Release Date: 14/10/14
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
They are the most feared mercenary company the kingdom has ever known. Led by Yulan, their charismatic captain, the Free have spent years selling their martial and magical skills to the highest bidder - winning countless victories that shook the foundations of the world. Now they finally plan to lay down their swords. Yet when Yulan is offered a final contract, he cannot refuse - for the mission offers him the chance to erase the memories of the Free's darkest hour, which have haunted him for years. As The Free embark on their last mission, a potent mix of loyalty and vengeance is building to a storm. Freedom, it seems, carries a deadly price.
REVIEW:
I’ve been a fan of Brian’s for quite some time as I like the way that he brings not only his characters across but also the way the wove a plotline, so settling down with some supplies I really couldn’t wait to turn the first page and begin reading. What occurs within, sadly left me feeling that something was missing,. Don’t take this the wrong way the prose was there, the action was there but for me, a fair number of the characters felt pretty flat and under developed almost as if they were a secondary thought to support the one that the author cared most about, Yulan.
All round a book that is an OK read and with themes that develop such as vengeance, honour and of course high octane action should have made it so much more. Sadly when I don’t care too much for characters fate really doesn’t have much to dangle to keep me going.
Release Date: 24/08/11
SYNOPSIS:
Edinburgh 1827. In the starkly-lit operating theatres of the city, grisly experiments are being carried out on corpses in the name of medical science. But elsewhere, there are those experimenting with more sinister forces. Amongst the crowded, sprawling tenements of the labyrinthine Old Town, a body is found, its neck torn to pieces. Charged with investigating the murder is Adam Quire, Officer of the Edinburgh Police. The trail will lead him into the deepest reaches of the city's criminal underclass, and to the highest echelons of the filthy rich. Soon Quire will discover that a darkness is crawling through this city of enlightenment ? and no one is safe from its corruption.
REVIEW:
If you love an Urban Fantasy story that has drama, historical content and of course features a city with a dark and brutal past then you really have to pick up Brian Ruckley’s new novel, The Edinburgh Dead. It’s cleverly plotted and utilises one of the darker parts of the city’s history. Add to this some of the blackest magic, a whole host of undead as well as a lead character perfectly capable of hacking his way through it all to the heart of the matter (in more ways than one) and it’s a satisfying read.
Whilst Brian is perhaps better known for his epic fantasy series Godless World, this title demonstrates not only a huge talent but one that really will grip the reader in its vice like hands as much from the first page as its last. Wonderfully descriptive, beautifully created and of course with a cracking set of verbal architecture from which to base a series, it’s definitely one that I’ll eagerly await future instalments from.
BOOK BLURB:
Tension between the clans of the Black Road and the True Bloods is mounting, as each side in the conflict becomes ever more riven by internal dissent and disunity. And Aeglyss the na'kyrim continues to spread chaos in the world, exerting a dangerous, insidious influence over events both near and far. As events mount to a climax, the world will change and no side can anticipate the twisted pattern of what lies ahead.
REVIEW:
There are a lot of things I love about Brian’s writing and the fact that he’s come up with a compelling trilogy is something that has to be applauded. Yet one thing that I won’t be thanking him for was finishing this trilogy. It was good fun and definitely been one that kept me entertained through the long winter nights as its almost evocative of the ancient saga’s of the heroes of old that deserves the untold attention of the reader as if they were being told about it around the campfire.
Whilst most books can’t be tackled by the newbie this is one series that can and Brian has taken the additional step of a summary of what has gone before in the tale which also helps the reader remember the previous outings if they’re not like me and have a reread prior to starting the new one. Not that I’m saying to do this as I think you get more by reading the work that’s gone before but you could if you wanted to.
With each new offering Brian has seemed to have gone from strength to strength, improved, adapted and created a truly unforgettable world in which the strength of character stands for more than anything else and whilst many think that its settled on the battlefield the female cast have proven to as formidable as the men. A cracking series and one that I have to congratulate Brian’s success with not only keeping me entertained but emotionally hooked.
