First Review of Secrets of the Ebonite Mines!

First review for Secrets! Thanks, James!

James Vernon's review

Jul 24, 12

Read from July 11 to 23, 2012

Secrets of the Ebonite Mines picks up right where Covenant of the Faceless Knights left off, finding our group of heroes still on the trail of the stolen artifact. Through a series of events, the heroes stumble upon the trail of the artifact and set off to try and complete their quest. Meanwhile, the dark powers behind the problems rising in the realm continue to consolidate their power and plot their conquest of the different kingdoms.

The characters again are the driving force in this epic fantasy novel. Each character, both the good and the evil, are crafted with such detail that it becomes easy to picture them in your mind as well as understand their hopes and desires. Gary Vanucci does an excellent job of expanding on the heroes backgrounds while at the same time catching up those that might have forgotten about certain aspects of each character or that have missed the first book in the series or the collection of short stories for each of them. New characters are also introduced, and Gary Vanucci does an excellent job of providing them with just as much personality as he did with the original characters.

The battles, of which their are plenty, create the appropriate amount of tension and excitement. Again instead of mashing all of the different character's fights into a few paragraphs, the author breaks up the fights into each characters perspective. This not only allows the fights to go into greater detail, but it also generates a great deal more tension for the reader as it puts you right in the eyes of that particular character. You can really feel each parry, dodge, and would inflicted in each fight.

Overall, Secrets of the Ebonite Mines is a great continuation of a series that is both fascinating and entertaining. I would recomend you pick up Gary Vanucci's first book in the series or his collection of short stories first, as all of the stories combined really help you feel connected to the wonderful characters the author has created.

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Review of Gauntlgrym

I have just finished this book (finally!) and a few things jump to mind. First off, Salvatore has done a phenomenal job moving the storyline forward a hundred years. I’ve read some reviews that did not enjoy this transition or the writing in this one and I must disagree. Secondly, I very much enjoy the new characters introduced in this story and hope to see more of them, especially Dahlia.

Drizz’t is much darker and justifiably so. He has endured many deaths in his life, none more so important than Cattie-brie. He is beginning to give himself over to the hunter. His exterior is more callous and his heart torn asunder at the loss of so many of his companions. And with each passing year or event, the drow faces life alone.


*SPOILER ALERT* If you have not read the book and do not want to know pertinent events, turn away now!

Dahlia and Drizz't

It’s hard not to discuss spoilers in this one as many epic things take place in the world of our friends from Icewind Dale. Since the book has been out for almost two years, the discussion should not surprise anyone! A good deal of things happen in this one including many shocking deaths, the destruction of Neverwinter, and Bruenor finally finding his beloved Gauntlgrym

The primordial and the destruction of Neverwinter were defining moments, as was the passing of the mighty Thibbledorf Pwent, who shows up from nowhere to help his king! Alas, the biggest event was the passing of King Bruenor Battlehammer. He goes out in style, going toe to toe with a pit fiend, possessed of the power of the gods, Gauntlgrym itself and the ghosts within, and saving the day from the primordial waking to lay waste to the realm. Also, Drizz’t begins to understand that Jarlaxle is something more than he has ever let on before, even considering him a friend.

All in all, I enjoyed the story, the way it was told and the introduction of many new characters, who valiantly come to the forefront of Drizz’ts world. They will never replace the companions of the hall, but Salvatore has done them justice and given them all a fairly rich background and depth. 

I give the book 5 out of five stars as the story moved quickly, kept me on the edge of my seat and handled the passing of time very well! Kudos! Oh, I almost forgot...who is Barrabus the Gray?!  *wink*

I look forward to reading the next few…just as soon as I finish another stack of books I promised to read first!

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Review of Downshadow by Erik Scott de Bie

Sorry this took so long! I am a slow reader...

Review of Downshadow (Forgotten Realms : Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep #3)

First off, the main character, Kalen Dren—Shadowbane— seems to be a diverse character for the genre. He holds a rich history (which is touched on in this novel) which adds to his depth. I enjoyed each of the characters in the book and Erik Scott de Bie did a good job not to overwhelm you with characters. Don’t get me wrong, there is a good amount, but it comes at a steady pace and does not distract from the story. Erik brings a good feel of the realms as well as suspends your belief enough to put you into the world for the entire ride.

Kalen is a very interesting character, especially in the heroic sense and something I enjoy as a paladin right out of a Dungeons and Dragons game. The character has a strange feel to me as a cross between Superman and Batman (I oversimplify of course) as he has the altruistic ideals of Superman mixed with the gritty perseverance of the Dark Knight. (Just my opinion) He also is a victim of the spellplague—his effect dulls his senses and lends itself to the individuality of the character. He also has Vindicator, a bastard sword encased in sliver flames that instill pain in anyone unworthy to carry it. Magic Items, just like gadgets and high tech guns in sci-fi, are the bread and butter of the sword and sorcery genre in my humble opinion, and this one is no different!

The antagonists are very cool as well, specifically a dwarven monk mercenary named Rath who enjoys his drinks and appears as if to punish himself with alcohol. I have a feeling that this guy has had his fair share of problems and despite his evil ways, has some twisted sense of honor. He is a very confident combatant who pushes Shadowbane to his thresholds. I do not want to divulge any details, so you will need to read it for yourself to see. Also, Fayne the trickster, whose character seems boundless, was truly well written as the deceitful one full of tricks.

Erik also does a fantastic job of setting the scene for his reader. From the broadcrier selling papers in the streets to an evening of ballroom dancing to fights in the streets above and below Waterdeep, he does it all. I must commend him on this particular skill, for it is flawlessly done.

My only complaint (if you want to call it one) is that Kalen appears to have the eye of every one of the main female characters in the story (Fayne, Rayse, Myrin, etc.) They are all falling over themselves to be with him or flirt with him continually. While this may be the case as he is handsome and charismatic, I take his rough exterior and spellplague curse to mean that he might not take care of his skin, hygiene and so forth as well. And because he cannot feel, his body might be covered in scars. This may have been addressed in another segment or something< i do not know. Either way, it is a minor quibble that does not distract from the story.

I give the book 5 stars. It was a fun read in the fantasy genre and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys epic fantasy. Now to finish William Kenney's A Dream of Storms next, then Erin M. Evans' Brimstone Angels....might be another year!

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Image of Downshadow (Forgotten Realms : Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep #3) copyright Wizards of the Coast

SIGNED Covenant of the Faceless Knights GIVEAWAY!

After speaking with a good author friend of mine, he suggested I do a book giveaway on Goodreads to attempt to generate some fan interaction. I have followed his advice and

(you can see in the right hand column here---->)

that I have gone ahead with his suggestion. I am hoping to generate some new interest and to give two signed copies of Covenant of the Faceless Knights away to some fans who are interested in reading it. I am also hoping that the fine folks who win the contest will give me reviews up on Amazon and other places!

I am excited about the direction we are taking here @ Ashenclaw Studios and hope that everyone enjoys the works as well as the quality of merchandise out there. I am trying to offer the best product I can at the most affordable prices.

So, enjoy the contest, I am hoping that it garners some new fans, some new looks and that the winners are satisfied! Best of luck to those who enter and as always, see you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

A Wiki for Covenant of the Faceless Knights!

Check out the wiki of Covenant of the Faceless Knights started by Tera @ succubus.net! Just wanted to share and to show the incredible amount of work that she does. He review is extremely detailed and extremely favorable. I am humbled by her words...

If you get the chance, take a peek at her own blog, A Succubi's Tale.

The link to wiki page and her amazing review can be seen HERE! Enjoy and thanks, Tera!