9.5/10 At Shadowheart's beginning, Princess Briony is with Prince Eneas of Syan's Temple Dogs as she looks to return to take her rightful seat of power at Southmarch. Elsewhere, Prince Barrick is with Queen Saqri at the castle of Qul-Na-Qar. He is now part Qar after being gifted the Fireflower by the former King. The... Continue Reading →
6.5/10 Shadowrise smoothly picks up the action following the events that concluded Shadowplay. Princess Briony has revealed her true identity to the important players at the court in the Kingdom of Syan. Prince Barrick is still journeying in the Shadowlands burdened with the objective of taking Lady Porqupine's mirror to the blind King of Qul-na-qar.... Continue Reading →
9/10 In Shadowplay, Prince Barrick and Captain Ferras Vansen find themselves behind the Shadowline. The young prince has been assigned a task by the Qar noblewoman Yasammez, although he doesn't yet fully understand what it is. Elsewhere, upon realising the treason committed by the Tolly family to the crown of Southmarch, Princess Briony and the... Continue Reading →
8/10 - Shadowmarch is a slow-burning fantasy epic with fine world-building, interesting characters, and large amounts of political intrigue. It is mostly the groundwork that is set here of what I don't doubt will be a phenomenal series. Introducing the players, the factions, the warring nations, and a potential threat from the fabled Qar, the... Continue Reading →
8.5/10 I received an uncorrected advance copy of Ashes of the Sun in exchange for an honest review. I'd like to thank Django Wexler and Orbit Books for the opportunity. The first entry in the Burningblade and Silvereye series begins when Va'aht Thousandcuts - a centarch of the Twilight Order - turns up at a... Continue Reading →
7.5/10 I received a review copy of A Gathering of Ravens in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Scott Oden and Bantam Books for the opportunity. A Gathering of Ravens is the tale of Grimnir, the last orc, and is set in an alternative Europe circa the 11th century. The narrative begins when... Continue Reading →
8/10 I received an uncorrected proof copy of Camelot in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Giles Kristian and Bantam Press for the opportunity. Set ten years after the conclusion of Lancelot, Camelot follows the first-person point of view perspective of Galahad, Lancelot's son. Galahad is a novice monk of Ynys... Continue Reading →
7/10 Soon to be posted on Grimdark Magazine. I received an uncorrected proof copy of The Kingdom of Liars in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Nick Martell and Gollancz for the opportunity. The Kingdom of Liars, the first entry in The Legacy of the Mercenary King series, is the tale... Continue Reading →
8/10 The Priory of the Orange Tree is an epic fantasy jewel of a novel. It features terrific characters, stunning set-pieces and a brilliantly crafted grand and picturesque world. Throughout this tale, we follow four distinct point of view perspectives. In the East, the storytellers are Tané - an orphan who is training to join... Continue Reading →
