Toby, The Monster Hunter

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

A burned village. Feudal war. A boy forged by stone. When the elves return and everything he loves burns, Toby’s only weapon is vengeance. Drawn to the fortress of Highmarsh, he endures a world of discipline, rivalry, and brotherhood — where the path from farm boy to knight is paved in blood and obedience. But as the southern wilds stir once more, Toby must ride beyond the kingdom’s edge, chasing truth, monsters, and the ghosts that made him. Gritty high fantasy • Slow-burn progression • Brotherhood and blades • The cost of knighthood • Coming of age and adventure

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: Knifeslayer

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 198
Views: 46,744

What readers say about Toby, The Monster Hunter

“This is just great stuff. A basic origin for our protagonist, but it is done so well. With very little dialogue from a traumatized Toby, he still says a lot as a character. I just love how easy it is to follow what's happening and not lose track of what's i…”
BraingateRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Okay, I just finished reading the available chapters of Toby, The Monster Hunter, and I'm genuinely hooked!I love a good, classic medieval fantasy setup, and the author nails the atmosphere here. The world feels immediately rich and believable. You can tel…”
HardislavRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

BraingateRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is just great stuff. A basic origin for our protagonist, but it is done so well. With very little dialogue from a traumatized Toby, he still says a lot as a character.
I just love how easy it is to follow what's happening and not lose track of what's important. Some great metaphors as well.
Where I'm at , the story has got room to become something even greater.
Love toby, and what characters I have come across so far. I look forward to some crazy ones.
Eerie descriptions of the blood elves, as they raised Brindle Hollow by the way. I liked that a lot, and their strange singing as they burned everything.
Was I entertained? Oh yes, 5/5 overall score! Will keep reading this one.
HardislavRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Okay, I just finished reading the available chapters of Toby, The Monster Hunter, and I'm genuinely hooked!I love a good, classic medieval fantasy setup, and the author nails the atmosphere here. The world feels immediately rich and believable. You can tell there is a lot of love for detail put into describing the setting and environment, which makes it feel grounded. I especially appreciated how quickly the story gets moving—Toby's journey, kicked off by that classic villain push (those Elves really set things off!), works perfectly because the writing is so crisp. There are no tedious info-dumps, just tension and instant sympathy, which is exactly what I look for in an opening.The pacing is fantastic—I honestly sped through these chapters and was disappointed when I ran out! I'm already super excited about all the things you've hinted at: the mysterious stones, the Combat Mode, and learning more about that sword and whatever magic system is behind all of that.Can't wait to see more of Toby's training and how he builds those crucial relationships. Highly recommend this one—you've got a great story going here!tl;dr: Great classic fantasy with awesome pacing, high tension, and a hook that makes you want to binge-read. Keep up the good work!
Hero GohanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you’re up for a slow-burning, addictive read, Toby the Monster Hunter is for you!
This High Fantasy series offers a delightful journey through its first six chapters. It boasts action, comedy, deep tragedy, and worldbuilding, all hallmarks of the genre. However, what truly elevates the series is the character of Toby himself.
Initially a humble farmer, Toby’s life takes an unexpected turn, propelling him on a path towards heroism. Because of his headstrong and proud nature, he can be easily irritated when chided. However, he manages to listen past his annoyance, seeking the lessons that lie beneath. If written differently, the character could have come across as annoyingly arrogant. However, here, those negative traits are merely facets of a fully developed and remarkably human character. It’s that humanity that makes him so captivating. Well, that, and the zingers he occasionally delivers (he gets some good ones in).
The supporting characters are solid so far. While we haven’t had enough time with them to make them as three-dimensional as our eponymous hero (love the word eponymous!), each possesses unique motivations and traits. It’s also enjoyable to observe how different aspects of Toby are drawn out by each of the supporting characters.
The first few chapters jump straight into action, but after that expect things to get a little “slow burn”. This deliberate pace allows readers to savor Toby’s evolution. It’s a blast to witness his growth and development, and I looking forward seeing how he further develops over the course of this first volume.
The prose in Toby is exceptionally readable. The characters are brought to life through engaging dialogue and natural interactions. The descriptions are vivid and detailed, and I didn’t encounter any grammar errors. I especially enjoy all the similes and metaphors that the author uses. Some give a chuckle, while others offer some nice insight into the world.
One unrelated note: The title had me wondering if this might
K_NishiRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’ve read up through Chapter 10, so I’d like to leave my review.The protagonist of this story is Toby, a farmer boy. Through his eyes, we experience the tragedy that befalls his family and his growth as he trains to become a squire. I’ve read many novels on Royal Road, but I genuinely feel that this one stands at leasttwo heads abovethe rest.The writing haszero waste. The author deliberately restricts certain descriptions, creating meaningful gaps—subtext that pulls the reader deeperand has a powerful psychological effect.There isnot a single dull momentin the story. Each chapter offers progress or an event that drives the narrative forward, making it impossible to stop turning the pages. The developments always feel grounded and realistic—there is so much to learn from this writing. I have no experience with swordsmanship or horseback riding myself, but the realism here made me wonder if the author does.What enhances the story most, though, are thewonderfully portrayed characters, especially the adults.Sire Ray—an honorable lord who refuses to let his people suffer.Ser Dylan—who never looks down on Toby despite his origins.Maxwell—the strict instructor who acts like a drill sergeant but clearly cares for his boys.The adults are competent, respectable, and full of heart.They deliverone memorable quote after another, which greatly enriches the story:“Work is important. But the outside world matters just as much. A man who never laughs forgets why he fights.”“Don’t waste your money like a fool—or do, and learn something from it. Either way, don’t die of boredom.”A great story always carries great quotes.This novel reminded me of that truth.I’m excited to continue following this story from here on out.
KiwipaulRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is an awesome story, I'm hooked! The descriptions make you feel like you are there. This story is full of great imagination. The characters have sole and depth. You can relate to their situation and feel their sense of being. This is a master piece in the making. I am in anticipation of what is going to happen next!
N. C. McEwanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a great start to a fantasy novel. The main character is a farm boy who dreams of something bigger, and then is thrust into it by tragedy. It's a classic trope for a reason, and done to perfection here. Toby is well-meaning and good-hearted, but just a bit naive. Seeing his growth over the first few chapters is a compelling reason to keep reading.
Story: I love how quickly paced this is, while still feeling grounded. Even though Brindle Hollow is destroyed rather quickly, the impact of that destruction is felt and echoes through Toby, and then to the reader. Toby's desires are clear, and he follows them, setting up the plot efficiently and cleanly.
Grammar: No complaints here. The writing is professional, the spelling is good, the punctuation is where it should be.
Character: Toby's a good lead character to root for. He's good hearted and out of his depth int he city, but he's not foolish. And the side characters are lovable - from the friendly merchant, the business-like Lord, and the strict, but still kind knight.
Style: Okay - the fight scenes are great, which is so hard to do! I really applaud the descriptions of the trial sword-fight. I could see it perfectly in my head. My only slight quibble is sometimes the emotional beats (e.g. Toby finding the bodies of his family) are passed over a touch to quickly for my taste. I would have liked a bit more time and weight given to those.
Overall, I am following this story and would like to read more.
Noetic PonderanceRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Wow, this is the first time in a long time I've read dialogue and scene descriptions that keep me coming back for more. Your hero, Toby, is solidly built and I can't wait to see what happens to him as he seeks his revenge. I love the fact that there is some magic woven in and am looking forward to seeing how it progresses. Awesome writing!!
PowerfulPatzerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It has a good storyline I like how he is developing the caricature. If you are looking for an action story this is a good one. At first I thought it was going to be a sad book about him mourning the dead. And it is in a way but I like how the author dwell on it too much yet mentions it enough.
Quiet_CicadaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Review swap, review swap.
THIS STORY IS AMAZING. ABSOLUTELY FREAKING AMAZING.
Like, okay. This is the most approachable, easy to read fantasy novel I've ever come across. Everything about it is simple, in a good way, to the point where I found myself unable to put it down. This is the type of book I'd probably want to own a physical hardcover copy of, just to have on hand whenever I feel like passing the time.
Every chapter knocks it out of the park for me. I found myself utterly captivated with what this story holds, to the point where there's not even any ulterior motive behind it. I just GENUINELY love this story to death.
Let's go through it.
Style - Straightforward. It's simple and earnest, with a lot less padding than I'm used to in novels. With this, however, it brings out the beauty and charm of this book, giving me a LOT to visualize. Knifeslayer truly knows which details to give and which to keep away, making this absolute master craft of a novel that makes my imagination go haywire.
There are points where I feel like it's very simple, but that just adds to the charm of it! It makes me fill in the blanks, it leaves it open ended on how I should perceive each moment. In my eyes, the book's writing style is perfect and inspirational. 5/5.
Story - 5/5. Simple and straight to the point. You get the basic premise and motivations of Toby in Chapter 1, and everything falls into place chapter after chapter. It's all stuff that you've probably seen before in fantasy novels, and I think that adds to its charm: I have prior knowledge of fantasy as a genre, which lets me fill in the blanks for everything.
Even with that, the story plays around with it. Everything I'm familiar with, the book reaffirms it in such a way that it truly feels creative and new. I'm absolutely hooked on each chapter, and I struggle to find any point where the story gets weak. All of it's necessary (as of writing this review), and I deeply enjoy it. 5/5.
Grammar - No errors. None whatsoever. I
Ser_MarticusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Our tale begins with Toby, dreaming the sword-swinging dreams of every farm boy confined to the doldrums of their life.
When fate intervenes, he gets his chance to live them out.
Without spoilers, I'll just leave this here - "that sword was the truth of his life now — the reminder that his peace was borrowed, not earned."
The life he wanted now stretches before him, albeit at a cost he had no choice in paying. With rage, vengeance and determination driving him, I wonder if he'll rise to it.
Already he's shown a talent for it - perhaps in his first, fateful blow - or perhaps not, but in the aptitude displayed in his following lessons. It may be the natural resilience, strength and experience gained by his vocation, or it may be something else.
I will say that the exploration of his viewpoint and the analogues that explain his abilities are extremely well done, and justify all he has accomplished thus far.
And now, a training arc? I hope so.
The rest
Grammar: On my read through, I saw no flaws.
Style: Great descriptions and natural flow. At no point was I unsure.
Character: All well defined. Pride as a core attribute is interesting.
Story: It's only just begun 😉