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Saga of the Redeemed #1.1
The Iron Ring
Tyvian Reldamar—criminal mastermind, rogue mage, and smuggler of sorcerous goods—has just been betrayed by his longtime partner and left for dead in a freezing river. To add insult to injury, his mysterious rescuer took it upon himself to affix Tyvian with an iron ring that prevents the wearer from any evildoing.
Revenge just got complicated.
On his quest to get even, Tyvian navigates dark international conspiracies, dodges midnight assassins, and uncovers the plans of the ruthless warlord Banric Sahand—all while running from a Mage-Defender determined to lock him up. Tyvian will need to use every dirty trick in the book to avoid a painful and ignominious end, even as he discovers that sometimes even the world's most devious man needs a shoulder to lean on.
Revenge just got complicated.
On his quest to get even, Tyvian navigates dark international conspiracies, dodges midnight assassins, and uncovers the plans of the ruthless warlord Banric Sahand—all while running from a Mage-Defender determined to lock him up. Tyvian will need to use every dirty trick in the book to avoid a painful and ignominious end, even as he discovers that sometimes even the world's most devious man needs a shoulder to lean on.
192 pages, ebook
First published February 10, 2015
About the author
Auston Habershaw
44 books90 followersAuston Habershaw is the author of the Saga of the Redeemed and has published over 30 short stories in venues such as F&SF, Analog, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and elsewhere. He teaches English and Literature at a small college in Boston MA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 23, 2020
I bought the Graphic Audio version of this on a whim because the premise made it sound like a light and fun fantasy read. It ended up being a good choice as this was a fun read. It had plenty of humour but turned out to have a bit more dark and gritty than I anticipated. Luckily that did not hurt the story. This was a tale packed with humour, action, and adventure.
The premise was great. Tyvian Reldamar, criminal mastermind, rogue mage, and smuggler of sorcerous goods, has just been betrayed by his long time partner and left for dead in a freezing river. As if that was not bad enough the mysterious man who rescued him has slapped a magical Iron Ring on his finger that prevents him from doing evil deeds. This puts a real crimp in Tyvian's style and definitely hurts his quest for revenge. As if all that was not bad enough a determined mage-defender has picked up his trail and is desperate to see him pay for his misdeeds!
It was a fun tale. Tyvian Reldamar was no stranger to evil deeds but the magic ring kept him in line and forced a bit of positive character development as the story progressed. Tyvian was still hell bent on getting his revenge and continuing his life of crime but it proved less easy than he hoped and he also ended up lumbered with a couple of companions, a 12 year old pickpocket and a fearsome Knoll who was hunting Tyvian's old friend for reasons of her own! To complicate matters and add a bit of intrigue Tyvian also found himself being caught up in the plots of the ruthless warlord Banric Sahand who was planning to seize control of the region.
I liked the mix of humour and action and felt like the pacing of the story was decent. The world building was fine. The magic system was a little different but seemed fun enough and I liked the fact we got a few unusual sentient creatures thrown into the mix. The characters were likeable enough even if they were a little grey in nature. Tyvian was not super likeable on his own but the ring kept him in line and he was mostly easy enough to root for.
The ending was a bit abrupt but I think that is because this is really just a half a book! I look forward to listening to the next part once it gets released. Hopefully GA pick up the whole series.
All in all this was an enjoyable fast paced tale.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: This was a Graphic Audio production so we got the full cast, sound effects, and dramatic music. As always they did a great job!
The premise was great. Tyvian Reldamar, criminal mastermind, rogue mage, and smuggler of sorcerous goods, has just been betrayed by his long time partner and left for dead in a freezing river. As if that was not bad enough the mysterious man who rescued him has slapped a magical Iron Ring on his finger that prevents him from doing evil deeds. This puts a real crimp in Tyvian's style and definitely hurts his quest for revenge. As if all that was not bad enough a determined mage-defender has picked up his trail and is desperate to see him pay for his misdeeds!
It was a fun tale. Tyvian Reldamar was no stranger to evil deeds but the magic ring kept him in line and forced a bit of positive character development as the story progressed. Tyvian was still hell bent on getting his revenge and continuing his life of crime but it proved less easy than he hoped and he also ended up lumbered with a couple of companions, a 12 year old pickpocket and a fearsome Knoll who was hunting Tyvian's old friend for reasons of her own! To complicate matters and add a bit of intrigue Tyvian also found himself being caught up in the plots of the ruthless warlord Banric Sahand who was planning to seize control of the region.
I liked the mix of humour and action and felt like the pacing of the story was decent. The world building was fine. The magic system was a little different but seemed fun enough and I liked the fact we got a few unusual sentient creatures thrown into the mix. The characters were likeable enough even if they were a little grey in nature. Tyvian was not super likeable on his own but the ring kept him in line and he was mostly easy enough to root for.
The ending was a bit abrupt but I think that is because this is really just a half a book! I look forward to listening to the next part once it gets released. Hopefully GA pick up the whole series.
All in all this was an enjoyable fast paced tale.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: This was a Graphic Audio production so we got the full cast, sound effects, and dramatic music. As always they did a great job!
March 1, 2016
I enjoyed the chapters with Tyvian. He's truly a complicated character--not necessarily likable, full of surprises, humorous, and just plain interesting. The addition of the iron ring threw in a new level of depth. I'm loving how Tyvian is fighting the decent side of himself. This isn't one of those books where characters make an instant and totally unbelievable transformation. Whether or not there is a permanent change in Tyvian is yet to be shown, and the curiosity to find out will surely make me read the sequel.
What I didn't like so much is the other point of view characters in the story. There's a number of antagonists and it's gets hard to tell them apart or figure out the motives behind them. The world building is very large so that at some points I was left feeling lost on how certain people relate to other characters. What Sahand had to do with Tyvian for instance.
Also I'm not a fan of ending novels with complete cliffhangers. I do like some plot elements to be completed by the end and not have everything left hanging. It made me feel somewhat cheated to have no satisfying conclusion. Good thing the sequel is so reasonably priced. :-)
What I didn't like so much is the other point of view characters in the story. There's a number of antagonists and it's gets hard to tell them apart or figure out the motives behind them. The world building is very large so that at some points I was left feeling lost on how certain people relate to other characters. What Sahand had to do with Tyvian for instance.
Also I'm not a fan of ending novels with complete cliffhangers. I do like some plot elements to be completed by the end and not have everything left hanging. It made me feel somewhat cheated to have no satisfying conclusion. Good thing the sequel is so reasonably priced. :-)
February 23, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and devoured it in one sitting. The highest compliment I can give this book is that I didn't want it to end. I was really swept away by the world and the storyline. The characters are extremely well-developed, the world is meticulously designed, and the pace of the story was perfect. I even laughed out loud at a few points. I love that Tyvian isn't the typical hero and I can see that redemption is possible for him. I'm very intrigued by the backstory that's been shown and I can't help but root for some romance with Tyvian and Myreon. I'm eagerly awaiting Part II of this saga!
November 9, 2020
TL;DR. Niggling problems erode one's motivation to continue the series. DNF @ Book 2 (No good deed) 70%.
Unrepentant protagonist. The premise is simple, take an extraordinary criminal, place a restriction on them and through the course of the novel have the character grow through adversity. The problem? Tyvian, the main character, does not outgrow the ring. He remains the same bastard at the end of the book as he was at the start, the only difference being that he now has a Pavlovian heroic response to the ring's torture. By not taking the training wheels off (the ring) Tyvian's character "growth" is largely left up in the air - would the reformed version of himself resolve the conflict in this novel? If not, then did his character actually change?
No personal stakes. Compounding the problem above is the secondary story-line. It's actually the central conflict of the novel and is given a wasteful amount of pages. Yet despite all this, Tyvian's involvement in it is by pure accident. He has little connection with the villain: they do not butt heads over shared goals and it's only in the last ~10% or so that they even meet. Are we really meant to swallow that this is the climax of the novel?
If the premise is one of character growth, then the villain of the novel should be in some way linked with that. A cliched example would be the idea of your previous vices creating the villain (think Mr. Incredible and Syndrome).
Pseudo-intelligence. It's hard to write intelligent characters, I acknowledge that, but a writer shouldn't reach for the bottom of the writing barrel either. What am I talking about? Here's how to make a character seem smart without trying: have a bunch of events take place and at the end of it all, simply have the smart character say "everything is going according to plan." Every "smart" character in this novel does this. It sucks all the tension out of the scene because we, the readers, have no idea what characters know/don't know.
Underwhelming revelations. A minor critique of the second novel is that the ring's history is an underwhelming revelation. I won't go into spoilers, but the entire setup reduced my interest in the world by making it a less magical place. There was an opportunity to explore newer and more bizarre guilds and personage which was promptly put down.
Afterword. I didn't hate the book/s by any means. The above problems just began to grate on me, and after a while, I just wasn't enthralled by the novel anymore. I've read almost 3 novels in this series, so it definitely has it's merits.
Unrepentant protagonist. The premise is simple, take an extraordinary criminal, place a restriction on them and through the course of the novel have the character grow through adversity. The problem? Tyvian, the main character, does not outgrow the ring. He remains the same bastard at the end of the book as he was at the start, the only difference being that he now has a Pavlovian heroic response to the ring's torture. By not taking the training wheels off (the ring) Tyvian's character "growth" is largely left up in the air - would the reformed version of himself resolve the conflict in this novel? If not, then did his character actually change?
No personal stakes. Compounding the problem above is the secondary story-line. It's actually the central conflict of the novel and is given a wasteful amount of pages. Yet despite all this, Tyvian's involvement in it is by pure accident. He has little connection with the villain: they do not butt heads over shared goals and it's only in the last ~10% or so that they even meet. Are we really meant to swallow that this is the climax of the novel?
If the premise is one of character growth, then the villain of the novel should be in some way linked with that. A cliched example would be the idea of your previous vices creating the villain (think Mr. Incredible and Syndrome).
Pseudo-intelligence. It's hard to write intelligent characters, I acknowledge that, but a writer shouldn't reach for the bottom of the writing barrel either. What am I talking about? Here's how to make a character seem smart without trying: have a bunch of events take place and at the end of it all, simply have the smart character say "everything is going according to plan." Every "smart" character in this novel does this. It sucks all the tension out of the scene because we, the readers, have no idea what characters know/don't know.
Underwhelming revelations. A minor critique of the second novel is that the ring's history is an underwhelming revelation. I won't go into spoilers, but the entire setup reduced my interest in the world by making it a less magical place. There was an opportunity to explore newer and more bizarre guilds and personage which was promptly put down.
Afterword. I didn't hate the book/s by any means. The above problems just began to grate on me, and after a while, I just wasn't enthralled by the novel anymore. I've read almost 3 novels in this series, so it definitely has it's merits.
February 23, 2015
An excellent debut novel by a talented writer, I enjoyed this tale of magic, intrigue and adventure and look forward to reading more from this author.
Mr. Habershaw has created a detailed and vibrant world that he very lovingly describes to the reader. Even though it is a world dominated by magic, or perhaps because of it, the people inhabiting it are all quite human and vulnerable and often suspicious of each other and their environment. Enter the main protagonist, Tyvian Reldamar, a resourceful and skilled criminal mastermind who is cursed with an iron ring that forces him to confront moral decisions he had always by-passed in his life up to the point we meet him. Although the supporting characters are all well imagined and voiced, the plot mostly involves Tyvian's struggles.
It is his moral conflict that is both the true strength and weakness of this book. Tyvian is very clearly on a path to redemption, but it is not of his own choosing. The only struggle he has with his decisions is in determining if it is worth it for him to endure the ring's painful disciplinary measures every time he behaves in a morally questionable manner. This makes him an utterly unsympathetic character, in my opinion, and lessens my interest level in his journey. Most redemption stories have a character seeking redemption of their own volition, while this one is completely involuntary. The author is keenly aware of this, however, and at several points in the book presents the argument to the reader of what actually constitutes moral behavior. Is it the desire to live in a mutually supportive community of human beings or is it just to avoid the pain of acting out against the common good?
It is an interesting argument to study and Mr. Habershaw seems eager to embrace the challenge of helping us (and Tyvian) find an answer to the question. Therefore, if you are a reader that is put off by Tyvian at first, I would encourage you to keep exploring the story and bear in mind that a world filled with those who wield magic and those who do not might not be as prone to the rule of law and the spirit of progressive society as the one we are familiar with.
Of course, this book ends much too soon, but I fault the publisher for that instead of the author. I look forward to reading the next installment and exploring more of the world and its problems which Mr. Habershaw has created for us.
Mr. Habershaw has created a detailed and vibrant world that he very lovingly describes to the reader. Even though it is a world dominated by magic, or perhaps because of it, the people inhabiting it are all quite human and vulnerable and often suspicious of each other and their environment. Enter the main protagonist, Tyvian Reldamar, a resourceful and skilled criminal mastermind who is cursed with an iron ring that forces him to confront moral decisions he had always by-passed in his life up to the point we meet him. Although the supporting characters are all well imagined and voiced, the plot mostly involves Tyvian's struggles.
It is his moral conflict that is both the true strength and weakness of this book. Tyvian is very clearly on a path to redemption, but it is not of his own choosing. The only struggle he has with his decisions is in determining if it is worth it for him to endure the ring's painful disciplinary measures every time he behaves in a morally questionable manner. This makes him an utterly unsympathetic character, in my opinion, and lessens my interest level in his journey. Most redemption stories have a character seeking redemption of their own volition, while this one is completely involuntary. The author is keenly aware of this, however, and at several points in the book presents the argument to the reader of what actually constitutes moral behavior. Is it the desire to live in a mutually supportive community of human beings or is it just to avoid the pain of acting out against the common good?
It is an interesting argument to study and Mr. Habershaw seems eager to embrace the challenge of helping us (and Tyvian) find an answer to the question. Therefore, if you are a reader that is put off by Tyvian at first, I would encourage you to keep exploring the story and bear in mind that a world filled with those who wield magic and those who do not might not be as prone to the rule of law and the spirit of progressive society as the one we are familiar with.
Of course, this book ends much too soon, but I fault the publisher for that instead of the author. I look forward to reading the next installment and exploring more of the world and its problems which Mr. Habershaw has created for us.
March 3, 2015
Auston Habershaw's The Iron Ring is an explosive debut by a talented new voice in fantasy. It is remarkably well-written, fast-paced, and highly entertaining. The main character evokes images of Scott Lynch's Locke Lamora, quick-witted, charming, and rogue-like, while the worldbuilding is as deep and complex - yet logical - as any Brandon Sanderson book. Fans of either of these authors won't be disappointed in The Iron Ring.
The only problem I have with it is that it really only feels like half a book. This seemed to play havoc with the pacing, and left me begging for more at the end. However, knowing that I only have to wait a few more months for the next installment in the Saga of the Redeemed makes the wait a little less painful. I can't wait to read more!
The only problem I have with it is that it really only feels like half a book. This seemed to play havoc with the pacing, and left me begging for more at the end. However, knowing that I only have to wait a few more months for the next installment in the Saga of the Redeemed makes the wait a little less painful. I can't wait to read more!
February 7, 2015
This book just feels underbaked - the world building is shallow, the character development is weak and it takes over half the book to introduce the main antagonist. And that ring barely makes its presence felt by this point.
Ultimately this book reminds me of the far, far superior The Spirit Thief - another book about a mage/thief being chased by a female mage. Eli was a charming rogue. Tyvian is just kind of a jerk. And where you saw Eli literally talk a door into giving up the nails that held it up so he could escape, we only know Tyvian is such a great thief because the book tells us so. Quite honestly, you're just better off reading that other book.
Ultimately this book reminds me of the far, far superior The Spirit Thief - another book about a mage/thief being chased by a female mage. Eli was a charming rogue. Tyvian is just kind of a jerk. And where you saw Eli literally talk a door into giving up the nails that held it up so he could escape, we only know Tyvian is such a great thief because the book tells us so. Quite honestly, you're just better off reading that other book.
February 26, 2015
The Iron Ring is a very well written, engrossing, and highly witty first part in a series that I hope will continue for quite a while. Habershaw draws the reader into a very different world without boring exposition--phrases casually added in (love the demon engines and courier djinns) make for a vivid experience. The characters are diverse and believable, even Hool the gnoll, who is my favorite. The action is well paced, and the plot promises to have some challenging twists as the series progresses. This is a fun and intriguing read, and I look forward to the next installment. Strongly recommend.
March 15, 2015
A terrific start!
With the exception of its abrupt ending -- likely due to publisher dictates, not the author's preferences -- the Saga of the Iron Ring is off to a breathless (and quite wry) start. Fun and diabolical.
With the exception of its abrupt ending -- likely due to publisher dictates, not the author's preferences -- the Saga of the Iron Ring is off to a breathless (and quite wry) start. Fun and diabolical.
February 15, 2015
An epic fantasy rollick in the style of Patrick Rothfuss and Scott Lynch. My only disappointment is that this first installment ended too soon.
October 30, 2019
I stumbled across this gem of a novel whist spot-reading through, and discarding, a bunch of other works by more experienced authors.
Clever, complex and filled with gentle humour, the basis of the story is about a young nobleman who, having eschewed his privileged upbringing in favour of less salubrious dealings, finds himself faced with the peculiar prospect of being constantly challenged by his core principles (which have a great deal of impact in defining who and what we are as humans). This challenge is manifested in the form of a plain iron ring that causes him significant pain whenever he makes questionable choices. Yes, he can ignore the discomfort, but it's not an easy thing to go against one's nature!
Making matters far, far worse, he finds himself lumbered with a teenage street urchin and a mage Defender (who he kidnapped when his latest venture went belly-up) in the midst of an ugly conspiracy...
Like I said, it's complicated and vastly entertaining. The narrative is excellent, and I cannot wait to lay my hands on the next instalment of this quirky series. I'll DEFINITELY be keeping an eye out for all future works by this writer!!!
Clever, complex and filled with gentle humour, the basis of the story is about a young nobleman who, having eschewed his privileged upbringing in favour of less salubrious dealings, finds himself faced with the peculiar prospect of being constantly challenged by his core principles (which have a great deal of impact in defining who and what we are as humans). This challenge is manifested in the form of a plain iron ring that causes him significant pain whenever he makes questionable choices. Yes, he can ignore the discomfort, but it's not an easy thing to go against one's nature!
Making matters far, far worse, he finds himself lumbered with a teenage street urchin and a mage Defender (who he kidnapped when his latest venture went belly-up) in the midst of an ugly conspiracy...
Like I said, it's complicated and vastly entertaining. The narrative is excellent, and I cannot wait to lay my hands on the next instalment of this quirky series. I'll DEFINITELY be keeping an eye out for all future works by this writer!!!
April 29, 2018
3.5 stars
Not the best-written or most original, but still entertaining. Good world-building and magic system, good immersive details. Characters felt like they'd come from the world of Lies of Locke Lamora.
Cliffhanger-ending rather than a standalone.
Not the best-written or most original, but still entertaining. Good world-building and magic system, good immersive details. Characters felt like they'd come from the world of Lies of Locke Lamora.
Cliffhanger-ending rather than a standalone.
December 26, 2017
It was OK. No major complaints or anything just wasn’t really swept away by the story either.
March 24, 2018
Short and sweet and lots of humour. Just how I like it. On to book II
December 12, 2018
Rather good book; very easy to get caught up in the plot. Looking forward to reading the others on the series.
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December 24, 2025Tyvian Reldamar - the ultimate bad boy turned good guy.
October 19, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
February 23, 2015
Tyvian Reldamar has big plans for his latest scam. But when his partner betrays him, leaving him high and not so dry, pursued by a vengeful Mage Defender, Tyvian vows revenge. Unfortunately, a run in with a mysterious character and an iron ring that punishes him for bad behavior puts a real wrench in the thief's plans.
Saddled with a young admirer and a monster who is also seeking his former partner, Tyvian and his entourage make their way to Freegate - a city free of the Mage Defenders' rules and the one place Tyvian can be free. Unfortunately, when he arrives he discovers a serious evil brewing and finds himself a target on multiple fronts.
Auston Habershaw's debut and the first in the Saga of the Redeemed is an entertaining read with a super fun anti hero. Seriously, Tyvian is a shit. He's got very little in the way of redeeming qualities, though he is quite clever and funny (in a snarky and overly confident way). As the book progresses, though, it becomes clear that his self confidence is not misplaced.
The ring seemingly prevents him from any naughty behavior - when his companions are in danger it prevents him from walking away (which is his default setting) and it also prevents him from killing the mage defender who has devoted her career to bringing him down. And that mage defender - Myreon Alafarr - she's pretty awesome. Her connection to Tyvian, and the main reason she's so bent on capturing him, isn't revealed until close to the end but it could also hint at just why Tyvian is so darn talented as a con man and thief.
The book isn't completely without flaws, my only real issue was with the pacing in certain areas. Fortunately both Tyvian and the world itself were enough to keep me moving along. And it's a pretty short read all in all so any lagging passes within just a few pages.
The Iron Ring is out now, but be warned it does come to a very abrupt end. The follow up, All That Glitters, isn't due out until October.
Saddled with a young admirer and a monster who is also seeking his former partner, Tyvian and his entourage make their way to Freegate - a city free of the Mage Defenders' rules and the one place Tyvian can be free. Unfortunately, when he arrives he discovers a serious evil brewing and finds himself a target on multiple fronts.
Auston Habershaw's debut and the first in the Saga of the Redeemed is an entertaining read with a super fun anti hero. Seriously, Tyvian is a shit. He's got very little in the way of redeeming qualities, though he is quite clever and funny (in a snarky and overly confident way). As the book progresses, though, it becomes clear that his self confidence is not misplaced.
The ring seemingly prevents him from any naughty behavior - when his companions are in danger it prevents him from walking away (which is his default setting) and it also prevents him from killing the mage defender who has devoted her career to bringing him down. And that mage defender - Myreon Alafarr - she's pretty awesome. Her connection to Tyvian, and the main reason she's so bent on capturing him, isn't revealed until close to the end but it could also hint at just why Tyvian is so darn talented as a con man and thief.
The book isn't completely without flaws, my only real issue was with the pacing in certain areas. Fortunately both Tyvian and the world itself were enough to keep me moving along. And it's a pretty short read all in all so any lagging passes within just a few pages.
The Iron Ring is out now, but be warned it does come to a very abrupt end. The follow up, All That Glitters, isn't due out until October.
February 16, 2015
The Iron Ring
Part I of the Saga of the Redeemed
By Auston Habershaw
Tyvian Reldamar has just been betrayed and is about to be seized, forced to answer for his crimes. But Tyvian isn't about to just give up. But his escape from the authorities comes with a cost.
The cost - an iron ring that cannot be removed. A ring that compels him to forego his usual deeds of evil. But Tyvian isn't about to let a ring keep him from extracting revenge on the man who betrayed him.
Adding to his troubles Tyvian is being tracked by a Mage-Defender and Myreon Alafarr refuses to stop until she brings Tyvian to justice.
But Tyvian is determined that nothing will stop him, but he doesn't realize that his quest for revenge is about to lead him into even greater danger. A warlord who was defeated years ago is making plans to reclaim that which he lost and Tyvian and those with him are entering the heart of danger. A danger which may very well take them all.
Tyvian is a character of contrasts - intent on breaking the law and yet with moments of empathy for those around him. Myreon is a woman on a mission and it will be interesting to see how her character evolves in the next book (which I look forward to reading).
The first part of the book sets the stage through world building and character introduction. When we arrive at the meat of the story the action and excitement build leaving one in anticipation of book two which is due out in June 2015.
I was provided a 3 day loan of this book in exchange for my review.
Part I of the Saga of the Redeemed
By Auston Habershaw
Tyvian Reldamar has just been betrayed and is about to be seized, forced to answer for his crimes. But Tyvian isn't about to just give up. But his escape from the authorities comes with a cost.
The cost - an iron ring that cannot be removed. A ring that compels him to forego his usual deeds of evil. But Tyvian isn't about to let a ring keep him from extracting revenge on the man who betrayed him.
Adding to his troubles Tyvian is being tracked by a Mage-Defender and Myreon Alafarr refuses to stop until she brings Tyvian to justice.
But Tyvian is determined that nothing will stop him, but he doesn't realize that his quest for revenge is about to lead him into even greater danger. A warlord who was defeated years ago is making plans to reclaim that which he lost and Tyvian and those with him are entering the heart of danger. A danger which may very well take them all.
Tyvian is a character of contrasts - intent on breaking the law and yet with moments of empathy for those around him. Myreon is a woman on a mission and it will be interesting to see how her character evolves in the next book (which I look forward to reading).
The first part of the book sets the stage through world building and character introduction. When we arrive at the meat of the story the action and excitement build leaving one in anticipation of book two which is due out in June 2015.
I was provided a 3 day loan of this book in exchange for my review.
February 10, 2016
I actually received an egalley of this about 6 or 7 months ago (I'm part of the HarperVoyager Super Reader program...free ARCs/ebooks for honest reviews...yeah, I didn't realize something this sweet could be true, either!) and started it within a couple weeks, but it just never quite grabbed me. I got sidetracked by other books for review, then new stuff came out, then I wanted to reread some of my old favorites, then I bought a bunch of stuff at my favorite used bookstore (The Fine Book in Promenade Mall, Tulsa OK, tell them I sent you and...well, they'll probably just look at you funny because they don't know me from Adam, lol.)...anyhow, I'm in the middle of moving now so my books were at one place, I was an hour away, and all I had to read was what was in my Kindle.
Auston Habershaw it is!
I still think the beginning started off a bit cliched, but once you get past the initial set up (it's somewhere between Steampunk and traditional Fantasy) it really starts to take off. By the end I was chastising myself for ever putting it down in the first place, and the included sample of the second book immediately upped the stakes so I'm clamoring for an egalley of that ASAP!
So yeah, give it a chance and you'll be pleasantly surprised with this novel. Easy 3.5 stars and looking forward to the sequel.
Auston Habershaw it is!
I still think the beginning started off a bit cliched, but once you get past the initial set up (it's somewhere between Steampunk and traditional Fantasy) it really starts to take off. By the end I was chastising myself for ever putting it down in the first place, and the included sample of the second book immediately upped the stakes so I'm clamoring for an egalley of that ASAP!
So yeah, give it a chance and you'll be pleasantly surprised with this novel. Easy 3.5 stars and looking forward to the sequel.
August 11, 2017
Whip smart and clever is how I would describe the main character Tyvian. It helps that the author has built a great supporting cast of characters to emphasize these points for Tyvian. Also, an inventive and exciting world gives the characters a playground to maneuver within.
This story sees our anti-hero Tyvian get saddled with a magical item that ensures that Tyvian will do the right thing. Tyvian then spends the rest of the story trying to get the accursed item off and inadvertently finds himself in a plot much larger and bigger than his own issues.
Everything about this novel rings the right bells for me. The world is interesting to the point that I wanted to know more. My major complaint about this novel is that it ends on a cliffhanger, like right in the middle of the novel. It doesn't bother me too much as I'll definitely be reading the next novel in this series and any more that the author writes. (hint, hint)
This story sees our anti-hero Tyvian get saddled with a magical item that ensures that Tyvian will do the right thing. Tyvian then spends the rest of the story trying to get the accursed item off and inadvertently finds himself in a plot much larger and bigger than his own issues.
Everything about this novel rings the right bells for me. The world is interesting to the point that I wanted to know more. My major complaint about this novel is that it ends on a cliffhanger, like right in the middle of the novel. It doesn't bother me too much as I'll definitely be reading the next novel in this series and any more that the author writes. (hint, hint)
June 10, 2021
I do not frequently write reviews, but when I saw how few ratings these books have, I felt it was my duty. I just completed the Saga of the Redeemed series and I absolutely loved it! I could not get enough and was quite disappointed that there are no more stories in the series for me to read.
This series has it all: plots within plots within plots, subterfuge, action, humor, great characters, and much more. The humor ties into almost every scene thanks to the main character's unrelenting sarcasm. Action is well described and it is easy to imagine every bit of what is happening. If you like dark or epic fantasy without the cliche farmers boy turned hero in a grand tale of good vs evil this book is for you. Plenty of introspection and the lines are heavily blurred as to what is good and what is evil at times.
Honestly, I cannot understand why so few ratings and reviews exist for this series-it is phenomenal! Please write more Mr. Habershaw, you have a new fan who cannot wait!
This series has it all: plots within plots within plots, subterfuge, action, humor, great characters, and much more. The humor ties into almost every scene thanks to the main character's unrelenting sarcasm. Action is well described and it is easy to imagine every bit of what is happening. If you like dark or epic fantasy without the cliche farmers boy turned hero in a grand tale of good vs evil this book is for you. Plenty of introspection and the lines are heavily blurred as to what is good and what is evil at times.
Honestly, I cannot understand why so few ratings and reviews exist for this series-it is phenomenal! Please write more Mr. Habershaw, you have a new fan who cannot wait!
April 9, 2015
The book tells an interesting story at a great pace. You always will want to read the next chapter to know what happens to the protagonist. He's a witty con-man and a regular anti-hero that's made to behave like a hero (but he can still be sarcastic).
The magic system developed in the series (at least as far as the first book) is not too complex but has the right amount of information dispensed to the reader at the right times. Overall I think that the world the book portrays is one where the characters don't seem out of place.
Overall, I think it was a good book, however, I'd have liked to see some conclusion at the end of the first book. It's pretty obvious that this book is part of a series (of which I'd love to read the others) but I would prefer it if it was also able to stand by itself.
The magic system developed in the series (at least as far as the first book) is not too complex but has the right amount of information dispensed to the reader at the right times. Overall I think that the world the book portrays is one where the characters don't seem out of place.
Overall, I think it was a good book, however, I'd have liked to see some conclusion at the end of the first book. It's pretty obvious that this book is part of a series (of which I'd love to read the others) but I would prefer it if it was also able to stand by itself.
June 18, 2015
I may have just found a new favorite Thief.
Took me a bit to get into the world here; magic system is a little complex, what with the various species, gems and items that we get thrown at us in the first few chapters.
But once were past that and you start to get a feel for the world, well - Tyvian Reldamar becomes one of the best characters to read about. He's no hero, he doesn't want to be, he comes from a famous family - he's the rebel. The black sheep. And he's a criminal mastermind.
Tyvian reminds me a bit of Eli Monpress and Drothe, 2 other thieves from good books. But Tyvian is way more ruthless then those two, if his only way out of a situation is to sacrifice someone, well, he always comes first in his own mind.
Fun read, great action, solid characters - picking up book 2 right now.
Took me a bit to get into the world here; magic system is a little complex, what with the various species, gems and items that we get thrown at us in the first few chapters.
But once were past that and you start to get a feel for the world, well - Tyvian Reldamar becomes one of the best characters to read about. He's no hero, he doesn't want to be, he comes from a famous family - he's the rebel. The black sheep. And he's a criminal mastermind.
Tyvian reminds me a bit of Eli Monpress and Drothe, 2 other thieves from good books. But Tyvian is way more ruthless then those two, if his only way out of a situation is to sacrifice someone, well, he always comes first in his own mind.
Fun read, great action, solid characters - picking up book 2 right now.
Did Not Finish
February 10, 2017Wasn't my cup of tea.
abandoned 70% of the way through,
abandoned 70% of the way through,
March 15, 2015
Overall I enjoyed reading this book. The writing was great and very witty, more than once I laughed out loud at a one liner in the book. The plot wasn't extravagant but it kept my interest throughout the book, and I didn't really feel like any of the PoV's were dragging the book down.
My problem with this book is that it feels like there is final act missing. The book kinda just ends on a lot of cliff hangers and looking back you realize that NONE of the plots started by the book are resolved. They all feel like they will be resolved in the first few chapters of the next book which is pretty weird.
My problem with this book is that it feels like there is final act missing. The book kinda just ends on a lot of cliff hangers and looking back you realize that NONE of the plots started by the book are resolved. They all feel like they will be resolved in the first few chapters of the next book which is pretty weird.
June 24, 2016
Book One of Two
The hero is quite a selfish scoundrel, smuggler and con artist. He is wanted by the Mage Defenders and is both on the run and out for vengeance against his former partner who betrayed him. He is absolutely brilliant and always has a plan or five going which is fun to see. Unfortunately for him, he is fitted with a iron ring which causes great pain when he wants to do anything unethical. Not very good when you are in the scoundrel business. Action, magic, sword fights, and plotting. What's not to like.
The hero is quite a selfish scoundrel, smuggler and con artist. He is wanted by the Mage Defenders and is both on the run and out for vengeance against his former partner who betrayed him. He is absolutely brilliant and always has a plan or five going which is fun to see. Unfortunately for him, he is fitted with a iron ring which causes great pain when he wants to do anything unethical. Not very good when you are in the scoundrel business. Action, magic, sword fights, and plotting. What's not to like.
September 10, 2015
So, I'm a sucker for scoundrels (and when I run across a new author that does things I like...I try to helpfully boost their numbers then via ratings and by writing reviews).
I picked this up at random and was completely captured until I read through this book, and the sequel, and checked to see when the third would be available. *Pout* not for a while.
Regarding the book, I will leave it to a pleasant surprise. Any Scott Lynch fans would probably like this one.
I picked this up at random and was completely captured until I read through this book, and the sequel, and checked to see when the third would be available. *Pout* not for a while.
Regarding the book, I will leave it to a pleasant surprise. Any Scott Lynch fans would probably like this one.
January 20, 2016
Really more 3.5 stars. An enjoyable fantasy set in an interesting world with an original magic system. The characters were quite good as well as the story itself. Only real gripe was the ending - not a cliffhanger just a dead stop. This book and it's squeal really should have bee published as one big book not two. Luckily for me I was able to read them back to back without having to wait...which would have driven me insane. Definitely would recommend. A Book Bub offer.
June 29, 2016
Intriguing, all encompassing work, strong writing, character development, overall great action series start.
A thrill ride full of twists, turns and surprising shocks! I enjoyed reading book 1 of the iron ring. I see infinite possibilities in this series and I can appreciate that. Great start on a very promising series. I am pumped about reading book 2, and so on as quickly as possible. Good, strong work, Auston Habershaw, thank you!
A thrill ride full of twists, turns and surprising shocks! I enjoyed reading book 1 of the iron ring. I see infinite possibilities in this series and I can appreciate that. Great start on a very promising series. I am pumped about reading book 2, and so on as quickly as possible. Good, strong work, Auston Habershaw, thank you!
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