Actually I'll say that this is a surprisingly good read. A little clipped in it's story telling it still gives us enough depth to not have story or chActually I'll say that this is a surprisingly good read. A little clipped in it's story telling it still gives us enough depth to not have story or character holes. The plot is good. I do find one twist a bit contrived in that I think our insightful protagonist might have figured out what was going on before it was "told to him". (no I won't give a spoiler. You'll get what I mean when you read the book.)
Our hero here is slightly edged into the superman category in some of the things he manages to pull off but it's handled well and doesn't take away from the story.
I like it and I plan to follow the series. I can recommend this one. Enjoy. ...more
You will have noted I assume that I placed this book on, well on several of my shelves.
I have always loved history. I suppose this goes back to elemeYou will have noted I assume that I placed this book on, well on several of my shelves.
I have always loved history. I suppose this goes back to elementary school when I discovered that history largely consisted of exploration, wars and so on. yes I know the present generation has uncovered and revealed that history is ACTUALLY largely made up of evil, atrocities, enslavement of native peoples (or killing of native peoples) and is largely something to be rewritten or at least ignored.
That of course is why we see so many of the mistakes of past peoples being repeated. Instead of learning from history people either try to rewrite it to make it fit their preconceived ideas...or they have buried their heads in the sand and pretended it doesn't exist. History does not repeat itself...people repeat history.
Now, diatribe aside I was a bit surprised how much I liked this book. having had several unpleasant wakeup calls of late (not least of which was loosing a couple of pints of blood to an internal bleed) I've been spending more time reading, and getting to books that, "I've been meaning to get to". This has included and still includes several long epic fantasies. SO this book was on I picked up to be a sort of light palate cleanser before the next 8oo page tome.
Call me "gobsmaked" I like it, a lot. It's a fun exciting read and for those of us who are "history buffs" it fires the imagination (or at least did mine).
Is it all good? Mostly. There were a couple of false notes "for me" (by the way please don't read the spoiler if you don't want to know a secret of the book before the book reveals it) (view spoiler)[ the inclusion of mythical demi-goddesses was a bit uncalled for I think, but others may like that part of the plot. (hide spoiler)]
Another thing for those of you who have read many of my reviews, is there a romance? Yes there is but it doesn't overwhelm the book. It's just another part of the story..in other words the book isn't a romance but there is a bit of a love story in the book.
The book is well told, full of dry humor and I plan to pick up the next. A good story and I can recommend it. Enjoy...I think we might call this (as I have other books) "brain candy"....more
You will have noted I went 5 stars on this book. The interesting thing is that I could describe it in a way that might make it sound sort of mediocre.You will have noted I went 5 stars on this book. The interesting thing is that I could describe it in a way that might make it sound sort of mediocre. I mean it hits a lot of the epic fantasy marks, there are Elves, humans, dwarves, other fantasy races. The Elves think of themselves as superior. There are what would be called "fantasy tropes" (I hate the word trope. It seemed to get badly overused for a while but, you know they are tropes). There is heavy foreshadowing, plot points you will spot and have seen before...and more. Some inside jokes to. But you know what?
NONE OF THAT MATTERS.
The book is just done so well it flows together and holds the reader. My only complaint is that it's the first in a series, was only released this week and I don't know how long the wait for the next volume will be.
I'm 68 Mr. Ashura so you know, don't take too long, okay?
I saw this on Audible, thought it sounded interesting and...well it is.
I've noted before that actually, after 10,000 or so years of story telling there are/can be few really new plots. They key is to remix the ones we have well. This is a great read. As noted I got it from Audible. Between Davis Ashura and Nick Podehl we have a real winner here. It's so good I tracked down a prior series by the author and plan to start it. So, yeah recommended.
I considered long on my rating here. A 5 is the best I can go and there are (of course) many books I'd have to rate above this one...but not a lot. I'I considered long on my rating here. A 5 is the best I can go and there are (of course) many books I'd have to rate above this one...but not a lot. I've actually gone through this one twice already. This one I'd have to describe as, well as fun.
You know humor often falls flat when paired with action adventure. We've all seen comedy action movies' and some are great. Sadly for every good one there are probably a few dozen that fail. The same can be true for novels. Here it works well.
Our "hero" is relating the story of his quest(s) to a group of...younger fighters. The death defying deeds along with the ability to show a protagonist who keeps his wry wit is great.
If the book has a flaw it could be that sometimes our hero comes across as almost too competent. But it never really goes over the top and the book keeps you involved, excited and laughing.
This was a close one. I almost dropped in to a 3 star rating due mostly to the...I don't know exactly how to put this... I suppose it could be called This was a close one. I almost dropped in to a 3 star rating due mostly to the...I don't know exactly how to put this... I suppose it could be called the "romance angle". HOWEVER I don't want to mislead. There is very, very little romance in the book however I just didn't think that part of the plot didn't fit in with the character. It just didn't fit who she was.
Some time back I started a book about a group of female assassins who were deadly and efficient. The book started out well and drew me right in. I got very interested. Then the writer introed the male co-protagonist and the entire book crashed and burned. I mean complete emulation. The two were unable to do anything plot wise, only pant, dream, and moon over each other.
This book did not got down that route. It tells an excellent story and easily held my interest. The Shadow Sisters are a good idea (and people who specifically look for what are called "kick ass female" leads will love it). They are set up well, Ryana is not only engaging but fully developed. I like her, I like the idea, I like the plot. That's why I thought/felt i had to drop a star because the way the book ties up is slightly disappointing (at least to me)/the spoiler is a MAJOR SPOILER so don't read it if you don't want to know how the book ends.
(view spoiler)[ Ryana deals with her emotional angst, gets permission from the senior sister, becomes sort of a traveling advisor Shadow Sister and marries her love...okay, sigh. (hide spoiler)]
I do like it as I said, I mean I go 4 stars which has to be and excellent book in my case, I am into the second book.. Hopefully I'll let you know what I think soon.
I just wrote a longer review of the first book in this series (A Demon in Silver) so please read that for the introductory remarks as I really don't wI just wrote a longer review of the first book in this series (A Demon in Silver) so please read that for the introductory remarks as I really don't want to type them again, LOL.
Look this is an excellent series. Both books get a 5 star rating for me and recommend them highly...
Again my only regret is that the 3rd book isn't due out till Jan.
I couldn't decide whether to put this on my "Epic Fantasy" shelf or not. I finally did as the story is "epic" in scope.
I have been a member at AudibleI couldn't decide whether to put this on my "Epic Fantasy" shelf or not. I finally did as the story is "epic" in scope.
I have been a member at Audible for some time now. I discovered in college that I'm what is known as an audio learner. That is I retain things I've heard very well. If my profs would cover the material in a lecture and I took notes I seldom had to even go over the notes again. So I read well visually and also audibly. AND as it turns out I really enjoy audio books. I found that out when my late wife became so ill she couldn't read anymore and I began to search out "Books on Tape" for her. Once I got them from the library I usually took them to work when she'd finished them and listened in my vehicle. Thus I became hooked.
Once I got involved in Audible I found I was not only using all my credits but was buying extra credits...that was when I had the "Gold" membership...so I upgraded to the "Platinum" membership. I use all those credits, plus more also. And now, great news, Audible upgraded me (and others) to Platinum plus which includes A LOT of free books.
This was a free book. I don't know how long I'd have gone before I picked it up, but I must thank whoever put this on the Platinum+ list. This is a great read. My only complaint is that now that I have finished the second book also I have to wait until Jan. for the third book.
Here we have a story that takes place in (at least) 2 worlds. The cosmology of the book is a bit muddy but not objectionable. I can recommend this for plot, characters, and simply good story telling. I stumbled on it when I'd been in a reading desert so to speak. Nothing had drawn me in for a while.
If you like an well plotted, action packed story of epic scope, I recommend this one.
Not what I expected when I bought the book, but pretty good. I'd say sort of shades of The Puppet Masters with a tiny bit of Invasion of the Body SnatNot what I expected when I bought the book, but pretty good. I'd say sort of shades of The Puppet Masters with a tiny bit of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and maybe just a bit of Alien...but on Earth of course, well this Earth...or well, maybe not. It could be one sort of like this one but then who can tell I mean with infinite Earths and universes and Quantum immortality getting involved... Well, you maybe, sort of, almost, kind of get the idea....
Well, we've got another good military sci/fi book...and this may tell you something about me as the book's plot, opening and so on follow a line that'Well, we've got another good military sci/fi book...and this may tell you something about me as the book's plot, opening and so on follow a line that's in other books I've liked. Here we have (another) young person (young man in this case) who grew up poor, hardscrabble, hand to mouth, and constantly close to getting killed in the future. This is (another) future where most all the people of Earth live in giant cities. The very poor live in the "underground" never seeing the sun or sky...
