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The Teralin Sword #1
Soldier Son
Endric wants only to serve, but he's destined to lead. As the second son of the general of the Denraen, Endric wants only to fight, not the commission his father demands of him. When a strange attack in the south leads to the loss of someone close to him, only Endric seems concerned about what happened. All signs point to an attack on the city, and betrayal by someone deep within the Denraen, but his father no longer trusts his judgment. This forces Endric to make another impulsive decision, one that leads him far from the city on a journey where he discovers how little he knew, and how much more he has to understand. If he can prove himself in time, and with the help of his new allies, he can stop a greater disaster.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 23, 2022
I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get into this or care for any of the characters. Thank God that wasn’t the case. It did take all the way up to the end to really give a damn but when Endric found Listain tortured and tied to a boiling hot chair, on the edge of death, did I start to care. When the traitor was revealed, I was surprisingly surprised. The only thing I couldn’t care less about is Endric and Senda’s relationship. Nobody freaking cares, just get on with the action and betrayals!
I’m ready to just jump right into the next book so happy reading!👋🏻
I’m ready to just jump right into the next book so happy reading!👋🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2018
What a fantastic read. Endric only wants to fight not have a commission because his father demands. Something is going on, what he has to find out. Another great by this author.
January 3, 2019
I picked this up because I've really enjoyed Holmberg's Cloud Warrior saga. I've read most of the way through that series and wanted to try one of his other series.
Overall, I'd say this was a good read. It's about on the same level as the first Cloud Warrior Saga book, which I enjoyed, but not as much as the later books in the series.
Everything I've read so far of Holmberg's focuses on a single point-of-view character. This allows for a shorter novel and a more focused read, but as a reader of epic fantasy, I sometimes find myself wishing I could see the world from others' viewpoints.
In this one, it took me a while to warm up to Endric, the main character. At the beginning, he seems like a petulant child even though he's old enough to become a military officer. This was an intentional choice by Holmberg, though, intended to showcase Endric's character development throughout the novel. And he does develop. I won't give away too much because I like to keep my reviews spoiler-free.
Because of the narrow focus, I found that the worldbuilding came out gradually. I also enjoyed finding out answers to mysteries as the story progressed. This approach works well for me as a reader because there's nothing I hate more than the beginning of a book being weighed down by worldbuilding infodumps. Thankfully, those were kept to a minimum here.
Toward the end, there was a fair amount of action. It wasn't an explosion of action like in his Cloud Warrior books, but it was still enjoyable. Overall, the book was a little lighter on action than I'd expected for a military-focused book, and that's part of the reason I didn't quite love it.
If you're looking for a quick and easy fantasy read, this book fits the bill perfectly. It's not great by any means, but it's the kind of popcorn fantasy I like reading to relax before bed.
Rating: 8/10
Overall, I'd say this was a good read. It's about on the same level as the first Cloud Warrior Saga book, which I enjoyed, but not as much as the later books in the series.
Everything I've read so far of Holmberg's focuses on a single point-of-view character. This allows for a shorter novel and a more focused read, but as a reader of epic fantasy, I sometimes find myself wishing I could see the world from others' viewpoints.
In this one, it took me a while to warm up to Endric, the main character. At the beginning, he seems like a petulant child even though he's old enough to become a military officer. This was an intentional choice by Holmberg, though, intended to showcase Endric's character development throughout the novel. And he does develop. I won't give away too much because I like to keep my reviews spoiler-free.
Because of the narrow focus, I found that the worldbuilding came out gradually. I also enjoyed finding out answers to mysteries as the story progressed. This approach works well for me as a reader because there's nothing I hate more than the beginning of a book being weighed down by worldbuilding infodumps. Thankfully, those were kept to a minimum here.
Toward the end, there was a fair amount of action. It wasn't an explosion of action like in his Cloud Warrior books, but it was still enjoyable. Overall, the book was a little lighter on action than I'd expected for a military-focused book, and that's part of the reason I didn't quite love it.
If you're looking for a quick and easy fantasy read, this book fits the bill perfectly. It's not great by any means, but it's the kind of popcorn fantasy I like reading to relax before bed.
Rating: 8/10
June 29, 2018
Soldier Son is a fast paced, plot driven fantasy fiction with a good world building potential and interesting villainous characters to watch.
March 23, 2018
A run-of-the-mill fantasy story with some interesting ideas
The Teralin Sword was an interesting story with some great plot points. I was particularly gripped by the concept of the mineral Teralin itself. The author developed a really cool concept with the nature of this metal and its ability to be forged into fascinating weapons. I also enjoyed the dark monks and their evil ways - they lended a brutal gravitas to the book and gave the protagonist a believable and sympathetic motive for his part in the story.
The plot itself, though dotted with some interesting ideas, was a pretty standard fantasy story. It was quite predictable and a lot of the characters and plot points fit a little too neatly into typical fantasy tropes. The characters were a little weak and forgettable. In fact, now that I am a week past the end of the book I can't clearly remember many of the characters at all! (There was also only one female character and she served merely as a faint romantic interest to the protagonist. This grated on me somewhat.)
The writing was generally good and Holmberg has a good style which was accessible and easy to read.
The Teralin Sword was an interesting story with some great plot points. I was particularly gripped by the concept of the mineral Teralin itself. The author developed a really cool concept with the nature of this metal and its ability to be forged into fascinating weapons. I also enjoyed the dark monks and their evil ways - they lended a brutal gravitas to the book and gave the protagonist a believable and sympathetic motive for his part in the story.
The plot itself, though dotted with some interesting ideas, was a pretty standard fantasy story. It was quite predictable and a lot of the characters and plot points fit a little too neatly into typical fantasy tropes. The characters were a little weak and forgettable. In fact, now that I am a week past the end of the book I can't clearly remember many of the characters at all! (There was also only one female character and she served merely as a faint romantic interest to the protagonist. This grated on me somewhat.)
The writing was generally good and Holmberg has a good style which was accessible and easy to read.
June 12, 2023
I haven’t read any of D.K. Holmberg’s books before, so when I picked up Soldier Son I wasn’t sure what to think. He has a solid backlist, but I’ve never read anything he’s written, would the book satisfy my thirst for good stories?
It did, and has piqued my interest in the series and his library. I loved how the story revolves around a material (the material science nerd in me) and the wider implications it may or may not have on the story (to be seen). The mystery surrounding it pulled me in and kept me guessing.
The world-building was solid and believable, and the villains are dangerous and have real motives behind what they seek. The danger the hero faces, along with all his setbacks and flaws, brings his perseverance to life.
Where the story stumbled for me was in the pacing and character building. The buildup was a bit slow for me, but that could be my short attention span. Near the end I wondered what it was that the hero learned that the other characters saw. It could have been more powerful.
Soldier Son has my recommendation for intrigue and a solid fantasy story. I’ll be picking up the second book in the series and am looking forward to the ride.
It did, and has piqued my interest in the series and his library. I loved how the story revolves around a material (the material science nerd in me) and the wider implications it may or may not have on the story (to be seen). The mystery surrounding it pulled me in and kept me guessing.
The world-building was solid and believable, and the villains are dangerous and have real motives behind what they seek. The danger the hero faces, along with all his setbacks and flaws, brings his perseverance to life.
Where the story stumbled for me was in the pacing and character building. The buildup was a bit slow for me, but that could be my short attention span. Near the end I wondered what it was that the hero learned that the other characters saw. It could have been more powerful.
Soldier Son has my recommendation for intrigue and a solid fantasy story. I’ll be picking up the second book in the series and am looking forward to the ride.
August 10, 2020
Books 1 and 2:
Book one was decent enough to lure me on to book 2.
Book 1 had a few unnecessary long passages, and Endric going through looong detailed reflections while fighting for his life. Now, I've never been in a sword fight, but I suspect you gotta stay focused in the moment if you wanna come out alive in the other end... Also, he's kinda whiny
Book 2 seems to been written in a hurry, missing words (and sentences?). A lot of pages beeing filled up with the following: Endric going on looong mindless reflections about not much. We are constantly being informed about things we've already been told several times over, Endric asking severely unintelligent questions, probably just put in there to inform the reader about blatantly obvious things. Endless walking through mines. Again Endric goes on several long trains of thought while supposedly fighting for his life.
Also nothing much happens in book 2, little progress.
I enjoyed book 1, but won't be reading anymore of the series
Book one was decent enough to lure me on to book 2.
Book 1 had a few unnecessary long passages, and Endric going through looong detailed reflections while fighting for his life. Now, I've never been in a sword fight, but I suspect you gotta stay focused in the moment if you wanna come out alive in the other end... Also, he's kinda whiny
Book 2 seems to been written in a hurry, missing words (and sentences?). A lot of pages beeing filled up with the following: Endric going on looong mindless reflections about not much. We are constantly being informed about things we've already been told several times over, Endric asking severely unintelligent questions, probably just put in there to inform the reader about blatantly obvious things. Endless walking through mines. Again Endric goes on several long trains of thought while supposedly fighting for his life.
Also nothing much happens in book 2, little progress.
I enjoyed book 1, but won't be reading anymore of the series
April 14, 2020
Series Review - Abandoned during book two.
I liked the start there was good detail and plot depth and i thought i saw where the plot was headed but alas it didn't seem to go that way in the second book and the story progress seems to grind to a halt. Plausibility was tenuous enough in the first book but goes completely out the window in the second, so much so that i didn't want to continue to read where the lead character is continually portrayed as a rash idiot. There is a gap of a year between the first and second book and even with daily training there seems to be no progress from the main character.
Perhaps this is just a case of 3 books worth of content spread over 6 and the story would improve but in the end i just didn't love the main character enough to continue to read the series.
I liked the start there was good detail and plot depth and i thought i saw where the plot was headed but alas it didn't seem to go that way in the second book and the story progress seems to grind to a halt. Plausibility was tenuous enough in the first book but goes completely out the window in the second, so much so that i didn't want to continue to read where the lead character is continually portrayed as a rash idiot. There is a gap of a year between the first and second book and even with daily training there seems to be no progress from the main character.
Perhaps this is just a case of 3 books worth of content spread over 6 and the story would improve but in the end i just didn't love the main character enough to continue to read the series.
January 9, 2018
Soldiers Son is the first novel in the The Teralin Sword fantasy series by D.K. Holmberg. This novel is set in the same world as Holmberg's Lost Prophecy series, but in an earlier time frame.
The main character, Endric, is the black sheep his family. His father is the general of the Denraen forces. His older brother, who he looks up to, is also a leader in the Denraen. Endric, however, apparently doesn't understand what it means to be Denraen. He's pushed to grow into his role as soldier and perhaps future leader by various methods. Unfortunately Endric does not have the self awareness yet to learn from all of this. He continues to push back against his father and those in authority in various unproductive and childish ways.
Endric is devastated when a tragedy hits his family. He sees no response to the tragedy from his father and that exacerbates his already foolish behavior. In his grief, he makes some truly unwise decisions and continues to exercise poor judgment. He is very impulsive.
Throughout a great deal of the novel Endric comes off as whiny. It's hard to love a novel when you really can't stand the main character. Holmberg does give glimpses of who Endric hopefully will become initially through his interactions with his friends and the deep relationships he has formed with them.
As a backdrop to Endric's behavior there is a growing threat facing the Denraen and the people they protect and the world in which the live. Endric will have to grow up a lot faster than he is if he is to be of help to the Denraen and find his real place in the world.
Holmberg's writing and worldbuilding is very good. There are some exceptional fight scenes and the pacing is quite good. Holmberg has created an interesting and often intricate world as the backdrop to Endric's story.
The main character, Endric, is the black sheep his family. His father is the general of the Denraen forces. His older brother, who he looks up to, is also a leader in the Denraen. Endric, however, apparently doesn't understand what it means to be Denraen. He's pushed to grow into his role as soldier and perhaps future leader by various methods. Unfortunately Endric does not have the self awareness yet to learn from all of this. He continues to push back against his father and those in authority in various unproductive and childish ways.
Endric is devastated when a tragedy hits his family. He sees no response to the tragedy from his father and that exacerbates his already foolish behavior. In his grief, he makes some truly unwise decisions and continues to exercise poor judgment. He is very impulsive.
Throughout a great deal of the novel Endric comes off as whiny. It's hard to love a novel when you really can't stand the main character. Holmberg does give glimpses of who Endric hopefully will become initially through his interactions with his friends and the deep relationships he has formed with them.
As a backdrop to Endric's behavior there is a growing threat facing the Denraen and the people they protect and the world in which the live. Endric will have to grow up a lot faster than he is if he is to be of help to the Denraen and find his real place in the world.
Holmberg's writing and worldbuilding is very good. There are some exceptional fight scenes and the pacing is quite good. Holmberg has created an interesting and often intricate world as the backdrop to Endric's story.
December 16, 2017
A good solid read. Loved it. Endric just wants to lead and he thinks that he is up for the challenge but his father doesn't believe so and has to teach his son a lesson unfortunately Endric doesn't heed his father's advice and he lands up almost losing everything he knows.
How can he make his father proud now that the world is falling apart around them? Who can he trust and why is this happening now? Will Endric be brave enough to fight the unknown enemy and keep his people safe?
A tale of a family, loyalty and trust.
How can he make his father proud now that the world is falling apart around them? Who can he trust and why is this happening now? Will Endric be brave enough to fight the unknown enemy and keep his people safe?
A tale of a family, loyalty and trust.
November 12, 2020
The author has picked a damaged youth to be the protagonist. He is damaged by his own desire to resist his father and to not look critically at himself. His bull-headedness leads him astray, but into a part of the world he never knew existed.
There is good and evil waged over a strange metal - teralyn. The pursuit and defense of his people leads him to learn about himself. He is a troubled man yet holds himself to the highest ideals as an end goal. Lots of fighting and strange adventures accompany him on his journey.
There is good and evil waged over a strange metal - teralyn. The pursuit and defense of his people leads him to learn about himself. He is a troubled man yet holds himself to the highest ideals as an end goal. Lots of fighting and strange adventures accompany him on his journey.
December 3, 2017
Fabulous
There are some fantasy novels that go overboard on descriptives in relation to battle scenes, devoting pages to the gore and bloodshed. This author has done an amazing job of adding battles, but focusing more on the storyline by adding thoughts that race through the mind of Endric, the hero of this novel. Holmberg is a masterful storyteller, and allows the readers imagination to fill in the blanks rather than bombarding them with too many words. An excellent read!
There are some fantasy novels that go overboard on descriptives in relation to battle scenes, devoting pages to the gore and bloodshed. This author has done an amazing job of adding battles, but focusing more on the storyline by adding thoughts that race through the mind of Endric, the hero of this novel. Holmberg is a masterful storyteller, and allows the readers imagination to fill in the blanks rather than bombarding them with too many words. An excellent read!
November 19, 2021
This is a engrossing story about a son growing up in difficult times. Endric thought he was a man and challenged his father Dendril for control but his father beat the crap out of him with a sword and left Endric for dead in a field. A group called Antrilii found him and treated his wounds and Endric started traveling with them. Endric knew a insurgence was going to happen with the Deshmahne and people were going to get killed and tried to tell his father. Good storytelling, good book.
December 30, 2022
It starts out slowly as the author sets the scene, and the world. The MC is sorta split. He clearly has a younger son inferiority complex and worships his older brother, but at the same time is more confident in his own abilities thanhis experience warranted. He's a conundrum.
After a major loss and argument with his father, he finds himself in a huge learning moment. Well written and look forward to the next one
After a major loss and argument with his father, he finds himself in a huge learning moment. Well written and look forward to the next one
June 20, 2017
Shortly said, this was awesome. Good plot, excellent pacing and full of surprises especially at the end. Character development in Endric and his inner conflicts deserve special mention here and same with the pretty much perfect pacing of revealing things.
Needless to say, this goes straight to my list of 'best of randomly found books'
Needless to say, this goes straight to my list of 'best of randomly found books'
March 21, 2020
Grid story!
I just about put this book dow and I’m so glad I didn’t. Setting the stage, what was happening in the very beginning was important so maybe it was just me. The story gets very interesting after the plains, which doesn’t take long, so I’m glad I read on now I’m hooked and am on to the next book!
I just about put this book dow and I’m so glad I didn’t. Setting the stage, what was happening in the very beginning was important so maybe it was just me. The story gets very interesting after the plains, which doesn’t take long, so I’m glad I read on now I’m hooked and am on to the next book!
September 20, 2020
Loved it, will read the series
I usually listen to books but I missed reading. This caught my eye & I could not be happier that it did. I enjoyed every last page of this book. I will be looking for the rest of the series. I would like 1 or 2 on Audible so I can hear someone pronounce the place names!
I usually listen to books but I missed reading. This caught my eye & I could not be happier that it did. I enjoyed every last page of this book. I will be looking for the rest of the series. I would like 1 or 2 on Audible so I can hear someone pronounce the place names!
May 23, 2023
I didn't realize that this series came before The Lost Prophecy by the same author or I would have read this series first. In this one it show Endric a young man who only wants to be a soldier and don't want the commission for which his general father has offered him. He goes through a lot of loses and trials in this one. Well worth the reading so far.
May 10, 2017
Refreshing and enjoyable
I came upon this book quite by accident. I decided to give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
I came upon this book quite by accident. I decided to give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 9, 2017
Exciting and fast paced page turner
D.K. Holmberg has added a new twist to the coming of age transition of boy to man while deepening the understanding between son and father. All while interacting in a world of good versus evil.
D.K. Holmberg has added a new twist to the coming of age transition of boy to man while deepening the understanding between son and father. All while interacting in a world of good versus evil.
December 28, 2017
A nice, entertaining read. It was a bit slow to start, but he main reason for a three is a very predictable, illogical section in the middle (that I found more than a little frustrating). It picked up again afterwards, so that was nice :)
January 4, 2018
Don't quit this book until you're past half-way through. The first half of this book is a 3/5, but the latter half is brilliant!! 5/5! Honestly one of the best fantasy fictions I've ever read! Can't wait to read the sequel.
December 1, 2018
Nice foundation for a unique world. Presented a lot of material and history that needed to be kept straight. Enjoyed the interplay between family, friends, and others. Looking forward to seeing how the author develops this material moving forwards.
August 4, 2019
Soldier Son took me a while to get into but I’m glad I stuck with it. Once I got about halfway into it I could hardly put it down. I thought I had the ending figured out but I was so wrong. Good book overall.
March 14, 2020
Most enjoyable
I started this book because of the author and then found i enjoyed it because of the story and finished the book realising that the book was excellent and the author had put together an amazing story
I started this book because of the author and then found i enjoyed it because of the story and finished the book realising that the book was excellent and the author had put together an amazing story
September 29, 2020
A decent story with intriguing plot points and characters, but fairly generic fantasy without much world building and a pretty linear plot. I expect it would be a very good book for some people, but didn't keep me terribly interested personally.
April 28, 2022
Good Start
Good solid start to what promises to be an interesting series. Good characters with a good story line which builds steadily. Endric is a good lead character who goes through a learning process which leads to a surprise ending. Definitely recommend this book
Good solid start to what promises to be an interesting series. Good characters with a good story line which builds steadily. Endric is a good lead character who goes through a learning process which leads to a surprise ending. Definitely recommend this book
March 16, 2017
One Of My Favorite
I really liked the story about Endric. I liked him and his training with Jakob in the previous series. Quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
I really liked the story about Endric. I liked him and his training with Jakob in the previous series. Quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
June 1, 2017
Great fun!!
Really enjoyed the book, I was hooked after reading the sample an had to download the entire book. I look forward to reading the next book.
Really enjoyed the book, I was hooked after reading the sample an had to download the entire book. I look forward to reading the next book.
June 16, 2017
Thoroughly Enjoyable
Plenty of twists and turns. Great story telling with character development as the characters experience the many aspects of the world around them.
Plenty of twists and turns. Great story telling with character development as the characters experience the many aspects of the world around them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews