Whispers of the Furtive [EPIC HIGH-FANTASY SERIES]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Titans rule the world. Dragons command the skies from floating palaces, giants dominate the land, and leviathans claim the seas.Amidst them live the furtives, intelligent humanoids who do what they must to survive.

On the isolated island of Trinixo, Corin and Livia survive by scavenging what falls from the dragons’ palaces above. They are husband and wife, bound not only by love but by necessity. They risks their lives retrieving relics from the wreckage; Livia transforms the debris into ingenious creations that give them an edge in an unforgiving world.

When a vast portion of a dragon palace crashes near their island, it offers them an opportunity they cannot refuse. Within the ruins, they encounter a mysterious pair seeking fragments of an ancient artifact, a weapon said to be capable of harming the titans themselves.

To possess such power would be to tip the scales of the world in favor of the furtives.

As Corin and Livia are drawn into a conflict that has persisted for millennia, survival is no longer their only concern. To challenge the titans may finally give the furtives a chance at freedom, but it may also demand sacrifices that even love cannot withstand.

What to expect:

- Deep lore and worldbuilding

- Deep mystery that unravels over various books

- Bonds of friendship, and acquired family

- Strong plot of perserverance, and using wits to overcome strong enemies

- Adventure through different biomes

- Gargantuan monster clashes

- Underdog story

- Multiple books, lots to read!

NEW CHAPTER RELEASES: SAT, TUE, THUR

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: CD Acosta

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 26
Views: 13,422

Chapters(82 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

mrcbooksRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’ll start with what works well (plenty!), then offer a few light suggestions for polish.
What worked well:
Opening Intensity and Stakes — The chapter grabs your attention immediately with visceral terror: the sudden appearance of the Leviathan-island, the villagers’ ritual surrender, and Corin’s frozen panic. The dream sequence effectively conveys apocalyptic dread and personal loss, setting a high-stakes tone for the world.
World-Building Depth — Details about Titans (Leviathans and Dragons), furtives, sirens, and scavenged Dragon-tech feel organic and intriguing. The sirens’ lie-detection, the alarm device explanation, and the barter system all hint at a rich, dangerous ecosystem without overwhelming the reader.
Emotional Core and Relationships — Corin’s lingering trauma, his tender bond with Livia, and the bittersweet memory of his brother give the protagonist real weight. Small moments—like Livia’s reassuring kiss or the couple’s playful teasing over the forgotten flute—humanize them amid the larger threats.
Closing Hook — The exchange with the sirens ends on a satisfying note of mutual benefit, while subtly raising tension about the massive temple fragment and potential Titan interest.
Light suggestions:
Streamline repetition and word choice: “Landmass” appears frequently in the opening; varying with “island,” “behemoth,” or “mass” would reduce echo. Some phrases (“slowly and steadily moving,” “shed all his outer garments”) could be tightened for sharper impact.
Polish dialogue exposition: The alarm explanation is fascinating but slightly lecture-like; interspersing siren reactions or Corin/Livia gestures would make it feel more conversational.
Minor prose tweaks: Watch small errors (“site” → “sight,” “burgeoning” → perhaps “bulging” or “protruding,”. A pass for flow in longer sentences would elevate the already evocative descriptions.
Consider pacing the dream-to-present transition: The shift is clear, but a slightly smoother bridge (e.g., lingering on a sens
edkang99Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story has a solid foundation. If you enjoy straight forward adventure campaigns with action with a diverse cast of characters, you should give this a try.
The premise is solid with a clear world being built without any boring exposition dumps. The action is well written and paced, which I appreciate.
To build upon it, I have suggestions:
For me, the fact that you have a married couple is an opportunity to build on. There are other family relationships but the fact the MCs are married makes this stand apart. I would push that relationship more. They clearly loved each other and the dialog was a good start. But personally, I think you could push it. I don’t know if the author is married, but being married 23 years, I can imagine how we’d communicate in those circumstances.
I did like how the party was unique, but again, I think there are more opportunities to push it.
From a technical writing perspective, there were too many redundant dialog tags. If you can clarify the voices of the characters then you don’t need the tags. For example, you don’t need to tell us a character shouted from across the room when the action is already established. It slows us down and takes out of of the flow of the action, which you did great. The best part is this is easy to fix.
Again, there’s a lot of potential to work with here. I’m sure by the time others read this, everything will already be much improved.
(Apologies for any errors as I’m typing on my phone.)
AlaEddine storiesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
this feels way more grounded than most fantasy on here. The opening with Leviathan approaching the village was tense from the first paragraph. The image of everyone lying down and accepting death while Corin stands there frozen was strong. Cyril pushing him to run instead of fight hit hard. It did not feel heroic. It felt ugly and real, especially knowing Corin has been carrying that guilt for ten years.
The worldbuilding is one of the best parts so far. Leviathans, dragons, sirens, furtives, dragon temple fragments falling from the sky. It is a lot, but it is introduced naturally through what the characters are doing. The exchange with the sirens was especially good. Livia explaining the leviathan alarm and swearing truth to beings who can decapitate liars added tension without needing action.
Corin and Livia feel like an actual married couple. They tease each other, they argue, she calls him an idiot when he grabs the blade. Their dynamic during and after the fight made the relationship believable.
The Labyrinth chapter was intense. The dragon fight was chaotic in a good way. Corin freezing, the blade shattering, Livia missing a shot, the creature biting his shoulder. The way he kills it using the trap mechanism was brutal and clever. The detail of the creature still crawling after being cut in half was memorable.
If I had one critique, some internal thoughts and descriptions could be tightened to keep the pacing sharper. But overall this is a strong start with solid tension, clear stakes, and a unique setting. I am curious where the temple exploration goes next.
BeAbodyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
After reading the blurb, this story starts off exactly how you would expect. The action and world building starts off immediately with leviathan, titans and a people faced with difficult decisions due to fear. The flashback made a lot of sense to set the story off. It is clearly going to be a long and interesting journey for both the Corin and Livia, filled with mythical beasts like sirens and possibly gods and testing their relationship. If this is the type of story that gets your blood pumping I highly recommend it. Plus there's already book 2 so plenty to get started.
Chimera WorksRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I must say that I am really enjoying this story so far.
The story portrays how powerless humans really are against the mythical. Wrathful beasts are more like acts of god then simple monstrosities. I must say this story has me hooked and I intend to continue reading.
For once... A story with a married couple! not just a solo MC. I really enjoy a different perspective and the POV changes just work.
Orion VossRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A Mind-Blowing Wonder
Simple beings trying to challenge the Titans is truly awesome. The characters are grounded and mere specks compared to the Titans they are challenging; it really takes guts to undertake an endeavor of such magnitude. This is what makes the story relatable; suddenly you feel like you could take on any challenge too.
Corin starts off fearful and clumsy, and watching him slowly evolve is an interesting arc to follow. Livia is the mastermind behind all the tech and by far my favorite character. Simeon feels like an elder brother figure and an expert guide. Zhi is a well-developed character with an amazing backstory that gives her strong motivation, and Nanaua is a strong and supportive presence. Overall, the characters feel three-dimensional.
The one character that truly baffles me is Cyril. He seems like a spiritual guide to Corin and a role model at the same time. I hope the mystery behind his appearances in Corin’s dreams will be revealed later in the story.
The writer also does a great job describing the characters physically, which makes them easier to visualize.
The world-building is one of the best parts so far. Leviathans, dragons, sirens, furtives, and dragon temples all contribute to a unique and fascinating world. The locations feel distinct from one another. The adventure at the Dragon Temple and the heist at Arandu’s lair showcase the writer’s skill; each scene feels tense and filled with anticipation. Another strength of the story is the action scenes. They are well written and well choreographed. The plot progresses smoothly with a well-planned adventure route.
One thing that felt a bit strange to me is that if Corin and his group were able to steal the artifact from Arandu, then other titans or beings stronger than Corin might have been able to take it even more easily. How come Arandu didn't have stronger Defenses.
Overall its an wonderful story. I highly recommend this story to anyone interested in diving into a unique and thrilli
TaliornRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
An interesting world, humans are small and powerless against the big forces.
The MC and wife are a sweet couple who are used to making a life based on the stuff left and thrown away.
What happens when the ants have a chance to fight the giants... This should be an interesting story.
ZacHansenRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story surprised me in the best way. I came in expecting one of these fairly standard fantasy struggle storie, but this story is much more ambitious. A tale about ordinary people discovering they can challenge the very foundations of their world. The relationship between Corin and Livia ... I just love that we are getting something else than emo solo MC :D
The dragon temple exploration in the middle chapters is where this story really shines. The author choreographs the action sequences with impressive clarity, making it easy to visualize the fights and environmental dangers without losing tension. Livia's role as an engineer who creates weapons from salvaged materials is a fun twist. she's not a warrior in the traditional sense, but her ingenuity proves just as valuable as physical prowess. The discovery of ancient mechanisms and puzzles throughout the temple kept me engaged (even when the pacing slowed, which it can do at times... but that is more a matter of style, not loss of entertainment).
The revelation about the weapon capable of killing Titans is what pulls you into the story... That single concept transforms everything and raises the stakes from personal survival to world-changing ambition. The introduction of Nanaua and Zhi, despite some exposition-heavy dialogue explaining their backstory, adds interesting perspectives. Nanaua's conflict between her sworn oath and her love for Zhi creates genuine emotional stakes.
There are minor issues. The mystery surrounding Cyril's supernatural appearances needs clarification, and Chapter 4's exposition dump could use smoother integration. But these are small quibbles with an otherwise well-crafted narrative. The prose is clean and accessible, the characters feel real, and the worldbuilding is genuinely compelling. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this rebellion unfolds and what role Simeon will play. If you haven't started this yet, give it a shot. Worth the read, highly recommend.
AnDan #374Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
"Whispers of the Furtive" throws readers into a vivid, perilous world where scattered races of "furtives"—humans, sirens, dragoor, apemen—live in constant fear of colossal, warring Titans (Leviathans, Dragons, Giants). The story follows Corin, a traumatized human, and his ingenious wife, Livia, as a chance discovery plunges them into an impossible quest: to find the components of a legendary weapon that could kill the Titans. Joined by a diverse band of allies, they must brave ancient ruins, monstrous guardians, and the relentless hunters of a furious Dragon Lord.
What Works Well (The Strengths)
· Compelling World-Building: The core concept is fantastic. A shattered world, sky-falling "Dragon Temples" as the sole source of advanced tech, and the looming threat of three distinct Titan species create a fresh and engaging setting. The rules of survival feel immediate and high-stakes.
· Strong Character Dynamics: The heart of the story lies in its characters. The relationship between Corin and Livia feels genuine and warm, providing a stable emotional core. The found-family dynamic that develops with the gruff dragoor warrior Nanaua, the mysterious magic-wielding Onsiel Zhi, and the wise old apeman Simeon is a highlight. Their interactions, banter, and growing loyalty are consistently enjoyable.
· Clear, High-Stakes Plot: The quest for the three weapon components is a classic fantasy structure executed effectively. It gives the narrative clear direction and raises the tension naturally as the party draws the attention of ever-more-powerful enemies. The introduction of the Zifor hunters and the wrath of the Leviathan Arandu in later chapters raises the stakes perfectly.
· Exciting Set-Pieces & Puzzles: The story shines in its action and exploration sequences. The fight with the drake in the Dragon Temple (Ch. 2), the clever elemental puzzle in the underwater palace (Ch. 8), and the frantic, multi-stage escape from Arandu's crumbling lair (Ch. 10) are tense, well-choreogr
L. K. GandyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I’ve read the first few chapters, and this story shows great ambition and potential. I plan to keep reading, and as someone new to the site, this has been one of my favorites thus far.
The characters have a unique dynamic. The main character begins as a coward who would rather die than take action himself, relying instead on the strength of his wife. It’s an inversion of the traditional relationship and makes for an intriguing character setup. However, these traits sometimes seem to waver for the sake of the plot. For instance, in Chapter Two the main character is cowardly, yet he is easily enchanted by the hanging sword and acts somewhat irrationally. Perhaps there is a magical reason for this draw revealed later, but at the moment this momentarily pulled me out of the story.
The world itself is interesting and feels like more than a generic fantasy setting with the usual races. However, I’m still unclear about the societal and economic structures of the human regions. This may be expanded upon later, but at this stage I found myself wanting.
I may have focused too much on areas for improvement here, so I want to stress that I’ve genuinely enjoyed the series so far and look forward to reading more.