Vine & Fang

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

When humanity first crossed the Alaeric Ocean, Ardraelion revealed itself as a land of impossible scale. Towering mountains, vast forests, and creatures born larger than legend. The native Direhounds and Poseks resisted conquest for half a century, but humanity’s steam-driven engines and iron-forged weapons reshaped the continent. Direhounds were bound, the Poseks driven into desert exile, and humanity claimed dominion over a world that never truly belonged to them. Drak, a restless vineyard heir, has grown up in the distant shadow of that conquest, trapped between vine rows and dreams of finding a place among the Mounted Expeditionaries, where riders and Direhounds push beyond the frontier together as bonded pairs. His life changed the night a wounded Direhound collapsed in his barn. Nalli is a free Direhound from beyond the Veil. She is hunted, defiant, and carrying secrets tied to Ardraelion itself. Secrets that could shatter the balance humanity believes it controls. Forced into an uneasy partnership, Drak and Nalli must survive a relentless pursuit that tests loyalty, freedom, and the price of choosing one another in a world built on chains.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2026
Author: VineAndFangSeries

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.9/ 5.0
Followers: 39
Views: 7,814

What readers say about Vine & Fang

“Vine and Fang is an incredibly detailed and immersive read. From the very beginning, the vivid descriptions and rich world-building completely draw you in and make you feel like you're part of the story. The attention to detail really sets it apart and keep…”
xoxKathyLeeRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Vine & Fang is a strong, character-driven fantasy that really shines in its quiet moments as much as its tense ones. The bond between Drak and Nalli feels earned, layered, and human in a way that makes the world around them feel lived-in rather than just de…”
CharlesGordonRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

xoxKathyLeeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Vine and Fang is an incredibly detailed and immersive read. From the very beginning, the vivid descriptions and rich world-building completely draw you in and make you feel like you're part of the story. The attention to detail really sets it apart and keeps you engaged the entire time. It’s clear the author put a lot of care into crafting every scene. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys getting fully lost in a well-written and captivating story.
CharlesGordonRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Vine & Fang is a strong, character-driven fantasy that really shines in its quiet moments as much as its tense ones. The bond between Drak and Nalli feels earned, layered, and human in a way that makes the world around them feel lived-in rather than just described. The setting has a clear identity, the lore unfolds naturally instead of being dumped, and the emotional through-line keeps pulling you forward even when the story slows down. It’s the kind of book that makes you care about where the characters are going, not just what they’re running from.
The UnfetteredRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Vine & Fang promises a captivating fantasy adventure with a strong connection to nature, wild creatures, and the delicate balance between civilization and the untamed wilderness. If you're a fan of stories that explore themes of ecology, survival, and the power of the natural world, this is definitely one to add to your reading list.
Story & World-Building (5/5):
The author immediately establishes a vibrant and intriguing world where the lines between humanity and nature are blurred. The title itself, Vine & Fang, evokes a sense of both beauty and danger, hinting at a world where life and death are intimately intertwined. The potential for exploring unique ecosystems, interacting with fascinating creatures, and uncovering ancient secrets hidden within the wilderness is incredibly exciting. I am particularly interested in seeing how the protagonist interacts with the natural world and what role they will play in maintaining its balance.
Character (4.5/5):
The protagonist shows great promise as a character connected to the wild. Their motivations, whether driven by curiosity, a desire to protect nature, or a need to survive, feel authentic and compelling. The supporting cast, including potential allies, rivals, and the creatures themselves, is also well-defined, each with their own unique personalities and roles to play in the unfolding story. I am eager to see how these characters evolve and what challenges they will face as they navigate the dangers and wonders of this world.
Grammar & Style (5/5):
The writing is evocative, descriptive, and easy to read. The author's use of language paints a vivid picture of the natural world, immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and smells of the wilderness. The pacing is well-balanced, providing enough information to set the scene and introduce the characters without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details.
Overall:
Vine & Fang is a promising start to what could be a truly enchanting fantasy adventure. The combinat
TrezeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I usually read litrpg since I like systems and leveling, but this steampunk meets fantasy story is really good.
Main character is relatable so thats always welcome.
Again, I'm a LitRPG guy so I'm into faster pacing, but writer does a good job at keeping you entertained while the story unravels.
Great story so far.
[email protected]Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Exceptional story telling. Im not normally a book reader but this kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat! So excellent job to the author, I look forward to read more about this world youve designed here. So a five star review down the line from me.ThanksNick
AspenMeteorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Im usually not drawn to read books like this. But something about the main character seems all too familiar and relatable. This is a great read with very descriptive narration that leaves you feeling a part of the story. Tyler does a great job painting a picture that sticks to you. Thanks!
James HelldiverRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
*I will preface that I read through what is currently available but wasn’t logged in to keep track of what chapter I read last.*
I’m really enjoying this story. Starts off really slow, setting precedent, scenery and just enough backstory to provide context but not enough to just give everything away and smack you in the face. With a sprinkle of some foreshadowing and mystique for flavor.
The bond building between the characters is fairly realistic given the expressed histories between the races. Distrust to begin with but slowly melting that ice. The further along the story goes the more they learn about each other at a good pace. It has a good rebellious underdog feeling to it as well.
I’ve noticed a few grammar issues and missing words but they are few and far between. I’m bringing these up with the author and they’ve shown appreciation for the feedback so they can correct the issues. Nothing but high hopes for this author and am very impressed with their writing ability.
if this ever goes to print I think some illustrations would be amazing. Maybe design sketches and size comparisons, as well as character illustrations for reference. Lastly the concept inclusion of a reference for the language. Something to look back on when the translation isn’t directly provided in that specific moment. I have a hard enough time remembering what regular words mean sometimes, not to mention a whole made up language.
Definitely a great read! Keep up the good work!
KLee13Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was fascinating. I love the connection Drak has with Nalli. As an equestrian, I feel the bond the main character has with Nalli as I do with my own horses. It was hard to put this story down as it kept me entertained and wanting to know what happened next. Five stars all around. If I could rate ten stars I absolutely would if I was able to.The style of the book brought me out of reality and into the actual story. I felt like I was a part of the book. I had the image of where the storyline was at while I was reading. Five stars!The plot was really intriguing. So well that I thought I was actually there watching this story unfold. It’s not finished yet, but I cannot wait to see where it goes. Five stars!The grammar was held up to my standards. It was appropriate and I didn’t find any errors that stood out to me personally.I fell in love with the characters. Nalli is my favorite because I feel like I can connect with her like I do with my own horses.
Kenops1aRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Vine and Fang is such a treat. The story moves slow, but does so intentionally and intricately. The details are rich—from the vivid descriptions of steampunk technology and wilderness surrounding human civilization to the internal workings of the main characters’ minds. I know slow burn stories aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they please my palate for sure. And if you have a taste for patient, immersive world building, you’ll love this story.
The characters are colorful and textured. We spend the most time following our two protagonists Drak and Nalli. Their motivations are clear throughout their narrations, and it’s satisfying to watch their relationship slowly develop as the story progresses. The primary antagonist for the first part of this story is also explored. Where I’m at, his and Nalli’s conflict has yet to be fully revealed, but there is much intrigue interwoven throughout to keep the reader engaged in this conflict. A constant edge of suspense underlies every chapter, even when immediate action isn’t occurring. It leaves you hungry for the next chapter to see what happens next.
The writing style is descriptive but not overly-so and never purple. Very few (if any) grammatical errors were present. I caught a few instances of the use of “wander” where “wonder” would have been better given the context, but that was it. Very clean prose.
Overall, I highly recommend this fiction for lovers of steampunk, fantasy, and slow, character-driven plots. I will be following this one from now on.
OnchRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style: The pacing is rather slow, but it doesn't detract from the story. Instead, it allows the author to immerse the reader into his world, which clearly has had a lot of thoughts put into it. it feels like the characters are part of the world around them rather than the world revolving around them, wich is a nice change of pace.
However, there are a few nitpicky things I would like to point out. For one, I don't like the font chosen by the author, it makes it a bit harder to read in my opinion.
My other main gripe is the chapter title within the chapter itself. We already have it on the page, no need to remind us inside the chapter. The copyright notice at the bottom also feel superfluous; if the author insists on adding it then the author should instead put it in the post-chapter notes.
Story: The story is, so far, rather easy to follow as we discover the main characters and the world around them. The mix of fantasy and steampunk is well-executed, and feels like there's a lot to discover.
Grammar: The grammar is stellar, no mistakes.
Character: The characters each have their own voices, with their personalities and motivations.