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The Sorcerer's Curse
The fate of a realm is in the hands of a savage and a scoundrel…
Once a respected wizard, Finster is now a drunkard and a con man living anonymously amongst simple, easily manipulated village folk. But his self-serving cunning cannot save him when soldiers of the Magus Supremeus of the High Order burst in to drag the disreputable mage to the dreaded Red Citadel.
Finster’s captor, the new Magus, is none other than Ingrid the Insane, his former acolyte, a young woman of cold heart and ruthless ambition who has already murdered numerous magic-doers in her quest for ultimate power. The only reason Finster still lives is Ingrid’s belief that he knows the whereabouts of the Founders Stone, a magical artifact that could make her invincible.
Rendered powerless by a scarab beetle attached to his back, Finster realizes he is doomed unless he escapes and recovers the Stone before Ingrid does, and he turns to his dungeon cellmate for help. But the hulking, mute, barbarian youth he calls “Moth” is inscrutable and unpredictable. And their ultimate survival—and the survival of an entire kingdom—may require the cowardly wizard to assume a most unfamiliar and uncomfortable hero!
More...
There is a new champion in the realm of sword-and-sorcery Craig Halloran! In a sprawling literary territory currently ruled by Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind, and George R. R. Martin, Halloran makes a powerful stand with his thrilling fantasy adventure, The Scarab’s Curse. Chock full of battles, magic, evil, and intrigue—and peppered with some delightful Terry Pratchett Discworld-esque cynicism—Scarab is the story of the salvation of the disreputable fallen wizard, Finster. Taken prisoner by a murderous despot, the cowardly mage must join forces with a hulking, young, barbarian mute to uncover a magical artifact in order to save his own skin, and quite possibly a kingdom as well.
Once a respected wizard, Finster is now a drunkard and a con man living anonymously amongst simple, easily manipulated village folk. But his self-serving cunning cannot save him when soldiers of the Magus Supremeus of the High Order burst in to drag the disreputable mage to the dreaded Red Citadel.
Finster’s captor, the new Magus, is none other than Ingrid the Insane, his former acolyte, a young woman of cold heart and ruthless ambition who has already murdered numerous magic-doers in her quest for ultimate power. The only reason Finster still lives is Ingrid’s belief that he knows the whereabouts of the Founders Stone, a magical artifact that could make her invincible.
Rendered powerless by a scarab beetle attached to his back, Finster realizes he is doomed unless he escapes and recovers the Stone before Ingrid does, and he turns to his dungeon cellmate for help. But the hulking, mute, barbarian youth he calls “Moth” is inscrutable and unpredictable. And their ultimate survival—and the survival of an entire kingdom—may require the cowardly wizard to assume a most unfamiliar and uncomfortable hero!
More...
There is a new champion in the realm of sword-and-sorcery Craig Halloran! In a sprawling literary territory currently ruled by Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind, and George R. R. Martin, Halloran makes a powerful stand with his thrilling fantasy adventure, The Scarab’s Curse. Chock full of battles, magic, evil, and intrigue—and peppered with some delightful Terry Pratchett Discworld-esque cynicism—Scarab is the story of the salvation of the disreputable fallen wizard, Finster. Taken prisoner by a murderous despot, the cowardly mage must join forces with a hulking, young, barbarian mute to uncover a magical artifact in order to save his own skin, and quite possibly a kingdom as well.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2017
61 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Craig Halloran
179 books268 followersCraig Halloran grew up a role playing fiend and dungeon master's nightmare. Since, he's turned his boundless creativity into more than 80 acclaimed novels that span a wide variety of fantasy fiction sub-genres, from epic fantasy, sword-and-sorcery to future world apocalypse. Creator of the bestselling Darkslayer and the Chronicles of the Dragon series, he imagines unique worlds and wonders that are breathtaking in concept, and then brings them to life in stories brimming with excitement, suspense, and surprise. A former military policeman who now labors in the realm of the remarkable, Halloran has a large and loyal following of devoted fans who eagerly devour his page-turning, action-packed tales of fantastic adventure.
For more news and anecdotes you can follow him at:
Facebook: The Darkslayer Report by Craig
Twitter: Craig Halloran
www.craighalloran.com (Website and Blog)
www.thedarkslayer.com
www.dragonwarsbooks.com
Or drop him a line anytime as he loves to hear from readers: craig@thedarkslayer.com
***
#1 Bestseller of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery & KDP All-Star!
Dragon Wars (20 Books) releasing 2020-21
The Darkslayer Series #1 (6 Books)
The Darkslayer Series #2 (10 books)
The Chronicles of Dragon, Series #1 (10 Books)
The Chronicles of Dragon, Series #2 (10 Books)
The Odyssey of Nath Dragon, Prequel series, (5 Books)
The Supernatural Bounty Hunter Files (10 books)
The Henchmen Chronicles (5 Books)
The Red Citadel and the Sorcerer's Power (1 Stand Alone Book)
The Gamma Earth Cycle (2 Books, Work in Progress)
Zombie Impact (3 Books)
Top Spot: Epic Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Coming of Age Anthologies, Werewolves & Shifters
Top 5: Thrillers & Suspense/Supernatural/Werewolves & Shifters/Vampires
Top 10: Dark Fantasy
Top 10: Coming of Age
Top 100: Genre Fiction
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: (Free in Kindle Store)
#1 Epic Fantasy
#1 Sword & Sorcery
#1 Coming of Age
#1 Urban
#1 Horror
#1 Dark Fantasy
#1 Genetic Engineering
#1 Thrillers/Supernatural/Werewolves & Shifters and Vampires
Over 4000 reviews
4-Star+ Average Rating
For more news and anecdotes you can follow him at:
Facebook: The Darkslayer Report by Craig
Twitter: Craig Halloran
www.craighalloran.com (Website and Blog)
www.thedarkslayer.com
www.dragonwarsbooks.com
Or drop him a line anytime as he loves to hear from readers: craig@thedarkslayer.com
***
#1 Bestseller of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery & KDP All-Star!
Dragon Wars (20 Books) releasing 2020-21
The Darkslayer Series #1 (6 Books)
The Darkslayer Series #2 (10 books)
The Chronicles of Dragon, Series #1 (10 Books)
The Chronicles of Dragon, Series #2 (10 Books)
The Odyssey of Nath Dragon, Prequel series, (5 Books)
The Supernatural Bounty Hunter Files (10 books)
The Henchmen Chronicles (5 Books)
The Red Citadel and the Sorcerer's Power (1 Stand Alone Book)
The Gamma Earth Cycle (2 Books, Work in Progress)
Zombie Impact (3 Books)
Top Spot: Epic Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Coming of Age Anthologies, Werewolves & Shifters
Top 5: Thrillers & Suspense/Supernatural/Werewolves & Shifters/Vampires
Top 10: Dark Fantasy
Top 10: Coming of Age
Top 100: Genre Fiction
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: (Free in Kindle Store)
#1 Epic Fantasy
#1 Sword & Sorcery
#1 Coming of Age
#1 Urban
#1 Horror
#1 Dark Fantasy
#1 Genetic Engineering
#1 Thrillers/Supernatural/Werewolves & Shifters and Vampires
Over 4000 reviews
4-Star+ Average Rating
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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December 14, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/14/2017)! 💝
March 3, 2018
Do you mind blood and guts?
While I don’t mind blood and gore, I know some do. I would rate this book a 2.5. The wizard is well thought out and complicated. His brute friend had not been as fleshed out. Overall it was a fine short story. While it didn’t have the dreaded “to be continued” the book did not have a definitive end. There are more books in the series. While I happily read this book, I have no plans on reading the others if I have to pay for them. I am sorry but I have limited funds and while the book was okay, this book didn’t deepen my interest in the duo to spend money to find out what happens next. I would recommend this book, if someone wants a quick read and if it is still free on Amazon. Overall it was entertaining if a little boring in parts.
While I don’t mind blood and gore, I know some do. I would rate this book a 2.5. The wizard is well thought out and complicated. His brute friend had not been as fleshed out. Overall it was a fine short story. While it didn’t have the dreaded “to be continued” the book did not have a definitive end. There are more books in the series. While I happily read this book, I have no plans on reading the others if I have to pay for them. I am sorry but I have limited funds and while the book was okay, this book didn’t deepen my interest in the duo to spend money to find out what happens next. I would recommend this book, if someone wants a quick read and if it is still free on Amazon. Overall it was entertaining if a little boring in parts.
May 1, 2022
So I had the chance to read this for free and as the title intrigued me I wanted to give it a go.
The concept was interesting and had a little bit of humour. The characters were well thought out and interacted well.
I would have liked more world building such as explaining what the Order was or what Finster did but that is personal preference.
Finster and Moth made a great and well matched pair. I am intrigued by why Moth ate the rings.
Overall, an interesting read and I am determined to read more.
The concept was interesting and had a little bit of humour. The characters were well thought out and interacted well.
I would have liked more world building such as explaining what the Order was or what Finster did but that is personal preference.
Finster and Moth made a great and well matched pair. I am intrigued by why Moth ate the rings.
Overall, an interesting read and I am determined to read more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2017
Scarab's Curse is a pretty good story considering the author wrote it in 6 days. I just wish he'd taken his time because the first third was excellent: Good build up, strong mood, setting, interesting character, want-to-know-what-happens plot. Overall the book was entertaining, just not quite solid all the way through despite good writing.
Please see my full review here: http://www.morebooksthantime.com/the-...
Please see my full review here: http://www.morebooksthantime.com/the-...
January 15, 2018
A wonderful book
This was a fun story to read, full of turns and twists with a finale that opens a lot of possibilities for be books with this unlikely partners. A sorcerer and a savage join forces to defer defeat a fellow sorcerer that wants to rule the world. After a lot of blood shed and strange deaths the two heroes manage to kill their rival, but the savage swallows the most important thing and so the sorcerer needs to go with him in New adventures, or so I hope.
This was a fun story to read, full of turns and twists with a finale that opens a lot of possibilities for be books with this unlikely partners. A sorcerer and a savage join forces to defer defeat a fellow sorcerer that wants to rule the world. After a lot of blood shed and strange deaths the two heroes manage to kill their rival, but the savage swallows the most important thing and so the sorcerer needs to go with him in New adventures, or so I hope.
September 23, 2018
Immediately pulls you into the world
The best stories are the ones that draw you into the authors world without your noticing it. That's my favorite thing about the authors work. I will buy whatever he writes as he never fails to amaze me with his creativity. I also highly recommend his series The Darkslayer.
The best stories are the ones that draw you into the authors world without your noticing it. That's my favorite thing about the authors work. I will buy whatever he writes as he never fails to amaze me with his creativity. I also highly recommend his series The Darkslayer.
July 6, 2018
A great tale in the vein of the old Conan and Sword and Sorcery tales!
I loved this and would continue to read this series.
I loved this and would continue to read this series.
April 21, 2020
A very good book.
March 1, 2017
Great short story
Interesting characters, didn't want the story to end. Hope there is more to come with Finster and Moth. A mage and a barbarian make an unusual, but intriguing team.
Interesting characters, didn't want the story to end. Hope there is more to come with Finster and Moth. A mage and a barbarian make an unusual, but intriguing team.
February 20, 2017
GREAT STORY
When I started reading this "short story", I expected to read through it quickly. I was wrong. This story is so worth the read that I'm probably going to read it again in the next few days. It's that good.
The story opens with a washed up Wizzard in a not so lavish setting trying to keep his wine habit on track by charging a little here and a little there to the farmers and any other people that wanted to see what the Wizzard could do.
As luck would have it, a group of soldiers ganged up on this old Wizzard and dragged him to the person that wanted his head.
After he's thrown into his cell, he realizes he's not alone.
Please take time to read this AWESOME story and ask Mr. Halloran to continue this story, it would be the next saga in his writing career and it'll be GREAT.
When I started reading this "short story", I expected to read through it quickly. I was wrong. This story is so worth the read that I'm probably going to read it again in the next few days. It's that good.
The story opens with a washed up Wizzard in a not so lavish setting trying to keep his wine habit on track by charging a little here and a little there to the farmers and any other people that wanted to see what the Wizzard could do.
As luck would have it, a group of soldiers ganged up on this old Wizzard and dragged him to the person that wanted his head.
After he's thrown into his cell, he realizes he's not alone.
Please take time to read this AWESOME story and ask Mr. Halloran to continue this story, it would be the next saga in his writing career and it'll be GREAT.
February 22, 2017
Great read
This is my favorite novel I have read in the last year.
Great story great characters.
Great work Craig makes me hungry for more.
This is my favorite novel I have read in the last year.
Great story great characters.
Great work Craig makes me hungry for more.
July 19, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
This was a short story featuring a magus and a barbarian. Seeing as how these two are polar opposites, the author combined them very well. There was plenty of ironic humor, adventure, and subtle images of torture. There was an epic quest, with the logical resolution to that quest, but a full adventure to enjoy to get to the end.
This was a short story featuring a magus and a barbarian. Seeing as how these two are polar opposites, the author combined them very well. There was plenty of ironic humor, adventure, and subtle images of torture. There was an epic quest, with the logical resolution to that quest, but a full adventure to enjoy to get to the end.
August 4, 2017
Entertaining, if rather bloody. The retired sorcerer turned sot is more interested in a wine bottle than practicing his art, but is forced to summon magical powers to his aid when he is captured and brought before the Supreme Mage. the prisoner with whom he shares a cell in the dungeon becomes an unlikely ally.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews