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Seven Forges #1
Seven Forges
Captain Merros Dulver is the first in many lifetimes to find a path beyond the great mountains known as the Seven Forges and encounter, at last, the half-forgotten race who live there. And it would appear that they were expecting him. As he returns home, bringing an entourage of strangers with him, he starts to wonder whether his discovery has been such a good thing. For the gods of this lost race are the gods of war, and their memories of that far-off cataclysm have not faded.
The people of Fellein have lived with legends for many centuries. To their far north, the Blasted Lands, a legacy of an ancient time of cataclysm, are vast, desolate and impassable, but that doesn't stop the occasional expedition into their fringes in search of any trace of the ancients who had once lived there... and oft-rumored riches.
The people of Fellein have lived with legends for many centuries. To their far north, the Blasted Lands, a legacy of an ancient time of cataclysm, are vast, desolate and impassable, but that doesn't stop the occasional expedition into their fringes in search of any trace of the ancients who had once lived there... and oft-rumored riches.
398 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
195 people are currently reading
4760 people want to read
About the author
James A. Moore
231 books764 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.
James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
December 1, 2016
First off let me just go ahead and put my big ole spoiler banner up!
Now let me get this out of the way; I freaking love Drask Silver Hand and he does have a metal hand that feels like a regular hand. He's one of my new book boyfriends and he's bad to the bone!
He can soothe my itch any day - okay so you get the point!
Captain Merros Dulver (loved this character too) is sent on a mission to try to find what is beyond the Seven Forges. Turns out he finds more than he was thinking he would. Most people don't even come back from this journey through he Blasted Lands, it's just too harsh. Oh and there are these big ole monster things called the pra-moresh that will kill and eat you and your army.
On this little journey Merros and his people are attacked by a bunch of those creatures and it doesn't go well for some. They manage to kill a few with all of them fighting but they see this massive man on a beast reptile thingy that take down a few of them on his own. Merros wants to know who this man is and this is how we meet Drask Silver Hand. The Emperor's Sorcerer sent some women with the group and they make it so Drask and Merros can understand each other as Drask has a different kind of language.
Drask wants to take the group back to the Seven Forges and his home so Merros can meet one of the kings. It all goes well and they send some warriors back with Merros along with one of their kings and of course, Drask.
They meet with the Emperor and they find out this race of people are called the Sa'ba Taalor. They are a sort of grey people and I have already said they are huge, even the women. They are all muscle and kick ass and they live by their gods. They start training when they are little kids on how to forge their own weapons, farming, fighting, etc. They are cool and I love them. Well, I did in this book, who knows what will happen later on.
The Sa'ba Taalor want to be friends with the people of Fellein. They even go and help one of the Emperor's mates down the way that have some other people getting ready to attack them. Drask sends 10 of his people along with Merros to show what they can do. Most of them were women warriors and they basically take out 1000 or more men, although the majority were asleep in their tents. But still, that's some sh*t! And the leader of this little band is named Swech and she's bad to the bone too, they all are, every single one. Swech and Merros get a little something going on, but it's not graphic. The only graphic parts are the blood and guts and bashing of bones, ya know - that stuff =)
He looked at her more closely and saw the bandages on her left arm and on both legs, as well as across her neck. She had received several injuries to his one scratch. Then again, he had only killed one man. Who knew exactly how many she was responsible for?
"Will they go back to their people and say they were attacked?"
"There are none to go anywhere."
"What do you mean?"
"There are no survivors." Her words were calm. Merros felt a deep chill creep through him.
"All of them?"
She reached out and touched the wound on his arm. "You should tend to that. There is always a risk of infection."
"You killed all of them?" He had to ask a second time, had to make sure that he had heard what he thought he'd heard. Madness, it had to be.
"They cannot go home and claim they were attacked by King Marsfel and his people They cannnot go home and report anything to anyone." Her logic was flawless, of course.
Oh, and terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
So a bunch of other stuff goes down and - wait- I forgot to mention the Sa'ba Taalor can heal themselves with metal. I don't know the whole story behind that yet but it is cool as hell! So the bunch of other stuff goes down and then the Sa'ba Taalor decide they are going home. Merros sees his new friends off and thinks he's going to have a normal day.
Some woman creeps out and kills the Emperor and pushes him out the window. Really? Then some @sshat that's over the whole army thing whatever sends soldiers after the Sa'ba Taalor. Dude, what part of your dumb as hell don't you understand?
Merros finds out and freaks clean out and pretty much tells him he's an idiot and he watched them leave way before the Emperor was killed. And of course nothing goes well for the soldiers that went and attacked them. Hello? I mean is anybody home? NO! And you know what these means . . . a freaking war that doesn't need to be, at least from all I read in the first book. There may be stuff we don't know in the other books. But still!
I hope everything turns out okay in the other books. Now I have to go on Amazon and buy all of them and worry! Damn it all!
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
Now let me get this out of the way; I freaking love Drask Silver Hand and he does have a metal hand that feels like a regular hand. He's one of my new book boyfriends and he's bad to the bone!
He can soothe my itch any day - okay so you get the point!
Captain Merros Dulver (loved this character too) is sent on a mission to try to find what is beyond the Seven Forges. Turns out he finds more than he was thinking he would. Most people don't even come back from this journey through he Blasted Lands, it's just too harsh. Oh and there are these big ole monster things called the pra-moresh that will kill and eat you and your army.
On this little journey Merros and his people are attacked by a bunch of those creatures and it doesn't go well for some. They manage to kill a few with all of them fighting but they see this massive man on a beast reptile thingy that take down a few of them on his own. Merros wants to know who this man is and this is how we meet Drask Silver Hand. The Emperor's Sorcerer sent some women with the group and they make it so Drask and Merros can understand each other as Drask has a different kind of language.
Drask wants to take the group back to the Seven Forges and his home so Merros can meet one of the kings. It all goes well and they send some warriors back with Merros along with one of their kings and of course, Drask.
They meet with the Emperor and they find out this race of people are called the Sa'ba Taalor. They are a sort of grey people and I have already said they are huge, even the women. They are all muscle and kick ass and they live by their gods. They start training when they are little kids on how to forge their own weapons, farming, fighting, etc. They are cool and I love them. Well, I did in this book, who knows what will happen later on.
The Sa'ba Taalor want to be friends with the people of Fellein. They even go and help one of the Emperor's mates down the way that have some other people getting ready to attack them. Drask sends 10 of his people along with Merros to show what they can do. Most of them were women warriors and they basically take out 1000 or more men, although the majority were asleep in their tents. But still, that's some sh*t! And the leader of this little band is named Swech and she's bad to the bone too, they all are, every single one. Swech and Merros get a little something going on, but it's not graphic. The only graphic parts are the blood and guts and bashing of bones, ya know - that stuff =)
He looked at her more closely and saw the bandages on her left arm and on both legs, as well as across her neck. She had received several injuries to his one scratch. Then again, he had only killed one man. Who knew exactly how many she was responsible for?
"Will they go back to their people and say they were attacked?"
"There are none to go anywhere."
"What do you mean?"
"There are no survivors." Her words were calm. Merros felt a deep chill creep through him.
"All of them?"
She reached out and touched the wound on his arm. "You should tend to that. There is always a risk of infection."
"You killed all of them?" He had to ask a second time, had to make sure that he had heard what he thought he'd heard. Madness, it had to be.
"They cannot go home and claim they were attacked by King Marsfel and his people They cannnot go home and report anything to anyone." Her logic was flawless, of course.
Oh, and terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
So a bunch of other stuff goes down and - wait- I forgot to mention the Sa'ba Taalor can heal themselves with metal. I don't know the whole story behind that yet but it is cool as hell! So the bunch of other stuff goes down and then the Sa'ba Taalor decide they are going home. Merros sees his new friends off and thinks he's going to have a normal day.
Some woman creeps out and kills the Emperor and pushes him out the window. Really? Then some @sshat that's over the whole army thing whatever sends soldiers after the Sa'ba Taalor. Dude, what part of your dumb as hell don't you understand?
Merros finds out and freaks clean out and pretty much tells him he's an idiot and he watched them leave way before the Emperor was killed. And of course nothing goes well for the soldiers that went and attacked them. Hello? I mean is anybody home? NO! And you know what these means . . . a freaking war that doesn't need to be, at least from all I read in the first book. There may be stuff we don't know in the other books. But still!
I hope everything turns out okay in the other books. Now I have to go on Amazon and buy all of them and worry! Damn it all!
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
March 14, 2018
Sale Alert 14Mar18 the entire series is on sale for $2.99 per book. amazon
As an AVID fantasy reader, seriously it doesn’t matter epic, urban, grimdark I love it all this falls into a sorta category for me. It is sorta epic, it is sorta grimdark, it is sorta urban (<--Just kidding on that last one) so I’m going to call it epigrim lite.
I’m a details girl. I like to know enough about the world to feel like I’m in it. While this did a semi-decent job of that there was still so much more I wanted to know about some of the religions, cultures and character motivations. There is a little but sometimes I felt like it was just told to me instead of the author showing me why certain characters acted a certain way. But there is enough to give it a good plot line and world to work with.
I struggled a little since none of the characters are particularly loveable. Probably the most noble of the characters is an aged Wizard that had been alive for centuries and epic/high fantasy has taught me not to trust in wizards unless they happen to be Gandalf the Grey.
But all the other main characters were terribly flawed and so sometimes I was attached to them and other times they could have been killed off and I wouldn’t have cared.
Still there are some very interesting things going on. There is a warrior culture the Sa’Ba Taalor who have found a way to interact with metal and sometimes use it to meld into their bodies. I found this part of the world pretty exciting. Everytime there is a warrior culture I do find myself comparing it to the Doth’raki from Game of Thrones and they do share a few basic similarities in that whole ‘Might is Right’ mentality and most of their disagreements are solved with fighting and they also have a fierce devotion to their gods.
"All gods offer blessings. All gods demand sacrifices. All gods demand a price, yes?"
They have cooler semi-horselike (only in they have four legs and carry people) mounts that are almost as scary as they are.
Drask was my favorite of these Sa’ba Taalor and by the end of the book I still liked him, mostly (which is better than most of the characters faired) but I’m just not sure what his culture is really up to. Things get a bit crazy there at the end.
Merros is another would be hero in our story. For some reason the Sa’ba Taalor have come to find him specifically. This is a pretty huge deal since they are a culture of myth and mystery and no one has seen them before. I enjoyed getting to know the Sa’ba Taalor through Merros’s exchanges with them. Still he also is a flawed character so sometimes I thought I could really get behind him and other times I grew to really hate him. Still I can’t say he was ever boring and there is that whole prophecy about him we get at the beginning.
This was a pretty good introduction to the world and even though a few of the reveals I totally saw coming there was the one I totally did not that made the twist at the end well worth waiting for and made me question a few of my assumptions earlier in the story.
This is one of those books that you don’t really have to love the characters to enjoy what is going on but I hope that as the series continues I find someone to really start pulling for. This was a little fun towards the end as I developed a few theories about the possible connections between events and a few of the directions that the characters and plot can go from here. I really hope to find a little more in the next installment.
As an AVID fantasy reader, seriously it doesn’t matter epic, urban, grimdark I love it all this falls into a sorta category for me. It is sorta epic, it is sorta grimdark, it is sorta urban (<--Just kidding on that last one) so I’m going to call it epigrim lite.
I’m a details girl. I like to know enough about the world to feel like I’m in it. While this did a semi-decent job of that there was still so much more I wanted to know about some of the religions, cultures and character motivations. There is a little but sometimes I felt like it was just told to me instead of the author showing me why certain characters acted a certain way. But there is enough to give it a good plot line and world to work with.
I struggled a little since none of the characters are particularly loveable. Probably the most noble of the characters is an aged Wizard that had been alive for centuries and epic/high fantasy has taught me not to trust in wizards unless they happen to be Gandalf the Grey.
Little known fact: sometimes wizards do things just because it amuses them. At least they do if their name is Desh Krohan. There were many rumors about the sorcerer, quite a few of which were blatant lies he'd created himself, but one rumor that was true was that he'd been around for centuries. Sometimes that meant he had to find ways to drive away boredom.
But all the other main characters were terribly flawed and so sometimes I was attached to them and other times they could have been killed off and I wouldn’t have cared.
Still there are some very interesting things going on. There is a warrior culture the Sa’Ba Taalor who have found a way to interact with metal and sometimes use it to meld into their bodies. I found this part of the world pretty exciting. Everytime there is a warrior culture I do find myself comparing it to the Doth’raki from Game of Thrones and they do share a few basic similarities in that whole ‘Might is Right’ mentality and most of their disagreements are solved with fighting and they also have a fierce devotion to their gods.
"All gods offer blessings. All gods demand sacrifices. All gods demand a price, yes?"
They have cooler semi-horselike (only in they have four legs and carry people) mounts that are almost as scary as they are.
Drask was my favorite of these Sa’ba Taalor and by the end of the book I still liked him, mostly (which is better than most of the characters faired) but I’m just not sure what his culture is really up to. Things get a bit crazy there at the end.
Merros is another would be hero in our story. For some reason the Sa’ba Taalor have come to find him specifically. This is a pretty huge deal since they are a culture of myth and mystery and no one has seen them before. I enjoyed getting to know the Sa’ba Taalor through Merros’s exchanges with them. Still he also is a flawed character so sometimes I thought I could really get behind him and other times I grew to really hate him. Still I can’t say he was ever boring and there is that whole prophecy about him we get at the beginning.
"You will lose your hand, find your fist and gain an ally. You will also meet your enemy face-to-face."
This was a pretty good introduction to the world and even though a few of the reveals I totally saw coming there was the one I totally did not that made the twist at the end well worth waiting for and made me question a few of my assumptions earlier in the story.
This is one of those books that you don’t really have to love the characters to enjoy what is going on but I hope that as the series continues I find someone to really start pulling for. This was a little fun towards the end as I developed a few theories about the possible connections between events and a few of the directions that the characters and plot can go from here. I really hope to find a little more in the next installment.
August 18, 2020
A message from Sarah from the Future (SftF™): lots of digressions to be expected here. Must be the alcohol. You're welcome.
You know it, I know it: my Fantasy non-reviews suck. Glad we cleared that up.
Okay, so Epic/High/Whatever Fantasy is for the Brainy People, which I clearly am not, since I only have two grey cells (or one and a half, depending on the weather). So if you are looking for serious, in-depth, super clever Fantasy reviews, you've come to the wrong place. The right place being Evgeny's, Eon's, Markus' or Gavin's. Wait. They're all guys, that can't be right. What happened to chicks rule, men drool and stuff?! Bloody hell! I'm supposed to be a freaking feminist and shit, women power and all that crap, I can't send you to read guys' reviews!! This will not do! This cannot be! Hold on for a sec, I'll be right back!
Okay, okay, here I am again, with some pretty awesome chicks for you to check out (okay, so some of them read also Romance crap, but not all girls can be as perfect as I am, so please cut them some slack. Thank you): Robin, Choko, Athena, Jessica & the French Frowner that Shall not be Named (tFFtSnbN™).
Oh crap. I was supposed to be reviewing a book here, wasn’t I? Damn, I keep forgetting about these things. No wonder the trolls love me so much, and think I'm full ofshit wisdom, good-sense, love and kindness and understanding and stuff. Wait. Am I digressing again? Oh well. You did know what you were in for when you started reading this Piece of Crap , weren't you? So don't come complaining now.
But anyway.
I might have only two grey cells on good days, Despicable book Taste (DBT™), and a brain mostly enabled for UF and PNR Crap (UaPC™), but I can still read and appreciate Fantasy, my Little Barnacles. Please try and refrain from fainting. Thank you. And now I have a question for all of you Self-Confessed Fantasy Freaks (SCFF™): why the Bloody Shrimp aren't more of you reading this series??!! I mean, seriously, people, why are you all fan girl/boy-ing about silly series like Greatcoats *waves at her Minion in Training* when you could be reading Seven Forges?! Dumbfoundation (yes, that is a word) is me.
How do you like my wig/beard combo? Pretty hot, huh?
What I am ever so cleverly trying to say is: this book. THIS BOOK. Read it, my Little Barnacles, READ IT! This thing here pretty much has it all:
✔ A cover so gloriously delicious I want to lick it until my tongue falls off.
✔ Stupid-enabled Fantasy story. Despite the multiple plot lines. Wow.
✔ Great, original, intriguing world. It's pretty wondrous stuff, really.
✔ Awesome cast all over. Cool guys, brilliant girls. Deliciously cunning characters galore. Multiple POVs that are never boring and keep the story going. Even when it comes to the *takes a deep breath* disgustingly youngish characters in the story. Mostest awesomest stuff, to be sure.
✔ Awesome, strong, ass-kicking, blood-shedding, take-no-bullshit, harem-worthy uber cool chicks. Yes yes yes. Yum yum yummy yumminess. ✉ Super private, personal message to Swech: will you marry me? Pretty please? Okay, so you might be slightly spoiler spoiler spoiler and Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler (not his real name) might be against our blissful union but who the hell cares? We are perfect for each other, love conquers all, and all that crap. So please marry me. And if you don't want to, no problem. I am, as you would expect, an understanding kind of gal. So if you answer by the negative, I'll just do the "poof! Gone!" on you, and lock you up in my harem. Such a lucky girl you are.
✔ Super uber hot veil-wearing, hands-of-steel endowed guy who might or might not be one of the good or bad guys. Not sure yet. Which makes him even hotter. Especially since his Super Special Endowments (SSE™) are not limited to his silver/steel/whatever hands. ← no, this is no digression, people. These are facts. Just ask Wallace. He's seen Drask (aka My Man, aka Harem Recruit #4589) in the buff, it was pretty traumatizing for him, and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to tell you ALL about it. Oh, and by the way, that's my Big Bad Baby (BBB™) up there on the book cover. No wonder I fell in love with him/it at first sight, and thought he/it looked good enough to eat.
Am I referring to the book cover, my BBB™, his SSE™ or all three? Ha! Wouldn't you love to know!
✔ Twists and turns and oh no's and Bloody Hell I didn't See that One Coming Stuff (BHIdStOCS™). I'm rarely ever surprised when I read books (Daisy, my sentient crystal ball, tells me everything), but this one had quite a few God Dammit Mr Moore, I wasn't Expecting This Moments (GDMMIWETM™).
✔ Super cool pets. Not sure I'd want to adopt them all, because some of them are a little bit too freaky, even for me (which should tell you something). But hey, Fleet Admiral DaShrimp tells me I should be more of an equal opportunity kind ofnefarious breeder gal, so I'll give them all a chance. Welcome to the Nefarious Zoo, you lovely beasts!
✔ My all-time favourite : blood and gore, yay! And super cool fight scenes, too! With blood! And gore! And stuff! YAY!
And not to spoil it for those who had the misfortune NOT to read this book but: IT'S WAR!! Aka: I'm in ♥
Oh, and by the way, I listened to the audio version of this book. While I was coloring and stuff. And David de Vries is a pretty cool narrator and stuff. I mean, I understood everything that was going on, and didn't get the colors in my masterpiece mixed up, so I'm thinking that makes him kinda sorta reasonably somewhat awesome. And stuff.
» And the moral of this Crappy Non Review is: hey you, Fantasy Freaks, stop pestering me about Silly Sanderson and Yawn Yawn Yawn Greatcoats and stuff! Follow my two-grey-celled advice and…
· Book 2: The Blasted Lands ★★★★
· Book 3: City of Wonders ★★★★
· Book 4: The Silent Army ★★
You know it, I know it: my Fantasy non-reviews suck. Glad we cleared that up.
Okay, so Epic/High/Whatever Fantasy is for the Brainy People, which I clearly am not, since I only have two grey cells (or one and a half, depending on the weather). So if you are looking for serious, in-depth, super clever Fantasy reviews, you've come to the wrong place. The right place being Evgeny's, Eon's, Markus' or Gavin's. Wait. They're all guys, that can't be right. What happened to chicks rule, men drool and stuff?! Bloody hell! I'm supposed to be a freaking feminist and shit, women power and all that crap, I can't send you to read guys' reviews!! This will not do! This cannot be! Hold on for a sec, I'll be right back!
Okay, okay, here I am again, with some pretty awesome chicks for you to check out (okay, so some of them read also Romance crap, but not all girls can be as perfect as I am, so please cut them some slack. Thank you): Robin, Choko, Athena, Jessica & the French Frowner that Shall not be Named (tFFtSnbN™).
Oh crap. I was supposed to be reviewing a book here, wasn’t I? Damn, I keep forgetting about these things. No wonder the trolls love me so much, and think I'm full of
But anyway.
I might have only two grey cells on good days, Despicable book Taste (DBT™), and a brain mostly enabled for UF and PNR Crap (UaPC™), but I can still read and appreciate Fantasy, my Little Barnacles. Please try and refrain from fainting. Thank you. And now I have a question for all of you Self-Confessed Fantasy Freaks (SCFF™): why the Bloody Shrimp aren't more of you reading this series??!! I mean, seriously, people, why are you all fan girl/boy-ing about silly series like Greatcoats *waves at her Minion in Training* when you could be reading Seven Forges?! Dumbfoundation (yes, that is a word) is me.
How do you like my wig/beard combo? Pretty hot, huh?
What I am ever so cleverly trying to say is: this book. THIS BOOK. Read it, my Little Barnacles, READ IT! This thing here pretty much has it all:
✔ A cover so gloriously delicious I want to lick it until my tongue falls off.
✔ Stupid-enabled Fantasy story. Despite the multiple plot lines. Wow.
✔ Great, original, intriguing world. It's pretty wondrous stuff, really.
✔ Awesome cast all over. Cool guys, brilliant girls. Deliciously cunning characters galore. Multiple POVs that are never boring and keep the story going. Even when it comes to the *takes a deep breath* disgustingly youngish characters in the story. Mostest awesomest stuff, to be sure.
✔ Awesome, strong, ass-kicking, blood-shedding, take-no-bullshit, harem-worthy uber cool chicks. Yes yes yes. Yum yum yummy yumminess. ✉ Super private, personal message to Swech: will you marry me? Pretty please? Okay, so you might be slightly spoiler spoiler spoiler and Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler (not his real name) might be against our blissful union but who the hell cares? We are perfect for each other, love conquers all, and all that crap. So please marry me. And if you don't want to, no problem. I am, as you would expect, an understanding kind of gal. So if you answer by the negative, I'll just do the "poof! Gone!" on you, and lock you up in my harem. Such a lucky girl you are.
✔ Super uber hot veil-wearing, hands-of-steel endowed guy who might or might not be one of the good or bad guys. Not sure yet. Which makes him even hotter. Especially since his Super Special Endowments (SSE™) are not limited to his silver/steel/whatever hands. ← no, this is no digression, people. These are facts. Just ask Wallace. He's seen Drask (aka My Man, aka Harem Recruit #4589) in the buff, it was pretty traumatizing for him, and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to tell you ALL about it. Oh, and by the way, that's my Big Bad Baby (BBB™) up there on the book cover. No wonder I fell in love with him/it at first sight, and thought he/it looked good enough to eat.
Am I referring to the book cover, my BBB™, his SSE™ or all three? Ha! Wouldn't you love to know!
✔ Twists and turns and oh no's and Bloody Hell I didn't See that One Coming Stuff (BHIdStOCS™). I'm rarely ever surprised when I read books (Daisy, my sentient crystal ball, tells me everything), but this one had quite a few God Dammit Mr Moore, I wasn't Expecting This Moments (GDMMIWETM™).
✔ Super cool pets. Not sure I'd want to adopt them all, because some of them are a little bit too freaky, even for me (which should tell you something). But hey, Fleet Admiral DaShrimp tells me I should be more of an equal opportunity kind of
✔ My all-time favourite : blood and gore, yay! And super cool fight scenes, too! With blood! And gore! And stuff! YAY!
And not to spoil it for those who had the misfortune NOT to read this book but: IT'S WAR!! Aka: I'm in ♥
Oh, and by the way, I listened to the audio version of this book. While I was coloring and stuff. And David de Vries is a pretty cool narrator and stuff. I mean, I understood everything that was going on, and didn't get the colors in my masterpiece mixed up, so I'm thinking that makes him kinda sorta reasonably somewhat awesome. And stuff.
» And the moral of this Crappy Non Review is: hey you, Fantasy Freaks, stop pestering me about Silly Sanderson and Yawn Yawn Yawn Greatcoats and stuff! Follow my two-grey-celled advice and…
· Book 2: The Blasted Lands ★★★★
· Book 3: City of Wonders ★★★★
· Book 4: The Silent Army ★★
February 9, 2017
This was one of those fantasy stories that was entertaining enough without ever being anything special or memorable. It was grimdark epic fantasy.
Mercenary Captain Merros Dulver is leading an expedition into the hostile Seven Forges mountain range when his group encounters the Sa'ba Taalor, a long forgotten race who dwell there. One of the Sa'ba Taalor, Drask Silverhand, tells Merros that the Gods have sent his people to meet with him. Merros is taken before a Sa'ba Taalor king before being asked to lead a group of Sa'ba Taalor warriors to meet with the Emperor of his native land.
The story was OK. The culture clash between the Sa'ba Taalor and the regular humans lead to a bit of tension at times and a bit of humour at others.
The big flaw for me was the writing. It was a little stilted and simplistic. It felt a bit like reading YA grimdark fantasy! I think it also did not help that I never really warmed to any of the main characters. Merros was OK but not enough on his own to make me become emotionally invested in the happenings. The other thing that annoyed me was that pretty much every female character was a sex object. I'm not sure we met a single female character in the story that did not have the guys in palpitations of lust. It was so bad the Emperor was even eyeing up members of his own family!
On the plus side the Sa'ba Taalor were mildly interesting and the world building was decent enough. There was not a ton of magic but what flashes we did get of it were quite intriguing. The Sa'ba Taalor reminded me a bit of the Aiel in Jordan's WoT series. Mainly because of their veils, warrior clan ways, weird honor code, and their use of sign language to communicate when they wanted to do so unobtrusively. Though in fairness they were definitely Shaido style Aiel rather than the likeable type!
The book ended in a fairly exciting fashion with a few predictable twists and a few less predictable twists. I liked it well enough that I'll read the sequel.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by David de Vries. He did OK. He has a decent enough voice but has no real talent for performing.
Mercenary Captain Merros Dulver is leading an expedition into the hostile Seven Forges mountain range when his group encounters the Sa'ba Taalor, a long forgotten race who dwell there. One of the Sa'ba Taalor, Drask Silverhand, tells Merros that the Gods have sent his people to meet with him. Merros is taken before a Sa'ba Taalor king before being asked to lead a group of Sa'ba Taalor warriors to meet with the Emperor of his native land.
The story was OK. The culture clash between the Sa'ba Taalor and the regular humans lead to a bit of tension at times and a bit of humour at others.
The big flaw for me was the writing. It was a little stilted and simplistic. It felt a bit like reading YA grimdark fantasy! I think it also did not help that I never really warmed to any of the main characters. Merros was OK but not enough on his own to make me become emotionally invested in the happenings. The other thing that annoyed me was that pretty much every female character was a sex object. I'm not sure we met a single female character in the story that did not have the guys in palpitations of lust. It was so bad the Emperor was even eyeing up members of his own family!
On the plus side the Sa'ba Taalor were mildly interesting and the world building was decent enough. There was not a ton of magic but what flashes we did get of it were quite intriguing. The Sa'ba Taalor reminded me a bit of the Aiel in Jordan's WoT series. Mainly because of their veils, warrior clan ways, weird honor code, and their use of sign language to communicate when they wanted to do so unobtrusively. Though in fairness they were definitely Shaido style Aiel rather than the likeable type!
The book ended in a fairly exciting fashion with a few predictable twists and a few less predictable twists. I liked it well enough that I'll read the sequel.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by David de Vries. He did OK. He has a decent enough voice but has no real talent for performing.
July 13, 2013
Charged with mapping the land beyond the Blasted Lands, a frozen wasteland devastated by a cataclysm centuries past, Major Merros Dulver encounter the Sa'ba Taalor, the denizens of the Seven Forges. The Sa'ba Taalor are a society of warriors living in a fertile valley amid the Seven Forges, seven volcanic mountains. A small group accompany Merros back to the empire. Can they co-exist with the Empire in peace or will war destroy them all?
I got this ARC from Angry Robot. All hail our ill-tempered robot overlords!
Much like Three, I initially became interested in Seven Forges because of the cover. The cover is pretty impressive and the book beneath it is even more so.
While it seems like a pretty straightforward fantasy tale at first glance, it's a lot more than that. It's the tale of two very different cultures coming together and trying to co-exist. However, the people of the Empire have gotten soft after years with no enemies and the Sa'ba Taalor are a race of fighters living in the most inhospitable habitat on the planet, trained to fight from birth. Yeah, this meeting isn't going to go well.
Moore does a great job contrasting the warrior culture of the Sa'Ba Taalor and their seven gods with the politics and religion of the empire. The warriors are frighteningly competent but still well-rounded characters, particularly Tusk and Drask. Merros and Wollis know they're out of their depth most of the time but keep trying to hold up their end of things. Desh, the emperor's wizard, was also quite interesting, forever scheming behind the scenes. I thought Andover would wind up being more important but his thread was also an interesting one and served to reveal more of the Taalor culture.
Speaking of the Sa'Ba Taalor culture, Moore does a hell of a lot of worldbuilding in 330 pages without bogging down the rest of the book. The culture is fleshed out quite a bit but still remains mysterious enough for further books. Hint!
Without spoiling the ending, it reminds of an episode of the Twilight Zone or the Outer Limits with a kick in the crotch twist right at the end. Richard Matheson would have been proud.
James A. Moore's writing was a notch above what I was expecting, although I shouldn't have been surprised. Where does Angry Robot keep finding these writers?
That's about all I have to say. James A. Moore entertained the hell out of me with Seven Forges and also made me think. If he writes more books in this world, I'll definitely read them. Four easy stars.
I got this ARC from Angry Robot. All hail our ill-tempered robot overlords!
Much like Three, I initially became interested in Seven Forges because of the cover. The cover is pretty impressive and the book beneath it is even more so.
While it seems like a pretty straightforward fantasy tale at first glance, it's a lot more than that. It's the tale of two very different cultures coming together and trying to co-exist. However, the people of the Empire have gotten soft after years with no enemies and the Sa'ba Taalor are a race of fighters living in the most inhospitable habitat on the planet, trained to fight from birth. Yeah, this meeting isn't going to go well.
Moore does a great job contrasting the warrior culture of the Sa'Ba Taalor and their seven gods with the politics and religion of the empire. The warriors are frighteningly competent but still well-rounded characters, particularly Tusk and Drask. Merros and Wollis know they're out of their depth most of the time but keep trying to hold up their end of things. Desh, the emperor's wizard, was also quite interesting, forever scheming behind the scenes. I thought Andover would wind up being more important but his thread was also an interesting one and served to reveal more of the Taalor culture.
Speaking of the Sa'Ba Taalor culture, Moore does a hell of a lot of worldbuilding in 330 pages without bogging down the rest of the book. The culture is fleshed out quite a bit but still remains mysterious enough for further books. Hint!
Without spoiling the ending, it reminds of an episode of the Twilight Zone or the Outer Limits with a kick in the crotch twist right at the end. Richard Matheson would have been proud.
James A. Moore's writing was a notch above what I was expecting, although I shouldn't have been surprised. Where does Angry Robot keep finding these writers?
That's about all I have to say. James A. Moore entertained the hell out of me with Seven Forges and also made me think. If he writes more books in this world, I'll definitely read them. Four easy stars.
December 5, 2016
*** 4 ***
A buddy read with the Fantasy Fanatics at BB&B! Because there will be blood!!!
OK, so the first book in the series "Seven Forges" is not perfect. In fact, it is a bit thin in plot lines and a bit sketchy as far as magical system goes, but by the end of the second chapter, I didn't really care. Because despite the smaller scope of this work comparatively, this hits that spot in my reading schedule where I can get a fun, creepy, bloody, and mostly imaginative story in a more simplified and shortened fashion, which can be refreshing when all I have been reading has been monumentally Epic as of late!!! A more simplified but still entertaining story was just what the doctor ordered.
We have regular Humans and many kingdoms and cultures among them, wizards, witches, and now the Sa'ba Taalor, the new humanoid people the Mercenary Captain Merros Dulver and the expedition he is leading into the Seven Forges mountains encounter on their way. The humans had no idea the mountains were inhibited by people, since everyone ever sent on expedition to the Seven Forges has never returned and thus there has been no information at all... However, it is quite obvious that the road to the mountain is full of feral creatures who just looooove human flesh:):):) Also, we have a prophesy!!! Yey!!!
"...“You will lose your hand, find your fist and gain an ally. You will also meet your enemy face-to-face.”..."
So, our hired swords meet the Sa'ba Taalor people and together decide to return with a large group of representatives to introduce their culture and make friends, hopefully beginning a long and prosperous friendship. Let me just insert here that the Sa'ba have 7 gods, thus the Seven Forges, and all of those like to give weird orders to their followers, and the Sa'ba listen and obey!!! Very much the zealot and religious extremists those grayish folks turn out to be... They are introduced in the Emperor's court and the clash of the cultures becomes obvious, at times hilarious, while at others dangerous for one or the other's lives. Tension and diplomacy go hand in hand and it is very amusing to watch the characters trying to understand each other and make friends.
"...“Swech tapped the table. “Let me explain my people. Let me explain how they believe all matters should be handled. If I were to offend you, Desh Krohan, your recourse is simple. You attempt to punish me. If you succeed, you have made clear your stance on my actions.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. That’s it. You attempt to administer your punishment. I attempt to defend myself against your punishment.”..."
Merros was the main Human character and Drask Silver Hand is the lead representative of the Sa'ba crowd. And what a representative he is!!! Strong, gray, skilled with weaponry, and not in the least slowed down by his metal prosthetic hand or the need to keep his face veiled. The face veiling thing is practiced by all of his hard and also predominantly gray people. Swetch is the Sa'ba warrior woman who stole and broke my heart, so I count her as a very strong and memorable character the author should be proud of here!!! Also, they ride these horse substituting monsters, which I would not mind keeping one as a pet:) They sound adorable, in that scaly, scary, murderous way...
The creatures are all very interesting, the humans are a bit flat as characters for now, but the biggest problem the book has as a whole is that the Sa'ba Taalor are such imagination stealing creatures, that the humans have no chance at claiming the readers' attention, maybe apart from the Hugh Hefner like Wizard Desh, who has a live-in bunny harem of gorgeous witches and performs some magic of which rules we have not yet been privy to... The rest of the cast feels one dimensional and more like place-fillers than actual beings. However, I see promise for some of them and I have faith that the author will bring them to their full potential as we go along with the series!!
"...“Little known fact: sometimes wizards do things just because it amuses them.” ..."
Overall, the book was a very entertaining way to start a series and I for one am looking foreword to reading the rest of the books! It is not for the faint of heart and the writing stile is not as engaging as I hope it will become, but the potential is there and I want to BELIEVE!!!
I wish you All Happy Reading and never leave you sward at home when visiting monsters!!!
A buddy read with the Fantasy Fanatics at BB&B! Because there will be blood!!!
OK, so the first book in the series "Seven Forges" is not perfect. In fact, it is a bit thin in plot lines and a bit sketchy as far as magical system goes, but by the end of the second chapter, I didn't really care. Because despite the smaller scope of this work comparatively, this hits that spot in my reading schedule where I can get a fun, creepy, bloody, and mostly imaginative story in a more simplified and shortened fashion, which can be refreshing when all I have been reading has been monumentally Epic as of late!!! A more simplified but still entertaining story was just what the doctor ordered.
We have regular Humans and many kingdoms and cultures among them, wizards, witches, and now the Sa'ba Taalor, the new humanoid people the Mercenary Captain Merros Dulver and the expedition he is leading into the Seven Forges mountains encounter on their way. The humans had no idea the mountains were inhibited by people, since everyone ever sent on expedition to the Seven Forges has never returned and thus there has been no information at all... However, it is quite obvious that the road to the mountain is full of feral creatures who just looooove human flesh:):):) Also, we have a prophesy!!! Yey!!!
"...“You will lose your hand, find your fist and gain an ally. You will also meet your enemy face-to-face.”..."
So, our hired swords meet the Sa'ba Taalor people and together decide to return with a large group of representatives to introduce their culture and make friends, hopefully beginning a long and prosperous friendship. Let me just insert here that the Sa'ba have 7 gods, thus the Seven Forges, and all of those like to give weird orders to their followers, and the Sa'ba listen and obey!!! Very much the zealot and religious extremists those grayish folks turn out to be... They are introduced in the Emperor's court and the clash of the cultures becomes obvious, at times hilarious, while at others dangerous for one or the other's lives. Tension and diplomacy go hand in hand and it is very amusing to watch the characters trying to understand each other and make friends.
"...“Swech tapped the table. “Let me explain my people. Let me explain how they believe all matters should be handled. If I were to offend you, Desh Krohan, your recourse is simple. You attempt to punish me. If you succeed, you have made clear your stance on my actions.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. That’s it. You attempt to administer your punishment. I attempt to defend myself against your punishment.”..."
Merros was the main Human character and Drask Silver Hand is the lead representative of the Sa'ba crowd. And what a representative he is!!! Strong, gray, skilled with weaponry, and not in the least slowed down by his metal prosthetic hand or the need to keep his face veiled. The face veiling thing is practiced by all of his hard and also predominantly gray people. Swetch is the Sa'ba warrior woman who stole and broke my heart, so I count her as a very strong and memorable character the author should be proud of here!!! Also, they ride these horse substituting monsters, which I would not mind keeping one as a pet:) They sound adorable, in that scaly, scary, murderous way...
The creatures are all very interesting, the humans are a bit flat as characters for now, but the biggest problem the book has as a whole is that the Sa'ba Taalor are such imagination stealing creatures, that the humans have no chance at claiming the readers' attention, maybe apart from the Hugh Hefner like Wizard Desh, who has a live-in bunny harem of gorgeous witches and performs some magic of which rules we have not yet been privy to... The rest of the cast feels one dimensional and more like place-fillers than actual beings. However, I see promise for some of them and I have faith that the author will bring them to their full potential as we go along with the series!!
"...“Little known fact: sometimes wizards do things just because it amuses them.” ..."
Overall, the book was a very entertaining way to start a series and I for one am looking foreword to reading the rest of the books! It is not for the faint of heart and the writing stile is not as engaging as I hope it will become, but the potential is there and I want to BELIEVE!!!
I wish you All Happy Reading and never leave you sward at home when visiting monsters!!!
January 30, 2021
"All gods offer blessings. All gods demand sacrifices. All gods demand a price."
Seven Forges is James A. Moore’s first book in the fantasy series by the same name Seven Forges. I felt this was a good foundation book to get the reader acquainted with the characters and this world. The story is told from several different POV’s and Moore did a good job giving each character his/her page time to be well represented. The world building could use some work, but this is Moore’s first fantasy novel. So, I won’t be too critical, because it really wasn’t bad. But it could have used a little more detail. I believe this could have been avoided if there was a map. When I am getting familiar with a fantasy world for the first time a map helps me visualize places and key areas geographically. My imagination isn’t what it used to be, so anything that can assist me mentally form images while I am reading really enhances my enjoyment of the book. Let me be clear, this doesl not affect my score of any book or series. It’s just my personal preference.
The main theme of the book revolves around two separate civilizations that have been separated for over a 1,000 years by an area called The Blasted Lands. This area was formed by a great battle between sorcerers that made this area inhospitable. The story begins with a group of travelers on an expedition into The Blasted Lands who are attacked by huge beasts known as Pra-Moresh. The group is saved by a strange man named Drask Silver Hand. He belongs to a civilization that call themselves the Sa’ba Taalor. They are far superior in physical strength and combat than anyone they have ever encountered. Drask leads the group to his homeland on the other side of the Blasted Lands called Seven Forges. The Sa’ba Taalor send emissaries back with the group to their own kingdom of Fellein. This begins a period of politics and getting to know one another. But no one knows what these strange people are really capable of, or what their true intentions are.
"Too many years, too many wars and catastrophes had happened to guarantee the accuracy of anything written in the history books.”
The strong part and my favorite part of the book were the characters. The main characters were well developed and had their own story to tell that made them stand out. Be it the sorcerer, Desh Krohan, the former soldier and mercenary captain, Merros Dulver, or the smith’s apprentice, Andover Lashk, they each had interesting story lines that will be vital to the series moving forward. There were minor characters that got some page time as well. I am interested to see how Moore focuses telling the story going forward. Will he stick with the main storylines, will these minor characters get time to shine, or will there be some new names that pop up in the next installment? My guess is probably all three. At least that is my hope.
While the pacing of this book was pretty steady throughout, the last 60 pages really picked up the pace. It was extremely fun to read, as things kept happening and building up right to the last page. The first 80% of the book was around 3.5 stars, but the final 20% really pushed it up to a solid 4 stars for me. As I said above, this is a good foundation book for the rest of the series. Plus, the way it ended has me very excited and anxious to begin book 2, The Blasted Lands. If you’re looking for a solid fantasy read with interesting characters, steady pacing, and an exciting conclusion that sets up the rest of the series extremely well; then Seven Forges is the book for you.
“Every life is forged. We start as raw materials and we are made stronger by the forgings of life. Like the tempering of steel.”
Actual Rating: 4 stars ****
December 23, 2016
And finally I have enough time to work on a better review!
I really enjoyed this book. Let's start from the beginning.
When I looked into the books I had available, I was drawn to the Seven Forges again and again. So I looked into some reviews and I read some comments stating that the book was good but was lacking a plot. Yet, I wanted to read it and I started.
I was a happy camper for three days - and I think I will continue with the following books in the series. Yes, the book might require some time to understanding where all is going but it is just so interesting and fast paced that it did not bother me at all.
I liked all the characters, someone more than the others. I liked the story, interesting and twisted enough to keep me longing for more. I liked the Sa'ba Taalor and their fierce and violent society. It was an interesting contrast to the "other" perspective brought by the empire.
Talking about the empire, I liked the emperor quite a bit . I also loved his relationship with the wizard, it sounded like an old couple bickering at all times!
There are a couple of other elements that are worth mentioning. I loved the fact that the attractive woman is (also) the muscular one, the one that does not have the traditional looks (and this type of woman is present in the series too) and still is the center of men' attention. And the lead of her own group. I loved the gender equality that transpires from the Sa'ba Taalor so much that it appears that the only relevant element is the ability to fight.
Another aspect of the Sa'ba Taalor I loved was their relationship with their mounts. Despite their terrifying description, it also sounds like a mount of fur and I would not mind spending the day cuddling with the beast!
There is so much left hanging that I cannot wait to start The Blasted Lands!
I really enjoyed this book. Let's start from the beginning.
When I looked into the books I had available, I was drawn to the Seven Forges again and again. So I looked into some reviews and I read some comments stating that the book was good but was lacking a plot. Yet, I wanted to read it and I started.
I was a happy camper for three days - and I think I will continue with the following books in the series. Yes, the book might require some time to understanding where all is going but it is just so interesting and fast paced that it did not bother me at all.
I liked all the characters, someone more than the others. I liked the story, interesting and twisted enough to keep me longing for more. I liked the Sa'ba Taalor and their fierce and violent society. It was an interesting contrast to the "other" perspective brought by the empire.
Talking about the empire, I liked the emperor quite a bit . I also loved his relationship with the wizard, it sounded like an old couple bickering at all times!
There are a couple of other elements that are worth mentioning. I loved the fact that the attractive woman is (also) the muscular one, the one that does not have the traditional looks (and this type of woman is present in the series too) and still is the center of men' attention. And the lead of her own group. I loved the gender equality that transpires from the Sa'ba Taalor so much that it appears that the only relevant element is the ability to fight.
Another aspect of the Sa'ba Taalor I loved was their relationship with their mounts. Despite their terrifying description, it also sounds like a mount of fur and I would not mind spending the day cuddling with the beast!
There is so much left hanging that I cannot wait to start The Blasted Lands!
December 10, 2016
Well I experienced a complete turnabout this book. I enjoyed the first 20% then really struggled until about 40%. Was literally about to call this as a dnf and thought I'd read one more chapter....and then devoured the rest of the book pretty quickly!
This was slow to get going and to my mind, the writer gained confidence and found his voice and the story about halfway through. I enjoyed the world building but think I struggled with the sketchy character building.
I enjoyed this in the end. It turned out much better than I expected from the first half and I am glad I stuck with it.
Will definitely read the next one.
This was slow to get going and to my mind, the writer gained confidence and found his voice and the story about halfway through. I enjoyed the world building but think I struggled with the sketchy character building.
I enjoyed this in the end. It turned out much better than I expected from the first half and I am glad I stuck with it.
Will definitely read the next one.
July 19, 2018
So what is Seven Forges?
With easy to digest prose and a fantastic cover, James A. Moore's Seven Forges enters the sovereign literary territory of the epic fantasy with the blunt crash of a silver metal fist, ingeniously upgrading snack-food fantasy to cinema worthy exploits. Drusk, Tusk, Swech and every single Sa'ba Taalor in the book dominate scenes with a pragmatic martial enigma displayed in mastery of combat and the code of its permanent conduct and a deeply religious lore backed by the mysterious titular mountain homes of their people.
Whilst this book is riddled with nearly whimsical fantastical elements and flat characters, Moore's tastes of combat shine in bone-rattling clatters of confusion and chaos, and the Sa'ba Taalor serve up memorable moments to any who choose to buy this satisfying Angry Robot tale with sure guarantees future books will be as good if not better than Seven Forges.
Recommended for those who want a classic but still very accessible fantasy splashed with blood and smeared with dirt, leaving your fingers numb after an all-night read.
With easy to digest prose and a fantastic cover, James A. Moore's Seven Forges enters the sovereign literary territory of the epic fantasy with the blunt crash of a silver metal fist, ingeniously upgrading snack-food fantasy to cinema worthy exploits. Drusk, Tusk, Swech and every single Sa'ba Taalor in the book dominate scenes with a pragmatic martial enigma displayed in mastery of combat and the code of its permanent conduct and a deeply religious lore backed by the mysterious titular mountain homes of their people.
Whilst this book is riddled with nearly whimsical fantastical elements and flat characters, Moore's tastes of combat shine in bone-rattling clatters of confusion and chaos, and the Sa'ba Taalor serve up memorable moments to any who choose to buy this satisfying Angry Robot tale with sure guarantees future books will be as good if not better than Seven Forges.
Recommended for those who want a classic but still very accessible fantasy splashed with blood and smeared with dirt, leaving your fingers numb after an all-night read.
September 20, 2013
4 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...
I really, really liked Seven Forges. Still, I'll admit the book had me rolling with the punches for most of it. It left me cold for a long time, waiting for something awesome to happen, something to make me perk up and say, "Hey, now we're onto something."
A lot of this has to do with the book's pacing, which is probably slower than I'd have preferred. I noticed while reading, for example, that even at more than halfway in, I was still treading in territory already covered by the blurb in the back of the book: a group from Fellein makes first contact with the mysterious warrior people of the Seven Forges mountains called the Sa'ba Taalor, and the expedition leader Merros Dulver brings a small entourage of them home with him.
Of course, there were other developments along the way, but not many that helped me tease out what was supposed to be the main conflict, even as I was well into the book. The world James A. Moore created here is highly imaginative and the characters and cultures are intriguing, but I still wasn't seeing what all the fuss was about.
And then, all of a sudden, everything changed. Unexpected plot twists, shocking revelations, total chaos. Everything I thought I was signing on for when I picked up this book, I got. The only catch is? All this only started occurring in the last fifty pages or so.
The question is then, can the final 10-15 percent of a book be so incredibly awesome as to impress me enough turn my opinion completely around? I struggled with this question and as a result also struggled with my review, but in the end, I have to say yes. And I don't come to this decision lightly; very rarely does a book redeem itself in my eyes simply for having an extraordinary ending, but somehow this one manages. I went from feeling generally unaffected to being completely absorbed.
I don't want to make it sound like I wasn't enjoying myself at all before this point, though. I felt the book took its time getting to the meat of the conflict, yes, but even so, all the while I had the sense that it was there all along, just building up in a slow burn. Looking back now, I see that the bulk of this book reads like a very long introduction, all leading up to the point where the conflict finally ignites. And when it does, it happens in a very powerful, explosive way.
Speaking of which, James A. Moore is in his element when he is writing scenes with fighting and big battles, and his strength is definitely in crafting very realistic, frenetic action sequences. On the other hand, areas I felt needed more attention included character development and dialogue. For example, Desh Krohan the emperor's sorcerer was someone I was very interested in, but would have also loved to see more exploration into his character. He talks a lot about what his powers are capable of, but even now, I'm not entirely sure what sort of magic he does and what the nature of it is.
I suppose all that will come in time, in subsequent books in this series. There's a lot of untapped potential when it comes to the characters, but at the same time I see things moving in the right direction. Even now I think a hero is emerging in Andover Lashk, a character whose place I wasn't sure of at the beginning, but now I see the author is actually raising him up in a very unique and unprecedented way, one I think I'll enjoy watching.
Mission accomplished, Mr. Moore, you have me practically on pins and needles for the next installment.
I really, really liked Seven Forges. Still, I'll admit the book had me rolling with the punches for most of it. It left me cold for a long time, waiting for something awesome to happen, something to make me perk up and say, "Hey, now we're onto something."
A lot of this has to do with the book's pacing, which is probably slower than I'd have preferred. I noticed while reading, for example, that even at more than halfway in, I was still treading in territory already covered by the blurb in the back of the book: a group from Fellein makes first contact with the mysterious warrior people of the Seven Forges mountains called the Sa'ba Taalor, and the expedition leader Merros Dulver brings a small entourage of them home with him.
Of course, there were other developments along the way, but not many that helped me tease out what was supposed to be the main conflict, even as I was well into the book. The world James A. Moore created here is highly imaginative and the characters and cultures are intriguing, but I still wasn't seeing what all the fuss was about.
And then, all of a sudden, everything changed. Unexpected plot twists, shocking revelations, total chaos. Everything I thought I was signing on for when I picked up this book, I got. The only catch is? All this only started occurring in the last fifty pages or so.
The question is then, can the final 10-15 percent of a book be so incredibly awesome as to impress me enough turn my opinion completely around? I struggled with this question and as a result also struggled with my review, but in the end, I have to say yes. And I don't come to this decision lightly; very rarely does a book redeem itself in my eyes simply for having an extraordinary ending, but somehow this one manages. I went from feeling generally unaffected to being completely absorbed.
I don't want to make it sound like I wasn't enjoying myself at all before this point, though. I felt the book took its time getting to the meat of the conflict, yes, but even so, all the while I had the sense that it was there all along, just building up in a slow burn. Looking back now, I see that the bulk of this book reads like a very long introduction, all leading up to the point where the conflict finally ignites. And when it does, it happens in a very powerful, explosive way.
Speaking of which, James A. Moore is in his element when he is writing scenes with fighting and big battles, and his strength is definitely in crafting very realistic, frenetic action sequences. On the other hand, areas I felt needed more attention included character development and dialogue. For example, Desh Krohan the emperor's sorcerer was someone I was very interested in, but would have also loved to see more exploration into his character. He talks a lot about what his powers are capable of, but even now, I'm not entirely sure what sort of magic he does and what the nature of it is.
I suppose all that will come in time, in subsequent books in this series. There's a lot of untapped potential when it comes to the characters, but at the same time I see things moving in the right direction. Even now I think a hero is emerging in Andover Lashk, a character whose place I wasn't sure of at the beginning, but now I see the author is actually raising him up in a very unique and unprecedented way, one I think I'll enjoy watching.
Mission accomplished, Mr. Moore, you have me practically on pins and needles for the next installment.
January 30, 2018
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
My rating is 3.5 stars.
Seven Forges is a tantalizing fantasy. The tale begins with one, Captain Merros Dulver, leading a small group of adventurers toward a range of unexplored mountains called the Seven Forges. The country the group must transverse is a frozen wasteland, wind blasted, and devoid of life; facts that have made it an impenetrable barrier for anyone from the Empire of Fellein – which controls the majority of the known world – to have ever reached these legendary peaks, let alone, explore them. But, naturally, someone offered Merros a lot of money to come out of his well earned military retirement to do just that, so here he is freezing his butt off and wishing he was anywhere except where he is.
Naturally, things are not what they seem, and the uninhabited barrens are not quite so uninhabited. Soon, Captain Merros finds himself confronted not only by horrible beasts but also by an unknown race of people. A race which seems friendly and inviting, but which also obviously has far more secrets that they hide than that they reveal. And even as the good captain finds himself becoming a very rich and very famous explorer, he wonders if this mingling of the Sa’ba Taalor people with his own is a historic event or a horrible mistake.
There are many things one could talk about with Seven Forges but the star of the show is the land of the Seven Forges and its people, the Sa’ba Taalor. For that initial desolate environment where Captain Merros’ journey of discovery begins is very symbolic of where Mr. Moore intends to take you. The mighty tundra is the border between two different worlds in more than just a physical way, for as a explorer transverses the post-apocalyptic wasteland he finds himself also abandoning the norms of ordinary humanity. The world of the Sa’ba Taalor is a unique land unto itself, where – cut off from the rest of human civilization – these people have evolved along a much different evolutionary track, gaining unique idiosyncrasies in both their physiology and societal makeup; changes which makes them just as inhuman as any intelligent alien who might descend from the heavens. And soon, one finds themselves eager to see more of these wonderful people, learn more about their differences, and hear more of their history. Indeed, they steal the show.
But like all novels, there were problems with this tale, and the main one was simple the Sa’ba Taalor themselves.
How can I rave about how interesting these guys are but then say they are the main problem in the book?
Simply put, the Sa’ba Taalor are so interesting they overwhelm all the other elements of the story. Once they appear, the rest of the story just seems to pale in comparison to their creative brilliance. Honestly, who cares about Captain Merros’ homeland, the Fellein Empire, or its Emperor and his devious counselor and sorcerer Desh when you could read some more about the Seven Forges and its mesmerizing people?
I didn’t, unfortunately.
To summarize, Seven Forges was an okay book. The Sa’ba Taalor people themselves and their history was unique and compelling, but the normal humans and their empire fell flat. The characters outside of the Sa’ba Taalor were only mildly interesting, and until the last few chapters, the story dragged except when the Sa’ba Taalor were actually the focus. However, the novel was interesting enough that I will be returning to Mr. Moore’s world – if for no other reason than to visit with (Yeah, I’m going to say it one more time) the Sa’ba Taalor again.
I received this book from Netgalley and Angry Robot in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank Netgalley for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
My rating is 3.5 stars.
Seven Forges is a tantalizing fantasy. The tale begins with one, Captain Merros Dulver, leading a small group of adventurers toward a range of unexplored mountains called the Seven Forges. The country the group must transverse is a frozen wasteland, wind blasted, and devoid of life; facts that have made it an impenetrable barrier for anyone from the Empire of Fellein – which controls the majority of the known world – to have ever reached these legendary peaks, let alone, explore them. But, naturally, someone offered Merros a lot of money to come out of his well earned military retirement to do just that, so here he is freezing his butt off and wishing he was anywhere except where he is.
Naturally, things are not what they seem, and the uninhabited barrens are not quite so uninhabited. Soon, Captain Merros finds himself confronted not only by horrible beasts but also by an unknown race of people. A race which seems friendly and inviting, but which also obviously has far more secrets that they hide than that they reveal. And even as the good captain finds himself becoming a very rich and very famous explorer, he wonders if this mingling of the Sa’ba Taalor people with his own is a historic event or a horrible mistake.
There are many things one could talk about with Seven Forges but the star of the show is the land of the Seven Forges and its people, the Sa’ba Taalor. For that initial desolate environment where Captain Merros’ journey of discovery begins is very symbolic of where Mr. Moore intends to take you. The mighty tundra is the border between two different worlds in more than just a physical way, for as a explorer transverses the post-apocalyptic wasteland he finds himself also abandoning the norms of ordinary humanity. The world of the Sa’ba Taalor is a unique land unto itself, where – cut off from the rest of human civilization – these people have evolved along a much different evolutionary track, gaining unique idiosyncrasies in both their physiology and societal makeup; changes which makes them just as inhuman as any intelligent alien who might descend from the heavens. And soon, one finds themselves eager to see more of these wonderful people, learn more about their differences, and hear more of their history. Indeed, they steal the show.
But like all novels, there were problems with this tale, and the main one was simple the Sa’ba Taalor themselves.
How can I rave about how interesting these guys are but then say they are the main problem in the book?
Simply put, the Sa’ba Taalor are so interesting they overwhelm all the other elements of the story. Once they appear, the rest of the story just seems to pale in comparison to their creative brilliance. Honestly, who cares about Captain Merros’ homeland, the Fellein Empire, or its Emperor and his devious counselor and sorcerer Desh when you could read some more about the Seven Forges and its mesmerizing people?
I didn’t, unfortunately.
To summarize, Seven Forges was an okay book. The Sa’ba Taalor people themselves and their history was unique and compelling, but the normal humans and their empire fell flat. The characters outside of the Sa’ba Taalor were only mildly interesting, and until the last few chapters, the story dragged except when the Sa’ba Taalor were actually the focus. However, the novel was interesting enough that I will be returning to Mr. Moore’s world – if for no other reason than to visit with (Yeah, I’m going to say it one more time) the Sa’ba Taalor again.
I received this book from Netgalley and Angry Robot in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank Netgalley for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
December 5, 2016
3.5 Stars!
A fairly solid start of a series with potential is how I would describe Seven Forges.
Whilst there are some promising character development and nice world building, there are a few holes in the plot and the magic being used really has not been explained yet. I expect that to change in future books though, so it is not worrying me at the moment.
As mentioned above, the characters are showing promise. The lead men Merros and Worris have a great rapport and the introduction of the Sa'ba Taalor certainly took the book to another level as they are a fascinating people, who are hard not to like. But like all religious zealot stories, leaves you slightly nervous. Given that they take their instructions from the gods who speak directly to them, then your plans to work with them or deal with them can change dramatically.
I do want to see more explanation of the magic on hand, just saying, it comes from the sprites and it costs you won't cut it if that is not developed further in book 2. Plus the Seven Forges gods need some detailing, but you can pretty much tell that is going to happen.
I felt this book was a little hurried, there were many parts of the story where more time and development would have improved the story, but was instead a quick 'and that's that". I am pretty confident though that the pacing will settle out in future books.
One of the other areas of eyebrow raising, is Moore's writing of female characters. Every. Single. One. Of. Them is drop dead gorgeous. Not a plain woman in sight. He sounds a bit of a perv in his writing as dirty old men (kings) fantasize about shagging with nieces and the lead man, Merros, wins hands down the award for the character most in need of getting laid. I think the entire reading group gave a sigh of relief when he got that happening. But it must be said; the female characters are not simpering, beautiful playthings. There are lot of strong roles here, Swech is one that gets the blood going I can tell you ;)
I do like Moore's writing and it has me thinking just what is exactly that makes me enjoy one story over another. Those that know me, know that I recently struggled big time with Gwynnes series The Faithful and the Fallen, which is getting great reviews and happy campers, but I was utterly bored with it and i'd love to know what is the difference in the writing that has me enjoying one story and really not liking another. It has to be in the writing style, because both books have a solid storyline and characters that have potential.
Anyway, I will certainly carry on with this series and I am very positive that it will be one that i grow to enjoy much more.
A fairly solid start of a series with potential is how I would describe Seven Forges.
Whilst there are some promising character development and nice world building, there are a few holes in the plot and the magic being used really has not been explained yet. I expect that to change in future books though, so it is not worrying me at the moment.
As mentioned above, the characters are showing promise. The lead men Merros and Worris have a great rapport and the introduction of the Sa'ba Taalor certainly took the book to another level as they are a fascinating people, who are hard not to like. But like all religious zealot stories, leaves you slightly nervous. Given that they take their instructions from the gods who speak directly to them, then your plans to work with them or deal with them can change dramatically.
I do want to see more explanation of the magic on hand, just saying, it comes from the sprites and it costs you won't cut it if that is not developed further in book 2. Plus the Seven Forges gods need some detailing, but you can pretty much tell that is going to happen.
I felt this book was a little hurried, there were many parts of the story where more time and development would have improved the story, but was instead a quick 'and that's that". I am pretty confident though that the pacing will settle out in future books.
One of the other areas of eyebrow raising, is Moore's writing of female characters. Every. Single. One. Of. Them is drop dead gorgeous. Not a plain woman in sight. He sounds a bit of a perv in his writing as dirty old men (kings) fantasize about shagging with nieces and the lead man, Merros, wins hands down the award for the character most in need of getting laid. I think the entire reading group gave a sigh of relief when he got that happening. But it must be said; the female characters are not simpering, beautiful playthings. There are lot of strong roles here, Swech is one that gets the blood going I can tell you ;)
I do like Moore's writing and it has me thinking just what is exactly that makes me enjoy one story over another. Those that know me, know that I recently struggled big time with Gwynnes series The Faithful and the Fallen, which is getting great reviews and happy campers, but I was utterly bored with it and i'd love to know what is the difference in the writing that has me enjoying one story and really not liking another. It has to be in the writing style, because both books have a solid storyline and characters that have potential.
Anyway, I will certainly carry on with this series and I am very positive that it will be one that i grow to enjoy much more.
August 4, 2016
It's a good thing I read some reviews about this book before I started reading it or I think it would have hit the DNF pile or at least taken me a lot longer to finish. Even still, since I have an ebook copy, this book ended up one I picked up here and there when I found myself stuck somewhere with nothing to do but my phone. I am glad I kept with it though, as this book definitely picks up steam, although it continues to have some weak points throughout.
The weakest part of the book continued to be pacing. It feels like mostly solid progression throughout with the occasional bump of action, and then the last couple of chapters hit you like a brick wall of plot and story. It's not that I don't like twists. I just usually like them to come with a bit of foreshadowing or anything really to make it feel like the twist is somehow consistent with the rest of the book. Instead I just felt like I'd been clothes-lined by the story and I was lying on the ground unable to tell if I liked it or not because so much had just happened so quickly.
The characters are also inconsistently developed. There are a few I liked by the end of the book, but a lot of them felt pretty one-dimensional and then suddenly they'd be given a POV section. I think it was just an easy way to show the reader everything that was happening even if you're only in that character's head for a couple of pages. I'm just not sure that was a great way to do it with how many character POVs there ended up being and too many of those characters feeling flat.
Overall though, I'm intrigued by where the story is going and I've read some reviews that the later books get a lot better. Some of the reviews I saw for the most recent addition are what encouraged me to pick up this book. I also liked that there's a well-developed culture that seems a lot different from standard fantasy fare and I'm curious about a lot of the mystery elements that were introduced in this book. I might not be picking them up immediately but I intend to get to the rest of the series eventually.
The weakest part of the book continued to be pacing. It feels like mostly solid progression throughout with the occasional bump of action, and then the last couple of chapters hit you like a brick wall of plot and story. It's not that I don't like twists. I just usually like them to come with a bit of foreshadowing or anything really to make it feel like the twist is somehow consistent with the rest of the book. Instead I just felt like I'd been clothes-lined by the story and I was lying on the ground unable to tell if I liked it or not because so much had just happened so quickly.
The characters are also inconsistently developed. There are a few I liked by the end of the book, but a lot of them felt pretty one-dimensional and then suddenly they'd be given a POV section. I think it was just an easy way to show the reader everything that was happening even if you're only in that character's head for a couple of pages. I'm just not sure that was a great way to do it with how many character POVs there ended up being and too many of those characters feeling flat.
Overall though, I'm intrigued by where the story is going and I've read some reviews that the later books get a lot better. Some of the reviews I saw for the most recent addition are what encouraged me to pick up this book. I also liked that there's a well-developed culture that seems a lot different from standard fantasy fare and I'm curious about a lot of the mystery elements that were introduced in this book. I might not be picking them up immediately but I intend to get to the rest of the series eventually.
February 22, 2019
Merros Dulver has embarked on an expedition that promises riches beyond his imagination should he return. He has led a group to the Seven Forges, a land believed to be uninhabitable, only to find a man there. This man wasn't simply lost near the forges, he was looking for Merros specifically. Merros meets with the man's people and heads for home with an escort of people from this desolate land. Merros isn't sure what to think of his escort except that they're incredibly dangerous individuals.
Seven Forges felt very much like a book that's only purpose is setting the groundwork for a series. The characters found themselves mostly involved in traveling and diplomacy. The people from the forges are incredibly devoted to their gods who were said to have saved them. Each of the forges is believed to be a different god and each of the people followed one of the gods primarily. They are a warring people that are all heavily scarred and battle hardened.
The story was interesting without having much happen. It didn't have the kind of massive conclusion I was expecting. There are still unanswered questions at the end and decisions were made that simply didn't make a lot of sense. It all felt like the vague and ominous prophecy given to Merros early in the book,
Seven Forges has peeked my interest and left me curious to see where the story heads next.
Seven Forges felt very much like a book that's only purpose is setting the groundwork for a series. The characters found themselves mostly involved in traveling and diplomacy. The people from the forges are incredibly devoted to their gods who were said to have saved them. Each of the forges is believed to be a different god and each of the people followed one of the gods primarily. They are a warring people that are all heavily scarred and battle hardened.
The story was interesting without having much happen. It didn't have the kind of massive conclusion I was expecting. There are still unanswered questions at the end and decisions were made that simply didn't make a lot of sense. It all felt like the vague and ominous prophecy given to Merros early in the book,
You will lose your hand, find your fist and gain an ally. You will meet your enemy face-to-face.
Seven Forges has peeked my interest and left me curious to see where the story heads next.
Want to read
December 1, 2016Hate the audio so much, nothing against the narrator I just have the attention span of a goldfish and can't listen to audiobooks. Gonna finish when I have ebook :)
June 24, 2014
This Review was originally posted on Avid Reviews: www.avidfantasyreviews.wordpress.com
Seven Forges is the first book in a new epic fantasy series. The entire novel is written in the tone of a prequel, and instead of a plotline filled with conflict, the reader is given a story that very gradually builds a sense of tension. I found this an interesting and unique approach for a first book in a series, though unfortunately this method of writing made for a story that took a long time to get into. Although the book was entertaining, I did not become fully engaged in the story until near the end, but by that point I was definitely interested in reading the next installment in the series.
This novel is told from several different points of view and tells the story of two very different cultures meeting for the first time. Captain Merros Dulver, a man of the Fellein Empire, is hired to map out the Blasted Lands. It is an empty place full of constant ice and storms that lies before the distant, and never before explored, mountains called the Seven Forges. In this desolate place Merros unexpectedly comes across a member of a whole new culture, a man named Drask who has a hand made of silver that moves and feels just as well as one made of flesh. Drask invites Merros and his party to enter the Seven Forges where he encounters an entire people with veiled faces and a proclivity for violence.
When Merros returns home he brings an entourage of the fascinating strangers with him. It is a diplomatic mission with the hopes of introducing the people of the Seven Forges to the emperor of the Fellein people and cultivating a peaceful relationship between them. But when Merros learns that the people of the Seven Forges communicate directly with their violent gods, who could order them to start or war or worse at any moment, he starts to wonder if the people he is bringing to the heart of his empire are really there for peace, or if they have darker intentions.
Even though this novel lacks a hook to engross the reader in the story, it is a good introduction into an interesting world that I would love to know more about. Moore used several familiar tropes in his world building including a wizard advisor, and a foreign race of savage warriors, but despite this managed to create a unique setting with a mysterious magic system. The differences between the two races, and their several violent misunderstandings, are what drive the plot of this book. Even though these encounters are entertaining I do not think they were engaging enough to be the substance for an entire novel. Moore has done a good job of setting the scene, now I hope that he will give us an exciting story with a fast-paced and conflict filled plot in the next few books of the series. I would also like to see a deeper level of character development in the rest of the series, because even though the characters were interesting enough, there was no single character that I really felt sympathetic towards.
I would rate this novel a 6.5/10, though hopefully I will be able to rate the next novel, The Blasted Lands much higher.
Seven Forges is the first book in a new epic fantasy series. The entire novel is written in the tone of a prequel, and instead of a plotline filled with conflict, the reader is given a story that very gradually builds a sense of tension. I found this an interesting and unique approach for a first book in a series, though unfortunately this method of writing made for a story that took a long time to get into. Although the book was entertaining, I did not become fully engaged in the story until near the end, but by that point I was definitely interested in reading the next installment in the series.
This novel is told from several different points of view and tells the story of two very different cultures meeting for the first time. Captain Merros Dulver, a man of the Fellein Empire, is hired to map out the Blasted Lands. It is an empty place full of constant ice and storms that lies before the distant, and never before explored, mountains called the Seven Forges. In this desolate place Merros unexpectedly comes across a member of a whole new culture, a man named Drask who has a hand made of silver that moves and feels just as well as one made of flesh. Drask invites Merros and his party to enter the Seven Forges where he encounters an entire people with veiled faces and a proclivity for violence.
When Merros returns home he brings an entourage of the fascinating strangers with him. It is a diplomatic mission with the hopes of introducing the people of the Seven Forges to the emperor of the Fellein people and cultivating a peaceful relationship between them. But when Merros learns that the people of the Seven Forges communicate directly with their violent gods, who could order them to start or war or worse at any moment, he starts to wonder if the people he is bringing to the heart of his empire are really there for peace, or if they have darker intentions.
Even though this novel lacks a hook to engross the reader in the story, it is a good introduction into an interesting world that I would love to know more about. Moore used several familiar tropes in his world building including a wizard advisor, and a foreign race of savage warriors, but despite this managed to create a unique setting with a mysterious magic system. The differences between the two races, and their several violent misunderstandings, are what drive the plot of this book. Even though these encounters are entertaining I do not think they were engaging enough to be the substance for an entire novel. Moore has done a good job of setting the scene, now I hope that he will give us an exciting story with a fast-paced and conflict filled plot in the next few books of the series. I would also like to see a deeper level of character development in the rest of the series, because even though the characters were interesting enough, there was no single character that I really felt sympathetic towards.
I would rate this novel a 6.5/10, though hopefully I will be able to rate the next novel, The Blasted Lands much higher.
October 30, 2014
SEVEN FORGES is the first novel in James A. Moore's epic fantasy series. One thing that continues to impress me about this author's writing talent is his ability to confidentially move across genres while still maintaining his unique "voice" throughout. in general, I would say that it takes me several chapters to get a good grasp on any "new world" presented in a fantasy novel.
In the case of SEVEN FORGES, I was mentally invested in the welfare of certain characters, and had a basic understanding of the terrain, after the very first chapter.
This storyline spans across very different regions and peoples, yet brings them all together in such a convincing manner that you can almost believe these people and places exist! There is some comic relief--universal to all--as well as some very well executed political drama unfolding in the Kingdom of Fellein.
When Captain Dulver is sent on a quest to an area known as the Seven Forges, he encounters a race of people--the size and savagery of which he has never before known. These new people, the Sa'ba Taalor, live by the laws of their own seven gods, and answer to nobody else.
Yet, Merros Dulver is allowed to interact with, and bring some of the people to his own Emperor, in the hopes of forging an alliance of some sort.
Along the way, we are gifted with mystical creatures, awe-inspiring feats, and a tremendous amount to bloodshed--enough to catch anyone's interest.
The political play of the various parties was particularly interesting to watch, as in many ways, they mirror our own.
Without giving any of the story away, I'd like to add that I was extremely satisfied with the conclusion to this novel. Although the second installment (THE BLASTED LANDS) is already available, SEVEN FORGES left on a conclusive enough note for its individual story-line; yet, still managed to leave this reader wanting MORE. That, if nothing else, is to me the sign of a great novel. That ability, and when you find yourself thinking about it long after the final page is turned, is something that all too few books have the power to do anymore.
Before I finished this novel, I had already placed an order for book #2, THE BLASTED LANDS.
Highly recommended.
In the case of SEVEN FORGES, I was mentally invested in the welfare of certain characters, and had a basic understanding of the terrain, after the very first chapter.
This storyline spans across very different regions and peoples, yet brings them all together in such a convincing manner that you can almost believe these people and places exist! There is some comic relief--universal to all--as well as some very well executed political drama unfolding in the Kingdom of Fellein.
When Captain Dulver is sent on a quest to an area known as the Seven Forges, he encounters a race of people--the size and savagery of which he has never before known. These new people, the Sa'ba Taalor, live by the laws of their own seven gods, and answer to nobody else.
Yet, Merros Dulver is allowed to interact with, and bring some of the people to his own Emperor, in the hopes of forging an alliance of some sort.
Along the way, we are gifted with mystical creatures, awe-inspiring feats, and a tremendous amount to bloodshed--enough to catch anyone's interest.
The political play of the various parties was particularly interesting to watch, as in many ways, they mirror our own.
Without giving any of the story away, I'd like to add that I was extremely satisfied with the conclusion to this novel. Although the second installment (THE BLASTED LANDS) is already available, SEVEN FORGES left on a conclusive enough note for its individual story-line; yet, still managed to leave this reader wanting MORE. That, if nothing else, is to me the sign of a great novel. That ability, and when you find yourself thinking about it long after the final page is turned, is something that all too few books have the power to do anymore.
Before I finished this novel, I had already placed an order for book #2, THE BLASTED LANDS.
Highly recommended.
August 8, 2013
Seven Forges is a roaring adventure, full of larger than life characters and cultures, in a world full of exotic peoples, magicks, and gods. And it's a violent world, too, full of political intrigues, deadly diplomacy, and treacherous allies. Moore's the story adeptly raises the stakes and dangers from every direction. If you're looking for an adventurous escape from your desk, Moore's Seven Forges will whisk you away to a world where swords and sorcery are as alive as ever.
To think that I almost didn't finish reading the first page of Seven Forges, James A. Moore's first foray into the fantasy genre. It was one of just several books next on my To Be Read list, several of which were sent from various publishers and authors looking for a review. I had that feeling you get after finishing a really good book (the very excellent The Sum of All Men by David Farland) where your mind is still half in the novel and struggling to come back to reality and nothing sounds quite as good as what you just finished...
But I did. And then I flipped to the second page, then the third, and then I was flipping faster and faster....
Yeah. So diving into Moore's Seven Forges world was a bit rough as I perused that first page, but reading beyond was a ride worth the taking. Within mere paragraphs, Captain Merros Dulver has faced death not once, but twice, it was clear to me that I wouldn't be able to stop reading anytime soon.
Then, as I turned to the last page, I couldn't help but wonder: "WHAT?! That's it?"
In other words: cliffhanger alert. I immediately took to the proverbial road (really, the internet and social media) to hunt down Moore and his publisher. "Before I write a review," I told them, "Promise me that there's another book in the series. Or at least in the Seven Forges world."
