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Shepherd of Souls
“If he was doomed to forever carry the heart of a coward, he could at least refuse to act upon it.”
The dead are stirring in Ingola.
It's been fifteen years since he helped save his best friend from an ancient Goddess, and High Sorcerer Etienne wants nothing to do with the Gods—old or new—any longer. But when the lost spirit of a young noblewoman needs his help, Etienne finds himself pulled back into a world of dark magic, pirates, and Old Gods.
Ryou is loyal to his Queen, the ruler of pirates and thieves, but when he is sent to assist Etienne with unraveling the mysteries of missing ships and walking dead, he finds his loyalties tested. Is the sly mage just a distraction or something more?
It is up to the mage, the spirit, and the pirate to thwart the evil tainting the land of Ingola in this high-stakes adventure, complete with mystery, action, and LGBTQIA+ romance.
Content Warnings: Violence, gore, death, non-explicit sex.
The dead are stirring in Ingola.
It's been fifteen years since he helped save his best friend from an ancient Goddess, and High Sorcerer Etienne wants nothing to do with the Gods—old or new—any longer. But when the lost spirit of a young noblewoman needs his help, Etienne finds himself pulled back into a world of dark magic, pirates, and Old Gods.
Ryou is loyal to his Queen, the ruler of pirates and thieves, but when he is sent to assist Etienne with unraveling the mysteries of missing ships and walking dead, he finds his loyalties tested. Is the sly mage just a distraction or something more?
It is up to the mage, the spirit, and the pirate to thwart the evil tainting the land of Ingola in this high-stakes adventure, complete with mystery, action, and LGBTQIA+ romance.
Content Warnings: Violence, gore, death, non-explicit sex.
423 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2021
6 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 25, 2023
This was such an intriguing read. Going into this book I had no idea there was more to Etienne's story than what I was originally jumping into. The dynamic between Etienne, Zuri, and Ryou and their adventures had me enthralled. I'll be jumping into the second book before heading back to the original Call of Calamity series.
October 12, 2021
Read: September 2021
Rating: 4 stars
Going in, I had no idea what this book was about. Shepherd of Souls is kind of a sequel series to the Calamity books. I hadn't read those beforehand, but it didn't impact my enjoyment of the story! I will probably go back and read them, because I like to understand the history of the characters and such.
Etienne is an interesting character with a rebellious streak. I love his banter with Zuri and the tension with Ryou. ❤️ Think murder mystery with some attraction thrown in, along with a healthy dose of pirate swagger and magic!
Book 2 will be releasing October 30, 2021!
CW: murder, body horror, violence, kidnapping, confinement, death
Rating: 4 stars
Going in, I had no idea what this book was about. Shepherd of Souls is kind of a sequel series to the Calamity books. I hadn't read those beforehand, but it didn't impact my enjoyment of the story! I will probably go back and read them, because I like to understand the history of the characters and such.
Etienne is an interesting character with a rebellious streak. I love his banter with Zuri and the tension with Ryou. ❤️ Think murder mystery with some attraction thrown in, along with a healthy dose of pirate swagger and magic!
Book 2 will be releasing October 30, 2021!
CW: murder, body horror, violence, kidnapping, confinement, death
June 19, 2022
Holy shit this was so good.
I had no idea this was a companion/sequel series to another series from the author, which is the third time it has happened to me so I should probably start checking. But I'm so happy I requested it on netgalley, because it was such an enjoyable read. I loved the characters, specially Etienne, and the romance. There were so many moments that had me holding my breath, bc the good writing really helped make the scenes engaging (I was going to say realistic in the sense that I felt like I was right there but I feel like it's not the right word lol). I'm going to be thinking about that ending for a few days now, I can't wait for book 2.
I had no idea this was a companion/sequel series to another series from the author, which is the third time it has happened to me so I should probably start checking. But I'm so happy I requested it on netgalley, because it was such an enjoyable read. I loved the characters, specially Etienne, and the romance. There were so many moments that had me holding my breath, bc the good writing really helped make the scenes engaging (I was going to say realistic in the sense that I felt like I was right there but I feel like it's not the right word lol). I'm going to be thinking about that ending for a few days now, I can't wait for book 2.
August 27, 2021
Shepherd of Souls is a book full of magical suspense and mystery, with a healthy dose of swoon-worthy characters to round it all out.
Etienne is a mage making his way by performing magic for pay. When the lost spirit of a noblewoman named Zuri crosses paths with him, he finds himself embroiled in a mystery and wanting to help. On their journey, they find themselves in front of the Pirate Queen and stuck doing her bidding with the help of her loyal servant Ryou. Together, Etienne, Zuri, and Ryou uncover darker magic than they expected and discover themselves along the way.
This book takes place after a previous series by the authors. I didn't realize this before reading, so there are moments when situations and people are mentioned that I had no knowledge of. It didn't hamper the book, but I could definitely tell I was missing information. That said, it's incredibly well written. The prose is smooth and the dialogue feels natural.
The characters are all so well-rounded, and each of them goes on their own journey of discovery in this book. Zuri especially has to question so much of what she'd been taught as a noble. There's a believable connection between all three of them, and just when you think there will be a love triangle, we end up with something altogether better. There's a lot of open dialogue about sex and sexuality and a sex worker positive tone.
The pacing was a bit slow in parts, and I found myself wanting to read ahead to see where things landed. The story doesn't really get going until about a quarter of the way in, but once it does it's a fun read.
Etienne is a mage making his way by performing magic for pay. When the lost spirit of a noblewoman named Zuri crosses paths with him, he finds himself embroiled in a mystery and wanting to help. On their journey, they find themselves in front of the Pirate Queen and stuck doing her bidding with the help of her loyal servant Ryou. Together, Etienne, Zuri, and Ryou uncover darker magic than they expected and discover themselves along the way.
This book takes place after a previous series by the authors. I didn't realize this before reading, so there are moments when situations and people are mentioned that I had no knowledge of. It didn't hamper the book, but I could definitely tell I was missing information. That said, it's incredibly well written. The prose is smooth and the dialogue feels natural.
The characters are all so well-rounded, and each of them goes on their own journey of discovery in this book. Zuri especially has to question so much of what she'd been taught as a noble. There's a believable connection between all three of them, and just when you think there will be a love triangle, we end up with something altogether better. There's a lot of open dialogue about sex and sexuality and a sex worker positive tone.
The pacing was a bit slow in parts, and I found myself wanting to read ahead to see where things landed. The story doesn't really get going until about a quarter of the way in, but once it does it's a fun read.
October 9, 2021
If you want a book that is going to absolutely surprise you by moments of incredibly breathtaking writing then this is something you won't want to miss. The anticipation during the chase of the villain leads to some of the most intense moments I have ever felt as a reader. I think the writers know how to create an amazing world I can just live in. I think the next book will be just as good and can't wait to read it.
July 28, 2021
This book was SO GOOD!!! It’s got magic and ghosts and a murder mystery and pirates and just so much good stuff!! Also love triangle??? NOPE!! Guess what, Etienne has two hands and gets to use BOTH of them. Also the cliffhanger ending was sooooo rude. I am super looking forward to the next book!! I adore every book set in this world!!!
June 28, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Shepherd of Souls by Live Savell and Sterling D'Este. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and L&S Fables for providing an ARC to review.
Shepherd of Souls was an impulse read for me, having known nothing about the authors or their previous work. Thank goodness I did because this book was so enjoyable. The writing style drew me in, and the characters kept me invested. While I had guessed the bad guy early on, it didn't at all detract from my enjoyment of the three main character's journey. Shepherd of Souls was a refreshing read and I give it a solid 4.5/5 stars.
Shepherd of Souls was an impulse read for me, having known nothing about the authors or their previous work. Thank goodness I did because this book was so enjoyable. The writing style drew me in, and the characters kept me invested. While I had guessed the bad guy early on, it didn't at all detract from my enjoyment of the three main character's journey. Shepherd of Souls was a refreshing read and I give it a solid 4.5/5 stars.
August 16, 2022
Shepherd of Souls
By: Liv Savell, Sterling D’Este
☽
I had never heard of this series before I started reading it, and have never read the prequel series that was written before this, but I still loved this book.
The writing was beautiful, the world building was descriptive and easy to learn, and I loved the magic. This is the best high fantasy I’ve read this year.
☽
Etienne is a Mage that was given a tattoo of silence when he learned too much about blood magic in his schooling.
During one of his travels he finds the spirit of a distraught noblewoman named Zuri. He promises to try and help her find her body when she convinces him that she is not dead.
When they set off together to find Zuri’s body, Etienne is captured by Pirates and forced to help the Pirate Queen solve why her men are disappearing.
Can Zuri and Etienne find Zuri’s body and stop the disappearance of so many others with Ryou, their pirate overseer watching their every move?
☽
Anyone who likes High Fantasy should read this.
The love scenes are Fade to black but there are gay romances and a trans God.
Check Trigger warnings as there is violence, gore, and mentions of rape and murder.
I received a free copy of this book from @netgalley for an honest review.
☽
Rating: 4.5/5
Smut: 0/5
☽
#fantasybook #highfantasy #magic
By: Liv Savell, Sterling D’Este
☽
I had never heard of this series before I started reading it, and have never read the prequel series that was written before this, but I still loved this book.
The writing was beautiful, the world building was descriptive and easy to learn, and I loved the magic. This is the best high fantasy I’ve read this year.
☽
Etienne is a Mage that was given a tattoo of silence when he learned too much about blood magic in his schooling.
During one of his travels he finds the spirit of a distraught noblewoman named Zuri. He promises to try and help her find her body when she convinces him that she is not dead.
When they set off together to find Zuri’s body, Etienne is captured by Pirates and forced to help the Pirate Queen solve why her men are disappearing.
Can Zuri and Etienne find Zuri’s body and stop the disappearance of so many others with Ryou, their pirate overseer watching their every move?
☽
Anyone who likes High Fantasy should read this.
The love scenes are Fade to black but there are gay romances and a trans God.
Check Trigger warnings as there is violence, gore, and mentions of rape and murder.
I received a free copy of this book from @netgalley for an honest review.
☽
Rating: 4.5/5
Smut: 0/5
☽
#fantasybook #highfantasy #magic
September 6, 2021
A fantastic, often comical, and endearing ride thru the fantasy world brilliantly created by the authors. Etienne is older now, 15 years since the Calamity books timeline. You really get to see his true self more clearly in this book and the added characters of Zuri and Ryou just enhance the story. Zuri will have you cracking up through the first half of the book constantly! Ryou is a character you will love and despise at the same time. But together, the three take you on another interesting and intense "hunt" for ....... Nope no spoilers here. Trust me, read the book! It is well worth it!
September 2, 2021
I loved reading more about one of my favorite characters of the Call of Calamity series. The young powerful mage, Etienne is older and has been shackled with tattoos to keep from spreading the teachings of blood magic. His adventures lead him to infuriating lusty pirates, a beautiful young spirit stuck in between realms and a death cult. This will keep you up and warm your heart. How do these two inclusive indie authors keep putting out such great reads one after the other?
December 20, 2021
After having read the Call of Calamity series, it kind of surprised me that this series started out with a fantasy mystery, but I really enjoyed it!! You get to see Etienne as an adult using magic and meeting interesting characters along the way. As always, the characters in these books are lgbt+ friendly and thoughtfully written— these are authors who but a lot of care into bringing their characters to life. Like Goddess, Shepherd of Souls is an exciting read, full of all the trouble Etienne gets into while hunting down a Death mage!!! Fun and beautifully written!
July 27, 2021
Free copy of the book received with the promise to leave an honest review.
And I wanted to mark it as a 4 star, because free book and a 5 star review feels coerced, buying favor, but honestly I could not in good conscious give it 4 stars. I wanted to throw my phone at the end of the book. I should have known it would be a multi book series, and yet I was so unprepared for it to end where it did that I audibly cried out. The book shifts perspectives throughout between the three main characters, and its done with clear breaks to avoid confusion. The characters are all exceptionally well written, both from their own perspective and from the other two, never falling flat. I did have an inkling of how it was going to play out before the big reveal, but thats good writing. I was not 100% if it was going that direction or another.
World building was on point, having read the other books in the universe I knew lore and backstory, but everything felt well fleshed out if you choose to start here(I wouldn't recommend it, since it spoils the entire other series, but to each their own) without overexplaining any details. It felt slow at the start, but im not sure if that's the book itself or if its because this is the first book I had picked up after a 2 week hiatus. Honestly? If you've read the other series, you'll want to give this one a go. I don't usually read male centric stories, but its so well done, and I'm incredibly pleased that I was able to be given the opportunity to read this for free, because otherwise I may have skipped it, and that would have been my loss.
Again, the book copy itself was received for free with the promise being I would leave an honest review, and everything before and after this has been as such. I am breaking the review up here, however, because I want to talk spoilers and give you a chance to avert your gaze
Spoilers/plot: given the dynamic in the last series, where Alphonse and the goddess were both intimate with different people, I shouldn't have been surprised at another poly dynamic, but this one was so much more than 2 minds in 1 body. Etienne actively having interest in both of the other characters, and then both showing some level of interest, was so much fun to read. You don't get much bi/poly rep, and this was wonderful to read as it switched between the three perspectives. I'm a liiiiiiitle pissed at Ryou for his end of the book decision making, but I can't blame him, and that I both hate and understand him just goes to show how well everyone has been written. See again the last part of the spoiler free review. The inner workings of the mage society, and the fact that this dude got away with stashing so many bodies and not having anyone looking for him was insane. Very well executed plot wise, but just like dang. They really do know how to write a villain, I even felt for the guy. If he hadn't, you know, killed a few hundred people and diddled their not quite corpses. It's 0530 so this part of my review is a bit all over the place, but im writing as the spirit moves me. And speaking of spirits that they played on Etienne's fears and made him fuck up Astral projection twice *with dire consequences* was beautifully done. That it happened to also immediately help him because otherwise Ryou would have known about his spirit sight too was a bit convenient for plot reasons, but still, I loved it while reading it and everything just fit- like what you'd expect from a well written work.
And I wanted to mark it as a 4 star, because free book and a 5 star review feels coerced, buying favor, but honestly I could not in good conscious give it 4 stars. I wanted to throw my phone at the end of the book. I should have known it would be a multi book series, and yet I was so unprepared for it to end where it did that I audibly cried out. The book shifts perspectives throughout between the three main characters, and its done with clear breaks to avoid confusion. The characters are all exceptionally well written, both from their own perspective and from the other two, never falling flat. I did have an inkling of how it was going to play out before the big reveal, but thats good writing. I was not 100% if it was going that direction or another.
World building was on point, having read the other books in the universe I knew lore and backstory, but everything felt well fleshed out if you choose to start here(I wouldn't recommend it, since it spoils the entire other series, but to each their own) without overexplaining any details. It felt slow at the start, but im not sure if that's the book itself or if its because this is the first book I had picked up after a 2 week hiatus. Honestly? If you've read the other series, you'll want to give this one a go. I don't usually read male centric stories, but its so well done, and I'm incredibly pleased that I was able to be given the opportunity to read this for free, because otherwise I may have skipped it, and that would have been my loss.
Again, the book copy itself was received for free with the promise being I would leave an honest review, and everything before and after this has been as such. I am breaking the review up here, however, because I want to talk spoilers and give you a chance to avert your gaze
Spoilers/plot: given the dynamic in the last series, where Alphonse and the goddess were both intimate with different people, I shouldn't have been surprised at another poly dynamic, but this one was so much more than 2 minds in 1 body. Etienne actively having interest in both of the other characters, and then both showing some level of interest, was so much fun to read. You don't get much bi/poly rep, and this was wonderful to read as it switched between the three perspectives. I'm a liiiiiiitle pissed at Ryou for his end of the book decision making, but I can't blame him, and that I both hate and understand him just goes to show how well everyone has been written. See again the last part of the spoiler free review. The inner workings of the mage society, and the fact that this dude got away with stashing so many bodies and not having anyone looking for him was insane. Very well executed plot wise, but just like dang. They really do know how to write a villain, I even felt for the guy. If he hadn't, you know, killed a few hundred people and diddled their not quite corpses. It's 0530 so this part of my review is a bit all over the place, but im writing as the spirit moves me. And speaking of spirits that they played on Etienne's fears and made him fuck up Astral projection twice *with dire consequences* was beautifully done. That it happened to also immediately help him because otherwise Ryou would have known about his spirit sight too was a bit convenient for plot reasons, but still, I loved it while reading it and everything just fit- like what you'd expect from a well written work.
June 29, 2022
Rating 3.5 stars
Etienne is a mage on his way to visit his sister. He stops in Port Carcarac in an attempt to do some odd jobs for money to continue his journey. Here he meets the spirit of a young noble lady, Zuri, who unfortunately doesn't want to believe she is dead. In an attempt to help her Etienne is thrown into a mystery involving dark magic, missing people, the walking dead, and pirates. In Fact the Queen of pirates has decided that Etienne is to find out what had happened to her people, who have gone missing by boatloads. She sends her most loyal pirate Ryou to help Etienne find her missing people. Now it's up to Etienne, Ryou, and Zuri to unravel the mystery.
This is the first of a new series that is set 15 years after the Calamity series. I had not read those books but it didn't really detract from the story for me. There were some parts that seemed to reference the older series but they weren’t important enough that your knowledge, or lack thereof, of those events affected this book. I feel like if I had read the previous series I would have been more informed of the world, the old and new gods, and maybe even the mage school Moxous more. But on the other hand my lack of knowledge didn't make the book any harder to read and enjoy. It did end on a major cliffhanger though so I'm definitely gonna need to read the next one to see how the trio’s story ends.
Etienne is a mage on his way to visit his sister. He stops in Port Carcarac in an attempt to do some odd jobs for money to continue his journey. Here he meets the spirit of a young noble lady, Zuri, who unfortunately doesn't want to believe she is dead. In an attempt to help her Etienne is thrown into a mystery involving dark magic, missing people, the walking dead, and pirates. In Fact the Queen of pirates has decided that Etienne is to find out what had happened to her people, who have gone missing by boatloads. She sends her most loyal pirate Ryou to help Etienne find her missing people. Now it's up to Etienne, Ryou, and Zuri to unravel the mystery.
This is the first of a new series that is set 15 years after the Calamity series. I had not read those books but it didn't really detract from the story for me. There were some parts that seemed to reference the older series but they weren’t important enough that your knowledge, or lack thereof, of those events affected this book. I feel like if I had read the previous series I would have been more informed of the world, the old and new gods, and maybe even the mage school Moxous more. But on the other hand my lack of knowledge didn't make the book any harder to read and enjoy. It did end on a major cliffhanger though so I'm definitely gonna need to read the next one to see how the trio’s story ends.
July 20, 2021
Having read the Call of Calamity, it was no surprise to me to find Shepherd of Souls to be another very enjoyable book. The book takes place after Call of Calamity, where an older Etienne is by far more wordly and has experienced much. He stumbles onto a mystery, that soon reveals itself to be of a darker nature. On his quest to unravel this mystery, he faces many challenges but also get to experience new places and get to know new people. Saying more however would spoil the fun! However, I will say that I did enjoy the main plot a great deal... picking out the clues and details throughout the book and drawing my own conclusions just as the characters attempted to solve the mystery.
It is a very well-written book, as I have come to expect from these authors. They have crafted an interesting world, and made beautiful (if sometimes foreboding) descriptions to accompany it. However, descriptions do not simply stay limited to what may be seen in the world around the characters. The same beautiful prose is applied to the characters, their emotions, their body language and their dialogue. It makes for a book that is a pleasure to read, that has made me thoughtful, frustrated and excited in equal measure! Passages can simply be beautiful, while others may be greatly humorous and yet again others made me think of subjects such as life and death, and the meaning of those things. All that is to say that the prose is wonderful and truly brings places and the characters to life. Be it with details around the characters, or the emotions within them, there is always a fine picture painted, or emotion effectively summoned from the page.
For all that the prose is lovely, the characters are the real strength of the book. Because it is their conversations, thoughts, and emotions that truly make the book enjoyable and drive the plot onwards. Because they feel like real people, with their own conflicting concerns and difficult issues and personal problems. This makes them very relatable, and thus their interactions become interesting, frustrating and highly humorous, just as they can very sad and emotional. Making this all the more effective, is the way the characters play off one another, with different personalities, skills and concerns. Ryou might in one moment be careless, while Etienne might be thoughtful and careful. This comes across in the characters emotions, their body language and perhaps most enjoyably, the conversations between the characters. - The characters have been very humorous, they have been very emotional and thoughtful which influence what I feel and think. Yet for all the varying states of mind the characters have, all that they say and do is never out of character. They always speak as they would, and act in believable ways, as solidly built characters should. Adding onto this is the way relationships between characters and the characters themselves develop. It makes for interesting changes in the dynamics between characters. Additionally, I love the way emotions play a part in how the characters act, as sensible as it is. Characters may fight, argue and say biting things, just as they can be thoughtful, caring and supportive of one another. It makes them very human in my mind.
I enjoyed all the characters in different ways. I don't want to say too much since their development and personalities play a huge part in the book... Yet, Etienne I loved to see again and how he has developed. He has an open mind that is paired with a good moral character, alongside humour and a caring nature. It is pleasant and quite refreshing! He is reasonable and clever without being all-seeing. Powerful without having lost himself in it. - It makes for an interesting character, especially as his personal problems are revealed and influence the story moving forward.
Zuri is another character very central to the plot, so I won't say too much except that it quickly became my favourite character. The development of this character is immense. Her curious nature and her humanity speaks to me and through the plot, she was the character that made me reflect and think the most. She can also be quite funny, and especially frustrating, which is always fun!
Ryou was a character that I hated as much as I loved. His determination and open nature and mannerism was interesting and likeable. He was also very amusing, though I did find myself disliking him for primarily his lacking moral character. He had his reasons, but I never found myself convinced, thus I couldn't bring myself to love this character as much as Etienne or Zuri. However, his presence doesn't hurt the book. Quite the opposite it adds to it, because it make me think on these matters of character and morality. Plus, his humour was a very welcome addition in certain moments! He was an interesting and exciting character, for all that he is very very flawed. Perhaps he can redeem himself?
The pacing of the book was very good! There was always progress to be made either in the main plot, or the side-plots. There was always a piece of the plot moving forward, and along the way I could make my own predictions and draw my own conclusions about the mystery from the clues revealed. Towards the end, the payoff was grand! Furthermore, the pay-off to the various side-plots also work well, making character and relationship development clear.
Thank you for a great read! I do recommend it whole heartily.
It is a very well-written book, as I have come to expect from these authors. They have crafted an interesting world, and made beautiful (if sometimes foreboding) descriptions to accompany it. However, descriptions do not simply stay limited to what may be seen in the world around the characters. The same beautiful prose is applied to the characters, their emotions, their body language and their dialogue. It makes for a book that is a pleasure to read, that has made me thoughtful, frustrated and excited in equal measure! Passages can simply be beautiful, while others may be greatly humorous and yet again others made me think of subjects such as life and death, and the meaning of those things. All that is to say that the prose is wonderful and truly brings places and the characters to life. Be it with details around the characters, or the emotions within them, there is always a fine picture painted, or emotion effectively summoned from the page.
For all that the prose is lovely, the characters are the real strength of the book. Because it is their conversations, thoughts, and emotions that truly make the book enjoyable and drive the plot onwards. Because they feel like real people, with their own conflicting concerns and difficult issues and personal problems. This makes them very relatable, and thus their interactions become interesting, frustrating and highly humorous, just as they can very sad and emotional. Making this all the more effective, is the way the characters play off one another, with different personalities, skills and concerns. Ryou might in one moment be careless, while Etienne might be thoughtful and careful. This comes across in the characters emotions, their body language and perhaps most enjoyably, the conversations between the characters. - The characters have been very humorous, they have been very emotional and thoughtful which influence what I feel and think. Yet for all the varying states of mind the characters have, all that they say and do is never out of character. They always speak as they would, and act in believable ways, as solidly built characters should. Adding onto this is the way relationships between characters and the characters themselves develop. It makes for interesting changes in the dynamics between characters. Additionally, I love the way emotions play a part in how the characters act, as sensible as it is. Characters may fight, argue and say biting things, just as they can be thoughtful, caring and supportive of one another. It makes them very human in my mind.
I enjoyed all the characters in different ways. I don't want to say too much since their development and personalities play a huge part in the book... Yet, Etienne I loved to see again and how he has developed. He has an open mind that is paired with a good moral character, alongside humour and a caring nature. It is pleasant and quite refreshing! He is reasonable and clever without being all-seeing. Powerful without having lost himself in it. - It makes for an interesting character, especially as his personal problems are revealed and influence the story moving forward.
Zuri is another character very central to the plot, so I won't say too much except that it quickly became my favourite character. The development of this character is immense. Her curious nature and her humanity speaks to me and through the plot, she was the character that made me reflect and think the most. She can also be quite funny, and especially frustrating, which is always fun!
Ryou was a character that I hated as much as I loved. His determination and open nature and mannerism was interesting and likeable. He was also very amusing, though I did find myself disliking him for primarily his lacking moral character. He had his reasons, but I never found myself convinced, thus I couldn't bring myself to love this character as much as Etienne or Zuri. However, his presence doesn't hurt the book. Quite the opposite it adds to it, because it make me think on these matters of character and morality. Plus, his humour was a very welcome addition in certain moments! He was an interesting and exciting character, for all that he is very very flawed. Perhaps he can redeem himself?
The pacing of the book was very good! There was always progress to be made either in the main plot, or the side-plots. There was always a piece of the plot moving forward, and along the way I could make my own predictions and draw my own conclusions about the mystery from the clues revealed. Towards the end, the payoff was grand! Furthermore, the pay-off to the various side-plots also work well, making character and relationship development clear.
Thank you for a great read! I do recommend it whole heartily.
August 20, 2024
Thank you to Pride Book Tours for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Let me just preface this by saying that this is a follow-up series to the Call Of Calamity series by the same authors which I have not read - this kind of thing isn't always made readily apparent when signing up for book tours. There are many references to the original series throughout and it can sometimes get overwhelming.
Honestly, I was here for the gay stuff but there was so much more than that. Being one of those people who immediately forgets the synopsis after reading it, I was pleasantly surprised by this duology; let me count the ways...
Fascinating Characters: Etienne, a master mage outcast who can interact with ghosts; Zuri, a young noblewoman who refuses to acknowledge her death; Ryou, a roguishly handsome pirate who believes himself quite mad.
Interesting Dynamics: Etienne & Zuri form a very strong bond which evolves into love for each other, despite the fact that one person is completely incorporeal. Etienne eventually falls for the hot, flirty pirate - in a more physical way. Ryou and Zuri have a kind of love-hate relationship but no love for each other.
Intriguing Story: Looking into the circumstances of Zuri's death leads Etienne to become embroiled in a search for missing pirate ships that quickly devolves into necromantic nightmare on a scale that has never been seen. Of course, Etienne is immediately made the prime suspect and now the three unlikely companions have multiple mysteries to solve.
I really enjoyed the writing of these two talented authors; since I have not read anything from either I cannot, obviously, tell who wrote which part. Absolutely loved the pronunciation guide at the back of the book, as well. I did, however, predict the villain about halfway through the story.
Look forward to swashbuckling, magic, heists, divine intervention, sea voyages, pirates, wizards... A word of warning, though - have Death Seeker cued up and ready to go because Seeker Of Souls ends on a cliffhanger.
Let me just preface this by saying that this is a follow-up series to the Call Of Calamity series by the same authors which I have not read - this kind of thing isn't always made readily apparent when signing up for book tours. There are many references to the original series throughout and it can sometimes get overwhelming.
Honestly, I was here for the gay stuff but there was so much more than that. Being one of those people who immediately forgets the synopsis after reading it, I was pleasantly surprised by this duology; let me count the ways...
Fascinating Characters: Etienne, a master mage outcast who can interact with ghosts; Zuri, a young noblewoman who refuses to acknowledge her death; Ryou, a roguishly handsome pirate who believes himself quite mad.
Interesting Dynamics: Etienne & Zuri form a very strong bond which evolves into love for each other, despite the fact that one person is completely incorporeal. Etienne eventually falls for the hot, flirty pirate - in a more physical way. Ryou and Zuri have a kind of love-hate relationship but no love for each other.
Intriguing Story: Looking into the circumstances of Zuri's death leads Etienne to become embroiled in a search for missing pirate ships that quickly devolves into necromantic nightmare on a scale that has never been seen. Of course, Etienne is immediately made the prime suspect and now the three unlikely companions have multiple mysteries to solve.
I really enjoyed the writing of these two talented authors; since I have not read anything from either I cannot, obviously, tell who wrote which part. Absolutely loved the pronunciation guide at the back of the book, as well. I did, however, predict the villain about halfway through the story.
Look forward to swashbuckling, magic, heists, divine intervention, sea voyages, pirates, wizards... A word of warning, though - have Death Seeker cued up and ready to go because Seeker Of Souls ends on a cliffhanger.
July 20, 2021
“If he was doomed to forever carry the heart of a coward, he could at least refuse to act upon it.”
The dead are stirring in Ingola.
It's been fifteen years since he helped save his best friend from an ancient Goddess, and High Sorcerer Etienne wants nothing to do with the Gods—old or new—any longer. But when the lost spirit of a young noblewoman needs his help, Etienne finds himself pulled back into a world of dark magic, pirates, and Old Gods.
Ryou is loyal to his Queen, the ruler of pirates and thieves, but when he is sent to assist Etienne with unraveling the mysteries of missing ships and walking dead, he finds his loyalties tested. Is the sly mage just a distraction or something more?
It is up to the mage, the spirit, and the pirate to thwart the evil tainting the land of Ingola in this high-stakes adventure, complete with mystery, action, and LGBTQIA+ romance.
Content Warnings: Violence, gore, death, non-explicit sex.
The dead are stirring in Ingola.
It's been fifteen years since he helped save his best friend from an ancient Goddess, and High Sorcerer Etienne wants nothing to do with the Gods—old or new—any longer. But when the lost spirit of a young noblewoman needs his help, Etienne finds himself pulled back into a world of dark magic, pirates, and Old Gods.
Ryou is loyal to his Queen, the ruler of pirates and thieves, but when he is sent to assist Etienne with unraveling the mysteries of missing ships and walking dead, he finds his loyalties tested. Is the sly mage just a distraction or something more?
It is up to the mage, the spirit, and the pirate to thwart the evil tainting the land of Ingola in this high-stakes adventure, complete with mystery, action, and LGBTQIA+ romance.
Content Warnings: Violence, gore, death, non-explicit sex.
July 9, 2021
Having read the Call of Calamity, it was no surprise to me to find Shepherd of Souls to be another very enjoyable book. The book takes place after Call of Calamity, where an older Etienne is by far more wordly and has experienced much. He stumbles onto a mystery, that soon reveals itself to be of a darker nature. On his quest to unravel this mystery, he faces many challenges but also get to experience new places and get to know new people. Saying more however would spoil the fun! However, I will say that I did enjoy the main plot a great deal... picking out the clues and details throughout the book and drawing my own conclusions just as the characters attempted to solve the mystery.
It is a very well-written book, as I have come to expect from these authors. They have crafted an interesting world, and made beautiful (if sometimes foreboding) descriptions to accompany it. However, descriptions do not simply stay limited to what may be seen in the world around the characters. The same beautiful prose is applied to the characters, their emotions, their body language and their dialogue. It makes for a book that is a pleasure to read, that has made me thoughtful, frustrated and excited in equal measure! Passages can simply be beautiful, while others may be greatly humorous and yet again others made me think of subjects such as life and death, and the meaning of those things. All that is to say that the prose is wonderful and truly brings places and the characters to life. Be it with details around the characters, or the emotions within them, there is always a fine picture painted, or emotion effectively summoned from the page.
For all that the prose is lovely, the characters are the real strength of the book. Because it is their conversations, thoughts, and emotions that truly make the book enjoyable and drive the plot onwards. Because they feel like real people, with their own conflicting concerns and difficult issues and personal problems. This makes them very relatable, and thus their interactions become interesting, frustrating and highly humorous, just as they can very sad and emotional. Making this all the more effective, is the way the characters play off one another, with different personalities, skills and concerns. Ryou might in one moment be careless, while Etienne might be thoughtful and careful. This comes across in the characters emotions, their body language and perhaps most enjoyably, the conversations between the characters. - The characters have been very humorous, they have been very emotional and thoughtful which influence what I feel and think. Yet for all the varying states of mind the characters have, all that they say and do is never out of character. They always speak as they would, and act in believable ways, as solidly built characters should. Adding onto this is the way relationships between characters and the characters themselves develop. It makes for interesting changes in the dynamics between characters. Additionally, I love the way emotions play a part in how the characters act, as sensible as it is. Characters may fight, argue and say biting things, just as they can be thoughtful, caring and supportive of one another. It makes them very human in my mind.
I enjoyed all the characters in different ways. I don't want to say too much since their development and personalities play a huge part in the book... Yet, Etienne I loved to see again and how he has developed. He has an open mind that is paired with a good moral character, alongside humour and a caring nature. It is pleasant and quite refreshing! He is reasonable and clever without being all-seeing. Powerful without having lost himself in it. - It makes for an interesting character, especially as his personal problems are revealed and influence the story moving forward.
Zuri is another character very central to the plot, so I won't say too much except that it quickly became my favourite character. The development of this character is immense. Her curious nature and her humanity speaks to me and through the plot, she was the character that made me reflect and think the most. She can also be quite funny, and especially frustrating, which is always fun!
Ryou was a character that I hated as much as I loved. His determination and open nature and mannerism was interesting and likeable. He was also very amusing, though I did find myself disliking him for primarily his lacking moral character. He had his reasons, but I never found myself convinced, thus I couldn't bring myself to love this character as much as Etienne or Zuri. However, his presence doesn't hurt the book. Quite the opposite it adds to it, because it make me think on these matters of character and morality. Plus, his humour was a very welcome addition in certain moments! He was an interesting and exciting character, for all that he is very very flawed. Perhaps he can redeem himself?
The pacing of the book was very good! There was always progress to be made either in the main plot, or the side-plots. There was always a piece of the plot moving forward, and along the way I could make my own predictions and draw my own conclusions about the mystery from the clues revealed. Towards the end, the payoff was grand! Furthermore, the pay-off to the various side-plots also work well, making character and relationship development clear.
Thank you for a great read! I do recommend it whole heartily.
It is a very well-written book, as I have come to expect from these authors. They have crafted an interesting world, and made beautiful (if sometimes foreboding) descriptions to accompany it. However, descriptions do not simply stay limited to what may be seen in the world around the characters. The same beautiful prose is applied to the characters, their emotions, their body language and their dialogue. It makes for a book that is a pleasure to read, that has made me thoughtful, frustrated and excited in equal measure! Passages can simply be beautiful, while others may be greatly humorous and yet again others made me think of subjects such as life and death, and the meaning of those things. All that is to say that the prose is wonderful and truly brings places and the characters to life. Be it with details around the characters, or the emotions within them, there is always a fine picture painted, or emotion effectively summoned from the page.
For all that the prose is lovely, the characters are the real strength of the book. Because it is their conversations, thoughts, and emotions that truly make the book enjoyable and drive the plot onwards. Because they feel like real people, with their own conflicting concerns and difficult issues and personal problems. This makes them very relatable, and thus their interactions become interesting, frustrating and highly humorous, just as they can very sad and emotional. Making this all the more effective, is the way the characters play off one another, with different personalities, skills and concerns. Ryou might in one moment be careless, while Etienne might be thoughtful and careful. This comes across in the characters emotions, their body language and perhaps most enjoyably, the conversations between the characters. - The characters have been very humorous, they have been very emotional and thoughtful which influence what I feel and think. Yet for all the varying states of mind the characters have, all that they say and do is never out of character. They always speak as they would, and act in believable ways, as solidly built characters should. Adding onto this is the way relationships between characters and the characters themselves develop. It makes for interesting changes in the dynamics between characters. Additionally, I love the way emotions play a part in how the characters act, as sensible as it is. Characters may fight, argue and say biting things, just as they can be thoughtful, caring and supportive of one another. It makes them very human in my mind.
I enjoyed all the characters in different ways. I don't want to say too much since their development and personalities play a huge part in the book... Yet, Etienne I loved to see again and how he has developed. He has an open mind that is paired with a good moral character, alongside humour and a caring nature. It is pleasant and quite refreshing! He is reasonable and clever without being all-seeing. Powerful without having lost himself in it. - It makes for an interesting character, especially as his personal problems are revealed and influence the story moving forward.
Zuri is another character very central to the plot, so I won't say too much except that it quickly became my favourite character. The development of this character is immense. Her curious nature and her humanity speaks to me and through the plot, she was the character that made me reflect and think the most. She can also be quite funny, and especially frustrating, which is always fun!
Ryou was a character that I hated as much as I loved. His determination and open nature and mannerism was interesting and likeable. He was also very amusing, though I did find myself disliking him for primarily his lacking moral character. He had his reasons, but I never found myself convinced, thus I couldn't bring myself to love this character as much as Etienne or Zuri. However, his presence doesn't hurt the book. Quite the opposite it adds to it, because it make me think on these matters of character and morality. Plus, his humour was a very welcome addition in certain moments! He was an interesting and exciting character, for all that he is very very flawed. Perhaps he can redeem himself?
The pacing of the book was very good! There was always progress to be made either in the main plot, or the side-plots. There was always a piece of the plot moving forward, and along the way I could make my own predictions and draw my own conclusions about the mystery from the clues revealed. Towards the end, the payoff was grand! Furthermore, the pay-off to the various side-plots also work well, making character and relationship development clear.
Thank you for a great read! I do recommend it whole heartily.
July 20, 2021
Very good! It's a nice combination of fantasy and mystery with a LGBTQIA+ diverse cast.
Etienne the Mage sets out to discover what is happening to all the missing and dead people in Port Carcarac, aided by a feisty spirit (Zuri) and a hunky pirate Ryou.
This book has incredible character development, the dialogue and descriptions are excellent, and the fight/battle/magic scenes are really really good!
Content Warning: Some suspense, spooky, violence, gore and murder.
Etienne the Mage sets out to discover what is happening to all the missing and dead people in Port Carcarac, aided by a feisty spirit (Zuri) and a hunky pirate Ryou.
This book has incredible character development, the dialogue and descriptions are excellent, and the fight/battle/magic scenes are really really good!
Content Warning: Some suspense, spooky, violence, gore and murder.
Read
October 19, 2022Trigger & Content Warnings:
Murder
Body horror
Kidnapping & confinement
Murder
Body horror
Kidnapping & confinement
October 28, 2021
This is the first book in the Book of Illygad series, a spinoff of the Call of Calamity duology featuring an older Ettiene. Ettiene is a wandering mage doing odd jobs to help people, typically small ones. But when he is hired to find a noble family’s missing daughter and he encounters her ghost, he is thrown into an adventure involving pirates and necromancy.
It was interesting to read about a wiser, more experienced Ettiene, since when we first encounter him in Call of Calamity he is a young adult. The book has a great cast of three major characters, the others being Zuri, a ghost woman and Ryou, a charming pirate.
I loved the bond the three develop over the book. They start off not liking each other, but as the story continues they become a loyal family.
The poly representation is cool in this book; I haven’t gotten to read many books with it. There’s a major mlm romance which was delightfully slow burn.
Ryou is such a fun, complex character. He’s funny and likeable, with a lot of depth. He grew up having to be self-reliant and so being part of the trio is new for him as he must learn to trust them.
I connected to Zuri the best. She started off as an annoying noblewoman, but as the book went on she revealed a lot more about herself. I love the scene where she dances in the theater even though no one but Ettiene and Ryou can see her.
There’s an overarching mystery plot, but a lot of time is taken out to develop character arcs. Some people might want the story to go faster, but I loved the slower journey, as it made for a more character-focused novel.
The cliffhanger was terrible, but luckily, the sequel Death Seeker is coming out in 3 days on October 31st. Be sure to check it out along with the first book!
It was interesting to read about a wiser, more experienced Ettiene, since when we first encounter him in Call of Calamity he is a young adult. The book has a great cast of three major characters, the others being Zuri, a ghost woman and Ryou, a charming pirate.
I loved the bond the three develop over the book. They start off not liking each other, but as the story continues they become a loyal family.
The poly representation is cool in this book; I haven’t gotten to read many books with it. There’s a major mlm romance which was delightfully slow burn.
Ryou is such a fun, complex character. He’s funny and likeable, with a lot of depth. He grew up having to be self-reliant and so being part of the trio is new for him as he must learn to trust them.
I connected to Zuri the best. She started off as an annoying noblewoman, but as the book went on she revealed a lot more about herself. I love the scene where she dances in the theater even though no one but Ettiene and Ryou can see her.
There’s an overarching mystery plot, but a lot of time is taken out to develop character arcs. Some people might want the story to go faster, but I loved the slower journey, as it made for a more character-focused novel.
The cliffhanger was terrible, but luckily, the sequel Death Seeker is coming out in 3 days on October 31st. Be sure to check it out along with the first book!
December 10, 2021
I was glad to see these Indie authors take up a new adventure after "Vassal "and "Goddess" ended...I know that the 3rd book of that series is in the works called "Priestess". This the first of a new series "Shepherd of Souls "and "Death Seeker". I really enjoyed reading about the main character "Etienne" who has matured and on his own adventure. The characters are fascinating especially the playful male dynamics with equal pairing in the "power arena". One all mental and magic and the other warrior and lust. Plus different insights into what it would be like to be non corporeal , or the introspective thinking and moral conundrums in this world of magic, chaotic matriarchal pirate culture, revenge and loyalty. It is a ride you will want to sign up for if you have an open mind and LGBTQIA+ friendly.
June 30, 2021
Very good! It's a nice combination of fantasy and mystery with a LGBTQIA+ diverse cast.
Etienne the Mage sets out to discover what is happening to all the missing and dead people in Port Carcarac, aided by a feisty spirit (Zuri) and a hunky pirate Ryou.
This book has incredible character development, the dialogue and descriptions are excellent, and the fight/battle/magic scenes are really really good!
Content Warning: Some suspense, spooky, violence, gore and murder.
Etienne the Mage sets out to discover what is happening to all the missing and dead people in Port Carcarac, aided by a feisty spirit (Zuri) and a hunky pirate Ryou.
This book has incredible character development, the dialogue and descriptions are excellent, and the fight/battle/magic scenes are really really good!
Content Warning: Some suspense, spooky, violence, gore and murder.
November 30, 2022
Eerie, spooky mystery with queer cast! Poly, Gay, and Bi!
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