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Fallen Knight

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Leon Quinn has two goals in life: stay out of the reach of the Templesbane and drink himself unconscious whenever he can afford it.

The first is because the Templesbane wiped out his home and family among the Knights Vigilant when he was a child, destroying everything he knew and loved in one night. The second is to help him sleep when the memories of the first overwhelm him.

But he can’t avoid his past forever. His mercenary work has brought him back to Mezeldwelf, the city he fled to after the downfall of the Knights Vigilant, and to his estranged father just in time to get embroiled in a scheme that threatens the very foundation of the city. A scheme that could see Mezeldwelf, its people, and its gods handed over to the Templesbane.

To protect the city and man that adopted him, Leon will need to confront the ruins of the life he left behind and the horrors that threaten the life he’s cobbled together since then.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2025

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About the author

Ceril N. Domace

16 books28 followers
Ceril N Domace is an accountant, animal lover, and dedicated dungeon master.

As a lover of fiction works great and small, Ceril has been reading age-inappropriate stories since her father failed to pull The Silmarillion from her grubby little fingers at age five. As a grown-up accountant, her spreadsheet compiling gives her plenty of time to make plans for a fantastic world that isn't plagued by balance sheets . . . and also has dragons.

On the rare occasions she manages to free herself from an ever-growing and complex web of TTRPG, Ceril enjoys taking walks and griping that all her hobbies are work in disguise.

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Kelly.
2,751 reviews131 followers
January 22, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with The Write Reads.

This epic fantasy is the first in a series. At the beginning, I felt the author did an excellent job of creating an atmosphere to draw the reader into the story. I think that I accepted Leon as the hero of the story before I even knew much about him; there was something about his energy and the way he was presented, I imagined him as someone wise and dignified.

I enjoyed the bond between Leon and Jackie; that was something that went to my heart. I think my favourite character was Charity.

I felt there was some beautiful imagery in the book, and in particular, I liked how the author described Leon's emotions, thought processes and sensations that he felt. I found the latter part of the book particularly emotional to read.

Although it took me a few hours to finish the book in its entirety, I didn't feel the story was too long or drawn out. I think fans of epic fantasy will like this.

Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
Profile Image for Sammie Wyatt.
41 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2025
Book Info


Genre: Fantasy

Age Category: Adult

Number of Pages: 351 Pages

Publication Date: January 24, 2025


Blurb


Leon Quinn has two goals in life: stay out of the reach of the Templesbane and drink himself unconscious whenever he can afford it.

The first is because the Templesbane wiped out his home and family among the Knights Vigilant when he was a child, destroying everything he knew and loved in one night. The second is to help him sleep when the memories of the first overwhelm him.

But he can’t avoid his past forever. His mercenary work has brought him back to Mezeldwelf, the city he fled to after the downfall of the Knights Vigilant, and to his estranged father just in time to get embroiled in a scheme that threatens the very foundation of the city. A scheme that could see Mezeldwelf, its people, and its gods handed over to the Templesbane.

To protect the city and man that adopted him, Leon will need to confront the ruins of the life he left behind and the horrors that threaten the life he’s cobbled together since then.


About the Author


Ceril N Domace is an accountant, animal lover, and dedicated dungeon master.


As a lover of fiction works great and small, Ceril has been reading age-inappropriate stories since her father failed to pull The Silmarillion from her grubby little fingers at age five. As a grown-up accountant, her spreadsheet compiling gives her plenty of time to make plans for a fantastic world that isn't plagued by balance sheets . . . and also has dragons.


On the rare occasions she manages to free herself from an ever-growing and complex web of TTRPG, Ceril enjoys taking walks and griping that all her hobbies are work in disguise. 

WOW!!! This is a book I couldn't put down. Every chance I have had I have been reading. Firstly the cover art is beautiful, with chapters that you fly threw.

I have loved every page and felt like I couldn't put it down. It's a mixture of magic, god's and knights. The main character is hard not to fall in love with and feel every emotion as you go through this book.
You feel every hard decision and sacrifice he has to make to keep the people he cares about safe.

I won't give away spoilers but I am definitely hoping for a second book. I would highly recommend this book.

I want to say thank you to the author Ceril n. Domace and the writereads book tour. This has honestly been such a joy to read, and to have the physical copy, I will treasure
Profile Image for Danielle.
242 reviews13 followers
January 16, 2025
A captivating read that has something for every reader – action, suspense, magic, sacrifice, it’s hugely entertaining and emotionally engaging, crafting a fascinating world with complex, likeable characters inhabiting it.

The world-building is brilliant, I was completely immersed in the settings so wonderfully brought to life, the lore, the supernatural goings-on, and the unravelling mysteries. The storytelling is perfectly paced revealing pieces of information along the way that leaves the reader wanting to know more! I was swept up in the unfolding plot and couldn’t put the book down, especially as the danger escalates with the sinister Templesbane making their presence known.

I loved The Band of Broken Blades, the camaraderie and humour they bring. Seeing the bonds forged, found-family vibes and the way they go above and beyond. The dynamics of the group made for a fun and emotional read, and the bond between Jackie and Leon was a joy to read.

Leon is a compelling main character, he’s brave and possesses amazing gifts but is hiding his past and who he really is. I enjoyed getting to know Padraeg and Aoife and their strong connection to Leon, the trust and love shine through. Leon has a dangerous destiny weighing heavily on his shoulders. What does fate have in store for our characters, and at what cost?

Fallen Knight is an epic fantasy read with heart offering an exploration of loss, sacrifice, self-acceptance, and the power of keeping faith and hope that’s not to be missed.

I’m excited to see what’s to come in the next instalment!

With thanks to @The_WriteReads for my copy and a place on the Tour.

Profile Image for karla_bookishlife.
1,222 reviews40 followers
January 21, 2025
Fallen Knight is the story of a mercenary Leon Quinn, who is harbouring his true identity as the last surviving member of the Knights Vigiilant, all of whom were massacred when he was still an apprentice at the age of 13years. On the run for fear of his true identity being revealed, he suffers under the weight of the legend of the knights resurfacing to save the kingdoms from the evils of the brother and sister who threaten them. He doesn't feel up to the task, but when he returns back to his stepfather and homeland , he is forced to face up to his calling. The world building is superb, and there is such a rich tapestry of characters. This book really captured me emotionally..Such an engaging read. #fallenknight #CerilNDomace
Profile Image for Esther.
142 reviews29 followers
January 24, 2025
Cross posted from Cozy with Books!
To view more reviews, click [HERE!]
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The first book starts out with a bang. Leon Quinn, the last surviving member of the Knight Vigilant cares only about drinking and not being caught by the Templesbane. As such, he has spent every year since he was 13, on the run and where better to run to than those always on the move, a band of mercenaries. But, the danger only spreads and as Hyderia runs out of places where the Sister’s influence is untouched, the past has come to knock on Leon’s door. The whispers of his fallen brethren, the army of those taken by Sister, are here to let Leon know. It is time for his return, to take up arms against an enemy so great, the Gods themselves tremble.

This was a really good book. There’s always many little mini-metrics I use to deem if a book is [bonus] good, outside of the typical “plot, characters, setting” and amongst them are emotion and time. Did I death grip the book at times? Uh…yes. Did I shed a few tears towards the end? Oh yes. Did time slip away and I easily inhaled a 3rd of the book in a sitting? Yep. When a book is good good, sometimes I lose track of time and I can’t believe I haven’t moved in hours!

I love the development of characters here. Leon certainly did a lot of growing and he grew on me too. I loved how some of his decisions are just such a mixed bag. He’s no perfect man and there were some crazy choices he had to make. Save the world or save his hide? And if he chooses either or, but it endangers his loved ones, what then? Running away for years and years and hiding his identity, never has his destiny ever been his hold. Like his adoptive father said, Leon had been dealt a shitty hand and no matter which path he walks down, it’s going to be rough seas. This book certainly doesn’t shy away from the darker themes of loss and grief as well as themes of hope and choices.

The writing was superbly done. I was immediately hooked and I looked forward to getting out of work everyday for the past 4 days, just so I could get the next portion in. The first chapter wasn’t full of action and battle filled adrenaline. In fact, a battle had just ended and the band is picking up the pieces afterward. Yet, it still grabbed my attention off the bat! There was a rush of new characters in this first chapter alone, but it didn’t feel overwhelming and that’s a first for me in a fantasy book. I loved the small details that came with every setting and character, just enough to give a label and tag someone so they didn’t become background, but still had enough uniqueness. Then, characters are slowly built on in the following chapters until a solid picture is in mind.

The lore and legends were very well written and spread out. We caught a glimpse of the lore in the first chapters, but really I was still just a bit lost. In comes an info dump, which I always appreciate when done right and in this book, much of that is portrayed as storytelling, taking place during “lesson time” for Jackie, a young girl that the band pretty much adopts. If someone in the band isn’t giving her a history lesson to discuss about the lore and history of the Brother and Sister, then down the road, someone else will be. I can’t particularly explain it, but this was one of the better layouts of backstory and I really enjoyed the writing of it. In those instances, Jackie was almost like an audience surrogate, and I have never sat still and paid so much attention during a lesson before.

Overall, a solid read. I deeply enjoyed it and feel pretty lucky getting to chance upon it (thank you Dave for popping in to see if I’d like to join the tour!). I have previously read Ceril N. Domace’s Haven for BBNYA and one of the reasons I picked Fallen Knight up was because I loved Haven so much and man, she didn’t disappoint here either. A through and through good read that I can’t recommend enough. Parts of it were a tad bit predictable, but I couldn’t have guessed the end events even if I tried, only that it felt “about right” on par with what I expected after reading Haven. If you are looking for an epic fantasy with a lot of heart and soul put into the lore and world-building, enjoyable characters, a lot of good relationships and strong bonds, a sense of found family, good action scenes, interesting villains, and a book that you don’t even realize you’ve just inhaled in short time, give Fallen Knight a try. It won’t disappoint and I’m glad to have read it. Now just the wait for book 2 to arrive.
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honesty review. This does not impact my review and opinions are my own. Thank you to the tour team for the media package, TheWriteReads for hosting, and the author for the copy!
Profile Image for Charlotte (thepennotthesword).
184 reviews23 followers
January 22, 2025
Fallen Knight is a brilliant, epic fantasy read that follows Leon Quinn, a mercenary desperately trying to leave the past behind. He is haunted by the massacre of his people, the Knights Vigilant at the hands of the Templesbane. A new job for his Band of Broken Blades forces him to return to the city he long left behind, compelling him to confront his past and responsibilities he attempted to outrun.

Domace masterfully crafts a world that is incredibly immersive, with intricately blended elements of classic fantasy, and a role-playing game-style narrative. Leon is a deeply authentic character, with his multi-layered characterisation resonating with all readers. The weaving of action and reflection allow you to truly connect with the characters you are following, becoming more invested with everything that is at stake. My only wish was that we had a bit more of a backstory for our secondary characters and history, as I felt these lacked the same depth as Leon.

The themes of loss, redemption, and oppression, provide a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. With battles, magic and found family, Fallen Knight will definitely appeal to all fantasy lovers, and I sincerely hope that a book 2 is on the cards.
Profile Image for Lu Finegan.
45 reviews3 followers
December 16, 2024
This was a creative story. It captured my attention early and kept my interest. The plot was a little predictable but not overly obvious. It’s a decent first for the series. The character development could have been stronger for some of the supporting characters. I hope to see a deeper look in the following books in the series. The main character is was a little difficult to understand at first, but I did end up liking him. But the antagonist(s?) were difficult to understand. I’m still not sure I understand the relationship between the two main antagonists and the others (trying not to leave any spoilers.). Overall, I did enjoy it. This was my first read by the author, and I look forward to the next in the series.
254 reviews10 followers
October 27, 2025
We are taken to a realm with horses and carriages, not the fancy ones, you mind. With knights lost and gods fickle, will any luck our way trickle?

Leon is trying to escape his past. With a mercenary band, he does his job and tries to drink himself into Oblivion when the pay arrives.

The next payday takes him closer to his past than Loen is comfortable with.

“The time has come to stop running”

Back to Mezeldwelf, Leon would rather be anywhere else. His life does not get easier. They current job leads them closer to the horrible truth, Mezeldwelf and everyone in it are in grave danger.

"You can’t save everyone. It will kill you."

Will Leon be able to save the city? His family? Himself?

Leon is a complicated guy. He is blaming himself for escaping his past. Is a big softie in the present.
He is a very loveable character for me. Wanting to do the right thing, loyal to a fault. Those around him are, indeed, very likeable, too. 😊

The sister chilled my marrow alongside Leon at the wharf.
There is even a point where I was almost not able to turn the page as my marrow chilled with Leon's. Then, there were two tears she'd from this gentle reader's eyes.

And those maps that we love? There is one! We can see their journeys.💙
Profile Image for Mike.
80 reviews22 followers
January 21, 2025
Fallen Knight by Ceril N Domace is an ambitious fantasy which tells the tale of Leon Quinn, a man dominated by his past. After the fall of the Knights Vigilant he found work where he could as a mercenary, but his past is always a shadow behind his shoulder. His past is murky affair, he knows some things and assumes others. I think the book has some deep themes running through it, not only the usual fantasy fare of revenge and war, but also a lot of self image and introspection.

It has a rich cast of characters and the writing is good quality. It did take me a while to settle in to it and follow what was going on, but once I did I flew through it. It's an entertaining and thought provoking read that would sit well on any fantasy lover's shelf.

For me it is a 3.5 to 4 star read. I rated a little lower as I found it a bit tricky to settle into it, but after that I did enjoy it and I think others would too, especially if you are better at slipping into a new world than I am. I got free copy of this for a blog tour but that did not alter my rating or review.
49 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2025
What a refreshing take on the reluctant hero this book was!

We follow our middle-aged hero Leon who is a mercenary and in hiding. Leon experiences survivor’s guilt and likes to drown his memories in alcohol. Suffering from imposter syndrome, he finds good reasons not to follow a knight’s job description.

I loved Leon’s relationship to Jackie and his foster family, the descriptions of his inner struggle and the politics of this world.

I enjoyed this book very much and I am looking forward to the next instalment.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews