Winter Solstice

The Dark Servant #0

by A.C. Ellas

Rak, newly come to Okyro and the novitiate, isn’t finding life as a free man as easy as he’d thought it would be. On top of his struggles with his studies, he’s lonely. His dragon had abandoned the love of his life, the bard Tafflynn, during their escape from Zoth. When Rak discovers that his bard isn’t whom he thought, he feels betrayed. The bard had lied to him about who and what he was for years. Is their relationship over, or is their love strong enough to survive the honesty necessary to create a lasting partnership?

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance

60 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recent publication of book thirty-four of the ‘Dark Servant’ series drew my attention, being a fan of various types of fantasy, and the idea of “stepping in”, so to speak, at a point where a new cycle starts was attractive. But… as soon as I started reading and discovered how rich and detailed the world building is, being me and a total series-junky, I had to go back to the beginning. From my brief glimpse it became apparent that this is too solid a fantasy world, and I am too curious, not to get all the details by reading every single volume – especially since I can now look forward to a LOT of books I know I am highly likely to enjoy! This prequel is an excellent introduction to the world, the principal characters, and the back story of what promises to be an epic journey.

Rak is one of two men who will play a significant role in the events to come (based on my cursory read of some of the blurbs of future volumes). I learned a few things about him in this book: he used to be a pleasure slave, he is an accomplished erotic dancer, he is currently studying to become a dark servant, a priest of the Lord of the Night, and he is not finding academic learning to his liking. But he is determined, dedicated to those who are loyal to him – like the dragon shifter he is soul-bonded with – and he faces difficulties and obstacles head-on.

Tafflynn, or Tyll for short, is already a priest of the Lord of the Night, and a member of the Kephi sect – one that is dedicated to the collection of information. A spy, to use modern language. Tyll is also a talented bard, and he helped to free Rak from slavery, though there is a longer back story there that I am hoping to find out more about.

In fact, this entire prequel is not just an excellent introduction, it also gives just enough information to make me curious. I want to find out more about this world and its inhabitants, the politics and religions, and the characters I have already met. So, I’d say the prequel has accomplished its task as far as I am concerned. On toward book one!

[Ayanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's cool because unlike other installments, you learn more about the universe in this one, while getting glimpses of Rak's past. It was a good break for me, reading it between 14 and 15. Especially because according to the blurb, shit's going to get real in 15.

[Raquel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tenho imensa pena de que tenha sido um livro tão curto e que não ter encontrado mais livros sobre esta história, porque até tem pernas para andar. Era um dos livros que necessitava de ler o próximo para ver se a história pegava.

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