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Tales of Gorania #1
The Warrior's Path
Blood is his sin. Blood will be his redemption.
Forced to slay his father to prevent a massacre, Masolon and his name will be cursed until the end of days. To escape the shame of kinslaying and the justice of his clansmen, the young warrior braves the haunted desert to reach the fabled lands of Gorania. A journey he survives with his body, but not with his mind.
Tormented by the guilt of his sin, Masolon seeks redemption through the war he wages against the armed gangs that infest every corner of his new home. But Masolon has to be careful; the war he has started might grow bigger than he can handle. The lords of Gorania do not take vigilantes so lightly.
Now enemies and false friends close in from all sides. And Masolon, betrayed and outnumbered, must win one decisive battle to earn the peace he has been pursuing. But in the brutal world of Gorania, peace could just be a delusion. Masolon's path to redemption could be a lie after all.
THE WARRIOR'S PATH is the first book in Tales of Gorania: a series for epic fantasy fans who are ready to immerse themselves in a world of flawed heroes and false legends, a world of political games and battles to the death.
Forced to slay his father to prevent a massacre, Masolon and his name will be cursed until the end of days. To escape the shame of kinslaying and the justice of his clansmen, the young warrior braves the haunted desert to reach the fabled lands of Gorania. A journey he survives with his body, but not with his mind.
Tormented by the guilt of his sin, Masolon seeks redemption through the war he wages against the armed gangs that infest every corner of his new home. But Masolon has to be careful; the war he has started might grow bigger than he can handle. The lords of Gorania do not take vigilantes so lightly.
Now enemies and false friends close in from all sides. And Masolon, betrayed and outnumbered, must win one decisive battle to earn the peace he has been pursuing. But in the brutal world of Gorania, peace could just be a delusion. Masolon's path to redemption could be a lie after all.
THE WARRIOR'S PATH is the first book in Tales of Gorania: a series for epic fantasy fans who are ready to immerse themselves in a world of flawed heroes and false legends, a world of political games and battles to the death.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2017
120 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
About the author
Karim Soliman
20 books136 followersGet your FREE novella Oath of Blood by joining Karim Soliman's mailing list here
Karim Soliman earned his first writing commission through his contribution to the first and last issue of his school magazine. Twenty years later, he earned his next commission from Sony Pictures.
While he holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a master’s in business administration, Karim finds his groove in building worlds and messing with his characters. His debut “The Warrior’s Path” was a #1 bestseller on several fantasy subgenres on Amazon, and his book "Army of the Cursed" was an SPFBO Semi-finalist.
When Karim is away from writing, he struggles with his insomnia and continues his search for his next favorite dessert.
Karim Soliman earned his first writing commission through his contribution to the first and last issue of his school magazine. Twenty years later, he earned his next commission from Sony Pictures.
While he holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a master’s in business administration, Karim finds his groove in building worlds and messing with his characters. His debut “The Warrior’s Path” was a #1 bestseller on several fantasy subgenres on Amazon, and his book "Army of the Cursed" was an SPFBO Semi-finalist.
When Karim is away from writing, he struggles with his insomnia and continues his search for his next favorite dessert.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 21, 2017
His mother and sisters, brutally killed by marauders, there is only one way out for Masolon to avoid becoming the warring monster his father orders. He must kill him. Now on the run from the “justice” of his countrymen, Masolon will become a traveler, a foreigner, an oddity to those who live far from his home. He is alone, there is no one to trust with his life, but he will become a commodity for war, a warrior, his abilities used as a weapon of death and entertainment for the masses. Through it all Masolon will refuse to become like his father, but will become a leader among warriors who fight for the masses against tyranny and the outlaws who pillage the land.
Even as the weight of his guilt and isolation shroud him in his own cocoon, Masolon will find that one fiery woman will awaken his heart and his very soul.
THE WARRIOR’S PATH by Karim Soliman is a tale of survival, of personal growth and redemption and the honor of one young man alone in a world that is harsh and unforgiving to its inhabitants.
Karim Soliman has created a world and an atmosphere filled with tension and distress where power and strength come at the end of a bloody blade and enemies are easier to make and find than allies. From the stark beginnings of this tale to the action of battles and contests, we witness a young man who holds everything in, sharing nothing and keeping his past mysterious. Masolon’s character feels alone in the world. The guilt he feels rises throughout this tale, and trust me, from page one to the end, I witnessed each scene as if being there, from the smells of filth and sweat to freezing dungeons and beyond. The few moments of joy are like fresh air and sunshine and one can only root for the lost soul in a foreign land, even as his skills as a warrior are tested and proven time and again.
Fascinating reading that carries the reader into the story and refuses to let go, even after those final words. It takes a creative author to build a believable world out of nothing, and to fashion a remarkable character into a living and breathing entity. There is a sense of high inner emotional turmoil, chaotic external action and a long journey undertaken!
I received this copy from Karim Soliman and am voluntarily reviewing it!
Series: Tales of Gorania - Book 1
Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC (October 17, 2017)
Publication Date: October 17, 2017
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Print Length: 454 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Even as the weight of his guilt and isolation shroud him in his own cocoon, Masolon will find that one fiery woman will awaken his heart and his very soul.
THE WARRIOR’S PATH by Karim Soliman is a tale of survival, of personal growth and redemption and the honor of one young man alone in a world that is harsh and unforgiving to its inhabitants.
Karim Soliman has created a world and an atmosphere filled with tension and distress where power and strength come at the end of a bloody blade and enemies are easier to make and find than allies. From the stark beginnings of this tale to the action of battles and contests, we witness a young man who holds everything in, sharing nothing and keeping his past mysterious. Masolon’s character feels alone in the world. The guilt he feels rises throughout this tale, and trust me, from page one to the end, I witnessed each scene as if being there, from the smells of filth and sweat to freezing dungeons and beyond. The few moments of joy are like fresh air and sunshine and one can only root for the lost soul in a foreign land, even as his skills as a warrior are tested and proven time and again.
Fascinating reading that carries the reader into the story and refuses to let go, even after those final words. It takes a creative author to build a believable world out of nothing, and to fashion a remarkable character into a living and breathing entity. There is a sense of high inner emotional turmoil, chaotic external action and a long journey undertaken!
I received this copy from Karim Soliman and am voluntarily reviewing it!
Series: Tales of Gorania - Book 1
Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC (October 17, 2017)
Publication Date: October 17, 2017
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Print Length: 454 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
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April 29, 2018DNF @ 43% Please take this review with a grain of salt seeing as I didn't read the entire book.
Thank you to the author who gave me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
If I were to give this a star rating, the part that I read would probably get a 2. Maybeeee a 2.5 for the glimpses of potential that I saw.
This book isn't bad -- the plot isn't awful and there were times that I wanted to keep reading. This being said, there were also quite a few issues that kept me from being truly engaged.
-> the writing
There were some tense issues throughout the part that I read that were pretty distracting. Also some of the phrasing and dialogue seemed awkwardly worded.
-> the characters
The main character was, I think, supposed to be sort of cocky, yet also confident. He really just came off as a prick. I think if he were more likeable that the story as a whole would fair better. The other characters weren't super stand-out and were rather flat.
-> the fighting scenes.
I like a good fighting scene, and I've read plenty that are bomb.com (yes, I know bomb.com is so 10 years ago, but I think it's funny). The fighting scenes in this book weren't very good, almost to the point of seeming a bit comical.
Overall: The story had a good premise, but suffered due to the fluidity of the writing, the characters, and the weak fight scenes. I think with continued editing this book could be a lot better.
*I am going to try to give this another shot at some point.
Thank you to the author who gave me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
If I were to give this a star rating, the part that I read would probably get a 2. Maybeeee a 2.5 for the glimpses of potential that I saw.
This book isn't bad -- the plot isn't awful and there were times that I wanted to keep reading. This being said, there were also quite a few issues that kept me from being truly engaged.
-> the writing
There were some tense issues throughout the part that I read that were pretty distracting. Also some of the phrasing and dialogue seemed awkwardly worded.
-> the characters
The main character was, I think, supposed to be sort of cocky, yet also confident. He really just came off as a prick. I think if he were more likeable that the story as a whole would fair better. The other characters weren't super stand-out and were rather flat.
-> the fighting scenes.
I like a good fighting scene, and I've read plenty that are bomb.com (yes, I know bomb.com is so 10 years ago, but I think it's funny). The fighting scenes in this book weren't very good, almost to the point of seeming a bit comical.
Overall: The story had a good premise, but suffered due to the fluidity of the writing, the characters, and the weak fight scenes. I think with continued editing this book could be a lot better.
*I am going to try to give this another shot at some point.
October 2, 2018
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
First off, this is a fantastic start to the series!
The author has a very unique writing style, or voice more like. It took me a little bit to get the rhythm of his writing but once I did this book took off.
Like most first books in a series there is a lot of character development, and I thought it was really well done. I find it very interesting how the author portray's Masolon as someone who gains the trust of others very quickly because of his openness, and honest straight shooter personality, but that most of the characters really don't know much about Masolon at all. I think that this unique trait of Masolon shows how he has a very magnetic personality and others really want to be near him. The author does this all while showing Masolon's struggles with the shadows of his past as he sets forth on a new "path". I think the backstory of Masolon and his trying to understand the people of this new world he has come upon is very well thought out and well executed.
The world building I found to be very well done as well. Just like with the character development this author has a unique way of getting his vision across to his readers. I thought that he was really able to capture my imagination and could really put myself into these different lands.
After about the 40% mark in this book, it really becomes a page turner, the author also was able to tease us as to plots and story arcs that are sure to carry on throughout the series.
Once again I think this is a grand start to the series and can't wait for the next installments.
I totally recommend this book to fans of the sword wielding fantasies such as "Kings Dark Tidings", "The Riyria Revelations", and "The Legends of the First Empire".
First off, this is a fantastic start to the series!
The author has a very unique writing style, or voice more like. It took me a little bit to get the rhythm of his writing but once I did this book took off.
Like most first books in a series there is a lot of character development, and I thought it was really well done. I find it very interesting how the author portray's Masolon as someone who gains the trust of others very quickly because of his openness, and honest straight shooter personality, but that most of the characters really don't know much about Masolon at all. I think that this unique trait of Masolon shows how he has a very magnetic personality and others really want to be near him. The author does this all while showing Masolon's struggles with the shadows of his past as he sets forth on a new "path". I think the backstory of Masolon and his trying to understand the people of this new world he has come upon is very well thought out and well executed.
The world building I found to be very well done as well. Just like with the character development this author has a unique way of getting his vision across to his readers. I thought that he was really able to capture my imagination and could really put myself into these different lands.
After about the 40% mark in this book, it really becomes a page turner, the author also was able to tease us as to plots and story arcs that are sure to carry on throughout the series.
Once again I think this is a grand start to the series and can't wait for the next installments.
I totally recommend this book to fans of the sword wielding fantasies such as "Kings Dark Tidings", "The Riyria Revelations", and "The Legends of the First Empire".
October 28, 2017
This was an interesting read for me. The first half of the book I felt confused. It seemed a lot of location changing and the character development was just out of reach. I did not get a good understanding of the time it was taking to travel and it just seemed to jump. Almost like playing an MMO and taking a bunch of unrelated quests and rushing through them without really getting into it.
The second half of the book did not have the same issues as the first half. Either I became use to it or the book explained it out more (not really sure, but it no longer was an issue for me). I found myself even more interested in the main character and by the end I was excited to for the next book to come out.
Even with all of the above going on during the first half of the book I felt drawn to the book. I had a very hard time putting it down which is why it gave a rating of 5 stars. I found myself staying up late and trying to get just a little more reading in before leaving to work.
The second half of the book did not have the same issues as the first half. Either I became use to it or the book explained it out more (not really sure, but it no longer was an issue for me). I found myself even more interested in the main character and by the end I was excited to for the next book to come out.
Even with all of the above going on during the first half of the book I felt drawn to the book. I had a very hard time putting it down which is why it gave a rating of 5 stars. I found myself staying up late and trying to get just a little more reading in before leaving to work.
October 18, 2017
What a book. I read it in one day in fact I stayed awake all night reading it. I love the way the characters were described so vibrantly I could almost feel Masolon step off the page in to a fighters stance. The world that he lived in was a fantastic place of the imagination and was easy to see it with my Minds eye. I hope the other books in the Tales of Gorania tell us more of Masolon and his gang. Totally enjoyed this book.
November 14, 2017
I enjoyed every bit of it from start to finish. You'll definitely fall in love with the character Masolon and his adventures.
Karim is a wonderful Author with an incredible creative mind and that alone makes you want to live in his mind.
Karim is a wonderful Author with an incredible creative mind and that alone makes you want to live in his mind.
October 19, 2017
If your looking for a low fantasy with a true middle eastern Feel to it (Real Arabic Names), than you have found your book. when I started to read this book at first I thought "ohh, I wanted some back story about the MC first, but after a while I noticed that you don´t really need it at the begging, and you kind of get the back story at different parts of the book.
I also loved the fact that the story had more then one plot. It might have been a little fast, but if the plot was slowed down it would require more then one book just to get to where it ended in this book.
There was some plots that were kind of easy to guess, like when you noticed that the MC´s love interest had to be saved by the MC, and then something Bad had to happen to her at the end.
There was other plots that totally got me by surprise, for example how the MC got to kill his Mentor and the Rich boy villein in the first book.. I honestly thought Because both the Mentor (who is kind of Evil in his own way) and the Rich boy villein would only be killed later on in the next few books as they seemed vital to the characters character development.
Now there was some parts where I was hoping things where different. for example I wanted the MC´s Love Interest to have been violated before she was saved ( I am not saying it had be described, just started), this would build some interesting character build up for the MC.
When the MC was running away with the his love interest at the end, I was hoping they could get a way and he would teach her to fight and be a Warrior couple like in Peter V. Brett´s (Demon Cycle).
At this moment the MC is too much of a Hero, and I am hoping that in the next book he becomes more of an antihero. like for example he realizes that his father was right and started to follow more of the ideas of the demon within him.
so, just to finish, I loved the book and I am hoping Karim (the Writer) will not make me wait 5+ years before I see the next book (yes just like George R.R. Martin)
I also loved the fact that the story had more then one plot. It might have been a little fast, but if the plot was slowed down it would require more then one book just to get to where it ended in this book.
There was some plots that were kind of easy to guess, like when you noticed that the MC´s love interest had to be saved by the MC, and then something Bad had to happen to her at the end.
There was other plots that totally got me by surprise, for example how the MC got to kill his Mentor and the Rich boy villein in the first book.. I honestly thought Because both the Mentor (who is kind of Evil in his own way) and the Rich boy villein would only be killed later on in the next few books as they seemed vital to the characters character development.
Now there was some parts where I was hoping things where different. for example I wanted the MC´s Love Interest to have been violated before she was saved ( I am not saying it had be described, just started), this would build some interesting character build up for the MC.
When the MC was running away with the his love interest at the end, I was hoping they could get a way and he would teach her to fight and be a Warrior couple like in Peter V. Brett´s (Demon Cycle).
At this moment the MC is too much of a Hero, and I am hoping that in the next book he becomes more of an antihero. like for example he realizes that his father was right and started to follow more of the ideas of the demon within him.
so, just to finish, I loved the book and I am hoping Karim (the Writer) will not make me wait 5+ years before I see the next book (yes just like George R.R. Martin)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2019
I actually give this a 4.5/5 stars but decided to round up because I think this is a great start for a new author.
To begin, I think that the main character, Masolon, is great. I believe there is nothing that can ruin a good book more than a bad main character. Luckily, the author avoided that here. Masolon is a human being. Which is more than I can say for a lot of books… A lot of authors tend to write their protagonists as too perfect, which is very off putting. Masolon has faults and strengths just like any human. Which makes him likeable. You read about his struggles and you feel for him. He is a likeable character which makes the book even more fun to read.
The only downside (which is partially my fault) is that there is a lot a cultures and names of lands that are thrown at you and they can be hard to keep straight. Which again, I should have paid more attention to, but a little hard to follow at first. Future books in this series I’m sure will fix that anyways when we learn more about the cultures and lands that the books take place in.
This book is a little slow at first (although what book isn’t really?) and takes some time for the pace to pick up. But once it does, it takes you on an enjoyable ride. The rest of the novel has a really good pace to it. Not too fast, not too slow. Not too much fighting, not too much dialogue. There is a great balance to all of the pieces in the story.
Great book for anyone who loves fantasy, sword wielding protagonists, adventure, some romance, and just a fun story overall. I would highly recommend this book. I will definitely be looking forward to future installments of the series.
*I received this book for free in exchange for an HONEST review*
To begin, I think that the main character, Masolon, is great. I believe there is nothing that can ruin a good book more than a bad main character. Luckily, the author avoided that here. Masolon is a human being. Which is more than I can say for a lot of books… A lot of authors tend to write their protagonists as too perfect, which is very off putting. Masolon has faults and strengths just like any human. Which makes him likeable. You read about his struggles and you feel for him. He is a likeable character which makes the book even more fun to read.
The only downside (which is partially my fault) is that there is a lot a cultures and names of lands that are thrown at you and they can be hard to keep straight. Which again, I should have paid more attention to, but a little hard to follow at first. Future books in this series I’m sure will fix that anyways when we learn more about the cultures and lands that the books take place in.
This book is a little slow at first (although what book isn’t really?) and takes some time for the pace to pick up. But once it does, it takes you on an enjoyable ride. The rest of the novel has a really good pace to it. Not too fast, not too slow. Not too much fighting, not too much dialogue. There is a great balance to all of the pieces in the story.
Great book for anyone who loves fantasy, sword wielding protagonists, adventure, some romance, and just a fun story overall. I would highly recommend this book. I will definitely be looking forward to future installments of the series.
*I received this book for free in exchange for an HONEST review*
October 22, 2017
The title for this book could not be more appropriate. Masolon is a warrior, a true warrior for the people. Not just certain people either, pretty much all people that are in need of him. He tries his hand at this and that in Gorania as he becomes a champion of the contests, he builds a small army of warriors that help defend those who need it from the ghosts, and even becomes a commander for a king. However, it seems like he is always looked upon as an outsider, a foreigner. Everyone knows he isn't from Gorania and although he is a champion of the people, he is still in a situation of "you can look but not touch" when it comes to the women he is interested in and even his own destined path. I love his character because although Masolon has a heart for the people, he is not above eliminating a lord or two that well deserve it. But this country is not like his own. The rules are different and his ways are not looked upon kindly and are often seen as threatening in one way or another. This land is ruled by kings and lords and whatever whims they have at the moment. His luck in love is just horrible though. I can't help but feel sorry for him in that department. Otherwise, he is one amazing man who walks a lonely road. This was a bit lengthy of a read but well worth the time spent to experience Masolon's journeys. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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August 16, 2018Update: 8 March 2018
Attention, everyone! The Warrior’s Path is on sale for a limited time! For only $0.99 instead of $3.99, you can start your journey with Masolon into the brutal world of Gorania!
https://goo.gl/t97CmC
Update: 16 January 2018
I'm giving away three e-copies on my Facebook Page. Check it out to learn more:
https://goo.gl/Lhdn2s
Update: 22 November 2017
Attention, everyone! The Warrior’s Path is on sale starting from today until next Monday, November 27! For only $0.99 instead of $3.99, you can start your journey with Masolon into the fabled lands of Gorania. Get ready to survive the wrath of lords, the savagery of outlaws. . . and the charm of noble ladies!
Happy Black Friday!
Attention, everyone! The Warrior’s Path is on sale for a limited time! For only $0.99 instead of $3.99, you can start your journey with Masolon into the brutal world of Gorania!
https://goo.gl/t97CmC
Update: 16 January 2018
I'm giving away three e-copies on my Facebook Page. Check it out to learn more:
https://goo.gl/Lhdn2s
Update: 22 November 2017
Attention, everyone! The Warrior’s Path is on sale starting from today until next Monday, November 27! For only $0.99 instead of $3.99, you can start your journey with Masolon into the fabled lands of Gorania. Get ready to survive the wrath of lords, the savagery of outlaws. . . and the charm of noble ladies!
Happy Black Friday!
February 4, 2018
I enjoyed reading The Warrior's Path. The characters made me feel like part of the story; my heart went out to Monsolon who has gone through so much in his life. Very good story, love the battles scenes.
I recommend this book to everyone who likes books about other worlds.
I am looking forward to reading the next book when it comes out, hope it tells more about Monsolon and his ‘gang’. Will they meet up again?
I recommend this book to everyone who likes books about other worlds.
I am looking forward to reading the next book when it comes out, hope it tells more about Monsolon and his ‘gang’. Will they meet up again?
January 31, 2024
This was a great swordplay medieval read. Characters were very engaging especially the main character. Story line was typical for a story of this type but it did have a few twists and turns to keep us readers from engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend if.
November 21, 2017
Fantastic first installment to a new fantasy series. It grips from the opening pages. Don't miss out on Masolon's adventures in Gorania. The Warrior's Path will leave you longing for more action and intrigue. Great for fans of sharp and crisp epic fantasy.
November 26, 2017
To escape his brutal, bloody past, warrior Masolon has crossed the Great Desert and come to the kingdoms of Gorania, where he is now in search of a new path allowing him to stay true to himself and his convictions while wielding his sword for the protection of innocents. In his travels across Gorania, he encounters a number of colourful characters, all of which will play some role in the journey he's on.
The detailed worldbuilding and evocative descriptions of settings ranging from the frozen North to the heat and sandstorms of the desert are one of this book's greatest strengths. The plot needs a while to really get going, hitting its stride a little over a third into the story with the formation of Masolon's Warrior Gang and its subsequent battles. I enjoyed having a number of POVs in addition to the protagonist's, adding more angles to the fairly wide-ranging plot. The element I had the most trouble with was Masolon himself, as I never really warmed up to him. He comes across as too cocky and very much more brawns than brain, whereas I tend to prefer my heroes the other way around. I also wasn't overly fond of Sania, who seems to waver back and forth between being a strongminded woman who can take care of herself and a delicate flower and damsel in distress who must be rescued by her big strong warrior. I'll take Viola (who may be a psychotic bitch with very little in the way of redeeming qualities, but at least doesn't need some man holding her hand all the time) over her any day in terms of who's the more interesting character. The very last chapter throws up an intriguing glimpse of something that's been happening in the background the entire time that I hope will be a major plot point in the sequel. All in all, I enjoyed the book despite not caring all that much for its protagonist and am interested to see what comes next.
*** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ***
The detailed worldbuilding and evocative descriptions of settings ranging from the frozen North to the heat and sandstorms of the desert are one of this book's greatest strengths. The plot needs a while to really get going, hitting its stride a little over a third into the story with the formation of Masolon's Warrior Gang and its subsequent battles. I enjoyed having a number of POVs in addition to the protagonist's, adding more angles to the fairly wide-ranging plot. The element I had the most trouble with was Masolon himself, as I never really warmed up to him. He comes across as too cocky and very much more brawns than brain, whereas I tend to prefer my heroes the other way around. I also wasn't overly fond of Sania, who seems to waver back and forth between being a strongminded woman who can take care of herself and a delicate flower and damsel in distress who must be rescued by her big strong warrior. I'll take Viola (who may be a psychotic bitch with very little in the way of redeeming qualities, but at least doesn't need some man holding her hand all the time) over her any day in terms of who's the more interesting character. The very last chapter throws up an intriguing glimpse of something that's been happening in the background the entire time that I hope will be a major plot point in the sequel. All in all, I enjoyed the book despite not caring all that much for its protagonist and am interested to see what comes next.
*** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ***
October 17, 2017
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
So here goes.
The first 40% or so were emotionless and flat, which changes dramatically as our main character meets people and makes connections. It was actually quite artful the way the author makes you empathize with the character: dead inside.
I loved how much Masolon grew throughout this novel; it really made his adventures and experiences that much more impactful.
I did feel that the sentences were a little bit disjointed and hiccuppy, however.. I feel like this was also another point the author was making about Masolon’s being so foreign to both the language and the landscape.
Once the action starts, it’s nonstop. I love how detailed the swordplay is. And there is a scene where archery is being taught that really reminded me of Michael Sullivan’s Ryria - detailed and written with a loving touch.. I don’t know how else to describe it.
There is a romantic subplot, a big ol’ twist, and a bunch of comedic characters interspersed. Definitely add this book to your “to read” shelves if you are a fan of fantasy/adventure/battling!
So here goes.
The first 40% or so were emotionless and flat, which changes dramatically as our main character meets people and makes connections. It was actually quite artful the way the author makes you empathize with the character: dead inside.
I loved how much Masolon grew throughout this novel; it really made his adventures and experiences that much more impactful.
I did feel that the sentences were a little bit disjointed and hiccuppy, however.. I feel like this was also another point the author was making about Masolon’s being so foreign to both the language and the landscape.
Once the action starts, it’s nonstop. I love how detailed the swordplay is. And there is a scene where archery is being taught that really reminded me of Michael Sullivan’s Ryria - detailed and written with a loving touch.. I don’t know how else to describe it.
There is a romantic subplot, a big ol’ twist, and a bunch of comedic characters interspersed. Definitely add this book to your “to read” shelves if you are a fan of fantasy/adventure/battling!
November 15, 2017
The Warrior's Path is a story that transports you to a medieval world, but it's a well-written story that you don't need to read twice or three times to understand what the author tried to convey.
Masolon is a great character, one that fights for what he believes on, always trying to do the right thing, and not conventionally. He does what he has to in the best way he can, and it's an admirable thing to always be different, to stay true to yourself.
If you've read stories like The Hobbit, you'll definitely love this. It's got all the great characteristics of a Fantasy world, without confussing you :)
Masolon is a great character, one that fights for what he believes on, always trying to do the right thing, and not conventionally. He does what he has to in the best way he can, and it's an admirable thing to always be different, to stay true to yourself.
If you've read stories like The Hobbit, you'll definitely love this. It's got all the great characteristics of a Fantasy world, without confussing you :)
November 6, 2017
I was drawn into Karim's story "The Warrior's Path" from page one. The book begins and ends with several story lines that touched and connected regularly, as a reader it kept me on my toes. At those moments when I thought I could predict how the story would continue, Karim included some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. All in all it kept me reading from beginning to end in one go.
I will certainly read "The Warrior's Path" a few more times and hardly can wait for the story to continue in the next book(s).
I will certainly read "The Warrior's Path" a few more times and hardly can wait for the story to continue in the next book(s).
April 30, 2020
One of the best books I have ever read in quite some time. Although I'm still not used to reading electronic books, this is a book that I was unable to put down!!! I would recommend this to everyone to give it a try at least... now off to get the second!
October 5, 2017
Good book to read..Epic!
October 7, 2017
The way its written really sucks you into the story. You'll feel like you're actually right there seeing everything.
October 17, 2017
This book is fantastic and a perfect selection for anyone that loves fantasy stories with a strong protagonist and tons of adventure.
January 7, 2018
Fantastic book... read it twice already. Very nice plot and well sewed scenes. Characters are unique, you can literally live the story.
Way to go Karim.
Way to go Karim.
September 21, 2018
Awesome book! Really recommend it.
January 16, 2018
I received this book as a GoodReads FirstReads giveaway.
This was an easy read with fairly well developed characters. I enjoyed the world the author created and this is a great start to a new series. There was a decent amount of violence (sometimes graphic) but relationships were strictly PG.
As a few others have commented, my only advice for improvement would be to add additional details to the story. Often, the action and plot development felt rushed and, a few times, I was expecting more.
All in all, I enjoyed this book.
This was an easy read with fairly well developed characters. I enjoyed the world the author created and this is a great start to a new series. There was a decent amount of violence (sometimes graphic) but relationships were strictly PG.
As a few others have commented, my only advice for improvement would be to add additional details to the story. Often, the action and plot development felt rushed and, a few times, I was expecting more.
All in all, I enjoyed this book.
December 13, 2017
Masolon unsheathed his sword, raising its blade before Antram's eyes. "Men like you and I know no way to make a living except with this blade. But we choose not to be outlaws, and we are comfortable with that."
I wanted to love this book. I truly did. A few times, when the action picked up, or a situation became tense I would settle down and think, "Yes! This is what I've been waiting for!" But it always fizzled back out into the regularly-scheduled, tedious switching of the points of view, and slow-moving plot obstacles that didn't hold my interest for very long.
Overall, this book still gets two stars from me. It is just okay. I certainly believe it could be much better, but also that it could be worse. The story, for instance, is not uninspired or uninteresting. It is just poorly executed. The moments which did manage to capture my attention almost had me on the edge of my seat. But so much of the book had me slumped over, barely managing a couple of short chapters in one sitting.
The writing style is choppy and often rather vague. Sometimes it paints the characters vibrantly and realistically, and sometimes they are somehow...shoving a spoon into someone else's mouth without that person's consent and with barely any protest afterwards. Or they are fighting a battle that lasts over an hour, in such a rushed description that my suspension of disbelief did not hold, and the thousands of dead bodies afterwards didn't make any sense.
Masolon is cocky, arrogant, and charismatic. The synopsis says he is seeking redemption, but often he seems to just be seeking coin. His sudden attraction to two of the characters is not unbelievable, but like much of this book, a little too choppy and not as fleshed-out as I would've preferred. However, I give props to Karim for not creating a love triangle inside of Masolon's interests. I found Masolon difficult to like, as plenty of his decisions are irrational and some are simply stupid. He struggles and overcomes much, but the book ends rather similarly to how it begins, in a way that is sort of poetic. I am still rooting for him, in whatever happens next, perhaps because being in someone else's head for so long can grant you a strange kind of affection for them, and perhaps simply because watching a character mostly struggle for 329 pages makes you want to see them succeed.
The supporting cast of characters are mostly interesting people. I enjoy Ziyad and his perspective in particular. He is an amusing bard-type and his motivation, humor, and loyalty are endearing to me. The chapters from Sania's perspective, however, are not as endearing to me. Perhaps in an attempt to paint her as a "strong female character" she ends up coming across a bit absurdly in the beginning, like, assuming her guards are sexist brutes because they looked at her while she walked past them with a bow and arrow. As we move forward in the story, most of the headstrong character she displayed before is just absent.
She never does anything with the bow except shoot a tree a few times and get lessons from Masolon on how to better shoot a tree. By no means did I desire to see her become a killer, but it feels like she only had interest in the bow in order to have an excuse for her character to interact with Masolon. When she experiences a time of much-justified grief and wishes to be alone, she is not sympathized with, but almost made out to be fickle. I ended up liking her more than I expected to, but I also felt bad for her and how her development as a character was handled.
This is a debut novel, and that is obvious. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. There is promise here, and I hope Karim Soliman continues to hone his writing into something truly remarkable.
November 28, 2017
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
There is always some pressure promising a review for an ARC, especially for a new author. As a writer myself (still struggling with finishing my first work of fiction, but anticipating my first collaboration on a non-fiction work releasing soon), I have great empathy for an author eager to build a wide audience.
My doubts were erased once I delved in this new world.
Final rating was a solid 4.5 (thanks Goodreads for not letting us off the hook with half star options). I rounded up because I found myself lost in the story.
This was an easy read with well developed characters and wonderful imagery. There was a fair amount of violence but relationships were strictly PG (similar to my favorite author, Michael J Sullivan).
My only advice for improvement would be to actually stretch the story out a bit longer. A lot of action and plot development felt rushed at times.
All in all this was a pleasure to read.
There is always some pressure promising a review for an ARC, especially for a new author. As a writer myself (still struggling with finishing my first work of fiction, but anticipating my first collaboration on a non-fiction work releasing soon), I have great empathy for an author eager to build a wide audience.
My doubts were erased once I delved in this new world.
Final rating was a solid 4.5 (thanks Goodreads for not letting us off the hook with half star options). I rounded up because I found myself lost in the story.
This was an easy read with well developed characters and wonderful imagery. There was a fair amount of violence but relationships were strictly PG (similar to my favorite author, Michael J Sullivan).
My only advice for improvement would be to actually stretch the story out a bit longer. A lot of action and plot development felt rushed at times.
All in all this was a pleasure to read.
November 3, 2017
I wasn't in a reading mood when I was supposed to begin perusing this ARC, but The Warrior's Path quickly changed that.
The book was engaging from the start. Right from the Prologue, I wanted to keep reading on.
While this is a fantasy world, it's not overwhelming and it is easy to keep up with it. One of the reasons might be because the books starts with a map, something I consider essential for all Fantasy novels. Another is that the characters names aren't... Well, too creative.
Sometimes in order to give the reader a exciting, fantastical experience, the authors decide they should give everyone and everything the most unpronounceable names, which often leads to two things: one - annoyance because "Darn it! How am I supposed to read this?!" and two - confusion, because unfamiliar, odd names are hard to remember so you can't keep up with who is who, especially when characters have similar names.
Not a problem here. There were names made up by the author, but they were reasonably close to languages existing in our real world.
But back to who is who, that's to say: the characters.
We have enough to make this feel like a real world, but (as I pointed out above) not enough to overwhelm us. And they were well-written. Sure, there were some that were pretty mediocre, a bit clichéd even, but those were the guys who were going to die in the next chapter or two anyway, and were what I like to call "background characters" - just there to show us that there's more to the world than our heroes and their foes.
Lastly, this novel doesn't spend a whole page describing a grain of sand or a rock that the character is thinking of climbing on to. This might seem like an odd thing to mention, but one of the reasons why I rarely read High Fantasy is because the authors would sometimes go overboard with detailed descriptions.
Again: not a problem here; the descriptions are just long enough.
I'd recommend The Warrior's Path to everyone who loves reading about new (although somewhat familiar) worlds. If you are intimidated by long books, don't worry: this one isn't.
The book was engaging from the start. Right from the Prologue, I wanted to keep reading on.
While this is a fantasy world, it's not overwhelming and it is easy to keep up with it. One of the reasons might be because the books starts with a map, something I consider essential for all Fantasy novels. Another is that the characters names aren't... Well, too creative.
Sometimes in order to give the reader a exciting, fantastical experience, the authors decide they should give everyone and everything the most unpronounceable names, which often leads to two things: one - annoyance because "Darn it! How am I supposed to read this?!" and two - confusion, because unfamiliar, odd names are hard to remember so you can't keep up with who is who, especially when characters have similar names.
Not a problem here. There were names made up by the author, but they were reasonably close to languages existing in our real world.
But back to who is who, that's to say: the characters.
We have enough to make this feel like a real world, but (as I pointed out above) not enough to overwhelm us. And they were well-written. Sure, there were some that were pretty mediocre, a bit clichéd even, but those were the guys who were going to die in the next chapter or two anyway, and were what I like to call "background characters" - just there to show us that there's more to the world than our heroes and their foes.
Lastly, this novel doesn't spend a whole page describing a grain of sand or a rock that the character is thinking of climbing on to. This might seem like an odd thing to mention, but one of the reasons why I rarely read High Fantasy is because the authors would sometimes go overboard with detailed descriptions.
Again: not a problem here; the descriptions are just long enough.
I'd recommend The Warrior's Path to everyone who loves reading about new (although somewhat familiar) worlds. If you are intimidated by long books, don't worry: this one isn't.
November 13, 2017
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
"The Warrior's Path" had a promising start - jumping into some action right away. I thought to myself "oh goody, this is going to be a fun read". I wish it had been. I just could not get into it. For one thing, I didn't like the writing style. I found it to be rather choppy. It jumped around from one point to something completely different. There were also several portions of the book written from the perspective of different characters in the book. Normally this doesn't bother me much, but I thought there were too many of those here. It broke up the continuity of the book for me. And, I didn't like Masolon, the main character. He was too arrogant and cocky. All of this is unfortunate, because the story itself was great.
"The Warrior's Path" had a promising start - jumping into some action right away. I thought to myself "oh goody, this is going to be a fun read". I wish it had been. I just could not get into it. For one thing, I didn't like the writing style. I found it to be rather choppy. It jumped around from one point to something completely different. There were also several portions of the book written from the perspective of different characters in the book. Normally this doesn't bother me much, but I thought there were too many of those here. It broke up the continuity of the book for me. And, I didn't like Masolon, the main character. He was too arrogant and cocky. All of this is unfortunate, because the story itself was great.
November 20, 2017
I was provided a copy of this book for an honest review and I am very glad I did as I thoroughly enjoyed The Warrior's Path. I liked the style of switching point of views between characters, while it did take a bit to get used to, it made the story even more interesting. Masolon is your main character and telling the his story for the bulk of the book. He is a very well written and likable character. It did bug me a bit that he could do no 'wrong' but some bumps to come his way in the end. Entire story is fast passed and has action. Was very difficult to put this book down once I got rolling. Very interested in reading more on Masolon and the tales in Gorania.
August 21, 2018
I wanted to love this and think it could have potential. Unfortunately, I found the writing to be very choppy and struggled to complete it.
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