The Crooked Shard

Bane of the North #3

by A.C. Salter

Bane, Alruna and Garik knights, embark on a perilous journey to the Empire on a quest to find and bring home a lost hero.

Fraught with danger in the unforgiving land, they find themselves amidst a rebellion.

As the stakes grow higher and the challenges more desperate, they must overcome the will of Gharl himself.

"We live as men, but fight as gods."

Genres: Fantasy

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2024

Reviews

[Ishani Guha-Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading book 2 after book 1, I couldn't believe it could be bettered. But book 3 has blown both books 1 and 2 out of the water and reached an unprecendented level of brilliance. Everything flows beautifully, the detail exquisite and the prose sublime. The rich characters are even more developed and tuned, Bailin ever so thrilling, a man for all seasons and a role model to the equally dynamic Bane.
But just as the men are thrilling, so are the women, Alruna, you have my heart, Sherin, the power and legacy she holds, and Nel, a presence flowing in the vein. The story picks up immediately, and the relentless action is at an astonishing pace. What trials will our heroes face next? Just as the heroes have their glory, the villains are never far behind. I can't wait to devour Book 4 Storm Cleaver!

[Blaise · Rating 4 out of 5]

And done! Liked the characters but didn’t enjoy the plot in this one as much as the first 2 books. Looking forward to the next book in the series

[E.L. Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great third entry to this series. Endless twists and an interesting plot. A few more typos than the previous books, but probably a result of such a quick publication after book 2.
Would recommend and will be looking out for future works!

[Chloe Cherrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what another fantastic reason by A.C.Salter.
I really don't know what it is you put in these books but they're absolutely insane!
Each one of the books in the Bane of the North series I've read so far have just been phenomenal.

The storyline/plot, character development, action, heart never ceases to amaze me.
I keep getting new favourites step up to the front and it fills my heart with so much joy. Also a shout out to the unsung hero that is Freki 😺

Looking forward to continuing these incredible stories and would urge anybody who hasn't read these or any of A.C.Salters work to hurry up and get on it, you won't regret it 😉

[Charlotte_booktok_lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

An wonderful Vikings fantasy with some ungodly like characters thrown in which makes me think of tremors if your old enough to remember. The storyline's in all the books so far are incredible in plot and the characters really come together in The Crooked Shard.
The plot definitely kept me hooked. I did find the fighting scenes hard to keep up but thats just me.
Looking forward to reading Storm Clever. #4.

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing a strong series, with an exhausting book 3…

This series does not slow down, breakneck speed, a thrill ride with every page turned. Exhilarating, devastating, heartbreaking, just to make my spirits soar on the next page. Cannot wait to continue this journey asap in next book. Well done.

[ShooF · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting to drop stars because the the "homophones" are starting to grate! Obviously what ever word solution he is using lets them pass because technically they are spelt correctly,they are simply the wrong words! Examples just from the books baron/barren,no/know, hear/here....... To be honest it's an easy read, probably more YA than anything. My main gripe with this one is the trope of the baddie can't die- come on buried alive-nope fall off a cliff-nope & finally buried alive again where no one else survives- nope. Then we have the Emperor's Champion, who when first introduced into the storyline is apparently all looks with no substance, well until he needs to be all substance for the storyline! Just be consistent.
Book 5 has still to be released so I'm hoping that's it because I can't see me going further than that.

[Charlotte’s Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series!

I feel like a lot happened in this book and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t get enough of the battles and the attention to the details of the fights that make them so easy to picture.

Usually when I read a series with many characters there is at least one that I really dislike and they just annoy me throughout the books but not here. I haven’t found a single character I dislike yet, they’re all very likeable. Even the bad guys a great characters!

I know I’ve mentioned this already in my reviews for the first two books but I still love the bonds/friendships between the characters, they’re amazing.

I am very excited to read book 4!

[Tash Ormiston · Rating 5 out of 5]

What on earth do you put in these books. I am so hooked and invested. The way all the POVs came together at the end had me holding my breath. I am so glad to see two certain individuals finally together at last and that last chapter?!… I’m so exited to see what becomes of him.

The way these characters are written is impeccable, especially the female characters. They are fierce, strong and know exactly who they are. I love it!

Very excited to read book 4 and so glad I started this series. I will also be working my way through the other series from this author, his writing is fantastic and always leaves me wanting more.

[Rebekah Bouttell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crooked Shard, the third installment in A.C. Salter’s Bane of the North series, brilliantly continues the fast-paced action that fans have come to love. From start to finish, the story delivers heart-pounding moments of shock and suspense that keep you glued to the page. Yet amid the chaos, Salter masterfully weaves in heartwarming, emotional scenes that tug at the heartstrings and deepen our connection to the characters. It’s a perfect balance of intensity and emotion. Another five-star read—and I absolutely can’t wait for the next instalment!

[Joe Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disappointed

I'm a bit disappointed I get to the end of the story and it says THE END. No hope for another version For another story? I mean surely there's more to this they still gotta go back and defeat Gharl. Tyr still needs to prepare. I mean there's more there You can't just end it like this I hope. Saying all that, it was a great story, I loved it, but we need to properly finish it.

[Susan Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crooked Shard

Third book in the Bane of the North series, Bane and Alruna on an epic voyage chasing Bailin, Banes father who he has never met. Learns what his Wycom mark can do, he battles monsters in the fug, that come from the sea and erupt from the desert .Finally they meet and recognise each other. Next ine please!

[Anwai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part way through reading, this was only going to get two stars because the plot was very slow and I was very bored of the fight descriptions. Then it got better with the plot speeding up and emotional reunions so it went back up to three stars.
There are still many spelling and punctuation mistakes - if readers can spot them then so should proof-readers.

[mark mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bane of my life lol

There was nothing to dislike in this series as far as I am concerned, the action is steady and fun, the supporting characters are cool,and the bad guys suck!!! Lol

[robert d. riches · Rating 5 out of 5]

BA e of the North Series

Enjoyed the story, the characters the fast pace. Minor recapping of story that allowed me continue the fast pace story line. Thank you a d look forward to next story.

[William Dearth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Word processor used

I really loved this series, but I am puzzled by some of the errors I found. For instance, taught instead of taut. They sound the same. It's as if sections were dictated, and the wrong was chosen. Other than that, i really enjoyed it.

[Paul M Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed. Hard to put down.

A truly captivating fantasy. At the end of each chapter, you want to keep reading to find out what going to happen next. New twist and turns around every corner. I can't wait to start book four.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

another fantastic read and now onto the next book

I love following the fast pace of the story and can visualise the places travelling through the book . Can’t wait for the next book .

[Lee Ann Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

eating up this series so fast. I love the continued charaters and the battles. our favorite main character continent to bond and fight any one who need it. lol

our new friends are such a great addition to the story contributing to the depth of the story and the characters

[Gunn Merethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites of A.C salter yet again , this book had me griped . The ending had me almost in tears !
For me its stil a bit wierd to read about Tyr . For those that know why you understand! But all in all a amazing book and series !

[Karen Malzard · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

These books are fabulous, such vision A.C Salter, you have done it again. Enthralling, captivating and I couldn’t put it down, just right for dull days

[Ruby Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

Really enjoyed reading this series of books. Engaging characters , interesting twists. Looking forward to reading the next one. Hope it is soon

[Richard Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last

Hopefully the last of the series, hurrah . It will come soon I hope. The last , I can’t wait

[Magi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series Read it

[Clark Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

the bane of the north book 3

Good read enjoyed the continuation of the series and am anticipating the next book to be just as interesting. Thumbs up!

[Ramon Zen-Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talented author

Salter is a talented author. However his main character continues to be quite gullible and it's becoming a little bit redundant

[Joseph Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

picks right up from last book which i love this one lots of battles and introduces alot more great characters

[Sheree Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battle Royal

The battle I had waited for! Friends reunited, Father and Son together! Great book! I look forward to the next one

[Alan Harrison]

Enjoyed the nook

[Nick M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5, this is the beach episode of this fantasy series. Kind of unnecessary, set in a different country, who knows why they're really there but it's still cool I guess