The Grey Robe

The Sword and the Spell #1

by Clare Smith

Orphan of the state, starved, beaten and abused, Jonderill's life is one of pain and fear until he is rescued by Maladran, the king's black magician and torturer. His life changes, but when he produces forbidden fire in the palm of his hand, he is torn from his home to once again become another man's property. Saved from an old enemy by a mysterious woman and two ancient and inept magicians, Jonderill learns about love and duty and what it means to wear the grey robe. Set in a land where nothing is as it seems, rebels plot treason, treacherous kings ferment war and the sword and the spell vie for power.

Genres: Magic, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2013

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book so much more then I did...the story was good, the magic was ok. Even the characters are decent...The fighting was done well and the politics of the world intrigue me.

But usually when you have a main character who is beat up, battered, almost raped a few times - he will be forged into something great. He takes the pain of his past and uses it to make something of himself.

But all Jonderill ended up doing was moping - dear god. I wanted to like him, I wanted to see his powers grow and I want to see his journey conclude, but man oh man...he just doesn't learn.

I just started the second book - the White Robe - and in his first chapter he is already on my nerves...after everything he has gone through (I think he's around 20 now?) he is still stupid in the way of the world he lives in.

One part.. He arrives at a new town, guards stop him and ask him for a toll. "sure no problem! How much?" - Guard asks for a huge amount of money. "No problem sir!" - Guards see he has a whole pouch of gold and proceed to rob him and lock him in a jail. Man, its decisions like this that make me not want to continue reading. And then a few chapters later he goes through the same thing again.

You would think after all the betrayal and hurt this kid had gone through as a young child that he was be a little more distrustful of the world he lives in...but nope.

I am eagerly waiting for the Third Book - as I do want to see how his story ends...but I need to get through book 2 first. If it keeps going like this...Man.

I hope the third books out soon though, cause I don't know how long I can hold on and not forget to buy it.

EDIT: Finished the second book...God damnit! Now I need the third book! Ahhh cliffhangers!

[Jake Stubitsch · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't write reviews if i like a book i buy it that is all nor do i write reviews for bad book its my opinion other people should develop their own and the writer shouldn't suffer for mine....this book however i felt compelled to write a review to let people know not to read this series.

the first book i liked,i thought i would see some character development along the way between the first and third book but that didn't happen. infact this was some of the most depressing shit i have ever laid eyes on.... period! towards the end of book three i even had hope but no, the author felt it completely necessary to destroy any semblance of a quality ending this book might have had.

[Shanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is your typical fantasy important person coming of age, and deviates little from that standard. The story itself is pretty good, it's different from the run of the mill if a bit trite - I just can not get behind Big Bad Evil Sorcerer suddenly having a conscience and fatherly feelings for an orphan kid 5 minutes after he's magically eviscerated another kid.

Also, the editing for basic syntax and spelling will drive one mad.

[Moop · Rating 1 out of 5]

honestly don't start this series. by the second book you want to shoot the main character. 0 character growth. all threw book 1 keeps getting shit on and then at the end grows some balls and doesn't believe 100% of what everyone says. start of book 2 gives away all his stuff because he is told to. and not even under treat just because hes told a lie a 2 year old would not believe.