Ystets Lake

Information

Status

Completed

Year

2022

Author

Illhark

• EXTRA – Underbelly
  Nov 26, 2022
• Chapter 8 – Report
  Nov 24, 2022
• Chapter 7 – The Rising Lake
  Nov 19, 2022
• Chapter 6 – Mercury
  Nov 12, 2022
• Chapter 5 – Wriggling
  Nov 6, 2022
• Chapter 4 – Alternative Sustenance
  Oct 27, 2022
• Chapter 3 – And the Waters We Don't
  Oct 20, 2022
• Chapter 2 – The Terrors We Know
  Oct 13, 2022
• Chapter 1 – City of Teeth
  Oct 5, 2022

Reviews

Community Reviews(4)

• Classy@SwordpointRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Overall: I'd recommend this story to anyone who likes stories. Shorts are difficult to write while maintaining the right measure of character building, world building, and plot. This author delivers on all counts. They clearly know their world well, and because of this (among other things), I plan to expand my readership into their other works.
  Story: I’m always afraid to say too much, but without the risk of any spoilers, let me just say: I love this story. There’s a mystery element throughout most of the chapters, flavoured just right with horror undertones. More than that, the relationship between the two primary characters is almost like a plot in itself, as they work together to figure out what the hell’s up with the lake. Each chapter leaves you wanting to click that “next chapter” button. I hope this author has plans to release more shorts in a similar vein, as they have a knack. If they do, I’ll be front row there for it.
  Style: This story is told in the third person and fits the narrative well. The author’s writing is hitch-free. Not once did I need to stop, rewind, and re-read. Not a wasted word or a word too little where description or exposition is concerned. The style suited my preferences as a reader perfectly. Believable dialogue between the primary characters remains consistent and is one among many of this author’s strengths.
  Characters: I <3 Max. There's nothing about the portrayal of this character I didn't love. She's smart, brave, punchy, strong but also sentimental. Wire - what can I say? Everyone needs a friend like Wire. I enjoyed their interactions.
  Grammar: Flawless. If there were any issues, they certainly didn't stand out enough to notice!
• Marie MagentaRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Disclaimer: I am reviewing the FULL story, as I have access to the yet unreleased chapters on Patreon.
  Being set in the AUU-16 universe, Ytsets Lake benefits not only from a strong foundation in terms of lore, but also years of buildup through the writing of its author, Illhark. While the story could be enjoyed as a standalone with no prior knowledge of the grander story, knowing the stakes and the world helps you feel the weight and scale of what is happening. What at first starts as a simple "haunted lake" mystery turns into something far greater, and more terrifying.
  The leading characters are a pleasure to witness go through the story. Maxie is an ordinary human sent here to do a seemingly unimportant job, and Wire, while not exactly ordinary, is still grounded enough to feel like a real person. Most of the horror comes from the horror slowly revealing the danger our protagonists are in. They act believably, and engage in the story in interesting ways - especially Maxie.
  The entire short story has an SCP-like feeling to it, ordinary people trying to study and cope with things they were never ready to encounter. As a short story, it is a worthwhile read, but as a part of the bigger AUU-16 anthology, it shines a new light on the volon danger on Hallow, the humans' reactions to it, and the increasing stakes of the story.
  If you haven't read any other AUU-16 story, I would still recommend it, though you might find it more interesting by reading The Departure first. If you have read other AUU-16 media, you should definitely read Ytsets Lake - it feels like a big change in the narrative, and serves as the chronological conclusion to Season 1.
  Ytsets Lake is fun, suspensful, intriguing, and a great foundation for things to come in the future of AUU-16, that still stands on its own as a well-written horror story.
• PurplerebornRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Gotta say I wasn't quite sure as to what i was in for when I clicked Surprise Me on the menu but im glad that it brought me to this story. Each chapter was fun to read and the author dropped enough bits to keep me invested from start to finish.
  Definitely a banger on RR.
• Jay CampbellRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  This first chapter certainly fed my intrigue, on being hooked by the blurb. It's an interesting premise and one I'm curious to find out more about, as I'm always keen for a new angle in horror. Writing-wise, solid and polished, with strong dialogue and characterisations.
  Only hickup for me was the initial description of Wire. He's at first described as pale-skinned, but then I struggled to unite that with the following description of his "Remite" head.
  Looking forward to the next instalment :)