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The Dark Ability #1-4
The Dark Ability: Books 1-4
Exiled by his family. Claimed by thieves. Could his dark ability be the key to his salvation?
The Dark Ability is a best-selling fantasy series. Get the first four books of a seven book series with this collection!
The Dark Ability (book 1)
Rsiran is a disappointment to his family, gifted with the ability to Slide. It is a dark magic, one where he can transport himself wherever he wants, but using it will only turn him into the thief his father fears.
Forbidden from Sliding, he’s apprenticed under his father as a blacksmith where lorcith, a rare, precious metal with arcane properties, calls to him, seducing him into forming forbidden blades. When discovered, he’s banished, sentenced indefinitely to the mines of Ilphaesn Mountain.
Though Rsiran tries to serve obediently, to learn to control the call of lorcith as his father demands, when his life is threatened in the darkness of the mines, he finds himself Sliding back to Elaeavn where he finds a black market for his blades - and a new family of thieves.
There someone far more powerful than him discovers what he can do and intends to use him. He doesn’t want to be a pawn in anyone’s ambitions; all he ever wanted was a family. But the darkness inside him cannot be ignored - and he’s already embroiled in an ancient struggle that only he may be able to end.
The Heartstone Blade (book 2)
After killing one of the Elvraeth to save his friends, Rsiran finds a measure of peace, but fears that it will be short lived. When attacked using knives he forged, he is pulled into a struggle that he wants nothing to do with. Worse, friends have secrets they do not share, secrets that could place both he and Jessa in danger.
Finding answers sends him Sliding throughout the city and beyond, testing his ability all while trying to understand the secret of the alloy that might be the key to their safety. When someone close to him is harmed, he must discover the extent he will go for his friends, and realizes that he might truly have darkness within him.
But that darkness may be all that separates he and his friends from an even greater threat.
The Tower of Venass (book 3)
Rsiran now understands that he can use not only the arcane power of lorcith, but also that of heartstone. This ability makes him powerful, perhaps too powerful for some. Others know of his ability, and seek to use him.
After Brusus is attacked, Rsiran makes a decision that requires an unlikely ally, and brings him to dangerous Thyr, where the Scholars of Venass offer their aid, but for a price.
But the scholars want Rsiran for the same reason as the Forgotten. While he strives to discover why, what he finds changes everything that he has come to believe, as he learns that the struggle he’s seen is only the beginning to a greater battle. And somehow he’s the key to ending it.
Blood of the Watcher (book 4)
Chased through the city by someone able to influence his Sliding, Rsiran and his friends prepare for the next attack, uncertain whether the Forgotten or Venass will move first.
When Rsiran learns that his sister was abducted, he must decide whether to help a family that abandoned him. If he does not, Alyse might suffer a fate worse than any torment he has already endured.
Finding answers leads him to discover a secret about his family, and himself, that changes everything that he believes, making him question who - and what - to support.
The Dark Ability is a best-selling fantasy series. Get the first four books of a seven book series with this collection!
The Dark Ability (book 1)
Rsiran is a disappointment to his family, gifted with the ability to Slide. It is a dark magic, one where he can transport himself wherever he wants, but using it will only turn him into the thief his father fears.
Forbidden from Sliding, he’s apprenticed under his father as a blacksmith where lorcith, a rare, precious metal with arcane properties, calls to him, seducing him into forming forbidden blades. When discovered, he’s banished, sentenced indefinitely to the mines of Ilphaesn Mountain.
Though Rsiran tries to serve obediently, to learn to control the call of lorcith as his father demands, when his life is threatened in the darkness of the mines, he finds himself Sliding back to Elaeavn where he finds a black market for his blades - and a new family of thieves.
There someone far more powerful than him discovers what he can do and intends to use him. He doesn’t want to be a pawn in anyone’s ambitions; all he ever wanted was a family. But the darkness inside him cannot be ignored - and he’s already embroiled in an ancient struggle that only he may be able to end.
The Heartstone Blade (book 2)
After killing one of the Elvraeth to save his friends, Rsiran finds a measure of peace, but fears that it will be short lived. When attacked using knives he forged, he is pulled into a struggle that he wants nothing to do with. Worse, friends have secrets they do not share, secrets that could place both he and Jessa in danger.
Finding answers sends him Sliding throughout the city and beyond, testing his ability all while trying to understand the secret of the alloy that might be the key to their safety. When someone close to him is harmed, he must discover the extent he will go for his friends, and realizes that he might truly have darkness within him.
But that darkness may be all that separates he and his friends from an even greater threat.
The Tower of Venass (book 3)
Rsiran now understands that he can use not only the arcane power of lorcith, but also that of heartstone. This ability makes him powerful, perhaps too powerful for some. Others know of his ability, and seek to use him.
After Brusus is attacked, Rsiran makes a decision that requires an unlikely ally, and brings him to dangerous Thyr, where the Scholars of Venass offer their aid, but for a price.
But the scholars want Rsiran for the same reason as the Forgotten. While he strives to discover why, what he finds changes everything that he has come to believe, as he learns that the struggle he’s seen is only the beginning to a greater battle. And somehow he’s the key to ending it.
Blood of the Watcher (book 4)
Chased through the city by someone able to influence his Sliding, Rsiran and his friends prepare for the next attack, uncertain whether the Forgotten or Venass will move first.
When Rsiran learns that his sister was abducted, he must decide whether to help a family that abandoned him. If he does not, Alyse might suffer a fate worse than any torment he has already endured.
Finding answers leads him to discover a secret about his family, and himself, that changes everything that he believes, making him question who - and what - to support.
1274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2017
327 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 2, 2019
Extraordinary series!
Dark Ability
Extraordinary! What a great imagination and talent Mr Holmberg has exhibited in his writing with this story. A different and unusual kind of magic in this tale transcends the reader into a fantasy world that is very unique. The vivid characters written so well throughout that they have become my friends. I empathized with the protagonist, Rsiren, when his father disowned him and sent him to the mines where criminals are punished. The world building describes a unique area of life with buildings so old they are crumbling and yet the people can see a magical Elvraeth palace from many different perspectives as if it were floating. Fascinating!
The Heartstone Blade
Rsiren has escaped Ilphaesn, the mine where his father sent him as a punishment for sliding and also his inability to control the lorcith, contrary to what his father told him. His friend was able to find another place where he could have his own smithy and forge lorcith his own way without the repercussions of his father’s wrath. Rsiren has increased his abilities to include sensing Heartstone which seemed more pure than the lorcith and needed to be forged in a different way.
The Tower of Venass
This installment finds Rsiren dealing with ways to safely rescue his sister while trying to find her first. Ultimately, he thinks she has been taken by the Scholars in Venass to use against his father. One thing about the way Mr Holmberg writes this series is almost annoying in that he is so repetitive. He has Rsiren continually rethinking almost everything he has lived through numerous times as well as how he can best learn from those experiences. Plus how can Rsiren improve on his forgings to create something he has never before done? Sometimes these musings are welcome to remind the reader about what was written in his previous books, but at other times it gets to be too much repetition.
Blood of the Watcher
This fourth book in this series has ended in an exciting battle with the Forgotten, the Smiths, and the Alchemists. Rsiren increases in strength and abilities. And what a WOW ending! The series is not over yet. Mr Holmberg has surprised us with a big reveal in the epilogue that will leave you hungry for more. So of course I am going to sate my hunger and read on.
Dark Ability
Extraordinary! What a great imagination and talent Mr Holmberg has exhibited in his writing with this story. A different and unusual kind of magic in this tale transcends the reader into a fantasy world that is very unique. The vivid characters written so well throughout that they have become my friends. I empathized with the protagonist, Rsiren, when his father disowned him and sent him to the mines where criminals are punished. The world building describes a unique area of life with buildings so old they are crumbling and yet the people can see a magical Elvraeth palace from many different perspectives as if it were floating. Fascinating!
The Heartstone Blade
Rsiren has escaped Ilphaesn, the mine where his father sent him as a punishment for sliding and also his inability to control the lorcith, contrary to what his father told him. His friend was able to find another place where he could have his own smithy and forge lorcith his own way without the repercussions of his father’s wrath. Rsiren has increased his abilities to include sensing Heartstone which seemed more pure than the lorcith and needed to be forged in a different way.
The Tower of Venass
This installment finds Rsiren dealing with ways to safely rescue his sister while trying to find her first. Ultimately, he thinks she has been taken by the Scholars in Venass to use against his father. One thing about the way Mr Holmberg writes this series is almost annoying in that he is so repetitive. He has Rsiren continually rethinking almost everything he has lived through numerous times as well as how he can best learn from those experiences. Plus how can Rsiren improve on his forgings to create something he has never before done? Sometimes these musings are welcome to remind the reader about what was written in his previous books, but at other times it gets to be too much repetition.
Blood of the Watcher
This fourth book in this series has ended in an exciting battle with the Forgotten, the Smiths, and the Alchemists. Rsiren increases in strength and abilities. And what a WOW ending! The series is not over yet. Mr Holmberg has surprised us with a big reveal in the epilogue that will leave you hungry for more. So of course I am going to sate my hunger and read on.
January 1, 2021
The world that D.K. Holmberg created in this book is very unique and interesting. I read this in a few hours and it kept me reading. At first I thought I wasn't going to like it, The story became interesting and the main characters are developed throughout the book, with plots and twists that keep you turning the page. Great reading everyone.
Update: I read this series again, I love it even more. I read a book a day pretty much and I enjoyed them together (meaning one after another). You will enjoy these.
Update: I read this series again, I love it even more. I read a book a day pretty much and I enjoyed them together (meaning one after another). You will enjoy these.
February 6, 2019
Books 1-4 reveal a deep look inside a comp!ex universe of intrigue and mystic abilities.
The adventures of a young man who thought only to be able to work metals as his father before him, Holmberg has created a world where magic and betrayal join hand in hand. His characters are believable and enjoyable, with strong demons inside combined with amazing abilities. Recommended reading for those who want that series which
continues to confound and capture their attention.
The adventures of a young man who thought only to be able to work metals as his father before him, Holmberg has created a world where magic and betrayal join hand in hand. His characters are believable and enjoyable, with strong demons inside combined with amazing abilities. Recommended reading for those who want that series which
continues to confound and capture their attention.
August 4, 2018
Decent writing with vague plot
The writer has decent writing so no glaring grammar issues are spotted. After 4 books, and in the Epilogue, the author finally reveals what’s going on with the plots - otherwise the plot meanders uncertainly with the protagonists gathering more abilities as he goes.
The writer has decent writing so no glaring grammar issues are spotted. After 4 books, and in the Epilogue, the author finally reveals what’s going on with the plots - otherwise the plot meanders uncertainly with the protagonists gathering more abilities as he goes.
February 13, 2019
Not a good read
I’ve only read books 1-4. While I liked the story line, I won’t go further in the series. The books are way drawn out. All that happened could have been in 2 books or less. So much repetitive recounts of scenes. I could, and did, skip several pages at a time and not miss anything.
I’ve only read books 1-4. While I liked the story line, I won’t go further in the series. The books are way drawn out. All that happened could have been in 2 books or less. So much repetitive recounts of scenes. I could, and did, skip several pages at a time and not miss anything.
January 8, 2021
Excellent adventure
The series holds the reader and is fun reading as well. Numerous zigs and zags. But the twists are deftly handled and do frustrate the reader. The characters are consistent as developed and presented. Most importantly the series is fun to read. The reader can track through the various groups and characters.
The series holds the reader and is fun reading as well. Numerous zigs and zags. But the twists are deftly handled and do frustrate the reader. The characters are consistent as developed and presented. Most importantly the series is fun to read. The reader can track through the various groups and characters.
August 10, 2021
Great series for young and old who love supernatural adventures with charaters that you grow to love
I love fining an author who writes as if the characters are real this series has excellent relationships between characters who are always in and out of danger leaving the reader hooked on where too next
I love fining an author who writes as if the characters are real this series has excellent relationships between characters who are always in and out of danger leaving the reader hooked on where too next
January 17, 2021
Read during lockdown, not able to finish.
The first word in the book is „Rsiran“ - the name of the main protagonist. You can already adjust your expectations. Very repetitive. Really, really boring.
The first word in the book is „Rsiran“ - the name of the main protagonist. You can already adjust your expectations. Very repetitive. Really, really boring.
January 25, 2021
Review of The Dark Ability: Books 1-4
Once again Mr Holmberg has outdone himself. With extremely diversified characters in a plot that twists and turns this made for a very entertaining trilogy. I can't wait to read the next one.
Once again Mr Holmberg has outdone himself. With extremely diversified characters in a plot that twists and turns this made for a very entertaining trilogy. I can't wait to read the next one.
May 1, 2021
Good series so far.
I like the story line. The only thing I have a bit of grip about is the repeating over and over again, is about his abilities. The first three books could be shorten to one book.
I like the story line. The only thing I have a bit of grip about is the repeating over and over again, is about his abilities. The first three books could be shorten to one book.
August 1, 2018
Really enjoyed these!
I enjoyed reading these novels so much that I ordered the whole set. D K Holmberg will be on my list of authors to follow on Amazon in the future!
I enjoyed reading these novels so much that I ordered the whole set. D K Holmberg will be on my list of authors to follow on Amazon in the future!
February 2, 2021
Series of Four
One of the first linked series I have read and really enjoyed. Only at the end of the series was I able to see what was coming...very good.
One of the first linked series I have read and really enjoyed. Only at the end of the series was I able to see what was coming...very good.
December 31, 2024
I always name my minecraft pickaxe Rsiran and my sword Lorcith and so far not a single person has asked me why.
November 21, 2025
Absolutely brilliant series really enjoyed it. I read the first book some years ago so re-read it
as part of this omnibus edition
as part of this omnibus edition
April 30, 2020
I found the book got a bit slow, story dragged, after first few chapters but I'm so pleased I kept reading as I'm now looking forward to reading the second book. Typical DK Holmberg, just adds that unexpected twist that keeps me turning the pages. I do feel it's not his strongest 'first in series' but definitely worth reading
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews