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Overthrown #1
Within
Within was re-released as "The Winter of Swords" in 2019, with an all-new cover, interior formatting, and editing.
Little has changed in the five provinces over the years. From the metropolitan capital of Ban Turin to rural Bardstown, or the mountain city of Craymore to the bustling seaport Laniel, the Council of Lords rule with an iron fist. And yet, not all is as it seems in this medieval world. There are whispers of strange creatures haunting the woods and mountain passages, and magic has appeared in the unlikeliest of places. The uneasy peace of centuries past is unraveling.
A new generation of heroes will rise…
Roman is a young man searching for meaning in a life filled with questions. His solitary existence is turned upside down when he befriends Dennah, a caravan guard and kindred spirit. They work together to solve the puzzling events plaguing his town, unearthing startling secrets buried in his past along the way.
Julian is a young nobleman looking for more than his highborn station provides. He pledges himself to the illustrious Silver Guard and trades in a life of status and comfort for a dangerous posting in the mountain city of Craymore. A fateful meeting with Tanea, a gifted young healer, sets him onto a treacherous path, one of both divinity and damnation.
Autumn gilds the seemingly tranquil landscape, but inside the shadows lurks a treacherous and evil presence. Separated by leagues of wilderness across a vast continent, Roman and Julian must fight for their survival against an ancient force set in motion by an unsuspecting young woman, and a mysterious beast intent on setting its world back in order.
The greatest strength, and danger, will be found…Within
Little has changed in the five provinces over the years. From the metropolitan capital of Ban Turin to rural Bardstown, or the mountain city of Craymore to the bustling seaport Laniel, the Council of Lords rule with an iron fist. And yet, not all is as it seems in this medieval world. There are whispers of strange creatures haunting the woods and mountain passages, and magic has appeared in the unlikeliest of places. The uneasy peace of centuries past is unraveling.
A new generation of heroes will rise…
Roman is a young man searching for meaning in a life filled with questions. His solitary existence is turned upside down when he befriends Dennah, a caravan guard and kindred spirit. They work together to solve the puzzling events plaguing his town, unearthing startling secrets buried in his past along the way.
Julian is a young nobleman looking for more than his highborn station provides. He pledges himself to the illustrious Silver Guard and trades in a life of status and comfort for a dangerous posting in the mountain city of Craymore. A fateful meeting with Tanea, a gifted young healer, sets him onto a treacherous path, one of both divinity and damnation.
Autumn gilds the seemingly tranquil landscape, but inside the shadows lurks a treacherous and evil presence. Separated by leagues of wilderness across a vast continent, Roman and Julian must fight for their survival against an ancient force set in motion by an unsuspecting young woman, and a mysterious beast intent on setting its world back in order.
The greatest strength, and danger, will be found…Within
- GenresFantasy
462 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2014
12 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Bunce
5 books82 followersAuthor Aaron Bunce started his academic career in criminal justice, but eventually connected his life-long love of literature with his passion for writing. After finishing his debut novel, Within, he attended and graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor's degree in English and creative writing, with a focus on fiction. He prefers darker, grittier stories, detailing the struggle of relatable characters set against fantastical backdrops. For more information on his Overthrown series, social media, and future titles, visit him online at: http://www.aaronbunce.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 11, 2015
I will be honest; when I first started Within, I was very concerned. It was very rough around the edges (which isn’t necessarily unusual with self-published works), and the first 100 pages seemed particularly conventional, not breaking any new ground in the realm of fantasy. While there is something to be said for fantasy staying within a field of comfort and predictability that is so common in our post-Tolkienesque literary world, seldom do authors feel the motivation to go beyond those conventions. However, that’s a soapbox for another day.
While I wasn’t ready to give up, per se, I wasn’t entirely certain that Aaron Bunce would do anything that pleasantly surprised me throughout Within. I was wrong.
Around the 120 page mark, something happened. While the occasional grammatical error persisted (I’m a teacher; it’s an admittedly annoying habit), the story started gripping me. I mean, REALLY gripping me. The characters began fleshing out and developing lives of their own, which is exactly what you want a novel to do. The world surrounding these characters began to color. The stories of these characters and this world seemed increasingly palpable and detailed. I was starting to believe in it. That’s when I realized what had happened; the author was becoming entrenched in his own story.
Let me explain. When the book began (and I asked him about this), you could tell that the “prologue” was the first thing he wrote, pen to paper. The prologue is where the whole thing started, and everything else simply followed and took on a life of its own from there. As the author continued writing the story and the reader continues reading the story, his enrapturing within Denoril works infinitely to the reader’s benefit. This very aspect makes me incredibly eager to read Bunce’s follow-up, as I know it will hit the proverbial ground effing running.
Within does not necessarily reinvent the wheel. It does, however, chisel and polish it, creating a refreshingly rich (and dark) story that is a compliment to the craft. Bravo, sir.
While I wasn’t ready to give up, per se, I wasn’t entirely certain that Aaron Bunce would do anything that pleasantly surprised me throughout Within. I was wrong.
Around the 120 page mark, something happened. While the occasional grammatical error persisted (I’m a teacher; it’s an admittedly annoying habit), the story started gripping me. I mean, REALLY gripping me. The characters began fleshing out and developing lives of their own, which is exactly what you want a novel to do. The world surrounding these characters began to color. The stories of these characters and this world seemed increasingly palpable and detailed. I was starting to believe in it. That’s when I realized what had happened; the author was becoming entrenched in his own story.
Let me explain. When the book began (and I asked him about this), you could tell that the “prologue” was the first thing he wrote, pen to paper. The prologue is where the whole thing started, and everything else simply followed and took on a life of its own from there. As the author continued writing the story and the reader continues reading the story, his enrapturing within Denoril works infinitely to the reader’s benefit. This very aspect makes me incredibly eager to read Bunce’s follow-up, as I know it will hit the proverbial ground effing running.
Within does not necessarily reinvent the wheel. It does, however, chisel and polish it, creating a refreshingly rich (and dark) story that is a compliment to the craft. Bravo, sir.
July 28, 2016
Within is horror + epic fantasy, but to say that it is a blending of genres doesn’t do it justice. This book is 100% horror, but it is also 100% fantasy. How is that possible? Denoril is a wholly realized and fantastic world with just enough familiarity to be recognized as a fantastical one, but is utterly alien is all the ways that matter. It is a dark world, not in the literal sense, but it seems like evil lurks around every corner and creatures of tooth and claw wait just outside of the thin veil of civilization to rend and tear humanity to shreds. That is the worlds that Aaron has crafted: a sinister one that allows no weakness.
This is also where Within shines. Denoril, while dangerous and vile, is also a place where people have to be heroic to survive. The guards of a city put their life on the line every day to keep the monsters away from the civilians. Ancient ruins hold archaic horrors that wait to steal your soul and bend your will. You have to be a hero to survive in Denoril, and all of Aaron’s characters are heroic.
Denoril is also a world of consequences. Remember when I said Within is a horror? Every action, no matter how selfless its intent, will weigh terribly upon the people of this world. No one survives Within unscarred, not even the reader, and that is an amazing accomplishment that Aaron should be applauded for. I cringe in fear at the thought of reading the sequel, Before the Crow, but read it I will.
This is also where Within shines. Denoril, while dangerous and vile, is also a place where people have to be heroic to survive. The guards of a city put their life on the line every day to keep the monsters away from the civilians. Ancient ruins hold archaic horrors that wait to steal your soul and bend your will. You have to be a hero to survive in Denoril, and all of Aaron’s characters are heroic.
Denoril is also a world of consequences. Remember when I said Within is a horror? Every action, no matter how selfless its intent, will weigh terribly upon the people of this world. No one survives Within unscarred, not even the reader, and that is an amazing accomplishment that Aaron should be applauded for. I cringe in fear at the thought of reading the sequel, Before the Crow, but read it I will.
January 21, 2015
Tired of Waiting for GRRM? Get Overthrown.
Balancing character development and world-building is the biggest challenge in writing epic fantasy. Spend too much time describing the universe and the characters seem wooden. But even the most vibrant characters can be boring if placed in a land we've seen time and time again.
But Aaron Bunce dances on this knife's edge as good as anyone I've seen in "Within."
An epic in the truest sense, Within introduces us to several major characters, whose interconnected stories unfold in a similar fashion to the style George R. R. Martin has made famous in The Song of Ice and Fire, hence the title of this review.
Broadly, the story focuses on Roman, a young man still dealing with guilt at the death of his mother in childbirth, and Julian, a wealthy soldier who discovers that all the wealth in the world can't help him when the woman he loves mysteriously disappears.
The character of Dennah, a female caravan guard dealing with the violence and sexism of her co-workers, is especially well-drawn. And what is the fate of the children who vanish at the beginning of the story, at the hands of the horrifying, six-limbed Durjj?
If George R. R. is writing too slow for your taste, Within is a great way to pass the time while you wait.
Balancing character development and world-building is the biggest challenge in writing epic fantasy. Spend too much time describing the universe and the characters seem wooden. But even the most vibrant characters can be boring if placed in a land we've seen time and time again.
But Aaron Bunce dances on this knife's edge as good as anyone I've seen in "Within."
An epic in the truest sense, Within introduces us to several major characters, whose interconnected stories unfold in a similar fashion to the style George R. R. Martin has made famous in The Song of Ice and Fire, hence the title of this review.
Broadly, the story focuses on Roman, a young man still dealing with guilt at the death of his mother in childbirth, and Julian, a wealthy soldier who discovers that all the wealth in the world can't help him when the woman he loves mysteriously disappears.
The character of Dennah, a female caravan guard dealing with the violence and sexism of her co-workers, is especially well-drawn. And what is the fate of the children who vanish at the beginning of the story, at the hands of the horrifying, six-limbed Durjj?
If George R. R. is writing too slow for your taste, Within is a great way to pass the time while you wait.
October 10, 2014
As a reader of mostly Young Adult books, Within by Aaron Bunce did not promise me a contemporary love story or even a dystopian tale. However, what I got was an epic adventure that included elements of both and much, much more.
There are several storylines throughout this dark fantasy novel, but there are even more plot twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I really cared about each character as they were introduced, celebrated their accomplishments and suffered their pains. Also, there were no prepackaged relationship dynamics; just as in real life, every conversation felt authentic.
It was easy to get lost in the world and experience real fear of the creatures that dwell within it. The imagery is so vivid, I felt like I was watching a live-action movie instead of reading. My favorite parts to read were the action scenes which Bunce skillfully crafted in such a way that my heart would race and my shoulders would tense up. I actually felt like I was personally involved in the scenes and isn’t that what most readers want to feel?
Within is definitely outside of the genre I usually read, but I was hooked a few pages in and truly enjoyed every single page that followed. I am working on getting through it a second time as I wait in anticipation for book two in the series to be released. I am confident that anyone who gives this book a chance, will like it as much as I do.
There are several storylines throughout this dark fantasy novel, but there are even more plot twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I really cared about each character as they were introduced, celebrated their accomplishments and suffered their pains. Also, there were no prepackaged relationship dynamics; just as in real life, every conversation felt authentic.
It was easy to get lost in the world and experience real fear of the creatures that dwell within it. The imagery is so vivid, I felt like I was watching a live-action movie instead of reading. My favorite parts to read were the action scenes which Bunce skillfully crafted in such a way that my heart would race and my shoulders would tense up. I actually felt like I was personally involved in the scenes and isn’t that what most readers want to feel?
Within is definitely outside of the genre I usually read, but I was hooked a few pages in and truly enjoyed every single page that followed. I am working on getting through it a second time as I wait in anticipation for book two in the series to be released. I am confident that anyone who gives this book a chance, will like it as much as I do.
April 20, 2015
I picked up Within by Aaron Bunce at a SciFi Convention called ICON. It's a lengthy book, and it sat, sad and unappreciated, on my night stand for many months as I worked up the courage to begin it. A few weeks ago I decided it was time to take the plunge, and I jumped in. A few other reviewers have said it takes a bit to get going, but once it does it takes hold of you, and I couldn't agree more. It isn't necessarily the writing style, just that he's creating a world for us to enjoy and a whole lot of characters, and he needs some time to set the stage for all of his actors. His writing is more than engaging, and I found myself really connecting with most of the characters and caring what happens to them - which in my estimation is one of the most important, and difficult, thing to achieve in writing. I think if you like the works of George RR Martin, or JRR Tolkien, you will find a lot to enjoy here. My only real advice to the author is that if he's planning on creating a series like those giants of literature, as it appears he is well on his way to doing, that he add RR to the middle of his name. It would seem fitting.
July 3, 2016
I bought this book directly from the author at a meet and greet session in Iowa. I was told I was buying this book from the "scary" table and I wasn't disappointed, although I might use intense more than scary.
What really impressed me with Bunce's writing style is that he was able to juggle numerous main characters and never once was I confused. I didn't have to put much effort into figuring out who the character was and what their story line was.
The author did a great job creating horrible creatures and describing them so vividly that I feel like I know exactly what he is talking about.
Each character's story was intense and scary and although I'm not 100% certain, I feel like when I begin "Before the Crow" we are going to find how everyone connects.
If you are easily distracted by multiple story lines from multiple perspectives stay away from this book. I for one loved all the different points of view and am excited to continue reading this series.
What really impressed me with Bunce's writing style is that he was able to juggle numerous main characters and never once was I confused. I didn't have to put much effort into figuring out who the character was and what their story line was.
The author did a great job creating horrible creatures and describing them so vividly that I feel like I know exactly what he is talking about.
Each character's story was intense and scary and although I'm not 100% certain, I feel like when I begin "Before the Crow" we are going to find how everyone connects.
If you are easily distracted by multiple story lines from multiple perspectives stay away from this book. I for one loved all the different points of view and am excited to continue reading this series.
December 17, 2014
I very much enjoyed reading Within. It was a book that really keeps you wanting to know more, a hard to put down book. Thank you goodreads and Aaron Bunce for giving me that chance.
December 14, 2014
I received this as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway through Goodreads. I enjoyed all the suspense and characters in this book.
January 3, 2016
Let me start first by saying that I am not usually one to pick up a horror novel. As a writer, I tend to lean towards YA fantasy or strict fiction, with little room for guts and gore. Because of this, I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the groove of Within, especially in the first good chunk of the book. But let me tell you, even if you’re not a horror fan like myself, there is still SO much this piece has to offer.
I am so incredibly impressed with Bunce’s ability to create such intricate worlds. Within the novel, he’s created a world as elaborate as that of R.R. Martin’s or even Tolkein. Denoril is made up of five provinces with scheming nobles each trying to get the largest chunk of the metaphorical pie. The novel has dwarves and trade cities and magicians and nearly everything you could want in a medieval style fantasy epic. Bunce does a really, really wonderful job with juggling the complexities of the world and the political systems and histories required with it while also taking the time to flesh out some really beautiful characters.
The novel follows a few different story lines, all of them having merit, but I found my favorite to be the troubled healer Tanea. She’s both compassionate and bad ass in her own way, and I found her struggle to define her relationship with her own deity enriching. (Of course, I am also a big cheesy romantic and I found myself excited whenever I flipped a chapter and realized the story was shifting back to Julian and her.)
I will warn you – there are some pretty graphic scenes in the novel and Bunce’s attention to detail will not be spared there. Animals (yes – even pets) are killed, children die in traumatic ways, and there is violence against women.
Tl;dr? If you want a well written, intricately woven medieval dark fantasy with magic, love, and monsters, this is for you. It’s the start of something really, really big I think.
I am so incredibly impressed with Bunce’s ability to create such intricate worlds. Within the novel, he’s created a world as elaborate as that of R.R. Martin’s or even Tolkein. Denoril is made up of five provinces with scheming nobles each trying to get the largest chunk of the metaphorical pie. The novel has dwarves and trade cities and magicians and nearly everything you could want in a medieval style fantasy epic. Bunce does a really, really wonderful job with juggling the complexities of the world and the political systems and histories required with it while also taking the time to flesh out some really beautiful characters.
The novel follows a few different story lines, all of them having merit, but I found my favorite to be the troubled healer Tanea. She’s both compassionate and bad ass in her own way, and I found her struggle to define her relationship with her own deity enriching. (Of course, I am also a big cheesy romantic and I found myself excited whenever I flipped a chapter and realized the story was shifting back to Julian and her.)
I will warn you – there are some pretty graphic scenes in the novel and Bunce’s attention to detail will not be spared there. Animals (yes – even pets) are killed, children die in traumatic ways, and there is violence against women.
Tl;dr? If you want a well written, intricately woven medieval dark fantasy with magic, love, and monsters, this is for you. It’s the start of something really, really big I think.
August 17, 2016
Remember when you first read those amazing D&D novels? This is a lot like that, but longer and more violent. It's got a questing party, a VERY bad king, an array of creatures that are not for the squeamish, and an incredibly satisfying finish.
There is a massive world to explore, and Aaron Bunce gives you what you want. Some of the characters are two-faced, some are uniformly good, even noble. I like Julian's honor, and the confusion and pain of Henri feels close to the surface.
It's the details that make the book so consuming. There are all of the little things that you want in an open-air dungeon crawl, right down to poisonous creatures and rocs (an eagle, but still), and the mystery of a land that just wants everybody dead.
Loved it.
There is a massive world to explore, and Aaron Bunce gives you what you want. Some of the characters are two-faced, some are uniformly good, even noble. I like Julian's honor, and the confusion and pain of Henri feels close to the surface.
It's the details that make the book so consuming. There are all of the little things that you want in an open-air dungeon crawl, right down to poisonous creatures and rocs (an eagle, but still), and the mystery of a land that just wants everybody dead.
Loved it.
July 17, 2017
Giveaway ebook
Okay so I tried really hard with this book but I just couldn't get into it and the constant changing of perspectives stopped me from enjoying it as much as I could have. I haven't finished this so I can't speak for the second half but the half I read took me almost 8 months. I WILL try to read his again one day but, for now, it's going on the DNF shelf before I completely give up and delete it. I definitely still have high hopes for the book so hopefully the next time I read it I'll enjoy it more. (2 stars)
Update: I posted this 2 minutes ago and I decided I'm going to start again right now. Hopefully this time will be better.
Update (17/03): it gets better but it's still not good enough to finish. Maybe I'll try again in a few years.
Okay so I tried really hard with this book but I just couldn't get into it and the constant changing of perspectives stopped me from enjoying it as much as I could have. I haven't finished this so I can't speak for the second half but the half I read took me almost 8 months. I WILL try to read his again one day but, for now, it's going on the DNF shelf before I completely give up and delete it. I definitely still have high hopes for the book so hopefully the next time I read it I'll enjoy it more. (2 stars)
Update: I posted this 2 minutes ago and I decided I'm going to start again right now. Hopefully this time will be better.
Update (17/03): it gets better but it's still not good enough to finish. Maybe I'll try again in a few years.
April 19, 2015
Before I finished the first chapter, Within had me enthralled, enchanted, and captivated. A must read -- I could not put it down! Nothing about this novel was predictable, or even fairly comparable to anything I've read before. It contains all of the elements one might expect from a fantasy novel, and you will find yourself enchanted with this new fantasy world.
To anyone who likes fantasy novels: Within is a must! Aaron Bunce has definitely delivered with his debut novel, and I am very much looking forward to his next book in this series.
To anyone who likes fantasy novels: Within is a must! Aaron Bunce has definitely delivered with his debut novel, and I am very much looking forward to his next book in this series.
November 19, 2014
Denoril is a continent where evil and corruption extend beyond the reach of its cities, penetrating deep into the wilderness. Three distinctive story threads emerge as we embark on our journey from cover to cover. I am one of those readers who enjoys multiple plots and relish the cumulation of those plots, whether it be at the end of a novel or a series. This is one of the reasons why I enjoyed reading Within, Aaron Bunce’s first novel in his new series.
The first thread involves three children, one sister and two brothers, who are out gathering resources with friends of their father. It’s not until they strike out for home, and stop by some crumbling ruins, when trouble strikes, and the siblings are separated from their guardians and each other. It is here we are introduced to various monsters and evil creatures bent on reclaiming their world. The second thread features Roman, a boy who lost both his parents by the age of thirteen. Three years later, Roman lives in seclusion with his only friend, a dog named Tusk. When asked by the Bardstown elder to check on Roman’s former foster parents at their farm, he finds unexplained deaths – both human and animal. Shortly after, a caravan arrives in town, guarded in part by Dennah. She befriends Roman, each finding fulfillment in the other’s company, when they’re forced into an adventure that may very well kill them both. The third thread centers around Julian, a soldier who has never seen battle, until the gnarls chose to attack the sprawling city of Craymore. It wasn’t long before Julian met Tanea, a young woman and a healing cleric, when both their lives are forever changed. Julian, blinded by his need to protect his new love, is led astray by the enemy, and in turn discovers his opponent’s secrets.
World building and the lore behind it is prevalent throughout Within. There are five provinces, and each of the lords want to rule, but Denoril is without a king. Instead, a Council of Lords rules over the land and decides on trade, laws, and taxation, the latter of which is spoken most often by its citizens. Each city has different history that coincides with its location. Ban Turin is the home of nobles and Councilmen. Bardstown is a small farming community and prides itself on its work ethic and harvest. Craymore is large, mountain city filled with soldiers and rumors of dwarves. Laniel sits on the coast and trades with the Ishmandi, those who live across the ocean. With the introduction of the Ishmandi, the world grew beyond that of a continent. I’m curious to see how Aaron Bunce will integrate them in future novels.
Most people in Denoril do not have magical abilities, which makes those who use magic oddities, those to be feared. Roman has firsthand experience of this. He is an outsider, his parents settling in Bardstown shortly before he was born. What he didn’t know was the magical ability lurking within him, desperate to be released into the world. I liken Roman’s ability to a summoner or a sorcerer, but it’s a power that he himself doesn’t understand. I’m sure more details of his abilities will be expanded in later novels. Of course, not everyone is feared for their magic. Clerics are an integral part in most towns or cities, and those who have at least one are lucky. However, even clerics don’t always possess the physical or spiritual strength needed to truly capitalize their healing abilities. Sometimes, a cleric can only do so much, and the wound may never become fully healed. Enter Tanea. She discovers she has a deeper than typical bond with her deity, which makes her unique. I foresee a grand adventure centering on this character due to this bond.
Denoril is a continent with limited technology, most of which are wagons, tools or fighting implements. The introduction of magical items further separates the technology gap between our heroes and their enemies. The evil entities use masks that channel power and blind devotion to its wearer. Others wear bracelets fused to their wrists containing gemstones, which have an additional benefit of stopping projectiles. Like all magic items, these need to be recharged, and these particular items run on vitality.
Ever read a novel where a character gets a major injury during a battle, but after a page or two the injury mysteriously disappears? This does not happened in Within. Injuries matter and have far-reaching consequences. This attention to detail makes each action scene that much more desperate, more realistic. In battle when characters get hurt, those injuries affect how the fight goes: a cut to the wrist causes a warrior to lose his grip on his sword, claws to the face affect sight, and a concussion makes balance awkward. Everyday life and exploration also has its troubles, depending on location, weather, and wildlife. We learn this in the first story thread, when the youngest brother explores the ruins against the wishes of everyone else.
What I enjoyed the most about this novel is how the story comes full circle. Descriptions and characters foreshadowed in the beginning resurface later in the novel at varying intervals. Although the first thread isn’t referenced for the majority of the book, the referenced monsters and a couple of its characters do make continued appearances in the other two storylines. Some of the references are not obvious, but that makes me feel more awesome for finding the connection.
Plotlines, culture, and characters aside, this novel does have some faults. There were some things that tripped me up while I was reading it. Its editing errors slowed the pacing of the story, although most of them were minor, such as missing direct address commas, homonym misspellings, repeated words/phrases, capitalization, and punctuation. What bothered me more than those editing errors were the head-hopping scenes that went back in time to get the thoughts and feelings of another individual. I read the scene once and then read it again from a different perspective. As a writer, I understand the desire to share the thoughts and feelings of every character, but it would have flowed better for the reader if only one point of view was expressed. Returning back in time for the same scene disrupted not only the pacing of the story, but also the image I had previously created in my mind. Thankfully, this only happened twice in five hundred twenty-nine pages.
Keep in mind there are a few things that may make some readers uncomfortable. Children get hurt, kidnapped, and/or killed. Pets and animals are not exempt from this fate either. Also, there is a torture and rape scene that occurs near the end of the novel. Although the foreshadowing leads the reader to expect such an event, reading about it can still be disconcerting.
Within is a dark fantasy narrative that will appeal to those who enjoy the grittiness of life and adventure interspersed with magic. Vivid descriptions coupled with realistic situations and relatable characters hooked my curiosity from the start, but it was the desire for answers that kept me reading.
The first thread involves three children, one sister and two brothers, who are out gathering resources with friends of their father. It’s not until they strike out for home, and stop by some crumbling ruins, when trouble strikes, and the siblings are separated from their guardians and each other. It is here we are introduced to various monsters and evil creatures bent on reclaiming their world. The second thread features Roman, a boy who lost both his parents by the age of thirteen. Three years later, Roman lives in seclusion with his only friend, a dog named Tusk. When asked by the Bardstown elder to check on Roman’s former foster parents at their farm, he finds unexplained deaths – both human and animal. Shortly after, a caravan arrives in town, guarded in part by Dennah. She befriends Roman, each finding fulfillment in the other’s company, when they’re forced into an adventure that may very well kill them both. The third thread centers around Julian, a soldier who has never seen battle, until the gnarls chose to attack the sprawling city of Craymore. It wasn’t long before Julian met Tanea, a young woman and a healing cleric, when both their lives are forever changed. Julian, blinded by his need to protect his new love, is led astray by the enemy, and in turn discovers his opponent’s secrets.
World building and the lore behind it is prevalent throughout Within. There are five provinces, and each of the lords want to rule, but Denoril is without a king. Instead, a Council of Lords rules over the land and decides on trade, laws, and taxation, the latter of which is spoken most often by its citizens. Each city has different history that coincides with its location. Ban Turin is the home of nobles and Councilmen. Bardstown is a small farming community and prides itself on its work ethic and harvest. Craymore is large, mountain city filled with soldiers and rumors of dwarves. Laniel sits on the coast and trades with the Ishmandi, those who live across the ocean. With the introduction of the Ishmandi, the world grew beyond that of a continent. I’m curious to see how Aaron Bunce will integrate them in future novels.
Most people in Denoril do not have magical abilities, which makes those who use magic oddities, those to be feared. Roman has firsthand experience of this. He is an outsider, his parents settling in Bardstown shortly before he was born. What he didn’t know was the magical ability lurking within him, desperate to be released into the world. I liken Roman’s ability to a summoner or a sorcerer, but it’s a power that he himself doesn’t understand. I’m sure more details of his abilities will be expanded in later novels. Of course, not everyone is feared for their magic. Clerics are an integral part in most towns or cities, and those who have at least one are lucky. However, even clerics don’t always possess the physical or spiritual strength needed to truly capitalize their healing abilities. Sometimes, a cleric can only do so much, and the wound may never become fully healed. Enter Tanea. She discovers she has a deeper than typical bond with her deity, which makes her unique. I foresee a grand adventure centering on this character due to this bond.
Denoril is a continent with limited technology, most of which are wagons, tools or fighting implements. The introduction of magical items further separates the technology gap between our heroes and their enemies. The evil entities use masks that channel power and blind devotion to its wearer. Others wear bracelets fused to their wrists containing gemstones, which have an additional benefit of stopping projectiles. Like all magic items, these need to be recharged, and these particular items run on vitality.
Ever read a novel where a character gets a major injury during a battle, but after a page or two the injury mysteriously disappears? This does not happened in Within. Injuries matter and have far-reaching consequences. This attention to detail makes each action scene that much more desperate, more realistic. In battle when characters get hurt, those injuries affect how the fight goes: a cut to the wrist causes a warrior to lose his grip on his sword, claws to the face affect sight, and a concussion makes balance awkward. Everyday life and exploration also has its troubles, depending on location, weather, and wildlife. We learn this in the first story thread, when the youngest brother explores the ruins against the wishes of everyone else.
What I enjoyed the most about this novel is how the story comes full circle. Descriptions and characters foreshadowed in the beginning resurface later in the novel at varying intervals. Although the first thread isn’t referenced for the majority of the book, the referenced monsters and a couple of its characters do make continued appearances in the other two storylines. Some of the references are not obvious, but that makes me feel more awesome for finding the connection.
Plotlines, culture, and characters aside, this novel does have some faults. There were some things that tripped me up while I was reading it. Its editing errors slowed the pacing of the story, although most of them were minor, such as missing direct address commas, homonym misspellings, repeated words/phrases, capitalization, and punctuation. What bothered me more than those editing errors were the head-hopping scenes that went back in time to get the thoughts and feelings of another individual. I read the scene once and then read it again from a different perspective. As a writer, I understand the desire to share the thoughts and feelings of every character, but it would have flowed better for the reader if only one point of view was expressed. Returning back in time for the same scene disrupted not only the pacing of the story, but also the image I had previously created in my mind. Thankfully, this only happened twice in five hundred twenty-nine pages.
Keep in mind there are a few things that may make some readers uncomfortable. Children get hurt, kidnapped, and/or killed. Pets and animals are not exempt from this fate either. Also, there is a torture and rape scene that occurs near the end of the novel. Although the foreshadowing leads the reader to expect such an event, reading about it can still be disconcerting.
Within is a dark fantasy narrative that will appeal to those who enjoy the grittiness of life and adventure interspersed with magic. Vivid descriptions coupled with realistic situations and relatable characters hooked my curiosity from the start, but it was the desire for answers that kept me reading.
February 18, 2015
In true epic fantasy style, Aaron Bunce, has interwoven multiple views into one cohesive story.
This is no sparse, just the facts ma’am, story. Bunce’s descriptive approach tricks the brain into believing it’s witnessing the happenings firsthand. His world-building is top-notch, filling Denoril with newly imagined creatures, or twisting those we think we know into something all his own.
The history behind the story is well fleshed out, not just a rehashing of standard fantasy worlds. Bunce could easily write The History of Denoril as a series companion, along with a guide to the monsters and magic.
I love character driven stories and Bunce has written such a tale, showing us the human condition in a variety of forms. Credit is due when it comes to his female characters—with the exception of one instance, purely my own opinion—he has done a great job. Writing from the viewpoint of the opposite sex can be challenging at best.
All in all, Within is a great start to a true epic adventure. I can’t wait to see where it leads me.
This is no sparse, just the facts ma’am, story. Bunce’s descriptive approach tricks the brain into believing it’s witnessing the happenings firsthand. His world-building is top-notch, filling Denoril with newly imagined creatures, or twisting those we think we know into something all his own.
The history behind the story is well fleshed out, not just a rehashing of standard fantasy worlds. Bunce could easily write The History of Denoril as a series companion, along with a guide to the monsters and magic.
I love character driven stories and Bunce has written such a tale, showing us the human condition in a variety of forms. Credit is due when it comes to his female characters—with the exception of one instance, purely my own opinion—he has done a great job. Writing from the viewpoint of the opposite sex can be challenging at best.
All in all, Within is a great start to a true epic adventure. I can’t wait to see where it leads me.
December 5, 2020
Mind-blown. I bought this book because of the freaky cover without knowing what it was about and I must say, that it was money well spent.
Bunce can weave a story that makes you feel as if you're right there in the book, going through every single thing his characters go through. You can feel their pain, their anger, their love, their fear, you get the drift? Right?
The descriptions of the beasts are so visual, it's like bam, there they are, right in your face where you're hoping they don't come looking for you in the night.
The characters have such depth and personalities. You're bound to love some and hate others. You're going between three different stories and it brings so much to the book. So many plots and twists, you think you know what's happening and you've figured it out, bam, you've not a clue.
I could ramble on more about this book but I'll leave it up to you to read it. You can't go wrong. It's absolutely freaking amazing. Mind-blowing.
Bunce can weave a story that makes you feel as if you're right there in the book, going through every single thing his characters go through. You can feel their pain, their anger, their love, their fear, you get the drift? Right?
The descriptions of the beasts are so visual, it's like bam, there they are, right in your face where you're hoping they don't come looking for you in the night.
The characters have such depth and personalities. You're bound to love some and hate others. You're going between three different stories and it brings so much to the book. So many plots and twists, you think you know what's happening and you've figured it out, bam, you've not a clue.
I could ramble on more about this book but I'll leave it up to you to read it. You can't go wrong. It's absolutely freaking amazing. Mind-blowing.
March 11, 2015
I love Aaron's writing style. It's so descriptive I feel like I'm right in the middle of the action. I don't typically read this genere, but it was a welcome change. It is cool to see how the beginning story lines are crashing together and I'm looking forward to the rest of the saga.
April 10, 2016
Recommend!!!!
Excellent read. I will watch for the next book in the series.,.........
Characters have depth and deep personalities. I enjoyed this read.
Excellent read. I will watch for the next book in the series.,.........
Characters have depth and deep personalities. I enjoyed this read.
November 17, 2018
Perhaps because it is the first book in a series a lot of characters and seemingly unconnected story lines are introduced in this book. There are, I think, about a dozen different narrators/points of view and we don't always know until a few pages into a new chapter whose story we are reading.
I enjoyed Roman's story. Julian's also seemed interesting. Henri and his children's stories somehow seemed tacked on, which is odd because the books begins with them. Dennah was great, and her story fascinating (although on occasion cliche) especially when it merges with Roman's story arc. The Elder, whose name escapes me, seemed to be a narrator purely to fill in the gaps Roman leaves due to being incapacitated. Teague didn't add much and neither did the tracker, whose parts could probably have been told better by Henri.
However, the world building and monsters were creative and compelling, and the multiple death scenes shown from the victims' points of view were well described and effective. I'm just not entirely sure, having finished, what the central thread connecting the individual stories was or whether there was any theme. The absence of these left me feeling somewhat cheated with such a long read.
The writing style was engaging and some of the characters were very well drawn and sympathetic. If you prefer a series to stand-alones and are happiest when in for the long haul then this fantasy book is definitely worth checking out.
I enjoyed Roman's story. Julian's also seemed interesting. Henri and his children's stories somehow seemed tacked on, which is odd because the books begins with them. Dennah was great, and her story fascinating (although on occasion cliche) especially when it merges with Roman's story arc. The Elder, whose name escapes me, seemed to be a narrator purely to fill in the gaps Roman leaves due to being incapacitated. Teague didn't add much and neither did the tracker, whose parts could probably have been told better by Henri.
However, the world building and monsters were creative and compelling, and the multiple death scenes shown from the victims' points of view were well described and effective. I'm just not entirely sure, having finished, what the central thread connecting the individual stories was or whether there was any theme. The absence of these left me feeling somewhat cheated with such a long read.
The writing style was engaging and some of the characters were very well drawn and sympathetic. If you prefer a series to stand-alones and are happiest when in for the long haul then this fantasy book is definitely worth checking out.
September 19, 2018
"Within" touches a base fear inherent in each of us. It forces one to forestall the comforts of mediocrity and rise above, despite an intrinsic fear of failure in the face of the unknown.
While small grammar errors persist, you will easily find yourself pulled along as the characters in this author's world, much like Aaron Bunce himself, continue to grow into themselves. Page by emotion provoking page their true potential is revealed. Upon the conclusion of this book you will have experienced myriad emotions: empathy, angst and pity will war inside you while simultaneously nurturing splinters of hope, loyalty and courage with a silent nod towards abiding the world's necessary evils in the name of personal survival.
Self aware readers will relate to protagonist and antagonist alike. "Unto thine own self be true." is a self revealing theme for the characters and for each of us. I look forward to reading the rest of this series and seeing Bunce's potential revealed.
While small grammar errors persist, you will easily find yourself pulled along as the characters in this author's world, much like Aaron Bunce himself, continue to grow into themselves. Page by emotion provoking page their true potential is revealed. Upon the conclusion of this book you will have experienced myriad emotions: empathy, angst and pity will war inside you while simultaneously nurturing splinters of hope, loyalty and courage with a silent nod towards abiding the world's necessary evils in the name of personal survival.
Self aware readers will relate to protagonist and antagonist alike. "Unto thine own self be true." is a self revealing theme for the characters and for each of us. I look forward to reading the rest of this series and seeing Bunce's potential revealed.
April 23, 2018
Within
The title makes sense! I am trying to figure out who is going to survive! Love the details in this story, you can picture right in front of you! Getting ready to start book a 2!
The title makes sense! I am trying to figure out who is going to survive! Love the details in this story, you can picture right in front of you! Getting ready to start book a 2!
September 25, 2016
A gradual buildup to the middle than a frenzied explosion of actions.
Fantasies are the hardest kind of novels to write. The author must create a mystical world fascinating enough yet not too far removed from the real world to help readers to find bearings. Next are the characters and story to anchor the readers. I love the 3 major plots and the heroes created by Mr Bunce. Mr Bunce used well proven successful formulas of a despairing father seeking his abducted children, the good orphan braving the cruel world finding a true friend, and the knight saving the damsel in distress. The heroes must endure excruciating pain and mortal wounds. There were times where it seem which hero must experience the must physical suffering. Perhaps Mr Bunce can elucidate me on this query. In the end, admist all the pain and suffering, there was light at the end of the tunnel where happiness lies. Many tantalizing plots were left hanging and hopefully resolved in the coming books ahead.
Fantasies are the hardest kind of novels to write. The author must create a mystical world fascinating enough yet not too far removed from the real world to help readers to find bearings. Next are the characters and story to anchor the readers. I love the 3 major plots and the heroes created by Mr Bunce. Mr Bunce used well proven successful formulas of a despairing father seeking his abducted children, the good orphan braving the cruel world finding a true friend, and the knight saving the damsel in distress. The heroes must endure excruciating pain and mortal wounds. There were times where it seem which hero must experience the must physical suffering. Perhaps Mr Bunce can elucidate me on this query. In the end, admist all the pain and suffering, there was light at the end of the tunnel where happiness lies. Many tantalizing plots were left hanging and hopefully resolved in the coming books ahead.
May 29, 2019
The story is great, and the narration is wonderful. I loved the story and found myself ever increasingly curious as to where this was going, and how everything was going to tie in. The dialog and internal monologues however, left me wanting. It doesn't always flow well within the narration, and at times it jarred me out of a story I was quite immersed in, which occasionally made for a start-stop type experience. Because of that I never found myself as deeply entranced as I normally would in this type of story, which affected my rating a bit. Other than that it is an excellent story, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to my fantasy/horror fan friends.
November 27, 2015
I do not frequently read fantasy material of this type but upon a recommendation I was pleasantly surprised at my overall enjoyment of this novel. The author has an excellent sense of character development and a writing style that develops an intimate relationship with each player. The sense of emotions from each character is vividly portrayed through the books entirety and combined with fast paced, descriptive action sequences this book compels you to read. I look forward to the next book in the series and any other works from this author.
abandoned
June 14, 2016If no one has figured it out yet, I like my fantasy with a dose of the known world UNLESS, of course, I can visually see it first. As a result, Overthrown just isn't my kind of fantasy novel. The world and characters are too unfamiliar. I struggled to make sense of the time, place and creatures. As result, I have to pass.
September 25, 2016
Three major plots and interesting heroes kept the interest up. The well trodden formulas of despairing parent seeking kidnapped children, a good orphan growing up in a cruel world and finding a two true friends. One of them is a furry one. The brave knight saving the damsel always work.
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