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Rangers of Laerean #1
A Whisper In The Shadows
Baric is one of the famous Rangers of Laerean, a group dedicated to protecting the people of the Lands of Hir. Assigned to a task with a beautiful and exotic Vaar'da assassin called Whisper, Baric promises to help her solve the mystery of her recurring nightmares that are eating away at her soul and filling her heart with fear and despair. The quest becomes more complicated when those nightmares lead them to an artifact of unbelievable power that threatens the entire world they live in.
The quest soon becomes a dangerous mission for the renowned Rangers as a small group undertake a quest into an area of Hir that men do not travel, where monsters roam and thrive. They must delve deep into the bowels of an active volcano, Mount Scorch, to stop the impending disaster that looms before them. Into the very heart of the territory ruled by the demonic Manenase.
The fate of their world depends upon the courage and skills of the group of Rangers and their Vaar'da companion. Can they survive the quest and stop the impending devastation? They must solve the mystery of ... A Whisper In The Shadows.
The quest soon becomes a dangerous mission for the renowned Rangers as a small group undertake a quest into an area of Hir that men do not travel, where monsters roam and thrive. They must delve deep into the bowels of an active volcano, Mount Scorch, to stop the impending disaster that looms before them. Into the very heart of the territory ruled by the demonic Manenase.
The fate of their world depends upon the courage and skills of the group of Rangers and their Vaar'da companion. Can they survive the quest and stop the impending devastation? They must solve the mystery of ... A Whisper In The Shadows.
- GenresFantasy
230 pages, Paperback
First published April 11, 2015
7 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Tom Fallwell
23 books129 followersEarly in his life, Tom Fallwell discovered a love for the wonderful escape into realms undreamed of through books of Fantasy and Science-Fiction. Weaned on greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert E. Howard, Roger Zelazny, Robert A. Heinlein, and Michael Moorcock, to name a few, Tom's imagination was forever inspired by those marvelous tales.
One day, he discovered a simple book of medieval battle rules called Chainmail, by Gary Gygax, and found a new love. The love of creating adventures and stories of his own for other players to experience. Chainmail evolved into Dungeons & Dragons, and Tom played consistently with friends as both a player and a dungeon master (DM). Such activities fueled his desire to create worlds and stories from his own imagination.
Now retired after a long career as a software developer, Tom now writes about all the adventures and characters that constantly fill his mind, and gleefully shares them with the world.
One day, he discovered a simple book of medieval battle rules called Chainmail, by Gary Gygax, and found a new love. The love of creating adventures and stories of his own for other players to experience. Chainmail evolved into Dungeons & Dragons, and Tom played consistently with friends as both a player and a dungeon master (DM). Such activities fueled his desire to create worlds and stories from his own imagination.
Now retired after a long career as a software developer, Tom now writes about all the adventures and characters that constantly fill his mind, and gleefully shares them with the world.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews
June 12, 2017
A Whisper in the Shadows is the first book of the Rangers of Laerean in the world of Hir. An excellent read, with a creative calendar, many races, magicians and kingdoms.
It's easy to follow the plot. The quest starts to save a single person, but it is much more than that.
The Laerean Ranger Baric dive into the strangest places with a tiny woman assassin to save their world from an evil creature. They fight demons and curious and deadly animals besides their own flaws.
Magic is many times used, but sword fights also happen a lot.
Baric, nicknamed bear, is the ranger and the hero. I'm in love.
Brave and kind, he ignores Whisper's lies and goes on in their travel to help her. The generous decision save their world of Hir.
His strength and kindness are endearing. His honor is what any world needs.
In this new literature of anti heroes, Baric and his fellow rangers are a haven.
It's a book full of hope and beautiful actions.
I want the next one.
It's easy to follow the plot. The quest starts to save a single person, but it is much more than that.
The Laerean Ranger Baric dive into the strangest places with a tiny woman assassin to save their world from an evil creature. They fight demons and curious and deadly animals besides their own flaws.
Magic is many times used, but sword fights also happen a lot.
Baric, nicknamed bear, is the ranger and the hero. I'm in love.
Brave and kind, he ignores Whisper's lies and goes on in their travel to help her. The generous decision save their world of Hir.
His strength and kindness are endearing. His honor is what any world needs.
In this new literature of anti heroes, Baric and his fellow rangers are a haven.
It's a book full of hope and beautiful actions.
I want the next one.
May 11, 2016
The famed and noble Rangers of Laerean are drawn into a mission that could affect the whole world. Baric couldn't have guessed how big the adventure would be when little Whisper walks into his life.
I have been meaning to read this book for ages, and it turned out to be a very nice little fantasy adventure.
Baric is a Ranger, a human and skilled enough to join this elite team. He is a born leader and one of the best, so he is the obvious choice when a Vaar'da (think short, but still graceful, elf) emissary comes seeking their help.
Baric accompanies the Vaar'da, who goes by the nickname Whisper, as they journey to a distant land to fulfil their mission.
I really liked the world that Fallwell has created, and especially the use of Shadow Magic, which was always well-described and believable. I loved that little Whisper could just step into the shadows and vanish, and that she was perfectly capable of protecting herself.
The different races echoes the standard that is present in a lot of Fantasy worlds, with your humans, elves and dwarves; but this doesn't retract from the story. It is with the creatures and villains that Fallwell stamps his real imagination. For most of the book, the Manenase hover somewhere between nightmares and demons in the living flesh. There are also an array of creatures and monsters that appear along the way, beautifully-described and unique.
There is inevitably a likeness to Lord of The Rings, in the second half, in that a chosen group must go on a mission in the heart of Manenase land to destroy a small but powerful item; which Whisper carries and it gives her a certain connection with the Big Bad. There is also the growing relationship between Baric, the human Ranger; and Whisper, the Vaar'da (elf).
The likenesses aren't enough to ruin the story and, as much as I love Tolkein, this was much easier reading!
The downsides...
This was a nice read, as I stated before. It has a very nice feel to it, and builds a nicety to it. I'm using the word nice to much, aren't I?
Well, that's what stayed with me most. Baric is nice; Whisper is nice. They go on an adventure and come across many dangers, but I never felt that it was dangerous. Don't get me wrong, the action scenes were awesome in themselves, but the atmosphere of the story never moved out of mildly comfortable.
The rest of the characters were all nice (OK, I'll stop it now), they were a good bunch and I liked them, but there was nothing particularly distinct about them. I couldn't pick a favourite.
The plot for the most part was very good, but I did have a few issues where my brain nagged over "why"?
Why did Whisper travel all the way to the Rangers to seek their help in a kidnapping, then travel all the way home when this journey is described as a month each way?
When her true motive was revealed, why did Whisper seek the Rangers at all, when all Vaar'da discriminate against humans and see them as crude and lesser beings? (Speaking of which, I never felt that Whisper did treat Baric and the Rangers as anything other than equals, even though it was constantly remarked about in the narrative.)
Why weren't they more immediately concerned and suspicious when they suddenly appeared in a different land?
Why did they jump to the conclusion that the jewel was an evil object that must be destroyed? Yes, it's powerful, but it never gave off an evil vibe, and they didn't know it's source before deciding to destroy it.
Anyways, overall it was an entertaining adventure and I will definitely be continuing with the series.
I have been meaning to read this book for ages, and it turned out to be a very nice little fantasy adventure.
Baric is a Ranger, a human and skilled enough to join this elite team. He is a born leader and one of the best, so he is the obvious choice when a Vaar'da (think short, but still graceful, elf) emissary comes seeking their help.
Baric accompanies the Vaar'da, who goes by the nickname Whisper, as they journey to a distant land to fulfil their mission.
I really liked the world that Fallwell has created, and especially the use of Shadow Magic, which was always well-described and believable. I loved that little Whisper could just step into the shadows and vanish, and that she was perfectly capable of protecting herself.
The different races echoes the standard that is present in a lot of Fantasy worlds, with your humans, elves and dwarves; but this doesn't retract from the story. It is with the creatures and villains that Fallwell stamps his real imagination. For most of the book, the Manenase hover somewhere between nightmares and demons in the living flesh. There are also an array of creatures and monsters that appear along the way, beautifully-described and unique.
There is inevitably a likeness to Lord of The Rings, in the second half, in that a chosen group must go on a mission in the heart of Manenase land to destroy a small but powerful item; which Whisper carries and it gives her a certain connection with the Big Bad. There is also the growing relationship between Baric, the human Ranger; and Whisper, the Vaar'da (elf).
The likenesses aren't enough to ruin the story and, as much as I love Tolkein, this was much easier reading!
The downsides...
This was a nice read, as I stated before. It has a very nice feel to it, and builds a nicety to it. I'm using the word nice to much, aren't I?
Well, that's what stayed with me most. Baric is nice; Whisper is nice. They go on an adventure and come across many dangers, but I never felt that it was dangerous. Don't get me wrong, the action scenes were awesome in themselves, but the atmosphere of the story never moved out of mildly comfortable.
The rest of the characters were all nice (OK, I'll stop it now), they were a good bunch and I liked them, but there was nothing particularly distinct about them. I couldn't pick a favourite.
The plot for the most part was very good, but I did have a few issues where my brain nagged over "why"?
Why did Whisper travel all the way to the Rangers to seek their help in a kidnapping, then travel all the way home when this journey is described as a month each way?
When her true motive was revealed, why did Whisper seek the Rangers at all, when all Vaar'da discriminate against humans and see them as crude and lesser beings? (Speaking of which, I never felt that Whisper did treat Baric and the Rangers as anything other than equals, even though it was constantly remarked about in the narrative.)
Why weren't they more immediately concerned and suspicious when they suddenly appeared in a different land?
Why did they jump to the conclusion that the jewel was an evil object that must be destroyed? Yes, it's powerful, but it never gave off an evil vibe, and they didn't know it's source before deciding to destroy it.
Anyways, overall it was an entertaining adventure and I will definitely be continuing with the series.
July 9, 2017
I'm not usually a fantasy or sci-fi fan, but recently I've discovered some amazing talent in these genres. As well, the title (which, may I add is perfect for this story. It's all tied together seamlessly inside.) and theme of this book intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try.
I was blown away by the intelligent, imaginative writing! The characters' names were authentic and suitable for the era, and the fantastical creatures were unique and described with vivid detail. I could picture them perfectly.
Although I adored Baric and Whisper, I'd have to say my favorite character was Arganwulf. He sounded so confident and sexy - a great fantasy book boyfriend.
There were a few slow parts to the story, but they were needed to build up to the mind-blowing plot twists found toward the end. These made the book worth every moment spent reading! The author did a phenomenal job creating suspense and intrigue at the end, and then blew every suspicion or prediction I had, out of reach. The ending was nothing like I'd expected, but everything I didn't even know I wanted!
This is just one of my favorite lines in which the author used personification to describe a scene:
Looking north, the towering, snow-capped peaks loomed ahead of them . The road they now occupied wound upwards, twisting out of sight as it climbed into the mountains.
And this was probably my favorite phrase, which is the embodiment of the entire theme of this story:
"You have a journey ahead of you that will span decades, but it will begin with something small. Only a whisper. Remember this that I tell you now. Power will corrupt even the most faithful, if their will is not strong. Beware such power, and keep your will strong."
I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy encased by a compelling story and captivating characters. It's both character-driven and plot-driven. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
I was blown away by the intelligent, imaginative writing! The characters' names were authentic and suitable for the era, and the fantastical creatures were unique and described with vivid detail. I could picture them perfectly.
Although I adored Baric and Whisper, I'd have to say my favorite character was Arganwulf. He sounded so confident and sexy - a great fantasy book boyfriend.
There were a few slow parts to the story, but they were needed to build up to the mind-blowing plot twists found toward the end. These made the book worth every moment spent reading! The author did a phenomenal job creating suspense and intrigue at the end, and then blew every suspicion or prediction I had, out of reach. The ending was nothing like I'd expected, but everything I didn't even know I wanted!
This is just one of my favorite lines in which the author used personification to describe a scene:
Looking north, the towering, snow-capped peaks loomed ahead of them . The road they now occupied wound upwards, twisting out of sight as it climbed into the mountains.
And this was probably my favorite phrase, which is the embodiment of the entire theme of this story:
"You have a journey ahead of you that will span decades, but it will begin with something small. Only a whisper. Remember this that I tell you now. Power will corrupt even the most faithful, if their will is not strong. Beware such power, and keep your will strong."
I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy encased by a compelling story and captivating characters. It's both character-driven and plot-driven. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
November 8, 2017
"A Whisper in the Shadows" by Tom Fallwell is the first book in the series "Rangers of Laerean". Faced paced and full of action and adventure, this book stands out as a 5-star read in the fantasy genre. Join a secret society of rangers on a mission that holds the fate of their world in the balance.
"A Whisper in the Shadows" is a stand out read for many reasons:
* Tom Fallwell's book is the complete package, with a front page with a male model displaying intrigue and mystery (alike the characteristics of the rangers) and a woman with powerful eyes (alike the lead mysterious woman) that captures attention. With a title "A Whisper in the Shadows" based on the focus of the story, sets the scene well. Followed by a great cast of characters and a plot that is action packed, this book really is a MUST read.
* The lead character Baric, an advanced ranger in the "Rangers of Laerean" is a strong character that captures the spotlight. His personality traits of being strong, very loyal, seeking justice, remaining uncorrupted to power make him very likable. All details of his personality and appearance make Baric easy to relate to, and invoke an interest in his story.
* Lots of mystery makes the story line full of intrigue. Mystery surrounds the "Rangers of Larean" and the missions they take on. Mystery also surrounds the lead woman and her entrance of "A Whisper in the Shadows", as well as her role in the destiny of Baric.
* Great detail is given to the world building, forming the setting of the plot. The attention to detail of the scenes that are part of the mission make the settings feel realistic, from decrepit cottages, inns in small villages that welcome travelling guests, as well as snowy hills and caves, plus much more.
* A plot that is very creative and full of action, mystery, magic, prophesies, dreams and powerful gems. The many adventures on their expeditions are varied and keep the story moving, including the mystery of the dreams as they continue to unravel, attacks from many native animals like gigantic killer wasps, conjured serpents, saving other travelers from rogues, fending off a pirate ship, saving baby cubs, and most importantly the mystery that surrounds a magical gem with hidden depths.
These elements all combined make "A Whisper in the Shadows" a book that exceeds expectations. I recommend this book to all readers who enjoy an action packed fantasy full of adventure and mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed this book from an authors copy.
"A Whisper in the Shadows" is a stand out read for many reasons:
* Tom Fallwell's book is the complete package, with a front page with a male model displaying intrigue and mystery (alike the characteristics of the rangers) and a woman with powerful eyes (alike the lead mysterious woman) that captures attention. With a title "A Whisper in the Shadows" based on the focus of the story, sets the scene well. Followed by a great cast of characters and a plot that is action packed, this book really is a MUST read.
* The lead character Baric, an advanced ranger in the "Rangers of Laerean" is a strong character that captures the spotlight. His personality traits of being strong, very loyal, seeking justice, remaining uncorrupted to power make him very likable. All details of his personality and appearance make Baric easy to relate to, and invoke an interest in his story.
* Lots of mystery makes the story line full of intrigue. Mystery surrounds the "Rangers of Larean" and the missions they take on. Mystery also surrounds the lead woman and her entrance of "A Whisper in the Shadows", as well as her role in the destiny of Baric.
* Great detail is given to the world building, forming the setting of the plot. The attention to detail of the scenes that are part of the mission make the settings feel realistic, from decrepit cottages, inns in small villages that welcome travelling guests, as well as snowy hills and caves, plus much more.
* A plot that is very creative and full of action, mystery, magic, prophesies, dreams and powerful gems. The many adventures on their expeditions are varied and keep the story moving, including the mystery of the dreams as they continue to unravel, attacks from many native animals like gigantic killer wasps, conjured serpents, saving other travelers from rogues, fending off a pirate ship, saving baby cubs, and most importantly the mystery that surrounds a magical gem with hidden depths.
These elements all combined make "A Whisper in the Shadows" a book that exceeds expectations. I recommend this book to all readers who enjoy an action packed fantasy full of adventure and mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed this book from an authors copy.
April 10, 2017
This review is for the Audiobook edition. I'll keep this spoiler free! Overall Review: 3.5 of 5 stars.
First off, I really enjoyed the narrator chosen for this audiobook! His voice was appropriate for the story, and his inflections gave the characters a lot of life.
As for the story itself, I enjoyed listening to it. It is chock-full of description, sometimes to a distracting fault; this is not a bad thing, especially considering the genre of the work, it's simply placement for some of it. For example, there are a lot of pieces of dialogue that are interrupted mid-sentence by description. These descriptions (usually of characters in this placement) are fantastic, I just got lost a little sometimes. (Again, I'm listening, not seeing the words and pages.)
Overall, I think A Whisper in the Shadows is a nice, solid start to the Rangers of Laerean series-- enough danger and intrigue to keep you going, with bits of downtime and enough going on between the characters to keep you craving the end.
First off, I really enjoyed the narrator chosen for this audiobook! His voice was appropriate for the story, and his inflections gave the characters a lot of life.
As for the story itself, I enjoyed listening to it. It is chock-full of description, sometimes to a distracting fault; this is not a bad thing, especially considering the genre of the work, it's simply placement for some of it. For example, there are a lot of pieces of dialogue that are interrupted mid-sentence by description. These descriptions (usually of characters in this placement) are fantastic, I just got lost a little sometimes. (Again, I'm listening, not seeing the words and pages.)
Overall, I think A Whisper in the Shadows is a nice, solid start to the Rangers of Laerean series-- enough danger and intrigue to keep you going, with bits of downtime and enough going on between the characters to keep you craving the end.
