ladyofbooks's review
5.0
An Intense Dark Fantasy That left me wanting more!
This story is enchanting, richly detailed, full of characters, filled with fighting scenes, packed with dark monsters, and thoroughly enjoyable!
Highly recommended for those who read: Stephen King, Barbara Hambly, Jim Butcher, to name but a few.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next in the series!
This story is enchanting, richly detailed, full of characters, filled with fighting scenes, packed with dark monsters, and thoroughly enjoyable!
Highly recommended for those who read: Stephen King, Barbara Hambly, Jim Butcher, to name but a few.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next in the series!
maddydeason's review
4.0
A perfect blend of horror and fantasy, this was so much fun!
This is the second novella I've read in the Echoes of the Ascended world, and just like A Reaper of Stone, this short novella manages to have all the excitement, character development, and world building of a full length novel. I am officially a fan of Gelineau and King, and can't wait to read more!
This is the second novella I've read in the Echoes of the Ascended world, and just like A Reaper of Stone, this short novella manages to have all the excitement, character development, and world building of a full length novel. I am officially a fan of Gelineau and King, and can't wait to read more!
elkreil's review
2.0
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very disappointing read for me. At 78 pages long there simply wasn't enough time to build up any excitement, do any world building, or even explain what was going on. I know they were fighting evil creatures, possibly demons? I'm not sure why they were attacking people. There was some magic involved, I think, at least there was mention of runes that blocked the demons(?) from being detected and possibly a lantern that glowed for some reason. I think the glowing was important. There was also mentions of chanting, but like the lantern I'm not sure what that actually did. After finishing this book I immediately headed to Goodreads to see if maybe I had accidentally picked up the second/third book in the series. I hadn't. This is the first novella in this series, but it would seem that the authors wrote multiple series in the same world. The problem is, if you are going to do this you actually have to take the time to set up your world in each series, see Tamora Pierce as an example. She wrote multiple series, all following different characters inhabiting the same world and for the most part you can pick up any of those series and follow along without reading the preceding series. The authors of this series failed to do this and because of that, I couldn't figure out what was going on or even why. I found since I had no idea why anything was actually happening, I really didn't care what happened to our protagonists. Despite what turned out to be a huge disappointment for me, I will give the authors credit for creating an interesting demon/monster/spider.
This was a very disappointing read for me. At 78 pages long there simply wasn't enough time to build up any excitement, do any world building, or even explain what was going on. I know they were fighting evil creatures, possibly demons? I'm not sure why they were attacking people. There was some magic involved, I think, at least there was mention of runes that blocked the demons(?) from being detected and possibly a lantern that glowed for some reason. I think the glowing was important. There was also mentions of chanting, but like the lantern I'm not sure what that actually did. After finishing this book I immediately headed to Goodreads to see if maybe I had accidentally picked up the second/third book in the series. I hadn't. This is the first novella in this series, but it would seem that the authors wrote multiple series in the same world. The problem is, if you are going to do this you actually have to take the time to set up your world in each series, see Tamora Pierce as an example. She wrote multiple series, all following different characters inhabiting the same world and for the most part you can pick up any of those series and follow along without reading the preceding series. The authors of this series failed to do this and because of that, I couldn't figure out what was going on or even why. I found since I had no idea why anything was actually happening, I really didn't care what happened to our protagonists. Despite what turned out to be a huge disappointment for me, I will give the authors credit for creating an interesting demon/monster/spider.
beammey's review
4.0
This was by far the most gruesome of Mr. Gelineau's stories that I've read thus far, but I don't think it was overly done or done just to be there, it had a purpose. I'm still amazed at how much story this author can put in so little pages and how all these stories somewhat tie in with one another. Brilliant. I would recommend this book. 4 out of 5 stars.
urlphantomhive's review
4.0
3.5 Stars
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
This novella is part of The Echo of the Ascended a series with a concept that I'm really liking so far. Basically it is four different series, but they are all set in the same universe, I believe. There is a new novella every month. Rend the dark is the second one, after A Reaper of Stone.
Ferran is an orphan, who can feel/see the Ruins, monsters who once roamed the world, but are now mostly extinct. However, they may be hiding something even more sinister when Ferran and some others stumble upon a village with a very dark secret.
I really quite liked it. It was another very short story, but it didn't feel too rushed to be enjoyable. It feel rather like an episode of a tv series, and the books together will form the overlapping story. Ferran is an orphan, taken in by this mysterious sect/order that has certain powers and can see dark forces, which is not too original, I admit, but it was interesting enough for me to be looking forward to more. I'm really curious to see where this series is going from here.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
This novella is part of The Echo of the Ascended a series with a concept that I'm really liking so far. Basically it is four different series, but they are all set in the same universe, I believe. There is a new novella every month. Rend the dark is the second one, after A Reaper of Stone.
Ferran is an orphan, who can feel/see the Ruins, monsters who once roamed the world, but are now mostly extinct. However, they may be hiding something even more sinister when Ferran and some others stumble upon a village with a very dark secret.
I really quite liked it. It was another very short story, but it didn't feel too rushed to be enjoyable. It feel rather like an episode of a tv series, and the books together will form the overlapping story. Ferran is an orphan, taken in by this mysterious sect/order that has certain powers and can see dark forces, which is not too original, I admit, but it was interesting enough for me to be looking forward to more. I'm really curious to see where this series is going from here.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
bookwormbunny's review
5.0
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review of it and the opinions stated are solely my own.
This is the 3rd book by Mark Gelineau and Joe King and I have to say that it is by far my FAVORITE! I absolutely devoured this book. It was so engaging with the variety of characters that they give us in this story. You see familiar names in the beginning and it immediately draws you in with the hopes that you'll find the origins of all these other characters as well but then you learn the real character who is to be the focus and you're in. Nothing else matters...just the story being told and wanting to know more of what is to come.
Ferran is such a unique and interesting character and I just honestly could not get enough of this book. Mark Gelineau and Joe King have written a truly engaging, enjoyable and wonderous story with this book. They just keep improving with their work and I honestly cannot wait to read more of their work in the future. I give this book two thumbs up and five stars. If you're not reading their books then you are definitely missing out. Highly recommended to anyone who loves fantasy books.
This is the 3rd book by Mark Gelineau and Joe King and I have to say that it is by far my FAVORITE! I absolutely devoured this book. It was so engaging with the variety of characters that they give us in this story. You see familiar names in the beginning and it immediately draws you in with the hopes that you'll find the origins of all these other characters as well but then you learn the real character who is to be the focus and you're in. Nothing else matters...just the story being told and wanting to know more of what is to come.
Ferran is such a unique and interesting character and I just honestly could not get enough of this book. Mark Gelineau and Joe King have written a truly engaging, enjoyable and wonderous story with this book. They just keep improving with their work and I honestly cannot wait to read more of their work in the future. I give this book two thumbs up and five stars. If you're not reading their books then you are definitely missing out. Highly recommended to anyone who loves fantasy books.
booksavvyreviews's review
3.0
This is my second read from Gelineau & King and really I do enjoy them. This story for me was one I liked, but one I wouldn't overall rock back on my heels over. I found myself teetering on how to rate it because I really do enjoy them, but this one for me was just "ok."
The story itself is eerie which I love, mixed with the fantastical element to it, right up my alley! But for me this one seemed exceptionally short, just as I was getting hooked into the story it abruptly came to a close. A Reaper of Stone I thought ended properly, it closed the door but also left you wanting to read more of the world and from the authors. This novella had me definitely wanting more but left me feeling as though it were a touch rushed.
Still, I'll read anything these gents put out, because they're splendid individuals and amazing writers.
The story itself is eerie which I love, mixed with the fantastical element to it, right up my alley! But for me this one seemed exceptionally short, just as I was getting hooked into the story it abruptly came to a close. A Reaper of Stone I thought ended properly, it closed the door but also left you wanting to read more of the world and from the authors. This novella had me definitely wanting more but left me feeling as though it were a touch rushed.
Still, I'll read anything these gents put out, because they're splendid individuals and amazing writers.
sionna's review
4.0
Super interesting story, but I just couldn't get into it like I could Reaper of Stone. I almost feel like I need to re-read this one again in the future.
ssminski's review
4.0
Once an orphan plagued with visions, Ferran is now a member of the Order of Talan, aka a witch hunter, one who is capable of seeing the evil Ruins and defeating them. So when the Warden calls upon him and his companion Mireia, they must go and root out the evil lurking in a small town. However, they can not sense the Ruin they know is there. Did the evil move on, or will they have to fight a foe as yet unseen by their generation?
Ferran is a very interesting character. This is a very different point of view on the world than the other novellas in the series, a little edgier and darker. There is an edge of horror in the descriptions of the monsters and even in Ferran himself. Again, I hope that all of our favorite orphans in the Echoes of the Ascended series come together again to fight the "good" fight against the Ruins; they have all grown from the children who escaped the flames of the orphanage.
Joe King and Mark Gelineau are such expert storytellers that you don't even feel jipped at the end of their tales, however it is because of this that readers are left begging for more. Any avid fantasy reader should put this pair on their "Drop everything to read this" list.
Ferran is a very interesting character. This is a very different point of view on the world than the other novellas in the series, a little edgier and darker. There is an edge of horror in the descriptions of the monsters and even in Ferran himself. Again, I hope that all of our favorite orphans in the Echoes of the Ascended series come together again to fight the "good" fight against the Ruins; they have all grown from the children who escaped the flames of the orphanage.
Joe King and Mark Gelineau are such expert storytellers that you don't even feel jipped at the end of their tales, however it is because of this that readers are left begging for more. Any avid fantasy reader should put this pair on their "Drop everything to read this" list.
bilinski68's review
4.0
I found this book very interesting. A lot like Joseph Delaney's Spook books but for adults. The action moves along and draws you in. This short book definitely leaves you wanting much more. A great beginning to a fantasy world I look forward to exploring in the future.