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Valducan #3
Ibenus
After surviving a demon attack, disgraced police detective Victoria Martin tracks down the Valducans in search for answers. Recognizing her potential, and despite the warnings of the other knights, Allan Havlock, protector of Ibenus, takes her in as his apprentice.
As the Valducans travel to Paris to destroy a demon nest infesting the catacombs, the knights find themselves hunted by an Internet group intent on exposing them. Victoria, who belongs to this group, must desperately play both sides to not only protect herself, but Allan, whom she has begun to love. Ibenus, however, has other plans.
Ibenus is book #3 in the Valducan series, for which Skorkowsky was shortlisted as "Best Debut Author" in the 2014 Reddit Stabby Awards.
As the Valducans travel to Paris to destroy a demon nest infesting the catacombs, the knights find themselves hunted by an Internet group intent on exposing them. Victoria, who belongs to this group, must desperately play both sides to not only protect herself, but Allan, whom she has begun to love. Ibenus, however, has other plans.
Ibenus is book #3 in the Valducan series, for which Skorkowsky was shortlisted as "Best Debut Author" in the 2014 Reddit Stabby Awards.
410 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2016
12 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Seth Skorkowsky
17 books351 followersRaised in the swamps and pine forests of East Texas, Seth Skorkowsky always gravitated to the darker sides of fantasy, preferring horror and pulp heroes over knights in shining armor.
His debut novel, Dämoren, was published in 2014. He has now released four urban fantasy novels and two sword-and-sorcery short story collections. Seth's latest novel, Ashes of Onyx, released in 2020.
When not writing, Seth enjoys cheesy movies, tabletop role-playing games, making YouTube videos, and traveling the world with his wife.
His debut novel, Dämoren, was published in 2014. He has now released four urban fantasy novels and two sword-and-sorcery short story collections. Seth's latest novel, Ashes of Onyx, released in 2020.
When not writing, Seth enjoys cheesy movies, tabletop role-playing games, making YouTube videos, and traveling the world with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 23, 2016
4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/09/23/...
For those who have not yet been initiated into the strange, scary and wonderful world of the Valducan series, better strap in, because you’re in for one hell of a ride. Here you will find monsters and demons and the secret international network of warriors who hunt them, and at the center of it all is the most important tool in their arsenal—holy weapons. These are imbued with the spirits of angels, forming a deep and reverent bond with their wielders to grant them amazing supernatural powers.
Hands down, Ibenus is my favorite book in this series yet. There are so many reasons why, but most of all, thank you Seth Skorkowsky for giving me something I’ve wanted since the beginning: a Valducan story centered on a female knight! Victoria Martin is our protagonist, a former London police officer whose life falls apart following a vicious demon attack which leaves her traumatized and her partner dead. Her employers subsequently let her go, dismissing her report and claiming that the impossible things she saw was due to stress and psychological damage. Unwilling to accept this, Victoria decides to take matters into her own hands. This is how she winds up tracking down and fighting alongside the Valducans, after one of their most experienced knights saw potential in her and agrees to take her on as his student.
Allan Havlock, protector of the holy blade Ibenus, didn’t know why but agreeing to train Victoria simply felt right, like the angel in his weapon was showing him his path. Little did he know though, his new apprentice had been in contact with an internet conspiracy group led by a man named Tommy D, an amateur filmmaker who shares her desire to expose the world to the truth of monsters. On her part, Victoria thought she was doing the right thing, infiltrating the Valducans with the goal of blowing their cover wide open. However, this was before she got to know her fellow demon hunters, before she got to sympathize with their mission…and before she started to fall in love with Allan. By the time she realizes she might have made a mistake though, it may already be too late.
Ibenus is the third installment in the series, but like the previous novels it can be read as a standalone. In fact, I would even say it’s a great place to start, since it does a fine job introducing the Valducans and laying out the nitty-gritty of what they do. Unlike the previous two books, Ibenus also features a lot more team action, whereas both Dämoren and Hounacier focused mostly on their respective main characters. I think this gives the book an edge, showing the ins and outs of how a new recruit like Victoria is initiated and integrated into the complex Valducan network, as well as how this shadowy group functions like a well-oiled machine. It’s this level of detail in the world-building that makes Ibenus a wonderful jumping-on point. That being said, the stars from the earlier books also make cameo appearances, so if what you read of Matt Hollis or Malcolm Romero sounds interesting here, I strongly urge you to go back and read their backstories.
This book also offered up just the right blend of different genre elements. I am a big fan of urban fantasy tinged with horror, and the Valducan series has always scratched that itch for me. In this world there are everything from werewolves to wendigos, but these are the no-holds-barred kinds of monsters—brutal and terrifying. In Ibenus, the creatures the knights are going after are even worse. Called Mantismeres, they are giant insectoid demons that spawn doll-faced carapaced minions, which in turn lure in their unwitting victims by emitting sounds that imitate crying or giggling babies. Imagine meeting something like that in the dark.
There’s also a great plot here, involving more than just action and thrills. Skorkowsky takes the storytelling to another level in in this book, developing character relationships and using their different motivations to create tension. There’s everything from love and betrayal to hidden agendas and conflicts of interest. A new light is shone on the will of holy weapons like Ibenus, emphasizing the fact that they are fundamentally sentient beings and can be considered characters in their own right. The enmity between the Valducan and Tommy D’s gang also becomes a focal point, for while they may both fight on the same side against the demons, the two groups are driven by different forces. Yet it’s easy to understand where the “bad guys” are coming from, even if you disagree with their methods. Likewise, despite the Valducans being the “heroes” of this series, what happens in this story will lead to many questions about their motives. I really appreciated how things were never simply black and white.
All told, Ibenus is another amazing demon-gore-splattered sequel in the highly entertaining Valducan series. The author has come a long way since the first book, and the series itself has also grown from stories about lone heroes to a bigger, fuller, more epic experience involving greater consequences and higher stakes. I love it. Highly recommended.
For those who have not yet been initiated into the strange, scary and wonderful world of the Valducan series, better strap in, because you’re in for one hell of a ride. Here you will find monsters and demons and the secret international network of warriors who hunt them, and at the center of it all is the most important tool in their arsenal—holy weapons. These are imbued with the spirits of angels, forming a deep and reverent bond with their wielders to grant them amazing supernatural powers.
Hands down, Ibenus is my favorite book in this series yet. There are so many reasons why, but most of all, thank you Seth Skorkowsky for giving me something I’ve wanted since the beginning: a Valducan story centered on a female knight! Victoria Martin is our protagonist, a former London police officer whose life falls apart following a vicious demon attack which leaves her traumatized and her partner dead. Her employers subsequently let her go, dismissing her report and claiming that the impossible things she saw was due to stress and psychological damage. Unwilling to accept this, Victoria decides to take matters into her own hands. This is how she winds up tracking down and fighting alongside the Valducans, after one of their most experienced knights saw potential in her and agrees to take her on as his student.
Allan Havlock, protector of the holy blade Ibenus, didn’t know why but agreeing to train Victoria simply felt right, like the angel in his weapon was showing him his path. Little did he know though, his new apprentice had been in contact with an internet conspiracy group led by a man named Tommy D, an amateur filmmaker who shares her desire to expose the world to the truth of monsters. On her part, Victoria thought she was doing the right thing, infiltrating the Valducans with the goal of blowing their cover wide open. However, this was before she got to know her fellow demon hunters, before she got to sympathize with their mission…and before she started to fall in love with Allan. By the time she realizes she might have made a mistake though, it may already be too late.
Ibenus is the third installment in the series, but like the previous novels it can be read as a standalone. In fact, I would even say it’s a great place to start, since it does a fine job introducing the Valducans and laying out the nitty-gritty of what they do. Unlike the previous two books, Ibenus also features a lot more team action, whereas both Dämoren and Hounacier focused mostly on their respective main characters. I think this gives the book an edge, showing the ins and outs of how a new recruit like Victoria is initiated and integrated into the complex Valducan network, as well as how this shadowy group functions like a well-oiled machine. It’s this level of detail in the world-building that makes Ibenus a wonderful jumping-on point. That being said, the stars from the earlier books also make cameo appearances, so if what you read of Matt Hollis or Malcolm Romero sounds interesting here, I strongly urge you to go back and read their backstories.
This book also offered up just the right blend of different genre elements. I am a big fan of urban fantasy tinged with horror, and the Valducan series has always scratched that itch for me. In this world there are everything from werewolves to wendigos, but these are the no-holds-barred kinds of monsters—brutal and terrifying. In Ibenus, the creatures the knights are going after are even worse. Called Mantismeres, they are giant insectoid demons that spawn doll-faced carapaced minions, which in turn lure in their unwitting victims by emitting sounds that imitate crying or giggling babies. Imagine meeting something like that in the dark.
There’s also a great plot here, involving more than just action and thrills. Skorkowsky takes the storytelling to another level in in this book, developing character relationships and using their different motivations to create tension. There’s everything from love and betrayal to hidden agendas and conflicts of interest. A new light is shone on the will of holy weapons like Ibenus, emphasizing the fact that they are fundamentally sentient beings and can be considered characters in their own right. The enmity between the Valducan and Tommy D’s gang also becomes a focal point, for while they may both fight on the same side against the demons, the two groups are driven by different forces. Yet it’s easy to understand where the “bad guys” are coming from, even if you disagree with their methods. Likewise, despite the Valducans being the “heroes” of this series, what happens in this story will lead to many questions about their motives. I really appreciated how things were never simply black and white.
All told, Ibenus is another amazing demon-gore-splattered sequel in the highly entertaining Valducan series. The author has come a long way since the first book, and the series itself has also grown from stories about lone heroes to a bigger, fuller, more epic experience involving greater consequences and higher stakes. I love it. Highly recommended.
August 12, 2017
I would like to thank, once again, the lovely ladies at Booksprens for allowing me to guest review this series there. Check them out, they have some really well-written reviews over there!
I feel like I'm repeating myself way too much when I say this, but I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true; Skorkowsky's writing just keeps getting better and better and better with each book!
This one was so much different than it's former two books. In the first two we're pretty much just following one hunter in first person POV. But in Ibenus, we have 3 different POV's that we're following. Allan, the wielder of Ibenus; Victoria, a former police detective; and Gerhard, a new member of the Valducans and wielder of Umatri. I'm not really sure how to describe the plot without spoilers, so I'll just drop the description that the book gives on the back cover.
After surviving a demon attack, disgraced police detective Victoria Martin tracks down the Valducans in search for answers. Recognizing her potential, and despite the warnings of the other knights, Allan Havlock, protector of Ibenus, takes her in as his apprentice. As the Valducans travel to Paris to destroy a demon nest infesting the catacombs, the knights find themselves hunted by an Internet group intent on exposing them. Victoria, who belongs to this group, must desperately play both sides to not only protect herself, but Allan, whom she has begun to love. Ibenus, however, has other plans.
One of the coolest elements of the book, in my opinion, was Gerhard's story line. We finally get to see a first hand account of a hunter bonding to his weapon. We're told about what it's like quite a few times in the last 2 books, but it just doesn't hit home quite the same as being in the head of a hunter while he's bonding. Allan and Victoria's story line were really fun, as well, but I definitely enjoyed Gerhard the most. Victoria's got really interesting after about the midway point, but I can't really say why. Spoilers, ya know? What I can say is that Victoria had some really great development throughout the book. Honestly, I thought she was kind of annoying, at first (not due to bad writing, though) but she ends up becoming a character I was actively rooting for. Allan is a character that has been around since book one and was one of the first characters I liked. So I really liked getting to be inside his head.
The plot keeps about the same pace as the past two books. Pacing is another of the things that I think Skorkowsky excels. He's even able to keep the slower parts interesting, which is something that seems pretty tough to do. I'm not all that picky about the pacing, especially when we get such great characters, but it's so nice to get a well paced story along with the kinds of characters we get in these books.
Another thing I really enjoy about this series is the settings he chooses. I'm not at all interested in Paris, but I really loved the catacombs. I've never been there personally, but it was the perfect setting for the vibe that these books give. I mean, there aren't many places more creepy than an abandoned underground network that has walls lined with skulls. I'm not sure if the author has ever been to the catacombs, but he really gave us some vivid descriptions. If his descriptions are mostly made up, he did an incredible job of making it all seem so real.
I honestly can't believe how much better each book gets. Just when I think he can't get any better, he goes and proves me wrong. Luckily the next book, Redemptor, drops November 1st. So not too long of a wait! I highly recommend picking these up by then. You won't be disappointed!
I feel like I'm repeating myself way too much when I say this, but I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true; Skorkowsky's writing just keeps getting better and better and better with each book!
This one was so much different than it's former two books. In the first two we're pretty much just following one hunter in first person POV. But in Ibenus, we have 3 different POV's that we're following. Allan, the wielder of Ibenus; Victoria, a former police detective; and Gerhard, a new member of the Valducans and wielder of Umatri. I'm not really sure how to describe the plot without spoilers, so I'll just drop the description that the book gives on the back cover.
After surviving a demon attack, disgraced police detective Victoria Martin tracks down the Valducans in search for answers. Recognizing her potential, and despite the warnings of the other knights, Allan Havlock, protector of Ibenus, takes her in as his apprentice. As the Valducans travel to Paris to destroy a demon nest infesting the catacombs, the knights find themselves hunted by an Internet group intent on exposing them. Victoria, who belongs to this group, must desperately play both sides to not only protect herself, but Allan, whom she has begun to love. Ibenus, however, has other plans.
One of the coolest elements of the book, in my opinion, was Gerhard's story line. We finally get to see a first hand account of a hunter bonding to his weapon. We're told about what it's like quite a few times in the last 2 books, but it just doesn't hit home quite the same as being in the head of a hunter while he's bonding. Allan and Victoria's story line were really fun, as well, but I definitely enjoyed Gerhard the most. Victoria's got really interesting after about the midway point, but I can't really say why. Spoilers, ya know? What I can say is that Victoria had some really great development throughout the book. Honestly, I thought she was kind of annoying, at first (not due to bad writing, though) but she ends up becoming a character I was actively rooting for. Allan is a character that has been around since book one and was one of the first characters I liked. So I really liked getting to be inside his head.
The plot keeps about the same pace as the past two books. Pacing is another of the things that I think Skorkowsky excels. He's even able to keep the slower parts interesting, which is something that seems pretty tough to do. I'm not all that picky about the pacing, especially when we get such great characters, but it's so nice to get a well paced story along with the kinds of characters we get in these books.
Another thing I really enjoy about this series is the settings he chooses. I'm not at all interested in Paris, but I really loved the catacombs. I've never been there personally, but it was the perfect setting for the vibe that these books give. I mean, there aren't many places more creepy than an abandoned underground network that has walls lined with skulls. I'm not sure if the author has ever been to the catacombs, but he really gave us some vivid descriptions. If his descriptions are mostly made up, he did an incredible job of making it all seem so real.
I honestly can't believe how much better each book gets. Just when I think he can't get any better, he goes and proves me wrong. Luckily the next book, Redemptor, drops November 1st. So not too long of a wait! I highly recommend picking these up by then. You won't be disappointed!
September 6, 2016
Review copy
Urban Fantasy is hit or miss genre for me. For the most part, I'm not a fan, but every now and then I find a series that pulls me in and doesn't let go. One such series is Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files. Another is the Valducan series by Seth Skowkowsky.
Ibenus is the third book in the series, the previous works include Dämoren and Hounacier. To date, every book in the series has been worthy of a 5 Star review.
This time, The Order of Valducan is in recruitment mode, not an easy task since each Holy Weapon must reach out to it's new protector. In addition to the training of new members of the order there's a new, outside threat. Not a monster, but a cryptozoologist and web host, Johnny D who is hellbent on outing the Valducan.
The way the story in Ibenus is told certainly works as a stand alone novel, but for maximum enjoyment, I do recommend reading the entire series. The story is pretty dark and there is plenty of monster fighting, but there are also some lighter moments, as well as a touch of romance. Fight sequences can be very hard to write, but Skokorsky handles them with a touch of genius.
Another thing I like about these stories is Skorkowsky's willingness to kill off his characters if it enhances the tale. I like that a lot.
There's a major twist for fans of the series that comes at the end of the book. You'll know it when you read it. And the author brings all the little pieces of this tale together at the end.
I'm very pleased to recommend the latest work in Seth Skorkowsky's Valduvan series.
Ibenus is available in paperback, e-book, and Audio formats from Ragnarok Publications.
From his bio - Seth Skorkowsky is a writer that gravitates to the darker sides of fantasy, preferring horror and pulp heroes over knights in shining armor. He is the author of Dämoren and Hounacier, and now Ibenus, all three in the Valducan series. Seth has also released two sword-and-sorcery collections in the Black Raven series, Mountain of Daggers and Sea of Quills. He lives in Flower Mound, Texas.
Urban Fantasy is hit or miss genre for me. For the most part, I'm not a fan, but every now and then I find a series that pulls me in and doesn't let go. One such series is Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files. Another is the Valducan series by Seth Skowkowsky.
Ibenus is the third book in the series, the previous works include Dämoren and Hounacier. To date, every book in the series has been worthy of a 5 Star review.
This time, The Order of Valducan is in recruitment mode, not an easy task since each Holy Weapon must reach out to it's new protector. In addition to the training of new members of the order there's a new, outside threat. Not a monster, but a cryptozoologist and web host, Johnny D who is hellbent on outing the Valducan.
The way the story in Ibenus is told certainly works as a stand alone novel, but for maximum enjoyment, I do recommend reading the entire series. The story is pretty dark and there is plenty of monster fighting, but there are also some lighter moments, as well as a touch of romance. Fight sequences can be very hard to write, but Skokorsky handles them with a touch of genius.
Another thing I like about these stories is Skorkowsky's willingness to kill off his characters if it enhances the tale. I like that a lot.
There's a major twist for fans of the series that comes at the end of the book. You'll know it when you read it. And the author brings all the little pieces of this tale together at the end.
I'm very pleased to recommend the latest work in Seth Skorkowsky's Valduvan series.
Ibenus is available in paperback, e-book, and Audio formats from Ragnarok Publications.
From his bio - Seth Skorkowsky is a writer that gravitates to the darker sides of fantasy, preferring horror and pulp heroes over knights in shining armor. He is the author of Dämoren and Hounacier, and now Ibenus, all three in the Valducan series. Seth has also released two sword-and-sorcery collections in the Black Raven series, Mountain of Daggers and Sea of Quills. He lives in Flower Mound, Texas.
June 19, 2019
http://booknest.eu/reviews/charles/15...
Seth Skorkowsky is one of the most promising fantasy writers I've read in the past decade. He has managed to create top quality urban fantasy in the Valducan series and exceeded that in the Tales from the Black Raven stories. While I prefer the latter, I was a day-one purchaser for this latest volume of the Valducan series.
The premise for the books is that the world is infested with demons. These spirits possess human beings and transform them into vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of darkness. Opposing these creatures are the Holy Weapons, those objects which have been empowered with more powerful demons that prey on these creatures. Each novel chronicles one Holy Weapon and their wielder, the latter of whom are often obsessed to a near-romantic level with their object.
This novel follows a woman named Victoria Martin who, after a chance encounter with demons, ends up a disgraced and jobless. Encountering Valducan agent Allan Havlock, keeper of the sword Ibenus, she becomes enamored with the organization and decides to become a member. Unfortunately, this is after she's started working with a hacktivist named Tommy D who intends to expose the Valducan group to the world. Her loyalties will be tested and, ultimately, irrevocable choices made as Ibenus prepares its next wielder.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book and while I would prefer another Matt Hollis book, I think this provides an excellent insight into how the Valducan group works as well as its recruiting methods. We also get some insight into the gender politics of the organization as Victoria is used to dealing with a boys network and is somewhat off-put with her ill-advised attempts to bond with the other female demon hunters in the group.
I also liked how the group tried to deal with the fact new wielders would invariably think the organization was filled with fanatical cultists if they hadn't yet encountered monsters. The best part of the novel, for me, was the following of recruit Gernhard as he tried to deal with the fact he was spiritually bonded with a supernatural weapon but wasn't a believer in monsters. Honestly, I found his story somewhat more compelling than Victoria's.
Unfortunately, I feel Victoria's story suffered because a lot of it was truncated with the excuse of Ibenus magically bringing her around to its way of thinking. She is skeptical of the Valducan group until she's not. She's only vaguely interested in Allan, until she's in love with him. Also, she loses all sympathy from me toward the end where her morality has warped into something resembling a terrorist.
Given my own RL politics about government secrecy and lying to the public, the ending where Victoria embraces the idea it's better to murder people to cover up the demon wars going on around her makes me believe she deserves to be put down like a mad dog. Somehow, I don't think that was what Seth Skorkowsky was going for even though I think it makes a fine story about corruption and fanaticism.
Indeed, I'm very much on the side of the antagonist in this novel (I refuse to use the term villain). Tommy D wishes to expose the world to the truth of the horrors filling the world and the organization which is waging a clandestine war behind the scenes. While horrible consequences follow his quest, I tend to chalk that up as much to the Valducan as otherwise. Indeed, the ending pretty much validates all of Tommy D's fears.
Either way, the Valducan series is a fine one with lots of action and deep character development. While it suffered here due to the use of the Holy Weapons as a narrative shortcut, I still enjoyed this volume tremendously. Fans of the previous volumes will enjoy this and newcomers won't be lost.
9/10
Seth Skorkowsky is one of the most promising fantasy writers I've read in the past decade. He has managed to create top quality urban fantasy in the Valducan series and exceeded that in the Tales from the Black Raven stories. While I prefer the latter, I was a day-one purchaser for this latest volume of the Valducan series.
The premise for the books is that the world is infested with demons. These spirits possess human beings and transform them into vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of darkness. Opposing these creatures are the Holy Weapons, those objects which have been empowered with more powerful demons that prey on these creatures. Each novel chronicles one Holy Weapon and their wielder, the latter of whom are often obsessed to a near-romantic level with their object.
This novel follows a woman named Victoria Martin who, after a chance encounter with demons, ends up a disgraced and jobless. Encountering Valducan agent Allan Havlock, keeper of the sword Ibenus, she becomes enamored with the organization and decides to become a member. Unfortunately, this is after she's started working with a hacktivist named Tommy D who intends to expose the Valducan group to the world. Her loyalties will be tested and, ultimately, irrevocable choices made as Ibenus prepares its next wielder.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book and while I would prefer another Matt Hollis book, I think this provides an excellent insight into how the Valducan group works as well as its recruiting methods. We also get some insight into the gender politics of the organization as Victoria is used to dealing with a boys network and is somewhat off-put with her ill-advised attempts to bond with the other female demon hunters in the group.
I also liked how the group tried to deal with the fact new wielders would invariably think the organization was filled with fanatical cultists if they hadn't yet encountered monsters. The best part of the novel, for me, was the following of recruit Gernhard as he tried to deal with the fact he was spiritually bonded with a supernatural weapon but wasn't a believer in monsters. Honestly, I found his story somewhat more compelling than Victoria's.
Unfortunately, I feel Victoria's story suffered because a lot of it was truncated with the excuse of Ibenus magically bringing her around to its way of thinking. She is skeptical of the Valducan group until she's not. She's only vaguely interested in Allan, until she's in love with him. Also, she loses all sympathy from me toward the end where her morality has warped into something resembling a terrorist.
Given my own RL politics about government secrecy and lying to the public, the ending where Victoria embraces the idea it's better to murder people to cover up the demon wars going on around her makes me believe she deserves to be put down like a mad dog. Somehow, I don't think that was what Seth Skorkowsky was going for even though I think it makes a fine story about corruption and fanaticism.
Indeed, I'm very much on the side of the antagonist in this novel (I refuse to use the term villain). Tommy D wishes to expose the world to the truth of the horrors filling the world and the organization which is waging a clandestine war behind the scenes. While horrible consequences follow his quest, I tend to chalk that up as much to the Valducan as otherwise. Indeed, the ending pretty much validates all of Tommy D's fears.
Either way, the Valducan series is a fine one with lots of action and deep character development. While it suffered here due to the use of the Holy Weapons as a narrative shortcut, I still enjoyed this volume tremendously. Fans of the previous volumes will enjoy this and newcomers won't be lost.
9/10
November 19, 2018
4.5 Stars
The series keeps getting better. With Ibenus, the Valducan series is now firmly established as one of the best urban fantasy series I’ve read.
The first book focused on Matt Hollis, solo hunter turned Valducan knight. The second book focused on voodoo sorcerer and knight Malcolm Romero. With Ibenus, the focus shifts again, this time to knight Allen Havlock and a newcomer into the story, former police detective Victoria Martin. After witnessing a demon attack, Martin’s search for answers leads her to the Valducans, where she finally finds proof that demons really are out there. At the same time, the Valducans are still dealing with the aftermath of the demon goddess Tiamat and her offspring who are now scattered all over the world, spawning new and terrifying creatures.
Skorkowsky does it again, changing the format and focus of the series while keeping all of the ingredients that make it so much fun to read. In Ibenus, he takes things even further, adding a greater variety of POV changes than before which really helps broaden the story. I also was glad to see the return of many characters from Damoren. While I enjoyed Hounacier and the narrower narrative focus, I think the story really shines when we see the Valducans teaming up and the interactions between the various knights.
The story also added a new wrinkle, delving into the question of how the Valducans keep their demon hunting activities a secret. The dynamic between the Valducans and the group trying to expose them was very interesting, and helped add another element of conflict into the story.
Three books in, and the series still has me hooked. I bought the fourth book as soon as I finished this one.
The series keeps getting better. With Ibenus, the Valducan series is now firmly established as one of the best urban fantasy series I’ve read.
The first book focused on Matt Hollis, solo hunter turned Valducan knight. The second book focused on voodoo sorcerer and knight Malcolm Romero. With Ibenus, the focus shifts again, this time to knight Allen Havlock and a newcomer into the story, former police detective Victoria Martin. After witnessing a demon attack, Martin’s search for answers leads her to the Valducans, where she finally finds proof that demons really are out there. At the same time, the Valducans are still dealing with the aftermath of the demon goddess Tiamat and her offspring who are now scattered all over the world, spawning new and terrifying creatures.
Skorkowsky does it again, changing the format and focus of the series while keeping all of the ingredients that make it so much fun to read. In Ibenus, he takes things even further, adding a greater variety of POV changes than before which really helps broaden the story. I also was glad to see the return of many characters from Damoren. While I enjoyed Hounacier and the narrower narrative focus, I think the story really shines when we see the Valducans teaming up and the interactions between the various knights.
The story also added a new wrinkle, delving into the question of how the Valducans keep their demon hunting activities a secret. The dynamic between the Valducans and the group trying to expose them was very interesting, and helped add another element of conflict into the story.
Three books in, and the series still has me hooked. I bought the fourth book as soon as I finished this one.
March 12, 2018
Actual rating: 4.5/5 but I'll round it up to five because it's the first book in a while that I devoured in one sitting.
I like the concept of a hidden world of monsters and of a small group of people that hunt them. That's one of the reasons why I enjoy the Valducan series so much. The fact it's simply awesome helps as well.
Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone although it's rewarding to read them in publication order.
In short, the series follows an order of modern-day knights that hunt demons. When someone is possessed by a demon, they take the form of a monster, such as a werewolf, oni, wendigo, etc. The only way to kill a demon is by using a holy weapon. Each knight is bonded to a unique weapon. It's a bond more intimate and strong than any human relationship you can imagine. It's an absolute pure love. Not surprising, as each weapon is inhabited by an angel who chooses his protector and bonds with him/her.
Damoren followed Matt Hollis, Hounacier Malcolm Romero. In Ibeneus there's a wider cast of characters but the focus is on Ibenus protector - Allan Havlock. I liked Allan in Damoren a lot and was happy to learn he'll get more spotlight. I wasn't prepared to what Seth Skorkowsky had in mind for him, though.
He takes an apprentice - a disgraced police detective Victoria Martin who survived demon attack. Victoria belongs to an internet group intent on exposing Valducans. At first, she's driven by the anger but when she learns more about the order and starts to desperately play both sides to not only protect herself but also Allan, whom she has begun to love. Ibenus, however, has other plans.
For me, it was the best book in the series. I practically read it in one sitting (literally - yesterday I spent eight hours on a train). I was glued to the pages from the beginning to the end.
The Valducan series has a huge cast of knights and their individual holy weapons. While think Matt is cool, much of his mystery is solved by the end of Dämoren. I thoroughly appreciate the fact that the author decided to explore the other characters, their strengths, and weaknesses, and keep everything fresh. It would be such a waste of potential to focus solely on one character.
Characters are the strength of the series. I wouldn't mind having another ten books in the series just to learn about each of them. Allan and Victoria's relationship was done skillfully. It was interesting to see Valducans through her eyes. I mean, the guys are lunatics. Imagine a band of guys entering buildings with medieval weapons, burning houses and claiming there are demons around us. Would you easily believe them?
Apart from Victoria's storyline, my favorite part of the book was bonding between a German accountant and Umatri. It felt intimate, convincing and beautiful. I work as an HR Consultant and I have to admit that Valducans recruitment techniques are well targeted on a given weapon needs and preferences. Lakrasus always chooses dancers as his protectors so he's displayed in the dance center, Umatri was a bit of an enigma but it was displayed close to places frequented by soldiers. However, it was an accountant, not a soldier that has proven worthy of this amazing, undulating blade. Heck, Umatri may be one of the coolest weapons described in Valducan series so far.
We continue to learn more about the monsters. They're not romanticized or tragic. They’re pure evil. Some of them share a history with angels. If you remember Anya form Damoren, you'll be satisfied with the Ibenus' closure of her arc.
In Ibenus, the Valducans are going after Mantismeres - the giant insectoid demons that spawn doll-faced carapaced minions, which in turn lure in their unwitting victims by emitting sounds that imitate crying or giggling babies. Imagine meeting something like that in the dark. Would you run to help it? Probably. And that would be your final mistake.
Pacing is another of the things that Skorkowsky excels in. The story is well paced, fully immersive and hard to put down.
Damoren becomes one of my favorite series ever. Ibenus is my favorite book in the series. I can't wait to read Redemptor.
Seriously guys, if you're into darker urban fantasy or demon hunters try this series. It's brilliant.
I like the concept of a hidden world of monsters and of a small group of people that hunt them. That's one of the reasons why I enjoy the Valducan series so much. The fact it's simply awesome helps as well.
Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone although it's rewarding to read them in publication order.
In short, the series follows an order of modern-day knights that hunt demons. When someone is possessed by a demon, they take the form of a monster, such as a werewolf, oni, wendigo, etc. The only way to kill a demon is by using a holy weapon. Each knight is bonded to a unique weapon. It's a bond more intimate and strong than any human relationship you can imagine. It's an absolute pure love. Not surprising, as each weapon is inhabited by an angel who chooses his protector and bonds with him/her.
Damoren followed Matt Hollis, Hounacier Malcolm Romero. In Ibeneus there's a wider cast of characters but the focus is on Ibenus protector - Allan Havlock. I liked Allan in Damoren a lot and was happy to learn he'll get more spotlight. I wasn't prepared to what Seth Skorkowsky had in mind for him, though.
He takes an apprentice - a disgraced police detective Victoria Martin who survived demon attack. Victoria belongs to an internet group intent on exposing Valducans. At first, she's driven by the anger but when she learns more about the order and starts to desperately play both sides to not only protect herself but also Allan, whom she has begun to love. Ibenus, however, has other plans.
For me, it was the best book in the series. I practically read it in one sitting (literally - yesterday I spent eight hours on a train). I was glued to the pages from the beginning to the end.
The Valducan series has a huge cast of knights and their individual holy weapons. While think Matt is cool, much of his mystery is solved by the end of Dämoren. I thoroughly appreciate the fact that the author decided to explore the other characters, their strengths, and weaknesses, and keep everything fresh. It would be such a waste of potential to focus solely on one character.
Characters are the strength of the series. I wouldn't mind having another ten books in the series just to learn about each of them. Allan and Victoria's relationship was done skillfully. It was interesting to see Valducans through her eyes. I mean, the guys are lunatics. Imagine a band of guys entering buildings with medieval weapons, burning houses and claiming there are demons around us. Would you easily believe them?
Apart from Victoria's storyline, my favorite part of the book was bonding between a German accountant and Umatri. It felt intimate, convincing and beautiful. I work as an HR Consultant and I have to admit that Valducans recruitment techniques are well targeted on a given weapon needs and preferences. Lakrasus always chooses dancers as his protectors so he's displayed in the dance center, Umatri was a bit of an enigma but it was displayed close to places frequented by soldiers. However, it was an accountant, not a soldier that has proven worthy of this amazing, undulating blade. Heck, Umatri may be one of the coolest weapons described in Valducan series so far.
We continue to learn more about the monsters. They're not romanticized or tragic. They’re pure evil. Some of them share a history with angels. If you remember Anya form Damoren, you'll be satisfied with the Ibenus' closure of her arc.
In Ibenus, the Valducans are going after Mantismeres - the giant insectoid demons that spawn doll-faced carapaced minions, which in turn lure in their unwitting victims by emitting sounds that imitate crying or giggling babies. Imagine meeting something like that in the dark. Would you run to help it? Probably. And that would be your final mistake.
Pacing is another of the things that Skorkowsky excels in. The story is well paced, fully immersive and hard to put down.
Damoren becomes one of my favorite series ever. Ibenus is my favorite book in the series. I can't wait to read Redemptor.
Seriously guys, if you're into darker urban fantasy or demon hunters try this series. It's brilliant.
July 20, 2017
This is my favorite series! I can't wait for the next one.
Awesome doesn't even begin to describe these books. The writing keeps getting better.
Awesome doesn't even begin to describe these books. The writing keeps getting better.
September 2, 2016
Think Aliens meets Constantine and you'll be pretty close to Ibenus.
This book is the 3rd in Seth's Valducan series which follows an order of Templar-ish knights who bond to semi-sentient holy weapons which allows them to both kill demons and develop some pretty funky powers.
Unlike Damoren (which mostly followed Matt) and Hounancier (which mostly followed Malcolm), this book gives us a range of PoVs and Seth manages to make each character feel individual. It's a nice change and gives us a much broader look at the world and at the Valducans. It also gives us a wider view of the various powers/abilities that the holy weapons grant their protectors. I really enjoyed this and I hope Seth comes up with some other crazy powers along the way.
The plot zips along at a fairly break neck pace and, while there are a few moments to stop and catch you breath they don't drag that pace down. Basically it's a bit of a page turner so don't expect to putting it down once you pick it up.
We have a new demon for the Valducans to fight in the form of Mantismeres, giant bug things that create minions... minions who look like a spider crossed with a porcelain doll and wail like a baby. Yeah, cheers for that, Seth, because dolls weren't freaky enough already. This is where the comparison to Aliens comes in because, due to the nature of the enemy they're fighting, the finale plays out like Aliens with our Valducans being the colonial marines. It's a wild ride!
It's hard to review Ibenus without some references and comparison to the previous 2 installments so here goes (some minor SPOILERS will follow).
I had a problem with Hounancier in that it lowered the stakes so drastically. In Damoren our heroes saved the world. Boom! That's about as high as stakes get. Hounancier went completely in a different route and it was a fight to save one man's soul. It was a good book, but Damoren was tough to follow and dropping the stakes to such a personal level reeled back a lot of the tension. Ibenus doesn't have this problem, they're not saving the world, they're maintaining it, but the stakes don't seem small because it follows Hounancier and the stakes are larger. That's a long winded way of saying the stakes aren't that big but they feel big enough.
The other comparison I want to draw is that Damoren felt like a horror novel. We were introduced to characters only to see them murdered in horrific ways. It honestly felt like anyone could die and likely would. Hounancier felt more like a detective novel on crack, it was disjointed by its very nature, but read a bit like a mystery that needed solving. Ibenus read like more like an action novel with swords a swinging, guns a blazing, and an alien queen to stop. It's fun. It doesn't quite have the 'anyone could die' tension that Damoren had, but there's a few wincy moments to be sure.
I do have a couple of issues. Some minor SPOILERS will follow.
There were a couple of things that were unexplained, or at least not well enough explored. There's a holy weapon that bonds to two people at once and they apparently bond to each other as well. I felt this could have been explored a bit better because it left me with questions as to the nature of that bond and how much it impacted the relationship between the two characters.
My other issue is with a specific character who just felt bland and lacking any sort of soul or feeling. They die (I did say SPOILERS). The problem is the character felt as though death was their purpose in the book. I saw it coming because it was obvious they were there to add dramatic tension.
All in all I give Ibenus a solid 4 out of 5. A thoroughly enjoyable action-driven book about demons and the badass knights who slay them.
This book is the 3rd in Seth's Valducan series which follows an order of Templar-ish knights who bond to semi-sentient holy weapons which allows them to both kill demons and develop some pretty funky powers.
Unlike Damoren (which mostly followed Matt) and Hounancier (which mostly followed Malcolm), this book gives us a range of PoVs and Seth manages to make each character feel individual. It's a nice change and gives us a much broader look at the world and at the Valducans. It also gives us a wider view of the various powers/abilities that the holy weapons grant their protectors. I really enjoyed this and I hope Seth comes up with some other crazy powers along the way.
The plot zips along at a fairly break neck pace and, while there are a few moments to stop and catch you breath they don't drag that pace down. Basically it's a bit of a page turner so don't expect to putting it down once you pick it up.
We have a new demon for the Valducans to fight in the form of Mantismeres, giant bug things that create minions... minions who look like a spider crossed with a porcelain doll and wail like a baby. Yeah, cheers for that, Seth, because dolls weren't freaky enough already. This is where the comparison to Aliens comes in because, due to the nature of the enemy they're fighting, the finale plays out like Aliens with our Valducans being the colonial marines. It's a wild ride!
It's hard to review Ibenus without some references and comparison to the previous 2 installments so here goes (some minor SPOILERS will follow).
I had a problem with Hounancier in that it lowered the stakes so drastically. In Damoren our heroes saved the world. Boom! That's about as high as stakes get. Hounancier went completely in a different route and it was a fight to save one man's soul. It was a good book, but Damoren was tough to follow and dropping the stakes to such a personal level reeled back a lot of the tension. Ibenus doesn't have this problem, they're not saving the world, they're maintaining it, but the stakes don't seem small because it follows Hounancier and the stakes are larger. That's a long winded way of saying the stakes aren't that big but they feel big enough.
The other comparison I want to draw is that Damoren felt like a horror novel. We were introduced to characters only to see them murdered in horrific ways. It honestly felt like anyone could die and likely would. Hounancier felt more like a detective novel on crack, it was disjointed by its very nature, but read a bit like a mystery that needed solving. Ibenus read like more like an action novel with swords a swinging, guns a blazing, and an alien queen to stop. It's fun. It doesn't quite have the 'anyone could die' tension that Damoren had, but there's a few wincy moments to be sure.
I do have a couple of issues. Some minor SPOILERS will follow.
There were a couple of things that were unexplained, or at least not well enough explored. There's a holy weapon that bonds to two people at once and they apparently bond to each other as well. I felt this could have been explored a bit better because it left me with questions as to the nature of that bond and how much it impacted the relationship between the two characters.
My other issue is with a specific character who just felt bland and lacking any sort of soul or feeling. They die (I did say SPOILERS). The problem is the character felt as though death was their purpose in the book. I saw it coming because it was obvious they were there to add dramatic tension.
All in all I give Ibenus a solid 4 out of 5. A thoroughly enjoyable action-driven book about demons and the badass knights who slay them.
September 10, 2020
I had to give this one 5 stars, but not because this one is better than the two before it. This story is really good but I've also become vested in the characters. It's a compounding effect.
I have to say I love how Skorkowsky tells a story. He reminds me of one of my all-time favorite authors, Dean Koontz. The stories are not predictable, there is such creativity laid out (from the weapons to the monsters), and he leads you along with enough detail but not too much. I'm waiting for book #4 to be delivered and I've heard him say he's not done with the Valducan series. Music to my ears!
I have to say I love how Skorkowsky tells a story. He reminds me of one of my all-time favorite authors, Dean Koontz. The stories are not predictable, there is such creativity laid out (from the weapons to the monsters), and he leads you along with enough detail but not too much. I'm waiting for book #4 to be delivered and I've heard him say he's not done with the Valducan series. Music to my ears!
September 18, 2017
This is my favorite of the series so far! What a rollercoaster ride! I truly love every single character. I would recommend this series to any sci-fi fan out there.
August 23, 2016
Simply put, Skorkowsky's Valducan Series has grown its beard with "Ibenus." One part epic scope of Valducan #1: Damoren, one part intimate horror of Valducan #2: Hounacier, and one part expansion of the series universe and mythology all its own, Ibenus is the best of the series yet.
Ibenus fleshes out the Valducan Order in a rich, full, and deeply personal way. In Ibenus, Skorkowsky gives us the grand tour of what it truly means to be a Valducan Knight -- bonded and wed to one of the Holy Weapons, pledged and sworn to their brothers and sisters. Becoming a Knight is an exercise in love, pain, and conquering the darkest of fears. All while staying one step ahead of those who are out to destroy you. Skorkowsky takes the highs and horrors of a demon hunter's life head on, flinching away from nothing.
Ibenus follows the first days on the hunt for newlywed Knights and also treats us to the return of many beloved faces, dragging all of them side-by-side into the surreal, demon-infested dark of the Paris Catacombs. The ancient, claustrophobic underworld of Paris is, quite possibly, the ultimate setting for a modern demon hunt. Once you descend into Skorkowsky's lightless below, you might as well be on another world. One of dust and mud and the mad scribblings on the walls of those who have come before you. One where every shadow could hide a hungry demon, and the only thing holding back the devouring blackness is the pale, meager glow of your flashlight.
Prepare to have your claustrophobia and fear of the dark put to the test on this express elevator to Hell. Down here, with the Valudcan Knights, it's not a question of *is* the monster behind you... but *when* it will catch up to you.
Ibenus is a first-class addition in every respect to Skorkowsky's world of the Valducan Order.
Ibenus fleshes out the Valducan Order in a rich, full, and deeply personal way. In Ibenus, Skorkowsky gives us the grand tour of what it truly means to be a Valducan Knight -- bonded and wed to one of the Holy Weapons, pledged and sworn to their brothers and sisters. Becoming a Knight is an exercise in love, pain, and conquering the darkest of fears. All while staying one step ahead of those who are out to destroy you. Skorkowsky takes the highs and horrors of a demon hunter's life head on, flinching away from nothing.
Ibenus follows the first days on the hunt for newlywed Knights and also treats us to the return of many beloved faces, dragging all of them side-by-side into the surreal, demon-infested dark of the Paris Catacombs. The ancient, claustrophobic underworld of Paris is, quite possibly, the ultimate setting for a modern demon hunt. Once you descend into Skorkowsky's lightless below, you might as well be on another world. One of dust and mud and the mad scribblings on the walls of those who have come before you. One where every shadow could hide a hungry demon, and the only thing holding back the devouring blackness is the pale, meager glow of your flashlight.
Prepare to have your claustrophobia and fear of the dark put to the test on this express elevator to Hell. Down here, with the Valudcan Knights, it's not a question of *is* the monster behind you... but *when* it will catch up to you.
Ibenus is a first-class addition in every respect to Skorkowsky's world of the Valducan Order.
August 27, 2016
What can I say about this book? A whole mess of things and it is all good.
I have been a fan of this series since the first one came out and it has just gotten better. Each book builds on the mythology of this world and we get to see more and more as time goes on.
If the first book was an epic supernatural action book and the second a horror mystery, then this one could be called a tragic romantic adventure. It's beautifully written, perhaps the most emotional of all the books thus far . Skorkowsky surprises me with each entry in this series because it shifts how we approach each one.
Here, we learn more about Ibenus and her protector, Allan. We've known Allan since the first book and it is lovely to see him star as the main character in his own adventure. Still rebuilding the Knights and looking for new wielders of the holy weapons, Allan stumbles upon Victoria, a woman who has been haunted by the monsters that Allan is sworn to defeat. I do not want to say much. Really it would be hard to avoid spoilers.
This book moved me. I didn't expect that, but when I realized where we were going with this and I could see into the authors mind as he crafted this story, I fell in love with it. I highly recommend the series to anyone who loves Urban Fantasy, or just fantasy in general. You are bound to find something in these books that will grab a hold of your imagination and never let go.
I have been a fan of this series since the first one came out and it has just gotten better. Each book builds on the mythology of this world and we get to see more and more as time goes on.
If the first book was an epic supernatural action book and the second a horror mystery, then this one could be called a tragic romantic adventure. It's beautifully written, perhaps the most emotional of all the books thus far . Skorkowsky surprises me with each entry in this series because it shifts how we approach each one.
Here, we learn more about Ibenus and her protector, Allan. We've known Allan since the first book and it is lovely to see him star as the main character in his own adventure. Still rebuilding the Knights and looking for new wielders of the holy weapons, Allan stumbles upon Victoria, a woman who has been haunted by the monsters that Allan is sworn to defeat. I do not want to say much. Really it would be hard to avoid spoilers.
This book moved me. I didn't expect that, but when I realized where we were going with this and I could see into the authors mind as he crafted this story, I fell in love with it. I highly recommend the series to anyone who loves Urban Fantasy, or just fantasy in general. You are bound to find something in these books that will grab a hold of your imagination and never let go.
August 28, 2016
*** Review copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review***
The third volume in Seth Skorkowsky's Valducan series sees the holy weapon fighters of evil confronting some more demonic nasties. The focus is on one of the knights, Allan Havlock, who is the protector of a weapon called Ibenus. We get introduced to a new character, Victoria, who is a police officer that accidentally got involved with the Valducans, had an unfortunate tragedy happen to her, and now demands answers from them.
It's a tight, suspensefully-written novel that fans of the previous two books will love. This time around we get some exciting new additions to the cast of characters as well as more of a focus on ones we have already met in previous books but didn't get that much of a chance to hang out with, which was a nice treat. If you love your urban fantasy set in Europe, you'll get a good dollop of that with this novel. Seeing how Victoria's story unfolded and her inner conflicts of desire for revenge mingled with new love and loyalties was something the author executed very well, and it kept me glued to the pages.
The third volume in Seth Skorkowsky's Valducan series sees the holy weapon fighters of evil confronting some more demonic nasties. The focus is on one of the knights, Allan Havlock, who is the protector of a weapon called Ibenus. We get introduced to a new character, Victoria, who is a police officer that accidentally got involved with the Valducans, had an unfortunate tragedy happen to her, and now demands answers from them.
It's a tight, suspensefully-written novel that fans of the previous two books will love. This time around we get some exciting new additions to the cast of characters as well as more of a focus on ones we have already met in previous books but didn't get that much of a chance to hang out with, which was a nice treat. If you love your urban fantasy set in Europe, you'll get a good dollop of that with this novel. Seeing how Victoria's story unfolded and her inner conflicts of desire for revenge mingled with new love and loyalties was something the author executed very well, and it kept me glued to the pages.
September 7, 2016
Unlike the books Damoren and Hounacier that follow one protector, Ibenus is about 50% about Ibenus and her protector and 50% about the other knights. Maybe because of this layout, it didn't enjoy it quite as much as the other two. Don't get me wrong, it was still a good book, full stop. Ibenus is probably the most emotional of the three books so far and is more about the knights and their decisions than directly vanquishing the forces of evil. I understand that Skorkowsky needs to continue to build depth around the Valducans, but the slow down in this book reminds me of a typical "middle book". There was still plenty of action to keep it interesting and unlike in previous books I had those moments where I just wanted to throw something I was so mad at a character. Which tells me I'm definitely getting more attached to the Valducan knights. I'm looking forward to the next in the series and seeing where the momentum that has been built so far is leading towards.
This book was provided by Ragnarok Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This book was provided by Ragnarok Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2019
Solid and enjoyable
There's a great juxtaposition in this series, medieval weapons being wielded against demons by knights carrying automatic weapons and smartphones. It works well for it.
There's a great juxtaposition in this series, medieval weapons being wielded against demons by knights carrying automatic weapons and smartphones. It works well for it.
July 8, 2023
Benus xddd
November 30, 2016
About
: A secret demon-slaying Order fights to stay underground. An internet group threatens to shatter their anonymity. A holy blade disrupts both of their agendas.
Detective Victoria Martin barely survives an encounter with demon spawn, but her career—and her partner—aren’t so lucky. Applying her detective skills to a new mystery, she obsesses over the creatures she saw…and the men who saved her from them. Her saviors belong to the Order of Valducan, which fights demons like the ones who attacked her. Allan, a leader in the Order, knows that experiences like Martin’s are all too common.
But he doesn’t bet on the detective using her technological ninja skills to seek him out and demand the truth. Adult Urban Fantasy/Horror published September 13th, 2016 by Ragnarok Publications. Authored by Seth Skorkowsky.
Thoughts : Ibenus takes a basic premise similar to Cassandra Clare’s wildly popular Mortal Instruments series—demon slayers slaying demons, sometimes involving angels or angel-blessed swords—and distills it to pure awesome.
Ibenus revolves around its namesake, the holy blade called Ibenus and the angel that inhabits it. Which means there’s plenty of action. You can’t name a book after a holy blade without lots of demon-blasting. But without sacrificing the action, Ibenus also develops the mythology and the machinations of the Order, and it stays in close touch with the desires of each character. All of which makes me really want to go pick up Damoren right now!
This is book III in the Valducan series, so I was a little worried I’d be lost, despite assurances that this is a fine place to start. (Apparently the earlier two books focus more on individual demon-hunters and less on the Order.) But while the book starts off with a bang—very little exposition, almost all action—which could have easily made Ibenus a bewildering introduction for a straight newcomer, Victoria’s perspective actually provides an excellent vicarious recruit for readers to learn the drive-through version of the “rules.” I was able to pick up the basics of characters, background and conflict without undue difficulty.
Plus, Victoria is just pretty cool. Confident and proficient, Detective Victoria Martin never lets disgrace stand in the way of her own personal redemption. She really fights for what she wants, which keeps things interesting, as her desires and loyalties change and she must unravel the mess she’s made of them. Her gritty arc could have become really angsty, but Skorkowsky doesn’t let the story languish in the murky depths of dethpair. Like I said…Victoria keeps things interesting.
Skorkowsky really goes there, with the character and professional conflicts, which makes for much higher stakes than a softer storyline might have produced. The conflicts involve questions of secrecy. Should the public know about the demons? Or should they be kept blissfully unaware—until they have an experience like Victoria’s, that is? The Order and Victoria’s internet group can’t seem to find any common ground on this issue, and they both make great points in favor of their arguments. The antagonist is no plot puppet; Skorkowsky develops his positions with care.
I love the atmospheric setting of the second half of the book: the Catacombs beneath the city of Paris. Just the idea of climbing down for a rave or a swim and getting swarmed by baby-faced demon spawn...yeah. Although we only really get to know one kind of demon in this book, it’s plenty creepy.
“A baby’s coo came from the corner.
Something shuffled across the trash-strewn floor. Victoria’s light went to the movement, finding a pale, waxy shape the size of a bread loaf. James’s brilliant light fell upon it, revealing a chitinous insect. The creature’s face resembled a porcelain china doll, its oily black eyes completely filling the sockets. A pair of segmented pincers twitched outward from its bristle-lined hole of a mouth.
It looked up at them and a shrill infant’s sob issued from that hideous maw.”
Chitin-covered “Mantismere” demons sport pincers, saber appendages and mandibles big enough to chew your brain out through your eye. They usually don’t travel alone, either, unfortunately for the Valducan crew. They breed creepy bug drones known as "screamers" for the infant-like wails that can draw in their victims.
Ibenus—and, I’m supposing, the whole Valducan series—develops the mythology with faultless precision, covering both centuries-old historical conflicts with the church and modern conflicts such as with technological nuts who would exploit it to uncover Valducan simply for self-validation. You’ll find some great worldbuilding, here.
A few little things confused me, likely because I haven’t read books I & II, but the story stands well on its own. You could easily jump into the series, starting with Ibenus (like I did), and in fact, I strongly encourage you to do so if you’re looking for a terrific new urban fantasy series.
I have just a few small issues with the book, one being Victoria’s unfamiliarity with guns. I understand that the British CID staffs some plainclothes detectives, but that position is also supposed to require two years’ experience as a uniformed officer. It just seems crazy to me that Victoria has only shot a gun once in her life. The only other real issue I have is with the editing, which is sometimes unclear and confusing in my finished copy of the book.
But both these issues are very minor in comparison to the great fun I had reading Ibenus.
Overall : Terrific urban fantasy. Dark and creepy, but by no means hopeless. Fine place to start in the series, with the perfect balance of action and exposition.
Recommended To : Readers looking for creepy urban fantasy with faultless worldbuilding, constant action and well-developed characters.
If you liked this review, you can read more of my speculative fiction reviews on my blog
Detective Victoria Martin barely survives an encounter with demon spawn, but her career—and her partner—aren’t so lucky. Applying her detective skills to a new mystery, she obsesses over the creatures she saw…and the men who saved her from them. Her saviors belong to the Order of Valducan, which fights demons like the ones who attacked her. Allan, a leader in the Order, knows that experiences like Martin’s are all too common.
But he doesn’t bet on the detective using her technological ninja skills to seek him out and demand the truth. Adult Urban Fantasy/Horror published September 13th, 2016 by Ragnarok Publications. Authored by Seth Skorkowsky.
Thoughts : Ibenus takes a basic premise similar to Cassandra Clare’s wildly popular Mortal Instruments series—demon slayers slaying demons, sometimes involving angels or angel-blessed swords—and distills it to pure awesome.
Ibenus revolves around its namesake, the holy blade called Ibenus and the angel that inhabits it. Which means there’s plenty of action. You can’t name a book after a holy blade without lots of demon-blasting. But without sacrificing the action, Ibenus also develops the mythology and the machinations of the Order, and it stays in close touch with the desires of each character. All of which makes me really want to go pick up Damoren right now!
This is book III in the Valducan series, so I was a little worried I’d be lost, despite assurances that this is a fine place to start. (Apparently the earlier two books focus more on individual demon-hunters and less on the Order.) But while the book starts off with a bang—very little exposition, almost all action—which could have easily made Ibenus a bewildering introduction for a straight newcomer, Victoria’s perspective actually provides an excellent vicarious recruit for readers to learn the drive-through version of the “rules.” I was able to pick up the basics of characters, background and conflict without undue difficulty.
Plus, Victoria is just pretty cool. Confident and proficient, Detective Victoria Martin never lets disgrace stand in the way of her own personal redemption. She really fights for what she wants, which keeps things interesting, as her desires and loyalties change and she must unravel the mess she’s made of them. Her gritty arc could have become really angsty, but Skorkowsky doesn’t let the story languish in the murky depths of dethpair. Like I said…Victoria keeps things interesting.
Skorkowsky really goes there, with the character and professional conflicts, which makes for much higher stakes than a softer storyline might have produced. The conflicts involve questions of secrecy. Should the public know about the demons? Or should they be kept blissfully unaware—until they have an experience like Victoria’s, that is? The Order and Victoria’s internet group can’t seem to find any common ground on this issue, and they both make great points in favor of their arguments. The antagonist is no plot puppet; Skorkowsky develops his positions with care.
I love the atmospheric setting of the second half of the book: the Catacombs beneath the city of Paris. Just the idea of climbing down for a rave or a swim and getting swarmed by baby-faced demon spawn...yeah. Although we only really get to know one kind of demon in this book, it’s plenty creepy.
“A baby’s coo came from the corner.
Something shuffled across the trash-strewn floor. Victoria’s light went to the movement, finding a pale, waxy shape the size of a bread loaf. James’s brilliant light fell upon it, revealing a chitinous insect. The creature’s face resembled a porcelain china doll, its oily black eyes completely filling the sockets. A pair of segmented pincers twitched outward from its bristle-lined hole of a mouth.
It looked up at them and a shrill infant’s sob issued from that hideous maw.”
Chitin-covered “Mantismere” demons sport pincers, saber appendages and mandibles big enough to chew your brain out through your eye. They usually don’t travel alone, either, unfortunately for the Valducan crew. They breed creepy bug drones known as "screamers" for the infant-like wails that can draw in their victims.
Ibenus—and, I’m supposing, the whole Valducan series—develops the mythology with faultless precision, covering both centuries-old historical conflicts with the church and modern conflicts such as with technological nuts who would exploit it to uncover Valducan simply for self-validation. You’ll find some great worldbuilding, here.
A few little things confused me, likely because I haven’t read books I & II, but the story stands well on its own. You could easily jump into the series, starting with Ibenus (like I did), and in fact, I strongly encourage you to do so if you’re looking for a terrific new urban fantasy series.
I have just a few small issues with the book, one being Victoria’s unfamiliarity with guns. I understand that the British CID staffs some plainclothes detectives, but that position is also supposed to require two years’ experience as a uniformed officer. It just seems crazy to me that Victoria has only shot a gun once in her life. The only other real issue I have is with the editing, which is sometimes unclear and confusing in my finished copy of the book.
But both these issues are very minor in comparison to the great fun I had reading Ibenus.
Overall : Terrific urban fantasy. Dark and creepy, but by no means hopeless. Fine place to start in the series, with the perfect balance of action and exposition.
Recommended To : Readers looking for creepy urban fantasy with faultless worldbuilding, constant action and well-developed characters.
If you liked this review, you can read more of my speculative fiction reviews on my blog
May 26, 2017
Victoria Martin was an unlikable character and the story was kind of linear, boring, and predictable. It would have been difficult to top the second book in the series with such an interesting character as Malcolm, but there are more interesting female characters to choose from in this universe. I will continue to read the series, but I am hoping the fourth book will be great.
August 9, 2019
Great
I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the setting. This series ie well planned and executed .
It ties well with present day background
I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the setting. This series ie well planned and executed .
It ties well with present day background
September 8, 2017
From book 1 I’ve felt like this series embodies every delicious plot point I could ever want in an urban fantasy tale. Baddass swords and guns? Check. Secret society of monster hunters from all over the world? Check. Intelligent plot? Check. Antiques and exotic locales? Check check. Ibenus continues to carry the torch with pride and I loved every word.
I adored Victoria the moment she was ready to jump out of her van to go exact some law and order on supposed mafia toughs with SWORDS, armed with just a billy club. XD This book only gets better from there.
Of course, they weren't mafia toughs, but the rough and ready Knights of the Valducan. Or as I've come to think of them, my baaaaaaabies. LOL. I love these guys, all of them, and thanks to Mr. Skorkowsky's vivid writing I feel like I've met them all in person. I cried when I could read 400 pages of them just horsing around in headquarters, lol. Hunting the demons is just a sweet bonus.
This book we get a closer look at Ibenus, Allan, and Victoria. Their love story is so touching it curled my toes.
In its growing popularity urban fantasy is a genre that has been flooded with books that sad to say, are hardly worth the paper [or the bytes] they’re printed on. Not so here. Skorkowsky raises the bar for authors everywhere with his originality, skillfully woven plots, and wonderfully complex characters. I would give it 10 stars if I could!
I adored Victoria the moment she was ready to jump out of her van to go exact some law and order on supposed mafia toughs with SWORDS, armed with just a billy club. XD This book only gets better from there.
Of course, they weren't mafia toughs, but the rough and ready Knights of the Valducan. Or as I've come to think of them, my baaaaaaabies. LOL. I love these guys, all of them, and thanks to Mr. Skorkowsky's vivid writing I feel like I've met them all in person. I cried when I could read 400 pages of them just horsing around in headquarters, lol. Hunting the demons is just a sweet bonus.
This book we get a closer look at Ibenus, Allan, and Victoria. Their love story is so touching it curled my toes.
In its growing popularity urban fantasy is a genre that has been flooded with books that sad to say, are hardly worth the paper [or the bytes] they’re printed on. Not so here. Skorkowsky raises the bar for authors everywhere with his originality, skillfully woven plots, and wonderfully complex characters. I would give it 10 stars if I could!
October 14, 2017
I think it's fair to say that writing women is not solidly in Skorkowsky's wheel house and that's mostly okay. He writes a book that's in a Louis L'Amour meets Supernatural style and I dig that. His women... they just tend to be a little flat. Let me be clear, not flat chested. No, all of them have beautiful, round breasts that receive nearly as much attention as the rest of their attributes, including their backstory, names, and other distinguishing features. A solid 40% of their personalities are made up by their sexuality and would not honestly be able to pass the Bechdel test. I wouldn't normally go on about it, but one of his leads in this book is a woman and there just wasn't much there... there when it came to Victoria. She was a police officer whose entree to the world of the uncanny took the life of her partner and she was out for vengeance. It's a good story line, she just had no real personality and wasn't terribly likeable or empathetic.
The men in this book are great. They have motivations and agency over their choices. I like them and I want to know more about them. The weapons have a lot of personality too and hold a lot of interest to me. The women could use some work.
All that being said, I enjoyed the story and I will definitely read the next one.
The men in this book are great. They have motivations and agency over their choices. I like them and I want to know more about them. The weapons have a lot of personality too and hold a lot of interest to me. The women could use some work.
All that being said, I enjoyed the story and I will definitely read the next one.
January 8, 2022
Like the first 2 books in the Valducen Series, Ibenus had me on the edge of my seat from page 1. I love this series. I love the characters. I love the unique portrayal of angels and demons, and I love the rich details the author sprinkles throughout that make me feel like I'm there in Paris alongside our heroes. I can tell he's been there and experienced the picture he's painting.
I took 1 star off only because the romance in this book seemed rushed and forced to me. One second the FMC was holding a gun to someone's head, and like 5 chapters later, Allen is telling her he loves her. I suppose the influence of Ibenus could explain it, but it still bothered me. Also, there are a crazy amount of typos in this book. Tons more than the previous 2. I don't normally allow that to affect my rating because I try to base my rating on the pure and simple question of whether or not I enjoyed the book (and I did, a lot!), but the typos were so numerous they thrust me out of the story more than once and they made me stop to decipher the meaning of a sentence more than once.
Anyway, I still really enjoyed the book and will absolutely read anything else Seth Skorkowsky puts out.
I took 1 star off only because the romance in this book seemed rushed and forced to me. One second the FMC was holding a gun to someone's head, and like 5 chapters later, Allen is telling her he loves her. I suppose the influence of Ibenus could explain it, but it still bothered me. Also, there are a crazy amount of typos in this book. Tons more than the previous 2. I don't normally allow that to affect my rating because I try to base my rating on the pure and simple question of whether or not I enjoyed the book (and I did, a lot!), but the typos were so numerous they thrust me out of the story more than once and they made me stop to decipher the meaning of a sentence more than once.
Anyway, I still really enjoyed the book and will absolutely read anything else Seth Skorkowsky puts out.
August 29, 2025
A Dark, Gripping Chapter in a Brilliant Series
Ibenus is one of my favourite weapons in this series, and by the third book, you start to realise the whole saga is one long story told through the eyes of different weapons. This installment, like the last, takes a different route—focusing more on how the world might react if demons were ever truly discovered. It dives deep into the underbelly of society, exploring conspiracy theorists and truth-seekers, the kind of tin-hat-wearing characters who obsess over the supernatural.
The story is fantastic, packed with graphic, intense moments and a richly imagined world full of terrifying monsters and layered lore. The author continues to build a universe that feels both vast and intimate, and Ibenus adds a unique perspective to it all.
I’ll admit, I still hold the first book closest to my heart—it set such a high bar that the sequels, while excellent, don’t quite hit the same emotional note for me. But that’s not a knock on the series. These are still fantastic follow-ups, and Ibenus is a worthy addition to the journey.
Ibenus is one of my favourite weapons in this series, and by the third book, you start to realise the whole saga is one long story told through the eyes of different weapons. This installment, like the last, takes a different route—focusing more on how the world might react if demons were ever truly discovered. It dives deep into the underbelly of society, exploring conspiracy theorists and truth-seekers, the kind of tin-hat-wearing characters who obsess over the supernatural.
The story is fantastic, packed with graphic, intense moments and a richly imagined world full of terrifying monsters and layered lore. The author continues to build a universe that feels both vast and intimate, and Ibenus adds a unique perspective to it all.
I’ll admit, I still hold the first book closest to my heart—it set such a high bar that the sequels, while excellent, don’t quite hit the same emotional note for me. But that’s not a knock on the series. These are still fantastic follow-ups, and Ibenus is a worthy addition to the journey.
January 10, 2021
Many years ago I bought DÄMOREN on audible and listened to it, but although I liked it, it didn't blow me away the first time around. Last year I kept thinking of it and thought that I might give it another shot, so I bought it in print and loved it so much better.
HOUNANCIER was even better and it compelled me to go on with the series. IBENUS was a surprise, because just when I thought I know what was going to happen and thought "this is a bit predictable" it took a twist I didn't expect.
Don't get me wrong, there are certainly issues with this book as it is self-published and has some spelling errors in it, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The entire take on these holy weapons and demons is very unique, which makes it okay to forgive a couple of errors.
I am giving it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 and continuing on with Redemptor.
HOUNANCIER was even better and it compelled me to go on with the series. IBENUS was a surprise, because just when I thought I know what was going to happen and thought "this is a bit predictable" it took a twist I didn't expect.
Don't get me wrong, there are certainly issues with this book as it is self-published and has some spelling errors in it, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The entire take on these holy weapons and demons is very unique, which makes it okay to forgive a couple of errors.
I am giving it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 and continuing on with Redemptor.
December 21, 2023
Önceki ciltlerin biraz gerisinde kaldığını düşünüyorum. Keşke bu geride kalmalık kadın bir ana karakterin olduğu cilde denk gelmeseydi.
Mekanik kıtlığına düşmanların zekalarıyla ilgili bir takım mevzular getirmiş ama çok dolduramamış. Düşmanların haklanma mevzusunu bir tür intimaka bağlamış ama tatmin edici olmamış. Kitabın hatırı sayılır bir kısmı benzer bir yerde, benzer şeyleri yaparak geçiyor. Bunaltıcı mı? Değil. Ama "soluksuz okutan" bir şey olduğunu da söyleyemem.
Çağımızın getirdiği bazı problemleri işaret etmesi ve önerdiği çözümlerle biraz toparlıyor mevzuyu ama benim algımda sıradan bir canavar avcılığı hikayesinden öteye geçemiyor. Halbuki giriş kısmı o kadar havalıydı ki; hayallerim parçalandı.
Mekanik kıtlığına düşmanların zekalarıyla ilgili bir takım mevzular getirmiş ama çok dolduramamış. Düşmanların haklanma mevzusunu bir tür intimaka bağlamış ama tatmin edici olmamış. Kitabın hatırı sayılır bir kısmı benzer bir yerde, benzer şeyleri yaparak geçiyor. Bunaltıcı mı? Değil. Ama "soluksuz okutan" bir şey olduğunu da söyleyemem.
Çağımızın getirdiği bazı problemleri işaret etmesi ve önerdiği çözümlerle biraz toparlıyor mevzuyu ama benim algımda sıradan bir canavar avcılığı hikayesinden öteye geçemiyor. Halbuki giriş kısmı o kadar havalıydı ki; hayallerim parçalandı.
January 13, 2024
An atmospheric dive through the catacombs of Paris hunting monsters.
Victoria Martin: British detective, until her partner is murdered in front of her by nightmare beasts and she is saved by strangers brandishing magical ancient weapons. Cast out of the police force for such insane reporting Victoria must track down the strangers with her sleuthing skills to restore her good name.
What she finds is the Valducan order, an ancient team of demon hunters who exist in the the shadows. They must deal with Victoria’s efforts to cast them into the sunlight and risk their very existence.
Victoria Martin: British detective, until her partner is murdered in front of her by nightmare beasts and she is saved by strangers brandishing magical ancient weapons. Cast out of the police force for such insane reporting Victoria must track down the strangers with her sleuthing skills to restore her good name.
What she finds is the Valducan order, an ancient team of demon hunters who exist in the the shadows. They must deal with Victoria’s efforts to cast them into the sunlight and risk their very existence.
April 13, 2018
In previous books we were dealing with experienced hunters but in this book we start with two people completely unaware of the hidden world of monsters. So watching and experiencing the new and strange hidden world broadens the knowledge of both the characters and the audience. These two very different approaches reveal different aspects of the hunters as both a group and an organization. The central plot of the book while similar to the first would have suffered greatly without this one narrative device/choice. Overall this makes for a very good read.
March 26, 2022
I read this book immediately after #2. At this point, having read the #4 as well, I find it the weakest link in the series. All that I said in Damoren's and Hounacier's reviews still stand. However, I didn't feel that the writing got significantly better. Also, major characters like Victoria and TommyD do not have their motives sufficiently explained. In all, a nice reading; fast-paced and interesting to the end.
May 18, 2019
Valducan story continues.
I still don't think this series is ground-breaking in any way, but it's solid, perfectly serviceable urban fantasy.
Eager to see what happens next.
I did think that the shift in main character from book to book was a nice touch. You lose a bit in not following the same person, but you gain in getting a nice, more full rounded picture of the Order.
I still don't think this series is ground-breaking in any way, but it's solid, perfectly serviceable urban fantasy.
Eager to see what happens next.
I did think that the shift in main character from book to book was a nice touch. You lose a bit in not following the same person, but you gain in getting a nice, more full rounded picture of the Order.
May 13, 2024
Good read and as I don't have time to read expect while waiting for something or traveling in trains or busses, I was almost happy when I had a longer trip somewhere. :D the bad thing is I couldn't read it while in the bathroom so I wouldn't get stuck there because of reading x) as it was very addictive to just read.
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