Waters of Darkness in Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"

Aug 03, 2021 Jason Ray Carney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sword-and-sorcery, historical-fantasy

This is an excellent sword and sorcery pirate novel. It is co-authored by (1) the author of the classic *Oron* series, David C. Smith, and (2) the author of the wonderful "S&S/detective mash-up" Dorgo the Dowser series, Joe Bonadonna. Both of these authors' unique talents are on display in this highly entertaining, break-neck speed tale of piracy, eldritch horror, and cameraderie among rogues. Smith brings in a visceral brutality to the bloody sea battles. Bonadonna's dramatic and lively dialog ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2023 Jim Kuenzli rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sword-and-sorcery, adventure-action-pulp

Really good sword and sorcery pirate novel set in 1660. Excellent pacing, believable lead characters, and interesting locales along the Madagascar and African coasts. Plenty of action, excellent battles against all manner of men, sorcerers, demonic beings , etc. Tinged with love and loss.

8 likes · Like · see review

Oct 05, 2014 Morgan rated it really liked it

Pirate fiction lends itself to insertion of supernatural elements going back to E. H. Visiak's MEDUSA. WATERS OF DARKNESS is better than MEDUSA. This novel harkens back to the under 200 page mass market paperbacks of the 1960s and 70s. Scottish pirate Red Buchanan and Irish pirate Kate O'Toole join forces to find their fortune in the waters of the Indian Ocean plundering richly laden ships returning from India and the East Indies. Along the way, they find sorcery and a curse on a forsaken island ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 13, 2015 Lori Myers rated it it was amazing

Every once in a while a great book crosses my path. A book I never would have even looked at if not for specific things. You all know I love my authors and will do everything in my power to get their books into your hands.
I finished Waters of Darkness last night David C Smith and Joe Bonadonna did an absolutely amazing job with this book! Here is where I admit that I only have it cause Joe is one of my favorite authors, I never, ever could have seen myself reading this genre. But, because it is ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 14, 2016 Jason Waltz rated it really liked it

Shelves: heroic, fantastical, s-s, fun

fun bloody pirate read filled with swords, sorcery, shenanigans, saltiness, sacrifice. strong lead characters, though some repetitive catch phrases grew old. nice intrigue, scariness, and travel across the seas. great read for a cross-country weekend flight.

3 likes · Like · see review