Montego

Glass Immortals #0.5

by Brian McClellan

Twelve year-old Montego al'Bou is an orphan, a provincial peasant boy left alone by the recent death of his grandmother. Possessing nothing more than his grandmother's cudgel, he strikes out to the capital where the influential Grappo have offered to bring him up in the luxury of an Ossan guild-family. He finds his welcome frosty, his new home full of confusing responsibilities.

He quickly discovers that the greatest sin in the capital is to be born without money, and the classist elite will not hesitate to remind him of his humble origins. Montego dreams of being his own man, of making it in the cudgeling arenas of the Empire's deadly spectator sport where even a provincial can be worshipped like a god. But skill isn't the only barrier for a wannabe cudgelist. Without allies, cunning, and a helping of daring, he can't hope to make it in the capital.

Genres: Fantasy, Novella, Fiction, Short Stories, Audiobook, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2023

About the author

Brian McClellan is an American epic fantasy author from Cleveland, Ohio. He is known for his acclaimed Powder Mage Universe and essays on the life and business of being a writer.

Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.

Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Campaign, and The Autumn Republic), Gods of Blood and Powder (Sins of Empire, Wrath of Empire, and Blood of Empire), and Valkyrie Collections (Uncanny Collateral)

Reviews

[Andrew Rockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 stars—-

Baby Montego was my favorite character from “In the Shadow of Lightning”, and here we follow him as an over-sized twelve year old as he manages the politics of big city. This wasn’t a complicated or unpredictable plot, but I still enjoyed it because it helped explain a lot about the motivations of the characters in the main series. It’s different to see it rather than be told it happened in their past, at least to me.
This focused on finding one’s own way, and doing what makes you happy vs. what is expected of you. There was also the development of strong friendships that resonate later in the series, I enjoyed seeing those foundational moments from their past.
Demir, Kizzie and Montego are a likable trio, and this got me excited for book two.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Novella so much. Seeing Montego earn his place in the Grappo was awesome. Baby is just such a wholesome character who, like Demir, follows his heart instead of society’s rules

[Dragan Gaić · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but fun as ever.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh i loved this. You got to learn more about how Demir, Montego, and Kizzie grew up/developed any kind of a relationship.

[Philip Gipson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and brief. Perhaps a tad too unsurprising in its overall plot. Nice to see characters from another perspective though.

[Cress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Montego with all my heart. His loyalty, bravery and his beautiful soul are everything.

[Cody Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, just wish it was longer. Loved seeing more about Montego's background, Demir as a child, and a brief time with Adriana. I wish it went on a little longer, maybe skipped a few years to show Montego getting famous, and I would have loved it if it ended with how Montego ended up on a yacht finding out about his mother's death (where in the shadow of lightning picks up). Also really want to know how Montego ends up with the title of world's deadliest killer and why everyone is so scared of him in the future, like yeah I get in the future he's like the best fighter but there's gotta something more to it than that

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather enjoy the way McClellan approaches his Novellas. You can tell that when is crafting his main stories he often refers to historical events or times the characters went through, but has thought about them in detail and wants to get on to the paper. They never take away from the main storyline and aren't technically necessary to just enjoy his main series, but provide joyous character depth which I always appreciate. Montego continues that.

[Dustin (dragonarmybooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a BookTube channel where I review books, give reading suggestions, and more! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/dragonarmybooks

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A novella is successful when it leads you to greater affection for the mainline series. Montego does that in spades.

Some ten years before the events of In the Shadow of Lightning, twelve-year-old Montego al'Bou is an orphan, a provincial peasant boy headed to the capital with nothing more than his grandmother's cudgel. His grandmother's last words to him were to serve as ward for the influential Grappo guild-family, to get a good education and a safe, secure job. But Montego dreams of being his own man, of making it in the cudgeling arenas of the Empire's deadly spectator sport. He finds skill isn't the only barrier for a wannabe cudgelist. He'll need allies. He'll need friends. He'll find both a young and brilliant Demir and a troubled but loyal Kizzie.

I already liked these characters from Shadow of Lightning. My feelings didn't change much for Demir after reading this novella; after all, he took a backseat to the other two. However, my love for both Montego and Kizzie has skyrocketed. It's a quick, snappy story with a happy ending. But it does everything it needs to and now I can't wait to read more in the Glass Immortals series.

[Slick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Montego’s fingers shook with nerves, but his heart sang. For better or for worse, he had made his own decision. He would live or die by his own hand, and that was a freedom few had.”

I absolutely loved this character origin story novella for my beloved Montego 🥹 I am even more obsessed with him and Kizzie. And I absolutely cherish the friendship between them and Demir. They are my new favorite trio ❤️

Gosh, how I need the next book in the Glass Immortals series so desperately!!!

[Connor Forsythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Novella which made me want to re-read in the Shadow of lightning.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up because In the Shadow of Lightning gave me one of those epic book hangovers that lingers LONG after the last page is turned. Lightning is the first book of the Glass Immortals series, so I know that there will be more books to scratch that particular itch – but that doesn’t mean there are even any clues as to when that will occur.

But in the meantime there’s Montego, a combination prequel novella and origin story for one of the primary characters in at least that first book in the series. Or so it seemed when I bought it a couple of weeks ago.

Instead of being merely the origin story for champion cudgelist ‘Baby’ Montego, this is the story of Montego’s first days in the city of Ossa, when this boy from the provinces first met both Demir Grappo and Kizzie Vorcien, and the three children – and they were still children no matter how mature both Demir and Kizzie were forced to act and had come to be – forged a friendship that has the possibility of carrying through for the rest of their days.

It’s the story of how three became one – before politics and time and vastly different stations and personal ambitions and other people’s political shenanigans and political corruption – and did I mention politics? – came between them.

So, on the one hand, we have a lovely story about a boy very much out of his depth, figuring out how he can become who he already knows he wants to be when he grows up – in spite of the many, many decks stacked against him. We’re with him, seeing his world from his very much outsider perspective, as he learns to stand up for himself and his friends and take the blows that life and politics (yes, that again) send his way.

And very much on that other hand, we have the story of a band of unshakeable allies, when they were young and still at least a bit innocent, coming together to take on all comers – before their world and all the enemies in it do their damndest to shake them apart.

Escape Rating A: I had the oddest reaction at the end of Montego. I teared up. Not because this story ends on a sad note, because it doesn’t. It ends on a note of triumph and hope. But I wanted to cry because I know what those hopes lead to, and there’s a lot of heartbreak ahead for Demir, Montego and Kizzie. They just don’t know it yet.

But those of us who have read In the Shadow of Lightning most certainly do.

Which leads to a bit of a dilemma. Because on my third hand, this is a prequel. It is possible to read this without having read Lightning and enjoy it as the story it is on its face. But in that fourth hand I’m holding behind my back, the one with the cudgel in it, what makes this story rise is that if you’ve already read Lightning you know that the fall is coming and it’s epic and bitter and tragic with only the barest hint of hope on the horizon.

So I fell into Montego hard, and was more than a bit choked up at the ending because I know what’s coming and I know that Montego, Demir and Kizzie do not. But I don’t know nearly enough and ‘Glassdamn’ as the characters in this world frequently curse, I can’t wait to find out.

Originally published at Reading Reality

[Blaine Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novella in the Glass Immortals series (prequel to In the Shadow of Lightning). This book tells a story about Montego about 15 years before the events of In the Shadow of Lightning.

I didn’t find much that was bad or that I disliked with this book. It helps show more of and helps the reader see the start to Montego and Demir’s friendship. So it does help add to that relationship. However I walk away from this novella wondering why. What was the purpose of this novella? I do think that other authors may have skewed my perspective on having a novella. From other novellas I have read, I go into a novella expecting that the novella has some bigger tie into the series as a whole. For example I have read a handful of novellas that help explain what happened to one character between books or to tell the story that the main series often refers to. So I do think my expectations of what I would get weren’t met here. No fault to the author, I think it is more of an issue of what I have previously experienced made this experience less meaningful. Again yes this novella does show the friendship between Demir and Montego and we get to see the beginnings of that. But I do feel like this wasn’t something that was absolutely needed.

I don’t think this is necessary to read for the Glass Immortals series. However, if you enjoyed In the Shadow of Lightning, it is a great way to support the author and to get a quick story to help tide you over to the release of the next book.

[Renato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montego: A Glass Immortals Novella is a book that could have easily be written outside of the Glass Immortals fantasy universe. The story could easily transposed to any time period in this world, it is a very human story.

That said, the title will be a treat to anyone who wants more insight into the friendship between Montego, Izzie and Demir, nineteen years prior to the events of betrayal and exile in In the Shadow of Lightning.

[Jared Saltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian McClellan writes really enjoyable novellas. He's really good at providing snapshots of characters and stories that wouldn't fit into the tighter narrative that is required for a novel and the main story, but you wish you knew. This is such a story. Set as a prequel of sorts to his new series, the Glass Immortals, this short story tells how Baby Montego came to be a member of the House and gives us just a bit of his background--just the ticket after his excellent showing and cliffhanger note at the end of the first Glass Immortals volume!

As a novella, there's only so much that can happen. But this did what I like to see in short stories set in the middle of a broader world--expanding our view of what is possible for characters and setting while looking at someone we wish we had more time with in the main series. If you like the Glass Immortals, you'd like this.

(I got this as part of a Kickstarter!)

[Elijah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Montego" provides great insight into the origins of the titular character's life in Ossa. I really enjoyed seeing the younger, more naive versions of many of the characters (Montego, Kizzie, Demir)! The storytelling itself was also simple but compelling--I was really able to invest in the character's goals and frustrations. Rooting for Montego is very easy, and although his victories come relatively easily, they never feel unearned.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

6.5 / 10 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...

Montego al’Bou is new to the capital, twelve years old but with a frame any man grown would be jealous of. A peasant from the hinterlands, he has come to fulfill his grandmother’s dying wish—that he might be fostered by one of the influential noble families and become a successful, educated man. Montego has his own dreams, however. He dreams of following in his grandmother’s footsteps; of being a famed cudgelist and forging his own path.

Either way, Ossa is the place to do it.

Unfortunately, the capital is not what Montego imagined. The greatest sin is to be born without money—while being born a peasant is a close second—something the nobles are quick to remind him of. Still, fostered by the Grappo family, he’s fresh on his way to a good education and dutiful employment, if that’s what he wishes. Yet he fails to feel any sense of belonging in his new home.

Head of the noble family, severe Adriana Grappo is distant and busy, so much so that he rarely sees her. Her son, Demir, is younger than Montego, though he acts so much more than his ten years would suggest. While he is expected to study and progress, cudgeling isn’t something Montego is prohibited from, and he quickly seeks it out. But without money or status it’s going to be hard to make a name for himself. Luckily, he isn’t alone.

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Serving as an introduction to the Glass Immortals’ series, Montego is a bit lackluster. It starts off with a bang—an orphan, abandoned in the capital, set to be fostered and brought up but possessed of dreams of his own and… yeah, an at-odds blurb. The pace quickly drops away to nothing, with the first half of the novella dedicated to setting up the conclusion, and (I assume) filling in the backstory of Montego from In the Shadow of Lightning.

Serving as a way to gain additional insight into the Glass Immortals’ series, you know, get a little background, read between the lines, flesh out the characters a little more before diving back into Book #2 (whenever it’s released)—I mean, I assume this is the way to go. But as I haven’t finished Book #1 proper, I can’t say for certain.

This novella took its sweet time getting going, though once it did I was well-invested with the outcome. Unfortunately, given its length, that outcome was over all too quickly.

Still, Montego provides an interesting plot, and interesting setting, and a decently entertaining story. As a novella, it’s a little short on substance and details, but still a quick read to bridge the gap between one book and the next. Plus, it’ll provide backstory on Demir and Montego, Kizzie and Adriana. I’d mostly recommend it for returning fans of the series, however, if you’re a fan of the author that hasn’t read his newest novel, it does serve as an adequate introduction.

[Christoph Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got an eARC, and was immediately drawn back in to the Glass Immortals world.

The story never gets boring, but also not overly complicated so neither are there too many people or too many details that you'd have to know from #1. So it can be a good starting point for new readers, or a nice pickup for readers of the previous book

[Nicholas Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful addition to the glass immortals world

Highly recommend this book. Every new release by Brian McClellan is a must read & this one doesn’t disappoint. Great expansion of the Glass Immortals universe and provides some extra background into the new epic fantasy Brian has created

[Micheal Boudreaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Baby Is Back

Baby Montego was perhaps my favorite character in the first Glass Immortals novel and it is wonderful to get a work so soon from his POV. This is an excellent addition to the world and is just as much delightful characterization and action as McClellan's longer works.

[Daniel Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written short piece that kept me interested the entire time.

Montego is a super easy read. A short novella based in Brian McClellan's Glass Immortals world. I really enjoyed every little tit for tat that Montego finds. I know McClellan had a small part for Montego to play in his new BOOK. I Cannot wait to see where the story progresses.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun novella. It gave me more time with some characters that I've come to love. Getting to see them as their younger selves and experience a bit of their relationships developing while they try to figure out who they are and what they want makes for a great read.
Thanks Brian!

[Blair Gormley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montero A glass immortals novelaa

A fun and interesting story about the you provincial boy Ment ego who goes to the big city after his grandmother dies and is awarded to a patron. He defends the young son from a bully in the arena. It was good and I would read more about it.

[Aaron McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

I really liked Montego in In The Shadow of Lightning and getting this backstory on him just makes me like him that much more. The plot of this was great and shows Montego's character and tells about his past. A true underdog story as well.

[W. Boal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed 'Montego' and hope that we see more shorts like this as part of the series. Brian's writing has a natural flow that brings the characters and events alive in your mind. If you are looking for an evening read, then Montego is your man

[Joy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about the beginning of the relationship between most of the best characters from this new series. I love how Montego just wants to do everything on his own terms, but learns how the Families operate. And how Demir helps take care of him in return. Also Kizzie, I really like her.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing bit of backstory into the Glass Immortals world and characters. Lots of fun with the characters and some key moments on their journey to become what they are in ITSOL

[Theodore H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish it had been full novel

Read it one day. Hope Brain writes more on Montego. This series is some of his most interesting writing, and I look forward to the next installment.

[Jessica Haston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I forgot how much I liked the Glass Immortals book. This was an easy read, because I was grabbed within sentences and just kept on going.