The Horse Lord

Book of Years #1

by Peter Morwood

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B01NAFAEGE


“The descriptive writing is gripping, the characters strongly drawn […] An intensive read.” Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Review Annual

He will have his revenge.

Aldric Talvalin has had his family torn from him.

Now he is on a mission to seek vengeance on those responsible.

But the path to achieve his complete his retribution is waylaid when Aldric is attacked and brought to his knees.

Seeking the care of an old wizard, Gemmel, he is nursed back to health. But as recompense, he has a particular mission in mind for the hero.

Meanwhile, forces of evil are at work to destroy Aldric, making his mission all the more difficult.

Alone, he ventures off through dangerous lands in discovery of the legendary Dragonwand, a powerful tool and weapon long sought after by Gemmel.

But he won’t be alone for long. With an unlikely companion, Aldric must battle onwards and affirm his destiny as the hero he is.

Trouble, danger, and even romance face Aldric on his perilous adventure.

And the question remains:

Will he succeed in his vengeful purpose?

The Horse Lord is a gripping epic fantasy adventure from renowned author Peter Morwood. It is the first of the Book of Years series.

Praise for Peter Morwood:

“The descriptive writing is gripping, the characters strongly drawn […] An intensive read.” Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Review Annual

Peter Morwood is primarily a fantasy novelist and screenwriter, though he has also written works of science fiction. His best-known works include the Horse Lords series (in two sequences) and the Tales of Old Russia series.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Sword and Sorcery, Epic Fantasy, Amazon, Science Fiction

254 pages, ebook

First published November 10, 1983

About the author

Peter Morwood was an Irish novelist and screenwriter. He is best known for his Horse Lords and Tales of Old Russia series. He lived in Ireland with his wife, writer Diane Duane, with whom he co-authored several works.

Reviews

[Ian Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like a novel written by someone who has played Dungeons and Dragons style role playing games. After some scene setting chapters a catastrophy occurs to Aldric and his family, and he sets out to get revenge. He meets a bunch of helpful people along the way including an extremely powerful wizard. The setting is a typical fantasy-medieval one, with a hybrid European-Samurai culture.

Given how powerful wizards are in this book, it seemed surprising to me that all three wizards in the story are on the edges of society rather than occupying the topmost positions of power. The story hums along and hits most the typical tropes of the genre including those popularised by J.R.R. Tolkien. While there is nothing particularly wrong with the book, it felt like there was nothing new here.

The edition I have is illustrated with drawings by the author. There are sequels but I doubt if I will seek them out.

[Boulder Boulderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, it's fine. Young lad, family murdered, ancient mentor, fetch quest, battle. Nothing wrong with it but nothing special either, and between the constant reference to kailin and taikin and all the rest of the pseudo-Japanese nonsense I felt thoroughly disconnected and disengaged from all of the characters. Not dreadful but not recommended.

Oh, and aside from a few references to the Horse Lords, nothing about this novel is anything to do with horses. They're Sword Lords, I'll give them that, but horse? No.

[Rosie Rizk · Rating 3 out of 5]

On its own, the book is ok, but compared to others in this genre, it's such a typical run of the mill fantasy. There's nothing about it that makes it stick out. There's the boy, coming of age, who loses his family, apprentices to a wizard, and then goes out to fight the rising evil wizards.

The world was nicely built with a strong history and culture. But that's probably the best thing I can think of. Unless you're excited by Mr. Hero's superior swordsmanship in every situation.

I did get the feeling that this might have been a very slow startup to something interesting, since there are several ways the series can grow into a more mature and captivating read, but if that's the case, then I hope the next books are written better, and don't drag out the boring bits instead of fleshing out the important parts.

I'm not sure if I'll get around to reading the next book in the series. It'll probably sit on my "to read" list for several years, while I have more interesting items to peruse.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[James Traxler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this back when I was about 13 years old.
I enjoyed it back then - at the time, I'd come off the back of reading Lord of the Rings, The Belgariad, Thomas Convenant, etc. over the previous couple of years.
This book is a pretty easy and quick read, but it is very much of the usual formula of this kind of fantasy novel. The magic system is fairly limited in detail but it's is nice to hear about the various bits of armour and sword-work and so on.
Basically, it's about a young man who is amazing at everything (!) and something bad happens to him and he sets out for revenge...
I've been holding onto my copy of this for all of these decades - probably now time to let it go :) :(

[Matt Turnbull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Under-rated series. Although the writing style is a little funky, he does - I think - an admirable job of composition such that the characters' emotional state comes through. And this is a fantastic story!

[John Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pretty sure I read this book about 30 years ago. Still, it was fast paced and enjoyable. The characters were interesting and complex, with realistic flaws. I enjoyed it overall.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.

I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)

First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you like Katherine Kerr's Deverry series? Then you'll might enjoy this. Similar to Deverry, this is the kind of book that spends a lot of time narrating how the world works in the driest way possible. Flashbacks, long lectures from mentors, in depth descriptions...Coupled with the story being rather formulaic, it stopped being engaging about half way in.

I still enjoyed the characters and the general tone of the story, but I feel like Moorwood spent too long on the least interesting parts of the plot. The setting was a bit all over the place (it seemingly drew heavily from Japanese samurai culture, but didn't think about where it was putting those cultural points in the European style setting) and the characters felt quite flat.

I don't think I'd recommend this when there are so many better classic fantasy stories with similar writing styles (like Deverry, or Andre Norton's Witch World) – that said, it's not the worst fantasy story I've ever read!

[Stuart Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the old straightforward fantasy that we used to read back in the 80s. Not too many wrinkles and a very linear story without any true explanation as to why this world functions as it does, just a story told within the confines of the old D&D world (even though there is not one word of same contained herein). The main character is a combination of fighter/wizard. He doesn’t get the girl in the end, but that would have ruined the simplicity of the story and made it plain Jane writing. I applaud the author for what back then I am sure was an original storyline that has since been redone time and time again, but I do appreciate the original imagination involved and hope that the rest of the series is just as good.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on vacation as a kid. When we traveled for vacations, we'd stop by a bookstore for a book to read while on the road.

I still like this series, and it's not just nostalgia. The main character is a flawed badass, with an idealism and naivety which I can relate to--as will as a temper!

Magic is dangerous and difficult and most people pretend to want no part of it despite using it when the need arises.

I can feel inspirations of cultural aspects in our own world, but these feel different and not cooped to me.

[C.S. Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

I chose this series because I had read other offerings in this genre.

I wasn't disappointed. The only thing I would change is the fact that occasionally the wrong character name was used which was confusing.

The author delivered with this new series, a wonderfully formed circle of characters, setting, plot, and climax.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is NOT about horses. It's not a knock off of Tolkien's Horselords. But it IS a very lovely start to a fabulous fantasy.

With his entire family (with the exception of the one family member who hates his guts) wiped out, the youngest son of a Battle Lord is left for dead in the woods, only to be found by this world's version of Yoda. This is the start of an adventure.

[Jeff Nason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and intriguing

The author does a good job of creating something new with hints and unexpected nuances that provide a contrast to similar stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to the rest of the series.

[John Wilander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in Swedish back as a high schooler. It has an air of young adult fiction which made it less exciting than back then. But I love the plentiful magic and the existence of magic creatures.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well-written book with a very enjoyable story. I will be seeking out the next one in the series.

[claire preece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armour Magic Battle Swords Honour

An interesting treat. Likeable characters, a plot that can go on and on. Oodles of magic and men in armour.... What's not to like?

[karen james · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging tale

A good read with a balance of humour, romance and action. I soon found myself wrapped up in the story

[Jay Knox-Crichton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reread

Not as strong a book as i remembered but still very enjoyable. The characters a more shallow than the story deserves

[Yvette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Should have come with glossary

I really wanted to finish this book. It's well written, minus words I can't begin to pronounce. I just got too frustrated.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting fantasy story with a war between two races in a medieval type setting.

[Luke]

More comfort re-reading. I’ve had this paperback since high school maybe. Run of the mill fantasy, but I have always enjoyed the world and the characters. Still do.

[Andy Venn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book many years ago and I'd forgotten how good it was. Time, now, to do the rest of the series.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story moves quickly from the beginning to the end. There is a mix of medieval setting and warfare with magic thrown in. I was kept engaged through the book and would be ready for the next book in the series. The main character's family is slaughtered by an evil magician. Luckily he is taken in by another magician who is great with weapons too. Under the magician's tutelage the horse lord becomes a formidable foe.

[Annezo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice fantasy trilogy and an enjoyable read.

The plot doesn't always go where you expect it will, which is a nice change from many books. The protagonist is likeable but not too perfect. The cast of characters is interesting and the world-building is sufficient to carry the story. In fact, I wouldn't mind reading more in this world. Or even re-reading this trilogy, to pick up on the nuances I missed the first time around.

For those who prefer their reading with more story and intersecting plotlines, without a lot of gore, violence, and bloodshed.

[Shaitarn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars I guess, rounded up because it’s an old favourite and I’m biased.

In the misty beginnings of time, when the Horse Lords came to Alba, they defeated the master sorcerer Kalarr cu Ruruc and banished magic from their land. Five hundred years later a young Alban warror called Aldric, heir to the great castle of Dunrath, returns from a drinking spree to find the castle sacked, his father and sisters murdered, his retainers and soldiers slaughtered.
The sorcerer has returned for his revenge.

That was from the original back cover blurb; there was more, but it gives away the whole plot.
No doubt the plot sounds rather clichéd, but the book is over 30 years old, and wasn’t so hackneyed then, so I give it a pass.

I read this when I was in my teens, and enjoy it as much now. The world building is effective, the culure being an unusual mix of Celtic overlaid with some Japanese/samurai-esque fighting/weaponry; I wouldn’t be surprised if the author had tried swinging a katana himself to judge from the armour and fighting descriptions, which are well done. Characterisation is also well done, particularly the main character Aldric, who is a nice blend of warrior and noble with his young age occasionally giving him bursts of immaturity. The wizard Gemmel, his teacher in his years of exile, is another favourite of mine. And it has a dragon, Ymareth. A real dragon, very much in the vein of Smaug and the dragons of Earthsea.

If you like old-fashioned fantasy, you might well enjoy this book.

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good writing, likable character, evil villain

Just a good epic fantasy book. The writing makes it easy to read and the main character is in just enough danger to be exciting without being too frantic.

[Leon Aldrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light fantasy read, falling just under Magician: Apprentice.

[Adon Coya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, a bit cliched, but in a vibrant and live cosmos. The history details are well researched, and the language used masterly. There are not many characters that matter, and the viewpoint of the narrative changes frequently, always providing insight to the reader of what's going on.

[W. Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

Exciting start to series. A mix of combat, betrayal and magic adventure. A young untried warrior swears vengeance on the sorcerer who destroys his family. Well written and I will be reading the second book soon.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fantasy story. Morwood creates a complex yet believable world. Nice fast paced storytelling and interesting characters make this a great read. Highly recommended