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atagarev's review
4.0
it was a short and easy read. The book takes a bunch of typical fantasy tropes and gives them enough of a twist to keep everything interesting. The characters were about as complex as a story this short and world this undefined allows. The ending felt kind of abrupt- this was obviously the first chapter in a larger story rather than a self-contained book but it was definitely good enough for me to want to keep reading.
barb4ry1's review against another edition
3.0
Breaking the world appeals to Princess Anya more than staged marriage with a man she doesn’t know, much less desire.
As she spent her childhood in a convent of nuns who held a number of ancient dark magic books in the library, she's gained some impressive skills and powers. It's quite possible she may have the power to bring an empire to the knees.
Early in the story, she meets warrior monk Caida. His sword is his soul and when it’s needed he prays with steel wreaking havoc amongst his opponents.
Brother Caida was raised by Andines and he’s a dedicated monk. Soon his faith and worldview will be challenged. It’s possible that what he believes in is twisted and false.
Also, even though he’s taken celibacy vows Anya may have the power to challenge them as well.
Skin Walkers, as the title suggest, do appear in the book. They're not the folks you would want to mess with. Unless you want your body taken and becoming a skin-walker mount.
It's the first book in McClung's newest series. The book was enjoyable and fast-paced. There wasn't much world-building and we're thrown in the middle of the action fast. The pacing doesn't really slow down. Blood is spilled, people die, dark secrets are revealed.
Some ideas were really nice. I enjoy Andine monks mythos
and the magic book and its secrets. Skin Walkers are intriguing and their plan remains to be fully uncovered in the future.
On the other hand, I didn't relate to any of the characters. I don't particularly like Caida who's a bit of a naive oaf. Anya is quite interesting, but not fully fleshed. The character development feels rushed. Truth be told, I just don't buy it.
All in all, it's a decent book that I liked more than not. I didn't love it and I didn't find characters genuinely fascinating. While it won't make it to my favorite books of the month, it's worth considering in between longer, more difficult reads. Especially when you look for something shorter and fast - paced.
As she spent her childhood in a convent of nuns who held a number of ancient dark magic books in the library, she's gained some impressive skills and powers. It's quite possible she may have the power to bring an empire to the knees.
Early in the story, she meets warrior monk Caida. His sword is his soul and when it’s needed he prays with steel wreaking havoc amongst his opponents.
Brother Caida was raised by Andines and he’s a dedicated monk. Soon his faith and worldview will be challenged. It’s possible that what he believes in is twisted and false.
Also, even though he’s taken celibacy vows Anya may have the power to challenge them as well.
Skin Walkers, as the title suggest, do appear in the book. They're not the folks you would want to mess with. Unless you want your body taken and becoming a skin-walker mount.
It's the first book in McClung's newest series. The book was enjoyable and fast-paced. There wasn't much world-building and we're thrown in the middle of the action fast. The pacing doesn't really slow down. Blood is spilled, people die, dark secrets are revealed.
Some ideas were really nice. I enjoy Andine monks mythos
and the magic book and its secrets. Skin Walkers are intriguing and their plan remains to be fully uncovered in the future.
On the other hand, I didn't relate to any of the characters. I don't particularly like Caida who's a bit of a naive oaf. Anya is quite interesting, but not fully fleshed. The character development feels rushed. Truth be told, I just don't buy it.
All in all, it's a decent book that I liked more than not. I didn't love it and I didn't find characters genuinely fascinating. While it won't make it to my favorite books of the month, it's worth considering in between longer, more difficult reads. Especially when you look for something shorter and fast - paced.
timmason's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the Amra Thetys books - and look forward to reading volume 5. This one didn't spark the same degree of enthusiasm. It's not that the characters are uninteresting, or that the story is flat. Perhaps it's the setting. The Amra books take place in city scapes where you might come across the Grey Mouser on any corner, while this one seems more confined, lurking in the same kind of territory as Garth Nix's The Old Kingdom, which I didn't like much at all. There's also quite a lot of explanatory text, mainly when the wicked witch is on scene (particularly in the second volume). I'll probably read volume three, but I do hope it perks up a bit.
kamalakanta's review
5.0
I knew this'd be a book I'd come back to read again, and I'm so glad I did. Definitely enjoyed this more the second time round as i was undergoing a major reading block this year.
sarah42783's review
5.0
Actual rating: 4.75 stars. And one quarter.
Michael McClung, you have ruined my High Security Harem forever. First, there was Holgren Angrado (which wasdelicious bad enough considering the guy is a semi-retired one-eyed mage with no little social skills). Then there was Lhiewyn (which was quite enticing worrying given the guy is a super extra grumpy, foul-mouthed, creakily decrepit ancient priest). And now this. A bloody shrimping ascetic, abstinent, chastity-embracing yummy monk. That's it. This is the end of the harem. I mean, can you imagine for just one second the lickable likes of His Furriness and Mad Rogan rooming with crippled old dudes and habit-wearing cenobites?!
My thoughts exactly.
Pretty sure mutiny and revolution would ensue. Inconceivable! Unacceptable! Kerf's testicles! Do you realize what you've done, Michael McClung?! Do you know what this means?! I'll tell you what it means: I now have to build a brand new Harem wing for the exclusive use of yourTitillating Trio Unsavory Bunch! You're footing the bill for this one, yes you are! You'll receive it via Expedited Shrimp Express courier very shortly. You're welcome
Sooooooo. Yes, it is true, my Little Barnacles, I have revoltingly fallen for a bald, robe-wearing monk. And a virginal one at that *shudders*don't worry though, that sad, distressing state of affairs shouldn't last now that the lovely boy is a permanent High Security Harem guest . BUT:
① As seen above ↑↑↑, his beloved father Mr McClung is quite the renowned manufacturer of Most Unlikely yet Most Scrumptious Harem Material Ever (MUyMSHME™).
② He is apork-sword greatsword-wielding, lean mean killing machine. A badass warrior in a deceitful monk's frock. YUM and stuff.
③ He is straightforward and upfront and persistent as fish and upstanding and honest and tells it like it is. And that is slightly sexy indeed.
④ He doesn't look entirely unappealing. Just ask the damsel in little distress he's supposed to rescue. From what I've heard, she thinks he's pretty, um, mouth-watering and stuff. Then again, maybe it's just that she has a habit fetish. Because maybe she knows that habits are to monks what kilts are tolack of underwear Scotsmen and stuff.
Conclusion: Beguiling Brother Caida (my new boyfriend's name, in case you were wondering) is somewhat hot and somewhat mine.
So. At the beginning of this delightful little story, my boyfriend is busy doing slightly blah monk stuff in his monastery when his oh-so-non-harem-worthy abbot sends him on a mission: "Off to rescue a damsel in distress you go, Young Padawan!" he tells Caida (more or less). The lovely, innocent damsel in question is Princess Anya. The poor, defenseless girl has been shamelessly kidnapped by a bunch of vile mercenaries while on the way to her wedding, you see. Or so Caida thinks.
Turns out the damsel is not in so much distress. Turns out it's the mercenaries who might need rescuing from her. Turns out Anya is a beautifully cunning, homicidalbitch witch you don't want to piss off. I think I'm in lurve. I mean, how can you resist a merciless, bloodthirsty chick who will go to any lengths to have her way? That's bloody shrimping impossible, if you ask me. Oh, and by the way: if you're thinking of having your darling little girl brought up by a religious order in a remote nunnery, think again. Unless you want to end up with a spell-casting murderous maniac on your hands. I personally think it's the bestest education a girl can get, but I have an idea you people might disagree with me on that one. You tend to be weird like that.
But anyway. So Caida sets off on his rescue-or-not mission, finds Sweet Anya and then gore-spattered chaos, mayhem, sorcery, severed body parts and spoiler spoiler spoiler ensue. It's pretty glorious, really. There's intense scheming, villainously evil villains, hahaha mercenaries, not-so-hahaha mercenaries, a lovely siege, bloody-fish-I-didn't-see-that-coming stuff, creative soldier-making 101, most wondrous fights and battles, blood-soaked everything, and did I mention severed limbs? Also, the story is intriguing and compelling and exciting and page-turning and most excellent and fresh and sensational and stuff. Also, yummy skin walkers. Obviously, duh and stuff. All in all, I did not entirely dislike this book. Not quite completely, no.
» And the moral of this Get Those Pincers Moving Post Haste Murderous Shrimpy Children of Mine We Need to Get that New Harem Wing Up and Running Before Mr McClung Afflicts Us with More Improbable Yet Irresistible Harem Candidates Crappy Non Review (GTPMPHMSCoMWNtGtNHWUaRBMMAUwMIYIHCCNR™) is: this book is short. This book is cheap. This book is bloody shrimping awesome. So go buy it now and stuff!
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for nothing, naught, nada. No review, no soul, not even a tiny body part. Because Michael McClung is kinda sorta cool like that.
· Book 2: An Unclean Strength ★★★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
There are monks.
And then there aresuper hot, greatsword-wielding dudes *cue heavy breathing* MONKS.
➽ Full Bloody Shrimping Hell I Just Fell for a Bloody Shrimping Monk What Have You Bloody Shrimping Done to Me Michael McClung Life Will Never Be the Bloody Shrimping Same Crappy Non Review (BSHIJFfaBSMWHYBSDtMMMcCLWNBtBSSCNR™) to come.
[December 27, 2017]
I really couldn't care less about this ARC. I mean, it's not like I enjoy reading Michael McClung's books, or as if I'dshamelessly begged asked for this one or anything. Don't be ridiculous now, that would obviously be beneath me. What happened is that Michael McClung forced me to accept this ARC. He actually threatened to kill my murderous babies dead if I didn't! What was I to do? Deny him and see my homicidal offspring perish in agony? Of course not. So I accepted his kind mandatory offer. And here we are.
I have an AAAARRRRCCCCCC!!!!!!! A Michael McClung AAAARRRRCCCCCC!!!!!!!
Michael McClung, you have ruined my High Security Harem forever. First, there was Holgren Angrado (which was
My thoughts exactly.
Pretty sure mutiny and revolution would ensue. Inconceivable! Unacceptable! Kerf's testicles! Do you realize what you've done, Michael McClung?! Do you know what this means?! I'll tell you what it means: I now have to build a brand new Harem wing for the exclusive use of your
Sooooooo. Yes, it is true, my Little Barnacles, I have revoltingly fallen for a bald, robe-wearing monk. And a virginal one at that *shudders*
① As seen above ↑↑↑, his beloved father Mr McClung is quite the renowned manufacturer of Most Unlikely yet Most Scrumptious Harem Material Ever (MUyMSHME™).
② He is a
③ He is straightforward and upfront and persistent as fish and upstanding and honest and tells it like it is. And that is slightly sexy indeed.
④ He doesn't look entirely unappealing. Just ask the damsel in little distress he's supposed to rescue. From what I've heard, she thinks he's pretty, um, mouth-watering and stuff. Then again, maybe it's just that she has a habit fetish. Because maybe she knows that habits are to monks what kilts are to
Conclusion: Beguiling Brother Caida (my new boyfriend's name, in case you were wondering) is somewhat hot and somewhat mine.
So. At the beginning of this delightful little story, my boyfriend is busy doing slightly blah monk stuff in his monastery when his oh-so-non-harem-worthy abbot sends him on a mission: "Off to rescue a damsel in distress you go, Young Padawan!" he tells Caida (more or less). The lovely, innocent damsel in question is Princess Anya. The poor, defenseless girl has been shamelessly kidnapped by a bunch of vile mercenaries while on the way to her wedding, you see. Or so Caida thinks.
Turns out the damsel is not in so much distress. Turns out it's the mercenaries who might need rescuing from her. Turns out Anya is a beautifully cunning, homicidal
But anyway. So Caida sets off on his rescue-or-not mission, finds Sweet Anya and then gore-spattered chaos, mayhem, sorcery, severed body parts and spoiler spoiler spoiler ensue. It's pretty glorious, really. There's intense scheming, villainously evil villains, hahaha mercenaries, not-so-hahaha mercenaries, a lovely siege, bloody-fish-I-didn't-see-that-coming stuff, creative soldier-making 101, most wondrous fights and battles, blood-soaked everything, and did I mention severed limbs? Also, the story is intriguing and compelling and exciting and page-turning and most excellent and fresh and sensational and stuff. Also, yummy skin walkers. Obviously, duh and stuff. All in all, I did not entirely dislike this book. Not quite completely, no.
» And the moral of this Get Those Pincers Moving Post Haste Murderous Shrimpy Children of Mine We Need to Get that New Harem Wing Up and Running Before Mr McClung Afflicts Us with More Improbable Yet Irresistible Harem Candidates Crappy Non Review (GTPMPHMSCoMWNtGtNHWUaRBMMAUwMIYIHCCNR™) is: this book is short. This book is cheap. This book is bloody shrimping awesome. So go buy it now and stuff!
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for nothing, naught, nada. No review, no soul, not even a tiny body part. Because Michael McClung is kinda sorta cool like that.
· Book 2: An Unclean Strength ★★★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
There are monks.
And then there are
➽ Full Bloody Shrimping Hell I Just Fell for a Bloody Shrimping Monk What Have You Bloody Shrimping Done to Me Michael McClung Life Will Never Be the Bloody Shrimping Same Crappy Non Review (BSHIJFfaBSMWHYBSDtMMMcCLWNBtBSSCNR™) to come.
[December 27, 2017]
I really couldn't care less about this ARC. I mean, it's not like I enjoy reading Michael McClung's books, or as if I'd
eyed's review
4.0
Another really good story by Michael McClung. Until the end of last year I had only read is Amra series. This year I gave been reading as much of his other work as I can get my hands on and have been enjoying all of it.
This is the start of a new series that has some interesting characters that I can't wait to learn more about. Anya the extremely powerful witch is my favorite among them so far. Caida could turn out to be another I like depending on how his story plays out but so far not so much. The world is pretty standard fantasy but who knows if we have met everything that inhabits it so far.
This was a very fast once I actually had some time to sit down with it. I would recommend this to anyone that has enjoyed Mr. McClung's previous books as well as any fans of fantasy in general. He is an excellent author and I am looking forward to reading more in his both his current series.
This is the start of a new series that has some interesting characters that I can't wait to learn more about. Anya the extremely powerful witch is my favorite among them so far. Caida could turn out to be another I like depending on how his story plays out but so far not so much. The world is pretty standard fantasy but who knows if we have met everything that inhabits it so far.
This was a very fast once I actually had some time to sit down with it. I would recommend this to anyone that has enjoyed Mr. McClung's previous books as well as any fans of fantasy in general. He is an excellent author and I am looking forward to reading more in his both his current series.
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