Chadwick Yates and the Cannibal Shrine

The Adventures of Chadwick Yates #1

by Bradley Verdell

“You know nothing. Nothing about Tanzia or its people. You would never have agreed to dog me if you didn’t want to see the Black Continent, and only I can show it to you. You have only one option follow me, Commander Sharp.” A Lost World. A Marvelous Expedition. A Dangerous Ambassador. Across the waters from industrialized Cavendia lies the Forbidden Continent of Tanzia, where Servants, the majikal creations of an ancient sorcerer, still walk the earth. Once mankind was enslaved there, but after the sorcerer’s imprisonment, one nation sailed away. For centuries, none has dared return, until now. Fear has grown that technology may have emerged on Tanzia. Cavendia’s government decides to make first contact with the ancient land. Their chosen ambassador is Chadwick Yates, of origins unknown. An expert woodsman and firearms master, Yates is not a man to be crossed. His mission is to report on the technology and resources of the indigenous, but the government now suspects he is hiding the full truth. Thurston Sharp, a Royal Navy Commander from a long military pedigree, is selected to go along and find out what Yates is hiding. When the pair are dropped on Tanzia, Sharp realizes nearly everything Yates has told the government is a lie. But in a land populated by dark hounds, cannibals, and gargoyles of living stone, Sharp has no choice but to fight to survive with Yates and to go where the ambassador leads, even to battle... About the Series “Yates shouldered his shotgun and poured cartridge after cartridge of triple-aught shot into the minotaur. The monster howled and turned to face him, ruby eyes alight like coals.” Monsters and elephant guns face off as Ambassador Chadwick Yates and Navy Commander Thurston Sharp explore the Forbidden Continent of Tanzia. The pair must adapt to the curious cultures of Gremlins, Faeries, Anurans, and others to make allies, and fight off the evil creatures that serve an ancient sorcerer. The Adventures of Chadwick Yates is for readers who love action in exotic locales. The series blends the Lost World literary genre of Indiana Jones and King Solomon's Mines with the magic and monsters of epic fantasy. Featuring real 19th century gadgets and a gorgeously-realized world, the series was inspired by such works as Allan Quatermain, Sherlock Holmes, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Heart of Darkness, The Most Dangerous Game, and The Lost World.

Genres: Steampunk, Fantasy

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2015

About the author

Bradley Verdell holds a degree in Journalism and has worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance writer, and teacher. He was born in East Tennessee and is an active outdoorsman. His hobbies include surfing, hiking, and other adventure sports. Verdell currently resides on the island of Taiwan.

Reviews

[Stormy McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, this is a well written, well edited text. In today's instant self-publish world, this type of attention to quality seems to be on the endangered species list, so reading a work without a plethora of typos and/or abysmally poor word choice was refreshing.

The second thing every potential reader must know: while it IS a work of fantasy fiction, it is written in the style of early 19th century explorer journals. Think "Tales from the Hellfire Club", "Exploration Fawcett", or "Maneaters of Tsavo" and you'll have a fairly good idea of the writing style. (If you haven't read any of those works, you're missing out.) Mr. Verdal does an excellent job of capturing the storytelling style and language of 19th century explorers.

While relatively short (under 200 pages divided into 10 chapters), this is not a "quick read." There is a lot of world building and character development packed into this story, setting up the entire series. I look forward to reading more.

[Thomas James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different. Original. Intriguing. Well done!

I just about set this book down after the first several chapters thinking it was not for me. I am glad I persisted. The slow moving start soon develops into an adventure to a fantasy world with fairytale creatures and mystical beasts. The fact that some of these fairytale creatures live in the same world as "we" do seems almost incongruous, as well as the fact that humans perform magic such as healing incantations. But one must be flexible reading fantasy stories and enjoy it for what it is. If you can do that you are in for a fun adventure.

[Seth Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I got into this book. It is set in a very interesting world that is reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs or H. Rider Haggard. You get a very British "colonial" viewpoint exploring the Black Continent of Tanzia. The narrator is fun to read along with as is the eponymous Chadwick Yates. While you read of their experience with natives on the plains, murderous magical beasts in the forest or in the caves of the gremlins, this book kept me reading and interested the entire time. I can't wait to pick up book 2.

[A.H. Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this beautifully-written steampunk adventure was like the love child you would get if Congo, The Hobbit, and Indiana Jones had a ménage à trois. Since these are some of my favourite books/character, Chadwick Yates was a delight to read. Gremlins, faeries, magic and spells, with no shortage of 19th century firearms to blast those monsters away! I was especially struck by how well the author built the Victorian/fantastical world, using an unique voice and style of writing that made me feel enveloped in the charm of the old world. Looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

[Tim Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive

I have found many novels like this that easily sour my taste. However, this was well written and held my attention as the characters interacted with the world around them. I was particularly pleased with the way the story was told. I will definitely be buying the next one soon.

[Angela Markel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put down!

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first adventure; I read it second.

In the wilderness of an uncivilized Tanzia, amid vasts tribes of fictitious races, we find the human qualities of dedication and diplomacy.

The adventures promise to be a rare, exquisite diamond in the rough.

Reading it out of order made no true difference, only enriching the experience and solidity of the series.

Talented author and a world building promising to swallow the reader in its wonders and mystic.

[Cal Bowen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book fails the 25% test.

The writing style is very old fashioned, similar to Mark Twain or the likes, which if it is your style is great, but not for me. This came off as bad ERB fiction, with gremlins and fantasy creatures, and no real story. A ton of exposition delivered via dialog, but no 'movement' of the characters at the 25% mark.

Again, if you like the older style writing, this may work for you, but I would rather read the real ERB than this.

[H Jesseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Nice idea but the writing didn't quite reach the necessary height.