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Schaduw van de Revenaunt #1
Rhidauna
'Rhidauna', the first book of the great fantasy series 'The Shadow of the Revenaunt'.
The night before his Coming-of-Age, Ghyll and his two friends escape their castle on a clandestine boar hunt that will forever change their lives.
The hunt proves a disaster, and with one of them badly wounded, they return just in time to see their island castle destroyed by macabre warriors from a dragon boat, and by flocks of fire-breathing birds. Ghyll's eighteenth birthday turns into a nightmare as they flee into the night.
Now begins an epic journey to find out who is trying to kill them – and most importantly, why?
Fortunately, they can count on the help of new friends, including a sometimes overly enthusiastic fire mage, an inexperienced paladin and a young beastmistress who is also a ferocious mountain lioness.
It soon becomes clear that not one but several sorcerers want to kill them. Are those blackrobes really followers of a terrible, long-forgotten organization?
And whose cold hand reaches across the boundaries of space and time to crush weakened Rhidauna?
Note from the Author: This version has been revised on some vital plot points.
The night before his Coming-of-Age, Ghyll and his two friends escape their castle on a clandestine boar hunt that will forever change their lives.
The hunt proves a disaster, and with one of them badly wounded, they return just in time to see their island castle destroyed by macabre warriors from a dragon boat, and by flocks of fire-breathing birds. Ghyll's eighteenth birthday turns into a nightmare as they flee into the night.
Now begins an epic journey to find out who is trying to kill them – and most importantly, why?
Fortunately, they can count on the help of new friends, including a sometimes overly enthusiastic fire mage, an inexperienced paladin and a young beastmistress who is also a ferocious mountain lioness.
It soon becomes clear that not one but several sorcerers want to kill them. Are those blackrobes really followers of a terrible, long-forgotten organization?
And whose cold hand reaches across the boundaries of space and time to crush weakened Rhidauna?
Note from the Author: This version has been revised on some vital plot points.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
890 people want to read
About the author
Paul E. Horsman
22 books122 followersPaul E. Horsman (1952) is a Dutch and International Fantasy Author. Born and bred in the Netherlands, he now lives in Roosendaal, a town on the Dutch-Belgian border.
He has been a soldier, a salesman, a scoutmaster and an instructor of Dutch-as-a-Second- Language and Integration to refugees from all over the globe.
Now retired, he is a full-time writer of fantasy adventure stories suitable for a broad age range. His books are both published in the Netherlands, and internationally.
His works are characterized by their rich, diverse worlds, colorful peoples and a strong sense of equality between women and men.
Many of his stories, like The Shardheld Saga trilogy and The Shadow of the Revenaunt books, have mythological or historical elements in them, while others, especially Lioness of Kell. the Wyrms of Pasandir-series and his current Space Fantasy Broomriders in Space books, contain many steampunk elements.
He has been a soldier, a salesman, a scoutmaster and an instructor of Dutch-as-a-Second- Language and Integration to refugees from all over the globe.
Now retired, he is a full-time writer of fantasy adventure stories suitable for a broad age range. His books are both published in the Netherlands, and internationally.
His works are characterized by their rich, diverse worlds, colorful peoples and a strong sense of equality between women and men.
Many of his stories, like The Shardheld Saga trilogy and The Shadow of the Revenaunt books, have mythological or historical elements in them, while others, especially Lioness of Kell. the Wyrms of Pasandir-series and his current Space Fantasy Broomriders in Space books, contain many steampunk elements.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 13, 2013
Fijn verhaal dat een queeste beschrijft van een aantal jonge mensen. Uitstekend taalgebruik.
April 16, 2013
Klassieke personages
Paul Horsman heeft een vrij standaard fantasieverhaal geschreven, waarin hij een groep klassieke fantasiefiguren heeft verzameld. Zo sluiten op een gegeven moment de vuurmagiër Bo en beestmeesteres (een gedaanteveranderaar) Uwella zich aan bij Ghyl, de edele die op zoek is naar zijn afkomst, zijn pleegbroer Olle, die eveneens zijn afkomst niet kent en Damion, de mysterieuze jongen die meer lijkt te zijn dan in eerste instantie werd gedacht. Ze komen elkaar allemaal met toeval tegen en zijn allemaal toevallig nog vrij jong van leeftijd. Dit kan wat vreemd aanvoelen, want waarom zijn er geen oudere meer ervaren magiërs of edelen bereid het gezelschap bij te staan in hun queeste? Ieder personage schijnt op het eerste gezicht zijn eigen mysteries met zich mee te brengen. Dit wekt absoluut nieuwsgierigheid op, maar helaas wordt niet met ieder mysterie iets gedaan. In plaats daarvan richt Horsman zich vooral op de geheimzinnige vijanden van het gezelschap die achter een zekere Hardingraud aanzitten. Het wordt alleen al vrij snel duidelijk om wie het hier precies gaat en vanaf dat moment raakt de spanning vrijwel geheel uit het verhaal.
De groep reist middels portalen in tempels, welke de groep binnen luttele seconden van de ene stad naar de andere stad kunnen transporteren. Hierdoor is de reis, waarvan in het begin de indruk werd gewekt dat het een hele onderneming moest worden, al vrij snel tot een einde gekomen.
Wil je de gehele recensie lezen? Klik dan hier:
http://www.fantasywereld.nl/recensies...
Paul Horsman heeft een vrij standaard fantasieverhaal geschreven, waarin hij een groep klassieke fantasiefiguren heeft verzameld. Zo sluiten op een gegeven moment de vuurmagiër Bo en beestmeesteres (een gedaanteveranderaar) Uwella zich aan bij Ghyl, de edele die op zoek is naar zijn afkomst, zijn pleegbroer Olle, die eveneens zijn afkomst niet kent en Damion, de mysterieuze jongen die meer lijkt te zijn dan in eerste instantie werd gedacht. Ze komen elkaar allemaal met toeval tegen en zijn allemaal toevallig nog vrij jong van leeftijd. Dit kan wat vreemd aanvoelen, want waarom zijn er geen oudere meer ervaren magiërs of edelen bereid het gezelschap bij te staan in hun queeste? Ieder personage schijnt op het eerste gezicht zijn eigen mysteries met zich mee te brengen. Dit wekt absoluut nieuwsgierigheid op, maar helaas wordt niet met ieder mysterie iets gedaan. In plaats daarvan richt Horsman zich vooral op de geheimzinnige vijanden van het gezelschap die achter een zekere Hardingraud aanzitten. Het wordt alleen al vrij snel duidelijk om wie het hier precies gaat en vanaf dat moment raakt de spanning vrijwel geheel uit het verhaal.
De groep reist middels portalen in tempels, welke de groep binnen luttele seconden van de ene stad naar de andere stad kunnen transporteren. Hierdoor is de reis, waarvan in het begin de indruk werd gewekt dat het een hele onderneming moest worden, al vrij snel tot een einde gekomen.
Wil je de gehele recensie lezen? Klik dan hier:
http://www.fantasywereld.nl/recensies...
November 25, 2013
The Shadow of the Revenaunt starts off with three boys sneaking out to hunt wild boar. Their town is reduced to ashes while they are away and the action never stops. The author brings us along on their quest to find answers and it’s a ride you don’t want to miss!
Along the way we meet fantastic characters, experience new magical powers, and watch as they narrowly escape with their lives as they as pursued.
I loved the pace of the book; there weren’t any of those dull parts you have to muddle through to get to the good stuff. The author brings you there and explains everything through the action and dialogue. He paints a vibrant description of the surroundings; I almost felt like I was there with his use of smell, sounds, and visuals.
The main character is just what a main character should be….he is brave and tries to be just. But he is also vulnerable and second-guesses himself and even makes mistakes. That makes him real to me and someone I would want to meet. The other characters make up a great supporting cast, with their own powers and strengths to add to the mix.
I had read Shardfall by the author and really enjoyed it so I knew I was in for a treat and I was not disappointed. I think I even liked this one more! You do find out the answer to the quest but there still more to come and I can’t wait!
Along the way we meet fantastic characters, experience new magical powers, and watch as they narrowly escape with their lives as they as pursued.
I loved the pace of the book; there weren’t any of those dull parts you have to muddle through to get to the good stuff. The author brings you there and explains everything through the action and dialogue. He paints a vibrant description of the surroundings; I almost felt like I was there with his use of smell, sounds, and visuals.
The main character is just what a main character should be….he is brave and tries to be just. But he is also vulnerable and second-guesses himself and even makes mistakes. That makes him real to me and someone I would want to meet. The other characters make up a great supporting cast, with their own powers and strengths to add to the mix.
I had read Shardfall by the author and really enjoyed it so I knew I was in for a treat and I was not disappointed. I think I even liked this one more! You do find out the answer to the quest but there still more to come and I can’t wait!
July 25, 2013
The tale of Ghyll Denhalf and his companions is an interesting one, with magic, strange beings and unlikely companions thrown into the mix.
Unfortunately, the story plods along without any real urgency, and the action scenes are lackluster. The central plot becomes apparent quiet early on in the book, and this dissipates all the tension.
The ending is abrupt, presumably with the view of a sequel, but it did not leave me with a burning desire to find out what happens next.
March 10, 2014
Rhidauna, The Shadow of the Revenaunt, is a traditional fantasy that takes place in a well-drawn world of mages, golums, shapeshifters, and men and women living in medieval towns and villages. The Kingdom of Rhidauna has had no King for eighteen years since the King, Queen and their two sons died in ‘accidents.’ The Regent hid the youngest son to grow up in obscurity for his safety, but now it is time for his return. Ghyll does not know that he is the heir to the throne, but when his home is attacked by Golems and burned into ash by Firebirds, killing all except him and his friends who happened to be on a boar hunt at the time, he finds papers that set him on a quest during which his identity becomes clear – at least to his companions. Someone is trying to kill Ghyll, and their quest involves many battles as they try to escape the various traps set by his potential assassins.
It’s a traditional format, that of the noble quest with a varied band of companions, a heroic secret king at its head and a large, devoted lifetime friend at his side. It’s a good tale; not particularly original, but well-constructed and solidly told with a good pace. Some stories in this style are heavy and ponderous, but this had a good balance of light and shade. I enjoyed the characters; Ghyll showed the kind of command over and concern for the people that one would want from a King, and his companions showed the fierce kind of loyalty befitting such a man. All up, Rhidauna delivers an essentially noble and heartening story that fans of the genre should enjoy. The end may leave some a little disappointed, however, because though Ghyll’s story has a satisfactory end, the antagonist’s story just stops rather than ends. Even as the first of a series, it could have been worded to give more of a sense of conclusion whilst still indicating that the story continues.
The prose suffered from the occasional passive construction and expositional writing where something more immediate would have been better, but it wasn’t enough to be a major issue. The copy editing appeared flawless.
4 stars.
It’s a traditional format, that of the noble quest with a varied band of companions, a heroic secret king at its head and a large, devoted lifetime friend at his side. It’s a good tale; not particularly original, but well-constructed and solidly told with a good pace. Some stories in this style are heavy and ponderous, but this had a good balance of light and shade. I enjoyed the characters; Ghyll showed the kind of command over and concern for the people that one would want from a King, and his companions showed the fierce kind of loyalty befitting such a man. All up, Rhidauna delivers an essentially noble and heartening story that fans of the genre should enjoy. The end may leave some a little disappointed, however, because though Ghyll’s story has a satisfactory end, the antagonist’s story just stops rather than ends. Even as the first of a series, it could have been worded to give more of a sense of conclusion whilst still indicating that the story continues.
The prose suffered from the occasional passive construction and expositional writing where something more immediate would have been better, but it wasn’t enough to be a major issue. The copy editing appeared flawless.
4 stars.
December 4, 2013
I really like that this book was a fantasy. There was magic and the characters interacting together made this a fresh read. The book starts with the boys going on a hunt for a boar. The town that they once inhabited is reduced to nothing while they are on their hunt and they want to know answers! I was thrilled to be reading about all the boys adventures and the magical elements just made it even that much more enjoyable. I loved that the story moved along quickly and did not stay focused on one event for too long. With novels like this, I tend to lose interest if way too much information is given and there are too many details for me to try to remember. I was so happy this novel was not like that!
I was also impressed with the author’s descriptions of the places that the characters would travel to in the story. I felt like I was getting all that the author wanted me to feel and sense through his descriptions. It was easy to place myself into the setting. The author did not make the main character into some sort of invincible being which I appreciated. He allowed him to think about what to do in situations and even to make wrong choices. He was surrounded by others that just added to the realness of the situations that the author would put them in. They had magic, yes, but it was not flaunted and made out to be that they were some other wordly beings.
Shardfall is another book that the author has written and I fell in love with that one! I can not wait for the second installment of that series or for this one! This is going to be an author that I will love as long as he is willing to write great fantasies and adventures.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes and was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.
I was also impressed with the author’s descriptions of the places that the characters would travel to in the story. I felt like I was getting all that the author wanted me to feel and sense through his descriptions. It was easy to place myself into the setting. The author did not make the main character into some sort of invincible being which I appreciated. He allowed him to think about what to do in situations and even to make wrong choices. He was surrounded by others that just added to the realness of the situations that the author would put them in. They had magic, yes, but it was not flaunted and made out to be that they were some other wordly beings.
Shardfall is another book that the author has written and I fell in love with that one! I can not wait for the second installment of that series or for this one! This is going to be an author that I will love as long as he is willing to write great fantasies and adventures.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes and was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2015
**We received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
There's a new land to explore and magic abound. Sometimes it felt as if I was missing out on a few aspects but the different religions and their worshippers was distinct and a fascinating addition.
It begins with boyish trouble when three friends discover a new place to explore, and a bit more about themselves. When one of them is injured and their homes are invaded, they find themselves homeless and orphaned.
The return to the village is a somber one, but it gives them something important, a purpose. From here Ghylls, the leader and subject of a prophecy, with his warrior-like foster brother Olle, and their friend Damion take off on an adventure. Oaths of revenge burns in the background but doesn't dilute their morals. Along the way they find some magical, helpful friends. The camaraderie is fun to witness, especially amongst the original three.
I liked the three main boys, along with Uwella, a wikke who I wasn't sure they should trust, but she was pretty helpful and quite entertaining.
With danger around every corner, there is one evil that stands above the rest. One that's ruthless in his hunt for Ghyll. There was a neat network of sorcerers, magic swords, golems, and of course the classic good versus evil.
CONCLUSION
There's an adventure that doesn't go entirely as planned, but it could sometimes be a bit predictable and bogged down in a few sections, for me. That being said, I think the imagination and the time that went into creating the new land was really well done and intricate.
There's a new land to explore and magic abound. Sometimes it felt as if I was missing out on a few aspects but the different religions and their worshippers was distinct and a fascinating addition.
It begins with boyish trouble when three friends discover a new place to explore, and a bit more about themselves. When one of them is injured and their homes are invaded, they find themselves homeless and orphaned.
The return to the village is a somber one, but it gives them something important, a purpose. From here Ghylls, the leader and subject of a prophecy, with his warrior-like foster brother Olle, and their friend Damion take off on an adventure. Oaths of revenge burns in the background but doesn't dilute their morals. Along the way they find some magical, helpful friends. The camaraderie is fun to witness, especially amongst the original three.
I liked the three main boys, along with Uwella, a wikke who I wasn't sure they should trust, but she was pretty helpful and quite entertaining.
With danger around every corner, there is one evil that stands above the rest. One that's ruthless in his hunt for Ghyll. There was a neat network of sorcerers, magic swords, golems, and of course the classic good versus evil.
CONCLUSION
There's an adventure that doesn't go entirely as planned, but it could sometimes be a bit predictable and bogged down in a few sections, for me. That being said, I think the imagination and the time that went into creating the new land was really well done and intricate.
September 1, 2013
The central storyline to this book is a proper fantasy quest, which I found very enjoyable. There were plenty of magical elements, but not overly fantastical with a good mixture of historical adventure too. I liked the mix of characters and how they interacted, even if some of their encounters were somewhat brief. The writing was good, and made for pleasant reading.
I found the main failings of the book came from its length; I am no particular fan of massive tomes, but I felt that for a story of this type, the book could have benefitted from being a bit longer, particularly as there were a lot of new names and places coming up in short spaces of time, which was sometimes confusing. The quest storyline really needed a bit more depth to it; each situation the travellers came across was dealt with fairly quickly, and the perils they encountered had no real time to build suspense. New characters were also quickly accepted into the storyline, and I never felt I really got to know much about any of them - their personalities or motivations - beyond perhaps the main protagonist and his brother.
Overall however, I had great fun reading this book. I looked forward to reading on and discovering what would come up next in the story, and I would definitely be interested to read further books in the series to find out what follows in these characters' adventures.
I found the main failings of the book came from its length; I am no particular fan of massive tomes, but I felt that for a story of this type, the book could have benefitted from being a bit longer, particularly as there were a lot of new names and places coming up in short spaces of time, which was sometimes confusing. The quest storyline really needed a bit more depth to it; each situation the travellers came across was dealt with fairly quickly, and the perils they encountered had no real time to build suspense. New characters were also quickly accepted into the storyline, and I never felt I really got to know much about any of them - their personalities or motivations - beyond perhaps the main protagonist and his brother.
Overall however, I had great fun reading this book. I looked forward to reading on and discovering what would come up next in the story, and I would definitely be interested to read further books in the series to find out what follows in these characters' adventures.
January 16, 2014
i got this book free through making connections group, provided by the author Paul for a review.
It is a fast paced fantasy book, i did not get bored at any point of this book which happens sometimes even in really good books. The characters really interested me and i really found the brothers loyalty towards one another to be endearing. I thought the red mage to be quite entertaining, along with the beast masters revelry, which eventually develops into something more than friendship. Though i could guess the plot of the book i still wanted to read what eventually happened because of the way the author portrayed everything.
recommended to all fantasy reader's, i found this book to be amazing at the very least and extremely enjoyable.
It is a fast paced fantasy book, i did not get bored at any point of this book which happens sometimes even in really good books. The characters really interested me and i really found the brothers loyalty towards one another to be endearing. I thought the red mage to be quite entertaining, along with the beast masters revelry, which eventually develops into something more than friendship. Though i could guess the plot of the book i still wanted to read what eventually happened because of the way the author portrayed everything.
recommended to all fantasy reader's, i found this book to be amazing at the very least and extremely enjoyable.
January 2, 2016
4.5 stars
Rhidauna: The Shadow of Revenaunt by Paul E. Horsman is the story of Ghyll, a young Baron, sent on a quest by his dead uncle to recover several artifacts after his island home of Tinnurad is destroyed mysteriously one night by fire-breathing birds and macabre golems. Accompanied by his foster brother Olle and his friend Damion, and joined by a fire mage, a young paladin, and a beastmistress, Ghyll sets out on a journey that will take him across Rhidauna. But they encounter evil and mysterious sorcerers determined to kill them at almost every turn, and as they start to amass the artifacts one by one, questions about Ghyll’s past and identity start to emerge.
...read the rest of this review at UndergroundBookReviews(dot)org!
Rhidauna: The Shadow of Revenaunt by Paul E. Horsman is the story of Ghyll, a young Baron, sent on a quest by his dead uncle to recover several artifacts after his island home of Tinnurad is destroyed mysteriously one night by fire-breathing birds and macabre golems. Accompanied by his foster brother Olle and his friend Damion, and joined by a fire mage, a young paladin, and a beastmistress, Ghyll sets out on a journey that will take him across Rhidauna. But they encounter evil and mysterious sorcerers determined to kill them at almost every turn, and as they start to amass the artifacts one by one, questions about Ghyll’s past and identity start to emerge.
...read the rest of this review at UndergroundBookReviews(dot)org!
December 5, 2013
Rhidauna is a fast pace book full with fantasy, magic and adventures. It starts when the boys go for boar hunting and discover on their return that their castle is destroyed by strange warriors/
Their start an journey to find out who is out to destroy them all. they meet power hungry, evil people on the road. Paul Horsman takes you into beautiful scenes and great characters in a journey to find truth. Again he did it great story! a job well done.
I received a copy of this book for a honest review.
Their start an journey to find out who is out to destroy them all. they meet power hungry, evil people on the road. Paul Horsman takes you into beautiful scenes and great characters in a journey to find truth. Again he did it great story! a job well done.
I received a copy of this book for a honest review.
May 29, 2016
The plot was always surprising and intriguing, all the characters had bright individualities and the book was taking place in so many different and fascinating lands that the I had no other choice than to keep reading with bated breath.
Even though the book is more suitable to a younger audience I enjoyed reading it and I'm curious to see how the characters and the story develop.
I had some difficulties keeping up with all the names and too late realised that there was a discription at the end of the book.
Even though the book is more suitable to a younger audience I enjoyed reading it and I'm curious to see how the characters and the story develop.
I had some difficulties keeping up with all the names and too late realised that there was a discription at the end of the book.
March 30, 2014
Dit boek is nu echt in één zin te beschrijven: "Een prettig leesbaar recht toe recht aan episch fantasy verhaal die leest als een spannend jongensboek".
Het nadeel daaraan is dat het einde van dit eerste deel van de trilogie zeer voorspelbaar is.
Maar het gehele verhaal is spannend genoeg om snel verder te gaan met het het tweede deel.
Het nadeel daaraan is dat het einde van dit eerste deel van de trilogie zeer voorspelbaar is.
Maar het gehele verhaal is spannend genoeg om snel verder te gaan met het het tweede deel.
September 28, 2014
Echt heel erg genoten van dit boek. Een spannend avontuur van begin tot eind.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews