Vale of Tears

Information

Status

Hiatus

Year

2024

Author

Theora Watters

• Chapter One [Beginning of Volume Two]
  Nov 15, 2024
• Chapter Thirty-Two [End of Volume One]
  Nov 9, 2024
• Chapter Thirty-One
  Nov 8, 2024
• Chapter Thirty
  Nov 6, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-Nine
  Nov 6, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-Eight
  Nov 4, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-Seven
  Nov 3, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-Six
  Nov 2, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-Five
  Nov 1, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-Four
  Oct 30, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-Three
  Oct 25, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-Two
  Oct 19, 2024
• Chapter Twenty-One
  Oct 10, 2024
• Chapter Twenty
  Oct 3, 2024
• Chapter Nineteen
  Sep 29, 2024
• Chapter Eighteen
  Sep 27, 2024
• Chapter Seventeen
  Sep 27, 2024
• Chapter Sixteen
  Sep 24, 2024
• Chapter Fifteen
  Sep 17, 2024
• Chapter Fourteen
  Sep 7, 2024

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• AustenKeatsRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This story has all the familiar aspects of fantasy but in a fresh new style and setting. I am not quite sure how to describe it, except that it feels new, and unique, and like it builds on the fantasy literature that has come before without being derivative.
  Style: Excellent style. Very descriptive. Dialogue is realistic, humorous, serious when needed. The prose meshes everything from tense/scary scenes to joking banter, and it really does it all seamlessly.
  Grammar: No issues here.
  Story: The story has an interesting mix of lightheartedness with the sense that there might be something really quite wrong in the world the characters inhabit. It makes for an interesting atmosphere as the narrative unfolds.
  Character: The characters are what drives the whole book for me. Each character is unique and has their own voice. Their interactions are realistically described, and each character builds off of and illuminates the other characters.
  All in all, this is an excellent beginning to a new and dynamic fantasy novel. The author is clearly talented, and they convey that talent through their prose. I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys fantasy literature with great worldbuilding, realistic and likable characters, and a mixture of lightheartedness with a sense that there might be a darker threat yet to be uncovered.
• BellaArtzRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Stopping to write this review was actually a bit difficult for me because all the elements thrown together here are very intriguing and well executed in addition to being just right up my alley. Objectively there's little I can find fault with except for the fact it can feel a little slow with the gradual build up of the mystery and the world building but I feel that's one of its charms.
  The world presented though it has the typical roguish fantasy feel is fluid and concrete, full of mysteries that make it feel like it's definitely in the age of its exploration. The Heart of Vale, the unexplored territory of this world, is an undeniably interesting setting but the world the author describes beyond it sounds equally captivating, able to keep the readers hooked on the possibility of visiting these other lands.
  The plot gives me a sort of 'Suicide Squad' vibe with this team of clashing personalities going on an exploration quest of certain doom, it's been done before but the the quest itself, their reasons behind taking up the offer, the setting and overall vibe of the world makes it feel fun and new, teasing at the complex relationships to look forward to.
  Speaking of which, the characters are very much the highlight for me. I found it a bit interesting that maybe six of the seven came in pairs (if I could Addy and Felix as their own unit as well) with their own dynamics that now have to adjust to incorporate their new squad. Everyone feels like their person, their voices and their use of the language is different and speaks to their personalities. Their dialogue and motivations can shift from entertaining to deep and it does a genuinely good job of keeping the interactions lively.
  The writing is definitely to thank for this and is one of the most amazing aspect for me. It's immersive, managing to keep its sombre and uncanny feel even in the calmer or more humorous moments, preserving that aura of tension that hints at something around the corner. The author definitel
• LordAetiusRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I'm left very impressed by the start of this fiction. Fans of D&D style stories with group campaigns, found family & banter, are going to love it. While it has that old school charm, it also modernises the genre, especially around its character work.
  The story begins with the classic meet up in the tavern and the assembling of the party. This was done really well. We also get interesting snippets of worldbuilding drip fed into the opening chapters. A mystery style quest is clearly on the cards. Only a few chapters in and it's clear the author can handle character work, plot, humour, creepy horror, and action. As a reader, you feel in safe hands.
  The prose and grammar are excellent. However the author made a couple of interesting decisions which made it harder for me to get invested at first. First, there is an omniscient narrator, and lots of head hopping within scenes, which I personally have a hard time with. While I like large casts, I prefer each scene to be from one point of view-of course, this is a 'me' thing. Second, it is written in the present tense. I'm not sure why, since this is pretty unusual paired with third person. However, these decisions did seem to go with the story and certainly aren't deal breakers. Arguably, they make it more unique.
  I think it's fair to say that the characters are the part that really stands out so far, which is what most readers are after with their fiction. The dialogue, traits, and interactions are excellent. They are really likeable, fully fleshed out, and interesting. There wasn't one of the main party that I didn't want to spend more time with and learn more about. What was most impressive to me was how each character's 'voice' was different, and yet the story flows really well.
  There's no LitRPG here, but I really hope this one finds its audience on RR.
• Resigned DilettanteRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  It's a fun adventure story that for better or worse have a narrative structure of a table top rpg campaign. Whether that's good is largely up to taste. Personally it works, though I can see how it wouldn't for some.
  Style: There are several moments of atmospheric description that really pulled me into setting. Otherwise the general writing throughout the story is good, but but doesn't stand out as much.
  Grammar: I am least picky when it comes to grammar, as I don't look for mistakes while reading. However as a casual reader there weren't any moments that caused confusion or for me to double back, so that's good enough for me. There was humorously something I initially thought might be a mistake, but turns out just to be a different rule set regarding colons.
  Story: This is the weakest category for me, as there are occasional parts that feel either forced or disjointed. I do like the idea of an entire continent dead from, I'm assuming at this point, technological hubris, but I also don't know how much that concept can be flexed. I'm happy to follow along and find out though. Fantasy with sci fi elements is always a hit or miss for me qua sci fi, largely dependent on my own taste rather than inherent quality, so I guess I will see whether I like it once the mystery is revealed.
  Characters: A colorful cast of characters. Maybe too many are introduced in short order to get a good sense of some of them, but the author seems to be having chapters meant to give us a better idea of them now. There is a sense that some characters might have been given a negative personality trait to make them more complex, but not to the degree that they might be unlikable which can be a bit confusing sometimes, especially with the aforementioned problem of their rapid introduction. Ultimately though this is offset by the general group dynamic which provides moments of enjoyment.
  On a whole it's a good story with a decent mystery scoped up to being immersive. If you're looking for a sort of
• SEBscribeRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I am glad I got to read this and I will continue to do so. Vale of Tears' origin, somewhat TTRPG-inspired, are easy to spot but it still reads like an independent story. As a fellow GM whose campaigns have influenced the way I plan and write stories, I feel a certain kind of kinship to this story already. I really hope more people see this story and it gets the attention it deserves with how much obvious love and work has been put into it.
  Style: A balanced prose between simple and colorful, it flows very well. The worldbuilding is easy to grasp but not clichee, and the setup reminded me of Monster Hunter but without the mindless ecocide thats attached to the gameplay. The tone is somewhat modern but incorporates well with the anarchonistic fantasy vibes it wants to give.
  Story: The main plot has a good hook from the very beginning and we are drip-feeded character backgrounds on the way there. It feels lived-in and not something that's just made up as the author goes, which is always a huge plus. The science-y elements to the adventure make sure everything feels purposefully crafted and that there will be a payoff for everything mentioned so far. I am looking forward how the month before actually departing will be used and how the expedition will escalate.
  Grammar: I have spotted barely anything of notice, this has cleary been edited more than once already and may even had proofreader beyond some software involved.
  Characters: My first thought was that Kaz and Wren would be somewhat of a buddy-cop situation, because they played so well off each other already. But each character introduced afterwards was falling in line with the group dynamic so well. It felt very fluid and natural how each entered the story, even though it is a very classic "PCs are introduced to a campaign" setting. What stands out the most is how the character narration and voices are spot on and distinct.
• TheHofferRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Vale of Tears is PERFECT if you are looking for that feel of starting a DnD campaign with well-crafted PCs and a DM with an immersive world that feels lived in.
  Overall Score 5/5
  Style 4.5/5 - The only reason we lose a half star here is because it is told in the third person omniscient present tense. This style of writing I think is at odds with the genre and setting and  is the only thing I found that consistently pulling me out of the story until I got used to it.
  Grammar 5/5 - Excellent.
  Story 5/5: The story does exactly what it is trying to do, and it does so in an adept and competent way. At every turn, the writer accomplishes what they set out to do with flair. Sell us on the world, characters, intrigue, and why we care.
  Character 5/5: This story lives and dies by its lovable band of misfits. This disparate group of individuals with unique skill sets are thrust together and forced to undertake what seems like an adventure that ends in their inevitable demise, but first they have to band together. I think the character interactions are just as important to the reader as the campaign.
  This story is an exceptional work of pulp fantasy. It provides atmosphere in droves and immerses you in a world that is not our own and feels real regardless. Read this book!
• Regolith42Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Overall, this story has deep and rich characterization. I think the pacing is a bit slow due to amount of characterization present, but it still creates a great story with plenty of mystery and intrigue in this fantasy world.
  Style: The style is internally consistent and is intentionally created. The only odd thing I noticed was a smattering of modern phrases and slang thrown into this fantasy world with little context. It's not the biggest deal, but it took me out of the story a bit whenever it happened. Even if the author did create some in universe explanation for it, it just read oddly to have suddenly pop every once in a while.
  Story: We've got a colony/town by the ocean on a dangerous continent filled with humanoid monsters protecting a mysterious interior of the continent with dark secrets. Our crew of adventurers has just finished their first major 'Quest' of exploring outside the walls outside of the town and recruited somebody new to the party to help in the future. They've had their first adventure before starting to return back to town to reset for a bit it seems. Looks like things are gearing up for them to explore the mysterious interior of the continent and the ancient secrets within.
  Grammar: No major grammar mistakes that I saw. Five stars.
  Character: We have a wide cast of characters here. Wide. Now, I think the author does an admirable job of making sure that everyone is heard and has a role in the story. As well as distinguishing the voice of all the characters from each other, which is hard to accomplish with so many people being introduced to us from the get go.
  As much as this might just be me, I do feel like this story sags a bit under the weight of trying to characterize so many of the people at once. We've got our main Orc and dwarf who are our introduction to everything in the beginning. But instead of being squarely focused on them and their characterization as we go along, we spread out and try to go in depth with the rich backstories of
• RaizuNRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Overview: Vale of Tears is an incredibly well-executed D&D-esque fantasy. It's got everything I'd want in a fantasy story: an amazing, diverse and realistic cast, beautiful worldbuilding, and well-written – if a little dense – prose. There's a strong plot that drives it, and although the story is a little slow to start up, it quickly grabs interest and does not let go. Worldbuilding is woven into the writing wonderfully, never veering into the space of info-dumping, but concretely building up a sense of a full, fleshed-out world in the background. The writing itself is top-tier for the non trad-pub space, leagues better than the average you can find online(though RR tends to be better in that regard than most sites, anyway). Dialogue is clean and life-like, if a little out of keeping with the temporal ambiance established in the novel, and action is handled tastefully.
  Characters: This is where I believe the story shines brightest. The characters in Vale of Tears are simply brilliant. Each of them is diverse in speech, action, background, physical form, personality. It's amazing, really, to witness, as an author who struggles with making characters stand apart from each other. The creativity poured into the creation of the characters is evident right from the first chapters, and the style does not let up over the course of the story – at least, as far as I've read at the moment. The interactions between the group are fun, thoughtful, and just a delight to read. Arguably, they're a bit quick to start trusting each other, and a little more distrust at the beginning may have been more realistic, but I honestly preferred it the way it is, especially since the payoff of the group interacting together is well worth it, too. In general, though, the characterization in this story is some of the best I've read in a long time, and I'd easily give this 10/5 stars if I could.
  Story: The story is a little slow to pick up, especially the first chapter. The author leans a little h
• EnigmaDSRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  I liked the tone of the story.
  The characters also seemed fun and diverse, and they had interesting backgrounds (although, they should be used a bit more, for portraying better the worldview of some characters).
  The narration is also well written, it was pretty immersive.  I liked it a lot.
  There are some typos, but that is something that is easily fixed.
  Overall, nice work! And I hope you continue writing and improving!
• LittleSkellyRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  Disclaimer: This is for a review swap.
  Alright, I will be honest, this is a little bit harder for me to rate. Let's start with the positives first.
  Grammar: This category is pretty perfect as far as I can see. No noticeable mistake. If there were, I don't think it will detract too much from the story. Especially on a casual read of the story.
  Style: Flows very well. You've done a great job in this department, especially when it comes to having multiple characters as the lead within the story.
  It takes a bit to get used to as this story is told in third person omniscient. It's not my usual preferences so I might be biased in this one.
  There's also the fact that the style seemed to fluctuate every chapter. Sometimes, it can be very descriptive and detailed while other times, long list of dialogue lines.
  And here comes the bad part.
  Story: The premise within the synopsis is very interesting and the story is great, but I can't help but feel like something is missing.
  The worldbuilding is kind of an on-and-off point for me. In the first few chapters, I was immediately confused on what species the two characters first introduced to us were. This is because when a character mentioned what a "...and..." doing together, or something similar and I immediately go, 'wait, I thought they were this(insert race here)'. I think it would be good if you make a distinction between races and cities. There's a chance I might also be wrong in this one because I am not very familiar with all the types of races when it comes to TTRPG. As of this reading, I am still confused on what a halfling is.
  There just isn't a lot of buildup when it comes to emotional beat. In many parts of the story, I feel like there should have been a certain heightened or rise in emotions, but they weren't there. Or at least, not build up enough to make me feel anything.
  A part of the problem that contributes to this would be the constant dialogue, or more specifically the arguing. Don't get me wrong, using a lot