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Half-Orcs #1-5
The Half-Orcs
The Half-Orc Series chronicles the trials of Harruq and Qurrah Tun, brothers of mixed blood and humble beginnings. One will seek redemption and atonement for the evil he has done. One will destroy everything to deny his wrongs. This Omnibus contains the first five books of the Half-Orc Series, condensed into a single collector's edition.
- GenresFantasy
814 pages, Paperback
Published March 21, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 20, 2012
I loved reading about Harruq and Qurrah's struggles. Hour after hour passed as the story about the two brothers took me inside of their world, making me feel their emotions and everything.
I felt sad and even felt tears come to my eyes at times and happyness when good things happened to them.
I started reading this book after reading the Shadowdance Trilogy and it was one of my best reading experience in the past year.
Definately recommend this book to anybody that likes the genre. I also loved the way the author dealt with gods and prayer.
All in all, very, very good books and a must read for everyone!
I felt sad and even felt tears come to my eyes at times and happyness when good things happened to them.
I started reading this book after reading the Shadowdance Trilogy and it was one of my best reading experience in the past year.
Definately recommend this book to anybody that likes the genre. I also loved the way the author dealt with gods and prayer.
All in all, very, very good books and a must read for everyone!
August 8, 2012
The weight of blood (4.5*)
The two main characters, the half-orc/half-elf brothers Harruq and Qurrah Tun are living on the streets of Veldaran. Struggling to survive, things deteriorate when the king expels the elves from the city and the brothers have to move on.
As a warrior Harruq is the protector of his younger brother who is both weak and powerful with dark magic & necromancy. Harruq is compelled to do his brothers bidding and he commits senseless atrocities to aid his brothers education. In defining there destiny Qurrah's thirst for power has him recruited by an evil entity, a powerful necromancer who controls an undead army and they set about the destruction of the elves. Harruq is roped into the destruction from the love he has for his brother while at the same time falling in love with an elven mage who saved his life and eventually turning him from the evil intentions of his brother.
World building is sparse with most of the attention going to the exploration of characters and relationships, yet the description of the action and powerful magic is fast paced & a credit to the author.
The Cost of Betrayal (5*)
The storyline improves with the introduction of the Watcher and the Eschaton mercenaries. As Qurrah descends deeper into darkness, Harruq's life changes dramatically and he finds a short lived happiness and camaraderie with his new family. There is plenty of humour in the interactions with Harruq and the mercenaries, even a marriage and the birth of his daughter as he strives to put behind his dark past.
Qurrah also finds a companion and lover Tessanna, together they are a powerful combination as Qurrah vows to fix his lovers broken mind eventually spelling disaster for Harruq and his family and friends.
The story is full of really good characters Haern the watcher is one of my favourite characters introduced in the shadowdance trilogy and he finally meets his father in a fight to the death. Also the introduction of the compelling Tessanna with split personalities and the power of a goddess.
The characters are wonderfully explored and the graphic action centres around the dark and disturbing magical powers of the mages & necomancers with not as much swordplay as the shadowdance books.
The Death of Promises (5*)
The first part of the book follows Qurrah and Tessanna as they travel to the sanctuary, guarded by the god ashhurs paladins and priests in search of Darakken’s spellbook to heal Tessanna's broken mind.
There are prominent new characters in the paladin Jerico with a magical shield, Mira the second daughter of balance and the mirror image of Tessanna and the paladins of karak led by Kreiger.
Qurrah and Tessanna are joined by the returning Velixar and together the recruit an army of thousands of Orcs, wolf and hyena men with the intention of taking Veldaren from the humans grasp and freeing their god karack.
The battle of Veldaren is momentous and covers the second half of the book, the story up to this point is fluid, well written and fast paced. The second half of the book raises the bar further and against the orc horde the city is lost in an epic battle of swordplay & magical prowess. The battle sees the return of the leading chacters from the Eschaton mercenaries Tarlak, Haern, Harruq, Aurelia, Delysia & the paladins Jerico & Lathaar as our heroes are forced to flee the city. Like George RR Martin, Daglish is not afraid to kill of major characters and there is also the return of the intriguing deathmask and the ash guild from the shadowdance trilogy as they play a major part in the retreat. This is a top read, the characters, storyline and the action are all immense and a credit to the author.
The Shadows of Grace (5*)
I found the first half of the book a little flat compared to the heights the previous book reached, the survivors of Neldar seek refuge and safety from the armies of Karak. It follows their path across the land, looking for allies and a safe place to defend from their attackers.
More interesting is the inner turmoil's taking place in the camp of Velixar and Quarrah. The relationship between Tessanna and the captured paladin of Ashhur, Jerico swings from torture scenes to fleeting moments of imagined love, being intensely emotional this holds the story together along with Quarrahs increasing jealousy.
Harruq and the Eschaton, along with King Antonil, lead the survivors from Velderan into the city of Mordeina ultimately ending in a siege by the massive army of undead and war demons brought through the portal held open by Qurrah and Velixar.
The war of Mordeina is a feast of action, schemes & plots as both the gods Karak and Ashhur play there hands. Mordeina Karak's try to turn the Queen against the Ashhur's and all the while Deathmask & the Ash Guild are trying to establish there former enterprises in a crimeless city.
Another Karack prophet is conceived and Melorack takes Mordeina causing the death of an invincible hero which I found hard to digest and Daglish shows us again that no one is safe.
The ongoing character development of Qurrah and Tessanna is an exceptional and significant story arc in the book and conclude in a monumental ending as the portal opened by Quarrah and Velixar to the land of the gods is closed by Tessanna but not before the god of war Thulos comes through into the world.
More intense story telling from the author with highly credible battles and character development.
A Sliver of Redemption (5*)
A dazzling start to the book as Qurrah and Tessanna are split apart for the first time, Quarrah is offered forgiveness and redemption by his brother Harraq. Quarrah has to work through a mountain of guilt as he is re-united with the Eschaton and their allies but not everyone is as forgiving as his brother. Tessanna also goes through a difficult time suffering with the loss of her powers and the endless torment of the Karack prophet Velixar.
The allies are forced to split their forces as the battles rage on two fronts, the war god Thulos is hard at work recruiting reinforcements to his army, as the portal to his own world is closed, while in Mordeina Deathmask and the ash guild fire the underground resistance while being stalked by an undead hero.
Qurrah stays behind with the army from Omn, to protect the Bloodbrick Bridge. This is one of many battles that take place, but is particularly memorable because this is where Qurrah earns his redemption as he gives all he has to defend the allies. In defeat Qurrah is slain by Velixar only to be bought back to serve his former master.
The siege of Mordeina is an epic conclusion to the book, the allies fight with an army in the city and Thulos with Velixar approaching behind.
There are uprisings stoked by Deathmask in the city and a mythical creature created by Melorack to attack the allies. There is heroism aplenty and seething vengeance to be had. The writing here is amazing and everything just flows. The whole series has comes down to this very moment, to the time when the evil forces of Karak, now joined by Thulos and the war demons, face off once and for all against the armies of Ashuur. The conclusion is a brilliant ending in the angels city with the Tun brothers at the forefront, even Tessanna's power is rekindled and the elves also return to aid in the battle.
I cannot praise this series highly enough - there is amazing storytelling, epic battles, humour, families torn apart by good and evil, wonderful characters and all with dark undertones that make you continually ask why?
The two main characters, the half-orc/half-elf brothers Harruq and Qurrah Tun are living on the streets of Veldaran. Struggling to survive, things deteriorate when the king expels the elves from the city and the brothers have to move on.
As a warrior Harruq is the protector of his younger brother who is both weak and powerful with dark magic & necromancy. Harruq is compelled to do his brothers bidding and he commits senseless atrocities to aid his brothers education. In defining there destiny Qurrah's thirst for power has him recruited by an evil entity, a powerful necromancer who controls an undead army and they set about the destruction of the elves. Harruq is roped into the destruction from the love he has for his brother while at the same time falling in love with an elven mage who saved his life and eventually turning him from the evil intentions of his brother.
World building is sparse with most of the attention going to the exploration of characters and relationships, yet the description of the action and powerful magic is fast paced & a credit to the author.
The Cost of Betrayal (5*)
The storyline improves with the introduction of the Watcher and the Eschaton mercenaries. As Qurrah descends deeper into darkness, Harruq's life changes dramatically and he finds a short lived happiness and camaraderie with his new family. There is plenty of humour in the interactions with Harruq and the mercenaries, even a marriage and the birth of his daughter as he strives to put behind his dark past.
Qurrah also finds a companion and lover Tessanna, together they are a powerful combination as Qurrah vows to fix his lovers broken mind eventually spelling disaster for Harruq and his family and friends.
The story is full of really good characters Haern the watcher is one of my favourite characters introduced in the shadowdance trilogy and he finally meets his father in a fight to the death. Also the introduction of the compelling Tessanna with split personalities and the power of a goddess.
The characters are wonderfully explored and the graphic action centres around the dark and disturbing magical powers of the mages & necomancers with not as much swordplay as the shadowdance books.
The Death of Promises (5*)
The first part of the book follows Qurrah and Tessanna as they travel to the sanctuary, guarded by the god ashhurs paladins and priests in search of Darakken’s spellbook to heal Tessanna's broken mind.
There are prominent new characters in the paladin Jerico with a magical shield, Mira the second daughter of balance and the mirror image of Tessanna and the paladins of karak led by Kreiger.
Qurrah and Tessanna are joined by the returning Velixar and together the recruit an army of thousands of Orcs, wolf and hyena men with the intention of taking Veldaren from the humans grasp and freeing their god karack.
The battle of Veldaren is momentous and covers the second half of the book, the story up to this point is fluid, well written and fast paced. The second half of the book raises the bar further and against the orc horde the city is lost in an epic battle of swordplay & magical prowess. The battle sees the return of the leading chacters from the Eschaton mercenaries Tarlak, Haern, Harruq, Aurelia, Delysia & the paladins Jerico & Lathaar as our heroes are forced to flee the city. Like George RR Martin, Daglish is not afraid to kill of major characters and there is also the return of the intriguing deathmask and the ash guild from the shadowdance trilogy as they play a major part in the retreat. This is a top read, the characters, storyline and the action are all immense and a credit to the author.
The Shadows of Grace (5*)
I found the first half of the book a little flat compared to the heights the previous book reached, the survivors of Neldar seek refuge and safety from the armies of Karak. It follows their path across the land, looking for allies and a safe place to defend from their attackers.
More interesting is the inner turmoil's taking place in the camp of Velixar and Quarrah. The relationship between Tessanna and the captured paladin of Ashhur, Jerico swings from torture scenes to fleeting moments of imagined love, being intensely emotional this holds the story together along with Quarrahs increasing jealousy.
Harruq and the Eschaton, along with King Antonil, lead the survivors from Velderan into the city of Mordeina ultimately ending in a siege by the massive army of undead and war demons brought through the portal held open by Qurrah and Velixar.
The war of Mordeina is a feast of action, schemes & plots as both the gods Karak and Ashhur play there hands. Mordeina Karak's try to turn the Queen against the Ashhur's and all the while Deathmask & the Ash Guild are trying to establish there former enterprises in a crimeless city.
Another Karack prophet is conceived and Melorack takes Mordeina causing the death of an invincible hero which I found hard to digest and Daglish shows us again that no one is safe.
The ongoing character development of Qurrah and Tessanna is an exceptional and significant story arc in the book and conclude in a monumental ending as the portal opened by Quarrah and Velixar to the land of the gods is closed by Tessanna but not before the god of war Thulos comes through into the world.
More intense story telling from the author with highly credible battles and character development.
A Sliver of Redemption (5*)
A dazzling start to the book as Qurrah and Tessanna are split apart for the first time, Quarrah is offered forgiveness and redemption by his brother Harraq. Quarrah has to work through a mountain of guilt as he is re-united with the Eschaton and their allies but not everyone is as forgiving as his brother. Tessanna also goes through a difficult time suffering with the loss of her powers and the endless torment of the Karack prophet Velixar.
The allies are forced to split their forces as the battles rage on two fronts, the war god Thulos is hard at work recruiting reinforcements to his army, as the portal to his own world is closed, while in Mordeina Deathmask and the ash guild fire the underground resistance while being stalked by an undead hero.
Qurrah stays behind with the army from Omn, to protect the Bloodbrick Bridge. This is one of many battles that take place, but is particularly memorable because this is where Qurrah earns his redemption as he gives all he has to defend the allies. In defeat Qurrah is slain by Velixar only to be bought back to serve his former master.
The siege of Mordeina is an epic conclusion to the book, the allies fight with an army in the city and Thulos with Velixar approaching behind.
There are uprisings stoked by Deathmask in the city and a mythical creature created by Melorack to attack the allies. There is heroism aplenty and seething vengeance to be had. The writing here is amazing and everything just flows. The whole series has comes down to this very moment, to the time when the evil forces of Karak, now joined by Thulos and the war demons, face off once and for all against the armies of Ashuur. The conclusion is a brilliant ending in the angels city with the Tun brothers at the forefront, even Tessanna's power is rekindled and the elves also return to aid in the battle.
I cannot praise this series highly enough - there is amazing storytelling, epic battles, humour, families torn apart by good and evil, wonderful characters and all with dark undertones that make you continually ask why?
February 17, 2024
Look, Dave. I’m not saying I hate you. But really my dude? How are you going to get me invested into this world like this. I started my journey with you a long time ago. Back before Haern had his name. We go way back, you and I. We go way back. I remember reading about the shady shit a little kid did to impress his dad. That’s where we started. Then I found out that my boy was a just one character in THIS series. I’m in love with this world. I’m in love with the friends that you created for me here with the Yellow hat gang. Why would you put me through this? Why would you do this to me? I genuinely want answers. You end the dance of cloaks series with a BANGER of a cliffhanger. Then you do my boy Haern like this? I’m not saying I hate you, but I don’t think I would shake your hand if I saw you in Walmart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2017
If you love SciFi dragons magic sex intrigue....you have got to..I mean HAVE to at least read the first
5 chapters of the first book of this series. Omg I loved this series its like the unedited version of a dark
Lord of the rings!! Seriously... Read a couple chapters of the first book get a free sample you will buy I promise!!
Duane
5 chapters of the first book of this series. Omg I loved this series its like the unedited version of a dark
Lord of the rings!! Seriously... Read a couple chapters of the first book get a free sample you will buy I promise!!
Duane
July 6, 2015
If it was not a combined volume I would not have gone past the second book. David Dalglish's writing style is very much character driven. In The Half-Orcs I found the characters shallow and unintresting. Most books I enjoy I have trouble putting down. In this case I had trouble picking it up. The exciting climaxes were so boring to me that I was struggling to read more then a page or two at a time.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews