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Chronicles of the Black Gate #0.5
Escape from Bythos
How did Asho end up as Lord Kyferin's squire?
Escape from Bythos leads seamlessly into the novel The Path of Flames (sample chapters included at back of this novella), detailing how Asho acquired his freedom against all odds and escaped the slave city of Bythos.
All Ennoian knights must sacrifice a single year of their lives to garrison the subterranean city of Bythos. Known as their Black Year, it is a time both loathed and dreaded. Lord Kyferin, the infamous leader of the Black Wolves, is down in the depths with six of his knights. Biding his time. Whoring. Dreaming of bloody invasions he'll launch when he is free to return to Ennoia.
Then a Bythian slave brings word of dangerous prey. A legendary monster. A cavekiller. Kyferin chooses to mount a hunt, taking a fraction of the men needed so as to increase his glory. This cavekiller, however, is different. More lethal. Ferocious. And the Bythian slave that Kyferin brings as a guide is none other than Asho's father...
Escape from Bythos leads seamlessly into the novel The Path of Flames (sample chapters included at back of this novella), detailing how Asho acquired his freedom against all odds and escaped the slave city of Bythos.
All Ennoian knights must sacrifice a single year of their lives to garrison the subterranean city of Bythos. Known as their Black Year, it is a time both loathed and dreaded. Lord Kyferin, the infamous leader of the Black Wolves, is down in the depths with six of his knights. Biding his time. Whoring. Dreaming of bloody invasions he'll launch when he is free to return to Ennoia.
Then a Bythian slave brings word of dangerous prey. A legendary monster. A cavekiller. Kyferin chooses to mount a hunt, taking a fraction of the men needed so as to increase his glory. This cavekiller, however, is different. More lethal. Ferocious. And the Bythian slave that Kyferin brings as a guide is none other than Asho's father...
107 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2016
About the author
Phil Tucker
48 books1,380 followersThanks for visiting my page! I'm Phil Tucker, a Brazilian/Brit who currently resides in Asheville, NC, where I resist the siren call of the forests and mountains to sit inside and hammer away on my laptop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 15, 2017
This prequel to the Chronicles of the Black Gate series fulfills everything one could want from such a story. It is richly suspenseful, hints at lots of interesting possibilities to come while introducing a world and characters that I look forward to learning more about in the near future. This is my first time reading something by this author and I can't wait to do so again!
March 31, 2020
Escape from Bythos
By: Phil Tucker
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
Series: Chronicles of the Black Gate, Book 0.5
This is a short story about morals, courage, right and wrong, slave and master, a cave dwelling monster, and fate. It is short but has a lot thrown in there! It has all this and more!
The narrator has the perfect voice for this story!
By: Phil Tucker
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
Series: Chronicles of the Black Gate, Book 0.5
This is a short story about morals, courage, right and wrong, slave and master, a cave dwelling monster, and fate. It is short but has a lot thrown in there! It has all this and more!
The narrator has the perfect voice for this story!
October 11, 2017
This short story was my introduction to the Black Gate Chronicles, and has really set me up for, what promises to be, a very interesting and exciting series.
Although the book starts and ends with the children, Asho and Shaya, it is their father Zekko who is the main protagonist and hero of the story.
Zekko is a slave, as will his children, and their children … always be. Always in servitude and calling other men master. That is the way of things, as decreed by the Ascendant. But now with his children about to be sent away to an indentured life of hell, he starts to have doubts, and to entertain thoughts of revolution against the Ennoian masters. His children discovering a dangerous cavekiller in the mines, provides him with a strategem to test the will of the Ascendant, to see whether revolution is the right thing to do. The Ennoians have a duty to protect their slaves from outside threats. “If they respond, as is their duty, if they fulfil their spiritual contract and kill the monster, then – then it is a sign that Ascendancy is coherent, that it works, that all is as it is meant to be”.
Zekko leads the Ennoian Black Wolves, a crack company of soldiers led by Lord Enderl Kyferin, into the mines to slaughter the beast. Kyferin is an arrogant war hero, who fears nothing and treats slaves with the contempt he believes they deserve. Zekko finds him “brutal, cruel, selfish and practically inhuman” and a clear sign that the Ennoians deserve to be overthrown. However, the hunt does not turn out the way either man would have expected, and both Zekko and Kyferin are compelled to revise their opinions of each other, and their places in the world.
This story looks at the true meaning of bravery – in the face of suicidal odds, and in the face of confronting ingrained customs and religious imperatives. It also looks at bigotry – on the sides of both oppressors and the oppressed. Can a slaver ever be a good man?
I am really looking forward now to getting into the series proper.
Although the book starts and ends with the children, Asho and Shaya, it is their father Zekko who is the main protagonist and hero of the story.
Zekko is a slave, as will his children, and their children … always be. Always in servitude and calling other men master. That is the way of things, as decreed by the Ascendant. But now with his children about to be sent away to an indentured life of hell, he starts to have doubts, and to entertain thoughts of revolution against the Ennoian masters. His children discovering a dangerous cavekiller in the mines, provides him with a strategem to test the will of the Ascendant, to see whether revolution is the right thing to do. The Ennoians have a duty to protect their slaves from outside threats. “If they respond, as is their duty, if they fulfil their spiritual contract and kill the monster, then – then it is a sign that Ascendancy is coherent, that it works, that all is as it is meant to be”.
Zekko leads the Ennoian Black Wolves, a crack company of soldiers led by Lord Enderl Kyferin, into the mines to slaughter the beast. Kyferin is an arrogant war hero, who fears nothing and treats slaves with the contempt he believes they deserve. Zekko finds him “brutal, cruel, selfish and practically inhuman” and a clear sign that the Ennoians deserve to be overthrown. However, the hunt does not turn out the way either man would have expected, and both Zekko and Kyferin are compelled to revise their opinions of each other, and their places in the world.
This story looks at the true meaning of bravery – in the face of suicidal odds, and in the face of confronting ingrained customs and religious imperatives. It also looks at bigotry – on the sides of both oppressors and the oppressed. Can a slaver ever be a good man?
I am really looking forward now to getting into the series proper.
March 21, 2024
Revolution or forced servitude...which will it be. Wow, what an introduction
January 23, 2017
I loved learning the backstory of how Asho ended up where he was. It was a lot more interesting than I'd imagined. Another great effort from Tucker, who is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Rating: 9.5/10
Rating: 9.5/10
September 27, 2017
Not a bad story from the background of some of the characters from his solid series of fantasy novels, but not what I`ve really been expecting.
This is a very short text in wich we have only a glimpse (I`ve hoped for more!!!) of an unknown stage from the past of the characters, proving, in my opinion, that the writer needs more space to truly build a complete character.
I wasn`t convinced by his effort here, I guess that I was expecting something in the league of a novella, because he is such a good writer of characters, and I`ll go with 2 stars and a half for this one.
This is a very short text in wich we have only a glimpse (I`ve hoped for more!!!) of an unknown stage from the past of the characters, proving, in my opinion, that the writer needs more space to truly build a complete character.
I wasn`t convinced by his effort here, I guess that I was expecting something in the league of a novella, because he is such a good writer of characters, and I`ll go with 2 stars and a half for this one.
October 4, 2017
A short but engaging read, with deft world building and engaging characters. Recommended.
December 3, 2016
This was so good I proceeded to read the first book in the series.
I won't lie. I checked out this series before but hesitated to start it after learning it'll be a 5-book series with the first book close to 700pp. I started the short story hoping to be justified in stopping or at least not be spurred to start the series.
But this short story piques curiosity such that to not proceed to THE PATH OF FLAMES requires more fortitude than I apparently possess.
Well play, Mr. Tucker. Well played.
I won't lie. I checked out this series before but hesitated to start it after learning it'll be a 5-book series with the first book close to 700pp. I started the short story hoping to be justified in stopping or at least not be spurred to start the series.
But this short story piques curiosity such that to not proceed to THE PATH OF FLAMES requires more fortitude than I apparently possess.
Well play, Mr. Tucker. Well played.
November 6, 2017
Enderl Kyferin really needed to have appeared more in the first book, and here this novella shows how interesting his character was.
The pace of the first book was great possibly because it didn't have flashbacks (characters thought of the past like in ASOIAF) but starting so in the middle of things didn't allow Kyferin, a character who really influenced pretty much everyone in the main cast in major ways, to really shine and he really would have.
Yes, there would be a problem with the timeline and most likely if the book followed Asho's journey from that time most likely Path of Flames would be book 2 or even 3...
Nevertheless, this was a needed story to see Kyrferin and a little of Asho and reasons and motivations.
The pace of the first book was great possibly because it didn't have flashbacks (characters thought of the past like in ASOIAF) but starting so in the middle of things didn't allow Kyferin, a character who really influenced pretty much everyone in the main cast in major ways, to really shine and he really would have.
Yes, there would be a problem with the timeline and most likely if the book followed Asho's journey from that time most likely Path of Flames would be book 2 or even 3...
Nevertheless, this was a needed story to see Kyrferin and a little of Asho and reasons and motivations.
December 27, 2022
I liked this short prequel novella more than the first book in the series. It's a quick read and allows a glimpse into this new world while not spoiling anything, as it's set before book one.
Easy to follow, interesting action scenes and an adventure made for an engaging read that I blew threw in just one go.
Easy to follow, interesting action scenes and an adventure made for an engaging read that I blew threw in just one go.
April 3, 2018
A quick entertaining read detailing how Asho ended up in the service of Enderl Kyferin. It was a nice bit of info to have. I've been meaning to read this for a long time. Short and not-really-sweet but good all the same. :)
April 12, 2019
This was a fantastic short introduction to Asho, Lord Kyferin, and the background elements that lead into the Chronicles of the Black Gate!
As always, Noah Michael Levine's performance was amazing.
As always, Noah Michael Levine's performance was amazing.
May 4, 2025
Good intro to the series!
March 4, 2017
Short and bloody. I liked Zekko, I appreciate his struggle with the fate of the Bythians and I now know that Enderl Kyferin was self aware and knew he was a butcher.
October 1, 2023
Introduction:
In the icy realms of HowlStrom, where the frost bites and the winds howl, I, Kiba Snowpaw, an Alpha Ice Wolf with the mastery of ice magic, find solace in the mystical world of literature. Amidst the eternal winter that graces my world every century, I stumbled upon a gem, an audiobook that echoed the cold, harsh, yet beautifully savage nature of my icy abode - "Escape from Bythos" by Phil Tucker.
Basic Plot Summary:
In the subterranean slave city of Bythos, Asho’s destiny is as cold and unforgiving as the icy plains of HowlStrom. A slave, bound to serve, until fate and a cavekiller monster intertwine his path with Lord Kyferin, the infamous leader of the Black Wolves. It’s a dance of destiny, as chilling as the frosty air that graces my fur, a tale of escape, freedom, and the icy chains of servitude.
Analysis/Evaluation:
As an Alpha Ice Wolf, I found a kinship with Asho’s icy chains of servitude, a reflection of the frost that binds my world. Tucker’s narrative is as intricate as the frosty patterns that grace the windows of my icy abode. It’s a tale that resonates, echoing the cold, harsh yet liberating winters of HowlStrom.
Characters:
Asho, a slave, yet with the spirit as untamable as the icy winds of my world. Lord Kyferin, a leader, as cold and unforgiving as the eternal winter, yet with depths as mysterious as the icy caves of HowlStrom. Their dance of destiny is a symphony of frost and fire, a narrative as complex as the icy patterns that grace my world.
Structure:
Tucker weaves a narrative as intricate as the frosty patterns that adorn the icy plains of HowlStrom. Each chapter, a snowflake, unique, chilling, yet beautifully savage. It’s a dance of words, as graceful as the icy winds that howl through the frosty air.
Impact:
In the icy silence of HowlStrom’s eternal winter, "Escape from Bythos" echoed a melody of freedom, a song of icy chains and frosty liberation. It’s a narrative that lingers, as persistent as the frost that graces the icy plains of my world.
Hook and Thesis:
In the dance of frost and fire, where slaves are bound and leaders are as cold as the icy winds, there lies a tale of escape, as chilling, yet liberating as the eternal winters of HowlStrom.
Praise and Critique:
Tucker’s narrative is as intricate as the icy patterns of HowlStrom, yet at times, the frost seems to overtake the fire, the cold narrative echoing the chilling silence of an eternal winter. Yet, in this icy dance, there lies a warmth, a tale of freedom, as liberating as the thawing springs of HowlStrom.
Evaluation:
As an Alpha Ice Wolf, with the mastery of ice magic, I found solace in Tucker’s frosty narrative. It’s a tale that resonates, echoing the icy chains and frosty liberation that graces the world of HowlStrom.
Comparison:
In the icy realms of literature, where frosty narratives and chilly tales abound, "Escape from Bythos" stands as a monument, as enduring as the icy peaks of HowlStrom. It’s a narrative that echoes the cold, harsh yet beautifully savage nature of my icy abode.
Conclusion:
As the icy winds howl through the frosty air, and the eternal winter graces the world of HowlStrom, I, Kiba Snowpaw, an Alpha Ice Wolf with the mastery of ice magic, find solace in the icy chains and frosty liberation of "Escape from Bythos". It’s a tale that lingers, as persistent as the frost that adorns the icy plains of my world, a narrative as chilling, yet liberating as the eternal winters of HowlStrom.
In the words that echo the LitRPG realms, “In every level, there’s a new devil,” and in the icy dance of frost and fire, slaves and leaders, "Escape from Bythos" unveils a level where the devils are as cold as the icy winds, yet the dance of destiny is as warm as the thawing springs of HowlStrom. A howl in the frost, a song of icy chains and frosty liberation.
In the icy realms of HowlStrom, where the frost bites and the winds howl, I, Kiba Snowpaw, an Alpha Ice Wolf with the mastery of ice magic, find solace in the mystical world of literature. Amidst the eternal winter that graces my world every century, I stumbled upon a gem, an audiobook that echoed the cold, harsh, yet beautifully savage nature of my icy abode - "Escape from Bythos" by Phil Tucker.
Basic Plot Summary:
In the subterranean slave city of Bythos, Asho’s destiny is as cold and unforgiving as the icy plains of HowlStrom. A slave, bound to serve, until fate and a cavekiller monster intertwine his path with Lord Kyferin, the infamous leader of the Black Wolves. It’s a dance of destiny, as chilling as the frosty air that graces my fur, a tale of escape, freedom, and the icy chains of servitude.
Analysis/Evaluation:
As an Alpha Ice Wolf, I found a kinship with Asho’s icy chains of servitude, a reflection of the frost that binds my world. Tucker’s narrative is as intricate as the frosty patterns that grace the windows of my icy abode. It’s a tale that resonates, echoing the cold, harsh yet liberating winters of HowlStrom.
Characters:
Asho, a slave, yet with the spirit as untamable as the icy winds of my world. Lord Kyferin, a leader, as cold and unforgiving as the eternal winter, yet with depths as mysterious as the icy caves of HowlStrom. Their dance of destiny is a symphony of frost and fire, a narrative as complex as the icy patterns that grace my world.
Structure:
Tucker weaves a narrative as intricate as the frosty patterns that adorn the icy plains of HowlStrom. Each chapter, a snowflake, unique, chilling, yet beautifully savage. It’s a dance of words, as graceful as the icy winds that howl through the frosty air.
Impact:
In the icy silence of HowlStrom’s eternal winter, "Escape from Bythos" echoed a melody of freedom, a song of icy chains and frosty liberation. It’s a narrative that lingers, as persistent as the frost that graces the icy plains of my world.
Hook and Thesis:
In the dance of frost and fire, where slaves are bound and leaders are as cold as the icy winds, there lies a tale of escape, as chilling, yet liberating as the eternal winters of HowlStrom.
Praise and Critique:
Tucker’s narrative is as intricate as the icy patterns of HowlStrom, yet at times, the frost seems to overtake the fire, the cold narrative echoing the chilling silence of an eternal winter. Yet, in this icy dance, there lies a warmth, a tale of freedom, as liberating as the thawing springs of HowlStrom.
Evaluation:
As an Alpha Ice Wolf, with the mastery of ice magic, I found solace in Tucker’s frosty narrative. It’s a tale that resonates, echoing the icy chains and frosty liberation that graces the world of HowlStrom.
Comparison:
In the icy realms of literature, where frosty narratives and chilly tales abound, "Escape from Bythos" stands as a monument, as enduring as the icy peaks of HowlStrom. It’s a narrative that echoes the cold, harsh yet beautifully savage nature of my icy abode.
Conclusion:
As the icy winds howl through the frosty air, and the eternal winter graces the world of HowlStrom, I, Kiba Snowpaw, an Alpha Ice Wolf with the mastery of ice magic, find solace in the icy chains and frosty liberation of "Escape from Bythos". It’s a tale that lingers, as persistent as the frost that adorns the icy plains of my world, a narrative as chilling, yet liberating as the eternal winters of HowlStrom.
In the words that echo the LitRPG realms, “In every level, there’s a new devil,” and in the icy dance of frost and fire, slaves and leaders, "Escape from Bythos" unveils a level where the devils are as cold as the icy winds, yet the dance of destiny is as warm as the thawing springs of HowlStrom. A howl in the frost, a song of icy chains and frosty liberation.
March 28, 2019
This is engaging - I've put the first full book on my Wish List. My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
Bythos is a slave city, the bottom (subterranean) of the classes in the Ascendant Empire. Zekko is a worker who has lived under the oppressive regime wondering how his gods can allow this system. Zekko’s children, Asho and his younger sister Shaya, will soon be of age to face the Choosing process where they will be evaluated to be sent to a life of servitude in the next level or contemned to remain as a slave in Bythos.
The children seek adventure by going into a forbidden mine, where legends tell of a killing monster, the cavekiller. They are frightened back to their father to let him know that there is a living cavekiller deep in the shaft. This will require action by the Ennoian knights who are serving their year in the loathed city. Zekko seeks out Lord Kyferin who agrees to take a small force to face the cavekiller even though legends indicate that only a large group of fighters should face the monster. Kyferin directs Zekko to be the guide into the depths of the mine.
Zekko has been approached by his work friends who are recruiting to rebel against the higher realms. This has pushed Zekko into a mindset of confusion and he has to contemplate his faith and tradition. He has choices to make as he could lead the knights with protective or deadly motives. When they face the battle, Zekko makes a sacrifice that will change his life and the lives of his family.
I know (knew) nothing about this series but I like fantasies with class battles and dangerous creatures. This is a short novella that explains how Asho ends up where he is for the following books. The characters were well developed, and the world building was displayed through the lifestyles and actions of the characters. I found the story engaging and I would be willing to listen to more in the series.
Audio Notes: Noah Michael Levine does a nice job with the narration. He portrays the characters with appropriate voices and emotion. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Bythos is a slave city, the bottom (subterranean) of the classes in the Ascendant Empire. Zekko is a worker who has lived under the oppressive regime wondering how his gods can allow this system. Zekko’s children, Asho and his younger sister Shaya, will soon be of age to face the Choosing process where they will be evaluated to be sent to a life of servitude in the next level or contemned to remain as a slave in Bythos.
The children seek adventure by going into a forbidden mine, where legends tell of a killing monster, the cavekiller. They are frightened back to their father to let him know that there is a living cavekiller deep in the shaft. This will require action by the Ennoian knights who are serving their year in the loathed city. Zekko seeks out Lord Kyferin who agrees to take a small force to face the cavekiller even though legends indicate that only a large group of fighters should face the monster. Kyferin directs Zekko to be the guide into the depths of the mine.
Zekko has been approached by his work friends who are recruiting to rebel against the higher realms. This has pushed Zekko into a mindset of confusion and he has to contemplate his faith and tradition. He has choices to make as he could lead the knights with protective or deadly motives. When they face the battle, Zekko makes a sacrifice that will change his life and the lives of his family.
I know (knew) nothing about this series but I like fantasies with class battles and dangerous creatures. This is a short novella that explains how Asho ends up where he is for the following books. The characters were well developed, and the world building was displayed through the lifestyles and actions of the characters. I found the story engaging and I would be willing to listen to more in the series.
Audio Notes: Noah Michael Levine does a nice job with the narration. He portrays the characters with appropriate voices and emotion. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
February 26, 2018
I THINK I came across this through Instafreebie, though I'm not 100% certain. In any case, the cover art caught my eye, and I figured, why not. The description was pretty sparse - 'how X became Y's squire' - and having not read any of the Black Gate novels, this meant nothing to me, but I figured the point was to get a reader excited about the series, so what the hell.
I really dug this. Essentially this novella is a build to a fight scene with a lot of good character buildup before and after. The "after" part feels a LITTLE forced (it felt like this could have been developed a bit more, probably about 1.5x worth what was here), but still, it works to get us propelled to (I assume) where Book 1 begins.
The two things I liked the most were 1) that the father in this (Zekko?) was really well-developed, as was his crisis of faith. Considering he's NOT X or Y in the summary above, I was pleasantly surprised that Tucker was able to delve deeply into this character who, I have to assume, is not even in the main series. And, 2) the world feels very alive in an inviting way. This reminded me a lot of the short stories that used to be included with the AD&D Dark Sun supplements - not only was it a fun, intriguing story, but it made the reader want to learn more about the world. I really want to know, what's up w/these gates? How exactly does their religion work? So many things where I got enough info to intrigue me, but no real answers.
I really dug this. Essentially this novella is a build to a fight scene with a lot of good character buildup before and after. The "after" part feels a LITTLE forced (it felt like this could have been developed a bit more, probably about 1.5x worth what was here), but still, it works to get us propelled to (I assume) where Book 1 begins.
The two things I liked the most were 1) that the father in this (Zekko?) was really well-developed, as was his crisis of faith. Considering he's NOT X or Y in the summary above, I was pleasantly surprised that Tucker was able to delve deeply into this character who, I have to assume, is not even in the main series. And, 2) the world feels very alive in an inviting way. This reminded me a lot of the short stories that used to be included with the AD&D Dark Sun supplements - not only was it a fun, intriguing story, but it made the reader want to learn more about the world. I really want to know, what's up w/these gates? How exactly does their religion work? So many things where I got enough info to intrigue me, but no real answers.
August 10, 2018
I prefer to read/listen to books in published order. I completed this excellent short story after finishing the series, Chronicles of the Black Gate. However, this book can be completed where ever the listener prefers. There are no spoilers in this book to ruin the other books in the series.
The story is a plus to the series, giving a bit of background to some of the main characters.
Noah Michael Levine does a fine job with the narration.
The story is a plus to the series, giving a bit of background to some of the main characters.
Noah Michael Levine does a fine job with the narration.
October 11, 2017
Excellent short story (read in under an hour) telling some of the background to the full Chronicles of the Black Gate series.
While the short story doesn't go into much detail on the world, races, geography etc this doesn't hinder enjoyment as a standalone work, as well as being a nice opener for the series as a whole.
While the short story doesn't go into much detail on the world, races, geography etc this doesn't hinder enjoyment as a standalone work, as well as being a nice opener for the series as a whole.
July 20, 2019
I just went through the entire series which I enjoyed for the most part, and I started with this story... I can't imagine how confused I would have been at the beginning of The Path of Flames without reading this first, and I imagine certain parts in the rest of the series would have been less fulfilling as well. If you're intending to get into this series, I highly recommend starting with this.
January 7, 2020
I think this was one of the most intriguing openers I have ever read; the children of a slave who saved a lord gets a chance to leave the mines and see the world above as free men. It leaves so much potential for world building. Unfortunately the main character: the son is boring as ****, I hope he develops a personality in the first book.
May 16, 2022
See it's weird because when you buy the Kindle edition it's shown as a 100-page book. However, more than a half of those 100 pages are just the first five chapters of 'The Path of Flames', which I thought was a little misleading but I didn't mind it that much. I expected it to dive a bit into Asho's life after he reached Ennoia, but it didn't, unfortunately.
November 30, 2017
Bitter sweet
Bitter because the Bythian are the playthings of Ennoian and the entire. Sweet because Asho hopes for a future and Zekko sacrifice of self and all that makes his life tolerable.
Bitter because the Bythian are the playthings of Ennoian and the entire. Sweet because Asho hopes for a future and Zekko sacrifice of self and all that makes his life tolerable.
September 9, 2019
While I enjoyed the prequel after the sequel, I wish I had read the prequel first. :) I read this series very recently for the first time and didn't know there was a prequel. I enjoyed the book after the fact but knowing what I know, I wish it was longer and had more explanation. If I had read it first, I think I would be satisfied with the level of detail that I did get with this installment.
If you were to read this series, read this one first, in my humble opinion.
If you were to read this series, read this one first, in my humble opinion.
November 7, 2023
This is very well written and the characters have so much life. I read it on Audible and the narration added so much to the overall story. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has to offer.
November 11, 2016
If you liked Path of Flames and The Black Shriving, then you really should read this. Reveals how Asho and his sister, Shaya, ended up at Kyferin Castle.
June 16, 2017
Good story about Asho's life before.
July 1, 2017
3.5 stars
September 15, 2017
This was a good addition to the series but much shorter than I expected. I did enjoy learning about what exactly happened to Zekko and why Lord Kyferin took Asho and Shaya out of Bythos.
October 4, 2017
great world building and complex characters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews