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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
EVERY FANTASY READER NEEDS TO KEEP UP WITH THE SELF PUBLISHED FANTASY BLOG-OFF. EVERY. SINGLE. FANTASY. FAN.
With that PSA out of the way....
SPFBO delivers another favorite I would’ve otherwise never even heard of. Last year it gave me my all time favorite stand-alone, The Sword of Kaigen, and now yet another fresh and unique book in Black Stone Heart.
I loved this book. It is so far outside my normal preferences. I can’t believe I loved it, but the mystery of the MC discovering himself and the world through his eyes drew me in so strongly. This was suppose to be a book I read very slowly during slow periods at work, but I was so hooked, I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in 5 days. Some of the larger plot beats were fairly predictable but HOW they came about and how they changed the direction of the narrative and character were still satisfying and unexpected.
I think this is one of those books you need to go in blind. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s free on kindle unlimited and the ebook is also a few bucks. Just try it. I know it’s only March, but this is the 19th book I’ve finished this year, and it is easily my favorite read of 2021 so far.
With that PSA out of the way....
SPFBO delivers another favorite I would’ve otherwise never even heard of. Last year it gave me my all time favorite stand-alone, The Sword of Kaigen, and now yet another fresh and unique book in Black Stone Heart.
I loved this book. It is so far outside my normal preferences. I can’t believe I loved it, but the mystery of the MC discovering himself and the world through his eyes drew me in so strongly. This was suppose to be a book I read very slowly during slow periods at work, but I was so hooked, I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in 5 days. Some of the larger plot beats were fairly predictable but HOW they came about and how they changed the direction of the narrative and character were still satisfying and unexpected.
I think this is one of those books you need to go in blind. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s free on kindle unlimited and the ebook is also a few bucks. Just try it. I know it’s only March, but this is the 19th book I’ve finished this year, and it is easily my favorite read of 2021 so far.
I’m a bit mad at myself for waiting this long to read Black Stone Heart (though it helped that some discord buddies read this first to make sure I was good with the content). I read half this book in one day because it sucked me in so much that I barely wanted to think about anything else that day. If I didn’t have a young baby, I’m pretty sure I would’ve read this whole book in one sitting.
The writing feels so smooth! The pages just glide past so quickly. The style isn’t overly complicated but it still describes the world and its characters well. I am so intrigued by the main characters and am starting the second book as soon as I finish this review. The only issue I had was that I doubt the believability of some of the relationships a bit and since they play an integral part of the story, that put a little damper on things. Overall though, an excellent start to a series for me!
The writing feels so smooth! The pages just glide past so quickly. The style isn’t overly complicated but it still describes the world and its characters well. I am so intrigued by the main characters and am starting the second book as soon as I finish this review. The only issue I had was that I doubt the believability of some of the relationships a bit and since they play an integral part of the story, that put a little damper on things. Overall though, an excellent start to a series for me!
This book was certainly on the darker side, but the chapters flew by quickly due to the rather straight forward writing style and great characterization. I'm not always a fan of first person narration, but it was definitely the right choice for this story. Being in Khraen's head and having his perspective made this quite the immersive read - the chapters felt almost like diary entries at times.
The plot was fairly simple, leaving more room to focus on Khraen's inner conflict as he ponders the morality of his decisions and the person he was/may be becoming again vs. the person he wants to be.
I will say, most of the revelations were quite obvious and didn't feel surprising at all. Also, the ending felt a bit abrupt and I wish some of the side characters had been fleshed out more. But hopefully the sequel will delve deeper into that and further explore some aspects of this world. I'm very much interested to see how this journey continues!
The plot was fairly simple, leaving more room to focus on Khraen's inner conflict as he ponders the morality of his decisions and the person he was/may be becoming again vs. the person he wants to be.
I will say, most of the revelations were quite obvious and didn't feel surprising at all. Also, the ending felt a bit abrupt and I wish some of the side characters had been fleshed out more. But hopefully the sequel will delve deeper into that and further explore some aspects of this world. I'm very much interested to see how this journey continues!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There was a story.
There was a world.
There was an end to an absolutely legendary book.
I have read several of Fletcher's books. This is the best. In fact, it's the best book I have read this year.
The story is a whirlwind of entertainment that drags you along relentlessly until your eyes are begging you to close them and finally go to sleep.
It had been a while since I had a "can't-put-this-book-down" moment. This is the one.
It is dark and gory which is what you would expect from the author, but at the same time there is so much heart and mystery. The world is
absolutely fascinating. Cannot wait for book 2.
There was a world.
There was an end to an absolutely legendary book.
I have read several of Fletcher's books. This is the best. In fact, it's the best book I have read this year.
The story is a whirlwind of entertainment that drags you along relentlessly until your eyes are begging you to close them and finally go to sleep.
It had been a while since I had a "can't-put-this-book-down" moment. This is the one.
It is dark and gory which is what you would expect from the author, but at the same time there is so much heart and mystery. The world is
absolutely fascinating. Cannot wait for book 2.
BOOKS LIKE THIS ARE WHY I READ FANTASY! This is the genre that gives you the ability to do virtually whatever you want, and Fletcher’s imagination knows no bounds. Earlier this year I read the 3 available Manifest Delusions books, then later read Ghosts of Tomorrow. The Manifest Delusions series instantly put Fletcher in my highest tier of authors, and Ghosts of Tomorrow did not disappoint either. I held back on reading the rest of his books because I did not want to run out. But here I am, because I have no self control, and I do not regret it one bit.
I feel like the best way to read this book is to know as little as possible (I didn’t even read the synopsis, I saw Fletcher’s name and said “I’m in!”). I would just give the warning that this book can get pretty horrific and gross, which I happen to love in my fiction. Beyond that, it is hard to describe what exactly makes this book click for me, because I really just find myself loving every decision Fletcher makes. If you’re a lover of dark fantasy and don’t mind following a detestable (but fascinating) protagonist, I would call this a must read. And make sure you check out the metal songs he has made for the book on YouTube. Yeah you read that right… I mean how cool is this guy?
I feel like the best way to read this book is to know as little as possible (I didn’t even read the synopsis, I saw Fletcher’s name and said “I’m in!”). I would just give the warning that this book can get pretty horrific and gross, which I happen to love in my fiction. Beyond that, it is hard to describe what exactly makes this book click for me, because I really just find myself loving every decision Fletcher makes. If you’re a lover of dark fantasy and don’t mind following a detestable (but fascinating) protagonist, I would call this a must read. And make sure you check out the metal songs he has made for the book on YouTube. Yeah you read that right… I mean how cool is this guy?
This was 4 stars up until the ending. There are so many ways this story can go and I'm here for all of them.
The writer outlined this book and pulled up some interesting concepts, and ideas he wanted to write about. Demons, regaining horrible memories, necromancy, all of that can set the tone for something interesting which is why I came. The problem is the writer had nothing interesting to add to any of these concepts and had no idea how to string his plot points together.
The result of the first of three books is a wandering tale of a guy who just knocks into things and people and is handed absolutely everything he wants with minimal struggle or challenge. (And is lusted after by every woman after being described hundreds of times as filthy, and covered in blood and rot and stinking of death)
The writing is painfully redundant. Once he writes a description he's going to use it every single time he mentions that thing. Once the mc has a thought he has to go over it in the same way every few paragraphs as if the reader has forgotten everything that has been told to them every couple of pages.
The language is strangely modern and sloppy. This is supposed to be a high fantasy environment and everyone cusses and jokes like teenagers. No one really has their own voice.
I stuck around for the promise of a big reveal in the back history and maybe hoping there would be some saving grace of an interesting twist. The twist was mostly predictable but I found it still had enough content to explore despite me having to make multiple excuses for why the writer chose racist plot points, a main character with almost no agency, scenes that are entirely about just hanging out and fucking, and the writer having absolutely no idea how women think or act.
I want to see what happens but at this point it's also just to make fun of it.
The result of the first of three books is a wandering tale of a guy who just knocks into things and people and is handed absolutely everything he wants with minimal struggle or challenge. (And is lusted after by every woman after being described hundreds of times as filthy, and covered in blood and rot and stinking of death)
The writing is painfully redundant. Once he writes a description he's going to use it every single time he mentions that thing. Once the mc has a thought he has to go over it in the same way every few paragraphs as if the reader has forgotten everything that has been told to them every couple of pages.
The language is strangely modern and sloppy. This is supposed to be a high fantasy environment and everyone cusses and jokes like teenagers. No one really has their own voice.
I stuck around for the promise of a big reveal in the back history and maybe hoping there would be some saving grace of an interesting twist. The twist was mostly predictable but I found it still had enough content to explore despite me having to make multiple excuses for why the writer chose racist plot points, a main character with almost no agency, scenes that are entirely about just hanging out and fucking, and the writer having absolutely no idea how women think or act.
I want to see what happens but at this point it's also just to make fun of it.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Starting off with the fact I have never read a book by Michael Fletcher so I have no other works of his to compare this to, but I am glad I discovered him. Solid 3 star read for me, would have been 4, but some side characters aren't as fleshed out as I'd have liked to have seen them - which isn't a surprise being this is told from one POV, still an excellent read.
From prologue to epilogue this was an engrossing and addictive read. With interesting characters, an imaginative world, immersive writing, and intense moments mixed with a bit of black humor - I found myself consistently surprised. This is written from one POV, that of Khraen, who starts off as an animalistic savage with no recollection of his past. Throughout the novel he is drawn to shards that bring back his memories little by little, and he starts to grow and remember that he was a demonolgist - a group of people either misunderstood or feared. Never revealing too much at one time and having an internal moral dilemma connecting who he was to who he is becoming - Krahen has an identity crisis throughout. Travelling with a necromancer named Henke, who may or may not be a reliable source of information, she encourages Khraen along the way. What is Evil? Is it subjective? Was/Is Kharen Evil? He's definitely not inherently good. Read the book for yourself and take the journey with him to find out.
From prologue to epilogue this was an engrossing and addictive read. With interesting characters, an imaginative world, immersive writing, and intense moments mixed with a bit of black humor - I found myself consistently surprised. This is written from one POV, that of Khraen, who starts off as an animalistic savage with no recollection of his past. Throughout the novel he is drawn to shards that bring back his memories little by little, and he starts to grow and remember that he was a demonolgist - a group of people either misunderstood or feared. Never revealing too much at one time and having an internal moral dilemma connecting who he was to who he is becoming - Krahen has an identity crisis throughout. Travelling with a necromancer named Henke, who may or may not be a reliable source of information, she encourages Khraen along the way. What is Evil? Is it subjective? Was/Is Kharen Evil? He's definitely not inherently good. Read the book for yourself and take the journey with him to find out.