November 17, 2017
This was a fantastic book, with such vivid character and setting descriptions that you could put yourself there. While Whisper (Raimerestha) was my favorite character, Barric was a close second. My favorite part was when Barric confessed his love for Whisper. I will absolutely recommend this to my friends. (Review by my 11-year-old daughter)
June 23, 2017
Great book - I really enjoyed the dynamics between the characters, and the descriptions of the locations and events were excellent. I can tell that this is the start of a fantastic series and I look forward to reading more.
June 26, 2017
Though fantasy is not my normal reading genre, I found this book to be full of adventure and excitement. I've started the second in the series.
July 28, 2017
“A Whisper in the Shadows” is a creative sword-and-sorcery adventure with likeable characters. Bear is the powerful, genial young Ranger with an impossible mission. His compassionate nature combines well with his fighting abilities. Wolf is Bear’s second-in-command. Whisper is a proud, elfin Vaar’da; she’s a shadow-hunter and dream-walker who grows into her destiny.
The mystery, creatures, and distinctive groups of people enhance the world-building. There are mythical elements, a powerful artifact, and a world in peril; the story kept me turning the page. Well done!
The mystery, creatures, and distinctive groups of people enhance the world-building. There are mythical elements, a powerful artifact, and a world in peril; the story kept me turning the page. Well done!
October 26, 2017
Epic!
I loved this book! A fantastic tale with great characters and an awesome adventure! I can't wait to read the next book! I highly recommend this book!
I loved this book! A fantastic tale with great characters and an awesome adventure! I can't wait to read the next book! I highly recommend this book!
November 8, 2017
I greatly enjoyed this book. The strength of it, I feel, is the characters. They've all got flaws, but the protagonists are still good people. Also, I'm not normally one to ship characters...but I did find myself doing so with two Baric and Whisper. They work well together. I also love the fact that any female characters that are named in this book are capable of handling themselves in a fight. There aren't many notable ones, but the author makes them count. I would definitely want to read the next two at some point.
May 17, 2016
What a great adventure! This is like Robin Hood meets Lord of the Rings but with an equally interesting female character present. Baric is immediately likeable, strong, brave, noble - everything the typical Fantasy hero is supposed to be. Whisper is complicated, exotic, and from a whole race that is mixed up in prejudice and unique skill. They make a good team, and inevitably the resulting romantic connection makes complete sense, not forced.
This world, its geography, and the various races/peoples' histories was really well done. You can feel the author's love of Tolkien in the writing, but nothing feels directly copied - there are a lot of original ideas here. The frightening beasts and ultimate bad guy/demon add a lot of tension and danger to this journey tale. The friends met along the way are nice additions to the cast of characters, and each minor character is fleshed out and interesting on their own.
I won't spoil much about the "prophetic dreams" element to this story except to say that it's significant and important to the overall plot, and wanting to find out what the dreams meant for Whisper was something that kept me turning pages. The mysterious artifact they discover is another great twist that adds another dimension of risk to the story. All things combined this really was a unique, wonderful story.
If you like Fantasy with adventure and battles and a supernatural side, definitely give this one a read.
This world, its geography, and the various races/peoples' histories was really well done. You can feel the author's love of Tolkien in the writing, but nothing feels directly copied - there are a lot of original ideas here. The frightening beasts and ultimate bad guy/demon add a lot of tension and danger to this journey tale. The friends met along the way are nice additions to the cast of characters, and each minor character is fleshed out and interesting on their own.
I won't spoil much about the "prophetic dreams" element to this story except to say that it's significant and important to the overall plot, and wanting to find out what the dreams meant for Whisper was something that kept me turning pages. The mysterious artifact they discover is another great twist that adds another dimension of risk to the story. All things combined this really was a unique, wonderful story.
If you like Fantasy with adventure and battles and a supernatural side, definitely give this one a read.
May 19, 2015
The story begins and ends with both prophetic dreams and a visit to the Rangers' Hall of Heroes. Both mystical revelations and heroic actions are central to the story. The book unfolds as a fun. fast-moving adventure story in the epic style, with daring deeds and magical intrigue. The hero, Baric, a high-ranking warrior in the Ranger of Laerean, is hired by an emissary from the mysterious Vaar'da people to rescue a hostage. Baric, a bear of a man at six and a half feet tall, is accompanied by an exotic and beautiful Vaar'da woman Whisper, deceptively elfin at five feet tall, is a fierce fighter, and a trained assassin with magical powers.
As the two mismatched companions travel, fight off attackers and take each other's measure, Baric suspects that something more than a simple ransom is happening. Trust develops between the different sorts of warriors and Baric discovers that Whisper, haunted by prophetic dreams, has a hidden mission. The growing chemistry and cross-cultural understanding between human male and Vaar'da female offers a romantic subplot.
This book is an entertaining escape into a world of heroes, magicians, demons and monsters. Definitely echos of Tolkien, George Martin, Terry Brooks and--owing to the strong female character, Whisper, it also reminded me of Tamora Pierce's magical realms
An enjoyable journey with more adventures to come!
As the two mismatched companions travel, fight off attackers and take each other's measure, Baric suspects that something more than a simple ransom is happening. Trust develops between the different sorts of warriors and Baric discovers that Whisper, haunted by prophetic dreams, has a hidden mission. The growing chemistry and cross-cultural understanding between human male and Vaar'da female offers a romantic subplot.
This book is an entertaining escape into a world of heroes, magicians, demons and monsters. Definitely echos of Tolkien, George Martin, Terry Brooks and--owing to the strong female character, Whisper, it also reminded me of Tamora Pierce's magical realms
An enjoyable journey with more adventures to come!
March 7, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyable fantasy tale set in a well-developed and rich new world. Baric the ranger agrees to help a woman named Whisper only to learn that she isn't what she claimed to be. The real reason for her quest surfaces and leads them on an epic adventure full of action.
The author has created a rich world, complete with a complex history, original species and cultures, and new creatures. A great deal of imagination went into the story and the details hold together well.
I found the characters well-developed and thoroughly enjoyable. For me, the one thing that was missing was experiencing the budding relationship between the two main characters -- by that, I mean the author told us a character felt awkward rather than letting us experience the feeling of heat in one's cheeks when caught staring. I think "living" that attraction would have strengthened the story, though many of the descriptions and action are written in such a way that you are pulled into the middle of the story and have that chance to "experience" it.
On the whole, the story is well-written and is certainly a page-turner. I was surprised by the ending, but in a good way. I'm looking forward to the next book and the continuation of this epic tale.
The author has created a rich world, complete with a complex history, original species and cultures, and new creatures. A great deal of imagination went into the story and the details hold together well.
I found the characters well-developed and thoroughly enjoyable. For me, the one thing that was missing was experiencing the budding relationship between the two main characters -- by that, I mean the author told us a character felt awkward rather than letting us experience the feeling of heat in one's cheeks when caught staring. I think "living" that attraction would have strengthened the story, though many of the descriptions and action are written in such a way that you are pulled into the middle of the story and have that chance to "experience" it.
On the whole, the story is well-written and is certainly a page-turner. I was surprised by the ending, but in a good way. I'm looking forward to the next book and the continuation of this epic tale.
February 13, 2017
Great intro to the series!
The author does a good job of immersing you in his very well thought out world and making you care about the characters - you definitely want them to succeed.
Baric and Whisper are good heroes, and the action sequences keep you on your toes.
Great book, excited for the next one, and I want to see what happens to the Rangers!
The author does a good job of immersing you in his very well thought out world and making you care about the characters - you definitely want them to succeed.
Baric and Whisper are good heroes, and the action sequences keep you on your toes.
Great book, excited for the next one, and I want to see what happens to the Rangers!
February 2, 2016
A Whisper in the Shadows (Rangers of Laerean #1) follows the adventures of Baric a Ranger of Laerean and Whisper a Vaar’da assassin as the two attempt to solve the mystery of her reoccurring nightmares and the evil which lurks behind it. The quest becomes more complicated when the duo along with a group of other Rangers must venture into the heart of Mount Scorch to confront the demonic Manenase.
The author does a fantastic job of bringing to life a world as real as our own, complete with its own geography, calendar and originally created species. It is no small feat, requiring many hours of research and preparation to ensure fluid continuity, such as is present in the novel.
The characters were well fleshed out, each with their own unique personalities and touch upon real life issues. I enjoyed chemistry of their interactions and it made for a very pleasant read.
I highly recommend this novel to lovers of epic-fantasy, tabletop role players as well as all those who are looking for a new adventure to immerse themselves in.
The author does a fantastic job of bringing to life a world as real as our own, complete with its own geography, calendar and originally created species. It is no small feat, requiring many hours of research and preparation to ensure fluid continuity, such as is present in the novel.
The characters were well fleshed out, each with their own unique personalities and touch upon real life issues. I enjoyed chemistry of their interactions and it made for a very pleasant read.
I highly recommend this novel to lovers of epic-fantasy, tabletop role players as well as all those who are looking for a new adventure to immerse themselves in.
November 4, 2016
Years back Baric saw in a dream his fortune; the destiny of Hir was hinged on the bravery and expertise of the gallant Rangers and their lesser Vaar'da confidant. They faught to save the realm from looming tragedy, and a minor defense force of Rangers, probed far into the volcano, Mount Scorch, to ensure no one could put an end to their intact world. Ranger Baric encountered Whisper, a striking and enthralling lady, and he agreed to help her on her mission, however he had little or no clue how problematical it would become. The Rangers of Laerean are the guardians of the society, the champions of Hir. Accounts from corner to corner throughout the years tell of their countless feats and endeavors. Baric is amiable, resilient, valiant and noble. This is an awesome fantasy tale with a brave man doing what it takes to win the battle. It is a page turner and once you’re done you’ll be going back to author, Tom Fallwell’s amazon page to get more of his books…it’s that good!
June 5, 2015
A Whisper in the Shadows is a solid tale of adventure and magic. The main cast includes the warrior hero Baric and his band of altruistic and skilled rangers who sacrifice(some of them literally) for the good of the world. Throw in a beautiful assassin with ulterior motives who enlists the help of Baric and company to battle against myriad of fierce creatures in precarious subterranean locales and you have the makings of some great fantasy.
Fallwell's straightforward writing of travels and battles works well for this novel. You won't be saying, "Less talk, more action" as you journey with the Rangers of Laerean on this exciting quest.
Fallwell's straightforward writing of travels and battles works well for this novel. You won't be saying, "Less talk, more action" as you journey with the Rangers of Laerean on this exciting quest.
June 8, 2015
A Whisper In The Shadows, by Tom Fallwell, is the start of an epic adventure series, and it's off to a great start. Beric, one of the legendary Rangers of Laerean, and a Vaar'da assassin, Whisper, undertake a quest, which uses magic and physical prowess to dispatch a demon. Quick paced and dramatic, the story will leave you looking for more. The characters are well-developed and easy to imagine as they pursue their mission, and learn from each other. If you are a fantasy reader and don't mind waiting for that "next book," here's a great place to start. Enjoyed it a lot.
June 17, 2015
This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I loved the story line and the characters were very well written. There were enough twists to always keep you guessing.
The journey was one that I found myself rooting for it to be successful. This will be a series that I will definitely be following
The journey was one that I found myself rooting for it to be successful. This will be a series that I will definitely be following
December 2, 2015
Gripping, entertaining and a fascinating adventure from the start. The author wastes no time in setting the perfect pace and plot for this fantasy novel and I couldn't put it down. The diversity of the characters and the world which has been created is wonderful and makes this a rich and fulfilling read. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
April 16, 2015
Bravo!!!!
I cannot wait for more in the series. The characters came to life and are now roaming around in my head. Great job with this new avenue of your career. May we enjoy the journey with you.
I cannot wait for more in the series. The characters came to life and are now roaming around in my head. Great job with this new avenue of your career. May we enjoy the journey with you.
October 6, 2018
My only skepticism is that it wasn't long enough, I need more! Guess I'm inclined to get the rest of the series now. This was a well thought out story that slowly drew me more and more interested as I read. Can't wait to read more from Tom.
May 14, 2018
Im not sure why this book has so many 5 stars and overwhelming gd reviews. It must be because most of those ppl are either young and have yet to experience true fantasy storytelling, or just dont know what depth and quality means?
Its not a bad book, at all. I enjoyed some of it. The problem with it is that it has no depth of the characters, and is incredibly fast pacing and skipping big gaps in timeline where the author 'tells' us how to feel. Its like Lord of the Rings. Its got dwarfs and elves and humans, trols goblins and other beasts , just with different names ofc. But this book is LotR shortened to 10 chapters! B4 u get to know one charated ur off, the story skips a few months or more, and ur told in 2 line what happened in that period of time. You are told how to feel about the romance between the 2 main charaters, which I just couldnt get into at all, because I wasnt there when it happened!!!
Its told in third person, which is never great for these types of books, from my POV at least. I couldnt connect with any of them because of that and the skipping months ahead almost for each chapter. Its also predictable.
Overall I havent decided if I want to read the next book yet, because this one just felt like such great potential with a huge world building opportunity, but it feels like the author gave up and just wanted to finish and skip all the details and backgrounds. This book was ok, but mayhap it gets better in the second one!
Review for the audiobook version read by Douglas Pullar:
All things considered not too bad a performance, except for the fact that he is way too low when he uses his female voices and whispers, couldnt hear half of it, and oposite, very loud when he yells something. Also the word Hir, which is the name of the land there, he promounces like HER. Throughout the book specially in the beginning that word is there a lot and its like the word occult in the followups by Terry Goodkind, it drives u fucking mad to the point wher eu want to throw the book away. >I< would pronounce it Hiirr or something like that, not her. In many places it sounds just stupid and it honestly pissed me off because I felt like it ruined the book a lot. But if this is the way the author wishes it to be pronounced then its not the narrators fault.
Low amount of different voices for all the characters.
Its not a bad book, at all. I enjoyed some of it. The problem with it is that it has no depth of the characters, and is incredibly fast pacing and skipping big gaps in timeline where the author 'tells' us how to feel. Its like Lord of the Rings. Its got dwarfs and elves and humans, trols goblins and other beasts , just with different names ofc. But this book is LotR shortened to 10 chapters! B4 u get to know one charated ur off, the story skips a few months or more, and ur told in 2 line what happened in that period of time. You are told how to feel about the romance between the 2 main charaters, which I just couldnt get into at all, because I wasnt there when it happened!!!
Its told in third person, which is never great for these types of books, from my POV at least. I couldnt connect with any of them because of that and the skipping months ahead almost for each chapter. Its also predictable.
Overall I havent decided if I want to read the next book yet, because this one just felt like such great potential with a huge world building opportunity, but it feels like the author gave up and just wanted to finish and skip all the details and backgrounds. This book was ok, but mayhap it gets better in the second one!
Review for the audiobook version read by Douglas Pullar:
All things considered not too bad a performance, except for the fact that he is way too low when he uses his female voices and whispers, couldnt hear half of it, and oposite, very loud when he yells something. Also the word Hir, which is the name of the land there, he promounces like HER. Throughout the book specially in the beginning that word is there a lot and its like the word occult in the followups by Terry Goodkind, it drives u fucking mad to the point wher eu want to throw the book away. >I< would pronounce it Hiirr or something like that, not her. In many places it sounds just stupid and it honestly pissed me off because I felt like it ruined the book a lot. But if this is the way the author wishes it to be pronounced then its not the narrators fault.
Low amount of different voices for all the characters.
April 8, 2017
A Whisper in the Shadows by Tom Fallwell was an immense pleasure to read. As a long-time Epic Fantasy fan, I was immediately intrigued by the blurb and impressed by the cover.
This action-packed novel begins with a meeting with the Rangers of Laerean and an extremely alluring Vaar’da woman named Whisper (Raimerestha). Although the Vaar’da are described as arrogant and even elitist (and not too fond of humans), the rangers agree to a meeting and ask for possible volunteers (Baric) to aid the Vaar’da.
Baric is immediately captivated by Whispers’ beauty, exoticness, and nickname. In fact, after learning first hand how that nickname was earned, he decided to aid her in this quest…an enigmatic quest that was deceitfully represented, delineated in mistrust, and inundated with dangers—both physical and supernatural.
A Whisper in the Shadows will titillate every fantasy fans’ senses with numerous epic battles, magical elements, awesome creatures, new species, shadow walking, and shadow beasts. However, author Tom Fallwell has managed to integrate meaningful, ethical lessons in a manner that flows with the plot, resting beneath the layers of a magnificently crafted story.
Highly recommended for not merely fantasy fans (and Tolkien lovers), but also readers who love a well-told engrossing tale. There’s even a hint of romance to tickle the hearts of readers while delving into the greater aspects of the story. I’m on to book II!
~The audiobook is magnificent. I truly enjoyed Douglass Pullar’s narration. He has fantastic range and brought this story and its characters to life!
This action-packed novel begins with a meeting with the Rangers of Laerean and an extremely alluring Vaar’da woman named Whisper (Raimerestha). Although the Vaar’da are described as arrogant and even elitist (and not too fond of humans), the rangers agree to a meeting and ask for possible volunteers (Baric) to aid the Vaar’da.
Baric is immediately captivated by Whispers’ beauty, exoticness, and nickname. In fact, after learning first hand how that nickname was earned, he decided to aid her in this quest…an enigmatic quest that was deceitfully represented, delineated in mistrust, and inundated with dangers—both physical and supernatural.
A Whisper in the Shadows will titillate every fantasy fans’ senses with numerous epic battles, magical elements, awesome creatures, new species, shadow walking, and shadow beasts. However, author Tom Fallwell has managed to integrate meaningful, ethical lessons in a manner that flows with the plot, resting beneath the layers of a magnificently crafted story.
Highly recommended for not merely fantasy fans (and Tolkien lovers), but also readers who love a well-told engrossing tale. There’s even a hint of romance to tickle the hearts of readers while delving into the greater aspects of the story. I’m on to book II!
~The audiobook is magnificent. I truly enjoyed Douglass Pullar’s narration. He has fantastic range and brought this story and its characters to life!
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