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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
How i rate books:
5- Blew me away
4- Loved it
3- Liked it
2- Disliked it
1- Hated it
Rating: 3/5 stars
The Skald's Black Verse piqued my interest after reading a review on Grimdark Magazine that compared it vaguely to 40k. 40k-esque Grimdark Sci-Fantasy? Sign me the f*ck up!
What we get is a story taking place in a backwater village on a backwater planet conquered a few decades ago by a spacefaring empire. Much akin to the Imperium in 40k the empire uses archaic technology that seems to have more in common with magic than laws of physics. So far so good. Sound just like my coup of tea. Revolution against impossible odds.
However, once i actually got to reading the book i realised, that the concepts and stories in this book are more interesting to talk about than to read about:
- The plot is interesting, but the author does not make good use of it. I never got fully hooked, even tough on paper it sounds incredibly fun. Overthrowing an oppressive regime while trying to escape a planet that is bound to be destroyed by a pulverized moon? Hell yeah!
- The characters are bland and forgettable. This does not have to be a dealbreaker if the story is good enough to pull you in on it's own. But like i said: cool idea, not so great execution. Paired with the not-so-interesting characters we get a story that drags more than it flies by. Thankfully the book is relatively short, or else i would have given it a 2.5/5.
- The world is not all that immersive. I usually have a pretty vivid imagination while reading. But i did have trouble actually visualizing whatever was going on during the book. If i had to guess, i would say that the way the author describes things and tells his story are not fully able to convey what he had in mind when writing a scene.
All in all this was an enjoyable read, but i left with the feeling that i would have hated this book if it would have been even 50 pages longer. I might give the second book a try, since the plot hook is good enough to keep me interested. But who knows...
5- Blew me away
4- Loved it
3- Liked it
2- Disliked it
1- Hated it
Rating: 3/5 stars
The Skald's Black Verse piqued my interest after reading a review on Grimdark Magazine that compared it vaguely to 40k. 40k-esque Grimdark Sci-Fantasy? Sign me the f*ck up!
What we get is a story taking place in a backwater village on a backwater planet conquered a few decades ago by a spacefaring empire. Much akin to the Imperium in 40k the empire uses archaic technology that seems to have more in common with magic than laws of physics. So far so good. Sound just like my coup of tea. Revolution against impossible odds.
However, once i actually got to reading the book i realised, that the concepts and stories in this book are more interesting to talk about than to read about:
- The plot is interesting, but the author does not make good use of it. I never got fully hooked, even tough on paper it sounds incredibly fun. Overthrowing an oppressive regime while trying to escape a planet that is bound to be destroyed by a pulverized moon? Hell yeah!
- The characters are bland and forgettable. This does not have to be a dealbreaker if the story is good enough to pull you in on it's own. But like i said: cool idea, not so great execution. Paired with the not-so-interesting characters we get a story that drags more than it flies by. Thankfully the book is relatively short, or else i would have given it a 2.5/5.
- The world is not all that immersive. I usually have a pretty vivid imagination while reading. But i did have trouble actually visualizing whatever was going on during the book. If i had to guess, i would say that the way the author describes things and tells his story are not fully able to convey what he had in mind when writing a scene.
All in all this was an enjoyable read, but i left with the feeling that i would have hated this book if it would have been even 50 pages longer. I might give the second book a try, since the plot hook is good enough to keep me interested. But who knows...
Interesting sci fantasy
This was an original story with some flawed characters. I liked their character arcs. I also loved how the story built into a crescendo, increasingly becoming more frantic.
I found myself not interested in Henrik's character for whatever reason, and didn't care whether he lived or died, and some of that apathy translated to the entire town of Skolja. The story itself became more compelling and turned into a definite page turner once things picked up about 50% of the way in. After that mark it never let up! I definitely felt like the book got better as it went on.
The sci fi fantasy mix was well done and I'm interested to find out where the story goes from here.
This was an original story with some flawed characters. I liked their character arcs. I also loved how the story built into a crescendo, increasingly becoming more frantic.
I found myself not interested in Henrik's character for whatever reason, and didn't care whether he lived or died, and some of that apathy translated to the entire town of Skolja. The story itself became more compelling and turned into a definite page turner once things picked up about 50% of the way in. After that mark it never let up! I definitely felt like the book got better as it went on.
The sci fi fantasy mix was well done and I'm interested to find out where the story goes from here.
