To Brave the End: A Tale of the Blackshield Dogs

Tales of the Blackshield Dogs #1

by Frank Dorrian

Many faces, many names, have passed through the ranks of the Blackshield Dogs. But few of them ever surpassed the bloody reputation of the man known and feared on Caermark's battlefields as Red Harry.

But before he was Red Harry, before he was anything, he was Harruvard of Werrewood, a man-at-arms sworn in service to Lord Gadrin Strael.

Injured and left for dead during a bitter conflict along Lord Gadrin’s borders, his life was saved by the kindness of a stranger. But as Harruvard's past refused to let him go, that same kindness soon would be stained red.

In the deep of winter, beneath creeping snows and biting ice, the black seeds of the monster Harruvard would become were sown by the hands of men, and nurtured by their cruelty.

Genres: Fantasy

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2017

About the author

Frank Dorrian was born in Liverpool. His hometown, a post-industrial cityscape, served as poignant inspiration for his creative efforts. He would commence writing in earnest during his teenage years, composing stories to sate desires of both expression and introspection.

Former careers include shop cashier, qualified mental health nurse and large-scale change governance and gap analysis for an international business. Today, Frank works as an operational analyst for a major UK institution, overseeing and improving complex data and processes.

When not writing, Frank spends his spare time reading, playing computer games, collecting tattoos and Thai boxing. He has previously competed as a fighter domestically in the UK and abroad in Thailand.

His first book, The Shadow of the High King, a grimdark fantasy novel, was released 30th August 2016, followed by To Brave the End on the 28th February 2017 and Scars of the Sand on the 8th September 2017, both standalone novellas set in the world of the Weaving Shadows Trilogy.

A further standalone, the start of a new series, Horns of the Hunter was released on 27th July 2021, a standalone novel set in the ancient days of Luah Fáil.

Reviews

[Stanislas Sodonon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah well, It was short, sweet and brutal.
The writing is refreshingly punchy. A nice break from my LitRPG spree.
A tad predictable, maybe? But to be honest, I still enjoyed reading it.

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

TO BRAVE THE END is a short novel about Harruvard of Werrewood, a dangerous warrior turned deserter, getting cut down by a pack hunting him down for murder. Harruvard survives, barely, and is slowly brought back to life by the administrations of a local woman.

Said woman and her son bond with the deserter even as he brings danger to their home with his presence. It's a simple but effective story which doesn't end happily. I am reminded a bit of Shane and Logan in the presentation. This is a short novel and clocks in about a 140 pages. In any case, it's an excellent read and very evocative with writing that accents the senselessness of Medieval War.

9/10

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the amount of action that this novella covers and the emotions it evokes, I'm left astounded that the author managed it in a mere 140 odd pages. To Brave the End is dark and gritty that looks to be a prequel of sorts to the main novel. Unfortunately, having immediately looked that up, I can't find the ebook on Amazon, so I will have to make do with the shorts.

From the opening scenes which have Harruvard deserting the army and fleeing those sent to hunt him down, it's clear that this is going to be fast paced and brutal. It doesn't fail in those regards. Whilst there are some quieter moments, they are solely interludes between the vivid and grim violence of the world. What did surprise me was just how well drawn the world and characters were given the short length and just how poetic the writing was at times.

The quasi-medieval feudalism of the setting really comes to life, often through short and otherwise fleeting conversations or interactions. All of the characters shine, from Harry himself to the young widow who takes him in with her son and even the scattered villagers and soldiers who get single paragraphs to depict them.

I'll admit, my heart broke reading this novella. I wasn't quite expecting the gut wrench as events spiral, even if I'd at least partially seen it coming. It's brutal, harsh and unforgiving... and brilliant for it. It's vividly told, with the world and the characters coming to life around you. If you're looking for a cozy redemption arc, then this isn't for you. But if you want a gritty tale of desertion, blood, and revenge then this comes highly recommended.

[Kristian Dobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, Frank Dorrian is back with a prequel/spin-off to his great debut novel The Shadow of the High King. This is a solo story from one of the side characters Harruvard – or Red Harry – who was a member of the elite mercenary company The Blackshield Dogs.
Compared to The Shadow of the High King, this is a small novella but it benefits immensely from its shorter length. I really enjoyed The Shadow of the High King (see my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) but it had some faults, mainly due to its length. To the Brave End, however, is fast paced with not a moment wasted, not a page too much. Everything flows how it should and the story is rich and compelling.
The story is one that’s been told before. Soldier with a troubled past is fatally wounded only to be nursed to health by a woman. As they become close his past comes back to haunt him. We’ve all read, seen or heard that story before. It’s probably as old as time, but here it matters not. It’s so vividly told, fantastically written the argument of originality is irrelevant. I can’t stress that fact enough. From start to finish I was gripped with its grisly bloodshed and surprisingly heartfelt pathos.
Simply put, this is a great novella and another great work in Frank Dorrian’s canon. Highly recommended.

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Brave the End is the second published fiction from Frank Dorrian. Overall it represents a continuation of the harsh, unrelenting and tension-ridden storytelling of his full-length book; however it is ambitious in that its narrow focus is almost entirely upon the protagonist.

This is a short but shocking story, set in the same brutal and grim world as Dorrian's novel, The Shadow of the High King. Something of a chronicle, or be it 'origin story', here we meet Red Harry of the Blackshield Dogs; a character who made a short, incidental appearance in the lengthy novel.

Overall, this novella represents a step back from Dorrian's more grandiose dark fantasy writing. Although the hallmarks of his bloody-minded style remain, we witness here a venture toward the intimate and personal aspects of his craft. The result is a short tale of tragedy and woe that dispenses with none of the gory, visceral impact of The Shadow of the High King, and manages to convincingly meld it with a touching romantic subplot. For its marked ambition, and the fact the plot flows well and holds water in spite of its brevity, I recommend this book.

[Darkened Son · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody brilliant

[Stacey Markle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a stunning horrific, tragic and brutal read. 
The writing is top tier, the prose descriptive and elegant, even when describing the most terrible actions of those on the page. 
Violence here in spades but also love, growth and a glimmer of hope. 
So well done!

[Eric Fomley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm impressed. Frank writes vividly and with emotional power. A novella can be challenging to get right. Some authors give too much info, others too little. Frank finds the perfect balance. The story was compelling and ended the plot well while also opening up the opportunity for sequels. I look forward to continuing this series.

[Kerry Dillenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story telling

Mr Dorrian is a rare and delightful find. His ability to place you into the environment of the action and minds of the characters is masterful. I will be reading much more of his work with enjoyment.

[Brian Blaski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Absolutely loved the book. So excited to see what this new gem of a fantasy author has in store down the road.

[S. D. Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

Pacy, interesting and well written and for me 50-50 on whether it would be a predictable end. It was, in a neat feral way and satisfying for the Grimdark crowd.

Much shorter than I expected, and no bad thing for the reader wanting more.

[Selina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing, pretty grimdark, although there was nothing I hadn't read before in some way.
Still, I would read more by the author.

[bryan richter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bloody good read

Enjoyed this story and hope there's more to it. Gritty, dirty, bloody story of betrayal from all sides, redemption, revenge soaked in rage, all dripping with blood. Good times.

[M.L. Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Shield Brother Harruvard and how he was brought low. It chronicles his raw descent from honorable soldier to deserter and traitor, and into the infamous bloody and screaming mercenary that is his inevitable destiny. There are plenty of dark themes that carry the plot whistling forward.
Harruvard is not a hero. But his gritty authenticity shines through the melancholic setting of this novel. He could be any man, and every man. In a circumstance where most fantasy authors would elevate a hero, Harruvard defies expectations and becomes the opposite. He has few redeemable traits...which makes him highly relatable. I became very emotionally invested in his story.
I couldn’t put the novel down, and I really needed to. This is both a complaint and a high praise.
If Harruvard had been one fraction more of a man, and those who relied on him one whit less vulnerable to his failings, I might have had a different night.
The reader can anticipate what’s coming. The tone of the novel promises no happy endings from the start. It’s like staring at a train wreck the moment before impact. You want to look away, but you just can’t.
And the novel delivers.
The ending was gruesome and highly satisfying. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional heroic fantasy novella.

Written in a lyrical style that reflects both the poetry of ancient sagas and a modern unflinching realism, it has poise and elegance without sacrificing a fast pace. More happens in these few pages than in most bloated fantasy novels.

The characters are beautifully drawn, from the protagonist to the least of the extras in the background. The sparkling dialogue gives each one a huge depth of character and their consistent actions never fail to show intelligence and strength of personality. They have wit and deep emotions which seize the reader’s attention and refuse to let go. They all remain memorable long after the last page is turned.

The action is relentless, but flows with clear choreography. The violence is graphic, brutal, but wholly plausible and all the more startling for that. Balanced with this fury is deep introspection that consistently rings true. Everything in this tale has a deep, grimy sense of reality, which makes the story leap from the page.

All in all, this is the best heroic fantasy I have read so far. The author is definitely one to follow.

[Ian Houston · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like Joe Abercrombie's work, you'll like this. The first in a series of books featuring 'The Blackshield Dogs' a mercenary unit set in a fictional quasi-mediaeval world (lots of swords but no sorcery - yet), it does its job well enough. A futile, ill-managed campaign between squabbling nobles causes Harruvard, ('Harry') to desert. He is wounded during his flight and is found by a widow and her young son. She nurses him back to health and he stays with her during the hard winter working his keep and helping her meet the increasingly-harsh demands of the local squire whose lord is losing the war Harry left. Through a series of (reasonably predictable) events, Harry eventually ends up in the service of The Blackshield Dogs, thereby setting up the rest of the series. Solid world-building and a range of reasonably well-drawn characters contribute to a good, if somewhat brutal, story.

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, Dark, Gritty and very Grim, Frank Dorrian weaves a fast pacing grim world, where the main protagonist Harruvard, a deserter, left for dead, after waking up to find himself recovering in small village, he finds him self enchanted with the woman and her young son, that has help back to healt, but in in a grim world the good things in life only last a moments, the war he thought to escape, finally finds him again, and when the woman and child he has grown to love are brutally murdered, all bets are off, its time for berserker mode, cracking characters and story, damn that story emotional rocked me, when reading Grimdark, you really have to expect the unexpected, highly recommended....😁😱

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the run and gravely wounded, Harruvan is taken in by a widow and her son. Finding a bit of peace for once in his life, he thinks about settling down in the small town, but as always, life has other plans.

A brutal, unforgiving tale of revenge that gripped me from the opening pages. Dorrian's style paints some chilling, violent pictures. Harruvan and his motivations are well-defined, his path sadly fairly plain to see early on.

I had a hard time putting this one down and will likely reach for it's follow-up shortly. A self-published author to watch, in my opinion.

[Sean Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really short, sharp and snappy novella. It’s brutal and grippy with a real sense of violent purpose. It instantly had me purchasing the next one and I hope to see more of ‘Red Harry’ in the full novel of the Blackshield Dogs, their mystique has been built!

[Lisa Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great read. It engulfed my imagination bringing the emotions of Harruvard to life. A perilous read that kept me engaged through the entire story.

[Lara R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Brave the End is the haunting tale of Harruvard—later known as Red Harry—whose brief glimpse of love and hope is shattered by blood and betrayal.

I absolutely loved this novella.

The world building is brutal and immersive, and seeing the strip of humanity ripped away before our eyes makes it all the more powerful.

The characters —especially Harruvard and Daina—are extremely well written and painfully real. Watching his slow descent from wounded man to killer ripped my heart apart.

The fights deliver intense, crushing violence—every clash, every wound feels earned and chilling.

The story is unflinching and bleak, but in that bleakness, you grasp the cost of his transformation. It crushes you—literally drags you into a puddle of loss.

This novella devastates. It’s brief, but every page is a gut punch, and you feel it in your bones. If you want a grimdark story that doesn’t just taste of despair—but lives it—this is essential. Unforgettable.

[Ross Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a grim and gritty short story about the futility of war and what is one man’s place in conflict between two lords who care little for their subjects.
Harruvard finds his loyalty challenged when sent, frozen and starving, to his death in a pointless battle against his lord’s enemy’s mercenary army. He tries to sneak away as a deserter and is chased down and left for dead. Taken in by a hard-working mother and her son, he seems to have finally found somewhere he belongs. But as always his past catches up with him.
I loved the main character of Red Harry and hope he makes an appearance as part of the Blackshield Dogs in another book that follows this one, his principled moral compass wonderfully conflicting with his inner rage to make him a great and compelling character.
The dialogue in this book was also spot on and made each scene perfectly visualisable.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good tale. Why only 3 stars then?

Because it was a good tale. Most folks over rate things at 4 or 5. This is not the tale of Gilgamesh which got handed down thru various cultures. This is the type of story which would be told to brash young men. The type of story a teller of tales would give to braggarts and youths who demanded a tale of bravery and courage. A story that he would open by saying, "Prithee. Prithee. Gather round, gather round and I will tell you the tale of Harry the Red, Harry the Horror..."

[Joseph Vanucchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time

This was good, and I'm sure I'll be reading more about Harry. Seems like the kind of stuff that only gets better

[Miriam Michalak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bleak, dark and seriously grim - a fantastic slim novel detailing how a man could come to join the elite mercenary company The Blackshield Dogs.

[Mark Redman · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Brave the End: A Tale of the Blackshield Dogs. Frank Dorrian weaves a fast-paced story set in a typical medieval world. However, don't let that put you off. This story has some serious balls. It's a dark, gritty, grim world and not for the faint of heart.

Before he was Red Harry before he was anything, he was Harruvard of Werrewood, a man-at-arms sworn in service to Lord Gadrin Strael. Now injured and left for dead during a bitter conflict along Lord Gadrin’s borders, his life was saved by the kindness of a stranger. But as Harruvard's past refused to let him go, that same kindness soon would be stained red.

In the deep of winter, beneath creeping snows and biting ice, the black seeds of the monster Harruvard would become were sown by the hands of men, and nurtured by their cruelty.

The story is pretty much unrelenting from start to finish. Although it is only a novella (130 pages) it packs quite a punch. The plot and story are full of tension. The world isn't fully explored but it doesn't need to be as it is all about Red Harry. It is quite visceral with bloodshed, gore and violence throughout. I loved this book for its entertainment value and that unputdownable quality. Great stuff.

[L J Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

In preparation to reading Dorrian’ novel, Shadow of the High King, I’ve read his two preludes to that book. Each book tells the tale of a major character in High King, telling a bit or more about their early life before joining the Blackshield Dogs, a mercenary band. The other novella, Scarsof the Sand tells us of Harlin, a young gladiator making his name on the arena sand. This novella, To Brave The End, tells of a world weary soldier, Harruvard, starving due to encirclement by the enemy, who leaves his army as a deserter. He finds solace with a widowed woman and her son. But, not that many miles away, a small band, who have heard of Harruvard’s location, have escaped the enemy and are headed towards his location to mete out what they consider justice. This is a rousing story, filled with Grimdark blood and violence. Bothof these novellas were very well written and quite stirring.

I read this story last year as well and found it so memorable that I had to read the other two works.