Xaryk Foe: Legends Never Die

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

On the dust-choked world of Takal, legends never die—but they've never faced Xaryk Foe.

He’s a bounty hunter with a silver tongue, a revolver laden with lives, and a starskipper running on fumes. All he wants is fuel, a quiet departure, and maybe a drink that doesn’t taste like coal.

But when he drags a war criminal into the dead-end town of Longshadow, Xaryk finds himself caught in the crosshairs of a far more dangerous mark.

Now there’s blood in the dust—and a legend gunning for him.

Some say legends never die.Xaryk’s about to test that theory.

Xaryk Foe: Legends Never Die Trailer

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: B.Dante

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 5.0/ 5.0
Followers: 19
Views: 4,664

Chapters(13 total)

What readers say about Xaryk Foe: Legends Never Die

“This is a joy to read with likeable characters and gives some super fun Firefly vibes. Xaryk comes out of the box as what you expect a western hero to be, but he builds to have depth and charm as the story progresses, especially as we see him interact with…”
nyctophilusRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“I’m not usually into Westerns but I like Sci-Fi so I thought I’d give it a go. At first I thought the MC was going to be a flawless, power-fantasy like we’ve seen 1,000,000 times. Then the story deepens and becomes character driven. You see that the man, wh…”
Aurora00Royal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(9)

nyctophilusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a joy to read with likeable characters and gives some super fun Firefly vibes. Xaryk comes out of the box as what you expect a western hero to be, but he builds to have depth and charm as the story progresses, especially as we see him interact with more vulnerable members of the world around him. Classic tough guy on the outside (he has to be right?), but there is some softness in there.
Style wise, the author has a great voice, it flows well and is refreshingly easy to read. You don't get bogged down in flowery descriptions and the life-like dialogue of the characters is well captured.
Story is straight forward (so far) he's a bounty hunter with a target, and not nearly enough $s in his pocket to get off the planet he's stuck on. I still don't know who the 'Legend who Never Dies' will be - Xaryk or his target! But I'm along for the ride. It doesn't need to be fancy to be fun and a good time.
Grammar has some minor notes, all easily picked up in the edit and the author has been doing a consistent job cleaning them up. I think grouping some sentences more cleanly into paragraphs might be required, but again easy revision fix and I honestly think this is a writing/reading on computer vs phone thing that I'm not going to worry too much about.
Characters, I loved them. As I said Xaryk takes a little time to come out his box. But I think hints are planted early that he's not just some fast-talking gun-slinger. Anyone who is fond of animals is a friend in my eyes. (I love you Mayweather). The side characters come and go, but they all have plenty of dirty, back-water town charm. My only question is who takes care of his cat when he's off bounty hunting?
Easy follow and favorite! Give it a try.
Aurora00Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’m not usually into Westerns but I like Sci-Fi so I thought I’d give it a go.
At first I thought the MC was going to be a flawless, power-fantasy like we’ve seen 1,000,000 times.
Then the story deepens and becomes character driven. You see that the man, when seen through the POV of others, is hidden by the Longshadow of his Legend (lol, Chapter pun).
The story is straightforward: kill the bad guy, save the day, ride off into the sunset. But it’s carried by complex characters, deepening relationships, delightful dialogue and fun action set pieces.
I wasn’t expecting a romance beat, but it comes in the form of Violja: a guarded woman with a mysterious past. They start off flirtatious, but it quickly grows into something they both want but they can’t have. If you can’t tell, I need good romance in my novels XD Hope they end up together, but I’m not getting my hopes up! Rannit is also cute, and Mayweather has a big personality for what could be a generic steed.
TLDR
Good fun, would recommend. If you’re not into Westerns, don’t let that put you off. There is enough Sci-Fi and action to keep readers unfamiliar to the genre entertained.
C.K. BradleyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is a solid western that made me think of clint Eastwood meets star wars, and the author does a great job of blending the two genres. You can see a lot of time and effort was put into the crafting of the story, which makes it very easy to read and follow even though some of thing are literally out of this world. The world building is nice being localised to the planet he's trapped on but giving hints to larger world at play. The dialogue is nice and snappy and feels right at home in this western theme.
The main character Xayrk would have to be my favorite but I'm sucker for the weathered badass type with quick hands and quick tongue. But he’s also smart and tactical that doesn't waste energy when its not needed.
My only critique which may be to early in the story as there's a bit of world building going on so I get it. Is that the story itself felt a little paint by numbers and simple which I wouldn't say is a huge detractment by any means. I just think the westerns genre has bean beaten to death and its hard to bring something new to the table. Also the first few chapters before he meets companion I would have liked a bit more introspection by the main character and learned more about his motivations.
But other then that this is solid work and some of descriptions of landscapes really fit well the writing as there was one with the setting sun that was chefs kiss. If your looking for a good western with aliens and plenty of action this will defiantly satisfy your needs.
EF NordmedRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The thing I hate about really good stories is how they have that ethereal something that elevates the manuscript beyond just words on a page and turns it into an event you lose yourself into. This is one of those.
Aside from being jealous of this author's way with words, I'm going to (begrudgingly) give a shout out the world building skills on display. This truly epitomizes the "show don't tell" concept in describing the characters, and the environment is truly part of the cast.
Because the green eyed monster in me can't give a 5/5 rating without pointing out some trivial flaw that I totally didn't just make up, I say to you: You missed a punctuation mark of [mumble inaudibly] on page [cough cough.]
All kidding aside, I'm loving this story so far. Keep up the good work!
Lord Turtle the firstRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The author makes sure that every character we encounter feels unique. Most of them are aliens, and the imagination behind their designs is impressive—tentacles, spikes, ridges, vivid colors—each species feels distinct and visually interesting.
The main character, Xaryk, is—unsurprisingly—an alien himself. His species is far from ordinary. They're incredibly strong and seem to have long lifespans (Xaryk is over 200 years old). As expected of a protagonist, Xaryk is anything but average: a sharpshooter, clever, charismatic, and radiating a macho man flair that adds charm to his interactions.
Oh, and he has a magical flying ship made of gold.
The premise is refreshingly unique. Our seasoned bounty hunter needs to leave the planet he's currently stranded on, but to do that, he needs a substantial amount of money. He takes on a bounty for a dangerous criminal. While I haven’t yet reached the climactic confrontation, I’m confident it’ll be epic—two titans clashing with lightning-fast reflexes and razor-sharp wit.
Writing:
The writing is strong across the board.
Grammatically, it's flawless—I didn’t encounter a single error while reading. The prose itself is straightforward, balanced, and clean, offering just the right amount of detail to keep the pace engaging without ever becoming overwhelming or too sparse.
One of the story’s elements that I enjoyed is its dialogue: character conversations feel natural and authentic, with each voice distinct enough to make every interaction feel memorable and alive.
This is a highly entertaining blend of Wild West energy and Star Wars-style galactic adventure. With charismatic leads, imaginative alien races, and a setting that promises thrilling conflicts, it's a must-read for fans of space operas and action-packed sci-fi.
5/5 – I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hoping to see more from the author!
Mik WilkensRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Imagine Yondu (from Guardians of the Galaxy) thrown onto a western sci-fi world (like Firefly with aliens) with just a touch of magic-based technology, and you have Xaryk Foe: Legends Never Die, a fun, well-written sci-fi adventure with a surprising amount of heart.
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STYLE : 5 Stars
The writing style is easy to read with just the right amount of description and world-building to keep the setting clear without bogging down the action. The dialogue, both spoken and internal, is a delight to read.
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STORY : 5 Stars
The story revolves around bounty hunter Xaryk Foe's adventures on the planet Takal, and while one might think that means little more than seeing Xaryk track down criminals and shoot them, it is so much more than that, with plenty of action, but also some genuinely heartfelt moments.
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GRAMMAR : 5 Stars
The technical aspects of the writing are excellent. There was very little that tripped me up, and the author was quick to make any necessary fixes.
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CHARACTER : 5 Stars
The story starts with Xaryk held at arm's length, as seen by the criminals he is hunting. Yet even then, the reader can begin to get a good feel for his character. And he soon becomes the character through which the story is told, giving us not only greater insight into his character, but also into those he meets along the way, most of whom are richly drawn and believable.
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Overall, if you're looking for an enjoyable story with fun characters, great dialogue, and a bit of heart, give this one a read.
Saveeta GunaratneRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I don’t usually leave reviews. But every once in a while, a story sneaks up on you—gets under your skin and refuses to let you go. That’s this book.
Let me start by saying I’m not typically a sci-fi western person. I love fantasy. I dabble in cyberpunk. But westerns? Desert planets? That’s usually a hard sell for me. But I’m so glad I gave this story a chance.
Because Xaryk Foe isn’t just a sci-fi western. It’s a stylish blend of genres: magic-based tech meets brutal frontier grit, with a narrative voice that is fun to read.
It’s got the Sci-Fi vibe of Firefly, the emotional undertones of The Mandalorian, and the relentless, brutal pacing of a great pulp novel. But what really hooked me wasn’t the setting. It was the characters.
Xaryk himself is… well, a mess. But a beautifully written one. The side characters to serve to elevate the plot and Xaryk himself.
The writing is consistently excellent. The action scenes are crisp and cinematic, with just enough grit to make you feel the dirt in your teeth. The quiet moments are where the author really shines, though. There’s real depth in the prose when it slows down.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say the first couple chapters took me a bit to get into. The world throws a lot at you upfront—new terms, races, factions. But once you settle in, it’s a joyride. And the author does a good job of trusting the reader to catch up without spoon-feeding. It’s immersive without being overwhelming.
All in all, Xaryk Foe: Legends Never Die is a great read. Stylish, heartfelt, clever without being smug. It never forgets to entertain, but it also doesn’t flinch away from pain or consequence. It respects the reader, and doesn’t feel the need to baby them.
Well worth the read.
Aetherchasm ExplorerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Rating: ★★★★★ (for Chapter 1)
Review:
This story kicks down the door and drags you into the saloon before the dust even settles.
The first chapter of this yet-untitled tale reads like a cinematic space-western filtered through the scorched lens of Mad Max and Firefly, with a touch of The Witcher’s swagger thrown in for good measure. Planet Takal is introduced with confident prose that’s both atmospheric and tactile—every grain of dust feels earned, every detail of the world bruised and believable.
We meet Gorak Six-Fingers, a piggish lowlife fleeing a massacre, only to bring death to the very gang he hoped would protect him. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing tighter than a gun barrel’s bore, and the tonal control? Near-flawless. There’s no meandering exposition here—characters show you who they are through their actions, accents, and obsessions.
Then there’s Xaryk Foe. In just a few pages, the bounty hunter earns his place in the upper pantheon of “cool but dangerous” genre leads. He’s precise, theatrical without being cheesy, and lethal in a way that never feels contrived. The final fight is balletic carnage—enhanced by clever use of tools, magic-tech (magwells, sigils), and a trap that pays off in a punchy finish.
What works:
Voice & Style: From Gorak’s swine-slang to Foe’s clipped sarcasm, the dialogue is pitch-perfect. The prose leans gritty but never grimdark, with moments of sly humor that land hard.
Worldbuilding: Takal is shown, not told—through sunscorched terrain, sweat-drenched panic, and species diversity that hints at deeper lore.
Pacing: Brutally efficient. We get character, tension, and combat without a single wasted beat.
Combat choreography: It’s not just “cool”—it’s clever. The action escalates logically, and the reversals are satisfying.
Possible improvements:
If I had to nitpick—and on Royal Road, we do—it would be this: Gorak’s POV dominates early on, which makes Foe’s shift to protagonist status slightly sudden. A smoother POV transition or sli
__Tom__Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
A story for those not into overly long, flowering descriptions of the scenery in a thousand words. There is much implication in the sometimes quite brief exchanges and descriptions, hints at a complex and well-thought-out world.
The characters are effectively presented and believable. The story steers clear of most common tropes, and though economical and its descriptions paints a clear picture of each main character and their individual quirks.
Sometimes, I found the author to be a bit too brief, and a full page of one-liners can be hard to read, which is my only real criticism. The same goes for the characters where here and there I would prefer a deeper glimpse into their souls.
But even so, there is enough there to trigger the imagination and let the world and the characters emerge from the words. The pacing, so far, was more than sufficient to keep my interest and I would like to know where it all leads.
There were no obvious problems with the language or grammar, and aside from the sometimes monotonous brevity of sentences (as already mentioned above) it all flows rather well and is easy to read and follow.
There are enough unique features in the story to keep me interested as well. Mayweather, the animal companion that is more than just that, was an especially interesting touch. There is more depth to the characters in general than the story at first leads you to believe, and I like these implicit, slow reveals.