Tuesday 10 August 2010

FANTASY REVIEW: Hawkwood and the Kings - Paul Kearney

BOOK BLURB:

The world is in turmoil. In the east the savage Merduks, followers of the Prophet Ahrimuz, have captured the holy city of Aekir. The western kingdoms are too distracted by internecine bickering to intervene and the Church seems more obsessed with rooting out heresy. It is an age where men go to the stake for the taint of magic in their blood, where gunpowder and cannon co-exit with werewolves and sorcerers. It is the turning point when two great religions will fight to the death and the common folk will struggle to merely survive.


REVIEW:

Fans of this series shouldn’t get too excited just yet as this title is an omnibus of the series. For new readers, well, lets put it this way, you have one hell of an adventure ahead. Contained within this book, you get the first two books in Paul’s Monarchies of God Quintet (that’s Hawkwood’s Voyage and The Heretic Kings.) Originally released in 95 (yep it was a shock to me too), the first book, really does set this up as an epic opening and with a series that’s told from multiple points of view, you’ll end up with something similar to the effect woven more recently by authors like George RR Martin.

Add to the mix authenticity in regard to the weaponry alongside the seafaring techniques, this series really is a gem in the crown of epic fantasy. Finally what makes this series something really special though is the authors characters. Not only are they fully rounded but they step off the page fully formed into your imagination but to be honest it’s the dialogue really makes this something special. So hitch up your leggings, gird your loins and prepare for something epic.

1 comment:

ediFanoB said...

So far I read The Ten Thousand by Paul Kearney and I liked it a lot.

I wait for the delivery of my copy of Hawkwood and the Kings.

I can't wait to read it after reading your promising review.