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Kingdom's Forge #1
Paladin's Redemption
Paladin, Traitor, Outcast, Mercenary…Dain Gladstone has been all of these. From childhood he’s been groomed for battle and trained in the Light. When war came he was branded a traitor and exiled for a treasonous act of mercy. To make his way in the world Dain has sold his skills to the highest bidder. But now he’s grown tired of war, tired of fighting for causes not his own, and he’s got a plan.
Galena…rumors fly of a great fortune there, one buried beneath the snow-covered mountains, one vast enough to purchase an entire kingdom. Dain isn’t the only one seeking Galena’s riches. Men and elves and orcs all have plans of their own.
Fortune has a way of twisting fate and turning the finest of plans on their heads.
Galena…rumors fly of a great fortune there, one buried beneath the snow-covered mountains, one vast enough to purchase an entire kingdom. Dain isn’t the only one seeking Galena’s riches. Men and elves and orcs all have plans of their own.
Fortune has a way of twisting fate and turning the finest of plans on their heads.
- GenresFantasy
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2015
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227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 9, 2017
An almost classical fantasy adventure/war story with a very likeable hero and some well-drawn characters. Dain is human, and there are some human miners, but most of the characters are elves, good and bad. With the wood elves there is a good range of characters, but where it comes to the Golden, they're pretty much evil because that's what they are. Orcs roam around, mostly in the background in this volume, and the wider world is present but lightly drawn.
The author's focus is on telling the story, which is very well done. The action and war scenes are nicely written, and there is a love story woven through this, but with a light touch. There are some excellent comedic moments, particularly with the healers in Galena.
Be prepared for gory nastiness from the bad guys, but to counter that there is the very engaging Jin.
I really enjoyed this, and recommend it to pretty much any fantasy fans.
The author's focus is on telling the story, which is very well done. The action and war scenes are nicely written, and there is a love story woven through this, but with a light touch. There are some excellent comedic moments, particularly with the healers in Galena.
Be prepared for gory nastiness from the bad guys, but to counter that there is the very engaging Jin.
I really enjoyed this, and recommend it to pretty much any fantasy fans.
August 3, 2016
I liked Dain and thought he was a fine MC, the world has interest with a variety of different peoples like orcs, and elf’s and even a dwarf along with humans. The setting feels a lot like the old California gold rush days with elves. Jin was a great character; she is a very interesting child that you want to root for. The bad guys are really bad, there really isn’t a middle ground there and you really do hope they get their just rewards. Quite a bit of action and a full out war, but we do have a few slower areas that did drag a bit. We have one character that I’m not sure was needed. Sister Shyla was a nasty women but I don’t feel there was much of a point of her being in the story.
The biggest hang up for me was the romance. It didn’t flow for me and at times I felt we were putting the rest of the story on hold to insert a bit of the romance to try and move that along, in the end I didn’t really get a warm fuzzy feeling about it. One could over look such a thing but the author made is a big part of the story which surprised me, I would actually bill this book as more of a romantic fantasy then an epic fantasy.
I’m still undecided if I’m going to read the next book. I really did like parts of this story, but the other parts were just a bit meh. There is no sexual content and there is violence but I don’t feel any of it was overly graphic most of the time. There is a sadist that describes a few scenes that would make this book more appropriate for the older mature YA crowd but probably not the younger ones.
The biggest hang up for me was the romance. It didn’t flow for me and at times I felt we were putting the rest of the story on hold to insert a bit of the romance to try and move that along, in the end I didn’t really get a warm fuzzy feeling about it. One could over look such a thing but the author made is a big part of the story which surprised me, I would actually bill this book as more of a romantic fantasy then an epic fantasy.
I’m still undecided if I’m going to read the next book. I really did like parts of this story, but the other parts were just a bit meh. There is no sexual content and there is violence but I don’t feel any of it was overly graphic most of the time. There is a sadist that describes a few scenes that would make this book more appropriate for the older mature YA crowd but probably not the younger ones.
May 8, 2015
Started off strong and seemed like it had potential. Ended up turning into a black and white, predictable, story where righteous heroes have inexplicable powers and evil elves/orcs are evil for the sake of being evil.
May 6, 2018
There might be something in there, but for me it was too shallow to be entertaining.
I don’t mind books taking a simple tale and telling it anew. I was looking for something with a clear conflict instead of the usual grey morality that comes up so often these days. But this book takes simplicity and overdoes it. The good are good and the bad are psychotic monsters. After their first appearance the narrative is clear and that is what makes this book boring.
There is no suspense, no involvement and no reason to keep reading after these first few pages. It will play out exactly as you expect and what little development there is follows your expectations.
I don’t mind books taking a simple tale and telling it anew. I was looking for something with a clear conflict instead of the usual grey morality that comes up so often these days. But this book takes simplicity and overdoes it. The good are good and the bad are psychotic monsters. After their first appearance the narrative is clear and that is what makes this book boring.
There is no suspense, no involvement and no reason to keep reading after these first few pages. It will play out exactly as you expect and what little development there is follows your expectations.
October 4, 2019
Paladin
I haven't read anything in such great detail as this in some time. The dental in the tell of a sword fight to the spell casting is outstanding. The story in its self was amazing. A Paladin shamed an left alone to finding a new life an a world where he can live an love again. Well done.
I haven't read anything in such great detail as this in some time. The dental in the tell of a sword fight to the spell casting is outstanding. The story in its self was amazing. A Paladin shamed an left alone to finding a new life an a world where he can live an love again. Well done.
July 30, 2017
Excellent story
A very enjoyable high fantasy. Well matched with believable characters and action. Highly recommended. While it has your stock fantasy races, it has a very different story line.
A very enjoyable high fantasy. Well matched with believable characters and action. Highly recommended. While it has your stock fantasy races, it has a very different story line.
August 15, 2018
Excellent.
Loved the characters and the pacing. Great sword and sorcery book. Really looking forward to reading the second book and hopefully a third.
Loved the characters and the pacing. Great sword and sorcery book. Really looking forward to reading the second book and hopefully a third.
September 30, 2018
3 stars. OK. Not sure I'll continue series
March 1, 2017
A nice light epic.
I think this took about four days to finish. It felt like a nice sorbet between a bigger dish. I'll probably finish the series while waiting for some other books to hit the market.
I think this took about four days to finish. It felt like a nice sorbet between a bigger dish. I'll probably finish the series while waiting for some other books to hit the market.
February 8, 2016
This, my friends, is your prototypical fantasy novel. The protagonist is a paladin who, indeed, is a master of arms and does some amount of healing and blessing. There are humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, mages, rangers, and on and on. The dwarves don't like the elves, the elves don't really like anyone, and the orcs are the embodiment of evil. But, the familiarity, in this case, feels more like an old friend as opposed to a retread of the same fantasy tropes.
For one, Dain, the paladin, doesn't seem to be involved in any world-shattering prophesy (though some prophesy does come into play). He has been disgraced, is having a crisis of faith, and just wants to make enough money to retire. Also, there are divisions within the elven race that are violently opposed to one another, which is actually the driving plot device of the book as Dain becomes embroiled in the conflict. Orcs and dwarves sort of take a back seat in this one.
This is a good book, and, if indeed it is Derricks first book, a very good first book. I don't think it tries to do too much. Its a good story with a satisfying conclusion. It could have easily been a Dungeons and Dragons novel I thought. You can almost see Dain leveling up his Paladin class as he does more and more healing. The novel does not delve into the magic system much other than to talk briefly about the religion. I'm not sure how you can lose faith when prayer brings such immediate results (in this case healing or enchanted weapons), but whatever. Though it doesn't explicitly say that this will be a trilogy or series, it is set up for one, and I would definitely read the next book.
For one, Dain, the paladin, doesn't seem to be involved in any world-shattering prophesy (though some prophesy does come into play). He has been disgraced, is having a crisis of faith, and just wants to make enough money to retire. Also, there are divisions within the elven race that are violently opposed to one another, which is actually the driving plot device of the book as Dain becomes embroiled in the conflict. Orcs and dwarves sort of take a back seat in this one.
This is a good book, and, if indeed it is Derricks first book, a very good first book. I don't think it tries to do too much. Its a good story with a satisfying conclusion. It could have easily been a Dungeons and Dragons novel I thought. You can almost see Dain leveling up his Paladin class as he does more and more healing. The novel does not delve into the magic system much other than to talk briefly about the religion. I'm not sure how you can lose faith when prayer brings such immediate results (in this case healing or enchanted weapons), but whatever. Though it doesn't explicitly say that this will be a trilogy or series, it is set up for one, and I would definitely read the next book.
March 12, 2015
Solid first entry in what looks like to be an epic series, I believe this is the authors first book so job well done.
The books plot outline here doesn't really do it justice either, we have Dain, ex-paladin with a mysterious past out looking for work. In his travels he ends up saving someone pretty important to both sides of the Elven races (Golden and Wood), which sets in motion the rest of the story.
Well rounded cast of characters, with the different POVs I thought it might get a little...not confusing, but drag on a bit when you really wanted to get back to another character. But even when reading from the King of the Golden Elves, I didn't feel any need to rush through to get back to Dain.
The action was solid as well, and the magic was described nicely with no over the top descriptions.
After finishing I took a look at the authors website and saw he's planning a nice long series, which I'm looking forward to continuing. After reading his comments about how this is about the (maybe spoiler?) I began to see similarities with Sam Barone's work in his Empire series.
Really looking forward to seeing more of the Wood Elves, and there's still a lot to be explored about Dain and his background. This is only the beginning...
The books plot outline here doesn't really do it justice either, we have Dain, ex-paladin with a mysterious past out looking for work. In his travels he ends up saving someone pretty important to both sides of the Elven races (Golden and Wood), which sets in motion the rest of the story.
Well rounded cast of characters, with the different POVs I thought it might get a little...not confusing, but drag on a bit when you really wanted to get back to another character. But even when reading from the King of the Golden Elves, I didn't feel any need to rush through to get back to Dain.
The action was solid as well, and the magic was described nicely with no over the top descriptions.
After finishing I took a look at the authors website and saw he's planning a nice long series, which I'm looking forward to continuing. After reading his comments about how this is about the (maybe spoiler?) I began to see similarities with Sam Barone's work in his Empire series.
Really looking forward to seeing more of the Wood Elves, and there's still a lot to be explored about Dain and his background. This is only the beginning...
April 22, 2016
Paladin, traitor, outcast, mercenary... Dain Gladstone has been all of these. From childhood he's been groomed for battle and trained in the Light. When war came he was branded a traitor and exiled for a treasonous act of mercy. To make his way in the world, Dain has sold his skills to the highest bidder. But now he's grown tired of war, tired of fighting for causes not his own, and he's got a plan. Galena... Rumors fly of a great fortune there, one buried beneath the snow-covered mountains, one vast enough to purchase an entire kingdom. Dain isn't the only one seeking Galena's riches. Men and elves and orcs all have plans of their own. Fortune has a way of twisting fate and turning the finest of plans on their heads.
Swords, magic, ladies in distress, evil foes, and a slightly tarnished hero with many twists and turns in the story. This is a great read that is both engaging and entertaining. The background of the hero is a little up in the air, but I hope will be explained more fully in the next book. The characters and world that is created for the story are crafted very well. Basically a solid story, great characters and a well built world. Awesome story. Great Reading Everyone.
Swords, magic, ladies in distress, evil foes, and a slightly tarnished hero with many twists and turns in the story. This is a great read that is both engaging and entertaining. The background of the hero is a little up in the air, but I hope will be explained more fully in the next book. The characters and world that is created for the story are crafted very well. Basically a solid story, great characters and a well built world. Awesome story. Great Reading Everyone.
November 30, 2015
I read this story until, a few chapters in, the author revealed his ideas for other races in this magical medieval world of his. Those bat-shit crazy Golden Elves (which is pretty much the only thing the reader learns about them in the beginning) were just a lot more than I was willing to take on faith and that's not even talking about the mindless Orcs, who raid human wagon trains not for sport or cruelty but for the gold they transport so they can buy better weapons. Who has ever heard of an Orc economy based on precious metals?
When I asked myself the question if I really had to accept all that, my answer was no. That's not to say, that Paladin's Redemption is a bad story - it is written well enough and I liked Dain, the dishonored human paladin looking to get on with his life as far away from home as possible - but so much of the author's world-building felt utterly strange.
When I asked myself the question if I really had to accept all that, my answer was no. That's not to say, that Paladin's Redemption is a bad story - it is written well enough and I liked Dain, the dishonored human paladin looking to get on with his life as far away from home as possible - but so much of the author's world-building felt utterly strange.
May 22, 2015
A good read for this author to
Offer the reader. The storyline is set well into characters that the author reveals to us from cultural, social and magical powers. The powers vary from culture to individual and add a richness to the story. Didn't care for the detailed war scenes, bit graphic for me, having said that this is a book for anyone interested in elves, dwarves, honor and spirituality. Dain the main character is likeable by all, easyto relate to for men and women alike. Boundaries that define our understanding of gender evolve in this story-it's about time we moved on!!
Offer the reader. The storyline is set well into characters that the author reveals to us from cultural, social and magical powers. The powers vary from culture to individual and add a richness to the story. Didn't care for the detailed war scenes, bit graphic for me, having said that this is a book for anyone interested in elves, dwarves, honor and spirituality. Dain the main character is likeable by all, easyto relate to for men and women alike. Boundaries that define our understanding of gender evolve in this story-it's about time we moved on!!
May 27, 2015
An enjoyable first book in a new series. Dain is an exile who only wants to find enough gold to settle down to a quiet life in the backwoods. However, after being attacked on the road to the gold mines he sets off a chain of events which will change everything for him.
I thought the book was well written and enjoyable. The only real problem I had with it was how two dimensional the bad guys were. I never had any real feeling of depth from any of them aside from their desire to destroy everything in their path. Aside from that I'd be happy to pick up book 2 if it was available now.
I thought the book was well written and enjoyable. The only real problem I had with it was how two dimensional the bad guys were. I never had any real feeling of depth from any of them aside from their desire to destroy everything in their path. Aside from that I'd be happy to pick up book 2 if it was available now.
May 2, 2015
Simplistic, nothing new, a freebie loaner for a reason.
Another implausible hero, stereotypical good/bad elves, orcs, monsters, demons, etc. This started out ok, but after a few,chapters I found it hard to keep going. Too many "impossible!" feats, powers for me. Didnt care for any of the characters, good or bad. All too over the top, black/white.
Another implausible hero, stereotypical good/bad elves, orcs, monsters, demons, etc. This started out ok, but after a few,chapters I found it hard to keep going. Too many "impossible!" feats, powers for me. Didnt care for any of the characters, good or bad. All too over the top, black/white.
February 21, 2015
Great
What a great read. I couldn't put this book down . Great characters and setting, there was no lull or boring sections to this book . I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
What a great read. I couldn't put this book down . Great characters and setting, there was no lull or boring sections to this book . I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
March 26, 2015
Good book. I really enjoyed most of this book. there were a couple of sections where it slowed down. I wasn't thrilled with how the author jumped back and forth in the time line of the story. The story mostly makes up for it though.
March 31, 2015
Paladin's Redemption
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it a masterful blend of fantasy and magic combined. I really wished the second book would of been out so I could continue the adventure.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it a masterful blend of fantasy and magic combined. I really wished the second book would of been out so I could continue the adventure.
April 3, 2015
Spectacular
Very good book, the main character drain. He is a very reserved and honorable exe paladin scout. His story is very relatable and I like how he progressed through the story. To know more buy this book and read it yourselves. This is one book you will be happy you read
Very good book, the main character drain. He is a very reserved and honorable exe paladin scout. His story is very relatable and I like how he progressed through the story. To know more buy this book and read it yourselves. This is one book you will be happy you read
June 26, 2015
Great story with promise of more
I think this story deserves 3-4 stars. It has many elements I thought were worthy. Humans, elves, dwarves and orcs! I think the author will only get better as the story progresses into more books, can't wait for the next!
I think this story deserves 3-4 stars. It has many elements I thought were worthy. Humans, elves, dwarves and orcs! I think the author will only get better as the story progresses into more books, can't wait for the next!
April 26, 2015
Another Kindle Unlimited Gem
One of my favorite KU fantasy books so far. The depravity of the villainess seemed over the top considering most of the violence was mild for this type of book. Can't wait for the next one.
One of my favorite KU fantasy books so far. The depravity of the villainess seemed over the top considering most of the violence was mild for this type of book. Can't wait for the next one.
June 12, 2015
Redemption was a great read.
I have a very stressful job. I always look for books that will 'take me away'. I look very much forward to the prequel and the sequel. Thank you Kade for a few hours of wonderful escapism.
I have a very stressful job. I always look for books that will 'take me away'. I look very much forward to the prequel and the sequel. Thank you Kade for a few hours of wonderful escapism.
April 11, 2016
No.
This is the level I'd expect of an amateur trying to put his MMORPG adventures into a story.
The tropes are classical fantasy tropes but it lacks everything. No good charasterisation, no forshadowing of any kind, no world building...
#Reciepe for catastrophe.
This is the level I'd expect of an amateur trying to put his MMORPG adventures into a story.
The tropes are classical fantasy tropes but it lacks everything. No good charasterisation, no forshadowing of any kind, no world building...
#Reciepe for catastrophe.
November 1, 2016
Very surprising
This book was very well written, and the plot moved along flawlessly. Characters were unique in some aspects unlike most fantasies. I await eagerly for the second installment.
This book was very well written, and the plot moved along flawlessly. Characters were unique in some aspects unlike most fantasies. I await eagerly for the second installment.
February 7, 2017
adventure abound
traveling thru the mysterious elf land as the great warrior tries to find his path,great story with excellent characters,make way for a fun story for those that love adventure.
traveling thru the mysterious elf land as the great warrior tries to find his path,great story with excellent characters,make way for a fun story for those that love adventure.
March 6, 2015
Solid, but was slow at some parts.
Title sums my opinion up. It's a mostly well rounded story, which provides an enjoyable read. Worthy of a download.
Title sums my opinion up. It's a mostly well rounded story, which provides an enjoyable read. Worthy of a download.
March 27, 2015
Great first novel. I can't wait for another from this author.
March 31, 2015
Pretty standard fantasy fare. Orcs, elves and humans in battle. Not bad story. I liked the main character, Dain.
April 4, 2015
GreAt read which I couldn't put down.
Finally an adult. Protagonist. The principal characters were well drawn and the plot too absorbing to put down, more to come?
Finally an adult. Protagonist. The principal characters were well drawn and the plot too absorbing to put down, more to come?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews