What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Martlet
In Brisance, you never know when your childhood will end.
With unusual raiders on his father's estate, Liem, only son of an Altolnan Baron and Baroness, discovers through a harrowing and violent experience just how quickly his life can change.
With the whole of Brisance on the brink of war, it is often recognition of the smallest acts that effect change and create hope where there was little.
With unusual raiders on his father's estate, Liem, only son of an Altolnan Baron and Baroness, discovers through a harrowing and violent experience just how quickly his life can change.
With the whole of Brisance on the brink of war, it is often recognition of the smallest acts that effect change and create hope where there was little.
- GenresFantasy
26 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2015
37 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Ashman
9 books429 followersBorn Lancashire, England, J. P. Ashman is a Northern lad through and through. His parents love wildlife, history, fantasy and science fiction, and passed their passion on to him. They read to him from an early age and encouraged his imagination at every turn. His career may be in optics, as a manager/technician, but he loves to make time for writing and reading every day. Now living rurally in the Cotswolds with Wifey and their little Norse Goddess Freya, he's inspired daily by the views they have and the things they see, from the deer in the fields to the buzzards circling overhead.
Writing is a huge part of his life and the medieval re-enactment background and tabletop gaming lend to it; when he's not writing the genre, he's either reading or playing it. He plans to keep writing, both within his current series, and those to come, whether short stories or epic tomes.
Writing is a huge part of his life and the medieval re-enactment background and tabletop gaming lend to it; when he's not writing the genre, he's either reading or playing it. He plans to keep writing, both within his current series, and those to come, whether short stories or epic tomes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 8, 2016
A very nice short story! I like the writing very much so everything shorter than a book is too short for my liking! I am looking forward to the next book in the Black Powder Wars!
November 13, 2017
I won't go into the story details here, as you can read that in the synopsis, but I just want to say I really enjoyed this. It's easy to read, digest, and visualize. The only thing I didn't much care for were the illustrations in each chapter; they're not 'bad' but I didn't feel they accurately portrayed the atmosphere of the story, so I could have been even more immersed if they weren't there to distract.
All in all, Ashman is a writer I'll definitely be paying more attention to, and I'm moving right onto the first novel in the Black Powder Wars.
All in all, Ashman is a writer I'll definitely be paying more attention to, and I'm moving right onto the first novel in the Black Powder Wars.
October 18, 2017
Having already read "Black Cross" book one in the Black Powder Wars series and loved it I was hoping that the author would continue the magic he conjured in that first book. He succeeded impressively! In a short 30 pages the author brings alive this story with such craft that he had me first shedding tears of sorrow for a father, and a son's grief... and then before the end shedding tears of joy for that same son. All I can say is WOW and that I can't wait till the "Black Guild" is released and I get to read more of this incredible author's stories!
December 24, 2016
Needs more elves. Also, more Biviano. Other than that it's okay, I guess...
Just kidding! It was great! This was short but fun. Lots of action!
Just kidding! It was great! This was short but fun. Lots of action!
November 5, 2017
It's a quite good short story set in Black Cross world. I'll keep this review very short. The setting feels very much like Britain, nothing new here. The writing-style is quite good. The plot is nice, but the ending felt a bit far-fetched and not very believable. With a few small tweaks the ending could have been much better.
The characterziation of most of the characters is quite good, but something in protagonist who's a young boy doesn't seem right, mainly due to his young age, but not only . Actually I think if Liem was out of the game the story could have been somewhat better.
All in all, it's a nice short story by an author who has a good potential.
3.5-3.75/5
The characterziation of most of the characters is quite good, but something in protagonist who's a young boy doesn't seem right, mainly due to his young age, but not only . Actually I think if Liem was out of the game the story could have been somewhat better.
All in all, it's a nice short story by an author who has a good potential.
3.5-3.75/5
Read
December 9, 2017For News about new releases - such as Black Guild - and future promotions, as well as receiving a FREE short story (Dragonship) e-book initially and more free content in future, join other readers by signing up to my Newsletter below.
Sign me up, JP!
Sign me up, JP!
September 24, 2017
A good taste of a well-realised and well-executed fantasy world. Enough detail was given for the reader to get a sense of the setting, but not so much that a new reader would find the story drowning in detail.
Liem's coming of age is likely only the beginning of a deeper journey for him, and I will certainly be checking out the author's other works.
Liem's coming of age is likely only the beginning of a deeper journey for him, and I will certainly be checking out the author's other works.
Read
March 19, 2016This is the first story I've read by this writer.
A coming-of-age tale--a boy finds himself in the middle of a battle. It shall constitute a surprise test of everything he was taught and shall further determine what kind of man resides within him. Good imagery of the setting, sympathetic characters, classic tale of loyalty and bravery. I would have liked more of a sense of the villain though. The story is primarily told from one side's perspective, with very little information about their adversary. As a matter of preference, I like equal attention given to the antagonist, its background and motivation. In a classic tale of good versus evil, the protagonist grows in stature the more fleshed out and formidable the antagonist is.
Perhaps this short story should be read after reading the first novel in the series. In any event, this story has more than enough elements for me to be intrigued by,and interested in, reading the series.
A coming-of-age tale--a boy finds himself in the middle of a battle. It shall constitute a surprise test of everything he was taught and shall further determine what kind of man resides within him. Good imagery of the setting, sympathetic characters, classic tale of loyalty and bravery. I would have liked more of a sense of the villain though. The story is primarily told from one side's perspective, with very little information about their adversary. As a matter of preference, I like equal attention given to the antagonist, its background and motivation. In a classic tale of good versus evil, the protagonist grows in stature the more fleshed out and formidable the antagonist is.
Perhaps this short story should be read after reading the first novel in the series. In any event, this story has more than enough elements for me to be intrigued by,and interested in, reading the series.
November 6, 2017
Very brief - but nicely executed. It is a pleasure to see such a high attention to setting details. I think i am ready for a full-length fiction from JP Ashman ;)
December 21, 2015
Black Martlet is the first short story set in the world of the Black Cross. Mr. Ashman has given us a short tale but full of imagery, tales and promises of more short stories to come. I do enjoy reading the descriptive prose and visualizing the surroundings, the smells and sounds that are brought forth. Mr. Ashman has a talent for allowing the reader just enough to allow themselves to fill in the finer details and thus tailor it from their own experiences. If you have read The Black Cross, you will find it filled with such imagery. A short story it is but the heart of the story outweighs its page length by far.
The tale follows Liem on a pleasant and peaceful harvest day. Little does Liem know just how far and fast that day will snatch him from where he started. Liem is his father’s son. But with all who find themselves in strife and stress, a person’s mettle is yet to be determined until the crucible is heated and the slag rises to the top. Liem finds out his mettle with a baptism fraught with pain, courage and determination. True leaders are born to it and to their own surprise at times it comes forth at the most perilous times and prices too high to pay.
The tale follows Liem on a pleasant and peaceful harvest day. Little does Liem know just how far and fast that day will snatch him from where he started. Liem is his father’s son. But with all who find themselves in strife and stress, a person’s mettle is yet to be determined until the crucible is heated and the slag rises to the top. Liem finds out his mettle with a baptism fraught with pain, courage and determination. True leaders are born to it and to their own surprise at times it comes forth at the most perilous times and prices too high to pay.
April 15, 2017
A great read - mixes a coming-of-age theme with great action, a hint of interesting world building, and standout-out, compelling characters. Highly recommended, and looking forward to reading the opening novel sometime. :)
December 24, 2016
One hell of a great short story. The way he introduced the characters and setting was so well done I felt humor, sorrow, and pride even though the whole thing was just a few pages long . Well done my friend well done
June 5, 2016
Really good - but way too short ;) I read it in about half an hour... Now I wish I had more!
March 30, 2017
Short, fast-paced story with a feel-good ending, set in the world of the Black Powder Wars. Really good story!
September 12, 2017
Originally posted on Grimdark Magazine
A short story set in Ashman’s Black Powder Wars world. I haven’t read the rest of the books, but felt that Ashman did well to avoid the mistake of only writing to the wants and needs of his current audience.
It’s a simple premise, as our hero is launched into combat and into adulthood on the one bloody day.
Not a bad story. Not Grimdark, more straight low fantasy from what I can see here. It’s worth a read. If I hadn’t already bought Black Cross, I probably would have grabbed a Kindle copy based on this.
A short story set in Ashman’s Black Powder Wars world. I haven’t read the rest of the books, but felt that Ashman did well to avoid the mistake of only writing to the wants and needs of his current audience.
It’s a simple premise, as our hero is launched into combat and into adulthood on the one bloody day.
Not a bad story. Not Grimdark, more straight low fantasy from what I can see here. It’s worth a read. If I hadn’t already bought Black Cross, I probably would have grabbed a Kindle copy based on this.
January 8, 2018
Nice shirt peak
Definitely left you wanting more. Luckily there is. Two books one now and one in February. Great new author. Check him out!
Definitely left you wanting more. Luckily there is. Two books one now and one in February. Great new author. Check him out!
January 17, 2017
Well worth 30 minutes of your time - 4.5 out of 5
J.P.'s first Black Powder War book (Black Cross) got the pulse racing on numerous occasions and this follow-up short is no different. This is well-written prose with great character development contained in a snappy little tale which will keep us ticking over until Black Guild.
J.P.'s first Black Powder War book (Black Cross) got the pulse racing on numerous occasions and this follow-up short is no different. This is well-written prose with great character development contained in a snappy little tale which will keep us ticking over until Black Guild.
December 25, 2015
Review to come...but for now let me just say, give this exciting short story a read.
August 8, 2017
I have left a review of this book on Amazon as authors like their work to be noticed, and if people point out the things they like and don't like, it helps them grow as writers.
Black Martlet is a short story that stems from J.P. Ashman's first full length novel Black Cross. As a short story, I prefer not to give away too much of its content. If I knew the plot in advance, there would be little point in me buying it after-all. Having said that, I will give anyone reading this a small taste just to get the juices flowing.
The characterisation is good, and there is plenty of action for those of you who love battle scenes, not to mention honour and chivalry. It tells the story of, Baron Arrisal and his son, Liem, as they struggle to save their lands from being taken by enemies. A jealous neighbour? Hedge-knights? Goblins perchance? I'll let you read it and find out.
J.P. Ashman has that happy knack of being able to get across what he wants to say in very few words. He paints a pretty picture of what a Knights honour should mean here. Well done.
Black Martlet is a short story that stems from J.P. Ashman's first full length novel Black Cross. As a short story, I prefer not to give away too much of its content. If I knew the plot in advance, there would be little point in me buying it after-all. Having said that, I will give anyone reading this a small taste just to get the juices flowing.
The characterisation is good, and there is plenty of action for those of you who love battle scenes, not to mention honour and chivalry. It tells the story of, Baron Arrisal and his son, Liem, as they struggle to save their lands from being taken by enemies. A jealous neighbour? Hedge-knights? Goblins perchance? I'll let you read it and find out.
J.P. Ashman has that happy knack of being able to get across what he wants to say in very few words. He paints a pretty picture of what a Knights honour should mean here. Well done.
May 12, 2017
An intriguing story, a nice set up indeed.
April 11, 2018
a short story
October 8, 2016
With a Tagline/Strapline Saying the Black Powder wars will be tailor made for fantasy fans in the vein of Paul Kearney and few others .. That is a mighty high claim as for me the Macht series by Paul is counted right up there in my top ten fantasy series . J.P's debut novel in the series was mighty fine as debuts go but for me it's the second book in a series that counts more !
This offering is kinda a gap filler in helping lay more character depth and appeasing the hoards of fans like me demanding them realised ASAP. This instalment delivered that for me as we found out a piece of the Black Marlet's shaping in the form of a attack form those nasty adlets during harvest time and the small scuffle that follows . Since this is a short story I can't give anymore away so I will concentrate more on J.P's writing.
The story flows well and doesn't seem rushed in anyway if anything it shows the care and though in delivering a story that count's and feels need's to be told. The only thing I feels missing and could fit well and worth adding would be a return home scene and possible a funeral one. His wordplay is good, creatively he builds a scene well and you can feel that. I am looking forward to more from J.P in the future and going on the voyage of him maturing as a author to hold his own among a star studded field
This offering is kinda a gap filler in helping lay more character depth and appeasing the hoards of fans like me demanding them realised ASAP. This instalment delivered that for me as we found out a piece of the Black Marlet's shaping in the form of a attack form those nasty adlets during harvest time and the small scuffle that follows . Since this is a short story I can't give anymore away so I will concentrate more on J.P's writing.
The story flows well and doesn't seem rushed in anyway if anything it shows the care and though in delivering a story that count's and feels need's to be told. The only thing I feels missing and could fit well and worth adding would be a return home scene and possible a funeral one. His wordplay is good, creatively he builds a scene well and you can feel that. I am looking forward to more from J.P in the future and going on the voyage of him maturing as a author to hold his own among a star studded field
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews