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Karnov: Phantom-Clad Rider of the Cosmic Ice
“By the powers of blood and divine sorcery, you have been transformed into a voyager of the Cosmic Ice. When you slay an undead being, the tainted soul of the creature will be absorbed into your magic armor and you will be granted the ability to open gateways to various places on this earthly plane and beyond.”Journeying homeward, the warrior Karnov is anxious to reunite with his wife and son. Upon his return, he is shocked to discover his homeland ravaged by vampires. His worst fears are confirmed—his family has been brutally murdered and vampirized!Traumatized and tormented, Karnov vows to destroy the undead lord responsible for unleashing such vile hordes upon his lands. Aided by a sultry witch, he gains the ability to master the dimensional gateway known as the Cosmic Ice. But will Karnov’s new powers and burning lust for retribution be enough to avenge his loved ones, or will undead wraiths corrupt the earth forever?Matthew Knight, Howie K. Bentley and Byron A. Roberts unite to pen this blood-drenched tale. Classic horror film atmosphere meets pulp-style swashbuckling adventure in this action-packed epic!
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2019
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46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 21, 2021
The set of excesses that the authors play with in here really shouldn't work, yet it somehow does.
It was written as a round-robin exercise, with the authors trading off after some number of chapters, rather than the natural 'book' or 'episode' subdivisions that separate the stories. Also there is no literary device--change of point of view character or something--that would paper over differences in author style or concept. I'm not sure the round-robin adds anything to the product, but then the authors enjoyed the process and it's not like they were writing vastly different ideas.
They all use language that is frankly overdecorated, with words that defeated the internal Kindle dictionary and at times felt slightly wrong for the usage. It's one thing to pick out an obscure word that is exactly right and another to seek out the most obscure one and hammer it in place.
Still: the imagery is fantastic and even better when leaning into the outré. Karnov is not just a cosmic-travelling warrior but one "of the Cosmic Ice", an image that is never really explained but is just used and accepted by the characters, imbuing his armor and steed with exactly the sort of heavy-metal album art as the cover suggests. Its extravagances suggest Moorcock but never quite as far as Moorcock would carry it.
It was written as a round-robin exercise, with the authors trading off after some number of chapters, rather than the natural 'book' or 'episode' subdivisions that separate the stories. Also there is no literary device--change of point of view character or something--that would paper over differences in author style or concept. I'm not sure the round-robin adds anything to the product, but then the authors enjoyed the process and it's not like they were writing vastly different ideas.
They all use language that is frankly overdecorated, with words that defeated the internal Kindle dictionary and at times felt slightly wrong for the usage. It's one thing to pick out an obscure word that is exactly right and another to seek out the most obscure one and hammer it in place.
Still: the imagery is fantastic and even better when leaning into the outré. Karnov is not just a cosmic-travelling warrior but one "of the Cosmic Ice", an image that is never really explained but is just used and accepted by the characters, imbuing his armor and steed with exactly the sort of heavy-metal album art as the cover suggests. Its extravagances suggest Moorcock but never quite as far as Moorcock would carry it.
April 8, 2024
Loved the mashup style by the trio of authors. Knight set the tone, Bentley developed and delivered, and Roberts brutally brought it home. This was like a mix of sword and sorcery meets some Roger Corman horror film with a gothic atmosphere. You can even throw in some Clark Aston Smith type atmospheres. I enjoyed this a lot and it’s set up for a sequel. I hope they have one.
December 13, 2019
Just in time for Christmas, DMR Books is releasing Karnov: Phantom-Clad Rider of the Cosmic Ice. Whew, that is one long title! But look at that fantastic cover! Karnov consists of two novellas told in the round robin style. Inspiration to write this book in the round robin style came from the book Ghor: Kinslayer. Which is still available from Necronomicon Press at a great price.
Vampires! These blood sucking things have moved in while Karnov has been away to war. With the tragic demise of his wife and child Karnov is on a one man mission to make the vampire extinct. Making a blood pact Karnov is bestowed the with the power of the Cosmic Ice. Cosmic Ice imbues his armor and sword making him anathema to vampires. Plus, the more he kills the more powerful he becomes. Let the carnage ensue!
The short page count makes this a quick read. It also boasts a very small cast of characters. Quite a bit of hack and slash, which was intentional. If combat goes on for too long, or if too frequent, my eyes glaze and I sort of start to skim.
With a lineup of Matthew Knight, Howie K. Bentley, and Byron A. Roberts how can you go wrong? DMR Books has put out a stellar list of books this year. Hopefully they continue that trend on into 2020.
Recommended!
Vampires! These blood sucking things have moved in while Karnov has been away to war. With the tragic demise of his wife and child Karnov is on a one man mission to make the vampire extinct. Making a blood pact Karnov is bestowed the with the power of the Cosmic Ice. Cosmic Ice imbues his armor and sword making him anathema to vampires. Plus, the more he kills the more powerful he becomes. Let the carnage ensue!
The short page count makes this a quick read. It also boasts a very small cast of characters. Quite a bit of hack and slash, which was intentional. If combat goes on for too long, or if too frequent, my eyes glaze and I sort of start to skim.
With a lineup of Matthew Knight, Howie K. Bentley, and Byron A. Roberts how can you go wrong? DMR Books has put out a stellar list of books this year. Hopefully they continue that trend on into 2020.
Recommended!
March 15, 2021
First of all this book was not written solely by Matthew Knight but also Howie K Bentley & Byron A Roberts.
In true - the novel was written like this- first write wrote a several short stories (around 30 pages) and then another write taking in consideration of that tale and then the last. In the end the first take was 90 pages and the second one was 110. (ish)
The writing is not similar at all. Byron from Bal-Sagoth is without doubt the best writer and his prose show. Although since I am not a english speaking native some stuff I had to search for - which for me it's great. Bentley is also a interesting writer and Matthew was to me the weakest - althought lets be real still far better than most writers I've beeng reading. Without doubt they enjoy sword and sorcery - Bal sagoth was memorable, so memorable than I couldn't read this without remember one of their song.. I will put here for ye...
Thwarted By The Dark (Blade Of The Vampyre Hunter)
The contemplations of Joachim Blokk:
As my sword drips black now with the unclean blood of another slain fiend, it
Occurs to me that history will most probably record me a fanatic... as for
More years than I care to remember I have dedicated my life to the caseless
Pursuit and destruction of the loathsome undead. Indeed, it was long ago that
I commenced with the wreaking of my grim vengeance upon the denizens of the
Dark, and by the blade of my sorcerous katana, Fiend's Bane, I vow they shall
All pay for taking my beloved from me! Fanatic? Mayhap. But by all the gods of
Vengeance, I'll leave a fearsome legacy 'ere I die... a legacy wrought in
Retributive bloodshed and screaming terror!
Drowned in the icy lake of tragedy
Forged in the fires of revenge
Driven by the winds which compel a man to destiny
Haunted by the whispers of the dead
Blood is black in the moonlight
As it was when I pierced the heart of my betrothed
Blood is black in the moonlight
Her undead gaze gleaming ire upon me
Blood is black in the moonlight
I held aloft her head to my grim gods
Blood is black in the moonlight
(Now I am eternally bonded to my blade)
And ever I am thwarted by the dark!
Gods of wrath, hear my vow... sate me with revenge this night!
Come to me, darksome fiends, taste the edge of ensorcelled steel!
Night has fallen, the hunt begins...
Vengeful carnage 'neath the moon!
And as I put brand to her pyre, I swore then to my gods that those vile
Creatures who tore the life and hope from my beloved's breast and replaced it
With that unspeakable sanguineous ravening would repay a hundredfold in
Slaughter and bloodshed for their misdeed... I would hunt them to their
Worm-ridden tombs, wherever they crept or slithered upon the earth, and wreak
My honed steel revenge ceaselessly unto my own grave. Such was my vow!
Aye, this bride of Masayuki steel, ensorcelled by wizards at its forging... to
Me she is as pure as the newly fallen snow, kissed by the breeze at dusk...
And yet she has supped deep of the ichors of many men and fiends alike
Shadow spawned demons ravening for my blood
Yet the thirst of my blade is greater!
Aye, all they shall feast upon this night will be cold steel!
I hear the slither of scales on silk
Fiend's Bane replete with undead slaughter!
I am the scourge of the devils who dwell in darkness...
(but the darkness writhing in my own soul is so much deeper...)
Their flesh burns at the touch of my blade of searing vengeance
And I cast their malign spirits screaming into limbo!
Darkfall, and the autumn moon glimmers on my steel...
Now it is time to hunt and slay once more
For the night has come!
Change the name from Joachim to Karnov and you've got the resumé of this take.
This is a tale of revenge from Karnov a vampire killer against all manners of vampirism after having to kill his wife and child that were turn into vampirism.
So the land was invaded by vampires while Karnov was fighting somewhere else and Karnov without anything to lose he thrown himself against the army of vampires. With the help of D'Vartha and later on a vampire Arsenthine they go from place to place killing vampires. I really thought reading this I was in another bal-sagoth novel but focused on Vampire Hunter D/Castlevania.
I've also bought Lord Byron Caylen-Tor novel and I will read it in the coming weeks.
I am enjoying the sword and sorcery themes and returning to the origins.
Advisable to sword and sorcery, bal-sagoth friends.
In true - the novel was written like this- first write wrote a several short stories (around 30 pages) and then another write taking in consideration of that tale and then the last. In the end the first take was 90 pages and the second one was 110. (ish)
The writing is not similar at all. Byron from Bal-Sagoth is without doubt the best writer and his prose show. Although since I am not a english speaking native some stuff I had to search for - which for me it's great. Bentley is also a interesting writer and Matthew was to me the weakest - althought lets be real still far better than most writers I've beeng reading. Without doubt they enjoy sword and sorcery - Bal sagoth was memorable, so memorable than I couldn't read this without remember one of their song.. I will put here for ye...
Thwarted By The Dark (Blade Of The Vampyre Hunter)
The contemplations of Joachim Blokk:
As my sword drips black now with the unclean blood of another slain fiend, it
Occurs to me that history will most probably record me a fanatic... as for
More years than I care to remember I have dedicated my life to the caseless
Pursuit and destruction of the loathsome undead. Indeed, it was long ago that
I commenced with the wreaking of my grim vengeance upon the denizens of the
Dark, and by the blade of my sorcerous katana, Fiend's Bane, I vow they shall
All pay for taking my beloved from me! Fanatic? Mayhap. But by all the gods of
Vengeance, I'll leave a fearsome legacy 'ere I die... a legacy wrought in
Retributive bloodshed and screaming terror!
Drowned in the icy lake of tragedy
Forged in the fires of revenge
Driven by the winds which compel a man to destiny
Haunted by the whispers of the dead
Blood is black in the moonlight
As it was when I pierced the heart of my betrothed
Blood is black in the moonlight
Her undead gaze gleaming ire upon me
Blood is black in the moonlight
I held aloft her head to my grim gods
Blood is black in the moonlight
(Now I am eternally bonded to my blade)
And ever I am thwarted by the dark!
Gods of wrath, hear my vow... sate me with revenge this night!
Come to me, darksome fiends, taste the edge of ensorcelled steel!
Night has fallen, the hunt begins...
Vengeful carnage 'neath the moon!
And as I put brand to her pyre, I swore then to my gods that those vile
Creatures who tore the life and hope from my beloved's breast and replaced it
With that unspeakable sanguineous ravening would repay a hundredfold in
Slaughter and bloodshed for their misdeed... I would hunt them to their
Worm-ridden tombs, wherever they crept or slithered upon the earth, and wreak
My honed steel revenge ceaselessly unto my own grave. Such was my vow!
Aye, this bride of Masayuki steel, ensorcelled by wizards at its forging... to
Me she is as pure as the newly fallen snow, kissed by the breeze at dusk...
And yet she has supped deep of the ichors of many men and fiends alike
Shadow spawned demons ravening for my blood
Yet the thirst of my blade is greater!
Aye, all they shall feast upon this night will be cold steel!
I hear the slither of scales on silk
Fiend's Bane replete with undead slaughter!
I am the scourge of the devils who dwell in darkness...
(but the darkness writhing in my own soul is so much deeper...)
Their flesh burns at the touch of my blade of searing vengeance
And I cast their malign spirits screaming into limbo!
Darkfall, and the autumn moon glimmers on my steel...
Now it is time to hunt and slay once more
For the night has come!
Change the name from Joachim to Karnov and you've got the resumé of this take.
This is a tale of revenge from Karnov a vampire killer against all manners of vampirism after having to kill his wife and child that were turn into vampirism.
So the land was invaded by vampires while Karnov was fighting somewhere else and Karnov without anything to lose he thrown himself against the army of vampires. With the help of D'Vartha and later on a vampire Arsenthine they go from place to place killing vampires. I really thought reading this I was in another bal-sagoth novel but focused on Vampire Hunter D/Castlevania.
I've also bought Lord Byron Caylen-Tor novel and I will read it in the coming weeks.
I am enjoying the sword and sorcery themes and returning to the origins.
Advisable to sword and sorcery, bal-sagoth friends.
January 12, 2020
Heavy metal pulp action. What more need I say?
January 18, 2021
Unlike most of what DMR books puts out, this is more akin to high fantasy than sword and sorcery. Not usually my thing, but its the kind of widdle-ah-widdle-ah-wahhhh guitar solo dark fantasy that makes its high magic setting bearable to me. Think something like Wizards or Fire and Ice here.
Round-robin experiments between multiple authors are also usually not my thing, but aside from occasional moments where you get attacked by a thesaurus it works pretty well here.
Round-robin experiments between multiple authors are also usually not my thing, but aside from occasional moments where you get attacked by a thesaurus it works pretty well here.
March 22, 2021
Absolute Grimdark Badassery!!
Imagine Elric meets Castlevania meets Evil Dead!! A collaborative effort between 3 Sword and Sorcery writers, all of which have a heavy metal background...which makes it even more imperative reading if you are fan of dark fantasy, horror and classic heavy metal! Highly recommended!!
Imagine Elric meets Castlevania meets Evil Dead!! A collaborative effort between 3 Sword and Sorcery writers, all of which have a heavy metal background...which makes it even more imperative reading if you are fan of dark fantasy, horror and classic heavy metal! Highly recommended!!
December 28, 2019
Wow this was a fun one!
The authors, all heavy metal artists and enthusiasts as well as sword and sorcery afficianados put together one hell of a fun, pulpy, nostalgic and still fresh dark fantasy take. While the REH is strong here, there's enough nods and influences more contemporary that move the story past pure throwback or nostalgia. Yes, there's the Hammer horror influence mentioned in the afterword, but also, I think, a little Castlevania, a bit of Vampire Hunter D, and Brian Lumley-spun Cthulhu mythos.
On the whole, very, very, very fun, visceral, and a bit tongue in cheek, like a good metal concert should be.
The authors, all heavy metal artists and enthusiasts as well as sword and sorcery afficianados put together one hell of a fun, pulpy, nostalgic and still fresh dark fantasy take. While the REH is strong here, there's enough nods and influences more contemporary that move the story past pure throwback or nostalgia. Yes, there's the Hammer horror influence mentioned in the afterword, but also, I think, a little Castlevania, a bit of Vampire Hunter D, and Brian Lumley-spun Cthulhu mythos.
On the whole, very, very, very fun, visceral, and a bit tongue in cheek, like a good metal concert should be.
January 25, 2020
It’s basically the Elric Saga meets Army of Darkness.
It’s fun but flimsy.
The round robin authorship is interesting. Knight created the character and overall plot, but I enjoyed his sections the least. I really liked the parts written by Bentley. The humor really came through in them. Roberts has a more violet prose so the transition is a bit jarring but his parts are still good. Especially in Episode II.
It can feel a bit “game-y” at times. The second episode is definitely better than the first. It just barely gets a 4/5 from me but if you like Sword & Sorcery and B horror you’ll have fun.
It’s fun but flimsy.
The round robin authorship is interesting. Knight created the character and overall plot, but I enjoyed his sections the least. I really liked the parts written by Bentley. The humor really came through in them. Roberts has a more violet prose so the transition is a bit jarring but his parts are still good. Especially in Episode II.
It can feel a bit “game-y” at times. The second episode is definitely better than the first. It just barely gets a 4/5 from me but if you like Sword & Sorcery and B horror you’ll have fun.
December 24, 2019
Awesome
Awesome read with twists and turns as treachery abounds while the vampyres struggle to fight each other to overtake the realms
Awesome read with twists and turns as treachery abounds while the vampyres struggle to fight each other to overtake the realms
January 6, 2020
A fitting tribute to Robert E. Howard
A team of writers trying to recreate the style of the legendary creator of Conan, Success! The breadth of Howard's ancient worlds, the chaos of the story, and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and victory from defeat. If you like Conan (literary not cinematic), you will love this book!
A team of writers trying to recreate the style of the legendary creator of Conan, Success! The breadth of Howard's ancient worlds, the chaos of the story, and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and victory from defeat. If you like Conan (literary not cinematic), you will love this book!
September 20, 2022
Apart from some shoddy writing in the first half of the book (and an unnecessary sexist line), I was quite pleased with this book. Byron Roberts is the strongest of the writers here but I think all three did a great job conjuring up the ridiculous vision necessary in a book like this. Gothic, cosmic action-horror-fantasy with the feel of an awesome metal album. And that cover…
August 21, 2020
Don't waste your time... Truly horrible!
Awful! Couldn't even get to halfway. Unbelievably poorly written. It's as if they swallowed an entire thesaurus... And then vomited it back up. No redeeming qualities whatsoever...
Awful! Couldn't even get to halfway. Unbelievably poorly written. It's as if they swallowed an entire thesaurus... And then vomited it back up. No redeeming qualities whatsoever...
May 3, 2022
Fun premise here but these stories needed to pass by an editor or three. I think a lot of the modern DMR output proves that being well-read doesn’t necessarily translate to writing and publishing one’s own work.
March 1, 2024
Good one. Delivers exactly as promised. Heavy metal swords and sorcery meets Hammer films. It's over the top and just so damn fun. Reminds me of much of what I love about the Howard Conan stories and Moorcock's Corum series. Recommended if you like any of the stuff I just mentioned. Rad book.
March 30, 2024
Excellent contemporary S&S in the style of Robert E. Howard with a touch of Lovecraft--the way it should be.
November 10, 2024
My favorite things about this book were the references to the cover art for Celtic Frost's Dethroned Emperor and Witchfinder General's Death Penalty - nice easter eggs for metalhead readers.
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