#SPFBO9 : Elimination Post #2
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. Today is my second round of cuts and one more such post remains for next Saturday. That will leave my remaining ‘potential Semi Finalists’.
Again, as last week, I take no pleasure in making these cuts but it is an essential part of the competition.
I would point out that the books listed below have been randomly selected and are not in any particular order. I would also mention that these are partial reviews as in most instances I’ve read 30% of the book. So, let’s begin.
The Wayfarer by Zachary Kekac
SPFBO Status: Cut
Blurb:
“Burying sorrow is like burying water; it simply seeps into the soil and up into everything that grows from it.”
The Wayfarer stands on the rim of insanity. Forgetting everything. Everyone.
He doesn’t know when the forgetting began, but the Shadow does. A doppelganger wreathed in darkness; a figure only he can see; it claims to know both why he is losing his mind, and the way to restore it. Wary, desperate, with what seems no other way open to him, the Wayfarer submits himself to the Shadow, its warning compelling him forward:
Move on.
Or wither.
As the Shadow leads the Wayfarer through sentient forests, the graveyards of dragons, and realms between realms, so too does it lead the way into his forgotten past, restoring fragments of memory throughout the journey. Only the memories are distorted, nightmarish. In them he sees his friends, his family—dead. Impossible. His friends are alive, aiding him on his journey. His family is safe, awaiting his return.
Disillusioned by these perversions of past, the Wayfarer decides the only way to salvation is within himself. Aided by a psychoactive mixture, he descends into his subconscious, seeking the truth of his unravelling mind, the memory of his madness’ beginning.
You are not ready.
Though the Wayfarer can sense the truth lurking within the abyss of his subconscious, something in the Shadow’s words waylays him. Something in the Shadow’s words holds a truth of its own, warring with the truth within himself.
Frustrated, fearful, his mind fraying at its seams, the Wayfarer stands now on the rim of a choice: to trust the Shadow, to hope on a fool’s hope that its way was the way to remedy; or to forsake it, to do as he willed and seek resolution his own way, knowing with the wisdom of a man prone to folly that it may very well be the way to ruin.
General Thoughts:
This is a difficult book to review. On the one hand, the writing is beautiful, poetic even at times, and the world is described really well. On the other hand, at roughly 38% into the story I would struggle to really pin down the plot at this time. Which, to be fair, I’m only just over a third into the story so plenty of time yet for everything to become clear.
Aeros is the Wayfarer, he’s on a dark journey of self discovery. Accompanied by a shadow figure that only he can see. He desperately seeks answers to his memory loss.
The journey here is sometimes real for him, fighting with deadly foes, at others, it feels more dreamlike with what feels like illusions or false memories.
I confess that I am intrigued, but at the same time I’m not totally convinced the story is for me. The plot feels as though it’s almost buried under a wealth of beautiful imagery that whilst satisfying in some respects leaves you perplexed at others. And, I didn’t find myself connecting with the central character at the point at which I broke off.
As I said above though, some impressive descriptive writing.
Out of the Grey by KB Sprague
SPFBO Status: Cut
Blurb:
TO SUPPRESS KNOWLEDGE IS HUMAN NATURE…
Some believe a return to the old ways will lead to the end of humankind. Others have long forgotten the origins of the anti-tech treaty and dismiss it as old-world superstition designed to maintain oppressive control over society.
In a land recovering from disaster and emboldened by unearthly leviathans, an underground tech resurgence threatens what’s left of the human race. Torn between beliefs and duty, a dimension-warping luminary and a mystical shaman begin their rise to power for opposing factions, defying forces greater than they are while dragging their naïve, young apprentices into peril along with them.
They must prepare now for the coming doom before it’s too late — even if it sparks an all-out war between neighboring territories. A war neither side can hope to win.
Out of the Grey is the first book in the Luminary series.
General Thoughts:
Out of the Grey brings to us a world where the old ways are in direct conflict with increasingly new technology. This is a world that seems to have suffered a cataclysmic event of some sort although some of the old technology still exists. Treaties are in place to prevent people breaching certain codes, particularly in relation to inventions and using certain substances. The central area is Gan – I was thinking of it almost like the capitol. Citizens who live in Gan are called Elderkin, they live longer and have more enriched lives, better prospects, etc, These things haven’t, of course, gone unnoticed by neighbouring towns who are becoming resentful of the prosperity of Gan and it’s residents and as a result these other areas are starting to take action – it would seem that Gan maybe doesn’t always practice what it preaches.
So, characters.
We have Hadamard, a luminary. He’s embarking on a voyage to the Other Worldly Realm with a number of ’prospects’ all vying for a place on his projects.
Vey, is an assistant to the Grey Clerk. She has been given a task to travel to Fort Abandon (or Fort Abindohn as it was formerly known) to interview a Vice Regent about the possible breaching of treaties and she is looking forward to the challenge.
Akrylla is a Scarsander (at this point I couldn’t exactly elaborate on what that means but I’m sure all will become clear). Fort Abindohn was the home of her ancestors. She seems to be on a mission all her own although the nature of what that is was unknown at the point at which I broke off.
Elu is from the Dim Sea Caves. He has been taken from his village along with all his neighbours, presumably to be sold into slavery.
The world building is interesting. There are a whole bunch of intriguing ideas such as Netherships, zero gravity, astrolabs and imbued stones/gems. Also there is mention of different races such as giants. The place that the Luminary travelled to is called Seventh Kaeda, a place that sits atop a mountain sized clump of rock that seems to be suspended in a gravity free zone where light is provided by something known as Starshine – the two bound together by tendrils named the tangles. On top of this there is mention of giant leviathans. It’s a complex world that seems well thought out.
There certainly isn’t a shortage of ideas and imagination and the author brings to us a story that blends fantasy and sci fi.
In terms of issues. I think sometimes the terminology and explanations come over very technical, which to be fair is, I think, just a reflection of how much the author loves this world – but for me, I would prefer this to be more relatable, for example, the travel to Seventh Kaeda, I found it difficult to visualise in my mind and had to backtrack to read it over – in fairness that could just have been me not really paying enough attention.
Anyway, an interesting story so far An intriguing setting and a cast of characters that lovers of multiple POVs will undoubtedly enjoy.
A Crown of Blood by Lincoln Law
SPFBO Status: Cut
Blurb:
A bloodthirsty army. A long forgotten god. A power believed lost.
Roisin Latenda is a Groundformer Acolyte in training, a person with the ability to manipulate the earth. Long ago—before the people rose up, killed their Gods, and fashioned their corpses into weapons—these powers could move mountains, form cities, shift countries. Now with the Gods dead, the powers are weaker, but humanity controls it. And wrestling power from the gods was always about autonomy.
When a powerful army arrives in Roisin’s small village, supported by an unknown god named the Soulmonger, all is sent into chaos. They ravage the village, killing many, and force Roisin to choose between those she loves, and her duty to her Groundformer training.
But Roisin’s life isn’t the only one to be horrifically transformed by the Soulmongers’ arrival. Piritta, the political aspirant, will find her drive for power warped in the most terrible way. Bree, the apprentice cartographer, will have to face her past; a past bathed in blood. And Kaori, whose porcelain mask hides many secrets, will seize the vengeance she seeks for a world which wronged her.
These four young women find their fates intertwined. If they make the right decisions, three of them may save the world from this new and deadly force. And should they fail, one will destroy it.
A dark and epic tale about friendship, power and the cost of war begins in A Crown of Blood, the first book of the Deimachy Trilogy.
General Thoughts:
I would say this story falls into epic fantasy and given the characters and set up to where I’ve read up to it’s going to be a fairly strong female cast – three friends and a Queen planning revenge.
As the story begins we meet Roisin. An acolyte in training to become a Groundformer. A person who will have the magical ability to manipulate or bend the earth to her will. Roisin has a companion animal, a fox, named Vulpo who she can communicate with and who helps her to concentrate.
Bree is one of Roisin’s friends, she has little magical ability and has chosen to become a cartographer.
Piritta is another friend, Daughter of a Lord, beautiful and ambitious and frustrated with her lot in life.
So to the point I read up to two key events took place. An acolyte visited to inform everyone that the High Acolyte had died (suspected poisoning), this seemed to tie in with a certain unrest that could be detected reading between the lines, the King not having a heir for example, causing a certain level of unrest. Not to mention general concern about an increased number of Skybinders spotted flying over the area. The second event is that the city is attacked by sky binders. They are led by a masked woman,Queen Kaori, a soul monger who takes Piritta when her army leaves.
The Groundformer people seem to play second fiddle to the Skybinders and although there is a tentative peace they fear further bloodshed.
In terms of issues, well, I would say that the attack on Roisin’s village felt off somehow. We have the queen and her army, they attack the village, killing people and eventually taking a hostage. And yet they don’t seem to search the place at all. They appear, murder some villagers, round the rest up and then leave with one extra person in tow leaving the survivors behind.
I would have said that this had an almost YA feel to it, what with the ages of the MCs and the animal companions, etc. But, after the attack on the village things definitely took a darker tone. So be aware – this is potentially a dark story.
Legacy of the Vermillion Blade by Jay Talisquall
SPFBO Status: Cut
Blurb:
Talon Cour-Vermane is not only the sole inheritor of his House’s lands, titles, and political power, but also of the pact his family has forged with darkness through countless generations. From birth, Talon’s father tethered his son’s life to the family’s bloodline and his own ambitions of power, but everything changes when a new blacksmith and his young apprentice, Richen, join the staff at the Cour-Vermane estate. With their fateful meeting, Talon’s life changes course forever, derailing the meticulously laid out existence planned for him. From his family’s estates and the countryside of Eleryon to the extents of the Xallian Empire and the dwarven kingdom of Lymehold, Talon discovers the different aspects of love, true family, and himself as he battles his cursed blood and the shackles to darkness his father bound him with.
“I wanted to craft an epic fantasy story featuring the incredible diversity of love and relationships that span the asexual spectrum in my LGBTQIA+ inclusive world. The new continent of Rhymera acts as the backdrop for Talon’s story, and I’ve filled it with a rich tapestry of living characters and unique locations that followers have come to expect from my storytelling.”— Jay Tallsquall
An accessible tale of high fantasy adventure for all of those who have yearned for love and felt the heartbreak of its loss, Legacy of the Vermillion Blade is for the hopeful broken-hearted and the broken hopeful-hearted in us all.
General Thoughts:
Legacy of the Vermillion Blade, well, initially, I felt it was a coming of age story but as I progressed I would liken it more to one person’s journey to discover themselves and the adventures they encounter along the way.
As the story begins we meet Talon. The only son and heir of the Cour-Vermane estate. Unbeknownst to Talon his family made a pact many years ago with ’the darkness’ in return for power and Talon now falls under the same curse. Talon’s parents have very little to do with him and when a new blacksmith arrives with a similarly aged son the two form a strong friendship that begins to blossom. Unfortunately Ritchen is taken from Talon’s home when he becomes injured and from then Talon vows to find him again.
From there Talon sets to training to make him stronger, he then begins to train with weapons and eventually he leaves the family home, having confronted the curse he labours under.
This has a classic fantasy style which is made unique by the asexual love interest that develops between the two boys and becomes Talon’s motivation in the events that unfold.
We have a mediaeval setting but the writing style is quite modern and the pace is fairly steady.
I found myself easily interested but at the same time a little disconnected from the characters and their plights. I also had some issues, for example, why were Talon’s parents so indifferent to him? It was very perplexing. They almost came across as emotionally numb. This may become clear as the story unfolds
I read just beyond the 30% mark and this held my attention well but I wasn’t totally enamoured with the MC up to that point although this could change with further reading.
***
My commiserations to the authors cut today. And my thanks to you for entering your books into the competition.
#SPFBO9 : Elimination Post #1
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 would also point out that the books listed below have been randomly selected and are not in any particular order. So, let’s begin.
Price of Innocence by Michelle Piper
SPFBO Status: Cut
Blurb:
In an unconventional plot, Queen Aspera enlists four criminals to conceal her role in Sosten’s fall. If they don’t bend the knee and give unyielding loyalty to her cruel reign, they forfeit their lives. However, when they steal an infant child in the night and destroy his family, they quickly realize how flimsy the queen’s justice is.
The infant, Sonder, is the last known descendant of the Auza-Verndari, a blessing given by The Goddess of Stars. He becomes the queen’s ward to continue his father’s bloody legacy. Growing up alongside him is a Lorist Princess named Rhianwyn, similarly held captive. Despite the joy they find as children, they grow to realize they’ve become ensnared in her war against their lineages.
Standing between them and Aspera’s ambitions is a man named Bran, the last living Black Knight of Old, once a protector of the Auza-Verndari, and Aspera’s right hand. When he discovers a sliver of the truth, he convinces the four to defy the queen to protect the children. But when the lines between who they were and who they can become in her shadow blur, their alliance frays. They grapple with what it means to be good when they’re the villains bearing torches rewriting the kingdom’s history and concealing how deep the treachery goes.
General Thoughts:
This story certainly has an unconventional feel and is without doubt character driven. The Queen has enlisted the help of four criminals to help her or at least to keep hidden her evil nature and the role she played in the downfall of Sosten. The story jumps back and forth showing us events from the past (occasionally even jumping forward a little) and gradually begins to paint the picture of what’s taking place here.
The Queen has been taking, I suppose you could call them wards of court (if you were being generous), basically stealing children and eradicating their families in an attempt to hide her past deeds. The people she has enlisted are not entirely happy with their roles however and cracks are beginning to appear. Criminals they may be but being coerced into child stealing and murdering families is not something they can stomach easily. At the point I broke off (just over 30%) the characters were beginning to fray, tensions were rising and clearly something was about to give.
We spend time with two ‘wards’. Sonder, a young boy and Rhianwyn, a princess. The two have started to form a firm friendship helping each other with their studies and the like.
I enjoyed the style, I think there is maybe a pacing issue in that at the 30% mark not much has really taken place although I appreciate that the author is taking time to establish the characters. I felt a little frustrated at points because there are a lot of issues being implied and skirted around although presumably these will become much clearer as the book progresses. I liked Sonder and Rhianwyn although they were still very young at the point I stopped reading (I think around 7/8 years of age). I think following their progress so closely is a double edged sword because clearly at that age they don’t always understand what’s going on around them or have any idea what is to come (although there is always an edge of tension as though their future lies in the balance) and in turn this slows down the progress a little.
An interesting story with definite potential but at the 30% mark it hadn’t quite ensnared me.
Crown of Rebellion by Felix Taylor
SPFBO Status: Cut
Blurb:
An apprentice healer. An exiled noblewoman. To defy tyranny, they’ll need to even the odds. They’ll need to grow stronger.
Every year, the youth of the North are tested for a Reyad—a magical bond with an animal with the potential to grant immense power. Pirin is ripped away from his village, and from his healer’s duty. As far as he’s concerned, he’ll be tested like everyone else. He doesn’t expect anything to come from it. He certainly doesn’t expect to meet Myraden, a noblewoman whose hunt for revenge draws him into a destructive war.
Desperate to fulfill his mentor’s dying wish and stay alive, Pirin embarks on a quest to earn a power greater than he could have ever imagined. Surrounded by enemies, all odds are against him. Worst of all, he can’t shake the feeling that something is very, very wrong…
General Thoughts:
As the story begins we get to know an apprentice healer called Pirin. Soldiers raid his village enlisting everyone of a certain age to be tested to see if they have the ability to form a magical bond with a particular animal, these bondings create great power and the Dominion want to enlist any with this ability into their cause – although killing Pirin’s mentor and forcibly dragging everyone from the village isn’t likely to encourage much loyalty imo. Meanwhile, at the city we make the acquaintance of Kalenier and Myraden. Kalenier has enlisted the help (a bit begrudgingly) of Myraden. She is of an age to also enter the trials and he wishes her to do so and protect and try to escape with Pirin. Things go a little bit pear shaped and although the two meet their acquaintance is only brief. Although I’m certain that the two are about to meet up again as that was the general direction when I stopped reading.
My first thoughts of this are it’s a little slow. The writing is good but I think there’s a bit too much detail and this slows down the story a bit too much.
I liked the world and the ideas. The magical bonding with animals for example is interesting and has a lot of potential. There are various different races. Pirin is an elf for example, and Myraden a sprite. I guess you could say it has a Tolkien(ish) feel and the author has even created a different language.
I did enjoy this although, as I mentioned, it isn’t a quick read. At the point I broke off I would think this would appeal to someone just starting out with fantasy, it follows some very popular notions such as ‘the chosen one’ and the characters at this point were easy to get on with.
In terms of small issues. In spite of the depth of description this doesn’t always extend to plausible action scenes, for example, during a particular daring escape – I would say things felt a little too easy or convenient. They found a hiding place and hunkered down for the night even though the place was overrun with soldiers. I didn’t get a feeling of tension or fear.
I certainly didn’t dislike this but I think it could be trimmed a little.
SPFBO Status: Cut
Blurb:
For the skin of humans might hide monsters. For black feathers might hide a heart as big as the sun.
Once upon a time, far beyond the round forest and glass mountain, there was a black castle. Long forgotten, but forever waiting. Waiting for its king to return.
Darven, bound to a human king by a curse, heads a Black Army of fifty raven men.
Kort, his lover, and his captain, is his mate and forever companion.
Izolda, the human king’s wife, fears her husband and is desperate for love.
Dangers lurk as creatures, thirsty for blood, fight to end human tyranny over the land. Trapped by the curse, Darven has no choice but to spy for his king, and fight by his side when his enemies attack. But not all is what it seems—soon, a discovery about his past and his heritage will flip Darven’s world upside down. And the love he and Kort share has to be deep enough to give space for another to join them, and strong enough to survive the grief which comes from new knowledge of a brutal past.
A talking sword, a sentient forest, a necromancer, and an old spell book all play their parts as the drama unfolds.
Maybe a new life can be born out of hate. Maybe three hearts can beat as one.
General Thoughts:
This is the story of a raven army, led by Darven and his companion Kort. Darven has been cursed and effectively trapped to serve a human king who keeps the kingdom in the grip of tyranny. But, a dark force threatens the frail stability and Darven and his cohort are sent to investigate.
This is dark, erotic, fantasy that flips a few notions on their heads. The ravens are thought to be monsters and yet that role here is clearly taken by the vicious king who starts the story by dragging his wife to Darven and Kort and instructing them to make her more obedient (and I’ll leave you to reach your own conclusions as to how they were supposed to accomplish this). The two defy the king and instead decide to embrace the woman and show her love and the three become entangled in a polyamorous and secret relationship.
Now, I read up to about 22% with this one. And, to be absolutely fair I will say it’s a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’. Put basically, I don’t really read erotia, in fact I don’t really read romance (although I don’t mind either providing they’re not the main element of the story). With Khirion, I think the author has introduced fantasy and lore, shape shifters, a curse and a looming war involving other supernatural elements, but, the love between the two mates and the growing love they feel for the King’s wife plays a very central role here – and, for those interested, yes, there is a lot of sexual encounters. And, so for this reason, this book didn’t really work for me which isn’t to say it won’t work perfectly for others. With that in mind, I would also mention trigger warnings for some readers. Violence and abuse, explicit sex, swearing, etc.
Soulstealer Origins by Reed Logan Westgate
SPFBO Status: Cut
Blurb:
Every evil has an origin…
In the Lord’s year 1303, a holy order of knights faces the brink of extinction. Their holy crusade falters as a fiendish monster from beyond the mist decimates their numbers. In desperation, the Knights Templar dispatch a unit to find an ancient relic hoping to tip the scales in the battle against the forces of darkness. Sir Marcus Le’heroux bravely leads the knights into the Hungarian wilderness, but when the weapon he finds buried in the Mátra Mountains turns out to be an awakened Soulstealer, he faces much more than he bargained for. Will the Order’s new weapon prove to be more monster than man?
Embark on the thrilling origin story of the death eater Oxivius Soulforge from the Baku Trilogy. Before being shaped by the Witch of Endor into the master of necromantic arts, he walked the earth as Soulstealer.
A Baku-verse Novel
General Thoughts:
As this story begins we are introduced to the soul stealer as he is trapped inside a mountain by a dark druid. We then jump forward approximately 300 years. A number of knights head into the mountains in search of a weapon – little do they know what they’re about to encounter. Of course, the soul sealer (Oxivius) is the ‘weapon’ and he eventually forms a pact with this unit of knights.
I found this a very easy read. The writing is well done. The pacing is good and I liked Oxivius. He’s supposed to be a monster and yet in exploring his humanity with one of the knights that he becomes friends with (Marcus) he just comes across really well – well, he is a soul eater, but come on now!
The history and fantasy elements were good and I easily read over the first 30% of the book.
I had a few little issues here and there but nothing that spoiled the read for me to the point I read up to. In fact, time being on my side I would like to return to this story and complete it at a later date. So, I realise that this probably causes confusion, why is it being cut – well, put simply, I found myself completely enamoured by the next book I picked up – which doesn’t detract from this one but makes it an inevitable cut eventually.
My commiserations to the authors cut today. And my thanks to you for entering your books into the competition.
#SPFBO #SPFBO9 Introduction and Catch up
14 August 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO, #SPFBO9, Introduction and Catch up
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.
This year I am teaming up again with the ladies from The Critiquing Chemist . I realise that so far this year I have been rather quiet in terms of posting – be it either information regarding my approach this year or updates. My apologies to the authors. I realise you’re probably all biting your nails waiting for any news so let me shine a little more light on what I’m up to so far (at this point of the competition our team approach is to post when and how we feel we have something to share – rather than co-ordinating a joint approach – that comes later when we need to discuss our finalist).
Our team have been allocated 30 books. We split them half and half between The Critiquing Chemist and Lynn’s Books. In previous years I have randomly selected a number of books and read a set upon amount each month before choosing Semi Finalists. This year I have taken a slightly different approach. I decided that rather than split the group into mini batches I’d just go with the flow and read whichever book I felt like. The aim is to read at least 30% (more if the book really grabs me) of every book and I’d like to complete the total group before making any cuts.
In previous years I have made cuts along the way but with this approach I feel like I can take a look at the batch as a whole. Also, to be fair, this means that all the books are still, at this point, in the competition – win:win!
My progress to date so far. Out of the 15 books from my selection:
I have picked up 13 books at this point – so even my rudimentary maths can deduce only two titles remain.
Of those 13 I have fully read 6 of the titles. I have read 30% or more of the remaining titles. At this point, and sorry if this is a little bit of a teaser, I would say I have at least 3 contenders to carry forward, possibly 4 depending on my next reads. #somedifficultchoiceslieahead!
I will say I’ve had a very good time reading the entrants so far. There’s always a measure (large usually) of guilt when the cuts need to be made. It’s mine (and I suspect all of the other judges) most dreaded part of the competition but we can’t move forward until we make these difficult decisions and for me it’s not always that I didn’t like a book – more that I perhaps liked another book a little bit more.
After I have picked up the final two titles I shall start to post updates and cuts. The CC and I will then read each others selected titles and then decide upon our Finalist.
The books I have completed fully I will review. The books I didn’t complete I will provide a short synopsis of my thoughts and feelings.
I expect to start posting my cuts and reviews by the end of August onwards.
Good luck to all the authors. Thank you for taking this step and entering your books. There wouldn’t be a competition without you.
Books and travelling with Lynn 