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The Last Synn
A mysterious Lupine race, the Krall, descend on Avlan, destroying the historical peace between two kingdoms. Only one force stands in their way, the Synn warriors. Tashir is the last to fall, dying beneath the sword of the Krall prince himself.
Yet death fails to claim the young warrior. He wakes in a far off land, thousands of miles across the sea, an undead filled with a dark magic which grants him inhuman powers.
With no recollection of what happened or the fate of his people, his thoughts return to his homeland.
The odyssey back sees him battling demons, vampyres, elementals, sorcerers and ghouls.
As he finally confronts the Krall Prince he realises they have all been victims, merely pawns of malign and otherworldly powers. Tashir, the last Synn, must now prepare for his greatest battle of all, one with an ancient god itself.
Yet death fails to claim the young warrior. He wakes in a far off land, thousands of miles across the sea, an undead filled with a dark magic which grants him inhuman powers.
With no recollection of what happened or the fate of his people, his thoughts return to his homeland.
The odyssey back sees him battling demons, vampyres, elementals, sorcerers and ghouls.
As he finally confronts the Krall Prince he realises they have all been victims, merely pawns of malign and otherworldly powers. Tashir, the last Synn, must now prepare for his greatest battle of all, one with an ancient god itself.
Paperback
First published July 13, 2014
295 people want to read
About the author
James Austin McCormick
19 books63 followersI'm a college lecturer from England and a fan of all types of speculative fiction, most notably science fiction, horror & sword and sorcery fantasy. Where possible I try to blend these elements together in my own writing.
H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs were my first writing inspirations and more recently Frank Herbert and Clive Barker whose works I never grow tired of re-reading.
I live in the rainy city of Manchester with my wife and two young daughters, the elder of which is something of a budding writer herself.
You can find my Amazon author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/James-McCormick...
H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs were my first writing inspirations and more recently Frank Herbert and Clive Barker whose works I never grow tired of re-reading.
I live in the rainy city of Manchester with my wife and two young daughters, the elder of which is something of a budding writer herself.
You can find my Amazon author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/James-McCormick...
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 24, 2017
The blurb tells you the essence of the story, and the book does what it says it will. There is action and adventure galore as the last synn reels from one encounter to another in search for his final revenge, and also his redemption. However the pace of the book was just a bit fast for me, and I would have preferred a greater 'fleshing out' of both the story and the characters, more of a build up of emotion, more different points of view or interlacing of stories to make this seem more complete. It was an easy read, and was good to pass time with, it may be good for reluctant teens as each chapter is easy to complete.
November 30, 2014
I really enjoyed James McCormick's Last Synn. The hero, Tashir, was for me a very fresh take on the epic hero. His quest reminds the reader of ancient epic heroes like Beowulf, Odysseus, or Jason. Yet, Tashir definitely embodies a darker side while also fighting a righteous cause. One might even liken it to a series of adventures much like Sinbad or the Argonauts undertook.
The book appeals both to an epic fantasy and a pure action and adventure audience. The story is not short on action! Yet the quality of the writing remains high, with nice descriptions and secondary characters.
I am certainly a fan of the sword and sorcery genre and was not disappointed by The Last Synn. I would like to see the author's continued work in this genre, perhaps with a longer and even more fully developed world.
The book appeals both to an epic fantasy and a pure action and adventure audience. The story is not short on action! Yet the quality of the writing remains high, with nice descriptions and secondary characters.
I am certainly a fan of the sword and sorcery genre and was not disappointed by The Last Synn. I would like to see the author's continued work in this genre, perhaps with a longer and even more fully developed world.
September 4, 2017
The last synn by James Austin McCormic.
A mysterious Lupine race, the Krall, descend on Avlan, destroying the historical peace between two kingdoms. Only one force stands in their way, the Synn warriors. Tashir is the last to fall, dying beneath the sword of the Krall prince himself.Yet death fails to claim the young warrior. He wakes in a far off land, thousands of miles across the sea, an undead filled with a dark magic which grants him inhuman powers.With no recollection of what happened or the fate of his people, his thoughts return to his homeland.The odyssey back sees him battling demons, vampyres, elementals, sorcerers and ghouls.As he finally confronts the Krall Prince he realises they have all been victims, merely pawns of malign and otherworldly powers. Tashir, the last Synn, must now prepare for his greatest battle of all, one with an ancient god itself.
OMG. A absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved synn. The ending was perfect.Couldn't put it down. 5*. Tbc on fb.
A mysterious Lupine race, the Krall, descend on Avlan, destroying the historical peace between two kingdoms. Only one force stands in their way, the Synn warriors. Tashir is the last to fall, dying beneath the sword of the Krall prince himself.Yet death fails to claim the young warrior. He wakes in a far off land, thousands of miles across the sea, an undead filled with a dark magic which grants him inhuman powers.With no recollection of what happened or the fate of his people, his thoughts return to his homeland.The odyssey back sees him battling demons, vampyres, elementals, sorcerers and ghouls.As he finally confronts the Krall Prince he realises they have all been victims, merely pawns of malign and otherworldly powers. Tashir, the last Synn, must now prepare for his greatest battle of all, one with an ancient god itself.
OMG. A absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved synn. The ending was perfect.Couldn't put it down. 5*. Tbc on fb.
March 7, 2017
Bite-sized bits of awesomeness.
The Last Synn is a textbook example of what a novella should read like. Each chapter is essentially a short story traveling the same arc towards an epic conclusion.
From the beginning where bones are being broken (my personal favorite) to the end where bones are falling from the sky, The Last Synn delivers. The main character is fleshed out very well, with just the right amount of frailty and power, while still standing out as unique – something not easily accomplished when it comes to the undead. I found the supporting characters easily relatable, with a balance of humor and loathing. The setting is particularly notable being well painted and never stale, moving from the bowels of a forgotten fortress to a floating castle fit for the gods.
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t have a lot of time to immerse themselves into lengthy chapters but still wants intense entertainment, then this novella is perfect for you.
Kudos to the author for putting this together.
My highest recommendations!
The Last Synn is a textbook example of what a novella should read like. Each chapter is essentially a short story traveling the same arc towards an epic conclusion.
From the beginning where bones are being broken (my personal favorite) to the end where bones are falling from the sky, The Last Synn delivers. The main character is fleshed out very well, with just the right amount of frailty and power, while still standing out as unique – something not easily accomplished when it comes to the undead. I found the supporting characters easily relatable, with a balance of humor and loathing. The setting is particularly notable being well painted and never stale, moving from the bowels of a forgotten fortress to a floating castle fit for the gods.
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t have a lot of time to immerse themselves into lengthy chapters but still wants intense entertainment, then this novella is perfect for you.
Kudos to the author for putting this together.
My highest recommendations!
May 20, 2015
An epic fantasy tale written in 4-4 time. The novella length is probably your first clue that this tale moves much faster than most fantasy stories, but it needn’t have been so in less capable hands. As it is, most fantasy novels tend to be overly weighted down with too much descriptive writing and world building; it’s one of the genre’s weaknesses that ensnares more writers than not. Not all writers fall into this trap, of course, and I was pleased that this author showed no signs of catching the disease.
Despite the breakneck pace and the major story milestones hit with each chapter, the descriptive writing is still quite good and the pictures painted quite vivid. Proving that one can do world building without weighing down fantasy writing with too much dead-weight verbiage.
The author certainly isn’t out to reinvent the wheel here; tropes are if anything all too familiar, with the dark forces empowered by ancient, dark magic descending on the land. The good guys are elfin, as is so often the case, and our hero Synn is prototypically heroic. Although in the case of the latter, our hero has been touched by evil, allowing him to see into the heart and mind of it. The powers on display, the various forms of magic, the results of particular spells cast, all deliver a compelling punch.
The fast pace of the story is at times a double-edged sword. You can’t let your attention wander even for a moment. One paragraph spaced out is a huge plot point lost, so you’ll have to go back and retrace your steps. On the other hand, surprising twists lie around the corner every few paragraphs, and this adds to the jolt appeal of how the story unfolds (in a good way).
The storyline reminded me of the many trials of Hercules, or the travels of Odysseus. Our Synn hero must overcome increasingly dangerous foes as he endeavors to return to his homeland, where we suspect he will face his greatest adversary. Even the least of them is superhumanly deadly and more than a match for him, so Synn must master his newfound powers, rely a little on skill and luck and no shortage of ingenuity. And he must face each trail with a fierce and undaunting heart.
The sword and sorcery tale had, I thought, just enough of what’s expected to please hardened genre readers while serving up just enough that’s fresh and different to avoid being rehash. Highly recommended for fans of sword and sorcery tales with perhaps less time on their hands than is needed to tackle the typical tomes that accompany this brand of fantasy.
Despite the breakneck pace and the major story milestones hit with each chapter, the descriptive writing is still quite good and the pictures painted quite vivid. Proving that one can do world building without weighing down fantasy writing with too much dead-weight verbiage.
The author certainly isn’t out to reinvent the wheel here; tropes are if anything all too familiar, with the dark forces empowered by ancient, dark magic descending on the land. The good guys are elfin, as is so often the case, and our hero Synn is prototypically heroic. Although in the case of the latter, our hero has been touched by evil, allowing him to see into the heart and mind of it. The powers on display, the various forms of magic, the results of particular spells cast, all deliver a compelling punch.
The fast pace of the story is at times a double-edged sword. You can’t let your attention wander even for a moment. One paragraph spaced out is a huge plot point lost, so you’ll have to go back and retrace your steps. On the other hand, surprising twists lie around the corner every few paragraphs, and this adds to the jolt appeal of how the story unfolds (in a good way).
The storyline reminded me of the many trials of Hercules, or the travels of Odysseus. Our Synn hero must overcome increasingly dangerous foes as he endeavors to return to his homeland, where we suspect he will face his greatest adversary. Even the least of them is superhumanly deadly and more than a match for him, so Synn must master his newfound powers, rely a little on skill and luck and no shortage of ingenuity. And he must face each trail with a fierce and undaunting heart.
The sword and sorcery tale had, I thought, just enough of what’s expected to please hardened genre readers while serving up just enough that’s fresh and different to avoid being rehash. Highly recommended for fans of sword and sorcery tales with perhaps less time on their hands than is needed to tackle the typical tomes that accompany this brand of fantasy.
August 21, 2017
It's like a 1,000 page novel crammed into a tenth of the space. In spite of the novella form, the author feels no need to limit the number of adventures our wily protagonist embarks on, and the number of evil doers he is forced to confront.
The initial concept is a nice one - our hero seemingly dies before waking up in a foreign land with no idea of how he got there and who he has become. His features are different, his memories have been altered. So begins his quest to understand what happened, and to right the wrong. And the mystery is not revealed until the final pages - the end mirroring the beginning which has a nice symmetry.
A few cautions however - it's a novella, so don't expect particularly rounded characters, nor extensive description. The action leaps from scene to scene and pretty much everyone acts as you might expect them to.
And so, if you enjoy high fantasy and honourable warriors with plenty of fighting, these short 100 pages may well be for you.
The initial concept is a nice one - our hero seemingly dies before waking up in a foreign land with no idea of how he got there and who he has become. His features are different, his memories have been altered. So begins his quest to understand what happened, and to right the wrong. And the mystery is not revealed until the final pages - the end mirroring the beginning which has a nice symmetry.
A few cautions however - it's a novella, so don't expect particularly rounded characters, nor extensive description. The action leaps from scene to scene and pretty much everyone acts as you might expect them to.
And so, if you enjoy high fantasy and honourable warriors with plenty of fighting, these short 100 pages may well be for you.
September 7, 2017
Tashir us a member of the warriors synn and is killed by the krall prince. However Tashir awakens in the Elf lands, changed but he is unsure how yet. He is now the last member of the Synns. Tashir now going by The Last Synn needs to make his way back to his home, along the way he comes up against various trials.
This is not a kind of book that I would normally read as it reads like a collection of short stories. I prefer to have continuous story throughout.
However, it is a very well written and I would read another by this author if it weren't a collection of trials/stories
This is not a kind of book that I would normally read as it reads like a collection of short stories. I prefer to have continuous story throughout.
However, it is a very well written and I would read another by this author if it weren't a collection of trials/stories
September 15, 2017
i found this a brilliantly written book. The character development was so detailed and I loved how they all interacted with each other. The storyline flowed really well and I found it really hard to put down and couldn't stop thinking about it when I had to get on with my normal life. Although it was a novella the pace of the book was fast enough that it felt like I had read a full novel within this short space. overall a brilliant read and recommend it to everyone.
August 27, 2014
DARK MAGIC AND THE OLD ONES
In a departure from his Science Fiction genre books at which he excels, James McCormick has written a Fantasy story about the peace between two mythical Kingdoms being broken by one side, the Krall, who successfully wipe out Avlan. Although the last warrior Tashir is mortally wounded, he survives only to awaken in a far off land and becomes an undead.
Thank goodness he now possesses a dark magic which gives him inhuman powers, because he needs them as he does battle with every imaginable kind of foe.
Firstly he defeats the evil Queen Averan, no mean task in anyone's language as she is one tricky shapeshifter, then he battles both human and demonic forces, including the Old Ones, before he secures his place in Ishka history and earns himself a warrior’s funeral.
No matter what genre he is writing in, James McCormick’s stories are non-stop action, proceeding at a breathless pace, so you dare not put the book down in case you miss something. The author has full command of the English language and writes beautiful prose in the midst of battles of epic proportions.
This is a first class Fantasy novel which I highly recommend to fans of this genre, and those that are not.
In a departure from his Science Fiction genre books at which he excels, James McCormick has written a Fantasy story about the peace between two mythical Kingdoms being broken by one side, the Krall, who successfully wipe out Avlan. Although the last warrior Tashir is mortally wounded, he survives only to awaken in a far off land and becomes an undead.
Thank goodness he now possesses a dark magic which gives him inhuman powers, because he needs them as he does battle with every imaginable kind of foe.
Firstly he defeats the evil Queen Averan, no mean task in anyone's language as she is one tricky shapeshifter, then he battles both human and demonic forces, including the Old Ones, before he secures his place in Ishka history and earns himself a warrior’s funeral.
No matter what genre he is writing in, James McCormick’s stories are non-stop action, proceeding at a breathless pace, so you dare not put the book down in case you miss something. The author has full command of the English language and writes beautiful prose in the midst of battles of epic proportions.
This is a first class Fantasy novel which I highly recommend to fans of this genre, and those that are not.
August 15, 2014
There is plenty of swords and sorcery in this story galore, enough thrusts, decapitations, swings, punches, stabs, and so on to keep you turning the pages. Swords, battle-axes, daggers. Ghouls, werewolves, and giant squid creatures.
This feels like a collection of adventures, put together in one book. My favourite battle was that between Tashir and the vile Queen Averan. The battle against the ghouls was scary too because of the brilliant addition of a more innocent woodsman, Mak-Il, witnessing the battle before his eyes, along with Tashir.
Ultimately, I much prefer James McCormick's brilliant pulp science fiction piece, Sunfall, which I reviewed and gave five stars. This work is epic fantasy, but the structures of the books are similar.... non-stop action, scene by scene editing, rapid pace with few breathing spaces, and battles against formidable foes and shifty allies. However, I felt Sunfall had more of a coherent story structure and pulled together well. This one feels more like a series of battles, with a bit of connection between them all.
This feels like a collection of adventures, put together in one book. My favourite battle was that between Tashir and the vile Queen Averan. The battle against the ghouls was scary too because of the brilliant addition of a more innocent woodsman, Mak-Il, witnessing the battle before his eyes, along with Tashir.
Ultimately, I much prefer James McCormick's brilliant pulp science fiction piece, Sunfall, which I reviewed and gave five stars. This work is epic fantasy, but the structures of the books are similar.... non-stop action, scene by scene editing, rapid pace with few breathing spaces, and battles against formidable foes and shifty allies. However, I felt Sunfall had more of a coherent story structure and pulled together well. This one feels more like a series of battles, with a bit of connection between them all.
January 27, 2017
A fast paced, action-packed adventure!
I love fast paced books but didn't come across many such books in Epic fantasy which is one of my favorite genres. The genre is usually full of huge tomes weighed down with complex world building which slows down the pace. But hats-off to author James McCormick for creating a brilliant epic fantasy with the right amount of world building which allowed room for enough details without compromising the break-neck speed of the plot.
The Last Synn, as the name implies, follows the journey of Tashir, the last Synn warrior, to save his people from the possessed Krall prince. We get on board a wild adventure with the Synn warrior battling ghouls, the evil Queen Averan and the nightmarish Old Ones.
The writing quality is exceptional with just the right amount of descriptions that brought the scenes alive. I couldn't put down this novella until I finished the last page. The surprising twists and the suspenseful plot kept me pulling along the story line.
The Last Synn is a real treat for all fantasy fans!
I love fast paced books but didn't come across many such books in Epic fantasy which is one of my favorite genres. The genre is usually full of huge tomes weighed down with complex world building which slows down the pace. But hats-off to author James McCormick for creating a brilliant epic fantasy with the right amount of world building which allowed room for enough details without compromising the break-neck speed of the plot.
The Last Synn, as the name implies, follows the journey of Tashir, the last Synn warrior, to save his people from the possessed Krall prince. We get on board a wild adventure with the Synn warrior battling ghouls, the evil Queen Averan and the nightmarish Old Ones.
The writing quality is exceptional with just the right amount of descriptions that brought the scenes alive. I couldn't put down this novella until I finished the last page. The surprising twists and the suspenseful plot kept me pulling along the story line.
The Last Synn is a real treat for all fantasy fans!
August 14, 2014
The Last Synn is the story of Tashir, a Synn warrior. It is the story of his war with the evil Krall, a wolfin race. Tashir is the last of the Synn to fall in battle. He is thus the last Synn. McCormick dedicates his book to Robert E. Howard (Conan) and Lovecraft. The work weaves a web of swords and sorcerey, and sings of the brave deeds of its hero. The genre turns on the adventure of a hero, armed with a sword. The genre has elements that are taken from Beowulf and Homer. These are tales that resemble those sung in the mead halls of the warriors of the Age of the Hero. Synn wars against human and demonic forces, and hews his way thru all his foes. McCormick is a wordsmith. The book is crafted with care. Bravo!
December 21, 2014
The Last Synn felt like more than a swashbuckling sword and sorcery adventure. It had the ring of parables, each chapter teaching a lesson about the battle between good or evil, free will or control by omnipotent gods. Are we nothing more than the playthings of the gods, pawns to be moved around the board at their will? Or are we creatures of intellect capable of determining our own destiny? McCormick debates this question in an almost Canterbury Tales fashion as his hero, the undead Synn, encounters humans, living and dead, who help him find an answer. The ending imbues a sense of satisfaction, of a story come full circle. Lots of fun for the action-adventure crowd, but something more for those who appreciate intellectual depth in a story.
June 18, 2015
While this book was very well written and well composed, the story itself did not appeal to me much. I personally prefer something with more development and structure, while this is more of a collection of short stories strung together featuring the same protagonist.
Synn is a warrior, fallen in battle and resurrected to defeat the powers that brought his people down. The stories follow of the trials and experiences he endured throughout his travels back to his land to engage in his final battle.
*I recieved this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2014
I received this book from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
The book takes you through a collection of short adventures one per chapter. Although the stories are entertaining they seem cut short. It feels as though the book is a short rough draft and the stories incomplete.
The book takes you through a collection of short adventures one per chapter. Although the stories are entertaining they seem cut short. It feels as though the book is a short rough draft and the stories incomplete.
November 27, 2014
Very good book. Each chapter a new adventure for Synn. With a really good conclusion. James Austin McCormick knows how to write a shorter book and still get in the drama and suspense. Nothing let out and a wild adventure through several lands. I've find a new author. Really nice read.
November 19, 2014
My PRG 4**** review coming soon to a computer screen near you.
ARC given for my honest review.
ARC given for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews