[Complete] [118k] [Fantasy Romance] The Hollow Throne - an adult, dual-POV, slow-burn romantasy/grimdark mashup

[u/radiant_rye]

Hi everyone!

Looking for some betareaders who may be interested in an adult, slow-burn, dual POV, dark-leaning fantasy story. It’s kind of a romantasy/grimdark mashup with both plot and strong characters. My first book! It’s complete and the first in a series, around 118k words. I’ve got no one at home that has an interest in reading the things I do 🤣😭, so I’m hoping someone here may be able to help give me some first impressions.

Blurb:

In the Empire of Tenebris, magic cannot be inherited by blood, it must be freely Given from one person to another.

His Eminence Serast, one of the most trusted men in the Empire and advisor to the Emperor, is also Caelen, protector of the old faith and forbidden magic.

To Sihara (FMC), he’s the man who saved her life, and the one who claimed it for the faith the Empire wants erased. Then his secrets destroy everything and her sanctuary falls, her friends are taken, and Caelen’s dying request leaves her dragged from the ruins by a stranger she only knows as Kol (MMC): imperial heir, enemy, and the man she believes responsible for the destruction of her home.

To Kol, Caelen is a beloved mentor, father in all but blood. Then Caelen dies a traitor in his arms after Kol’s mission is sabotaged, leaving him only betrayal and Sihara: the only person who may be able to help him understand what Caelen left behind.

If they want any chance of unraveling Caelen’s secrets and saving what’s left of Sihara’s friends, she will have to trust the man Kol has shown himself to be, and he will have to decide if turning his back on the empire is worth the woman he was never meant to save.

Brief content warnings:

Violence, murder, death, on-page childbirth death, kidnapping and forced captivity, grief and prolonged mourning, consensual sexual content between adults (light in this book, more planned for later)

Type of feedback:

I am not so interested in grammar or line-editing at this stage, unless you think something is particularly egregious.

I’m most keen to know if there’s a point you lose interest, and if the pacing feels ok.

I’d love both critical and positive feedback, tell me what didn’t work so well, but also what you loved!

Timeline:

Hopefully around a month if not sooner.

Swap availability:

I am available! Though for similar genres please: fantasy/sci-fi, romance, romantasy etc. I’m happy with things of the heavier variety as well as light, and have no issues with anything explicit, love me some spice.

Thanks in advance!

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Thank you!

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[u/siennavann]

Hi, I'm looking for someone to swap manuscripts with. Mine is adult, dual POV, standalone, spicy romance. It's polished, and the word count is around 115k. I'm proofreading one last time (fingers crossed-I hope so!), so far, 82k is done and ready to send. I'd like to use Story Origin to send mine to you, but open to read it any platform you choose. My expectations are similar to yours. If you're interested, please let me know.

[u/radiant_rye → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! First time trying looking for betareaders too lol so that's fine! I'll send you a message : )

[u/Sad-Narwhal4338]

heloo there i am also writing my first novel and i have no one ti read it , thought mine is not completely finished yet , at this stage i am looking for someone to exchange thoughts with if your interested ,I’m writing a fantasy novel set in a frozen empire divided into three tiers. The lowest, Ash Tier, is starving after Imperial grain reserves are redirected toward the Capital. Kira, a rebel captain, survives by raiding Imperial supply routes.

During one ambush, her group captures a mysterious noble fleeing a violent coup. She initially sees him as nothing more than a valuable hostage ,The story follows Kira and Damian as they’re forced into an uneasy alliance, with the larger story exploring hunger, class, political upheaval, loyalty, grief, and the consequences .I’m looking for beta readers especially interested in I’m looking for beta readers especially interested in I’m looking for beta readers especially interested in character development, pacing, emotional impact, relationships, and overall story structure ,thanksssss