neilsef's reviews
284 reviews

Deceiver by Andy Peloquin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Set three years after the events of the last book, this starts a new chapter in the Hunter's life and his promise to hunt down demons and take them to Enarium to place in the chambers of substance to feed Kharna.
Over the past three years, he has settled into a life with Kiara, Hailen and Evren in Voramis, but news reaches him of events in Praamis that could lead him to a demon, so he sets off to investigate.

This is another fast-paced adventure that is full of wonderful characters, has a fascinating plot that seldom goes where you expect it to and has more than a few surprises expertly woven in. There are also several hard-hitting, emotionally powerful scenes, which, combined with everything else, makes this another five-star read. 

Savior by Andy Peloquin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is another gripping tale that sees the Hunter trying to catch the Sage before he can get to the lost city of Enarium, a place he also desperately needs to get to, to find a cure for the Irrsinnon, which Hailen is starting to suffer from again having left the relative safety of Kara-Ket.

As with the previous books, this one moves along at a brisk pace, with plenty of violent brutal conflict that culminates in an emotionally tense climax to the story.

We finally get to learn more about the Hunter's past, along with the Abiarazi, Bucelarii, Serenii and Elivasti as this tale unfolds and the truth about Enarium is revealed. It also sees a few of the Hunter's old acquaintances make a reappearance as he travels to Enarium.

This also brings together many of the plot threads from the previous books to a stunning conclusion, but it also creates new ones which promise interesting possibilities for future books. 

Slayer by Andy Peloquin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

In this book, the Hunter encounters the Sage and the Warmaster, two vastly different Abiarazi in both appearance and personality, setting up a story that is by far the darkest yet in this series, but which is totally entertaining and enthralling at the same time. 

We also learn more about the Hunter's past, as the people and events he is involved in start to trigger memory flashbacks for him, which promises the possibility of a complex and interesting plot for future novels.

Hailen's story is also expanded on, as we start to learn why the Beggar priest, Father Pietus, had gotten the Hunter to promise to look after him.

This is not a tale for the faint-hearted as it is visceral in its description of battle and torture scenes, and delivers several emotional gut punches. On the brighter side is the bond growing between the Hunter and Hailen, which is extremely well balanced with the other events, and a delight to see unfold. 

Protector by Andy Peloquin

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The start of this book is fairly slow-paced, but don't let that fool you, as it soon ramps up both the tension and the action, and keeps doing so until the end of the book.

The character of the Hunter is immensely complex, being a human, demon hybrid who has lived for hundreds of years, at least, but who has no memories other than for the last fifty years or so. He is also tormented by a demon consciousness in his mind and compelled by a similar consciousness in his dagger 'Soulhunger', both of whom require him to kill on a regular basis or else they would drive him insane with their constant jabbering in his mind. But even this is just scratching the surface, as more and more layers are revealed as the book progresses, which together with the unfolding story of Hailen, the Hunter's ward and travelling companion, who has a similarly mysterious background, makes for an enthralling and riveting page-turner, of a read. 

Fury of the Queen by A.E. Rayne

adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Each book in this series has been an improvement on the one before, with the characters gaining in-depth, as you would expect, but the events unfolding do so in a very natural way and flow from book to book with nothing being forced or contrived.

The pace is almost relentless and coupled with an ever-increasing sense of tension, suspense and mystery, it's hard to put down this book for long.

This book also has the benefit of having several of the characters from the Furyck saga get entwined in the events, though the focus remains on Aylc, Reinar and company, and their continuing struggle. 

Heart of the King by A.E. Rayne

adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

In this book, all the stakes are raised as Reinar and Sigurd desperately want to get back to Ottby after both Alyc and Eddeth have dreamt about it being attacked, but not by whom. However, they are forced to wait with their ships for Jonas, Vik, and the rest of their men who must travel overland from Orvala. Meanwhile, Ake Bluefinn is also racing to Ottby to try and defend it, his dreamer having also seen it will be attacked.

The pace of this book is relentless as it combines action, suspense, drama and high emotion to deliver the most gripping book in the series so far. There is plenty of action spread throughout the story, taking place in a variety of different locations. As is usually the case, there are several plot twists and surprises woven in, just to keep you guessing what will happen next. 

Blood of the Raven by A.E. Rayne

adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is another tightly paced adventure with lots of action, suspense, drama, and emotion, but the location is further north, into a region of bitter cold and freezing seas, where the Gods are fighting each other.

Alyc and Magnus have been kidnapped by Arnon de Sant and taken North in pursuit of Lotta, who has been taken North with Ulrick Dyer and his wife, Bergit. On learning this, Jonas and Vik set out to get her and her children back, they are given a ship and crew by Reinar to help them achieve this. Unfortunately, some of the Gods intervene causing the ship to be lost, forcing Reinar to head North to try and rescue everyone.

This is another wonderful adventure that keeps your attention and interest from start to finish, with more than a few interesting twists and reveals along the way.

The Immortal Words by Jeff Wheeler

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Of the three books in this series, this one has been the most enjoyable to read, primarily because the characters and plot were more engaging than in the previous books. However, overall, it was still disappointing. The main reason is the lack of suspense or tension in the plot, together with an absence of any emotional connection to the characters.

Overall this series has been interesting and enjoyable to read, but it's never become engaging at any point. 

The Buried World by Jeff Wheeler

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Having found the first book in this series lacking characterisation and general engagement, I was hoping this one would be an improvement.

Unfortunately, many of the same flaws present in the first book are still mostly present in this one too, though to be fair the pace of this one seems to be quicker, and the events feel more exciting, but the characters still lack that spark of personality and the events still don't inspire any sense of suspense or tension.

I do have the third book and will be reading it next, but I doubt it will be significantly better than the previous books, which have been readable, but far from engaging as far as I am concerned. 

Mark of the Hunter by A.E. Rayne

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book relates the harrowing retreat of Hakon Vettel and his men back to Slussfalls after their defeat at Ottby by Reinar Vilander and his men, who now look to repair the damage done to the fort before attacking Slussfalls with the help of Ake Bluefinn's men, to eliminate the Vettel's once and for all.

Alys, Eddeth and Stina set out to find Alys' children, but are once again drawn into the conflict between the Vettel's and the Vilander's.

As with the previous book, there is a lot of action as problems beset the Vettel's retreat, which mixes magic, spirits and Gods for a tense and gripping tale. It also starts to reveal Alys' past, which turns out to be full of surprises.

Along with the entertaining and engaging action, there is a wealth of characterisation, with wonderful dialogue and interactions between all the various characters, one of many being Eddeth, who is just bursting with personality.

This is just as engaging as the Furyck Saga was,  so if you have read that, read this.