Because I guarantee, there's no way I'm giving any amount of happiness to a book that sucks me in, wraps me up, and then leaves me hanging. (And yes, Moore promised me when I tracked him down. There will be more books in the series).
Opening on a caravan of explorers traveling across the "Blasted Lands" that border the Fellein Empire, Seven Forges tells of Dulver and his discovery of the peoples that live beyond the "Seven Forges," a series of what sounds like seven volcanos. They are a martial people, each a rippling pillar of strength, armor, weapons, and ability. Trained from birth to be self-sufficient, each is a killer, and each is ever ready to take the law into his, or her, own hands (come to think of it, it's kind of like a libertarian's dream come true). Directed by their seven harsh gods, they have been awaiting Dulver, and escort him to their land and follow him home when he returns.
It is a meeting that will change the Fellein Empire forever.
Alive and vibrant the Seven Forges world and characters are, the novel feels more like a prologue or opening act than a full novel. It's never quite clear what the overarching problem or conflict is, and indeed, it doesn't become clear until the end of the book what it is I have been watching and expecting. As the summary on the back of the book opens, "War is coming," and the entire novel seems to creep the people of Fellein closer to that war with the peoples of the Seven Forges. However, as that war arrived, I wasn't entirely sure which side of the war I would want to support. While it was clear that Dulver is our "everyman" hero from page one, and he maintains a sympathetic place throughout the tale. But the people that surround him are less clear. Sometimes this seems intentionally so, but other times it seem a result of the paucity of the book. It's just not that long, but packs so many characters and personalities in that there just isn't enough pages to explore whether someone is good, bad, grey or a victim of his culture.
It also left me with a ton of questions, not just about things like "what happens next," but others about textual clues and hints that aren't answered in the story.
Such as:
--Why the veils? Everyone wants to know about them, but it's never made clear what they are for.
--How does the magic work? And why is there only one wizard(I suppose there could be others, but we really only hear about one...that I recall)? Gods? I want to hear more about them.
--Who are the bad guys? And is it really? Who's pulling the strings, here, anyway?
The upshot to these questions is that Moore's focus really is more on his story than on the intricacies of the world he's creating. Yes, the world is there, but he's not going to let a great story get bogged down in the details of how it looks, theology, or mysticism...though I do think it'd be fantastic to add more in this regards.
But I better stop there to avoid spoilers. The story doesn't hurt because of the unanswered questions because I suspect that Moore is intending to resolve them in later novels. However, it can occasionally be difficult to stretch too many unanswered questions along between novels in a series without resolution.
Through it all, though, Moore keeps the story moving, and each page and chapter presents his many characters with problems to overcome and situations to solve. As I mention (and reiterate loudly), the book comes to an end all too fast, leaving me eager to read more. And indeed, I'm eager to read the sequel (which Moore has personally promised he's writing).
Seven Forges is an excellent, enjoyable, and thoroughly entertaining fantasy debut into a new world of swords and sorcery, complete with romance, intrigue, and danger. Pre-order it from Amazon or march over to your favorite brick-and-mortar, but don't miss it on September 24, 2013 when it hits shelves. It's a ride you won't want to end.
To think that I almost didn't finish reading the first page of Seven Forges, James A. Moore's first foray into the fantasy genre. It was one of just several books next on my To Be Read list, several of which were sent from various publishers and authors looking for a review. I had that feeling you get after finishing a really good book (the very excellent The Sum of All Men by David Farland) where your mind is still half in the novel and struggling to come back to reality and nothing sounds quite as good as what you just finished...
But I did. And then I flipped to the second page, then the third, and then I was flipping faster and faster....
Yeah. So diving into Moore's Seven Forges world was a bit rough as I perused that first page, but reading beyond was a ride worth the taking. Within mere paragraphs, Captain Merros Dulver has faced death not once, but twice, it was clear to me that I wouldn't be able to stop reading anytime soon.
Then, as I turned to the last page, I couldn't help but wonder: "WHAT?! That's it?"
In other words: cliffhanger alert. I immediately took to the proverbial road (really, the internet and social media) to hunt down Moore and his publisher. "Before I write a review," I told them, "Promise me that there's another book in the series. Or at least in the Seven Forges world."
Because I guarantee, there's no way I'm giving any amount of happiness to a book that sucks me in, wraps me up, and then leaves me hanging. (And yes, Moore promised me when I tracked him down. There will be more books in the series).
Opening on a caravan of explorers traveling across the "Blasted Lands" that border the Fellein Empire, Seven Forges tells of Dulver and his discovery of the peoples that live beyond the "Seven Forges," a series of what sounds like seven volcanos. They are a martial people, each a rippling pillar of strength, armor, weapons, and ability. Trained from birth to be self-sufficient, each is a killer, and each is ever ready to take the law into his, or her, own hands (come to think of it, it's kind of like a libertarian's dream come true). Directed by their seven harsh gods, they have been awaiting Dulver, and escort him to their land and follow him home when he returns.
It is a meeting that will change the Fellein Empire forever.
Alive and vibrant the Seven Forges world and characters are, the novel feels more like a prologue or opening act than a full novel. It's never quite clear what the overarching problem or conflict is, and indeed, it doesn't become clear until the end of the book what it is I have been watching and expecting. As the summary on the back of the book opens, "War is coming," and the entire novel seems to creep the people of Fellein closer to that war with the peoples of the Seven Forges. However, as that war arrived, I wasn't entirely sure which side of the war I would want to support. While it was clear that Dulver is our "everyman" hero from page one, and he maintains a sympathetic place throughout the tale. But the people that surround him are less clear. Sometimes this seems intentionally so, but other times it seem a result of the paucity of the book. It's just not that long, but packs so many characters and personalities in that there just isn't enough pages to explore whether someone is good, bad, grey or a victim of his culture.
It also left me with a ton of questions, not just about things like "what happens next," but others about textual clues and hints that aren't answered in the story.
Such as:
--Why the veils? Everyone wants to know about them, but it's never made clear what they are for.
--How does the magic work? And why is there only one wizard(I suppose there could be others, but we really only hear about one...that I recall)? Gods? I want to hear more about them.
--Who are the bad guys? And is it really? Who's pulling the strings, here, anyway?
The upshot to these questions is that Moore's focus really is more on his story than on the intricacies of the world he's creating. Yes, the world is there, but he's not going to let a great story get bogged down in the details of how it looks, theology, or mysticism...though I do think it'd be fantastic to add more in this regards.
But I better stop there to avoid spoilers. The story doesn't hurt because of the unanswered questions because I suspect that Moore is intending to resolve them in later novels. However, it can occasionally be difficult to stretch too many unanswered questions along between novels in a series without resolution.
Through it all, though, Moore keeps the story moving, and each page and chapter presents his many characters with problems to overcome and situations to solve. As I mention (and reiterate loudly), the book comes to an end all too fast, leaving me eager to read more. And indeed, I'm eager to read the sequel (which Moore has personally promised he's writing).
Seven Forges is an excellent, enjoyable, and thoroughly entertaining fantasy debut into a new world of swords and sorcery, complete with romance, intrigue, and danger. Pre-order it from Amazon or march over to your favorite brick-and-mortar, but don't miss it on September 24, 2013 when it hits shelves. It's a ride you won't want to end.
September 3, 2013
“A miracle these hands, yes, but many were the people who had said that to look upon the blessings of the gods was to know their flaws and their pettiness.”
Many times, expectations are the worst deceivers. With this book, we have an author who’s been nominated for many prestigious awards, published by an amazing company that always manages to spring up great debuts, Angry Robot. Slap on a hooded man with ice in the background, and you have the makings to a highly anticipated book.
Thing is, none of those show up in here. Barely any ice, if I may add.
Merros is one of a half dozen POVs, sent up to map out the destroyed Blasted Lands. (He doesn’t even take a cartographer with him!) There, he is ambushed by these weird bear things that aren’t described. Just when death seems imminent, a shadowy individual comes to save them. Thus we get the man on the cover, Drusk. They follow the barbaric fighter to his homeland. But see, the gods have been waiting for Merros for quite some time.
Yeah, that’s about as much as you get out of that particular mystery, save the usual jarring prophecy.
One of my biggest pet peeves was with the beginning. We start with action. Yes, I hate the majority of novels that throw you straight into the action. Why should I care if so and so gets hurt? Why should I care what’s happening? Most of the time the start is jarring. Action is even harder to get correct. So why throw it right at us from the get go?
Point being that Moore’s action scenes weren’t clear. At all. Violence is pretty sparse, as you probably wouldn’t expect giving that these “savages” are the people of war. When there was, though, it drug on for too long and was muddy. It didn’t work.
But who cares about that? Who gives a damn? Well, you should at least take note on all the damn repetition. And I’m not putting that lightly. The first twenty percent is littered with the adjective “damned.” It drove me crazy. Who edited this? Really. Furthermore, that’s the only profanity in the entire book. We may have p*ss once, but that’s it. The tone is trying to be dark, but failing miserably.
One of the main causes of this was lack of world-building. I’ve read where some people claim that a slew of descriptions went into this novel creating a brilliant world in just over 300 pages. I don’t know what book they were reading but this surely wasn't it.
The story is bare bones. You get a few conversations here and there about the gray skinned folk, but that’s about it. Granted, they were interesting. But I knew nothing about the Empire. Hell, I knew more about the island folk who get a single chapter than where the crux of the novel takes place.
If you like a book without fluff, this is it.
“The heads and faces of the beasts were large, but nearly tiny in comparison to the rest of them. The savage jaws of the things belonged to an animal the size of a bear, but the bodies? They didn’t make bears that big.”
That’s about as much description as we get.
You would then think that the world-building would be in dialogue. Somewhat correct. But I had a problem with the dialogue. It felt like the author speaking, not the characters. This only lent itself to the rigid words of the Sa’ba Taalor, the gray folk, because they don’t know the language very well.
Sarcasm tried to work, but didn’t. Simple as that.
This story was quick with no fat, barely any meat, moving along in no time at all. But I think the worst part of it was the flippant attitude. And the lust. Can’t forget that.
Moore tries to hone faith into the reader. Not morality, but in him as a storyteller. Coinicidences are the name of the game. Nearly every character gets by with either dumb luck or stupidity on the other side’s part.
When Merros came to spy on the assault and was found, I wanted the operation to crumble because of his ignorance. When the noble insulted the new race, I wanted him to die on the spot and send the two nations into war. When the bears attacked Merros, I wanted him to die in the first few pages.
Now that would be unexpected.
Some readers wail on the fact that Moore throws a tremendous twist at the end. And truth be told, I saw most of it coming. If I didn’t hammer home the explanation beforehand in my mind, it was told by another pet peeve: Magic.
Have something impossible happen? Magic!
Yes, it’s that ridiculous. There are no rules, save that magic requires a price. Literally no rules. Moore’s trying to create a weird and mysterious sense around the usage of magic, but instead he creates dues ex machine to suit his plot. Doing this in the first ten percent of the novel is okay. Doing this as a major plot twist, where there was no foreshadowing leading up to it, is not.
On that note, the climax was killed because of a single ending line. Again, he tries to create tension. But twists are supposed to come out of nowhere, not be told. I appreciate that he says the death was not unexpected, but that doesn’t fix the mistake he had already made in telling the reader what’s going to happen chapters later. Seriously. He tells you word for word what’s about to happen. No soothsaying mystery, just a narrative mistake.
I feel Moore was trying to create a strong build up, but made a prequel of sorts that can’t stand on its own. The cover gives it away. War is coming. Coming, but not here.
And if I had to label the worst thing out of my three major gripes, it would be the lust. Mentioned. Every. Damn. Chapter.
No, I take that back. It was every damn POV switch.
I nearly put the book down when the third woman was described in ornate detail, and I didn’t even have a clue as to the hair color of Merros.
This felt like it was written by a 15 year-old pervert who doesn’t know what sexism is. There’s the thinking that men can’t go 90 seconds without thinking about sex. This kind of writing helps accentuate the idea.
I don’t normally call out sexism when every other reader does because I can tolerate it when it’s the character’s thoughts. But when every male character ogles every female character, it grows annoying. Fast.
The only redeeming quality to this book was Andover. He was the most original character in the story. He grew from a lowly blacksmith apprentice to a warrior. His character grew. His plot was the most interesting, receiving steel hands for crying out loud, even if they threw away the “gift box” without a care in the world.
And I believe that’s what this book truly is. Moore is trying to create an interesting post-apocalyptic story, but he throws it down the drain for plot and convenience.
(I find this review's ideas to be muddled and not coherent to what I think. Simply put: It's a quick read, but oh so annoying. Anger has disturbed my rattling thoughts that fly like bees, flitting everywhere and not finding a place to land at once. So...apologies if this came across as incoherent and terse.)
“Sometimes the gods are kind to fools.”
*I was given this ARC for my honest review.*
Many times, expectations are the worst deceivers. With this book, we have an author who’s been nominated for many prestigious awards, published by an amazing company that always manages to spring up great debuts, Angry Robot. Slap on a hooded man with ice in the background, and you have the makings to a highly anticipated book.
Thing is, none of those show up in here. Barely any ice, if I may add.
Merros is one of a half dozen POVs, sent up to map out the destroyed Blasted Lands. (He doesn’t even take a cartographer with him!) There, he is ambushed by these weird bear things that aren’t described. Just when death seems imminent, a shadowy individual comes to save them. Thus we get the man on the cover, Drusk. They follow the barbaric fighter to his homeland. But see, the gods have been waiting for Merros for quite some time.
Yeah, that’s about as much as you get out of that particular mystery, save the usual jarring prophecy.
One of my biggest pet peeves was with the beginning. We start with action. Yes, I hate the majority of novels that throw you straight into the action. Why should I care if so and so gets hurt? Why should I care what’s happening? Most of the time the start is jarring. Action is even harder to get correct. So why throw it right at us from the get go?
Point being that Moore’s action scenes weren’t clear. At all. Violence is pretty sparse, as you probably wouldn’t expect giving that these “savages” are the people of war. When there was, though, it drug on for too long and was muddy. It didn’t work.
But who cares about that? Who gives a damn? Well, you should at least take note on all the damn repetition. And I’m not putting that lightly. The first twenty percent is littered with the adjective “damned.” It drove me crazy. Who edited this? Really. Furthermore, that’s the only profanity in the entire book. We may have p*ss once, but that’s it. The tone is trying to be dark, but failing miserably.
One of the main causes of this was lack of world-building. I’ve read where some people claim that a slew of descriptions went into this novel creating a brilliant world in just over 300 pages. I don’t know what book they were reading but this surely wasn't it.
The story is bare bones. You get a few conversations here and there about the gray skinned folk, but that’s about it. Granted, they were interesting. But I knew nothing about the Empire. Hell, I knew more about the island folk who get a single chapter than where the crux of the novel takes place.
If you like a book without fluff, this is it.
“The heads and faces of the beasts were large, but nearly tiny in comparison to the rest of them. The savage jaws of the things belonged to an animal the size of a bear, but the bodies? They didn’t make bears that big.”
That’s about as much description as we get.
You would then think that the world-building would be in dialogue. Somewhat correct. But I had a problem with the dialogue. It felt like the author speaking, not the characters. This only lent itself to the rigid words of the Sa’ba Taalor, the gray folk, because they don’t know the language very well.
Sarcasm tried to work, but didn’t. Simple as that.
This story was quick with no fat, barely any meat, moving along in no time at all. But I think the worst part of it was the flippant attitude. And the lust. Can’t forget that.
Moore tries to hone faith into the reader. Not morality, but in him as a storyteller. Coinicidences are the name of the game. Nearly every character gets by with either dumb luck or stupidity on the other side’s part.
When Merros came to spy on the assault and was found, I wanted the operation to crumble because of his ignorance. When the noble insulted the new race, I wanted him to die on the spot and send the two nations into war. When the bears attacked Merros, I wanted him to die in the first few pages.
Now that would be unexpected.
Some readers wail on the fact that Moore throws a tremendous twist at the end. And truth be told, I saw most of it coming. If I didn’t hammer home the explanation beforehand in my mind, it was told by another pet peeve: Magic.
Have something impossible happen? Magic!
Yes, it’s that ridiculous. There are no rules, save that magic requires a price. Literally no rules. Moore’s trying to create a weird and mysterious sense around the usage of magic, but instead he creates dues ex machine to suit his plot. Doing this in the first ten percent of the novel is okay. Doing this as a major plot twist, where there was no foreshadowing leading up to it, is not.
On that note, the climax was killed because of a single ending line. Again, he tries to create tension. But twists are supposed to come out of nowhere, not be told. I appreciate that he says the death was not unexpected, but that doesn’t fix the mistake he had already made in telling the reader what’s going to happen chapters later. Seriously. He tells you word for word what’s about to happen. No soothsaying mystery, just a narrative mistake.
I feel Moore was trying to create a strong build up, but made a prequel of sorts that can’t stand on its own. The cover gives it away. War is coming. Coming, but not here.
And if I had to label the worst thing out of my three major gripes, it would be the lust. Mentioned. Every. Damn. Chapter.
No, I take that back. It was every damn POV switch.
I nearly put the book down when the third woman was described in ornate detail, and I didn’t even have a clue as to the hair color of Merros.
This felt like it was written by a 15 year-old pervert who doesn’t know what sexism is. There’s the thinking that men can’t go 90 seconds without thinking about sex. This kind of writing helps accentuate the idea.
I don’t normally call out sexism when every other reader does because I can tolerate it when it’s the character’s thoughts. But when every male character ogles every female character, it grows annoying. Fast.
The only redeeming quality to this book was Andover. He was the most original character in the story. He grew from a lowly blacksmith apprentice to a warrior. His character grew. His plot was the most interesting, receiving steel hands for crying out loud, even if they threw away the “gift box” without a care in the world.
And I believe that’s what this book truly is. Moore is trying to create an interesting post-apocalyptic story, but he throws it down the drain for plot and convenience.
(I find this review's ideas to be muddled and not coherent to what I think. Simply put: It's a quick read, but oh so annoying. Anger has disturbed my rattling thoughts that fly like bees, flitting everywhere and not finding a place to land at once. So...apologies if this came across as incoherent and terse.)
“Sometimes the gods are kind to fools.”
*I was given this ARC for my honest review.*
July 13, 2015
This one only has so-so reviews and I can't figure out why. I liked it so much. The world is compelling, the characters are multi-demensional, the magic is interesting and the political intrigue is building.
I think the author has a wonderful sense of humor and a talent for giving the reader insight into relationships between people. Particularly interesting and fun for me were the exchanges between Desh and the emperor. You got the feeling that these were two men that knew each other very well and could anticipate each other's thoughts.
I also loved the bouncing back and forth between points of view of the characters. I didn't find it confusing at all and I looked forward to it each chapter. I got just enough from each point of view to keep me on the hook.
On the whole, well done and I look forward to The Blasted Lands.
I think the author has a wonderful sense of humor and a talent for giving the reader insight into relationships between people. Particularly interesting and fun for me were the exchanges between Desh and the emperor. You got the feeling that these were two men that knew each other very well and could anticipate each other's thoughts.
I also loved the bouncing back and forth between points of view of the characters. I didn't find it confusing at all and I looked forward to it each chapter. I got just enough from each point of view to keep me on the hook.
On the whole, well done and I look forward to The Blasted Lands.
July 27, 2013
Fantasy Review Barn
Hmm. Promising for sure. Some potential and may prove to be an entertaining series. One large Empire that holds power over most of the known world meets unknown peoples from a land suspected to be inhabitable due to an unknown cataclysm in years past. Even more surprising is the new people claim their gods told them where to meet the party that was trying to explore their homeland. From there the book acts as a set up book for the series to come; the two groups visit each other’s homes and feel each other out with the reader knowing something is going on in the background, but not what.
The book was a bit too heavy on convenience for me, perhaps the result of its short length, but a whole lot happened without real explanation. Some guards go way too far and seriously hurt a secondary character. Why? Not sure, but his injury was needed for a future plot line so it happened. And the unexplored waste land was a bit too close to the empire for it to be so damn unknown. And really? The mage’s three beautiful assistants are a redhead, blonde, and a brunette?
Some good interactions between the two cultures though. The barbarian type working hard to stick to their warlike principles, but still trying to stay diplomatic. The all-powerful empire realizing they are facing a possible threat and actually taking it serious rather than bumbling around in arrogance. It may not be groundbreaking but it was better played than some. I also enjoyed the use of seven mountains as gods that may be more real than some characters know.
Definitely a first book, nothing is really resolved and everything actually escalates in the end. Entertaining enough in its way, but it wasn’t really all the memorable. In fact, writing the review two days after finishing it apathy has already kicked in. But it was certainly good enough that I will pick up the second in the series when it comes.
3 stars.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Hmm. Promising for sure. Some potential and may prove to be an entertaining series. One large Empire that holds power over most of the known world meets unknown peoples from a land suspected to be inhabitable due to an unknown cataclysm in years past. Even more surprising is the new people claim their gods told them where to meet the party that was trying to explore their homeland. From there the book acts as a set up book for the series to come; the two groups visit each other’s homes and feel each other out with the reader knowing something is going on in the background, but not what.
The book was a bit too heavy on convenience for me, perhaps the result of its short length, but a whole lot happened without real explanation. Some guards go way too far and seriously hurt a secondary character. Why? Not sure, but his injury was needed for a future plot line so it happened. And the unexplored waste land was a bit too close to the empire for it to be so damn unknown. And really? The mage’s three beautiful assistants are a redhead, blonde, and a brunette?
Some good interactions between the two cultures though. The barbarian type working hard to stick to their warlike principles, but still trying to stay diplomatic. The all-powerful empire realizing they are facing a possible threat and actually taking it serious rather than bumbling around in arrogance. It may not be groundbreaking but it was better played than some. I also enjoyed the use of seven mountains as gods that may be more real than some characters know.
Definitely a first book, nothing is really resolved and everything actually escalates in the end. Entertaining enough in its way, but it wasn’t really all the memorable. In fact, writing the review two days after finishing it apathy has already kicked in. But it was certainly good enough that I will pick up the second in the series when it comes.
3 stars.
Review copy provided by publisher.
May 14, 2018
Digging once more into my impressive Angry Robot subscription backlog, I come upon this frustrating gem of a fantasy novel. Seven Forges has many of the hallmarks I like about epic fantasy: political conniving, a cool setting, and varied characters who speak honestly and make mistakes. James A. Moore’s writing is, for the most part, clever and even fun. However, I have some reservations about the portrayal of women and the male gaze—read on to find out.
The title of this book comes from a series of volcanoes far to the north of the principal empire, Fellein, where most of the story takes place. The Seven Forges are separated from Fellein by the Blasted Lands, nearly uninhabited wilderness created by a cataclysm centuries ago that fell one empire and lay the seeds for Fellein and other civilizations to rise. Captain Merros Dulver (retired), employed by a sorcerer on behalf of the empire, successfully makes it through the Blasted Lands, only to find that there are people happily living in valleys near the volcanoes. After making first contact and escorting delegates of this people back to the heart of the empire, Merros finds himself in a position of some prominence. The usual political intrigue and shenanigans occur, assassinations happen, yada yada, and soon we’re on the brink of war! Also there are magical silver hands and lots of talk of gods and duty.
It felt like this book took forever to get to the good bits! (By which I mean the stabbing, assassinationy-type twists and intrigue.) It’s not that I disliked the early parts of this book or that they were in any way bad; they absolutely weren’t. There was just too much of it. I was impatient and kept wondering when the real story would start, and then of course Moore does the old “ending the first book of the series on a cliffhanger so you have to read the next one” trick. So, upfront warning: this book ends on a cliffhanger. It reminds me a lot of Acacia: The War with the Mein , both in terms of plot but also its overwrought structure.
Fortunately, there is plenty of good stuff that kept me interested. I really like the way in which Moore distinguishes the Sa'ba Taalor from the people of Fellein. He clearly put thought and effort into developing a unique culture; it is a gross oversimplification to write the Sa'ba Taalor off simply as a “warrior people”. That might be the archetype from which Moore started, but there’s a more intricate culture going on in the background here. Not everything gets revealed or explained (as it should be). The interactions between Merros and the various members of the Sa'ba Taalor were probably my favourite parts.
The characterization in general was pretty good too. Although Moore seems to lean towards sarcasm and dry humour with several of the principal characters, they are still rather varied in their personalities. However, there was one glaring area in which the characterization is lacking: the portrayal of, and attitudes towards, female characters.
The first time it happened, it was with the soldier characters. So, I dismissed it as a ham-fisted way of portraying these dudes as a little uncouth. Then it happened again. And again. It kept happening, to the point where you’ve got this centuries-old sorcerer practically undressing women and rating their attractiveness, and I’m just like … uh, no thanks. Like, when one or two characters do this, you can have a pass (sometimes) because, yeah, some characters are sexist dipshits. When pretty much every male character does this to pretty much every woman he meets, this is called a massive intrusion of the male gaze on my book, and I’m not here for it.
I feel like I should also point out, for the sake of completeness and content warnings, that it’s implied the male emperor is interested in guys (either in lieu of or in addition to women, it isn’t really specified), but it is also implied that this is considered deviant.
I was almost ready to just mention this in passing in my review but otherwise give this book three stars. Then we got to a point where one character looks at his male friend for a moment and can tell the dude has just had (apparently really good) sex … and I’m just like … nope? I mean, honestly, maybe this is a thing that happens between people or whatever, and I just can’t pick up on it. But the way it’s written and the way I read it was just kind of … gross.
Real talk, authors: when you write fantasy, you have the opportunity to create a society that doesn’t exist. That means you can create a society where queer characters are normal and #notallmen actually applies. This in no way is going to diminish the existential threat of the clash of two cultures like we’ve got here in Seven Forges. There is no justification these days for fantasy authors not taking the opportunity to portray different, more inclusive societies. You can portray oppression in other ways.
So, to sum up: Seven Forges is a good fantasy novel in the sense that it hits a lot of the best epic fantasy tropes in some interesting ways. The writing is a little uneven, and I really didn’t enjoy the heavy presence of the male gaze in the narration. The story was interesting enough that I will probably read book 2—we’ll see if I can stomach it. Your mileage will vary heavily here. I genuinely enjoyed this book, but I like to critique stuff, particularly if I enjoy it. How else are we going to make literature better?
The title of this book comes from a series of volcanoes far to the north of the principal empire, Fellein, where most of the story takes place. The Seven Forges are separated from Fellein by the Blasted Lands, nearly uninhabited wilderness created by a cataclysm centuries ago that fell one empire and lay the seeds for Fellein and other civilizations to rise. Captain Merros Dulver (retired), employed by a sorcerer on behalf of the empire, successfully makes it through the Blasted Lands, only to find that there are people happily living in valleys near the volcanoes. After making first contact and escorting delegates of this people back to the heart of the empire, Merros finds himself in a position of some prominence. The usual political intrigue and shenanigans occur, assassinations happen, yada yada, and soon we’re on the brink of war! Also there are magical silver hands and lots of talk of gods and duty.
It felt like this book took forever to get to the good bits! (By which I mean the stabbing, assassinationy-type twists and intrigue.) It’s not that I disliked the early parts of this book or that they were in any way bad; they absolutely weren’t. There was just too much of it. I was impatient and kept wondering when the real story would start, and then of course Moore does the old “ending the first book of the series on a cliffhanger so you have to read the next one” trick. So, upfront warning: this book ends on a cliffhanger. It reminds me a lot of Acacia: The War with the Mein , both in terms of plot but also its overwrought structure.
Fortunately, there is plenty of good stuff that kept me interested. I really like the way in which Moore distinguishes the Sa'ba Taalor from the people of Fellein. He clearly put thought and effort into developing a unique culture; it is a gross oversimplification to write the Sa'ba Taalor off simply as a “warrior people”. That might be the archetype from which Moore started, but there’s a more intricate culture going on in the background here. Not everything gets revealed or explained (as it should be). The interactions between Merros and the various members of the Sa'ba Taalor were probably my favourite parts.
The characterization in general was pretty good too. Although Moore seems to lean towards sarcasm and dry humour with several of the principal characters, they are still rather varied in their personalities. However, there was one glaring area in which the characterization is lacking: the portrayal of, and attitudes towards, female characters.
The first time it happened, it was with the soldier characters. So, I dismissed it as a ham-fisted way of portraying these dudes as a little uncouth. Then it happened again. And again. It kept happening, to the point where you’ve got this centuries-old sorcerer practically undressing women and rating their attractiveness, and I’m just like … uh, no thanks. Like, when one or two characters do this, you can have a pass (sometimes) because, yeah, some characters are sexist dipshits. When pretty much every male character does this to pretty much every woman he meets, this is called a massive intrusion of the male gaze on my book, and I’m not here for it.
I feel like I should also point out, for the sake of completeness and content warnings, that it’s implied the male emperor is interested in guys (either in lieu of or in addition to women, it isn’t really specified), but it is also implied that this is considered deviant.
I was almost ready to just mention this in passing in my review but otherwise give this book three stars. Then we got to a point where one character looks at his male friend for a moment and can tell the dude has just had (apparently really good) sex … and I’m just like … nope? I mean, honestly, maybe this is a thing that happens between people or whatever, and I just can’t pick up on it. But the way it’s written and the way I read it was just kind of … gross.
Real talk, authors: when you write fantasy, you have the opportunity to create a society that doesn’t exist. That means you can create a society where queer characters are normal and #notallmen actually applies. This in no way is going to diminish the existential threat of the clash of two cultures like we’ve got here in Seven Forges. There is no justification these days for fantasy authors not taking the opportunity to portray different, more inclusive societies. You can portray oppression in other ways.
So, to sum up: Seven Forges is a good fantasy novel in the sense that it hits a lot of the best epic fantasy tropes in some interesting ways. The writing is a little uneven, and I really didn’t enjoy the heavy presence of the male gaze in the narration. The story was interesting enough that I will probably read book 2—we’ll see if I can stomach it. Your mileage will vary heavily here. I genuinely enjoyed this book, but I like to critique stuff, particularly if I enjoy it. How else are we going to make literature better?
August 1, 2019
IMPORTANT - 1 August 2019: The author, James A Moore, is being treated for cancer. His publisher Angry Robot Books has announced that 100% of profits for James’s ebooks in August 2019 will go to helping pay for his treatment.
Please consider joining me in purchasing, reading and reviewing James’ books to support him.
Additionally, a GoFundMe has been setup to help pay for James' treatment and associated costs.
Review:
Seven Forges has all the hallmarks of a fantasy epic, but what makes it inherently different is the plot pieces that straddle the ‘science fiction’ of SFF. From the post-apocalyptic setting, to the ‘alien’ (IMHO this is the vibe I picked up on) Sa’ba Taalor, Seven Forges pushed the boundaries from unnatural to otherworldly, which I found wonderfully refreshing.
And it’s the worldbuilding and mythology that really shine in the story. Against the suitably ‘epic’ scale are a number of POV characters (over ten – it’s been a while since I read this, so please forgive me) but not all of these deliver as strongly as their peers. I would add that the male characters are typically ‘male’ with added ‘male gaze’ and while the female characters are strong in their own rights, it’s this male gaze that detracts from their own strong characterisation.
Whilst I struggled with the pacing at the start, once this got going, it was more than interesting enough to keep me going. On the note of ‘interesting’ something I look for in books (especially those in a series) is the ‘x factor’ that turns a book from ‘grabbing my interesting’ to ‘me becoming invested in it’. I was missing this ‘wow’ until the final chapters, but that ending, and twist, well, consider me sold.
Admittedly, this isn’t going to be one of my favourite books, but it’s certainly one that I will remember for its alien-esque approach to fantasy, beyond the usual ‘elves and dwarves’. And I am certainly on board for what the rest of the series brings.
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Review:
Seven Forges has all the hallmarks of a fantasy epic, but what makes it inherently different is the plot pieces that straddle the ‘science fiction’ of SFF. From the post-apocalyptic setting, to the ‘alien’ (IMHO this is the vibe I picked up on) Sa’ba Taalor, Seven Forges pushed the boundaries from unnatural to otherworldly, which I found wonderfully refreshing.
And it’s the worldbuilding and mythology that really shine in the story. Against the suitably ‘epic’ scale are a number of POV characters (over ten – it’s been a while since I read this, so please forgive me) but not all of these deliver as strongly as their peers. I would add that the male characters are typically ‘male’ with added ‘male gaze’ and while the female characters are strong in their own rights, it’s this male gaze that detracts from their own strong characterisation.
Whilst I struggled with the pacing at the start, once this got going, it was more than interesting enough to keep me going. On the note of ‘interesting’ something I look for in books (especially those in a series) is the ‘x factor’ that turns a book from ‘grabbing my interesting’ to ‘me becoming invested in it’. I was missing this ‘wow’ until the final chapters, but that ending, and twist, well, consider me sold.
Admittedly, this isn’t going to be one of my favourite books, but it’s certainly one that I will remember for its alien-esque approach to fantasy, beyond the usual ‘elves and dwarves’. And I am certainly on board for what the rest of the series brings.
August 13, 2025
Through harsh climate and forbidding terrain. A culture once thought myth. These are warrior lands. Where strength and fierceness are prized.
Violence awaits.
Had a pretty good time with this one. Loved the expedition through these mountains and the exploration of a new culture. Pretty good hook at the end too. Definitely reading book 2.
Violence awaits.
Had a pretty good time with this one. Loved the expedition through these mountains and the exploration of a new culture. Pretty good hook at the end too. Definitely reading book 2.
August 7, 2013
Seven Forges is probably 4.5 stars, but on the positive side of 4.5, hence the 5 stars overall.
This is a first contact story, kind of like first contact between the humans and the klingons in Star Trek, but in an epic fantasy setting. An empire of politic driven humans have finally had one of their expeditions reach the Seven Forges, a land that was decimated by the Gods and has been unexplored for more than a thousand years. What the expedition finds is a race of warriors, the Sa'ba Taalor, forged by the unforgiving land into highly competent and almost unstoppable beings. The two races begin the process towards becoming friends, but something is always simmering in the background, and it feels like just the slightest misstep will result in an all out war.
This is a plot driven story, with action and tension escalating and escalating until the rubber band snaps close to the end. This was very exciting to read, and it sets the scene for the rest of the series, but it didn't really leave me with a strong sense of fulfilment.
I haven't read a lot of epic fantasy lately, but the world building really shone through in this novel. The characters too I found to be very well crafted, though it was hard to empathize with many of the characters except for Andover and maybe Merros.
There was a lot of viewpoint shifting between characters, which was not particularly easy to follow early on, and a chapter structure that was pretty much useless. The narration also had a habit of using the last sentence of a viewpoint or chapter to provide a glimpse of the future that would invalidate whatever just happened ie. That character really liked the smell of the soup being prepared. Too bad he would be dead before he got to taste it.
Small gripes though. I got sucked in to this story and finished it in a couple of days. One of the better epic fantasies I've read in the last couple of years.
This is a first contact story, kind of like first contact between the humans and the klingons in Star Trek, but in an epic fantasy setting. An empire of politic driven humans have finally had one of their expeditions reach the Seven Forges, a land that was decimated by the Gods and has been unexplored for more than a thousand years. What the expedition finds is a race of warriors, the Sa'ba Taalor, forged by the unforgiving land into highly competent and almost unstoppable beings. The two races begin the process towards becoming friends, but something is always simmering in the background, and it feels like just the slightest misstep will result in an all out war.
This is a plot driven story, with action and tension escalating and escalating until the rubber band snaps close to the end. This was very exciting to read, and it sets the scene for the rest of the series, but it didn't really leave me with a strong sense of fulfilment.
I haven't read a lot of epic fantasy lately, but the world building really shone through in this novel. The characters too I found to be very well crafted, though it was hard to empathize with many of the characters except for Andover and maybe Merros.
There was a lot of viewpoint shifting between characters, which was not particularly easy to follow early on, and a chapter structure that was pretty much useless. The narration also had a habit of using the last sentence of a viewpoint or chapter to provide a glimpse of the future that would invalidate whatever just happened ie. That character really liked the smell of the soup being prepared. Too bad he would be dead before he got to taste it.
Small gripes though. I got sucked in to this story and finished it in a couple of days. One of the better epic fantasies I've read in the last couple of years.
September 3, 2013
What does a writer do once he has conquered the horror genre? Why, he turns to fantasy, of course. While that might not sound like an easy transition to make, author James A. Moore seems to pull it off with ease. His upcoming release, SEVEN FORGES, is a far cry from the terror-filled worlds he has created prior, but it is no less entertaining. Filled with memorable characters, gritty action, and an interesting plot, this book delivers on all levels.
The first thing you should note about this book is the cover art. I love it. You can feel the intensity of the story just from looking at the cover. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one is worth ten thousand. It’s simply epic.
But with SEVEN FORGES, the story is just as epic as the cover art. I am not going to go into specifics because I don’t want to give any aspects of the storyline away, but let’s just say this is fantasy on the scale of Terry Brooks or Brandon Sanderson. It is that good.
The writing flows smoothly and is not bogged down with excessive description, although I will admit that a bit more would not have hurt any. The story progresses at a nice clip, and I never once felt like the plot was stuck. The book starts off with a bang, pretty much from page one, and continues on through the climax.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, you’ll definitely want to check out SEVEN FORGES. It is a solid, well-written addition to the genre, and I’m looking forward to see what Moore does next. This book hits store shelves in a few weeks, so make a note to check it out.
The first thing you should note about this book is the cover art. I love it. You can feel the intensity of the story just from looking at the cover. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one is worth ten thousand. It’s simply epic.
But with SEVEN FORGES, the story is just as epic as the cover art. I am not going to go into specifics because I don’t want to give any aspects of the storyline away, but let’s just say this is fantasy on the scale of Terry Brooks or Brandon Sanderson. It is that good.
The writing flows smoothly and is not bogged down with excessive description, although I will admit that a bit more would not have hurt any. The story progresses at a nice clip, and I never once felt like the plot was stuck. The book starts off with a bang, pretty much from page one, and continues on through the climax.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, you’ll definitely want to check out SEVEN FORGES. It is a solid, well-written addition to the genre, and I’m looking forward to see what Moore does next. This book hits store shelves in a few weeks, so make a note to check it out.
April 24, 2014
bad bad bad. atrocious writing with even worse editing, beyond grammatical, the repetition, the simpleton thoughts, and the obvious piecemealed sections (even as small as back to back paragraphs) are worse than shoving unsharpened pencils up ones nose and into ones brain.
only redeeming quality of the whole book is the mysterious and cool semi-human race of folks who may or not be all we see and read of them.
The most cohesive writing comes in the final half of the book, with the best of all at the close. but it truly is not worth the slog to reach.
only redeeming quality of the whole book is the mysterious and cool semi-human race of folks who may or not be all we see and read of them.
The most cohesive writing comes in the final half of the book, with the best of all at the close. but it truly is not worth the slog to reach.
February 15, 2017
Unique, fast-paced, and filled to the brim with glorious intrigue and action. I loved this book, and will definitely be picking up the rest of the series.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
August 4, 2015
Before I started Graduate school way back in the late ‘aughts I read a little book called Writ in Blood by James A. Moore. Set in the small town of Serenity Falls, Writ in Blood was a fantastic little book that marked the beginning of a trilogy detailing the horrific past and present of a small town long past its heyday. Sadly by the time I was done with graduate school the Serenity Falls series was out of print. Moore recently entered the fantasy scene with Seven Forges published by the fine folks over at Angry Robot. The novel opens with the mercenary caption Merros Dulver on an expedition into the dangerous Blasted Lands there to investigate the enigmatic Seven Forges; a range of strange mountains. Sent by the Emperor’s Sorcerous advisor, Desh Krohan, Merros is startled to discover that the Blasted Lands and the Seven Forges themselves are not as uninhabited as previously thought.
Billed by some as epic fantasy there is something very old school swords and sorcery about Seven Forges. Moore seems to be working with a milieu less reminiscent of J R. R. Tolkien, George R. R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan but rather feels like something closer to the works of Robert Howard, C. L. Moore, Michael Moorcock and Frtiz Lieber. Maybe it’s for this reason, and I might be completely off base here, that I suspect that Seven Forges is in truth a novel of science fantasy. The Blasted Lands, created by some great cataclysm; a ruined city full of strange beasts; the Seven Forges themselves and some details about the S’aba Taalor learned over the course of the novel lead me to believe that we are dealing with a setting that is taking place somewhere in the far future.
The early parts of Seven Forges deal with Merros’ expedition and the discovery of the S’aba Taalor. From there, as the expedition is introduced to the people who live in and beyond the Blasted Lands, the novel deals with the repercussions of that discovery. The empire of Fellein begins to treat with this strange new people whose odd culture seems primarily founded a zealous dedication to survival and the martial arts filtered through a religion lead by the gods represented by the Seven Forges themselves. There is a constant sense that the people of the Fellein Empire are off balance and that hidden currents and knowledge held by the S’aba Taalor are driving events forward. This sets up a nice undercurrent of tension leaving readers constantly wondering about the motivations of this strange people.
Seven Forges struggles somewhat with characterization. The novel sets up an immediate connection with Merros Dulver and Moore does a wonderful job in creating a complicated character whose sense of personal honor and duty contrasts with his desire for wealth and notoriety. Other characterizations are less assured. Andover, a blacksmith’s apprentice who is drawn into events due to his crush on Desh Krohan’s apprentice, fills a more traditional fantasy role reminiscent of the farm boy hero and doesn’t move to far past that trope. Desh Krohan is another interesting case; an ancient sorcerer who has shepherded the Fellein Empire across generations is at times slightly comical as he plays upon his reputation for effect. However, Desh’s motivations are never quite clear. There a handful of the S’abor Taalor whose perspective readers are treated to however, Moore has to walk a fine line between illustrating their culture and keeping their motivations somewhat hidden. The result being that I never felt I understood what exactly the S’abor Taalor were trying to accomplish.
Seven Forges is a fast, entertaining read with a rich setting. Moore adeptly handles scenic descriptions, particular during the novel’s opening chapters, and shows a real knack for describing frenetic scenes of battle and violence. Moore is adept at conveying tone both through description and action; a skill that I’d like to attribute to his experience as a horror writer. The closing chapters of Seven Forges really ramp up the action but offer surprisingly little resolution of the many mysteries introduced over the course of the novel. While the ending isn’t exactly a cliffhanger it does leave me eager to start the next book in the series The Blasted Lands.
Billed by some as epic fantasy there is something very old school swords and sorcery about Seven Forges. Moore seems to be working with a milieu less reminiscent of J R. R. Tolkien, George R. R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan but rather feels like something closer to the works of Robert Howard, C. L. Moore, Michael Moorcock and Frtiz Lieber. Maybe it’s for this reason, and I might be completely off base here, that I suspect that Seven Forges is in truth a novel of science fantasy. The Blasted Lands, created by some great cataclysm; a ruined city full of strange beasts; the Seven Forges themselves and some details about the S’aba Taalor learned over the course of the novel lead me to believe that we are dealing with a setting that is taking place somewhere in the far future.
The early parts of Seven Forges deal with Merros’ expedition and the discovery of the S’aba Taalor. From there, as the expedition is introduced to the people who live in and beyond the Blasted Lands, the novel deals with the repercussions of that discovery. The empire of Fellein begins to treat with this strange new people whose odd culture seems primarily founded a zealous dedication to survival and the martial arts filtered through a religion lead by the gods represented by the Seven Forges themselves. There is a constant sense that the people of the Fellein Empire are off balance and that hidden currents and knowledge held by the S’aba Taalor are driving events forward. This sets up a nice undercurrent of tension leaving readers constantly wondering about the motivations of this strange people.
Seven Forges struggles somewhat with characterization. The novel sets up an immediate connection with Merros Dulver and Moore does a wonderful job in creating a complicated character whose sense of personal honor and duty contrasts with his desire for wealth and notoriety. Other characterizations are less assured. Andover, a blacksmith’s apprentice who is drawn into events due to his crush on Desh Krohan’s apprentice, fills a more traditional fantasy role reminiscent of the farm boy hero and doesn’t move to far past that trope. Desh Krohan is another interesting case; an ancient sorcerer who has shepherded the Fellein Empire across generations is at times slightly comical as he plays upon his reputation for effect. However, Desh’s motivations are never quite clear. There a handful of the S’abor Taalor whose perspective readers are treated to however, Moore has to walk a fine line between illustrating their culture and keeping their motivations somewhat hidden. The result being that I never felt I understood what exactly the S’abor Taalor were trying to accomplish.
Seven Forges is a fast, entertaining read with a rich setting. Moore adeptly handles scenic descriptions, particular during the novel’s opening chapters, and shows a real knack for describing frenetic scenes of battle and violence. Moore is adept at conveying tone both through description and action; a skill that I’d like to attribute to his experience as a horror writer. The closing chapters of Seven Forges really ramp up the action but offer surprisingly little resolution of the many mysteries introduced over the course of the novel. While the ending isn’t exactly a cliffhanger it does leave me eager to start the next book in the series The Blasted Lands.
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