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Archblade: Legend of the Defiler
Angel had her life down to a simple Do her work, do her research, and do what was asked of her. She signed up for a mission on the Forerunner that was supposed to be routine with the hope she could make a breakthrough or two along the way.
However, when the starship gets pulled onto an unknown planet, even her meticulous planning can’t solve their problems. Now she and the crew find themselves trapped with no way to leave, no way to contact home, and under the looming threat of an enemy they don't understand.
A young stranger approaches with an offer of help, but he is as dangerous and mysterious as the planet itself. To follow him is to challenge the evil forces which hold this planet in an iron grip.
Who is The Defiler? What is The Conclave? Why do the people of this world seem so familiar? The crew of the Forerunner pursue the answers to these questions and more as they explore an alien world and try to find a way home.
However, when the starship gets pulled onto an unknown planet, even her meticulous planning can’t solve their problems. Now she and the crew find themselves trapped with no way to leave, no way to contact home, and under the looming threat of an enemy they don't understand.
A young stranger approaches with an offer of help, but he is as dangerous and mysterious as the planet itself. To follow him is to challenge the evil forces which hold this planet in an iron grip.
Who is The Defiler? What is The Conclave? Why do the people of this world seem so familiar? The crew of the Forerunner pursue the answers to these questions and more as they explore an alien world and try to find a way home.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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January 29, 2024The acknowledgments indicate that this is the authors first publication. There is a small glimpse of a sequel in the final pages. If this is the authors first work, the inexperience does not show, nor does it drag the work down. I'll look forward to the sequel. House writes a meeting between a technologically based society and a society reliant on "magic" and has members of the two societies blending and improving the two forces. This calls to mind the old saying "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic to the uninitiated." One of the forms of magic that he introduces is "entropy magic". While I understand that the word "entropy" is used to mean something like "decay", it would have been fun if the author had introduced the truth that entropy is the source of the energy on which biomolecules, and thus life, is powered. Perhaps that is a topic for the sequel? I also have to wonder if human religions, particularly Christianity may play a role, or be discussed, in the sequel, as the author names the spaceship, at the center of the story "the forerunner" and the protagonist weeps drops of blood. Those are rather messianic details. This novel is rather good, smart, escapist science fiction/ fantasy. It's engaging and well paced. I enjoyed it and am glad for solid escapist sci-fi..
If I were to offer the author a suggestion on future directions for his work, it would be this. My very favorite science fiction or fantasy, however, is from the very few authors who manage to use the science fiction and/or fantasy genres to go beyond captivating action, adventure and world building to play with sociology, philosophy, religion and such. Science fiction and fantasy, by setting the characters in other realities, have the possibility of asking questions about the meaning of life , the nature of humanity and what a good society may be. C.A. House may be an author who can expand into such questions. I'd recommend that he read some authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin, if he'd like to try that in future work.
If I were to offer the author a suggestion on future directions for his work, it would be this. My very favorite science fiction or fantasy, however, is from the very few authors who manage to use the science fiction and/or fantasy genres to go beyond captivating action, adventure and world building to play with sociology, philosophy, religion and such. Science fiction and fantasy, by setting the characters in other realities, have the possibility of asking questions about the meaning of life , the nature of humanity and what a good society may be. C.A. House may be an author who can expand into such questions. I'd recommend that he read some authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin, if he'd like to try that in future work.
February 15, 2024
Rating: 3.5
I've never read sci-fi before as I'm more of a pure fantasy reader, but I enjoyed this story.
The good: The story was engaging, there were likable characters, and I enjoyed that it didn't play out how I expected.
There was not a lot of conflict. This could be seen as bad depending on your taste, but after reading books where there is always some kind of dramatic conflict that causes high amounts of stress, this was a nice change of pace. That doesn't mean there was no conflict or struggles the characters faced. More that there was no unexpected conflict or backstabbing or anything like that. And it does not mean the story was boring, it definitely was not!
The main romance, once started, was enjoyable for the most part. I liked that it seemed like a healthy relationship which I don't usually see in other books I've read.
I also really liked the end with villain. Caught me off guard and made me eager for the next book.
The not so good: I do think the main romance was sudden. While it didn't happen right away, I feel like the turning point for these two being together made little sense to me.
I also thought the main female character's personality was not consistent throughout. She was introduced as a more shy and anxious character but did not always adhere to that at times, but of course every person develops differently.
One thing was introduced that I was actually really excited about, but it was never really developed through out the book so maybe it'll be in the sequel? I just wish it wouldn't have been mentioned if it wasn't going to play any role in this book. There were also conversations in the book that had no impact on the story.
There's one scene in particular where a character mentions something that happened between him and another character and I didn't quite understand why that conversation was needed. I thought maybe it would have an impact later on in the story, but it did not. Also, the event was between minor characters so there was no emotional impact either.
I've never read sci-fi before as I'm more of a pure fantasy reader, but I enjoyed this story.
The good: The story was engaging, there were likable characters, and I enjoyed that it didn't play out how I expected.
There was not a lot of conflict. This could be seen as bad depending on your taste, but after reading books where there is always some kind of dramatic conflict that causes high amounts of stress, this was a nice change of pace. That doesn't mean there was no conflict or struggles the characters faced. More that there was no unexpected conflict or backstabbing or anything like that. And it does not mean the story was boring, it definitely was not!
The main romance, once started, was enjoyable for the most part. I liked that it seemed like a healthy relationship which I don't usually see in other books I've read.
I also really liked the end with villain. Caught me off guard and made me eager for the next book.
The not so good: I do think the main romance was sudden. While it didn't happen right away, I feel like the turning point for these two being together made little sense to me.
I also thought the main female character's personality was not consistent throughout. She was introduced as a more shy and anxious character but did not always adhere to that at times, but of course every person develops differently.
One thing was introduced that I was actually really excited about, but it was never really developed through out the book so maybe it'll be in the sequel? I just wish it wouldn't have been mentioned if it wasn't going to play any role in this book. There were also conversations in the book that had no impact on the story.
There's one scene in particular where a character mentions something that happened between him and another character and I didn't quite understand why that conversation was needed. I thought maybe it would have an impact later on in the story, but it did not. Also, the event was between minor characters so there was no emotional impact either.
April 11, 2025
I had a wonderful time reading this book.
The characters were charming, each with their own character and flair. The cast was rather large, but never felt overwhelming to keep track of, and despite a large ensemble each character in the protagonists' group had their time in the spotlight.
The writing style was comfortable and approachable, with familiar themes and influences delivered in a manner unique to this story.
Overall this was a refreshing, fun, foray into a fusion of favorite genres. Fantasy, Sci-fi, with a spattering of romance, all wrapped up in a clean cut good versus evil clash with little ambiguity.
I'll enjoy following this cast of down to earth characters as they adventure beyond the stars.
The characters were charming, each with their own character and flair. The cast was rather large, but never felt overwhelming to keep track of, and despite a large ensemble each character in the protagonists' group had their time in the spotlight.
The writing style was comfortable and approachable, with familiar themes and influences delivered in a manner unique to this story.
Overall this was a refreshing, fun, foray into a fusion of favorite genres. Fantasy, Sci-fi, with a spattering of romance, all wrapped up in a clean cut good versus evil clash with little ambiguity.
I'll enjoy following this cast of down to earth characters as they adventure beyond the stars.
December 1, 2023
I received this as an ARC. I really enjoyed this book. Characters were likeable, and felt like people. The story kept me interested. It's got cool swords, big battles and fight scenes, a whirlwind romance, exploring various alien races on an alien world, magic; it's got everything.
It sort of reminds me of an 80's sword and sorcery mixed with 90's sci-fi films, or a classic sci-fi epic.
It sort of reminds me of an 80's sword and sorcery mixed with 90's sci-fi films, or a classic sci-fi epic.
October 10, 2024
An Enjoyable World
C.A. House has created a thoroughly enjoyable story and world in his first novel. Full of intrigue and enjoyable characters, Archblade: Legend of the Defiler isn’t normally a book I would pick up, but I definitely enjoyed the beginning of what is sure to be a great series.
C.A. House has created a thoroughly enjoyable story and world in his first novel. Full of intrigue and enjoyable characters, Archblade: Legend of the Defiler isn’t normally a book I would pick up, but I definitely enjoyed the beginning of what is sure to be a great series.
April 9, 2026
A fantastic debut book. Detailed review coming soon.
January 1, 2024
To begin with, I enjoyed reading this book. I had heard that some thought the beginning was a bit slower, which I agree with. However, it speeds up when the ship comes crashing down to the planet.
The cast of characters is unique, with each person having a distinct personality. Other than the main characters, I loved Beldaz the most. He made me think of a boisterous grandfather who could also kick butt with an axe. There was only one character I found tedious, and that was Lily. At times when she interacted with a specific peer she came across as petulant and immature. I also appreciated the LGBTQ+ nod with one character.
I most identified with the FMC Angel because I also suffer from anxiety, so her reactions to things felt vivid to me. Despite being powerful the MMC was delightfully not a Mary Sue; he had a terrible problem injuring himself as he fought for what he believed in.
There is a romance, and it was well paced. No "insta-love" and no explicit intimacy. I thought it was done with a light hand, but it was still believable.
I also love the main villain and would love to see a spin-off about him. He was entirely evil but also cryptic. I want to know what his deal was.
I would have liked to see more interaction between the crew characters. The spotlight was firmly centered on the FMC and MMC once they were both present on the ship. There were a few scenes without them which were interesting but I craved more.
Crew: 7/10
MMC: 8/10
FMC: 9/10
Villain: 7/10
Plot: 8/10
Would I re-read? Yes
Would I recommend to others? Yes
The cast of characters is unique, with each person having a distinct personality. Other than the main characters, I loved Beldaz the most. He made me think of a boisterous grandfather who could also kick butt with an axe. There was only one character I found tedious, and that was Lily. At times when she interacted with a specific peer she came across as petulant and immature. I also appreciated the LGBTQ+ nod with one character.
I most identified with the FMC Angel because I also suffer from anxiety, so her reactions to things felt vivid to me. Despite being powerful the MMC was delightfully not a Mary Sue; he had a terrible problem injuring himself as he fought for what he believed in.
There is a romance, and it was well paced. No "insta-love" and no explicit intimacy. I thought it was done with a light hand, but it was still believable.
I also love the main villain and would love to see a spin-off about him. He was entirely evil but also cryptic. I want to know what his deal was.
I would have liked to see more interaction between the crew characters. The spotlight was firmly centered on the FMC and MMC once they were both present on the ship. There were a few scenes without them which were interesting but I craved more.
Crew: 7/10
MMC: 8/10
FMC: 9/10
Villain: 7/10
Plot: 8/10
Would I re-read? Yes
Would I recommend to others? Yes
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews