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Maxilla Tales #1
Evil Never Dies
The Maxilla are a peaceful clan but when rumours of dark magic arrive in their land for the second time in a decade, can they survive the latest threat from Myracadonis, the shaman?
Tarn is ordered to lead the Maxilla into battle for the first time, but a man with the mark of greatness will always have enemies. Grona hates everyone, including his son, Tarn. Both are destined to be heroes yet only one can stand before the gates of hell and win.
Tarn is ordered to lead the Maxilla into battle for the first time, but a man with the mark of greatness will always have enemies. Grona hates everyone, including his son, Tarn. Both are destined to be heroes yet only one can stand before the gates of hell and win.
244 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2015
About the author
Rick Haynes
16 books6 followersI was born way back before time meant anything. One zillion reincarnations later, I think I know... who I am. But to you I am an enigma, a mystery. So perhaps if I explained that my passion, is to write for your pleasure, then you will understand my raison d'etre.
So buy the books.
Read the stories.
And enjoy the magic of words.
Laughter! The best medicine in the world!
Reading and writing! The best pastime!
LAUGH LOUD-LOVE ALWAYS-LIVE LONG
So buy the books.
Read the stories.
And enjoy the magic of words.
Laughter! The best medicine in the world!
Reading and writing! The best pastime!
LAUGH LOUD-LOVE ALWAYS-LIVE LONG
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 2, 2015
I'm not a great reader of fantasy these days, in my youth I was an avid fantasy reader but not so much now. In part that's because the books can be bloated and in need of a good trimming and I'm pleased to report that this isn't the case here. I'm familiar with the author's short fiction and he exhibits some quality writing, so I thought I'd give his debut novel a try.
For a first novel this is very good. The overall tale might seem familiar to any fan of heroic fantasy, but it's told here in well paced and punchy fashion that keeps you glued to the page. What I liked here was the author keeping on track and not falling into the trap of digressing simply to expand on the world. I liked the feel of interaction from the gods in the story - it's mostly low key but very classical Greek in their personal involvement and meddling.
The world building is good, but secondary to the characters and their tribulations. It's full of action which is told in a believable fashion. There's also a lot of consideration for the impact the conflict has on the character's lives. In style it's very reminiscent of David Gemmel with an easy to slip into world and plenty of excitement, balanced with some reflection.
The one off-note for me was the principal villain. He is suitably evil, but on occasion he felt a little flat compared to the more rounded heroes (who aren't all squeaky clean). It's a major problem as he does provide an effective opponent.
There are a few rough edges to the book, buy compared to the talent on display they are all minor and for a debut novel this is good stuff. Well worth a read if you enjoy a fantasy tale with mixed heroes and dark evil.
For a first novel this is very good. The overall tale might seem familiar to any fan of heroic fantasy, but it's told here in well paced and punchy fashion that keeps you glued to the page. What I liked here was the author keeping on track and not falling into the trap of digressing simply to expand on the world. I liked the feel of interaction from the gods in the story - it's mostly low key but very classical Greek in their personal involvement and meddling.
The world building is good, but secondary to the characters and their tribulations. It's full of action which is told in a believable fashion. There's also a lot of consideration for the impact the conflict has on the character's lives. In style it's very reminiscent of David Gemmel with an easy to slip into world and plenty of excitement, balanced with some reflection.
The one off-note for me was the principal villain. He is suitably evil, but on occasion he felt a little flat compared to the more rounded heroes (who aren't all squeaky clean). It's a major problem as he does provide an effective opponent.
There are a few rough edges to the book, buy compared to the talent on display they are all minor and for a debut novel this is good stuff. Well worth a read if you enjoy a fantasy tale with mixed heroes and dark evil.
April 19, 2017
“Evil Never Dies” is a great sort of throwback to the old days of pulpy fantasy action similar to Conan, Red Sonja, Kull the Conqueror, and others.
While the characters are better developed than in most of those old pulp tales, the action is clearly the star here. It’s bloody, terrifying, but always fun, with a nice sense of joking camaraderie among the brave (mostly) troops led by father and son warriors, Grona and Tarn, who are at odds with each other but united in the fight against evil, as they take on the shaman Myracadonis and a demon straight from Hell itself.
Short, sweet (in a brutal sort of way), and to the point, I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to the sequel.
While the characters are better developed than in most of those old pulp tales, the action is clearly the star here. It’s bloody, terrifying, but always fun, with a nice sense of joking camaraderie among the brave (mostly) troops led by father and son warriors, Grona and Tarn, who are at odds with each other but united in the fight against evil, as they take on the shaman Myracadonis and a demon straight from Hell itself.
Short, sweet (in a brutal sort of way), and to the point, I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to the sequel.
August 20, 2015
Evil Never Dies is a great debut novel. It is filled with a great deal of love, which is unusual in a fantasy novel, but it also has its fair share of dark malevolence. Having already read some of the author’s shorter pieces, it was no surprise to be that this, his first novel, should follow the same light-hearted style. The words flowed easily off the page and settled comfortably in my mind, weaving an interesting tale.
However, Mr Haynes was not afraid to approach the darker side of fantasy; painting lifelike battle images in all their sordid reality. I look forward to the second part of this story.
However, Mr Haynes was not afraid to approach the darker side of fantasy; painting lifelike battle images in all their sordid reality. I look forward to the second part of this story.
October 29, 2015
A copy of this Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*
The synopsis lets you know what to expect, and you will not be disappointed. The author demonstrated his skill in his first book, Bolt from The Blue, and the standard is kept up. The various battle scenes will have you believing you are there and you may well wonder if good will eventually triumph over Evil. Fortunately this the first book in the Maxilla saga so we have at least one more to enjoy.
Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
The synopsis lets you know what to expect, and you will not be disappointed. The author demonstrated his skill in his first book, Bolt from The Blue, and the standard is kept up. The various battle scenes will have you believing you are there and you may well wonder if good will eventually triumph over Evil. Fortunately this the first book in the Maxilla saga so we have at least one more to enjoy.
Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
April 3, 2016
‘The Maxilla are a peaceful clan but when rumours of dark magic arrive once again, can they survive the threat from, Myracadonis, the shaman?
Tarn will lead the Maxilla into battle for the first time, but a man with the mark of greatness will always have enemies. Grona hates everyone, including his son, Tarn. Both are destined to be heroes yet only one can stand before the gates of Hell and win.’
The novel lays details the Maxilla clan and their struggle against the Helg nation. A previous massacre has led to the different clans becoming united and settled in a peaceful world, but when word is sent that the Helg nation are planning to go to war with the clan, they must act and take the war to them.
This novel dives headlong into the action, with scenes of bloodshed and battle; Haynes is certainly not afraid to deliver death and destruction. We then shoot further forward in time to a more peaceful civilisation. However there is soon cause for fear as war is now on the doorstep of the peaceful clan.
The protagonist in this story is Tarn, a village boy whose deeds in the first battle have propelled him to a respected status in the army. He is now living a peaceful life but must join his comrades and go to war. I found Tarn to be a very strong character, he is your archetypal hero in that he is the ‘Light’ who must fight the ‘Dark’/evil. Tarn is predictable in that you know he will sacrifice himself for his people and his men and will make the ‘heroic’ choice, the right choice. However, this does not diminish his influence in the novel, you still will him to succeed. What Haynes has also done well is to make him vulnerable; there is a loss that shadows him and that the reader can feel affects him. Also, whilst strong and skilled, Tarn is not invulnerable and requires support from others and this is crucial when putting him in battle because you feel, as the reader, that he may die.
Haynes has also created a world of good and evil, darkness and light and is very Gemmell-like in the way it functions, there is no grey here, we, as the reader, know whose side we are on. The storyline flows very well and is simple in its function which helps the reader to fully understand what the author is saying and building. The ‘magic system’ is not new but is still interesting and is used well.
What Haynes does do well is juxtapose the lives of the humans to that of the gods, there is an arrogance that stems from omnipotence and this is detailed very well. The plans of the gods are known to the reader and provides a context to the world in which the story takes place. Humans are very much the pawns in this game of war and the gods are the players.
The action within this novel is well detailed and there is bloodshed aplenty, the tension, however, the weakness of the novel is the antagonist ‘Myracadonis’. I feel as though, while he has some power given to him, he is not the threat that he should be. All being told, he does wreak enough havoc to be believable as a force of evil but that the tragedies he causes could have been brought ‘closer to home’.
Summary
Overall I really enjoyed this book and read it in two sittings. The action is built up well and delivered wholeheartedly and the characters are interesting. There is a lot of scope for the world to be explored and readers will invest in the ‘Maxilla Tales’ series.
Recommendation
Readers of David Gemmell’s works will really enjoy this novel, the flow of action and story is very similar and does not stop to take a breath. The pace is frenetic and leads the reader to more battles and action fuelled scenes. I would recommend this to readers who are looking for a good, fast paced novel that does not ask too much from them.
Rating
3.5/5
Tarn will lead the Maxilla into battle for the first time, but a man with the mark of greatness will always have enemies. Grona hates everyone, including his son, Tarn. Both are destined to be heroes yet only one can stand before the gates of Hell and win.’
The novel lays details the Maxilla clan and their struggle against the Helg nation. A previous massacre has led to the different clans becoming united and settled in a peaceful world, but when word is sent that the Helg nation are planning to go to war with the clan, they must act and take the war to them.
This novel dives headlong into the action, with scenes of bloodshed and battle; Haynes is certainly not afraid to deliver death and destruction. We then shoot further forward in time to a more peaceful civilisation. However there is soon cause for fear as war is now on the doorstep of the peaceful clan.
The protagonist in this story is Tarn, a village boy whose deeds in the first battle have propelled him to a respected status in the army. He is now living a peaceful life but must join his comrades and go to war. I found Tarn to be a very strong character, he is your archetypal hero in that he is the ‘Light’ who must fight the ‘Dark’/evil. Tarn is predictable in that you know he will sacrifice himself for his people and his men and will make the ‘heroic’ choice, the right choice. However, this does not diminish his influence in the novel, you still will him to succeed. What Haynes has also done well is to make him vulnerable; there is a loss that shadows him and that the reader can feel affects him. Also, whilst strong and skilled, Tarn is not invulnerable and requires support from others and this is crucial when putting him in battle because you feel, as the reader, that he may die.
Haynes has also created a world of good and evil, darkness and light and is very Gemmell-like in the way it functions, there is no grey here, we, as the reader, know whose side we are on. The storyline flows very well and is simple in its function which helps the reader to fully understand what the author is saying and building. The ‘magic system’ is not new but is still interesting and is used well.
What Haynes does do well is juxtapose the lives of the humans to that of the gods, there is an arrogance that stems from omnipotence and this is detailed very well. The plans of the gods are known to the reader and provides a context to the world in which the story takes place. Humans are very much the pawns in this game of war and the gods are the players.
The action within this novel is well detailed and there is bloodshed aplenty, the tension, however, the weakness of the novel is the antagonist ‘Myracadonis’. I feel as though, while he has some power given to him, he is not the threat that he should be. All being told, he does wreak enough havoc to be believable as a force of evil but that the tragedies he causes could have been brought ‘closer to home’.
Summary
Overall I really enjoyed this book and read it in two sittings. The action is built up well and delivered wholeheartedly and the characters are interesting. There is a lot of scope for the world to be explored and readers will invest in the ‘Maxilla Tales’ series.
Recommendation
Readers of David Gemmell’s works will really enjoy this novel, the flow of action and story is very similar and does not stop to take a breath. The pace is frenetic and leads the reader to more battles and action fuelled scenes. I would recommend this to readers who are looking for a good, fast paced novel that does not ask too much from them.
Rating
3.5/5
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September 7, 2016Read for #SPFBO
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews