Dark Solus An Assassin's Tale - Kindle edition by David Andrew Crawford. Download it once and Buy now with 1-Click. Sold by Amazon Digital . this book is great if you like magic wizards full on action this is the book for you from stewy.
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Some of these make an appearance in the Half-Orc series, and those tie-ins give the reader a more detailed impression of the author's dark and brilliant world. Of course, the series also features magic, and this is another place the books shine. Haern doesn't have any powers of his own, giving a refreshing viewpoint and opening the plot up to some more great characters.
Unlike some fantasy, magic isn't used to get the hero out of any sticky situation. Instead, the protagonist has to rely on wits, skill, and brutality. As you can imagine, it doesn't always play out well, and Dalglish creates a GRRM-like world where characters can die at any moment. Tears of a Heart marks the tale of a young man, Aeden, who unwittingly shapes the world. The writing is beautiful, layered, and timely. Chase Blackwood weaves an intricate tale that hints at so much more. And that may be its greatest challenge.
Tears of a Heart, the first book in the series, was beautifully written, and interesting. It shows us an amazing world filled with detail and depth, but for a portion of it, just a touch slow. The writing, such beautiful writing, overshadows this, as does the ending. Tower of the Arkein , the next book in the series, is where the story truly begins to unfold, and where Chase Blackwood shines as an author.
It is fast paced, full of action, adventure, and love. A very strong entry in the fantasy genre, and if the next book is equally as good, expect it to make quite a splash. You can buy on Amazon now. However, there's also something to be said for books that are just effortless to read, and Sprunk's Shadow Saga is definitely that. Caim lives in Othir: Augmented by dark magic and a ghostly familiar, he becomes involved in a plot far bigger than himself.
It's not a complex plot, nor is it a particularly original one. However, Sprunk's simple execution brings new twists to familiar tropes and creates a series that's an absolute joy to read. Part of that is due to the excellent pacing of the books, with short chapters that end with you turning the page to the next every time. You get the impression that everything in this novel is carefully and conservatively crafted.
There isn't unnecessary exposition, yet the reader still gets a good sense of the world. Action scenes are perfectly placed to keep interest, while good character building provides plenty of entertainment in the downtimes. Though there's plenty to love about the series, it's this simplicity that makes it so exceptional. Sprunk hasn't fallen into the trap of telling rather than showing. Instead, he's a perfect example that, with finesse, thousands of pages aren't required for a great fantasy novel.
Though Graceling is marketed as YA , it leans further towards adult than others. The book accurately explores both teenage life and the moral struggle of a born killer. Katsa develops a magically enhanced ability to kill, her first victim slain in an accident at the age of eight. The story follows her in Cashore's beautifully crafted world as she fights not just her King's enemies but her own desire to do the right thing.
As with many YA books, there is an element of romance, but it plays out in a more realistic and non-intrusive way. This creates an excellent addition to the fantasy assassin genre that's suitable for a range of ages. Sullivan's Ryria series is one of the highest rated in fantasy, and for good reason. His books have sold over one million copies in English and thousands more across their fourteen languages. There's plenty to love here for fans of Tolkien, and just as much for those who aren't.
Sullivan's world is set a thousand years after the fall of an empire, with magic all but gone and clashes between religion, race, and philosophies. However, the true marvel is Sullivan's incredible characterization. Riyria tells the story of the warrior Hadrian and assassin Royce, their adventures together and how they came to meet. Over the course of the six book series, Hadrian and Royce become one of the most iconic pairs in fantasy, with a depth and growth rarely seen in any genre. Together, the two infiltrate fortresses, carry out assassinations, and flee with an entire kingdom at their back.
It's an astounding series made even better by its humble roots in self-publishing. David Gemmell's Drenai Saga burst onto the heroic fantasy scene in and bears no relation to the Draenei from World of Warcraft. His lasting impact on the fantasy world led to the post-humorous creation of the David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy, with awards going to some of the authors on this list. It's no surprise then, that Gemmell's' legacy includes some of the best assassin fantasy around. Eleven years after the Drenai Saga's first book, the author wrote Waylander , marking the third in the series but first chronologically.
Like Gemmell's previous books, Waylander is an exploration of what makes a hero and if there can be true redemption. As you can imagine, there's plenty of evil to go around, and plenty of gray areas too. The title of the book is synonymous with its main character, a famous assassin who is betrayed after a particularly notorious contract. Waylander is in many ways an anti-hero, but that doesn't stop him from feeling real. Gemmell's characterization carries the story, both through the protagonist and the rich supporting cast. It's a grimdark novel once more, but one that pioneered the genre rather than emulating it.
