Tag Archives: Fantasy

A Kingdom For The Taking (The Sword Song Chronicles Book 2) by Steven A. McKay – Review

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Today I’m reviewing A Kingdom For The Taking, book 2 in The Sword Song Chronicles by Steven A. McKay!

Here’s the blurb

Following their daring escape from Herakas, the former Galnir warrior, Wulfnoth, and his loyal companions decide they must split into two less conspicuous groups in order to evade capture and pursue different, but equally vital, goals. While one party will visit the libraries of Nemea and seek to unlock the power held within the gemstone carried by Wulfnoth, the other heads for the capital city, Taenarum, where Wulfnoth’s parents have been imprisoned for the past decade by the tyrant, Lysandros, and his evil sorcerer, Nicander.
As well as the enemy soldiers tracking Wulfnoth, Greybeard, Chrysanthe, and the other friends, an even more monstrous enemy is hot on their trail. Captain Kallias was always a brutal, sadistic warrior, but now, with senses and physical traits enhanced by dark magic, he is the ultimate hunter with one mission: to kill Wulfnoth and bring the young warrior’s head to King Lysandros.
All is not well within Lysandros’s Nemea however, as decades of unrest have led to violent opposition amongst the common folk who see their taxes rising every year while their children are cut down in droves, sacrificed to the merciless, grinding war machine. As Wulfnoth and his companions seek to fulfil their missions the backdrop of political unrest could prove useful, but with murderous enemies, shocking betrayals, misunderstood ancient technology, and savage monsters to contend with, their quests seem doomed to failure.

Review

We ae back with Wulfnoth after his escape from Herakas. After being beaten down by the Galnir army, his escape and the revelations from his past… his parents are alive and imprisoned!

He will do anything to free them but enemies are everywhere!

It’s lucky that Wulfnoth has made some friends along the way to help in in his journey..Greybeard and Chrysanthe along with soldiers Ardgal, Muirren and the mage Timon!

They are being hunted and soon realise they need to split up to keep their enemies at bay.

The issue soon becomes clear that they aren’t just being hunted by a normal solider…Captain Kallias is a brutal warrior.. And Greybeard senses quickly why this man is so dangerous…

Plot wise i thought it was a great move to split the group up, not only does it give more options of where the story can go but also allows the characters the chance to develop and not be overshadowed by each other or the main story.

Splitting the group also allowed for a greater flow of the tale, you never get bored as the focus changes from chapter to chapter.. This just makes you devour the tale!

I also particularly liked the parallels with the first novel, the mythical creatures and how it links to King Lysandros and his mage Nicander, those responsible for Wulfnoth’s parents imprisonment.

What I really loved is that you can see the authors growth as they move to a new genre but at the same time the writing feels so familiar.. it’s the style and flow, the relationships and character growth.. it makes fans of the author feel at home instantly.

There’s battles, magic, love and grief.. and twists and turns meaning that ending packs a gut punch..No spoilers but it’s not the ending Wulfnoth would have liked but leaves so much promise for more to come.

The best addition character wise for me was Korax, again no spoilers, there’s development but not so much that you’ve got him worked out..I’m very interested in what happens next.

I’m left breathless.. needing to know where this will go next..

5/5 Stars!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon! (or ask any local bookseller to get a copy in for you, you’ll not regret it!)

Singers of the Sword Song by Steven A. McKay – Review

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Today is release day for Singers of the Sword Song by Steven. A McKay. The first in a brand new series (The Sword Song Chronicles).

Let’s celebrate by giving it the David’s Book Blurg once over!

Here’s the blurb!

When a desperate young soldier is pushed to breaking point, a series of shocking events will be set in motion that could change the world forever.

For thirty years war has raged across West Valkyros yet still there is no end in sight to the decades of death and destruction. In the aftermath of yet another bloody battle Wulfnoth, forced to serve in the elite Galnir infantry regiment since he was a child, attacks his own sergeant and deserts. Fleeing to the north, the frightened youth is joined on his travels by an experienced forester, and a beautiful singer they meet in a tavern after a brawl. Together the companions journey through the villages, towns, and great cities of Nemea sharing adventures, their bonds of loyalty and love growing as Wulfnoth struggles to navigate life outside the army and find his place in a world of mythical monsters, murderous criminals, magical artefacts, and seemingly endless new experiences.

Unbeknown to the friends, however, two deadly hunters are tracking their every move, intent on bringing the deserter to justice for his crimes. Just as Wulfnoth is discovering that playing music can be as rewarding as wielding a sword in battle, a shocking revelation will give his life a new purpose and intertwine his fate with that of the very people who seek to kill him.

Singers of the Sword Song is the first ever fantasy novel by bestselling author Steven A. McKay and will surely be devoured by fans of David Gemmell, Joe Abercrombie, Raymond E. Feist, and Patrick Rothfuss.

Review

Singers of the Sword Song is book 1 in a brand new series from the author of The Druid and The Heathen Horde!

McKay is well known for his works of historical fiction but now he’s taking the plunge into the world of fantasy!

Wulfnoth, a downtrodden solider decides he’s had enough, attacks his own sergeant and is forced to flee. To be fair though I don’t blame him!

Soldiers are sent to hunt him down and while trying to evade their efforts we meet a forester, who prefers to be called Greybeard.

Together they flee, Wulfnoth must evade retribution and the forester knows war will claim his home sooner rather than later!

Greybeard has a plan of sorts but nothing ever goes smoothly.

Luckily for Wulfnoth he finds distraction in the form of a beautiful singer called Chrysanthe!

Now without spoilers, the character development is vast with lots to attract the reader. Each have hidden pasts just waiting to be explored, some are just trying to forget the past, others go much deeper, none more so than Wulfnoth. McKay himself, a troubadour as he weaves this mesmerizing tale.

The book moves at pace, in a world of mythical monsters, murderous criminals, magical artefacts and so much more. I can really see this hitting the spot well for epic fantasy fans!

We also get introduced to some further characters who play their own part to perfection, Ampelios, Priapo, Ardgal, Muirren and Timon to name a few who stand out… I don’t think I’m giving too much away to say that there’s some good guys, some bad, some live.. some die..Each help shape Wulfnoth one way or another and I loved this fascinating cast.

Plot wise I loved the development, perfectly paced to keep you engaged and reading. It has everything I need, detail, growing connections, hints to the future, hidden truths.. it just works.

Singers of the Sword Song is high stakes, in an immersive world we’ve only just scratched. There’s a serious edge, you can see the fight to come and the potential for long-running narratives, and epic struggles against evil..

What really shines is you can tell the author had fun with this one.. it just flowed and his experience of writing historical fiction, along with his jaunts into the mysterious and supernatural really comes through.. I’m sure for the author it felt like a massive jump in genre but for me it felt like home, exactly what I’ve come to expect and love.. almost like it was meant to be.

5* EPIC!

To find out more or to grab a copy head to Amazon or ask your local book store to secure you a copy!!

A Winter’s Tail by Frank Westworth

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Today I’m reviewing A Winter’s Tail from Frank Westworth, a Killing Sisters Story.

Here’s the burb

Chastity Weise once killed people for a living. Some of those kills were government sanctioned. Other men were murdered to balance the scales of justice. Sometimes, her kills were a last act of charity. Back then, Chastity seduced, corrupted and overwhelmed her targets.
These days, she’s trying to keep the body count under control and earn a semi-honest living in the personal security business. But while she watches from the shadows, a murderous mystery unfolds and a trap is sprung. The ghosts of her past might be Chastity’s only hope for survival…

A slow-burn blend of hardboiled banter and knife-edge jeopardy. Recommended for readers who enjoy books by Mick Herron, Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich.

A Winter’s Tail is a self-contained novella which features characters from the Killing Sisters crime-thriller novels and the JJ Stoner short stories. It follows The Redemption Of Charm and picks up a couple of years after the events which took place in the Killing Sisters trilogy. With an agile imagination, A Winter’s Tail can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story without reading the other books. Live dangerously!

Review.

It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve had a new story from Frank Westworth but he’s back with a corker of a tale!

Chastity is trying to make a career out of her god given talents.. she kills people.. and she’s bloody good at it… Chastity likes to right wrongs.. punish those who think they are untouchable..

Now don’t get me wrong, Chastity loves a good kill but her talents are more than just that, she’s clever, can easily track people down, gain evidence and such… and it’s one one such job when things go a little sideways…

Someone is shot…and Chastity becomes suspect number one.. but she didn’t do it.. who saw her there? things just seem off.

The trouble is Chastity is a bit of a lost soul now without her sisters and the brooding talents of JJ Stoner to aid her.. she’s on her own….or is she??

There’s a wonderful blast from the past coming to bring their holy guidance to Chastity..this is just what she needed.. someone to help her see the wood for the trees, to see what stinks with this whole mission..

It’s a great reintroduction to Chastity and in the typical style of Frank Westworth it’s not about the word count..his writing is short, sharp, abrasive and cutting.. it gets to the blunt point just like the characters portrayed.

What I really love about these short stories from the author is the words the story doesn’t say, the reader given the chance to imagine, to remember, but with enough depth and development that allows the tale to flow solidly.

I’m always left wanting more. If you want to read this as a standalone I’d say it’s a 4* as you’ll not fully understand the characters, the dark humour.. which for me is a big thing with these stories..for fans of the series though it’s an easy 5* addition.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

The Vengeance of Merlin by Steven A. McKay  (Warrior Druid of Britain Book 6)

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Today I’m reviewing the newly released The Vengeance of Merlin by Steven A. McKay  (Warrior Druid of Britain Book 6)

What better way to celebrate publication day than with the David’s Book Blurg treatment!

Here’s the blurb

The brand new instalment in the Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles sees Bellicus of Dun Breatann facing not only bloodthirsty enemies but also the biggest decision of his life in this fast-paced historical thriller!
AD 434 – Caer Legion, Western Britain
A heinous crime is perpetrated against the druids of Britain and a grief-stricken Bellicus suddenly finds his world changing in ways he never expected. Before he can begin to make sense of things the terrible news that the Picts have allied with the Saxons and now march on Dun Breatann together spurs the warrior-druid into action, and soon he and his companions are racing homewards.Horsa, fearsome leader of the sea-wolves, promises to use any tactic – including torture and dark magic – against Bellicus’s terrified Damnonii people who are being slaughtered and dragged from their burnt out villages to please the Saxons’ brutal gods.
Bellicus, his friend Duro, and the great war-dog Cai will need all their bravery, experience, and cunning to stand against the insane cruelty of the raiders which even shocks their own allies in the Pictish army.
Many will fall as the fighting rages, but can bonds of loyalty, friendship, and family be enough to save Queen Narina and the people of Dun Breatann from the grim fate their enemies have planned for them?
This new Warrior Druid of Britain adventure is sure to delight lovers of fast-paced historical fiction, especially readers of Peter Gibbons, Griff Hosker, and Bernard Cornwell.

Saxons and Picts come together to conquer Northern Britain, but when the war is over they must face the vengeance of Merlin!

Review

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the big warrior Druid Bellicus, but it honestly feels like home being back with the big guy, the centurion Duro  and Bel’s loyal companion Cai.

The Damnonii people are in danger but little does Bel know how much danger. The Saxons are on the warpath, led by the despicable Horsa, with Sigarr by his side. The Saxon’s have a grudge against Bel and the Damnonii and you know this just can’t end well!

When we see Bel, he and Duro are travelling. The Merlin has called a moot and every Druid from far and wide is attending.. These events don’t happen often so it’s a time of excitement and energy. The Druids spend their time sharing knowledge, discussing the threats faced from the Saxon’s and the Christians.. it’s during these events that the most heinous crime occurs that rocks the Druid community to the core.

There’s no time to digest things though as Bel quickly learns of an attack on Dun Breatann! Bel as we know loves Dun Breatann.. the people.. the place.. but there’s two other things that keep his heart there too Narina and Catia. The woman he loves but can’t have, and the daughter he fathered in a night of drunken madness..

Bel must head back to Dun Breatann but he also has to balance his commitments to the Druids and to Arthur the warlord who is leading the resistance against the Saxons.

When Bel gets back to Dun Breatann he has to use all his skills as a Druid and every trick up his sleeve to defeat the enemy.. but will it be enough.. and how many countless will die for nothing..

I’ve been a little vague I must admit as I don’t want to spoil the twists the author has thrown in but rest assured The Vengeance of Merlin has your heart in your throat from the first page to last.

I loved that the book still has battles but at the same time the focus is more on the build up.. the torture of the innocents caught up in the fight. It humanised the war and the worst moments even had me queasy.. the emotion pours off the page affecting the reader as much as those within the tale.

There’s still some fun light-hearted moments when Bel has a bit of fun with his Druid trickery but they are few and far between for Bel in this grief stricken instalment.

Let’s get on to characters and development .. wow… we meet new characters as well as getting acquainted with old friends and foes. Each shine though in their own right… the Volva, Yngvildr for example, god she’s brutal in her torturous ways but damn she makes things exciting.

One of the new characters we meet towards to end of the tale is Oengus.. his part isn’t huge but I’m hoping we see him again as I was immediately drawn to him.. I have hope that he and another returning character Aife will appear again somewhere down the line.

There’s a very interesting Saxon too..Saksnot..let’s just say by the time you know his name you’ll understand why he excited me.. he’s got a talent.. and a mission..

I won’t lie the tale did hurt at times.. no ones safe and at every turn of the page you can’t help but worry what might befall your favourite characters.. but this just added to the tension and the overall excitement I felt reading the tale.

The Vengeance of Merlin perfectly sets up for the next instalment.. no one comes out of the one unscathed.. Hengist may be down south battling Arthur’s forces but the winner isn’t certain and what does this mean for Bel and the people he loves.

For fans of the series there’s so much to enjoy with this one and the author has been very cunning with the detail, perfectly blended so if someone was to join now they could quickly understand the main players in the tale. Even as someone whose been there from the start even I enjoyed reminding myself of the back story.. events just stick with you.. Duro’s past for example.. the little reminders take you right back to the beginning when he couldn’t even get that chainmail on..

5*

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon!

Usurper:  (Victorinus Book 2) by Adam Lofthouse – REVIEW

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Today I’m going to be reviewing Usurper:  (Victorinus Book 2) by Adam Lofthouse!

Here’s the blurb

The second book in a thrilling new series of adventures set in Roman Britain. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Ben Kane, SJA Turney and Gordon Doherty.

Wall of Hadrian. Britannia, 382 AD

War is creeping back into the land. As silent as snowfall, as inevitable as winter. They’ve had sixteen years of peace, but all things must end.

Tribune Sixtus Victorinus has grown old, complacent. Blind to the truth that stares him in the face, he contents himself with what he has. He runs errands for the Dux Britanniarum Flavius Maximus and watches with joy as his boys grow to become men.

It is his friend, Prefect Gaius Felicius, who first spots the signs. Once more, the Caledonian tribes are rearing their heads in the north, but the greatest danger does not lie with them.

For there is a new pretender to the throne of the West. Another man who seeks to drape himself in purple. Caught up in a scheme they cannot comprehend, Victorinus and Felicius must navigate their way through both a war in the depths of winter, and a treasonous plot that will shake the Roman Empire to its core.

A new age dawns on the men of the Britannia. For Victorinus, he must fight for the right to see the sun rise over it.

Usurper is the second book in the Victorinus series: an action packed, immersive military adventure that will sweep the reader through the tumultuous years of the late Roman Empire.

Review

Oh it’s good to have another book from Adam Lofthouse! The author never fails to surprise me with his masterfully woven tales.

As a fan of the author I’m of course going to tell you to read all his other books if you can, especially Victorinus Book 1, but truthfully the plot is so wonderfully written you don’t need to, all the detail is right there to get you up to speed quickly but at the same time naturally. If you haven’t read the 1st book I can guarantee after reading this you’ll want to that’s for sure!

I’m not going to say I’m an expert but I love this period of time.. Maximus, Theodosius and Gratian.. well known names to me and the genre but Lofthouse manages to bring some fresh energy to the scene!

We follow Tribune Sixtus Victorinus and Felicius as they serve the empire to the best of their ability.. but little do they know what’s coming for them. They once saved the empire from the biggest threat possible… and they are going to have to do it again!

War is coming and there’s plenty of battles for the gore fans, and I really liked the details added to formations of the horse units for example to help the reader really understand their place in the battles.. it’s like a chess game and a bad strategy can cause you a defeat.. but at the same time.. don’t take things for granted.. they might just be playing games with you..

Both characters are thrown into the thick of danger at every turn of the page..it’s just a full on adrenaline rush of the tale.. each forced to fight to stay alive.. but who are the enemies really? If you know the period you’ll have a good idea, the political landscape at the time was complicated to say the least and the men of the time only wanted one thing… power!

If anything I feel Adam Lofthouse just keeps getting better and better with his plot and the subtle details that make the characters come alive. I particularly liked that the author showed how tough being in the army could be on the soldiers’ feet! I doubt many of us today could march like the roman legions!

What really shines through is the relationships between the men.. forged in the heat of battle…theirs friendship, family, love.. it’s so beautifully lovely and brutal at the same time..then throw in those twists! Christ.. my heart could barely take it! if the author makes me worry about Amor in the next book as much as in this one I think I’ll be writing a strongly worded letter for sure ha ha.

I’m going to be perfectly honest and say I reckon the author needs to give the character Drost his own series now! Oh how I loved that man and his humour! He’s got so much going for him and I really could see his own tale working.

The setup for the next book in the series couldn’t have been better.. what Lofthouse does is leaves you with the taste for more..that’s not any easy thing to do.. sometimes endings can leave things flat… oh hell no.. not this story…I really do need more.

Lofthouse isn’t one of the best… he IS the best!

There’s only thing to say about this book.. SNAILS! Who knew.. well done to the author for another cracking read.. and whoever designed the cover needs a pay rise 😊

5/5 Stars

It’s only February but I’m tipping this as my pick of 2024 already!

To find our more head to Amazon or Goodreads

MEDUSA’S SHAME: THE SACRED THRONE SERIES – BOOK ONE – PUBLICATION DAY!!!!

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Today is a very good day indeed! Today sees the release of Medusa’s Shame, the first book in a brand new series by one of my favourite authors, Robert Southworth!

I’ve followed Rob’s career since day 1 and I’m always eager to see what he can come up with next.

Here’s the cover!

And here’s the blurb:-

A New Epic Fantasy…
The darkness is spreading. A malevolent presence invades the hearts and minds of both gods and men. Whispers of wealth and power turns brother against brother, friend into foe.

Agamemnon and Menelaus stepped through the burning remnants that was once their home. They wanted to fight, stand in defiance against the usurper, Thyestes. But Pallas, trusted friend of King Atreus, had been given orders. he must take the princes beyond the reach of Thyestes. A perilous journey must be undertaken. They must flee, but do they leave their misfortune within the scorched remains of Mycenae, or do they carry that torment to other lands?

And so, it begins…

To say I’m excited is an understatement! why not help celebrate the release by bagging yourself a copy! I got mine this morning 🙂 £2.50 on Kindle is a bargain, and for the physical book lovers you can get a copy for just £9.99!!

Let me know what you think of the cover and the blurb and share some love!

To find out more head to Amazon (or your preferred book seller 🙂 Jeff has plenty of money after all. )

Blog Tour – The Summoned Ones: Book 1 Flight to Bericea by Darryl A. Woods – Review!

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Today is my turn on the blog tour for The Summoned Ones: Book 1 Flight to Bericea by Darryl A. Woods, organised by the brillant Emma @ 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚋𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚜.𝚌𝚘𝚖. I received a copy of the book for review but loved it that much I’ve bought a copy too!

Here is the blurb –

The Bericean army was in Malabrim for the ninth straight fighting season. Over the past 9 years, Zybaro, the leader of a small band of unknowns, had evolved from his days as a minor usurper of a tiny kingdom. Now, almost the entire country of Malabrim was under Zybaro’s control, and his army was large enough to easily challenge Bericea’s army. Still, Bericea continued its raids into Malabrim, hoping to stem Zybaro’s methodical progress and thwart his tyrannical means of control. Zybaro had seized village after village, forcing anyone capable of joining his army and enslaving all who remained in deplorable working conditions to supply his army.

This latest conflict with Zybaro had pushed General Darnon to a decision, one he had resisted making for over a year. Though he still held grave reservations about the Prophecies, he was willing to support the clerics who would attempt the summoning. The details of the ritual had recently been discovered in an ancient tome. The clerics were confident they could bring forth the Summoned Ones of Prophecy, those mysterious beings who would aid Bericea in its time of greatest need.

Darnon also had concerns about the location of the summoning. It would have to take place farther into Malabrim than they had ventured in many years. And even if the ritual was effective, it would be a great challenge to get the Summoned Ones safely back to Bericea, in addition to the soldiers sent to protect them. However, Darnon felt that morale was so low, if they survived this battle, he owed his troops the hope the summoning ritual could bring.

Join the soldiers of Bericea and the Summoned Ones through a life-or-death struggle. The Summoned Ones was made up of a small college aged group of friends from a small Kentucky town near the Daniel Boone National Forrest, who find themselves somehow brought to a chaotic world through magic. Their epic journey will push the Summoned beyond the limits of their endurance. This unlikely group will discover many truths about themselves and experience another world beyond their imagination.

Review

A war is being fought and the Bericea army need their champions, the prophesied Summoned Ones to enter the fray. The opening chapter introduces you to some of our heroes in this war.. as soon as I turned the page, I knew I needed more.

The Summoned Ones aren’t battle hardened warriors though.. They are a bunch of friends whisked away from their home on a magical journey to another world.

As Epic fantasy goes this ticks the boxes…book 1 is about laying the foundations and developing the characters. The author takes time to cover each main player in the book in detail, you learn their strengths in this new world.. each has their own role to play in the events that will follow. The connections.. their traits.. it all leads to the characters being very likable and interesting.

It’s rare for me to say I enjoyed every characters but I truly did.. no one seems out of place.. each has their own story being told. I loved the good guys… and I loved the bad guys.

I love a book to flow well and I’m not overly keen on long chapters.. if you are going to do long chapters you need to capture the audience which this author certainly did superbly.. it was enthralling..

There is a lot of detail in the book but nothing felt forced.. rather it is given when needed and not overdone. The detailed descriptions helped me envisage the world the author created, and I easily managed to immerse myself. I found the whole idea of how the magic was harnessed/used fascinating.

I felt the tone is set right for a young adult epic fantasy novel.. It’s clear from the start what roles the Summoned Ones play but I liked that.. I liked seeing them develop as when they arrive they just aren’t ready for the task ahead. They need to grow.

The last chapter really stood out for me.. it’s slightly darker and we learn more of Zybaro and his dark arts.. but wow! More of that please!

Overall a great start.. who doesn’t love the idea and sword fighting and magic? foundations laid perfectly for the series and I’m intrigued to read more.

4/5 Stars!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon. (Shop local if you can though)

My thanks go to Emma @ 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚋𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚜.𝚌𝚘𝚖. for having me on the tour.. why not follow along?

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The Zolin Conspiracy (Malykant Mysteries #9) by Charlotte E. English – Review

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Next up on David’s Book Blurg I’m reviewing The Zolin Conspiracy (Malykant Mysteries #9) by Charlotte E. English.

Here’s the blurb

Konrad Savast is the Malykant: the most secret servant of the God of Death. His job? To track down the foulest of murderers and bring them to The Malykt’s Justice. No mercy. No quarter.

Out in the deep snow lies the body of a gentleman, dressed for a party — and missing his head. Konrad investigates, only to find a surprising dearth of information about the victim. Bogdan Zolin was a man with a glittering social record — and little else.

Just who was he? What secrets lie in his mysterious past? With the help of a wayward witch, a mild-mannered police inspector, and an undead street urchin, Konrad must delve deep into the hidden secrets of the aristocratic world. And hope to emerge alive.

Review

It’s been a while since I reviewed a book of Charlotte’s.. why you may ask.. she’s just so prolific I can’t keep up! Ha.

In all honesty I’ve been reading lots.. life got in the way of reviewing but it’s time to make up for that and get some reviews up J

So we are back with Konrad Savast.. he’s the Malykant and gives a voice to those who no longer have their own..Trust me.. you don’t want Konrad knocking on your door! He’s a hunter..with a talent for tracking down murderers.

This time Konrad finds the headless body of Bogdan Zolin.. but who is he? And why do people seem to know so little about the man? He’s a mysterious figure that’s for sure but Konrad is duty bound to bring the killer to justice.

While hunting the killer we continue to see the character development from Konrad that has been building over the series..he’s not the person he once was..can he still trust in his powers to be there when he needs them? And ultimately what will happen to him in the end? It’s not like you walk away from this type of job.

As usual theres twists and turns and hidden truths to be found. I don’t think I’ve read a more fun series that also happens to be pretty gruesome in its portrayal of death.. but the humour is perfectly balanced. His complicated relationship with Nanda will keep fans of the series hooked too!

I don’t want to spoil the plot but the details but the character of Bogdan was fascinating.. a task made difficult since he’s dead.. but he’s effortlessly brought to life and the major twists with him really gave him something.. made him more than just a footnote in the book.

I bang on about this a lot but Charlotte E. English has the perfect style of writing to hook you in, short sharp and ultimately easy flowing chapters means you can be forgiven for demolishing this book in a of couple hours.

What I really love about the series is the fact it never gets boring or repetitive.. yes there’s the underlying character development of Konrad.. but that’s something I want to see.. mix in a fun and fresh plot each time just makes this one of the best series to read. Dark and magical with the humour to match.

Another cracking read from the author who continues to give the readers just what they need.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

5/5 Stars.

The Innkeeper by MJ Porter as JE Porter – Review

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Next up on David’s Book Blurg I’m reviewing The Innkeeper by MJ Porter as JE Porter.

Here’s the blurb

Mann has a secret he can tell no one, and it’s not that the beguiling whores of Slutet believe he’s the best shag they’ve ever had.

No, being able to summon anything he wants, from thin air, is not something he wants to share. Neither is the fact that he has no recollection of his past, or that, as time goes on, his life never ends. (He doesn’t mind if the whores want to tell everyone about his prowess in the bedchamber, mind, and neither does he mind sharing it with all who come asking).

Not that his summoning power is his only secret, but the end of the millennia and a meeting of apparent strangers might be about to answer the questions he never even realised he had.

Whether a Nine or a None, Mann has a duty only he can fulfil, and this cycle, he’s failed, spectacularly. But there’s always tomorrow, or, rather, yesterday, to do it all over again, if he can only find what he lost.

As a Nine or a None, Mann must uncover his destiny by revisiting the past.

Review

The Innkeeper follows Mann.. he appears out of nowhere near Slutet.. why or how he doesn’t  know but he soon learns he has a special ability to summon the things he needs to survive.. but where do they come from and why does he have this power?

Full disclosure this book is like nothing I’ve read before.. it’s a magical fantasy/mystery tale but Mann is quite an enigma so the only thing you learn quickly is that he likes the word fuck a lot and he’s fond of his lady friends.

Mann soon settles in Slutet as an Innkeeper. As the years pass he sees those he knows live and die.. but he’s still here….and he’s not aged a day… at some point people will start to notice won’t they? Surely? He needs an exit plan.

This is a complex plan involving him leaving his home… at least for a while.

Just when he feels he has a way out others like him appear.. they are searching for someone.. is it him? If not who?

The major issue is he doesn’t know who he can trust…and even if they seem honest is this just an act?

As the tale progresses we see Mann learn to master his powers which made the chapters intriguing as he tried to put his plan into action.

The Nine and the None are a fun idea.. neither group seems to really know who is which or if they even like each other but the conversations between them were fun to read.

Looking at characters The Innkeeper has a vast array of weird and wonderful  individuals to get to know.. not many like to give much away though.. but it’s this lack of connection with them that actually makes them very appealing.

The plot itself is insane..crazy and bloody marvellous.. I can’t quite explain it.

For being so wonderfully strange and original it’s a 4* star from me.. The Nine and the None are so mysteriously baffling and I found myself really enjoying it.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

4/5 Stars.

The Flight of the Darkstar Dragon by Benedict Patrick – Review

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Next up on David’s Book Blurg is The Flight of the Darkstar Dragon by Benedict Patrick

Here’s the blurb

Genre: – Fantasy/Steampunk

Lost with her ship and crew in an unfamiliar land, Min’s first command could be her last.

Nothing here behaves the way it should:

The magic that powers her skyship has been drained, rendering it immobile.

The sky is an endless twilight, lit by the luminous fish that swim in it.

Off starboard, there’s also the country-sized dragon that is looking particularly hungry.

It will take all of Min’s training and experience to get her people safely back home, but as the truth about the Darkstar Dimension begins to be revealed, Min will have to prove to her crew – and to herself – that she is still the best person for the job.

Review

The Flight of the Darkstar Dragon is the newest offering from Benedict Patrick. I’ve been a fan of the author for a while after being sucked into his work with his rather unique imagination. The style of writing always keeps me engaged and its impossible to put his books down.

In the latest offering we are following Min.. Captain of the Melodious Narwhal.. well I say Captain but she’s not really and the rest of the crew have no issues with letting their commanding officer know what they think of her and her fancy academy training.

When we first meet the crew they are in danger as their ship plummets to the ground.. the issue is no one knows what’s went wrong..or even where they are..

Now it wouldn’t be much of a story if they died in chapter one so it won’t shock you to know they make it.. just.. it’s then they realise things aren’t quite right and it slowly becomes apparent this isn’t their home.

Slowly drifting towards and island they notice they aren’t alone and this is where we meet the wonderful Brightest..this old man has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and the biggest is the fact the island isn’t quite an island.. I’ll say no more on that J

We soon learn from Brightest that the Darkstar Dimension sucks all sorts of things into it from other worlds.. including them..the issue is the ship is broken and they have no way to get home.

A moment of hope is given when Brightest explains these rifts that open into the Darkstar Dimension sometimes have a pattern to their movements and Min’s homeworld will reappear.. in three years!

Faced with that bombshell the crew have mixed feelings.. There must be a way home..and what price are they willing to pay to get there?

Min is pitted against some of the crew in a battle that will test her resolve.. she’s strong willed and wants to uphold the values set by her people.. but not everyone agrees.

While Min tries to keep her crew in check Brightest takes her on a trip through a rift in search of food supplies.. while there who will keep the crew in check?

What happens next is full on heart stopping! The Darkstar Dragon is hungry.. and the one thing keeping them safe is also their one chance of making it home but can Min convince the crew the price is too high? As the suspense builds so does the excitement!

There’s so many wonderful characters in this book and the plot was just exceptional.. I don’t know where the author’s ideas come from but he continues to amazing me.

The only word I can think of the describe the book is “exceptional”

The pace of the tale is slow at first.. so many questions waiting to be answered but the author has put you right in Min’s shoes.. you learn as she does and this perspective just adds to the suspense of the unknown.

There seems like endless possibilities in this world that’s been created so I do hope more is on the way 🙂

Full 5/5 Stars from me for the author who continues to offer fun, exciting and gripping tales.. I almost feel bad that I burn through his books so fast but they are just so damn good!

To find out more head to Amazon or Goodreads