Wrath of the Broken One

Tale of the Scorpion #1

by Shawn E. Crapo

Every hero has a tale, and the greatest assassin in Eirenoch's history is no exception. Tale of the Scorpion takes you on a journey through the life of Garret; from his troubled youth to his life as royal assassin to King Magnus and future mentor of the last Onyx Dragon. Wrath of the Broken One begins the story, when Garret is rescued from certain death by a mysterious Thyrean assassin who apparently has a price on his own head. Garret's new mentor, Etanos, will teach him not only the tricks of the trade, but the skills that will eventually earn him the nickname Scorpion. However, he will also learn the most important lesson of all; that no matter how skilled the warrior, there is always someone better--especially among those who are born of darkness.

317 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2015

Reviews

[Lailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrath of the Broken One pulled me in right from the start. Even just from the summary, you can tell this is more than just another assassin tale, it’s a deep dive into the making of a legend. Garret’s journey from a troubled youth to becoming the feared Scorpion is layered with grit, danger, and emotional complexity.

I really liked the mentor-student dynamic between Garret and Etanos. It sets up that classic assassin training vibe but with a twist, Etanos has his own shadows and past, which adds even more tension. The theme that “there’s always someone better” hits hard, especially in a world where darkness seems to birth its own monsters.

If you're into dark fantasy, morally gray characters, and deep lore, this feels like the start of a truly epic saga. I’m already curious to see how Garret’s story ties into the Onyx Dragon. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

[Shawn E. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book as a way of providing a back story to Garret, a character in my Dragon Chronicles series. In that series, he is summoned by the Great Mother to rid the world of key obstacles to the worldwide battle against the Lifegiver.

This first book begins Garret's introduction to the world of assassins, and the fight against injustice by Eirenoch's nobles. During a raid on the convent where he lives, Garret is rescued by a mysterious assassin named Etanos, who sees potential in him and decides to take him on as his student.

During his training, Garret and his master discover the existence of a massive network of slavers, smugglers, and corrupt nobles. They take it upon themselves to bring the organization down and rid Eirenoch of its scourge.

Along the way, the two learn that another assassin, one of dark and mysterious origins, has had Etanos in her sights. She pursues them across the island, always on their heels, and taunts them mercilessly. To those that know her or meet her, she is a frightening force of darkness, and one whose loyalty is questionable. As Etanos will find out, her mission in life is to exact revenge for a long done deed.