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Darkblade #9
Voyager
The Hunter rides for vengeance…
…and embarks on a voyage of bloodshed and death.
His pursuit of the escaped Groebus Dayblood and his assassin accomplices leads to the shores of Einan and beyond, across the Frozen Sea.
But danger follows wherever the Hunter goes. Sailing with him are parties unknown plotting bloody murder. Their deadly blades are aimed at him, and trapped aboard a ship in the middle of the ocean, there is nowhere to run or hide.
Pirates, cutthroats, and dark arcane magic capable of mind-shattering horrors, the Hunter must fight them all to protect the one person who matters most: his daughter.
- GenresFantasy
1012 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2024
About the author
Andy Peloquin
94 books1,339 followersI am, first and foremost, a storyteller and an artist--words are my palette. Fantasy is my genre of choice, and I love to explore the darker side of human nature through the filter of fantasy heroes, villains, and everything in between. I'm also a freelance writer, a book lover, and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend hours talking about my fascination for the worlds I encounter in the pages of fantasy novels.
Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle--it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!
Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle--it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!
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November 15, 2024I tried. I really really tried, I made it nearly 190 pages, but I just couldn't go any further. I'd already come into this book not particularly excited because the last two books had disappointed me and I'm feeling that same disappointment now. It's upsetting that I worked through 8 books in this series and am giving up now, but I just don't think I want to devote anymore time to this, not when the author is just dragging this story out so needlessly. I have a number of grievances that I'll share below.
It's utterly ridiculous how many pages it took just for the Hunter to finally leave Shalandra. Like this is why this author's books end up being so long, he wastes so much time on shit that's unnecessary. Quite frankly he could've condensed all the goodbyes and settling the Hunter's affairs into two chapters instead of 70 fucking pages. But no, instead they like to embellish every single minute of the Hunter's departure. It's also what the author chose to embellish that irks me. It was all menial stuff that didn't matter while what he didn't describe was the parts that were more significant. Like the ritual of seeking that the Hunter performed for Groebus. This is quite literally the first time in years that he's used this technique, the technique that STARTED this series and yet all it got was a background mention. It would've been more meaningful to the story to describe him doing the sacred ritual than describing him walking around the palace following the funeral procession and watching Issa grieve.
Also tell me why the Hunter's attitude was so irritating in this book. For one thing, he seemed far more cocky than I remember him being in previous books, it was annoying. To be honest, the Hunter in general was kind of unrecognizable from how he was in early books and I find that a little upsetting. He was so temperamental to the point where he'd be emotionally effected by every little thing, it was bizarre and not at all like him. The thing about character development is that though change is good and growth is really important, you still have to stay true to the heart of the character which I just felt wasn't the case with the Hunter.
I'm also so done with his relationship with Jaia. He has let the fact that she's his daughter blind him to futility of his mission. She has proven over and over again that she's too far out of his reach. Even if he were to reveal that he was her father, she wouldn't believe him and if she did, it would not sway her from her path. I really hate Taiana for making him promise to find her because now he refuses to see that a relationship with her won't work. It's literally been THREE books now and they're still going through this cycle of growing closer and then having their relationship fall apart. It's tiresome and entirely not worth it. Jaia is a grown women that grew up with a father of her own, Hunter does not need to step in so she can get to know her real father, it's just pointless.
There was a couple other things that bothered me but i don't feel like ranting about every little thing that irked me so I'm just gonna leave it be. I might come back to the book and see if I can pick it up again because frankly I do really wanna know how the Hunter's story ends, but I find that my patience is currently too frayed to continue with it. So, maybe I'll return, maybe I won't.
It's utterly ridiculous how many pages it took just for the Hunter to finally leave Shalandra. Like this is why this author's books end up being so long, he wastes so much time on shit that's unnecessary. Quite frankly he could've condensed all the goodbyes and settling the Hunter's affairs into two chapters instead of 70 fucking pages. But no, instead they like to embellish every single minute of the Hunter's departure. It's also what the author chose to embellish that irks me. It was all menial stuff that didn't matter while what he didn't describe was the parts that were more significant. Like the ritual of seeking that the Hunter performed for Groebus. This is quite literally the first time in years that he's used this technique, the technique that STARTED this series and yet all it got was a background mention. It would've been more meaningful to the story to describe him doing the sacred ritual than describing him walking around the palace following the funeral procession and watching Issa grieve.
Also tell me why the Hunter's attitude was so irritating in this book. For one thing, he seemed far more cocky than I remember him being in previous books, it was annoying. To be honest, the Hunter in general was kind of unrecognizable from how he was in early books and I find that a little upsetting. He was so temperamental to the point where he'd be emotionally effected by every little thing, it was bizarre and not at all like him. The thing about character development is that though change is good and growth is really important, you still have to stay true to the heart of the character which I just felt wasn't the case with the Hunter.
I'm also so done with his relationship with Jaia. He has let the fact that she's his daughter blind him to futility of his mission. She has proven over and over again that she's too far out of his reach. Even if he were to reveal that he was her father, she wouldn't believe him and if she did, it would not sway her from her path. I really hate Taiana for making him promise to find her because now he refuses to see that a relationship with her won't work. It's literally been THREE books now and they're still going through this cycle of growing closer and then having their relationship fall apart. It's tiresome and entirely not worth it. Jaia is a grown women that grew up with a father of her own, Hunter does not need to step in so she can get to know her real father, it's just pointless.
There was a couple other things that bothered me but i don't feel like ranting about every little thing that irked me so I'm just gonna leave it be. I might come back to the book and see if I can pick it up again because frankly I do really wanna know how the Hunter's story ends, but I find that my patience is currently too frayed to continue with it. So, maybe I'll return, maybe I won't.
October 13, 2024
Andy Peloquin books are a breed apart, taking on a life of their own, pounding at me, through me, in me. Whist it's no secret I'm completely bessotted with the Hunter, every single character Andy draws is not a feeble paint by numbers kind but one with robust master strokes. So too does the plot he unfolds, the eloquence of his prose, the rawness of the emotions, threaten to sink me each time. Right from the start, a new journey begins, the war in Shalandra is over but with tragic loss. Issa's grief and sorrow clenched my own heart, in truth, much clenched my heart in this book. Because, yes, Andy writes epic fantasy, which to some might be too detailed but his descriptions, his world building, the vividry is spectacular. I see it all, I hear it al, I smell it all. In fact, it's the little details that have the biggest impact on me.
The Hunter got under my skin from the very first book and he's taken permanent residence within me. He's a character who has consistently grown throughout this series, from his early beginnings as a tortured soul, alone, an outcast, lied to, deceived, manipulated, he's emerged softer, warmer, with the capacity to embrace the love he's shown and most important of all, the capacity to reciprocate, to feel the beauty of loving another. He's always "felt" perhaps a bit too much and not always the good, he's "felt" the anger, the bloodlust, the voices, now the feels, while no less painful, allow him to feel joy. He's so complex a character, he has more layers than an onion and each layer is just as spellbinding as the next. His metamorphoses is staggering, phenomenal. Don't be mistaken in assuming he's no longer deadly, he is, but now he's a different breed of deadly. Two characters sum him up perfectly, Kiara who once said "I always believe it's far better to feel too much than too little" and that the Hunter does, in spades, he cares so deeply. He might be a half demon, a Bucelari, but as Captain de Gris said, "demon by blood, not in heart".
His pursuit of The Order of Mithridas and their leaders is ongoing and this time, the pursuit takes him on a voyage across the sea. On a ship. Which, to the Hunter, is a fate worse than death. It was so cool to see the infallible, deadly Hunter come undone by sea travel, he can decimate hundreds before him but can do little about his sea legs, or lack thereof. I loved the mystery/thriller tone this book has, a bit of a deviance from prior books and had me guessing throughout. I COULDN'T believe it was who it was that orchestrated mayhem on the ship! So not only did Hunter have THAT to deal with, his need for closeness and a relationship with his daughter tore my heart in two. Gosh the emotional onslaught was supreme! But both he and Jaia have secrets, they conceal their true selves expertly, or I should say, Andy conceals it perfectly. So many wonderful characters emerge, Emmeline and Inez, 2 young girls my heart went out to, Lorenz, a fabulously fascinating "creature", I really loved his character immensely. Lady Celestia and Captain de Gris captured my attention and Allesard, hmmm....It must be exhausting being Allesard, he's so frigging rigid, his protective stance is almost comical, I've yet to see him relax and not seek out threats wherever his eyes gaze, he's constantly so...dour. I loved the richness of the story, the dimensionality, the brutality and the humanity. They all converge brilliantly, as one such scene, a beautiful scene towards the end filling me with much warmth and no, it actually had nothing to do with the Hunter, just 2 people in love. Pertaining to that, I really love the twist Andy put on her regal, demure character, very unexpected but very cool!
Once more a full supporting cast for the "star" of the show, once more fully fleshed characters, once more new characters blended so well with characters we've already met, once more a read that has me sitting on the edge of my seat, once more utterly captivating and riveting. Tense, gory, loving, heartening, heartbreaking, joyful, compassionate, action, yes, this series has it all! This series has taken me through more highs and lows, through more turmoil and body counts, yet given me more hope and optimism, with a desperate hankering for a HEA for the Hunter. I'm completely, utterly, entirely smitten with the Hunter and this series.
The Hunter got under my skin from the very first book and he's taken permanent residence within me. He's a character who has consistently grown throughout this series, from his early beginnings as a tortured soul, alone, an outcast, lied to, deceived, manipulated, he's emerged softer, warmer, with the capacity to embrace the love he's shown and most important of all, the capacity to reciprocate, to feel the beauty of loving another. He's always "felt" perhaps a bit too much and not always the good, he's "felt" the anger, the bloodlust, the voices, now the feels, while no less painful, allow him to feel joy. He's so complex a character, he has more layers than an onion and each layer is just as spellbinding as the next. His metamorphoses is staggering, phenomenal. Don't be mistaken in assuming he's no longer deadly, he is, but now he's a different breed of deadly. Two characters sum him up perfectly, Kiara who once said "I always believe it's far better to feel too much than too little" and that the Hunter does, in spades, he cares so deeply. He might be a half demon, a Bucelari, but as Captain de Gris said, "demon by blood, not in heart".
His pursuit of The Order of Mithridas and their leaders is ongoing and this time, the pursuit takes him on a voyage across the sea. On a ship. Which, to the Hunter, is a fate worse than death. It was so cool to see the infallible, deadly Hunter come undone by sea travel, he can decimate hundreds before him but can do little about his sea legs, or lack thereof. I loved the mystery/thriller tone this book has, a bit of a deviance from prior books and had me guessing throughout. I COULDN'T believe it was who it was that orchestrated mayhem on the ship! So not only did Hunter have THAT to deal with, his need for closeness and a relationship with his daughter tore my heart in two. Gosh the emotional onslaught was supreme! But both he and Jaia have secrets, they conceal their true selves expertly, or I should say, Andy conceals it perfectly. So many wonderful characters emerge, Emmeline and Inez, 2 young girls my heart went out to, Lorenz, a fabulously fascinating "creature", I really loved his character immensely. Lady Celestia and Captain de Gris captured my attention and Allesard, hmmm....It must be exhausting being Allesard, he's so frigging rigid, his protective stance is almost comical, I've yet to see him relax and not seek out threats wherever his eyes gaze, he's constantly so...dour. I loved the richness of the story, the dimensionality, the brutality and the humanity. They all converge brilliantly, as one such scene, a beautiful scene towards the end filling me with much warmth and no, it actually had nothing to do with the Hunter, just 2 people in love. Pertaining to that, I really love the twist Andy put on her regal, demure character, very unexpected but very cool!
Once more a full supporting cast for the "star" of the show, once more fully fleshed characters, once more new characters blended so well with characters we've already met, once more a read that has me sitting on the edge of my seat, once more utterly captivating and riveting. Tense, gory, loving, heartening, heartbreaking, joyful, compassionate, action, yes, this series has it all! This series has taken me through more highs and lows, through more turmoil and body counts, yet given me more hope and optimism, with a desperate hankering for a HEA for the Hunter. I'm completely, utterly, entirely smitten with the Hunter and this series.
December 5, 2024
Holy shit. I can not believe how good this book was. The continued story of The Hunter reveals new facets to his character. We get to learn more about his past, Jaia and her past, and we meet some new faces that have ties to old friends and enemies.
Mr. Peloquin continues to do an amazing job of interweaving threads from throughout his works within Einan (and beyond).
I especially loved the humbling of the Hunter that we see, both on the voyage across the sea, and in his interactions with the people he cares about.
We are also treated to a glimpse into another part and culture of Einan, the people of Isletta.
As with all of Mr. Peloquin's books, there is pain and loss aplenty.
The development of The Hunter and Jaia's relationship, in conjunction with the Hunter's inner monologue was extremely well written.
There is one scene as more of the curtain is pulled away on the past that I felt was truly powerful and impactful. Which I hope you will know when you get to it.
This book was an amazing read, and if it weren't for that pesky work thing I would have devoured it even faster.
I am anxiously awaiting book 10, Ravager, and the full audio book treatment for the entire series.
Mr. Peloquin continues to do an amazing job of interweaving threads from throughout his works within Einan (and beyond).
I especially loved the humbling of the Hunter that we see, both on the voyage across the sea, and in his interactions with the people he cares about.
We are also treated to a glimpse into another part and culture of Einan, the people of Isletta.
As with all of Mr. Peloquin's books, there is pain and loss aplenty.
The development of The Hunter and Jaia's relationship, in conjunction with the Hunter's inner monologue was extremely well written.
There is one scene as more of the curtain is pulled away on the past that I felt was truly powerful and impactful. Which I hope you will know when you get to it.
This book was an amazing read, and if it weren't for that pesky work thing I would have devoured it even faster.
I am anxiously awaiting book 10, Ravager, and the full audio book treatment for the entire series.
November 14, 2024
This is the latest installation in the Darkblade series and… wow! It begins with the Hunter seeing the aftermath of the last book and ends with… well, along the way I never thought I’d see him doing so much shipboard jobs.
More seriously – the Hunter has always struck me as a person who does what he considers his duty. He made promises to Issa and he’s going to do his best to fulfill them. But sometimes other things come up too. (Doesn't mean he'll forget though!)
Of course, a Hunter book isn’t just about him. I enjoyed the chance to see more of Jaia as well as newer characters. The Hunter’s travels are full of interesting, eccentric, and oddball folks, and Author Peloquin gives them enough time to be fully fleshed out as characters before drawing (some) of their stories to an end. What else could you expect of a book that pauses frequently to share body counts? 😊
The story is fast-paced and well-plotted. There’s also time taken, even in darker portions for people to rejoice at being alive and to give fallen companions proper sendoffs. What’s best about the book? There’s more to come!
More seriously – the Hunter has always struck me as a person who does what he considers his duty. He made promises to Issa and he’s going to do his best to fulfill them. But sometimes other things come up too. (Doesn't mean he'll forget though!)
Of course, a Hunter book isn’t just about him. I enjoyed the chance to see more of Jaia as well as newer characters. The Hunter’s travels are full of interesting, eccentric, and oddball folks, and Author Peloquin gives them enough time to be fully fleshed out as characters before drawing (some) of their stories to an end. What else could you expect of a book that pauses frequently to share body counts? 😊
The story is fast-paced and well-plotted. There’s also time taken, even in darker portions for people to rejoice at being alive and to give fallen companions proper sendoffs. What’s best about the book? There’s more to come!
February 17, 2025
Still fun to read
Hunter is a bad ass. Peloquin has done a great job of turning a villain into a good guy. He has also been great at how Hunter has drawn together outcasts to create a family. It has exposed in Hunter what everyone wants - the desire for family and happiness. But, he has the tendency of unnecessarily dragging things out. I lost count of how many times Hunter "repeats" the doubts and fears he has about his feelings and insecurities. He could easily cut ten percent of a book by not repeating such things. Details make a book interesting and make the reader not want to put the book down. Repeating the same details six or seven times in the same book tells me the author just wants to fill more pages than is necessary to tell the story.
Hunter is a bad ass. Peloquin has done a great job of turning a villain into a good guy. He has also been great at how Hunter has drawn together outcasts to create a family. It has exposed in Hunter what everyone wants - the desire for family and happiness. But, he has the tendency of unnecessarily dragging things out. I lost count of how many times Hunter "repeats" the doubts and fears he has about his feelings and insecurities. He could easily cut ten percent of a book by not repeating such things. Details make a book interesting and make the reader not want to put the book down. Repeating the same details six or seven times in the same book tells me the author just wants to fill more pages than is necessary to tell the story.
May 15, 2025
Decent book, but I found myself skipping through a lot of the non dialogue parts. Too much worrying and reminiscing for my taste. I also find myself missing the anger and fight from the first couple of books. He killed what, one person with soul hunger during the entire book? He never once used his new sword so we still know nothing about it or it's capabilities.
In the beginning, the Hunter was a rogue who didn't care what others thought about him. Now he's a father, almost a husband, and certainly no longer an assassin. Heck, he's almost a nice guy! News flash, the Hunter of Voramis is not meant to be a nice guy...he can do good things for sure, but bring back the Bad A$$ that we loved from the first few books.
In the beginning, the Hunter was a rogue who didn't care what others thought about him. Now he's a father, almost a husband, and certainly no longer an assassin. Heck, he's almost a nice guy! News flash, the Hunter of Voramis is not meant to be a nice guy...he can do good things for sure, but bring back the Bad A$$ that we loved from the first few books.
October 15, 2024
Good grief, is this a little cracker or what. Having read the previous ones I knew it would be good but I did not realise just how good. I don’t really know how to describe how good this book actually is. I absolutely adored it, seriously engrossed all the way through to the ending I didn’t see coming. Action is an understatement is this one. When I got to near the end I read a chapter and left it for a while and read another chapter and repeated it time and time again cos I did not want it to end. Definitely worth more than five stars that’s for sure. Very highly recommended.
March 12, 2025
Best yet
I was unsure upon reading the synopsis of this book as to how being isolated on a ship would work for the hunter. However the story that unfolded was incredibly well paced and actually have real insight into the complex relationships between the characters.Very difficult to put down and putting the characters in an environment where there was no escape made it all the more riveting. One of the best yet cannot wait for the next instalment of the hunters journey and his continued redemption.
I was unsure upon reading the synopsis of this book as to how being isolated on a ship would work for the hunter. However the story that unfolded was incredibly well paced and actually have real insight into the complex relationships between the characters.Very difficult to put down and putting the characters in an environment where there was no escape made it all the more riveting. One of the best yet cannot wait for the next instalment of the hunters journey and his continued redemption.
December 9, 2024
This is the best story I've read.
I've read all nine books in this seires, its one of the bestbi,he read, even tho I have to wait for the next one in the seires I never forget about The Hunter, I always am able to pick up where I left off. You get to know the Hunter, and find he is a hero. I would definitely recommend this seires if you like hero's you would not expect. I give it a 10 star rating.
I've read all nine books in this seires, its one of the bestbi,he read, even tho I have to wait for the next one in the seires I never forget about The Hunter, I always am able to pick up where I left off. You get to know the Hunter, and find he is a hero. I would definitely recommend this seires if you like hero's you would not expect. I give it a 10 star rating.
March 13, 2026
Swashbuckling, deck swabbing, murder on the high seas! Peloquin takes the Hunter and his little crew out of their element and onto the high sees. This felt very stand alone ish, most of the books have the feel like you can read by itself, but this one was the most stand alone that I can remember. I do want Peloquin to get the Hunter back on track with the over arching storyline but overall this book was definitely a plus.
November 21, 2024
Outstanding
Another magnus opus in the series!
And a great teaser for the next instalment...
The characters are compelling and the story is wonderfully constructed: I think it is excellent!
Another magnus opus in the series!
And a great teaser for the next instalment...
The characters are compelling and the story is wonderfully constructed: I think it is excellent!
December 5, 2024
What a great voyage!
What can happen to the Hunter on a ship? He is only going to be around his "Lady" and her guard. What can go wrong does go wrong!
What can happen to the Hunter on a ship? He is only going to be around his "Lady" and her guard. What can go wrong does go wrong!
January 11, 2025
Absolutely fantastic, no stopping until you get to the end. Full of action, and danger. A continuation of a series that is utterly unbelievable. Don’t miss out.
January 28, 2025
Voyager delivers!
I could not put it down with all the action and twists and turns. It was a great continuation of building up the characters. Cannot wait for the next one!
I could not put it down with all the action and twists and turns. It was a great continuation of building up the characters. Cannot wait for the next one!
June 27, 2025
yeah, good stuff. the Saga continues.
well written, looking forward to the next
well written, looking forward to the next
November 14, 2024
The Hunter is forced to make a hard choice, desire and duty, always at odds, but choices had to be made and he knew he had to leave those he loved and were so precious to him behind in Shalandra whilst escorting his daughter Jaia to safety, all the way to Icespire in the Princelands. Jaia still does not know the Hunter is her father and treats him still as her protector, whilst she travels under a new name leaving that of Contessa Nyvae. They are trying to escape those hounding them and the Hunter wants to find and kill Groebus and hunt down his scarlet ghosts, the team of assassins who had killed the Pharus and Lady Calista, parents of Issa. However to keep Jaia safe hunter decides to board a pirates vessel rather than the one the priests were traveling on. Assuming that if he leaves these alone they will be safe, however the journey across the Frozen Sea turns out to be anything but safe. As other passengers are killed and a hunt for the murderer uncovers more secrets than can be imagined. Jaia takes on the responsibility of two young orphaned girls, showing us a new side to her character, whilst the Hunter goes all out to solve the murder mystery in order to safeguard his daughter and that of the two young traumatized girls. The guests on the pirate ship are eccentric and all come with their own secrets, turning this book into not only a great seafaring adventure but also a mystery solving tale with heart stopping moments, and brutal battles all taking place in a restricted area surrounded by the open seas. We see Jaia changing so much in this book, her caring side is shown but she is still hurt and full of anger. Whilst the Hunter is still loath to spill his great secret to her fearing she would rebuff him, but forever ready to give up his very life for her safety. I love that he is so steadfast in his love for his daughter, and that he puts her before all other including his beloved Kiara, Hailen and Evren although they are never far from his heart and mind! This book 9 in the Darkblade series is another fast paced, action packed, heart stopping compulsive read which I really loved and though it was another tome I did not want it to end. I look forward to the next book in this beloved series as I can never have enough of my favourite assassin character ever!
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