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Darklaw
Kami has come looking for a hero. What she finds is an outlaw with a vicious agenda. Despite her disillusionment, Kami can’t seem to free herself from Avestine’s power. No one can. What compels Kami compels the world. Until it doesn’t. With time and the machinations of Avestine’s mad brother, the world is changing. Kami is changing. Only one decision remains: seek peace or seek freedom. The world will never have both as long as the gods are alive in the world.
At 30 years old, Avestine was the heir of the Architect and venerated as the Emissary of the god Arujan, but her brother managed to kill their father, seize the throne for his own, and make his sister an outlaw. Ten years later, she’s still on the run, hiding out among villages of the Trade Quarter, when Darklaw legions arrive in her brother’s bid for new territory.
Kami is a young woman also on the run after the legions destroy her village. Driven by hero-worship and rumors, she arrives in a seedy city seeking the legendary Avestine. Kami has nothing left except the hope that Avestine can help her return to her village safely, since Avestine once saved the coast from an assault.
But what she finds is no hero. Avestine is cruel and narcissistic, and Kami will face traumatic moments of compromise and loss. Avestine, too, will be forever changed by the presence of the young woman whose touch thrills and whose absence devastates her. But neither is prepared for the unprecedented powers coming to life within them.
More than mere hero-worship drives Kami and more than mere ambition drives Avestine when they meet and form a tumultuous relationship that will make them lovers and enemies for the rest of their lives. In fact, for all eternity.
Darklaw is an epic fantasy written for adults. The story includes graphic violence, explicit sex, non consensual situations, drug use, and profanity. Includes more than 21 illustrations and the bonus prequel “Hold Fast the Reins.” Mature content.
Illustrations are now available online at Strange Flesh Press.
At 30 years old, Avestine was the heir of the Architect and venerated as the Emissary of the god Arujan, but her brother managed to kill their father, seize the throne for his own, and make his sister an outlaw. Ten years later, she’s still on the run, hiding out among villages of the Trade Quarter, when Darklaw legions arrive in her brother’s bid for new territory.
Kami is a young woman also on the run after the legions destroy her village. Driven by hero-worship and rumors, she arrives in a seedy city seeking the legendary Avestine. Kami has nothing left except the hope that Avestine can help her return to her village safely, since Avestine once saved the coast from an assault.
But what she finds is no hero. Avestine is cruel and narcissistic, and Kami will face traumatic moments of compromise and loss. Avestine, too, will be forever changed by the presence of the young woman whose touch thrills and whose absence devastates her. But neither is prepared for the unprecedented powers coming to life within them.
More than mere hero-worship drives Kami and more than mere ambition drives Avestine when they meet and form a tumultuous relationship that will make them lovers and enemies for the rest of their lives. In fact, for all eternity.
Darklaw is an epic fantasy written for adults. The story includes graphic violence, explicit sex, non consensual situations, drug use, and profanity. Includes more than 21 illustrations and the bonus prequel “Hold Fast the Reins.” Mature content.
Illustrations are now available online at Strange Flesh Press.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2015
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253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 30, 2018
It’s not an easy task to make Sword & Sorcery fiction into successful Sword & Sex & Sorcery fiction. This is a story of empire building and civil war set in a world of medieval life and warfare. It is also a story of a young woman, Kami, who seeks out her hero, an older woman warrior, Avestine, who once saved her village. But nothing is quite as it seems.
"Avestine’s predatory instincts seemed especially keen when it came to Kami’s arousal."
and
"The perfect hunter had found the perfect prey."
and
"“Don’t pity me, child. I don’t need it. The only one you should pity is anyone who loves me.”"
Kami seems a young woman only interested in getting a former hero to defend her village. Avestine seems to be that warrior reluctant to be drawn into any battle. But Avestine is really an heir to her father “the Architect’s” Darklaw empire: "For ten years, her brother pursued her. For ten years, a man who—as was well known—had not even fathered his own children, thought the gods would let him murder not only the Architect but the legitimate heir and Emissary. Yet, the gods had preserved her as strong as the day she had fled the Dark Quarter."
She also enjoys “raping” women and asserting her dominance at every opportunity.
"“If you learned to bend,” said Avestine, “things would go much easier.”
“You mean my friends wouldn’t be murdered?”
“The throne will be mine again, and you will have anything you want.”
Kami stepped away. As she left the room, she asked, “Will I have my mother back? My friends? My life?”"
Kami isn’t just another victim, though she submits to Avestine. She belongs to a mystical group call the Essanti.
"“I’ve heard you called ‘Emissary’.”
“I am.”
“What does that mean?”
“I speak for the God. Arujan, the Blue Sun. To simple men, an emissary is a god, as powerful and more so. You see?”"
"TO CONSUME, TO create life, to be consumed. These were the essentials for Kami or any Essanti of Instinct,"
It was hard to find any continuing empathy with any of the characters. Wymore may have intended to peel back layers of personality for each of her characters but it was not successful and what resulted was a confusing mixture of contradictory personality traits and actions. "Maybe it was because Avestine was a woman, or maybe it was because she was companioned by so much horror, but her ruthlessness showed a sort of honesty Kami valued."
"Finding Kami with Avestine at Riverside had been a relief, because it meant the gods had not grown silent. The Father, the Rebel Son, and the Motherless Daughter would continue to be heard through the Essanti, and their voices would help to restrain the demons of possession and revenge. Those demons ruled over Avestar, and they were a constant temptation to Avestine. Rook knew those demons and he knew, as well, that even Avestine wasn’t stronger than a demon. She needed her Essanti."
Wymore’s Essanti are both sought after and feared. "“Why was he afraid of the Demonforest?” “Essanti, of course.” “As if the forest was full of them.” “You don’t realize how many have been killed.” “How many?” “Thousands over the last twenty years. I don’t think there was a time that Darklaw didn’t have roving hunters looking for them."
This is a very ambitious book that creates some memorable characters and a gigantic world of trade wars, conquering empires, tribal loyalties and subtle magic. For me, it lets its reach exceed its grasp and doesn’t satisfactorily resolve its potential. Further, the characters, while memorable, are not ones that easily gain the reader’s empathy. The explicit sex and violence may well be a logical aspect of each character but it didn’t add much to the plot’s progression.
Wymore has not followed this up with another novel set in this world. I would not be interested if she did.
"Avestine’s predatory instincts seemed especially keen when it came to Kami’s arousal."
and
"The perfect hunter had found the perfect prey."
and
"“Don’t pity me, child. I don’t need it. The only one you should pity is anyone who loves me.”"
Kami seems a young woman only interested in getting a former hero to defend her village. Avestine seems to be that warrior reluctant to be drawn into any battle. But Avestine is really an heir to her father “the Architect’s” Darklaw empire: "For ten years, her brother pursued her. For ten years, a man who—as was well known—had not even fathered his own children, thought the gods would let him murder not only the Architect but the legitimate heir and Emissary. Yet, the gods had preserved her as strong as the day she had fled the Dark Quarter."
She also enjoys “raping” women and asserting her dominance at every opportunity.
"“If you learned to bend,” said Avestine, “things would go much easier.”
“You mean my friends wouldn’t be murdered?”
“The throne will be mine again, and you will have anything you want.”
Kami stepped away. As she left the room, she asked, “Will I have my mother back? My friends? My life?”"
Kami isn’t just another victim, though she submits to Avestine. She belongs to a mystical group call the Essanti.
"“I’ve heard you called ‘Emissary’.”
“I am.”
“What does that mean?”
“I speak for the God. Arujan, the Blue Sun. To simple men, an emissary is a god, as powerful and more so. You see?”"
"TO CONSUME, TO create life, to be consumed. These were the essentials for Kami or any Essanti of Instinct,"
It was hard to find any continuing empathy with any of the characters. Wymore may have intended to peel back layers of personality for each of her characters but it was not successful and what resulted was a confusing mixture of contradictory personality traits and actions. "Maybe it was because Avestine was a woman, or maybe it was because she was companioned by so much horror, but her ruthlessness showed a sort of honesty Kami valued."
"Finding Kami with Avestine at Riverside had been a relief, because it meant the gods had not grown silent. The Father, the Rebel Son, and the Motherless Daughter would continue to be heard through the Essanti, and their voices would help to restrain the demons of possession and revenge. Those demons ruled over Avestar, and they were a constant temptation to Avestine. Rook knew those demons and he knew, as well, that even Avestine wasn’t stronger than a demon. She needed her Essanti."
Wymore’s Essanti are both sought after and feared. "“Why was he afraid of the Demonforest?” “Essanti, of course.” “As if the forest was full of them.” “You don’t realize how many have been killed.” “How many?” “Thousands over the last twenty years. I don’t think there was a time that Darklaw didn’t have roving hunters looking for them."
This is a very ambitious book that creates some memorable characters and a gigantic world of trade wars, conquering empires, tribal loyalties and subtle magic. For me, it lets its reach exceed its grasp and doesn’t satisfactorily resolve its potential. Further, the characters, while memorable, are not ones that easily gain the reader’s empathy. The explicit sex and violence may well be a logical aspect of each character but it didn’t add much to the plot’s progression.
Wymore has not followed this up with another novel set in this world. I would not be interested if she did.
May 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book by the author for me to review it.
I'm an occasional fantasy reader and I actually enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would.
Darklaw is an epic fantasy written for adults. I won't be talking much about the plot and events since I do not wish to spoil the book for you.
I found the story to be well-paced, with action-packed bloody battle scenes and balanced with a cast of different, well-developed characters. The writing was excellent. Whilst reading I didn't come across any mistake like typos or grammatical errors.
The book contains illustrations and a detailed map. They enhanced the experience for me by increasing the level of immersion into the story. The map was much appreciated since I usually tend to feel a little lost without one, so while reading Darklaw I never had any trouble following the narrated events.
I found the worldbuilding to be top-notch. The author created a very detailed and complex world. Because of this, the reader may feel a little bit lost in the first few pages—especially since references to past events are not immediately explained in the story—but it really gives a feeling of a real and dynamical world. As I kept reading, I started to grasp and rembember more and more about the information given to the reader.
What really stands out in this novel—apart from the worldbuilding—are the main characters, with their qualities and flaws.
The most important example is set by Avestine: we get a strong character who is believable and alluring, but also frightening and ruthless. The relationship between Kami and Avestine is worth of mention. Kami is compelled towards Avestine, but she's also constantly trying to defy her, due to Kami's chaotic nature opposed to Avestine's need to impose order.
Another mention-worthy element in the story is the presence of Essanti. The Essanti are a race connected to the gods; they become the god's Emanation and are able to channel their power. Essanti get their hands cut off when they swear service to their master.
So, not only does Darklaw presents a wide range of relationship diversity (f/f, m/m, f/m), but it also offers a cast of differently abled characters.
This only scratches the surface of what goes on in this book. There is a lot of context to ground the societal, religious, and political frameworks.
Apparently, there is more to come on the Darklaw world. I'm definitely interested in reading more of it and of this author's work.
I recommend this novel to mature readers who enjoy epic fantasies and certainly wouldn't mind scenes with explicit sex or graphic violence.
I'm an occasional fantasy reader and I actually enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would.
Darklaw is an epic fantasy written for adults. I won't be talking much about the plot and events since I do not wish to spoil the book for you.
I found the story to be well-paced, with action-packed bloody battle scenes and balanced with a cast of different, well-developed characters. The writing was excellent. Whilst reading I didn't come across any mistake like typos or grammatical errors.
The book contains illustrations and a detailed map. They enhanced the experience for me by increasing the level of immersion into the story. The map was much appreciated since I usually tend to feel a little lost without one, so while reading Darklaw I never had any trouble following the narrated events.
I found the worldbuilding to be top-notch. The author created a very detailed and complex world. Because of this, the reader may feel a little bit lost in the first few pages—especially since references to past events are not immediately explained in the story—but it really gives a feeling of a real and dynamical world. As I kept reading, I started to grasp and rembember more and more about the information given to the reader.
What really stands out in this novel—apart from the worldbuilding—are the main characters, with their qualities and flaws.
The most important example is set by Avestine: we get a strong character who is believable and alluring, but also frightening and ruthless. The relationship between Kami and Avestine is worth of mention. Kami is compelled towards Avestine, but she's also constantly trying to defy her, due to Kami's chaotic nature opposed to Avestine's need to impose order.
Another mention-worthy element in the story is the presence of Essanti. The Essanti are a race connected to the gods; they become the god's Emanation and are able to channel their power. Essanti get their hands cut off when they swear service to their master.
So, not only does Darklaw presents a wide range of relationship diversity (f/f, m/m, f/m), but it also offers a cast of differently abled characters.
This only scratches the surface of what goes on in this book. There is a lot of context to ground the societal, religious, and political frameworks.
Apparently, there is more to come on the Darklaw world. I'm definitely interested in reading more of it and of this author's work.
I recommend this novel to mature readers who enjoy epic fantasies and certainly wouldn't mind scenes with explicit sex or graphic violence.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews