Rate this book

Apprentice Swordceror (2012)

by Chris Hollaway(Favorite Author)

3.69 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Amazon Digital Services

series

Blademage Saga

review 1: After careful consideration I've decided not to put this on the YA fantasy shelf. It is at a level that will be easy for young adult readers, it's not complex. On the other hand I don't think it's "YA" so as to put off adult readers who don't care for "YA" reads.This is a pretty straight forward fantasy with elements that we've all seen before (that is if the "we" are regular fantasy readers). I'll have to be careful not to tip the book's hand, give spoilers in other words, but here's a thumbnail sketch.We have the r4equsite young man who's lost his father but is hard working, honest and wants to make something of himself. His hard working mother who takes in laundry and sewing is willing to do what it takes to give him the proverbial leg up.As the book opens our young her... moreo is gathering herbs for his master (you see he's apprenticed to a wizard) when he witnesses a bear kill a warrior. Now according to the books mythology/magic system wizards can not touch iron. It could even kill them. However when the fallen and dying swordsman begs our hero (Kevon) to bring him his sword he decides to try. While he does get a nasty shock when he touches the sword's hilt, he suffers no other ill effects (well except that he can't cast magic for a short while afterward. Touching the steel seems to have "grounded him out).From here the story takes off with Kevon being sent on an errand by his master (after said master promotes him to Journeyman wizard) to another wizard friend of said master. Things of course do not go as planned by Kevon.Of course if they had this would nave been a much duller book...So off we go for adventures of multiple types and to watch out young hero begin to grow and develop. He's learning about the world and himself...and why he seems to be different than all other wizards. Through events in the book Kevon begins to train as the world's only Swordceror...a sword wielding wizard.As noted the book is pretty straight forward and I suspect the "surprises" will be spotted by the reader before they are the characters. This however isn't really a big deal as the characters are easy to get to know and get involved with.I like it 9as the 5 star rating might indicate) and I can recommend it for fantasy fans, sword and sorcery fans, probably epic fantasy fans and action fans. My only real complaint is that I got this one on Audible, and the second isn't available that way.FOUL!Anyway I plan to read the next, probably have to get it on my Kindle or something.Oh well.Recommended, enjoy.
review 2: I read this after reading The Heresy Within and there was considerable contrast between the two books both in style and story. While Heresy Within was action packed and gritty, with a blunt writing style, Apprentice Swordceror was a much simpler style and easier to read. Some folk reviewing it have said it's standard fantasy, but I found it to be very easy to read and quietly enjoyable. There are Orcs, but their introduction heralded and interesting type of creature and threat. Magic is different to other books I've read and perhaps more similar to that found in fantasy games such as Diablo, with scrolls and staffs of a particular magic type. The main character develops well with an interesting mix of magic and swordsmanship. Apparently the two shouldn't go together and the author leaves you guessing why this might be and promises a tale for the future.The tale holds a lot of promise and I enjoyed the first book and will certainly read the next. less

Download links for: Apprentice Swordceror

Advertising