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Heritage of the Blood #1
Victor Deus
Every culture has it's legends. Those men and women who's legacies were so great that their stories have been repeated generation to generation. A person of such impact that other cultures long detached from the origins tell stories of these powerful individuals. Such is the story of Victor Deus. Unlike many such legends, there was little need to embellish the deeds he and his allies accomplished. Some remember him as a savior, some as a tyrant. There are whole worlds that worship him like a god, and others that raise him up as a devil. All of these worlds agree upon one thing though, he was fiercely protective of his allies, and swiftly dealt with his enemies.
How does one become such a figure? Loved by so many, yet feared by even more? The story is a long one, and I hope you will bear with me as the story unfolds. One thing you must know about Victor Deus is that he was not given time to be a child, for his formative years were full of training and despair. Therefor, it is there where this story begins, a boy, barely able to hold a sword, thrust into events he cannot control.
How does one become such a figure? Loved by so many, yet feared by even more? The story is a long one, and I hope you will bear with me as the story unfolds. One thing you must know about Victor Deus is that he was not given time to be a child, for his formative years were full of training and despair. Therefor, it is there where this story begins, a boy, barely able to hold a sword, thrust into events he cannot control.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2014
30 people are currently reading
788 people want to read
About the author
Brent Lee Markee
3 books59 followers***Update, Book three is still planned, but I have not been able to get back into writing yet. If you want updates on when book three might show up I recommend watching my author page on Facebook. Facebook.com/BrentLeeMarkee
Brent Lee Markee was born in Washington in 1983, and has been moving around the Northwestern part of the United States for most of his life. He has moved over thirty times in his life, but has come to rest(for now) in Anaconda, MT where he spent several of his younger years.
As a kid he was very interested in Dinosaurs and Mythology, which probably had a hand in his later developed love of Fantasy and character driven Science Fiction.
He started writing in his first term in college, finally got around to finishing his first book in 2008 shortly before his father developed lung cancer and passed away. Several years were spent after that trying to figure out what he was going to be when he grew up, before finally deciding that he was happiest when reading and writing. In late 2013 he pulled up his files for the book he had written and began the laborious process of editing his younger selves work. As to what the future holds, we'll see!
Most of my favorite books fall into the Epic Fantasy, or Heroic Fantasy category. These books tend to have very strong characters. I find that character development and staying true to a character are very strong factors in how much I enjoy a book. Some of my favorite books include The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, The Wheel of time(though it does get bogged down in the middle books), Dune, and just about anything from L.E. Modesitt Jr, or David Eddings.
Brent Lee Markee was born in Washington in 1983, and has been moving around the Northwestern part of the United States for most of his life. He has moved over thirty times in his life, but has come to rest(for now) in Anaconda, MT where he spent several of his younger years.
As a kid he was very interested in Dinosaurs and Mythology, which probably had a hand in his later developed love of Fantasy and character driven Science Fiction.
He started writing in his first term in college, finally got around to finishing his first book in 2008 shortly before his father developed lung cancer and passed away. Several years were spent after that trying to figure out what he was going to be when he grew up, before finally deciding that he was happiest when reading and writing. In late 2013 he pulled up his files for the book he had written and began the laborious process of editing his younger selves work. As to what the future holds, we'll see!
Most of my favorite books fall into the Epic Fantasy, or Heroic Fantasy category. These books tend to have very strong characters. I find that character development and staying true to a character are very strong factors in how much I enjoy a book. Some of my favorite books include The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, The Wheel of time(though it does get bogged down in the middle books), Dune, and just about anything from L.E. Modesitt Jr, or David Eddings.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 10, 2016
I don't know how this book got so many good ratings. I wonder if I read the same book at all.
The Victor Deus I read was about an eight-year-old who was born a prodigy, beating children and adults alike at everything, for whom everyone shows the utmost admiration and has no flaws. There are little to no descriptions, zero character development and zero personality in any of the characters.
I finished the book based on the other reviews but really just read a sample and you will notice all that I mentioned.
The Victor Deus I read was about an eight-year-old who was born a prodigy, beating children and adults alike at everything, for whom everyone shows the utmost admiration and has no flaws. There are little to no descriptions, zero character development and zero personality in any of the characters.
I finished the book based on the other reviews but really just read a sample and you will notice all that I mentioned.
September 7, 2014
Victor Deus
I really like this book because of the development of characters and most especially for making me think throughout it.
There are the occasional minor editing problems, like their for there, loose for lose, and there were a couple of reverse thoughts (sentence said opposite to what the author meant). I used to be a grammar nazi and took a star away for it, but nowadays I have realized that great writing can exist without perfect grammar, spelling, etc. as long as it doesn't impede the enjoyment and flow of the book.
I look forward to the next book!
I really like this book because of the development of characters and most especially for making me think throughout it.
There are the occasional minor editing problems, like their for there, loose for lose, and there were a couple of reverse thoughts (sentence said opposite to what the author meant). I used to be a grammar nazi and took a star away for it, but nowadays I have realized that great writing can exist without perfect grammar, spelling, etc. as long as it doesn't impede the enjoyment and flow of the book.
I look forward to the next book!
December 19, 2015
This book just seemed to drag on and on. Even the first couple of chapters dragged to the point of putting me to sleep. I really really tried to get into this, but after slogging through the first 60%, I had to start skimming.
Very late in the book, there is one whole, very long chapter devoted to introducing the royal family: people who may make a difference down the road, but had absolutely no place in this book. It just wasn't necessary. And the character descriptions/backgrounds! They were way overdone.
There were also so many typos, it made it easy for my mind to wander aimlessly away, and then I had to go back a page and re-read to figure out where I was.
The author could have done the entire storyline in a quarter of the book and had a great novella. The end kind of feels rushed, as if he's just trying to finish it off and there is this weird little blurb in the epilogue about aliens that makes you go HUH? What does this have to do with it?
There were a few swear words, but as this is not a YA book it is to be expected.
If I could describe this book in one word it would be SLOW.
Very late in the book, there is one whole, very long chapter devoted to introducing the royal family: people who may make a difference down the road, but had absolutely no place in this book. It just wasn't necessary. And the character descriptions/backgrounds! They were way overdone.
There were also so many typos, it made it easy for my mind to wander aimlessly away, and then I had to go back a page and re-read to figure out where I was.
The author could have done the entire storyline in a quarter of the book and had a great novella. The end kind of feels rushed, as if he's just trying to finish it off and there is this weird little blurb in the epilogue about aliens that makes you go HUH? What does this have to do with it?
There were a few swear words, but as this is not a YA book it is to be expected.
If I could describe this book in one word it would be SLOW.
July 18, 2014
I didn't know what to make of this book until I finished the sample of it I downloaded from Amazon. I liked the way the author set up his world, defined the different peoples, and to some degree, the Magic. I liked that the sample didn't just dead end like some samples do. It was like a short story leading me into liking the story line. It isn't your standard Orcs, Elves, Dwarves and Dragons story. I thought the story was well thought out, paced well, the language and the speed at which the progressed was great. There were 3 or 4 places where there was almost too much detail/description/explanations going on, but overall a good readable book. The story was great, and I really got pulled into the book. Cannot wait to see whats in store for the next book in Trilogy (or larger).
January 11, 2016
Pretty interesting premise and a solid start to a promising fantasy series, but...
There are a few issues. Dialogoue is a bit stinted at times and the flow is a bit awkward at times. Descriptions can get a bit overwhelming and a bit too much. There are a few instances where PoV jumps from one character to another and can get confusing. Quite a few other issues too many for me to list all (not including grammar), but it's still an entertaining book more for the overall story rather than individual parts.
I'm hoping the next book will fix many of the issues I encountered in this one.
There are a few issues. Dialogoue is a bit stinted at times and the flow is a bit awkward at times. Descriptions can get a bit overwhelming and a bit too much. There are a few instances where PoV jumps from one character to another and can get confusing. Quite a few other issues too many for me to list all (not including grammar), but it's still an entertaining book more for the overall story rather than individual parts.
I'm hoping the next book will fix many of the issues I encountered in this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2016
Great fantasy romp. The book easily takes you out of reality and does not have the usual political correctness that so many editor's seem to think needs to be added needlessly to books these days.
This is a great fantasy romp. The idea of Dragon Blood entering human genetics as well as all the other races in the story is a great idea. The book grabs you from the beginning and so do the characters within it.
This is a great fantasy romp. The idea of Dragon Blood entering human genetics as well as all the other races in the story is a great idea. The book grabs you from the beginning and so do the characters within it.
April 8, 2015
Loved the story and characters. It was a bit slow at first for me, but then it picked up and carried along well. I look forward to the next book and following along with Victor's progress and development.
January 2, 2016
Fantastically gripping, this page turner has it all: great characters and worldbuilding, fans of fantasy will be translocated into a world full of amazing beings and conflicts and heritage that spans generations. Crafted with care, this one will enthrall you till the last page!
July 21, 2014
Great book. Something between Rothfuss and Eddings.
Loved it.
Loved it.
August 5, 2014
Great read
an amazing read the true way that a coming of age story should begin. well done!! such an easy pace to read at as well engaging throughout
an amazing read the true way that a coming of age story should begin. well done!! such an easy pace to read at as well engaging throughout
August 23, 2014
Im addicted. Please write more, quickly, before I go into withdrawal!
January 17, 2016
Many questions were left unanswered.
March 3, 2016
I can't help but love the main characters. The plot is great (sometimes frustrating but in a good way) I am definitely going to read the next book.
April 4, 2016
gave up halfway
May 17, 2016
Whoa
Wasn't expecting such a good book.
Reasons why I liked it.
1. Great character development
2. Smooth transitions of POV's
3. The world building is well thought out
Wasn't expecting such a good book.
Reasons why I liked it.
1. Great character development
2. Smooth transitions of POV's
3. The world building is well thought out
July 29, 2014
This book is awesome. I think that ending is one of the best I've read in a while. 5 out of 5.
December 19, 2016
3.5 Stars
I read a lot of fantasy and I generally like this trope of boy with incredible gifts destined to X and Y. That's what this story is, except there is our golden boy Victor Deus and his trusty sidekick the Giant kid.
This is an interesting and easy read (though I skipped most of the sidekick parts) but there is a lot of problem with character development. Victor is an incredibly talented child, but most of his learning is summarized in a few paragraphs and presented when convenient. For instance, there is one part when Victor is going to leave with the troops and it is mentioned that various people have trained him for the last few weeks. The same goes for all his skills, be it shaping, education, fighting, or thievery.
On the other hand, there seems to be a lot of information dumps. To describe the origins of their dwarf friend, an entire chapter was dedicated to where the dwarves came from. While it might be necessary to the story (though it doesn't seem like it yet), it could have been presented in a better fashion.
What I always think makes or breaks a fantasy series is at least 1 of these 2 these. Either there is not enough character building (i.e. events that build up the characters and make them more complex than simple tropes or caricatures), or the world building is not deep enough or presented well enough. If you look at fantasy series that are lauded by almost everyone, we at least see that they excel in these places. Take The Lord of the Rings or A Game of Thrones or The Name of the Wind for example. The worlds have depth and it's presented well (through music, religion, theater, education, etc.) and the character grow (through their journeys, through training, and through interactions with others). And that's what this book lacked.
I read a lot of fantasy and I generally like this trope of boy with incredible gifts destined to X and Y. That's what this story is, except there is our golden boy Victor Deus and his trusty sidekick the Giant kid.
This is an interesting and easy read (though I skipped most of the sidekick parts) but there is a lot of problem with character development. Victor is an incredibly talented child, but most of his learning is summarized in a few paragraphs and presented when convenient. For instance, there is one part when Victor is going to leave with the troops and it is mentioned that various people have trained him for the last few weeks. The same goes for all his skills, be it shaping, education, fighting, or thievery.
On the other hand, there seems to be a lot of information dumps. To describe the origins of their dwarf friend, an entire chapter was dedicated to where the dwarves came from. While it might be necessary to the story (though it doesn't seem like it yet), it could have been presented in a better fashion.
What I always think makes or breaks a fantasy series is at least 1 of these 2 these. Either there is not enough character building (i.e. events that build up the characters and make them more complex than simple tropes or caricatures), or the world building is not deep enough or presented well enough. If you look at fantasy series that are lauded by almost everyone, we at least see that they excel in these places. Take The Lord of the Rings or A Game of Thrones or The Name of the Wind for example. The worlds have depth and it's presented well (through music, religion, theater, education, etc.) and the character grow (through their journeys, through training, and through interactions with others). And that's what this book lacked.
September 11, 2014
Solid story, and a fun read. My primary criticism was most of the characters in the book were often driven by a 'feeling' which was not tethered to any event in the story. Everyone had a feeling about Victor, which gave them the excuse to allow a child less than ten years old to go on a slew of dangerous and violent adventures. There were some paltry explanations but they either felt contrived or didn't feel reasonable. If you can ignore that, it is nice fantasy book.
June 28, 2022
I struggled to slog through this. Not sure what other people are reading, but I found this irredeemable. The characters were not even slightly compelling, the plot was recycled tropes, & the prose was just...unremarkable.
1/5
1/5
September 21, 2017
Interesting premise, but the writing relies too much on bombastic one-liners and overall comes through quite immature. Sometimes makes for awkward scenes and quite often does not fit with the personality of the involved character.
Background that the author wants to convey is often made by character dialogue, and while I appreciate the background information, when characters discuss things that should have been obvious to them it creates some really unnatural dialogue.
Just a side note that did not affect the rating at all is that the characters are quite overpowered, to a point that makes it feel like playing a game using cheats.
A contradiction to this though which did affect my rating is that those same characters which we were kept being told are the bee's knees moments ago fall for obvious traps. It makes the plot move in a certain direction, but nonetheless feels artificial.
A lot of the book's volume is from detailed descriptions of people and background which never affects anything and is not needed or used after being relayed. Seems like the author was enjoying himself creating details about his world and the characters we meet, but at the end most of this information is pointless and feels like a filler. I can easily see the book fitting into half the size if the narrative is tightened up. It would make for a more enjoyable read as well.
Spelling/grammar wise, very few errors and reads easily.
Background that the author wants to convey is often made by character dialogue, and while I appreciate the background information, when characters discuss things that should have been obvious to them it creates some really unnatural dialogue.
Just a side note that did not affect the rating at all is that the characters are quite overpowered, to a point that makes it feel like playing a game using cheats.
A contradiction to this though which did affect my rating is that those same characters which we were kept being told are the bee's knees moments ago fall for obvious traps. It makes the plot move in a certain direction, but nonetheless feels artificial.
A lot of the book's volume is from detailed descriptions of people and background which never affects anything and is not needed or used after being relayed. Seems like the author was enjoying himself creating details about his world and the characters we meet, but at the end most of this information is pointless and feels like a filler. I can easily see the book fitting into half the size if the narrative is tightened up. It would make for a more enjoyable read as well.
Spelling/grammar wise, very few errors and reads easily.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews