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A Bastard's Birthright
Deep in the Marduk jungle, an ancient artefact is recovered. Unlike anything discovered before, it launches the powers of the world into a brutal contest. Fleets set sail, mages plot, and assassins strike from the shadows, all seeking to control the most powerful artefact ever created. Whoever succeeds will have the power to either control the world or destroy it.
And then there’s Calris and Jasmine. Calris Telruson, Royal Calandorian Marine and bastard, is living his best life. Sailing the high seas, fighting and drinking to his heart’s content with his best friend and his squad, he can’t imagine it getting any better than this. Jasmine Fastra, apprentice mage with ambitions of fame and fortune, is finally on track for her dreams to come true. Her experiments are making headway, and her long sought Adept’s robes are within reach, provided she can keep her temper somewhat in check.
Their lives take a sharp turn when they’re thrown into the struggle over the artefact. Caught between the most dangerous forces in the world, they must fight with everything they have. Fists. Flames. The ever reliable headbutt. They must protect the artefact. If only anyone knew what the damn thing actually did...
And then there’s Calris and Jasmine. Calris Telruson, Royal Calandorian Marine and bastard, is living his best life. Sailing the high seas, fighting and drinking to his heart’s content with his best friend and his squad, he can’t imagine it getting any better than this. Jasmine Fastra, apprentice mage with ambitions of fame and fortune, is finally on track for her dreams to come true. Her experiments are making headway, and her long sought Adept’s robes are within reach, provided she can keep her temper somewhat in check.
Their lives take a sharp turn when they’re thrown into the struggle over the artefact. Caught between the most dangerous forces in the world, they must fight with everything they have. Fists. Flames. The ever reliable headbutt. They must protect the artefact. If only anyone knew what the damn thing actually did...
- GenresFantasy
516 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2024
2 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 25, 2025
An everything fantasy adventure
JE Payne's ABB has everything you want in a fantasy adventure: humble but badass buddy soldiers, sorcerers, pretty girls, badass girls, pretty badass girl sorcerers, elder gods, a little romance... (It also has, in its title, a word that is absolutely forbidden in an Amazon review, for which reason I abbreviate it ABB.)
It was not unentertaining, and I read with pleasure most of the time. However, I was glad to reach the end, and I was left with a feeling of disappointment that I have trouble explaining. After all, I am a Fantasy and Science Fiction fan, and we have here all the kind of stuff here that is found in other books I love.
And that, I think, is the problem. ABB never surprises. I don't mean that it's predictable. If I roll a die and get a six, that is not surprising, even though it was unpredictable.
It is not easy to surprise. To surprise, you have to create an expectation, then break it. And not with a random something else: ideally it should be a bigger and better or more evil or impressively weirder something. ABB has the stuff in it that a fantasy adventure should have. But I never found myself saying, "Whoa! I wasn't expecting that!"
I thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance reader copy of ABB. This review expresses my honest opinion.
Blog review.
JE Payne's ABB has everything you want in a fantasy adventure: humble but badass buddy soldiers, sorcerers, pretty girls, badass girls, pretty badass girl sorcerers, elder gods, a little romance... (It also has, in its title, a word that is absolutely forbidden in an Amazon review, for which reason I abbreviate it ABB.)
It was not unentertaining, and I read with pleasure most of the time. However, I was glad to reach the end, and I was left with a feeling of disappointment that I have trouble explaining. After all, I am a Fantasy and Science Fiction fan, and we have here all the kind of stuff here that is found in other books I love.
And that, I think, is the problem. ABB never surprises. I don't mean that it's predictable. If I roll a die and get a six, that is not surprising, even though it was unpredictable.
It is not easy to surprise. To surprise, you have to create an expectation, then break it. And not with a random something else: ideally it should be a bigger and better or more evil or impressively weirder something. ABB has the stuff in it that a fantasy adventure should have. But I never found myself saying, "Whoa! I wasn't expecting that!"
I thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance reader copy of ABB. This review expresses my honest opinion.
Blog review.
September 18, 2024
Review to follow as I read this as a judge for the #SPFBO.
This is a sword and sorcery-style of book which really ended up working well for me. This one definitely counts as a semi-finalist title for me!! I liked it from the get go as we follow two main characters who are best friends, Ban and Calris, and they are constantly poking fun at one another, and sticking up for one another. I really loved seeing their relationship and the banter they had kept this story amusing and fun even during the bigger and more gore-filled battles.
We join this story when Ban and Calris have to escort some sort of artefact for a mage. They’re not overly thrilled by the assignment as they’re Marines (excellent and skilled fighters). However, they go along with it and then end up meeting Ferez, a powerful mage, and later his apprentice Jasmine. The plot amps up steadily throughout and the stakes get higher and higher as you progress with the ending chapters being incredibly full of world-shattering potential. I personally liked the pacing and felt that the steady build-up worked very well.
Ban and Calris really make this story for me. They are reminiscent of Locke and Jean, or Royce and Hadrian (some of my fave duos in S&S books) or the trio Falcio, Kest and Brasti from Greatcoats. All of these pairings and trios have the perfect balance of snark, sass, wit and compassion for me, and I felt that Calris and Ban fit that perfectly well too!
The magic of this world is divided by master mages and apprenticeship for those who need to learn how to harness their magical abilities. We largely focus on fire magic and shadow in this book, but there’s hints at lots of other types of magic and there’s lots of different schools of teaching the difference types. There’s also potential unknown magics, and the artefact which is being transported may hold some key answers for the lost magics.
In general, for a debut title (which I believe this is) it was a stand out from the crowd. It really felt fun and yet still had some more surprising moments too. There’s a slight downside for me in that there are some characters who appear at opportune moments and seem to know more than we or the other characters do, and this felt a little convenient, but I am thoroughly intrigued who these beings are and how they know more than the rest. I have a feeling that this is something book #2 and beyond will go further into. I also immediately went to search for book 2 but it’s not out yet, however you know that when I go looking instantly it’s a sign of a good book. 4.25/5 which is 8.5/10 for #SPFBO.
This is a sword and sorcery-style of book which really ended up working well for me. This one definitely counts as a semi-finalist title for me!! I liked it from the get go as we follow two main characters who are best friends, Ban and Calris, and they are constantly poking fun at one another, and sticking up for one another. I really loved seeing their relationship and the banter they had kept this story amusing and fun even during the bigger and more gore-filled battles.
We join this story when Ban and Calris have to escort some sort of artefact for a mage. They’re not overly thrilled by the assignment as they’re Marines (excellent and skilled fighters). However, they go along with it and then end up meeting Ferez, a powerful mage, and later his apprentice Jasmine. The plot amps up steadily throughout and the stakes get higher and higher as you progress with the ending chapters being incredibly full of world-shattering potential. I personally liked the pacing and felt that the steady build-up worked very well.
Ban and Calris really make this story for me. They are reminiscent of Locke and Jean, or Royce and Hadrian (some of my fave duos in S&S books) or the trio Falcio, Kest and Brasti from Greatcoats. All of these pairings and trios have the perfect balance of snark, sass, wit and compassion for me, and I felt that Calris and Ban fit that perfectly well too!
The magic of this world is divided by master mages and apprenticeship for those who need to learn how to harness their magical abilities. We largely focus on fire magic and shadow in this book, but there’s hints at lots of other types of magic and there’s lots of different schools of teaching the difference types. There’s also potential unknown magics, and the artefact which is being transported may hold some key answers for the lost magics.
In general, for a debut title (which I believe this is) it was a stand out from the crowd. It really felt fun and yet still had some more surprising moments too. There’s a slight downside for me in that there are some characters who appear at opportune moments and seem to know more than we or the other characters do, and this felt a little convenient, but I am thoroughly intrigued who these beings are and how they know more than the rest. I have a feeling that this is something book #2 and beyond will go further into. I also immediately went to search for book 2 but it’s not out yet, however you know that when I go looking instantly it’s a sign of a good book. 4.25/5 which is 8.5/10 for #SPFBO.
March 8, 2024
This is a smooth read full of beasts, fighting, sergeants, impulse, assassin’s and more. If you want a book full of action, a bit of magic and a lot of banter then this is the book for you! A Bastard’s Birthright is an adventure you don’t want to miss!
January 25, 2024
This is a great story with a lot of potential. The back story of its creation gives a good perspective to read it from and gave the story more "soul" for me
The writing style is skillfull and the book is very well drafted, following a logical progression, there was just a slight clinical nature to the narrative. Very descriptive, but to the point.
I found Jasmine more likable than Calris but loved the dynamic between them which is fuelled by the polarised dichotomy of their personalities
I would definitely recommend this book, it has great potential
I gratefully received a free ARC of this book. My review is left voluntarily
The writing style is skillfull and the book is very well drafted, following a logical progression, there was just a slight clinical nature to the narrative. Very descriptive, but to the point.
I found Jasmine more likable than Calris but loved the dynamic between them which is fuelled by the polarised dichotomy of their personalities
I would definitely recommend this book, it has great potential
I gratefully received a free ARC of this book. My review is left voluntarily
April 23, 2024
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First of all, thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing an arc of the book. This book will be released on 1st October 2024.
In the dense Marduk jungle, an ancient artefact surfaces, igniting a global power struggle. Royal Marine Calris Telruson and aspiring mage Jasmine Fastra are thrust into the fray. Calris savors his adventurous life at sea, while Jasmine pursues her magical dreams. But as they collide with forces vying for the artefact, their worlds unravel. Amidst perilous foes, they must defend the artefact’s secrets with all they possess: fists, flames, and a touch of audacity. Yet, the artefact’s true purpose eludes them, as they navigate treacherous waters where survival hinges on unraveling its mysteries.
There are creatures, battling, sergeants, impulse, assassins, and more in this easy read. The book has a well-crafted story with a little clinical undertone, and the language is skilful. The plot makes sense. The backstories of the characters and their effects on them were also frequently and simply described. The fantasy adventure was entertaining, with combatants vying for dominion over the planet and magical objects used by sorcerers and troops.
All in all, I thought this fantasy book was clever, utterly humorous, and surprisingly enjoyable. The reader is kept on the edge of their seat the entire time, wondering what will happen next given the power of the artifact and the protagonists’ ability to persevere in the face of uncertainty. In addition to the fantastic banter and humour noted before, this novel features fantastic relationship dynamics and a ton of action. Overall, it was a simple read, and I’m interested to see how the protagonist and his group will carry on with their antics.
First of all, thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing an arc of the book. This book will be released on 1st October 2024.
In the dense Marduk jungle, an ancient artefact surfaces, igniting a global power struggle. Royal Marine Calris Telruson and aspiring mage Jasmine Fastra are thrust into the fray. Calris savors his adventurous life at sea, while Jasmine pursues her magical dreams. But as they collide with forces vying for the artefact, their worlds unravel. Amidst perilous foes, they must defend the artefact’s secrets with all they possess: fists, flames, and a touch of audacity. Yet, the artefact’s true purpose eludes them, as they navigate treacherous waters where survival hinges on unraveling its mysteries.
There are creatures, battling, sergeants, impulse, assassins, and more in this easy read. The book has a well-crafted story with a little clinical undertone, and the language is skilful. The plot makes sense. The backstories of the characters and their effects on them were also frequently and simply described. The fantasy adventure was entertaining, with combatants vying for dominion over the planet and magical objects used by sorcerers and troops.
All in all, I thought this fantasy book was clever, utterly humorous, and surprisingly enjoyable. The reader is kept on the edge of their seat the entire time, wondering what will happen next given the power of the artifact and the protagonists’ ability to persevere in the face of uncertainty. In addition to the fantastic banter and humour noted before, this novel features fantastic relationship dynamics and a ton of action. Overall, it was a simple read, and I’m interested to see how the protagonist and his group will carry on with their antics.
February 13, 2024
What I have just read was a cliched fantasy story that had glimmers of fun and exciting prospects; it was ultimately let down by bad prose and incredibly lazy trope placement.
The good:
- A likeable protagonist (Calris) and a set of supporting characters that bolster him.
- A fast-paced story that didn’t info dump.
- It was funny (more often than we usually get in fantasy stories) and I liked more dialogue than I didn’t.
- Magic has consequences and I liked some of the mage/power world-building that was shown.
The bad:
- I’ve read this story before…many times.
- Lots of parallels to our world but not for the right reasons.
- Inconsistency in personas. One character’s backdrop/attitude changed quickly.
- Swearing for no reason. I swear like a trooper but this took the p**s.
- Horrendously overused tropes like Calris calling the damsel in distress character ‘princess’ and being retorted back with ‘Ape’, or the stupid ‘we’ve found an artefact and it’s super powerful and opens portals but we also don’t know what it does lol’
There’s a pretty good story hiding in here somewhere but it needs editing, change and a little more originality.
I thank Net Galley and BookGoSocial for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
The good:
- A likeable protagonist (Calris) and a set of supporting characters that bolster him.
- A fast-paced story that didn’t info dump.
- It was funny (more often than we usually get in fantasy stories) and I liked more dialogue than I didn’t.
- Magic has consequences and I liked some of the mage/power world-building that was shown.
The bad:
- I’ve read this story before…many times.
- Lots of parallels to our world but not for the right reasons.
- Inconsistency in personas. One character’s backdrop/attitude changed quickly.
- Swearing for no reason. I swear like a trooper but this took the p**s.
- Horrendously overused tropes like Calris calling the damsel in distress character ‘princess’ and being retorted back with ‘Ape’, or the stupid ‘we’ve found an artefact and it’s super powerful and opens portals but we also don’t know what it does lol’
There’s a pretty good story hiding in here somewhere but it needs editing, change and a little more originality.
I thank Net Galley and BookGoSocial for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
January 28, 2024
This book thrusts readers into a riveting contest as an ancient artifact discovered in the Marduk jungle becomes the epicenter of a brutal struggle for control. With fleets sailing, mages plotting, and assassins lurking in the shadows, the race for supremacy unfolds. Amidst this chaos is Calris Telruson, a Royal Calandorian Marine living his best life sailing the high seas, and Jasmine Fastra, an ambitious apprentice mage on the cusp of achieving her dreams. When their paths collide with the artifact, their lives take an unexpected turn as they become entangled in a fight against formidable forces. With fists, flames, and an ever-reliable headbutt, Calris and Jasmine must protect the artifact, even as its true nature remains a mystery to all.
The author skillfully crafts a gripping tale that seamlessly blends action, magic, and humor. "A Bastard's Birthright" introduces readers to a richly developed world where the stakes are high, and the characters, including the charismatic Calris and ambitious Jasmine, are caught in a whirlwind of danger and intrigue. The novel keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly anticipating the unfolding consequences of the artifact's power and the characters' resilience against the unknown
The author skillfully crafts a gripping tale that seamlessly blends action, magic, and humor. "A Bastard's Birthright" introduces readers to a richly developed world where the stakes are high, and the characters, including the charismatic Calris and ambitious Jasmine, are caught in a whirlwind of danger and intrigue. The novel keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly anticipating the unfolding consequences of the artifact's power and the characters' resilience against the unknown
June 25, 2024
Okay, it's going to be hard to leave a review for this book without slobbering all over it...but MAN, what a great book!
And the fact that it's a debut novel--and the first of a trilogy--just makes my toes squirm with joy. I don't have a single bad thing to say about it--oh wait, unless you consider 516 pages of fantastic reading a bad thing (being a big book writer myself, I do not!).
A Bastard's Birthright has its tongue firmly in cheek, mixing a fantasy world with everyday things and expressions we all use--relax and go with it. In this, it compares favorably to Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, especially the 'Watch' novels and 'Going Postal'--and anyone who loves Pratchett as much as I do, knows what a high compliment that is. The characters in this book are lovably flawed so you become invested. And their adventures grab you, pull you in, and don't let you go. During the first third of this book, I was thinking, 'Okay, this could be a good book'. In the second third I was fully sucked in to the story and had a hard time putting the book down, thinking, 'Man, I really like this story, it's fun'. During the last third--well, I was either reading it, or hurrying through whatever dumb thing was keeping me from reading it, and thinking, 'WOW I LOVE THIS BOOK AND THIS AUTHOR!'. It even pulled me away from editing the third book of my SciFan series (authors, you know a book is good when it distracts you from writing your own!). Fair warning: Once you start reading this book, don't plan on doing much else--I finished all 516 pages in 4 days.
The story flows along at a fast clip, there were no slow parts for me. The characters develop naturally and feel like people you've met, the fantasy elements are believable and enjoyable. The action scenes are exceptionally well-written and roar right along, and the humor is sparkling. Tropes? Sure! But I love tropes that are written in such a fun way. The author's military service shines through in the camaraderie and antagonism the characters build--it feels organic, like what would occur in a military unit. There was nothing that jarred me out of the world JE Payne built.
And let me just say that as I flipped the page, the first line of chapter 36 made me laugh so hard I dropped the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily...but as soon as I leave this review, I'm rushing off to buy a copy and support the author, because holy cow, JE Payne needs to KEEP WRITING.
And the fact that it's a debut novel--and the first of a trilogy--just makes my toes squirm with joy. I don't have a single bad thing to say about it--oh wait, unless you consider 516 pages of fantastic reading a bad thing (being a big book writer myself, I do not!).
A Bastard's Birthright has its tongue firmly in cheek, mixing a fantasy world with everyday things and expressions we all use--relax and go with it. In this, it compares favorably to Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, especially the 'Watch' novels and 'Going Postal'--and anyone who loves Pratchett as much as I do, knows what a high compliment that is. The characters in this book are lovably flawed so you become invested. And their adventures grab you, pull you in, and don't let you go. During the first third of this book, I was thinking, 'Okay, this could be a good book'. In the second third I was fully sucked in to the story and had a hard time putting the book down, thinking, 'Man, I really like this story, it's fun'. During the last third--well, I was either reading it, or hurrying through whatever dumb thing was keeping me from reading it, and thinking, 'WOW I LOVE THIS BOOK AND THIS AUTHOR!'. It even pulled me away from editing the third book of my SciFan series (authors, you know a book is good when it distracts you from writing your own!). Fair warning: Once you start reading this book, don't plan on doing much else--I finished all 516 pages in 4 days.
The story flows along at a fast clip, there were no slow parts for me. The characters develop naturally and feel like people you've met, the fantasy elements are believable and enjoyable. The action scenes are exceptionally well-written and roar right along, and the humor is sparkling. Tropes? Sure! But I love tropes that are written in such a fun way. The author's military service shines through in the camaraderie and antagonism the characters build--it feels organic, like what would occur in a military unit. There was nothing that jarred me out of the world JE Payne built.
And let me just say that as I flipped the page, the first line of chapter 36 made me laugh so hard I dropped the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily...but as soon as I leave this review, I'm rushing off to buy a copy and support the author, because holy cow, JE Payne needs to KEEP WRITING.
February 13, 2024
A high fantasy book about a soldier and a mage apprentice and the adventures they have to go through to fight evil.
It is pretty easy reading, with a semi-slow pace in the beginning that picked up towards the end.
I enjoyed the world building with lore, different cultures and different climates.
There is a magic system that was being touched upon without really going very deep - it mainly just follows usual tropes of different schools of magic and a magic ressource with the creative name "Talent".
What icked me the most was the descriptions of the characters and their personality traits and motivations. There was barely any ambiguity or nuance - the good people were good and the evil people were evil and you weten't in doubt who was what. Also, the characters' backstories and how they impacted the characters were pretty straightforward and mentioned often.
Dialogues seemed stiff and forced at times, again with very little left in-between the lines. They included some proverbs and references that were unexpected in a fantasy plot ("mea culpa", Oedipus complex, "Do you have time to discuss our lord and saviour"). Otherwise a lot of banter and an attempt at humour which only worked half of the time in my eyes, and sometimes was rather cringe and awkward.
The relationships among the characters were also a bit off putting. Military or educational ranks and hierarchy seemed completely irrelevant and were constantly challenged without consequences or just didn't exist.
The biggest confusion in terms of personality was absolutely Jasmine, who got a very specific description of her personality traits in the beginning and then basically did not follow up on it at all.
(Was it just me who noticed that all men have very fantasy-appropiate names and as good as all women have plain, modern day names like Jasmine and Elizabeth?)
Positively, there were multiple strong female characters, even though it had to be mentioned many times how sexy they were.
PS: Javelins? Really??
--------
ARC provided through Netgalley.
It is pretty easy reading, with a semi-slow pace in the beginning that picked up towards the end.
I enjoyed the world building with lore, different cultures and different climates.
There is a magic system that was being touched upon without really going very deep - it mainly just follows usual tropes of different schools of magic and a magic ressource with the creative name "Talent".
What icked me the most was the descriptions of the characters and their personality traits and motivations. There was barely any ambiguity or nuance - the good people were good and the evil people were evil and you weten't in doubt who was what. Also, the characters' backstories and how they impacted the characters were pretty straightforward and mentioned often.
Dialogues seemed stiff and forced at times, again with very little left in-between the lines. They included some proverbs and references that were unexpected in a fantasy plot ("mea culpa", Oedipus complex, "Do you have time to discuss our lord and saviour"). Otherwise a lot of banter and an attempt at humour which only worked half of the time in my eyes, and sometimes was rather cringe and awkward.
The relationships among the characters were also a bit off putting. Military or educational ranks and hierarchy seemed completely irrelevant and were constantly challenged without consequences or just didn't exist.
The biggest confusion in terms of personality was absolutely Jasmine, who got a very specific description of her personality traits in the beginning and then basically did not follow up on it at all.
(Was it just me who noticed that all men have very fantasy-appropiate names and as good as all women have plain, modern day names like Jasmine and Elizabeth?)
Positively, there were multiple strong female characters, even though it had to be mentioned many times how sexy they were.
PS: Javelins? Really??
--------
ARC provided through Netgalley.
February 21, 2024
A Bastard’s Birthright is about an escort mission gone haywire.
The main characters and supporting characters were great- the back and forth between our main character, Calris, and his best mate, Ban, were a highlight for me, though at times a bit cringy (in a cute way!) The overall dialogue was fun and had a very D&D/Final Fantasy kind of vibe. The descriptions & characterizations were especially apt, and I enjoyed the general flow & pacing of the writing.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of ‘telling, and not showing’. I felt as though I was being spoon-fed the plot which shattered the immersion a few times. That affected the rating most for me, overall. There were also numerous well-worn fantasy tropes that could have used some tweaking.
I think this book has a lot of potential. There are great bones for a wonderful adventure story here, but to me, it fell a little flat, and I wanted more.
My sincerest thanks to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and JE Payne for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. A Bastard’s Birthright will be published October 1, 2024.
The main characters and supporting characters were great- the back and forth between our main character, Calris, and his best mate, Ban, were a highlight for me, though at times a bit cringy (in a cute way!) The overall dialogue was fun and had a very D&D/Final Fantasy kind of vibe. The descriptions & characterizations were especially apt, and I enjoyed the general flow & pacing of the writing.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of ‘telling, and not showing’. I felt as though I was being spoon-fed the plot which shattered the immersion a few times. That affected the rating most for me, overall. There were also numerous well-worn fantasy tropes that could have used some tweaking.
I think this book has a lot of potential. There are great bones for a wonderful adventure story here, but to me, it fell a little flat, and I wanted more.
My sincerest thanks to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and JE Payne for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. A Bastard’s Birthright will be published October 1, 2024.
February 3, 2024
I would genuinely recommend this book for the banter alone. However, in addition to the absolutely golden humor, there's also a solid and entertaining plot. The main characters, Calrius and Ban, are part of a marine company loaned out to a mage named Ferez to assist with the transportation of a mysterious artifact called the Key that does, well, something. While Ferez and his apprentice, Jasmine, attempt to figure out what exactly that something is, all involved parties are frequently thrown into mass amounts of chaos. And there is a lot of chaos to be thrown into.
This book has great friendship dynamics, the aforementioned wonderful banter and humor, and a whole bunch of action.
I could've gone without the romance plot but it wasn't a huge part of the book and it's nice that it was actually based on more than just physical attraction.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book has great friendship dynamics, the aforementioned wonderful banter and humor, and a whole bunch of action.
I could've gone without the romance plot but it wasn't a huge part of the book and it's nice that it was actually based on more than just physical attraction.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2024
When an artifact that could reshape existence comes into play, all parties want a piece of it. When gods, trolls, marines, mages, and assassins all join the fray, you know something epic is going to happen.
This book has everything you could ask for in a fantasy: magic, romance, evil villains, a key that could destroy the world, and witty banter to tie it all together. This read is 100% character driven. Calris, Ban, and Jasmine will have you laughing out loud with their on point digs at each other that only comes from true friendships.
This one was a 3 for me because there was nothing in the story line that truly grabs you. It's an interesting read and not one you skim over, but there was nothing there to sink your teeth into.
Thank you net galley for the Arc!
This book has everything you could ask for in a fantasy: magic, romance, evil villains, a key that could destroy the world, and witty banter to tie it all together. This read is 100% character driven. Calris, Ban, and Jasmine will have you laughing out loud with their on point digs at each other that only comes from true friendships.
This one was a 3 for me because there was nothing in the story line that truly grabs you. It's an interesting read and not one you skim over, but there was nothing there to sink your teeth into.
Thank you net galley for the Arc!
August 19, 2024
A bastard‘s birthright, humorous and adventurous epic fantasy.
I really enjoyed this book. We follow Corporal colors and band as they escort a mad mage and his apprentice across the world fighting monsters and beasts. They have a mysterious artifact and they must find out what is used for. We fight many different kinds of base. The villains in this book, wanted to take over the world and destroy it. Jasmine was my favorite character, I liked how she had to figure out who she really was and also the correct way to interact with people. Her and Charis also had a believable romance.
I really enjoyed this book. We follow Corporal colors and band as they escort a mad mage and his apprentice across the world fighting monsters and beasts. They have a mysterious artifact and they must find out what is used for. We fight many different kinds of base. The villains in this book, wanted to take over the world and destroy it. Jasmine was my favorite character, I liked how she had to figure out who she really was and also the correct way to interact with people. Her and Charis also had a believable romance.
February 13, 2024
I did enjoy this purely for the banter. Loved Cal and Ban the relationship they have, loved the sarge. I felt we didnt see enough of the relationship between the marines, would of liked to of seen their characters more. The plots for seeking the key were ok but a little middlegrade... It would of been an idea to have a glossary so you knew the kingdoms and the types of mages. I think if i was to read further from this author it would be purely the banter unless of course the plot become more enticing.
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February 8, 2024The cover and title is what drew me to read this book, but unfortunately had to DNF less than half way through.
it was slow going at the start, just couldn't get myself to read for more than 20 minutes at a time.
Did enjoy the banter from Calais and Ban, but the Jasmine character really annoyed me.
Although I did DNF, If you like Fantasy, sci-fi and overpowered female characters then this book is for you.
it was slow going at the start, just couldn't get myself to read for more than 20 minutes at a time.
Did enjoy the banter from Calais and Ban, but the Jasmine character really annoyed me.
Although I did DNF, If you like Fantasy, sci-fi and overpowered female characters then this book is for you.
February 16, 2024
A story that’s sets the main character and his loyal friends on an adventure from salty sea ports to dank dark swamps and beyond.
JE Payne does a good job crafting characters that feel real in the way they interact. The banter between the characters helps keep the story grounded while making you feel invested in their struggles.
Overall an easy read and I’m looking forward to see how the hero and his party continue with their shenanigans.
JE Payne does a good job crafting characters that feel real in the way they interact. The banter between the characters helps keep the story grounded while making you feel invested in their struggles.
Overall an easy read and I’m looking forward to see how the hero and his party continue with their shenanigans.
January 28, 2024
An enjoyable read that after a slowish start really picked up the pace.
Good world-building with interesting monsters and lands, along with a nice cast of characters. The plot is also intriguing with some twists and turns that I did not see coming. I'm intrigued to know more about what may happen next.
Good world-building with interesting monsters and lands, along with a nice cast of characters. The plot is also intriguing with some twists and turns that I did not see coming. I'm intrigued to know more about what may happen next.
March 30, 2024
This was exactly the read I needed.
Fast-paced, easy to follow and an interesting story.
If you're looking for a book with lots of fighting, magic, monsters, magical artifacts, assassins and lots of banter you hit the jackpot.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. My review is freely given and honest.
Fast-paced, easy to follow and an interesting story.
If you're looking for a book with lots of fighting, magic, monsters, magical artifacts, assassins and lots of banter you hit the jackpot.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. My review is freely given and honest.
February 2, 2024
This is an excellent book. Fast paced with many characters that keep you interested. The dialogue is strong and entertaining. There are many laughs to be had.
The characters are sure to have people relate to
I received this as a advanced copy to review.
I definitely recommend this book.
The characters are sure to have people relate to
I received this as a advanced copy to review.
I definitely recommend this book.
February 7, 2024
This book made me feel I was among friends, great banter and real affection. To have those friends set down in a fantastic adventure just made it better. I cannot wait for the next book! Excellent writing.
January 17, 2024
DNF at 30%,, rounding up from 2.5 stars. Not a bad fantasy novel, but it really wasn't grabbing me. Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2024
good book
main romance seemed a bit forced, other than that 10/10 would recommend. theres also short stories on royalroad if u want more.
main romance seemed a bit forced, other than that 10/10 would recommend. theres also short stories on royalroad if u want more.
February 26, 2024
**I was for provided this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own**
A story following the marine Calris Telruson and a rich cast of characters as parties fight to be the first to discover what a mysterious artifact’s true purpose might be. Along the way they might just uncover something that truly shakes the history of their world.
The relationships in this book help to carry the story, particularly the friendships. I will say- the romance element did feel a touch cliché- bickering rivals turned lovers- though not unenjoyable.
This book doesn’t shy away from humor, which is nice in a fantasy tale- which can sometimes take themselves very seriously. On occasion there is the odd joke or turn of phrase that feels slightly too of this world and time, and can briefly take me out of the moment, but apart from that I have no complaints, and welcome the awkward moments, playful banter between friends, and more.
The world and mystery is fed out bit by bit, feeling digestible and increasingly intriguing as you start to work out some of your own theories. I was not able to correctly predict some of the major twists, and that is always a fun surprise.
I would definitely recommend giving this book a read and seeing if it hooks you.
A story following the marine Calris Telruson and a rich cast of characters as parties fight to be the first to discover what a mysterious artifact’s true purpose might be. Along the way they might just uncover something that truly shakes the history of their world.
The relationships in this book help to carry the story, particularly the friendships. I will say- the romance element did feel a touch cliché- bickering rivals turned lovers- though not unenjoyable.
This book doesn’t shy away from humor, which is nice in a fantasy tale- which can sometimes take themselves very seriously. On occasion there is the odd joke or turn of phrase that feels slightly too of this world and time, and can briefly take me out of the moment, but apart from that I have no complaints, and welcome the awkward moments, playful banter between friends, and more.
The world and mystery is fed out bit by bit, feeling digestible and increasingly intriguing as you start to work out some of your own theories. I was not able to correctly predict some of the major twists, and that is always a fun surprise.
I would definitely recommend giving this book a read and seeing if it hooks you.
October 19, 2024
Edit 10/19/24...Amazon decided that they're not publishing this review on their site but they haven't given a definitive reason for this decision. They've had this review since February 2024, too. They just stated in the email that it was against the community guidelines, but I have no clue as to why. Your guess is as good as mine 🤔
Original review:
DNF at 47%. I just wasn't enjoying this book at all; I was having to talk myself into picking it back up every time I stopped reading. I'm giving it three stars, which on my rating scale means "fair".
First the positives:
*This story moves along at a rapid clip.
*Up to my stopping point I hadn't come across any huge info dumps
*Buddy relationship between two of the marines. That was a big positive.
*Interesting premise
*Some humor and occasional good dialogue
*Likeable protagonist
The negatives outweighed the positives for me. In no particular order:
*Inconsistency in setting. This is a medieval-ish created world, and yet the sergeant smoked cigarettes. They were actually called cigarettes in the book.
*Modern vernacular kept booting me right out of the story. The curses I could ignore; the use of "Sarge", "roger that", etc. I could not. These would have been fine in a more modern setting in our universe, at least, but not in an archaic fictional land.
*Again we're in a fictional world. So why is the Latin phrase "mea culpa" used?
*The humor could be really really irritating. The banter as blows were traded could be juvenile in nature. The joking was supposed to be funny, and sometimes it was, but other times it was just annoying. Or obligatory, if that makes sense. Some opponents/enemies would helpfully pause their actions in order to provide the good guys an opportunity to toss out yet another witty line. It was a little silly.
*Personality changes in the lead female character. She went from a nasty intimidating person to a beloved softy in record time. If I had blinked I would have missed the transition.
I think this might work better for a younger audience. Not middle grade but maybe YA, although it could be very graphic. Perhaps it should be marketed as New Adult. I don't fall within that target demographic.
I received this eARC courtesy of NetGalley. I wish that things had turned out more favorably.
Original review:
DNF at 47%. I just wasn't enjoying this book at all; I was having to talk myself into picking it back up every time I stopped reading. I'm giving it three stars, which on my rating scale means "fair".
First the positives:
*This story moves along at a rapid clip.
*Up to my stopping point I hadn't come across any huge info dumps
*Buddy relationship between two of the marines. That was a big positive.
*Interesting premise
*Some humor and occasional good dialogue
*Likeable protagonist
The negatives outweighed the positives for me. In no particular order:
*Inconsistency in setting. This is a medieval-ish created world, and yet the sergeant smoked cigarettes. They were actually called cigarettes in the book.
*Modern vernacular kept booting me right out of the story. The curses I could ignore; the use of "Sarge", "roger that", etc. I could not. These would have been fine in a more modern setting in our universe, at least, but not in an archaic fictional land.
*Again we're in a fictional world. So why is the Latin phrase "mea culpa" used?
*The humor could be really really irritating. The banter as blows were traded could be juvenile in nature. The joking was supposed to be funny, and sometimes it was, but other times it was just annoying. Or obligatory, if that makes sense. Some opponents/enemies would helpfully pause their actions in order to provide the good guys an opportunity to toss out yet another witty line. It was a little silly.
*Personality changes in the lead female character. She went from a nasty intimidating person to a beloved softy in record time. If I had blinked I would have missed the transition.
I think this might work better for a younger audience. Not middle grade but maybe YA, although it could be very graphic. Perhaps it should be marketed as New Adult. I don't fall within that target demographic.
I received this eARC courtesy of NetGalley. I wish that things had turned out more favorably.
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