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Venator
A homestead on the border of the Wilds should've been a safe, quiet place to raise a family.
It should’ve been.
Lorin Rhodes is left alone after a brutal attack on him and his family. He failed to protect his land, failed to protect his children, then, in a near-final act of desperation even failed to kill himself.
Some say that a man with nothing to lose is the most dangerous, and Lorin has lost it all.
It should’ve been.
Lorin Rhodes is left alone after a brutal attack on him and his family. He failed to protect his land, failed to protect his children, then, in a near-final act of desperation even failed to kill himself.
Some say that a man with nothing to lose is the most dangerous, and Lorin has lost it all.
- GenresFantasy
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2019
6 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
James Bubela
1 book2 followersJames lives in a small town in Alberta, Canada where he works as a welder and heavy equipment operator. When he isn’t shoveling snow, or learning some new “useful” hobby, he is playing games and making old fashioneds—sometimes with friends, most times with his dogs.
Venator is his debut fantasy novel about a man—who after losing his family—struggles to find revenge, but more importantly, to find a reason to live.
Venator is his debut fantasy novel about a man—who after losing his family—struggles to find revenge, but more importantly, to find a reason to live.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 7, 2020
I listen to a lot of books on my daily commute and I pick up a good handful of book credits in exchange for honest reviews. I assume these are new authors or narrators and might be more inexperienced so I think I subconsciously adjust (lower) my expectations with that in mind. This book was such a pleasant deviation of the usual book-review experience however. The author has a few notes at the end which endear him to me the listener, even more. I'm shocked he's not an experienced writer (he mentions that at the end). He has definitely dipped into a hidden talent. I hope he continues to dip! His writing in this genre is brilliant. And while I'm not familiar with either the writer or narrator, they're both fantastic. Mr Grayson does a phenomenal job bringing to life the character of Lorin and Ash and the Baron....and well, was just such a pleasure to listen to for this genre. I hope if Bubela decides to write more fantasy, he considers Clint for his narrator again. A successful pairing to say the least.
The story starts out with a man, Lorin, hitting rock bottom. His family was killed and he had nothing left to live for. He tries to take his own life so he can end it all and go be with his family again. He fails. And the next series of events take him on a mission to avenge his murdered family. The elements of fantasy are woven into the story so subtly that you barely aware to suspend disbelief. Of course it goes without saying that there are banshees in the wilds. DUH.
Lorin is convinced the responsible party to his family's murder, is the likeable son of the local Baron, Varin. He must end Varin's life at any cost. But is everything as it seems on the surface?
The characters are rich and well developed and the appropriate ones likeable and the villains hold question marks over their heads. Who done it?! You think you know there must be a misunderstanding but Lorin is so convinced. Who will it be, will he finally get revenge?
While the main story unfolds you're starting to get integrated into the back story on Venators and his prison mate Ash helps him train and feeds him knowledge on all topics.
While some might think the end was predictable, I certainly didn't see the actual twist coming. I definitely think the author left the door open for there to be a sequel OR NOT. It could go either way. And that's a brilliant strategy as a new author. Don't burn any bridges or close any doors unnecessarily. I hope we revisit these characters and the story continues. I dabble in a lot of fantasy and much of it gets a little predictable or played out. This story felt fresh, and original and was just really well written. I want more.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
The story starts out with a man, Lorin, hitting rock bottom. His family was killed and he had nothing left to live for. He tries to take his own life so he can end it all and go be with his family again. He fails. And the next series of events take him on a mission to avenge his murdered family. The elements of fantasy are woven into the story so subtly that you barely aware to suspend disbelief. Of course it goes without saying that there are banshees in the wilds. DUH.
Lorin is convinced the responsible party to his family's murder, is the likeable son of the local Baron, Varin. He must end Varin's life at any cost. But is everything as it seems on the surface?
The characters are rich and well developed and the appropriate ones likeable and the villains hold question marks over their heads. Who done it?! You think you know there must be a misunderstanding but Lorin is so convinced. Who will it be, will he finally get revenge?
While the main story unfolds you're starting to get integrated into the back story on Venators and his prison mate Ash helps him train and feeds him knowledge on all topics.
While some might think the end was predictable, I certainly didn't see the actual twist coming. I definitely think the author left the door open for there to be a sequel OR NOT. It could go either way. And that's a brilliant strategy as a new author. Don't burn any bridges or close any doors unnecessarily. I hope we revisit these characters and the story continues. I dabble in a lot of fantasy and much of it gets a little predictable or played out. This story felt fresh, and original and was just really well written. I want more.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 14, 2019
I was initially drawn in when I first started reading this story, the level of emotional pain Lorin was dealing with immediately had my sympathies and the openness and simple joy of Arthur really endeared them to my heart.
Once Lorin started sharing his story I will admit that I already had figured out what really happened, that may have to do with my having read a lot of fantasy fiction. Lorin and Ashmere’s relationship in prison gave him a better sense of purpose and of self and added a bit more dimension to his one track mind.
While parts of this story reached four stars for me, it seemed to really drag a lot in the middle and my interest waned for a while. There are several things within the story that needed a bit more explanation. Some things were dragged out too much and others were given hasty treatment that needed a bit more fleshing out. Losing some of the excess and really tightening up the storyline a bit would really boost this story to a saga that really draws you in and keeps your attention making you want to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Once Lorin started sharing his story I will admit that I already had figured out what really happened, that may have to do with my having read a lot of fantasy fiction. Lorin and Ashmere’s relationship in prison gave him a better sense of purpose and of self and added a bit more dimension to his one track mind.
While parts of this story reached four stars for me, it seemed to really drag a lot in the middle and my interest waned for a while. There are several things within the story that needed a bit more explanation. Some things were dragged out too much and others were given hasty treatment that needed a bit more fleshing out. Losing some of the excess and really tightening up the storyline a bit would really boost this story to a saga that really draws you in and keeps your attention making you want to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2019
Meet Lorin Rhodes; a man who has lost everything, a man with nothing to lose. Witnessing his family tortured and killed, Lorin seeks to end his anguish. Failing miserably, all he accomplishes is to wind up in prison for a year. His mind now firmly set on revenge. Meeting Ashmere, he is offered training while in prison. Ashmere is a Venator; a hunter, a guardian, and a judge. Thus begins Lorin’s tale of deception, betrayal, torture, death, and ultimately, discovery. The account is a bit of a mystery with several twists and turns before all is made clear. As an author’s first book I think this is quite amazing, as well as a wonderful story. I wish James the best of luck and many more successes. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 13, 2019
This is a Author I have not read before and am I ever glad I took a chance and read this book. A well written story with a very good storyline the story flowed smoothly from page to page. I will be looking for more by this Author. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 21, 2019
I have not read anything by this author previously but was interested in this story. I am so happy I read it! I loved the storyline and Lorin is fab! A definite good choice of book to read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2022
Has unique elements, which is increasingly hard to find.
This book would suit just about anybody who likes mystery or fantasy or adventure. It is a nice blend genres With a Good story line and unique elements
This book would suit just about anybody who likes mystery or fantasy or adventure. It is a nice blend genres With a Good story line and unique elements
June 29, 2022
Terrific first effort!!
Much better written word on the author's first attempt than the 10th book of some never ending infantile sagas. Well done James. Looking forward to Venator.
Much better written word on the author's first attempt than the 10th book of some never ending infantile sagas. Well done James. Looking forward to Venator.
March 4, 2021
Loren has a deathwish, nothing to lose, and a few people to kill.
Venator was a good book. You can tell from the description that Venator is going to be a dark and grim tale of vengeance, but it also contained bits of humor, some memorable characters, and a good overall plot. The story is about Loren, who believes he’s lost everything and is driven by a deathwish and a quest for revenge. During the book, my favorite technique was the way that Loren’s storytelling was woven into the plot -- as he interacts with various characters, he relives flashbacks from his past as he tells the tale of what took place before the novel begins. I also thought the story had excellent pacing, events moved along at an even pace, quickening at the end as the plot came to a climax and something of a resolution (leaving a nice segue for a sequel).
But Venator also had a few flaws. Most of the supporting cast of characters were either superfluously detailed and quirky or completely flat and uninteresting. A lot of the interactions and dialog felt odd or awkward and some of the characters didn’t behave in believable ways -- even for a fantasy novel. The psychology present wasn’t deep and Loren frequently flipped from seeming perfectly normal to deeply traumatized and psychotic (but maybe that was intentional). The plot did have some twists and turns along the way, but I honestly thought the foreshadowing was a bit overdone and because of that, most twists seemed fairly predictable.
All-in-all, Venator was a good book but due to a few flaws, not a great book. I was torn on the rating between three and four stars, but I’m going to settle on rounding it up. From what I understand, Venator is James Bubela’s first book and its pretty outstanding work for a first novel. Bubela showed great promise with Venator and I really think he’s going to be an author to watch.
For the audiobook, Clint Grayson did a decent job. His performance wasn’t my favorite, but neither did it turn me off from the book. Some characters, such as Loren and a few of the ‘extras’ were great and really made the book come alive. But then some other supporting characters were performed with voices that were odd, annoying, or flat and indistinguishable from others. But I think this is also one of Grayson’s first narrations and I think he has some potential as well. At this point, I wouldn’t pick up a new book just because I see his name as the narrator, but I certainly wouldn’t avoid getting an interesting sounding book just because he’s narrating.
Special thanks to James Bubela, who provided me with this book at my request.
Venator was a good book. You can tell from the description that Venator is going to be a dark and grim tale of vengeance, but it also contained bits of humor, some memorable characters, and a good overall plot. The story is about Loren, who believes he’s lost everything and is driven by a deathwish and a quest for revenge. During the book, my favorite technique was the way that Loren’s storytelling was woven into the plot -- as he interacts with various characters, he relives flashbacks from his past as he tells the tale of what took place before the novel begins. I also thought the story had excellent pacing, events moved along at an even pace, quickening at the end as the plot came to a climax and something of a resolution (leaving a nice segue for a sequel).
But Venator also had a few flaws. Most of the supporting cast of characters were either superfluously detailed and quirky or completely flat and uninteresting. A lot of the interactions and dialog felt odd or awkward and some of the characters didn’t behave in believable ways -- even for a fantasy novel. The psychology present wasn’t deep and Loren frequently flipped from seeming perfectly normal to deeply traumatized and psychotic (but maybe that was intentional). The plot did have some twists and turns along the way, but I honestly thought the foreshadowing was a bit overdone and because of that, most twists seemed fairly predictable.
All-in-all, Venator was a good book but due to a few flaws, not a great book. I was torn on the rating between three and four stars, but I’m going to settle on rounding it up. From what I understand, Venator is James Bubela’s first book and its pretty outstanding work for a first novel. Bubela showed great promise with Venator and I really think he’s going to be an author to watch.
For the audiobook, Clint Grayson did a decent job. His performance wasn’t my favorite, but neither did it turn me off from the book. Some characters, such as Loren and a few of the ‘extras’ were great and really made the book come alive. But then some other supporting characters were performed with voices that were odd, annoying, or flat and indistinguishable from others. But I think this is also one of Grayson’s first narrations and I think he has some potential as well. At this point, I wouldn’t pick up a new book just because I see his name as the narrator, but I certainly wouldn’t avoid getting an interesting sounding book just because he’s narrating.
Special thanks to James Bubela, who provided me with this book at my request.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews