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Kahtar: Warrior of the Ages
Eternity Didn't Prepare Kahtar to Battle for a Woman's Heart
Kahtar Constantine knows the ropes. Serve, obey, die, and repeat. Haunted by his immortal past and bound to his clan, this time around his duty is to ensure anyone wandering into Willowyth doesn’t stay long—and the entire police force is in on it.
Beth White is irresistibly drawn to the idyllic village. Thrilled to find a place she can call home and run her business, she stubbornly ignores the quirky locals and their efforts to force her out of town.
Everything changes the night crazed intruders break into her shop. Beth is thrown into a world of clans and cults, where the police carry swords and heal gunshot wounds with prayer, and she wants nothing more than to escape.
Forced to take his clan’s first prisoner, Kahtar finds his black and white world breached by the loud and colorful 21st century. As the clan uncovers Beth’s secrets, for the first time the warrior of the ages finds himself heart to heart with a foe he can’t defeat—the truth.
Where is truth and honor when worlds collide?
Kahtar Constantine knows the ropes. Serve, obey, die, and repeat. Haunted by his immortal past and bound to his clan, this time around his duty is to ensure anyone wandering into Willowyth doesn’t stay long—and the entire police force is in on it.
Beth White is irresistibly drawn to the idyllic village. Thrilled to find a place she can call home and run her business, she stubbornly ignores the quirky locals and their efforts to force her out of town.
Everything changes the night crazed intruders break into her shop. Beth is thrown into a world of clans and cults, where the police carry swords and heal gunshot wounds with prayer, and she wants nothing more than to escape.
Forced to take his clan’s first prisoner, Kahtar finds his black and white world breached by the loud and colorful 21st century. As the clan uncovers Beth’s secrets, for the first time the warrior of the ages finds himself heart to heart with a foe he can’t defeat—the truth.
Where is truth and honor when worlds collide?
- GenresFantasyRomanceParanormal
300 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
847 people want to read
About the author
S.R. Karfelt
13 books63 followersBefore writing full time, S.R. dabbled in the engineering world. She co-founded a high-tech company with her husband before returning to the other love of her life, writing. S.R. writes wherever the wind blows her, but currently calls the soaring capital of the world home. To learn more about S.R. visit her website at www.SRKarfelt.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 27, 2013
What is there to say about S.R. Karfelt's Warrior of the Ages? Sheer genius, that's what...Falling deeply in love with the characters was something I didn't know to expect. I ping-ponged between Kahtar - our immortal hero - and Beth - the woman who would ruin everything he's worked for. Several times I stopped to ask myself "Whose side am I on, anyway?" only to dive back in for more.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so you'll just have to trust me and buy the book yourself!! I promise it's worth it.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so you'll just have to trust me and buy the book yourself!! I promise it's worth it.
October 17, 2013
Let me begin by saying, this is not like any book I've ever read before. I suppose if I had to speak of genre, it would be simple to say that I've never read "speculative" fiction before. Maybe I didn't know what I was missing? Because if this is any indicator, I've truly been missing out on a very cool kind of read.
First and foremost, the characters really jump off the page. You feel like you know a Beth. In fact, I have suspicions about "Beth" and her love of amazing shoes... but that's another story. Beyond her cool shoes, there is a real woman-- one you can really relate to. One that you can laugh with and cry with and applaud when she reacts exactly how you would... if you only had the nerve. You really feel like you "know" these characters, and as the story moves along you feel like they are your friends. There are some hot warriors, naturally. There is a dog named "Wolves" that will have you howling (with laughter). If there was anything missing character wise I sure didn't notice. I loved these characters.
The world that WOA takes place in was tough for me at first. It's not the writing or the story, just something I wasn't used to. Luckily, S.R. Karfelt makes things like teleportation fun and interesting so that I didn't worry so much about the "how is this possible" as I did the "well that was unexpected and fun". By a few chapters in I was getting used to the magical world and all it's neat little secrets. There is a lot of well researched history that adds to the story and helped me to feel "at home" with the world. In the end, I was very comfortable with the world Karfelt created. Somehow she managed to create a really fantastic world that was balanced with down-to-earth characters and enough reality that it just felt like it was all quite possible. I might have been half-way through the book when I realized I WANTED to believe in this world and I might even want to live in it!
