Status Updates From Rise of the Archmage (Death...

Wow... Nearly through this. I actually think I prefer this to book 3. I really love this book. Highlights? The battle at the start, the encounter with Olwyn Blackhand, Vexis introduction, the trial by combat, the witch trial, Brael's magical space rocket bit, the fall out of Tubol and Tavion rocking up... I'm on the final duel of the book now. I really like it. I also like the little bits of characterisation in this.

Just read the introduction to Vexis. From the vetinary duties in Berman's Rock to the dark dreams in Durth Orza and Kirkfell and back. I think this was a really brilliant introduction to her character. I have to say, I think this bit is one of my favourite bits in the series!

Still really enjoying this. The delve into Vashni's past and the encounter with Crispin and the Orion's Hand chap are excellent. Really enjoying this!

What a fantastic opening! I really, really love the opening events of this book. Possibly one of my favourite bits in the entire series!

Well into the Vexis story now. The dream sequence I really like. It's a really non-expositional way of giving the reader real insight into how Vexis feels about her past and her future. It's a showy way of expressing her sense of guilt and fear as well as her desire for atonement. I should do more dream sequences... Where to fit one in book 6....

Fantastic start to this one. I love the plot with Lindie and the quisition, Vashni, Crispin and the Assassin. I'm not up to the part where Vexis enters the story. Her opening is really strong too I think. I still think she's one of my most interesting characters!

I am really pleased with the way the reader was introduced to Vexis. I think there's some really nice, atmospheric imagery and I think the way she conducts herself is very consistent with her character. She's a great character, in many ways she's my favourite, though in book 5 I maybe lean towards Fox who gets explored in much more detail. I'm looking forward exploring the relationship between Fox and Vexis.

Really enjoyed the mental battle with Olwyn. It was a change to show Vashni's awesomeness, while also exposing some of her limits and vulnerabilities. She faces much greater challenges in Eldenizar in 'The Temple of the Mad God' though. :(

Dang! Missed an apostrophe! However, I do like the 'mind in the sword' stuff with Korhan and Vashni. Oh, and I'm more or less up to page 100 of about 270 in editing the 95,000 word manuscript for 'The Temple of the Mad God'!

Note to self: Clear up who took Firus's heart stones and why in book 6, possibly at around the time the companions end up stuck at the Deathsworn Shrine? After the Durth Orza section? Before the big battle and Griffony, Elfy bit?

The encounter between Vashni and Jonas at Crispin's house? Fantastic! I really like how it played out. It's like building in stone, occasionally there's a stone that's just the right shape and fits perfectly. On the downside, I will have to think about it when I'm editing the prequel. Also, I have found a bloody missing 'the' somewhere after page 70! :( Really annoying, it was going so well! :(

Pressing on! Working on book 5 at the same time. 4 wise I've just read the short section on Vashni's dwelling in Cormaroth. Not critical to getting book 5 right, but I'll have to pay attention to this part when I'm checking over the prequel, 'Lady Death'. I do like the section in book 4 on Vashni's dwelling in Cormaroth! There's a lot of subtle foreshadowing in that bit!

62 Pages in and nothing I want to change! That is a relief! I actually think this is the strongest opening book. The goings on in Cormaroth are great. I'm about to catch up with Vashni. My worry is that maybe the opening to book 5 isn't quite as strong as this... Hmmm, maybe it is? I dunno. :P

Excellent read!

So happy for Brael.. Waited all this time to see this...

I love Vexis

Interesting, more exploration of religion, wonder where this is going...

Really getting absorbed into this book now and I read quite a lot today. I like the seamless way Martyn has moved the book on from the little band's trials and tribulations whilst in Cormaroth. It has flowed well and might have been too abrupt without the addition of the rescue of the two young girls and the revelations re Vashni connection with the blood trials followed by them being pursued into Hersford.

I'm on 'The Duel'! The final chapter! Some tell me this duel continues for too long. But it's an important fight. I liked the previous chapter and I do think there are some very tense moments. I can't talk about it too much. It'd spoil the fun! So glad I'm nearly on my book 5 WIP now.

Right! On the build up to Brael's big spell now! I have a real dilemma with Brael post book 4. As a spellcaster he's supposed to be unrivalled. The trouble is unstoppable, ultra-powerful characters are boring. I need to find a chink in his magical armour, a flaw to having access to limitless power? Of course if he were to become deathsworn at some point... That might change things again!

We're out of Berman's Rock. I like the little to and fro between Vexis, Vashni and Korhan and the discussion about changing who 'owns' Korhan... I think it's a really unusual dynamic. I like the absurdity, will Korhan ever end up Vexis' man-servant? Well, that would be telling. things never go to plan for my heroes. I've had some interesting ideas for book 5 recently, I might G.R.R Martin a few characters!

Ooh! The hanging! Vexis does have a very rough time of it. I like this section, yes it's gritty, but it seems real. I did notice a really annoying error! I missed a 'the' out. It's easily done, but it should be easily spotted. I suspect part of the problem is the sentence missing it is split by a line break. I find it much easier to spot things in a paperback. I wonder, should I order paperback proofs before pubbing?

Well I just read the witch trial! Poor Vexis; she really goes through the wringer! I really like the way this book flows. The story won't appeal to all, but the writing is way better than my early attempts. I got a bad review from a same-genre DNF'er recently. It stings, I'm human. I can take criticism, but I'd prefer it constructive https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...