Release Date: 26/06/12
BOOK BLURB:
A creature of the other world, an unnatural entity bent on chaos and carnage, has come to stalk the nighttime streets of the Galicien city of Davillon. There's never a good time for murder and panic, but for a community already in the midst of its own inner turmoil, this couldn't possibly have come at a worse one.
Not for Davillon, and not for a young thief who calls herself Widdershins.
It's been over half a year since the brutal murder of Archbishop William de Laurent during his pilgrimage to Davillon. And in all that time, Widdershins has truly tried her best. She's tried to take care of Genevieve's tavern and tried to make a semihonest living in a city slowly stagnating under the weight of an angry and disapproving Church. She's tried to keep out of trouble, away from the attentions of the Davillon Guard and above the secrets and schemes of the city's new bishop.
But she's in way over her head, with no idea which way to turn. The Guard doesn't trust her. The Church doesn't trust her. Her own Thieves' Guild doesn't trust her.
Too bad for everyone, then, that she and her personal god, Olgun, may be their only real weapon against a new evil like nothing the city has ever seen.
REVIEW:
To be honest with you I was left feeling confused and a little cheated with Ari’s previous title in this series so when the second landed it wasn’t one that I was prepared for to start straight away as I felt that I was never fully sure of the characters mental stability with her relationship with her personal god, Olgun.
Don’t get me wrong Ari does present a solid fantasy title but when I’m still left questioning sanity as a reader it really doesn’t help me immerse within the world or really get to like the principle player but putting that aside I thought that I’d best give it a go.
Whilst for me, this title is an improvement on the previous outing its still not a fantasy that is top of my reading pile as I felt a lot of the cliché’s that have existed for years were played upon within. It was a solidly crafted tale but it wasn’t one for me that made it stand on its own two feet for me as a reader. That said, the villain was delicious and Ari really knows what he’s doing to keep you reading but all in when I don’t like the lead character I’m left feeling lukewarm to the writing. A great shame all in as this could have been something spectacular.
Release Date: 26/05/11
BOOK BLURB:
Corvis Rebaine is no hero. In his trademark suit of black armour and skull-like helm, armed with a demon-forged axe and with allies that include a bloodthirsty ogre, Rebaine has twice brought death and destruction to Imphallion in pursuit of a better, more equitable and just society. If he had to kill countless innocents in order to achieve that dream, so be it. At least that was the old Rebaine. Before he slew the mad warlord Audriss. Before he banished the demon Khanda. Before he lost his wife and children, who could neither forgive nor forget his violent crimes. Now, years later, Rebaine lives in a distant city, under a false name. He's a member of one of the Guilds he despises and trying to achieve change nonviolently, from within the power structure. But just because Corvis has changed doesn't mean everyone else has. When Imphallion is invaded the bickering Guilds once again prove unable to respond ...but someone wearing Rebaine's trademark black armour, and bearing what appears to be his axe, does. Someone who is, if anything, even less careful of human life than Rebaine was. Worse, Rebaine's old nemesis Baron Jassion is hunting him once more, aided by a mysterious sorcerer named Kaleb, and a young woman who hates Corvis Rebaine more than anyone else: his own daughter, Mellorin. Suddenly Rebaine seems to have no choice. To clear his name, to protect his country, and to reconcile with his family, must he become the Terror of the East again?
REVIEW:
Having finally gotten around to reading the original tale in the series (the Conquerors Shadow) I was really looking forward to this titles release. I expected more of the same high octane action, good characterisation as well as a wonderfully constructed world.
What unfurled however was sadly a disappointment as there were quite a few holes and to be blunt I did feel that this title was more of a rushed job and the author didn’t have quite the same amount of time to polish and fix the problems. The characters were flat, the plot dilemma’s sadly lacking and when it hinges on collateral damage rather than taking the bull by the horns and getting out there made this feel more like a damp squib than the huge bang I was expecting. With luck things will improve in the next title and as such I will give it a go, but if it has a lot of the same failure points as this title then sadly it could well be time for me to call it a day with Ari.
Release Date: 09/12/10
BOOK BLURB:
They called him the Terror of the East. His past shrouded in mystery, his identity hidden behind a suit of enchanted black armour and a skull-like helm, Corvis Rebaine carved a bloody path through Imphallion, aided by Davro, a savage ogre, and Seilloah, a witch with a taste for human flesh. No shield or weapon could stop his demon-forged axe. And no magic could match the spells of his demon slave, Khanda. Yet just when ultimate victory was in his grasp, Rebaine faltered. His plans of conquest, born from a desire to see Imphallion governed with firmness and honesty, shattered. Amid the chaos of a collapsing army, Rebaine vanished, taking only a single hostage - the young noblewoman Tyannon - to guarantee his escape. Seventeen years later, Rebaine and Tyannon are married, living in obscurity and raising their children, a daughter and a son. Rebaine has put his past behind him, given up his dreams of conquest. Not even news of Audriss - an upstart warlord following Rebaine's old path of conquest - can stir the retired warrior to action. Until his daughter is assaulted by Audriss' goons. Now, to rescue the country he once tried to conquer, Rebain once more dons the armour of the Terror of the East and seeks out his former allies. But Davro has become a peaceful farmer. Seilloah has no wish to leave her haunted forest home. And Khanda ...well, to describe his feelings for his former master as undying hatred would be an understatement. But even if Rebaine can convince his onetime comrades to join him, he faces a greater challenge: does he dare to reawaken the part of him that glories in cruelty, blood and destruction? With the safety of his family at stake, can he dare not to?
REVIEW:
I missed this title on its original publication so when I finally found the time I decided to invest the time and the finances intot his title. What unfurls within is a young adult fantasy book that can easily bridge the gap between the Young Adult and the Adult titles on the shelves. Add to this an intriguing sense of humour, some great themes as well as characters that will more than pique the readers interest and it’s a title that is a great start to a brand new series. Whilst I’ve heard good things about the author from friends on the other side of the pond, I really wasn’t sure if it was going to be the type of title for me. Luckily I was surprised at just how enjoyable it was alongside a decent pace, some great action sequences and it’s a title that will more than fulfil the reader’s wants. Great stuff.
Release Date: 26/06/12
