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Saga of the Known Lands #7
A Warrior's Devotion
Death wears many faces.
And who knows this better than the Crimson Prince?
He has stood before those faces countless times, in countless places.
The first was the mugger who nearly took his life in a back alley of Daltenia, but there have been plenty more since.
He has stood before the alien visages of feylings, unknown and unknowable, the snarling faces of beasts seeking to sate their hunger or men their hate.
Death wears many faces.
But none so forbidding, so inevitable as that of the Barrier Mountains.
Great jagged peaks of ice and stone stab into the clouds, monoliths that promise death to any who dare trespass along their paths. It is a promise they have kept time and time again.
Dozens of expeditions have been launched into the mountains over the years, well-supplied and well-supported, in search of what they might find there. But the only thing they’d found was death.
Now, Cutter and his brother, his son, unsupplied and unsupported, are forced to follow the paths of those doomed caravans in hopes of finding a chance to destroy Shadelaresh, the Green Man, and end the war with the Fey.
Cutter has faced danger before, and always it has been his legendary strength or his famous will that has seen him clear of it. But this time, if he is to save his brother and son, if he is to save his people, it will not be because of a warrior’s strength or a warrior’s will. It will, instead, be because of a warrior’s promise to his people, his son.
It will be because of A Warrior’s Devotion.
And who knows this better than the Crimson Prince?
He has stood before those faces countless times, in countless places.
The first was the mugger who nearly took his life in a back alley of Daltenia, but there have been plenty more since.
He has stood before the alien visages of feylings, unknown and unknowable, the snarling faces of beasts seeking to sate their hunger or men their hate.
Death wears many faces.
But none so forbidding, so inevitable as that of the Barrier Mountains.
Great jagged peaks of ice and stone stab into the clouds, monoliths that promise death to any who dare trespass along their paths. It is a promise they have kept time and time again.
Dozens of expeditions have been launched into the mountains over the years, well-supplied and well-supported, in search of what they might find there. But the only thing they’d found was death.
Now, Cutter and his brother, his son, unsupplied and unsupported, are forced to follow the paths of those doomed caravans in hopes of finding a chance to destroy Shadelaresh, the Green Man, and end the war with the Fey.
Cutter has faced danger before, and always it has been his legendary strength or his famous will that has seen him clear of it. But this time, if he is to save his brother and son, if he is to save his people, it will not be because of a warrior’s strength or a warrior’s will. It will, instead, be because of a warrior’s promise to his people, his son.
It will be because of A Warrior’s Devotion.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2025
67 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 30, 2025
Within the chilling cold in the forbidding treacherous mountains. Beyond the terrors of the undead, feral creatures and the horror of the Fey.
There resides Shadelaresh. The Green Man.
He will not promise peace. He will promise death.
Another fantastic action filled instalment in this delightful series. Such a wonderful cast of characters and all kinds of precarious predicaments. Wonderful banter amongst them.
This series so reminds me of what got me into fantasy in my early teens. A light read but always a delight.
There resides Shadelaresh. The Green Man.
He will not promise peace. He will promise death.
Another fantastic action filled instalment in this delightful series. Such a wonderful cast of characters and all kinds of precarious predicaments. Wonderful banter amongst them.
This series so reminds me of what got me into fantasy in my early teens. A light read but always a delight.
July 29, 2025
Mat should have been dead. Yet, inexplicably so, he disappeared, appearing far away at Cutter's company.
And that is where a whole new horror show gradually developed as the fey closes in.
A Warrior's Devotion started slowly, giving readers a chance to recall the detail of characters in previous books in this series by author Jacob Peppers,.
But then the dark reality settles in and a series of incidents brings home the horror and struggle for survival that will end with a even stranger finale at the end of this book.
Of course, while leaving me with quite a twisted stomach mess to discover what the next book in this series might bring.
Enjoy
And that is where a whole new horror show gradually developed as the fey closes in.
A Warrior's Devotion started slowly, giving readers a chance to recall the detail of characters in previous books in this series by author Jacob Peppers,.
But then the dark reality settles in and a series of incidents brings home the horror and struggle for survival that will end with a even stranger finale at the end of this book.
Of course, while leaving me with quite a twisted stomach mess to discover what the next book in this series might bring.
Enjoy
January 27, 2026
Great book as always.
Our cast of characters trudge ever forward despite all of the odds against them. The ending although somewhat foreshadowed was still exciting.
I was about halfway through this book before I realized something that I would label as a critique. Maybe for the series, but maybe also for the author? I have yet to read any of Peppers' other series [which I will rectify this year]; but this book made me notice something.
The story has taken a long time to develop. Seven books is no short journey, and I am beginning to see why. Peppers puts in a little bit too much of what I would call superfluous dialog. Meaning people talk, and say more than they have to. Granted they are saying important information to drive the story forward, but the dialog at times feels like it's dragging things out. As the characters are slowing deriving the answers to questions that we as the reader already know, or at least have some sort of idea. It's not bad, and is quite realistic, but can also feel unnecessary to a degree. Likely my critique would be the opposite if the characters just KNEW everything. It would feel unwarranted, and unnatural.
Secondly, upon reflecting on the previous books; Peppers tends to shift the focus on characters to be the "main" story while the other 3-4 become more of a "side/support" storyline. What I mean is that this book felt like Cutter/Feledias/Matt, alongside Chal's storylines were the "main" stories. Valden/Ned, and Maeve/Emille felt like the "support" stories with their stories not really progressing much. Alternatively, when Cutter & Feledias were in the woods their story felt like the "support" story while Chal/Maeve/Valden felt like the "main" as they dealt with things transpiring in the castle/capitol. It's not bad, but can feel a little lopsided, and is probably why the series has been drawn so long.
Despite my critiques I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. Author's note indicates the end of the series is likely incoming, so that is exciting. I would venture a guess maybe 2 more books?
Our cast of characters trudge ever forward despite all of the odds against them. The ending although somewhat foreshadowed was still exciting.
I was about halfway through this book before I realized something that I would label as a critique. Maybe for the series, but maybe also for the author? I have yet to read any of Peppers' other series [which I will rectify this year]; but this book made me notice something.
The story has taken a long time to develop. Seven books is no short journey, and I am beginning to see why. Peppers puts in a little bit too much of what I would call superfluous dialog. Meaning people talk, and say more than they have to. Granted they are saying important information to drive the story forward, but the dialog at times feels like it's dragging things out. As the characters are slowing deriving the answers to questions that we as the reader already know, or at least have some sort of idea. It's not bad, and is quite realistic, but can also feel unnecessary to a degree. Likely my critique would be the opposite if the characters just KNEW everything. It would feel unwarranted, and unnatural.
Secondly, upon reflecting on the previous books; Peppers tends to shift the focus on characters to be the "main" story while the other 3-4 become more of a "side/support" storyline. What I mean is that this book felt like Cutter/Feledias/Matt, alongside Chal's storylines were the "main" stories. Valden/Ned, and Maeve/Emille felt like the "support" stories with their stories not really progressing much. Alternatively, when Cutter & Feledias were in the woods their story felt like the "support" story while Chal/Maeve/Valden felt like the "main" as they dealt with things transpiring in the castle/capitol. It's not bad, but can feel a little lopsided, and is probably why the series has been drawn so long.
Despite my critiques I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. Author's note indicates the end of the series is likely incoming, so that is exciting. I would venture a guess maybe 2 more books?
August 1, 2025
By the time you reach Book Seven of a fantasy series, you expect the stakes to be high—but this book takes it to a whole different level. Christopher Brown delivers a masterclass in world-building, character depth, and raw, heart-wrenching storytelling in Jacob Peppers: Saga of the Known Lands.
At the center of it all is the Crimson Prince—scarred, seasoned, and facing what might be his most impossible journey yet. The Barrier Mountains aren’t just terrain—they’re death itself, wrapped in ice, stone, and legend. And now, without supplies or support, he must venture into that cold abyss to save not only his family, but his entire people.
What hit me hardest? This isn’t just about battles and magic—though there’s plenty of that, and it’s brilliantly done. It’s about promises. About a man carrying the weight of his people, and still pushing forward when strength and strategy aren’t enough. The emotional core is strong here, and it adds real depth to the already high-stakes fantasy adventure.
At the center of it all is the Crimson Prince—scarred, seasoned, and facing what might be his most impossible journey yet. The Barrier Mountains aren’t just terrain—they’re death itself, wrapped in ice, stone, and legend. And now, without supplies or support, he must venture into that cold abyss to save not only his family, but his entire people.
What hit me hardest? This isn’t just about battles and magic—though there’s plenty of that, and it’s brilliantly done. It’s about promises. About a man carrying the weight of his people, and still pushing forward when strength and strategy aren’t enough. The emotional core is strong here, and it adds real depth to the already high-stakes fantasy adventure.
January 6, 2026
Ned, Priest, Vorrun, and the guards are searching the castle for Matt, while Chall is interrogating Lady Valencia about Matt’s disappearance. Maeve and Emille are in the assassins' prison, falsely accused of double murders. While Cutter, Feledias, and Matt are out of the Black Wood and on their way to the Barrier Mountains.
It’s going to be hard to wait for the next book.
Fave scenes: Ned using his power, Matilda helping Ned, Chall asking Petran for help, and the battle in the mountain clearing.
It’s going to be hard to wait for the next book.
Fave scenes: Ned using his power, Matilda helping Ned, Chall asking Petran for help, and the battle in the mountain clearing.
August 2, 2025
You will love this series.
This author is a true storyteller. He has a wonderful way of "spinning a yarn," so you can't wait to hear what happens next. This is true for each of the book series I have read by him. I really enjoy this wonderful world he has created and I love the surprises that he brings into them so that, like In the old times, you come back another night to a tavern to hear the rest of the story. Epic stories of timelessness enjoyed by everyone.
This author is a true storyteller. He has a wonderful way of "spinning a yarn," so you can't wait to hear what happens next. This is true for each of the book series I have read by him. I really enjoy this wonderful world he has created and I love the surprises that he brings into them so that, like In the old times, you come back another night to a tavern to hear the rest of the story. Epic stories of timelessness enjoyed by everyone.
August 16, 2025
What a read!
Peppers has outdone himself with this seventh saga of the Known Lands. Familiar relationships, friendships, trust, evil, and combat seamlessly blend into a page turning epic. Cutter and family and friends are placed into diabolical situations with no apparent positive results available. How much more dire circumstances can Peppers present? I certainly am awaiting book eight!
Peppers has outdone himself with this seventh saga of the Known Lands. Familiar relationships, friendships, trust, evil, and combat seamlessly blend into a page turning epic. Cutter and family and friends are placed into diabolical situations with no apparent positive results available. How much more dire circumstances can Peppers present? I certainly am awaiting book eight!
August 28, 2025
warrior’s devotion
Awesome book that I just finished and want to read again. The stories within the story are exciting and keep you entertained. I want to read about overcoming obstacles and this book certainly has its share. Now, back to another reread of this book!
Awesome book that I just finished and want to read again. The stories within the story are exciting and keep you entertained. I want to read about overcoming obstacles and this book certainly has its share. Now, back to another reread of this book!
August 31, 2025
This series is one of my favorites
I love the characters and constant turmoil of this series . Cutter is one of my favorite dark heroes he does what needs doing to protect everyone else, even if it paints him as the bad guy
I love the characters and constant turmoil of this series . Cutter is one of my favorite dark heroes he does what needs doing to protect everyone else, even if it paints him as the bad guy
November 9, 2025
Another great read!
This was another great book in an amazing series. The characters are flawed people doing the best that they can,, like many of us. The story is intriguing and well thought out, and it keeps delivering action and excitement as it goes.
This was another great book in an amazing series. The characters are flawed people doing the best that they can,, like many of us. The story is intriguing and well thought out, and it keeps delivering action and excitement as it goes.
July 31, 2025
One of the best series I have read.
I read a lot of different series of books. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next. I really like Jacob Peppers.
I read a lot of different series of books. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next. I really like Jacob Peppers.
August 2, 2025
read all of his books
As it always is, this one like all of his books, has ended all too soon.
I will await the book with a worm on my tongue. Bated breath you know.
As it always is, this one like all of his books, has ended all too soon.
I will await the book with a worm on my tongue. Bated breath you know.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews