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kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the main character, whose POV we follow throughout the book. He was a nice change to all the hardened warriors and talented killers im grim books.
I wouldn't have needed as much pissing and shitting for my personal enjoyment, and also I would have liked a bit more plot. Mostly they were either journeying or fighting.
I did like the dialogues and had some outbursts of laughing, which is a good thing!
Overall it was a nice change from the often to similar fantasy novels out there, as the chronicler gave it a whole new perspective to view the story from! I can recommend it to everyone who likes grim and dark books.
I wouldn't have needed as much pissing and shitting for my personal enjoyment, and also I would have liked a bit more plot. Mostly they were either journeying or fighting.
I did like the dialogues and had some outbursts of laughing, which is a good thing!
Overall it was a nice change from the often to similar fantasy novels out there, as the chronicler gave it a whole new perspective to view the story from! I can recommend it to everyone who likes grim and dark books.
selinadragonair's review against another edition
4.0
This dark fantasy novel was a surprise hit for me!
The tone of the book is quite gross, rough and harsh, but in a genuine way. There is not much plot and the characters don't have too much depth. Still, the author managed to hook me and made me care.
Why? I guess the answer lies in the dialogues, the perspective and the fights. All three were well done.
Good dialogues are a mighty instrument, they give the character more depth and make them more real.
The unique perspective of a scribe who is thrown into one frightening and brutal situation after the next is a good method to let the (safety-accustomed) reader relate. Terrible things happen and you suffer with him. If you're honest to yourself, you wouldn't react better or less clumsy in a similar situation.
And last, the fights. Apart from the grimdark genre being brutal and gory, the fights in this book felt extremely realistic. No fancy moves that look good, but simple, efficient and crude moves.
I'm intrigued enough to continue the story!
The tone of the book is quite gross, rough and harsh, but in a genuine way. There is not much plot and the characters don't have too much depth. Still, the author managed to hook me and made me care.
Why? I guess the answer lies in the dialogues, the perspective and the fights. All three were well done.
Good dialogues are a mighty instrument, they give the character more depth and make them more real.
The unique perspective of a scribe who is thrown into one frightening and brutal situation after the next is a good method to let the (safety-accustomed) reader relate. Terrible things happen and you suffer with him. If you're honest to yourself, you wouldn't react better or less clumsy in a similar situation.
And last, the fights. Apart from the grimdark genre being brutal and gory, the fights in this book felt extremely realistic. No fancy moves that look good, but simple, efficient and crude moves.
I'm intrigued enough to continue the story!
majkia's review against another edition
4.0
What the heck is the Veil, why did the gods leave, what the devil is Braylar up to?
A scribe is hired by a group of infamous men led by a 'Black Noose' to record their actions as directed by their King. LIttle did the scribe know what he was getting into. And what few answers he might actually be given.
I enjoyed the characterizations, and the dialog, and the action. I was disappointed that the book itself offered no real resolution. I'll have to read the follow on in hopes of that. Still, a good read that left me wanting more.
A scribe is hired by a group of infamous men led by a 'Black Noose' to record their actions as directed by their King. LIttle did the scribe know what he was getting into. And what few answers he might actually be given.
I enjoyed the characterizations, and the dialog, and the action. I was disappointed that the book itself offered no real resolution. I'll have to read the follow on in hopes of that. Still, a good read that left me wanting more.
pagesofash's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Gore
martyna's review
I don't think I want to continue with this one. It was crass and vulgar, the main character was painfully naïve and the world felt stifling and narrow... Not for me
seak's review against another edition
4.0
Hey, I have a booktube channel (youtube for book reviews, etc.), and I include Scourge of the Betrayer/Jeff Salyards in my Top 10 Underrated Books list here. Please subscribe if I earned it!
Arki, short for Arkamandos, has been hired on as a scribe by a band of Syldoon, the most feared and treacherous soldiers in the world. Why did he accept this work? Well, it seemed a good idea at the time - he just wanted to get out and maybe see a little more adventure.
This may have also been the worst decision of his life.
As mentioned, the Syldoon aren't the kindest of people, nor are they even that pleasant to have a drink with (as we learn early on). They have some sort of plan, of which nothing is told to their scribe.
And that's part of the genius of this book. It's told in first person from the point of view of Arki. Therefore, as he knows absolutely nothing, neither do we...and yet you still can't help but read on to find out more.
This book's been making the rounds in the blogosphere and for good reason. Somehow Salyards, a debut author by the way, comes up with this idea to just throw his readers into this situation with no heads up, no idea what's going on and you still can't put the book down.
Arki is a great character too. He really has no clue what's going on and on top of that he definitely doesn't belong amidst a band this bruised and blackened and well, scary.
He doesn't even know how to hold a knife let alone a sword/crossbow/other implement of death. He just kind of bumbles along and luckily has some help along the way.
Probably my favorite character, Braylar is the leader of this whole shindig. He's easily the knarliest of the bunch and he's got a nice set of flails to make it so. In the scale of cubicle-dweller to biker-bar, you have to lean on the side of the biker if you carry flails as a weapon.
Braylar also comes up with some good lines along the way:
[says Arki:] "We're not returning to the road."
[Braylar] "Very astute. And I'll preempt a few more observations to save you the trouble: the sky is still above us; the sun continues trekking west; our wagon is pulled by horses, not unicorns."
And also: (since I just finished taking the bar)
"Clerics and lawyers are a pestilence on this world, but they do have their uses. A wise man would avoid their company altogether, it's true,..."
Overall, count me impressed. This is a great story that would only be ruined if I gave you too much. The slow build in both plot development and simply details is worth the go. The brutality of the action and this crew definitely fit this story right alongside the likes of Joe Abercrombie for starters and I've heard Glen Cook as well although I've yet to read him.
I honestly thought I would rate this lower, but there really isn't anything to complain about. The writing's great, great characters, great ending that really ramps things up. The only failing is that I wanted more...which I've been told is contained in the next volume. That's by far the best negative thing a book can have in my opinion. I am now highly anticipating book two in the Bloodsounder's Arc.
4 out of 5 Stars (Highly Recommended!)
Arki, short for Arkamandos, has been hired on as a scribe by a band of Syldoon, the most feared and treacherous soldiers in the world. Why did he accept this work? Well, it seemed a good idea at the time - he just wanted to get out and maybe see a little more adventure.
This may have also been the worst decision of his life.
As mentioned, the Syldoon aren't the kindest of people, nor are they even that pleasant to have a drink with (as we learn early on). They have some sort of plan, of which nothing is told to their scribe.
And that's part of the genius of this book. It's told in first person from the point of view of Arki. Therefore, as he knows absolutely nothing, neither do we...and yet you still can't help but read on to find out more.
This book's been making the rounds in the blogosphere and for good reason. Somehow Salyards, a debut author by the way, comes up with this idea to just throw his readers into this situation with no heads up, no idea what's going on and you still can't put the book down.
Arki is a great character too. He really has no clue what's going on and on top of that he definitely doesn't belong amidst a band this bruised and blackened and well, scary.
He doesn't even know how to hold a knife let alone a sword/crossbow/other implement of death. He just kind of bumbles along and luckily has some help along the way.
Probably my favorite character, Braylar is the leader of this whole shindig. He's easily the knarliest of the bunch and he's got a nice set of flails to make it so. In the scale of cubicle-dweller to biker-bar, you have to lean on the side of the biker if you carry flails as a weapon.
Braylar also comes up with some good lines along the way:
[says Arki:] "We're not returning to the road."
[Braylar] "Very astute. And I'll preempt a few more observations to save you the trouble: the sky is still above us; the sun continues trekking west; our wagon is pulled by horses, not unicorns."
And also: (since I just finished taking the bar)
"Clerics and lawyers are a pestilence on this world, but they do have their uses. A wise man would avoid their company altogether, it's true,..."
Overall, count me impressed. This is a great story that would only be ruined if I gave you too much. The slow build in both plot development and simply details is worth the go. The brutality of the action and this crew definitely fit this story right alongside the likes of Joe Abercrombie for starters and I've heard Glen Cook as well although I've yet to read him.
I honestly thought I would rate this lower, but there really isn't anything to complain about. The writing's great, great characters, great ending that really ramps things up. The only failing is that I wanted more...which I've been told is contained in the next volume. That's by far the best negative thing a book can have in my opinion. I am now highly anticipating book two in the Bloodsounder's Arc.
4 out of 5 Stars (Highly Recommended!)
beau_kemp's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic story. It's been on my tbr list for quite a while and I'm glad I finally got around to it. Reading Veil Of The Deserters now.
wfyoungblood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75