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The Grey Isle Tale
Prince Janos of House Ulian is having a rough day. No, scratch that - a rough life. So when the watch tower he is inspecting begins exploding all around him, Janos soldiers on like usual. Race through the countryside of the island empire of Rumenjia, as one unlucky Prince, along with a stubborn local watch captain join forces with staunch Generals and legendary Wizards to confront the greatest (and potentially last) threat their country has ever faced: their own inner darkness.
The Grey Isle Tale chronicles the last breath of a crumbling empire. Adrift upon its own momentous tides of conspiracy and hate, something even more sinister lurks beneath the nation’s waves. The Grey Isle Tale is the sort of story which flows from hair-raising novel to epic northern legend. The Grey Isle tale tells the story of a nation on the brink, and how even the smallest gestures can tip the balance between good and evil. Within, experience tremors of horrific casualness matched against the indestructible bonds of friendship and kindness.
The Grey Isle Tale chronicles the last breath of a crumbling empire. Adrift upon its own momentous tides of conspiracy and hate, something even more sinister lurks beneath the nation’s waves. The Grey Isle Tale is the sort of story which flows from hair-raising novel to epic northern legend. The Grey Isle tale tells the story of a nation on the brink, and how even the smallest gestures can tip the balance between good and evil. Within, experience tremors of horrific casualness matched against the indestructible bonds of friendship and kindness.
- GenresFantasy
108 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2016
About the author
Ryan P. Freeman
13 books45 followersRyan was born in Portland, Oregon on February 24th, 1988. She's the (upper) middle child out of four (three sisters – how she survived them is a secret). Currently, she has family scattered all over the western states.
Ryan was always a big reader growing up. Ever since her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Yorth spent extra time after school helping her learn how to read, she's been devouring books (so to speak). Growing up in Oregon meant plenty of time for reading since there’s about 7.3 fully sunny days per year there.
To this day, she loves the smell of rain, the rumble of storms, and the scent of pine forests. Her favorite stories growing up were old tales with Robin Hood and King Arthur - along with a ginormous rambling list of other myths, legends, and fantasy works.
Ryan graduated from high school in 2006 and first attended Central Christian College of the Bible in Missouri, where she met her wife and began writing what would later become Rienspel. Then, by happy coincidence, since they were both already planning on it anyway, they transferred to Hannibal LaGrange College (now University). In 2010, Ryan graduated with a B.S. in Communication Arts.
Stephanie Lynn Worcester (aka ‘Steph’ aka ‘Stephalughagi’) and Ryan were married just after graduation. Still writing, she started working in talk radio out of Albuquerque. Later, Ryan and her wife moved back to Hannibal, MO in 2011 where she eventually worked in marketing for an area non-profit, was offered a job as a pastor, joined the St Louis Writers Guild, and founded the Hannibal Writers Guild.
She began publishing her fantasy works in 2016. As of June 2018, she is represented by Patty Carothers of Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Ryan lives with her wife in an old Victorian about 300 yards from the Mississippi River.
Ryan was always a big reader growing up. Ever since her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Yorth spent extra time after school helping her learn how to read, she's been devouring books (so to speak). Growing up in Oregon meant plenty of time for reading since there’s about 7.3 fully sunny days per year there.
To this day, she loves the smell of rain, the rumble of storms, and the scent of pine forests. Her favorite stories growing up were old tales with Robin Hood and King Arthur - along with a ginormous rambling list of other myths, legends, and fantasy works.
Ryan graduated from high school in 2006 and first attended Central Christian College of the Bible in Missouri, where she met her wife and began writing what would later become Rienspel. Then, by happy coincidence, since they were both already planning on it anyway, they transferred to Hannibal LaGrange College (now University). In 2010, Ryan graduated with a B.S. in Communication Arts.
Stephanie Lynn Worcester (aka ‘Steph’ aka ‘Stephalughagi’) and Ryan were married just after graduation. Still writing, she started working in talk radio out of Albuquerque. Later, Ryan and her wife moved back to Hannibal, MO in 2011 where she eventually worked in marketing for an area non-profit, was offered a job as a pastor, joined the St Louis Writers Guild, and founded the Hannibal Writers Guild.
She began publishing her fantasy works in 2016. As of June 2018, she is represented by Patty Carothers of Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Ryan lives with her wife in an old Victorian about 300 yards from the Mississippi River.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 24, 2018
“but sometimes hell comes to us. We didn’t ask for it or want it –”
“it looked like the tide pools at sunset now –cast millions of different watercolors glowing with the dazzling imagination of children hard at play.”
This story immediately drew me in, I love how the beginning jumps straight into action, gives a brief air of mystery surrounding the captain, but resolves quickly. I also adored the sarcasm he gave to both the prince and the captain. It was a quick, smooth read and gave some insight to the series. The only question I was really left with, is what is he? Aside from undead (and in this day and age there are many variations) it doesn’t explain what exactly the Prince is. As the second quote shows, he has some incredible and beautiful imagery. And I loved how he made a connection from the Captain’s youth to something she was facing as an adult.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review via Voracious Readers Only.
“it looked like the tide pools at sunset now –cast millions of different watercolors glowing with the dazzling imagination of children hard at play.”
This story immediately drew me in, I love how the beginning jumps straight into action, gives a brief air of mystery surrounding the captain, but resolves quickly. I also adored the sarcasm he gave to both the prince and the captain. It was a quick, smooth read and gave some insight to the series. The only question I was really left with, is what is he? Aside from undead (and in this day and age there are many variations) it doesn’t explain what exactly the Prince is. As the second quote shows, he has some incredible and beautiful imagery. And I loved how he made a connection from the Captain’s youth to something she was facing as an adult.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review via Voracious Readers Only.
August 29, 2019
The Grey Isle Tale was engaging but mysterious. The tone was serious, and it fit the epic fantasy genre well. The main problem was that the book was too short. It did end and had a good ending too, but so many of the mysteries were not explained. We leave the characters right when we first start to understand their motives and who they are. It's a really a small cast: Prince Janos, Captain Gilse, the prince's best friend, a wizard, and a dragon. Don't let that fool you though, the characters are interesting! The story follows a plot to destroy Prince Janos and his kingdom, but we just right into the final battles. I wish Mr. Freeman had started the story much earlier so we knew the characters better before getting to this point. Still, it's a fun quick read that I recommend. It is pretty clean such as no cussing, no sex, nor gory violence. If you are disturbed by the undead, though, you may what to pass.
February 6, 2018
Opening this book, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a new world with a very rich history and realistic characters - new, and yet familiar. It seems as though the horizon is so much broader than was delved into in this story, and now I really want to know what was in the past, and also what is coming up next.
February 11, 2018
It was a great little story that leads into a much larger picture. It was a nice little intro into the world Freeman has built. I'm interested enough to look into reading the rest of the series.
June 10, 2019
An interesting short work with plenty of action, a few twists and some very good writing that pulls the reader into the story. The only thing that kept this from 5 stars for me was there were a few points in the story where I thought the author could have given the reader more details and filled in some blanks that had me puzzled. Otherwise a fun, quick read.
June 11, 2021
I got this book because the author is a local ABQ writer. I did enjoy the book, and will try his other titles. I think with some editing, this could be an even better story!!
March 27, 2022
This story has a couple of unique spins on classic fantasy. Good thing it was a short story, as I literally couldn't put it down.
November 3, 2025
Really fun characters and a lot of action packed into a shorter read. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews