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Golden Guard #3
The Farmer's War
Lieutenant Craig Youngly has only ever wanted one thing in his life -- to join the illustrious Golden Guard. In pursuit of his goals, he has found himself protege to Raylynn Westwind, notable Guard member and favorite of Prince Baldair. He has fought for two years in the sweltering North and now prepares to embark on a mission on behalf of the Guard that could secure his long-sought membership. It's the opportunity Craig has been waiting for, until Raylynn's attention turns toward another swordsman, Daniel Taffl.
Daniel has always been a man of modest aspirations. As a farmer's son from the East, he seeks a soldier's wage to support a future for the woman of his dreams when he returns from the front lines. It isn't until he's conscripted into Craig's mission that he learns his sword-craft has caught the eyes of the powers above him.
Craig sees his mission as an opportunity to impress the guard and exert his authority over Daniel. Daniel sees it merely as the chance to secure a more financially stable future. Their goals seem too simple to go awry. But, in the perilous jungles of the North, luck is something both men find to be in short supply.
THE FARMERS WAR is the final installment in the Golde Guard Trilogy, prequel stories to the AIR AWAKENS
Book One, THE CROWN'S DOG
Book Two, THE PRINCE'S ROGUE
Book Three, THE FARMER'S WAR
Daniel has always been a man of modest aspirations. As a farmer's son from the East, he seeks a soldier's wage to support a future for the woman of his dreams when he returns from the front lines. It isn't until he's conscripted into Craig's mission that he learns his sword-craft has caught the eyes of the powers above him.
Craig sees his mission as an opportunity to impress the guard and exert his authority over Daniel. Daniel sees it merely as the chance to secure a more financially stable future. Their goals seem too simple to go awry. But, in the perilous jungles of the North, luck is something both men find to be in short supply.
THE FARMERS WAR is the final installment in the Golde Guard Trilogy, prequel stories to the AIR AWAKENS
Book One, THE CROWN'S DOG
Book Two, THE PRINCE'S ROGUE
Book Three, THE FARMER'S WAR
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2017
48 people are currently reading
2409 people want to read
About the author
Elise Kova
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ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.
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ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.
Say Hello!
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
June 5, 2017
Now I really really want to reread Air Awakens T_T
I really enjoyed this last installment of the Golden Guard trilogy.
Daniel was one of my absolute favorites in the main series and I'm glad he got his own book, which focuses on how his friendship with Craig was born and how they both landed a spot in Baldair's Guard.
If you've read Air Awakens, you might think that they've always been friends, but that's far from the truth. At the beginning of this book, Craig low-key hates him and Daniel is too stuck in his own ideals of authority and rank to be able to form a bond with him. I remember that in AA the fact that Easterners have a strong respect of titles (be it because of royalty or because of military ranks) was a significant part of the world building, and I like how that fact was used here. Kova's world building keeps being consistent and she never slips, never forgets details about their background that make them who they are.
I only have one problem with this book, and it might seem like something personal but I wouldn't be mentioning if it wasn't for the fact that I truly believe it was kind of a fault in the narrative and not my own perception (okay, my perception might be a bit faulty too, but hear me out first).
First of all, let me say that I wish more books focused on how friendships are born. Most (YA) books focus on romance, and friendship is at best a side thing, at worst nonexistent or the MC's friends only serve as a plot device to further the romance. But friendship is more important than romance and I'd really like to see more books like this one, because the main focus was, as I mentioned, Craig and Daniel's friendship.
And I think their relationship development was amazing, but...it read like romance to me. Yes, I might read way too many MM romances, but the fact is that I
• knew they wouldn't end up together romantically, since I read AA, and still freaking shipped them;
• have read enough enemies-to-lovers MM romances to recognize one when I see it, and as much as I tried to shut down the part of my brain that led me to see this as a growing romance instead of a friendship, the dynamics between these two were just too romance-y to me;
• thus, I saw some great ship material that I knew would never happen.
Even knowing they wouldn't end up together, I began hoping for a one-sided pining, a bisexual Craig that we never knew about in AA because he doesn't get his own PoV. But nope. Eventually it just grew frustrating and I wished that the plot had a little less dramatic events that brought them closer and instead focused on a slowly building respect and eventual friendship.
In any case, this was still great, and the ending
___
IT'S ALMOST HERE AND LOOK AT THAT COVER! *cries*
Daniel my baby ♥ he's so beautiful aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh I can't
I really enjoyed this last installment of the Golden Guard trilogy.
Daniel was one of my absolute favorites in the main series and I'm glad he got his own book, which focuses on how his friendship with Craig was born and how they both landed a spot in Baldair's Guard.
If you've read Air Awakens, you might think that they've always been friends, but that's far from the truth. At the beginning of this book, Craig low-key hates him and Daniel is too stuck in his own ideals of authority and rank to be able to form a bond with him. I remember that in AA the fact that Easterners have a strong respect of titles (be it because of royalty or because of military ranks) was a significant part of the world building, and I like how that fact was used here. Kova's world building keeps being consistent and she never slips, never forgets details about their background that make them who they are.
I only have one problem with this book, and it might seem like something personal but I wouldn't be mentioning if it wasn't for the fact that I truly believe it was kind of a fault in the narrative and not my own perception (okay, my perception might be a bit faulty too, but hear me out first).
First of all, let me say that I wish more books focused on how friendships are born. Most (YA) books focus on romance, and friendship is at best a side thing, at worst nonexistent or the MC's friends only serve as a plot device to further the romance. But friendship is more important than romance and I'd really like to see more books like this one, because the main focus was, as I mentioned, Craig and Daniel's friendship.
And I think their relationship development was amazing, but...it read like romance to me. Yes, I might read way too many MM romances, but the fact is that I
• knew they wouldn't end up together romantically, since I read AA, and still freaking shipped them;
• have read enough enemies-to-lovers MM romances to recognize one when I see it, and as much as I tried to shut down the part of my brain that led me to see this as a growing romance instead of a friendship, the dynamics between these two were just too romance-y to me;
• thus, I saw some great ship material that I knew would never happen.
Even knowing they wouldn't end up together, I began hoping for a one-sided pining, a bisexual Craig that we never knew about in AA because he doesn't get his own PoV. But nope. Eventually it just grew frustrating and I wished that the plot had a little less dramatic events that brought them closer and instead focused on a slowly building respect and eventual friendship.
In any case, this was still great, and the ending
___
IT'S ALMOST HERE AND LOOK AT THAT COVER! *cries*
Daniel my baby ♥ he's so beautiful aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh I can't
August 6, 2024
My favorite out of the three.
It was nice to finally know how Craig and Daniel became such close friends. Once again, the plot was not that elaborate since it's only a novella, but the characters were likable, and I was just happy to see more of Daniel after falling in love with him in the Air Awakens series.
1. The Crown’s Dog ⭐⭐.5
2. The Prince's Rogue ⭐⭐
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It was nice to finally know how Craig and Daniel became such close friends. Once again, the plot was not that elaborate since it's only a novella, but the characters were likable, and I was just happy to see more of Daniel after falling in love with him in the Air Awakens series.
1. The Crown’s Dog ⭐⭐.5
2. The Prince's Rogue ⭐⭐
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January 16, 2019
"Of course I do. I have an excellent sense of direction." Daniel did not have an excellent sense of direction.
I really liked this last book of the prequel trilogy Golden Guard to the series Air Awakens. Craig and Daniel were a good duo, The Farmer's War was basically a tale about brotherhood at war. Also, I prefer Raylynn in this one than in Book 2.
3/5 stars. The plot isn't mindblowing, but the characters are very entertaining and likeable (the opposite of The Wicked King by Holly Black, which I just finished). The last chapter makes me want to start Air Awakens right now. I'm excited!
I really liked this last book of the prequel trilogy Golden Guard to the series Air Awakens. Craig and Daniel were a good duo, The Farmer's War was basically a tale about brotherhood at war. Also, I prefer Raylynn in this one than in Book 2.
3/5 stars. The plot isn't mindblowing, but the characters are very entertaining and likeable (the opposite of The Wicked King by Holly Black, which I just finished). The last chapter makes me want to start Air Awakens right now. I'm excited!
July 25, 2017
"There was really only one thing that drove a man or woman to do something as extreme as fight in a war: love. Be it for the love of another, the memory of a love lost, a rare yet possibly love of country, or more often than not, the most practical kind of love—love of gold."
May 29, 2017
What a great ending to this prequel trilogy. I loved this story about how Craig and Daniel joined the Golden Guard. Bigger surprise to me though was Raylynn. In the series she is always presented as Baldair's significant other. This is the first time I saw a more fierce side to her that would have me understand how Baldair would be so attracted to her and make her defending Baldair, in the end, make even more sense.
Want to read
April 25, 2017So, I'm going to make a guess that this is about Daniel? Regardless of who it is about, I'm stoked.
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August 19, 2019
This one wasn't as great as the other 2 books but it still was a fun and enjoyable read. I really do enjoy Daniel and Craig, I just wish this book would have done a little more with the War aspect. I liked how this one ended during book 1 of the Air Awakens series. The Golden Guards were the highlight of the original series and I am very happy with this trilogy and how it turned out. I loved how each book focused on each of the members. I enjoyed how it explored different parts of the world. It was a solid series.
The Crown's Dog-4/5
The Prince's Rogue-4/5
The Farmer's War-4/5
Golden Guard-12/15
The Crown's Dog-4/5
The Prince's Rogue-4/5
The Farmer's War-4/5
Golden Guard-12/15
March 4, 2018
I loved seeing the bromance story between Craig and Daniel. My sweet darling Daniel 😭 He deserved so much better and a small part of me ships him with Vhalla.
November 23, 2017
I will have a series review of the Golden Guard trilogy up on Books and Ladders on November 29th! It'll be a year since they released and that I read them, but they still hold such a special place in my heart. You can get an omnibus of the series on Amazon!
I think what I liked about this one so much is that in the Air Awakens series we lose track of Craig and focus mainly on Daniel, so I enjoyed getting to see more of Craig and how he and Daniel became good friends in this one. I liked seeing the front of war that we don't necessarily get, even in the Air Awakens series, until much later. I think this is probably the closest to a typical fantasy novel even though neither of the main characters use magic. I thoroughly enjoyed this and thought it was a brilliant way to end the Golden Guard trilogy and set up the Air Awakens series.
I think what I liked about this one so much is that in the Air Awakens series we lose track of Craig and focus mainly on Daniel, so I enjoyed getting to see more of Craig and how he and Daniel became good friends in this one. I liked seeing the front of war that we don't necessarily get, even in the Air Awakens series, until much later. I think this is probably the closest to a typical fantasy novel even though neither of the main characters use magic. I thoroughly enjoyed this and thought it was a brilliant way to end the Golden Guard trilogy and set up the Air Awakens series.
June 29, 2017
I've always been interested to know how the bromance between Daniel and Craig came about so I was quite looking forward to this book! From hating each other to being loyal and friends, quite similar to how Baldair and Raylynn relationship first formed. A few spelling mistakes that put me off while reading so docked a star. After finishing this prequel trilogy, I really want to re-read Air Awakens but I don't think my heart is ready for a re-brake T_T
June 20, 2024
This is my favorite of the three.
These two idiots were really funny. The plot was interesting, had some good pace and was entertaining. I had a fun time seeing the golden guard and how they all came together.
I really really want to reread the Air Awakans series now.
Rating: 3,5 stars.
These two idiots were really funny. The plot was interesting, had some good pace and was entertaining. I had a fun time seeing the golden guard and how they all came together.
I really really want to reread the Air Awakans series now.
Rating: 3,5 stars.
April 12, 2024
“Then protect her we shall.”
I am in pieces miss Kova, my heart hurts so much. This trilogy was such a beautiful way to learn about the Golden Guard and I’m so thankful for my time with them, even if it makes me want to reread Air Awakens already 🫠
I am in pieces miss Kova, my heart hurts so much. This trilogy was such a beautiful way to learn about the Golden Guard and I’m so thankful for my time with them, even if it makes me want to reread Air Awakens already 🫠
May 4, 2017
This was a good, quick, fun adventure ride. I enjoyed seeing the natural, believable development of Daniel and Craig's friendship. The plot hit all the important beats and was a fun journey, even when I was holding my breath. I enjoyed seeing the story come full circle to the end of Air Awakens. That was so satisfying. The book was rife with errors, but it did not take much away from it. I lament Tree end of this series as it makes the end of the (known) adventures in this world. I still hold out hope that we'll get to revisit it with stories of Vhalla and Aldrik's children and maybe even the Crescent Continent.
May 31, 2017
4 Stars.
Another fun and enlightening installment in the Golden Guard Trilogy and world of Air Awakens overall. I've always loved Daniel as a character and it was fun to see how Daniel and Craig hit it off as friends. The story was fast, interesting and an all round fascinating read. I really loved how this book leads straight into stuff that was happening in Air Awakens and makes me want to read the main series all over again! :)
I can't recommend this trilogy enough for Air Awakens fans looking for a little extra page time within this world and with all of these amazing characters !!!
Another fun and enlightening installment in the Golden Guard Trilogy and world of Air Awakens overall. I've always loved Daniel as a character and it was fun to see how Daniel and Craig hit it off as friends. The story was fast, interesting and an all round fascinating read. I really loved how this book leads straight into stuff that was happening in Air Awakens and makes me want to read the main series all over again! :)
I can't recommend this trilogy enough for Air Awakens fans looking for a little extra page time within this world and with all of these amazing characters !!!
July 15, 2020
3.5 stars
"There was really only one thing that drove a man or woman to do something as extreme as fight in a war: love. Be it for the love of another, the memory of a love lost, a rare yet possibly love of country, or more often than not, the most practical kind of love—love of gold."
Loved seeing Daniel and Craig agian in this book. we got to know a lot more of thier origin story which was great!
"There was really only one thing that drove a man or woman to do something as extreme as fight in a war: love. Be it for the love of another, the memory of a love lost, a rare yet possibly love of country, or more often than not, the most practical kind of love—love of gold."
Loved seeing Daniel and Craig agian in this book. we got to know a lot more of thier origin story which was great!
September 5, 2021
Another great prequel novel about the characters in the Air Awakens series. Seeing the friendship bloom between Craig and Daniel was really great and made me appreciate them even more. Might have to do a re-read of air awakens now! The small trilogy of the Golden Guard novels was a great way to be back in the Air Awakens world again prior to the events that take place, and seeing the events take place somewhat alongside Air Awakens was really interesting.
March 3, 2018
Craig the talented show off soldier who wants to cliam the ranks and be part of the Elite group.daniel the puppy dog soldier who comes from a very humble beginnings and only wants to cherish his life this two were fantastic adorable and strong group brothers through it all haha. I can't wait to see them continue this in air awakens
July 20, 2022
Goooooood stuff. I love how everything is connected. 😌 An Air Awakens reread is greatly needed. 😭
*added later, but I also love how this takes us right into the midst of the Air Awakens story. Like, this world and these characters are so deep and full and alive it's honestly amazing to me
*added later, but I also love how this takes us right into the midst of the Air Awakens story. Like, this world and these characters are so deep and full and alive it's honestly amazing to me
January 29, 2023
{2.5 rounded down} The whole prequel series, would have probably been more rewarding had I read the main series of Air awakens first. Had it been the case it would have been more a sweet treat rather than various bits and pieces to be gathered in some experienced future..
September 8, 2017
I love my babies so much, this makes me want to reread the entire Air Awakens series!
4.5 stars (can't beat The Princes Rogue)
4.5 stars (can't beat The Princes Rogue)
April 13, 2021
Probably my favourite in the series and also the shortest :C
August 24, 2021
Strong meh.
May 1, 2022
4.5 Stars
I loved this novella! Really nice to know more about Craig and Daniel and it was an interesting and funny story. Oh I love this series!
I loved this novella! Really nice to know more about Craig and Daniel and it was an interesting and funny story. Oh I love this series!
April 22, 2023
Daniel'ı özlemişim 🥲
December 27, 2020
I love Daniel, I love Craig, I love their relationship and I NEED TO RE-READ AIR AWAKENS NOW!
May 14, 2019
The last story in the Golden Guard trilogy, this one is told in Craig and Daniel's POVs and tells you how they met and come to be part of the Golden Guard. It's the shortest of the three novellas, but I really liked this one. If you've read the original Air Awakens series, you know a bit of Daniel already as Vhalla's friend— that he's an easterner like her and that he helps her during the war. Craig was a character I didn't really know much of at all from the original series. I knew that he and Daniel are close friends, but that's about it. Therefore, it was really fun to get to see into their differing personalities (especially Daniel before he meets Vhalla) and their dynamics.
Craig wasn't what I expected— he's a nobody southerner who joins the war and whose dream it is to join the Golden Guard. He's Raylynn's protégé, meaning he's really good with a sword. He's ambitious, doesn't really stand on ceremony, jokes/makes fun of Daniel, and is also insecure in his desperation to get a bracer (an official symbol of becoming a Golden Guard). He can be a little petty, but that's a very human quality of his. Daniel, on the other hand, is more formal, but learns to relax under Craig's company in their journey to deliver the letter to Baldair in Soricium. He's good with his rapier, and only joined the army to get more money to start a good life with his betrothed, Willow. His dedication and love is admirable, and he's a pretty loyal and warm person. It was great seeing them go from being annoyed by each other to becoming close, and that part of the their story— the brotherhood— was sweet. It also made me a bit sad, recalling all that occurs in the AA series.
As always, it was good to see Baldair and Raylynn— you see Baldair through the eyes of soldiers, how he's grown more into a commanding position, and has a more mature presence that before. The epilogue is a scene that happens right before they're introduced to Vhalla in Air Awakens, and overall, I liked the three novellas and the insight they gave into the people in the Golden Guard and the world of AA.
Craig wasn't what I expected— he's a nobody southerner who joins the war and whose dream it is to join the Golden Guard. He's Raylynn's protégé, meaning he's really good with a sword. He's ambitious, doesn't really stand on ceremony, jokes/makes fun of Daniel, and is also insecure in his desperation to get a bracer (an official symbol of becoming a Golden Guard). He can be a little petty, but that's a very human quality of his. Daniel, on the other hand, is more formal, but learns to relax under Craig's company in their journey to deliver the letter to Baldair in Soricium. He's good with his rapier, and only joined the army to get more money to start a good life with his betrothed, Willow. His dedication and love is admirable, and he's a pretty loyal and warm person. It was great seeing them go from being annoyed by each other to becoming close, and that part of the their story— the brotherhood— was sweet. It also made me a bit sad, recalling all that occurs in the AA series.
As always, it was good to see Baldair and Raylynn— you see Baldair through the eyes of soldiers, how he's grown more into a commanding position, and has a more mature presence that before. The epilogue is a scene that happens right before they're introduced to Vhalla in Air Awakens, and overall, I liked the three novellas and the insight they gave into the people in the Golden Guard and the world of AA.
April 23, 2018
"Bittersweet" has been my adjective to describe all three of the "Golden Guard" novellas and it holds true for "The Farmer's War." This may be my favorite of the three due to my love of sweet, loyal Daniel and the expansion of Craig's character, but knowing the outcome of this friendship had me close to tears the entire time.
It was wonderful to see their friendship and loyalties develop from literally trying to kill each other (fricken dang, Craig) to saving each other's lives. It built on the underlying theme of "earning respect" that is pervasive in the Golden Guard trilogy.
And that last scene just got me straight in the feels. It made me want to re-read the Air Awakens series and I only just finished it a few months ago! I love the world that Elise Kova created and am so excited to see what she does next.
It was wonderful to see their friendship and loyalties develop from literally trying to kill each other (fricken dang, Craig) to saving each other's lives. It built on the underlying theme of "earning respect" that is pervasive in the Golden Guard trilogy.
And that last scene just got me straight in the feels. It made me want to re-read the Air Awakens series and I only just finished it a few months ago! I love the world that Elise Kova created and am so excited to see what she does next.
July 3, 2022
Did I enjoy this book more than some air awakens books? Yes. Was it because Daniel was in it and he’s my favourite character? Yes. After Daniel was treated like trash in air awakens I fell in love with him. He’s way better than aldrik. I loved the book! I loved craig and how u can see his character more bc he’s barely in air awakens. Great book! Only took two days to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews