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The Dark Ability #3
The Tower of Venass
Master of lorcith. Gifted with Sliding. Pawn of the Forgotten.
Rsiran now understands that he can use not only the arcane power of lorcith, but also that of heartstone. This ability makes him powerful, perhaps too powerful for some. Others know of his ability, and seek to use him.
After Brusus is attacked, Rsiran makes a decision that requires an unlikely ally, and brings him to dangerous Thyr, where the Scholars of Venass offer their aid, but for a price.
But the scholars want Rsiran for the same reason as the Forgotten. While he strives to discover why, what he finds changes everything that he has come to believe, as he learns that the struggle he’s seen is only the beginning to a greater battle. And somehow he’s the key to ending it.
Rsiran now understands that he can use not only the arcane power of lorcith, but also that of heartstone. This ability makes him powerful, perhaps too powerful for some. Others know of his ability, and seek to use him.
After Brusus is attacked, Rsiran makes a decision that requires an unlikely ally, and brings him to dangerous Thyr, where the Scholars of Venass offer their aid, but for a price.
But the scholars want Rsiran for the same reason as the Forgotten. While he strives to discover why, what he finds changes everything that he has come to believe, as he learns that the struggle he’s seen is only the beginning to a greater battle. And somehow he’s the key to ending it.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
445 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 24, 2016
This series is so repetitive it hurts. Every time he sees Jess's he notices her sniffing a goddamn flower, and notes that no one else could notice this. Every time he does anything a cat meows and he stops to count and bitch about it mentally. Every barrier his ability is presented with can be overcome with just like, super concentrating? Every book had Brutus getting hurt and the "hero" doing stupid things to save him. Because friendship. Because the guy placed dice with him. Super powerful foundation here. Everyone wants him but no one will just say why. They need to kidnap people or hurt them. Like never once did they try actually talking to him? Like he seems to agree on his own free will with many points they make but they never ever try and talk him over. Just put him in a place like NO one could get out of. Even though this is the guy who always gets out. His romance also seems as deep as "first girl to hang around me". He spends more time complaining to himself he's not got good sight like her. I legit feel he is just dating her eyes.
Ugh why have I read even this far? In the hope anything would change or be explained? All three books are. His life sucks. But he can slide, but he feels guilt. But friend needs him to slide. So he slides. With Jessa. She smell flowers. He gets captured. He thinks for like 5 mins and is out. They all complain about secrets. They keep telling secrets. Give us a sword. Lol nah. SLIDE POWERUP. & +1 new enemy.
Rinse and repeat.
Ugh why have I read even this far? In the hope anything would change or be explained? All three books are. His life sucks. But he can slide, but he feels guilt. But friend needs him to slide. So he slides. With Jessa. She smell flowers. He gets captured. He thinks for like 5 mins and is out. They all complain about secrets. They keep telling secrets. Give us a sword. Lol nah. SLIDE POWERUP. & +1 new enemy.
Rinse and repeat.
October 29, 2018
Getting some answers ...
And the plot thickens, but with more clarity on who's who. Good stuff coming up in the next volumes! Now we know what's at stake, and what are main characters are up against :-)
And the plot thickens, but with more clarity on who's who. Good stuff coming up in the next volumes! Now we know what's at stake, and what are main characters are up against :-)
January 16, 2021
And the beat goes on. Rsiran continues to refine and grow his abilities. And more dangerous groups want what he can do.
Plenty of action, adventure and betrayal are included in this chapter of Rsiran's travels. I enjoyed it quite a bit
Plenty of action, adventure and betrayal are included in this chapter of Rsiran's travels. I enjoyed it quite a bit
March 9, 2023
addictive series!
Possessing power over Lorcith. Thrust into a struggle shrouded by deception & manipulation. His mastery over the dark ability has drawn dangerous foes with hidden agendas.
This series is such a treat! Tearing through it! Mystery, action & dark magic. So great.
Possessing power over Lorcith. Thrust into a struggle shrouded by deception & manipulation. His mastery over the dark ability has drawn dangerous foes with hidden agendas.
This series is such a treat! Tearing through it! Mystery, action & dark magic. So great.
September 5, 2017
I am still really enjoying this series. It is relatively fun, fast paced and easy reading. I'm attached to the characters and after finishing this book I am still eager to see what happens to them. However, I am not sure if I am just now noticing it in this book or if it is this book that has introduced it, but I felt like the author's writing style is starting to drag.
His writing style has evolved into what I call 'Question Writing'. This is where the author has his/her protagonist constantly asking rhetorical questions via their inner monologue that have no reason to be there.
Scenes that should be exciting and in themselves inspire such questions in the reader's mind without having to state them are drawn out by this process. An example of this usually comes when Rsiran is backed into a corner and should be making a snap decision of whether to flee or fight. This usually follows an action/tense scene and that snap decision would be more beneficial to the scene than for Rsiran to suddenly stop and go through every possible option and consequence in the form of rhetorical question asking.
Good writing builds a picture in your head, and at this moment I, as a reader, have been experiencing a fast paced scene and then suddenly it seems to stop so Rsiran can start over thinking things. Imagine watching an action scene in a movie and rather than just following on with the action, working out the motivations for yourself or finding out about them later, instead the movie pauses for the characters to have a think. It would be jarring then and, for me at least, it is jarring in written form as well.
My final gripe is one of repetition. I often find that this goes hand in hand with 'Question Writing' as often these internal questions come from the protagonist summing up his situation as he sees it and trying to figure out where he goes next. Now, this is something we all do in real life, so I understand how it finds its way into books. But the thing is that books aren't real life and it gets a little tiring to hear a summary of the situation in almost every chapter or every time we get reintroduced to another character.
Together, these two things have resulted in a loss of a star from this book. Like I said earlier, I still enjoy this series and I have to think that part of the reason why I am noticing some of these elements is that I am binge reading them back to back. The stories are still fresh in my mind and therefore I am sensitive to them.
Either way, this is still a book and a series I can recommend. 3-stars, and hopefully there are better things to come.
His writing style has evolved into what I call 'Question Writing'. This is where the author has his/her protagonist constantly asking rhetorical questions via their inner monologue that have no reason to be there.
Scenes that should be exciting and in themselves inspire such questions in the reader's mind without having to state them are drawn out by this process. An example of this usually comes when Rsiran is backed into a corner and should be making a snap decision of whether to flee or fight. This usually follows an action/tense scene and that snap decision would be more beneficial to the scene than for Rsiran to suddenly stop and go through every possible option and consequence in the form of rhetorical question asking.
Good writing builds a picture in your head, and at this moment I, as a reader, have been experiencing a fast paced scene and then suddenly it seems to stop so Rsiran can start over thinking things. Imagine watching an action scene in a movie and rather than just following on with the action, working out the motivations for yourself or finding out about them later, instead the movie pauses for the characters to have a think. It would be jarring then and, for me at least, it is jarring in written form as well.
My final gripe is one of repetition. I often find that this goes hand in hand with 'Question Writing' as often these internal questions come from the protagonist summing up his situation as he sees it and trying to figure out where he goes next. Now, this is something we all do in real life, so I understand how it finds its way into books. But the thing is that books aren't real life and it gets a little tiring to hear a summary of the situation in almost every chapter or every time we get reintroduced to another character.
Together, these two things have resulted in a loss of a star from this book. Like I said earlier, I still enjoy this series and I have to think that part of the reason why I am noticing some of these elements is that I am binge reading them back to back. The stories are still fresh in my mind and therefore I am sensitive to them.
Either way, this is still a book and a series I can recommend. 3-stars, and hopefully there are better things to come.
August 22, 2017
Despite enjoying the first two, I couldn't finish this book. It was just nonstop whining, daddy issues and bad decisions. I get that the protagonist is young and flawed but it was just too much for me.
You know how book five of Harry Potter had Harry spend 300 hundred pages bitching and moaning. Ya, it was kind of like that only with much worst writing. Hopefully, like HP it gets better after the author gets it out of his system but I'll never bother finding out. I wish you could give half stars because while I don't think this deserves 1 star, it feels disingenuous giving 2 stars to a book I couldn't even finish. I decided on 2 mostly because of the goodwill generated by the first two books.
You know how book five of Harry Potter had Harry spend 300 hundred pages bitching and moaning. Ya, it was kind of like that only with much worst writing. Hopefully, like HP it gets better after the author gets it out of his system but I'll never bother finding out. I wish you could give half stars because while I don't think this deserves 1 star, it feels disingenuous giving 2 stars to a book I couldn't even finish. I decided on 2 mostly because of the goodwill generated by the first two books.
September 10, 2018
Okay, this is the third one in the series I've read, and I'm starting to get what other reviewers have said. Repetitive ad nauseum. Can we please stop talking about how your girlfriend keeps sniffing the flower in her lapel? Maybe because everything around her stinks. Just saying. And the daddy issues, and the paranoia about how the entire ruling class is out to get you and the way the stone smells, and all the other stuff the protagonist keeps bitching about. This is not a bad series, I did finish the first 3 books, but I don't think I'm going to go any further because it feels like this story has hit a wall.
January 9, 2023
Rsiran is still learning about his abilities with the help of Jessa and his other friends. His enemies continue to increase, although he does have a knack for getting himself into jams. His impulsiveness endangers Jessa almost as much as himself, but it's her skills that save him when he once again lands in new danger with a group of enemies.
Although still a good series worth reading, this book bogged down and left me impatiently waiting for something to happen, which would further the storyline.
Although still a good series worth reading, this book bogged down and left me impatiently waiting for something to happen, which would further the storyline.
September 7, 2017
Interesting plot, however the book could do with more pace.
I've enjoyed the progression of the plot in the series so far but unfortunately find very little to draw me to the main characters. Rsirans' thoughts and feelings about past events are also too often repeated which slows down the pace of the book.
I've enjoyed the progression of the plot in the series so far but unfortunately find very little to draw me to the main characters. Rsirans' thoughts and feelings about past events are also too often repeated which slows down the pace of the book.
July 13, 2018
New ideas
This the 3rd in the series and I just purchased the 4th. A different way to bring unusual abilities and talent into mystical stories. Central character is young, has a sweetheart and friends. Not perfect but smoothly handled. I've not been booked this strongly in a while.
This the 3rd in the series and I just purchased the 4th. A different way to bring unusual abilities and talent into mystical stories. Central character is young, has a sweetheart and friends. Not perfect but smoothly handled. I've not been booked this strongly in a while.
July 31, 2018
The story continues
Enjoyed reading as the story's continued intrigue is getting deeper and the story seeming to twist as the plots seem to twist. Off to Amazon to get book four in the series love Amazon prime\kindle direct and one more down in my good reads challenge for this year
Enjoyed reading as the story's continued intrigue is getting deeper and the story seeming to twist as the plots seem to twist. Off to Amazon to get book four in the series love Amazon prime\kindle direct and one more down in my good reads challenge for this year
June 15, 2021
I think of all the books in this series, this was the one that I liked the least, but only because it seemed to drag a bit more and seemed too have slightly less focus, but it was still a great read and contained interesting character development. Still clean content so appropriate for a wider audience.
December 1, 2017
Good book. Still many questions need answering so looking forward to the next.
Nice pace,very enjoyable. The series is enthralling enough to make it hard to stop reading. I hoping the next book provides at least some answers.
Nice pace,very enjoyable. The series is enthralling enough to make it hard to stop reading. I hoping the next book provides at least some answers.
January 8, 2018
Book 3
Book 3 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. The characters grow with each book and the plot has developed nicely. The plot slowly builds with each book, which leaves the reader hanging at the end.
Book 3 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. The characters grow with each book and the plot has developed nicely. The plot slowly builds with each book, which leaves the reader hanging at the end.
July 8, 2018
Rose
Oh! This is so much fun! Bloomberg has done it again. The third book in this series is as good as the first two. Exciting action and characters continue to draw readers into this fantasy. I look forward to the next book .
Oh! This is so much fun! Bloomberg has done it again. The third book in this series is as good as the first two. Exciting action and characters continue to draw readers into this fantasy. I look forward to the next book .
September 19, 2018
You are killing my bank account
I love to read and I am truly loving this series. Sliding would be something I would really enjoy. My husband says I never talk to him because I’m reading your books. Just bought the next one.
I love to read and I am truly loving this series. Sliding would be something I would really enjoy. My husband says I never talk to him because I’m reading your books. Just bought the next one.
September 27, 2018
The Dark Ability book # 3 of 7
The Story continues and develops nicely. Our characters are growing in ability and understanding yet still facing many problems and learning as they go. I give these books all 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I am never bored, the story never drags.
The Story continues and develops nicely. Our characters are growing in ability and understanding yet still facing many problems and learning as they go. I give these books all 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I am never bored, the story never drags.
June 17, 2020
Another fast read!
This book was even better than the first two. I like seeing the main character get even more ability to use his magical gifts. I honestly couldn’t put the book down
This book was even better than the first two. I like seeing the main character get even more ability to use his magical gifts. I honestly couldn’t put the book down
January 12, 2023
The Tower of Venass
Book 3 in The Dark Ability series continues the exciting adventures , but I did find the main character a bit on the immature side in his reasoning and thoughts. All in all a good story and I will continue the series.
Book 3 in The Dark Ability series continues the exciting adventures , but I did find the main character a bit on the immature side in his reasoning and thoughts. All in all a good story and I will continue the series.
October 24, 2017
i like the books except for the relationship between Rsiran and Jess's is so clingy, uhgg girl let the man breath!
May 15, 2018
2,5
too repetitive
too repetitive
July 1, 2019
I'm really starting to love this series now. The first two books were good, but this one took things to a different level. Fast-paced and very enjoyable.
July 18, 2020
On to Book 4 - Blood of the Watcher. You will not regret picking up this series.
September 19, 2025
The dark ability series
I have just got done reading book 3 and the series is getting better with each book written I hope that the rest of the series is as good
I have just got done reading book 3 and the series is getting better with each book written I hope that the rest of the series is as good
March 20, 2017
This was the third instalment of a Dark Ability series. The story, is action packed and compelling however the writing is quite repetitive. Apart from the recapping that seems to be considered necessary when a book is split into many volumes, I don't know how many times we were told that Rsiran wished he had the ability of sight. I've also noted that another reviewer of a previous book in the series wondered if Rsiran ever stopped holding and squeezing Jessa's hand.
My other issue was that I found the characters' inability to trust each other with all the information they had to be at odds with the idea that they were such close friends they would do anything for each other.
The other books in the series are The Dark Ability and The Heartstone Blade both of which are equally fast paced and compelling however the books are not standalone being episodes in Rsiran's life. The story is not yet complete, apparently there are several more books to come however as much as I have enjoyed the three books I have read I'm not sure I can maintain interest while I wait for them to be written.
I'd say the author knows how to think up a good story just not so brilliant at the finer points of writing.
My other issue was that I found the characters' inability to trust each other with all the information they had to be at odds with the idea that they were such close friends they would do anything for each other.
The other books in the series are The Dark Ability and The Heartstone Blade both of which are equally fast paced and compelling however the books are not standalone being episodes in Rsiran's life. The story is not yet complete, apparently there are several more books to come however as much as I have enjoyed the three books I have read I'm not sure I can maintain interest while I wait for them to be written.
I'd say the author knows how to think up a good story just not so brilliant at the finer points of writing.
April 6, 2016
This book is the third installment of a very intriguing and enciteful series. It goes along the plotline of Rsiran well and ends very suddenly with a cliffhanger. It was very exciting to see the way Rsiran developed as a character throughout this book and gaining more powers. The only bad criteria I could say about this book is how much thinking the characters did. I feel it made the book a lot slower leaving me not as engaged at times. But it was also refreshing to really see into a character's mind. But overall it was a very good book and would suggest it to anyone that is a fantasy lover.
March 18, 2019
When I read these books, I start reading and don't know enough to stop. This series grabs a hold and doesn't let go. The Characters are well thought out and written well throughout the books. They all keep growing and expanding and by the end of the book you want the next, to watch them grow futher and what new powers that may pop up. These do have a little of everythin g for everyone. Great reading Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!
Update: I read this series again, I love it even more. I read a book a day pretty much and I enjoyed them together (meaning one after another). You will enjoy these.
Update: I read this series again, I love it even more. I read a book a day pretty much and I enjoyed them together (meaning one after another). You will enjoy these.
May 5, 2023
tempering
Brusus manages to get himself poisoned again. Jesse and Rsiran set off on a Slide to Venass to procure a cure. but Venass is a dark place, not a place of healing, where Rsilan is out through a painful test. and all for nothing. and he soon discovers that there are worse things waiting for him in the night, things that even he can't Slide by.
Brusus manages to get himself poisoned again. Jesse and Rsiran set off on a Slide to Venass to procure a cure. but Venass is a dark place, not a place of healing, where Rsilan is out through a painful test. and all for nothing. and he soon discovers that there are worse things waiting for him in the night, things that even he can't Slide by.
February 18, 2016
Consistently good writing!
All three books in the series have been well written, great depth of character and clever storylines. Can't wait for the next installment.
All three books in the series have been well written, great depth of character and clever storylines. Can't wait for the next installment.
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March 3, 2016Enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews