Thunder Horizon

by Stephen Zimmer

A deadly menace stalks the shadows of the lands to the north, stirring the winds of war. Farther south, the power of the Teveren Empire spreads with every passing day, empowered by dark sorcery. Formidable legions bent on conquest are on the march, slavery and subjugation following in their wake.

Within the rising maelstrom, Rayden Valkyrie has returned to the Gessa, to stand with the tribe that once took her into their care as a child. No amount of jewels or coin can sway her, nor can the great power of her adversaries intimidate her.

With a sword blade in her right hand and axe in her left, Rayden confronts foes both supernatural and of flesh and blood. Horrific revelations and tremendous risks loom; some that will see Rayden's survival in the gravest of peril.

Even if Rayden and the Gessa survive the trials plaguing their lands, the thunder of an even darker storm booms across the far horizon.

Thunder Horizon is the second book in the Dark Sun Dawn Saga.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2017

About the author

Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and publisher of Seventh Star Press who resides in Lexington, Ky with his beloved and an office manager named Dubious the Cat. His literary work includes the epic fantasy Fires in Eden Series, the cross-genre Rising Dawn Saga, the sword and sorcery Rayden Valkyrie Tales, the horror genre Hellscapes short story collections, the cross-genre dystopian Faraway Saga series, and the steampunk Harvey and Solomon tales along with his new novellas featuring Rayden Valkyrie and Ragnar Stormbringer.

His movie credits include short films such as Swordbearer and The Sirens, and the feature Shadows Light. Forthcoming is Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart, a TV pilot project.

Visit Stephen online via his website at http://www.stephenzimmer.com
on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7
or twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/sgzimmer

Reviews

[Darlene Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Fantasy
Author: Stephen Zimmer
Title: Thunder Horizon
Series: Dark Sun Dawn Series

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Thunder Horizon in exchange for a fair review. When authors send me a book, they know that I will take my time getting through it and will look at the pros and cons before rating the book. That said, I’m human and try to be impartial, but I try. As a Book Dragon, I claim responsibility for this review. May the powers of the Book Dragons be with you. For more Book Dragon info, check out my post How to Read Like a Book Dragon. Oh, and this isn’t the first Zimmer book I’ve read – I read Exodus Gate, Crown of Vengeance, and Heart of a Lion.
 
About the book: This is the second book in the Dark Sun Dawn Series, published in 2017 by Seventh Star Press. Rayden Valkyrie is a warrior from a Northern tribe who fights for her code of honor. Rayden leads warriors through wit and experience. She makes friends and enemies along the way.
 
About the author: Stephen Zimmer is a fantasy writer who wields a pen like a sword. He is a filmmaker and author. He wrote the Fires in Eden series, the Harvey and Solomon tales, the Hellscapes collections, and the Rising Dawn saga.
 
Novel Breakdown
Rayden Valkyrie returned to the Gessa after years fighting enemies only to find more trying to kill the tribe that took her in when she was a child. She takes on mortal and supernatural antagonists while standing by her code and her friends.
 
Pros
With each stage of the book, the enemies got eviler and stakes mounted.
I got to see Hamicar again – I love that character.
Blood, death, and gore! I love the fight scenes. Each time I read them, I learn a bit more about grueling death scenes. Also, the characters in the book follow consistent logic – and when what’s happening is questionable, they explain why it’s that way – this is good because it separates this world from our own – not all animals will act the same, and if spooked by an enemy, will go closer to settlements and not the enemy it’s most afraid of.

“Rayden’s axe opening a growing cavity in the beast’s back, blood, bits of flesh, and fur flew.” Stephen Zimmer, Thunder Horizon

There is a unifying theme of the book – we’re in a fight for all humankind, not just one tribe. Eigon said, “Sometimes being a human is a greater bond than the tribe one is a part of.” Solid quote – and so true.
My favorite line: “The blood is not so different as you may think.” Eigon, Thunder Horizon by Stephen Zimmer
Okay, I’m adding a character to the pros – Manak of the Varganir was interesting. I also liked the differentiation of the Varganir’s speech patterns – it set the species apart from the humankind. I do want to know where Manak learned the human language, but that’s a story for another day.
 
Cons
It was difficult for me to remember which species was which – mostly because the names were similar, but after a while it worked it’s way out. I was hoping for new fantasy creatures as antagonists, but the Arguntier were possessed animals – that was interesting, but I was hoping for darker original enemies.
No spoilers because I don’t do them, but one of my favorite characters was killed off – okay, that’s not necessarily a con, but I liked the character…and it was necessary to the plot. Okay, I just wanted him to live for forever in the halls of wherever they go after death…
There was one point where I think it was just violence for violence sake – the death was drawn out and could have been quicker.
 
Overall
Bad guys in the shadows, rising tension, blades, axes, friends, and enemies…this is a book to read when you want big action and characters who get into hot water and somehow try to wriggle out of it. Rayden Valkyrie is a solid character who fights both supernatural and mortal enemies. I want to know what happens next.
 
My rating: 4 stars

 

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex well-wrought cultures, not all of them human, and scary well-imagined monsters fill the pages of Stephen Zimmer’s second Rayden Valkerie novel, Thunder Horizon. The story stands alone, starting as it does where the protagonist has left her team and set out, also alone. Horrifying battles follow, against monsters and against a human threat. But a terrifying danger might be enough to unite past enemies. Tribes human and otherwise, will have to work together to survive. And Rayden, in a scene set to amply satisfy readers of book one, will reunite at last with old friends and set out to learn what’s going on.

It’s hard not to sense echoes of Rome vs the Barbarians in Stephen Zimmer’s cool and complex fantasy world. Well-organised and well-armed, the enemy is surely better set to win than a tribal union with no leader. But something more is happening behind the scenes, and there’s a satisfying sense of events moving toward a goal, though the goal is yet unseen.

Equally convincing in the blow-by-blow of barbarous battle and the tangled sensuality of human release afterward; well-paced as the story flows smoothly from set piece war to negotiation to plot; and emotionally satisfying with a strong female protagonist, complex emotions and beliefs (or lack thereof), and great characters; Thunder Horizon pushes the story forward, pushes the characters deeper, and reveals that secret voiced by Rayden near the end: “Sometimes the things that appear impossible must be challenged to show what is truly possible.” I’m eager to read more.

Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I offer my honest review.

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rayden's triumphant return!

Rayden is back! And, as if she didn't have enough to contend with in book one, in Thunder Horizon she has to dig deeper, fight harder and be stronger. The battle in which she must now engage, and the evil she must ultimately face, is even more epic than in the previous book. Of course, Rayden meets those challenges like the enduring warrioress and champion that she is and reminds me why I fell in love with her lion's heart and steadfast spirit to begin with!

This second installment moves along at a rapid pace and kept me just as enthralled as the first. The rich and vivid descriptions drew me into a technicolor fantasy world, that I was loathe to leave, once the story had concluded.

After seeing what Zimmer can do with the written word, I am BEYOND excited and anxious to see what he does with the forthcoming Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV pilot and (fingers and toes crossed) planned series!

*I received a complimentary copy of this story in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

      In the second book we find Rayden fighting an evil of the darkest variety . She stands with the people that took her in as a child to help save them from the evil that is taking over . 
   Stephen takes us on an epic journey in book two . The evil is darker and the fights are harder . Rayden give he all to everyone and just reminds me why I love her so much. She is even more bad ass in this book . She had me on the edge of my seat all the way through this book . I loved every page . 
   This story is more epic then the first one . The author takes us on a ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through . At one point I was really wondering if this was it for Rayden and the Gessa . But like all the other battles she does come out of it . This story is a little bit more fast paced then the first one . You will absolutely love the story and the characters . Can't wait for the next book 

[Holly Phillippe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Zimmer never ceases to amaze us with his fantastical heroine Rayden Valkyrie along with her loyal band of comrades. This is book 2 in the Rising Dawn Saga. This story came out of the first page with a vengeance and keeps your eyes glued to the words as you follow Rayden and her band through battles with beasts, monsters and the supernatural. Zimmer has a way of bringing all these elements together and melding them into a magical journey that you soon will not forget. If you enjoy the supernatural, fantasy worlds , heroines, battle scenes, and cross genre aspects than I highly recommend you giving this one a go. You may find you read it in one session because it is a hard one to put down.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book Rayden was a wonderful character and I cared about what happened to her. It had the magic that I wanted in this type of book and I'm glad I read the first and this book together as I really wanted the adventure to keep going. Overall I had an amazing time reading the Dark Sun Dawn series and look forward to more from Mr. Zimmer and hope for more in Dark Sun Dawn.