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thehamsterreads's review against another edition
5.0
Dark and bloody, this is not a tale for the faint of heart. The Hunter is brutal, killing whomever he is paid to end, but only if they have committed a crime to deserve it. So maybe there is a glimmer of light in his darkness...
This book grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. There is plenty of action and mystery throughout. It’s extremely well written and the world is very well developed. I’m left almost breathless after finishing this story in one day. I highly recommend Darkblade Assassin to anyone who likes dark fantasy!
This book grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. There is plenty of action and mystery throughout. It’s extremely well written and the world is very well developed. I’m left almost breathless after finishing this story in one day. I highly recommend Darkblade Assassin to anyone who likes dark fantasy!
mrbear30021's review
4.0
I received this book free by signing up to the author's website. An honest review was requested in exchange for the mobi file provided to me. Something I would have done anyway considering how I felt about the story by the last page.
I almost gave up on this book, and then something happened. I began to understand (I think) what story the author was really trying to tell us. It's about a man who is so driven by "routine" that he can't even seem to realize just who or what he is. For roughly the first half of the book, we go from one death scene to the next, that I began to lose interest thinking that this was what the book was all about. Turns out I would have made a big mistake.
Now understand, this is a book about an assassin. A very good one at that, who has a special weapon that we think is the source of his unique abilities. While there is much to learn about The Hunter, as he is known, we don't learn all there is to know in this book. We do learn that The Hunter does have a good heart that even he did not know he had.
Now, as with any story that has an assassin as it's main character, expect there to be a lot of violence, close melee, and some pretty bloody descriptions of how people die. This is my first Dark Fantasy book, so I really was not prepared for the story I read.
This is, perhaps an unfair assessment on my part, but remember my lack of experience with Fantasy in general, and Dark Fantasy specifically. I was not wowed by the combat scenes. I am not an author and I will not pretend that I could ever, in a million years, do better. I suspect that writing a melee combat scene has got to be one of the most difficult things to do. Perhaps it is a failing on my own part in that I just couldn't visualize in my minds eye just how exciting the scenes were. In either case, I found that I was almost skimming over them by the end of the book, paying just enough attention in case some important piece of information was revealed. That said, once I understood where the author was taking the character of The Hunter, and the rest of us along with him, it was more than enough to keep my interest in the story and to even want to continue on with the rest of the series.
I recommend this this story based on the plot and the characters within. There are some interesting surprises and a game changer or two as well.
I almost gave up on this book, and then something happened. I began to understand (I think) what story the author was really trying to tell us. It's about a man who is so driven by "routine" that he can't even seem to realize just who or what he is. For roughly the first half of the book, we go from one death scene to the next, that I began to lose interest thinking that this was what the book was all about. Turns out I would have made a big mistake.
Now understand, this is a book about an assassin. A very good one at that, who has a special weapon that we think is the source of his unique abilities. While there is much to learn about The Hunter, as he is known, we don't learn all there is to know in this book. We do learn that The Hunter does have a good heart that even he did not know he had.
Now, as with any story that has an assassin as it's main character, expect there to be a lot of violence, close melee, and some pretty bloody descriptions of how people die. This is my first Dark Fantasy book, so I really was not prepared for the story I read.
This is, perhaps an unfair assessment on my part, but remember my lack of experience with Fantasy in general, and Dark Fantasy specifically. I was not wowed by the combat scenes. I am not an author and I will not pretend that I could ever, in a million years, do better. I suspect that writing a melee combat scene has got to be one of the most difficult things to do. Perhaps it is a failing on my own part in that I just couldn't visualize in my minds eye just how exciting the scenes were. In either case, I found that I was almost skimming over them by the end of the book, paying just enough attention in case some important piece of information was revealed. That said, once I understood where the author was taking the character of The Hunter, and the rest of us along with him, it was more than enough to keep my interest in the story and to even want to continue on with the rest of the series.
I recommend this this story based on the plot and the characters within. There are some interesting surprises and a game changer or two as well.
secre's review
3.0
I'm torn here because whilst this is undoubtedly a well written book, it relies on the shock factor of exceptionally heavy violence to pull it through the narrative and that just doesn't quite work for me. That said, if you like your novels to be full of cut tendons and almost torture porn scenes, then this will probably be right up your alley. There is certainly a market for that type of writing and if you are within that, then this is likely going to easily be a four star novel.
For me however, the violence felt gratuitous and rather unnecessary by the time I got half way through the novel. It starts strongly with The Hunter tracking his latest prey and the sense of mystery is exceptionally well portrayed. You want to find out more about this deadly assassin and yet his own lack of memory means that details are slow to emerge. I really enjoyed this first section where you follow the hunter through assignations and unravel at least some of his character.
The part where it starts to fall a little flat for me however is once the tension of the cloak and dagger starts to die and the blood-frenzy begins. So many people die, are mutilated or otherwise maimed that it loses any of the shock value that it had to start with. Most noticeably of all however, some of the deaths are clearly meant to have a greater impact than others on the reader and yet because they are lost within the bodies so to speak, you simply don’t feel the emotional resonance.
The character building of The Hunter is undeniably strong; he is a dark and brooding figure who seems to be constantly at war with his own morality and conscience. The author teases details out about him, until the moment when all the secrets become unravelled. Along with the world-building and mythology that is built around him, the author clearly shows promise. However, the characterisations of many side characters falls flat; you simply get one or two instances with them and you are somehow meant to care when they get killed.
Essentially, all this needed was a little bit of tidying for my four star rating. At 300 pages, it’s a short novel and yet too much of it was concerned with the slashing of muscles and the smashing of joints. Some of it is necessary, after all, The Hunter is an assassin with a blade that drinks its victims very souls. His entire life revolves around the act of killing. Where the victims are carefully chosen and stalked, this adds a layer of tension to the telling, particularly when you can feel yet not quite see the politics building up behind it. The descent into blood-lust however just got a little bit silly at the end.
At the same time, non-central characters were not developed to their full potential which is a shame as the author is clearly a skilled writer and with a little more development, this would be a stunning novel. There also seemed to be too many names of the cast of characters and it didn’t really matter whether you managed to keep them straight or not. I think if the author had made an effort to properly flesh out five of the minor characters, putting some meat on their bones, it would have made a much fuller tale with its potential realised.
All in all, not a bad book at all and in fair it isn’t that far off a four star novel. Personally, I’d have preferred more characterisation of lesser players in the tale and less gratuitous violence. I’d quite happily take 100 pages of additional characterisation though regardless and that would actually work to dilute the blood-frenzy more evenly throughout the novel.
For me however, the violence felt gratuitous and rather unnecessary by the time I got half way through the novel. It starts strongly with The Hunter tracking his latest prey and the sense of mystery is exceptionally well portrayed. You want to find out more about this deadly assassin and yet his own lack of memory means that details are slow to emerge. I really enjoyed this first section where you follow the hunter through assignations and unravel at least some of his character.
The part where it starts to fall a little flat for me however is once the tension of the cloak and dagger starts to die and the blood-frenzy begins. So many people die, are mutilated or otherwise maimed that it loses any of the shock value that it had to start with. Most noticeably of all however, some of the deaths are clearly meant to have a greater impact than others on the reader and yet because they are lost within the bodies so to speak, you simply don’t feel the emotional resonance.
The character building of The Hunter is undeniably strong; he is a dark and brooding figure who seems to be constantly at war with his own morality and conscience. The author teases details out about him, until the moment when all the secrets become unravelled. Along with the world-building and mythology that is built around him, the author clearly shows promise. However, the characterisations of many side characters falls flat; you simply get one or two instances with them and you are somehow meant to care when they get killed.
Essentially, all this needed was a little bit of tidying for my four star rating. At 300 pages, it’s a short novel and yet too much of it was concerned with the slashing of muscles and the smashing of joints. Some of it is necessary, after all, The Hunter is an assassin with a blade that drinks its victims very souls. His entire life revolves around the act of killing. Where the victims are carefully chosen and stalked, this adds a layer of tension to the telling, particularly when you can feel yet not quite see the politics building up behind it. The descent into blood-lust however just got a little bit silly at the end.
At the same time, non-central characters were not developed to their full potential which is a shame as the author is clearly a skilled writer and with a little more development, this would be a stunning novel. There also seemed to be too many names of the cast of characters and it didn’t really matter whether you managed to keep them straight or not. I think if the author had made an effort to properly flesh out five of the minor characters, putting some meat on their bones, it would have made a much fuller tale with its potential realised.
All in all, not a bad book at all and in fair it isn’t that far off a four star novel. Personally, I’d have preferred more characterisation of lesser players in the tale and less gratuitous violence. I’d quite happily take 100 pages of additional characterisation though regardless and that would actually work to dilute the blood-frenzy more evenly throughout the novel.
kesnit's review against another edition
5.0
The Story Kept Going
Some books have lulls that can be hard to get through. Once this book gets going, it is never-ending excitement. Not Always action, but always keeping me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to read the next book.
Some books have lulls that can be hard to get through. Once this book gets going, it is never-ending excitement. Not Always action, but always keeping me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to read the next book.
claire_ingram1987's review
5.0
I loved loved loved this story.
The dark fantasy book tells the story of the hunter of Voramus set in a medieval style setting with knights and nobles and peasants. The hunter is an assassin for hire with ruthless skill and no empathy when he gets a contract for your life you can bet he will find you and you won't live to tell the tale.
I loved seeing both sides of society both the nobility and peasantry class and the priesthood. I loved the whole Lore and religions of the new land and Andy has expertly and masterfully created this entire kingdom and made it realistic. The imagery in the book is astounding and Andy endures he engages all of your senses so that you feel you are creeping the streets of Voramus with the hunter.
I liked that the main protagonist was an anti-hero and loved the internal battles and the external ones too throughout the book. The story had me gripped and turning the pages so quick my phone struggled to keep up.
This story accomplished something that not many can, it made me cry.
I can't wait to see where the story goes from here and will be following the journey right to the end
The dark fantasy book tells the story of the hunter of Voramus set in a medieval style setting with knights and nobles and peasants. The hunter is an assassin for hire with ruthless skill and no empathy when he gets a contract for your life you can bet he will find you and you won't live to tell the tale.
I loved seeing both sides of society both the nobility and peasantry class and the priesthood. I loved the whole Lore and religions of the new land and Andy has expertly and masterfully created this entire kingdom and made it realistic. The imagery in the book is astounding and Andy endures he engages all of your senses so that you feel you are creeping the streets of Voramus with the hunter.
I liked that the main protagonist was an anti-hero and loved the internal battles and the external ones too throughout the book. The story had me gripped and turning the pages so quick my phone struggled to keep up.
This story accomplished something that not many can, it made me cry.
I can't wait to see where the story goes from here and will be following the journey right to the end
danifeatherstone's review against another edition
2.0
I expected so much better when I read what this is about and decided I wanted to read it. I'm surprised I even finished the book. The plot itself was all over the place, so it was like the actual book didn't start till two thirds in. Before that nothing happened, and I was so bored reading even the fight scenes.
Any character aside from the Hunter himself showed up for a couple of pages and then you would never see them again. And there was quite a lot of those characters. I thought the Hunters character was terrible, and I don't think I could find any redeeming qualities. He kept contradicting himself and his feelings about something changed within pages.
I sometimes felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again because there was so much repetition in the writing. The book could have been cut I behalf and nothing would have been any different, which really didn't help the bordem.
My absolutely worst problem with this book though and the thing that probably cropped up first and just got worse was the amount of over sexualisation and sexism surrounding the female characters. All the female characters were described in the worst possible way every single time they were brought up. Something about sex or relating to sex was pretty much always mentioned and they were all related to whoring apart from one person and she was cheating on her husband anyway because of the Hunter. There was one woman in a higher position and the way that was talked about was awful.
Any character aside from the Hunter himself showed up for a couple of pages and then you would never see them again. And there was quite a lot of those characters. I thought the Hunters character was terrible, and I don't think I could find any redeeming qualities. He kept contradicting himself and his feelings about something changed within pages.
I sometimes felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again because there was so much repetition in the writing. The book could have been cut I behalf and nothing would have been any different, which really didn't help the bordem.
My absolutely worst problem with this book though and the thing that probably cropped up first and just got worse was the amount of over sexualisation and sexism surrounding the female characters. All the female characters were described in the worst possible way every single time they were brought up. Something about sex or relating to sex was pretty much always mentioned and they were all related to whoring apart from one person and she was cheating on her husband anyway because of the Hunter. There was one woman in a higher position and the way that was talked about was awful.
the_bookroyal's review
5.0
☆☆spoilers☆☆
wow just wow. this story was amazing. a little slow going at first but once the main plot started up it got even better.
Andy Peloquin certainly has this way with words that draws you into the darkness. I had no trouble picturing the dismal and dark city of Voramis. I could picture exactly what the demons looked like.
and the poor hunter. I had thought the lady that keeps eluding him was celecia, but now I'm thinking that it's Alzara, the lonely goddess, who has taken interest in the hunter for some reason.
I'm curious though why didn't The Hunter burn the demon sword in a fire instead of just hiding it in a roof. and also why didn't he try to decapitate the demons' heads? a head is much harder to regrow I'm sure at least in the small amount of time it took the other parts to heal.
anyway this is a series that i will for sure follow, and bonus points for local author status! :D
can't wait to read more work from you Andy!
wow just wow. this story was amazing. a little slow going at first but once the main plot started up it got even better.
Andy Peloquin certainly has this way with words that draws you into the darkness. I had no trouble picturing the dismal and dark city of Voramis. I could picture exactly what the demons looked like.
and the poor hunter. I had thought the lady that keeps eluding him was celecia, but now I'm thinking that it's Alzara, the lonely goddess, who has taken interest in the hunter for some reason.
I'm curious though why didn't The Hunter burn the demon sword in a fire instead of just hiding it in a roof. and also why didn't he try to decapitate the demons' heads? a head is much harder to regrow I'm sure at least in the small amount of time it took the other parts to heal.
anyway this is a series that i will for sure follow, and bonus points for local author status! :D
can't wait to read more work from you Andy!
tarmunvykers's review against another edition
5.0
Ever wonder what Batman would be like in a medieval milieu? Okay, that might be a stretch, but the main character in this great novel and the Caped Crusader have a lot in common, and I found that aspect of this tale fascinating. Both are denizens of the night, vengeful, brutal, methodical, resourceful, and both strive to see their own brand of justice done. Of course, the main character in Darkblade Assassin is more complicated than my shallow comparison allows, but I think if you enjoy one, you'll love the other, too. In the Hunter, Peloquin gives a deeply conflicted anti-hero who takes it upon himself to clean up the filth of Voramis. By any means necessary. You'll get lengthy, detailed battles, torture, inventive murders -- everything you could ever hope for in such a tale. There are plenty of baddies, too, the world-building is top-notch, and the ending promises more to this epic adventure. I haven't had this much fun reading a book in a long time.
ciannareider's review
4.0
What a interesting novel, this "New to Me" author has really impressed me with his novel. His world building ability and characterization is on par with some of the best. I was really drawn in, and stayed pretty engrossed in the novel for a majority of the book. Though a few parts slowed me down, the whole novel is worth recommending.
We deal with a dark world, with death and mystery, and a main anti hero who you just can't quite figure out. It's a constantly envolving storyline, and as we go through the book things we begin to change and you question ideas and characters you believed you understood.
This book is an adventure that I highly recommend. When you dive into the dark side, things may not always be what they seem, and Peloquin's writing makes you want to stay lost in the dark just a bit longer!
We deal with a dark world, with death and mystery, and a main anti hero who you just can't quite figure out. It's a constantly envolving storyline, and as we go through the book things we begin to change and you question ideas and characters you believed you understood.
This book is an adventure that I highly recommend. When you dive into the dark side, things may not always be what they seem, and Peloquin's writing makes you want to stay lost in the dark just a bit longer!
clcannon's review
5.0
I feel like I have been reading this book forever. Maybe it's just because it is so in depth that I have to have silence(something almost nonexistent with two young children) so I can concentrate on the elaborate plot, but I will not complain at all. I absolutely loved this book! The characters are complex, the plot twists are insane, and the world that Peloquin has brought to life is believable and vibrantly rendered within the reader's mind thanks to his extensive world building. I look forward to reading the other books in this series!