Cam Alvarez is not only poor and living in the underground, sleeping where he can, eating what he can get, living by his wits...and a certain amount of crime. He manages just after he becomes a "legal adult" to fall afoul of the law in a way that can get him "frozen" in involuntary hibernation, from which he may never be awakened even after his sentenced time as sometimes the politicians like to please the populace and that can mean not waking up the convicts... or he can testify against his "accomplice" (ex-girlfriend. He haddn't been aware she was his ex until she left him holding the illegal bag so to speak). Cam chose not to do that so, he could look forward to becoming a popsicle.
Or he could enlist in the Marines and fight the war with the aliens who were closing in on Earth and killing an alarming number of humans, colonists and military.
Oh heck as a famous sergeant is believed to have said, "do you want to live forever?" ...more
How many times have I expressed my displeasure with cliffhangers????? How many times!?
Yep we end sort of right in the middle of "stuff" and Well crap.
How many times have I expressed my displeasure with cliffhangers????? How many times!?
Yep we end sort of right in the middle of "stuff" and while I realize the next book is scheduled for release next month...it's still...troubling.
Other than that however (and of course I must mention after such a long wait [it's like Jim Butcher thinks he deserves a life or something]) this is still Harry. I must admit that it took just a little longer for me to "fall in with" the rhythm of this volume but once I did we still get Harry's trade make ability to say just the wrong thing at just the wrong time to turn what may have been a problem into a catastrophe. Things haven't really quieted down much in harry's world and Chicago again seems to (somehow) have become the center of world shaking events.
NOW, I'm going to say a couple of things under a "spoiler warning". If you don't want to read a spoiler then please don't click the spoiler warning...okay?
(view spoiler)[ There is one thing Harry does, continually that drives me up the wall. He's done it from the beginning of the series and though I know it's a character trait there are times you'd think that JUST ONCE Harry would get a clue...maybe character growth???
Thomas gets (again) into deathly trouble...this time bigger than ever. So (again) harry goes into "gotta' save my brother" mode. It's family so come hell, high water or worldwide destruction Harry is going to "save family"! However Thomas is a vampire (white court [I assume everyone reading this knows what all that means as this is volume 16 and if you've just started here without reading the other volumes...wow are you lost and missing out on some good reading]) and Harry has never told his grandfather of his (his here being both Harry and Ebeneezer) relationship to Him (him being Thomas). Sooo when Harry gets into the...well big stew over rescuing Thomas Ebeneezer sets out to rescue Harry from the clutches of the evil white court vampires. See Ebeneezer has a BIG hate for the white court, thus Harry never told him Thomas was his grandson.
Now the solid waste is about to hit the rotary impeller and push has come to the proverbial shove. Harry has to do something as he's about to come to magical blows with his grabdfather, the Black Staff, the White Council's hit-man.
So what does Harry do??? Why he waits until the confrontation has begun to spring this wonderful news on to the old man..you have a vampire grandson.
Stupid.
I reveal the outcome of this I'll only mention that Harry does the same thing with Laura Wraith only minutes later...that is spring an iffy plan that he didn't let anyone else in on.
Yep.
It's getting to the point (Mr. Butcher) that it's straining credulity...just a little.
Now all that said, yeah I still love the books so, you know just griping about the bruises on my forehead from banging it down on the table as I tried to tell Harry to just clue the old man in while things weren't so explosive, yet. (hide spoiler)]
Okay long story short (and I know it's too late for that if you read the spoiler) still 5 stars still a great read and still highly recommended.
Oh and if like me you've been getting the audio versions of the books James Marsters does another superb job. To me his voice is now Harry's voice even when I read the print versions Harry sounds the same. Mr. Marsters has him to a "T". ...more
Pretty good read and so much like the way things are going it's another that, even though it's a bit young it can be a little scary.
People are watchinPretty good read and so much like the way things are going it's another that, even though it's a bit young it can be a little scary.
People are watching reality TV even though the population is less than opulent...Running Man (?). Our hero get's cheated and in trouble but that ends up on the inside of the biggest reality event possible. Wow
Oh well, go on back to your Ereader, or Phone, or pad or whatever... ...more
@nd in another of the pulp series I've mentioned elsewhere. This is a slightly lesser know series and actually is one of the series that leans heavily@nd in another of the pulp series I've mentioned elsewhere. This is a slightly lesser know series and actually is one of the series that leans heavily on very overt sex. I mean the Baroness is universally desired by all people (and possibly creatures) in existence.
Really.
This book has a slightly less marked dependence on the sex scenes than the first did. This was actually supposed to be the first book in the series, but the publisher went with The Ecstasy Connection first. This book is a bit slower than that book so maybe that's why they went with the other first. You do get a bit more back story here however.
In this one Penelope St. John-Borsini (the Baroness) faces an old yet still sadistic Nazi (Heidrig)nd an (please forgive me the non-PC word, it's not mine but it is the character) effiminate character (Horst).
You'll get a story about..well diamonds. So if you think you might enjoy (the story or the sex) try it. I probably won't be reading any more of this series as it's pretty pricy to get them now and they are really (in my opinion of course) worth the price(s). To each. ...more
I got this free from Audible (they offer several Audible Originals free each month to members and I "think" that's how I got this one). It is a novellI got this free from Audible (they offer several Audible Originals free each month to members and I "think" that's how I got this one). It is a novella set in the Galaxy's Edge Series and it did here what it was meant to do. It got me interested in the series.
The situation here is the story of a female Republic Marine who is the daughter of a Legioner. it's the story of a fire base in the middle of what would be called "Indian Country". (Yes I know politically incorrect but it's still used). Referring back to some of the history of the series we are now involved in a rebellion against Union.
The book is a good one, very interesting it's also nonstop action from the time the first shot is fired. We lose neither plot, characterization nor action as it roles on. I decided to go 5 stars and buy the first tow novels in the series (a package deal) from Audible.
I love it. It is almost a 5 star read, I'm just trying to be stingy with those but this one is close. If you like military sci/fi action this is your I love it. It is almost a 5 star read, I'm just trying to be stingy with those but this one is close. If you like military sci/fi action this is your place.
I read this a while back, and am just now getting around to reviewing it but really....great read. I've been and am planning to get the next. It's just a matter of that old saying, so many books so little time.
If you like action or if you like action science fiction or military science fiction then I can recommend this one. Enloy. ...more
I've said before that I like...even have a special place in my heart for the old "pulp men's adventure books". Back in the '60s and '70s they were a sI've said before that I like...even have a special place in my heart for the old "pulp men's adventure books". Back in the '60s and '70s they were a sort of publishing mainstay. When I was in the army (before and after also) I read them. Of late (over the last few years) I've been finding some of them and "rediscovering" the joys of those books.
This is the first of the Nick Carter books. The series was actually written by multiple writers over the years but the author was always left unnamed or said to be Nick Carter...cool huh????? Huh???
Yeah I know but it was a pretty good gimmick.
The books (Nick Carter books) were actually more overtly spy books than some of the other espionage series from the era. While having action it doesn't have near as much of that content of others (including Ian Fleming's works). I like them (as noted) and can recommend maybe you try it yourself. ...more
Actually I'll say that this is a surprisingly good read. A little clipped in it's story telling it still gives us enough depth to not have story or chActually I'll say that this is a surprisingly good read. A little clipped in it's story telling it still gives us enough depth to not have story or character holes. The plot is good. I do find one twist a bit contrived in that I think our insightful protagonist might have figured out what was going on before it was "told to him". (no I won't give a spoiler. You'll get what I mean when you read the book.)
Our hero here is slightly edged into the superman category in some of the things he manages to pull off but it's handled well and doesn't take away from the story.
I like it and I plan to follow the series. I can recommend this one. Enjoy....more
Quarry has tried to move on with his...life. However, he knows that there are certain people who aren't really sanguine with him moving on, or having Quarry has tried to move on with his...life. However, he knows that there are certain people who aren't really sanguine with him moving on, or having any more life. So Quarry is making a list (well he came into possession of a list) and he's checking it, more than twice. The things Quarry brings are not gifts the people on the list are looking for.
Quarry's stories are fast, action filled. hard edged and bloody. They are also (maybe a little surprisingly) absorbing.
I can recommend this one two...though again the smell of cordite may linger in your reading area along with the coppery scent of blood.
(Yeah I know that cordite isn't commonly used in gun-powders today but the books go back to the '70s and actually refer to "the smell of cordite so...yeah, just enjoy and don't worry so much, "yuh' know?"...more
Quarry is not a nice person. He's a competent person at what he does, maybe even gifted.
What does he do? Oh, he kills people.
Now Quarry is a pro and Quarry is not a nice person. He's a competent person at what he does, maybe even gifted.
What does he do? Oh, he kills people.
Now Quarry is a pro and he does what he does. He's not interested in being involved in drugs or any other "line of work" and he's really not interested in being used, not even by someone he's worked with for a long time. Quarry just wants to do his job and get paid...but now there's something, in the wind. It's something that smells bad, maybe like...well that could be a spoiler.
Quarry's quarries are changing.
If you like action reads, if you like Victor the Assassin you may also like, Quarry. I can recommend it....more
Well, not as good as the first one but still pretty good. I dropped it to 3 as I think this one stretched the story out a bit...too much book for the Well, not as good as the first one but still pretty good. I dropped it to 3 as I think this one stretched the story out a bit...too much book for the plot so to speak.
That said as we go forward the novel does finally catch up to the story telling and we follow our heroes on as they try to survive against one blood thirsty power mad king ( Raj Ahten) who wants to be the one to save human-kind, and is willing to wipe out the rest of humanity if they won't help him or let him be the said hero AND the Reavers who are now ready to (again) take a shot at wiping out (and of course eating) humans.
Attitudes are (of necessity) changing about receiving attributes from animals (specifically dogs). All in all, things don't look real good.
I can recommend it, though it does drag a bit and (in my humble opinion of course) is a bit over long....more
Not a bad Book. It never drew me in as I hoped it would. I've read other books based on this same 'type" of idea (view spoiler)[(a road or route throuNot a bad Book. It never drew me in as I hoped it would. I've read other books based on this same 'type" of idea (view spoiler)[(a road or route through time, or space or both) (hide spoiler)]. And while this one tells a serviceable story (sort of workman like writing I thought) it didn't appeal to me as much as some others I've read.
It is good enough however that I'd say try it for yourself it could be just that it doesn't appeal yo me anf others will like it more....more
I got these from Audible in the "Trilogy Form" in other words all 3 books at once. I can recommend this trilogy, I like it, it's engaging and draws yoI got these from Audible in the "Trilogy Form" in other words all 3 books at once. I can recommend this trilogy, I like it, it's engaging and draws you in. There is action while also giving you a good "coming of age" tale (and I'm not a big "coming of age" tale person, but a good one will really snag me).
So, sword play...a sort of super protagonist...intrigue...romance...all good.
This is an "Oh Good-Grief" book. I saw that these were "supposed to be" action spy books. I started the series after WW2 when the protagonist was to gThis is an "Oh Good-Grief" book. I saw that these were "supposed to be" action spy books. I started the series after WW2 when the protagonist was to get involved in the Cold War and...as I said...
"OH GOOD GRIEF".
We have here the multi-named Anna who was trained as a master spy/assassin by the Nazis as they were holding her family against her obedience. She becomes a double agent for the Brits, she's traind in every possible method of killing she's sudden death with both hands. I mean, Modesty Blaise (?) an armature. James Bond(?) a piker, Emma Peel(?) could take her on with one hand tied behind her. This is THE most fantastic, deadly, unstoppable, genius intelligence level agent who ever lived.
AND aside from that she's so totally, unbelievably, incomparably beautiful, so impossibly sexual that apparently NO One male, female or somewhere in-between can be in her presence without falling into bed with her and being so overwhelmed with sexual ecstasy that no one in the past can possibly measure up and no one will ever satisfy him, her or it again...
Get the picture??? Well, there you go. If you think this sounds like your cup of tea, Coke-a-Cola, schnapps or vodka (she's operated with German, Russian, American and British intelligence so...you know) try it your self. I returned it to Audible (where by the way the English reader doing an American accent is hilarious) with the comment it's an awful book.
Of course this is my opinion, maybe you'll like this super powered, super sexy super spy, who knows.
I can't get away from the comparison to The Executioner books from the late '60s and '70s. (The series continues in a way but with multiple writers anI can't get away from the comparison to The Executioner books from the late '60s and '70s. (The series continues in a way but with multiple writers and is not what it was.) In '60 War Against the Mafia about a Vietnam vet who takes on the Mafia. Here a Gulf vet has his pregnant wife murdered by "the mob" and sets out for revenge. While the book takes a page from the earlier thriller series this one ties up in a different way/place.
This is not deep lit. It's not complicated, it's pure brain-candy. I like it though it is like a lot of these books and I was ready for it to be over when it was. Only so much mind-junk food you want in a go, LOL.
So good action thriller. Leaves the smell of gunfire and blood behind once it's over. Plan to read more of these on and off. Recommended.
I must admit that my impression of Ms. Meyer was simply as the author of The Twilight Series. It left me rather cold...you know teen angst, romantic vI must admit that my impression of Ms. Meyer was simply as the author of The Twilight Series. It left me rather cold...you know teen angst, romantic vampires...and werewolves. Just not for me. So when I saw this book I picked it up with a bit of, trepidation. Really not fair I know but there it was.
So I am now forced to say...huh, this lady can write. Really. And she can write more than teen angst.
This is a good book. I can even say it compares favorably with Koontz's Jane Hawk books...maybe it's better than Mr. Koontz's Jane hawk books.
So "what do we got here?"
Our heroine was a very accomplished...interrogator...working for a department, agency of the government that, well that didn't really exist. She and her mentor were the best at what the did, until they crossed some line, or heard something they shouldn't have, or maybe saw something they weren't supposed to. For whatever reason someone somewhere decided that they needed to...be retired.
So now Alex (or whatever name she decided to use this week, or today has been on the run. Not only has she had to run and hide she's also had to learn to kill, or she'd have been killed many times over. But now something draws her out and...well and the solid waste strikes the rotary impeller.
Now I know some will ask (as I did) so I'll answer. Yes there is a romance (or in this case more properly a love story) in the book, but It is not the core nor does it take over the plot. I enjoyed this book and I will make it a point to try what Ms. Meyer writes next. This is an adult thriller and I can recommend it.
This is the third book in a row I've given a 5 star rating... That bodes ill for the first book I pick up that disappoints me. After a string of reallThis is the third book in a row I've given a 5 star rating... That bodes ill for the first book I pick up that disappoints me. After a string of really good books it can be hard to find reads.
Now all that said this is humdinger of an action fantasy. Any veteran of fantasy lit and those who've been intro'd to fantasy through RPG or Hack & Slash games will get this. We open with a man who's a veteran of "adventuring. He'd worked for a group who contracted to "clean-out" ruins left by a long (probably) dead empire that was soaked in magic. This "people" had apparently been undone, even wiped out by this magic.
In his last horrific adventure he'd been the only survivor of his group...he'd seen all his friends "destroyed" (again horrifically) by a power that overwhelmed them all. He'd barely gotten out alive and was found half crazed carrying the severed head of one of his best friends. After this he took the fortune he'd acquired over all those years, and retired.
Now something from the past, some action by ruin hunters has come back to haunt his world...and his daughter. He must now put away his nightmares marshal his courage and go back underground and carry a cursed gem back to the place from which it was taken in the forlorn hope this may stop a plague the gem has apparently unleashed...a plague from the Aching God who ached to devour the life of everyone, possibly everything.
Yeah I know...subjective rating. I like these books. Yes they are complete and total brain candy...or possibly brain cheese burger.
If (as I say in eveYeah I know...subjective rating. I like these books. Yes they are complete and total brain candy...or possibly brain cheese burger.
If (as I say in every review of the Matt Helm books) you are only familiar with the idiotic Matt Helm movies from the 1960s...you don't know Matt Helm. The movies were turned into parodies of the entire spy-fi genre and of Helm himself specifically.
The films (and also the horrid and short lived TV series) were so bad I never even picked the books up. That is I didn't pick them up until now. and as they say, Low! and Behold! they are great reads.
If you liked Ian Fleming these are a much gritter and more action packed view of spy-fi. Helm is basically an assassin for a division of the U.S. Government that doesn't exist.
Think about it.
Here Matt finds himself "loaned out" to another branch of the "intelligence community" and still barely makes it out alive. I mean when you can't tell the good guys from the bad guys, allies from enemies and so on...well you can see how life could get interesting.
Okay, but I mean I already told you I recommend it.
In this world if you run afoul of your local monarch...you kGood book...try it.
What? You want more?
Okay, but I mean I already told you I recommend it.
In this world if you run afoul of your local monarch...you know, king, emperor...duke, whatever you may not be summarily killed. You may have a couple of blue bars tattooed onto your face and you may be declared an exile. You can no longer sleep in a bed (I know but that's the rule maybe people report you if you sleep in a bed at an inn) you must never come back to the city and whenever a monster needs slaying (mostly that means a dragon) you HAVE to go slay it. If you don't "they" will hunt you down and kill you anyway.
Most dragon slayers don't usually make it for more than a dragon or 2.
By the way the dragons in this world seem to be more animals than in some worlds where they are intelligent. In most or at least many cases they seem to be big dangerous lizards...who eat livestock and people.
Anyway (I say that a lot don't I) our hero Bershad (once Lord Silas Bershad) is a dragon slayer...except he's lasted a bit longer than most. It seems he's up to around 60+ dragons...and no one including him knows why he's so hard to kill.
Good read. The only drawback? The sequel is nowhere in sight.