What is SPFBO 9?  This is  a competition where authors of self-published fantasy can enter their work. The objective to find a winner out of the 300 entries submitted.  Ten judges (or judging teams) each receive 30 entrants.  Each judge/team will eventually submit one finalist to the second round where a winner will eventually be decided upon. Check out Mark Lawrence’s post here to look at this year’s entrants, judges and allocations list.

My introduction post can be found here and also the Critiquing Chemist recently posted their first elimination post.  I posted my first ‘cuts’ last week.   My second elimination post can be found here.

This week I will be aiming to post a review a day (7 in total) followed by an announcement of my Semi-Finalists.

These reviews are in no particular order and have been randomly selected.

My fifth review is for The Heron Kings Rampant by Eric Lewis

This was a very enjoyable gaslight fantasy with political motivations and a twist in the tale.  I would mention upfront that the author has written other books in this same world but I would say that this can be read quite easily as a standalone.  I did have my doubts about whether I’d flounder a little or feel like I was missing something but that really wasn’t the case (or at least I wasn’t conscious of it).  I felt like snippets of history were inserted quite naturally as the story progressed and these didn’t feel cumbersome or make the pace stutter.

The author wastes no time in getting the story off the ground.  We meet Castamar (Cast) and Jensine (Jen).  The two are going about their business when, to cut a long story short, a terrible explosion rips through the side of the building badly burning Jen and setting about a series of events that will uncover much more than originally expected.  Cast is determined to bring to justice the perpetrators and so from that point the plot takes on the form of a puzzle as Cast tries to piece together clues and discover who placed the bomb.  The first clue, of course, is that the supposed rebels have left a calling card – their name, daubed on the wall of the burning building – The Heron Kings.

This is a world at odds with itself.  Inventions and the industrial age are warring for a footing in an era that isn’t yet totally in love with the idea of letting go of the old ways.  A new substance, Vril has changed the way things work and new technologies are springing up everywhere.  At the same time Vril can have very dangerous aspects which is the same of any energy source I suppose.  On top of that the popularity of the monarchy is in decline, the nobility are jostling to hold onto power and there’s an overall feeling of discontent.

Cast is the central character although we do jump to other situations to witness pertinent happenings around the place.  Cast is an alchemist, he’s been around long enough to witness plenty of terrible things – especially during his time in the army.  He now has a relatively settled life with his young apprentice, work is satisfying and he’s in demand due to his good reputation.  Jen is his apprentice.  He rescued her from life on the streets about six years ago and is devastated when she is injured in the terrorist attack.

Yacinthe is an agent of the Cryptarch, I’m not entirely sure how you’d describe the Cryptach, law enforcement, secret service maybe.  Yacinthe doesn’t seem against a bit of threatening and bullying to get what she wants.

Ellyx is a member of an underground organisation that I won’t say more about.

Then we have the insurgents -are they the Heron Kings – legends of old, folk heroes to some, their name seemed to become something from a disappearing era before being linked to these terrorist attacks

The story takes us to a few corners of this world and I enjoyed the travel and revelations.  There’s plenty of action and the pacing is good (maybe a little lull midway but nothing that threatened my enjoyment). 

I wouldn’t say that this brings anything outstandingly unique to the table, I’ve read similar style stories in the past, but, that doesn’t mean a well written new addition isn’t welcome and this is an engaging book with plenty of action and intrigue.  

The ending took me by surprise, I had my suspicions about the culprit and in this case I was actually correct (that doesn’t usually happen) but I was shocked by one particular scene and the outcome and can honestly say I really didn’t expect things to go in that direction.

Anyway, a very good, entertaining read that I really enjoyed.

I received a copy courtesy of the author for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

Here’s my first review for Of Thieves and Shadows (The Heart of Quinaria #1) by BSH Garcia.

Here’s my second review for Dark Innocence by PJ Alexander

Here’s my third review for The Bone Spear by Alexander Layne.

My fourth review is for The First and Last Demon by Hiyodori.