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The Torcian Chronicles #1
Defiance
Mesham sits dejectedly in a tiny garret above an inn, as the lands of Torcia fall to the magically-enhanced army of the infamous Mivirian Horde. One of the last surviving ancient warlocks of Torcia, Mesham knows he is marked for death.
The Torcian king knocks on Mesham’s door later that evening and offers him the chance of rejuvenation in return for a seemingly impossible mission into the heart of Mivir. Mesham reluctantly agrees, only to realise the evil of Mivir has spread to the very top of the Torcian government.
As Mesham undertakes his quest to complete the mission, he finds himself hunted by his king, by the mighty Torcian warbands, and by the Horde.
But he cannot fail, for the fate of Mesham’s beloved Torcia rests in his hands.
The Torcian king knocks on Mesham’s door later that evening and offers him the chance of rejuvenation in return for a seemingly impossible mission into the heart of Mivir. Mesham reluctantly agrees, only to realise the evil of Mivir has spread to the very top of the Torcian government.
As Mesham undertakes his quest to complete the mission, he finds himself hunted by his king, by the mighty Torcian warbands, and by the Horde.
But he cannot fail, for the fate of Mesham’s beloved Torcia rests in his hands.
- GenresFantasy
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2018
10 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Reed
52 books53 followersP.J. Reed- writer of warlocks and other magical creatures.
P.J. Reed is a writer and poet from England. She holds a BAEd from Canterbury Christ Church University, an MA from Bradford University and has dabbled in psychology with the OU. She is an outrageously eclectic writer.
Her work has appeared in a wide variety of online and print magazines, books, collections, and podcasts. In 2015 she was shortlisted for the National Poetry Anthology award.
Her paranormal investigation novel 'Welcome To Witherleigh’ was published in 2019. She writes the Bad Decisions series of horror short stories.
In 2020, Reed founded the Exmoor Noir paranormal investigation newsletter, investigating paranormal activity in the southwest of England.
P.J. Reed is a writer and poet from England. She holds a BAEd from Canterbury Christ Church University, an MA from Bradford University and has dabbled in psychology with the OU. She is an outrageously eclectic writer.
Her work has appeared in a wide variety of online and print magazines, books, collections, and podcasts. In 2015 she was shortlisted for the National Poetry Anthology award.
Her paranormal investigation novel 'Welcome To Witherleigh’ was published in 2019. She writes the Bad Decisions series of horror short stories.
In 2020, Reed founded the Exmoor Noir paranormal investigation newsletter, investigating paranormal activity in the southwest of England.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 2, 2018
3☆ Great for Fantasy readers
The Torcian Chronicles: Defiance was a good read unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I didn't Dislike it, It's just fantasy isn't my usual genre I read.
It was an action packed, adventure full of interesting characters and monsters, violence, war and magic.
I did get a little confused with the characters and some of the names and I back tracked a little so I didn't get too lost.
We follow Mesham in his quest to save his world from threat.
Although this book wasn't for me.
However i would highly recommend this book to readers who love YA, Adult Fantasy & Distopian.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
The Torcian Chronicles: Defiance was a good read unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I didn't Dislike it, It's just fantasy isn't my usual genre I read.
It was an action packed, adventure full of interesting characters and monsters, violence, war and magic.
I did get a little confused with the characters and some of the names and I back tracked a little so I didn't get too lost.
We follow Mesham in his quest to save his world from threat.
Although this book wasn't for me.
However i would highly recommend this book to readers who love YA, Adult Fantasy & Distopian.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
February 2, 2018
Anyone who enjoyed The Lord of the Rings and all things magic will certainly enjoy The Torcian Chronicles: Defiance.
Torcia, a peace loving nation, is under threat from Mivirian hordes intent on total destruction of Torcia and its people. Follow Mesham, a young warlock possessing 'The Aweosung Magic' on his quest to save the Kingdom.
P J Webb does an excellent job of describing in great detail, people, places, monsters and battles throughout the entire book.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, which I highly recommend.
Torcia, a peace loving nation, is under threat from Mivirian hordes intent on total destruction of Torcia and its people. Follow Mesham, a young warlock possessing 'The Aweosung Magic' on his quest to save the Kingdom.
P J Webb does an excellent job of describing in great detail, people, places, monsters and battles throughout the entire book.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, which I highly recommend.
March 22, 2018
There’s hardly a page that goes by without some sort of action or excitement!
I’ve always been a huge Fantasy fan, I cut my teeth, so to speak, on Narnia and Lord of the Rings, way back when. I’m a huge fan of Game of Thrones, The Sword of Truth series and a few others. I like the mixture of medieval and modern, the magic which lurks and the incredibly detailed world building that an epic struggle requires.
I love the allegory too, the comparison between now and a mythical then. C.S. Lewis did it brilliantly in Narnia, and Tolkien based the destruction of Middle Earth on what he saw as the ravages of a mechanical and industrial society that had lost touch with its pastoral roots. It’s good to read a new fantasy and start to work out what has influenced it.
As we arrive in Torcia, the first thing you notice is the map. Maps are great, every good fantasy should have one. This map is a corker, it’s a pity the version in my kindle copy doesn’t enlarge well. I’ve managed to find a better version online – it’s worth it. It immediately shows you the scale of the place, enables you to see what’s at stake.
We’re straight into the action, and it’s not a pretty start for our characters. Torcia is under attack by a bunch of bloodthirsty invaders. They appear to have magic on their side. And they’re not afraid to use it!
The thing that grabs you is that this is a big world, the author has filled it with all sorts of interesting things. The physical world is well described, as are the amazing powers that exist and there is a cast of truly interesting creatures. Intentions are not always clear, with every new encounter you must wonder, are these good guys or bad? The lead character, Mesham, is complex and the motley crew that assembles around him have the potential to develop into a proper group as the story progresses.
And as for the adversaries they encounter? Well, you need to see just what inhabits this land, it’s certainly not a home from home. Dangers abound, from the plants, animals and other humans – everything, magical or not, seems out to thwart Mesham’s plans to save his land from the invaders.
There’s a logical sequence to everything that goes on, as in every journey, a sense of achievement with every step forward, with the added feeling that just around the corner is a setback. It all adds to the excitement as our band of heroes assemble and prepare to do battle.
Imagination is a wonderful thing, this authors mind is filled with magic, evil creatures, fights, escapes by the skin-of-the-teeth and really, really big explosions. Action leaps from the pages, there’s hardly one that goes by without some sort of heart-stopping excitement as our hero’s quest commences, and the growing band realise just what they’ve let themselves in for. Saving the world is the object of the exercise, it’s a big job – have they got what it takes?
Not content with giving us a great story, at the back of the book there is a glossary of the language and magical terms that the author has used. A nod to Tolkien and Herbert and great fun to read on its own.
There’s potential in its pages for all sorts of backstory. I think that, as well as Mesham’s story, we need to know more about the history of Torcia and how it got to this position.
As for the magical spells, maybe it’s best if you don’t try them at home!
This is the first of a series, I can’t wait for the next one. It’s a big FIVE STARS from me!
I received this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always been a huge Fantasy fan, I cut my teeth, so to speak, on Narnia and Lord of the Rings, way back when. I’m a huge fan of Game of Thrones, The Sword of Truth series and a few others. I like the mixture of medieval and modern, the magic which lurks and the incredibly detailed world building that an epic struggle requires.
I love the allegory too, the comparison between now and a mythical then. C.S. Lewis did it brilliantly in Narnia, and Tolkien based the destruction of Middle Earth on what he saw as the ravages of a mechanical and industrial society that had lost touch with its pastoral roots. It’s good to read a new fantasy and start to work out what has influenced it.
As we arrive in Torcia, the first thing you notice is the map. Maps are great, every good fantasy should have one. This map is a corker, it’s a pity the version in my kindle copy doesn’t enlarge well. I’ve managed to find a better version online – it’s worth it. It immediately shows you the scale of the place, enables you to see what’s at stake.
We’re straight into the action, and it’s not a pretty start for our characters. Torcia is under attack by a bunch of bloodthirsty invaders. They appear to have magic on their side. And they’re not afraid to use it!
The thing that grabs you is that this is a big world, the author has filled it with all sorts of interesting things. The physical world is well described, as are the amazing powers that exist and there is a cast of truly interesting creatures. Intentions are not always clear, with every new encounter you must wonder, are these good guys or bad? The lead character, Mesham, is complex and the motley crew that assembles around him have the potential to develop into a proper group as the story progresses.
And as for the adversaries they encounter? Well, you need to see just what inhabits this land, it’s certainly not a home from home. Dangers abound, from the plants, animals and other humans – everything, magical or not, seems out to thwart Mesham’s plans to save his land from the invaders.
There’s a logical sequence to everything that goes on, as in every journey, a sense of achievement with every step forward, with the added feeling that just around the corner is a setback. It all adds to the excitement as our band of heroes assemble and prepare to do battle.
Imagination is a wonderful thing, this authors mind is filled with magic, evil creatures, fights, escapes by the skin-of-the-teeth and really, really big explosions. Action leaps from the pages, there’s hardly one that goes by without some sort of heart-stopping excitement as our hero’s quest commences, and the growing band realise just what they’ve let themselves in for. Saving the world is the object of the exercise, it’s a big job – have they got what it takes?
Not content with giving us a great story, at the back of the book there is a glossary of the language and magical terms that the author has used. A nod to Tolkien and Herbert and great fun to read on its own.
There’s potential in its pages for all sorts of backstory. I think that, as well as Mesham’s story, we need to know more about the history of Torcia and how it got to this position.
As for the magical spells, maybe it’s best if you don’t try them at home!
This is the first of a series, I can’t wait for the next one. It’s a big FIVE STARS from me!
I received this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2018
I would like to thank the author PJ Read and blog tour organiser Rachel Gilbey for the ARC of The Torcian Chronicles in return for an honest review.
I admit that that my feelings about this, the first fantasy book I have read in a while are mixed. Not because of the writing and concept behind the book, both of which are excellent, but how I gelled with the story as a reader. Reading is a very personal experience and I firmly believe that it is rare to read a bad book. It’s all about the book finding the right reader and a relationship building up between the two. It took me a while to understand why I found my enjoyment of the book ebbed and flowed as the story progressed. It turned out to be simple in the end though!
So what bothered me? It was the number of times throughout the story our three hero’s were hurt, poisoned and attacked, only to survive their wounds and move onto the next. It is a minor point and one I am sure probably only bothered me, but it bothered me enough for it to cause my feelings about the book to change as I was reading. Make no mistake, I did enjoy it! The writing is great and the story exciting and thrilling. The fantasy element was well thought out and I loved the characters, but the flow of the story suffered a little because of the constant near death experiences endured by the characters.
This is probably not going to bother anyone else and it shoud not, because The Torcian Chronicles is excellent fantasy writing and I am looking forward to the next in the series. Mesham in particular fascinated me, reborn in order to complete a mission laid out for him by his king, he is a character that worms his way into your heart. The adventure is non stop and it makes it an exciting read. I very much enjoyed the battle of our worthy hero’s against the massed hordes of the Mivirian army, with its twists and turns! I am also looking forward to part two and would definitely recommend this book to fellow fantasy lovers, my niggle was minor, and all about me. The book is a fine first length book by an author with a bright future.
I admit that that my feelings about this, the first fantasy book I have read in a while are mixed. Not because of the writing and concept behind the book, both of which are excellent, but how I gelled with the story as a reader. Reading is a very personal experience and I firmly believe that it is rare to read a bad book. It’s all about the book finding the right reader and a relationship building up between the two. It took me a while to understand why I found my enjoyment of the book ebbed and flowed as the story progressed. It turned out to be simple in the end though!
So what bothered me? It was the number of times throughout the story our three hero’s were hurt, poisoned and attacked, only to survive their wounds and move onto the next. It is a minor point and one I am sure probably only bothered me, but it bothered me enough for it to cause my feelings about the book to change as I was reading. Make no mistake, I did enjoy it! The writing is great and the story exciting and thrilling. The fantasy element was well thought out and I loved the characters, but the flow of the story suffered a little because of the constant near death experiences endured by the characters.
This is probably not going to bother anyone else and it shoud not, because The Torcian Chronicles is excellent fantasy writing and I am looking forward to the next in the series. Mesham in particular fascinated me, reborn in order to complete a mission laid out for him by his king, he is a character that worms his way into your heart. The adventure is non stop and it makes it an exciting read. I very much enjoyed the battle of our worthy hero’s against the massed hordes of the Mivirian army, with its twists and turns! I am also looking forward to part two and would definitely recommend this book to fellow fantasy lovers, my niggle was minor, and all about me. The book is a fine first length book by an author with a bright future.
March 6, 2018
Although I've read a few books in the last few months that fall under the broad SFF banner, this first book in P.J. Reed's The Torcian Chronicles series is the first unashamed fantasy that I've read for some time. I'm happy to say that it did a very good job of reminding me just what I've been missing as this is a cleverly imagined, immersive story that I can already tell has the potential to become a hugely enjoyable, complex series.
As with any first book in an ambitious fantasy series Defiance has a dual role to play - it needs to be an engaging story within its own right while also building a rich and exciting fantasy world. The world building here is done very well; Torcia is a kingdom facing almost certain doom as it is ransacked by the marauding hordes from neighbouring Mivir. The merciliess Mivirian Outriders have been magically enhanced and are no match for any mortal forces. One thing I found particularly refreshing about Defiance is that magic in Torcia isn't venerated or celebrated, instead it's feared and its practitioners are forced to wear clothing bearing a downward coiled snake to worn ordinary citizens to keep their distance. Worse, they have to wear anti-magic wristbands, failure to do so is punishable by death. At the start of the book Mesham is an ancient warlock who lives in a filthy garret and is driven to eat rats to avoid starving to death. However, the Torcian king commands him to undergo a dangerous rejuvenation spell before ordering him to embark on a foolhardy mission into Mivir to trigger a civil war there, thus saving Torcia.
Mesham is joined on his quest by two vulgarie (non-magical citizens). The relationship between the three is one of the highlights of the book as suspicion and mistrust becomes at first an uneasy alliance and later approaches friendship. The truths the group learn about themselves lead them to question their beliefs and recall past events with some guilt. Although very much an action driven plot, the character development of the three main protagonists is well handled and bodes well for the rest of the series. Mesham, in particular is a fascinating warlock, his failings and self doubt contrasting sharply with his undoubted ambition now he has been given a second chance in life. He has a fierce loyalty to his country despite being treated so appallingly by his homeland and is prepared to fight to the death to save it.
The companions find themselves in one deadly situation after another and the drama is fast-paced and packed with twists and turns. The three men cheat death several times as the action races towards the gripping climax of the novel. It's a book that demands full attention from its readers, there is so much double crossing going on here that it can be hard to keep track on the various alliances, it means though that Defiance is a thrilling read and it also lays some interesting groundwork for future interactions. Naturally not everything is resolved here, it will be necessary to read the rest of the series to learn the eventual fate of Mesham, his friends and Torcia itself. This richly descriptive, exciting and imaginative book is a superb start to The Torcian Chronicles and I'm eagerly looking forward to discovering what comes next.
As with any first book in an ambitious fantasy series Defiance has a dual role to play - it needs to be an engaging story within its own right while also building a rich and exciting fantasy world. The world building here is done very well; Torcia is a kingdom facing almost certain doom as it is ransacked by the marauding hordes from neighbouring Mivir. The merciliess Mivirian Outriders have been magically enhanced and are no match for any mortal forces. One thing I found particularly refreshing about Defiance is that magic in Torcia isn't venerated or celebrated, instead it's feared and its practitioners are forced to wear clothing bearing a downward coiled snake to worn ordinary citizens to keep their distance. Worse, they have to wear anti-magic wristbands, failure to do so is punishable by death. At the start of the book Mesham is an ancient warlock who lives in a filthy garret and is driven to eat rats to avoid starving to death. However, the Torcian king commands him to undergo a dangerous rejuvenation spell before ordering him to embark on a foolhardy mission into Mivir to trigger a civil war there, thus saving Torcia.
Mesham is joined on his quest by two vulgarie (non-magical citizens). The relationship between the three is one of the highlights of the book as suspicion and mistrust becomes at first an uneasy alliance and later approaches friendship. The truths the group learn about themselves lead them to question their beliefs and recall past events with some guilt. Although very much an action driven plot, the character development of the three main protagonists is well handled and bodes well for the rest of the series. Mesham, in particular is a fascinating warlock, his failings and self doubt contrasting sharply with his undoubted ambition now he has been given a second chance in life. He has a fierce loyalty to his country despite being treated so appallingly by his homeland and is prepared to fight to the death to save it.
The companions find themselves in one deadly situation after another and the drama is fast-paced and packed with twists and turns. The three men cheat death several times as the action races towards the gripping climax of the novel. It's a book that demands full attention from its readers, there is so much double crossing going on here that it can be hard to keep track on the various alliances, it means though that Defiance is a thrilling read and it also lays some interesting groundwork for future interactions. Naturally not everything is resolved here, it will be necessary to read the rest of the series to learn the eventual fate of Mesham, his friends and Torcia itself. This richly descriptive, exciting and imaginative book is a superb start to The Torcian Chronicles and I'm eagerly looking forward to discovering what comes next.
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March 19, 2018
An extremely entertaining fantasy novel that has all of the elements you’d expect, including well-detailed battles, magic, and some very evil bad guys. It moves at a fast pace in most sections, which kept me up late because I didn’t want the action to stop!
My favorite character was the warlock, Mesham. Of course, readers are supposed to root for him, but the writer definitely made that easier by giving him some sarcastic lines early on.
I’m invested enough now that i’m definitely interested in reading the next book in the series. If you enjoy fantasy novels with magic, action, and epic travels, this is good choice for your next book.
My favorite character was the warlock, Mesham. Of course, readers are supposed to root for him, but the writer definitely made that easier by giving him some sarcastic lines early on.
I’m invested enough now that i’m definitely interested in reading the next book in the series. If you enjoy fantasy novels with magic, action, and epic travels, this is good choice for your next book.
March 21, 2018
This is a dazzling, fast-paced fantasy novel that kept me turning the pages. It's full of epic battles, awesome magic, and some truly diabolical antagonists. The writing is amazing and the action is relentless. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more work from this author. Highly recommended!
March 7, 2018
I am a massive fan of fantasy books and when I saw the e-mail come through for this one I knew I had to be on it as it looks brilliant.
This is the first book of P J Reed’s I have read and it had the appearance of an epic series, along the lines of Lord of the Rings, as the world is very well designed and all the locations are well described to make visualising it that much easier. If you do struggle with how the world appears there is a copy in the book, or click here for another copy
The map is a brilliant visual guide to how immense the world is and how far people have to travel when going on their adventures.
The book itself follows Mesham, one of the last Warlocks in the land, as he goes on an enforced adventure.
The book starts straight in on the action and doesn’t really slow down that much throughout as you are taken on the adventure meeting lots of dangerous people and things throughout, all looking to try and kill Mesham.
All of the minor characters were well written and very realistic, reacting in the way you would expect them to.
Overall the book was a very good read, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is the first book of P J Reed’s I have read and it had the appearance of an epic series, along the lines of Lord of the Rings, as the world is very well designed and all the locations are well described to make visualising it that much easier. If you do struggle with how the world appears there is a copy in the book, or click here for another copy
The map is a brilliant visual guide to how immense the world is and how far people have to travel when going on their adventures.
The book itself follows Mesham, one of the last Warlocks in the land, as he goes on an enforced adventure.
The book starts straight in on the action and doesn’t really slow down that much throughout as you are taken on the adventure meeting lots of dangerous people and things throughout, all looking to try and kill Mesham.
All of the minor characters were well written and very realistic, reacting in the way you would expect them to.
Overall the book was a very good read, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
March 2, 2018
I usually don’t read much fantasy but I always enjoy the books I have read of this genre in the past. The Torcian Chronicles was a little bit out of my comfort zone but I really enjoyed the read. I will admit from the start I did struggle with the names and the world but once I got my head around it, I flew through the book. I wish I’d read a paperback copy of this as there was a great map at the front and a glossary of words at the back which I would have loved to flick back to. However that’s my issue and not the fault of the authors!
Mesham is a warlock however this lands of Torcia are under attack from armies and as he’s a warlock he’s being hunted down. The King offers Mesham a chance to regenerate into a younger self to try and stop these armies from destroying Torcia. He agrees and sets off on what seems like an impossible adventure.
My word, what an adventure that was. The pages are packed full of violence, monsters and magic. I loved Mesham as a character, he was determined to save his land even when everyone seems to be against him. The world building was great, however like I mentioned above I did get a bit confused in relation to what lies where etc.
The characters Mesham meets along the way are brilliant, there’s some you’ll love and others you’ll hate, either way they are all fabulously written and really add something to the book.
I will have to admit that even though I loved the book, the characters and the setting, I felt there was something lacking. I’m not sure what and I fear it may just be down to me and my tastes.
I am intrigued to know where the next book will go and I will read it when it comes out.
Mesham is a warlock however this lands of Torcia are under attack from armies and as he’s a warlock he’s being hunted down. The King offers Mesham a chance to regenerate into a younger self to try and stop these armies from destroying Torcia. He agrees and sets off on what seems like an impossible adventure.
My word, what an adventure that was. The pages are packed full of violence, monsters and magic. I loved Mesham as a character, he was determined to save his land even when everyone seems to be against him. The world building was great, however like I mentioned above I did get a bit confused in relation to what lies where etc.
The characters Mesham meets along the way are brilliant, there’s some you’ll love and others you’ll hate, either way they are all fabulously written and really add something to the book.
I will have to admit that even though I loved the book, the characters and the setting, I felt there was something lacking. I’m not sure what and I fear it may just be down to me and my tastes.
I am intrigued to know where the next book will go and I will read it when it comes out.
February 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this fantasy adventure. This is a well written and nicely structured novel. What lets down so many fantasy books is not enough attention to world building. Not so with this story. Torcia became very much alive for me. The author adds to this strong backbone with some strong characterisation particularly that of Mesham who's special abilities carry the plot well. I would highly recommend this to all fantasy fans. You won't be disappointed.
February 21, 2018
This book allowed me to enter a whole new world of sword and sorcery. The characters came alive in my mind and I loved the exciting, fast-paced action in this book.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
March 26, 2018
A Dangerous Spell could be one Wizard's undoing.
March 25, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
The Torcian Chronicles is filled with relatable well rounded characters, especially Mesham, the aged wizard of the novel. A dangerous spell is required to save Torcia and it is not an undertaking that can be approached with disdain. The world created around the central figure, the wizard, is filled with creatures both malignant and beneficent, draws the reader into the fantasy landscape easily, allowing you to become immersed in the story, magic, and dangerous endeavor Mesham is forced to handle.
March 25, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
The Torcian Chronicles is filled with relatable well rounded characters, especially Mesham, the aged wizard of the novel. A dangerous spell is required to save Torcia and it is not an undertaking that can be approached with disdain. The world created around the central figure, the wizard, is filled with creatures both malignant and beneficent, draws the reader into the fantasy landscape easily, allowing you to become immersed in the story, magic, and dangerous endeavor Mesham is forced to handle.
August 27, 2018
The Torcian Chronicles, Book 1: Defiance. Well where to begin. This book is not for unintelligent people. It is complex with great depth and incredible story lines that completely suck you into the world the author has created. After a few chapters I found myself unable to put down the book as I had to know what was going to happen next. The story follows Mesham, a super unlucky but lovable warlock as he embarks on a mission to save his magic-shunning country (Torcia) from the evil pro-magic warlocks of Mivir. He meets some intriguing characters along his journey that you will either learn to love or hate. My favourite character was Captain Reoemód, a fearsome and ruthless Amazonian-type woman who is literally the pinnacle of female empowerment. In other words, she is just awesome, and I beg P.J Reed to never kill her off in her fantastic series to come! Alongside the incredible characters that are so beautifully described that you feel like you know them inside out, the action scenes are just magnificent. The author describes them in such a way that you could literally be standing there on the battlefield alongside your favourite characters. The level of detail is highly appreciated, as compared to other fantasy novelists who seem to be afraid of crossing the border to over describing a scene, P.J Reed achieves just the right amount of detail that isn’t so long that it is boring but isn’t so short that you end up being frustrated due to the lack of description. Another area that P.J Reed has undoubtedly succeeded in is the use of an innovative and original magical system, which is hardly seen in today’s magical novel successes! This magical system language is based on what looks to be Anglo-Saxon vocabulary which I have never come across before, as it’s usually seen to be Latin based, so this was a refreshing change. At the back of the book is also a glossary of the spells written by an unknown Potions Master who discusses what the uses of particular spells are. I recommend having a look at this because it really helps with understanding the spells and is actually quite amusing in places too! With a complex world, you need a good quality map, and of course P.J Reed delivers! This is found at the front of the book, and is unique and refreshingly different to other fantasy maps. Overall, this book is incredible, and if you’re a Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones fan this book is ideal for you. I am itching for the sequel, and itching even more for this series to be made into a TV programme or a movie! Come on HBO, Netflix or Peter Jackson, this has got your names written all over it! 10/10.
August 25, 2018
The novel opens with a battle scene, more a massacre, providing the reader with a good sense of what is to come as a party of Mirivian Outriders descend on Sicam and his men. Realising the danger of complete annihilation, the Torcian king rejuvenates a decrepit warlock and sends him on a mission to save the kingdom. Mesham gathers around him a motley crew who are forced to defend themselves against all manner of monsters. Nowhere is safe. Even the trees are alive and menacing.
Reed writes well, building her world with the minimum of fuss, drawing in her readers with all the elements of a good dark fantasy novel, not least evocative descriptions of decaying cities and carnage, the horror unrelenting. Reed has created characters that are convincing and vividly portrayed, with enough betrayal, treachery and intrigue to hold the attention, and oodles of action and adventure right to the very end. Reed takes her readers on a frenzied ride through a kind of hell, terrifying, disturbing and jaw-dropping by turns. The magic in the story works well. Imaginative and gripping, with strong writing overall, I would recommend this book to appreciators of the dark fantasy genre. I enjoyed finding the spell list at the end.
Reed writes well, building her world with the minimum of fuss, drawing in her readers with all the elements of a good dark fantasy novel, not least evocative descriptions of decaying cities and carnage, the horror unrelenting. Reed has created characters that are convincing and vividly portrayed, with enough betrayal, treachery and intrigue to hold the attention, and oodles of action and adventure right to the very end. Reed takes her readers on a frenzied ride through a kind of hell, terrifying, disturbing and jaw-dropping by turns. The magic in the story works well. Imaginative and gripping, with strong writing overall, I would recommend this book to appreciators of the dark fantasy genre. I enjoyed finding the spell list at the end.
March 20, 2018
This is high fantasy. Fiction describes worlds that can be; fantasy is the stuff that cannot be but which some still want. Escapism through magic and spells. Like Lord of the Rings, this simply does not work for me. Be forewarned, I express a bias towards this kind of literature, but that's me, so let's have a go...
The world of Torcia is under attack by Mivirian raiders. The Torcian king sends out a warlock to aid in its defense. A captain, Sicam (the only character I liked) is in charge, and along the way they pick up a young royal warlock, Shadral. Scenes of war unfold from the opening page and it never lets up. If you want continuous action, it is all here, relentless and unforgiving. In the darkest kind of way, the world of Torcia overwhelmed me.
PJ Reed presents an arena in which every sort of creature, both evil and benign, romps through some of the most distressing and oppressive landscapes in fantasy lands. Perhaps that's the point. Nothing in this world seems friendly or safe; the trees of the forests watch and wait, the soils creep and smolder, the cave walls and rocks threaten with jagged points, even the water and snow is dangerous. A world in which you wonder that only warlocks can survive. Death and debris and lingering horror is everywhere. Not a bright glen or valley to be seen, not a rainbow in the strangely torn skies. And that is just nature. Hordes of warriors and ghouls are all over the place.
To be fair, Reed has a powerful skill at colorful description and for the horror fan there is never a dull moment. She makes even the moss on the rocks come alive. Not a doorway or stony edifice or city-scape goes unbrushed with bleakness, corruption or menace. Rot and decay and stench bury this world to the hilt. It reads like dungeons and dragons on fast forward. Even magic swords and wizardry are unable to keep it all at bay for very long.
Did I say overwhelming? My trouble with high fantasy is where to begin to understand or apply it. With the Narnia tales, there was often joy, hope and a big moral lesson. Here, while the story of good vs evil is promised, the crossover between them is questionable. Torcia has no background setting established for it, the characters for me are too shallow and undeveloped; I don't know what makes Sicam or Shadral tick. Everything is dumped on the reader in a frenetic diaspora of terrorizing imagery and gory escapades. It is as if Reed has a complex volume of what makes a fantasy tale and she pours it out non-stop and tweaks the details for it to work in this marathon of black art. To put it another way, this world is so bleak and forlorn that I wonder if Torcia deserves saving in the first place. I could find no empathy for it in any context, so dense is the sorcery and warfare. Burn, die and be done with it, I was thinking. The late Frank Herbert once told a tale in which everyone was given a super weapon, thus, mutually assured destruction, and terror ended. This is mutually assured destruction that never ends. Next novel, perhaps? Will Defiance evolve into Hope?
There are plenty of typos and misspellings, but the things that caught my eye in this rapid narrative was the constant use of double adjectives and adverbs (fine, if used correctly). But hyphens were absent and then present in a lopsided way. We have 'spread-eagled' (good) but we get 'snout nosed' and 'dust covered' (awkward). We have mention of a female warlock (?). We have 'marches' for marshes' and 'wildsman' becomes 'wildman' for no reason. This is perhaps small stuff, but the book could use some revision and serious editing. Reed can write, there is no question about that. She gives us: “A sense of calmness enveloped Mesham as the horde approached. For the first time in his life he felt at peace and he could almost hear the heartbeat of his motherland.” Very good! I like that. But this story seems rushed and frantic. Her world is like a medieval hell under a withering storm of dizzying spells. Some escape their world inside these stories; I just wanted to escape.
April 2, 2018
I fell in love with the cover of this novel. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, I felt the story itself was lacking.
As an avid fantasy reader, I was really hoping to get into the novel as it progressed, but Mesham and his relationships with the other characters was just odd.
Reed’s worldbuilding was great. I could sense the depth of the world her characters inhabited, but the descriptions let it down. They were often repetitive, and as much as I tried to ignore this to focus on the story, I struggled to do so.
The interactions between the characters often felt forced or contradictory, almost as though the author wasn’t sure how to describe them. It was disappointing, because it felt as though she’d done a lot of character development alongside the worldbuilding, but lost it in the middle of trying to tell the story.
I loved the mystical elements in the fantasy, and the monsters were vivid and powerful.
Overall, the premise of The Torcian Chronicles was brilliant, and there’s a lot of potential for the rest of the series, so I’ll be on the lookout for it.
As an avid fantasy reader, I was really hoping to get into the novel as it progressed, but Mesham and his relationships with the other characters was just odd.
Reed’s worldbuilding was great. I could sense the depth of the world her characters inhabited, but the descriptions let it down. They were often repetitive, and as much as I tried to ignore this to focus on the story, I struggled to do so.
The interactions between the characters often felt forced or contradictory, almost as though the author wasn’t sure how to describe them. It was disappointing, because it felt as though she’d done a lot of character development alongside the worldbuilding, but lost it in the middle of trying to tell the story.
I loved the mystical elements in the fantasy, and the monsters were vivid and powerful.
Overall, the premise of The Torcian Chronicles was brilliant, and there’s a lot of potential for the rest of the series, so I’ll be on the lookout for it.
March 26, 2018
I am drawn to dark works. This is dark fantasy full of danger, betrayals, and excitement.
The Characters -
The characters are expertly written and feel like real people complete with faults and flaws. The antagonist's are a fascinating assortment of almost good to the purely wicked.
The Plot -
The plot was fascinating with unexpected twists and micro bytes of information dropped in providing the clever reader with a lot of background information. The story is fast action dynamic scences and always exciting. There is also unexpected humour in this book which provides light relief and you get to see the realness of the characters.
The Magic-
I loved the use of magic and its consequences. The spell list at the back of the book was an unexpected gem.
Prognosis -
A great book but you have to be intelligent to pick up all the information.
The Characters -
The characters are expertly written and feel like real people complete with faults and flaws. The antagonist's are a fascinating assortment of almost good to the purely wicked.
The Plot -
The plot was fascinating with unexpected twists and micro bytes of information dropped in providing the clever reader with a lot of background information. The story is fast action dynamic scences and always exciting. There is also unexpected humour in this book which provides light relief and you get to see the realness of the characters.
The Magic-
I loved the use of magic and its consequences. The spell list at the back of the book was an unexpected gem.
Prognosis -
A great book but you have to be intelligent to pick up all the information.
April 17, 2018
I recommend this for fans of Lord of the Rings series and those whose reading tastes tend toward epic adventure. The action sequences are well paced and well-plotted, as are Torcian and Mirivian politics. I’m a sucker for magicians, and Mesham here was no different, but I do feel like there’s a bit of plot-armor at play here: he survives because he must, which doesn’t necessarily let us feel the weight of all the things the characters endure. But that aside, Defiance has all the earmarks of high fantasy – intriguing plots and characters, fast pacing, and compelling action. A recommended read for all lovers of fantasy!
May 23, 2018
If you love high fantasy, the Torcian Chronicles is for you.
Join a Warlock named Mesham, a messenger named Shadral and a powerful knight in their quest to save the land of Torcia. In a land where magic is feared and kept in check by the kingdom of Torcia, Mesham must find a way to save the kingdom from the magic strong land of Mirivan. The Mirivan military, possessed of powerful magic, have destroyed much of Torcia in their insidious raids.
I will not give any spoilers. I will say that this book is filled with high adventure and amazing imagery. You may cringe at the Dwellers and shiver at the undead warriors. This was truly a fun read and I hope to read more soon.
Join a Warlock named Mesham, a messenger named Shadral and a powerful knight in their quest to save the land of Torcia. In a land where magic is feared and kept in check by the kingdom of Torcia, Mesham must find a way to save the kingdom from the magic strong land of Mirivan. The Mirivan military, possessed of powerful magic, have destroyed much of Torcia in their insidious raids.
I will not give any spoilers. I will say that this book is filled with high adventure and amazing imagery. You may cringe at the Dwellers and shiver at the undead warriors. This was truly a fun read and I hope to read more soon.
December 31, 2024
Amazing
This novel is a thrilling journey through a land torn apart by war and corruption. Mesham’s struggle as an aging warlock caught between duty and survival is deeply compelling, drawing readers into his conflicted psyche.
The world-building is stunning, painting vivid pictures of Torcia’s crumbling grandeur and Mivir’s dark menace. The plot twists are relentless, as every ally turns foe and every victory comes at a price. With its intricate storytelling and heartfelt character arcs, this book delivers an unforgettable experience, blending heartbreak, hope, and heroism into a single unforgettable tale.
This novel is a thrilling journey through a land torn apart by war and corruption. Mesham’s struggle as an aging warlock caught between duty and survival is deeply compelling, drawing readers into his conflicted psyche.
The world-building is stunning, painting vivid pictures of Torcia’s crumbling grandeur and Mivir’s dark menace. The plot twists are relentless, as every ally turns foe and every victory comes at a price. With its intricate storytelling and heartfelt character arcs, this book delivers an unforgettable experience, blending heartbreak, hope, and heroism into a single unforgettable tale.
July 14, 2018
Action packed and fast-paced from the start, it had my heart going quite a few times. A fantastic fantasy of war and friendship with suspense, shock and excitement.
Magic and Mayhem. Next one, please!
Magic and Mayhem. Next one, please!
November 22, 2020
This is a book with a difference. I don't as a rule go for fantasy type books but I took a chance with this and greatly enjoyed it. My cousin asked to read it and I obliged. Something different. Check this book out.
October 23, 2018
Wow! This was a fast paced adventure that kept me turning pages. Loved the world building and characters. If you are looking for magic and swords, look no further.
June 4, 2020
Excellent book, I couldn't stop reading this story. P.J really takes you to the scene that describes. Highly recommended to everybody who loves Sci-Fi.
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