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Book one of Last of the Shardyn
Montana police chief Skip Walkins is hot on the trail of a murder suspect when he witnesses a drifter free the Lord of the Underworld. Seventeen years ago, five knights from Earth's magical twin, Theia, entombed Asmodeous the Pale, Lord of the Drynn, in Skip's town. Now that the dark god is free again, he's anxious to get back home and finish the war he began…to enslave all life. It begins with killing the knights who trapped him.
Deprived of their magic, the knights fight back using whatever they can get their hands on, from samurai swords to assault rifles. Skip gets reluctantly drawn in to their struggle while Donovan Smith, the demi-god murderer whom Skip was after in the first place, plots to find the Lord of the Underworld and butcher him on his own.
Together, these unlikely heroes might just save the world. If they don't kill each other first.
91,000 words
"Reads like vintage Dean Koontz�fast-paced and suspenseful."
�DD Barant, author of THE BLOODHOUND FILES series
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2013
4 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Steve Vera
3 books6 followersSteve W. Vera wrote his first story on the backs of forty-seven restaurant placemats at the age of eleven, and hasn’t put the pen down since. His passion is in the realm of fantasy and all of its sub-genres, including high, dark, and urban.
Steve was born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, but has since lived in eight states and traveled to many more. His career began in the Air Force as a Pararescue Trainee, but later shifted to the family business of the culinary arts. In between writing marathons at the corner cafe and deep-wood cabins, he conducts research as a captain in a Michelin-starred restaurant. What better to accompany a good book than a great glass of wine?
Steve lives in Sunnyside, New York City with his girlfriend and their good-for-nothing furball, Sergeant Skip.
Steve was born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, but has since lived in eight states and traveled to many more. His career began in the Air Force as a Pararescue Trainee, but later shifted to the family business of the culinary arts. In between writing marathons at the corner cafe and deep-wood cabins, he conducts research as a captain in a Michelin-starred restaurant. What better to accompany a good book than a great glass of wine?
Steve lives in Sunnyside, New York City with his girlfriend and their good-for-nothing furball, Sergeant Skip.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 23, 2013
I'm not rating this book, as would be unfair as nothing wrong with it, good characters, good story and writing too.
It's more of a paranormal crime book and not what I expected and not what like. I read until 26 % but then decided not for me.
If your into crime books with added paranormal elements this book is for you - just wasn't for me.
I received this book from netgalley for an honest review.
It's more of a paranormal crime book and not what I expected and not what like. I read until 26 % but then decided not for me.
If your into crime books with added paranormal elements this book is for you - just wasn't for me.
I received this book from netgalley for an honest review.
July 7, 2014
Pacing was good and I liked the characters. Engaging read from start to finish, mythology, another world, action and it may fall as a dark fantasy. The only part I didn't like as much was how Skip falls into the background of the story a little bit, now to wait and see how everything develops in the next book.
May 6, 2014
Steve, Our robe wearing DM, this book was very good (as expected) I am very excited to read the second one as soon as it is bought! *I would still love to have a paper copy though XD* Keep on writing your going places my friend :P
January 19, 2013
pretty good sword n sorcery with modern weapons, too. Liked the police chief a lot. Will read more. 3.5
And what's the punch line on the koala joke?????
And what's the punch line on the koala joke?????
February 22, 2022
As a huge, lifelong fan of authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz, I will admit I was a little hesitant to jump on board with a new and unknown (to me anyway) author because I take my reading pretty seriously and there are few things I hate more than NOT finishing a book I’ve started. Turns out I needn’t have worried and not only did I finish Drynn in almost record time (again, just speaking for myself here), I can’t wait to order the sequel, Through the black veil, and assuming Mr. Vera keeps up the pace he’s set so far, I will then be onto the third book, Bloodsworn, thereby completing his Last of the Shardyn trilogy and I will be sure to continue to praise Mr. Vera for his efforts providing his writing continues to entertain me even nearly as much as it has so far!! Couldn’t be happier with this particular leap of faith and I’m very much looking forward to more from this guy in the future!!
July 22, 2017
Face paced, wise ass and just plain fun - this book is crying to be made into next year's summer blockbuster.
As with any A-Team fantasy, characters are slightly stock but fleshed out by the depth and complexity of their personal relationships and motivations. I found myself warming in turn to each character - even the dark, sociopathic Donovan - as they worked through flaws and mixed emotions that made them feel distinctly human.
But this is no torturous lit. class melodrama.
If you want epic action sequences offset by unexpected moments of tenderness. If you want "special effects" and a drive-worthy soundtrack. If you want a damn good beach read... This is the book for you.
I would read it again. And that's saying something.
As with any A-Team fantasy, characters are slightly stock but fleshed out by the depth and complexity of their personal relationships and motivations. I found myself warming in turn to each character - even the dark, sociopathic Donovan - as they worked through flaws and mixed emotions that made them feel distinctly human.
But this is no torturous lit. class melodrama.
If you want epic action sequences offset by unexpected moments of tenderness. If you want "special effects" and a drive-worthy soundtrack. If you want a damn good beach read... This is the book for you.
I would read it again. And that's saying something.
September 27, 2019
This book is amazing. It's one of the best books ive ever read. The story is intriguing and the twist and turns make it an incredibly immersive experience.
September 13, 2014
Drynn is the first book in the Last of the Shardyn series by Steve Vera. Montana police chief Skip Walkins is hot on the trail of a murder suspect when he witnesses a drifter free the Lord of the Underworld. Across the country Gavin's past comes to haunt him and threatens his fiance Amanda. All of this comes to pass because seventeen years ago five knights from Earth's magical twin entombed Asmodeous the Pale, Lord of the Drynn, in Skip's town. Now that the dark god is free again, he's anxious to get back home and finish the war he began and to enslave all life. It begins with killing the knights who trapped him. Deprived of their magic, the knights fight back using whatever they can get their hands on. Skip is drawn in to their struggle while Donovan Smith, the demi-god murderer whom Skip was after in the first place, plots to find the Lord of the Underworld and butcher him on his own. Together, these unlikely heroes might just save the world.
Drynn is a book that left me torn. I loved the characters and the depth of which was given to them. the story and the action were all very interesting and I liked the concept and the execution for the most part. However, I was left feeling a little underwhelmed when I was finished. As the first book in a series I understand the need to build the world and set up the concept needed for the story to move forward, but there were times where I just felt like there was too much of an info dump. too many situations, facts, and confrontations happening too quickly. I like a fast pace, but there just seemed to be too much going on all at once. It was still an intriguing book, and I am not sure what to suggest to improve it. Perhaps once I digest all of the action and information a little more thoroughly I will have a better way to describe the book and what I feel about it.
If you like descriptive, information and action packed urban or high fantasy with plenty of both character development and fight scenes the Drynn is for you. I really enjoyed most of the book but felt both over and under whelmed with the book as a whole. Definitely worth a look, but I am still struggling to come up with the right way to describe my feeling for the story. I will likely read the next book in the series, to see where we go from here.
Drynn is a book that left me torn. I loved the characters and the depth of which was given to them. the story and the action were all very interesting and I liked the concept and the execution for the most part. However, I was left feeling a little underwhelmed when I was finished. As the first book in a series I understand the need to build the world and set up the concept needed for the story to move forward, but there were times where I just felt like there was too much of an info dump. too many situations, facts, and confrontations happening too quickly. I like a fast pace, but there just seemed to be too much going on all at once. It was still an intriguing book, and I am not sure what to suggest to improve it. Perhaps once I digest all of the action and information a little more thoroughly I will have a better way to describe the book and what I feel about it.
If you like descriptive, information and action packed urban or high fantasy with plenty of both character development and fight scenes the Drynn is for you. I really enjoyed most of the book but felt both over and under whelmed with the book as a whole. Definitely worth a look, but I am still struggling to come up with the right way to describe my feeling for the story. I will likely read the next book in the series, to see where we go from here.
March 22, 2015
For me Drynn was a perfect lunch book. It's exactly the kind of book that I wouldn't mind reading during my break at work. It's enjoyable enough to keep my attention while reading but it didn't suck me in enough that I wasn't able to put it down and go back to work.
Drynn is about a recently freed god hunting down the knights who originally imprisoned him. Along the way a few regular people get pulled into the madness of it all. There is a fair sized cast and I didn't find that we got to know any of them overly well. We learned a few things about them but nothing that would give you a really good sense of all the characters. It is the first book in a trilogy though so I expect we get information in the next couple of books.
The concept of two worlds was interesting and it will be neat to see the differences in the worlds and their inhabitants. I'm mostly interested to see what happens to Skip and Amanda. I was a bit bothered by their rather quick acceptance of everything and want to know if that continues or if they're just a bit shell shocked right now.
My main problem was when it came to the guns. I honestly don't care what type of gun or bullet it is. I don't know the difference between any of them and I'm not going to stop reading to go figure it out. I found that the references to them and sometimes the over explaining of what a character was doing pulled me out of the story a bit. This is obviously a personal preference and most people probably won't care one way or the other. I just found that while reading about a fight I didn't need to know the specifics of their weapons.
This was a enjoyable book but as I said before, for me it was a lunch book. I'm not in any rush to read the next two and when I do it will definitely be during my 45 minute breaks.
Drynn is about a recently freed god hunting down the knights who originally imprisoned him. Along the way a few regular people get pulled into the madness of it all. There is a fair sized cast and I didn't find that we got to know any of them overly well. We learned a few things about them but nothing that would give you a really good sense of all the characters. It is the first book in a trilogy though so I expect we get information in the next couple of books.
The concept of two worlds was interesting and it will be neat to see the differences in the worlds and their inhabitants. I'm mostly interested to see what happens to Skip and Amanda. I was a bit bothered by their rather quick acceptance of everything and want to know if that continues or if they're just a bit shell shocked right now.
My main problem was when it came to the guns. I honestly don't care what type of gun or bullet it is. I don't know the difference between any of them and I'm not going to stop reading to go figure it out. I found that the references to them and sometimes the over explaining of what a character was doing pulled me out of the story a bit. This is obviously a personal preference and most people probably won't care one way or the other. I just found that while reading about a fight I didn't need to know the specifics of their weapons.
This was a enjoyable book but as I said before, for me it was a lunch book. I'm not in any rush to read the next two and when I do it will definitely be during my 45 minute breaks.
November 27, 2015
The world /premise is interesting and has legs. The writing is mediocre on the whole with funky and inconsistent phrasing that ends up being noticeable. The chapters jump around for the first half of the book with a poor binding from one to the next, continuing to introduce new people without enough context to place them in the world and in the story. There is also this mysterious character who is an independent actor amongst the protagonist and antagonist who is fairly distracting and overly dilutes the story.
It is unlikely that I will read further in this series.
It is unlikely that I will read further in this series.
November 22, 2013
Eh. This feels like a fanfic of the authors daydreams. The character tropes are well worn and rigid; duty bound cop, witty sidekick, stoic damsel, all powerful evil boss fight, etc.
To be fair, the action scenes are pretty well written and the background story has some good potential. I hope the author grows. For less than three dollars I don't regret picking it up. I'll even give the next book in the series a shot just to see if the story arc is as good as it could be.
To be fair, the action scenes are pretty well written and the background story has some good potential. I hope the author grows. For less than three dollars I don't regret picking it up. I'll even give the next book in the series a shot just to see if the story arc is as good as it could be.
April 7, 2013
Fast-paced urban fantasy, first in a series. Magic AND guns as a human police chief, warriors from another world, and a psychopath all converge to take down the newly-escaped Lord of the Underworld. Well-written, suspenseful and engaging. I really liked the banter between Amanda and Gavin.
Quibbles: lots of POV changes, plus Skip is so accomplished that it raised my eyebrows
Quibbles: lots of POV changes, plus Skip is so accomplished that it raised my eyebrows
May 22, 2016
Urban and epic fantasy finally meet in an engaging and creative way. From the first chapter, you're left wanting more. There are twists and turns and every one of them caught me off guard in a way only the best of authors could accomplish. The writing style is evident of a new author finding himself until the second half; that's when Vera hits his stride. Will definitely finish this series.
February 21, 2013
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this one. Mythology, another world, action to put the best Hollywood films to shame, and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. I hope there's a sequel!
February 28, 2013
Loved this! I only gave it 4 stars because I'm sure the series will only get better. I can't wait until the next book comes out. I think we'll see it on the big screen in a few years...
Well thought out story, great characters, intense from the get-go -I couldn't put it down!
Well thought out story, great characters, intense from the get-go -I couldn't put it down!
September 15, 2013
Fun science fiction/fantasy. I can't wait for the next volume. Vera has a fast paced page turning writing style. The added bonus is that some of it takes place in my town of West Hartford. How cool is that?
December 10, 2013
Engaging read from start to finish. His writing pulls you in from the first page and makes you want to continue until it's done. Very good book, I look forward to his others. An author to watch for sure.
February 21, 2013
Just plain awesome.
Drynn
Drynn
July 19, 2013
Loved it! At the risk of cliche, its a classic "page-turner". I am excited to see where Vera takes us in tyhe next book!
December 5, 2024
I world have given four stars but I have a low tolerance for typos.
February 4, 2014
I liked this book quite a bit. Pacing was good and I liked the characters. Story was fairly good and you could tell he was leaving some character development for the next book.
May 31, 2014
Loved this book! Can't wait for the next one! Thank you Steve!
June 20, 2015
4.4 stars
This was such an interesting book. I really liked the characters and the storyline. I can't wait to read the next one.
This was such an interesting book. I really liked the characters and the storyline. I can't wait to read the next one.
August 25, 2016
Enjoyed
.......…. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book. Entertaining, good character development, can't wait to see what happens next.
.......…. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book. Entertaining, good character development, can't wait to see what happens next.
December 8, 2016
Terrific read...non-stop!
November 5, 2018
Quick, compelling, and with a strong narrative voice, this book sucked me in from the first scene. A great read for the commute, as it's fast paced and easy to follow. Excited to read the rest!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews