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EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead
Empire Paladin is a tale of dark, brutal, and gritty historical fantasy.
The year is 1241. The Holy Roman Empire is being torn apart both by civil war and invading forces from foreign lands. The Pope has recently died leaving the Holy Church in turmoil while an ambitious Emperor seeks to consolidate his power and his holdings in the resulting power vacuum.
Camila Chastaine, a self-righteous, paladin knight in service of the Holy Church, struggles in her duties to protect a realm of the Empire. As Camila fights to maintain order, she receives an urgent summons from Rome regarding a new threat to the Empire: a traitorous fellow paladin who has corrupted his divine powers to raise an army of undead soldiers bent on the destruction of all life. As Camila joins with her comrades to confront this peril, little does she realize that she will soon face an even greater evil in a battle for her mind and soul.
-This book is intended for mature audiences.
The year is 1241. The Holy Roman Empire is being torn apart both by civil war and invading forces from foreign lands. The Pope has recently died leaving the Holy Church in turmoil while an ambitious Emperor seeks to consolidate his power and his holdings in the resulting power vacuum.
Camila Chastaine, a self-righteous, paladin knight in service of the Holy Church, struggles in her duties to protect a realm of the Empire. As Camila fights to maintain order, she receives an urgent summons from Rome regarding a new threat to the Empire: a traitorous fellow paladin who has corrupted his divine powers to raise an army of undead soldiers bent on the destruction of all life. As Camila joins with her comrades to confront this peril, little does she realize that she will soon face an even greater evil in a battle for her mind and soul.
-This book is intended for mature audiences.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 4, 2018
This book is a religious fantasy set in the times of the Holy Roman Empire about the early 13th Century. There were twelve primus paladins and a number of lesser paladins, who were holy warriors. (The name, paladin, apparently comes from the twelve foremost warriors in Charlemagne's court. The paladin was originally a government official, from the Latin, someone who lived on the Palatine hill, which in turn meant someone extraordinarily rich. The riches seem to be done away with in this story.) Anyway, the story here starts with a very skilled paladin fighting the forces of evil, only to learn that his home town has been attacked. He rushes back and finds his wife and children dead, and in a rant, he blames God. Lucifer hears his rant, and tempts him with the idea of having revenge on God by destroying God's creations, humanity, and as a tool, he finds he has the power to raise the dead.
The reader has to accept certain magic, and the trick here is to ensure sufficient balance that the issue is a challenge, and I think the author does this reasonably well. Similarly, it is necessary to accept that the paladins have to follow certain dictates of the Catholic church, the concept of eternal fires in hell, and so on. Given that, the book flows quite well, provided you don't mind some fairly gruesome scenes. The author has included a little strategy and tactics before his battles, and while there is a lot of the inevitable smiting, the action scenes are quite well written. There are also some more subtle points about religion to think about, if so inclined. There is one fight scene near the end that actually is not very realistic, but you would have to know an awful lot about medieval fighting to pick this. In a sense, the setting is historical, but because of the magic, consider it a fantasy.
The reader has to accept certain magic, and the trick here is to ensure sufficient balance that the issue is a challenge, and I think the author does this reasonably well. Similarly, it is necessary to accept that the paladins have to follow certain dictates of the Catholic church, the concept of eternal fires in hell, and so on. Given that, the book flows quite well, provided you don't mind some fairly gruesome scenes. The author has included a little strategy and tactics before his battles, and while there is a lot of the inevitable smiting, the action scenes are quite well written. There are also some more subtle points about religion to think about, if so inclined. There is one fight scene near the end that actually is not very realistic, but you would have to know an awful lot about medieval fighting to pick this. In a sense, the setting is historical, but because of the magic, consider it a fantasy.
May 6, 2020
A well-crafted dark historical fantasy...
EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead by M. S. Valdez is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn settings and characters. The author weaves a well-crafted historical fantasy that will captivate the reader from the start. Skillfully constructed, this dark fantasy will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
This was a captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of intriguing moments that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.
It’s one of those stories that come along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. Highly recommended reading and looking forward to the rest of this series.
EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead by M. S. Valdez is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn settings and characters. The author weaves a well-crafted historical fantasy that will captivate the reader from the start. Skillfully constructed, this dark fantasy will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
This was a captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of intriguing moments that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.
It’s one of those stories that come along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. Highly recommended reading and looking forward to the rest of this series.
April 17, 2018
EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead begins with the death and destruction of the paladin, Vhaldrynn Malleus, wife and two daughters. He grieves and bitterness completely destroys his faith and servitude for God. He chooses to take a path totally contrary, and is resolved to destroy everyone on earth so no one is left for God. It is at that moment the Father of Lies supplies him with the ability to raise an army from the dead. Satan had set the stage; a leading paladin had been possessed by a demon at birth when the demon in her dying mother had nowhere else to go.
M.S. Valdez keeps the human emotions real, but at a spiritual level. Bitterness, envy, pride, and judgment are magnified when you add powers from both God and Satan. It is heartbreaking to see the depths of despair Vhaldrynn sinks to in order to find peace from his guilt when he wasn’t there to protect his family. I loved Camila’s passion for justice, but my favorite character throughout the novel would be Fausta. She is the one that brings a smile during their trials and is always looking to help those around her.
M.S. Valdez keeps the human emotions real, but at a spiritual level. Bitterness, envy, pride, and judgment are magnified when you add powers from both God and Satan. It is heartbreaking to see the depths of despair Vhaldrynn sinks to in order to find peace from his guilt when he wasn’t there to protect his family. I loved Camila’s passion for justice, but my favorite character throughout the novel would be Fausta. She is the one that brings a smile during their trials and is always looking to help those around her.
June 2, 2020
M.S. Valdez's Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead plays on the concept: that those who believe that they are good can often be capable of doing the most evil. If someone's good nature is built on pride, self-righteousness, and converting or destroying those who do not share their limited view of the world, then they can be as dangerous as those who only live to hurt and destroy others for revenge or selfish gain.
Realm of the Dead presents two characters caught up in the conflict of good vs. evil that on the surface appear to be completely different, but when looked closer are very similar in their obsessions, fanaticism, and single minded pursuits. Similar to another recent epic fantasy that I reviewed, Derek Smythe's The Other Magic, the battle of good vs. evil is less straightforward. It's not always black and white, sometimes it's shades of gray.
Many of the characters are among the 12 members of the primus paladins of the Order of the Paladins, the elite Knight order from the Holy Roman Empire. They travel throughout Europe under the direct orders from the Empire to fight for, defend, and spread God's word. It's an awesome responsibility and certainly lends itself to people who can be skewered by their view of what God's word actually means and commit deadly actions in the names of those views.
One of those knights that falls short is Lord Vhaldrynn Malleus. Besides being an effective paladin and dedicated warrior, he has the gift of healing and bringing the dead back to life. Unfortunately, his wife and children were murdered while he was away on assignment. Vhaldrynn is enraged that this personal loss happened while he was doing God's work, so he renounces his religious calling. Since he accepts that evil is in the world, the only thing that he can do to combat it is to destroy all of humanity.
Of course this is a world where Satan definitely exists and is always on hand for a renunciation. He appears right in front of Vhaldrynn complete with witty dialogue and an offer he can't refuse. (When he gives an overly long list of titles, Vhaldrynn says "You are Lucifer, the Father of Lies." Satan's comeback: "Then I guess I must not be who I said I was.") His tantalizing offer is that Vhaldrynn can now use his healing powers to bring people from the dead and create a mindless zombie army to do their dark master's bidding.
If there is a deadly sin that Vhaldrynn is guilty of, it's Wrath. He is so bound by his hatred and vengeance over what happened to his family that he is willing to destroy the world. He is even aware that his ultimate prize will be eternal damnation and he no longer cares. Anger has eaten him from the inside and is destroying as quickly as his army of the dead are destroying everything else around him.
Another character that has their own view of God's word and acts according to it, is a character on the other side, the side of good: Lady Camila Chastaine. Camila is considered one of the best paladins: relentless in her pursuit of enemies and fights them until they are converted or dead. (For those who accuse Valdez of political correctness in featuring a female paladin should be aware that history and legend is full of stories of such women. Charlemagne had a female paladin, Lady Bradamante, in his knighthood. History includes such figures as Joanna of Flanders, Empress Matilda, Jeanne de Clissone, and of course one of the most famous female warriors of all, Joan of Arc.) Camila is a fierce warrior, dedicated, strong-willed, and excellent at strategy and physical fighting.
However, she is not always likeable. Our first encounter with her is when she pursues a man for the rape of a young girl. It would be admirable except the man had already been tried and found not guilty by the Duke. Camila refuses to listen to the man's pleas of innocence and protection by the Duke. She says that there is a difference between man's law and God's law and she is there to enact God's law before she kills him.
Camila's traveling companions, fellow paladins, Talitha and Altrael and sorceress, Fausta think of her as cold, emotionless, and self-righteous. They try to keep her grounded and to see beyond her narrow minded view and retain her humanity. But they are not always successful.
If Vhaldrynn is guilty of Wrath, then Camila is guilty of Satan's favorite sin from The Devil's Advocate: Pride and Vanity. She believes that she is doing God's work and that she is merely his vessel, but she is actually following her own ascended view of humanity and she is willing to kill others to enforce it. In some ways that makes her no better than Vhaldrynn.
Camila's pride ultimately proves to be her downfall. Satan finds that he can lure her just as easily as he could Vhaldrynn. In his horrific confrontations with the female paladin, he forces her to face her own demons, including a literal one that is activated by her self righteousness and pride and the violence that comes with that.
Empire Paladin Realm of the Dead features characters that walk a thin line between good and evil. Once they fall so far into the individual sides, they might how similar those sides actually are.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2020
Epic Journey
Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead (Empire Paladin Series Book 1) by M.S. Valdez is a bold and daring epic novel set in the mid 13th Century. The well-developed and engaging narrative involves the enemy known as the Lord of the Dead, against the Holy Roman Empire and the Order of Paladins and four Paladins in particular.
All paladins have been gifted with powers. Lord Vhaldrynn Malleus, a palladin, is able to heal the severest of wounds as well as the power of resurrection.
Additionally, one paladin, Lady Camila Chastaine, equally brave and heroic, is also invested in the battle between good and evil. A battle she not only fights outwardly, but inwardly as well.
A paladin is a knight that is known for their heroism and deeds of courage and chivalry.
From the very start, the reader is immediately enveloped in a epic drama that involves the forces of good versus the forces of evil. Through its beginning character development and into the developing plot, the reader is introduced and becomes well acquainted with the events that are transpiring during this timeframe and the quest and drive of each of the main characters.
The story takes a dark twist as Lord Vhaldrynn Malleus' faith is challeged due to the horrible death of his wife and children. The impact of the evil alters his faith and he encounters the Evil One or Lucifer. The sinister pact is sealed between the former faithful paladin and the Morning Star, God is denied and the most challenging warfare between the Church and the forces of evil is at hand.
Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead (Empire Paladin Series Book 1) by M.S. Valadez has all the ingredients of an epic read. It is a story of good vs evil, law vs lawlessness, courage and bravery, lost faith, an army of the dead and plot twists and turns.
It also contains content meant for mature age readers.
The novel is written in an epic fashion and is worthy of the reader's time and attention.
Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead (Empire Paladin Series Book 1) by M.S. Valdez is a bold and daring epic novel set in the mid 13th Century. The well-developed and engaging narrative involves the enemy known as the Lord of the Dead, against the Holy Roman Empire and the Order of Paladins and four Paladins in particular.
All paladins have been gifted with powers. Lord Vhaldrynn Malleus, a palladin, is able to heal the severest of wounds as well as the power of resurrection.
Additionally, one paladin, Lady Camila Chastaine, equally brave and heroic, is also invested in the battle between good and evil. A battle she not only fights outwardly, but inwardly as well.
A paladin is a knight that is known for their heroism and deeds of courage and chivalry.
From the very start, the reader is immediately enveloped in a epic drama that involves the forces of good versus the forces of evil. Through its beginning character development and into the developing plot, the reader is introduced and becomes well acquainted with the events that are transpiring during this timeframe and the quest and drive of each of the main characters.
The story takes a dark twist as Lord Vhaldrynn Malleus' faith is challeged due to the horrible death of his wife and children. The impact of the evil alters his faith and he encounters the Evil One or Lucifer. The sinister pact is sealed between the former faithful paladin and the Morning Star, God is denied and the most challenging warfare between the Church and the forces of evil is at hand.
Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead (Empire Paladin Series Book 1) by M.S. Valadez has all the ingredients of an epic read. It is a story of good vs evil, law vs lawlessness, courage and bravery, lost faith, an army of the dead and plot twists and turns.
It also contains content meant for mature age readers.
The novel is written in an epic fashion and is worthy of the reader's time and attention.
September 9, 2020
The first entry in M. S. Valdez’s ‘Empire Paladin’ series, ‘Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead’ is an instantly-captivating, surprisingly brutal piece of historical fiction (with a heavy emphasis on the ‘fiction’) set in the Holy Roman Empire.
The story follows a classic ‘good vs. evil’ template, pitting our hero Camila against a grief-stricken Paladin (Malleus) who is bent on misguided revenge. What follows is an intense, action-packed adventure that stirs up healthy doses of horror and suspense. Add to all that some fantastic ‘zombie/undead’ fun, and you have yourself a true genre-bending page-turner that cleverly fuses fantasy and historical fiction.
For his part, Valdez really nails the mood from start to finish, painting vivid scenes and populating them with immediately-intriguing characters. Eschewing well-established tropes from the get-go, the author also cleverly opts for a female protagonist, a paladin knight named Camila Chastaine, to guide readers through this violent thirteenth-century tale.
And while the novel steps deeper and deeper into the fantasy side of things as the narrative unfolds, Valdez’s adherence to an accurate historical context never wavers, especially in regards to the Roman Catholic embellishments.
As the first entry to what is sure to be an epic, ‘can’t-miss’ saga, M. S. Valdez’s ‘Empire Paladin’ is a success on all fronts—highly recommended for fans of a period-specific fantasy and/or GOT-esque stories that blur the lines between history and horror.
The story follows a classic ‘good vs. evil’ template, pitting our hero Camila against a grief-stricken Paladin (Malleus) who is bent on misguided revenge. What follows is an intense, action-packed adventure that stirs up healthy doses of horror and suspense. Add to all that some fantastic ‘zombie/undead’ fun, and you have yourself a true genre-bending page-turner that cleverly fuses fantasy and historical fiction.
For his part, Valdez really nails the mood from start to finish, painting vivid scenes and populating them with immediately-intriguing characters. Eschewing well-established tropes from the get-go, the author also cleverly opts for a female protagonist, a paladin knight named Camila Chastaine, to guide readers through this violent thirteenth-century tale.
And while the novel steps deeper and deeper into the fantasy side of things as the narrative unfolds, Valdez’s adherence to an accurate historical context never wavers, especially in regards to the Roman Catholic embellishments.
As the first entry to what is sure to be an epic, ‘can’t-miss’ saga, M. S. Valdez’s ‘Empire Paladin’ is a success on all fronts—highly recommended for fans of a period-specific fantasy and/or GOT-esque stories that blur the lines between history and horror.
October 2, 2020
Empire Paladin is a brilliant read - it's fantastical, historical, and all-round a whole lot of fun.
It follows the perilous journey of Camila, a Paladin knight in service of the Holy Roman Empire at a time when stability and security are of paramount importance - with the Pope gone and the Empire in a vulnerable state, Lucifer himself has raised an undead army at the command of another Paladin who, in grief for his family, has turned against God, and against the Holy Roman Empire. There's a lot going on here - the historical setting is, in itself, really well set out and remains a great feature of the book throughout, against the backdrop of which not only an epic good vs. evil plot is added, but also the fantasy element of an undead army and all the action-packed thrills it brings. In all of this, the importance of Camila's character being cast as a woman can get lost, which I think is also really powerful - not to mention refreshing!
It's also worth saying that the "good vs. evil" plot is really well nuanced, and deals with the causes of anger and the existential questions raised by grief as much as with the violent consequences of Vhaldrynn's actions.
The style of writing is as compelling as the content, but a word of warning: it can get a little dark / hard-hitting at times, so it's not necessarily a book for the faint-hearted. I'll definitely be reading to see what happens in the rest of the series!
It follows the perilous journey of Camila, a Paladin knight in service of the Holy Roman Empire at a time when stability and security are of paramount importance - with the Pope gone and the Empire in a vulnerable state, Lucifer himself has raised an undead army at the command of another Paladin who, in grief for his family, has turned against God, and against the Holy Roman Empire. There's a lot going on here - the historical setting is, in itself, really well set out and remains a great feature of the book throughout, against the backdrop of which not only an epic good vs. evil plot is added, but also the fantasy element of an undead army and all the action-packed thrills it brings. In all of this, the importance of Camila's character being cast as a woman can get lost, which I think is also really powerful - not to mention refreshing!
It's also worth saying that the "good vs. evil" plot is really well nuanced, and deals with the causes of anger and the existential questions raised by grief as much as with the violent consequences of Vhaldrynn's actions.
The style of writing is as compelling as the content, but a word of warning: it can get a little dark / hard-hitting at times, so it's not necessarily a book for the faint-hearted. I'll definitely be reading to see what happens in the rest of the series!
May 10, 2020
In 1241 the Hole Roman Empire is under siege from outside and within. The death of the Pope further throws the Empire into chaos, setting the stage for ambitious men seeking to consolidate their power. In this tumultuous age, a lone Paladin Knight by name of Camila Chastaine is set on a dangerous mission with fellow Paladins. They must seek out and stop one of their own who has been corrupted by Satan and taught the powers that will allow him to raise the dead for his own purpose. This is only the first in a series, so you can bet on the fact that there will be plenty of action, intrigue, horror (zombies) and grand battles.
As the first book, this one set the stage nicely. The worldbuilding was done well, we have a clear picture of where we are in history with the added bonus of magic being real and used on a regular basis to either protect the masses or to hurt them. The story is written very well, I was sucked in quickly and the pacing held my attention with a quick, but steady race towards the end.
As the first book, this one set the stage nicely. The worldbuilding was done well, we have a clear picture of where we are in history with the added bonus of magic being real and used on a regular basis to either protect the masses or to hurt them. The story is written very well, I was sucked in quickly and the pacing held my attention with a quick, but steady race towards the end.
April 10, 2018
Unbelievable, this is another masterpiece added to the collection, this year has surely surprises me in many ways, and this is another amazing book!
Set in the Roman Empire, the Pope has recently died, the struggle to keep the peace is increasing and one brave paladin knight, Camila, commits to her duty to protect the realm against everything that poses as a threat, the thing is, what if that said threat defeats her?
This book is amazing, it’s dark, it’s scary at times, there is a lot of action, the protagonist Camila is stellar and well, you think that sums up the entire book, right? It’s not even half of it, trust me. It always fascinated me how authors portrayed times like this, the amount of details invested in the set and period of time is compelling, you feel how the story engross from a simple war between good against evil, to a much more dark and complicated story, books like this one deserves much more attention from us, read it, this is such an unique story!
Set in the Roman Empire, the Pope has recently died, the struggle to keep the peace is increasing and one brave paladin knight, Camila, commits to her duty to protect the realm against everything that poses as a threat, the thing is, what if that said threat defeats her?
This book is amazing, it’s dark, it’s scary at times, there is a lot of action, the protagonist Camila is stellar and well, you think that sums up the entire book, right? It’s not even half of it, trust me. It always fascinated me how authors portrayed times like this, the amount of details invested in the set and period of time is compelling, you feel how the story engross from a simple war between good against evil, to a much more dark and complicated story, books like this one deserves much more attention from us, read it, this is such an unique story!
April 23, 2018
Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead by M.S. Valdez is not for the faint hearted. I don't recommend this as a bed time read either. It's been written with an adult reader in mind. It's a historical dark fantasy.
The scene is set in the year 1241, the holy Roman Empire is being torn apart by several up rests including Civil war. Unfortunately the Pope has also died causing the church to be in turmoil.
We meet Camila Chastine, a paladin knight for the Holy Church, she finds it hard however to maintain her duties to protect the Empire Realm. As she tries to maintain order in the Empire. She receives from Rome an urgent summons conceiving a new threat to the Empire. As Camila and her fellow troops join forces to defeat this evil, she has a harder fight to face, with an even greater evil, with her mind and soul at bay.
I have to be honest I didn't enjoy this it was too dark for me. But for someone that loves dark thrillers, I'm sure they would thoroughly enjoy this.
The scene is set in the year 1241, the holy Roman Empire is being torn apart by several up rests including Civil war. Unfortunately the Pope has also died causing the church to be in turmoil.
We meet Camila Chastine, a paladin knight for the Holy Church, she finds it hard however to maintain her duties to protect the Empire Realm. As she tries to maintain order in the Empire. She receives from Rome an urgent summons conceiving a new threat to the Empire. As Camila and her fellow troops join forces to defeat this evil, she has a harder fight to face, with an even greater evil, with her mind and soul at bay.
I have to be honest I didn't enjoy this it was too dark for me. But for someone that loves dark thrillers, I'm sure they would thoroughly enjoy this.
April 11, 2019
There is a person out in the world who decided that the Roman Empire wasn't brutal enough and thought to themselves, "why not throw zombies into the mix?". And I guess, now that I think about it, Game of Thrones could be construed similarly. However, in this case, that author is M. S. Valdez and that book is called EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead.
Despite the grim summary featuring a grieving man raising an undead army to unleash revenge on the empire responsible for the horrors of war, EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead is a surprisingly fun fantasy novel. Action packed enough for the adrenaline junkie and smart enough for those who require some depth of character and plot, this book is a well rounded example of the genre. There are some mature aspects throughout which might make me think twice about recommending this to younger audiences despite the popularity of the genre with youth recently.
Despite the grim summary featuring a grieving man raising an undead army to unleash revenge on the empire responsible for the horrors of war, EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead is a surprisingly fun fantasy novel. Action packed enough for the adrenaline junkie and smart enough for those who require some depth of character and plot, this book is a well rounded example of the genre. There are some mature aspects throughout which might make me think twice about recommending this to younger audiences despite the popularity of the genre with youth recently.
May 14, 2020
What a gritty and engaging story.
The cover and the beginning of this book are very interesting and catch. “Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead” is the first one in the series called Empire Paladin. The author of this fantasy book is M.S. Valdez. He affirms being a great fan of Stephen King´s books.
The story is set around the year 1241 when the Roman Empire is crumbling into pieces due to civil wars and unwanted invasions. There are several problems to deal with in the Empire. Camila Chastaine is the protagonist of this enthralling story. She is a devout and brave paladin who must strive to protect the realm of the Empire against traitors, invasions and pernicious influence.
The story is well-developed and well-explained. The extensive vocabulary makes the reading much more compelling. I have learned lots of words in this tale. I really love the way that the writer intertwines fiction with some historical aspects. I thoroughly recommend this courageous tale.
The cover and the beginning of this book are very interesting and catch. “Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead” is the first one in the series called Empire Paladin. The author of this fantasy book is M.S. Valdez. He affirms being a great fan of Stephen King´s books.
The story is set around the year 1241 when the Roman Empire is crumbling into pieces due to civil wars and unwanted invasions. There are several problems to deal with in the Empire. Camila Chastaine is the protagonist of this enthralling story. She is a devout and brave paladin who must strive to protect the realm of the Empire against traitors, invasions and pernicious influence.
The story is well-developed and well-explained. The extensive vocabulary makes the reading much more compelling. I have learned lots of words in this tale. I really love the way that the writer intertwines fiction with some historical aspects. I thoroughly recommend this courageous tale.
May 18, 2020
“Empire Paladin: Realm of the dead” is the first book in a series called Empire Paladin, written by M. S. Valdez, an avid and voracious reader of all times, and now also writer.
This middle length book has less than three hundred pages and is perfect to enjoy during the week. This historical fantasy book is dark, brutal and gritty.
The story is set in 1241, when the Holy Roman Empire is being torn down. The pope has died and the emperor wants to take control of all. The main character, Camila Chastaine, is a devout paladin knight belonging to the Holy Church. She, the great heroine in the story, tries to do her best to maintain order.
This novel is aimed at adults. The story certainly captivated me from beginning to end. Once I finished reading it I was eager to continue with the next one in the series. This is the first book I read from this author and it will certainly not be the last. I surely recommend reading Empire Paladin.
This middle length book has less than three hundred pages and is perfect to enjoy during the week. This historical fantasy book is dark, brutal and gritty.
The story is set in 1241, when the Holy Roman Empire is being torn down. The pope has died and the emperor wants to take control of all. The main character, Camila Chastaine, is a devout paladin knight belonging to the Holy Church. She, the great heroine in the story, tries to do her best to maintain order.
This novel is aimed at adults. The story certainly captivated me from beginning to end. Once I finished reading it I was eager to continue with the next one in the series. This is the first book I read from this author and it will certainly not be the last. I surely recommend reading Empire Paladin.
April 13, 2018
Empire Paladin is a horror story that gives you goose bumps and boosts up your adrenaline. The story is centered around Paladins who are gifted fighters in the holy Roman empire. These Paladin are tremendous fighters and great healers. In fact some could even make a recently dead person alive. However one unfortunate incident turns one of the Paladin's into a villainous character and takes him on a spree to destruction.
The story is immensely interesting and thrilling and keeps you connected with the plot. The climax scene is a real beauty and would give you goose bumps with its descriptions. Along with the heroine Camilla even I thought that I could not witness "anything more hideous" and was shocked when the author proved me wrong.
The story has its lighter moments too and makes for an interesting read
The story is immensely interesting and thrilling and keeps you connected with the plot. The climax scene is a real beauty and would give you goose bumps with its descriptions. Along with the heroine Camilla even I thought that I could not witness "anything more hideous" and was shocked when the author proved me wrong.
The story has its lighter moments too and makes for an interesting read
April 14, 2018
Historical novel fans will get a real kick out of this thriller. The author put a lot of research into his work, so you can see where the story connected to the historical period. The descriptions in this novel really add to the thriller element too, which made the book stand out to me. Plus, they help to create an image that will actually make you feel as if you have taken a step back in time. I really loved the characters and how it all comes together to create a story that I won’t soon forget. The author has a way with words that is perfect for this genre. I can guarantee you won’t want to put the book down, especially since it goes by so quickly. I would recommend this book to a wide number of people. Anyone interested in history, suspense, fantasy and drama are sure to really enjoy this one.
May 12, 2020
EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead is a 46-chapter tale set in 1241. Religious, historical, dark, fantastic, brutal and gritty aspects of life during the times of civil war and invasion in the Holy Roman Empire are woven in this book.
The story portrays a really strong female character, Camila Chastaine, a devout Paladin knight who serves the Church and fights to maintain order.
Written in the third person, the tale is centered around the brutal Paladin fighters who become one more threat to the Empire.
The author has a way with words and the narrative was put together in a captivating way. The book is full of vivid details which help readers connect with the plot, the historical time and the characters as soon as they flick through the first page.
I recommend this book to people who like history, action, suspense, fantasy and even darkness. I give this book 5 stars!
The story portrays a really strong female character, Camila Chastaine, a devout Paladin knight who serves the Church and fights to maintain order.
Written in the third person, the tale is centered around the brutal Paladin fighters who become one more threat to the Empire.
The author has a way with words and the narrative was put together in a captivating way. The book is full of vivid details which help readers connect with the plot, the historical time and the characters as soon as they flick through the first page.
I recommend this book to people who like history, action, suspense, fantasy and even darkness. I give this book 5 stars!
May 18, 2020
“EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead” is a fantasy book written by M. S. Valdez. It is the first book in the Empire Paladin Series. It is an action packed tale perfect for reading these days. It is a thrilling tale about good versus evil and the story is narrated in third person. Camila Chastaine is the protagonist and the story is set in the year 1241 in Rome.
The bit I found most thought-provoking and entertaining in this novel is when she has to fight to maintain order. The story, soon after the first pages, gets the reader involved. I enjoyed every part of this book. I couldn’t stop reading it. It makes you want to be inside the book to help the protagonist. I can assure you that this book is amazing down to the last page.
In my opinion this book should be read by everyone. I would gladly recommend you all, no matter what age, to read it. Enjoy it!
The bit I found most thought-provoking and entertaining in this novel is when she has to fight to maintain order. The story, soon after the first pages, gets the reader involved. I enjoyed every part of this book. I couldn’t stop reading it. It makes you want to be inside the book to help the protagonist. I can assure you that this book is amazing down to the last page.
In my opinion this book should be read by everyone. I would gladly recommend you all, no matter what age, to read it. Enjoy it!
May 7, 2020
This is the first book in the Empire Paladin series by M.S. Valdez. This book is so much fun. It is difficult to classify but is probably best described as historical fantasy. It is pure fiction but is set firmly in the real past in the year 1241. The Holy Roman Empire, the Pope, and the Emperor all play important roles in the story making this a very interesting entry into the fantasy genre.
Despite it being set in the real world and in real history, the author really creates a unique world and setting with rich details that bring the story to life. The characters are not cardboard cutouts and are very interesting.
Overall this is a really fun book I think should be on any fantasy lover’s bookshelf.
Despite it being set in the real world and in real history, the author really creates a unique world and setting with rich details that bring the story to life. The characters are not cardboard cutouts and are very interesting.
Overall this is a really fun book I think should be on any fantasy lover’s bookshelf.
May 8, 2020
Fantasy adventure based in the mid 1200’s
This historical fiction is based in the mid 1200’s and takes a dark journey through the Roman Empire and the religious fanaticism of that particular time. An army of zombies and a corrupt battle for survival are the intro to this fast paced story. The characters are developed and relatable. Camilla is the main female lead and I found myself hoping she would survive and be successful as I followed the twisted path of this story. This story covers both heaven and hell along with many aspects of life we still struggle with today. I found this to be a good story and a fun adventure through this rather bleak time in the past. Check this one out folks it is worth the read.
This historical fiction is based in the mid 1200’s and takes a dark journey through the Roman Empire and the religious fanaticism of that particular time. An army of zombies and a corrupt battle for survival are the intro to this fast paced story. The characters are developed and relatable. Camilla is the main female lead and I found myself hoping she would survive and be successful as I followed the twisted path of this story. This story covers both heaven and hell along with many aspects of life we still struggle with today. I found this to be a good story and a fun adventure through this rather bleak time in the past. Check this one out folks it is worth the read.
April 4, 2019
History/Religion/Fantasy
Empire Paladin is at its core a story of good vs evil. A paladin -Malleus- becomes angry at God when his wife and children are killed, and basically starts working for the devil with an army of the undead. The main character, Camila, is the chosen one to fight him and restore good. She is an engaging character; a good example of trying to keep fighting for good no matter the cost. The novel really isn’t my usual cup of tea but I like branching out occasionally. If you like this type of novel, you will definitely enjoy it. I’m glad I read it.
Empire Paladin is at its core a story of good vs evil. A paladin -Malleus- becomes angry at God when his wife and children are killed, and basically starts working for the devil with an army of the undead. The main character, Camila, is the chosen one to fight him and restore good. She is an engaging character; a good example of trying to keep fighting for good no matter the cost. The novel really isn’t my usual cup of tea but I like branching out occasionally. If you like this type of novel, you will definitely enjoy it. I’m glad I read it.
April 9, 2018
Dark Fantasy!
As the name suggests its dark, scary, historical fiction, fantasy, set around 1200 during the time of the Holy Roman Empire. After the pope’s death the scene is chaotic, where empire wants to take the control and Camila has sworn to protect the empire from evils. She did not realize the evils can be deal soldiers too. The plot is good and well written and as the books unfold it does manage to capture the reader’s attention.
As the name suggests its dark, scary, historical fiction, fantasy, set around 1200 during the time of the Holy Roman Empire. After the pope’s death the scene is chaotic, where empire wants to take the control and Camila has sworn to protect the empire from evils. She did not realize the evils can be deal soldiers too. The plot is good and well written and as the books unfold it does manage to capture the reader’s attention.
September 28, 2020
I enjoyed this book to the fullest! I appreciate the transparency of the other characters that did not particularily agreed with Camila. I absolutely loved that we didn't have to wait long for the villains to come out. I do feel the idea of Lucifer was a bit of a cliché, but nonetheless the book does a splendid job combining history and horror all together.
July 19, 2020
Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead by M. S. Valdez is a different and dark science fiction novel.
The order of the Paladins, rare holy knights, was made up of extremely skilled warriors within the empire's army, who were trained with powerful specific combat skills. They also possessed healing and resurrection powers from fallen soldiers as long as their souls remained in purgatory.
One of the superior paladins Vhaldrynn loses his entire family to enemy soldiers and vows to avenge his death by destroying all of humanity. Lucifer, upon learning of this, decides to place under his command an entire army of the undead.
In the Holy Roman Empire in 1241 there is a ruthless confrontation. The lord of the dead rides with his legion of the undead to destroy all humanity. Three paladins, Camila, Talitha and Atrael, have to face all their anger and destroy it.
The quality of the details in this epic story is astonishing; each description transports you to images of those times, and the narration goes through several genres on one page; dramatic, lyrical and didactic. The author incredibly mixes the real and the fantastic. The characters, dark in their thoughts but full of light in their actions, make this novel very dynamic and very attractive. The author, Valdez, creates a fair balance between the epic and the science fiction novel. What surprises me even more is that our heroes in the story are, in fact, heroines of great character and temperance, this has been a pleasant surprise.
I certainly recommend reading this novel! And I am eager to continue reading the titles of this great author.
The order of the Paladins, rare holy knights, was made up of extremely skilled warriors within the empire's army, who were trained with powerful specific combat skills. They also possessed healing and resurrection powers from fallen soldiers as long as their souls remained in purgatory.
One of the superior paladins Vhaldrynn loses his entire family to enemy soldiers and vows to avenge his death by destroying all of humanity. Lucifer, upon learning of this, decides to place under his command an entire army of the undead.
In the Holy Roman Empire in 1241 there is a ruthless confrontation. The lord of the dead rides with his legion of the undead to destroy all humanity. Three paladins, Camila, Talitha and Atrael, have to face all their anger and destroy it.
The quality of the details in this epic story is astonishing; each description transports you to images of those times, and the narration goes through several genres on one page; dramatic, lyrical and didactic. The author incredibly mixes the real and the fantastic. The characters, dark in their thoughts but full of light in their actions, make this novel very dynamic and very attractive. The author, Valdez, creates a fair balance between the epic and the science fiction novel. What surprises me even more is that our heroes in the story are, in fact, heroines of great character and temperance, this has been a pleasant surprise.
I certainly recommend reading this novel! And I am eager to continue reading the titles of this great author.
April 6, 2015
What can I say? I'm heavily biased! An exciting story about paladins during the year of 1241 A.D. It is set in the Holy Roman Empire and has numerous historical references to that time period.
The main character, Camila Chastaine, is a paladin (or holy knight) in service to the Empire. She is quite zealous and self-righteous in her beliefs. Her two companions, Talitha and Atrael (also paladins), are considering whether to remain in her company due to her extreme beliefs. They have to put that decision aside when a traitorous paladin decides to use his divine powers to raise an army of dead bent on ending all life.
Filled with action-packed battles, a touch of sorcery and witchcraft, demonic minions, this is a captivating story for any fan of dark fantasy and historical fiction. Highly recommended!
The main character, Camila Chastaine, is a paladin (or holy knight) in service to the Empire. She is quite zealous and self-righteous in her beliefs. Her two companions, Talitha and Atrael (also paladins), are considering whether to remain in her company due to her extreme beliefs. They have to put that decision aside when a traitorous paladin decides to use his divine powers to raise an army of dead bent on ending all life.
Filled with action-packed battles, a touch of sorcery and witchcraft, demonic minions, this is a captivating story for any fan of dark fantasy and historical fiction. Highly recommended!
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