It's filled with fast pacing, concise writing, and vivid imagery. Though they hinge on existing series, the Waylander books are accessible and brilliant enough to enjoy standalone. It succeeded almost unheard of hype, with trailers, apps, and 'best-seller' labels right off the bat. Admittedly, the quality tails off by the end of the series, but it's easy to see why it garnered so much interest.
Hoffman writes a fourteen-year-old character who grows up in order of monks that worship pain. Understandably, this can warp a boy, and Cale is cold, vicious, and complex. Despite this, he still has a sense of justice, and it's this that leads to the assassination of the Lord Redeemer Picarbo and a subsequent escape from the twisted monastery.
Despite some strange contradictions along the way, the characterization and pacing of the novels make it just good enough to deserve a place on the list. It's a page turner, toeing the line between fantasy and horror, with many diverse characters. Some readers will hate it, and others will love it, but it's definitely a breath of fresh air. Robin LaFever's Grave Mercy drags you into the trilogy with a great hook and only gets better from there.
It's set in an alternate 14th century Brittany, where fourteen-year-old Ismae escapes an abusive arranged marriage to a convent, where her unique abilities make her the perfect assassin protg. Though she takes to the profession as a better alternative, there's still plenty of conflict here. Part of the story is Ishmae's coming of age, from delicate child to a questioner of the convent's morals.
There's a lot of depth to be found in the character, but the rest of the series presents the viewpoint of refreshing new characters. It's in these latter books that LaFevers really begins to find her strength. The second book details the story of Sybella, who trained at the same convent as Ishmae. However, where Ishmae is hesitant and inexperienced, Sybella is trained and deadly. LaFevers manages to create a harrowing, emotional story whilst still developing the other characters in the story.
The third book follows in a similar vein, with the viewpoint of another previously introduced character.
Dark Solus: An Assassin's Tale: David Andrew Crawford: leondumoulin.nl: Books
In all, LaFever's series is a great combination of history, subverted fantasy tropes, and YA It has romance, vengeance, and strong female characters. The changing perspectives mean that even if one protagonist isn't to your fancy, there's another to try out. On top of that, the author manages to encourage real attachment to the characters and great entertainment without constant action scenes. Best of all, the series isn't yet over. After a four-year hiatus, LaFever will return to the series next year, with a second book following in Pratchett's huge volume of work makes adding him to the list feel like cheating, but at the same time, it wouldn't be complete without him.
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For the uninitiated, Pratchett's world consists of a large disc that rests on the backs on four large elephants, which in turn stand on a turtle as it swims through space. It's a bizarre concept, matching the strange yet hilarious tone of Sir Terry's work. In some ways, his world echoes earth, and you can guess which period Pyramids is influenced by. Teppic is the prince of that small realm and is in training at the Assassins Guild. His time there is cut short when his father dies, and Teppic must return home to build his Pyramid and take on the politics of the throne.
The premise is simple, but Pyramids brings something rare to the sub-genre: Pratchett has a hilarious variety of characters, from the High Priest Dios to a camel literally named 'You Bastard'. At pages, it's a short yet incredibly amusing read, with nothing too complex in terms of plot. Despite this, Pratchett's brilliant writing and metaphors bring it to life. Sci-fi fans may know Kage Baker for her popular series, The Company.
It's a blend of fictional world and humor, and her debut fantasy series is no different. The Anvil of the World describes the assassin Smith as he tries to leave his old life behind and become a simple caravan master. Of course, things are never that easy, and Smith is set upon by a myriad of demons, magic, and other kinds of trouble.
Like Pratchett, Baker uses humor to provide a great critique of society and its flaws. However, her unique blend of humor surpasses even him at points with subtle jokes and great dialogue. Simultaneously, Baker manages to use that dialogue to grow her characters. Lord Ermenwyris one of the most unique personalities in fantasy, and not just because he's half demon. He somehow manages to be a coward yet strong, selfish yet loyal and annoying but oddly likable.
Through all these contradictions Baker somehow makes him feel real, alongside the rest of the odd cast. However, the book is more like a series of novellas than a full novel. It's split into three distinct parts, the first being quite slow, the second housing incredible description and dialogue, and the third ending on a more serious note.
In its entirety, it covers assassination, magic, friendship, and the environment. It takes all of the annoying fantasy tropes and subverts them, leaving the reader grinning and refreshed. If you're a YA fan, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better assassin fantasy book than Throne of Glass. As the novel opens, Celaena is given a chance to end her servitude in the mines of Endovier and her life as a slave behind.
There's only one catch. First, she must win a tournament and become the King's assassin. The story plays out in a beautifully crafted world where the Fae have been overthrown and magic is banned. A human ruler sits on the throne, and he isn't afraid to use Celaena to kill at a whim. The series has plenty of everything, including a love triangle, action, humor and great antagonists. Though the predictable romance may not call out to older readers, a simplistic, page-turning plot and plenty of fun twists make it perfect for its market.
As the series progresses, it only gets better, with Celaena finally coming into her role and characters building a real connection with the reader. When your focus is character and action, it's easy to just settle for generic medieval fantasy and be done with it. However, at some point, you start craving something new, and that's when series like Tales of the Otori really shine.
Though Hearn stays with the medieval era, she opts for a region that isn't often explored in fantasy. There's no outright statement, but it's clear that the world has a heavy Japanese influence. It's complete with a complex feudal system, samurai-like clans, and shoguns. That rich setting underlies an even richer story of love, politics, and betrayal. Society is made up of complex social classes, religions, and clans, but Hearn introduces them slowly and with finesse. His descriptions are similar; colorful but not unnecessarily wordy, making it an enjoyable read.
The series follows two viewpoints. In first-person, there is Takeo, the adopted son of a noble with the ability to create illusions. Then there is Kaede, a teenage girl and political prison written in the third person. It's an unusual mix of perspective, yet Hearn manages to pull it off flawlessly. The blend gives distinct views while still creating a feeling of depth for both, pulling you into the fast-paced narrative. That excellent combination continues through the series, creating a masterpiece of death, love, and tragedy.
Japan-inspired fantasy, vivid description, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Tales of Pawan Kor. Despite the similarity in name, there's little to connect Tales of Pawan Kor and our previous list item. This world is very clearly high fantasy, with beautifully detailed creatures, religions, and magic. It's very much 'sword and sorcery', but with a flair Persia, India, and China that brings a refreshing environment.
The world building is simply incredible, with plenty of detail that will please fans of epics. Equally impressive is Hayden's magic system, rooted in spirit stones of a dead race. The limited nature creates real concern for the well-being of the characters, with no ability to simply magic a way out of situations. And those tough scenarios make an appearance quite frequently. Though Jaska is of a knightly order, his activities are far from savory. He carries out every command, including assassinations. However, one particular task turns out too much.
The request to kill a priestess reveals his master's real ambitions and pits him against the empire he once worked for. It's an intricate, weaving plot, with several pieces that fall into place at just the right time. Believable characters exist on both sides of the spectrum, forcing the reader to question black and white assertions of good and evil. All the while, the story maintains the fast pace, action, and entertainment that we have come to expect from fantasy assassin stories.
The examination of morality is a common theme in assassin novels, but none do it quite like Eve Forward's Villains by Necessity. The author takes the concept and turns it on its head, asking what would happen if good is completely dominant. The answer is nothing positive. The world is out of balance, and it might cease to exist entirely if nobody intervenes. Thus, an assassin, thief, druid and knight have to step in and bring some evil back.
It's a straightforward plot made great by likable characters, humor, and good pacing. Forward manages to keep a light tone, yet force the reader to see things from a different perspective. It's this unique exploration that lands the book a place on the list. Though there's nothing exceptional, it's hard to deny that Villains of Necessity is a whole lot of fun. The subject of McCullough's Fallen Blade series is fairly obvious from the title, yet the series has more depth than you may expect.
The opening sucks the reader into the mind of an assassin without his order. With no solid job, Aral has fallen into a cycle of drinking, thievery, and smuggling. He wants this old life back, and when a delivery job goes sour he gets just that. From there, it's full of action, strong characters, death, and magic. It takes on the form of a mystery, stringing the reader along on a number of clues and forcing them to piece them together. Though there are natural lulls in the story, they're augmented by character building of Aral and his dragon familiar, Triss.
This understanding is only heightened as McCullough continues his six book series, exploring both the relationship of Triss and Aral and the magic system that underlies them. You can't help but urge the protagonist along as he pulls himself out of depression and back into the role of a fighter. History and fantasy nuts should find an amazing middle ground with The Lion of Cairo.
It's set between the Second and Third Crusade, and it's clear Oden has done his research. Assad is a trained assassin, sent by his master to Cairo not to kill, but to protect a young ruler. Unfortunately, there's a necromancer in his way, and he has his own group of assassins. The entire book takes place over the course of a few days, and it feels like it.
There's an incredibly fast pace, with little room to breathe amid the fighting and politics. Somehow, Oden manages to keep the quality high despite this. Fight scenes are realistic and quick, descriptions vivid and beautiful. The book is an excellent ode to greats like Robert E. Howard and Michael Chabon.
This story from Mazarkis Williams is another that reaches outside the realm of traditional fantasy. A magical geometric disease is spreading throughout the Cerani Empire with very few to oppose it.
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Dark Solus, An Assassin's Tale is a dark, science fiction fantasy novel about one of the deadliest assassins on the planet Eorth. The evil wizard Kalifen, along with the ruthless leaders of the Assassins, Thieves and Halflings guilds, murdered Dark Solus' parents when he was only a child. Haunted by their merciless execution, he now waits and prepares to exact his revenge on all those responsible for their demise.
Dark is transformed and trained by the Styg, the warden of the Stygian depths, and his grandfather Mephistopheles, an ancient silver dragon. Twelve years later, Dark is now ready to travel to the City of Duergar, the home of his enemies. Trained in the skills of assassination, and armed with lethal devices and knowledge of the dark arts, he has set himself only one mission Author David Andrew Crawford grew up in Canada, and currently resides in the small hamlet of Innesville with his two dogs, Ares and Ariel.
Read more Read less. Eloquent Books January 27, Language: Related Video Shorts 0 Upload your video. Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention fantasy andrew crawford david magic grandfather revenge child action filled parents young city demon science training age named evil boy. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Dark Solus is one of the deadliest assassins on Earth. Like Batman, Dark's parents have been murdered; unlike Batman, Dark's parents weren't murdered by a street thug but by an evil wizard, Kalifen, and the ruthless leaders of the guilds of the Assassins, Thieves, and Halflings.
Why would anyone want them murdered? Perhaps it's because his mom was a witch, and his father's name was Demon, and they stood opposed to Kalifen and the guilds. His grandfather, the shape-shifting dragon named Mephistopheles, aids Dark as he plans his revenge against everyone responsible for his parents' deaths.
That, in a nutshell, is the plot of the brilliant dark science fiction fantasy novel Dark Solus: The novel opens with a bang. In the exciting first chapter, we read about Dark's origin story, of how his pregnant mother and his father, Demon, are being pursued by statues who magically come to life. Though Kalifen and the other conspirators fail in this attempt to murder Dark's parents, he eventually succeeds.
This chapter I thought was a good way to open the novel, as it gives us background information about Dark while it also entrances the reader with great fight and chase scenes. The action and suspense doesn't let up from there. Dark is aided in his goal of revenge by the training he receives from the Styg, the warden of the Stygian depths, and his grandfather, Mephistopheles, who, as I mentioned, is a dragon. Dark is transformed into one of the greatest assassins who ever lived, and he is armed with an array of deadly weapons and his mother's skills at witchcraft and knowledge of the dark arts.
After twelve long years of training and education in the dark arts, Dark travels to the City of Duergar, to confront his enemies in their very home territory. It's a long time for one to plan his revenge, but for Dark, that makes the eventual destruction of his enemies all the sweeter! However, as his grandfather explains to him, Dark must "equip yourself with powerful magical items. Easier said than done, as it's defended by "the Harpy Sisters," and the Norn are pretty creepy, in their own right. With the knowledge that his grandfather provides him, Dark-who dubs himself "Demon Raider," naming himself in honor of his parents-embarks on the dangerous quest to locate the magical items he will need to defeat his enemies.
His journey is fraught with adventures and danger, and even with the help of his grandfather, the magical items he recovers, and the training he's received from the Styg, there's no guarantee that he will be able to defeat and destroy his many enemies. The novel is set in a place and a time when the boundaries between our world and reality and that of the kingdoms of Faerie were not rigidly in place.
Crawford vividly depicts the world and time the novel takes place in, showing formidable skills as a world-builder. I look forward to reading more from David in the future, and I highly recommend Dark Solus: An Assassin's Tale to anyone who is a fan of dark fantasy novels.
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One person found this helpful. David Andrew Crawford's Dark Solus: An Assassin's Tale is the riveting saga of a thirteen-year-old boy and his mission to vanquish his parents' enemies after witnessing their harrowing demise. Filled with wizards, magic, dwarves, elves, dragons, betrayal, conspiracies, and much more, Dark Solus adds a uniquely psychological element that sets it apart from the normal, run-of-the-mill fantasy. Reaching deep into the recesses of his imagination, Crawford has crafted a well-written, detail-rich story that will make readers fall in love with this genre all over again.
As in any tantalizing fantasy tale, Dark Solus' action-packed scenes are preceded by a winding, well-researched historical description, or back-story. The narrative revolves around Dark Solus, the son of Elim and Leynorr Solus, and his unyielding desire to eliminate the masterminds behind his parents' murders, especially the evil wizard and Shadow Lord, Kalifen.