The Dark Before The Light

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In a world ravaged by monstrous creatures 80 years ago, humanity teetered on the brink of extinction. However, with the sudden emergence of supernatural abilities, the tide turned in favor of mankind. For eight decades, humans reigned supreme, exploiting their newfound powers to dominate and subjugate the beasts.

But this era of dominance was short-lived. The beasts, once thought vanquished, have re-emerged with unprecedented ferocity, threatening to destroy the very foundations of human society. As the world crumbles beneath the weight of its own shadows, a young lady rises from the ashes.

This young lady, forged in the crucible of a harsh and unforgiving reality, must navigate the treacherous landscape of a world gone mad. As she struggles to survive, she is confronted by the darkest aspects of her own psyche, threatening to consume her at every turn.

Will she be able to overcome the demons that haunt her, or will they ultimately prove her undoing? In a world where nothing is as it seems, the lines between good and bad are constantly blurred. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance, and the outcome is far from certain...

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Updates every: Friday and Saturday.

2000+ word count.

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Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Queenie IV

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 122
Views: 34,747

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

Zamora de LeonRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Fast-paced, action-packed, and brutal story about survival and revenge...
Style: This story does not waste time getting into the brutal and the gritty. The action speaks louder than the dialogue, but there are moments of quiet tension that just hit you emotionally. I think the author has a vision for many of the scenes, and does a good job of getting them across.
Story: There are some really great ideas and concepts here, and I personally like the direction the story is going. Obviously, it is still early, so the author is still cooking on many of the points I'd like to see elaborated on--but I love a story that takes its time to reveal things. There's enough going on to keep you entertained.
Grammar: I think there are some grammar issues, but I was able to read through and understand the story well. The author is also very receptive to fixing typos and things like that, so I expect that this will improve even more with time.
Character: There are some well-characterized and likable characters in this story. I did get quite emotionally attached to two of the characters while reading, which I think is impressive to do in so few chapters. I am also extremely curious about one of the villains who was introduced, and how the main character will deal with him. I also think the author is improving in terms of how to portray larger groups of characters, based on the most recent chapter I've read.
All in all, I think this is a promising start to an interesting story. The author has a great imagination, so if you are looking for a dark story that moves along at a fast pace and has many interesting elements, this is a fun story to check out!
Kleo EriliRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The Dark Before the Light play in a time after an apocalyptic event already happened, but that doesn't mean apocalypse can't happen twice and it's clear from the beginning, that humanity still is an endangered species in more ways than one. In the middle of this chaos the young Acacia, the main character, undergoes a rather transformative experience that will probably shape the rest of her life.
Acacia is a torn character, full of inner conflicts, envy and self-doubts, struggling with the circumstances in which she finds herself and with the burning desire to make those who wronged her pay and avenge their betrayal against her. Her emotional story is powerful and I'm already curious how the other characters we meet will be integrated into this driven motivation.
Vibe and style remind me a lot of Attack on Titan and Re:Zero, with the sheltered rest of humanity, the onslaught of horrible monsters and the vengeful spirit of the vengence driven main character. At times it even gave me a little Worm (from Wildbow) vibe, which is a good thing, because I actually liked Taylor Hebert.
It seems to me as if Queenie, the author, is growing a little pearl in her shell over here and I'm excited to see it grow further.
AnimpatientHoleRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall
The narrative thrives on subtle tension, from the mother’s cutting words to the inner turmoil that twists Acacia’s perception of herself. The Flow Society, an entity revered by all and open to only a prestigious few. Acacia is no passive observer; she is actively and eagerly involved in the rising narrative.
We are thrown into crisis at the end of chapter 1. Keeping things moving at a decent pace.
Chapter 2 introduces our ensemble of characters and gives us just enough memorable detail to visualize the different personalities of each individual. Mixing fast-paced escalation with full-scale chaos. The slow-building tension in the opening moments, as Acacia and her classmates react. Only for things to quickly spiral far out of her control. The contrast between disbelief and horrifying reality is well-executed, particularly in Acacia’s frozen reaction to witnessing a teacher’s passing.
So overall I like the pacing. I won't mention details from later chapters cause that would be too strong of spoilers. But I can safely say the characters grow and develop at a solid pace throughout them. The line breaks also get more interesting lol.
Style
Narrative tension comes from urgency and danger. Classical sources that ought to be familiar for one and all.
Story
I'd summarize as a coming of age adventure. Danger around ever corner, a teenager mentally maturing, etc.
Grammar
Did not notice any errors while reading. So 5/5. Good job.
Character
I liked them, overall you can really see your own friends and peers in the characters which makes for effective writing.
Master-at-armsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
From what I've read, it appears to be a story of revenge set in an urban fantasy world with superheroes. Their abilities seem to be ranked in alphabetical order.
I think the author might be a non-native english writer, so I won't fault the work for the grammatical errors. Although, I hope he/she would go back and edit some of the first few chapters.
But the story is by no means boring. I mean, the first two chapters didn't really grab my attention, but the third one hooked me in. I loved thek interaction between the protagonist's friends even if spoiler: they got killed. There is some kind of mysterious stuff unfolding, and it intrigues me.
When it comes to style, I really don't know what to say about it. Based on what I read, the story has a consistent vibe, and the execution is still styled consistently for the most part. Although, I can't complain about the typos enough, It really pulls me out of the story.
The characters. This is the main reason why I managed to read this far. I absolutely love the characters. I don't care for the world building- this trope seems pretty generic- but I love how well the characters are written.
Overall, I still recommend the story to fans of this genre. It's probably going to metamorphosize into something much greater, though it's a great story as is.
NerokazamaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
style:
Wow, this story is brutal! I’m only at chapter five, and there’s already blood everywhere. The detailed descriptions really bring the world and events to life, making it easy to visualize everything as it unfolds.
story:
It’s a harsh and intense narrative, but that’s part of what makes it so engaging. One aspect I really enjoy is tied to the characters, so I’ll touch on that in the character section. By chapter five, multiple plot threads are already in motion. I’m more used to long-term stories where major developments take time, but the fast-paced excitement here is a nice change of pace.
Grammar:
For the most part, I didn’t notice any major issues while reading. Usually, if there are big grammar problems, they stand out and disrupt the flow, but that wasn’t the case here. I’m not the type to analyze every sentence with a magnifying glass, but from what I saw, there were only a few minor mistakes.
Character:
This was the part I liked the most. In stories like this, characters who endure such brutal events often turn into calm and ruthless figures—something like an antihero who does good but doesn’t hesitate to kill. So far, the characters seem to be heading in that direction, but only the author knows what’s truly in store for them. For now, I’m really enjoying their development.
Overall:
Engaging, intense horror with strong world-building. This story has great potential, and I’m excited to see where it goes. Keep on writing!
Deep__aureateRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Having read several chapters of The Dark Before the Light, I can confidently say this story has a gripping and immersive start. The world building is atmospheric, and the writing style does a great job of pulling the reader into the setting without over-explaining. There’s an eerie tension throughout, making you feel like something deeper lurks beneath the surface of the narrative.
The protagonist is compelling—flawed yet intriguing, with a sense of realism that makes them easy to invest in. The way their thoughts and emotions are portrayed feels natural, adding to the immersive quality of the story. The pacing is well-executed, keeping things moving while allowing enough time for the world and characters to develop organically.
One of the strongest aspects is the tone—there’s a mix of mystery, danger, and just enough hints of something greater unfolding. The story doesn’t spoon-feed information, which I appreciate. It encourages the reader to pick up on subtle details and piece things together. The tension builds gradually, making even quiet moments feel important.
Overall this is a well-crafted narrative that keeps me curious about what happens next. The dialogue feels natural, the descriptions are vivid without being overwhelming, and the stakes are introduced in a way that keeps you hooked. This is definitely a story worth following, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.
SamiceeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Part post-apocalyptic fantasy, part coming of age story. The protagonist suffers a lot, surrounded by more fortunate family, in a world about to fall off the edge.
Reading this reminded me of 90's Japanese games, the old Zeldas. The action, the monsters, the strange side characters with animal features, trading unique magical items. A little psychedelic... If this was a game it would have chip music behind it.
Style - really good when the author puts some poetic flair into it. The opening verse hooked me in, and there are a couple of deeper scenes that are nice and wistful. The action sequences work well too - gory and violent. Scene setups - introducing locations - would benefit from getting some of this detail too.
Story - Easy to follow, well paced. Neither too slow, nor too rushed.
Grammar - Proof reading is for sure the next step forward, but never gets in the way of understanding the plot. Just the occasional tense shift, or runaway comma.
Character - Protagonist's motivations, and doubts, are clear and sympathetic. So far I haven't learned too much of the other characters, adding to that Zelda-like vibe. The villain is someone you want to lose.
Thanks for the read, Queenie IV!
shadowwizardmoneygangRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
The premise of the story is that the protagonist, Acacia, finds herself in a world where the line between normalcy and chaos is blurred. As she navigates her daily life, she is thrust into a sudden and violent upheaval, forcing her to confront not only external threats but also her own internal struggles, including jealousy, fear, and the desire for survival. The narrative explores themes of personal growth, resilience, and the harsh realities of a world where beauty and brutality coexist.
Story:
The narrative is gripping, with a strong opening that immediately draws the reader into Acacia's world. The transition from her mundane morning routine to the sudden chaos of the monster invasion is jarring but effective, creating a sense of urgency and tension. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of introspection and character interaction interspersed with intense action sequences. The story hints at a larger, more complex world, particularly with the introduction of the Flow Society and the mysterious events surrounding the monster attacks. However, some aspects of the world-building, such as the history of the Great War and the nature of the monsters, could be further developed to provide more depth.
Character:
Acacia is a relatable protagonist, with a distinct personality that makes her easy to root for. Her internal conflicts, particularly her jealousy of her brother and her struggle to find her place in a world that seems to favor others, add layers to her character. The supporting characters, such as Mirkil and Christine, are likable and serve their roles well, though they could benefit from more development to make their relationships with Acacia feel more nuanced. The antagonist, Lucian, is intriguing, but his motivations and actions could be explored in greater detail to make him a more compelling figure.
Grammar:
The text is well-written, with no major grammatical issues that disrupt the flow of the story. The prose is clear and easy to follow, though there
P. ArjunaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
So, I have read all the chapters (1 to 13), and I gotta say, I like what I've been reading so far. There are certain areas that feel lacking, though you certainly excelled in crafting a believable world out of this premise.
Story
The story itself has quite a strong hook that no doubt draws the readers to the narrative and the setting. Though the story could benefit more from a little bit more exposition (how to handle that is up to you), though it's understandable for this story to be the way it is as it seems more like character-driven than anything.
Characters
I feel this is the weakest part of the story, as most characters in the story, particularly the gang, feel rather superficial in their characteristics and interactions. Not that I can't bring myself to care about them, but they don't seem to bring much on the table besides being there. Still, seeing Acacia's internal thoughts and monologues makes her seem more interesting, and her brother Lucian seems to have more going on despite not having much screentime. Again, considering that this story seems more focused on Acacia, other characters don't get the developments that they need to make them more interesting.
Grammar
I'd say the story is well-written grammatically, and the story is easy to follow. Though there are redundancies and awkward wordings, they're not dealbreakers.
Style
The style itself feels suitable for the tone and atmosphere of the story. I believe it works just right because the narration is pretty limited from Acacia's point of view, even though the story is written from a third-person perspective. While I personally a more detailed narration, I think this style works just fine for this kind of story.
Overall
I'd say it is a decent read, with the characters being the weakest part of the story. Not a dealbreaker, or course, since I did enjoy the story as I read it. Keep up the good work.
matt_kleinRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, where superpowered magic users, beast-like humans, and bloodthirsty monsters kill each other in regular bloodbaths, a young woman makes a deal with the devil to pursue the ultimate vengeance.
The Dark Before The Light gripped me immediately with its rapidly escalating storyline. The world heads to its doom from the get-go, and each ensuing chapter is packed with thrilling action and gripping decisions. Beware, the author shows no mercy when condemning the characters to the cruelest fate.
The story is flashed out with great structure, where actions, dialogues, and decisions are nicely juxtaposed. While there are some typos and grammar mistakes present, they do not overshadow the immense stylistic potential underneath. As the chapters go on, we engage in a gradual discovery of both the history and the present state of this world, although some parts engage in a little exposition-telling.
In terms of character, the MC, Acacia, is portrayed with depth. Through the internal monologues and dialogues-in-the-head, we walk with Acacia through every step of her growth. The introduction of a new character, Barcello, at chapter 15 also lends us an intriguing perspective into a different side of this post-apocalyptic world. However, the fullness of the MCs make the side characters seem a little shallow in comparison. Although the side characters have flatter personas, I see potential for character development and for their ability to serve more pivotal roles in future.
Overall, I recommend this story for not only science fantasy but also anyone looking for a ruthless story of revenge.