This wasn't what I was expecting and I loved it!
Great setting and characters and I can't wait to see where the next book leads
Great setting and characters and I can't wait to see where the next book leads
I was contacted by the author for an honest review, and I am happy to provide it.
First Impressions
Potentially triggering for some. The books opens with a traumatic birthing scene, and the pregnancy was conceived of rape.
We meet one of the major movers of the story, and this short, bloody, ugly chapter sets the tone for much for the rest of the story. Despite this, it never veers into cheesy grimdark territory, which I thought was pretty skilful. Bleak, maybe, but not that.
Characters/ Characterization
Although the characters are easily differentiated, their voices are not really unique. They felt one-dimensional and predictable, especially Anders. As a moustache-twirling villain none of his actions came as a surprise. Lyssa was a generic action girl, Brohr was a generic conflicted anti-hero. I felt that Henrik is the most developed, being a lot less black-and-white than the rest. He was predictable in that he had a specific goal and moved towards it, but how he would do so was less clear and so he was interesting in that sense.
Plot
As I said before, a lot of things happen, and there's a kind of whiplash towards the middle as the story's direction changes abruptly. Despite this, there is never hopelessness - everyone is fighting, moving on, finding solutions.
The interplay between the conquerors and the conquered was, alas, all too familiar from real-world situations. Brohr is the awaited savior, but he is nothing like what they think their savior will be. There is a shadowy presence of eldritch creatures who oversee this world, and they are running the show. A prophecy of doom is already afoot, and genocide appears to be the only outcome.
Prose
Short, detailed and straightforward. Excellent for action sequences, stilted for emotional scenes. As there is far more action than drama, there is less awkwardness to put up with.
Verdict
Fast-moving and enjoyable.
First Impressions
Potentially triggering for some. The books opens with a traumatic birthing scene, and the pregnancy was conceived of rape.
We meet one of the major movers of the story, and this short, bloody, ugly chapter sets the tone for much for the rest of the story. Despite this, it never veers into cheesy grimdark territory, which I thought was pretty skilful. Bleak, maybe, but not that.
Characters/ Characterization
Although the characters are easily differentiated, their voices are not really unique. They felt one-dimensional and predictable, especially Anders. As a moustache-twirling villain none of his actions came as a surprise. Lyssa was a generic action girl, Brohr was a generic conflicted anti-hero. I felt that Henrik is the most developed, being a lot less black-and-white than the rest. He was predictable in that he had a specific goal and moved towards it, but how he would do so was less clear and so he was interesting in that sense.
Plot
As I said before, a lot of things happen, and there's a kind of whiplash towards the middle as the story's direction changes abruptly.
Spoiler
Like Ben H. Winters' The Last Policeman trilogy, the world is already doomed by a comet-destroyed moon, and everything is for naught.The interplay between the conquerors and the conquered was, alas, all too familiar from real-world situations. Brohr is the awaited savior, but he is nothing like what they think their savior will be. There is a shadowy presence of eldritch creatures who oversee this world, and they are running the show. A prophecy of doom is already afoot, and genocide appears to be the only outcome.
Prose
Short, detailed and straightforward. Excellent for action sequences, stilted for emotional scenes. As there is far more action than drama, there is less awkwardness to put up with.
Verdict
Fast-moving and enjoyable.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Skald's Black Verse is book one in a Trilogy by Jordan Loyal Short. If you are a lover of grimdark epic fantasy, with a sprinkle of sci-fi and a whole lot of world ending, this is the book for you!
NO SPOILERS - This book follows a wide cast of characters as they navigate the perils of what is possibly the end of the world (as foretold by an omen in the sky) - Brohr, or main character is at the center of calamity when he is accused of murder which sets of a chain of reactions in his life. His grandfather has raised him for one purpose, but Brohr wants freedom. Will his choices lead to chaos or peace? Blood may lead to the answer.
I love a good grimdark fantasy, and this one doesn't disappoint! There is blood galore, dark scenes and undertones, escape from the cusp of death more than once, dark and misunderstood magic, religious persecution, and mysterious figures! There are many points of view so it's important to pay attention to which character we are seeing the story unfold from. There author does a wonderful job with character development and world building. The writing evokes love or hate for the characters and is heart pounding in many scenes. There is a hint of barely there romance, but who knows where that will lead.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone with a love for dark fantasy. It's dark from start to finish and I'm excited to get into the next book in the series.
NO SPOILERS - This book follows a wide cast of characters as they navigate the perils of what is possibly the end of the world (as foretold by an omen in the sky) - Brohr, or main character is at the center of calamity when he is accused of murder which sets of a chain of reactions in his life. His grandfather has raised him for one purpose, but Brohr wants freedom. Will his choices lead to chaos or peace? Blood may lead to the answer.
I love a good grimdark fantasy, and this one doesn't disappoint! There is blood galore, dark scenes and undertones, escape from the cusp of death more than once, dark and misunderstood magic, religious persecution, and mysterious figures! There are many points of view so it's important to pay attention to which character we are seeing the story unfold from. There author does a wonderful job with character development and world building. The writing evokes love or hate for the characters and is heart pounding in many scenes. There is a hint of barely there romance, but who knows where that will lead.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone with a love for dark fantasy. It's dark from start to finish and I'm excited to get into the next book in the series.
This is a great story and I LOVED the characters. I can't wait for everyone else to get to know them! Congrats on your debut novel, Jordan Loyal Short. xo
The Skald’s Black Verse was so much more than I expected. I went in expecting a dark fantasy based on Norse mythology, and I got that but wrapped in a sci-fi space odyssey.
The book follows three young people in a far-off mining town of planet conquered by religious military empire. Brohr is shunned because he is a product of the rape of his native mother by an invading soldier. He has dark magic in his blood and is haunted by the spirit of his stillborn twin. Henrik is the son of the collaborator mayor who has learned the ways of the conquerer’s magic. Lyssa is just one of many girls in the town who leads an unremarkable life but dreams of more. When a prophesied galactic disaster approaches, they are thrown together on a battle for their very existence. Little do they know that they are mere pieces on the board in the fight of the gods.
Well-written and well thought-out, the world is rich in lore and history. So much so that I did get a bit confused because I am completely unfamiliar with Norse mythology so I wasn’t actually sure which part are based on that and which the author made up. Barring that, the book really had me gripped with its steady pacing, a mounting feeling of unease and tension, and some intense bursts of action, culminating in an epic grimdark finale that left me reeling. The central characters are imperfect, morally gray, and quite directionless, but that’s what make them so easy to root for despite how unsure we are of whether they are the heroes or villains of the story.
The Skald’s Black Verse is a surprisingly great scififantasy that had me hooked from the very beginning and left me wanting to see where the series goes after that ending.
The book follows three young people in a far-off mining town of planet conquered by religious military empire. Brohr is shunned because he is a product of the rape of his native mother by an invading soldier. He has dark magic in his blood and is haunted by the spirit of his stillborn twin. Henrik is the son of the collaborator mayor who has learned the ways of the conquerer’s magic. Lyssa is just one of many girls in the town who leads an unremarkable life but dreams of more. When a prophesied galactic disaster approaches, they are thrown together on a battle for their very existence. Little do they know that they are mere pieces on the board in the fight of the gods.
Well-written and well thought-out, the world is rich in lore and history. So much so that I did get a bit confused because I am completely unfamiliar with Norse mythology so I wasn’t actually sure which part are based on that and which the author made up. Barring that, the book really had me gripped with its steady pacing, a mounting feeling of unease and tension, and some intense bursts of action, culminating in an epic grimdark finale that left me reeling. The central characters are imperfect, morally gray, and quite directionless, but that’s what make them so easy to root for despite how unsure we are of whether they are the heroes or villains of the story.
The Skald’s Black Verse is a surprisingly great scififantasy that had me hooked from the very beginning and left me wanting to see where the series goes after that ending.
I found this book through the TBRindR-service over on reddit. Which means I got it for free, which means nothing as I say whatever the fuck I want;)
The Skalds Black Verse is the first book of a series (as seems common for the stuff I review…) and with that come some neat things and some things I didn’t like as much.
First the basics it’s a Grimdark Fantasy Novel so you can expect some darker themes and moments (and you will find them here). Here it’s mostly in some of the themes of the story and some gore in fight scenes. The scope of the story is centred around one town and the surrounding lands and some proper apocalyptic happenings and how these affect the town and it’s inhabitants (which sadly isn’t explored to its full potential but the book is a bit longer than 300 pages so not much space).
At least for me the story centred around a darker version of the traditional “Chosen One” variant with the main character Brohr struggling against his destiny before being pulled into it fully but less in a I have to do this because it’s right way instead it feels more like a means to survival for him and his people. Brohr himself is a well written character who undergoes quite a change throughout the story but seemed to me the only one who didn’t actively take part in the events and more like he got pushed along which I normally would have to criticise but here it fits in the overarching theme of the story.
His opposite is Henrik the son of the towns mayor who starts out as just that, the son of an more or less powerful man in the community and he is perhaps the character undergoing the most change and my favourite because he actively does things instead of reacting while he fits in the chosen one role with his power and later responsibilities he never seems to react and always searches for stuff he can do first for himself and later for the town.
There are some more pov characters most of which serve either a narrative purpose as is the case with Brasca the closest thing the book has to an actual antagonist we get to so (there are hints and you meet others but spoiler) or serve to drive the personal arcs of other characters forward as I felt with Lyssa (who is still well written) Brohrs love interest and Anders his grandfather.
The worldbuilding is a bit hit and miss it has some really great parts and somethings which confused me. One of the best things is the magic system or rather systems as we learn of two one is the way of the Skalds which is more what you would expect in an setting inspired by northern mythology with its focus on blood and tradition and the other is binding which came from ancient beings and is more of a technology than magic and there is not much known because we only get to see an amateur using it rather than a master of the craft.
Only thing that bugged me is that I never got a feel for the world how it’s build and the way people travel or conquer in it as kinda space travel but not explored much until the final chapters which left me wondering in the beginning what some characters where talking about, again the book is on the short side but I feel this should have been addressed better or in more detail early on as it confused me for about a third of the book.
So that leaves us with great characters, cool and interesting magic system(s) and a confusing world (for me) and some lost potential in the face of impending doom.
The Skalds Black Verse is the first book of a series (as seems common for the stuff I review…) and with that come some neat things and some things I didn’t like as much.
First the basics it’s a Grimdark Fantasy Novel so you can expect some darker themes and moments (and you will find them here). Here it’s mostly in some of the themes of the story and some gore in fight scenes. The scope of the story is centred around one town and the surrounding lands and some proper apocalyptic happenings and how these affect the town and it’s inhabitants (which sadly isn’t explored to its full potential but the book is a bit longer than 300 pages so not much space).
At least for me the story centred around a darker version of the traditional “Chosen One” variant with the main character Brohr struggling against his destiny before being pulled into it fully but less in a I have to do this because it’s right way instead it feels more like a means to survival for him and his people. Brohr himself is a well written character who undergoes quite a change throughout the story but seemed to me the only one who didn’t actively take part in the events and more like he got pushed along which I normally would have to criticise but here it fits in the overarching theme of the story.
His opposite is Henrik the son of the towns mayor who starts out as just that, the son of an more or less powerful man in the community and he is perhaps the character undergoing the most change and my favourite because he actively does things instead of reacting while he fits in the chosen one role with his power and later responsibilities he never seems to react and always searches for stuff he can do first for himself and later for the town.
There are some more pov characters most of which serve either a narrative purpose as is the case with Brasca the closest thing the book has to an actual antagonist we get to so (there are hints and you meet others but spoiler) or serve to drive the personal arcs of other characters forward as I felt with Lyssa (who is still well written) Brohrs love interest and Anders his grandfather.
The worldbuilding is a bit hit and miss it has some really great parts and somethings which confused me. One of the best things is the magic system or rather systems as we learn of two one is the way of the Skalds which is more what you would expect in an setting inspired by northern mythology with its focus on blood and tradition and the other is binding which came from ancient beings and is more of a technology than magic and there is not much known because we only get to see an amateur using it rather than a master of the craft.
Only thing that bugged me is that I never got a feel for the world how it’s build and the way people travel or conquer in it as kinda space travel but not explored much until the final chapters which left me wondering in the beginning what some characters where talking about, again the book is on the short side but I feel this should have been addressed better or in more detail early on as it confused me for about a third of the book.
So that leaves us with great characters, cool and interesting magic system(s) and a confusing world (for me) and some lost potential in the face of impending doom.
Looking for a dark and gritty science fantasy? Then look no further. With a Nordic vibe, this has great characters, an interesting story and most importantly, an excellent sequel, but more on that later. The narration by Aaron Smith really adds to the story.