The writing is exceptional, and right to the point. If you are looking for a book that has ten pages of description about the particular shade of the main character's eyes, or one that explains everything down to the final detail, you'll not find it here. Karfelt gives the reader credit for being smart enough to put the pieces together on their own. She gives you just enough to let your imagination fill in the blanks. At first, I wasn't sure I liked this. I have always been a reader of books that will spend a paragraph explaining the color of the sky. But soon, I was enjoying the freedom it gave me to make the story my own. I like how the story was bold enough that it didn't need pages upon pages of frivolous details. It was just the right amount of icing on the cake, if you will. Again, much different than the type of books I normally read, but a very pleasant(and liberating) change of pace.
Speaking of pace... whoa! I don't think I've ever finished a book before realizing I was mere pages away from the end. I admit I would sit down to read "a" chapter and end up reading 5 or more. It was hard to leave the pages unturned. I hit the ending so fast that I actually flipped back and forth a bit to make sure I didn't miss something. The story flowed naturally, smoothly, and really didn't waste time on filler-fluff. It is a story that knew where it was going and it went there without any detours. I have to tell you, now that I've finished it, I definitely like this concept of telling a story without telling ten stories within the story. Very refreshing.
It's a book that I won't forget, which says a lot considering how many books I read. I truly feel like I know the characters now and simply have to find a way to keep in touch. I was a bit let-down when I realized I hit the last page wide-open. So sorry to see the story end. Then I remembered... it's a series. =) Whoo hoo and sign me up for book 2 please!
I've got to give props to the author... not many could mix up such a juicy blend of eclectic ingredients and have it go down this smoothly! This book blends a lot of elements that I would have never thought to put together. It works. It works brilliantly. I'm not sure how anyone could read it and not find something about it that draws them in, keeps them engaged, and has them saying, "Whoa!" by the time they close the book. Karfelt has done something truly unique, boldly different, and deliciously unexpected here... and she's done it right.
PS- I don't recall a single typo/error in this thing! If there was one in there, I missed it, which is a definite sign of a brilliantly told story. I do not miss the boo-boos even among the top-selling authors out there.
First and foremost, the characters really jump off the page. You feel like you know a Beth. In fact, I have suspicions about "Beth" and her love of amazing shoes... but that's another story. Beyond her cool shoes, there is a real woman-- one you can really relate to. One that you can laugh with and cry with and applaud when she reacts exactly how you would... if you only had the nerve. You really feel like you "know" these characters, and as the story moves along you feel like they are your friends. There are some hot warriors, naturally. There is a dog named "Wolves" that will have you howling (with laughter). If there was anything missing character wise I sure didn't notice. I loved these characters.
The world that WOA takes place in was tough for me at first. It's not the writing or the story, just something I wasn't used to. Luckily, S.R. Karfelt makes things like teleportation fun and interesting so that I didn't worry so much about the "how is this possible" as I did the "well that was unexpected and fun". By a few chapters in I was getting used to the magical world and all it's neat little secrets. There is a lot of well researched history that adds to the story and helped me to feel "at home" with the world. In the end, I was very comfortable with the world Karfelt created. Somehow she managed to create a really fantastic world that was balanced with down-to-earth characters and enough reality that it just felt like it was all quite possible. I might have been half-way through the book when I realized I WANTED to believe in this world and I might even want to live in it!
The writing is exceptional, and right to the point. If you are looking for a book that has ten pages of description about the particular shade of the main character's eyes, or one that explains everything down to the final detail, you'll not find it here. Karfelt gives the reader credit for being smart enough to put the pieces together on their own. She gives you just enough to let your imagination fill in the blanks. At first, I wasn't sure I liked this. I have always been a reader of books that will spend a paragraph explaining the color of the sky. But soon, I was enjoying the freedom it gave me to make the story my own. I like how the story was bold enough that it didn't need pages upon pages of frivolous details. It was just the right amount of icing on the cake, if you will. Again, much different than the type of books I normally read, but a very pleasant(and liberating) change of pace.
Speaking of pace... whoa! I don't think I've ever finished a book before realizing I was mere pages away from the end. I admit I would sit down to read "a" chapter and end up reading 5 or more. It was hard to leave the pages unturned. I hit the ending so fast that I actually flipped back and forth a bit to make sure I didn't miss something. The story flowed naturally, smoothly, and really didn't waste time on filler-fluff. It is a story that knew where it was going and it went there without any detours. I have to tell you, now that I've finished it, I definitely like this concept of telling a story without telling ten stories within the story. Very refreshing.
It's a book that I won't forget, which says a lot considering how many books I read. I truly feel like I know the characters now and simply have to find a way to keep in touch. I was a bit let-down when I realized I hit the last page wide-open. So sorry to see the story end. Then I remembered... it's a series. =) Whoo hoo and sign me up for book 2 please!
I've got to give props to the author... not many could mix up such a juicy blend of eclectic ingredients and have it go down this smoothly! This book blends a lot of elements that I would have never thought to put together. It works. It works brilliantly. I'm not sure how anyone could read it and not find something about it that draws them in, keeps them engaged, and has them saying, "Whoa!" by the time they close the book. Karfelt has done something truly unique, boldly different, and deliciously unexpected here... and she's done it right.
PS- I don't recall a single typo/error in this thing! If there was one in there, I missed it, which is a definite sign of a brilliantly told story. I do not miss the boo-boos even among the top-selling authors out there.
September 16, 2013
Warrior of Ages took me by surprise.
I honestly had no pre-conceptions about this book, and didn't know what to expect when I bought the paperback version.
What I loved about WOA was the symbolism that ran deep into the book. There are themes in the literature that have kept me thinking about the book for days afterwards. I didn't know that it involved romance, and as someone who doesn't exactly enjoy Jane Austen, my romance has to come with a very strong, non-cheesy and giggly delivery. Karfelt definitely delivered in that way. One of her main characters, Beth, is everything I could have expected her to be. She's witty, brave, and incredibly stubborn. It makes for a strong female lead in the story that keeps my interest. That made any romance on her part come across as very human and realistic.
As far as for content, I've never read any kind of speculative fiction before, but with this book as an intro into it, can say that I'd like to read more. For anyone who is able to keep an open mind with what they are reading, and has any kind of religious roots, I think you'll find yourself buried in this book with one eyebrow lifted in interest as I did.
Where characters are concerned, the only one that gave me any pause was a side character named Honor. His relationship with Beth was a bit off for me. I didn't really understand it or think that it made sense. I think that can be attributed to partially to the culture of the world they lived in. At any rate, it didn't detract from the story, and the character was consistent, so that made up for any pause that it gave me at first. He wasn't a main character, so it didn't really affect the movement of the plot.
Hands down, the best character is the dog, Wolves. He definitely had me laughing a few times.
Hats off Karfelt for an evocative read that still lives in my head. In my opinion, that's the best compliment I can give to a book.
I honestly had no pre-conceptions about this book, and didn't know what to expect when I bought the paperback version.
What I loved about WOA was the symbolism that ran deep into the book. There are themes in the literature that have kept me thinking about the book for days afterwards. I didn't know that it involved romance, and as someone who doesn't exactly enjoy Jane Austen, my romance has to come with a very strong, non-cheesy and giggly delivery. Karfelt definitely delivered in that way. One of her main characters, Beth, is everything I could have expected her to be. She's witty, brave, and incredibly stubborn. It makes for a strong female lead in the story that keeps my interest. That made any romance on her part come across as very human and realistic.
As far as for content, I've never read any kind of speculative fiction before, but with this book as an intro into it, can say that I'd like to read more. For anyone who is able to keep an open mind with what they are reading, and has any kind of religious roots, I think you'll find yourself buried in this book with one eyebrow lifted in interest as I did.
Where characters are concerned, the only one that gave me any pause was a side character named Honor. His relationship with Beth was a bit off for me. I didn't really understand it or think that it made sense. I think that can be attributed to partially to the culture of the world they lived in. At any rate, it didn't detract from the story, and the character was consistent, so that made up for any pause that it gave me at first. He wasn't a main character, so it didn't really affect the movement of the plot.
Hands down, the best character is the dog, Wolves. He definitely had me laughing a few times.
Hats off Karfelt for an evocative read that still lives in my head. In my opinion, that's the best compliment I can give to a book.
April 22, 2015
Warrior of Ages went in a totally different direction than what I expected it to do before I opened it. For one thing, and probably my only complaint about the novel, is that really there was no point in Kahtar being immortal. It barely even came up and when in the end he finally reveals it it's just waved away and forgotten about. The story easily could have skipped that whole little sub-plot and still would've worked beautifully.
That being said though I really enjoyed what I did read. At first I was seriously annoyed with Beth and everyone's infatuation with her. She was just normal! Yet everyone made her out to be this, I don't know, supernatural princess. It annoyed me and I kept wanting to skip the paragraphs where the men went all gaga for her. But then, it was those parts that made me start to appreciate Beth more. She knew what her personality was truly like; she was stubborn as hell, made irrational and stupid decisions sometimes, was impulsive, and could be cruel at times. And she accepted that about herself. She knew who she was, and she started getting annoyed with how everyone was falling all over her. So I actually loved Beth after that, for being able to look in the mirror and see the real thing.
But the guys. The guys were still annoying. The way everyone followed her around like puppy dogs. I get that her heart was untrained, but the way they chased after her was a bit silly. And the fact that everyone (including Kahtar) kept calling her "Sweet Beth". Really? What about her was sweet?
Oh also, the plot finished kind of too easily. Like, there's this big bad guy who's been chasing me for months and killing people! And then he's gone, and we have another 50 pages of story because of love. Which worked surprisingly well, but normally that would have been something that I wouldn't like.
The fact is though that this book held my interest the entire way through. It was an unusual and I loved the idea of the cult (by definition not by connotation). It was a bit odd at times, and I empathized with Beth when she was so skeptical about it in the beginning. But it grew on me, and I'm happy I read this instead of putting it farther down my pile of to-read.
(I received this in a First Reads giveaway.)
That being said though I really enjoyed what I did read. At first I was seriously annoyed with Beth and everyone's infatuation with her. She was just normal! Yet everyone made her out to be this, I don't know, supernatural princess. It annoyed me and I kept wanting to skip the paragraphs where the men went all gaga for her. But then, it was those parts that made me start to appreciate Beth more. She knew what her personality was truly like; she was stubborn as hell, made irrational and stupid decisions sometimes, was impulsive, and could be cruel at times. And she accepted that about herself. She knew who she was, and she started getting annoyed with how everyone was falling all over her. So I actually loved Beth after that, for being able to look in the mirror and see the real thing.
But the guys. The guys were still annoying. The way everyone followed her around like puppy dogs. I get that her heart was untrained, but the way they chased after her was a bit silly. And the fact that everyone (including Kahtar) kept calling her "Sweet Beth". Really? What about her was sweet?
Oh also, the plot finished kind of too easily. Like, there's this big bad guy who's been chasing me for months and killing people! And then he's gone, and we have another 50 pages of story because of love. Which worked surprisingly well, but normally that would have been something that I wouldn't like.
The fact is though that this book held my interest the entire way through. It was an unusual and I loved the idea of the cult (by definition not by connotation). It was a bit odd at times, and I empathized with Beth when she was so skeptical about it in the beginning. But it grew on me, and I'm happy I read this instead of putting it farther down my pile of to-read.
(I received this in a First Reads giveaway.)
August 20, 2013
I am completely and utterly in awe of this fantastic book. I am amazed at Karfelt's creativity and imagination as she built a world and a group of characters unlike anything I've read before. All of my favorite books, I've determined, are special to me because of the characters, and I think it's safe to say that Kahtar will go down in my reading annuls as one of my favorite characters. Kahtar, for over 20 centuries, has been reborn after dying a warrior's death, soon to recall his past and eventually to turn into a warrior once again, knowing that he'll die and repeat over and over again. And then into his life walks Beth, a woman whose heart he is drawn to, a woman whom he can love despite the horrors of his past. There is an other-worldly spiritual element to this fantasy story, yet it crossed over into my world and was therefore refreshingly real at the same time. The book has action, adventure, romance, intrigue, fantasy, reality, emotion, twists and turns, and a plot and setting unlike any other I've read. I highly recommend it, and I'm looking forward to future novels by S.R. Karfelt.
May 16, 2014
This was an interesting novel that author S. R. Karfelt unleashed upon the world. It features a part-time immortal warrior named Kahtar who is the police chief of a village in northern Ohio in his current incarnation. He is also part of a supernatural cult of "Covenant Keepers" who try to live apart from the rest of humanity. Not much back story was given on the cult or why and how it was founded so I found myself slightly confused in that regard, which is why this got four stars instead of five.
The thing that Karfelt excels at is characterization. I have a hard time envisioning the characters in most of the novels I've read, but in this one they really stood out to me. Beth White, a newcomer to Kahtar's town, kept cracking me up with her penchant for high heels and her inability to keep her mouth shut. I can't wait to see what trouble she gets herself into next!
The thing that Karfelt excels at is characterization. I have a hard time envisioning the characters in most of the novels I've read, but in this one they really stood out to me. Beth White, a newcomer to Kahtar's town, kept cracking me up with her penchant for high heels and her inability to keep her mouth shut. I can't wait to see what trouble she gets herself into next!
December 28, 2013
I'm not a typical sci-fi/fantasy reader. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of fantasy books I have ever read, and that includes classics like The Hobbit, Tuck Everlasting, and A Wrinkle in Time. Being a writer means most of my friends are writers, and that means reading occasional books I wouldn't normally pick up. This was one of them.
I didn't expect to like it, either. Which puts me, a historical romance lover, in an awkward situation. I did like it--very much. Take the elements of repeating lives, occasional travel through the space/time continuum, a story world that is fresh and imaginative with memorable and unique characters, and throw in a romance that you can feel down to your tingling toes, and you almost have a hint at how immersing this story is.
Willowyth Chief of Police Kent Costas is a man's man--powerful both physically and mentally, and able to hold his own against the most seasoned warriors. And he should know, he's faced them for millennia. Kahtar (which is his real name) may not be the most sensitive soul on the planet. In fact his superficial meanness at times, especially toward his dog, made me mad. But that veneer of insensitivity is exactly what made me hang onto every delicious moment as he falls hard for the winsome and free-spirited Beth White--who incidentally loves the pup unconditionally. Feeling his stoic, granite heart come alive under her charms was one of the most engaging and intense experiences I have ever had between the pages of a work of fiction. No matter how fantastic the elements of this story world are, and I won't give them away because they are a treat in and of themselves, the genuineness of two hearts' joining has never been as beautiful and real as this story depicted. The man he becomes makes up for the hardened soul he once was.
With a seasoned writer's prowess, the author sets up the conflict between his world and hers immediately and escalates the tension with every scene. I hardly ever read a trade-length book in two days, but I confess this one had me at first encounter. It is so much more than a romance, too. It has themes of acceptance, honor, friendship, honesty, and how virtues can become vices, and flaws can become assets. Written with intelligence, nuance, and depth, I believe the potential audience for this story is very broad. And that it explores Biblical themes and asks honest questions about religion without slighting its central message is an added bonus.
Look for more from this talented emerging author.
I didn't expect to like it, either. Which puts me, a historical romance lover, in an awkward situation. I did like it--very much. Take the elements of repeating lives, occasional travel through the space/time continuum, a story world that is fresh and imaginative with memorable and unique characters, and throw in a romance that you can feel down to your tingling toes, and you almost have a hint at how immersing this story is.
Willowyth Chief of Police Kent Costas is a man's man--powerful both physically and mentally, and able to hold his own against the most seasoned warriors. And he should know, he's faced them for millennia. Kahtar (which is his real name) may not be the most sensitive soul on the planet. In fact his superficial meanness at times, especially toward his dog, made me mad. But that veneer of insensitivity is exactly what made me hang onto every delicious moment as he falls hard for the winsome and free-spirited Beth White--who incidentally loves the pup unconditionally. Feeling his stoic, granite heart come alive under her charms was one of the most engaging and intense experiences I have ever had between the pages of a work of fiction. No matter how fantastic the elements of this story world are, and I won't give them away because they are a treat in and of themselves, the genuineness of two hearts' joining has never been as beautiful and real as this story depicted. The man he becomes makes up for the hardened soul he once was.
With a seasoned writer's prowess, the author sets up the conflict between his world and hers immediately and escalates the tension with every scene. I hardly ever read a trade-length book in two days, but I confess this one had me at first encounter. It is so much more than a romance, too. It has themes of acceptance, honor, friendship, honesty, and how virtues can become vices, and flaws can become assets. Written with intelligence, nuance, and depth, I believe the potential audience for this story is very broad. And that it explores Biblical themes and asks honest questions about religion without slighting its central message is an added bonus.
Look for more from this talented emerging author.
October 6, 2013
(I received this book for free as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaways).
(This review may contain spoilers).
This book was one I particularly enjoyed. I liked the characters and I liked Khatar's past, though I felt that there were still a few questions unanswered, such as why he kept repeating. (I thought it was because of the crucifixion, but his comments at the end seemed to indicate that wasn't the case).
It was interesting to read about the relationship between the Warriors of ilu. Even the men seemed to have no problem with physical contact - hugging and even kissing. It was an interesting thing to read and quite indicative of how close they were as a family.
I'm not sure what to make of the Old Guard. I wish I knew more about what they're supposed to be. There were so many things that were left unanswered.
I really liked the fact that the Clans were descended from the inhabitants of the Ark, but I'm still somewhat confused about why only one of the Clans is apparently Christian. I would have liked to learn more information about the other Clans - and what they are if they're not Christian. (Presumably, praying only works for the Warriors of ilu).
I did notice a few errors in the book - and something that threw me out a bit was the use of the term 'hony mone'. I assume it's meant to be a honeymoon, but the term completely threw me every time it was used.
I was very disappointed in how Honor was at the end. His friendship with Beth had been something I'd really enjoyed and the way he was after finding out about her seemed completely at odds with how he'd been portrayed through the book. (Then again, if people can feel each others' hearts, I can't understand how they can be hostile towards each other...)
I liked Khatar and Beth together. It was nice to see a romance which didn't have the two main characters jumping into bed with each other straight away. I could believe in their relationship and it was one of the strongest points of the book.
If there's a sequel to this book, I'd definitely be interested in reading it.
(This review may contain spoilers).
This book was one I particularly enjoyed. I liked the characters and I liked Khatar's past, though I felt that there were still a few questions unanswered, such as why he kept repeating. (I thought it was because of the crucifixion, but his comments at the end seemed to indicate that wasn't the case).
It was interesting to read about the relationship between the Warriors of ilu. Even the men seemed to have no problem with physical contact - hugging and even kissing. It was an interesting thing to read and quite indicative of how close they were as a family.
I'm not sure what to make of the Old Guard. I wish I knew more about what they're supposed to be. There were so many things that were left unanswered.
I really liked the fact that the Clans were descended from the inhabitants of the Ark, but I'm still somewhat confused about why only one of the Clans is apparently Christian. I would have liked to learn more information about the other Clans - and what they are if they're not Christian. (Presumably, praying only works for the Warriors of ilu).
I did notice a few errors in the book - and something that threw me out a bit was the use of the term 'hony mone'. I assume it's meant to be a honeymoon, but the term completely threw me every time it was used.
I was very disappointed in how Honor was at the end. His friendship with Beth had been something I'd really enjoyed and the way he was after finding out about her seemed completely at odds with how he'd been portrayed through the book. (Then again, if people can feel each others' hearts, I can't understand how they can be hostile towards each other...)
I liked Khatar and Beth together. It was nice to see a romance which didn't have the two main characters jumping into bed with each other straight away. I could believe in their relationship and it was one of the strongest points of the book.
If there's a sequel to this book, I'd definitely be interested in reading it.
May 27, 2015
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite.
S.R. Karfelt’s Kahtar: Warrior of the Ages opens with a speeding ticket awarded by a part-time police chief to a woman on her way to a new life. Beth White has just left a highly successful, jet-setting career as an investor to buy an old house that she found a picture of in a library book and start a shop in it. Quite why she feels so strongly attracted to this particular house, she doesn’t know. She also doesn’t know why the community of Willowyth seems determined to make her leave, when she feels more at home there than anywhere else. Even being arrested and racking up four traffic tickets in half an hour aren’t enough to change her mind. In fact, for some reason, arrest from the Willowyth Police Chief could almost qualify as incentive to stay.
Kahtar: Warrior of the Ages is a fantastic opening book to the series, featuring engaging characters and a plotline that made me sorry to step out of it. S.R. Karfelt expertly creates a world within a world of Covenant Keepers, living beside the modern world, invoking touches of the folklore of the faery land of Underhill woven in with Christian mythology. The characters are plausible and well-developed, drawing you to share Beth’s frustration and Kahtar’s conflict, personifying a collision of cultures between the punk rock of the new world and the ancient and hidden traditions of the Arcs. I can’t over-recommend this book; humour, action and an enticing world make it an entrancing read.
S.R. Karfelt’s Kahtar: Warrior of the Ages opens with a speeding ticket awarded by a part-time police chief to a woman on her way to a new life. Beth White has just left a highly successful, jet-setting career as an investor to buy an old house that she found a picture of in a library book and start a shop in it. Quite why she feels so strongly attracted to this particular house, she doesn’t know. She also doesn’t know why the community of Willowyth seems determined to make her leave, when she feels more at home there than anywhere else. Even being arrested and racking up four traffic tickets in half an hour aren’t enough to change her mind. In fact, for some reason, arrest from the Willowyth Police Chief could almost qualify as incentive to stay.
Kahtar: Warrior of the Ages is a fantastic opening book to the series, featuring engaging characters and a plotline that made me sorry to step out of it. S.R. Karfelt expertly creates a world within a world of Covenant Keepers, living beside the modern world, invoking touches of the folklore of the faery land of Underhill woven in with Christian mythology. The characters are plausible and well-developed, drawing you to share Beth’s frustration and Kahtar’s conflict, personifying a collision of cultures between the punk rock of the new world and the ancient and hidden traditions of the Arcs. I can’t over-recommend this book; humour, action and an enticing world make it an entrancing read.
Want to read
August 5, 2016Detail from Amazon:
In a small town in Ohio an ancient immortal warrior is the local police chief. It's Kahtar's duty to make sure that anyone who wanders into Willowyth doesn't stay long, and the entire police force is in on it. No one would ever guess that a veiled world hides nearby, and it is Kahtar's job to make sure they never do.
Beth White is drawn to the idyllic little village, thrilled to find a place to call home and run her business. She barely pays attention to the lies of the quirky locals, and when they try to force her out of town, she stubbornly refuses to go.
On the night crazed intruders break into her shop everything changes. Suddenly Beth is thrown into a world of clans and cults, where the police carry swords and heal gunshot wounds with a prayer, and she wants nothing more than to escape.
Kahtar's inability to keep Beth from the secrets of his people is neither his first failure, nor his worst. Though he regrets it, it is just another in millennia of failure. Not long after taking Beth White away from everything she has ever known, Kahtar realizes it is more than the secrets of his clan that are in danger. Beth has a secret of her own and it just might trump his.
In a small town in Ohio an ancient immortal warrior is the local police chief. It's Kahtar's duty to make sure that anyone who wanders into Willowyth doesn't stay long, and the entire police force is in on it. No one would ever guess that a veiled world hides nearby, and it is Kahtar's job to make sure they never do.
Beth White is drawn to the idyllic little village, thrilled to find a place to call home and run her business. She barely pays attention to the lies of the quirky locals, and when they try to force her out of town, she stubbornly refuses to go.
On the night crazed intruders break into her shop everything changes. Suddenly Beth is thrown into a world of clans and cults, where the police carry swords and heal gunshot wounds with a prayer, and she wants nothing more than to escape.
Kahtar's inability to keep Beth from the secrets of his people is neither his first failure, nor his worst. Though he regrets it, it is just another in millennia of failure. Not long after taking Beth White away from everything she has ever known, Kahtar realizes it is more than the secrets of his clan that are in danger. Beth has a secret of her own and it just might trump his.
March 22, 2015
I've read this book twice, which is unusual for me. I only do that with very good, well constructed books. I highly recommend it. Karfelt has created an alternate world within our world that was fun to explore as I read. Her characters are true, well developed, and a few are bizarre in a good way...maybe better to say quirky, which is one of the reasons a second read worked. I liked Kahtar. His restraint in not strangling Beth was admirable...considering how madening her actions were ;). The mystery as it unfolded was intriguing and different. Some fantasy, some fiction...all woven into a world we could understand because we live in it. Who knows...maybe I'll read it a third time.
April 3, 2015
What is there to say about S.R. Karfelt's Warrior of the Ages? Sheer genius, that's what...Falling deeply in love with the characters was something I didn't know to expect. I ping-ponged between Kahtar - our immortal hero - and Beth - the woman who would ruin everything he's worked for. Several times I stopped to ask myself "Whose side am I on, anyway?" only to dive back in for more.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so you'll just have to trust me and buy the book yourself!! I promise it's worth it.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so you'll just have to trust me and buy the book yourself!! I promise it's worth it.
May 10, 2016
It took me till the end of the book to realize that this story is about the joining of two hearts and emotional heaviness that comes with baring your soul to another. The book is a character driven romance between two people who have a very strong love/hate/unbridled attraction to each other.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted character who owns a huge closet stuffed with skeletons and finding another who has a few skeletons hidden as well.
This an excellent start to a wonderful series and I look forward to reading about the Shieldmaiden in Heartless next.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted character who owns a huge closet stuffed with skeletons and finding another who has a few skeletons hidden as well.
This an excellent start to a wonderful series and I look forward to reading about the Shieldmaiden in Heartless next.
September 9, 2014
Interesting concept but a bit disjointed
The fantasy concept was interesting but the plot came to various conclusions far too early and picked up anew in other directions so that the way the plot ebbed and flowed became somewhat unsatisfying. I would urge the author to work more on the technique of tension and reversal so that tension that has been created is not relieved too early.
The fantasy concept was interesting but the plot came to various conclusions far too early and picked up anew in other directions so that the way the plot ebbed and flowed became somewhat unsatisfying. I would urge the author to work more on the technique of tension and reversal so that tension that has been created is not relieved too early.
March 3, 2014
Reading Warrior of the Ages was like riding a roller coaster. It took a lot of time to get to the top of the first hill, then the thrill of the steep descent. I needed to be patient and get through the first third of the book before I understood the fictional world I had entered. That said, once I started getting answers to my questions, I hung on for the ride to a very satisfying ending.
January 10, 2017
I found this book intriguing in so many ways. The setting features a mystery-style small town while the story weaves between romance, fantasy, and—as I interpreted it—an exploration of the gray areas of morality. It also includes some stunning visuals, interesting ideas, and a sprinkling of religion as well as humor. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
January 5, 2014
A very interesting read. The story was different than I expected based on the back cover blurb. I enjoyed being surprised by the story. If you are looking for something a bit different this is definitely it. I hope other readers will enjoy it.
Received as a first read!
Received as a first read!
January 5, 2014
I just do not know what to say about this book; it seemed to be a mix of sci fi and fantasy but no matter how hard I tried, I just found it very hard to enjoy this book and really had to force myself to finish it.
March 3, 2014
I don't read much literary/speculative fiction so Karfelt's Warrior of the Ages took me by surprise. In fact, it's not like any other book I've read before. However, I knew right away that Karfelt is an intelligent author since WOA is very well written!
November 6, 2013
Different from what I normally read but, I liked it. I don't do spoilers. Try this book, I think it will surprise you.
February 1, 2014
Interesting storyline with some unexpected twists thrown in. Some parts were a little slow but overall I like the book and the characters.
May 2, 2014
More please
I was leery about this story because it had little similarity to my usual reads. I fell in love with the character s and hope more will come.
I was leery about this story because it had little similarity to my usual reads. I fell in love with the character s and hope more will come.
March 22, 2015
Loved it! Great story.
February 12, 2019
Personally, I was a little disappointed in the book. I couldn't make sense of the concept.
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