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galidar's review against another edition
5.0
Richard McAllister is a knight of the Yn Saith, protecting a portal between Seattle and Annwn, the world of the Fey.
Nice set up, and I'll do this with no spoiler other than the obvious - it goes badly. The story that builds from a slightly slow beginning is a work of fantasy in a great form. Taking elements of new age urban fantasy such as The Dresden Files and combining it with Tolkien-esque and Brooks' style fantasy worlds of magic and intrigue, Speakman creates a unique blend, pulling inspiration from not only these authors, but older stories of knights and wizards.
In short - a great opening story for Shawn Speakman. I highly recommend it, and sit here frustrated that two more books do not yet to exist for me to dive into next.
Nice set up, and I'll do this with no spoiler other than the obvious - it goes badly. The story that builds from a slightly slow beginning is a work of fantasy in a great form. Taking elements of new age urban fantasy such as The Dresden Files and combining it with Tolkien-esque and Brooks' style fantasy worlds of magic and intrigue, Speakman creates a unique blend, pulling inspiration from not only these authors, but older stories of knights and wizards.
In short - a great opening story for Shawn Speakman. I highly recommend it, and sit here frustrated that two more books do not yet to exist for me to dive into next.
hidusty's review against another edition
5.0
I’ll be honest. I bought this book out of charity. Shawn Speakman is the webmaster/great guy who helps Terry Brooks maintain his web presence. When Shawn found out he had cancer he found himself in the unenviable position of being without health insurance. This book was released, in part, to help pay for his medical treatments and perhaps as a result I wasn’t expecting much when I started reading The Dark Thorn.
Into the first or second chapter I found myself shaking my head and wondering if Shawn was going to rip Brooks off and create a semi-“Word and the Void” semi-“Shannara” hybrid. But I continued to give it a chance because despite my initial suspicions that it would pale in comparison to Brooks, I found myself really starting to enjoy the lore. I found it darker than Brooks which, in my opinion, is a good thing.
It’s unfair to compare Speakman to Brooks given one is a perennial best seller and one is new to publishing his own work but I have to believe he knew those comparisons would inevitably come. But what surprised me, is that I found it every bit on par with a Brooks novel. For this being a self-published novel it surpasses some of traditionally published work I’ve read. If Speakman isn’t careful Brooks is going to find himself out a webmaster and up against a brand new (friendly) competitor.
But back to The Dark Thorn, this book deals with religion rather heavily, in particular, the Catholic Church. That said, as a Christian, I didn’t find any of it offensive. The main character is a knight of sorts, entrusted with protecting a portal that leads to another world in which the fairy tale creatures of our world escaped as Christianity and Catholicism grew and expanded in influence. There are other portals around the world, each with their own knight protecting it. These nights are granted a legendary weapon from King Arthur’s court. Richard, our central character, carries Lancelot’s Arondight. Another character possesses Prydwen, King Arthur’s shield. Other legendary weapons make appearances and it’s fascinating how they almost become secondary characters themselves. Or at least guest stars.
I’ll keep this spoiler free, but there are so many interesting aspects to this novel that it becomes literally one of my favorites ever. And this is coming from a guy who loves the Terry Brooks, loves Stephen King, and loves Michael Connelly. When you consider that Speakman will likely be compared to his long-time friend and mentor it should be a massive compliment when I tell you, without hesitation, that Speakman doesn’t aspire to be in the same company, he IS in the same company. The fantasy genre has a new player. I can absolutely recommend The Dark Thorn and not just to fans of Terry Brooks. I can recommend The Dark Thorn to fans of fantasy in general. It’s a great book.
Into the first or second chapter I found myself shaking my head and wondering if Shawn was going to rip Brooks off and create a semi-“Word and the Void” semi-“Shannara” hybrid. But I continued to give it a chance because despite my initial suspicions that it would pale in comparison to Brooks, I found myself really starting to enjoy the lore. I found it darker than Brooks which, in my opinion, is a good thing.
It’s unfair to compare Speakman to Brooks given one is a perennial best seller and one is new to publishing his own work but I have to believe he knew those comparisons would inevitably come. But what surprised me, is that I found it every bit on par with a Brooks novel. For this being a self-published novel it surpasses some of traditionally published work I’ve read. If Speakman isn’t careful Brooks is going to find himself out a webmaster and up against a brand new (friendly) competitor.
But back to The Dark Thorn, this book deals with religion rather heavily, in particular, the Catholic Church. That said, as a Christian, I didn’t find any of it offensive. The main character is a knight of sorts, entrusted with protecting a portal that leads to another world in which the fairy tale creatures of our world escaped as Christianity and Catholicism grew and expanded in influence. There are other portals around the world, each with their own knight protecting it. These nights are granted a legendary weapon from King Arthur’s court. Richard, our central character, carries Lancelot’s Arondight. Another character possesses Prydwen, King Arthur’s shield. Other legendary weapons make appearances and it’s fascinating how they almost become secondary characters themselves. Or at least guest stars.
I’ll keep this spoiler free, but there are so many interesting aspects to this novel that it becomes literally one of my favorites ever. And this is coming from a guy who loves the Terry Brooks, loves Stephen King, and loves Michael Connelly. When you consider that Speakman will likely be compared to his long-time friend and mentor it should be a massive compliment when I tell you, without hesitation, that Speakman doesn’t aspire to be in the same company, he IS in the same company. The fantasy genre has a new player. I can absolutely recommend The Dark Thorn and not just to fans of Terry Brooks. I can recommend The Dark Thorn to fans of fantasy in general. It’s a great book.
taisie22's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
The Dark Thorn is an urban fantasy story with a profound basis in Arthurian legend, Celtic mythology, and the Catholic church. While I had a few quibbles, it's a fine start to what I hope will be a series of the Yn Saith knights.
Richard McAllister is the knight guarding the Seattle portal to the land of Annwn, where the fairie world was forced by humans centuries ago. A wide variety of characters, both Seelie and Unseelie, live there. Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine is also there, sent by his father in a Crusade to conquer the land. However, he now has plans for further conquests aided by a vast army of halfbreeds and Templar knights. Bran is a young homeless man who crosses paths with Richard and accompanies him to Annwn to meet with the forces opposing Philip. Meanwhile, the Vatican is also making moves, wanting to keep Annwn secret from the rest of the world.
Mr. Speakman does a fine job interweaving Arthurian and Celtic tales, and I very much enjoyed those book sections. His history wasn't quite as successful; I'd argue that Henry II had a tempestuous relationship with the Church and only gave Crusader vows as reparation for the murder of Thomas Becket. And a son, Philip, comes from one doubtful source and probably died young if he existed. These are quibbles; this is a fantasy, after all.
Also, I wouldn't say I liked the character of Deidre. She seemed too modern for a woman in a fantasy/medieval-ish world, and the love triangle didn't work for me.
As I said previously, I'd like to see the series continued. Annwn is an exciting world, and I could see revisiting it.
Richard McAllister is the knight guarding the Seattle portal to the land of Annwn, where the fairie world was forced by humans centuries ago. A wide variety of characters, both Seelie and Unseelie, live there. Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine is also there, sent by his father in a Crusade to conquer the land. However, he now has plans for further conquests aided by a vast army of halfbreeds and Templar knights. Bran is a young homeless man who crosses paths with Richard and accompanies him to Annwn to meet with the forces opposing Philip. Meanwhile, the Vatican is also making moves, wanting to keep Annwn secret from the rest of the world.
Mr. Speakman does a fine job interweaving Arthurian and Celtic tales, and I very much enjoyed those book sections. His history wasn't quite as successful; I'd argue that Henry II had a tempestuous relationship with the Church and only gave Crusader vows as reparation for the murder of Thomas Becket. And a son, Philip, comes from one doubtful source and probably died young if he existed. These are quibbles; this is a fantasy, after all.
Also, I wouldn't say I liked the character of Deidre. She seemed too modern for a woman in a fantasy/medieval-ish world, and the love triangle didn't work for me.
As I said previously, I'd like to see the series continued. Annwn is an exciting world, and I could see revisiting it.
odinblindeye's review against another edition
4.0
A great fast read. This is a great debut for Speakman, although it does suffer from some of the normal "first novel" complications. Fun characters, interesting ideas and big ambitions. I want to see what happens next though.
sm4astan's review against another edition
5.0
Through the first couple chapters, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book, but by page 50 or so the story settled in and I was hooked. I can't wait to read future books in the series. If you like Terry Brooks and Tad Williams, you'll love this.
seak's review against another edition
4.0
This book is traditional fantasy (which I still love) with a twist (not necessarily M. Night Shyamalan style). I highly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend. I keep saying I'm going to add more to these reviews and then leaving them be so I'll make no promises until that actually starts to happen.
kagedbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Speakman is doing something right in this novel. There are no words wasted, every scene drives the plot forward and keeps the pages turning. He takes some familiar tropes and runs with them, while turning others on their heads. I look forward to another installment in this world, yet the book can be read as a standalone and leave the reader feeling satisfied.
marziesreads's review against another edition
2.0
I actually have had to stop listening and will finish the book in print. The mispronunciation of Welsh words was driving me insane. And there's no way to avoid words like Annwn (closest to An-Noon in Welsh) or Llion (closest to Th-Eeyon) in this story. After spending all the time on accents, would you have thought they'd have spent a bit of time on the proper pronunciation of the Welsh?
Ann-win? Really?
Paging Mary Robinette! Help them!
Ann-win? Really?
Paging Mary Robinette! Help them!
squishy_mage42's review against another edition
4.0
This is a portal fantasy about a group of Knights tasked with protecting locations around Earth that lead to another world. I really enjoyed the characters of Bran Ardall and Richard McCallister and the world building around Welsh myths was done really well.
It was a very enjoyable read.
It was a very enjoyable read.
marziesreads's review against another edition
2.0
I actually have had to stop listening and will finish the book in print. The mispronunciation of Welsh words was driving me insane. And there's no way to avoid words like Annwn (closest to An-Noon in Welsh) or Llion (closest to Th-Eeyon) in this story. After spending all the time on accents, would you have thought they'd have spent a bit of time on the proper pronunciation of the Welsh?
Ann-win? Really?
Paging Mary Robinette! Help them!
Ann-win? Really?
Paging Mary Robinette! Help them!
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