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tiffanytcole's review
4.0
Miscony is a dark world.
With murder-crazy dictators like Father Ivory and the Earl controlling the Nightshades, a scary force of soldiers, Miscony really can't be any other way. It's a world where a loving family gets punished simply because one of the children have a 'demonic ability' to heal and refused to just watch their father die, a world that does not seek compromise unless by force.
Malik is, in a sense, Miscony personified. Right from the start, he's terribly ill, a loner with dark secrets, and, in spite of his best efforts, unable to participate in a barroom brawl that sets off a series of life changing events for himself and those in Miscony. Like Malik, Miscony is in need of healing and separation from its dark secrets and neverending violence. One could say it is fate, or Lightbringer finally coming forth, that pairs those children from above with Malik.
A wagon trip that should've been their death becomes their vehicle of escape. As Malik and the children run from the corrupted leaders, they gather a force of wronged citizens more than willing to fight for what they've lost. On the other side, Malik's ruthless former Captain takes charge, and the battle to begin a new age becomes even more personal. The question is not only, "Can the people of Miscony be freed?" but also, "Can Malik face and defeat his inner demons, the very same inner demons that plague Miscony as a whole?"
By page 44, the two upcoming paragraphs with qoutation marks are exactly how I felt about 'The Bone Sword':
"Four thoughts have consistently and honestly popped up in my mind. 1.) This is violent, and I like violent, so yay! 2.) Such beautiful description and pacing! I'm enjoying this. 3.) Hm. Maybe my opinion has been tainted by reading some reviews of his book before this, but he DOES have quite a few adverbs, and the evil characters do seem to just be evil without being multifaceted, save for Malik who isn't really evil so much as...well, I can't think of the word right now. 4.) I've noticed some sentences that seem like run-ons and qoutation marks in the wrong direction, but this hardly matters to the story.
"I don't think Walter wrote this with the intention for us to analyze his characters and settings and symbolism. So far, I think 'The Bone Sword' is closest to storytelling in its purest form, and that's also a good thing. Sometimes, I just like to be told a good, fun, action-packed story and not the analysis."
I'd been enjoying the story, with its brevity and wonderful fighting scenes and clear-cut dialogue, from the get-go. However, I began to emotionally identify on page 81. I even bookmarked the page! The words, "He started running. He hadn't stopped for nearly ten years," really rang in my heart. Sure, Walter could have literally meant that Malik had never stopped running, but I saw that as meaning, 'Malik, still lost and confused, didn't know HOW to stop running from himself and his demons.' After that, I looked at Malik differently. He became more than some loner protagonist and moved into the realm of real.
Walter is a master at pacing. His short sentences, the way he shows time passing when characters are sneaking about, the way he shows the methodology behind fighting when Malik is in battle...it all leads to an entertaining tale. While I wish I could've seen more of the big battle at the end, and I was a bit confused about some things concerning Malik's former Captain (this may have been a result of me reading too fast in that silly way I always do when a book gets fun and intense and action-packed), I still smiled at the end before I closed the book.
If you want pure storytelling, lots of action, and brevity, please give 'The Bone Sword' a read!
**************
My name is Tiffany Cole, and I'm a book reviewer for Suspense Magazine, a contributor for the Best Damn Creative Writing Blog (BDCWB) and the admin of Triple R, a book reviewing site. I am also an aspiring young writer. Savior of the Damned, the supernatural/dark urban fantasy novel I've been writing and editing for five years, is currently undergoing its 6th revision for what will hopefully be a successful full manuscript submission to the wonderful publishing house that requested one. You can find me in many places:
[email protected]
http://www.fuisti.blogspot.com/ {Triple R: Read, Rate, Review}
http://www.tiffanyrambles.blogspot.com
http://www.suspensemagazine.com/
http://www.rhemalda.com/public_forum/
http://www.bestdamncreativewritingblog.com/
http://www.tinyurl.com/27x9sdz {My Facebook}
With murder-crazy dictators like Father Ivory and the Earl controlling the Nightshades, a scary force of soldiers, Miscony really can't be any other way. It's a world where a loving family gets punished simply because one of the children have a 'demonic ability' to heal and refused to just watch their father die, a world that does not seek compromise unless by force.
Malik is, in a sense, Miscony personified. Right from the start, he's terribly ill, a loner with dark secrets, and, in spite of his best efforts, unable to participate in a barroom brawl that sets off a series of life changing events for himself and those in Miscony. Like Malik, Miscony is in need of healing and separation from its dark secrets and neverending violence. One could say it is fate, or Lightbringer finally coming forth, that pairs those children from above with Malik.
A wagon trip that should've been their death becomes their vehicle of escape. As Malik and the children run from the corrupted leaders, they gather a force of wronged citizens more than willing to fight for what they've lost. On the other side, Malik's ruthless former Captain takes charge, and the battle to begin a new age becomes even more personal. The question is not only, "Can the people of Miscony be freed?" but also, "Can Malik face and defeat his inner demons, the very same inner demons that plague Miscony as a whole?"
By page 44, the two upcoming paragraphs with qoutation marks are exactly how I felt about 'The Bone Sword':
"Four thoughts have consistently and honestly popped up in my mind. 1.) This is violent, and I like violent, so yay! 2.) Such beautiful description and pacing! I'm enjoying this. 3.) Hm. Maybe my opinion has been tainted by reading some reviews of his book before this, but he DOES have quite a few adverbs, and the evil characters do seem to just be evil without being multifaceted, save for Malik who isn't really evil so much as...well, I can't think of the word right now. 4.) I've noticed some sentences that seem like run-ons and qoutation marks in the wrong direction, but this hardly matters to the story.
"I don't think Walter wrote this with the intention for us to analyze his characters and settings and symbolism. So far, I think 'The Bone Sword' is closest to storytelling in its purest form, and that's also a good thing. Sometimes, I just like to be told a good, fun, action-packed story and not the analysis."
I'd been enjoying the story, with its brevity and wonderful fighting scenes and clear-cut dialogue, from the get-go. However, I began to emotionally identify on page 81. I even bookmarked the page! The words, "He started running. He hadn't stopped for nearly ten years," really rang in my heart. Sure, Walter could have literally meant that Malik had never stopped running, but I saw that as meaning, 'Malik, still lost and confused, didn't know HOW to stop running from himself and his demons.' After that, I looked at Malik differently. He became more than some loner protagonist and moved into the realm of real.
Walter is a master at pacing. His short sentences, the way he shows time passing when characters are sneaking about, the way he shows the methodology behind fighting when Malik is in battle...it all leads to an entertaining tale. While I wish I could've seen more of the big battle at the end, and I was a bit confused about some things concerning Malik's former Captain (this may have been a result of me reading too fast in that silly way I always do when a book gets fun and intense and action-packed), I still smiled at the end before I closed the book.
If you want pure storytelling, lots of action, and brevity, please give 'The Bone Sword' a read!
**************
My name is Tiffany Cole, and I'm a book reviewer for Suspense Magazine, a contributor for the Best Damn Creative Writing Blog (BDCWB) and the admin of Triple R, a book reviewing site. I am also an aspiring young writer. Savior of the Damned, the supernatural/dark urban fantasy novel I've been writing and editing for five years, is currently undergoing its 6th revision for what will hopefully be a successful full manuscript submission to the wonderful publishing house that requested one. You can find me in many places:
[email protected]
http://www.fuisti.blogspot.com/ {Triple R: Read, Rate, Review}
http://www.tiffanyrambles.blogspot.com
http://www.suspensemagazine.com/
http://www.rhemalda.com/public_forum/
http://www.bestdamncreativewritingblog.com/
http://www.tinyurl.com/27x9sdz {My Facebook}
lisacarr3's review
4.0
The cover did not due the book justice, but we all know not to judge a book by it's cover!
The story started quickly and let a fast pace all throughout. It was pretty violent in some areas, but could be seen as realistic for the time.
I love stories of a strong warrior defending the innocent and having "tag-a-longs" who can hinder him at times. This made for a great storyline.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes medieval stories with a strong female.
This was a Goodreads ARC Giveaway.
The story started quickly and let a fast pace all throughout. It was pretty violent in some areas, but could be seen as realistic for the time.
I love stories of a strong warrior defending the innocent and having "tag-a-longs" who can hinder him at times. This made for a great storyline.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes medieval stories with a strong female.
This was a Goodreads ARC Giveaway.
eviebookish's review
5.0
What a fantastically imagined book that was! I can't even begin to express my amazement at Rhein's fabulous world and character building. This book is so action packed, so entertaining and fun to read, you will be BLOWN AWAY.
Malik is one of the most likable characters I have ever met in literature. Intriguing, strong, brave, totally bad-ass - he's just the kind of hero you want to see in a clear-cut fantasy adventures!
The plot line itself isn't overly complex, but it also doesn't aspire to be anything more than pure thrill-ride, filled with sword fights, medieval sceneries and evil villains. And trust me, sometimes it's all it takes to make a greatly enjoyable read!
I would recommend this book to all fans of fantasy and adventure books! You will not be disappointed :)
Malik is one of the most likable characters I have ever met in literature. Intriguing, strong, brave, totally bad-ass - he's just the kind of hero you want to see in a clear-cut fantasy adventures!
The plot line itself isn't overly complex, but it also doesn't aspire to be anything more than pure thrill-ride, filled with sword fights, medieval sceneries and evil villains. And trust me, sometimes it's all it takes to make a greatly enjoyable read!
I would recommend this book to all fans of fantasy and adventure books! You will not be disappointed :)
readtoinfinity's review
5.0
Battle from beginning to end. Non stop action and a well crafted story. It is a small book so its possible to finish in a day or two but a very fun read. I enjoyed the story the best there was no stop of action and it kept the story going. I recommend.
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