What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fly Guild #1
The Fly Guild
His father died in the plague. His mother is missing. He's on the streets of Star Gleam City. Alone and afraid, he lives life from one meal to the next, stealing what he can to get by, sleeping in alleys, until one day, he steals from the wrong person. Captured by the notorious Fly Guild, the city's most ruthless gang, he's left with one Serve them or die. Set to a life of crime, he hones his skills at the expense of others, taking what is required with the guild always asking for more. As the years pass, he yearns for his freedom, wanting to be free of the oppression and debauchery of the guild. One night, while protecting a guild prostitute, he makes a choice that changes his life -- and the fate of the city -- forever. He only made one No one ever leaves the guild and lives.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
Audible Audio
First published August 13, 2011
7 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Todd Shryock
15 books8 followersI was born in Coshocton Ohio, lived briefly in Key Largo, Fla., then returned to Coshocton. I have a bachelor's in journalism from Ohio State and have worked as a writer and editor since graduating in 1992. I currently live in Avon Lake, Ohio.
I've been dabbling in fiction since college, but just got serious about it in the last couple of years thanks to the explosion of e-readers and the ease of e-publishing. No publisher? No agent? No problem!
My stories are ultimately about people. While a good fantasy or science fiction book needs an interesting setting, in the end, all great stories revolve around people, not places.
I've been dabbling in fiction since college, but just got serious about it in the last couple of years thanks to the explosion of e-readers and the ease of e-publishing. No publisher? No agent? No problem!
My stories are ultimately about people. While a good fantasy or science fiction book needs an interesting setting, in the end, all great stories revolve around people, not places.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 27, 2011
Todd Shryock spins a fine tale.
His setting puts me in mind of George R.R. Martin's free city of Braavos, only it seems to be built on the ruins of something even grander and more mysterious. Whether it's the people or the surroundings, he knows when to leave off on the details and let the reader fill in the rest.
This is the type of style that I love to read. The mind is free to supply some of the smaller details, letting the reader immerse themselves into the story. The Fly Guild takes the protagonist on a satisfying arc of development, leaving us to wonder what new adventures he will face in the next installment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will keep an eye out for 'The Deepening Reach'.
His setting puts me in mind of George R.R. Martin's free city of Braavos, only it seems to be built on the ruins of something even grander and more mysterious. Whether it's the people or the surroundings, he knows when to leave off on the details and let the reader fill in the rest.
This is the type of style that I love to read. The mind is free to supply some of the smaller details, letting the reader immerse themselves into the story. The Fly Guild takes the protagonist on a satisfying arc of development, leaving us to wonder what new adventures he will face in the next installment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will keep an eye out for 'The Deepening Reach'.
January 24, 2012
The Fly Guild is a fast paced, action packed novel that reminds me somewhat of Bernard Cromwell's Harlequin mixed with quite a bit of Oliver Twist. The world of the novel is a fantasy one, where orcs, elves and magic exist, but such fantastical elements are very rare in the narrative as the focus of the story is on Quinton and his tough scramble from desperate boy on the street to competent member of The Fly Guild. There is far more attention paid to poverty, corruption, violence and hopelessness of the lower classes than there is on dwarves or magic swords... and this is in the work's favor as it is both more absorbing and compelling by the more magical aspects of the novel's world always being on the periphery.
Todd Shryock's characterizations are excellent; he does a wonderful job of setting up rivalries and new antagonists while always coming back to tie up loose ends and see all conflicts resolved, save perhaps a few near the end that seem clearly intended to be "stories for another time." His descriptions of the city are so deep and well-written that it is very easy to visualize and feel like it is a real living, breathing place. I highly recommend The Fly Guild to anyone interested in fantasy stories with coming of age or the hero's journey style narratives, especially to those who are fans of thieves guilds, medieval-ish city settings, and even those who like anti-heroes who aren't squeaky clean but still are people you can root for.
Todd Shryock's characterizations are excellent; he does a wonderful job of setting up rivalries and new antagonists while always coming back to tie up loose ends and see all conflicts resolved, save perhaps a few near the end that seem clearly intended to be "stories for another time." His descriptions of the city are so deep and well-written that it is very easy to visualize and feel like it is a real living, breathing place. I highly recommend The Fly Guild to anyone interested in fantasy stories with coming of age or the hero's journey style narratives, especially to those who are fans of thieves guilds, medieval-ish city settings, and even those who like anti-heroes who aren't squeaky clean but still are people you can root for.
August 18, 2018
Really good read
New and different, had trouble putting it down, hope there a sequel I would keep this if it was a paper book
New and different, had trouble putting it down, hope there a sequel I would keep this if it was a paper book
February 25, 2019
Unexpectedly deep
This book is very much a setup for the rest of the series, but it has a deep main character. I am looking forward to the rest of the series
This book is very much a setup for the rest of the series, but it has a deep main character. I am looking forward to the rest of the series
March 31, 2014
I really wanted to love this story, but found I only like it. I am guessing this is geared for the YA market, and this market seems to be getting darker and darker in content as time goes by. This is a rather dark, grim, almost hopeless story. There are bits of brightness here and there, bits of hope and kindness, but not much. It grabs you by the throat and won't let go, and at the end I found myself feeling like I had been holding my breath and was finally able to exhale. Nearly all victims are children from rather young to bridging adult in age. There is a hint towards sexual abuse... but only innuendo, no details whatsoever. I truly thank the author for not giving details (several authors deem it necessary to add graphic details of child abuse, and that sickens me.) Rereading my review thus far, it would seem I didn't like it, however, I do. There is a lot going on, the atmosphere is medieval, even Oliver Twistian but darker, the main character is likable and I was rooting for him throughout. There is much rivalry (loser usually ending with a horrible punishment or dead) and there is some comradery... to a point. Since you really shouldn't trust anyone!
Thievery, guild, orphans, rivalry, subtle magic, competition, Masters and maggots (the kids shanghaied into the guild), a lot of fighting, death, apprehensive friendship, "some" slightly gory descriptive details of wounds received, fearing for life as well as when or what you'll eat next, betrayal, boyish description of the female anatomy, prostitution - but without any detailed description, hoping for a better future, hoping for freedom.
I will continue the series.
One last thing: LOVE the cover art!!!
Thievery, guild, orphans, rivalry, subtle magic, competition, Masters and maggots (the kids shanghaied into the guild), a lot of fighting, death, apprehensive friendship, "some" slightly gory descriptive details of wounds received, fearing for life as well as when or what you'll eat next, betrayal, boyish description of the female anatomy, prostitution - but without any detailed description, hoping for a better future, hoping for freedom.
I will continue the series.
One last thing: LOVE the cover art!!!
June 25, 2015
I'm very upset right now, this book has been out for several years and it has never come across my Amazon recommendations??? One of the best thief books I've ever read. Book was darker then I expected, which only added to how much I enjoyed the read.
Starts like most other books of this nature, orphaned boy is taken in by a thief guild in a city where the rich and poor are divided by a wall. There is a kind of "agreement" between the two sides, the guild has run of the poor side, while leaving the rich side alone.
I've read similar stories, but what I loved here was how Quinton really changes, in the beginning he's a skinny boy who's taken in because of his skill in climbing. By the end, while he's still a little naive and trusts the wrong people - he's a force to be reckoned with. And using the Laws of his Guild, he's able to rise quickly and acquire some nice "items" along the way.
The end was a explosion of action as well, I loved it and bought book 2. Can't wait to start it.
Starts like most other books of this nature, orphaned boy is taken in by a thief guild in a city where the rich and poor are divided by a wall. There is a kind of "agreement" between the two sides, the guild has run of the poor side, while leaving the rich side alone.
I've read similar stories, but what I loved here was how Quinton really changes, in the beginning he's a skinny boy who's taken in because of his skill in climbing. By the end, while he's still a little naive and trusts the wrong people - he's a force to be reckoned with. And using the Laws of his Guild, he's able to rise quickly and acquire some nice "items" along the way.
The end was a explosion of action as well, I loved it and bought book 2. Can't wait to start it.
November 8, 2011
Great book and I liked it a lot! Especially if you like stories around thief guilds as I do! Don't want to tell to much more as I then usually get into writing spoilers so I'll just quote Michael G. Thomas
"I've read a number of great books recently and this one stuck out as being something extra special. It is an exciting fantasy tale that mixes the best elements of Ladyhawke, Dungeons and Dragons and Prince of Persia"
"I've read a number of great books recently and this one stuck out as being something extra special. It is an exciting fantasy tale that mixes the best elements of Ladyhawke, Dungeons and Dragons and Prince of Persia"
March 8, 2012
Fantastic read, More than worth the cost of the kindle download and hours of good fantasy. Very talented author, I'm currently into the second book and it is also well written and very entertaining in my opinion. Support this Ohio author!
February 5, 2013
An interesting book, shows the horrors of the age.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews