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A Curse upon the Saints
As one war draws to a close, an ancient enemy returns with a vengeance.
The Nasirians are one battle away from winning an eight-year holy war. As they lay siege to the pagan city of Silverwic, the deadly Sarbarah emerge with fire in their eyes. The "goat-men" once enslaved the human race for thousands of years, and they aren't interested in Silverwic alone. They want to reconquer everything they've lost and retake humanity.
Cynical soldier Nurik suspects his mentor Cardinal Renwick has forged an alliance with the goat-men. He must join forces with his idealistic sister and a devoted pagan father to stop the alliance, retrieve a relic stolen for a demonic cult, and confront the new threat to mankind. Failure to unite humanity against the slavers could rid the world of freedom for good.
A Curse Upon the Saints is the first installment in a series of epic fantasy novels that feature religious conflict, magic, and a war of good versus evil. If you like captivating worlds, religious undertones, and compelling creatures, then you'll love J. Rutger Madison's debut fantasy epic.
The Nasirians are one battle away from winning an eight-year holy war. As they lay siege to the pagan city of Silverwic, the deadly Sarbarah emerge with fire in their eyes. The "goat-men" once enslaved the human race for thousands of years, and they aren't interested in Silverwic alone. They want to reconquer everything they've lost and retake humanity.
Cynical soldier Nurik suspects his mentor Cardinal Renwick has forged an alliance with the goat-men. He must join forces with his idealistic sister and a devoted pagan father to stop the alliance, retrieve a relic stolen for a demonic cult, and confront the new threat to mankind. Failure to unite humanity against the slavers could rid the world of freedom for good.
A Curse Upon the Saints is the first installment in a series of epic fantasy novels that feature religious conflict, magic, and a war of good versus evil. If you like captivating worlds, religious undertones, and compelling creatures, then you'll love J. Rutger Madison's debut fantasy epic.
- GenresFantasy
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2014
4 people are currently reading
1602 people want to read
About the author
J. Rutger Madison
1 book68 followersJ. Rutger Madison is a recovered attorney, software developer, and writer from Jackson, Mississippi. He is married and the proud pet-parent of two greyhounds. When he is not writing, he is an avid fan of boardgames and RPG's, having played them since 1981.
Mr. Madison's fiction reflects his dry sense of humor, his skepticism toward authority of all stripes, and his slight misanthropic tendencies.
Mr. Madison's fiction reflects his dry sense of humor, his skepticism toward authority of all stripes, and his slight misanthropic tendencies.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 16, 2015
I received this thru a free give away via librarything.
I have to say it was great as a fantasy. The action is non stop and the world being portrayed is realistic. its not bogged down with alot of explanations as some fantasies can be. the characters are very realistic and sound just like any one would speak now. the plot is also easily followed. what I truly loved that the characters are mortal they can die and do. no spoilers but I was shocked and upset when one did. well written from start to finish and I rarely say this but I will be looking out for the sequel.
I have to say it was great as a fantasy. The action is non stop and the world being portrayed is realistic. its not bogged down with alot of explanations as some fantasies can be. the characters are very realistic and sound just like any one would speak now. the plot is also easily followed. what I truly loved that the characters are mortal they can die and do. no spoilers but I was shocked and upset when one did. well written from start to finish and I rarely say this but I will be looking out for the sequel.
January 10, 2016
I won this book on Goodreads and I'm happy I did because I utterly enjoyed it.
This is a tale set in a world turned up side down by religious and interspecies war. It has good, strong and above all believable characters, the good and the bad, the strong and the weak.
As you turn the pages and the story unfolds it turns out that the good are not so good, the bad are not so bad, the strong are not so strong and the weak are not weak at al.
You are pulled into a story full of magic and religion, its all about how different races and factions practice both. And all the time you wonder what will happen next.
This is a tale set in a world turned up side down by religious and interspecies war. It has good, strong and above all believable characters, the good and the bad, the strong and the weak.
As you turn the pages and the story unfolds it turns out that the good are not so good, the bad are not so bad, the strong are not so strong and the weak are not weak at al.
You are pulled into a story full of magic and religion, its all about how different races and factions practice both. And all the time you wonder what will happen next.
February 18, 2015
I wanted to say this was an original story line but there is the much the same to be found on any of the best seller lists. What I did like about it and think sets it apart from similar books I have recently read is the quality of the writing and really strong characters which you quickly find yourself routing for. I also thought the world building elements of the story were very good and the plot held together really well.
July 14, 2015
Although it started off a little slow in the beginning, this book picked up the pace and held my attention for the remainder. I like how you get to see things through the eyes of different characters; this helps to understand why someone acts the way they do and leaves the story open to kill off key people without ending the narrative. The ending is definitely left open for a sequel, as stated at the end of the book, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this story.
December 19, 2015
Wow amazing story I was hooked from the beginning to the finish. This book was exquisite and a thrilling story I have had the pleasure of reading. An enjoyable read & I do so hope to read more. This wonderful book I would be delighted to recommend to my friends & my thanks to the author J.Rutger Madison for the privilege of reading this wonderful book so to all happy reading from wee me.☺♥
August 17, 2016
I got this book from a Goodreads giveaway and here’s my honest review.
It all starts at the siege of Silverwic. From there each of the main characters has their own plot that serves their own goals and motivations. They all intertwine and flow very well together to form a whole.
As the story moves forward, so does the characterization. In a book with so many characters to focus on, it’s amazing to see how they all grow and develop, transformed by the changing circumstances. This is a realistic character development, with the characters adapting to the situations, sometimes reluctantly.
At first, though, it was a bit hard to follow. This is a fantasy world and the clichéd map at the beginning of the book would’ve been a great help. We start in the middle of a war (with good and bad guys on both sides), but I had some trouble understanding who’s fighting who. I’m still a bit confused about that. You have a church fighting a king, but some of the king’s subjects are on the church’s side. Well, that’s what I gathered. It’s only explained when characters mention it and I didn’t find it enough, though this is a great way to do exposition. I hope the sequels clarify it, because I’m interested enough to want to know more.
Actually, this whole world makes me curious. I want to explore it and its different races. From the little I’ve seen (and I liked it a lot), they all have complex backstories and religions and culture. New, non-human, intelligent beings is one of the coolest parts of fantasy settings and I want to see more of it too.
It all starts at the siege of Silverwic. From there each of the main characters has their own plot that serves their own goals and motivations. They all intertwine and flow very well together to form a whole.
As the story moves forward, so does the characterization. In a book with so many characters to focus on, it’s amazing to see how they all grow and develop, transformed by the changing circumstances. This is a realistic character development, with the characters adapting to the situations, sometimes reluctantly.
At first, though, it was a bit hard to follow. This is a fantasy world and the clichéd map at the beginning of the book would’ve been a great help. We start in the middle of a war (with good and bad guys on both sides), but I had some trouble understanding who’s fighting who. I’m still a bit confused about that. You have a church fighting a king, but some of the king’s subjects are on the church’s side. Well, that’s what I gathered. It’s only explained when characters mention it and I didn’t find it enough, though this is a great way to do exposition. I hope the sequels clarify it, because I’m interested enough to want to know more.
Actually, this whole world makes me curious. I want to explore it and its different races. From the little I’ve seen (and I liked it a lot), they all have complex backstories and religions and culture. New, non-human, intelligent beings is one of the coolest parts of fantasy settings and I want to see more of it too.
November 3, 2016
As the Holy Army of Nasir lays siege to Silverwic, one of the last pagan strongholds, the city is conquered from the inside by the legendary Sarbarah, a race of "goat-men" which enslaved the human race for thousands of years.
As we follow the adventures of the Nasirian Nurik and his sister Marisol and the pagan family of Frederich, Leoda and their daughter Thora, they find themselves entangled in a web of deceit, greed, unsatiable thirst for power and religious war. Only by succeeding in the impossible -- forming an alliance between the Nasirians of the One True God and the pagan population -- may they be able to regain their freedom.
However, many more players have their own reasons to see this alliance fail...
'A Curse upon the Saints', won through the Goodreads Giveaways, is the first installment of an epic fantasy series by J. Rutger Madison. I loved it, as the characters are life-like and the undertone -- a background of religious warfare and struggle for power -- though applicable on all ages, is still a fighting issue today.
As we follow the adventures of the Nasirian Nurik and his sister Marisol and the pagan family of Frederich, Leoda and their daughter Thora, they find themselves entangled in a web of deceit, greed, unsatiable thirst for power and religious war. Only by succeeding in the impossible -- forming an alliance between the Nasirians of the One True God and the pagan population -- may they be able to regain their freedom.
However, many more players have their own reasons to see this alliance fail...
'A Curse upon the Saints', won through the Goodreads Giveaways, is the first installment of an epic fantasy series by J. Rutger Madison. I loved it, as the characters are life-like and the undertone -- a background of religious warfare and struggle for power -- though applicable on all ages, is still a fighting issue today.
May 22, 2016
I won a paperback copy of this book via Goodreads.
This is a well written fantasy in regards to the world Mr. Madison has created. The story weaves through many characters who appear balanced but as you read further into this story, you come to realize the battles and struggles mimic today's world.
The questions raised concerning faith, hope, and the rights. or morals of gods, is well thought out. Many of the subjects, characters, and actions actually caused me pause of my own beliefs.
I struggled with this book due to my agnostic views but I do feel my review is honest and sincere. I find it important to read books contrary to my own views to fairly judge myself and the author.
A recommendation that you read this book is a positive reflection on this book and subject matter.
This is a well written fantasy in regards to the world Mr. Madison has created. The story weaves through many characters who appear balanced but as you read further into this story, you come to realize the battles and struggles mimic today's world.
The questions raised concerning faith, hope, and the rights. or morals of gods, is well thought out. Many of the subjects, characters, and actions actually caused me pause of my own beliefs.
I struggled with this book due to my agnostic views but I do feel my review is honest and sincere. I find it important to read books contrary to my own views to fairly judge myself and the author.
A recommendation that you read this book is a positive reflection on this book and subject matter.
January 16, 2016
**I won this book as a goodreads giveaway**
I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the cover of this book is absolutely horrible and would have deterred me from ever picking this book up on my own. That being said, this book should not be judged by its cover.
The story starts off in the middle of a war. The beginning was a little rough as you're introduced to new races, but as you keep reading the characters and the story grows into something more than you expect. After reading the back cover, I expected the story to focus more on religion. While religion was interwoven throughout, it's as much a book about religion as Breaking Bad is a show about meth.
This was surprisingly well written and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the cover of this book is absolutely horrible and would have deterred me from ever picking this book up on my own. That being said, this book should not be judged by its cover.
The story starts off in the middle of a war. The beginning was a little rough as you're introduced to new races, but as you keep reading the characters and the story grows into something more than you expect. After reading the back cover, I expected the story to focus more on religion. While religion was interwoven throughout, it's as much a book about religion as Breaking Bad is a show about meth.
This was surprisingly well written and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
June 16, 2016
This is a Goodreads win review. This is a sci fi fantasy novel. The Nasirians are in an 8 year holy war. It is the first installment in the series of fantasy novels that involves religious conflict, demons, magic and a battle over slavery. I would say that we have some of these problems today. This was a good read.
September 26, 2015
A warning about religion as a reason to wage war, the dangers of converts, a brutal way of awakening magic gifts and a story where no character has guaranteed well being or survival.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews