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Fall of Emros #1
Stone & Shield
A new vain Emperor sits on the throne. Dreaming of glory and conquest.
A stirring in the west as power shifts.
And a band of mercenaries known as the Stone & Shield make way to return to the imperial capital.
A great gritty grimdark adventure.
For thirty years Diirg has done the bloody work and the years have taken their toll.
But when in the trade of death, one’s past is never far behind.
It’s a long journey to Emros City, and enemies new and old stalk the trails.
A stirring in the west as power shifts.
And a band of mercenaries known as the Stone & Shield make way to return to the imperial capital.
A great gritty grimdark adventure.
For thirty years Diirg has done the bloody work and the years have taken their toll.
But when in the trade of death, one’s past is never far behind.
It’s a long journey to Emros City, and enemies new and old stalk the trails.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
17 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Thomas J. Devens
5 books20 followersThomas is the author of the Fall of Emros Saga, his first series of gritty epic fantasy. He released his first novel Stone & Shield in 2020. A foundry worker by day, he currently resides in the Hudson Valley region of New York state.
Outside of working and writing, he prefers his time spent around a campfire with a few beers.
Outside of working and writing, he prefers his time spent around a campfire with a few beers.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 4, 2021
Stone & Shield is the first release in Thomas J. Devens’ Fall of Emros series. It was written in a classical fantasy style and in multiple POVs. I like the story, and I think the writing is technically very sound.
Devens does a really nice job of creating disparate storylines, both really intriguing in their own right but that have a tertiary connection, as well. It makes the Emrosian Empire (the featured world in the book), really interesting. This place already had a lot going on, and the Emperor dying is a catalyst for change. Not necessarily good change, though, as his son and heir is a bit of a terror (big Joffrey vibes from this one), but change, nonetheless. The storyline featuring the Councilors of Guilion brings its own narrative drama, also, that is very different and brings a welcome aspect of the story that compliments the other two pieces.
My favorite part of the book, though, was following the Stone and the Shield, a mercenary group who travel the Empire getting paid for jobs. With their most current job complete the crew is looking to get paid but so much happens along the way. Nothing is ever easy in the Emrosian Empire, and the Stone and the Shield’s journey demonstrates that. This storyline is more of an adventure fantasy than anything, and that is why it appeals to me so much.
I would have rated this book a little higher, but I felt there was something missing as I was reading. It was hard to put my finger on it for a while, but I realized by the end what it was: emotion. From a technical standpoint, I think this book is really well-written. All three POV’s are distinct and interesting, there is suspense and drama, and the story is adventurous; but, there was not enough emotion built in for me, and if the journey is not emotional it falls a little flat. That is what happened with here, in my opinion.
As I mentioned above, Stone and Shield is a really interesting, classical-type fantasy read. I like the distinct POVs, and the characters and world building are really interesting. While I wish the story was more emotive, that fact is not going to keep me from recommending it for those who enjoy classical fantasy. It fits very well in the genre
Devens does a really nice job of creating disparate storylines, both really intriguing in their own right but that have a tertiary connection, as well. It makes the Emrosian Empire (the featured world in the book), really interesting. This place already had a lot going on, and the Emperor dying is a catalyst for change. Not necessarily good change, though, as his son and heir is a bit of a terror (big Joffrey vibes from this one), but change, nonetheless. The storyline featuring the Councilors of Guilion brings its own narrative drama, also, that is very different and brings a welcome aspect of the story that compliments the other two pieces.
My favorite part of the book, though, was following the Stone and the Shield, a mercenary group who travel the Empire getting paid for jobs. With their most current job complete the crew is looking to get paid but so much happens along the way. Nothing is ever easy in the Emrosian Empire, and the Stone and the Shield’s journey demonstrates that. This storyline is more of an adventure fantasy than anything, and that is why it appeals to me so much.
I would have rated this book a little higher, but I felt there was something missing as I was reading. It was hard to put my finger on it for a while, but I realized by the end what it was: emotion. From a technical standpoint, I think this book is really well-written. All three POV’s are distinct and interesting, there is suspense and drama, and the story is adventurous; but, there was not enough emotion built in for me, and if the journey is not emotional it falls a little flat. That is what happened with here, in my opinion.
As I mentioned above, Stone and Shield is a really interesting, classical-type fantasy read. I like the distinct POVs, and the characters and world building are really interesting. While I wish the story was more emotive, that fact is not going to keep me from recommending it for those who enjoy classical fantasy. It fits very well in the genre
July 28, 2024
This is a different genre than that I usually read but I enjoyed it 😃
August 3, 2024
Solid world-building and memorable characters.
An enjoyable read.
An enjoyable read.
September 5, 2020
A great start to a new series! If you like grim/dark fantasy, definitely give this one a shot. The point of view shifts give you the opportunity to get into many of the character’s heads. I’m a huge fan of Yon, Diirg, Fiirla, & Cerisa. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
February 27, 2022
Took my breath away!
The best thing I can say about this book, is that it is reminiscent of The Black Company. It is not a duplicate, it just has every good thing, ( and bad ), that made me fall in love with The Black Co. These are my favorite kind of novel. The ones that feature all of the blood, guts, grit, and betrayal that is suffered by a merc company depending on others for their livelihood, while being the first fodder in the battle.
The best thing I can say about this book, is that it is reminiscent of The Black Company. It is not a duplicate, it just has every good thing, ( and bad ), that made me fall in love with The Black Co. These are my favorite kind of novel. The ones that feature all of the blood, guts, grit, and betrayal that is suffered by a merc company depending on others for their livelihood, while being the first fodder in the battle.
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July 9, 2021The story follows numerous characters as an Emperor dies and his vainglorious son assumes the throne, plunging the realm into conflict, with more sinister villains waiting in the wings.
This one is ambitious, spanning numerous POVs and the lives of many characters, from emperors and their advisors, to mercenary warriors, to common innkeepers. There’s political intrigue, banditry, mercenaries being sold out by their former employers … all kinds of good plot devices to propel the action forward. There is an early battle scene that is particularly well-written, well-paced, and suitably bloody. The story features an interesting take on dragons, with one character having a dragon companion (always a plus for me).
Unfortunately, as a unified effort, the book never quite gelled for me. As I said, there were a lot of POVs—maybe too many. It diluted the narrative and very much prevented most of the characters from getting significant development. By the middle of the book, many of them started to blend together. A number of characters were killed but I didn’t feel moved, because I had not connected with them. The entire thing could have also used another editing look, as there were sections with repetitive phrasing and some run-on sentences that kept knocking me out of the tale.
Even if this wasn't for me, I can see this really appealing to people who enjoy the epic, multi-POV reach of Song of Fire and Ice of Wheel of Time.
This one is ambitious, spanning numerous POVs and the lives of many characters, from emperors and their advisors, to mercenary warriors, to common innkeepers. There’s political intrigue, banditry, mercenaries being sold out by their former employers … all kinds of good plot devices to propel the action forward. There is an early battle scene that is particularly well-written, well-paced, and suitably bloody. The story features an interesting take on dragons, with one character having a dragon companion (always a plus for me).
Unfortunately, as a unified effort, the book never quite gelled for me. As I said, there were a lot of POVs—maybe too many. It diluted the narrative and very much prevented most of the characters from getting significant development. By the middle of the book, many of them started to blend together. A number of characters were killed but I didn’t feel moved, because I had not connected with them. The entire thing could have also used another editing look, as there were sections with repetitive phrasing and some run-on sentences that kept knocking me out of the tale.
Even if this wasn't for me, I can see this really appealing to people who enjoy the epic, multi-POV reach of Song of Fire and Ice of Wheel of Time.
January 12, 2022
I listened to this on audiobook and I'd recommend reading it instead. I wasn't a fan of the narrator. HOWEVER, the story was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed it. it's unique and original with likeable characters. I'm now a fan of the author and I will read all of his future books. bring on book 2
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews