Prelude to the #1 Epic Fantasy Best Seller, Dragon Choir. An outcast sorcerer is lost in the city of gold, boiling in a cauldron of lies. Novice Kettna is commissioned to solve a string of robberies, but is haunted by a forbidden secret. Murder, blackmail and espionage drive her investigation into the shadows of danger where she must confront Bloody Agnus, the queen of the criminal underworld. Can a mage with failing magic discover the truth to find her lost love and save the city from itself?
Sword and Sorcery simmering with Mystery and Mayhem. Dive into the magical world of Oranica and steel yourself for adventure. From the boundless imagination of bestselling author, Benjamin Descovich, comes a turbulent tale set in the City of Gold, Calimska. The daughter of the Archmagus has an impenetrable intellect, but her talent with magic is waning. To her shame, she is incapable of passing the trials of sorcery and is sent to serve on the city guard. With the help of a caustic, yet beautiful, guardian and a poor kitchen hand, Kettna uncovers a deadly conspiracy that threatens the great city.
Only one thing can keep a secret buried, a Dead Letter.
Get one of my ebooks free! Go to benjamindescovich.com today. I'd love to hear from you.
Benjamin Descovich is a long name for a fellow better known as Ben. As a boy he rolled dice, adventuring through magic worlds with dragons, wizards and warriors. He feasted upon epic fantasy books by J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Anne McCaffrey then devoured the multitude of Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms books among many others.
Ben’s an author who’s passionate about the environment and social justice and holds a degree in Political Science. Born in Australia and well travelled through Europe and Asia, he’s been spoilt with inspiration for his fiction. While the dramatic landscapes, political intrigue and epic battles will captivate your imagination; the dragons and magic will take your breath away.
Ben tried growing up and walked life’s path in many different shoes. Along the way, he discovered the spice of politics, a kaleidoscope of culture and most of all the wonders of language. Burning in his heart are hundreds of fantasy tales, powerful stories of struggle and sacrifice, honour and treachery, love and loss. Every day, Ben works the forge, bringing magic to the world of Oranica, unveiling imperfect heroes and heroines in a clash against evil and injustice. Monsters and mythic beasts abound, so sharpen your sword and open your spell book!
Join the Dragon Choir Newsletter for updates and some sorcery stuffed in an ebook! www.benjamindescovich.com
An enjoyable read with an old-schoolish fantasy feel (at least to me -- there's always that overlying feeling of hope and nothing comes off as harsh or too edgy). It's a nice reprieve from everything being dark these days (not that I don't like that, just good to mix it up).
The writing is very easy to follow, allowing for a quick read.
There are a couple scenes where blood and gore make an appearance, which comes as kind of a surprise as it's a sudden leap from light/hopeful to body parts being blown off. But none of that hindered my reading experience, not in the least.
All in all, good and fun read. Recommended to fantasy and/or detective style fans.
This prequel has all the trappings of a top-class crime novel – the twists, red herrings, people not who they claim to be … Throw in a bit of politics, xenophobia, a lot of fantasy magic, and you have a wonderfully engaging cross-genre story. Novice mage, Kettna, is drafted to the Calimska City watch, where she has the unexpectedly powerful title of “Inspector” bestowed on her. Her first job is to recover items stolen from the Head Merchant Guillan. The investigation into this theft leads to a murder, further thefts, possible foreign skulduggery and the mysterious leader of the Calimska underworld, Bloody Agnus. Kettna is to be aided by the Adept Lanuille, and two other mages. Lanuille spends much of her time being rude and starting fights with everyone she meets, while the other mages just mutter to each other in the background. However, despite their somewhat annoying personalities, Kettna needs them, as her own magic is far too weak to keep her safe. The Constable is aware of Kettna’s magical limitations, but believes that “Magic is a good thing of course, but it is no match for a sculpted, critical mind”. Thankfully, Kettna has spent much of her training time in the library, sharpening her non-magical skills and knowledge base. Along with her official duties, Kettna is also trying to find her missing lover, Rix. Once Kettna reaches Calimska, the pace moves swiftly on towards a crushing, magical climax, where she is forced to choose sides between the corrupt and villainous. The Truth becomes a victim of necessity, and Kettna’s has to re-evaluate where her future and her trust lies. The meaning behind the title does not become clear until right at the end. All the main characters, especially Kettna, are beautifully drawn with believable personalities. Although the foreign Jandans are unable to accept it, the women in this story are all strong, and no gender in Calimska is subservient. This was a very enjoyable introduction to the Dragon Choir series, and I look forward to continuing the story. I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
This story is a prequel to Dragon Choir and I was happy to revisit the city of Calimska and some of the inhabitants I'd previously read about. It's a tale of mystery, intrigue and magic, with plenty action thrown in for good measure. The main character, Kettna is a novice sorcerer, sent out from her sheltered society and plunged deep into the political and criminal melting pot of Calimska. She's given a crime to solve and accepts the role of investigator with the city constable and we soon discover she has more of an ability for the task than she has for her failing magic. She will uncover a plot full of twists and turns that you won't see coming and keeps you guessing to the climactic finish. The characters are well written and the story races along at a great pace. If you are looking for something fresh and different, give Mr Descovich's Dead Letter a go you won't be disappointed. I'm a big fan of Dragon Choir, but this is even better!
Enter into the world, fraught with magic, political intrigue, and more lies than a politician can muster. The world of Oranica and the City of Gold, Calimska. Here a failed mage is expelled from her school to become a member of the City Guard, Novice Kettnais thrust into a web of lies ranging from Calimska's Scool of Magic to the Guardsmen on the take to the City's guilds to resolve a murder that brings her straight into the crosshairs of the city's most vicious thieve's guild.
The first thing you notice about Ben Decsrovich's city is that it is a sweet onion, many layers upon layers into a Gordion Knot Alexsander the Great couldn't cut through. His characterization of his subjects are consistent and dynamic, each with their own agenda and secrets that even George R. R. Martin, Janet Evanovich or Stephen King would have trouble weaving. The magic system is somewhat unique and accessible to the audience and the characters resonate with an eerie familiarity. Not to be missed!
I have now read a couple of Benjamins books and I am really impressed with his writing and his style.
These have all been really good stories and I have thoroughly enjoyed them.
The story follows Novice Kettna who is sent to Calimska to help solve some problems there with robbers and then becomes an Inspector of sorts to help.The magic involved is really good and all the characters were brilliantly written.
I am now looking forward to The Dragon Choir to find more about all these wonderful characters.
The good bits: a fascinating world history, though we don’t get enough of it in this shorter prelude to the series, plus a less than squeaky clean lead in Kettna, someone who’s nothing like the usual extraordinarily gifted powerhouse. A lot of tension between Kettna and her mother, between mages and non-mages, between guildsmen and not, between the powerful and those living on the edge, between various countries and (though here it’s mostly only hinted at) among the dragons themselves. Lots to work with and enjoy reading about, along with a complex plot filled with danger and duplicity—especially the mystery surrounding the Dragon Choir.
The awkward bits: clunky dialogue in places plus one unbelievable character, the mage assigned to protect Kettna. She’s just not believable in her assigned role as no bodyguard would start as many fights as she tried to. She makes excuses for herself but they don’t add up, nor does Kettna’s liking for her. She offers no cause for liking and is incompetent at her tasks in both arenas. Kettna herself has moments when she lapses out of character, but the plot often carried me past those points.
I’m interested in finding out where the author takes all this next in the first of the Dragon Choir series.
This should be read first. It sets the stage for the Dragon Choir. You can read as a stand about it you read them in order it makes a lot more sense. The main characters of the series are introduced in this book. Elrin No Name, who only aS ants to find his father; Kettna, who wants to find her missing luv,; and others. Mystery abounds, romance enters, magic is every where. All of this is combined by a fantastic author into a book that is "unput-downible. Highly recommended.
Really does the job of placing the main character in the beginning of dragon choir. The story doesn't following the main character but does introduce you to him and his world.
Dead Letter is one of four books from Pornokitsch SPFBO group, that still have chances to qualify for finals. That’s why I’ve picked it. I trust Jared’s taste in books. Additionally I want to increase number of indie / self-published books I read.
The story follows Novice Kettna who is sent to city of Calimska to solve a string of robberies. Kettna is daughter of Archmagus, she has strong intellect and vast knowledge but her practical skills in magic aren’t most impressive. Actually in order to shine she needs stimulants (like Mana frog). She accepts the mission for few reasons, one of them being finding her Love – Rix. It seems her parents prefer to make it safe for her as they sent guards with her: caustic and beautiful Adept Lanuille and two twins . In the city Kettna uncovers deadly conspiracy that threatens the great city.
I liked the writing – Benjamin Descovitch has rich vocabulary and uses it in elegant and effective way. Characters were introduced in interesting way that made me interested in them. Inspector Kettna is great heroine, she’s skillful, intelligent but she has some flaws and lost love that add some complexity. Her Mana level is low, so she can’t show off too much. Lanuille was great – a bitchy, cold character with some interesting background and future that seems even more interesting. There’s also Elrin who’s supposed to be main interest in Dragon’S Choir book that Dead Letter is a prequel to. It makes me hesitant to try it as I really didn’t care about Elrin at all. He seemed indistinct to me (sure he has backstory but it didn’t help).
Magic system is quite unique and interesting. I think it’s cool that the number of tattoos on hands show how advanced the magus is. Casting spells requires Mana. You can haveinnate Mana but you can also use stimulants like Mana Frog. Spells has fun names like Death Orb or Dread Shroud. Interesting magic system. I would be interested to learn more about it.
There’s one thing though that doesn’t allow me to praise the book. While I did enjoy the fantasy elements of the story, the pacing and adventure lost me. The book didn’t hold my attention well. For me it was just ok. I may reach for Dragon Choir in the future but I just don’t feel the need to do it anytime soon. Especially that Elrin, as a character, was most boring one in the story. At least for me.
I really enjoyed this detective type fantasy. Great world building and a very likable main character. Kettna has to leave the wizard's isle to do a year's civil duty with the city watch. She sees it as both a blessing and a punishment. She has disappointed her mother, the head of the order, by failing her trials and having a prohibited love affair. On the other hand, she hopes to find her lost love in the city. Calimska, a once great city, has now become mired in corruption. It has a two-tier system, those Guild affiliated and those not. Anyone not part of a guild has no prospects. The guilds run the city. It is also awash with crime and drugs. The watch commander, the Constable, virtually has his hands tied and a string of baffling crimes that he cannot solve. Kettna is thrust into the role of investigator, the only one on the force. More by logic and reason, than by magical means she comes to the conclusion that all the latest high profile crimes are connected. One by one she solves the mysteries, but when she finds out who is behind it all, she cannot act. A shadow hangs over her. I loved the character of Kettna, timid and logical, but with lots of quiet determination, she makes a great detective. I would recommend this to any fantasy fan who enjoys quiet reasoning as well as action.
A crime mystery set in a fantasy setting starts this prequel off on the right foot. Mystery, intrigue and political play sets the background for this story. Wonderful characters that don't start off power incarnate but in fact have doubts and secrets of their own as they try their best in a difficult situation trying to solve a set of crimes that at first leads in circles of thought and deductions. The characters immediately drew me in and the lack of minute detail of blood and gore makes this a refreshing read from many of the darker novels out there. The characters, the world and politics all draw you in wanting to know more. Benjamin Descovich's writing style draws you in simply and easily pulling you along with excitement as you cheer for Kettna to overcome the difficulties before her and solve the mystery as well as find her first love. Benjamin Descovich is definitely an author with a bright future ahead of him.I simply can't wait to reread the first 2 books in the series as I anxiously await the third installment. This author will soon be a must read in everyone's library.
This book was phenomenal. The plot was well thought out and had me turning pages faster than I could read them. There were a few things I had problems with that made me give the book 4 stars instead of 5, but they really weren't all that major. There were issues with how the characters spoke - they used either large amounts of slang and slurred their words together or were very posh and used very few contractions that most people would use (the one I noticed most was they are instead of they're, which in certain cases would be fine, but it was with everyone talking) and it messed with the natural flow of the sentence. If it had only been a few of the characters, like the upper class, then it would have been fine, but even middle class characters said it, and it made for very monotonous sounding characters. Despite that, the story was very gripping and I enjoyed every minute of it.
This prequel to the Dragon Choirs series was a free offer from the author's website, I think.
In another review I wrote something than on reflection read like a review of Pratchett's Discworld - magic, dragons, a sprawling city with low- and high-life ruled by a single man, guilds, the watch... While there are similarities the two are as different as chalk and cheese (or possibly cheddar and double gloucester... ). A well-constructed world, enough back history to be useful but not burdensome, geography, and an engagingly flawed protagonist. The plot is fast-moving but clear - a more than decent introduction!
I liked this story. It read a bit like a detective story, with Novice Kettna, being a newly appointed Inspector and looking into some thefts. I enjoyed the mystery, and following along as she learns the ropes, with her unwanted escort/bodyguard Lanuille. I really loved Kettna and Lanuille. The story and mystery unfolded at a nice pace. But I think what shined the most in this story, was the collection of characters that filled it. I also have to admit to being pretty surprised by one of the plot points which was nice. I’ll be back for Dragon’s Choir at some point.
I'll call it 3.5 but rounding up for great characters.
Having first read and enjoyed The Devil is in the Potato by this author I automatically moved onto this book Dead Letter. The style is similar and I have to say I enjoyed this more than the Devil is in The Potato book. I like the fantasy of mages and the hint of dragons and throw in a whodunnit with a fistful of twists and turns and lies and deceit and you've a mage-ish Sherlock Holmes-ish character shaping up. Just wondering who will materialise as the side-kick?
Need to move onto the next book from this author to and out more.
Disclosure: I was offered a free copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review.
An interesting tale set in a fantasy world that seems like it would be worth exploring more. A little bit too much was left "mysterious" for my liking, but it is a prologue to another tale so I suppose that makes sense. I liked the mystery of the main character's investigations, but I wish some of her relationships had been more fleshed out. Overall, an enjoyable tale with some interesting characters and a good start at world building.
This is a Prequel to Dragon Choir, and it serves the purpose of a prequel fairly well, as it gives the characters a bit more flesh. The writing quality is better than Dragon Choir, if 3.5 stars was an option, I would have given it. These books are not epic tales, but they make for a solid, quick read.
Dead Letter by Benjamin Descovich is a fantastic leap into murder, theft, and magic. Kentna is a mage in training sent by her mother, the arch-mage to a neighboring city state. She is made the inspector of the city. I truly enjoyed this book and want more. I mourn the end of this book. Fantastic book!
I have never read any of Benjamin Descovich books before this one, I was swept away from the beginning. A Fantasy full of magic with dragons on the horizon a lead character who is very naive but very resilient. A series of crime that do not seem related at first all add to the excitement. A great read. Enjoy it. I can't wait to read Dragons Choir. I'm sure it will be as exciting.
This was a totally different, stand alone story, that no one as done before! Once it starts you'll feel a little lost until the end where everything gets explained, but getting there was interesting. There are a few slow parts but they are easy to get past cause they are small. you'll most likely enjoy this book. Good Reading Everyone!
Great story line and well written, would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy books. Was a great addition to the series with the introduction of some new characters, who I hope make an appearance in the coming sequel. Yet again I was left wanting more.
Introduces a character story from an existing series. The story assumes that you've read the series and leaves out some things and explains others in excruciating detail.
Enjoyable read and I am now looking forward to reading Dragon Choir. The characters could have been fleshed out more but it was gripping enough to keep me entertainment.
Prequel/prelude to Dragon Choir, lot of things going on, check out the blurb or just go for it. I got it through a freebie from one of my sites, but he's always a good read.
Mr Descovich is a wonderful weaver of words, bringing the threads of the story together in a most unexpected climax. I look forward to reading more about Inspector Kettna!