Tom Bast

Review of eBook

Tove hides in the back of the ship’s cargo hold, careful to keep the cruel captain of the ship from discovering her. Cautious, she steals sparingly, taking only meager amounts of food and water. Searching through the crates, she finds weapons and arms herself, but remains quiet, hidden away.

And then the ship flounders under an attack by a kracken. Tove bravely fights back, using her sword to cut through the flesh of one of the creature’s arms. Soon all the sailors . . . and the captain . . . know she is aboard their ship.

What will she face now? Punishment for stowing away on the ship? Praise for saving the sailors’ lives? What fate awaits Tove as she seeks to understand her magic and eventually comes up against Thuan Ak, the two-headed monster that is Rex Zlo’s master?

Meanwhile, Robin, with the rebel fairy, Gwendolyn, trapped inside him, failed to hold onto Rex Zlo; now he lies on the shore, unconscious as Patur, commander of the fairies, scowls. The attack against the wicked High Mage had not gone as they had hoped; Rex Zlo eluded them once again. Saddened at the outcome of the conflict, Mament and Patur separate; the fairies take Robin with them. Where will their journey end?

What lies ahead for Robin? Will he find a way to reconnect with Tove? And what of Rex Zlo and the Cause? What does the future hold for the Land of Duroo?

=========

Picking up where “Slaver’s Bane” [the first book in the Rebels of Duroo series] ended, “Pirate Fire” begins with three prologues. The first details the outcome of the clash between the evil Mage Rex Zlo and the half-breed Robin [who was, as with most in the orphanage, raised to be a slave and, ultimately, sold]. The second prologue follows Tove as she escapes the orphanage, finds her way to Atoom, and stows away aboard a Kachara ship. The third prologue returns to Rex Zlo, who has a network of spies in the royal palace and listens in on a secret meeting with three Councilors and the King.

With strong characters and a compelling plot, the story of the inhabitants of the Land of Duroo continues. Told from several viewpoints, including Robin, Tove, and Rex Zlo, the unfolding narrative continues to reveal the clash between Good and Evil.

Pulling the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset, the narrative alternates between Tove and Robin, exploring the trials and dangers each face. As with the opening of the narrative, the end offers readers three epilogues, one for Robin, embroiled in battle; one for Tove, preparing to battle with Thuan Ak; and one for Rex Zlo, still practicing his evil magic.

Readers will find much to appreciate in this magical, fantastical tale of good and evil, of the fight for freedom. What lies ahead for Robin, Tove, the elves, the fairies, and Rex Zlo? What will be the future of the Land of Duroo?

Highly recommended.… (meer)

Before the Royals found magic, the world lived in peace. Now there is nothing but slavery and fear. Rex Zlo, royal mage, uses potions created from the souls of fairies to steal the will of people to make them do whatever they are commanded until they eventually go mad. But when Robin, a young orphan accidentally consumes a potion that had gone wrong, suddenly everything changes. He offers a chance to defeat the Royals but first, he must undertake a perilous quest pursued across the kingdom by Rex Zlo who is determined to stop him.

When I started Slaver’s Bane: The Rebels of Duroo, the first in a new epic fantasy series by Tom Best, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a compelling tale with some great world building, interesting characters, and a fascinating story that grabbed me from the first sentence and never let go. It ends on a cliffhanger but with hints of what’s coming and I can hardly wait to read the rest of the series.

Thanks to Negalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review… (meer)

Review of eBook

A long time ago, in a land far away . . .

Peace reigned.
Everyone . . . humans, giants, elves, trolls, orcs, goblins, and the fairies . . . lived together in peace.

Until . . .

Slave magic was invented by the royals.
Peace dissolved into hatred, creating chaos and destruction.

In this new world of animosity, a half-breed teenager named Robin and a giant named Tove live in the dormitories of the orphanage. They have no expectations for their lives beyond the orphanage; they will be sold into a life of servitude. Freedom is a far and distant wish, relegated to the land of dreams and wishes. But Robin and Tove, who watch out for each other, know how to elude the overlords; Robin sneaks out and steals a bottle of milk from a peasant. He shares the unexpected treat with Tove.

A year later, Robin must leave Tove behind as he is sold and taken away from the orphanage. But she remains in his thoughts, even four years later, even as he is training to fight.

Rescued by falconers during an unexpected attack by the Orcs, Robin learns the truth about the milk . . . not milk, but a potion that gave him the power of fairy magic.

Robin sets off to find the fairies. But the evil Mage Rex Zlo trails him, determined to capture him for his own nefarious agenda.

Will Robin succeed? Will he and his new friends find a way to return peace and freedom to the land?

=========

“Slaver’s Bane,” the first book in the Rebels of Duroo series, sets the stage for what is to come. Strong characters, fascinating world-building, and a clever plot combine to lay the groundwork for what will follow. Good is very good; evil is very evil. The unfolding narrative keeps readers involved in the telling of the tale as they cheer for the defeat of evil.

A strong fantasy component teases the imagination; stunning creatures, a magical land, a fight for freedom. Be prepared for a cliffhanger . . . there are definitely more adventures for Robin before this tale reaches its conclusion.

A map of Duroo gives substance to places readers encounter in the telling of the tale.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from The Book Whisperer and NetGalley
#SlaversBane #NetGalley… (meer)