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Empire of Masks #1
Highlords of Phaer
Born a slave, descended of kings, Jareen Velarius just wants to provide the best life he can for his family, but Eidolan is a realm that challenges even the most stalwart of souls. Caught between his masters and those brave or foolish enough to strike against them, Jareen struggles to reconcile his role as a dutiful slave with that of a man who desires to be free. His goal: to return his people to a life stolen by the highlords more than a millennium ago.
Auberon Victore, sorcerer, alchemist, son of a powerful overlord, and Jareen’s master, creates an alchemic compound he is certain will change the world; he just does not know how. Jareen sees it for the weapon that could break the sorcerers’ iron grasp wrapped around the necks of every lowborn in the empire. It will change the world, but not in the way his master desires.
Across the Tempest Sea, a mighty storm has raged for a thousand years, keeping a terrible, long-forgotten enemy at bay, an enemy whose cruelty knows no bounds. Only the perpetual storm and their fear of the sorcerer highlords keep the Necrophages from returning to Eidolan and cloaking the empire in death and darkness. But the tempest is waning, and the dissidents’ freedom may well come at the cost of their total destruction.
Auberon Victore, sorcerer, alchemist, son of a powerful overlord, and Jareen’s master, creates an alchemic compound he is certain will change the world; he just does not know how. Jareen sees it for the weapon that could break the sorcerers’ iron grasp wrapped around the necks of every lowborn in the empire. It will change the world, but not in the way his master desires.
Across the Tempest Sea, a mighty storm has raged for a thousand years, keeping a terrible, long-forgotten enemy at bay, an enemy whose cruelty knows no bounds. Only the perpetual storm and their fear of the sorcerer highlords keep the Necrophages from returning to Eidolan and cloaking the empire in death and darkness. But the tempest is waning, and the dissidents’ freedom may well come at the cost of their total destruction.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2016
14 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Brock E. Deskins
25 books172 followersBrock Deskins was born in a small town located in rural Oregon. At age twenty he joined the army and served as an M1A1 tank crewman, dental specialist, and computer analyst. While in the military he became an accomplished traveler, husband, and father of three wonderful children. Now out of the military he attends college to brush up on his skills as a computer analyst and gain new skills as a writer.
Update 2012: Received my degree in computer networking and devoting my full time and limited attention span to writing. Thanks to everyone who is making this dream a reality.
Update 2012: Received my degree in computer networking and devoting my full time and limited attention span to writing. Thanks to everyone who is making this dream a reality.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 1, 2017
I was given this book for an honest review.
When I started this book I had some concerns. I did not like the first chapter. I found the dialogue between the two highlord brothers contrived and almost to the point of making me groan. The author then, in the following chapters, dashes around his world introducing a prodigious host of characters and places in quick succession. It took me a while to properly retain the names and places. Unfortunately, there is neither a list of characters or a map included with this novel so I had to glance back and forth now and then until I could set the many characters and places to memory.
It is a good thing I did continue because, after this rocky start, the novel settled down into a steady stream of action, plot and character development, and an enjoyable pace. The author introduces a number of subplots that add excellent depth to the novel as well as significant twists to let everyone know not all goes as planned although the surprise ending has zero foreshadowing and had me thinking "What the...". Without a doubt, the novel draws the reader on without any dull stretches. I found the magic interesting, the pace brisk, the plots enjoyable and I give credit to the author to find the time to slip the odd funny thing in now and then. Too often fantasy novels are bereft of humor and are too morose. If I had any lament it would be a desire to better know the minds of some of the lesser characters as only two characters, Jareen and Quinlan, are reasonably fleshed out. I suppose the trade off of pace versus character development is always a challenge for any author and perhaps in this novel, it is best in the choice made, so I digress.
This is the first book of the Empire of Masks (guess a number)ology and the first book I have read by Brock E. Deskins. This is not a stand alone novel. When one finishes there are simply too many things unfinished that would require to read the next book. I have no idea how many novels are to be in the set, but in reviewing the author I note one other series of his is eight novels in length, an octalogy. If the author follows a similar plan he had best make sure the first novel is of sufficient quality to urge a reader to continue.
In a final analysis, I enjoyed the novel. It urged me to keep reading which is a good thing. It also is of sufficient quality to want me to read on in the series, a key element. The rocky start, lack of a map, plus the lack of foreshadowing the surprise ending, prevent a five star review, but it is, without a doubt, a solid four.
When I started this book I had some concerns. I did not like the first chapter. I found the dialogue between the two highlord brothers contrived and almost to the point of making me groan. The author then, in the following chapters, dashes around his world introducing a prodigious host of characters and places in quick succession. It took me a while to properly retain the names and places. Unfortunately, there is neither a list of characters or a map included with this novel so I had to glance back and forth now and then until I could set the many characters and places to memory.
It is a good thing I did continue because, after this rocky start, the novel settled down into a steady stream of action, plot and character development, and an enjoyable pace. The author introduces a number of subplots that add excellent depth to the novel as well as significant twists to let everyone know not all goes as planned although the surprise ending has zero foreshadowing and had me thinking "What the...". Without a doubt, the novel draws the reader on without any dull stretches. I found the magic interesting, the pace brisk, the plots enjoyable and I give credit to the author to find the time to slip the odd funny thing in now and then. Too often fantasy novels are bereft of humor and are too morose. If I had any lament it would be a desire to better know the minds of some of the lesser characters as only two characters, Jareen and Quinlan, are reasonably fleshed out. I suppose the trade off of pace versus character development is always a challenge for any author and perhaps in this novel, it is best in the choice made, so I digress.
This is the first book of the Empire of Masks (guess a number)ology and the first book I have read by Brock E. Deskins. This is not a stand alone novel. When one finishes there are simply too many things unfinished that would require to read the next book. I have no idea how many novels are to be in the set, but in reviewing the author I note one other series of his is eight novels in length, an octalogy. If the author follows a similar plan he had best make sure the first novel is of sufficient quality to urge a reader to continue.
In a final analysis, I enjoyed the novel. It urged me to keep reading which is a good thing. It also is of sufficient quality to want me to read on in the series, a key element. The rocky start, lack of a map, plus the lack of foreshadowing the surprise ending, prevent a five star review, but it is, without a doubt, a solid four.
March 19, 2017
This is a really good start to a series, easily on par with those of better known authors. I won’t say I couldn’t put it down, but I certainly didn’t want to. A real page turner, as the saying goes. From very early on you begin to like, and hate, the various characters and want to know what happens to them. There are a number of different interwoven story lines, but they are easy to follow and you don’t get lost. Some converge while others will do so in later books. If you enjoy fantasy, you should give this one a try. It is the best I have read is quite a while. Most books have something that could have been done differently to make them more enjoyable, but I am struggling to find something like that for this one. It is well thought out and well written. It keeps a constant pace so you don’t get bored in any part of it.
You may well be wondering why I only gave it 4 stars if it is such a good book. I have strict criteria for a book to receive 5 stars; it either has to contain something that really surprises me or it grips me so much that I want to read it over and over again. I feel a little guilty for only giving 4, but it does not meet my criteria and I have to stick to it, else 5 stars becomes meaningless. I think most reviews would give this the full 5. For me, the story does not quite have that element that grabs me. I need to fall in love with a character or two and, while the individual characters are great, none quite hit that mark. It is personal thing and I hope that others disagree with me as it is well worth the read.
You may well be wondering why I only gave it 4 stars if it is such a good book. I have strict criteria for a book to receive 5 stars; it either has to contain something that really surprises me or it grips me so much that I want to read it over and over again. I feel a little guilty for only giving 4, but it does not meet my criteria and I have to stick to it, else 5 stars becomes meaningless. I think most reviews would give this the full 5. For me, the story does not quite have that element that grabs me. I need to fall in love with a character or two and, while the individual characters are great, none quite hit that mark. It is personal thing and I hope that others disagree with me as it is well worth the read.
January 10, 2017
I received this book for an honest review, and I thought I wouldn't enjoy it half as much as I did. I found myself pleasantly surprised.
The main character (Jareen) starts out without much depth to him, but with just enough hint of something simmering beneath his servile façade. When his world comes crumbling down around him, his response is to strike back—a sentiment I found believable and deepened the character greatly.
The world was rich, well-described, and drew me in. I found myself turning the pages without hesitation, as I wanted to find out what came next. The antagonist was a well-written character, and the story overall was clever, with great plot twists and turns.
It did feel a bit "all over the place" at times, and there were a few parts that lagged—I had to force myself to keep reading, rather than being drawn into the story. However, overall a VERY good book, one I'd highly recommend to any fantasy reader.
The main character (Jareen) starts out without much depth to him, but with just enough hint of something simmering beneath his servile façade. When his world comes crumbling down around him, his response is to strike back—a sentiment I found believable and deepened the character greatly.
The world was rich, well-described, and drew me in. I found myself turning the pages without hesitation, as I wanted to find out what came next. The antagonist was a well-written character, and the story overall was clever, with great plot twists and turns.
It did feel a bit "all over the place" at times, and there were a few parts that lagged—I had to force myself to keep reading, rather than being drawn into the story. However, overall a VERY good book, one I'd highly recommend to any fantasy reader.
August 23, 2020
Probably a four star book, rather than a five star one, but this series definitely deserves more attention, so I decided to up my rating accordingly.
Miles ahead of most self-published stuff out there.
So, yes... Read it!
I'm not sure what to compare it to, but I had as much fun reading this as I've had reading something like Powder Mage, Mistborn, or Riyria...
Miles ahead of most self-published stuff out there.
So, yes... Read it!
I'm not sure what to compare it to, but I had as much fun reading this as I've had reading something like Powder Mage, Mistborn, or Riyria...
May 4, 2025
Bravo
This was a really good book. Multiple POV’s with multiple nuanced characters. No traditional black and white sides plus the characters were highly intelligent. A Fantasy Thriller.
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 1/5
Narration: na
Favorite line: “patience walks hand and hand with prudence”
This was a really good book. Multiple POV’s with multiple nuanced characters. No traditional black and white sides plus the characters were highly intelligent. A Fantasy Thriller.
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 1/5
Narration: na
Favorite line: “patience walks hand and hand with prudence”
June 1, 2017
Excellent Story
Unpredictable with well developed characters, the story of a complacent slave that becomes the leader of a rebellion, is riveting. The twist at the end is exciting and makes you wonder if you should have supported the protagonist. Excellent.
Unpredictable with well developed characters, the story of a complacent slave that becomes the leader of a rebellion, is riveting. The twist at the end is exciting and makes you wonder if you should have supported the protagonist. Excellent.
July 12, 2017
I really good prequel to the series!
May 15, 2025
Wow
I enjoyed everything from the character development to the world building and magic system in this book and can’t wait to read the sequel.
I enjoyed everything from the character development to the world building and magic system in this book and can’t wait to read the sequel.
October 7, 2016
Highlords of Phaer is a fantastic prequel to the Empire of Masks series. It details the slave-led rebellion and the creation of the present world and politics of Hedon and the principal land of Eidolan. Jareen Velarius, a slave, uses technology invented by his master to combat the oppressive sorcerer highlords. With nothing left to lose but his life, Jareen will stop at nothing to bring an empire to its knees.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews