What do you think?
Rate this book
Eluthienn: A Tale Of The Fromryr
Welcome to the Abyss
Formaria – a labyrinthine network of underground tunnels – is home to the Fromryr. An alliance of humans, dwarves, elves, and gnomes, they fight an endless war with ancient technologies. Technologies they don’t truly understand but deploy with devastating effect.
Above the surface, exorcist Kalbrayeth Lyander investigates a possible demonic incursion. When he discovers a body imbued with unknown sorceries he finds himself in possession of a secret he never wanted. A secret that threatens to break centuries long alliances and drag Formaria into a war it cannot afford.
Below the surface, Brazier Veranquis, the First Officer of ice miner the Chalice of Amaranth, responds to a distress signal from an unidentified gyre ship. What he and his crew find leaves them fleeing for their lives. When their paths cross Lyander, they realise what they found threatens to bring down all of Formaria.
War is coming and with an enemy outmatching even the mighty Fromryr. Uncertain of who to trust and embroiled in political intrigue, Lyander and Brazier must do everything they can to prevent Formaria’s fall. The odds are against them. But in the abyss, one ship can change the fate of millions.
Formaria – a labyrinthine network of underground tunnels – is home to the Fromryr. An alliance of humans, dwarves, elves, and gnomes, they fight an endless war with ancient technologies. Technologies they don’t truly understand but deploy with devastating effect.
Above the surface, exorcist Kalbrayeth Lyander investigates a possible demonic incursion. When he discovers a body imbued with unknown sorceries he finds himself in possession of a secret he never wanted. A secret that threatens to break centuries long alliances and drag Formaria into a war it cannot afford.
Below the surface, Brazier Veranquis, the First Officer of ice miner the Chalice of Amaranth, responds to a distress signal from an unidentified gyre ship. What he and his crew find leaves them fleeing for their lives. When their paths cross Lyander, they realise what they found threatens to bring down all of Formaria.
War is coming and with an enemy outmatching even the mighty Fromryr. Uncertain of who to trust and embroiled in political intrigue, Lyander and Brazier must do everything they can to prevent Formaria’s fall. The odds are against them. But in the abyss, one ship can change the fate of millions.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
14 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Sam Middleton
4 books15 followersSam Middleton is an English author of science fiction and fantasy, best known for Eluthienn, an epistolary epic and the first in his ongoing series A Tale of the Fromryr. A graduate of the University of Sheffield with a BA in English Literature, Sam draws inspiration from gothic classics like Dracula and Frankenstein, blending their forms with his love of epic fantasy.
He is also the creator of Of Strange Worlds and Stranger Tales, a collection of interlinked and standalone speculative stories, including The Lazarat Moon, a novella set in the Fromryr universe.
For the past decade, Sam has worked as a professional content and ghostwriter. Now freelance, he spends only a fraction of his time in the UK, often disappearing abroad for months at a time—usually to blast out some writing, and usually to somewhere with more sun.
Instagram
TikTok
He is also the creator of Of Strange Worlds and Stranger Tales, a collection of interlinked and standalone speculative stories, including The Lazarat Moon, a novella set in the Fromryr universe.
For the past decade, Sam has worked as a professional content and ghostwriter. Now freelance, he spends only a fraction of his time in the UK, often disappearing abroad for months at a time—usually to blast out some writing, and usually to somewhere with more sun.
TikTok
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 1, 2024
Captivating from start to finish, “Eluthienn: A Tale of the Fromryr” does not disappoint. I was hooked from the start, as soon as the word “bounty” came up I knew I was in for a ride.
And what a ride indeed. Middleton’s writing has the ability of transporting you right to the middle of the fantastic world the book takes place in. The cities, the tunnels, the ships are beautifully described, and the same can be said for all the characters. Which were my favourite part!
The 2 POVs enables you to connect with, not only the main characters, but with their partners. Even when some characters seemed suspicious and I didn’t trust them fully, they all grew on me so much and I felt a heap of empathy towards each one.
The book holds such a great pace and it’s simply unputdownable. It’s action packed and all the fighting scenes are terrific and so exciting and entertaining, gnarly too! It’s the opposite of a slow burner, guaranteed to put you on the edge of your seat.
I’m so very excited for the next book. I can’t wait to discover what Sam Middleton has in stock for his readers.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
And what a ride indeed. Middleton’s writing has the ability of transporting you right to the middle of the fantastic world the book takes place in. The cities, the tunnels, the ships are beautifully described, and the same can be said for all the characters. Which were my favourite part!
The 2 POVs enables you to connect with, not only the main characters, but with their partners. Even when some characters seemed suspicious and I didn’t trust them fully, they all grew on me so much and I felt a heap of empathy towards each one.
The book holds such a great pace and it’s simply unputdownable. It’s action packed and all the fighting scenes are terrific and so exciting and entertaining, gnarly too! It’s the opposite of a slow burner, guaranteed to put you on the edge of your seat.
I’m so very excited for the next book. I can’t wait to discover what Sam Middleton has in stock for his readers.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
March 22, 2024
The first book in what promises to be a pretty enthralling new epic fantasy series. Through skilful storytelling the reader develops an empathetic connection with a diverse range of compelling characters in a gripping and fast paced story, told through the two POVs Lyander and Brazier.
Middleton’s articulate use of language to describe the characters and the world they inhabit quickly draws the reader into the story. Many fantasy novels meander around the plot, resulting in irrelevant deviations from the main story, Middleton has not done that instead keeping both plot and story line tight.
I am intrigued to see how The Tale of the Fromryr develops and which characters appear in book two.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book.
Middleton’s articulate use of language to describe the characters and the world they inhabit quickly draws the reader into the story. Many fantasy novels meander around the plot, resulting in irrelevant deviations from the main story, Middleton has not done that instead keeping both plot and story line tight.
I am intrigued to see how The Tale of the Fromryr develops and which characters appear in book two.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book.
June 9, 2024
This is a wild ride.
Eluthienn is a gritty, dark, and fast-paced epic fantasy with great characters and a unique storyline.
As others have noted, the standout feature of the book is the world-building, which really pushes the bounds of the epic fantasy genre in a way that few fantasy books do nowadays. To offer just a glimpse, we get underground ships powered by magical “gyre ice,” ancient constructs that allow a form of communication across the vast network of tunnel cities, and a type of magical sand called “Hex Reduction” that acts as a kind of fantasy computer network. Sound weird? It is – but it works so well and creates a fantasy world like no other.
The two main characters – Lyander and Brazier – are well-developed, have their own motives and backstories, and are written in an alternating PoV similar to the Expanse series. By the end of the book I had developed a real connection to both.
While Lyander and Brazier are highly engaging, Eluthienn contains some of the best side characters I’ve ever read in a book, and really help to make this world come to life – from bloated religious tyrants and demon librarians to insane dwarven crime lords and sarcastic witch hunters. It’s all enormous fun and really shows the extent of the author’s imagination.
What’s probably more impressive is Middleton has managed to create an incredible new fantasy world with fully fleshed out characters and story in just 371 pages. There’s no extraneous scenes, the plot is tight and focused, and the writing quality is superb and easy to follow.
I 100% recommend this to epic fantasy fans, especially if you like fantasy mixed with sci-fi.
Eluthienn is a gritty, dark, and fast-paced epic fantasy with great characters and a unique storyline.
As others have noted, the standout feature of the book is the world-building, which really pushes the bounds of the epic fantasy genre in a way that few fantasy books do nowadays. To offer just a glimpse, we get underground ships powered by magical “gyre ice,” ancient constructs that allow a form of communication across the vast network of tunnel cities, and a type of magical sand called “Hex Reduction” that acts as a kind of fantasy computer network. Sound weird? It is – but it works so well and creates a fantasy world like no other.
The two main characters – Lyander and Brazier – are well-developed, have their own motives and backstories, and are written in an alternating PoV similar to the Expanse series. By the end of the book I had developed a real connection to both.
While Lyander and Brazier are highly engaging, Eluthienn contains some of the best side characters I’ve ever read in a book, and really help to make this world come to life – from bloated religious tyrants and demon librarians to insane dwarven crime lords and sarcastic witch hunters. It’s all enormous fun and really shows the extent of the author’s imagination.
What’s probably more impressive is Middleton has managed to create an incredible new fantasy world with fully fleshed out characters and story in just 371 pages. There’s no extraneous scenes, the plot is tight and focused, and the writing quality is superb and easy to follow.
I 100% recommend this to epic fantasy fans, especially if you like fantasy mixed with sci-fi.
May 9, 2024
The best thing about Bookstagram for me is definitely the community, but having the opportunity to know about and read indie gems like Eluthienn: A Tale Of The Fromryr.
Eluthienn has it all: Elves and dwarves, vampires, witch hunters, exorcists, princes, complex politics, intrigue, magic, science, injustice and amazing world building just to name some. The plot is fast paced and it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. This reads like the first book in a series as it sets the stage for a continuation. I love a good epic fantasy novel with a side of sci-fi.
We follow two different POVs from two different characters that start in different paths that eventually converge: Lyander, a fallen knight turned exorcist that makes a huge discovery, and Brazier, an ice miner son of a traitor that is running for his life after with what remains of his old crew after falling into a trap. These two characters eventually find each other and the different POVs converge in an incredible adventure. It’s hard to achieve the perfect mix of character development and action scenes, but Middleton does it wonderfully in this novel.
It is note worthy that the glossary is one of the most important parts of the novel, I had to read it and consult it multiple times. Which actually leads me to the only complaint I have about this book: With such a diversity of characters, races and magic, so it was sometimes hard to understand what some of the characters were until it is explained later. This is not a problem in itself, since eventually it becomes clear, but I would like to have a more in depth view in the differences in POV and world view because of the different races and not just background.
In summary, this was a book that kept me on the edge of my seat rooting for the main characters from beginning to end and I highly recommend it for fans of fast paced epic fantasy. I’m still in the edge of my seat now, waiting for the continuation and I can’t wait to get back to this amazing world.
Thank you so much to Sam Middleton, Darkenheit Publishing and NetGallery for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Eluthienn has it all: Elves and dwarves, vampires, witch hunters, exorcists, princes, complex politics, intrigue, magic, science, injustice and amazing world building just to name some. The plot is fast paced and it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. This reads like the first book in a series as it sets the stage for a continuation. I love a good epic fantasy novel with a side of sci-fi.
We follow two different POVs from two different characters that start in different paths that eventually converge: Lyander, a fallen knight turned exorcist that makes a huge discovery, and Brazier, an ice miner son of a traitor that is running for his life after with what remains of his old crew after falling into a trap. These two characters eventually find each other and the different POVs converge in an incredible adventure. It’s hard to achieve the perfect mix of character development and action scenes, but Middleton does it wonderfully in this novel.
It is note worthy that the glossary is one of the most important parts of the novel, I had to read it and consult it multiple times. Which actually leads me to the only complaint I have about this book: With such a diversity of characters, races and magic, so it was sometimes hard to understand what some of the characters were until it is explained later. This is not a problem in itself, since eventually it becomes clear, but I would like to have a more in depth view in the differences in POV and world view because of the different races and not just background.
In summary, this was a book that kept me on the edge of my seat rooting for the main characters from beginning to end and I highly recommend it for fans of fast paced epic fantasy. I’m still in the edge of my seat now, waiting for the continuation and I can’t wait to get back to this amazing world.
Thank you so much to Sam Middleton, Darkenheit Publishing and NetGallery for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2025
Eluthienn was a FANTASTIC debut! I absolutely loved how unique and inventive this fantasy book was! The characters are wonderful, I loved both the POVs and the side characters!!! The world building, lore, technology and Mashup between classic fantasy, scifi tech, and supernatural elements was absolutely mond blowing! I cannot wait to see what the author does next! A heck of a fun ride, check it out!
January 8, 2024
Another Vampire story with a twist.
After a slow start to introduce the two (2) PoV, the action picks up quickly and continues almost nonstop, making this hard to put down once it ramps up. First up is Lyander, a disgraced exorcist (aka demon hunter) for the universal church of the Fromryr, an alliance of peoples (humans, dwarves, elves, gnomes, et al.) that control most of the ancient magic and technology of a long vanished, advanced civilization that carved out the extensive caverns and tunnels deep below the surface world. Demons and their ilk get their power from the Immuratic dimension while some other monsters, such as vampires, are from the Aeturnic dimension … so when Lyander comes across a corpse that could be a living myth, he teams up with a sarcastic witch hunter to get to the bottom of it all, despite apparent antagonism from church authority, as the whole world seems to come apart at the seams. Along the way, we see the second PoV following Brazier, and his surviving crew from an ice mining ship lost in the vast caverns of Formoria, converge to help build a rich and extremely interesting fantasy world.
Woven into this well executed plot, is some amazing world building on top of a dystopian fantasy trope. Through the entire story, it is clear that we only see the tip of the iceberg here with the potential for discovery adding the the intense action … and for me … it all made sense … from the magical force that comes from the gyre ice (ref ice mining) to the dysfunctional politics to the steampunk like tunnel ships … it was all well done and awesomely fun (can’t wait to return to this world).
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Eluthienn #BookSirens #KindleUnlimited
After a slow start to introduce the two (2) PoV, the action picks up quickly and continues almost nonstop, making this hard to put down once it ramps up. First up is Lyander, a disgraced exorcist (aka demon hunter) for the universal church of the Fromryr, an alliance of peoples (humans, dwarves, elves, gnomes, et al.) that control most of the ancient magic and technology of a long vanished, advanced civilization that carved out the extensive caverns and tunnels deep below the surface world. Demons and their ilk get their power from the Immuratic dimension while some other monsters, such as vampires, are from the Aeturnic dimension … so when Lyander comes across a corpse that could be a living myth, he teams up with a sarcastic witch hunter to get to the bottom of it all, despite apparent antagonism from church authority, as the whole world seems to come apart at the seams. Along the way, we see the second PoV following Brazier, and his surviving crew from an ice mining ship lost in the vast caverns of Formoria, converge to help build a rich and extremely interesting fantasy world.
Woven into this well executed plot, is some amazing world building on top of a dystopian fantasy trope. Through the entire story, it is clear that we only see the tip of the iceberg here with the potential for discovery adding the the intense action … and for me … it all made sense … from the magical force that comes from the gyre ice (ref ice mining) to the dysfunctional politics to the steampunk like tunnel ships … it was all well done and awesomely fun (can’t wait to return to this world).
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Eluthienn #BookSirens #KindleUnlimited
January 23, 2024
If you’re looking for an action-packed journey set in a fantastic world, “Eluthienn: A Tale of the Fromryr” is the perfect book for you.
Middleton’s remarkable writing enables you to build a strong connection with the main characters and all their charismatic partners: dwarves, humans, elves and gnomes.
As a true page-turner, it keeps you wondering until the very last page but one thing you know for sure: the characters need to join forces in order to fight an enemy capable of destroying everything…so get ready for a whirlwind of a ride with beautiful described ships, cities and tunnels!
I truly recommend this book and I cannot wait to see what Sam Middleton has been saving for us for the next book!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Middleton’s remarkable writing enables you to build a strong connection with the main characters and all their charismatic partners: dwarves, humans, elves and gnomes.
As a true page-turner, it keeps you wondering until the very last page but one thing you know for sure: the characters need to join forces in order to fight an enemy capable of destroying everything…so get ready for a whirlwind of a ride with beautiful described ships, cities and tunnels!
I truly recommend this book and I cannot wait to see what Sam Middleton has been saving for us for the next book!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2024
Five stars for world-building alone
I thought the lore and setting were truly unique and really captured me. The lore is sprinkled through the book, and I was able to build up a picture of a world I could really buy into.
Writing style tends to come down to personal preference, but I found the prose strong and the language flowed from one line to the next, adding to the pacing of the book. I found it easy to follow and enjoyable to read.
The characters felt real, and their actions and motivations believable, and I found myself becoming quite attached to a few of them.
The overall story is a lot of fun, with a solid plot. Warning you now though, sh*t goes down at the end. I was left reeling.
I thought the lore and setting were truly unique and really captured me. The lore is sprinkled through the book, and I was able to build up a picture of a world I could really buy into.
Writing style tends to come down to personal preference, but I found the prose strong and the language flowed from one line to the next, adding to the pacing of the book. I found it easy to follow and enjoyable to read.
The characters felt real, and their actions and motivations believable, and I found myself becoming quite attached to a few of them.
The overall story is a lot of fun, with a solid plot. Warning you now though, sh*t goes down at the end. I was left reeling.
July 12, 2024
This was an absolute blast of a novel. Eluthienn: A Tale Of The Fromryr by Sam Middleton is a dark, fast-paced fantasy meets sci-fi story that has a creative storyline.
The world-building here is amazing and I was a fan of how distinct each character was. We have all sorts from elves to exorcists and this bonds well with the insane politics, magic and science that we see develop over the course of this novel. Middleton has created a brilliant blend of fantasy and sci-fi that is incredibly appealing. The world itself is interesting and a brilliantly unique setting.
The characters themselves are well-established and I enjoyed their dynamic. Lyander, a knight turned exorcist, and Brazier, the son of a traitor, are engaging and whilst they offer a similar adventure, each POV is a mix of action and development. Even the side characters have their own personalities and moments. There were side characters that I rooted for which is something that authors sometimes fail and feel one-dimensional but Middleton encapsulated this world and its inhabitants brilliantly.
The plot itself was surprising. I went into this novel with minimal information but was surprised at how diverse and page-turning it was. It was so creative and enthralling and shows that Middleton's imagination really flourished and kept me going throughout. This is a fast-paced romp of epic proportions and I'm thoroughly excited to see what else comes from the mind of Sam Middleton.
A fantastic fantasy sci-fi story that ticked all my boxes.
The world-building here is amazing and I was a fan of how distinct each character was. We have all sorts from elves to exorcists and this bonds well with the insane politics, magic and science that we see develop over the course of this novel. Middleton has created a brilliant blend of fantasy and sci-fi that is incredibly appealing. The world itself is interesting and a brilliantly unique setting.
The characters themselves are well-established and I enjoyed their dynamic. Lyander, a knight turned exorcist, and Brazier, the son of a traitor, are engaging and whilst they offer a similar adventure, each POV is a mix of action and development. Even the side characters have their own personalities and moments. There were side characters that I rooted for which is something that authors sometimes fail and feel one-dimensional but Middleton encapsulated this world and its inhabitants brilliantly.
The plot itself was surprising. I went into this novel with minimal information but was surprised at how diverse and page-turning it was. It was so creative and enthralling and shows that Middleton's imagination really flourished and kept me going throughout. This is a fast-paced romp of epic proportions and I'm thoroughly excited to see what else comes from the mind of Sam Middleton.
A fantastic fantasy sci-fi story that ticked all my boxes.
April 29, 2024
4.5/5
Eluthienn was an indie gem, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was hooked from the first chapter, and by the end I was on the edge of my seat. It melds together elements of steampunk with a variety of traditional fantasy tropes to create a truly unique atmosphere. The main protagonists, Lyander and Brazier, have distinct paths and motivations which are explored with both depth and clarity, before eventually converging. I felt that there was plenty of time devoted to character development, but it was still action-packed and exciting. A very enjoyable beginning to the series, and I look forward to continuing.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
✨ Something for everyone. Classic fantasy races like dwarves and elves? Tick. Intrigue? You bet. Vampires? Also yes. Exorcists, witch hunters and demons? You can see where I’m going with this.
✨ Features one of my favourite very specific fantasy tropes, which is a society built on the bones of an ancient lost civilisation.
✨ A steampunk/sci-fi vibe, the descriptions of the gyranic technology were great.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
🏹 Honestly very little to say here. There is a lot of lore, to the point that the glossary at the back is pretty much required reading. I’m a stubborn person who doesn’t like glossaries, so I didn’t do this, but I felt like I still had a decent understanding by the end. Some readers may have mixed feelings about this.
Eluthienn was an indie gem, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was hooked from the first chapter, and by the end I was on the edge of my seat. It melds together elements of steampunk with a variety of traditional fantasy tropes to create a truly unique atmosphere. The main protagonists, Lyander and Brazier, have distinct paths and motivations which are explored with both depth and clarity, before eventually converging. I felt that there was plenty of time devoted to character development, but it was still action-packed and exciting. A very enjoyable beginning to the series, and I look forward to continuing.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
✨ Something for everyone. Classic fantasy races like dwarves and elves? Tick. Intrigue? You bet. Vampires? Also yes. Exorcists, witch hunters and demons? You can see where I’m going with this.
✨ Features one of my favourite very specific fantasy tropes, which is a society built on the bones of an ancient lost civilisation.
✨ A steampunk/sci-fi vibe, the descriptions of the gyranic technology were great.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
🏹 Honestly very little to say here. There is a lot of lore, to the point that the glossary at the back is pretty much required reading. I’m a stubborn person who doesn’t like glossaries, so I didn’t do this, but I felt like I still had a decent understanding by the end. Some readers may have mixed feelings about this.
July 5, 2024
This took me longer than it should have but that’s only cause I had so much going on. I really enjoyed this book and most of the characters. Lyander and Gabriel were by far my favorites. I wasn’t to into Brazier’s chapters but I still found them interesting enough. The ending was definitely a shock for me and I’m not completely over that even now! I wasn’t expecting that surprise and I’m really hoping for another book! Thanks to the author and Netgalley for this read.
April 11, 2024
Captivating first book in an epic fantasy. We follow two seemingly unconnected protaginists who collide in a convoluted and dramatic tale of magic, war and lost worlds.
I really enjoyed this tale, but I'm left with lots of questions, like who is Gabriel really, do Lyander and Eluthienn survive, what happened to the vampires?! However, I feel this is a sign of a great first book. The writing style is fast and action packed, and the characters really draw you in. I feel extremely invested in what happens next!
In parts I struggled to picture some of the scenes with a lack of knowledge of whether the characters were elvin, dwarfish, human or goblin, but the scenes in all other ways were quite detailed, with a lot of ship descriptions. Jumping right into a new and very different world took a few chapters to get my head around. I feel a bit more world building, or backstory would have been appreciated.
Overall definitely worth the read, and I can't wait for book 2!
I received a free ARC for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this tale, but I'm left with lots of questions, like who is Gabriel really, do Lyander and Eluthienn survive, what happened to the vampires?! However, I feel this is a sign of a great first book. The writing style is fast and action packed, and the characters really draw you in. I feel extremely invested in what happens next!
In parts I struggled to picture some of the scenes with a lack of knowledge of whether the characters were elvin, dwarfish, human or goblin, but the scenes in all other ways were quite detailed, with a lot of ship descriptions. Jumping right into a new and very different world took a few chapters to get my head around. I feel a bit more world building, or backstory would have been appreciated.
Overall definitely worth the read, and I can't wait for book 2!
I received a free ARC for an honest review.
June 7, 2024
SUCH a great story! I enjoyed every minute of it.
Although I don't find the stories at all similar, it did give me Dune vibes! In the sense that it's, in my opinion, a complex sci-fi meets fantasy epic story. Eluthienn is much more compact than Dune, but I found it extremely impressive that Middleton was able to build such an exciting and complex world in so few pages and still have it be written well and be immersive! I was screaming at my husband that he needs to read this story the entire time I was reading it! As a fan of Dune, Warhammer 40k, and Foundation, this is a MUST READ for lovers of sci fi/fantasy. Middleton is on my radar and I so look forward to reading more by him; and recommending Eluthienn to all my friends!
Easy 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Darkenheit Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this eARC of Eluthienn.
Although I don't find the stories at all similar, it did give me Dune vibes! In the sense that it's, in my opinion, a complex sci-fi meets fantasy epic story. Eluthienn is much more compact than Dune, but I found it extremely impressive that Middleton was able to build such an exciting and complex world in so few pages and still have it be written well and be immersive! I was screaming at my husband that he needs to read this story the entire time I was reading it! As a fan of Dune, Warhammer 40k, and Foundation, this is a MUST READ for lovers of sci fi/fantasy. Middleton is on my radar and I so look forward to reading more by him; and recommending Eluthienn to all my friends!
Easy 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Darkenheit Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this eARC of Eluthienn.
April 22, 2024
Plot - 9/10
In Eluthienn, we follow the two main protagonists, Lyander, an exorcist that makes a discovery that could change the fate of the world, and Brazier, an ice miner that is left running for his life and the life of a small number from his crew. As the story progresses, they cross paths and form an alliance to save their country.
Setting - 10/10
In Eluthienn, we find a world where magic and science coexist. There are all sorts of magical creatures we find in traditional fantasy novels, but with a twist of science fiction. There are portions of the book that take place in the surface of Aetraya which are interesting, but what really makes the world of Eluthienn interesting is the underground tunnels and the way Sam Middleton combines scifi elements (such as airships) with traditional fantasy elements.
Characters - 10/10
I really enjoyed the characters of this book, each protagonist had secondary characters that would accompany them through their adventure. The chemistry between all of these was great, especially when their paths cross and we see new friendships develop.
In Eluthienn, we follow the two main protagonists, Lyander, an exorcist that makes a discovery that could change the fate of the world, and Brazier, an ice miner that is left running for his life and the life of a small number from his crew. As the story progresses, they cross paths and form an alliance to save their country.
Setting - 10/10
In Eluthienn, we find a world where magic and science coexist. There are all sorts of magical creatures we find in traditional fantasy novels, but with a twist of science fiction. There are portions of the book that take place in the surface of Aetraya which are interesting, but what really makes the world of Eluthienn interesting is the underground tunnels and the way Sam Middleton combines scifi elements (such as airships) with traditional fantasy elements.
Characters - 10/10
I really enjoyed the characters of this book, each protagonist had secondary characters that would accompany them through their adventure. The chemistry between all of these was great, especially when their paths cross and we see new friendships develop.
July 11, 2024
I flew through this one, the prose felt smooth to read, the story engaging and the pace just right.
Set in a mix of fantasy and sci fi worlds, I struggled slightly, initially, with some terminology and understanding the topography of how the world was laid out. But once it clicked I realised how interesting the setting was.
The characters were all believable, gritty but with innate hope pushing them through.
Oddly I enjoyed the flashbacks the main character experienced to his defining moment, which provided insight and background but without disconnecting from the current story.
And well, the story was high action, high stakes and ended in a manner that left me feeling "omg..." in all the best ways. I do hope there are follow up books as it feels there are undercurrents building to a bigger story, with these main characters just an initial throw of the dice by Sam.
All in all, a 5🌟 read for me!
Set in a mix of fantasy and sci fi worlds, I struggled slightly, initially, with some terminology and understanding the topography of how the world was laid out. But once it clicked I realised how interesting the setting was.
The characters were all believable, gritty but with innate hope pushing them through.
Oddly I enjoyed the flashbacks the main character experienced to his defining moment, which provided insight and background but without disconnecting from the current story.
And well, the story was high action, high stakes and ended in a manner that left me feeling "omg..." in all the best ways. I do hope there are follow up books as it feels there are undercurrents building to a bigger story, with these main characters just an initial throw of the dice by Sam.
All in all, a 5🌟 read for me!
July 4, 2024
The author asked if I wanted a book - a epic scientic fantasy book. I mean, how could I say
Alright - this book is fast paced, different, insane worldbuilding, dark, a cool magic system and high tech system with humans, elfs, dwarfs, goblins etc who soon got a very dangerous common enemy. In a dystophia world very well written out!
I love both main characters - Lyander the exorcist and Brazier the ice miner. Both got their own background and story, but meet during their journey. I enjoyed them both!
The worldbuilding is crazy. You got a dangerous world, underworld, magic system, alien high tech system, politics, different races and so on. I love that I got to know the world so much and more to learn - and not only focus on the plot!
I found the classic magic and science/sci-fi vibe cool! Some people might like to keep them separate, but I found all this very cool🤓
All in all if you want a action packed and alien high tech epic fantasy book, then this is worth a try! You must be a fan of details, since the author is very generous with describing his world!
Alright - this book is fast paced, different, insane worldbuilding, dark, a cool magic system and high tech system with humans, elfs, dwarfs, goblins etc who soon got a very dangerous common enemy. In a dystophia world very well written out!
I love both main characters - Lyander the exorcist and Brazier the ice miner. Both got their own background and story, but meet during their journey. I enjoyed them both!
The worldbuilding is crazy. You got a dangerous world, underworld, magic system, alien high tech system, politics, different races and so on. I love that I got to know the world so much and more to learn - and not only focus on the plot!
I found the classic magic and science/sci-fi vibe cool! Some people might like to keep them separate, but I found all this very cool🤓
All in all if you want a action packed and alien high tech epic fantasy book, then this is worth a try! You must be a fan of details, since the author is very generous with describing his world!
May 8, 2024
Overall, I thought the story was interesting. However, it didn't keep my interest the entire way. The alternating pov was an interesting way to narrate the story, and I liked how eventually the story merged into one once the characters came together. The world building was a bit hard for me to keep up with and imagine at the beginning of the book. It did get easier as the story continued. I liked the characters. However, I didn't love them or felt a connection to them, which is usually what I look forward to when reading. I think I may have felt more connection to the smaller characters than the main ones. I really enjoyed Switch and Matthias' character personalities. The ending was a bit flat for me. Nothing really spectacular, in my opinion.
Overall, it was a good read but not really for me.
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, it was a good read but not really for me.
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2024
Pretty lost for words on this book.. why are more people not getting on this book? It was extremely well done. The writing, the two POV’s and the introduction of other characters was well done.. the plot and the execution was well done.. I highly recommend this book. It’s definitely not one you can just skim through.
Having majored in literature at university, Sam’s eloquence and attention to detail shines through in his writing and his passion for the realm he has created.
A couple things I feel could have been tightened up was the ending.. I was good with it.. but it felt rushed.. a transition from one character pov kind of lost me for a second, but I was able to find my way back… the last part is definitely setting the book up for some interesting storyline to come..
But also an index with descriptions of the various technologies for fromryr:
Hex
The void
Voidstone
Gyre thrusters
Gyre ice..
I would also like to see an index with characters and who they are.
I would love to see what they are and who they are relative to the book.
Overall, a great debut.
Having majored in literature at university, Sam’s eloquence and attention to detail shines through in his writing and his passion for the realm he has created.
A couple things I feel could have been tightened up was the ending.. I was good with it.. but it felt rushed.. a transition from one character pov kind of lost me for a second, but I was able to find my way back… the last part is definitely setting the book up for some interesting storyline to come..
But also an index with descriptions of the various technologies for fromryr:
Hex
The void
Voidstone
Gyre thrusters
Gyre ice..
I would also like to see an index with characters and who they are.
I would love to see what they are and who they are relative to the book.
Overall, a great debut.
May 3, 2025
Eluthienn gripped me from the start. With a compelling writing style and worldbuilding reminscent of Dune, I found this to be a fantastic blend between epic fantasy and science fiction.
Set in a subterranean world with multiple races (uh, dwarves in flying ships, hullo!), we follow two separate but converging plotlines. I enjoyed both POVs: Brazier, the son of a traitor trying to protect his mining crew, and Lyander, a disgraced exorcist. Moreover, I found the cast of side characters to be wonderfully well developed and colourful. We have all sorts here, including demon librarians, dwarven crime lords, and even sarcastic witch hunters.
Sam Middleton does not hold the reader's hand. The world is developed without any painful exposition dumps, and while it was a bit tricky to find my feet in Formaria, the place was all the richer for it.
In all, Eluthienn is a very well written, excellently paced story with great characters set in a rich world. What's not to love?
Set in a subterranean world with multiple races (uh, dwarves in flying ships, hullo!), we follow two separate but converging plotlines. I enjoyed both POVs: Brazier, the son of a traitor trying to protect his mining crew, and Lyander, a disgraced exorcist. Moreover, I found the cast of side characters to be wonderfully well developed and colourful. We have all sorts here, including demon librarians, dwarven crime lords, and even sarcastic witch hunters.
Sam Middleton does not hold the reader's hand. The world is developed without any painful exposition dumps, and while it was a bit tricky to find my feet in Formaria, the place was all the richer for it.
In all, Eluthienn is a very well written, excellently paced story with great characters set in a rich world. What's not to love?
July 18, 2024
Eluthienn by Sam Middleton is a sci-fi, fantasy story with exorcists, elves, dwarves, vampires and some terrifying creatures.
Told from the points of view of Lyander, a disgraced knight who has become an exorcist and Brazier, a dwarf who survives a deadly attack on his ship. War has raged between different races for centuries but now a new creature has arrived that threatens all. Lyander and a mix match team come together to try and save everyone. The side characters are also really well thought out and I found myself loving the banter and the whole crew. This also has a really interesting mix of politics, magic and twists!
If you enjoy epic battles, science fiction and fantasy mix with found family and lots of betrayals then you will enjoy this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Told from the points of view of Lyander, a disgraced knight who has become an exorcist and Brazier, a dwarf who survives a deadly attack on his ship. War has raged between different races for centuries but now a new creature has arrived that threatens all. Lyander and a mix match team come together to try and save everyone. The side characters are also really well thought out and I found myself loving the banter and the whole crew. This also has a really interesting mix of politics, magic and twists!
If you enjoy epic battles, science fiction and fantasy mix with found family and lots of betrayals then you will enjoy this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2024
Sam Middleton carries us to a whole new world in Eluthienn. It's a world filled with Good Guys that do Good Guy stuff, Bad Guys that do Bad Guy stuff, and, to keep it interesting, some folks along the way that you can't quite get a handle on. There's bravery, integrity, magic, battle, incompetent authority, war, intrigue, and day jobs like mining explosive stone. Demons? Yes. Dwarves? Also yes. Elves? Need you even ask? Of course.
Also- this story has multiple points of view, which do not begin by being connected, so you need to be ready for those mental shifts.
There were a few editing misses (homophones, mostly) that kept it from being 5 stars. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Also- this story has multiple points of view, which do not begin by being connected, so you need to be ready for those mental shifts.
There were a few editing misses (homophones, mostly) that kept it from being 5 stars. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 29, 2024
After finishing this book I have to say I can't wait for more. I was captivated for start to finish, and loved the characters that we saw throughout the book.
The story and characters kept me hooked, and this has definitely taken its place as one of my favourite books of the year so far!
The story and characters kept me hooked, and this has definitely taken its place as one of my favourite books of the year so far!
March 2, 2024
I thought that Eluthienn by Sam Middleton was very imaginative with lots of excitement and action in the second half of the book. Until halfway through the book, it did feel like I was reading two different books with the two POV characters. I enjoyed Brazier's story from the start, and felt sympathy for the character and his struggles. There was a lot of detailed description of the world, but sometimes what was described in detail was incidental to the story. Whereas I could have had a clearer description of what Brazier's ship was entering and moving through. By the time the two POV characters met, I did have a clear worldview and then it was action packed with a clear goal. I thought the other POV character Lyander to be unlikable from the start, with his assessing a person's ability to be an administrator on their attractiveness on the first page. But mainly there was lots of description of Lyander's activities but he did not seem to do anything important until he joined with Brazier. Once Lyander did meet with Brazier, then the story captured me with its action and challenges in an unusual world. The world had many different races, and I would have liked to see the differences in world view of the different races explored more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 20, 2024
A fantastic debut novel from Middleton. After teasing the concept of the world of Fromryr in his short story collection he fully dives in with his first novel Eluthienn.
In the novel, Middleton has created an interesting world that blends a mixture of fantasy and sci-fi populated with likeable and engaging characters. The plot is fast paced and engaging and kept me enthralled from beginning to end. This certainly has the feel of being the first book in a series as it sets the stage for larger and grander adventures.
I really enjoyed the framing device for the novel as it hinted at a larger mystery.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes the genre and cannot wait to see where the story goes to next.
In the novel, Middleton has created an interesting world that blends a mixture of fantasy and sci-fi populated with likeable and engaging characters. The plot is fast paced and engaging and kept me enthralled from beginning to end. This certainly has the feel of being the first book in a series as it sets the stage for larger and grander adventures.
I really enjoyed the framing device for the novel as it hinted at a larger mystery.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes the genre and cannot wait to see where the story goes to next.
July 23, 2024
ELUTHIENN
-
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
-
4.5 out of 5 Stars!
-
First, thank you to the author, @sammiddletonbooks , for gifting this book to me and so many other good Bookstagrammers.
-
Eluthienn is both Fantasy and Sci-Fi, though I believe it leans more Fantasy and I intend to shelve this title amongst my other fantasy books. The Sci-Fi elements are fantastic in their own right. The source and knowledge of how the futuristic technology runs is long forgotten and lost to the demise of an ancient civilization. The tech itself is fueled by a seemingly magical resource. This series (Tales of the Fromryr) has a lot of space to explore as far as the Sci-fi aspect of the story goes.
-
That being said, this setting and the characters and creatures within it, are truly fantasy. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Drakes, Vampires, and more fill this world, not only its’ surface, but the endless labyrinth of tunnels and caves below the surface.
-
Reminiscent of the Matrix, the world below the surface is vast and travelled using Spacecraft like ships. Personally, I loved this concept and enjoyed the idea of the underground navy and the “hollow-earth”.
-
This story is told from two different perspectives— Lyander, a human exorcist, and Brazier, a dwarvern sailor. Lyander stole the show in this book. From his first chapter, I felt like I know him, understood him, and wanted more. The “Witcher like” vibes of Lyander had me hooked and vibing with him the whole time! Brazier on the other hand took time for me to get to know. In fact, I feel like I knew the supporting characters around Brazier far better than I did him. The crew around him was very lively and full of personality, Brazier not so much. This is probably because Brazier doesn’t really know who he is, which is what leads to great character development by the end of the book.
-
I loved this world and I look forward to future novels. My only other negative would be the somewhat difficult names of places and things (it took a minute to get used to saying them). I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Found Family, Grim Dark, Monster Hunting, Subtle Romance, and a bit of Political Intrigue.
-
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
-
4.5 out of 5 Stars!
-
First, thank you to the author, @sammiddletonbooks , for gifting this book to me and so many other good Bookstagrammers.
-
Eluthienn is both Fantasy and Sci-Fi, though I believe it leans more Fantasy and I intend to shelve this title amongst my other fantasy books. The Sci-Fi elements are fantastic in their own right. The source and knowledge of how the futuristic technology runs is long forgotten and lost to the demise of an ancient civilization. The tech itself is fueled by a seemingly magical resource. This series (Tales of the Fromryr) has a lot of space to explore as far as the Sci-fi aspect of the story goes.
-
That being said, this setting and the characters and creatures within it, are truly fantasy. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Drakes, Vampires, and more fill this world, not only its’ surface, but the endless labyrinth of tunnels and caves below the surface.
-
Reminiscent of the Matrix, the world below the surface is vast and travelled using Spacecraft like ships. Personally, I loved this concept and enjoyed the idea of the underground navy and the “hollow-earth”.
-
This story is told from two different perspectives— Lyander, a human exorcist, and Brazier, a dwarvern sailor. Lyander stole the show in this book. From his first chapter, I felt like I know him, understood him, and wanted more. The “Witcher like” vibes of Lyander had me hooked and vibing with him the whole time! Brazier on the other hand took time for me to get to know. In fact, I feel like I knew the supporting characters around Brazier far better than I did him. The crew around him was very lively and full of personality, Brazier not so much. This is probably because Brazier doesn’t really know who he is, which is what leads to great character development by the end of the book.
-
I loved this world and I look forward to future novels. My only other negative would be the somewhat difficult names of places and things (it took a minute to get used to saying them). I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Found Family, Grim Dark, Monster Hunting, Subtle Romance, and a bit of Political Intrigue.
September 18, 2024
ELUTHIENN: A TALE OF THE FROMRYR
First of all, thank you to Sam Middleton for the free copy of this to review! Mucho gracias
This one was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed the setting, part steampunk, part gloomy fantasy and part eldritch horror. I think the place to start with what I loved about this would be the technology, and the way that it's seamlessly interwoven into the sticky grimy world of fantasy.
Although this leads me to an issue I had early on and that's the over explanation in the first few chapters. It's fine though because this is one of the other things I loved about this book and that's the prose!
So much prose lately has been my least favourite (matter of fact storytelling) where I'm told about a thing or a person or a place or something that person does in that place and it hasn't been prettified. I love my words and sentences with flair and this was a book with it in abundance. The dialogue felt believable the character work (which is most important for me) was fantastic.
This was a fully realised world with a lot of thought, care and work put into it and overall I really enjoyed my time here. I recommend this to basically everyone, there's a bit in it for all.
4.5, rounded up for Goodreads
First of all, thank you to Sam Middleton for the free copy of this to review! Mucho gracias
This one was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed the setting, part steampunk, part gloomy fantasy and part eldritch horror. I think the place to start with what I loved about this would be the technology, and the way that it's seamlessly interwoven into the sticky grimy world of fantasy.
Although this leads me to an issue I had early on and that's the over explanation in the first few chapters. It's fine though because this is one of the other things I loved about this book and that's the prose!
So much prose lately has been my least favourite (matter of fact storytelling) where I'm told about a thing or a person or a place or something that person does in that place and it hasn't been prettified. I love my words and sentences with flair and this was a book with it in abundance. The dialogue felt believable the character work (which is most important for me) was fantastic.
This was a fully realised world with a lot of thought, care and work put into it and overall I really enjoyed my time here. I recommend this to basically everyone, there's a bit in it for all.
4.5, rounded up for Goodreads
May 20, 2024
Fantasy, dystopian, almost steam-punky, and supernatural. The world building within Eluthienn is so vast and rich with description, every scene breathed with life from the very small minute details to the feel and air surrounding each and every situation. This dystopian fantasy tells the stories of tortured and turmoiled characters in an action swept plot they must struggle to overcome. Slow to start but once the Gyre ship got rolling it was full steam ahead. Just be ready to run across names of races, factions, orders, and Royal houses with spellings that will likely have you slowly sounding out each syllable or writing your own “cheat sheet” to refer to.
Huge thank you to BookSirens for the opportunity to pick this one up and delve into the world of Formaria.
Huge thank you to BookSirens for the opportunity to pick this one up and delve into the world of Formaria.
June 8, 2025
Grimdark and full of rich lore, Eluthienn portrays a fully developed fantasy world that focuses on organic world building.
The underground kingdom of ancient magictech, a smattering of new and old folklore creatures, a political landscape that is alien and yet all too familiar to ones recognizable from history, but the real strength here is the action, the descriptive language painting a vivid picture of an underground world full of danger, and best of all a series of relatable and interesting characters who you will begging to hear more from by the end.
Genuinely cannot wait to see more.
The underground kingdom of ancient magictech, a smattering of new and old folklore creatures, a political landscape that is alien and yet all too familiar to ones recognizable from history, but the real strength here is the action, the descriptive language painting a vivid picture of an underground world full of danger, and best of all a series of relatable and interesting characters who you will begging to hear more from by the end.
Genuinely cannot wait to see more.
July 12, 2024
This book is amazing i loved it and deffo will be rereading again loved the wroting style of this story and just loved it all in all would deffo recommand this book to anyone and everyone
June 9, 2025
More of a 4-4.5 but wanted to support a small author with more stars
Great book original story telling. Good writing endeavor. Didn’t expect vampire story.
Great book original story telling. Good writing endeavor. Didn’t expect vampire story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews