up to the current chapters.
  Another thing I want to note is that the author is really good at ratcheting up tension. I was on the edge of my seat after only a few chapters. Honestly, he should give horror a try as there are horror elements in this story and they are good. If he keeps it up, I recommend adding that tag.
  The only stumbling point is the introductory news segment. While it contains interesting information, it just isn't written to the quality of the rest of the work. I would recommend to the author to simply turn it into a scene where the set and newscasters are described. It would also do well as a wiki entry.
  Story
  I can really only talk about the first ten chapters as this story is a wild ride and I have no clue at all what will happen next. So far, the story has been establishing the 'normal' in preparation for shattering it. And it has been doing it quite well. Usually in these types of stories you are waiting for the fantasy elements with bated breath and enduring the first parts. That has been flipped for me here, I have enjoyed getting to know Obinai and his family.
  The last couple chapters I have read is when the normal is shatter and oh man is it done well. I don't want to spoil, but it is imaginative and has eldritch vibes. I can only really compare it to chainsaw man in levels of what the hell is going on.
  Grammar
• Lord Turtle the firstRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  The characters are vivid and well-developed, each with a defining personality that makes them stand out. Their interactions feel natural, adding depth to the story and making it easy to get invested in their journeys. The main character, in particular, struggles with an inferiority complex, which adds a layer of realism and depth to his development. Hopefully, he’ll grow past it in later chapters, which would make for a satisfying arc.
  The grammar is flawless—I couldn’t spot a single mistake. The writing feels polished, and it’s clear that the author puts in the effort to maintain quality. Plus, they’re open to feedback, which is always a good sign of dedication to improvement.
  The story starts at a slower pace, taking time to set the scene and build its world. But once it hits chapter 10, things pick up, and it becomes hard to put down. The shift in momentum makes the buildup feel worth it, and the pacing from that point keeps things engaging.
  And The Rumbling/Reckoning? Now, that’s an intriguing hook.
  The writing style is simple and easy to read, making it accessible without losing depth. It flows smoothly, making it effortless to get lost in the story. Whether you’re looking for strong character development, a story that builds up to something big, or just a well-written, engaging read, this one is definitely worth checking out.
• TarStickyRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Characters: The character development is exceptional, with each character having distinct traits that make them stand out. Obinai and Mya's sibling bond is particularly noteworthy, showcasing a genuine warmth and humor that feels both authentic and engaging.
  Plot: The story effectively weaves the mundane aspects of life with an underlying sense of mystery, creating an intriguing backdrop for the characters to inhabit. While the initial pacing is mostly steady, it can feel uneven at times,  Introducing higher stakes earlier would create a more engaging narrative. From the initial chapters there is not too much to keep the reader engaged except for the witty dialogue. People that particularly enjoy stories that are heavily-character based will find great comfort here.
  Writing: The writing style flows smoothly, with natural-sounding dialogue that brings the characters to life. Vivid descriptions help the reader visualize the world without feeling overdone. Humor is effectively woven into the narrative, balancing well with the more emotional moments. Some slower sections could be tightened up to maintain reader engagement, but overall, the writing effectively draws the reader into the world.
  Overall Thoughts: This story holds great promise—the engaging characters, solid writing, and balance of humor and emotion make it an enjoyable read. The character relationships are the highlights of the early chapters, and the world-building is immersive. Improving the pacing and introducing the deeper plot lines earlier would elevate the narrative even further. It's certainly worth investing time to see how the narrative evolves!
• YSKJRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Just read through the first chapter. Interesting premise and pretty good prose for webnovel standards. This novel has some potential, I just have to see where it goes considering the large breadth of characters it seems it might follow. Regardless, keep up the great work! I’ll be following this one closely.
• YamoshiRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Alright, I definitely feel like I have to update my review after reflecting a bit more on this. One thing I’ve noticed in a lot of the discussions around this story is the misery that kicks off at the beginning. It’s kind of relentless, and the gore can be a lot—like, a lot a lot. It kind of reminded me of the debates surrounding Re:Zero (originally a light novel) and how people were split on it, especially early on. The big difference here though is that I’m pretty sure the author is slowly moving away from the shock and gore factor, which, honestly, I’m really glad about. If it kept up like that, I would've had to lower my rating. I’m just not a huge fan of stories that rely too heavily on shock value.
  At first, I was super confused, but the author does a great job of explaining things as you go along. The multiple perspective shifts really helped me see just how much depth the author’s put into some of the side characters that you kinda forget about in the beginning. It’s like, when you first start, you think the story’s all about the main character, but then you realize there’s a whole world of plot points and character arcs that you almost missed. It’s a nice touch.
  Also, let’s talk about the world-building. It just keeps getting better and better. There’s so much to this world—essence, political intrigue, with the royal council history about the epochs—everything feels alive and well thought out. And now there’s even a school arc, which has me so hyped. I’m curious to see how that’ll play into the bigger plot and what kinds of twists they’ll throw in there. It’s got the potential to really shake things up. That said, I do think the opening will probably turn some people off. The intensity of the first 20 or so chapters could definitely make some folks drop it before they get to the really good stuff, and that’s a shame because it does get better, but I’m hoping the author figures out a way to balance it out more.
  One thing I’ve gotta point out though is that w
• Ian_Scott_WritingRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  I was going to read to Chapter 11 before submitting my review, but then had to read farther to tie the tension thread. And at one point, I found myself just reading farther because... I had to.
  There are some spots where the pacing could perhaps be adjusted, but The Cruel Horizon makes itself known right away as an extremely compelling urban fantasy with an air of ancient mystery and otherworldliness that's yet underpinned by authentic human characters.
  I still have my questions, but I came away impressed from my reading. I'll dive into the sections below:
  Grammar: Five stars for the grammar. The author has a rich, flourishing vocabulary that's channeled effortlessly in a flowing wordscape. Every description is made impossibly easy to see and feel through the author's understanding of efficient imagery. The descriptions of the creatures during the apocalyptic event were particularly impressive to me. You can see and feel everything, and that's how a well-written story should make it.
  Style: I love the choice of present tense -- I think it brings the reader right into the action and brings us intimately close to the story's vivid details.
  It feels like there's a lot of inspiration from anime styles in this story -- not just with the cover art, but also with the stylization of thoughts and stage directions. It works a lot of the time, but I also got the sense that anime styling led to over-dramatization at times -- like when Obi lets out a guttural scream at his C-graded test. A frustrated shout would've maybe sufficed more, and would allow that internal conflict to simmer more.
  Additionally, while the writing itself is phenomenal, I do think there's a bit more room to use more sentence-length and paragraph-length variations to play with the rhythm, especially in high-tension moments. Almost every single detail is described in vivid color, but that also slows the pace sometimes when it shouldn't.
  Story: It's a unique, original story with a lot of fascinating world ele
• RetsuRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  So, right of the bat, the characters are really well-done, and each one stands out in their own way. Obinai and Mya’s sibling bond is such a highlight—it’s warm, funny, and feels super authentic. Mya’s curiosity and sharp sense of humor keep things lively, while Obinai’s quieter, protective vibe adds balance to their relationship.
  Amos is a loving dad with a lot of heart, but it feels like he’s hanging out on the sidelines a bit too much. It’d be nice to see him more involved in the main story.
  The story does a good job mixing everyday life with hints of something bigger brewing in the background. That said, the mystery could be a little more gripping early on. The “Nurikabe” subplot is cool but feels like it’s not fully developed yet, and the stakes don’t really kick in until later. Sometimes the pacing feels a bit uneven—some chapters are more focused on building the world and characters, while others introduce new plotlines that could use a little more attention. A stronger sense of urgency earlier on would help pull readers in.
  The writing is smooth, and the dialogue feels natural, which makes the characters come alive. The humor lands well and gives the story a fun energy, but it also balances nicely with the emotional moments. The descriptions are vivid without being over-the-top, so it’s easy to picture everything. Some readers might find the shifts between the lighter and darker tones a bit jarring, but overall, the blend works.
  A few slower sections could be tightened up, but the style really pulls you into the world.
  **Final Thoughts**:
  This story has a lot going for it—great characters, solid writing, and a good mix of humor and heart. Obinai and Mya’s dynamic really carries the early chapters, and the world-building is fun to explore. The stakes and mystery could kick in a little sooner, but it’s still a strong start with tons of potential. If the pacing and tension get dialed up later, this could go from good to amazing. Definitely worth sticking with t
• ItsAlizehRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  There's an indescribable charm to The Cruel Horizon where you can never quite put your finger on why but the story is very hard to put down.
  The main character, Obinai, is your average kinda-dull-kinda-messy but well-meaning young man who does not quite know his calling in life. He tries his best but is held back by deep-seated insecurity and just plain bad luck. He makes for a relatable hero without falling into self-insert territory. Watching Obinai grow as a person is one of the main draws of The Cruel Horizon and he is a compelling protagonist in this world where nothing is quite what it seems.
  The story takes its time in setting up the key players as well as providing meaningful context for the world Obinai lives in as well as his interpersonal relationships. And it's time well spent since the reader gets that crucial emotional connection before the inciting incident. You care about the tragedy because you know and are emotionally invested in these people.
  The world itself is your semi-dystopian sci-fi setting with a supernatural twist. The world building is one of the most commendable aspects of the story. Avaros has been brought to life with meticulous attention to detail and Obinai's journey through the world only further immerses you in its setting.
  If there is one thing that is worth criticising, it's the prose. It's functional and occasionally powerful with moments that will get a rise out of the reader but for the most part, the sentences never escape a sense of monotony with their repetitive structure and descriptions that are sometimes more abstract than grounded.
  Nonetheless, The Cruel Horizon is a story well worth reading for the strength of its characters, its intriguing plot, and the no doubt colossal amount of effort that has gone into its world-building.
  'Tis a recommend, fellers.
• PoTaytoHeadRoyal Road

  ★★ 2.0

  Overall: This story is about suffering. That's pretty much it. Everything terrible that could happen in a given scenario can and will happen. If you like a character? Yeah, they're gonna die. If you get more than any sort of development of them, they're going to have something torn from them. The story is methodically written to make every character (but especially the MC) suffer as much as possible. Not really my cup of tea, but if you enjoy it, there are some functionally good elements here.
  Style: Verbose. The author really likes to describe scenes thoroughly, especially scenes with visuals. They can tend to drag, and I found myself parsing through them. You can only read about a wall so many times before you have a picture in your mind.
  There's also a heavy reliance on foreshadowing, particularly in the early parts of the story. Sometimes this works and hooks you, but at least as often it makes me shake my head. Once I got the general feel for the story (suffer, random teenager), I just wanted the bandaid torn off, not 7 chapters in a row of torture.
  That being said, I can't really understand the early chapters of this story. Obinai, per the story, is a total loser. But....why? We get an extended look at his life prior to the onset of the real plot here, but none of those elements clearly describe what led up to this character development. It's just a snapshot. It feels like a clumsy attempt to make the events that follow more brutal, a continuation of his failure, but he's 14. Why does he have so much depression and angst? It's never explained. He just is.
  Story: This story is just hopelessness. And not in a creative way. It's just needlessly cruel. Ostensibly it's a story about a forced transformation and a child caught in that, but there's no real point to the whole thing. A story generally needs a pathway. None of what I read in 25 or so chapters was that. Sure, there are mystery boxes about the world and what the wall is and yada yada, but our MC is just al