Monday 9 December 2013

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Hellequin Chronicles 1 and 2: Crimes Against Magic and Born of Hatred, Hellequin Novella: Infamous Reign - Steve McHugh

Release Date: 17/09/13
Publisher:  47 North

SYNOPSIS:
How do you keep the people you care about safe from enemies you can’t remember?

Ten years ago, Nate Garrett awoke on a cold warehouse floor with no memory of his past—a gun, a sword, and a piece of paper with his name on it the only clues to his identity. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his magical abilities to become a successful thief for hire.

But those who stole his memories aren’t done with him yet: when they cause a job to go bad and threaten a sixteen-year-old girl, Nate swears to protect her. With his enemies closing in and everyone he cares about now a target for their wrath, he must choose between the comfortable life he’s built for himself and his elusive past.

As the barrier holding his memories captive begins to crumble, Nate moves between modern-day London and fifteenth-century France, forced to confront his forgotten life in the hope of stopping an enemy he can’t remember.


REVIEW:

I’ve been hearing about this book for quite some time from quite a number of friends and because it was self published, I left it on a back burner. Oh what an error that was and was something that was picked up by publisher 47 North (the publishing arm of Amazon.)

What this book presents to the reader is a tale that takes place in the UK, bringing a story on not only an epic scale but a series that gives the reader the same sort of action as it present in Butchers Dresden Files. It has a great lead character in Nate, brings the darker seedier side of London to the fore and then takes the reader off into a world that is darker yet as old foes rear their head. Its cracking has all sorts of things there to grab your attention but throw in a memory block of the lead character that stops him remembering longer than 10 years previously all round sets this up as something special.

I really can’t wait for the second part to see what other surprises Steve has in store.




Release Date: 17/09/13
Publisher:  47 North

SYNOPSIS:

There are some things even a centuries-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge…

When Nathan Garret’s friend seeks his help investigating a bloody serial killer, the pattern of horrific crimes leads to a creature of pure malevolence, born of hatred and dark magic. Even with all his powers, Nate fears he may be overmatched. But when evil targets those he cares about and he is confronted by dire threats both old and new, Nate must reveal a secret from his recently remembered past to remind his enemies why they should fear him once more.

Born of Hatred, set in modern London with historical flashbacks to America’s Old West, continues the dark urban fantasy of Crimes Against Magic, the acclaimed first book in the gritty and action-packed Hellequin Chronicles.


REVIEW:

The second Steve McHughs novel and whilst I wondered about the dreaded second book curse, I shouldn’t have as the characters within really helped not only further the story but allowed the reader to see how the principle hero has learned to adjust now that he has him memory returned.

As with the original, the author knows how to weave the reader with some wonderful sleight of hand, twist their point of view so that they’re never quite sure what to expect and then wraps it all up with a solid fast paced action thriller that is a pure joy to read. All round a cracking series and one that I took the time to read. Great stuff Steve and I can’t wait for the third outing.





Release Date: Unknown Currently
Publisher:  47 North

SYNOPSIS:

In late 15th century England, two young princes are given over by Merlin to the protection of their uncle, King Richard III. They soon vanish from sight, igniting tales of their demise at Richard’s hand and breeding unrest throughout the land.

Nathanial Garrett, also known as Hellequin, is sent to London to decipher fact from rumor and uncovers a plot to replace the king. But his investigation quickly becomes personal when he learns that an old nemesis is involved. He soon finds himself racing against time to rescue the boys before their fate, and the fate of all England, is sealed in blood.

Infamous Reign is a novella in the popular Hellequin Chronicles series, mixing gritty and action-packed historical fantasy with ancient mythology.


REVIEW:

A novella from Hellequin author Steve McHugh who brings a historical story to life with his own take. Its creative, has some cracking twists. Whilst this book stays completely in the past it brings the authors talent to the fore as he creates a short story that is not only fast paced but a cracking way for new readers to try a standalone tale to see if they’re ready to embark upon a cracking adventure.

All round a wonderful read and something that many people on journey time will find themselves lost within. Great stuff.



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