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Sword and Sorcery #1–3 omnibus
Sword and Sorcery: Box Set 1
Read the first three books in the series reviewers are calling, "Gritty, fast-paced, and compelling!" and Library Journal raves is "An epic tale…" Dark fantasy adventure for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, and Scott Lynch!
Fire and Sword
Three men condemned to die: Aldous Weaver is a heretic monk turned sorcerer, imprisoned for accidentally incinerating the leader of his order. Kendrick the Cold, an infamous crusader turned fugitive, is a villain who knows he can never be a hero. Theron Ward, an aristocrat with a penchant for slaughtering monsters, is a legend in his own mind.
When the kingdom of Brynth is threatened by a far greater evil, the unlikely trio must make a choice — seek to escape this land that cries for their execution or find the true heroes within themselves. And then, armed with fire and sword, march together against the forces of darkness. But will they be enough?
Catacombs of Time
In a world where the Rata Plaga and ghouls feast on the dead, doctor Gaige De’Brouillard believes science, not magic, conquers all.
Even death is just an equation to be solved.
When De’Brouillard is called upon by the Lord Regent to cure a curse and save one of the damned, he must battle for his career, his faith in science, and even his life. In the darkest slums and deepest catacombs, the doctor finds himself staring death in the eye with no scientific solution at hand. Has the doctor finally come across a question that science cannot answer, and will he pay with his life?
The Pyres
Theron Ward, Aldous Weaver and Kendrick the Cold must band together and fight again. This time, they are caught in the timeless clash of gods and demons, and led by the dark prophecy of dreams.
A ruthless warlord, the Dog Eater, rises out of the rivers of blood from civil war. As friend and foe reach out from futures past, the three will see a city of white stone turn black with ash … and the only way forward is through the fire. One thing is certain, none of them will ever be the same. And one will be transformed in ways he never dreamed. Dare the three depend on the blood ties of the past to carry them through this terrible night?
Read all the books in the Sword and Sorcery series!
Fire and Sword (Volume 1)
Catacombs of Time (Volume 2)
I Remember My First Time (short story)
The Pyres (Volume 3)
Ice and Stone (Volume 4)
As They Burn (Volume 5)
Black Sun Moon (Volume 6)
Fire and Sword
Three men condemned to die: Aldous Weaver is a heretic monk turned sorcerer, imprisoned for accidentally incinerating the leader of his order. Kendrick the Cold, an infamous crusader turned fugitive, is a villain who knows he can never be a hero. Theron Ward, an aristocrat with a penchant for slaughtering monsters, is a legend in his own mind.
When the kingdom of Brynth is threatened by a far greater evil, the unlikely trio must make a choice — seek to escape this land that cries for their execution or find the true heroes within themselves. And then, armed with fire and sword, march together against the forces of darkness. But will they be enough?
Catacombs of Time
In a world where the Rata Plaga and ghouls feast on the dead, doctor Gaige De’Brouillard believes science, not magic, conquers all.
Even death is just an equation to be solved.
When De’Brouillard is called upon by the Lord Regent to cure a curse and save one of the damned, he must battle for his career, his faith in science, and even his life. In the darkest slums and deepest catacombs, the doctor finds himself staring death in the eye with no scientific solution at hand. Has the doctor finally come across a question that science cannot answer, and will he pay with his life?
The Pyres
Theron Ward, Aldous Weaver and Kendrick the Cold must band together and fight again. This time, they are caught in the timeless clash of gods and demons, and led by the dark prophecy of dreams.
A ruthless warlord, the Dog Eater, rises out of the rivers of blood from civil war. As friend and foe reach out from futures past, the three will see a city of white stone turn black with ash … and the only way forward is through the fire. One thing is certain, none of them will ever be the same. And one will be transformed in ways he never dreamed. Dare the three depend on the blood ties of the past to carry them through this terrible night?
Read all the books in the Sword and Sorcery series!
Fire and Sword (Volume 1)
Catacombs of Time (Volume 2)
I Remember My First Time (short story)
The Pyres (Volume 3)
Ice and Stone (Volume 4)
As They Burn (Volume 5)
Black Sun Moon (Volume 6)
765 pages, Audible Audio
Published February 14, 2023
597 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Dylan Doose
16 books76 followersDylan Doose is the author of the Legendary and Sword & Sorcery series. He writes full-time in his home by the lake in Southern Ontario.
When he's not writing, he's reading or watching his favorite science fiction, fantasy, or horror story (of which there are many) play out.
Inspired by classics like Conan the Barbarian and modern masterpieces like Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself, Dylan Doose delivers enjoyable, fast-paced, page-turning grimdark fantasy that is not for the faint of heart.
When he's not writing, he's reading or watching his favorite science fiction, fantasy, or horror story (of which there are many) play out.
Inspired by classics like Conan the Barbarian and modern masterpieces like Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself, Dylan Doose delivers enjoyable, fast-paced, page-turning grimdark fantasy that is not for the faint of heart.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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May 29, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/29/2020)! 🎁
November 21, 2019
I enjoyed this box set. The story is very gripping, the characters are well-developed and pull you in. I like how the heroes aren't perfect, but very flawed and all very different. In some books characters almost blur together, or are non-descriptive, but not in these books. I feel like I know them.
Dylan Doose has a great writing style and I really enjoy the descriptiveness of it for the most part. There are some wonderful phrases that I enjoyed reading just for the sake of reading them, because they were worded so awesomely.
The only thing I didn't enjoy is the very detailed, lengthy battle descriptions. I know some people do enjoy it, so it's a preference, obviously. I can handle some of it, but I got tired/a it sickened of eyeballs popping out and skulls crushing with descriptive sounds etc. etc. I am sure battle really is like that, so I can't say it's exaggerated. Just puts me off.
I may get the rest of the books, because, as I said, the story etc. is really great and I'd like to know what happens next.
Dylan Doose has a great writing style and I really enjoy the descriptiveness of it for the most part. There are some wonderful phrases that I enjoyed reading just for the sake of reading them, because they were worded so awesomely.
The only thing I didn't enjoy is the very detailed, lengthy battle descriptions. I know some people do enjoy it, so it's a preference, obviously. I can handle some of it, but I got tired/a it sickened of eyeballs popping out and skulls crushing with descriptive sounds etc. etc. I am sure battle really is like that, so I can't say it's exaggerated. Just puts me off.
I may get the rest of the books, because, as I said, the story etc. is really great and I'd like to know what happens next.
March 21, 2022
What I liked:
The second book was short( and maybe shouldn’t be called book 2).
The fact it all interconnected even when it was different characters.
What I didn’t like:
The lengthy descriptions of things (I wound up speed reading just to get through it faster).
The interludes (I found them kind of pointless especially after every single chapter. Like I would have been fine with them if it was every third chapter or so or maybe included in the chapter).
I’m not sure how to rate this because it’s not that the writing is terrible because it isn’t. It just sometimes takes a very long time to get to the actual point or reason for that scene.
Some of the characters kind of felt like they were the same so I got them mixed up, but that’s a me thing and nothing to do with the author.
I wanted to like this series more than I did because usually I am obsessed with fantasy and curses, but it fell flat somewhere along the way.
⭐️2.5-3?
💧3
The second book was short( and maybe shouldn’t be called book 2).
The fact it all interconnected even when it was different characters.
What I didn’t like:
The lengthy descriptions of things (I wound up speed reading just to get through it faster).
The interludes (I found them kind of pointless especially after every single chapter. Like I would have been fine with them if it was every third chapter or so or maybe included in the chapter).
I’m not sure how to rate this because it’s not that the writing is terrible because it isn’t. It just sometimes takes a very long time to get to the actual point or reason for that scene.
Some of the characters kind of felt like they were the same so I got them mixed up, but that’s a me thing and nothing to do with the author.
I wanted to like this series more than I did because usually I am obsessed with fantasy and curses, but it fell flat somewhere along the way.
⭐️2.5-3?
💧3
April 19, 2019
Little uplifting, a lot of narrative that didn’t help the story
Sadly the books were not what I wished for. Way too much narrative that didn’t move the plot or story line. Some interesting and clever dialogue but not enough to overcome the plodding descriptive sentences that went on and on.
Sadly the books were not what I wished for. Way too much narrative that didn’t move the plot or story line. Some interesting and clever dialogue but not enough to overcome the plodding descriptive sentences that went on and on.
September 14, 2019
The author's writing grabs you by the throat and pulls you in. Wonderful characters. Shades of gray between evil and good. A band of brothers/bromance/tale of friendship and loyalty. A hint of dark humor. Action. Adventure. Battles. Sorcery. Reminds me a little of Joe Abercrombie.
Read
March 29, 2023Performance: ****
Fire and Sword: **
Catacombs of Time: **
The Pyres: ***
As a box set, this is a fair deal where the strong narration helps overcome some of the story shortcomings for me. Fire and Sword introduces our trio of heroes amid a very grim and graphic context that was a tad off putting (perhaps more so as an audiobook) and some of which appears unnecessarily gratuitous and perhap titillating for some (it didn't work for me). It's not really a feel good story. Part 1 was a fairly basic story where the heroes are drawn into the defense of a town against an attack from a dark witch and her plague spawned minions. For the most part, it was predictable and the story slips into a descriptive mode (vs active/action) a little too often, but you eventually get to a satisfying ending. Part 2 is a novella that takes a detour to follow a doctor into the dark recesses of the city slum that doesn't seem to have much purpose outside of simple worldbuilding (and a little pontificating against religion using a thinly veiled parody of the christian church). Part 3 is the strongest of the three and reunites the three heroes to finish what they started in Part 1 and roughly follows the same track with a few surprising twists that make it much better. For some reason, the interlude concept introduced in Part 2 was carried through this part 3 with mixed results, adding little to the overall story except word count. Overall I had a hard time connecting to the main characters until the very end.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#SwordAndSorcery #FreeAudiobookCodes #KindleUnlimited
Fire and Sword: **
Catacombs of Time: **
The Pyres: ***
As a box set, this is a fair deal where the strong narration helps overcome some of the story shortcomings for me. Fire and Sword introduces our trio of heroes amid a very grim and graphic context that was a tad off putting (perhaps more so as an audiobook) and some of which appears unnecessarily gratuitous and perhap titillating for some (it didn't work for me). It's not really a feel good story. Part 1 was a fairly basic story where the heroes are drawn into the defense of a town against an attack from a dark witch and her plague spawned minions. For the most part, it was predictable and the story slips into a descriptive mode (vs active/action) a little too often, but you eventually get to a satisfying ending. Part 2 is a novella that takes a detour to follow a doctor into the dark recesses of the city slum that doesn't seem to have much purpose outside of simple worldbuilding (and a little pontificating against religion using a thinly veiled parody of the christian church). Part 3 is the strongest of the three and reunites the three heroes to finish what they started in Part 1 and roughly follows the same track with a few surprising twists that make it much better. For some reason, the interlude concept introduced in Part 2 was carried through this part 3 with mixed results, adding little to the overall story except word count. Overall I had a hard time connecting to the main characters until the very end.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#SwordAndSorcery #FreeAudiobookCodes #KindleUnlimited
September 30, 2023
Having already read book one a couple of years ago it was interesting to reread it before diving into the following books.
Book one was just as enjoyable the second time around and the main characters Theron, Kendrick and Aldus are just as engaging and unique personalities as I remember.
The second book is quite different from the first being a short story set a few hundred years in the future, however, it does dovetail into the overall plot.
Book three sees us back with Theron, Ken and Aldus in a storyline which, unfortunately, I had trouble engaging with, though that is more down to personal issues I was dealing with while reading this book than the story itself, which built on the themes of the previous books to a tense, if somewhat gory climax, which may be too intense and vivid for the more delicate reader.
Book one was just as enjoyable the second time around and the main characters Theron, Kendrick and Aldus are just as engaging and unique personalities as I remember.
The second book is quite different from the first being a short story set a few hundred years in the future, however, it does dovetail into the overall plot.
Book three sees us back with Theron, Ken and Aldus in a storyline which, unfortunately, I had trouble engaging with, though that is more down to personal issues I was dealing with while reading this book than the story itself, which built on the themes of the previous books to a tense, if somewhat gory climax, which may be too intense and vivid for the more delicate reader.
October 20, 2019
Story was entertaining. Characterization, pacing and plot were very good. I especially loved the descriptions of battles: fast-paced and no holding back on how gory fighting actually is. Really I liked everything except occasionally the descriptive writing. Often it was great and fitting and enhanced the story. But some times it was overdone and clunky and took me out of the story, like “black like the sucking mire of woe in the stone basement of his mind” from right at the beginning. I also got tired of reading things like “a claw most vile” or “a thing most sinister”. Other than that, it was great and I would recommend it.
May 4, 2021
In terms of violence and gore, these were by far the most graphic and disturbing books I've ever read. I don't mean that as a bad thing, just as a note of warning to those with vivid imaginations and weak stomachs. The story is compelling & the world and characters are well developed. I'm not sure I'd get the next set in the series if they showed up in my daily digest of ebook deals like these did since they require quite a bit of mental fortitude to get through, but if you've got a penchant for the darkest of the fantasy genre, I'd recommend the series.
October 2, 2021
3 stars for the first part of the trilogy, I didn't bother reading the second two.
And I got fed up with the constant fight scenes and pus-oozing boils quite quickly. A quick glance at part 2 suggested more of the same so I called it a day.
And I got fed up with the constant fight scenes and pus-oozing boils quite quickly. A quick glance at part 2 suggested more of the same so I called it a day.
July 8, 2022
Feels Like a Runaway Train
This book feels like a runaway train at times, but just hold on and you WILL reach the end of the line. Eventually. There’s lots of twists and turns and even some time distortion, but all turns out well in the end. OK, no it doesn’t. Not even near well. Maybe it will in the next book. Mr. Doose is one imaginative writer and I believe I will have to continue this journey with him.
This book feels like a runaway train at times, but just hold on and you WILL reach the end of the line. Eventually. There’s lots of twists and turns and even some time distortion, but all turns out well in the end. OK, no it doesn’t. Not even near well. Maybe it will in the next book. Mr. Doose is one imaginative writer and I believe I will have to continue this journey with him.
July 4, 2020
Masterful
Masterful writing. I enjoy a book , well in this case books. That I'm not just reading words, but seeing the story in my mind. Musk like watching a movie. Would recommend.
Masterful writing. I enjoy a book , well in this case books. That I'm not just reading words, but seeing the story in my mind. Musk like watching a movie. Would recommend.
July 6, 2020
Hard to put down...
Great characters that you care about combine with interesting world building to set off the conflicts between men, man, and magic. Add political drama and a touch of vengeance earned, (and paid), to fill out the tale. Keeps you wanting more.
Great characters that you care about combine with interesting world building to set off the conflicts between men, man, and magic. Add political drama and a touch of vengeance earned, (and paid), to fill out the tale. Keeps you wanting more.
July 18, 2021
Definitely get the trilogy and not individual books. Because for me this is 2 books with an intermission and not a trilogy. Otherwise I like it enough to want more.
I've reviewed each book individually. Overall I liked it.
TRIGGER WARNING Descriptive violence
I've reviewed each book individually. Overall I liked it.
TRIGGER WARNING Descriptive violence
July 1, 2024
compelling
This book (this 3 book special series) is interwoven with times and events, people and places! I couldn’t put it, the first 3 one this series, down. Am eager to start and the next 3. There are mysteries to unravel, and demons to investigate.
This book (this 3 book special series) is interwoven with times and events, people and places! I couldn’t put it, the first 3 one this series, down. Am eager to start and the next 3. There are mysteries to unravel, and demons to investigate.
June 30, 2025
Intriguing play on myths
Plot was a bit disjointed but probably a necessary evil to include all of the characters and their parts. All-in-all, a decent tale and I look forward to any continuation.
I gave 4 stars as no one believes anything 5.
Happy reading!
Plot was a bit disjointed but probably a necessary evil to include all of the characters and their parts. All-in-all, a decent tale and I look forward to any continuation.
I gave 4 stars as no one believes anything 5.
Happy reading!
August 21, 2025
Epic Storytelling
Lots of blood and guts action. Great character development of the characters as they meet and join forces. Plenty of monsters to be slain, and they are the ones to do it.
Lots of blood and guts action. Great character development of the characters as they meet and join forces. Plenty of monsters to be slain, and they are the ones to do it.
June 2, 2020
There is a lot to like about this book, including interesting characters, vivid scene descriptions and great action sequences. I did find myself lost in trying to figure out towards the end just where the plot was headed and just what the protagonists and others were capable of doing.
June 13, 2020
Great series
Great stories, characters were fantastic, the monsters were awesome. Great story line. I can't wait to read the next half of this series.
Great stories, characters were fantastic, the monsters were awesome. Great story line. I can't wait to read the next half of this series.
July 24, 2021
Too. Much. Blood.
July 7, 2023
Holy crap!!!
Fantastic read. Love the dark setting that the books take place in. Well written characters. Looking forward to reading the rest of this set.
Fantastic read. Love the dark setting that the books take place in. Well written characters. Looking forward to reading the rest of this set.
sff-ok-ab-r
November 11, 2024Rokp
October 31, 2019
Sword and Sorcery
I couldn't go on reading and skipped most of this story only because there was no end to the slaughter and violence. Perhaps too close to the Trump U S A.
I couldn't go on reading and skipped most of this story only because there was no end to the slaughter and violence. Perhaps too close to the Trump U S A.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews