Review: Windmaster Golem by Helen B. Henderson

 

Genre: Epic Fantasy/Sword and Sorcery/Romance

Description:

“Kiansel, sister to the current Oracle of Givneh, is expected to one day assume the mantle and lead the temple’s followers. Her emerging powers force an impossible decision. Turn her back on her family and heritage to study the way of magic or follow the teachings of the oracle.

Banishment to a remote village as healer, a position he despised, fueled Relliq’s desire for revenge. The discovery of a mythical city and an army of clay soldiers provided the means to control all mages--including the one he wanted most—Kiansel.

Brodie, weaponsmith for the School of Mages couldn’t refuse the archmage’s request to act as escort for a healing team fighting a curse upon the land. But how can a man without any magic of his own fight a curse or protect a friend from an invisible stalker.”

Author:

Helen B. Henderson writes about herself, “Although I wrote fiction for myself as long as I can remember, and been a professional writer for many years, pursuing publication for my fiction is a more recent endeavor… My writing crosses genres and types, from fiction to historical documentaries. I'm especially proud of the two romantic fantasy series, the Dragshi Chronicles and the Windmaster novels. Originally conceived as short stories, the characters came to life for me and my readers. I hope they will for you also.”

To learn more please visit Ms. Henderson’s website.

Appraisal:

Kiansel is faced with a difficult decision. Her brother is the Oracle of Givneh and she feels like she is expected to one day assume the mantle and lead the temple’s followers. However, her emerging powers force an impossible decision. Should she stay at the temple or should she follow the magic calling her?

Relliq is a mage of the worst kind, wanting revenge for being banished to a remote village by the archmage and to rule in his place. Relliq is evil, cunning, and determined to defeat the archmage and possess Kiansel.

Brodie, weaponsmith for the School of Mages, has been asked to escort Kiansel, a group of healing mages, and other important guests to the School of Mages. Brodie and Kia feel an instant connection and both keep tamping down their feelings for each other. Brodie was born without magic, but he does have excellent instincts. He also has a magic sword and he knows how to use it.

Ms. Henderson’s prose captivates and paints pictures of the beautiful, and sometimes traitorous, landscapes. All of the main characters are well developed, likeable, and reasonable.  Except Relliq, he was easy to hate. He was guilty of throwing around curses that caused widespread plagues, practicing mind control, abusing animals, and a thousand other misdeeds.

If you enjoy sword and sorcery fantasies you should check out The Windmaster Novels. Windmaster Golem is book 4 in this series.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Windmaster Golem is book 4 in Ms. Henderson’s, The Windmaster Novels.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Review: Kradak the Champion by Shawn Inmon

 Genre: Fantasy/Sword and Sorcery/Humorous/Adventure

Description:

“They call him Kradak, but his friends call him Steve.

He's big and strong - an actor who plays a hero named Kradak in a series of B-movies.

When Rista and Grint come through the portal from Arkana, they don't understand what a movie is. They think Steve truly is Kradak the Champion.

They kidnap him and take him back to Arkana to help them save their world. Once they discover the truth, it is too late. The portal is closed. Steve needs to become a hero. The fate of two worlds hangs in the balance.

Rista of the Blade is a strong woman whose beauty is only surpassed by her skill in battle.

Grint is a shapeshifting goblin with a tendency toward being sarcastic.

Do they make the perfect team? Or will the bickering be their undoing?

Mythology comes alive in Arkana, where Cyclops, Rock Titans, Trolls, and magic swords really exist.”

Author:

“Shawn hails from Mossyrock, Washington--the setting for his first two books, Feels Like the First Time, and Both Sides Now.”

Shawn says he “learned everything he knows by having 400 different jobs, give or take a few… He is married to his high school sweetheart, Dawn. No one is sure why she puts up with him, as she once suffered a serious eye sprain when she rolled her eyes once too often at one of his ‘jokes.’"

Feel free to follow Shawn Inmon on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Steve Montross, the actor who plays a hero named Kradak in a series of B-movies, knows his career is taking a slow nosedive. After the premiere of his latest movie in a multiplex on the outskirts on Los Angeles, he meets a couple female fans. One a petite buxom blonde named Grint. The other was tall, athletic, elegant, and named Rista. Steve feels lucky and invites them to his condo for drinks. The women stealthily add a knockout powder to Steve’s drink and haul him off to the portal to take Kradak back to their home planet, Arkana, because they need a hero to stop the darkness from devouring their planet. They actually believe Steve is the real hero Kradak, they don’t understand that Kradak is a role Steve plays on screen. All the heroic feats and adventures are make-believe. When Steve awakens he insists this is all a huge practical joke being pulled on him, until the adventure turns deadly.

Rista decides they will have to turn Kradak into the hero they need him to be to save Arkana from the encroaching darkness. The characters which inhabit Arkana are diverse, some are human like with differing talents, and some without. Then there is Grint, he is the shapeshifting goblin who was the buxom blonde who urged Steve to invite them back to his condo back home on earth.

Their trek is slow since they are traveling by foot, and there are twists that send the small group in a different direction, often for a good cause. Other times their path led them into mortifying situations. At long last they are finally in the town to meet the guide who will take them up to the monastery that keeps Lumina, the magic sword Kradak needs to battle the darkness. A huge wrench is thrown in the mix. Steve is angry and confused, and now he is wondering if he is even on the right side of this fight or not.

Kradak the Champion is the first book in this series and the foundation has been set up for the real quest to begin.  To find and stop Mikol who created this vast darkness. I felt like this book came to a satisfying conclusion.  

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Kradak the Champion is book 1 in Shawn Inmon’s, An Arkana Sword and Sorcery Adventure.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 95-100,000 words

Review: Odriel’s Heirs by Hayley Reese Chow

 

Genre: Young Adult/Coming of Age/Sword & Sorcery/Fantasy/Adventure

Description:

“The brave, burning with fire, harnessed the Dragon's Rage...

As the Dragon Heir, seventeen-year-old Kaia inherited the power of flame to protect her homeland from a godlike necromancer's undead army. But after centuries of peace, the necromancer has faded to myth, and the Dragon Heir is feared by the people. Persecuted and cast out, Kaia struggles to embrace and control her seemingly useless gift while confined to her family's farm.

But when the necromancer's undead terrorize the land once again, Kaia runs away to join the battle.

With the help of her childhood rival, the handsome Shadow Heir, and a snarky, cursed cat, Kaia must figure out how to control both her fire and her confidence in time to save Okarria. If she fails, she will sacrifice her family, her new friends, and the enchanting world she has only just begun to see.

And time is running out.”

Author:

“Hayley Reese Chow is the author of Odriel's Heirs, the 2020 winner of the Florida Author Project. She also has short and flash fiction featured in Lite Lit One, The Drabble, Bewildering Stories, Teleport Magazine, and Rogue Blades Entertainment's omnibus, AS YOU WISH!

Until recently though, she's mostly done a lot of things that have nothing at all to do with writing. Her hat collection includes mother, wife, engineer, USAF veteran, reservist, four-time All American fencer, 100 mile ultramarathoner, triathlete, world traveler, voracious reader, and super nerd. Hayley currently lives in Florida with two small wild boys, her long-suffering husband, and her miniature ragehound.

But at night, when the house is still, she writes.”

To find more about Ms. Chow’s other stories and see what she's working on next, check out her website.

Appraisal:

Kaia Dashul is the Dragon Heir, she alone has the power of fire. When an undead army attacks her homeland, she sets out to locate the sloppy necromancer who is creating the Lost Armies. She is joined by her beloved pet ragehound Gus, Klaus Thane the Shadow Heir who has the power of invisibility, and a snarky cursed cat.

And so the adventure begins. Kaia and Klaus search for clues and allies for the coming war. As discoveries are made plans have to adapt. Kaia and Klaus are also learning to work together as they are both on their own journey to self-discovery as well. Emotions and tension run high during skirmishes and losses take their toll on our young heroes. The descriptions of landscapes and native life is beautifully written. The battles are captivating as we are right in the middle of the action watching it play out through Kaia’s eyes.

I was left with one burning question after the ultimate battle though. Then the final scene I was taken back because I had completely forgotten about that slime ball. I also can’t believe that one dark sorcerer is so flippin’ hard to kill. The slippery rat bass-tid.

If you enjoy epic fantasy with sword and sorcery, battles between good and evil with snappy dialogue, you will enjoy this novel.  

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Odriel's Heirs is listed free on Amazon at the time I wrote this review. Idriel's Children is book 2 in the Odriel’s Heirs series.

Format/Typo Issues:

I noted several small proofing misses.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: Ravens’ Will by Terry Graves

Genre: Epic Fantasy/Coming of Age/Sword and Sorcery

Description:

“A fairytale retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, reimagined as an epic Saga during the Viking age.

Old prophecies of the Norse say that, before Ragnarök, a great winter will fall upon the world.

The gods have been defeated and vanquished from the Nine Realms. Skaði, the Snow Queen, is the last line of defense. From the highest peaks of Ásgarð, she protects the Bifröst Bridge and wards off the trolls and giants that try to conquer Miðgarð.

But dark omens run freely. There is word of two ravens that fly once again over the world, and fishermen have seen the scales of a giant serpent slithering under the waves of the sea. The song of winter that Skaði sings every night is slowly dying away into nothingness. And when the Snow Queen’s power finally falters, the winter will end and Ragnarök will begin.

Meanwhile, Gerda has been living in the small village of Veraheim for all her life. The daughter of a swineherd who loves to drink and tell tall tales, Gerda dreams of traveling far away and performing mighty feats, together with her friends Kairan, Runa and Alarr.

She has always thought this was an impossible dream... until she finds the giant trapped under the ice of the frozen lake.”

Author:

“Terry Graves is a pen name for Victor Selles, a Spanish writer. He has served coffees for a living and cleaned and prepared dinosaur fossil bones just for fun.

Under his real name, he has published a dozen short stories in different Spanish anthologies and magazines… He has translated Lucy Clifford's, The New Mother into Spanish, has written scripts for two short films and has won a couple of literary competitions. He is proud to say that some of his work has been rejected by both Granta and 2000 AD magazines.”

To learn more about Mr. Graves check out his blog, or his Facebookpage.

Appraisal:

Ravens’ Will begins with a prologue to set the stage for the story proper. It’s full of Old Norse terminology, and names that made my head spin. Luckily there is a detailed glossary at the end of the book. The prologue seamlessly turns into a bedtime story being told by a grandmother to her two young grandchildren.

The story centers around four loyal twenty something friends who have grown up together in the small village of Veraheim. Gerda, Runa, Kairan, and Alarr have diverse family histories and distinct personalities. When Gerda discovers a giant frozen under the ice in a local lake not too far from their village … well, you have to put on your fairytale hats here. The giant was just discovered in a lake they ice skated on as kids year after year. Not only that, but the giant has been frozen there since the war between the Gods and the Giants, which happened hundreds if not thousands of years ago. At any rate let’s say it was time for him to be discovered and so he appeared there. That works for me in a fairytale.

So now the tale takes off, following a few poor decisions made by the group. Or let’s say by Gerda, okay? As a result the giant is awakened and then set free. Now the quest begins to free Kai from the Snow Queen’s fortress in the far north across the Bifröst Bridge.

The plot is detailed and as twisty and turny as a roller-coaster ride. There are treacheries and conspiracies afoot, along with witches, magic, giants, and trolls. The winter travel is grueling with poor provisions. Runa has to make a difficult decision and Gerda feels betrayed.

As this story comes to a close there is word of two ravens that fly once again over the world. All four of the friends are scattered around the countryside. Kai may be mostly dead, but not dead dead. Gerda is trying to survive in the company of trolls. Runa has run off with the witch to learn her craft. Alarr seems to be a pawn in a conspiracy to overthrow the king.

Old prophecies state when the Snow Queen’s power finally falters, the winter will end and Ragnarök will begin. The author does a good job weaving together five story arcs in this epic saga. Now the stage is set for more story as winter seems to be coming to an end.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Ravens’ Will is book 1 in Mr. Graves, The Snow Queen Saga.

Format/Typo Issues:

A small number of proofing misses such as missing or wrong words. Nothing that threw me out of the story.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 130-135,000 words

Review: Windmaster Legacy (The Windmaster Novels Book 2) by Helen Henderson

Genre:  Fantasy/Sword and Sorcery

Description:

“Newly handfasted to the dark-haired archmage Lord Dal, Ellspeth and her husband escort his mother on a final journey to her ancestral lands. Their plans change when mercenaries under the control of a rogue mage attack. Dal's mother is severely wounded and Ellspeth is captured. Her sole hope for escape is Nobyn, an untrained wizard going through the throes of awakening magic. However, Nobyn is Bashim's apprentice and under the mage's total control.

Dal must make an impossible decision whether to rescue his wife, cure his mother, or thwart Bashim's plans. More than who lives or dies is at stake. He might be able to live with his responsibility for the death of a loved one, but could he survive killing the future of magic.”

Author:

Helen B. Henderson writes about herself, “Although I wrote fiction for myself as long as I can remember, and been a professional writer for many years, pursuing publication for my fiction is a more recent endeavor… My writing crosses genres and types, from fiction to historical documentaries. I'm especially proud of the two romantic fantasy series, the Dragshi Chronicles and the Windmaster novels. Originally conceived as short stories, the characters came to life for me and my readers. I hope they will for you also.”

To learn more please visit Ms. Henderson’s website.

Appraisal:

Windmaster Legacy begins with a fair bit of drama around Ellspeth. If you haven’t read book 1, Windmaster, this will give you a clear picture of Ellspeth’s character. She is a strong, well-balanced woman who lives a bit too much in her head. However, she has also turned this into a strength by weighing and balancing the situations around her before she reacts.

Lord Dal, an ex-mercenary, who has gained the position of Archmage over all territories, is about to become handfasted to Ellspeth, a sea captain in her own right. It’s been said for all time that magic and the sea don’t mix. Lord Dal and Ellspeth are taking on the challenge to put that misconception to rest.

Their mutual friend King Fraunces of the Second Kingdom has commissioned them to imbue his new ship Windmaster with all modes of magical protection. On Windmaster’s maiden voyage Dal and Ellspeth have a two-fold mission. To escort Dal’s mother, Eilidh, on her final journey back to her ancestral lands, and secondly to bring back a special passenger on behest of the King. It’s all smooth sailing at sea, however, once they are on solid land again, things slowly start falling apart.

When Ellspeth is captured by an evil mage with visions of grandeur, he blocks Dal’s and Ellspeth’s ethereal connection using black magic. During the abduction Dal’s mother is severely injured. It’s all Barris, Dal’s young apprentice mage, can do to keep Eilidh alive until Dal arrives. Once Eilidh is stable, Dal leaves her in Barris’s reliable hands. He’s a smart young man who thinks outside the box, he refuses to let Lord Dal down so he perseveres above and beyond to figure out why Eilidh keeps relapsing.  

So now the race is on to try to find Ellspeth. The Fàlaire, magical beasts that look like huge horses play a large part in this book. We get to know several of them by name. The storyline is a rollercoaster of plot twists as no one is in any one place for very long. Dal is all over the countryside always two steps behind the demented mage and his minions. Ellspeth can do nothing with iron manacles on her hands and feet which allow little movement. She must gain Nobyn’s, Bashim's apprentice mage,  to help them both escape Bashim’s control, and then hope beyond all hope that Dal is able to locate them before Bashim catches up with them.

I love this series! The characters come to life and jump into your heart. Except for Bashim. You’ll want to see him burn in the pits of hellfire.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Windmaster Legacy is book 2 in Ms. Henderson’s The Windmaster Novels, following Windmaster.

Format/Typo Issues:

Nothing to note.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 90-95,000 words

Review: Windmaster by Helen B. Henderson

Genre: Fantasy/Sword and Sorcery

Description:

“Despite his insolent attitude, Ellspeth, captain of the Sea Falcon, is attracted to the dark-haired worker she hires to help unload the vessel's cargo.

When the supposed dockhand reveals he is Lord Dal, the last member of the Council of Wizards, and her passenger, Ellspeth breaks a cardinal rule—fraternizing with the paying customers. Bringing Dal back from near-death releases Ellspeth's latent powers and threatens her captaincy. For to have magic she must give up the sea.

In accordance with an ancient prophecy, Dal allows Ellspeth to be handfasted to him without her knowledge or consent. However, the prophecy doesn't state whether she will return his love. A likelihood threatened as the deception is unveiled and they are hunted by fanatical clerics bent on ridding the world of magic and those who wield it.

Trapped within the Oracle's Temple and marked for sacrifice, Ellspeth is forced to choose between survival, saving the future of magic...or love.”

Author:

Helen B. Henderson writes about herself, “Although I wrote fiction for myself as long as I can remember, and been a professional writer for many years, pursuing publication for my fiction is a more recent endeavor… My writing crosses genres and types, from fiction to historical documentaries. I'm especially proud of the two romantic fantasy series, the Dragshi Chronicles and the Windmaster novels. Originally conceived as short stories, the characters came to life for me and my readers. I hope they will for you also.”

To learn more please visit Ms. Henderson’s website.

Appraisal:

Ellspeth has sea water in her veins. She has always dreamed of captaining her own ship, which she has accomplished, and has the loyalty and respect of her crew. It’s long been known that magic and deep water don’t mix, and that fact is proven when Lord Dal, the last member of the Council of Wizards, and two healer mage’s are passengers on the Sea Falcon when a magical storm engulfs the ship. Lord Dal is gravely injured using his powers to protect the vessel, and it’s all the healing mage’s can do to keep him alive. Little does Ellspeth realize her latent ability for mage power has awakened, and she is able to pull Dal back from the brink of death with her touch and speaking to him.  

This is an exciting tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the last page. There is an evil mage, with his conspiring evil clerics, human sacrifices, and swashbuckling sword fights. As well as serious soul searching, contemplation, emotional turmoil, and a budding romance. All woven into a quest for hidden wizarding artifacts to fulfill an ancient prophecy to save the wizarding world.

The characters are well thought out and fully developed. I found it easy to become fully immersed in their world of challenges. The scenery puts the reader on the deck of a ship looking out over calm or raging sea, experiencing the adventures of crossing the craggy cliffs, beautiful meadows, or forested lands. The plot twists and turns in clever ways. The dialogue is natural and believable. I can’t think of one thing I didn’t enjoy about Windmaster. I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy adventures by land and sea, swashbuckling quests, and magic.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Windmaster is book one in the WINDMASTER NOVELS. Young Adult appropriate.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 95-100,000 words

Review: Traitor’s Ring by Susan Stuckey

Genre: Sword and Sorcery

Description:

Lady Kari Farley has been widowed in the war with the Halurdow and faces a bleak, penniless future. In the nick of time her former lover offers her a future of riches and independence in return for aiding the enemy invaders identify and capture a Guardian of her own people —someone who wields the magic of the Twin Gods. Convincing herself that a peaceful capture with her help is the best that can be hoped for, and looking forward to a life of ease and plenty, Kari accepts. But can the Halurdow and her old lover be trusted?

Author:

Susan Stuckey says of herself (on Facebook) “[I am a] wife, mother, sister, daughter, caretaker of multiple dogs, cats and ferrets ... sometimes writer always a reader. One of these days I will advance into the modern age and convert some of my pictures to digital and have a real "me" for an avatar.” In the meantime her online avatar is a delightful shaggy dog with a quizzical expression.

Appraisal:

Traitor’s Ring, published in July 2018, is around the 20th book in Ms Stuckey Aldura series, others of which have been reviewed here.

Don’t worry if you haven’t read any of the others. Neither have I. The book stands alone well. And if you often pass on fantasy novels because the saga seems to go on forever, be reassured that this adventure is completed in a modest 142 pages.

When we first meet Lady Kari Farley there is a lot of ‘woe is me’ about her. She has been brought up to believe that wealth and position are the only important things in life and has lost both, so she’s in a pretty grumpy place and is hard to warm to. However, as soon as she sets out on her mission to Furster’s Farm she begins to question her life to date and develop as a person. Stuckey keeps the focus on Kari’s mission and the story quickly picks up pace. (I read the final 40% of the book in one go.) The Halurdow invaders are satisfyingly sinister: the invaded Kalieri are much more fey, with a pleasing line in wolf protectors. Jeopardy is plentiful. The ending is satisfying, yet leaves room for a further adventure to take off. If you enjoy this book, there are a further 19 set in the same world to entertain you.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Format/Typo Issues:

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: Judi Moore

Approximate word count: 45-50,000 words