Reviews from the Void: Nine Heroes
Reviews From the Void: A review of Heroic Fantasy’s Nine Heroes...
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Nine Heroes is a collection of stories by several well-known and lesser-known authors. The collection was born from the Heroic Fantasy group on Facebook, moderated by Walter Rhein. The purpose of the novel is to help spread the get the work of these fine authors into reader’s hands- a great mission. Discovering any one of these authors is a godsend, but having them meet in a collaboration is bliss. Profits promote Nine Heroes, and the Heroic Fantasy Facebook group.This is an astounding collection.Here is my review, story by story.
B lack Sword by Janet Morris/Chris Morris
Anyone who has read a Ways of the Stygia novel would know I love black steel. Regardless of the gods who forge it, it is a fascination of mine. Anybody who has read my blog would also have a comprehension of my respect for Janet & Chris Morris. Here, armed with her new hero Rhesos, and he with his black blade, Janet Morris pierces the imagination, delivering a classic hero. The story was engaging. It smacked of brilliance. When I finished all I wanted was more. Thank the gods there will be a full-length novel soon starring Rhesos, child of gods, red-haired, with a temperament that reminds me a little of Robert E. Howard’s Conan, or El Borak… The troubled adventurer who is more than meets the eye… a hero steeped in myths and substantially viable for the ages.If you are a Morris fan, do not miss Rhesos’ first story.
Verdict: Fantastic!
T he Act of Sleepless Nights by Walter Rhein
Kinter is an unlikely hero. This story delves into the moralities of violence, and the responsibilities of leadership. It is a good read, with an unexpected twist near the ending. The tale left me thinking, which is good, about the framework of violence. When is violent action of use, and when is it not?
Verdict: Noteworthy.
T o kill a myth by Jesse Duckworth
Enter the tale of Mattock & Delilah. The author writes with gripping, razor intensity, weaving an instant classic. What can I say? It is hard to say anything when one is awestruck. Using few words, Jesse Duckworth awoke the imagery in my brain, excited my imagination, and gave me one or two unexpected chills.After one of the villagers meets with an unsettling death, Mattock sets out to face a mythical beast, and the odds are low. I had to find out how he fared.I was not let down.
Verdict: Amazing!
N o life too small by Douglas R. Brown
Rasi is a classic hero, caught in a rich tale involving surviving and bravery. I enjoyed this story a lot, though I often thought the tale might be richer if I was familiar with the author’s other work. Spoilers would abound if I said much more, so I will leave you my verdict.
Verdict: Solid
T o Live by Tom Barczak
This is the shortest, most obscure story of the bunch, involving a wizard, and a man reborn. In the paperback, this story takes about 11/4 pages. I could not help but find To Live lacking in comparison to the other stories here. While the language is well spoken, the tale itself said very little to me.
Verdict: Lacking
D ozen by Shane Porteous
This action packed story stars Seutzingol, a participant in a tournament gone wrong. I really enjoyed this story, which had me imagining such heroes as Robin Hood, or Legolas from the Lord of the Rings. The author was truly attempting to make a genuine effort to this volume- and did so. His language works well, and I found myself able to see the story in my mind’s eye- the mark of a powerful author.
Verdict: Bullseye
J ust one mistake by A.L. Butcher
Placed within her Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles, this story is an absolute gem. A.L. Butcher turns a phrase like a pro. Coel commits an act that opens up an adventure worth reading.
Verdict: Brilliant
Witness to death by Teel James GlennA hunting party has gone missing. Captain Uvan enlists Reverend Lord Enrique Shoutte’s council… and together they face a horrific circumstance. This story is well fleshed out and is an entertaining read. The author used descriptive phrases, interesting characters, and dark events well- in places I felt chills. This thirty plus page story kept me going until the end… A fun read.
Verdict: Entertaining
Through the Sting of Fairy Smoke by R.A. McCandless
This story, centered on Pel Rogue is a fantastic story, written with savvy and style. I particularly enjoyed that this was the closing story, because it had the strength to end the Nine Heroes collection on a high note. This author, like the company he keeps should have a bright future.
Verdict: Stylish
In closing, I simply have to recommend this book. For me, Black Sword is enough to justify the purchase, but there is so much more in store for the heroic fantasy reader. Based on the varying strengths of the stories I am giving Nine Heroes a four of five stars rating. Don’t let the missing star dissuade you, as many collections rated as a five are not nearly as enthralling.
Click to Buy
Nine Heroes is a collection of stories by several well-known and lesser-known authors. The collection was born from the Heroic Fantasy group on Facebook, moderated by Walter Rhein. The purpose of the novel is to help spread the get the work of these fine authors into reader’s hands- a great mission. Discovering any one of these authors is a godsend, but having them meet in a collaboration is bliss. Profits promote Nine Heroes, and the Heroic Fantasy Facebook group.This is an astounding collection.Here is my review, story by story.
B lack Sword by Janet Morris/Chris Morris
Anyone who has read a Ways of the Stygia novel would know I love black steel. Regardless of the gods who forge it, it is a fascination of mine. Anybody who has read my blog would also have a comprehension of my respect for Janet & Chris Morris. Here, armed with her new hero Rhesos, and he with his black blade, Janet Morris pierces the imagination, delivering a classic hero. The story was engaging. It smacked of brilliance. When I finished all I wanted was more. Thank the gods there will be a full-length novel soon starring Rhesos, child of gods, red-haired, with a temperament that reminds me a little of Robert E. Howard’s Conan, or El Borak… The troubled adventurer who is more than meets the eye… a hero steeped in myths and substantially viable for the ages.If you are a Morris fan, do not miss Rhesos’ first story.
Verdict: Fantastic!
T he Act of Sleepless Nights by Walter Rhein
Kinter is an unlikely hero. This story delves into the moralities of violence, and the responsibilities of leadership. It is a good read, with an unexpected twist near the ending. The tale left me thinking, which is good, about the framework of violence. When is violent action of use, and when is it not?
Verdict: Noteworthy.
T o kill a myth by Jesse Duckworth
Enter the tale of Mattock & Delilah. The author writes with gripping, razor intensity, weaving an instant classic. What can I say? It is hard to say anything when one is awestruck. Using few words, Jesse Duckworth awoke the imagery in my brain, excited my imagination, and gave me one or two unexpected chills.After one of the villagers meets with an unsettling death, Mattock sets out to face a mythical beast, and the odds are low. I had to find out how he fared.I was not let down.
Verdict: Amazing!
N o life too small by Douglas R. Brown
Rasi is a classic hero, caught in a rich tale involving surviving and bravery. I enjoyed this story a lot, though I often thought the tale might be richer if I was familiar with the author’s other work. Spoilers would abound if I said much more, so I will leave you my verdict.
Verdict: Solid
T o Live by Tom Barczak
This is the shortest, most obscure story of the bunch, involving a wizard, and a man reborn. In the paperback, this story takes about 11/4 pages. I could not help but find To Live lacking in comparison to the other stories here. While the language is well spoken, the tale itself said very little to me.
Verdict: Lacking
D ozen by Shane Porteous
This action packed story stars Seutzingol, a participant in a tournament gone wrong. I really enjoyed this story, which had me imagining such heroes as Robin Hood, or Legolas from the Lord of the Rings. The author was truly attempting to make a genuine effort to this volume- and did so. His language works well, and I found myself able to see the story in my mind’s eye- the mark of a powerful author.
Verdict: Bullseye
J ust one mistake by A.L. Butcher
Placed within her Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles, this story is an absolute gem. A.L. Butcher turns a phrase like a pro. Coel commits an act that opens up an adventure worth reading.
Verdict: Brilliant
Witness to death by Teel James GlennA hunting party has gone missing. Captain Uvan enlists Reverend Lord Enrique Shoutte’s council… and together they face a horrific circumstance. This story is well fleshed out and is an entertaining read. The author used descriptive phrases, interesting characters, and dark events well- in places I felt chills. This thirty plus page story kept me going until the end… A fun read.
Verdict: Entertaining
Through the Sting of Fairy Smoke by R.A. McCandless
This story, centered on Pel Rogue is a fantastic story, written with savvy and style. I particularly enjoyed that this was the closing story, because it had the strength to end the Nine Heroes collection on a high note. This author, like the company he keeps should have a bright future.
Verdict: Stylish
In closing, I simply have to recommend this book. For me, Black Sword is enough to justify the purchase, but there is so much more in store for the heroic fantasy reader. Based on the varying strengths of the stories I am giving Nine Heroes a four of five stars rating. Don’t let the missing star dissuade you, as many collections rated as a five are not nearly as enthralling.
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