Epic Fantasy

Tattered Banners by Karim Soliman

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Tattered Banners is the second book in Karim Soliman’s “War of the Last Day” series. It is an Epic Fantasy novel. As a Book Reviewer, I received a free ebook copy of this book and this is my honest review.

Following the fall of Paril, the Cursed Army moves to invade the rest of Gorania. Tattered Banners begins with runaways from all six kingdoms trekking north through the Frozen Forest in an attempt to get to Karun’s Cave, the only place they believe they will be safe from the Cursed Army. However, to survive, they believe they need a special kind of suit, and these suits are in limited supply. The Goranians are ready to fight to the death for a place in Karun’s Cave.

The story follows Nardine and her mother, who believe there may still be a chance to end the Cursed Invasion. But the Skandivians stand in their way because the Skandivians believe the Bermanians are the biggest threat. Following the trouble with the Skandivians, Nardine becomes Queen, but is she ready for this position? Is she ready to be a leader?

Halgrim, another important character in the story, travels with a friend, hoping to catch up with his family as they flee north. They face danger and his friend needs to be taken to see “the Lady”, who is the only one who can save his friend’s life.

And Leila is stuck in the middle of a war she did not want. She has a unique ability that the leader of the seers take advantage of, and she is suddenly thrust into making a decision she is unsure of.

Tattered Banners is a story filled with action, adventure, danger, and suspense. This story includes good, evil, battles, and magic. It will keep you turning pages and hoping your favorite characters will survive. The one thing I didn’t care for was that some of the characters use some profane words, but thankfully, these words were used sporadically and not throughout the entire story.

Karim Soliman is a talented writer. He is skilled at world building and creating characters from so many places. He flawlessly connects the characters and engages the reader in their lives and in the detailed, complex story.

I give Tattered Banners 5 stars.

Army of the Cursed by Karim Soliman

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Army of the Cursed (War of the Last Day Book 1) by [Karim Soliman]

Army of the Cursed by Karim Soliman is the first book in his War of the Last Day series. As a Book Reviewer, I received a free ebook copy of this novel and this is my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor any review.

Though this is the first book in the War of the Last Day series by Karim Soliman, it is not his first book. He also wrote the Tales of Gorania series, which tell the story of Gorania, the world in which the Army of the Cursed takes place. Army of the Cursed by Karim Soliman is an epic fantasy novel with a complex world, lots of characters, and a battle that could end the human race and destroy Gorania.

Though their are many characters in the story, and all play an important role, three characters are key to the storyline. Leila, who gave up her right to be Crown Princess of Murase because she longed to be a mage and had been studying for it for years; Nardine, the Crown Princess of Bermania, who struggles to get along with her mother, Queen Rona. Nardine hears a rumor that her father was close to finding a weapon against the immortal demons and so begins to try to find out what happened to his unfinished work. Far away in the northlands of Skandivia, Halgrim is told of a lie that changes the path he had planned to take to a path that leads him to war with the Army of the Cursed.

Mr. Soliman did a great job creating a complex world with lots of interesting characters and intertwining their lives. His writing is easy to follow and the plotline is full of intrigue, action, and battles.

The only thing I struggled with was the pacing of the story. I think the plot dragged in the last third of the book and thought the war with the Army of the Cursed could’ve happened sooner and brought the story to its conclusion earlier. However, I liked the world and the characters enough to keep me reading to the end. And, as I have only begun reading fantasy stories in the past couple years, diehard fantasy readers may not have a problem with the pacing of this novel. It is my understanding that epic fantasy novels are lengthy.

I would definitely read the the next book in the War of the Last Day series when it becomes available because I am invested in the lives of the characters, especially Leila and Zahra.

I give Army of the Cursed by Karim Soliman 5 stars because of his talent with building the world and tying the characters from so many places altogether.

Wolves of Adalore by Morgan Gauthier

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Wolves of Adalore (Mark of the Hunter Book 1) by [Morgan Gauthier]

Wolves Adalore is the debut novel of Morgan Gauthier. It is also the first book in the Mark of the Hunter series. As a Book Reviewer, I received a free ebook copy and this is my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review or any review.

Crispin and Salome have been raised by Zophar after their parents died. Now they must prepare for battle with their sister, Niabi, who has been ruling Adalore from the White Throne. She is responsible for many deaths. She was ready to turn her rule over to her son until tragedy struck and brought out her cruel nature once again.

It has been about 200 years since a hunter has been seen in Adalore or its surrounding lands, so no one believes a hunter exists. However, Zophar, Crispin, and Salome are assured, by a Seer, Harbona, that it is the Year of the Hunter and there is a hunter, and it is one of them.

As the four begin their journey to Adalore, they come under attack twice. Then they separate into pairs and later reunite.

Wolves of Adalore is a very well written fantasy novel. It has also been well edited. There are many characters, but it is easy to follow the characters. Morgan Gauthier made clear connections between the characters as well. It is a novel of good vs. evil.

I enjoyed this story and I love Zophar, Crispin, Salome, and Harbona, as well as Salome’s guardian, Adonijah. Morgan Gauthier not only created lovable characters, a story that kept me turning pages, and an interesting setting, but she writes engaging dialogue between characters, especially Adonijah and Salome, which adds some light-heartedness to the story.

My only disappointment in this novel is that just as they are about to enter into the battle the story has been leading up to, Ms. Gauthier brings the story to a close. However, it was not a complete cliffhanger, and I am grateful for that. I will look forward to reading the next book in the Mark of the Hunter series by Morgan Gauthier for I want to know who wins the battle and what happens to my favorite characters.

For my sensitive readers, I will mention that there are a few profane words within the story.

If you enjoy an engaging fantasy story with very likeable characters, I encourage you to read Wolves of Adalore.

I give Wolves of Adalore 5 stars.