The Second Order

by B.H. Knudson

Ander’s tribe faces extinction. A mysterious disease has taken hold of everyone Ander cares about and he alone remains unaffected. He’ll have to ride his houndsteed through the dangers of the jungle to the neighboring kingdom of Bresia to request assistance.

But Bresia has its own problems. The nation is engulfed in a war with the Second Order, a militant régime bent on conquest. When Ander meets Kiah, the young and beautiful military leader, he inadvertently volunteers to assist the Bresian army, only to be captured in a botched military strike.

Ander is ultimately freed from the Second Order prison by a woman claiming to be his mother. She believes he is the last living heir to that nation's former monarchy. Ander is desperate to save his tribe, but the more he learns of the Order's genocidal plans, the more he realizes that they must be stopped, and he is the only one who can stop them.

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2015

About the author

Brian was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He studied Philosophy and Biophysics at BYU and User EXperience Design at the University of Washington. Bouncing around from Texas to New Jersey and in the Patagonia of Argentina for a while, but I ended up back in Washington state, Brian tries to incorporate some of my experiences into his writing.

In addition to writing, he also designs tabletop games and host a regular podcast about creativity and the creative process.

Reviews

[Lindie May · Rating 5 out of 5]

B.H. Knudson has succeeded in his quest to pen a magnificent novel. With his flawless narrative, the author perfectly describes scenes that grab you from the beginning and hold you until the last beautiful word is read. The Second Order is a work of excellence. Possibly geared at times for the younger adult, anyone who chooses to read will not want to put this one down. Outstanding.

[Michelle Leah Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

The Second Order is the debut novel by author B.H Kudson and I was pleasantly surprised. :)

It's an intriguing fantasy full of subterfuge, alchemy, and mystery...

Ander finds himself emersed in a long-standing war between the realms, wherein a group of fanatics called the Second Order feels like they should have all the power. And the lengths that they are willing to go to gain that are shocking, to say the least.

The line between cultural differences is blurred as Ander joins forces with other allies and friends to fight the mystical tyranny of the Second Order's ruling body and restore the nation to its former glory while garnering peace between the different clans and peoples.

The Second Order was action-packed and suspenseful, but also had some deep seated messages that I think come across beautifully.

I think that readers of young adult, new adult, and adult fantasy will enjoy taking a walk through Mr. Knudson's imagination. Take a chance on The Second Order.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually crazy about fantasy, mostly because it seems like many fantasy writers use the genre to fit in whatever random creature, power, or universe rule they want that allows them to move the story along. The Second Order does have different creatures (Ander rides a houndsteed, a sort of dog horse), mystical powers, and varied environments, but they don't feel contrived to move the story along. The story itself is compelling- a coming of age tale set where the stakes are high and a boy has to rise to the occasion. As an adult female, I still somehow identified with Ander, as well as several other characters.

Ander's universe is one I could read several stories in, and his life and other characters in the book are ones I'd gladly read about in a sequel or series.

[Angela G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how in the fantasy genre the down-to-earth working-class boy is actually royal in disguise. Love that. This story follows the same recipe, and throws in some creative (and even technologically advanced) magic elements. I thought some parts of the story could use more detail or dialogue, but overall it renewed my love for the genre in general -- so for that, I consider it a winner.