5 Blades: Riveting Realms of Adventure

by Drew Briney

Thriller paced action, shocking twist endings, alternative history, engaging characters, visionary science fiction, suspenseful page turners, epic adventures, and barbaric fantasy all wrapped up in one entertaining bundle. 5 Blade authors are endorsed by an International and New York Times best-selling author, multiple magazines, and thousands of readers spanning dozens of countries across the world. This is your one stop for top tier science fiction fantasy short stories.

357 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2015

About the author

Recipient of London's prestigious Editor's Choice Award of Literary Excellence - Reader's House magazine. He was also featured in Author Essence, Mosaic Digest, Novelist Post, Newyox, the Bookshelf Times, Arts Society & Me, Central Europe Online, Book Press Releases, and more.

Drew writes both historical non-fiction and sci-fi/fantasy books. He's been lauded by non-fiction readers as "one of the greatest LDS scholars of our day" and "the icon of thoroughness." When he's ready to chill, he explores what happens when technology clashes with magic.

For his sci-fi/fantasy work, he's drawn comparisons to heavy hitters: Ursula LeGuin (Harry Potter influence), Elaine Cunningham (queen of dark fantasy and Forgotten Realms), Fydor Dostoevsky (psychological godfather of Crime and Punishment), Andre Norton, and J.R.R. Tolkien. However, Drew takes greatest pride from knowing he can juggle more balls than any other author on the planet (sometimes, 8).

His books feature post-apocalyptic genetically engineered humans joining forces with magic-wielding aliens (Moon 514), superstitious steampunk societies warring with a powerless mage and camouflaging dragons (Unproven), high-tech assassins trying to discern memory implants from reality (Assassin Hunter), drug-enhanced magic systems (Slice), psionically gifted dragons, telepathic griffons, symbiotic vampiric vines, and entrancing world-building. He aims to deliver thriller pacing a la Dan Brown and tightly outlined Brandon Sanderson-esque plots all while exploring deeply personal character growth.

For regular and up to date information from Drew, look him up on Substack.

Reviews

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of fantasy short stories with plenty of action. From junkies to giant worms, sea monsters to haunted violins, the authors take you through tales of assassins, mages and magic.

I especially enjoyed the stories written by Drew Briney and look forward to reading more by him. "Slice" was especially haunting in its depiction of the life of a junkie where everything you do is for your next fix.

Some of the stories ended rather abruptly without a real ending, but maybe that is because the author intends to write more in the tale.

The narrator does a good job except for the one story set in Utah. I enjoyed that story a lot with the historical telling of the Mormons, Brigham Young and the Dannites. But, the narrator was horrible at trying to depict a Western accent! It would have been better if he had just stuck to his British accent.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

With authors endorsed by several magazines and an international best-selling author, you can't go too far wrong. I particularly liked the opening story by Jason King - which is why it earned its spot as the first story. This potpourri of SFF stories takes you everywhere from historical fiction to the near future and from classic barbaric fantasy to dark fantasy, from thoughtful sci-fi to whimsical musings. At the end of the read, you'll have travelled through several realms of action packed adventure.