Release Date: 25/08/15
Publisher: 47 North
SYNOPSIS:
Over a hundred years have passed since a group of violent killers went on the rampage, murdering innocent victims for fun. But even back then, sorcerer Nate Garrett, aka Hellequin, knew there was more to it than simple savage pleasure—souls were being stolen.
Nate’s discovery of the souls’ use, and of those supporting the group’s plan, made him question everything he believed.
Now the group Nate thought long dead is back. Violent, angry, and hell-bent on revenge, they have Hellequin firmly in their sights. And if he won’t come willingly, they’ll take those closest to him first.
The battle begins again.
REVIEW:
Nate returns in this latest adventure that throws him against the shadows that seek the downfall of Avalon. Its definitely something that really sets the nerves on edge and when the reader gets to see our principle hero who not only struggles to survive against what the villains can throw against him but from his own past all round gives you something that is unique in the way it deals with the arc.
As a reader, Steve is an author that manages to merge top notch action sequences with emotional context alongside spinning a tale that keeps hold of you from start to finish. Back this up with a real kickass tale and a hero who can dish as good as he gets all round allows you some special reading time.
Release Date: 14/04/15
Publisher: 47 North
SYNOPSIS:
Long ago, Olympian gods imprisoned the demon Pandora in a human—Hope—creating a creature whose only purpose was chaos and death. Remorseful, the gods locked Pandora away in Tartarus, ruled by Hades.
Now, centuries later, Pandora escapes. Nate Garrett, a 1,600-year-old sorcerer, is sent to recapture her and discovers her plan to disrupt the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, killing thousands in a misplaced quest for vengeance.
Fast forward to modern-day Berlin, where Nate has agreed to act as guardian on a school trip to Germany to visit Hades at the entrance to Tartarus. When Titan King Cronus becomes the second ever to escape Tartarus, Nate is forced to track him down and bring him back, to avert a civil war between those who would use his escape to gain power.
Prison of Hope is the fourth book in the highly acclaimed and action-packed dark urban fantasy series, the Hellequin Chronicles.
REVIEW:
The latest Hellequin title from Steve McHugh and one I’ve been waiting for for quite some time. It hits with all the power of the other books and brings our principle hero to the fore against the very gods (and titans) themselves as he seeks to avert chaos in all its natural glory.
Tis definitely something novel, has a great number of twists to the plot and when given the reader will find them glued to the pages for the infamous “One more Chapter” before bed line. (Alas my “One More Chapter” turned into a very long night (or rather it felt quite short,) with me turning the final page as the birds began to sing.
All round a magical outing and one that really leaves me singing the authors praises. Cracking.
Release Date: 31/03/15
Publisher: 47 North
SYNOPSIS:
I-Day is near at hand, and soon the Fangborn will reveal themselves to humankind. As a member of this secretive race of werewolves, vampires, and oracles, will archaeologist Zoe Miller be prepared?
Still grappling with the newfound powers she gained after opening Pandora’s box, Zoe shares the responsibility of protecting “Normal” humans. Having long preferred to keep to the shadows, she knows the pending revelation of the Fangborn will set the world on fire. With Fangborn enemies in the Order of Nicomedia forcing their hand, Zoe and her supernatural Family have no choice but to step into the spotlight. But that decision has garnered the attention of the powerful and otherworldly beings known as the Makers. They claim to have created the Fangborn—not as saviors, but as predators. And it seems they have their own plans for Zoe…and for the fate of all the Fangborn.
Filled with stunning twists, Hellbender takes the Fangborn series to a thrilling new dimension.
REVIEW:
The third book of Dana’s Fangborn series and one that really sets up a cracking read for readers. Now having not read the previous titles (Seven Kinds of Hell and Pack of Strays), I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to make head of tails (pardon the pun) of what was occurring, yet whilst a little confused and obviously realising that I’d missed the earlier books after starting, I found that it was not only a fab read but one that I managed to be able to get into quite quickly.
I loved the principle character and the way she dealt with trouble. I loved the way that her dialogue fit her down to a tee and perhaps most of all I loved the way that she grew as the story developed. Yes, at first she felt overpowered against everyone else, yet as it developed her foibles came to the fore and showed her vulnerable. Back this up with solid prose, cracking pace and all round a set up for another thrilling instalment which will lead readers into a much darker world than the one we already knew existed. Magic.
Release Date: 21/03/13
Publisher: 47 North
SYNOPSIS:
A mysterious plague descends upon 14th century England, ravaging the country and trapping the souls of the afflicted in eternal madness. The feudal hierarchy–and even the church itself– slowly crumbles as the dead rise to feed and the living seek whatever shelter they can. The bishops of England call for calm and obedience, but one man isn’t listening.
Sir Edward of Bodiam has been separated from the woman he loves and nothing on heaven or earth can stop him from seeking her out.
REVIEW:
To be honest this was a book that took me a little while to get into and whilst I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about it, I loved the authors concept of the zombies within being a plague brought on by the faithless. The time period felt right and the reader had the chance to get to know the principle characters fairly well so much so that each battle left the reader wondering if their favourites would survive.
It’s a solid enough start and whilst not a four star book, was definitely one that got me to sit up and left me wondering what would happen to the characters in the future. And for me, that had me grasping for the second outing.
Release Date: 30/09/13
Publisher: 47 North
SYNOPSIS:
The journey north ended with The Scourge.The journey for a cure has just begun…
Sir Edward Dallingridge survived his journey through the anarchy that is now England, leaving in his wake the bodies of mad lords, foul invaders, friends, and the risen dead. There was nothing on earth that could keep him from the woman he loves.The Scourge: Nostrum is the follow-up to The Scourge, continuing the harrowing quest of Sir Edward in a world that knows no God, no laws, and no hope.
REVIEW:
OK, so the first was a so so book for me, however the fact that it left me demanding to know what happened to the characters so much so that I just had to get this title, which whilst released originally as a serial, works very well as a compendium with each part of the tale adding to a greater whole.
The prose is sharp, the characters relationship strengthening through their trials and when added to a wonderful sense of pace all round made this a book that I really couldn’t put down. All round a triumph of a second outing and definitely one that goes to show that an author who learns is one to be reckoned with. Great stuff.
Release Date: 26/02/13
Publisher: 47 North
SYNOPSIS:
Engvyr’s father gave up on the miner’s life to move the family back to their ancestral home in the far north. But the journey is fraught with perils the young dwarf has never imagined, and when tragedy casts him in the role of hero, well, what’s a dwarf to do?
The events of that fateful journey have shaped and ruled his life, but now Engvyr wants nothing more than to make a place for himself, perhaps settle down and raise a family. But when a new enemy rises in the North he finds himself at the center of the conflict, with not merely the freedom of his people but the fate of all of humanity hanging in the balance… and the habit of heroism is a hard one to break.
In Diaries of a Dwarven Rifleman magic, science and technology work hand-in-hand to create a new kind of fantasy world, where the character, life and relationships of an ordinary dwarf can steer the course of history and save a world.
REVIEW:
I love a cracking fantasy story and having enjoyed another 47 North author prior to this, I was more than happy to give a second a go and to be honest I was pleased I did. Here in the first of two tales featuring a cracking lead hero, is a tale that gives a reader an adventure of a lifetime (our principle heroes) and one that has a whole host of emotional context within.
The prose is sharp, has great twists and when added to a Dwarven love of gunpowder all round gives the reader a cracking story that will stay with them long after the final page is turned. Add to this a voice that the reader will love to spend time around as well as a wonderfully developed protagonist and I can’t wait to start part two.
Release Date: 19/09/13
Publisher: 47 North
SYNOPSIS:
Engvyr Gunnarson is an expert marksman and a soldier in one of the dwarves' elite rifle regiments. He is sworn to preserve king and country, but when a rescue mission goes awry he and his companions must face impossible odds to delay their pursuers... and perhaps pay the ultimate price for their heroism!
REVIEW:
I love spending time with the stunty ones and having loved the first outing from Mike and Linda, I couldn’t wait to see what the world would dish up this time as world changing events are in the offing with our principle hero in the thick of things. It has great prose, some wonderful twists which when backed with an authorly voice that really speaks to the reader all round generates a special tale that you won’t be able to put down.
Add to this the continued development of our hero as well as the strength of tale improving all round gives the reader something not only unique but a real treat. Great stuff.
Release Date: 03/12/13
Publisher: Brilliance Corp
SYNOPSIS:
SideQuests are stand-alone stories or novellas that chronicle the heroes, villains, and adventures in The Foreworld Saga across numerous eras and ages. They can be read in any order with or without prior knowledge of The Foreworld Saga. In this quick-witted and action-packed addition to The Foreworld Saga series, the leader of the Shield-Brethren has dispatched two of his men northward to secure land for a new citadel. When Tyr and his companion come upon the perfect spot, they discover that it is owned by Voldrun, a northern king with a questionable sense of justice. Although he welcomes the travelers, the king's true motives eventually become clear. Determined to be compensated for his hospitality, Voldrun subjects the duo to several challenges, culminating in a game more dangerous than either warrior could ever have imagined. Steadfast and brave to the end, Tyr must draw upon all of his considerable skill and cunning as he endeavors to outwit the sly Voldrun and strives to secure a bright future for the order.
REVIEW:
I love a classic fantasy tale so this tale by Mike and Linda, hit all the right buttons for me as they brought life to a tale of Nordic proportions. The prose was sharp, the characters fun to spend time around and whilst I saw what was coming quite early on, I still had a lot of fun as the tale wound its merry way through my imagination. All round a cracking little tale and one that I think a fair few others should try to get a flavour of whats to come in their longer stories. Great stuff.
Release Date: 16/08/13
Publisher: Brilliance Corp
SYNOPSIS:
Special Forces troops in powered armor must try to stop terrorists from detonating a ten-megaton nuclear weapon in a major city. If they fail millions will die and it will tear the heart out of the Middle East's economy.
REVIEW:
A short story outing that is not only a wonderful bit of fun but one that gets the readers to ask questions of themselves about the possible futures. Here within this title, is a story that brings Mike and Linda’s writing to the fore, it has cracking pace, prose which in its sparseness works wonderfully and when added to a unique point of view all round gives the reader an experience that is different to a lot of other reads out there. All round a great bit of fun.
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.
