The Last Whistlewillow: An Epic Fantasy Adventure

by C.K. Rieke

Soren’s quest for revenge begins here.

Soren Smythe, scarred but unbroken, journeys with his resilient niece, Seph, through a fractured realm. The ruins of a once-vibrant land bear witness to the malevolence of King Amón, and as the echoes of tragedy linger, a sinister tapestry of revenge and redemption unfolds.

Regrouping with a motley crew of allies, Soren and Seph navigate the treacherous terrain of alliances forged in the fires of adversity. The enigmatic Silver Sparrows, their secrets veiled in mystery, become the linchpin in a battle against the tyrannical King Amon and his merciless Synths.

Mythical creatures emerge from the shadows, and the malevolent Demons of Dusk cast long shadows across the land. Epic magical battles ensue, pushing Soren and his crew to the limits of their powers. Amidst the chaos, the line blurs between hero and villain, justice, and vengeance.

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

C.K. Rieke, though he constantly dreams of oceans and mountains, was born and lives in Kansas. Art and storytelling were his passions, beginning with “Where the Wild Things Are” and Shel Silverstein. That grew into a love of comic books and fantasy novels. He always dreamed of creating his own worlds through the brush and keyboard.

Throughout his college years, Rieke ventured into the realm of indie comics, illustrating and co-plotting stories that hinted at the epic narratives to come. But it wasn’t until his early thirties, inspired by the works of fantasy luminaries, that he turned his hand to writing his own tales. The labor of love that was “The Road to Light,” painstakingly crafted over two years, marked his debut into the literary world under the guidance of a revered editor.

Within the pages of his novels, Rieke spins tales of daring adventure and intricate character arcs that ensnare the heart. Yet, be warned, dear reader, for his pen is not without its blade—occasionally, beloved characters meet their untimely demise, prompting fans to pen letters of both torment and anguish.

C.K. Rieke is pronounced C.K. ‘Ricky’.

Reviews

[Mrs Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and very human

This second book in the series deepens Soren's commitment to the overthrow of the evil king. His thirst for revenge and his need to protect Seph make him a force to be reckoned with. Seph and Kaile battle their own demons and the author skillfully navigates the reader through the complexities of human emotions. The fast-paced plot thickens in this second installment and there are obviously many more twists, turns, and surprises to come. I look forward to seeing what the author has in store across the planned seven volumes in this series.

[Amy McCortney · Rating 3 out of 5]

No editor

This is a good storyline that goes a little astray. E.g., there's no discernible reason for the inclusion of musical notes as potential defensive weapons- it just appears and then continues ad nauseum. Most importantly, if grammar and spelling are important to you, this is not the series to read. It's a good story spoiled by repeated writing errors.

[Richard Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

so sad

The book had me hooked. The problem is that you never know when the last book is coming out, so very sad.

[M J King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked

This series just keeps getting better. The characters are so well written and it feels like I’m right there in the story. Absolutely captivating

[Susan]

Great read

I knew she wasn't dead I didn't know she was responsible. There's magic in music we all know that the author takes it literally