What do you think?
Rate this book
The Plagueborne Trilogy #1-2
Plagueborne
PLAGUEBORNE contains the first two books in the epic Plagueborne Trilogy, and The Black Hussars novella.
The old gods are dead... But are the new ones any better?
In the aftermath of a revolution that nearly tore the continent apart, a devastating plague threatens to consume all that remains.
As cities fall to ruin, and talk of witchcraft and fell beasts spread, a zealous religious order emerges... But can they be trusted?
PLAGUEBORNE offers the first two novels in a trilogy of gripping high-fantasy novels. The debut possesses all the beloved hallmarks fans of the genre will recognise, but is distinguished by its gritty atmosphere and confrontation with some of the most unsettling chapters of human history.
THE BLACK HUSSARS
Yaro Anatoly commands the most feared regiment on the continent. His loyalty to the king has seen him wage war in the savage wilderness of Vorgar, the lawless free cities, and in Akasha, the domain of the southern princes.
But when the death of a saint triggers a revolution at home, Yaro finds his own loyalties divided. Can he really serve a king who hates his own people? And who are these new gods?
The Black Hussars is a stand-alone novella, set in the days prior to the events that unfold in the Plagueborne Trilogy.
The old gods are dead... But are the new ones any better?
In the aftermath of a revolution that nearly tore the continent apart, a devastating plague threatens to consume all that remains.
As cities fall to ruin, and talk of witchcraft and fell beasts spread, a zealous religious order emerges... But can they be trusted?
PLAGUEBORNE offers the first two novels in a trilogy of gripping high-fantasy novels. The debut possesses all the beloved hallmarks fans of the genre will recognise, but is distinguished by its gritty atmosphere and confrontation with some of the most unsettling chapters of human history.
THE BLACK HUSSARS
Yaro Anatoly commands the most feared regiment on the continent. His loyalty to the king has seen him wage war in the savage wilderness of Vorgar, the lawless free cities, and in Akasha, the domain of the southern princes.
But when the death of a saint triggers a revolution at home, Yaro finds his own loyalties divided. Can he really serve a king who hates his own people? And who are these new gods?
The Black Hussars is a stand-alone novella, set in the days prior to the events that unfold in the Plagueborne Trilogy.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2019
17 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Mitchell Lüthi
18 books344 followersThe Pilgrim Illustrated Limited Edition Kickstarter is launching in September 2024! Check it out here: https://t.ly/xsNeh
The limited edition includes 12 full-page illustrations by artist Tyrone Le Roux, 9 character illustrations by Filipe Pagliuso, full-colour book ends by Alicja Tereszczenko, an illustrated slipcase by Anthony Ventura, custom interior design, medieval chapter drop caps, metallic rose gold on the front, spine, and rear, gold-edged pages, and a ribbon bookmark.
Mitchell Lüthi is a writer and producer based in Cape Town, South Africa. He has written a number of scripts, short stories, and radio plays. "Pilgrim" is his first full-length novel.
In addition to his writing, Lüthi produces and scores the Sentinel Creatives Podcast. With a passion for storytelling, Lüthi has established himself as a versatile writer who can create compelling narratives across various genres.
His short story, "The Bone Fields", received an honorable mention in the 2020 L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Competition. The story is available in the Write Like Hell: Kaiju anthology.
The limited edition includes 12 full-page illustrations by artist Tyrone Le Roux, 9 character illustrations by Filipe Pagliuso, full-colour book ends by Alicja Tereszczenko, an illustrated slipcase by Anthony Ventura, custom interior design, medieval chapter drop caps, metallic rose gold on the front, spine, and rear, gold-edged pages, and a ribbon bookmark.
Mitchell Lüthi is a writer and producer based in Cape Town, South Africa. He has written a number of scripts, short stories, and radio plays. "Pilgrim" is his first full-length novel.
In addition to his writing, Lüthi produces and scores the Sentinel Creatives Podcast. With a passion for storytelling, Lüthi has established himself as a versatile writer who can create compelling narratives across various genres.
His short story, "The Bone Fields", received an honorable mention in the 2020 L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Competition. The story is available in the Write Like Hell: Kaiju anthology.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 31, 2022
Overall this collection [novella, part 1 & 2 of trilogy] was pretty great. It would’ve been a fairly quick read for me, if I hadn’t taken a break after reading the novella. The story was well written, I enjoyed reading about the characters, and I’ll be patiently waiting for the third part of this story—I must know what happens and why! I was getting super Bloodborne vibes from the story, and I think it makes for an interesting read.
Since this is a collection, I’ll be talking specifically about the separate parts below:
The Black Hussars [novella]
This was a great story, and I finished it rather quickly. I was very entertained by the action and the plot twists—the ending had me so sad! Standalone it was a great story, when collected with the other two parts I’m a little confused. I’m not sure if this plot will intertwine with the main story plot a little bit more in the third part? Or maybe it’s just there to kind of see the other perspective that’s laid out in the main plot? This is one of the reasons why I’m intrigued to read the final part of this trilogy. There are some unanswered questions.
The Ritual [part 1]
While this part was a good set up to the main plot, it was smaller than the novella! I was very surprised by this. Like I said though, it’s a great introduction into the plot and some of the main characters: Katarina, Tannhauser, and Ezekiel. Since it’s only 66 pages, it’s a very fast read!
The Zealot [part 2]
This is the main course of the story plot. With the introductions out of the way, the story can really unfold. Katarina and Tannhauser travel across the land to find out the source of the sickness that has taken hold. They meet some old friends and possible enemies along the way. All while Ezekiel is in pursuit of the so-called “heretics”. At the end of this part, we see Ezekiel eventually catch up to Katarina and Tannhauser, and more of the information surrounding the origin of the sickness unfolds. It does leave on a cliffhanger. I’m interested in finding out the rest of the plot, and I hope part three comes out soon!
Since this is a collection, I’ll be talking specifically about the separate parts below:
The Black Hussars [novella]
This was a great story, and I finished it rather quickly. I was very entertained by the action and the plot twists—the ending had me so sad! Standalone it was a great story, when collected with the other two parts I’m a little confused. I’m not sure if this plot will intertwine with the main story plot a little bit more in the third part? Or maybe it’s just there to kind of see the other perspective that’s laid out in the main plot? This is one of the reasons why I’m intrigued to read the final part of this trilogy. There are some unanswered questions.
The Ritual [part 1]
While this part was a good set up to the main plot, it was smaller than the novella! I was very surprised by this. Like I said though, it’s a great introduction into the plot and some of the main characters: Katarina, Tannhauser, and Ezekiel. Since it’s only 66 pages, it’s a very fast read!
The Zealot [part 2]
This is the main course of the story plot. With the introductions out of the way, the story can really unfold. Katarina and Tannhauser travel across the land to find out the source of the sickness that has taken hold. They meet some old friends and possible enemies along the way. All while Ezekiel is in pursuit of the so-called “heretics”. At the end of this part, we see Ezekiel eventually catch up to Katarina and Tannhauser, and more of the information surrounding the origin of the sickness unfolds. It does leave on a cliffhanger. I’m interested in finding out the rest of the plot, and I hope part three comes out soon!
February 11, 2019
Katarina Von Lorenz is the daughter of an important councillor in Rothenberg. The Ritual is a short prelude to the bigger picture in The Zealot and gives us a glimpse of Katarina and her principles. She believes something evil is brewing in the forbidden forest but nobody takes her seriously. They rather bury their heads in the sand than accept what she says. Hence she decides to go and deal with it herself with the help of a long time friend, Tannhauser. They leave towards Lunburrow where a witch awaits her trial for unleashing a plague that will effect everyone, but Katarina believes otherwise and rescues her. She tells them to go towards the source of the plague to kill it.
In the Zealot, we meet Ezekiel Smith, the one who had captured the witch and who is a "Prelator". He goes after Katarina and Tannhauser to stop them from helping the witch but is caught in his own battles before he can reach them. Meanwhile Katarina and Tannhauser have travelled far to the province of Reans and needs to deal with an old acquaintance and figure out the source of the plague which they soon learn could be in Amstett Monastery with a mysterious disappearance. What happens once Ezekiel and the others meets? Will they reach the monastery on time? Will they be able to stop the plague? The book stops at a cliffhanger leading to an unreleased sequel.
I found the book to be interesting. The author has definitely created a solid and believable setting and the characters too make a mark but one thing that really bothered me was that the character of the witch was not mentioned nor her whereabouts in the second book which was quiet weird. I expected her to come along with them in the adventure. But there was nothing. Another thing that was a bit conflicting was Katarina lacked a clear sketch, in turn I found Ezekiel to be more layered and meaty. I wondered who the protagonist really was as Katarina was almost caricaturish. But it was a decently fun fantasy adventure.
For more please visit www.bibliogyan.com
In the Zealot, we meet Ezekiel Smith, the one who had captured the witch and who is a "Prelator". He goes after Katarina and Tannhauser to stop them from helping the witch but is caught in his own battles before he can reach them. Meanwhile Katarina and Tannhauser have travelled far to the province of Reans and needs to deal with an old acquaintance and figure out the source of the plague which they soon learn could be in Amstett Monastery with a mysterious disappearance. What happens once Ezekiel and the others meets? Will they reach the monastery on time? Will they be able to stop the plague? The book stops at a cliffhanger leading to an unreleased sequel.
I found the book to be interesting. The author has definitely created a solid and believable setting and the characters too make a mark but one thing that really bothered me was that the character of the witch was not mentioned nor her whereabouts in the second book which was quiet weird. I expected her to come along with them in the adventure. But there was nothing. Another thing that was a bit conflicting was Katarina lacked a clear sketch, in turn I found Ezekiel to be more layered and meaty. I wondered who the protagonist really was as Katarina was almost caricaturish. But it was a decently fun fantasy adventure.
For more please visit www.bibliogyan.com
January 28, 2020
Lüthi's Plagueborne books were almost great but need more character arch. I loved Ezekiel, Katerina and Tannhauser. They mission around a pretty world with an intrigue driven plot but even though two characters have an "Everything I knew to be true is wrong" moment, both times, both characters just kind of adjust the mission objective and move on. This doesn't make me feel like the characters are particularly real. Where's my dramatic breakdown? You just learned that the spiritualist superstitions of the village folk are right, witches are real and you've been an ignorant bigot your whole life and you digested all that in just a few minutes.
The characters all feel like they have more backstory than the books go into, and I'm okay with that except that, again, it makes them feel a bit flat. Or at least flatter than the books deserve. I guess there are more books coming, so we'll hold out for that.
I don't know about anyone else's opinion, but I don't think the final fight carries the story. I'm not reading for the rule of cool. I want Katerina's emotional payoff when she's vindicated in the eyes of her father. I want Tan earn his retirement with Hilda. I want Ezekiel to convince me with his full transition from bad guy to good guy or good guy to bad guy or whatever, and I want maximum emotional impact when each character achieves each thing.
I don't yet care about these characters, and throwing undead soldiers at it isn't going to convince me. So convince me. I want more.
The characters all feel like they have more backstory than the books go into, and I'm okay with that except that, again, it makes them feel a bit flat. Or at least flatter than the books deserve. I guess there are more books coming, so we'll hold out for that.
I don't know about anyone else's opinion, but I don't think the final fight carries the story. I'm not reading for the rule of cool. I want Katerina's emotional payoff when she's vindicated in the eyes of her father. I want Tan earn his retirement with Hilda. I want Ezekiel to convince me with his full transition from bad guy to good guy or good guy to bad guy or whatever, and I want maximum emotional impact when each character achieves each thing.
I don't yet care about these characters, and throwing undead soldiers at it isn't going to convince me. So convince me. I want more.
March 29, 2019
This boxset contains the first two books of the Plagueborne Trilogy. Lady Katarina Lorenz is a warrior who was returning to her home city of Rothenberg. The land is being consumed by a plague. She hopes to go out on her own mission to try to figure out what is behind some disturbing news outside the city. The head of the council denies her, but she decides to go off on her own. The first town she comes across is in turmoil. They are in the throes of witch hysteria, which is being fueled by a member of an outcast religious group. What else will Katerina find? Can she help turn the town away from the hysteria? Did the woman accused of being a witch have anything to do with the plague, as she was accused?
Book two goes more in-depth into this world, showing that greater forces are in play than Katerina first imagines.
The books in this, The Ritual and The Zealot, are well-written. The author draws us into the story with the very unusual character of Lady Katarina Lorenz, as she seeks knowledge about what is going on in her region. She is at times thwarted and threatened. The books were was written in heightened language that was still accessible.
I received a free review copy, but this did not affect my review.
Book two goes more in-depth into this world, showing that greater forces are in play than Katerina first imagines.
The books in this, The Ritual and The Zealot, are well-written. The author draws us into the story with the very unusual character of Lady Katarina Lorenz, as she seeks knowledge about what is going on in her region. She is at times thwarted and threatened. The books were was written in heightened language that was still accessible.
I received a free review copy, but this did not affect my review.
October 8, 2019
This was a box set that left me both perplexed and exited at points.
It starts with the novelette "The Black Hussars", which is a prequel of the series, retelling an event one of the characters of the series mentions halfway through it. It has a cool concept, warriors riding big bears going to war, but it emphasizes the action leaving very little info on the world and had me trying to get an idea about what is happening and why. The fight at the end is great though, very intense with lots of emotion.
I would leave this novelette for the end, instead I would go straight to the ritual.
'The ritual' is also a short book, focused on the action instead of exposition. We get to meet the characters and they go straight for an adventure. There are only hints about world building, which, for me, is a bummer.
However, it is fast paced, well written and really makes the characters stand out.
'The Zealot', second part of the trilogy, is longer, about half the box set, and, in my opinion, better. It is better paced, with more information about the world building and the politics of the kingdom. This helps set the intrigue and set up the final novel (which I would gladly read).
Overall, this is an intriguing grimdark series of novels, light on exposition, but there are some weird choices (such as the prequel opening the box set)
3.5 stars
PS: I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It starts with the novelette "The Black Hussars", which is a prequel of the series, retelling an event one of the characters of the series mentions halfway through it. It has a cool concept, warriors riding big bears going to war, but it emphasizes the action leaving very little info on the world and had me trying to get an idea about what is happening and why. The fight at the end is great though, very intense with lots of emotion.
I would leave this novelette for the end, instead I would go straight to the ritual.
'The ritual' is also a short book, focused on the action instead of exposition. We get to meet the characters and they go straight for an adventure. There are only hints about world building, which, for me, is a bummer.
However, it is fast paced, well written and really makes the characters stand out.
'The Zealot', second part of the trilogy, is longer, about half the box set, and, in my opinion, better. It is better paced, with more information about the world building and the politics of the kingdom. This helps set the intrigue and set up the final novel (which I would gladly read).
Overall, this is an intriguing grimdark series of novels, light on exposition, but there are some weird choices (such as the prequel opening the box set)
3.5 stars
PS: I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2019
Nearly three times the length of the trilogy’s introductory novelette, “The Zealot” picks up where “The Ritual” left off, and takes the reader on a whirlwind journey through the various cities and outposts of a continent under siege from a plague of unknown origin, the effects of which on the society, and psyche of those in various states of infirmity, are rendered beautifully here -- and what a ride it is! I can’t gush enough about the scale and nuance Lüthi has yet again delivered -- from the precise armaments and regalia of a variety of men-at-arms -- the combat scenes in which they feature will make your jaw drop -- to the artfully composed cast of complex characters, both new and old, meticulous attention has been paid in evoking a world that feels living and breathing. I can’t imagine what Lüthi has in store for the third and final act, but I cannot wait.
If you haven't picked up "The Ritual," you may as well as purchase this bundled edition, as it's rather generously priced.
If you haven't picked up "The Ritual," you may as well as purchase this bundled edition, as it's rather generously priced.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews