Storm Dancer
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Storm Dancer

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4.38 of 5 stars 4.38  ·  rating details  ·  69 ratings  ·  28 reviews
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Demon-possessed siege commander, Dahoud, atones for his atrocities by hiding his identity and protecting women from war's violence - but can he shield the woman he loves from the evil inside him?

Principled weather magician, Merida, brings rain to a parched desert land. When her magical dance rouses more than storms, she needs to overcome her...more
Kindle Edition, 471 pages
Published September 11th 2011 by Scimitar Press (first published January 1st 2011)
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  • Storm Dancer by Rayne Hall
    Storm Dancer
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    Dahoud is a troubled hero with a dark past. As a siege commander, he once razed, raped and killed... and he enjoyed it. Now he needs to atone.
    He has…more
    Giveaway dates: Apr 24 - May 24, 2013
    1 copy available, 1159 people requesting
    Countries available: US, CA, and GB more
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    (showing 1-30 of 748)
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    Kyra Halland
    (I was given a free copy of this book for the purpose of giving an honest review.)

    Storm Dancer is a big, sweeping, epic fantasy set in an exotic desert land, with colorful and compelling characters. Dahoud, possessed by a djinn who urges him to horrifying acts of rape and other atrocities, is fighting to control the djinn and make amends for the terrible things he's done. Merida, a magician and loyal citizen of the extremely ordered and rigid Virtuous Republic of Riverland, has been sent to the...more
    R. Rose
    This is a review of “Storm Dancer” by Rayne Hall. 4.5 of 5 stars

    I reviewed this book solely from a reader’s prospective. Although dark fantasy is not my genre of choice, this book is a good read for its genre. I found myself rooting for the protagonist’s battles against his various antagonists, as well as, himself. I also found myself wanting to smack the heroine on the forehead and shout, “Wake up and smell the camel dung,” on numerous occasions. I am assuming there is a sequel as there were so...more
    Sarah Castillo
    Storm Dancer, by Rayne Hall, is a heroic fantasy set in a land that is vaguely middle eastern. There is light magic throughout in the form of soothsayers, rain dancers, and simple spells.

    I'll admit, the blurb for this book didn't give me a lot of hope for the book;

    "Demon-possessed siege commander, Dahoud, atones for his atrocities by hiding his identity and protecting women from war's violence - but how can he shield the woman he loves from the evil inside him?
    Dark-heroic fantasy. British spel...more
    Jo
    Pin it to remember it!

    Source: amazon.com via Jo on Pinterest



    If you’re looking for a dark, compelling fantasy story that would make you read late into the night, rooting for the characters and hating the despicable villains so much that you wouldn’t be able to put the book down until you finish it, then look no further. “Storm Dancer” by Rayne Hall is the best choice you could make. The author has managed to create a vivid, exotic world, where the battle between good and evil seems endless, an...more
    Sahm King
    You know, when I got a hold of this work, I didn't know what to expect. I did knew that I was looking for a chance to read "Storm Dancer" ever since I saw tweeps posting about it on Twitter.

    I'm going to be frank...

    I very much enjoyed this work.

    Now, just a few things. I liked Dahoud, most of all (as to be expected). Here's why: he's an "anti-hero". Yeah, the man has his demons, has his urges, but also yearns to continue doing what is right. I found that very realistic (as realistic as a fantasy c...more
    Debra Dunbar
    Storm Dancer was my first ‘book on the beach’ this vacation season. It’s a dark fantasy full of despotic rulers, political jockeying, and poetic language. But there’s more. It’s the ‘more’ that makes this book thought-provoking and sometimes uncomfortable. It’s a story about redefining ethics. It’s a story that explores the very personal question of when the needs of the many outweigh the needs, or even rights, of the individual.

    Dahoud is a man with a demon. He’s an ethnic Samili, discounted and...more
    Debbie Christiana
    Dark fantasy isn't a genre I read often. However, after reading Storm Dancer, I may rethink that. Well written, with a strong story line, and intriguing characters, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author takes us on a fast-paced journey to a violent land filled with deception, sexual desire, and magic.

    Set in a time long ago, with many diverse cultures and customs, the story revolves around the hero, Dahoud. A successful military leader, he is haunted by his dark, violent past - violence that spared...more
    Heather Heffner
    This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
    Nancy (The Avid Reader)
    The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I was given a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

    Merida is a very sweet and nice person all she wants is for her mother to love her and care about her. She doesn't actually care about her status she wants to be liked and loved. Merida tries so hard to bring her status rating up for her mother. That is why she decides to travel to another town one that has not had any rain in a very long time. Merida has been train...more
    Craig McGray
    I am not one for lengthy, plot scrutinizing reviews, so here is my short but sweet review of Storm Dancer.

    Rayne Hall has crafted a wonderfully vivid world. I found the pages turning easily and I often stayed up way too late as the time slipped by. The characters were very well developed, and the descriptions precise. While fantasy isn't the main genre I read, I do enjoy dark stories. This had more than its share of darkness and necessary violence which kept me turning the pages.

    The action was fa...more
    Ann
    When I started with Storm Dancer, I didn't expect to like the book as much as I ended up to do. While the setting - a set of well defined countries vaguely resembling the medieval middle east (albeit with weather magic and public executions) - was totally my forte, the topic - the struggle of a serial (war) rapist to atone for his crimes - could easily have soured matters.
    However, Storm Dancer's Daoud's rise above his excuse (not named, avoiding spoilers) was a positive surprise. The book does n...more
    Theresea Wasson
    I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book, and hope that there is a sequel in the works. A bit slow in a few places, and a few spelling/grammar errors that had nothing to do with the British way of spelling (in no way detracting). The story of Dahoud and Merida is a compelling story of overcoming personal demons and scruples in order to save the country. Plenty of spoilers have already been given about this book, so I won't go further into those. The author picke...more
    Autumn Birt
    Apr 07, 2013 Autumn Birt rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of epic fantasy
    I actually first saw this book in a stack at my mother-in-laws. I loved the cover and read the back blurb, finding myself intrigued. The story line lingered in my mind long enough that when I ran into Ms. Hall on Twitter, finding Storm Dancer tantalizing me once again, I knew I’d read it.

    What drew me to this novel was the setting: a fantasy story set in the desert. Plus, I was intrigued by the main character of Dahoud being both the hero and the villain, a man plagued by inner evil that he seek...more
    Kris Austen  Radcliffe
    I won’t review the plot here—the other reviews provide excellent synopses. What I will touch on is the lushness and world-building of this story. Good fantasy needs a good setting, as well as characters who are as much a part of it as it is a part of them. In Storm Dancer, politics, culture, and the land itself all come together to complicate Dahoud’s and Merida’s lives. They navigate court intrigue, battles, and a desert where subjugation and the lack of water have brought a proud people to the...more
    Helena Karlsson
    Review of Storm Dancer (bought a copy to my kindle): 4/5 stars
    Rarely does a reading experience stay with me after I've put the book back on the shelf (!), but this time it does. The language flows and the characters are three dimensional and credible and the plot works from the first to the last page. Rayne Hall handles the male protagonist's dark past (it is a dark fantasy) without detailed graphic scenes of violence and without trivialising the subject, instead allowing the plot and the charac...more
    Kirsten Lenius
    This was an interesting story with well-rounded characters, set in a unique world. The writing was good, though in a few parts it dragged for me.

    I enjoyed reading this, save for two issues. One, there was a lot of graphic violence and torture and specifically a huge amount of rape fantasies which I did not care for. And two, there was a running theme throughout the book that involved the torture and execution of gay men to purge the realm which I found more disturbing.

    Anyway, the book is worth...more
    Sadie Forsythe
    Storm Dancer wasn't at all what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised. Honestly I just expected a bit of a dark, rape-themed alpha male PNR (but still I read it). It's a lot more than that. Yes, poor Dahoud is possessed by a djinn focused on the cruel sexual domination of women and he has committed horrible atrocities in the past. But the book is largely focused on his attempt to atone for those sins. He's tempted constantly, but he's also trying really really hard to be a good man. He is a...more
    Karen
    A heroic fantasy set in what would appear to be the middle ages. Dahoud, a former siege commander, is sent back to his homeland to oversee the assimilation of a city racked by drought and desperation. Merida, a weather magician, joins Dahoud in a land she deems unprincipled and must decide where her future lays.


    As Dahoud and Merida travel through their many life lessons, joined by other colourful characters, you are drawn along for the ride through strange lands and customs with magic, deceit an...more
    Karysa Faire
    Jan 16, 2012 Karysa Faire rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: Adults who like darker fantasy.
    Shelves: indie-authors
    Bravo! An excellent read! I loved Storm Dancer, by Rayne Hall, a dark fantasy set in an ancient Persian-esk world. The characters were complex, vividly drawn and faithful to their role in the story. The world was detailed, realistically written so that my senses were pulled into the tale. I had to force myself to put the book down in order to get some sleep-and then I tossed and turned as I replayed the last-read-scene in my head.

    What I liked:
    Dahoud and Merida have lived their lives at the opp...more
    Susan
    Rayne pens "Storm Dancer", a Dark Epic Fantasy in a plot that is strong, captivating and well written. Her characters were nicely developed, likable and complex. With plenty of "world building" scenes, this tale will hook you right in and not let you go. Highly recommended for all fantasy fans.

    This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
    Renee McKinley
    I was drawn into the politics and plots immediately. Well written and well thought out!
    This story has something for everyone. Intrigue, action, romance, and even some magic, including a demonic djinn.
    Wendy Scott
    A bloodthirsty tale of cruelty, deception and secrets, political intrigues and double crosses, and the gross abuse from those wielding the nation’s power. The themes explored in this dark fantasy are not for the faint hearted.
    Martha Bryce
    Lovely, fantasy fiction set in a mystical world that I would guess would most resemble early Persian. Well written, good plot and pace.
    Dewanna L. Durbin
    I hated to reach the end of this book. Absolutely wonderful.
    L.T. Getty
    Overall a very well-written novel; I was warned it was especially brutal but I think I'm a bit desensitized- I found the squick was more towards attitudes of rape then Anything else. It took a little while to get started, but I really enjoyed the world-building. Bonus points because the main antagonist is a special kind of monster.

    Basically try it if you want a different type of fantasy, and won't be put off with rape occuring fairly regularly throughout the novel.
    Lisbeth Nilsen
    Fabulous story, strong, interesting characters and a wonderfully rich setting. Absolutely loved this book with its dark points.
    Laura
    This book is a highly enjoyable read. A couple of characters are dark and take pleasure out of torture and humiliation though the writer handles this well, but unless you like dark fantasy this book might upset. The story moves at a fast pace and I really felt the need to keep reading as I was invested in the characters.

    All in all if you like fantasy, the book will take you to a world of mystery and adventure.
    Aoife Sheridan
    Review coming soon
    Leylan
    May 23, 2013 Leylan marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
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    Rayne Hall writes fantasy and horror fiction. She is the author of over forty books in different genres and under different pen names, published by twelve publishers in six countries, translated into several languages. Her short stories have been published in magazines, e-zines and anthologies.

    After living in Germany, China, Mongolia and Nepal, she has settled in a small Victorian seaside town in...more
    More about Rayne Hall...
    Writing Fight Scenes Writing Scary Scenes Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates Bites:  Ten Tales of Vampires

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