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The Unseen Moon #1
The Jack of Souls
Harric is an outcast rogue who must break a curse put on his fate, or die on his nineteenth birthday. As the day approaches, nightmares from the spirit world stalk him and tear at his sanity; sorcery eats at his soul.
To survive, he’ll need more than his usual tricks. He’ll need help—and a lot of it—but on the kingdom’s lawless frontier, his only allies are other outcasts. One of these outcasts is Caris, a mysterious, horse-whispering runaway, intent upon becoming the Queen’s first female knight. The other is Sir Willard—ex-immortal, ex-champion, now addicted to pain-killing herbs and banished from the court.
With their help, Harric might keep his curse at bay. But for how long?
And both companions bring perils and secrets of their own: Caris bears the scars of a troubled past that still hunts her; Willard is at war with the Old Ones, an order of insane immortal knights who once enslaved the kingdom. The Old Ones have returned to murder Willard and seize the throne from his queen. Willard is both on the run from them, and on one final, desperate quest to save her.
Together, Harric and his companions must overcome fanatical armies, murderous sorcerers, and powerful supernatural foes.
Alone, Harric must face the temptation of a forbidden magic that could break his curse, but cost him the only woman he’s ever loved.
To survive, he’ll need more than his usual tricks. He’ll need help—and a lot of it—but on the kingdom’s lawless frontier, his only allies are other outcasts. One of these outcasts is Caris, a mysterious, horse-whispering runaway, intent upon becoming the Queen’s first female knight. The other is Sir Willard—ex-immortal, ex-champion, now addicted to pain-killing herbs and banished from the court.
With their help, Harric might keep his curse at bay. But for how long?
And both companions bring perils and secrets of their own: Caris bears the scars of a troubled past that still hunts her; Willard is at war with the Old Ones, an order of insane immortal knights who once enslaved the kingdom. The Old Ones have returned to murder Willard and seize the throne from his queen. Willard is both on the run from them, and on one final, desperate quest to save her.
Together, Harric and his companions must overcome fanatical armies, murderous sorcerers, and powerful supernatural foes.
Alone, Harric must face the temptation of a forbidden magic that could break his curse, but cost him the only woman he’s ever loved.
374 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2014
365 people are currently reading
865 people want to read
About the author
Stephen C. Merlino
3 books50 followersStephen Merlino lives in Seattle, WA, where he writes, plays and teaches English to teens. He lives with the world's most desirable woman and two fabulous children, one cat, and three attack chickens.
Growing up in Seattle in constant rain drove Stephen indoors as a child, so he ended up reading a lot. When at the age of eleven he discovered J.R.R. Tolkein, Terry Brooks, and other fantasy writers, he dreamed of writing his own epic tales.
About the time a fifth reading of the Lord of the Rings no longer delivered the old magic, he attended the University of Washington and fell in love with Chaucer and Shakespeare and all things English. Sadly, the closest he got to England then was The Unicorn Pub on University Way, & that was run by a Scot named Angus. Nevertheless, he sampled Angus's weird ales, and devoured Angus's steak & kidney pie (with real offal!).
Stephen later backpacked Britain, where he discovered a magnificent retrospective of Henry VIII's body development--from childhood to old age--captured in a dozen suits of armor. Each suit was a 3D snapshot in steel of his exact body shape in a specific moment in time. Stephen observed His Majesty was glorious when young, but as an old man the king corpulent and developed what was either elephantiasis or an unhealthy infatuation with his codpiece.
Stratford-upon-Avon inspired Stephen to return the following year to study Shakespeare at the U of Reading. He now teaches Shakespeare, and, by following The Bard's example of plot thievery, built one of the subplots of A Midsummer Night's Dream into The Jack of Souls. It's one of his favorite parts of the story.
* * *
Growing up in Seattle in constant rain drove Stephen indoors as a child, so he ended up reading a lot. When at the age of eleven he discovered J.R.R. Tolkein, Terry Brooks, and other fantasy writers, he dreamed of writing his own epic tales.
About the time a fifth reading of the Lord of the Rings no longer delivered the old magic, he attended the University of Washington and fell in love with Chaucer and Shakespeare and all things English. Sadly, the closest he got to England then was The Unicorn Pub on University Way, & that was run by a Scot named Angus. Nevertheless, he sampled Angus's weird ales, and devoured Angus's steak & kidney pie (with real offal!).
Stephen later backpacked Britain, where he discovered a magnificent retrospective of Henry VIII's body development--from childhood to old age--captured in a dozen suits of armor. Each suit was a 3D snapshot in steel of his exact body shape in a specific moment in time. Stephen observed His Majesty was glorious when young, but as an old man the king corpulent and developed what was either elephantiasis or an unhealthy infatuation with his codpiece.
Stratford-upon-Avon inspired Stephen to return the following year to study Shakespeare at the U of Reading. He now teaches Shakespeare, and, by following The Bard's example of plot thievery, built one of the subplots of A Midsummer Night's Dream into The Jack of Souls. It's one of his favorite parts of the story.
* * *
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
November 21, 2017
First chapter here reminded me of
Richard K. Morgan’s
beginning of his book
The Steel Remains:
“When a man you know to be of sound mind tells you his recently deceased mother has just tried to climb in his bedroom window and eat him, you only have two basic options. You can smell his breath, take his pulse and check his pupils to see if he's ingested anything nasty. Or you can believe him.”
And Harric, main protagonist of this book, finds himself in similar situation.
After partying with his friends and celebrating his approaching 19th birthday, instead of looking forward what future holds now that he’ll become a man, he and his friends celebrate his birthday knowing it will be his last. Because Harric has a curse on him, and at midnight spirits under guise of fog will come to collect his soul. Spirits that are led by none other than person who cursed Harric – his own mother.
Yeah…
She has her reasons, of course. She is loyal to her Queen, and yes, in this world loyalty can go even beyond death itself. As long as you are a powerful sorceress, like Harric’s mother was, and you’re able to simply transcend into spirit realm, that is.
Oh, and she could see into the future, and in that future she foresaw her son becoming ultimate demise of her Queen and her Kingdom, hence the curse.
Also, I should probably mention that she was partially insane before and after her death. Lunacy as well, follows you even in your death, I guess.
And by the end of the book, I think I sniffed a little bit of Oedipus complex. And to be honest, I don’t blame the boy being confused; strange way relationships work in this book, at some point even I suspected his mother harbors some unnatural feelings towards her son.
As for other characters there’s Caris, a horse-touched girl (I swear, it’s not my choice of words, it’s what author decided to name her condition) who wants to be a knight. She also developed empathy with horses which somehow grants her this capability to share her mind with them. In return her own senses are tripled, as well as her strength, which resulted in her being physically superior to basically everyone else. Sadly, all of that makes her quite insecure.
But, she’s a bad-ass nonetheless.
Immortals are a group of knights, to which Sir Williard, one of our main protagonists, belongs to. Immortals isn’t just some cool name they go by, they actually achieved immortality by drinking blood of Gods.
And do they just casually slice wrists from some ancient Gods and drink it like from the fountain (of youth)? And waste it just on themselves? Rubbish!
They actually let their (again) horses drink that blood, and when horses, due to drinking blood, transform into highly intolerant beasts, these Immortals slice their necks and sip just a tiny bit from their horses. So now they have an immortal mare to follow them. Practicality.
But there’s a high price people have to pay for this immortality. After generations and generations of drinking blood, inevitably comes insanity. The only way you can prevent this is to stop drinking blood and let yourself grow old. Something Sir Williard, out of oath given to his beloved, aspires to.
Book is interesting enough. I have read few reviews and I see people are responding to it quite well. It just didn’t worked for me.
I thought story goes in circles and it felt like going through mud while reading it.
It felt like an introduction, with all these bits and pieces introduced to us, but never fully explored or properly explained to satisfy my hunger for worldbuilding.
For example, practicing magic is allowed everywhere else, except in the Kingdom we are following our characters. And then those characters who could wield magic has to sneak while doing it, and for the sake of mystery and suspense of the story, you’re never overwhelmed by magic system.
There are three Moons, two visible and one sinisterly looming in dark, and magic is drawn from them. And except some vague explanations you never get to know more of it. Which to me is like someone made delicious cake and then gave me one piece. And like any other rational human being – I want all of it, goddamn it!
As for the characters, the most developed one was definitely the dead mother. Yeah, the one that want’s to bang her own son. Rest of them need more work.
Hopefully in that sequel.
“When a man you know to be of sound mind tells you his recently deceased mother has just tried to climb in his bedroom window and eat him, you only have two basic options. You can smell his breath, take his pulse and check his pupils to see if he's ingested anything nasty. Or you can believe him.”
And Harric, main protagonist of this book, finds himself in similar situation.
After partying with his friends and celebrating his approaching 19th birthday, instead of looking forward what future holds now that he’ll become a man, he and his friends celebrate his birthday knowing it will be his last. Because Harric has a curse on him, and at midnight spirits under guise of fog will come to collect his soul. Spirits that are led by none other than person who cursed Harric – his own mother.
Yeah…
She has her reasons, of course. She is loyal to her Queen, and yes, in this world loyalty can go even beyond death itself. As long as you are a powerful sorceress, like Harric’s mother was, and you’re able to simply transcend into spirit realm, that is.
Oh, and she could see into the future, and in that future she foresaw her son becoming ultimate demise of her Queen and her Kingdom, hence the curse.
Also, I should probably mention that she was partially insane before and after her death. Lunacy as well, follows you even in your death, I guess.
And by the end of the book, I think I sniffed a little bit of Oedipus complex. And to be honest, I don’t blame the boy being confused; strange way relationships work in this book, at some point even I suspected his mother harbors some unnatural feelings towards her son.
As for other characters there’s Caris, a horse-touched girl (I swear, it’s not my choice of words, it’s what author decided to name her condition) who wants to be a knight. She also developed empathy with horses which somehow grants her this capability to share her mind with them. In return her own senses are tripled, as well as her strength, which resulted in her being physically superior to basically everyone else. Sadly, all of that makes her quite insecure.
But, she’s a bad-ass nonetheless.
Immortals are a group of knights, to which Sir Williard, one of our main protagonists, belongs to. Immortals isn’t just some cool name they go by, they actually achieved immortality by drinking blood of Gods.
And do they just casually slice wrists from some ancient Gods and drink it like from the fountain (of youth)? And waste it just on themselves? Rubbish!
They actually let their (again) horses drink that blood, and when horses, due to drinking blood, transform into highly intolerant beasts, these Immortals slice their necks and sip just a tiny bit from their horses. So now they have an immortal mare to follow them. Practicality.
But there’s a high price people have to pay for this immortality. After generations and generations of drinking blood, inevitably comes insanity. The only way you can prevent this is to stop drinking blood and let yourself grow old. Something Sir Williard, out of oath given to his beloved, aspires to.
Book is interesting enough. I have read few reviews and I see people are responding to it quite well. It just didn’t worked for me.
I thought story goes in circles and it felt like going through mud while reading it.
It felt like an introduction, with all these bits and pieces introduced to us, but never fully explored or properly explained to satisfy my hunger for worldbuilding.
For example, practicing magic is allowed everywhere else, except in the Kingdom we are following our characters. And then those characters who could wield magic has to sneak while doing it, and for the sake of mystery and suspense of the story, you’re never overwhelmed by magic system.
There are three Moons, two visible and one sinisterly looming in dark, and magic is drawn from them. And except some vague explanations you never get to know more of it. Which to me is like someone made delicious cake and then gave me one piece. And like any other rational human being – I want all of it, goddamn it!
As for the characters, the most developed one was definitely the dead mother. Yeah, the one that want’s to bang her own son. Rest of them need more work.
Hopefully in that sequel.
December 13, 2014
This is the best book I've read in years! Fabulous story, amazing characters. I can hardly wait for the next one.
March 2, 2015
That moment. You know the one… you’ve just read the last page of the last book of your current series-obsession, the one that has been the answer to every spare moment since… hmm… Now what? You’ve read all ten volumes of The Belgariad (okay, and all six of The Elenium). You’ve worn out your box set of LOTR, not to mention watched every one of the movies (extended version). You’ve even (shudder) found yourself thinking it might not be so bad to watch the entire Harry Potter series again. Sherlock has barely started filming Series 4. Your sister reminds you—yet again—that you could borrow all three volumes of her Fifty Shades set. And you um… might just have already memorized every line of Firefly. Who you gonna call?
Do not despair: I have good news! No…great news. Because Stephen Merlino has released The Jack of Souls, Book 1 of The Unseen Moon Series. And it’s the perfect epic fantasy. So why waste another moment reading this review, when you could be downloading the first volume of your brand new obsession?
Still reading? Seriously? Okay, I guess I could mention how Merlino takes every one of the sacred tenets of epic fantasy consecrated by patron saint J.R.R. Tolkien, paying loving homage even as he turns the genre sideways and makes it his bitch:
* Mystical hero from the past gathering a small band of Heroes, Simple Folk, and (probably) Lost Heir to the throne? Well, there is Sir Willard, who is no longer immortal, but is in fact…old. (“Used to eat whatever the Black Moon I wanted. Now it’s oats, or look out.”). His little band includes Harric—an outcast trickster whose (dead) mother is trying to kill him and whose girlfriend, Caris—a gifted student warrior whose magical connection to horses often leaves her unable to function in human terms—refuses to have anything to do with tricksters.
* Hobbit? Of course there’s Brolli—a magic-wielding chimp-like other.
* Super cool sword and horse? Sir Willard’s sword Belle is still as sharp as ever, not to mention Molly—his immortal, bad-tempered, magic horse.
* Dark force from the dark past returning for (unspecified) dark purpose? The villains in The Jack of Souls are really, really dark, with the most powerful and insane barely under the control of their deviously evil masters. But here’s the thing about all these old magic-using types—they’re all in Arkendia, a land whose god has given them three fundamental rules: “Let none of you worship or pray gods for favors, Nor bow down to high lords among you. Neither rely you on magic, and you shall be strong.” So—no gods, no high lords, and most especially no magic. Their favorite oath is “Gods leave me.” It’s kind of an uphill slog for the forces of evil.
* One ring to rule them all? There was going to be one, but the Queen got really annoyed at the implication that she needed a man, and then it accidentally got stuck on Caris’ hand, and… well the whole ring-thing is kind of a mess.
The Jack of Souls is a tribute to the Trickster, an exhilarating and funny and larger-than-life paen to the ones who might not be the strongest or bravest, but can out-think, outlast, or outplay their musclebound foes. It’s a lightning-paced rollercoaster world built of humor, bravery, brains, and excellent writing. The villains are unequivocally evil. The heroes are flawed, hexed, unlucky, or just plain old. And sometimes they smell really bad.
Are you really still reading this? I’m not kidding. Do yourself a favor now and grab a copy of The Jack of Souls. I’d give it five stars without question, and put Stephen Merlino on an auto-buy preorder for all future books. The Jack of Souls is just that good.
**I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
Do not despair: I have good news! No…great news. Because Stephen Merlino has released The Jack of Souls, Book 1 of The Unseen Moon Series. And it’s the perfect epic fantasy. So why waste another moment reading this review, when you could be downloading the first volume of your brand new obsession?
Still reading? Seriously? Okay, I guess I could mention how Merlino takes every one of the sacred tenets of epic fantasy consecrated by patron saint J.R.R. Tolkien, paying loving homage even as he turns the genre sideways and makes it his bitch:
* Mystical hero from the past gathering a small band of Heroes, Simple Folk, and (probably) Lost Heir to the throne? Well, there is Sir Willard, who is no longer immortal, but is in fact…old. (“Used to eat whatever the Black Moon I wanted. Now it’s oats, or look out.”). His little band includes Harric—an outcast trickster whose (dead) mother is trying to kill him and whose girlfriend, Caris—a gifted student warrior whose magical connection to horses often leaves her unable to function in human terms—refuses to have anything to do with tricksters.
* Hobbit? Of course there’s Brolli—a magic-wielding chimp-like other.
* Super cool sword and horse? Sir Willard’s sword Belle is still as sharp as ever, not to mention Molly—his immortal, bad-tempered, magic horse.
* Dark force from the dark past returning for (unspecified) dark purpose? The villains in The Jack of Souls are really, really dark, with the most powerful and insane barely under the control of their deviously evil masters. But here’s the thing about all these old magic-using types—they’re all in Arkendia, a land whose god has given them three fundamental rules: “Let none of you worship or pray gods for favors, Nor bow down to high lords among you. Neither rely you on magic, and you shall be strong.” So—no gods, no high lords, and most especially no magic. Their favorite oath is “Gods leave me.” It’s kind of an uphill slog for the forces of evil.
* One ring to rule them all? There was going to be one, but the Queen got really annoyed at the implication that she needed a man, and then it accidentally got stuck on Caris’ hand, and… well the whole ring-thing is kind of a mess.
The Jack of Souls is a tribute to the Trickster, an exhilarating and funny and larger-than-life paen to the ones who might not be the strongest or bravest, but can out-think, outlast, or outplay their musclebound foes. It’s a lightning-paced rollercoaster world built of humor, bravery, brains, and excellent writing. The villains are unequivocally evil. The heroes are flawed, hexed, unlucky, or just plain old. And sometimes they smell really bad.
Are you really still reading this? I’m not kidding. Do yourself a favor now and grab a copy of The Jack of Souls. I’d give it five stars without question, and put Stephen Merlino on an auto-buy preorder for all future books. The Jack of Souls is just that good.
**I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
March 11, 2015
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Trickster Harric has a curse he needs to break, set by his loving mother. Caris longs to be a knight, but is hindered by her horse-sense. Willard carries an ambassador and gift towards the Queen. As their lives intertwine through a series of accidents, each must fight for what they want.
The blurb on the back of the book suggests a lot more action than what actually occurs in the novel. To me, it felt like the action dragged, and I hardly brought myself to finish the last chapter. I didn't spend very much time thinking about the novel while I wasn't reading.
I didn't really realize or like Willard as a character. He felt like a 'classic' downtrodden knight. He was a grumpy, irritable old man who didn't deserve any kind of sympathy or care. Or maybe that was the point? None of the characters really made me worry for their welfare. Except perhaps Kogan, who provided some light hearted relief to the storyline.
I did like the way that Harric and Caris' relationship developed, and the factors influencing that. One wonders what will happen in the next novel. Will they remove the rings? Will Caris still want to kill Harric?
I felt conflicted about Harric's story and his mother. Yes, she's doomed him, but I also don't understand why the magic he is fighting with is so horrible. In this way, the author positions the reader to feel the same way about magic as the general populace. It's frustrating and confusing though! The same way that Harric must feel...
Sadly, I wouldn't call this an 'Epic Fantasy' novel. A fantasy novel yes, but it's not nearly long enough to be considered epic in my book. I didn't feel like the story had enough content in it to make the book the length it was, and I would have coped with it being condensed down into a snappy narrative.
Fascinating! I discovered when I googled for the cover art to put here, that this book was funded by a KickStarter. I didn't know that that was even a 'thing' for authors. I'll have to keep an eye out for novels on there.
I wouldn't consider this novel an outstanding example of its kind. If you see a copy at the library, or perhaps an ebook of it, then it could be for you. For me, I wanted more action and less character repeats. It is possible that the next two books in the trilogy will prove me wrong, and make reading this first one worthwhile. 3 stars from me.
Trickster Harric has a curse he needs to break, set by his loving mother. Caris longs to be a knight, but is hindered by her horse-sense. Willard carries an ambassador and gift towards the Queen. As their lives intertwine through a series of accidents, each must fight for what they want.
The blurb on the back of the book suggests a lot more action than what actually occurs in the novel. To me, it felt like the action dragged, and I hardly brought myself to finish the last chapter. I didn't spend very much time thinking about the novel while I wasn't reading.
I didn't really realize or like Willard as a character. He felt like a 'classic' downtrodden knight. He was a grumpy, irritable old man who didn't deserve any kind of sympathy or care. Or maybe that was the point? None of the characters really made me worry for their welfare. Except perhaps Kogan, who provided some light hearted relief to the storyline.
I did like the way that Harric and Caris' relationship developed, and the factors influencing that. One wonders what will happen in the next novel. Will they remove the rings? Will Caris still want to kill Harric?
I felt conflicted about Harric's story and his mother. Yes, she's doomed him, but I also don't understand why the magic he is fighting with is so horrible. In this way, the author positions the reader to feel the same way about magic as the general populace. It's frustrating and confusing though! The same way that Harric must feel...
Sadly, I wouldn't call this an 'Epic Fantasy' novel. A fantasy novel yes, but it's not nearly long enough to be considered epic in my book. I didn't feel like the story had enough content in it to make the book the length it was, and I would have coped with it being condensed down into a snappy narrative.
Fascinating! I discovered when I googled for the cover art to put here, that this book was funded by a KickStarter. I didn't know that that was even a 'thing' for authors. I'll have to keep an eye out for novels on there.
I wouldn't consider this novel an outstanding example of its kind. If you see a copy at the library, or perhaps an ebook of it, then it could be for you. For me, I wanted more action and less character repeats. It is possible that the next two books in the trilogy will prove me wrong, and make reading this first one worthwhile. 3 stars from me.
March 26, 2015
Harric is a good guy.
He saves damsels in distress because it’s the right thing to do. (And also, he likes girls.)
He’s joined up with folks who are off to save the land from evil. (But he needed to get out of town quick anyway.)
He keeps in contact with his mother. (Unfortunately she’s dead and working hard to kill him too.)
He thinks carefully about making the right decisions. (Except for those highly questionable situations that he dives headlong into.)
And he works hard selling his wares. (While he fleeces unsuspecting persons out of any money he can.)
I always like a book with a good guy don’t you?
Would I recommend it? This is far more than just a fantasy book with a good guy. It’s full of new worlds and magics, culture clashes and ideals, angry immortals and horses (it never hurts to have good horses)… it’s epic fantasy! I finished it, promptly took the book my husband was reading away and put this in his hands instead. If you’re a fantasy lover put this next on your list!
He saves damsels in distress because it’s the right thing to do. (And also, he likes girls.)
He’s joined up with folks who are off to save the land from evil. (But he needed to get out of town quick anyway.)
He keeps in contact with his mother. (Unfortunately she’s dead and working hard to kill him too.)
He thinks carefully about making the right decisions. (Except for those highly questionable situations that he dives headlong into.)
And he works hard selling his wares. (While he fleeces unsuspecting persons out of any money he can.)
I always like a book with a good guy don’t you?
Would I recommend it? This is far more than just a fantasy book with a good guy. It’s full of new worlds and magics, culture clashes and ideals, angry immortals and horses (it never hurts to have good horses)… it’s epic fantasy! I finished it, promptly took the book my husband was reading away and put this in his hands instead. If you’re a fantasy lover put this next on your list!
April 6, 2015
First, full disclosure: I know the author and helped to fund the novel through his Kickstarter campaign. That said, I offer here what I believe to be my considered evaluation of the book. In other words, what follows is my story and I stand by it. Jack of Souls is one of the best works of epic fantasy I've read in a great while. Lovers of the genre will delight in the rich details of the world Merlino builds, a world that includes a system of magic that involves the highest of stakes. Populating this world are compelling characters who speak with distinctive voices and are motivated by complex needs and desires—a feature all too often missing from epic fantasy. Finally, the novel is just a great read, a page-turner with fine narrative tension throughout. In short, with Jack of Souls Stephen Merlino has delivered an excellent beginning to what will no doubt be great fantasy series. Read and enjoy!
October 22, 2016
This was a novel that I had some trouble pinning down my feelings on - it was fun, exciting at times, and the ending was extremely satisfying. At the same time, some concepts were just barely breached by the time the book finished, and it felt like a set-up novel much more than a self-contained piece to me. That said, I enjoyed it, Merlino's writing was solid and enjoyable, and I did like the characters quite a bit.
March 1, 2017
Loved, loved, loved this book.
Filled with action, good character development, unique characters not always in the majority of fantasy novels. It was a good find for sure.
I really enjoyed the authors style and some times lyrical or poetic writing. Little bits of it here and there. There were some flaws, but overall it was fantastic.
The only cruddy part was realizing the next novel has yet to be published. I almost always make sure the Author is consistent with releasing books before I dive in. I didn't this time. My fault and I really hope I don't have to wait 3 years for the final book. By then I would forget what it was about or maybe even forget that I read it.
Filled with action, good character development, unique characters not always in the majority of fantasy novels. It was a good find for sure.
I really enjoyed the authors style and some times lyrical or poetic writing. Little bits of it here and there. There were some flaws, but overall it was fantastic.
The only cruddy part was realizing the next novel has yet to be published. I almost always make sure the Author is consistent with releasing books before I dive in. I didn't this time. My fault and I really hope I don't have to wait 3 years for the final book. By then I would forget what it was about or maybe even forget that I read it.
December 28, 2014
Loved this story! Follow the trickster Harric, the horse-touched female knight Caris, and ex-immortal with an addiction problem Willard on an epic journey with Ambassador Brolli as they race to protect the Queen and her throne from the Old Ones, who wish to rule again. Set in a magical world with fantastic characters, intrigue, and action... The Jack of Souls is an adventure that has it all.
July 7, 2015
I picked up this book based on good reviews. It promised to be good book with some Epic story and a different paradigm.
First of all I would like to say that it is not a Epic story.Yes its a different paradigm of Magic of moons and souls. I like the character of Harric and the concept of JACK of Souls(A trickster or Con artist).
Harric is Doomed by his mother and is supposed to die by nightfall. He saves himself by performing 20 cons and leaves the town with the help of Carris and Lyla.
Knight Willard an ex-Immortal is an a mission of his own to safely deliver Brolli to his country.
Harric and carris meet up with Willard and brolli through some events and confusion and plan to travel together.
On the other side Old Ones(mad immortals) are back and want to restore the Old order into the nation.
Then you have witches and all in the story too.
The plot looks nice and have awesome scope for surprises and events.
The author has to some extent wasted the plot.
The story moves very slow almost like a tortoise and each event takes long time to build up. After the long build up the delivery is not great and feels like you missed something.
the characters are good I specially loved Father Kogan and Harric. Willard has his eccentrics and traits which are lovable.
I would have loved to give this book more that 3, but The time it took me to read it also the patience i needed to not skim through or drop the book makes me give 3/5
DeVil D
First of all I would like to say that it is not a Epic story.Yes its a different paradigm of Magic of moons and souls. I like the character of Harric and the concept of JACK of Souls(A trickster or Con artist).
Harric is Doomed by his mother and is supposed to die by nightfall. He saves himself by performing 20 cons and leaves the town with the help of Carris and Lyla.
Knight Willard an ex-Immortal is an a mission of his own to safely deliver Brolli to his country.
Harric and carris meet up with Willard and brolli through some events and confusion and plan to travel together.
On the other side Old Ones(mad immortals) are back and want to restore the Old order into the nation.
Then you have witches and all in the story too.
The plot looks nice and have awesome scope for surprises and events.
The author has to some extent wasted the plot.
The story moves very slow almost like a tortoise and each event takes long time to build up. After the long build up the delivery is not great and feels like you missed something.
the characters are good I specially loved Father Kogan and Harric. Willard has his eccentrics and traits which are lovable.
I would have loved to give this book more that 3, but The time it took me to read it also the patience i needed to not skim through or drop the book makes me give 3/5
DeVil D
May 26, 2015
The Jack of Souls is not the type of genre I normally read because I tend to have problems following the fantasy world and it's creatures but I have to say that this author has won me over with his novel.
The story line is full of magical spells and beliefs. Trying to find out a way of breaking the curse his mother had put upon him at birth and when Sir Willard arrives, a knight of fame, Harric's life is suddenly changed.
The language used and descriptive writing is very good. The scenes and character traits are first rate along with the drive and determination to survive keeps the reader enrapt. Every chapter brings the story together encompassing a different character who is essential for the groups survival. The whole group each have a different agenda and goal. As we go through the journey with the group the author explains each individual journey and why their paths have crossed and more importantly why there need each other
A page turning novel with twists and turns.
The story line is full of magical spells and beliefs. Trying to find out a way of breaking the curse his mother had put upon him at birth and when Sir Willard arrives, a knight of fame, Harric's life is suddenly changed.
The language used and descriptive writing is very good. The scenes and character traits are first rate along with the drive and determination to survive keeps the reader enrapt. Every chapter brings the story together encompassing a different character who is essential for the groups survival. The whole group each have a different agenda and goal. As we go through the journey with the group the author explains each individual journey and why their paths have crossed and more importantly why there need each other
A page turning novel with twists and turns.
August 28, 2015
Did I enjoy this book: Everyone else says it’s awesome–it’s won awards and everything–but I just couldn’t really invest in this one. The writing was fine, and my only real complaint is that I think all the fight scenes slowed down the pace a bit too much, but . . . I don’t know. I spent most of the book waiting for the good part and, well, it just never came. It isn’t bad–not even a little bit–there just wasn’t enough emotional content for me. Perhaps the next installment will have more intense character development, but sadly, I don’t care about any of the characters enough to keep reading. Sorry, Mr. Merlino.
Would I recommend it: Just because all your friends jump off a cliff . . .
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Books.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://everyfreechance.com/2015/02/me...
Would I recommend it: Just because all your friends jump off a cliff . . .
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Books.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://everyfreechance.com/2015/02/me...
June 10, 2015
When I first encountered a draft version of this book on Wattpad it caught and held my attention. And now reading the final version, I'm glad to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, the characters, the strange world, and I'm looking forward to book two. Well done, Stephen :D I'm most curious to find out more about the strange magic system and whether the Kwendi know more about it.
March 2, 2015
Flash Announcement! Guest Author Novel Hits #1 on an Amazon Best Seller List
This winter, guest author Stephen Merlino published the fantasy novel, The Jack of Souls, and on February 19 it hit #1 on Amazon’s Fantasy Coming of Age eBook Best Seller list.
“I’m not sure how long it’s been up there,” Merlino said. “My wife just noticed it today, and when she showed me my head fell off. When I found it and put it back on, I looked again, and it was still there at the top of the list. But look quick, because it could change tomorrow! Better yet, here’s a screen shot.”
“I owe a lot to you and reviewers like you who take an interest and share it with your readers. And it’s been really fun to connect with other readers through the your blog. Thank you!”
Merlino is a dad, nerd, and high school teacher in Washington State. He releases sequels to The Jack of Souls this year in August and December.
Find him at stephenmerlino.com
Read reviews on Amazon
Read reviews on Goodreads
Watch the book trailer on YouTube
Contact him at stephenmerlino@hotmail.com
Follow him on Twitter @StephenMerlino
Jack of Souls: Steven Merlino
Some wars are fought on the battlefield while others are ignited within a person’s soul. Harric faces many torments, realities and truths as his fights many different foes, finds danger and has to come to the harsh truth behind why his life might end before turning 19. What would you do if a curse were placed upon your head to end your life? What would you do if the reason you were cursed was because you did not fulfill your duty or your apprenticeship and the only recourse you have is to try and undue the curse, find a way to prolong the inevitable and understand the reason why you own mother did this to you. An outcast rogue, his fate sealed and as the day comes closer how will he find a way to delete the nightmares from the spirit world that haunt his waking hour? How will he survive what his mother has decided is his destiny? What happens when Harric turns to trickery and sorcery in order to unseal his fate? Magic, conniving ways, hoping to complete 20 cons or tricks in order to release the curse from his body. A mother whose spirit comes to light whenever he is about to succeed. Her mission is it to really guide him to his destiny or does she want to destroy his every dream?
Enter Caris, a mysterious horse-whispering runaway who wants to become the first female knight in the queen’s army. Getting to understand their relationship, the nightmares that haunt him and what happens between them is just part of what is brought to light within this fantasy novel. But, Harric cannot survive alone and Sir Willard, -ex-immortal, ex-champion filled and ridded with pain and addicted to their kind of drugs, or pain-killing herbs, is tossed out or banished from the Queen’s court and must find his way back before it’s too late for not just him but the Queen too.
Throughout the novel the author brings Harric into situations, which require that he have to think fast, decide whether he should use magic or rely on his own instincts. However, things get tense all too often as the spirit of his mother takes different forms, tries to convince him that she is his only hope to survive and then the harsh realities of what she did to his friends and why sets in.
Visions of achievements entered his mind and he saw himself using trickery and invisibility in many different ways. Lifting or stealing another Jack’s loot or stash, spying on the Queen’s enemies, invisible visiting Her treasury or even hoping his services would be asked for by many different lords. But, daydreams are not realities and even though he begins to see himself as Jack of Souls, of the Ghost, or the Lynx and they’d write a ballad about him, what happens next brings him back to reality and he realizes that the dangers are not gone. As he enters the Unseen and realizes that there is no invisibility there. Learning more he realizes the gravity of his situation and his mind takes on a different turn. But, there are many who are against him and some who would try and save his soul as Willard, Broli and Caris ban together to try and find a way to bring him to safety, safe the Queen and destroy the evil. Harric is not the only one fighting wars Willard is at war with the Old Ones and just when you think they are out of the picture think again. The Old Ones have one goal and that is to take care of Willard once and for all. With Willard dead they will be able to take the throne from the Queen. With his army of sorcerers, fanatics, using magic and supernatural foes, will Harric succeed? Someone comes into his life and you begin to see the strands or threads unravel as his mother’s true plan and her mission come alive but will Harric believe her words or will he finally realize the truth? Magic is not allowed her goal to drive him out of Gallows Ferry and telling him if he remained he would have rotted. But, each time he realizes what she does why doesn’t he finally rid the world of her spirit? She killed his friends, poisoned their last years, took away this life in part and told each one of them when they would die. Why? Just why she did all of this and the true meaning of the curse you won’t believe? Justifying her actions, relying in being cunning and rewording things to suit the occasion hoping that Harric will buy into it. Pain, anger, fear, hate, revenge and totally destruction are some of the issues brought to light and the torments that plagued this young teen throughout the novel. But, at times you wonder why he persevered. You wonder why he trusted some of those that seemed to betray him? How does this all resolve and how does it intertwine with Willard hoping to save the Queen?
A Jack is a trickster according to the deck of cards and also referred to as a Knave. A dishonest or unscrupulous man who is unprincipled and a rogue. Throughout the novel not only Harric but also Willard and other characters fill in as extras to help him fulfill what he has to do in order to stay alive. A knave is referred to as a male servant or the jack in a deck of cards and often suggests that they resort to shrewdness and trickery, as is Harric’s modus operandi in order to stay alive. But, will all of the magic, the lies, betrayals and deceits keep him from his foretold fate? What happens when he has the chance to rid himself of his mother for good? What would you have done if you were Harric? Enter also Caris, her mother a healer and Bannus who will stop at nothing to destroy it all.
Meet Fink who might have been sent to Harric but why and by whom? As Harric confronts his mother who claims she will guide him to his final glory, he feels anger, pain and has to make a decision that will change it all. Lies, hopes and betrayals that she hoped would make him think she was on his side. Flaws in her logic brought to light and his fate not within her vision or deadly. Jack of Souls: The grave spirits that charged and before he knew it Harric was up against the ghouls once more. The Unseen: the ghouls not able to see could feel him. Each time he thinks he wins and can lift the curse he gets more than blindsided. The final outcome will remain with you the reader to learn as Harric faces a dilemma and has to decide where his life is going and if he will cast aside his mother or remain in her realm. What happens to Caris? What about Sir Willard? Whose fate will be decided by the Jack of Souls and who will escape?
An ending that will let you know that there is much more to come. Characters that will make you root for them or hope for their demise. Jack of Souls. Read it to find out more.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
This book gets four and a half stars
This winter, guest author Stephen Merlino published the fantasy novel, The Jack of Souls, and on February 19 it hit #1 on Amazon’s Fantasy Coming of Age eBook Best Seller list.
“I’m not sure how long it’s been up there,” Merlino said. “My wife just noticed it today, and when she showed me my head fell off. When I found it and put it back on, I looked again, and it was still there at the top of the list. But look quick, because it could change tomorrow! Better yet, here’s a screen shot.”
“I owe a lot to you and reviewers like you who take an interest and share it with your readers. And it’s been really fun to connect with other readers through the your blog. Thank you!”
Merlino is a dad, nerd, and high school teacher in Washington State. He releases sequels to The Jack of Souls this year in August and December.
Find him at stephenmerlino.com
Read reviews on Amazon
Read reviews on Goodreads
Watch the book trailer on YouTube
Contact him at stephenmerlino@hotmail.com
Follow him on Twitter @StephenMerlino
Jack of Souls: Steven Merlino
Some wars are fought on the battlefield while others are ignited within a person’s soul. Harric faces many torments, realities and truths as his fights many different foes, finds danger and has to come to the harsh truth behind why his life might end before turning 19. What would you do if a curse were placed upon your head to end your life? What would you do if the reason you were cursed was because you did not fulfill your duty or your apprenticeship and the only recourse you have is to try and undue the curse, find a way to prolong the inevitable and understand the reason why you own mother did this to you. An outcast rogue, his fate sealed and as the day comes closer how will he find a way to delete the nightmares from the spirit world that haunt his waking hour? How will he survive what his mother has decided is his destiny? What happens when Harric turns to trickery and sorcery in order to unseal his fate? Magic, conniving ways, hoping to complete 20 cons or tricks in order to release the curse from his body. A mother whose spirit comes to light whenever he is about to succeed. Her mission is it to really guide him to his destiny or does she want to destroy his every dream?
Enter Caris, a mysterious horse-whispering runaway who wants to become the first female knight in the queen’s army. Getting to understand their relationship, the nightmares that haunt him and what happens between them is just part of what is brought to light within this fantasy novel. But, Harric cannot survive alone and Sir Willard, -ex-immortal, ex-champion filled and ridded with pain and addicted to their kind of drugs, or pain-killing herbs, is tossed out or banished from the Queen’s court and must find his way back before it’s too late for not just him but the Queen too.
Throughout the novel the author brings Harric into situations, which require that he have to think fast, decide whether he should use magic or rely on his own instincts. However, things get tense all too often as the spirit of his mother takes different forms, tries to convince him that she is his only hope to survive and then the harsh realities of what she did to his friends and why sets in.
Visions of achievements entered his mind and he saw himself using trickery and invisibility in many different ways. Lifting or stealing another Jack’s loot or stash, spying on the Queen’s enemies, invisible visiting Her treasury or even hoping his services would be asked for by many different lords. But, daydreams are not realities and even though he begins to see himself as Jack of Souls, of the Ghost, or the Lynx and they’d write a ballad about him, what happens next brings him back to reality and he realizes that the dangers are not gone. As he enters the Unseen and realizes that there is no invisibility there. Learning more he realizes the gravity of his situation and his mind takes on a different turn. But, there are many who are against him and some who would try and save his soul as Willard, Broli and Caris ban together to try and find a way to bring him to safety, safe the Queen and destroy the evil. Harric is not the only one fighting wars Willard is at war with the Old Ones and just when you think they are out of the picture think again. The Old Ones have one goal and that is to take care of Willard once and for all. With Willard dead they will be able to take the throne from the Queen. With his army of sorcerers, fanatics, using magic and supernatural foes, will Harric succeed? Someone comes into his life and you begin to see the strands or threads unravel as his mother’s true plan and her mission come alive but will Harric believe her words or will he finally realize the truth? Magic is not allowed her goal to drive him out of Gallows Ferry and telling him if he remained he would have rotted. But, each time he realizes what she does why doesn’t he finally rid the world of her spirit? She killed his friends, poisoned their last years, took away this life in part and told each one of them when they would die. Why? Just why she did all of this and the true meaning of the curse you won’t believe? Justifying her actions, relying in being cunning and rewording things to suit the occasion hoping that Harric will buy into it. Pain, anger, fear, hate, revenge and totally destruction are some of the issues brought to light and the torments that plagued this young teen throughout the novel. But, at times you wonder why he persevered. You wonder why he trusted some of those that seemed to betray him? How does this all resolve and how does it intertwine with Willard hoping to save the Queen?
A Jack is a trickster according to the deck of cards and also referred to as a Knave. A dishonest or unscrupulous man who is unprincipled and a rogue. Throughout the novel not only Harric but also Willard and other characters fill in as extras to help him fulfill what he has to do in order to stay alive. A knave is referred to as a male servant or the jack in a deck of cards and often suggests that they resort to shrewdness and trickery, as is Harric’s modus operandi in order to stay alive. But, will all of the magic, the lies, betrayals and deceits keep him from his foretold fate? What happens when he has the chance to rid himself of his mother for good? What would you have done if you were Harric? Enter also Caris, her mother a healer and Bannus who will stop at nothing to destroy it all.
Meet Fink who might have been sent to Harric but why and by whom? As Harric confronts his mother who claims she will guide him to his final glory, he feels anger, pain and has to make a decision that will change it all. Lies, hopes and betrayals that she hoped would make him think she was on his side. Flaws in her logic brought to light and his fate not within her vision or deadly. Jack of Souls: The grave spirits that charged and before he knew it Harric was up against the ghouls once more. The Unseen: the ghouls not able to see could feel him. Each time he thinks he wins and can lift the curse he gets more than blindsided. The final outcome will remain with you the reader to learn as Harric faces a dilemma and has to decide where his life is going and if he will cast aside his mother or remain in her realm. What happens to Caris? What about Sir Willard? Whose fate will be decided by the Jack of Souls and who will escape?
An ending that will let you know that there is much more to come. Characters that will make you root for them or hope for their demise. Jack of Souls. Read it to find out more.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
This book gets four and a half stars
June 5, 2017
This book had interesting concepts running around. You have a 'thief' Harric who is cursed to die . Then you have a pre-warrior figure in Carris who is also horse-minded according to the author. Merlino made her a special case of the condition pretty early on, but it appears to be condition that can occur in any family where a kid is born that relates more to horses than people. If you hit them up with too many complicated human interactions, they kind of shut down and need to spend time with the horses literally to pull themselves back together. They also tend to be larger than their regular human counterparts. I'm interested to see how he continues to play with this since Harric is very interested in Carris as a woman.
Then you have these horse-like but more like demi-god mounts that the previous group in power used to ride and drink the blood of which made the riders/drinkers immortal, strong, and (eventually) crazy. You have a knight who is still riding his "horse" but who has sworn off the addicting blood in the name of his lady love so that he can grow old and die with her. Maybe he'll be able to do it to the end of the series. Hard to say. Nebulous queen in the background whose biggest plus is that she's better than the crazy knights who came before. There are not many details on her and that's intriguing. Does she also have a certain amount of immortality? It sounds like it, but it's not like dates were being listed. Meanwhile, the whole plot seems to revolve around keeping the queen in power (or not).
So Merlino has a pretty original combination of elements here and quite a lot of things yet to explain and unfold and...I've already reached the end of book one. I suspect this is a series I should not revisit again until it's done because remembering all of the details with too much time in between would be not fun. Nonetheless, I am intrigued though unsatisfied. It felt like more should have happened in the space of the first book than I was left with. Only forgivable because things were interesting.
Then you have these horse-like but more like demi-god mounts that the previous group in power used to ride and drink the blood of which made the riders/drinkers immortal, strong, and (eventually) crazy. You have a knight who is still riding his "horse" but who has sworn off the addicting blood in the name of his lady love so that he can grow old and die with her. Maybe he'll be able to do it to the end of the series. Hard to say. Nebulous queen in the background whose biggest plus is that she's better than the crazy knights who came before. There are not many details on her and that's intriguing. Does she also have a certain amount of immortality? It sounds like it, but it's not like dates were being listed. Meanwhile, the whole plot seems to revolve around keeping the queen in power (or not).
So Merlino has a pretty original combination of elements here and quite a lot of things yet to explain and unfold and...I've already reached the end of book one. I suspect this is a series I should not revisit again until it's done because remembering all of the details with too much time in between would be not fun. Nonetheless, I am intrigued though unsatisfied. It felt like more should have happened in the space of the first book than I was left with. Only forgivable because things were interesting.
October 4, 2017
The writing was well done and its an interesting story.
However too much is left for the reader to puzzle out, the class system is never really explained outside of a brief rhyme in a chapter heading, the blue order is talked about but never truly explained in much the same way. It goes on like this for a number of things (Bastards, Peasant priests, our MC mother and her curses etc) and while I can appreciate the writing device to let the reader discover the writer's world for themselves, I was easily through more than half the book before I was comfortable saying I had any idea what was going on.
Unfortunately that was not helped by the multiple story lines, even after finishing the book I'm still not sure who the main antagonist was, the immortals? His Mother? The imp and his sisters?
Now I still gave this a 3 star review because like I said the writing was well done and I can see this story is supposed to develop over multiple books, but for me I'd likely only continue the story if I was between book and a little bored.
However too much is left for the reader to puzzle out, the class system is never really explained outside of a brief rhyme in a chapter heading, the blue order is talked about but never truly explained in much the same way. It goes on like this for a number of things (Bastards, Peasant priests, our MC mother and her curses etc) and while I can appreciate the writing device to let the reader discover the writer's world for themselves, I was easily through more than half the book before I was comfortable saying I had any idea what was going on.
Unfortunately that was not helped by the multiple story lines, even after finishing the book I'm still not sure who the main antagonist was, the immortals? His Mother? The imp and his sisters?
Now I still gave this a 3 star review because like I said the writing was well done and I can see this story is supposed to develop over multiple books, but for me I'd likely only continue the story if I was between book and a little bored.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2018
An intriguing start ...
This was an intriguing book which left me by turns wanting more and wishing there was less. The wold-building is good if a little confusing. The plot is interesting if a little slow. The big-bad is unusual as well as disgusting. The heroes are engaging but sometimes shallow. Such a mixture. Without giving too much way the book deals with a reluctant trickster, his peculiar partner, an idolised but fading champion, and a talking, magic wielding ‘orangutan’ and their fight against an Old One. Despite the length of the book there is very little movement which I found frustrating. Perhaps book 2 will introduce more of the world.
If you want ‘epic’ this is a good star. If you want ‘deep’ you will need to slog through to the final chapters when things get weirdly interesting. If you want ‘heroic’ then maybe, just maybe, look elsewhere. If you want something new and fresh - this could be your thing, albeit couched in familiar and tried.
Three stars. Room for improvement, but not to be dismissed out of hand.
This was an intriguing book which left me by turns wanting more and wishing there was less. The wold-building is good if a little confusing. The plot is interesting if a little slow. The big-bad is unusual as well as disgusting. The heroes are engaging but sometimes shallow. Such a mixture. Without giving too much way the book deals with a reluctant trickster, his peculiar partner, an idolised but fading champion, and a talking, magic wielding ‘orangutan’ and their fight against an Old One. Despite the length of the book there is very little movement which I found frustrating. Perhaps book 2 will introduce more of the world.
If you want ‘epic’ this is a good star. If you want ‘deep’ you will need to slog through to the final chapters when things get weirdly interesting. If you want ‘heroic’ then maybe, just maybe, look elsewhere. If you want something new and fresh - this could be your thing, albeit couched in familiar and tried.
Three stars. Room for improvement, but not to be dismissed out of hand.
March 24, 2018
This is one of the better books I've read recently - whch is why it has 5 stars (it's certainly as good as some books I've awarded that maximum and better than others). A 19 year old rogue (the 'Jack' in the title) escapes a lethal curse by outplaying his dead mother - only to become embroiled in events 'far above his pay grade'. Fleeing the small sttlement where he has lived for years he is in company with a disgraced Knight escorting a foreign Ambassador in disguise - and a friend from his immediate pst. To survive Herric needs to use everything he learned from his mother and be circumspect as his newly acquired magic is shunned by his compatriots.
A different world for once - three moons! - and a refreshingly different view of divine powers and divinity, plus an embattled Queen (unseen) who seems similar to Elizabeth I; magic exists but is only used by foreigners... The pace is hectic and doesn't let up for the entire book. Best of all there is more to come!
A different world for once - three moons! - and a refreshingly different view of divine powers and divinity, plus an embattled Queen (unseen) who seems similar to Elizabeth I; magic exists but is only used by foreigners... The pace is hectic and doesn't let up for the entire book. Best of all there is more to come!
April 24, 2018
Do you want to read a book that seems like it should be book 2 or 3. Then this is the book for you. A history that is never quite explained fully, unique races/castes/blood types, and a magic system that also doesn't seem to make sense.
The main character has been trained by his now dead mother, but you don't see this growth/progress. Even in his starting location though there are relationships and backstory that are referenced but it never goes into detail. Everyone seems to hate magic except the horse-touched girl(she can control horses, but nobody seems to care), an ex-old one who not only has a hex but doesn't mind getting healed by magic as long as he is unconscious, and the same knight guides an ambassador who uses magic. Also, what is the deal with the obsession with bastards?
The author still manages to write well to keep you pulled in, though just barely. Any slower and any of the things above might'be stopped me from finishing the book.
The main character has been trained by his now dead mother, but you don't see this growth/progress. Even in his starting location though there are relationships and backstory that are referenced but it never goes into detail. Everyone seems to hate magic except the horse-touched girl(she can control horses, but nobody seems to care), an ex-old one who not only has a hex but doesn't mind getting healed by magic as long as he is unconscious, and the same knight guides an ambassador who uses magic. Also, what is the deal with the obsession with bastards?
The author still manages to write well to keep you pulled in, though just barely. Any slower and any of the things above might'be stopped me from finishing the book.
February 13, 2018
Wow, wow, wow. I am absolutely shocked. I can't tell you how much I loved this book! Usually, I'm not so much a fan of the fantasy genre unless it's urban fantasy or magical realism, but I'll be darned if The Jack of Souls by author Stephen C. Merlino didn't blow me away!
See my full review here: http://bittybooknook.blogspot.com/201...
This novel is the first in the Unseen Moon series, and you'd better believe that I'm spending the $3.99 on Kindle to buy the second book! Ultimately, if you're a fan of the fantasy genre, or of coming-of-age stories, you HAVE to give The Jack of Souls a try! I'd bet my hat that you won't be disappointed!
See my full review here: http://bittybooknook.blogspot.com/201...
This novel is the first in the Unseen Moon series, and you'd better believe that I'm spending the $3.99 on Kindle to buy the second book! Ultimately, if you're a fan of the fantasy genre, or of coming-of-age stories, you HAVE to give The Jack of Souls a try! I'd bet my hat that you won't be disappointed!
February 16, 2018
The Jack of Souls
I enjoyed this book after a fashion, it was hard to get my head around all the new ideas the Author threw up. But still no less enjoyable for all that, Harric and Caris were great main characters along with Willard the ex Immortal, and pretty hard to get a read on which way they were going to jump. The Immortal Knights were a great addition and great antagonists. It was also a freebie, what's not to like. Fab
I enjoyed this book after a fashion, it was hard to get my head around all the new ideas the Author threw up. But still no less enjoyable for all that, Harric and Caris were great main characters along with Willard the ex Immortal, and pretty hard to get a read on which way they were going to jump. The Immortal Knights were a great addition and great antagonists. It was also a freebie, what's not to like. Fab
January 23, 2019
I went into reading this with no expectations whatsoever and was heartily surprised. Now, this is definitely not for the faint of heart, and had I known how gruesome it would be I would not have read it. It doesn't hide the atrocities of war with guazy sweetness or pretty fantasies.
For my clean readers:
Includes an abundance of language, violence around every corner, witchcraft, murder, rape, deceit and betrayal, raising of the dead and interacting with them in spirit form, and torture.
For my clean readers:
Includes an abundance of language, violence around every corner, witchcraft, murder, rape, deceit and betrayal, raising of the dead and interacting with them in spirit form, and torture.
February 5, 2018
DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE!!!
A well written, easy to follow read with twists and turns that keep you captivated. An interesting take on the the different characters. It will you you guessing as the plot unfolds with intriguing little tid-bits. I really ejoyed how Stephen brought this tale to life.
A well written, easy to follow read with twists and turns that keep you captivated. An interesting take on the the different characters. It will you you guessing as the plot unfolds with intriguing little tid-bits. I really ejoyed how Stephen brought this tale to life.
September 6, 2020
Picked this audiobook up on sale from Chirp. The narrator, Alex Wyndhman, was excellent. Great range of voices and great energy.
The book itself was good, if not a tad bit bloated with too many different fantasy elements. I really liked it overall, though, and I was pleasantly surprised by the interesting magic system. I'll be continuing at some point with Book 2.
The book itself was good, if not a tad bit bloated with too many different fantasy elements. I really liked it overall, though, and I was pleasantly surprised by the interesting magic system. I'll be continuing at some point with Book 2.
May 2, 2021
I got this book on Amazon for free, and the blurb looked promising. The characters were alright, but the pace of the story was very slow. I think it also started off a little too complex, with to many things that made the world of the story unique. That was why it took me almost ten months to really finish, because there were many stories out there that I felt were better.
March 13, 2024
Not a bad start
The characters are certainly interesting, with challenges both inherited and self-inflicted. You can start to feel a connection, however the development in this first of the series seemed rushed. I will be getting the next book to see what the misfits get up to, and may have to adjust my rating once I read more of the series.
The characters are certainly interesting, with challenges both inherited and self-inflicted. You can start to feel a connection, however the development in this first of the series seemed rushed. I will be getting the next book to see what the misfits get up to, and may have to adjust my rating once I read more of the series.
February 9, 2018
Wonderful fantasy world
It's been a while since I read a fantasy story a great as this. The characters are well written, the story line is gripping and the world sounds both beautiful and terrifying. I can't wait to get started on the next book.
It's been a while since I read a fantasy story a great as this. The characters are well written, the story line is gripping and the world sounds both beautiful and terrifying. I can't wait to get started on the next book.
March 28, 2018
Slow start
It was slow going at the beginning, and a little confusing, but it soon sorted itself out and became quite an interesting, action packed, magic wielding good guys and bad guys new world of fantasy. I will get book two.
It was slow going at the beginning, and a little confusing, but it soon sorted itself out and became quite an interesting, action packed, magic wielding good guys and bad guys new world of fantasy. I will get book two.
May 13, 2018
Jack of Souls - a very compelling fantasy
This book has everything that any fantasy fan requires, deeply drawn characters, compelling storyline and dialogue, exciting battle scenes, and cliffhanger endings which leave the reader eager to discover more. Highly recommended reading.
This book has everything that any fantasy fan requires, deeply drawn characters, compelling storyline and dialogue, exciting battle scenes, and cliffhanger endings which leave the reader eager to discover more. Highly recommended reading.
September 30, 2018
I liked it ....
I liked the charters and the start of the story. It lost me about two chapters from the end. I made myself finish the book just not sure about getting the next one. Maybe later on just not now.
I liked the charters and the start of the story. It lost me about two chapters from the end. I made myself finish the book just not sure about getting the next one. Maybe later on just not now.
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