Alaric Longward
Auteur de The Oath Breaker: A Novel of Germania and Rome (Hraban Chronicles) (Volume 1)
A propos de l'auteur
Séries
Œuvres de Alaric Longward
The Beast of the North: Stories of the Nine Worlds (Thief of Midgard) (Volume 1) (2015) 7 exemplaires
Jeanette's Sword: Story of Napoleonic Wars (The Soldier and the Spy Chronicles, Tales of Historical Adventure and… (2014) 3 exemplaires
The Horn King: Stories of the Nine Worlds 2 exemplaires
Sons of Ymir: Stories of the Nine Worlds (Thief of Midgard - a dark fantasy action adventure) (2018) 2 exemplaires
The Bear Banner (The Goth Chronicles #2) 1 exemplaire
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Membres
Critiques
This is the story of two sisters, Shannon and Dana, who appear to be totally opposite of each other. Shannon is the oldest and has always envied her brighter, prettier sister. Dana has always looked out for her older, darker, and shy sister. People whisper about her as she’s strange but Shannon never understands why she’s so different and why people treat her like they do. She yearns to be just like her sister, Dana. Instead, she’s an outcast to her family and townspeople. Little do the sisters realize they are more alike than anyone can fathom. Except their Grandmother.
This is a dark tale which drew me In right from the beginning. There is much world building once the sisters enter the Ninth World. There are a lot of characters thrown at the reader at this point. Trying to keep track of who they were, male, female, whom were they with, what part of Earth did they come from, was too confusing for me. It really slowed down my reading pleasure. I have enough trouble remembering the people I work with on a daily basis.
But, I started grasping who all these other children were by the middle of the book. For that’s what everyone sucked into the Ninth World were. Children. The Dark Levy. They were children from all different walks of life. Another part that didn’t set well, and I had to go back and look at the time period again. This story supposedly takes place in the year 1815, but there are references, and words/phrases that I felt were too modern.
Then we get to met the gorgons and their leader, Eiryale. She is beautiful, cunning, mysterious, and as evil a creature as you can find. And she has her snake eyes focused on Shannon, as once again, Shannon is not as the other Dark Levy. For the world they find themselves in is full of magic. A totally different type of magic than you see in most books. I really enjoyed the originality of the storyline.
The middle of the book was slow for me. It was long-winded and I felt some parts of the plot were stressed too often. But once the action started, oh boy, look out, for than it’s a hell of a read. There’s action, death, betrayal, and even love. Shannon finds herself surrounded by creatures only thought of as myths or fairytales in her world. And now she has to align herself with them. Can she trust them? We shall see.
If you enjoy epic fantasy with lots of world-building, you will love this story. I give it 4 feathers and have bought the next book in the series, Eye of Hel.… (plus d'informations)
This is a dark tale which drew me In right from the beginning. There is much world building once the sisters enter the Ninth World. There are a lot of characters thrown at the reader at this point. Trying to keep track of who they were, male, female, whom were they with, what part of Earth did they come from, was too confusing for me. It really slowed down my reading pleasure. I have enough trouble remembering the people I work with on a daily basis.
But, I started grasping who all these other children were by the middle of the book. For that’s what everyone sucked into the Ninth World were. Children. The Dark Levy. They were children from all different walks of life. Another part that didn’t set well, and I had to go back and look at the time period again. This story supposedly takes place in the year 1815, but there are references, and words/phrases that I felt were too modern.
Then we get to met the gorgons and their leader, Eiryale. She is beautiful, cunning, mysterious, and as evil a creature as you can find. And she has her snake eyes focused on Shannon, as once again, Shannon is not as the other Dark Levy. For the world they find themselves in is full of magic. A totally different type of magic than you see in most books. I really enjoyed the originality of the storyline.
The middle of the book was slow for me. It was long-winded and I felt some parts of the plot were stressed too often. But once the action started, oh boy, look out, for than it’s a hell of a read. There’s action, death, betrayal, and even love. Shannon finds herself surrounded by creatures only thought of as myths or fairytales in her world. And now she has to align herself with them. Can she trust them? We shall see.
If you enjoy epic fantasy with lots of world-building, you will love this story. I give it 4 feathers and have bought the next book in the series, Eye of Hel.… (plus d'informations)
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review at my request.
2.5 Stars
Jay is a new narrator for me. How does he compare to those I've enjoyed? Well... Off the bat, in the prologue he was very flat toned. I liked the prologue story wise, as it's what changed the world, but Jay didn't feel to have the emotion to make it hit hard. The title for Book 1 was repeated at the end of the prologue and at the beginning of Chapter one. He almost put me to sleep. His cadence is very slow, so clicking a faster speed helped with this. There are a few spots where it sounds like the sound warps or changes then back to normal. It's brief and made me wonder if I really heard it, but enough to steal my attention from the story being told. I'm sorry. This narrator misses so many opportunities to liven up the story. And by the way he speaks, it feels to bring the book down to basic simple terms.
A narrator can make or break a book. I feel this is a perfect example. I don't know if the book was better than what I heard, but Jay breaks this book. Was he bored while narrating? I don't know, but he wasn't into the characters at all. So much so that I almost DNF-ed this book. In the end of the book, last 5 hours or so, Jay had a little more life to his voice. Shame he didn't try to do that at the beginning, and more.
I go back and forth on my feelings of the story...
Fantasy has a slow grow to it with great details given. The novel fits that persona. However, there is a meeting at a tavern that Maskan and Sand overhear. The meeting that seems as though it's rather important is done on the steps of the tavern in an alley. Um, if this man is as ruthless as he's said to be and in charge of one of the roughest gangs in the city, why would he do such a huge deal on the steps outside where anyone could overhear? This is then brought up at the end of the book, explaining this, but it still felt out of place when happened.
The little things in Maskan's life lead to much more, hinting at darker things happening in the world with the kings. There is more going on behind the scenes that involves Blacktower family and Maskan stumbles along and gets involved, his family too. Then we learn more and things switch around for Maskan.
We get the plan for what's to happen when Maskan goes in to the King's mint. Then we get the plan a repeated to us a few times. It feels like some of this could have been cut from the story to keep it moving along. Then again with a plan of Maskan with another, we get it a few times which is Maskan repeating it to Sand, I know Sand needs to learn but it bored me hearing it all out again.
It feels as the characters speak in short simple sentences and they don't flow smoothly from what's being spoken, thought, or told. I'm not sure if this is the narrator or the writing, but either way it plays the characters down to being far to simple to come up with such plans and ideas.
Maskan's instant "love" for Shaduril was annoying at first. He falls in love with her from the first moment he saw her, her beauty draws his eyes. Then, finally when Maskan makes mention of feelings for Shaduril, she doesn't shot him down but makes it seem as there could be something there. It feels sudden in the story. Is she playing him to get done what needs done? Probably, but Maskan is dumb in love. Then things seem to iron out between them and easier to accept.
Once the story got going, I enjoyed the movement and twists that happen. There is more going on that Maskan isn't aware of, as he is too trusting. When I think that Maskan has started to grow and learn that many can not be trusted, he shows how naive he is once again. I almost feel disappointed in him from time to time. Even the love for Shaduril grew on me as they had a few more interactions that helped.
I do like the connection to legends and lores of Norse Mythology. Something that makes the world full and creative with magic and history. We see some of this in the beginning, but not as much as the High King is working hard to make all forget the Gods. However, in the end this impacts Maskan's life and we learn a great deal about the Gods and why they are here. This, along with the twist to the story, that saved the book in star rating.
When we think we have all the twisted plans figured out, they all completely flip inside out. I enjoyed the twists at the end.… (plus d'informations)
2.5 Stars
Jay is a new narrator for me. How does he compare to those I've enjoyed? Well... Off the bat, in the prologue he was very flat toned. I liked the prologue story wise, as it's what changed the world, but Jay didn't feel to have the emotion to make it hit hard. The title for Book 1 was repeated at the end of the prologue and at the beginning of Chapter one. He almost put me to sleep. His cadence is very slow, so clicking a faster speed helped with this. There are a few spots where it sounds like the sound warps or changes then back to normal. It's brief and made me wonder if I really heard it, but enough to steal my attention from the story being told. I'm sorry. This narrator misses so many opportunities to liven up the story. And by the way he speaks, it feels to bring the book down to basic simple terms.
A narrator can make or break a book. I feel this is a perfect example. I don't know if the book was better than what I heard, but Jay breaks this book. Was he bored while narrating? I don't know, but he wasn't into the characters at all. So much so that I almost DNF-ed this book. In the end of the book, last 5 hours or so, Jay had a little more life to his voice. Shame he didn't try to do that at the beginning, and more.
I go back and forth on my feelings of the story...
Fantasy has a slow grow to it with great details given. The novel fits that persona. However, there is a meeting at a tavern that Maskan and Sand overhear. The meeting that seems as though it's rather important is done on the steps of the tavern in an alley. Um, if this man is as ruthless as he's said to be and in charge of one of the roughest gangs in the city, why would he do such a huge deal on the steps outside where anyone could overhear? This is then brought up at the end of the book, explaining this, but it still felt out of place when happened.
The little things in Maskan's life lead to much more, hinting at darker things happening in the world with the kings. There is more going on behind the scenes that involves Blacktower family and Maskan stumbles along and gets involved, his family too. Then we learn more and things switch around for Maskan.
We get the plan for what's to happen when Maskan goes in to the King's mint. Then we get the plan a repeated to us a few times. It feels like some of this could have been cut from the story to keep it moving along. Then again with a plan of Maskan with another, we get it a few times which is Maskan repeating it to Sand, I know Sand needs to learn but it bored me hearing it all out again.
It feels as the characters speak in short simple sentences and they don't flow smoothly from what's being spoken, thought, or told. I'm not sure if this is the narrator or the writing, but either way it plays the characters down to being far to simple to come up with such plans and ideas.
Maskan's instant "love" for Shaduril was annoying at first. He falls in love with her from the first moment he saw her, her beauty draws his eyes. Then, finally when Maskan makes mention of feelings for Shaduril, she doesn't shot him down but makes it seem as there could be something there. It feels sudden in the story. Is she playing him to get done what needs done? Probably, but Maskan is dumb in love. Then things seem to iron out between them and easier to accept.
Once the story got going, I enjoyed the movement and twists that happen. There is more going on that Maskan isn't aware of, as he is too trusting. When I think that Maskan has started to grow and learn that many can not be trusted, he shows how naive he is once again. I almost feel disappointed in him from time to time. Even the love for Shaduril grew on me as they had a few more interactions that helped.
I do like the connection to legends and lores of Norse Mythology. Something that makes the world full and creative with magic and history. We see some of this in the beginning, but not as much as the High King is working hard to make all forget the Gods. However, in the end this impacts Maskan's life and we learn a great deal about the Gods and why they are here. This, along with the twist to the story, that saved the book in star rating.
When we think we have all the twisted plans figured out, they all completely flip inside out. I enjoyed the twists at the end.… (plus d'informations)
I love historical fiction, but, more often than not, it just reads like non-fiction with some characters thrown in. This is not so with this book! The characters are all well developed, which makes for a great, historically accurate read! It is evident that a lot of research went into writing this book, and these facts were then expertly woven into the narrative by the author, resulting in a compelling and also educational book. Highly recommended to all fans of historical fiction!
Statistiques
- Œuvres
- 17
- Membres
- 53
- Popularité
- #303,173
- Évaluation
- 3.7
- Critiques
- 4
- ISBN
- 28
- Langues
- 1
Wish the author had gotten an editor or proofreader. If they had, they need a new one. Way too many grammar issues, oddly worded sentences (how can a fire be described as both "moldering and fierce"?), and verbal exposition that drags on and on...
I rated it two stars because the story has potential. Just wish the writing was better.… (plus d'informations)