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Patch Man #1
Patch Man
A prophecy declares a small child will decide the victory between two countries paralyzed by war...
An old man sells magical patches on the ruined streets of Hagra-Dis when a small, one-armed girl begs him to fix her doll. An Imperial missile blast kills the little girl, Meesha, but Var patches her back to life, and they flee marauding storm troopers.
Imperial High Command unleashes Ulan, a formidable assassin and mystic who chases the Patch Man and his ragged band of followers through a labyrinth peopled with powerful beings and monsters. Both the pursued and pursuers find themselves in life or death situations when they encounter the Greeter, a mysterious being who controls the entrance to parallel worlds populating the labyrinth. It is in these domains they discover clues to end the war--with little Meesha as the secret key to ultimate victory and peace.
An old man sells magical patches on the ruined streets of Hagra-Dis when a small, one-armed girl begs him to fix her doll. An Imperial missile blast kills the little girl, Meesha, but Var patches her back to life, and they flee marauding storm troopers.
Imperial High Command unleashes Ulan, a formidable assassin and mystic who chases the Patch Man and his ragged band of followers through a labyrinth peopled with powerful beings and monsters. Both the pursued and pursuers find themselves in life or death situations when they encounter the Greeter, a mysterious being who controls the entrance to parallel worlds populating the labyrinth. It is in these domains they discover clues to end the war--with little Meesha as the secret key to ultimate victory and peace.
298 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2024
2 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 3, 2018
Enter the labyrinth, complete the quests, find the Source. This is the world of the Patch Man and his collection of misfit companions by Rick Stepp-Bolling. Two sides are waring, but the Patch Man is just trying to avoid conflict and do his part to bring peace to his world, himself and his wife, all until he is thrust into a world of underground tunnels because he tried to help a one-armed girl. Together, the one-armed girl, the Patch Man and his wife band together along with other's they find in their path, use their wits and scant resources to hide from those who seek them as they seek the Source.
This book is action-packed to the brim. Stepp-Bolling brings you into a world that is comprised of a combination of ancient and futuristic technologies. Readers enter domains and complete quests alongside their characters. The author does a fantastic job of character development through each trial they face. He does a wonderful job of connecting the readers to the character. The book was told from several different perspectives; the Lore Mistress, the assassin, the Patch Man, etc. so readers get a great mix of adventure.
I can't say enough great things about this book. I truly loved every minute of it. I am thoroughly invested in each character, and couldn't wait to see where they would find themselves next or what they discover. I thought it was great how the author layered plot upon plot in the novel. I wish we would have found out more! Please, please, please let there be another book coming out!!!
I whole-heartedly give this story a 5 out of 5 stars! With a great combination of action, adventure, futurist technology, mystery and magic, this is a great story for everybody looking for a thrill!
This book is action-packed to the brim. Stepp-Bolling brings you into a world that is comprised of a combination of ancient and futuristic technologies. Readers enter domains and complete quests alongside their characters. The author does a fantastic job of character development through each trial they face. He does a wonderful job of connecting the readers to the character. The book was told from several different perspectives; the Lore Mistress, the assassin, the Patch Man, etc. so readers get a great mix of adventure.
I can't say enough great things about this book. I truly loved every minute of it. I am thoroughly invested in each character, and couldn't wait to see where they would find themselves next or what they discover. I thought it was great how the author layered plot upon plot in the novel. I wish we would have found out more! Please, please, please let there be another book coming out!!!
I whole-heartedly give this story a 5 out of 5 stars! With a great combination of action, adventure, futurist technology, mystery and magic, this is a great story for everybody looking for a thrill!
February 16, 2019
Complex story and characters that had me sitting with anticipation on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It’s not often that I find a new author who captures my attention the way Rick Stepp-Bolling did with his Patch Man. He is now on my list of favorite authors and one to watch out for.
You won’t find perfect characters in a perfect world in this story. Meesha, the one-armed girl, is part of a prophecy involving two warring countries, and Var, the old man known as the Patch Man, is destined to help her. They are surrounded by a cast of intensely flawed but likeable characters. We get to watch them grow and step up to the many challenges facing them on a day to day basis.
The story drew me in right from the start when Meesha is almost killed and the Patch Man saves her, taking her back to his home. He has no idea where this will eventually lead or the part he must play in it. This scene and all those that follow are brought to life with vivid detail in setting and non-stop action. We have hybrid creatures, magic, and a strange labyrinth to maneuver through as individual quests are faced. To fail means to die.
I struggled to find areas to be critical of here. There are many characters to keep track of but each one is written in such a way that they become real right from the start. It was easy to move between one scene and the next, the story masterfully woven together for an exciting end. Though this is an obvious series, the story does not leave you hanging in an irritating way. We know more is to come but we’re left anticipating the next installment instead of being frustrated.
If you enjoyed Game of Thrones, I strongly suspect you’ll enjoy Patch Man too. I can’t give it high enough praise.
You won’t find perfect characters in a perfect world in this story. Meesha, the one-armed girl, is part of a prophecy involving two warring countries, and Var, the old man known as the Patch Man, is destined to help her. They are surrounded by a cast of intensely flawed but likeable characters. We get to watch them grow and step up to the many challenges facing them on a day to day basis.
The story drew me in right from the start when Meesha is almost killed and the Patch Man saves her, taking her back to his home. He has no idea where this will eventually lead or the part he must play in it. This scene and all those that follow are brought to life with vivid detail in setting and non-stop action. We have hybrid creatures, magic, and a strange labyrinth to maneuver through as individual quests are faced. To fail means to die.
I struggled to find areas to be critical of here. There are many characters to keep track of but each one is written in such a way that they become real right from the start. It was easy to move between one scene and the next, the story masterfully woven together for an exciting end. Though this is an obvious series, the story does not leave you hanging in an irritating way. We know more is to come but we’re left anticipating the next installment instead of being frustrated.
If you enjoyed Game of Thrones, I strongly suspect you’ll enjoy Patch Man too. I can’t give it high enough praise.
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July 10, 2020After finishing the most current book in this series, I realized I should have written this review long ago, but here it is now.
Patch Man almost defies categorization, it's a rich mashup of fantasy, science fiction, fairy tale, war story, and quest. It's chock full of fascinating characters each of which seems to have their own special talents. Var, the Patch Man, can use patches of his and his wife, Zefa's fabrication for all sorts of things. They can open portals in solid rock, the close open doors, they can heal the sick and wounded, and much more. The one-armed girl, Meesha, they adopt in the middle of a battle of the subjection of their country Summia, by a neighboring and apparently natural enemy, Imperiana, has very powerful talents, only barely comprehended as the story begins. These three meet and gather others, Ka, a winged humanoid, Ten, a teenaged boy who captivates Meesha.
The brutal warfare forces them into a Quest to find the Source who can end the war, and the path is through an underground Labyrinth. where the fun really begins. There are rings of power, dragons, dwarves, grizzles, galgahans, avatars, and magic of every sort. In the Labyrinth are entryways to myriad domains, alternate universes controlled by Greeters These dimensional worlds comprise the Labyrinth Game Quest, which requires each player to solve an independent quest in that domain or face death. Add in Ulan, an assassin from Imperiana, and Ulan, a Lore Mistress, and many varied characters along the way, and you have a rich panoply of individuals striving for ascendency in the author's world.
It is unstoppable action from beginning to end. Perfect fare for lovers of action and adventure in a speculative universe.
Patch Man almost defies categorization, it's a rich mashup of fantasy, science fiction, fairy tale, war story, and quest. It's chock full of fascinating characters each of which seems to have their own special talents. Var, the Patch Man, can use patches of his and his wife, Zefa's fabrication for all sorts of things. They can open portals in solid rock, the close open doors, they can heal the sick and wounded, and much more. The one-armed girl, Meesha, they adopt in the middle of a battle of the subjection of their country Summia, by a neighboring and apparently natural enemy, Imperiana, has very powerful talents, only barely comprehended as the story begins. These three meet and gather others, Ka, a winged humanoid, Ten, a teenaged boy who captivates Meesha.
The brutal warfare forces them into a Quest to find the Source who can end the war, and the path is through an underground Labyrinth. where the fun really begins. There are rings of power, dragons, dwarves, grizzles, galgahans, avatars, and magic of every sort. In the Labyrinth are entryways to myriad domains, alternate universes controlled by Greeters These dimensional worlds comprise the Labyrinth Game Quest, which requires each player to solve an independent quest in that domain or face death. Add in Ulan, an assassin from Imperiana, and Ulan, a Lore Mistress, and many varied characters along the way, and you have a rich panoply of individuals striving for ascendency in the author's world.
It is unstoppable action from beginning to end. Perfect fare for lovers of action and adventure in a speculative universe.
May 8, 2018
If you enjoy fantasy action genre, then this book is for you. We have magic, adventure and near death experiences mixed with the author's subtle sense of humor. Within the first chapters, magic is revealed, a one armed child (who may be destined to save the world) is rescued and a flying winged hybrid warrior join forces with a husband and wife. This team is driven from their home into a vast wilderness and soon forced into underground tunnels. In these caverns, many adventures and quests must be faced. Both female and male characters are fully developed and empowered. Toward the end of this read, you will discover how a hundred years of conflict was caused by a culinary concern. I'm sure that all will enjoy this fast paced and well developed story.
November 7, 2017
I absolutely loved this book and I couldn't put it down. From start to finish, I was completely enthralled with the unique storyline and fun characters. I felt as though I was right there with the characters. It's an absolutely amazing novel full of suspense, fun, action, emotions, and so much more. A must read for all ages!!!
January 18, 2018
Exciting and Amazing!
This was a very exciting novel. The author did an amazing job on characters, the plot, and scenery. I could not put this novel down. It also had very few errors. I look forward to reading more from this author and I hope there is a sequel to this novel coming soon.
This was a very exciting novel. The author did an amazing job on characters, the plot, and scenery. I could not put this novel down. It also had very few errors. I look forward to reading more from this author and I hope there is a sequel to this novel coming soon.
October 29, 2023
Patch Man is a journey to a fantastic world populated with people that you come to care for. I was rooting for Meesha, Var and Zefa from the first few pages and followed their adventures breathlessly throughout this beautifully crafted novel. Can’t wait to start the next book in the series to see where Rick Stepp-Bolling will take us next. This was a very satisfying read.
October 18, 2020
A thrilling, sifi, fantasy! Interesting characters with multiple levels. An exciting ride that keeps you guessing. Can't wait to read the next book!
October 21, 2017
George Lucas, James Dashner and Jim Butcher sat down in a bar and tried to come up with the most traditional fantasy structure they could find, with the biggest mind-blowing elements to it. Well... not exactly, but that's how it could have happened.
As the story unfolds, a prophecied young girl escapes danger with the help of our main character, the patch man himself. His ability to fix almost anything with his unusual patches make him a unique guardian for this girl, and they will have adventures that no one will be able to see coming.
Stepp-Bolling's Patch Man will pull you into a world in which, just when you think you understand it, things shift gears. Intricate layers of storytelling and world-building challenge the tropes. Traditional fantasy elements of prophecy and oppression are elegantly laced with this delicate world-building, making for an engrossing, fast-paced story that will open your mind.
As the story unfolds, a prophecied young girl escapes danger with the help of our main character, the patch man himself. His ability to fix almost anything with his unusual patches make him a unique guardian for this girl, and they will have adventures that no one will be able to see coming.
Stepp-Bolling's Patch Man will pull you into a world in which, just when you think you understand it, things shift gears. Intricate layers of storytelling and world-building challenge the tropes. Traditional fantasy elements of prophecy and oppression are elegantly laced with this delicate world-building, making for an engrossing, fast-paced story that will open your mind.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews