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GnomeSaga #3
Cogweaver
Who will perish when gods and goddesses play their destructive games? The shadow has been lifted, revealing an insidious enemy. And now Hightower's gnomish army rides out to meet the threat; yet, before he can join his brethren in the fight, wizard-turned-necromancer, NIKSELPIK NUR, must first purge his archenemy, RAULNOCK, from the guts of Hightower's sewers. Will Nik survive a final showdown with the most powerful wizard in Hightower's long history? Elsewhere, Nik's sister, NIKSABELLA, must perfect her recursive mirror in order to command a race of stonekin warriors - who may eventually betray her - even as she struggles against an unyielding goddess for control of her own body and mind. Will Nika and her newfound army join the battle in time to save her city and blunt the deadly incursion into SULLENOR? Only through a master tinkerer's determination and skill can she overcome the odds and become the COGWEAVER.
414 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Kenny Soward
84 books161 followersWelcome to my little space out on the web. I'm Kenny Soward, and I'm an author, musician, and once IT guy. I write books in many sub-genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy, including post-apocalyptic, military science fiction, epic fantasy, and horror. I'm influenced by authors such as Stephen King, George R. R. Martin, Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling, Mark Lawrence, Dan Simmons, Robin Hobb, Robert McCammon, Larry Correia, and Mike Kraus.
I love all kinds of movies and shows from Battle Star Galactica (reboot) to the Walking Dead. There's nothing I won't try.
I grew up in Kentucky in a small suburb just south of Cincinnati, Ohio, listening to hard rock and playing outdoors. In those quiet 1970's streets, I jumped bikes, played Nerf football, and came away with many scars.
My grandfather and many of my uncles and cousins served in the United States Military, and my father was a Kentucky State Trooper. Their efforts taught me the meaning of sacrifice and gratitude. I've always had an avid curiosity about the world around me, and I hope my enthusiasm for life carries over into my stories, even the dark ones.
I love all kinds of movies and shows from Battle Star Galactica (reboot) to the Walking Dead. There's nothing I won't try.
I grew up in Kentucky in a small suburb just south of Cincinnati, Ohio, listening to hard rock and playing outdoors. In those quiet 1970's streets, I jumped bikes, played Nerf football, and came away with many scars.
My grandfather and many of my uncles and cousins served in the United States Military, and my father was a Kentucky State Trooper. Their efforts taught me the meaning of sacrifice and gratitude. I've always had an avid curiosity about the world around me, and I hope my enthusiasm for life carries over into my stories, even the dark ones.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 5, 2016
Odlican zavrsetak ove serije sa puno akcije, zrtvovanja i poslednjih linija odbrane. Prica se zavrsava, dobijamo vecinu odgovora i ostavljeno je tek malo lufta da ima mesta za nastavak.
Sam ton knjige je ozbiljniji, sto i ne cudi, i prosto se oseca kolko je vazno to sto nasi likovi rade ovde. Plus imamo interesantan uvid u nastanak bogova u ovom univerzumu. Borbe su odlicno opisane i imaju pravu tezinu. Oseca se svaki udarac i svaka ne promisljenost se kaznajava plus niko ne prolazi bez povreda sto je i logicno kada se pogledaju odnosi snaga.
Sama trilogija od mene dobija preporuku pa ako izadje nesto novo u ovom univerzumu obavezno ce se citati.
Sam ton knjige je ozbiljniji, sto i ne cudi, i prosto se oseca kolko je vazno to sto nasi likovi rade ovde. Plus imamo interesantan uvid u nastanak bogova u ovom univerzumu. Borbe su odlicno opisane i imaju pravu tezinu. Oseca se svaki udarac i svaka ne promisljenost se kaznajava plus niko ne prolazi bez povreda sto je i logicno kada se pogledaju odnosi snaga.
Sama trilogija od mene dobija preporuku pa ako izadje nesto novo u ovom univerzumu obavezno ce se citati.
April 14, 2015
Review Copy
A fitting conclusion to the GnomeSaga series. Personally, I'm into horror, I make no bones about it. I've often said sword and sorcery is not my thing, although I've read and enjoyed both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings more than once. So to give 5 stars to Cogweaver is really saying something.
From the beginning of the story, in Rough Magick and continuing through Tinkermage, there has been a storm brewing, a war that will pit Gnomes against seemingly unbeatable forces led by the mysterious baron and his army of Ultraworlders. But the Gnomes are not without friends and a few surprises.
In addition to the epic battle scenes, there's also the storyline of Niksabella and her mother's quest to become a goddess, a proposition that doesn't sit well with the cogweaver, but the alternatives are even worse.
The battle scenes are well-written and as in any war, there are devastating loses. I even shed a tear while reading this one. The sign of a good story is one that moves you. Cogweaver did just that. It may be sword and sorcery, with gnomes, orcs, stonekin, and many other fantastical characters, but it's also a damn fine story.
Cogweaver is available now in both paperback and kindle formats from Ragnarok Publications through Amazon.com.
To get the full experience of the GnomeSaga series, I recommend reading all three books, Rough Magick, Tinkermage, and now Cogweaver.
In addition, a quick shout-out to Cover Artist Arman Akopian for another eye-catching cover.
Kudos.
Highly recommended.
A fitting conclusion to the GnomeSaga series. Personally, I'm into horror, I make no bones about it. I've often said sword and sorcery is not my thing, although I've read and enjoyed both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings more than once. So to give 5 stars to Cogweaver is really saying something.
From the beginning of the story, in Rough Magick and continuing through Tinkermage, there has been a storm brewing, a war that will pit Gnomes against seemingly unbeatable forces led by the mysterious baron and his army of Ultraworlders. But the Gnomes are not without friends and a few surprises.
In addition to the epic battle scenes, there's also the storyline of Niksabella and her mother's quest to become a goddess, a proposition that doesn't sit well with the cogweaver, but the alternatives are even worse.
The battle scenes are well-written and as in any war, there are devastating loses. I even shed a tear while reading this one. The sign of a good story is one that moves you. Cogweaver did just that. It may be sword and sorcery, with gnomes, orcs, stonekin, and many other fantastical characters, but it's also a damn fine story.
Cogweaver is available now in both paperback and kindle formats from Ragnarok Publications through Amazon.com.
To get the full experience of the GnomeSaga series, I recommend reading all three books, Rough Magick, Tinkermage, and now Cogweaver.
In addition, a quick shout-out to Cover Artist Arman Akopian for another eye-catching cover.
Kudos.
Highly recommended.
November 25, 2015
This is such a hard review to write. I've waited and thought over my experience, but I'm afraid three stars is where I'm at on this book. The descriptions of the world, the magic and prose were all well written and impressive. I started out thinking, wow, if we've had an awesome battle scene like that this early, I can't wait to see how it improves. Unfortunately, the story went from battle to battle, and as much as I wanted to like this book, I grew tired of action without increased interest in the characters. There are some parts that show how a bad mother has affected our main characters, and there was a break in the action to show the steampunk creation working itself out, but wrapped all together, I could have stopped with six chapters left. I gave it a month or so and finished it one day. I liked the ending, but it did feel a bit too easy and sudden, and I'm not exactly sure how the finale worked out, but it did. Kenny is a very talented writer, and I will check him out again, but I'm afraid this ending to his trilogy was a disappointment.
September 23, 2018
3.5/5
Consumed as an audiobook. Cute, light read, in this case with an over-dramatic narrator, but either I acclimated to his dramatics or he calmed down a bit by the 3rd audiobook. Some things that follow through the story line of the trilogy don't end up making a whole lot of sense in the end, but that didn't hugely impact my enjoyment of the books.
Consumed as an audiobook. Cute, light read, in this case with an over-dramatic narrator, but either I acclimated to his dramatics or he calmed down a bit by the 3rd audiobook. Some things that follow through the story line of the trilogy don't end up making a whole lot of sense in the end, but that didn't hugely impact my enjoyment of the books.
October 17, 2021
Very black and white world, even the supposedly morally gray characters seem to do the "right" thing all the time. Typical modern fantasy with an abundance of "strong" female characters. Considering the gnomes are supposed to be smart and are physically weaker than the other races, why are all fights solved with brute force?
January 22, 2018
Fun book
Good fun fantasy book about gnomes and a nice sum up to this part of the story. Can only hope more is written later in this world
Good fun fantasy book about gnomes and a nice sum up to this part of the story. Can only hope more is written later in this world
January 18, 2016
GnomeSaga is a high fantasy series designed to evoke the countless five dollar novels released by TSR and Wizards of the Coast in the Nineties. Dungeons and Dragons fiction was never the height of its genre but rarely failed to entertain as well. Set on an unnamed world, GnomeSaga invokes most of the tropes of a Dungeons and Dragons game while also putting its own spin on events.
It also stars gnomes.
Cogweaver is the third volume in the series and the climax of the series' initial plotline. One could easily consider this the finale of a trilogy but I'm pleased to say it is only the ending of the first batch of stories. Too many authors stretch out their plotlines without much in the way of progress and thus wear their fans to the quick. Kenny Soward is smart enough to give closure to a story which didn't need to be prolonged and I appreciate that.
The series follows brother and sister Nikselpik and Niksabella as they attempt to deal with an invasion from another dimension. The evil Baron wants to control all of the ultraworlds and he has a near-unstoppable force to do so. Throwing the entire dynamic into whack is the pair's mother, a gnome who is close to becoming a goddess and opposes the Baron. Unfortunately, their mother is a complete psychopath who is more interested in controlling Niksabella than fighting tyranny.
Cogweaver resolves the story between these characters in a surprising manner. Given the relatively sedate pace of the second volume, I was expecting the Baron arc to drag out five-to-seven books. As a result, Cogweaver has a fast-pace and rapid set of twists which make the book the best of the initial three. Really, they could have stretched things out a little more but I have no complaints about how fast they resolved things.
Much of the novel follows the pair as they deal with the ultraworld invasion. This is a high fantasy war novel with Nikselpik serving as First Wizard while Niksabella struggles behind the lines to free the Stonekin from their slavery. Kenny Soward has a gift for PG-13 fantasy violence, never really getting grim and gritty but keeping things entertaining throughout.
The characterization is enjoyable, too, with Nikselpik's failed relationship with priestess Fara contrasting nicely with Termund and Niksabella's love story. I also like the dose of realism the book provides: how does a Lawful Good priestess reconcile herself with her love of a Neutral (and evil-ish) Necromancer?
The answer? She doesn't.
Doomed relationship is doomed.
And bravo to the author for that.
The climax of the novel isn't the defeat of the Baron or his armies, though, but an ascension ritual which has been built-up for the past two books. I was, initially, skeptical of introducing a plot about the ascension of gods into an otherwise enjoyable war story but I think it works out well. I saw the ending coming a mile away but was still moved by the consequences of it. Plus, I was glad Nikselpik finally managed to confront his mother about the decades of abuse he'd suffered at her hands.
The ending is both well-done as well as bittersweet. Not everyone survives to the very end of the story and even the greatest of triumphs comes at a terrible cost. I find the survival of one character rather eye-rolling, especially given how his death played an important role in the story. The fact his survival doesn't do anyone any good, however, was a nice subversion.
In short, if you liked the previous books, buy this one. If you haven't read the series, I heartily recommend giving it a try if you love Dungeons and Dragons, high fantasy, or quirky adventures in general.
10/10
It also stars gnomes.
Cogweaver is the third volume in the series and the climax of the series' initial plotline. One could easily consider this the finale of a trilogy but I'm pleased to say it is only the ending of the first batch of stories. Too many authors stretch out their plotlines without much in the way of progress and thus wear their fans to the quick. Kenny Soward is smart enough to give closure to a story which didn't need to be prolonged and I appreciate that.
The series follows brother and sister Nikselpik and Niksabella as they attempt to deal with an invasion from another dimension. The evil Baron wants to control all of the ultraworlds and he has a near-unstoppable force to do so. Throwing the entire dynamic into whack is the pair's mother, a gnome who is close to becoming a goddess and opposes the Baron. Unfortunately, their mother is a complete psychopath who is more interested in controlling Niksabella than fighting tyranny.
Cogweaver resolves the story between these characters in a surprising manner. Given the relatively sedate pace of the second volume, I was expecting the Baron arc to drag out five-to-seven books. As a result, Cogweaver has a fast-pace and rapid set of twists which make the book the best of the initial three. Really, they could have stretched things out a little more but I have no complaints about how fast they resolved things.
Much of the novel follows the pair as they deal with the ultraworld invasion. This is a high fantasy war novel with Nikselpik serving as First Wizard while Niksabella struggles behind the lines to free the Stonekin from their slavery. Kenny Soward has a gift for PG-13 fantasy violence, never really getting grim and gritty but keeping things entertaining throughout.
The characterization is enjoyable, too, with Nikselpik's failed relationship with priestess Fara contrasting nicely with Termund and Niksabella's love story. I also like the dose of realism the book provides: how does a Lawful Good priestess reconcile herself with her love of a Neutral (and evil-ish) Necromancer?
The answer? She doesn't.
Doomed relationship is doomed.
And bravo to the author for that.
The climax of the novel isn't the defeat of the Baron or his armies, though, but an ascension ritual which has been built-up for the past two books. I was, initially, skeptical of introducing a plot about the ascension of gods into an otherwise enjoyable war story but I think it works out well. I saw the ending coming a mile away but was still moved by the consequences of it. Plus, I was glad Nikselpik finally managed to confront his mother about the decades of abuse he'd suffered at her hands.
The ending is both well-done as well as bittersweet. Not everyone survives to the very end of the story and even the greatest of triumphs comes at a terrible cost. I find the survival of one character rather eye-rolling, especially given how his death played an important role in the story. The fact his survival doesn't do anyone any good, however, was a nice subversion.
In short, if you liked the previous books, buy this one. If you haven't read the series, I heartily recommend giving it a try if you love Dungeons and Dragons, high fantasy, or quirky adventures in general.
10/10
January 18, 2016
GnomeSaga is a high fantasy series designed to evoke the countless five dollar novels released by TSR and Wizards of the Coast in the Nineties. Dungeons and Dragons fiction was never the height of its genre but rarely failed to entertain as well. Set on an unnamed world, GnomeSaga invokes most of the tropes of a Dungeons and Dragons game while also putting its own spin on events.
It also stars gnomes.
Cogweaver is the third volume in the series and the climax of the series' initial plotline. One could easily consider this the finale of a trilogy but I'm pleased to say it is only the ending of the first batch of stories. Too many authors stretch out their plotlines without much in the way of progress and thus wear their fans to the quick. Kenny Soward is smart enough to give closure to a story which didn't need to be prolonged and I appreciate that.
The series follows brother and sister Nikselpik and Niksabella as they attempt to deal with an invasion from another dimension. The evil Baron wants to control all of the ultraworlds and he has a near-unstoppable force to do so. Throwing the entire dynamic into whack is the pair's mother, a gnome who is close to becoming a goddess and opposes the Baron. Unfortunately, their mother is a complete psychopath who is more interested in controlling Niksabella than fighting tyranny.
Cogweaver resolves the story between these characters in a surprising manner. Given the relatively sedate pace of the second volume, I was expecting the Baron arc to drag out five-to-seven books. As a result, Cogweaver has a fast-pace and rapid set of twists which make the book the best of the initial three. Really, they could have stretched things out a little more but I have no complaints about how fast they resolved things.
Much of the novel follows the pair as they deal with the ultraworld invasion. This is a high fantasy war novel with Nikselpik serving as First Wizard while Niksabella struggles behind the lines to free the Stonekin from their slavery. Kenny Soward has a gift for PG-13 fantasy violence, never really getting grim and gritty but keeping things entertaining throughout.
The characterization is enjoyable, too, with Nikselpik's failed relationship with priestess Fara contrasting nicely with Termund and Niksabella's love story. I also like the dose of realism the book provides: how does a Lawful Good priestess reconcile herself with her love of a Neutral (and evil-ish) Necromancer?
The answer? She doesn't.
Doomed relationship is doomed.
And bravo to the author for that.
The climax of the novel isn't the defeat of the Baron or his armies, though, but an ascension ritual which has been built-up for the past two books. I was, initially, skeptical of introducing a plot about the ascension of gods into an otherwise enjoyable war story but I think it works out well. I saw the ending coming a mile away but was still moved by the consequences of it. Plus, I was glad Nikselpik finally managed to confront his mother about the decades of abuse he'd suffered at her hands.
The ending is both well-done as well as bittersweet. Not everyone survives to the very end of the story and even the greatest of triumphs comes at a terrible cost. I find the survival of one character rather eye-rolling, especially given how his death played an important role in the story. The fact his survival doesn't do anyone any good, however, was a nice subversion.
In short, if you liked the previous books, buy this one. If you haven't read the series, I heartily recommend giving it a try if you love Dungeons and Dragons, high fantasy, or quirky adventures in general.
10/10
It also stars gnomes.
Cogweaver is the third volume in the series and the climax of the series' initial plotline. One could easily consider this the finale of a trilogy but I'm pleased to say it is only the ending of the first batch of stories. Too many authors stretch out their plotlines without much in the way of progress and thus wear their fans to the quick. Kenny Soward is smart enough to give closure to a story which didn't need to be prolonged and I appreciate that.
The series follows brother and sister Nikselpik and Niksabella as they attempt to deal with an invasion from another dimension. The evil Baron wants to control all of the ultraworlds and he has a near-unstoppable force to do so. Throwing the entire dynamic into whack is the pair's mother, a gnome who is close to becoming a goddess and opposes the Baron. Unfortunately, their mother is a complete psychopath who is more interested in controlling Niksabella than fighting tyranny.
Cogweaver resolves the story between these characters in a surprising manner. Given the relatively sedate pace of the second volume, I was expecting the Baron arc to drag out five-to-seven books. As a result, Cogweaver has a fast-pace and rapid set of twists which make the book the best of the initial three. Really, they could have stretched things out a little more but I have no complaints about how fast they resolved things.
Much of the novel follows the pair as they deal with the ultraworld invasion. This is a high fantasy war novel with Nikselpik serving as First Wizard while Niksabella struggles behind the lines to free the Stonekin from their slavery. Kenny Soward has a gift for PG-13 fantasy violence, never really getting grim and gritty but keeping things entertaining throughout.
The characterization is enjoyable, too, with Nikselpik's failed relationship with priestess Fara contrasting nicely with Termund and Niksabella's love story. I also like the dose of realism the book provides: how does a Lawful Good priestess reconcile herself with her love of a Neutral (and evil-ish) Necromancer?
The answer? She doesn't.
Doomed relationship is doomed.
And bravo to the author for that.
The climax of the novel isn't the defeat of the Baron or his armies, though, but an ascension ritual which has been built-up for the past two books. I was, initially, skeptical of introducing a plot about the ascension of gods into an otherwise enjoyable war story but I think it works out well. I saw the ending coming a mile away but was still moved by the consequences of it. Plus, I was glad Nikselpik finally managed to confront his mother about the decades of abuse he'd suffered at her hands.
The ending is both well-done as well as bittersweet. Not everyone survives to the very end of the story and even the greatest of triumphs comes at a terrible cost. I find the survival of one character rather eye-rolling, especially given how his death played an important role in the story. The fact his survival doesn't do anyone any good, however, was a nice subversion.
In short, if you liked the previous books, buy this one. If you haven't read the series, I heartily recommend giving it a try if you love Dungeons and Dragons, high fantasy, or quirky adventures in general.
10/10
September 30, 2015
Some questions I had after reading. Spoilers? Ahead.
I was right in my last review, anyone saying "Sir" to certain persons, die in some recurring gag.
I thought she swore she would never call that woman "mother"?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't carrying/using an open flame in an enclosed sewer, where it reeks something fierce(methane), suppose to equal self-immolation?
I'm confused. In the last book it was revealed and no one raises a complaint? What gives?
I think that not having his mother to breast feed him, made Nik overly obsessed with breasts.
Really? The "large" friend was able to hold on while big buff rock creatures weren't?
This just seems like a deus ex machina, so the "cogweaver" could have someone with her.
Don't know why, but the last few chapters seemed slightly disjointed.
I did enjoy that the female protagonist didn't go self masochist.
She didn't allow herself to be manipulated, and let people that caused her great harm to walk away because "I have to be better than them", and other BS asspulls that some other Authors indulge in their work's endings.
3/5 Stars
I was right in my last review, anyone saying "Sir" to certain persons, die in some recurring gag.
I thought she swore she would never call that woman "mother"?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't carrying/using an open flame in an enclosed sewer, where it reeks something fierce(methane), suppose to equal self-immolation?
I'm confused. In the last book it was revealed and no one raises a complaint? What gives?
I think that not having his mother to breast feed him, made Nik overly obsessed with breasts.
Really? The "large" friend was able to hold on while big buff rock creatures weren't?
This just seems like a deus ex machina, so the "cogweaver" could have someone with her.
Don't know why, but the last few chapters seemed slightly disjointed.
I did enjoy that the female protagonist didn't go self masochist.
She didn't allow herself to be manipulated, and let people that caused her great harm to walk away because "I have to be better than them", and other BS asspulls that some other Authors indulge in their work's endings.
3/5 Stars
February 22, 2016
While it is the typical big battle(s) at the end of the series route, it's still a very nice close to the trilogy (I won't say series because I'm hoping for many more adventures in Sullenor...and perhaps some Ultraworlds).
Both Nikselpik and Niksabella grow in character, and even more so in their power. I love some necromancy, and the thought of Nik standing there reviving...well, you'll just have to read it, but it was awesome.
My only complaint here is Martreuse and his team. They all sounded so villainously awesome, but I didn't get to spend much time with them. Traive especially -- I want to know how he came upon that massive sword of his, or the etched armor he wears. Kenny, if you're listening, I'm putting in a request for either some short stories or a spin-off novel/series featuring this group.
Both Nikselpik and Niksabella grow in character, and even more so in their power. I love some necromancy, and the thought of Nik standing there reviving...well, you'll just have to read it, but it was awesome.
My only complaint here is Martreuse and his team. They all sounded so villainously awesome, but I didn't get to spend much time with them. Traive especially -- I want to know how he came upon that massive sword of his, or the etched armor he wears. Kenny, if you're listening, I'm putting in a request for either some short stories or a spin-off novel/series featuring this group.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews