Introduction
On the rewrite...
I wrote Nighthunter in 2017 and it was my first story on RR. This is a refining of that earlier vision. It is not that I considered the original bad, but I’ve grown enough as an author that revisiting it will be worthwhile.
Throughout the story, I plan to write post-chapter notes touching on my thoughts as a creator. Many of these will have spoilers or discuss why I changed an element of the story. If that concerns you, I’d suggest avoiding them.
Previously, I tried to submit Nighthunter’s appendices as their own fiction and was unable to do so. Supplementary material has to be attached to the main work, which is unfortunate as there isn’t a way to cleanly do that.
On the tone…
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Nighthunter takes place in an old, decaying world. The realm absorbs people and places from younger worlds like Earth in a bid to siphon energy and keep itself aloft. It’s not a sustainable condition.
Alexandra is a well-meaning hero. If things had worked out differently, she’d have become a shining solar paladin. The cards she’s dealt are those of shadows and moonlight, however. She’s also madly in love with someone unobtainable.
I’d consider the setting grimdark and Alexa an anti-hero. I’d also consider this a work of romance fiction.
After some consideration, I’ve decided to use those tags knowing that they’ll be off-putting to people who would otherwise like the work. Likewise, those looking for a grimdark anti-hero could easily be put off by the tale.
On content…
Nighthunter would be an R-rated film. There is horror in parts and sexuality in others. The hero struggles with psychological issues. Those who’ve read the previous version will recall a chapter with sexual assault in it. I’m debating as to whether include it in this version or not.
There is also religious content. Many fantasy stories shy away from issues of faith or spiritual matters, but this one embraces it.
On rainbows…
The main character is a bisexual woman. I’m pointing this out specifically because there were complaints from readers—some bemoaned the lack of straight female leads on RR and a surprising number found it off-putting when she showed interest in attractive men.