A Stillness of the Sun

Crowmakers #1

by L.E. Erickson

He’ll make them into weapons. It will be up to them to become heroes. A dark journey toward redemption through a bleak but beautifully-rendered world where monsters are real—and the worst of them might be us. Philadelphia, 1806. Tales of water ghosts haunt the docks, violence stalks the streets, and Indian uprisings fill the news. Kellen Ward and Vincent Bradley are down on their luck and low on options. When Vincent is offered a job outside the city, he has to take it—even though it means leaving Kellen behind. Alone in Philadelphia, Kellen struggles to stay a step ahead of a murderous supernatural threat and an equally murderous madman. Meanwhile, Vincent gets caught up in the plots of a charismatic military leader with big plans for the men he's recruited—plans which include experimental and irreversible changes to their bodies and minds that might make more of them than they ever dreamed. If it doesn't kill them first. Fans of Brandon Sanderson’s The Alloy of Law, Brent Weeks’ Lightbringer series, Django Wexler's Shadow Campaigns series, or Brian McClellan's Powder Mage trilogy will enjoy this military fantasy with historical fiction roots and a taste of the occult. Buy the book and get drawn into the lives of complex, engaging characters you will root for despite their flaws.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2014

Reviews

[Richard Youngstrom]

This is a pleasant bit of historical fiction. The story takes a while to introduce all of the characters and develop a sense of continuity as the author switches from one stream of the story (set of characters) to another and then slowly bring the lines together. The description of the early Philadelphia life and city are excellent and helps carry the story line.

While this was pleasant, the development of the story did not entice me to read the rest of the series.

[Carolyn Oakeson]

I will definitely be reading this again and again

I ignored the clock and truly enjoyed it. The first series in historical fiction I've read that focuses on this particular generation of America.

[Cory]

Too still

2/5 -- DNF @ 50%

It has been some time since I DNF'd a book, but even bibliophiles have limits. 50% through & it was ALL exposition, no actual advancement of plot or character development.