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The Dark God #2
Curse
Argoth and Shim have only a short season before Mokad comes to annihilate them. If they’re going to survive, they will need to raise an army of dreadmen and fell-maidens and train them in the lore.
Argoth sends out a call to Groves throughout the western lands and begins to train Talen, Sugar, and three hundred others. But Mokad isn’t waiting. Mokad has already sent an armada with armies from four glorydoms. It has also sent its Guardian—a terrifying Divine everyone thinks is a sleth ally, coming with an invitation from Argoth himself to join Shim’s men.
Outnumbered and outmatched, humankind is about to lose its first chance in an age to fight against those who enslave them. Unless, of course, this new Grove can find a way to do what no other has ever done before.
Argoth sends out a call to Groves throughout the western lands and begins to train Talen, Sugar, and three hundred others. But Mokad isn’t waiting. Mokad has already sent an armada with armies from four glorydoms. It has also sent its Guardian—a terrifying Divine everyone thinks is a sleth ally, coming with an invitation from Argoth himself to join Shim’s men.
Outnumbered and outmatched, humankind is about to lose its first chance in an age to fight against those who enslave them. Unless, of course, this new Grove can find a way to do what no other has ever done before.
348 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2014
14 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
John D. Brown
20 books117 followersJOHN D. BROWN writes action-packed thrillers and epic fantasies with characters you want to cheer for. He lives with his wife and four daughters in the hinterlands of Utah where one encounters much fresh air, many good-hearted ranchers, and the occasional wolf. If you want to be notified when he releases his next book, sign up at his website johndbrown.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 14, 2015
As a general rule, the second book/movie in a series is usually pretty bad and just a long interlude to the conclusion. And while this book is certainly an interlude (and to my chagrin the third book is NOT the conclusion), it keeps up the action and pace.
The plot is rather convoluted, as you would expect from a book in a series. Talen is discovering more about himself and what he is, while his uncle Argoth and clan leader Shim are trying to raise an army to fight the coming hordes. But there is a spy in their midst, and the revolution to overthrow the cruel hidden masters of the land may end before it even begins.
This book is very good in keeping true to the characters. Though Talen has growing power, it progresses naturally and he struggles with it. He is not all of a sudden some superhero ready to challenge the mighty. Many of the characters are also realistic and the focus shifting from one to another is more gradual than in the first book, making this plot much easier to follow. Dialog is good, reading pace is good, and the plot moves.
This only gets 4 stars though for a few reasons. First, it's part of a series and doesn't end anywhere near a conclusion, even for a sequel book. Second, this is far from a standalone book. If you haven't read the first book much of this book will be incomprehensible. And third, while I fully understand that editorial mistakes will creep into any book, there seemed to be more of them in here than there should have been. Not enough to be distracting, but probably one or more per chapter, which seems like it was rushed out.
All in all, I liked the book a lot and will keep on with the series, but unless you're going to jump into what will be at least 4 books, you can pass it by without diminishing your life.
The plot is rather convoluted, as you would expect from a book in a series. Talen is discovering more about himself and what he is, while his uncle Argoth and clan leader Shim are trying to raise an army to fight the coming hordes. But there is a spy in their midst, and the revolution to overthrow the cruel hidden masters of the land may end before it even begins.
This book is very good in keeping true to the characters. Though Talen has growing power, it progresses naturally and he struggles with it. He is not all of a sudden some superhero ready to challenge the mighty. Many of the characters are also realistic and the focus shifting from one to another is more gradual than in the first book, making this plot much easier to follow. Dialog is good, reading pace is good, and the plot moves.
This only gets 4 stars though for a few reasons. First, it's part of a series and doesn't end anywhere near a conclusion, even for a sequel book. Second, this is far from a standalone book. If you haven't read the first book much of this book will be incomprehensible. And third, while I fully understand that editorial mistakes will creep into any book, there seemed to be more of them in here than there should have been. Not enough to be distracting, but probably one or more per chapter, which seems like it was rushed out.
All in all, I liked the book a lot and will keep on with the series, but unless you're going to jump into what will be at least 4 books, you can pass it by without diminishing your life.
September 5, 2019
Too much intrigue not enough Plot development
First off, I really liked the first book in this series and I WILL be reading the next book as well. This book was just too short compared to the first book. There is so much going on in this story that I think it could have used more room to breath. I assume that the story overall will still be enjoyable l, but it makes this book by itself not a good book.
I am still enjoying the series so far, as a whole. I just wish this book had more substance.
First off, I really liked the first book in this series and I WILL be reading the next book as well. This book was just too short compared to the first book. There is so much going on in this story that I think it could have used more room to breath. I assume that the story overall will still be enjoyable l, but it makes this book by itself not a good book.
I am still enjoying the series so far, as a whole. I just wish this book had more substance.
February 16, 2021
Talen and Sugar are stumbling toward who they really are as the final battle approaches.
January 3, 2015
This book is tighter and more focused than the first, probably because less is actually happening. Thanks to all the action, though, it doesn't FEEL like less is happening.
I really enjoyed how easily the author gives life to his characters, even minor ones such as the Mistress (the chief washerwoman). Each character has a unique voice, and you'd know who was speaking even without being told. They're alive, and they act in ways that make sense given what they know at the time.
The only thing that detracted from my enjoyment was a heavy reliance on certain tropes that just bug the fire out of me, chiefly "The Chosen One" (although Mr. Brown gives good enough reasons for this beyond the "he just is, OK?" that most authors give you), the highly placed traitor (though no attempt is made to hide his identity from the reader, which I appreciate), and people turning stupid at exactly the wrong moment (cough Legs cough). These are all handled better than in most books, but they still exist.
I'd say this is definitely more a character-driven story than a plot-driven story. As is normal with middle books, this is a whole lot of setup without any resolution, but the conclusion to this story in the 3rd book ought to be a real doozy. Looking forward to it!
I really enjoyed how easily the author gives life to his characters, even minor ones such as the Mistress (the chief washerwoman). Each character has a unique voice, and you'd know who was speaking even without being told. They're alive, and they act in ways that make sense given what they know at the time.
The only thing that detracted from my enjoyment was a heavy reliance on certain tropes that just bug the fire out of me, chiefly "The Chosen One" (although Mr. Brown gives good enough reasons for this beyond the "he just is, OK?" that most authors give you), the highly placed traitor (though no attempt is made to hide his identity from the reader, which I appreciate), and people turning stupid at exactly the wrong moment (cough Legs cough). These are all handled better than in most books, but they still exist.
I'd say this is definitely more a character-driven story than a plot-driven story. As is normal with middle books, this is a whole lot of setup without any resolution, but the conclusion to this story in the 3rd book ought to be a real doozy. Looking forward to it!
December 11, 2016
I did not like it as much as his first, which in my mind put him with upcoming fantasy authors like Scott Lynch and Peter V. Brett, but darker. Not his fault, but the continuation of his series was delayed until he got the rights back. The fact that he rewrote the first one is his fault. So there was a delay and minor details were changed between my book 1 and this book 2, resulting in Minot enjoying this as much and exuding to read the new version of book one before moving on to book 3. This series helped shape anD&D campaign I ran a few years back(when book one was fresh). Yup. Kinda Peter V. Brett or David Farland-ish. Dark. But not grimy, less game of thrones dark gritty more ravenloft hopeless dark but with most people ignorant about how bad things are.
September 16, 2014
I actually liked this book better than the first. The abilities of burning one's "fire" were explored in quite a bit more detail and a new ability was added (soul-walking) that adds a really neat element to the series. It felt short and still feels like a YA series, which is not necessarily bad. We will see what the third book holds.
I appreciated the people who were willing to fight to throw off their overlords, even if it meant death for them.
I appreciated the people who were willing to fight to throw off their overlords, even if it meant death for them.
November 15, 2015
Since I read "Servant" I was looking forward to read "Curse"...the book is really good and John D. Brown make a great job creating a fantastic and rich world...
I will start with "Raveler" right now...
I will start with "Raveler" right now...
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June 1, 2016Much better than the first one, but not quite 4 stars. The villain has been established, and the magic and technology was explained a lot more in this one, which helped. This series is (so far) progressively getting better with each book, and I'm excited to read the next volume.
January 30, 2015
A great follow-up to the first book, with far more action in it. While it finishes on a cliff-hanger, I'm happy with where it did finish, and look forward to the next book
September 14, 2015
Definitely feels like half a story but I'm excited to read the second half.
June 14, 2016
Eeep! The ending just kills me! Good thing I have the next book already!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews