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fratnanny's review against another edition
5.0
Many years ago I bought DÄMOREN on audible and listened to it, but although I liked it, it didn't blow me away the first time around. Last year I kept thinking of it and thought that I might give it another shot, so I bought it in print and loved it so much better.
HOUNANCIER was even better and it compelled me to go on with the series. IBENUS was a surprise, because just when I thought I know what was going to happen and thought "this is a bit predictable" it took a twist I didn't expect.
Don't get me wrong, there are certainly issues with this book as it is self-published and has some spelling errors in it, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The entire take on these holy weapons and demons is very unique, which makes it okay to forgive a couple of errors.
I am giving it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 and continuing on with Redemptor.
HOUNANCIER was even better and it compelled me to go on with the series. IBENUS was a surprise, because just when I thought I know what was going to happen and thought "this is a bit predictable" it took a twist I didn't expect.
Don't get me wrong, there are certainly issues with this book as it is self-published and has some spelling errors in it, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The entire take on these holy weapons and demons is very unique, which makes it okay to forgive a couple of errors.
I am giving it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 and continuing on with Redemptor.
barb4ry1's review against another edition
5.0
Actual rating: 4.5/5 but I'll round it up to five because it's the first book in a while that I devoured in one sitting.
I like the concept of a hidden world of monsters and of a small group of people that hunt them. That's one of the reasons why I enjoy the Valducan series so much. The fact it's simply awesome helps as well.
Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone although it's rewarding to read them in publication order.
In short, the series follows an order of modern-day knights that hunt demons. When someone is possessed by a demon, they take the form of a monster, such as a werewolf, oni, wendigo, etc. The only way to kill a demon is by using a holy weapon. Each knight is bonded to a unique weapon. It's a bond more intimate and strong than any human relationship you can imagine. It's an absolute pure love. Not surprising, as each weapon is inhabited by an angel who chooses his protector and bonds with him/her.
Damoren followed Matt Hollis, Hounacier Malcolm Romero. In Ibeneus there's a wider cast of characters but the focus is on Ibenus protector - Allan Havlock. I liked Allan in Damoren a lot and was happy to learn he'll get more spotlight. I wasn't prepared to what Seth Skorkowsky had in mind for him, though.
He takes an apprentice - a disgraced police detective Victoria Martin who survived demon attack. Victoria belongs to an internet group intent on exposing Valducans. At first, she's driven by the anger but when she learns more about the order and starts to desperately play both sides to not only protect herself but also Allan, whom she has begun to love. Ibenus, however, has other plans.
For me, it was the best book in the series. I practically read it in one sitting (literally - yesterday I spent eight hours on a train). I was glued to the pages from the beginning to the end.
The Valducan series has a huge cast of knights and their individual holy weapons. While think Matt is cool, much of his mystery is solved by the end of Dämoren. I thoroughly appreciate the fact that the author decided to explore the other characters, their strengths, and weaknesses, and keep everything fresh. It would be such a waste of potential to focus solely on one character.
Characters are the strength of the series. I wouldn't mind having another ten books in the series just to learn about each of them. Allan and Victoria's relationship was done skillfully. It was interesting to see Valducans through her eyes. I mean, the guys are lunatics. Imagine a band of guys entering buildings with medieval weapons, burning houses and claiming there are demons around us. Would you easily believe them?
Apart from Victoria's storyline, my favorite part of the book was bonding between a German accountant and Umatri. It felt intimate, convincing and beautiful. I work as an HR Consultant and I have to admit that Valducans recruitment techniques are well targeted on a given weapon needs and preferences. Lakrasus always chooses dancers as his protectors so he's displayed in the dance center, Umatri was a bit of an enigma but it was displayed close to places frequented by soldiers. However, it was an accountant, not a soldier that has proven worthy of this amazing, undulating blade. Heck, Umatri may be one of the coolest weapons described in Valducan series so far.
We continue to learn more about the monsters. They're not romanticized or tragic. They’re pure evil. Some of them share a history with angels. If you remember Anya form Damoren, you'll be satisfied with the Ibenus' closure of her arc.
In Ibenus, the Valducans are going after Mantismeres - the giant insectoid demons that spawn doll-faced carapaced minions, which in turn lure in their unwitting victims by emitting sounds that imitate crying or giggling babies. Imagine meeting something like that in the dark. Would you run to help it? Probably. And that would be your final mistake.
Pacing is another of the things that Skorkowsky excels in. The story is well paced, fully immersive and hard to put down.
Damoren becomes one of my favorite series ever. Ibenus is my favorite book in the series. I can't wait to read Redemptor.
Seriously guys, if you're into darker urban fantasy or demon hunters try this series. It's brilliant.
I like the concept of a hidden world of monsters and of a small group of people that hunt them. That's one of the reasons why I enjoy the Valducan series so much. The fact it's simply awesome helps as well.
Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone although it's rewarding to read them in publication order.
In short, the series follows an order of modern-day knights that hunt demons. When someone is possessed by a demon, they take the form of a monster, such as a werewolf, oni, wendigo, etc. The only way to kill a demon is by using a holy weapon. Each knight is bonded to a unique weapon. It's a bond more intimate and strong than any human relationship you can imagine. It's an absolute pure love. Not surprising, as each weapon is inhabited by an angel who chooses his protector and bonds with him/her.
Damoren followed Matt Hollis, Hounacier Malcolm Romero. In Ibeneus there's a wider cast of characters but the focus is on Ibenus protector - Allan Havlock. I liked Allan in Damoren a lot and was happy to learn he'll get more spotlight. I wasn't prepared to what Seth Skorkowsky had in mind for him, though.
He takes an apprentice - a disgraced police detective Victoria Martin who survived demon attack. Victoria belongs to an internet group intent on exposing Valducans. At first, she's driven by the anger but when she learns more about the order and starts to desperately play both sides to not only protect herself but also Allan, whom she has begun to love. Ibenus, however, has other plans.
For me, it was the best book in the series. I practically read it in one sitting (literally - yesterday I spent eight hours on a train). I was glued to the pages from the beginning to the end.
The Valducan series has a huge cast of knights and their individual holy weapons. While think Matt is cool, much of his mystery is solved by the end of Dämoren. I thoroughly appreciate the fact that the author decided to explore the other characters, their strengths, and weaknesses, and keep everything fresh. It would be such a waste of potential to focus solely on one character.
Characters are the strength of the series. I wouldn't mind having another ten books in the series just to learn about each of them. Allan and Victoria's relationship was done skillfully. It was interesting to see Valducans through her eyes. I mean, the guys are lunatics. Imagine a band of guys entering buildings with medieval weapons, burning houses and claiming there are demons around us. Would you easily believe them?
Apart from Victoria's storyline, my favorite part of the book was bonding between a German accountant and Umatri. It felt intimate, convincing and beautiful. I work as an HR Consultant and I have to admit that Valducans recruitment techniques are well targeted on a given weapon needs and preferences. Lakrasus always chooses dancers as his protectors so he's displayed in the dance center, Umatri was a bit of an enigma but it was displayed close to places frequented by soldiers. However, it was an accountant, not a soldier that has proven worthy of this amazing, undulating blade. Heck, Umatri may be one of the coolest weapons described in Valducan series so far.
We continue to learn more about the monsters. They're not romanticized or tragic. They’re pure evil. Some of them share a history with angels. If you remember Anya form Damoren, you'll be satisfied with the Ibenus' closure of her arc.
In Ibenus, the Valducans are going after Mantismeres - the giant insectoid demons that spawn doll-faced carapaced minions, which in turn lure in their unwitting victims by emitting sounds that imitate crying or giggling babies. Imagine meeting something like that in the dark. Would you run to help it? Probably. And that would be your final mistake.
Pacing is another of the things that Skorkowsky excels in. The story is well paced, fully immersive and hard to put down.
Damoren becomes one of my favorite series ever. Ibenus is my favorite book in the series. I can't wait to read Redemptor.
Seriously guys, if you're into darker urban fantasy or demon hunters try this series. It's brilliant.
evavroslin's review against another edition
5.0
*** Review copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review***
The third volume in Seth Skorkowsky's Valducan series sees the holy weapon fighters of evil confronting some more demonic nasties. The focus is on one of the knights, Allan Havlock, who is the protector of a weapon called Ibenus. We get introduced to a new character, Victoria, who is a police officer that accidentally got involved with the Valducans, had an unfortunate tragedy happen to her, and now demands answers from them.
It's a tight, suspensefully-written novel that fans of the previous two books will love. This time around we get some exciting new additions to the cast of characters as well as more of a focus on ones we have already met in previous books but didn't get that much of a chance to hang out with, which was a nice treat. If you love your urban fantasy set in Europe, you'll get a good dollop of that with this novel. Seeing how Victoria's story unfolded and her inner conflicts of desire for revenge mingled with new love and loyalties was something the author executed very well, and it kept me glued to the pages.
The third volume in Seth Skorkowsky's Valducan series sees the holy weapon fighters of evil confronting some more demonic nasties. The focus is on one of the knights, Allan Havlock, who is the protector of a weapon called Ibenus. We get introduced to a new character, Victoria, who is a police officer that accidentally got involved with the Valducans, had an unfortunate tragedy happen to her, and now demands answers from them.
It's a tight, suspensefully-written novel that fans of the previous two books will love. This time around we get some exciting new additions to the cast of characters as well as more of a focus on ones we have already met in previous books but didn't get that much of a chance to hang out with, which was a nice treat. If you love your urban fantasy set in Europe, you'll get a good dollop of that with this novel. Seeing how Victoria's story unfolded and her inner conflicts of desire for revenge mingled with new love and loyalties was something the author executed very well, and it kept me glued to the pages.
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