Obstacles

by Ryan English

Androkles, son of Paramonos, spent twenty-five years in the world’s greatest army trying to earn enough money to buy back his good name. He’s battle-scarred, weary, and heartbroken after decades of watching dear friends die, but he survived. He’s ready to retire and be welcomed as a hero, finally able to see the reward he sacrificed so much to achieve.
There’s only one his wife just fled civilization with all his hard-won savings. Now he must pursue her north, through desperate bandits, ravening beasts, and worse. But after he rescues a pair of orphans from starvation, he is faced with his most difficult challenge a question that goes to the very heart of honor. The consequences might be deeper than he realizes, and it’s not just his life on the line…

Genres: Fantasy

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2017

Reviews

[Sunday Okafor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obstacles was an unexpectedly good read for me. I loved the details and intricacies that were applied in writing this. The plot was pretty simple. Androkles just got back from war and found out his wife had absconded with all the money he had gained in his ten years of service, infuriated, he swore to get everything he lost on the grave of his ancestors. We then follow androkles on his journey through the wilds as he encounters one obstacle after the other, the beautiful thing about the book wasn't the action scenes (although I enjoyed those) but the bonds he formed and the family he built for himself along the way.

[Beth Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Enjoyable!

Entertaining fantasy read with an Ancient Greece flair. Hard to put down once you get started. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Bethany Salway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this title gathering metaphorical dust in my kindle, and shook it off for a five minute "read or delete test." Turns out I couldn't put it down! Well written, with a hero's journey vibe. It's just one guy's solo (ostensibly) experience on the road, but I could never guess what was going to happen next, and it always ended up being fascinating. Androkles is gruff and arrogant and thoughtful and an old softie and being in his head was a hoot. The kids and all their interactions were fun to read. I liked the theme of the main character deciding what was important to him. A very enjoyable surprise.

[Wetdryvac Wetdryvac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I... really didn't expect to like this hyper-male militaristic thing, but the writing kept me in until it hooked me. It's still not my usual speed, but it really does nail a flavor of a world, and humanizes some elements of things I really didn't think it could.