Sometimes all you need is just a little bit of a disconnect to refresh yourself. Anyways here's this little goober just enjoying the forest; he's a desert boy so he's loving the fauna and flora.

The review below my short paragraphs is originally by @[email protected], but their thoughts reflect a lot of mine and their post is the original reason I put this book in my backlog. This isn't necessarily a furry-themed book but it does have a ton of cute fuzzy creatures in it that play a bulk of the characters, and you'd be forgiven for calling it a furry-adjacent novel. Unfortunately the book is not fully finished but I'm on chapter 98 of 167 at the moment, with a new chapter coming out every few days. I find it difficult to estimate just how long this book is because of its digital chapter format, but it's taken a while to get to where I am in the story.

The beginning of the story quickly opens with an interesting plot, but then it keeps getting better and better and better. After chapter ~40 I was fully hooked and am having trouble putting it down. It keeps surprising me with twists and turns and I feel like I never know what's going to happen next. I also really enjoy how many main characters there are - there's at least a dozen characters we're paying attention to at any given moment, and you really get a feel for everyone's motives and thoughts.

The writing quality is also excellent for being a work in progress. It must be extremely hard to write a story from start to finish without needing to edit story structure or pacing. The only real nitpick I've noticed is that we're introduced to many new characters throughout the story, and every time we get a new one we have to go through their thoughts while they learn and contemplate the previous events of the story. It can feel a little repetitive but it's usually framed from a slightly different perspective and bias each time so it doesn't end up feeling like the exact same thing over and over.

Overall, I have to agree with the 5/5 rating so far and I hope the story never ends. As far as I'm aware, there are fanfictions and spinoffs for the universe that I'll probably have to look into once I reach the "end".

(Also, I had to frequently search through the NoP wiki (beware of spoilers) and e621 to get a feel for every alien's appearance. There's so many different alien types and I had trouble remembering what they look like)

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/719657

I don't like reviewing unfinished works, as I feel a poor landing can destroy a whole story, just as a perfect finale can justify anything. There are 127 chapters out, as of me writing this.

However, I feel that every second that I stay silent about this web-series is a second wasted, an utter affront to fiction, and a betrayal of everything I stand for.

If even one person reading this did not know of "The Nature of Predators", I command you to look into it.

This is pure brilliancy. An epic story filled with action, drama, tension beyond belief. Mystery, betrayal, political collusion, and romance spanning the whole universe... There is nothing missing!

I have racked my brain for any weakness in the story... Maybe the pace, or the prose, maybe the characters aren't developed enough, maybe the plot isn't compelling enough... But no. Everything is impeccable, a true work of art. And to think it's not even completed yet.

"The Nature of Predators" follows several characters, with different beliefs, motivations, and interests. Some characters only appear later in the story, some appear early but fizzle out, some we've had the pleasure of accompanying from the very start and to this day.

There are characters you are made to love unconditionally, and characters you are made to hate. Some that want ultimate good, but can't help their nature, and those that went against their nature for their own survival. Terror inflicted upon the innocent, BY the innocent. A world upside down.

I simply cannot describe the emotional weight of the characters. I'm not ashamed to say I've bawled while reading this. Straight up tears and snot.

And in all this chaos, different personalities and stories clashing all over the universe, somehow everything clicks. Every plot point is addressed, in due time, and never are you left high and dry wondering helplessly about the true nature of things. It feels like no stone is left unturned...

But the stones never end! There is always the next step, the next adventure, the next mystery, the next quarrel... It's a relentless journey into the cosmos, and it's expanse is unending beauty.

A perfect balance between closure and novelty, tension and release.

My words CANNOT do this work justice. I urge you to read it, or listen to it. Do whatever you can to inject this story into your mind, for you will not regret it.

That being said, it is HFY. I know that bothers some people.

---

Rating: 5/5

Read on Royal Road!
Alternatively, listen on Youtube:

• Adastra has the best narration, but is currently almost 100 chapters behind.
• Agro Squirrel Narrates is only about 10 chapters behind, but the narration isn't as good (IMHO).

Commission done for @[email protected].

src for this adorable artwork by Aseethe

found this on Furaffinity, very cute art :3

My sona Felix, having. A time. Made in GIMP using a mouse

(This review is a cross-post of one I posted on the furry.engineer mastodon instance. I wanted to cross-post it here so folks here on the Lemmy side of things could see it as well.)

“The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass...” Wait, that’s not right.

“Lyra and her daemon moved through the darkening hall…” Hmm, not quite.

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” Wait, no that’s not right either…

Ah, here we go! “The grey fox fled through the forest, her paws as quiet as an owl’s shadow...” and thus begins Joaquin Baldwin’s (@[email protected]) epic fantasy tale Wolf of Withervale, the first book in his Noss Saga series. In the first book of this already epic series, we find Lago Vaari and his friends, new and old, embark on the start a hero’s journey across the lands of Noss. Learning the secrets of an ancient and powerful mask, they come to discover that far more is at play in their world than any of them had expected. There is no doubt that a reader coming to it will find the story deeply engrossing, and absolutely looking forward to future books within the wider series.

What Joaquin has crafted with the first book of the Noss Saga is absolutely spectacular, nay I think the word beautiful is truly the one way to describe the book in a single term. The world building and lore are spectacular, the themes are as varied as they are deep, rich in meaning and storytelling. The characters, both protagonists and antagonists, are deeply crafted with their own understandings and modus operandi, each adding their own unique thread to the story. Wolf of Withervale is a marvelous foundation for the Noss Saga series, and I can truly say that I cannot wait to see what is in store in the books to come!

Coming back to art and trying to focus on webcomics again! If it interests you give it a read and let me know what you think! ^w^

src for this awesome art

found this on Furaffinity, I recommend watching the movie :3

The goober in question: https://www.deviantart.com/caecuss/art/Tiena-Feral-876502282

src for this cute artwork by Kinniro

found this on Furaffinity, very wholesome art :3

Commission done for Griffonki on Reddit.

Twyn Ryder is a warrior who specializes in heavy weapons(battle axes, scythes, claymores, etc) who was given cybernetic enhancements using Wylorian steel found in a meteor after sustaining nigh fatal injuries in combat.

When his eyes glow, he is using his power of thermal sight.

Woah, just got wings now!

This game has so much heart and effort put into it. The gameplay is such a blast from the past. Like a newgrounds dirtbike game that got to grow up into a full ass story game. Speaking of which, the story and characters really draw you into the atmosphere. The animations throughout are true gems in the rough as far as I'm concerned. All the while an absolute bop of a soundtrack highlights it all. Perfectly eminating the somber but hopeful tone. Runs super smooth on my steam deck so I bet it'll run great on anything. I highly recommend you give it a shot!

src for this spooky artwork by OrcaOwl

found this on Furaffinity, perfect for spooky month :3

Hey everyone,

A few days ago, I was with my boyfriend in VC on Discord, and he showed me his new, first suit, and when he put on the headpiece, it seemed like he became a different person.

It wasn't just putting on a suit, it transformed him into his character... I've never seen something like that happen before. I totally get the appeal now of fursuits!

He also posted an unboxing video, in case you're interested! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E36tyB5C5ew

It's been weeks since I posted a dream, most of them were boring.

I had to catch up a lot of sleep + a cold kept me from having a deep sleep required for getting those wonderful dreams where you end up in other worlds and experience wild adventures.

Last night, fortunately, was one of those night. A magical portal was found into the world of Zootopia! Let's dive into the dream world.

It all started with me being at home. Apparently, I was in a very heavy fight with my mom, but the reason was unknown. All I knew was that it was a very heated fight.

We were screaming and yelling at each other in the living room, and outside it was semi-dark, suggesting it was around early evening. This type of fight never happens in real life.

I was yelling at her, when suddenly, we heard a loud “knock!” — so loud, that it broke our fight instantly. With an expression of fear, we both peaked out the window. The faint daylight made it possible to still look outside.

What I saw there, was beyond normal – my uncle and some of his friends held machetes or big, dull knifes and were about to break into our house. Once fighting, my mom and I now teamed up to fight our new common enemy. We swiftly grabbed the biggest knifes in the kitchen and opened the front door and attacked them before they could get in.

It was a big bloody painful fight, I remember getting cut left and right from my uncle and his buddies. The reasons why they attacked us was unknown, but it hurt a lot, even for a dream. (I always feel things in dreams as if they were happening IRL, sometimes I even wake up with the same pain on my real body, luckily that didn't happen this time).

For some reason we managed to win the fight and went back inside to treat our wounds. After that, news came out that a portal was found in our world that leads to … Zootopia?

The best part was that it was open to the public. So I went to the portal, it looked somewhat like this.

Just before the portal, an animal was waiting near the entrance, leaning against it. It looked like a brown animal that I couldn't place well. It asked me: “Do you want to enter as human or as your animal counterpart?”

“Just as my human”, I replied, surprised there were options.

I passed through the rubber curtain, and instantly I was in this lovely room with a bar, a lot of plants, and some music that fits well in a Savannah themed area!

I opened my eyes wide walked slowly inside the room and looked around, the scene was so beautifully crafted as if my dream was made by Disney or DreamWorks! The style fit so well that it was almost impossible to imagine. I still don't understand why I ended up in the real world of Zootopia, because I don't even like Zootopia all that much (the art style doesn't speak to me).

That didn't make it any less special, I knew full well I was witnessing something amazing – animals of all kinds and sizes sat at the bar or relaxing on big pillows on the floor. It was clear this place was set up for those that just arrived through the portal.

I sat at the bar, and asked for a drink, I was served something that was akin to beer, but it was different in taste.

I remember having fun and talking to other animals there for a while. A tap on my shoulder broke the fun.

I looked back, and this female gazelle like creature met my gaze. Behind her was this giant bull-like creature. Both of them wore police uniforms.

“Mister Willemsen, Could you come with us please?”, the gazelle asked me with a stern expression.

“Sure…” I said softly, afraid of what was going to happen. I was guided in a room not far from the café where there was this big square table, police and other animals were sitting, they ordered me to take a seat next to them.

“Am I under arrest?” I asked the police animals. “We just want to ask you a few questions…”, the gazelle replied, also having taken a seat at the other side of the table.

I swallowed… I knew what it was about, the fight I had with my uncle! Shit I'm going to jail for violence!

“I… I swear it was self-defense!” I replied directly. “That's what we will find out”, she replied.

“C-can I go get a drink real quick?”, I asked. “Sure,” she said.

I got off again, and for some reason, I didn't walk to the bar, but I walked straight past it, through the portal again, and to my own house to grab a glass of lemonade! I have no idea why! It would've been easier to go to the bar as it was closer by.

This did make me lucid, though, as when I walked back to the portal, the distance seemed much further than it normally was! In fact, it took me nearly 30 minutes in dream time to go back to the portal, even though to my house and kitchen was like 5 minutes.

This huge discrepancy in time made me aware that this was a dream. I still wanted to be in Zootopia, so I started running towards the portal, but my running slowed down as if it was recorded in slow-motion. It also almost woke me up.

I don't know why, but for some reason, I could feel that, IRL, I was still very early in my sleep and had plenty of time, so I decided to walk again and focus on the portal. Finally, having found it, I walked through it again. I got back at the table with my drink, but sadly, at that point, I already woke up…

https://twitter.com/silverkyuubi17/status/1715780023477481628

Purification process begins!

Luis doing cosplay of my favorite character

The Batter is a character from OFF, it is a very uncanny game with a surreal desing and music, yet wonderfull... Maybe a good choice for this month