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The Infernal Guardian #1
Shadow of the Exile
From the Aurealis Award-winning author of A Crucible of Souls.
Outcast and exiled, the demon Tarrik Nal-Valim has long been forgotten by the world of humans. At least, so he thinks.
But when he is summoned as a last resort by a desperate sorcerer, it seems as though his past has caught up with him. Because the sorcerer is Serenity “Ren” Branwen, the daughter of Tarrik’s former master—and friend. Though she seems cold, driven, and ruthless, Tarrik can tell that Ren has her back against the wall, and he is compelled by ferocious powers to obey her.
As their world sinks into a terrifying maelstrom of murder, intrigue, and insurrection, Tarrik is forced to serve Ren’s arcane designs; plans that, if they were to succeed, would resurrect unimaginable power, and could destroy Tarrik’s entire race.
But as events unfurl, the lines between demon and master become blurred, and Tarrik realizes that Ren is not what she seems. To prevent unimaginable devastation Tarrik may have to surrender what he values most: a chance at redemption and an end to his exile.
Outcast and exiled, the demon Tarrik Nal-Valim has long been forgotten by the world of humans. At least, so he thinks.
But when he is summoned as a last resort by a desperate sorcerer, it seems as though his past has caught up with him. Because the sorcerer is Serenity “Ren” Branwen, the daughter of Tarrik’s former master—and friend. Though she seems cold, driven, and ruthless, Tarrik can tell that Ren has her back against the wall, and he is compelled by ferocious powers to obey her.
As their world sinks into a terrifying maelstrom of murder, intrigue, and insurrection, Tarrik is forced to serve Ren’s arcane designs; plans that, if they were to succeed, would resurrect unimaginable power, and could destroy Tarrik’s entire race.
But as events unfurl, the lines between demon and master become blurred, and Tarrik realizes that Ren is not what she seems. To prevent unimaginable devastation Tarrik may have to surrender what he values most: a chance at redemption and an end to his exile.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2018
463 people are currently reading
1612 people want to read
About the author
Mitchell Hogan
36 books938 followers
*** Signup to Mitchell's New Release mailing list to be the first to hear about new releases, and for bonus chapters of A Crucible of Souls! ***
When he was eleven, Mitchell Hogan was given the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to read, and a love of fantasy novels was born. He spent the next ten years reading, rolling dice, and playing computer games, with some school and university thrown in. Along the way he accumulated numerous bookcases' worth of fantasy and sci-fi novels and doesn’t look to stop anytime soon.
His first attempt at writing fantasy was an abysmal failure and abandoned after only one page. But ideas for characters and scenes continued to come to him and he kept detailed notes of his thoughts, on the off chance that one day he might have time to write a novel. For a decade he put off his dream of writing until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He knew he would regret not having tried to write the novel percolating inside his head for the rest of his life. Mitchell quit his job and lived off dwindling savings, and the support of his fiancé, until he finished the first draft of A Crucible of Souls.
He now writes full time and is eternally grateful to the readers who took a chance on an unknown author.
A Crucible of Souls won the 2013 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
Mitchell lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, Angela, and daughters, Isabelle and Charlotte.
When he was eleven, Mitchell Hogan was given the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to read, and a love of fantasy novels was born. He spent the next ten years reading, rolling dice, and playing computer games, with some school and university thrown in. Along the way he accumulated numerous bookcases' worth of fantasy and sci-fi novels and doesn’t look to stop anytime soon.
His first attempt at writing fantasy was an abysmal failure and abandoned after only one page. But ideas for characters and scenes continued to come to him and he kept detailed notes of his thoughts, on the off chance that one day he might have time to write a novel. For a decade he put off his dream of writing until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He knew he would regret not having tried to write the novel percolating inside his head for the rest of his life. Mitchell quit his job and lived off dwindling savings, and the support of his fiancé, until he finished the first draft of A Crucible of Souls.
He now writes full time and is eternally grateful to the readers who took a chance on an unknown author.
A Crucible of Souls won the 2013 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
Mitchell lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, Angela, and daughters, Isabelle and Charlotte.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
May 23, 2019
I received a bound proof manuscript copy of Shadow of the Exile in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Mitchell Hogan and 47North for the opportunity.
Tarrik Nal-Valim is a demon of the 37th order. Extremely powerful and currently resides in Shimrax where demons of unsavoury character, criminals and exiles live. Tarrik is one of the later. He was extradited by the demon lords for marrying a human. We start the narrative when the veil between worlds is ripped about and hooks carry Tarrik through to the human world. He is being summoned by a very powerful sorcerer where he is bound to do her bidding. Her motives and desires are mysterious however she is being sought after by some influential and high ranking individuals and other demons too. So begins our tale following a very unlikely duo.
This is the first of Hogan's works that have only followed one point of view perspective so it was exciting to see how it read and to see how it compares to his previous works. Tarrick and the sorcerer Serenity (Ren) are the two main characters. Tarrick is a breath of fresh air. I love books from the view of a demon or a troll or an orc - the characters that are normally billed as villains and having empathy and sharing their emotions in a human manner was great. A recent tale that did this well was Jonathan French's The Grey Bastards. Tarrick's character also has aspects I've seen recently in LitRPG books such as having a secret and incredibly powerful sword, having special moves like 'shadow-stepping' which is straight out of a Dishonoured game and demons such as him can level up if they kill a higher level demon. Ren is a very powerful sorceress who is part of an elite of nine who are trying to bring a (slightly cliche) dark lord Samal Rak-Shazza to the human world to reign endless chaos and destruction. Rumour has it that the 9 shaman's that he controls have all gone mad due to his influence and messages to them during the hours of sleep. And yes, Ren is one of them.
By far the best part of this book is the two characters interactions. We only hear the demon's thoughts so Ren remains a mystery throughout a lot of the story. His internal monologues of how he will kill her as soon as she missteps and loosens his binds but also that he has to abide her every whim. It creates an ultimately impressive drama. Will they end up liking each other? Is her cause a worthy one? Will it even benefit Tarrick to help her of his own accord as opposed to seeing her as an enemy puppet master?
There are a lot of amazing action sequences and showdowns of an epic proportion. One that stood out to me was when our demon hero had a dual against one of the empire's greatest swordsmen but there are many excellent moments peppered throughout. Tarrick is in disguise so nobody sees him as a demon, they just believe he is a dark-skinned banished warrior from the ways far to the south. After the beginning, the story is generally split into about 4 or 5 parts. Simply, go to this town, complete an objective, get on a magic flying platform and go to the next town and repeat. This didn't bother me as what happened in each city they went to was exciting and interesting enough to warrant the almost cheating method of transport but, at the same time it cuts out the boring unnecessary travel conversations that fill up many similar books. Hogan has streamlined this to approximately 450 pages and I raced through it because there was no stuttering, slumbering middle sections. That isn't to say that the history and backstories are not deep because they are. As a demon, Tarrick has lived a long time so we find out about his past with the demon's, where he is on the hierarchy, his knowledge of the truly dangerous demons, his past relationships with humans whether his previous sorcerer or once lover. Due to Tarrick's age, he is very wise and his analysis of body language, humans, and demons give readers an excellent picture of the created world and it all seems very intuitive but also fluid, like it is his second nature.
This is the 1st book in a trilogy entitled The Infernal Guardian but whether it will be Ren he is guarding next book I can't say and I wouldn't want to spoil what is an excellent finale. Hogan has been a favourite of my blogging friend Petros at Booknest for years so I'd like to thank him for introducing me to Mitchell and to say that I can understand why he is such a big fan!
A stunning, thought-provoking new fantasy series following a likeable demon, a mysterious sorceress which is full of impressive intricate details, complex motives, unique and brilliant set pieces, a nice RPG inspired magic scheme and many many more qualities you'll have to discover for yourselves. Recommend!
Tarrik Nal-Valim is a demon of the 37th order. Extremely powerful and currently resides in Shimrax where demons of unsavoury character, criminals and exiles live. Tarrik is one of the later. He was extradited by the demon lords for marrying a human. We start the narrative when the veil between worlds is ripped about and hooks carry Tarrik through to the human world. He is being summoned by a very powerful sorcerer where he is bound to do her bidding. Her motives and desires are mysterious however she is being sought after by some influential and high ranking individuals and other demons too. So begins our tale following a very unlikely duo.
This is the first of Hogan's works that have only followed one point of view perspective so it was exciting to see how it read and to see how it compares to his previous works. Tarrick and the sorcerer Serenity (Ren) are the two main characters. Tarrick is a breath of fresh air. I love books from the view of a demon or a troll or an orc - the characters that are normally billed as villains and having empathy and sharing their emotions in a human manner was great. A recent tale that did this well was Jonathan French's The Grey Bastards. Tarrick's character also has aspects I've seen recently in LitRPG books such as having a secret and incredibly powerful sword, having special moves like 'shadow-stepping' which is straight out of a Dishonoured game and demons such as him can level up if they kill a higher level demon. Ren is a very powerful sorceress who is part of an elite of nine who are trying to bring a (slightly cliche) dark lord Samal Rak-Shazza to the human world to reign endless chaos and destruction. Rumour has it that the 9 shaman's that he controls have all gone mad due to his influence and messages to them during the hours of sleep. And yes, Ren is one of them.
By far the best part of this book is the two characters interactions. We only hear the demon's thoughts so Ren remains a mystery throughout a lot of the story. His internal monologues of how he will kill her as soon as she missteps and loosens his binds but also that he has to abide her every whim. It creates an ultimately impressive drama. Will they end up liking each other? Is her cause a worthy one? Will it even benefit Tarrick to help her of his own accord as opposed to seeing her as an enemy puppet master?
There are a lot of amazing action sequences and showdowns of an epic proportion. One that stood out to me was when our demon hero had a dual against one of the empire's greatest swordsmen but there are many excellent moments peppered throughout. Tarrick is in disguise so nobody sees him as a demon, they just believe he is a dark-skinned banished warrior from the ways far to the south. After the beginning, the story is generally split into about 4 or 5 parts. Simply, go to this town, complete an objective, get on a magic flying platform and go to the next town and repeat. This didn't bother me as what happened in each city they went to was exciting and interesting enough to warrant the almost cheating method of transport but, at the same time it cuts out the boring unnecessary travel conversations that fill up many similar books. Hogan has streamlined this to approximately 450 pages and I raced through it because there was no stuttering, slumbering middle sections. That isn't to say that the history and backstories are not deep because they are. As a demon, Tarrick has lived a long time so we find out about his past with the demon's, where he is on the hierarchy, his knowledge of the truly dangerous demons, his past relationships with humans whether his previous sorcerer or once lover. Due to Tarrick's age, he is very wise and his analysis of body language, humans, and demons give readers an excellent picture of the created world and it all seems very intuitive but also fluid, like it is his second nature.
This is the 1st book in a trilogy entitled The Infernal Guardian but whether it will be Ren he is guarding next book I can't say and I wouldn't want to spoil what is an excellent finale. Hogan has been a favourite of my blogging friend Petros at Booknest for years so I'd like to thank him for introducing me to Mitchell and to say that I can understand why he is such a big fan!
A stunning, thought-provoking new fantasy series following a likeable demon, a mysterious sorceress which is full of impressive intricate details, complex motives, unique and brilliant set pieces, a nice RPG inspired magic scheme and many many more qualities you'll have to discover for yourselves. Recommend!
April 22, 2019
Audio – 5+++ stars
Story – 3 stars
Sorry but this was not a romance as suggested by Amazon. If it is, it’s taken a backseat in the abyss. If anything, it’s more of an enemies-to-I-can-tolerate-you now kind of relationship development. I enjoyed the action and adventure, but I wanted romance as well.
Story – 3 stars
Sorry but this was not a romance as suggested by Amazon. If it is, it’s taken a backseat in the abyss. If anything, it’s more of an enemies-to-I-can-tolerate-you now kind of relationship development. I enjoyed the action and adventure, but I wanted romance as well.
Read
June 4, 2018Update: 4th June 2018: - Proofread received, reviewed, and returned back to 47North, so my job on the text of the novel is done! The only thing left really is the cover, and hopefully there will be some news on that soon. And now while I'm working on the sequel, Dawn of the Exile, I'll continue to confirm which reviewers would like an ARC in August. And with the majority of work I had to do for this book completed, it's time to commence freaking out about the release...
Update: 2nd May 2018: - My final pass of the copyedit is done! The novel is in great shape, and I don't expect any queries from the copyedit (unless they are teeny tiny ones...!) 47North have the manuscript and I guess it's off to formatting/printing very soon. The description has been finalized, along with some promotional taglines. Next up is cover art and hopefully I'll find out about promotions and what's in store leading up to, and after, release in October!
Update: 2nd May 2018: - My final pass of the copyedit is done! The novel is in great shape, and I don't expect any queries from the copyedit (unless they are teeny tiny ones...!) 47North have the manuscript and I guess it's off to formatting/printing very soon. The description has been finalized, along with some promotional taglines. Next up is cover art and hopefully I'll find out about promotions and what's in store leading up to, and after, release in October!
October 17, 2018
This was a pretty solid 4 stars until the last 50 pages or so. Damn, what an ending.
October 18, 2018
Tarrik Nal-Valim, demon of the Thirty-Seventh Order, has been exiled for a heinous crime. That of loving a human. Away from his kind, he's content with living an ascetic life in the Guttering Wastes. Or so it seems. In secret, he plans to escape his exile and extract vengeance from those who wronged him. But when he's summoned back in the world of men by Serenity 'Ren' Branwen, a sorcerer of formidable power and a worshiper of the worst Demon of them all, he's forced to abandon his own plans and serve hers instead.
I've read thousands of fantasy books by hundreds of fantasy authors. I've loved quite a few of them, some more than others. It would be hard, if not impossible, to rank them or their authors, in any order, and especially that of best to worst. But if you asked me for my 5 favorite authors, I would know what to answer. And I would know Mitchel Hogan would be one of them.
Shadow of the Exile, as with every other of Hogan's novels, starts slow. Maybe even painfully so for those who enjoy fast-paced books. Sure, there are quite a few action scenes in the very first chapters, and you find out some of the character's traits, personalities and purpose early on, but the book doesn't really take off until halfway through. But when it does.... let's say you're in for a treat.
I could talk about the book's prose, world-building, magic-system, and a dozen other things, as I usually do in my reviews. But this time I won't. Because in Mitchell Hogan's books, that's not what I care about, and I dare say you shouldn't either. There's only one thing important enough, and everything else pales before it. The story, and the story alone. And Mitchell Hogan knows how to tell one, better than most. Shadow of the Exile is a story about love, forgiveness and absolution. It's also a story about war, death, and destruction. It's, more or less, a story about a demon who's more human that the rest of us.
Shadow of the Exile is out today. Buy it. Read it. Forget about prose, pace, characterization (not that the book isn't excellent on that regard), and enjoy a good story instead. And then buy the rest of his books and do the same.
"Reality tore, prized open by arcane forces. A blast of frost washed through Tarrik, a frigid wind he could sense ethereally but not physically feel. A conduit was created, joining this world to an abyssal realm. The void beckoned. Tarrik Nal-Valim surrendered to its song."
I've read thousands of fantasy books by hundreds of fantasy authors. I've loved quite a few of them, some more than others. It would be hard, if not impossible, to rank them or their authors, in any order, and especially that of best to worst. But if you asked me for my 5 favorite authors, I would know what to answer. And I would know Mitchel Hogan would be one of them.
Shadow of the Exile, as with every other of Hogan's novels, starts slow. Maybe even painfully so for those who enjoy fast-paced books. Sure, there are quite a few action scenes in the very first chapters, and you find out some of the character's traits, personalities and purpose early on, but the book doesn't really take off until halfway through. But when it does.... let's say you're in for a treat.
I could talk about the book's prose, world-building, magic-system, and a dozen other things, as I usually do in my reviews. But this time I won't. Because in Mitchell Hogan's books, that's not what I care about, and I dare say you shouldn't either. There's only one thing important enough, and everything else pales before it. The story, and the story alone. And Mitchell Hogan knows how to tell one, better than most. Shadow of the Exile is a story about love, forgiveness and absolution. It's also a story about war, death, and destruction. It's, more or less, a story about a demon who's more human that the rest of us.
Shadow of the Exile is out today. Buy it. Read it. Forget about prose, pace, characterization (not that the book isn't excellent on that regard), and enjoy a good story instead. And then buy the rest of his books and do the same.
September 24, 2018
Full review is here, on my blog!~
This was a very difficult book to put down, and very easy to get into!
I started reading this one just a little bit before bedtime, and pretty soon it was way, way past my bedtime, lol.
This is the story of Tarrik Nal-Valim, who is a demon. He’s one of the higher ranked demons, so he’s intelligent and retains his memories, unlike the lower ranked demons in the worlds of the abyss. He’s been exiled by his people into one of the worst worlds in the abyss, and is just trying to make his way in the hopes that he’ll have a chance to redeem himself to the demon lords, when he is suddenly summoned, and it turns out it’s by his former master’s daughter, Ren. Ren is in a bind, and has bad people chasing her, and is part of a cabal of sorcerers that is going to try and summon the worst demon ever… so, as a last resort, she summons her father’s demon friend to help her contribute to the cause.
And there were many, many shenanigans to be had!
I really, really liked Tarrik. He’s often rather snarky or witty, and the way that he always toes the line of his bonds with Ren was great. He either toes the lines of disobedience, or obeys her commands so to the letter that it’s more than she bargained for. He’s a really easy character to root for, even when he’s doing things that are… not so great. I mean, he is what he is, amirite? Demons in the universe that Mitchell Hogan has created are somewhat similar to demons in our own lore. They vary in power, can be summoned and controlled, and are generally fond of mischief and mayhem. But, Tarrik isn’t the sort who actively goes out of his way to do horrible things. He seems like a pretty good dude, all told, it’s just that demons have an emotional spectrum that’s powerful and difficult to control. So, he gets into trouble at times, but he really just wants to end his exile and move on with his life. So, I found myself cheering for him to win the day.
I didn’t really latch on to Ren until later on in the story, but I did eventually get there. She’s a bit of a mystery, in terms of why she’s so powerful compared to all the other sorcerers like her, and more into the goal that she’s working towards. She knows some interesting people and goes to some interesting places, that’s for sure.
I’m pretty sure that this is part of a series, as it’s certainly left room for further stories with Tarrik at the helm. While this one wasn’t a cliffhanger, it did end rather abruptly and differently than I thought it would. Not badly… just… differently. I’m excited to see where this story will go!
This was an easy book to read, and was never boring. I found that it was rather well paced, and there was usually something exciting or interesting going on. I was really interested in this one because a story from the POV of a bound demon was something I thought sounded really interesting. Well, it was rather interesting, so I’m certainly glad that this one found its way into my hands! I had 4/5 stars of fun with this one. I hope to find out what’s next for Tarrik!
Thanks to the author, and 47North via NetGalley for the review copy!
This was a very difficult book to put down, and very easy to get into!
I started reading this one just a little bit before bedtime, and pretty soon it was way, way past my bedtime, lol.
This is the story of Tarrik Nal-Valim, who is a demon. He’s one of the higher ranked demons, so he’s intelligent and retains his memories, unlike the lower ranked demons in the worlds of the abyss. He’s been exiled by his people into one of the worst worlds in the abyss, and is just trying to make his way in the hopes that he’ll have a chance to redeem himself to the demon lords, when he is suddenly summoned, and it turns out it’s by his former master’s daughter, Ren. Ren is in a bind, and has bad people chasing her, and is part of a cabal of sorcerers that is going to try and summon the worst demon ever… so, as a last resort, she summons her father’s demon friend to help her contribute to the cause.
And there were many, many shenanigans to be had!
I really, really liked Tarrik. He’s often rather snarky or witty, and the way that he always toes the line of his bonds with Ren was great. He either toes the lines of disobedience, or obeys her commands so to the letter that it’s more than she bargained for. He’s a really easy character to root for, even when he’s doing things that are… not so great. I mean, he is what he is, amirite? Demons in the universe that Mitchell Hogan has created are somewhat similar to demons in our own lore. They vary in power, can be summoned and controlled, and are generally fond of mischief and mayhem. But, Tarrik isn’t the sort who actively goes out of his way to do horrible things. He seems like a pretty good dude, all told, it’s just that demons have an emotional spectrum that’s powerful and difficult to control. So, he gets into trouble at times, but he really just wants to end his exile and move on with his life. So, I found myself cheering for him to win the day.
I didn’t really latch on to Ren until later on in the story, but I did eventually get there. She’s a bit of a mystery, in terms of why she’s so powerful compared to all the other sorcerers like her, and more into the goal that she’s working towards. She knows some interesting people and goes to some interesting places, that’s for sure.
I’m pretty sure that this is part of a series, as it’s certainly left room for further stories with Tarrik at the helm. While this one wasn’t a cliffhanger, it did end rather abruptly and differently than I thought it would. Not badly… just… differently. I’m excited to see where this story will go!
This was an easy book to read, and was never boring. I found that it was rather well paced, and there was usually something exciting or interesting going on. I was really interested in this one because a story from the POV of a bound demon was something I thought sounded really interesting. Well, it was rather interesting, so I’m certainly glad that this one found its way into my hands! I had 4/5 stars of fun with this one. I hope to find out what’s next for Tarrik!
Thanks to the author, and 47North via NetGalley for the review copy!
April 25, 2019
4.5*. Nearly a perfect read. Bringing 90s fantasy back. Demons, sorcerers, great fight scenes and cool plotting. The world building is intricate and detailed but not overly confusing. The interaction between the 2 protagonists was probably the best part of the read. It reminded me of those great 90s reads, kinda like gemmell, feist etc. Good heroic fantasy here. Highly recommend this fantasy read.
February 21, 2019
This book was already on my tbr when I won a copy! I listened to it on Audible and thought the narration really good, although I had to get used to the voice at first.
In the book we get to read about Tarrik, a demon, and the voice of the narration, to me, became one with the voice of Tarrik.
I really enjoy books where the main character is not a human. Throughout the book I grew really fond of Tarrik, who is summoned by a sorceror and isn't pleased with that fact. He tries to fight the bond and the orders he receives.
What a great book, I will definitly read the sequel that, I believe, is coming out in March 2019!
In the book we get to read about Tarrik, a demon, and the voice of the narration, to me, became one with the voice of Tarrik.
I really enjoy books where the main character is not a human. Throughout the book I grew really fond of Tarrik, who is summoned by a sorceror and isn't pleased with that fact. He tries to fight the bond and the orders he receives.
What a great book, I will definitly read the sequel that, I believe, is coming out in March 2019!
September 21, 2018
Publishing Date: October 2018
Publisher: 49 North
ISBN:9781503903227
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.4/5
Publisher’s Description:Outcast and exiled, the demon Tarrik Nal-Valim has long been forgotten by the world of humans. At least, so he thinks. But when he is summoned as a last resort by a desperate sorcerer, it seems as though his past has caught up with him. The sorcerer is Serenity “Ren” Branwen, the daughter of Tarrik’s former master—and friend. Though she seems cold, driven, and ruthless, Tarrik can tell that Ren has her back against a wall, and he is compelled by ferocious powers to obey her.
Review: So……this….was…really….good. This parsing of verbiage hopefully drives home that point. Tarrik is called and bound by a sorceress, to help protect her while she pursues a hidden quest of her own. This constant movement creates an interesting and varied world and even more interesting characters. The magic is very involved and intricate in approach and varies from person to person. The only downer is the oft repeated “Hiding shadow blade” reasoning among others. There is no need to re-iterate instances. We are accomplished readers not idiots.
I was holding my breath, hoping beyond hope that the two main characters in this novel would NOT devolve into a romance. And thankfully Tarrik just wants to find ways to break the sorcerers enslavement in order to kill her. Yeah baby! Who knows, maybe down the road something love-buds, at which point I will shjt-can the novel. So enjoy it while it lasts and get it while it’s hot!
Read all of my reviews, here.
Publisher: 49 North
ISBN:9781503903227
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.4/5
Publisher’s Description:Outcast and exiled, the demon Tarrik Nal-Valim has long been forgotten by the world of humans. At least, so he thinks. But when he is summoned as a last resort by a desperate sorcerer, it seems as though his past has caught up with him. The sorcerer is Serenity “Ren” Branwen, the daughter of Tarrik’s former master—and friend. Though she seems cold, driven, and ruthless, Tarrik can tell that Ren has her back against a wall, and he is compelled by ferocious powers to obey her.
Review: So……this….was…really….good. This parsing of verbiage hopefully drives home that point. Tarrik is called and bound by a sorceress, to help protect her while she pursues a hidden quest of her own. This constant movement creates an interesting and varied world and even more interesting characters. The magic is very involved and intricate in approach and varies from person to person. The only downer is the oft repeated “Hiding shadow blade” reasoning among others. There is no need to re-iterate instances. We are accomplished readers not idiots.
I was holding my breath, hoping beyond hope that the two main characters in this novel would NOT devolve into a romance. And thankfully Tarrik just wants to find ways to break the sorcerers enslavement in order to kill her. Yeah baby! Who knows, maybe down the road something love-buds, at which point I will shjt-can the novel. So enjoy it while it lasts and get it while it’s hot!
Read all of my reviews, here.
October 16, 2018
A snarky, action-packed, and fun fantasy novel with a little of grimdark flavour mixed in. Hogan is a solid storyteller, and his characters are interesting which keeps the pace of the story right. It's not a big novel, and is wrapped up in a modest 450 pages. I finished it within a day, and found the story very exciting that kept me going for hours. This novel has connection to Hogan's previous work 'Revenant Winds', and readers would do well if they read it first, which is equally good.
The narrative is from single point-of-view, and that too from an enslaved demon by a powerful sorceress who has her own shadowy agendas. The chapters were short and well-paced, and there's lot of action to boot. The magic is awesome, and it reminds of the standard sword and sorcery novels. The writing is simple and pretty straightforward, which was easy to read without any Philosophical musings of the sort. It is a little grim, and there are moments when there's a lot of unsavory stuff, but, it doesn't lapse into horror which saves it. I found it enjoyable.
The characters are of no-nonesense sort, the two major characters anyway, because they are the ones who dominate the entire crux of the plot. Tarrik is a demon of the higher order, and is subjected to do the sorceress Ren's biddings. Tarrik being a demon doesn't act like one at all. He has a sense of honour, and doesn't want to hurt innocents. He frequently steps on Ren's toe just to test her, and has thoughts of killing her in order to win his freedom. Ren is a powerful sorceress, in fact more powerful than any of her peers. She wields a mysterious power, and is somewhat free of the stink of her malevolent demon lord. She is harsh, brutal, and has a sort of vulnerability to her rough demeanour which cracks sometimes. I didn't like her at all in the beginning, but, till the end, I did understand and was able to like her, the cruel choices and decisions she had to make. She has a mission of seeing the evil demon-lord remain in his prison from her fellow sorcerers who are bent on freeing him to rain death and destruction. She does everything moral and immoral to fulfill this, and it's interesting to see the relationship developing between Tarrik and Ren.
As I said this is an extremely well-paced novel, and the ending was satisfactory if not a little abrupt. I feel that there are more stories to be written of Tarrik and Ren, and Hogan left the possibility of other books to be written. It was entertaining at best, and, readers who are tired of voluminous fantasy epics should give this a try. It will make hell of a fun for the stressing hours. Definitely recommended.
The narrative is from single point-of-view, and that too from an enslaved demon by a powerful sorceress who has her own shadowy agendas. The chapters were short and well-paced, and there's lot of action to boot. The magic is awesome, and it reminds of the standard sword and sorcery novels. The writing is simple and pretty straightforward, which was easy to read without any Philosophical musings of the sort. It is a little grim, and there are moments when there's a lot of unsavory stuff, but, it doesn't lapse into horror which saves it. I found it enjoyable.
The characters are of no-nonesense sort, the two major characters anyway, because they are the ones who dominate the entire crux of the plot. Tarrik is a demon of the higher order, and is subjected to do the sorceress Ren's biddings. Tarrik being a demon doesn't act like one at all. He has a sense of honour, and doesn't want to hurt innocents. He frequently steps on Ren's toe just to test her, and has thoughts of killing her in order to win his freedom. Ren is a powerful sorceress, in fact more powerful than any of her peers. She wields a mysterious power, and is somewhat free of the stink of her malevolent demon lord. She is harsh, brutal, and has a sort of vulnerability to her rough demeanour which cracks sometimes. I didn't like her at all in the beginning, but, till the end, I did understand and was able to like her, the cruel choices and decisions she had to make. She has a mission of seeing the evil demon-lord remain in his prison from her fellow sorcerers who are bent on freeing him to rain death and destruction. She does everything moral and immoral to fulfill this, and it's interesting to see the relationship developing between Tarrik and Ren.
As I said this is an extremely well-paced novel, and the ending was satisfactory if not a little abrupt. I feel that there are more stories to be written of Tarrik and Ren, and Hogan left the possibility of other books to be written. It was entertaining at best, and, readers who are tired of voluminous fantasy epics should give this a try. It will make hell of a fun for the stressing hours. Definitely recommended.
April 24, 2019
5 stars audio
5 action packed loved this fucking book story!!!
5 action packed loved this fucking book story!!!
May 29, 2020
Narrative told from Tarrik's (the exiled, higher demon) point of view. What I loved about the story was it being set in the same world as "Revenant Winds", but a few hundred years earlier on a different continent, to start with anyway. There's so many little tidbits to be learned about this amazing world Hogan has created like the Tainted Cabal, demons hierarchy (weaknesses and strengths), Nysrog's top general Samal, the Evokers and the concepts used by sorcerers, making it very useful background material for other Hogan books. (also ties in with the ARC of "Incursion", that I'm reading now)
Tarrik is summoned by Ren, one of the Tainted Cabal to be used for whatever secret mission she has planned. Most of the story, his main objective is to kill Ren to break the bonds she has put on him and return to his home. Ren seems very cold in nature, and hard to understand til maybe halfway through the book. Tarrik on the other hand is a demon with a demon way of thinking most of the time, but with a softer side, making him the more likable of the two. She has a single objective for most of the book, dragging Tarrik from one place to the other on a sorcerers disc. The two find themselves in trouble at every turn, so there's never a dull moment and Tarrik gets to prove his worth. The build up is worth the wait for the epic conclusion to this tale and thankfully you don't have to read 1000 pages to get there.
Tarrik is summoned by Ren, one of the Tainted Cabal to be used for whatever secret mission she has planned. Most of the story, his main objective is to kill Ren to break the bonds she has put on him and return to his home. Ren seems very cold in nature, and hard to understand til maybe halfway through the book. Tarrik on the other hand is a demon with a demon way of thinking most of the time, but with a softer side, making him the more likable of the two. She has a single objective for most of the book, dragging Tarrik from one place to the other on a sorcerers disc. The two find themselves in trouble at every turn, so there's never a dull moment and Tarrik gets to prove his worth. The build up is worth the wait for the epic conclusion to this tale and thankfully you don't have to read 1000 pages to get there.
October 11, 2018
I stumbled across some of Hogan’s other books not too long ago and enjoyed them, so when I was offered an ARC of Shadow of the Exile I jumped on it.
The book kicks off with the main character, a demon named Tarrik Nal-Valim, is ripped from his exile by a sorcerer who seeks to enslave him, Ren. Naturally, Tarrik isn’t a massive fan of being enslaved, and thus, a reluctant protagonist is born. Tarrik is a character I enjoyed reading about; he is constantly changing throughout the book, and trying to work out what’s happening and how can return to his exile. He doesn’t like people and he isn’t afraid to let them know.
Shadow of the Exile was a really interesting story. It’s steeped in intrigue and mystery. It was very conflicting for me because I wasn’t entirely sure which characters I should be rooting for until around the 70% mark. Tarrik and Ren spend most of the story together but their partnership doesn’t work in any conventional sense. Most of the time they’re opposed to each other and it’s difficult to know which one you’re meant to be rooting for, who’s good, who’s bad, and what the end game is.
Ren was another fascinating character because she’s unwilling to share her motivations with someone she doesn’t trust, like the demon she’s forcing to work with her. Her backstory is revealed at a much slower pace, and while she isn’t entirely sympathetic at the beginning of the book, she did grow on me over the course of the narrative.
Overall, Shadow of the Exile was an enjoyable book, and I would recommend it to people who like:
Darker Fantasy
Cool Magic
Reluctant Protagonists
Character growth
For more reviews, check out my blog, The Fantasy Inn
The book kicks off with the main character, a demon named Tarrik Nal-Valim, is ripped from his exile by a sorcerer who seeks to enslave him, Ren. Naturally, Tarrik isn’t a massive fan of being enslaved, and thus, a reluctant protagonist is born. Tarrik is a character I enjoyed reading about; he is constantly changing throughout the book, and trying to work out what’s happening and how can return to his exile. He doesn’t like people and he isn’t afraid to let them know.
Shadow of the Exile was a really interesting story. It’s steeped in intrigue and mystery. It was very conflicting for me because I wasn’t entirely sure which characters I should be rooting for until around the 70% mark. Tarrik and Ren spend most of the story together but their partnership doesn’t work in any conventional sense. Most of the time they’re opposed to each other and it’s difficult to know which one you’re meant to be rooting for, who’s good, who’s bad, and what the end game is.
Ren was another fascinating character because she’s unwilling to share her motivations with someone she doesn’t trust, like the demon she’s forcing to work with her. Her backstory is revealed at a much slower pace, and while she isn’t entirely sympathetic at the beginning of the book, she did grow on me over the course of the narrative.
Overall, Shadow of the Exile was an enjoyable book, and I would recommend it to people who like:
Darker Fantasy
Cool Magic
Reluctant Protagonists
Character growth
For more reviews, check out my blog, The Fantasy Inn
November 21, 2018
I really liked this one. Mainly because the main character is NOT human. I always enjoyed those characters a lot!
In this one we get to follow a demon - who was summoned and now has to grudgingly do as he's told. Demons are violent of course - but they do have a wide range of emotions really, and not all is as it first seems.
I must confess it didn't always work a hundred percent for me. At times he felt a bit too "human" and just changed a bit too quickly. But overall it was a really nice change of POV!
Same for the second main character - the female who did the summoning. I like how there's quite some depth to the characters history, though at times it felt a bit predictable and hollow. Not enough to really nag me, but enough for me to go for 4 stars instead of 5.
The world is interesting and there is PLENTY of magic! So if you need a break from the current low magic trend and want shields and demons and all kinds of magic - this is a good choice!
Once again I'm quite satisfied and will definitely keep picking up whatever the author publishes next!
In this one we get to follow a demon - who was summoned and now has to grudgingly do as he's told. Demons are violent of course - but they do have a wide range of emotions really, and not all is as it first seems.
I must confess it didn't always work a hundred percent for me. At times he felt a bit too "human" and just changed a bit too quickly. But overall it was a really nice change of POV!
Same for the second main character - the female who did the summoning. I like how there's quite some depth to the characters history, though at times it felt a bit predictable and hollow. Not enough to really nag me, but enough for me to go for 4 stars instead of 5.
The world is interesting and there is PLENTY of magic! So if you need a break from the current low magic trend and want shields and demons and all kinds of magic - this is a good choice!
Once again I'm quite satisfied and will definitely keep picking up whatever the author publishes next!
October 3, 2018
3.5 Stars
“I’m not a man,” said Tarrik. “And mercy is for the weak.”
When Tarrik is pulled from his exile, into the human world, he is shocked. He is a higher level demon, he hasn’t seen this world in hundreds of years. Who would even know his name, let alone be strong enough to bind him?
Serenity ‘Ren” Branwen is desperate. On the run from those who wish her harm, she calls Tarrik, she binds him to her will and uses him to set her plans in motion. She is a member of the Nine, hellbent on releasing Samal from his prison. She is cold and ruthless and orders him to kill.
In a world of sorcerers and magic, demons are treated like slaves. They are dragged into this world to do sorcerers bidding. Sometimes they are experimented on, sometimes they are let loose on the world. Demons are complex, they feel everything stronger than a human could. Whether it be anger or lust, their passionate natures make them seem like they have no self-control. But when it comes to higher level demons, like Tarrik, they are masters of self control. They just might not always use it.
Shadow of the Exile (Book 1 Of the Infernal Guardian series) had an awesome old school fantasy feel to it. Tarrik and Ren travelled the world, gathering relics and scheming. Making sure everything is in order for the release of Samal. They run into trouble wherever they go and have to rely on each other to get out of some very sticky situations; From mad sorcerers to demons, it’s chaos.
Tarrik is a complex, endearing, ruthless, scheming character. I loved him. I think he was written really well and his displays of emotion contrasted with Ren’s cold, business like manner really well. He showed a lot more “humanity” than 90% of the actual humans in the book and it turns your concept of the term demon on its head.
The world was intriguing; Because of the way Ren travelled we got to see glimpses of many places. While it didn’t go deep into each place we did get a sense of how oppressed the people were by their rulers and governments. It was interesting seeing it from Tarriks viewpoint. He was often disgusted with the behaviour of humans and his thoughts on things were often much more reasonable than those he was judging.
“Ideas are everywhere,” he said. “To imprison someone for history and ideas would mean imprisoning all.”
The writing itself was good, there were a few phrases that were repeated a lot or bits of information that we kept getting given, but other than that it was a solid, fast paced read. The world has so much more room to be explored.
I received a copy of this from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
“I’m not a man,” said Tarrik. “And mercy is for the weak.”
When Tarrik is pulled from his exile, into the human world, he is shocked. He is a higher level demon, he hasn’t seen this world in hundreds of years. Who would even know his name, let alone be strong enough to bind him?
Serenity ‘Ren” Branwen is desperate. On the run from those who wish her harm, she calls Tarrik, she binds him to her will and uses him to set her plans in motion. She is a member of the Nine, hellbent on releasing Samal from his prison. She is cold and ruthless and orders him to kill.
In a world of sorcerers and magic, demons are treated like slaves. They are dragged into this world to do sorcerers bidding. Sometimes they are experimented on, sometimes they are let loose on the world. Demons are complex, they feel everything stronger than a human could. Whether it be anger or lust, their passionate natures make them seem like they have no self-control. But when it comes to higher level demons, like Tarrik, they are masters of self control. They just might not always use it.
Shadow of the Exile (Book 1 Of the Infernal Guardian series) had an awesome old school fantasy feel to it. Tarrik and Ren travelled the world, gathering relics and scheming. Making sure everything is in order for the release of Samal. They run into trouble wherever they go and have to rely on each other to get out of some very sticky situations; From mad sorcerers to demons, it’s chaos.
Tarrik is a complex, endearing, ruthless, scheming character. I loved him. I think he was written really well and his displays of emotion contrasted with Ren’s cold, business like manner really well. He showed a lot more “humanity” than 90% of the actual humans in the book and it turns your concept of the term demon on its head.
The world was intriguing; Because of the way Ren travelled we got to see glimpses of many places. While it didn’t go deep into each place we did get a sense of how oppressed the people were by their rulers and governments. It was interesting seeing it from Tarriks viewpoint. He was often disgusted with the behaviour of humans and his thoughts on things were often much more reasonable than those he was judging.
“Ideas are everywhere,” he said. “To imprison someone for history and ideas would mean imprisoning all.”
The writing itself was good, there were a few phrases that were repeated a lot or bits of information that we kept getting given, but other than that it was a solid, fast paced read. The world has so much more room to be explored.
I received a copy of this from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2018
An easy read - 3.5/5 stars.
Very intriguing and entertaining in parts, a little stilted in others.
Still, good company on an interstate flight :-)
Very intriguing and entertaining in parts, a little stilted in others.
Still, good company on an interstate flight :-)
August 18, 2025
Shadow of the Exile follows Tarrik, a demon exiled for loving a human, who is suddenly summoned back into the mortal realm by a mysterious sorceress named Ren. Bound by her command, Tarrik is forced into a dangerous game involving secret cabals, forbidden magic, and the looming threat of a powerful demon lord’s return.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are well written and layered, especially Tarrik, whose sharp wit and inner conflict make him a compelling protagonist. The mystery surrounding Ren—her motives, loyalties, and what she truly believes—kept me hooked throughout, always leaving me second-guessing her intentions. On top of that, the world building is rich and immersive, with a fascinating magic system that felt unique and well thought-out.
Overall, this was a great start to the series. It doesn���t answer all the questions it raises, but that’s part of its intrigue, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading book 2.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are well written and layered, especially Tarrik, whose sharp wit and inner conflict make him a compelling protagonist. The mystery surrounding Ren—her motives, loyalties, and what she truly believes—kept me hooked throughout, always leaving me second-guessing her intentions. On top of that, the world building is rich and immersive, with a fascinating magic system that felt unique and well thought-out.
Overall, this was a great start to the series. It doesn���t answer all the questions it raises, but that’s part of its intrigue, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading book 2.
September 10, 2018
Overall, Shadow of the Exile has a solid premise and some great characterization, but the storytelling and pacing are lacking at times.
For the full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/09/10/sh...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
For the full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/09/10/sh...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
November 7, 2018
Another really solid book from Mitchell Hogan. He has definitely mastered the immersive worldbuilding and a sense of high stakes action.
Whilst the dramatic build was incredible, it lacked intrigue or mystery. The characters were definitely the driving force and they drove it magnificently. I'd have loved to see a bit more depth to the story but I was really happy with what I got.
Also, the audiobook version comes highly recommended.
Whilst the dramatic build was incredible, it lacked intrigue or mystery. The characters were definitely the driving force and they drove it magnificently. I'd have loved to see a bit more depth to the story but I was really happy with what I got.
Also, the audiobook version comes highly recommended.
Read
March 17, 2019I got the second book of this series as a free ebook, so I found this volume through my library system to give it a go. The premise was promising--sorcerer summons demon, except from the demon's point of view--and the cover looked pretty good (always judge a book by its cover, right?).
Having finished it, my feelings were mixed. I did like the premise, and the writing wasn't bad. There was enough to keep me going, but...
Well, let's see. What didn't I like about it? Too often, the writing felt like the whole thing was based off a video game. Like "I'm a demon of the 37th order" and if I do certain things I can rise to a higher level, and I have these special abilities, and as I rise to become a higher order of demon my special abilities get more special!" Okay, fine, I enjoy role playing games too, but I prefer my fantasy novels to be more toward realism and away from game mechanics. Along with that, I guess I felt like the character building was a little superficial. Tarrik is a demon, and it really chafes his butt to be enslaved by a human sorcerer. Okay, fine. But then, he's also the product of a rigidly hierarchical society of demons based on ascending orders dominating lower orders, with ascension through the ranks predicated on devouring the essence of other demons. I just thought the tension inherent in a system like this might have been explored, might have informed his viewpoint more thoroughly, with more nuance. I mean, it's complicated, right? On the one hand, his power and prestige are based on his place in the system, and there's a drive to ascend, to either be above more fellow demons or at least to be below fewer of them (Tarrik doesn't show much interest in dominating others, which is one consistent aspect of his character). But it's also just the reality that he is trapped below certain other demons, subject to their whims and their judgement (which has left him an exile at the start of the novel). I don't know--I thought there was a lot of material to work with, and I didn't feel like it was influencing the story enough.
Also, there's the matter of Tarrik and his relationship to Ren.
Yet there must have been something impelling me through this beyond the due date from the library, because I wasn't really tempted to put it down unfinished, and I've gone ahead and started that free ebook of the second volume (which, by the way, so far appears stronger, either because it is better or because my expectations were lowered).
Having finished it, my feelings were mixed. I did like the premise, and the writing wasn't bad. There was enough to keep me going, but...
Well, let's see. What didn't I like about it? Too often, the writing felt like the whole thing was based off a video game. Like "I'm a demon of the 37th order" and if I do certain things I can rise to a higher level, and I have these special abilities, and as I rise to become a higher order of demon my special abilities get more special!" Okay, fine, I enjoy role playing games too, but I prefer my fantasy novels to be more toward realism and away from game mechanics. Along with that, I guess I felt like the character building was a little superficial. Tarrik is a demon, and it really chafes his butt to be enslaved by a human sorcerer. Okay, fine. But then, he's also the product of a rigidly hierarchical society of demons based on ascending orders dominating lower orders, with ascension through the ranks predicated on devouring the essence of other demons. I just thought the tension inherent in a system like this might have been explored, might have informed his viewpoint more thoroughly, with more nuance. I mean, it's complicated, right? On the one hand, his power and prestige are based on his place in the system, and there's a drive to ascend, to either be above more fellow demons or at least to be below fewer of them (Tarrik doesn't show much interest in dominating others, which is one consistent aspect of his character). But it's also just the reality that he is trapped below certain other demons, subject to their whims and their judgement (which has left him an exile at the start of the novel). I don't know--I thought there was a lot of material to work with, and I didn't feel like it was influencing the story enough.
Also, there's the matter of Tarrik and his relationship to Ren.
Yet there must have been something impelling me through this beyond the due date from the library, because I wasn't really tempted to put it down unfinished, and I've gone ahead and started that free ebook of the second volume (which, by the way, so far appears stronger, either because it is better or because my expectations were lowered).
February 10, 2020
A fun bit of light magical fantasy whose big idea is to tell the story from the point of view of a summoned demon. The aspects of the story which are therefore about the morality of slavery (ie there is none), work well, and much of the backstory and the unfolding mystery of the plan of the summoning magician is intriguing However it is pretty obvious from the beginning that the magician is not a full paid up member of the "evil magicians who want to summon a demon to subjugate all mankind" club, and therefore while our VP demon has reason to distrust her (slavery) we have quickly worked out that something else is going on. Equally the book suffers from the Buffy problem of humanising its monster to such a degree that senseless killing of other demons "just because they are demons" won't hold. If Angel can be a vampire with a soul, shouldn't we check the other vampires before remorselessly killing them?
January 23, 2019
This review can also be found on my blog,
Where the Words Take Me
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC of Shadow of the Exile by Mitchell Hogan in exchange for an honest review. And sorry this wasn't sooner!
Tarrik Nal-Valim, a demon of the 37th order, is summoned from his exile in the Abyssal Realms to human lands by sorceress Serenity "Ren" Branwen. Ren is the daughter of Tarrik's former master, who he'd come to trust, but now it appears he revealed all of Tarrik's secrets for his daughter to enslave him once again to do her bidding. Ren instantly commands Tarrik to protect her from her enemies, while keeping her own goals shrouded in secrecy.
Tarrik hates Ren for enslaving him and vows to get free of her bindings as soon as he can, but his urgency grows when he discovers she's part of the Nine, a group of deranged sorcerers who have been broken and compelled to free the worst and most powerful demon who ever lived, Samal. If Samal is freed, the human realm will be wiped out and the Abyssal Realms enslaved to his will, and Tarrik finds himself facing increasingly difficult choices, especially when Ren's path appears to deviate from this goal.
When I started this book, I admit I had some particular expectations for it. A powerful monster enslaved to do a human woman's bidding? That's got Hellsing and The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms written all over it. Instantly, though, I realized the relationship between Tarrik and Ren would not be like that of Alucard and Integra, or even Yeine and Nahadoth. There would not be struggles for one to obtain power from the other, their interactions ripe with sexual tension from the start. So I adjusted my expectations, excited for this new type of relationship.
Unfortunately, though, I quickly became bored, and I soon realized this book just wasn't for me. While Tarrik was a strong-willed character, he was almost mostly ineffective compared to Ren's power; I kept wondering why someone as strong as she clearly is needed Tarrik. I wondered why, as a demon, Tarrik wasn't more interesting, more creative as a character.
He read more like an incredibly honorable human man who wouldn't shy away at getting his hands dirty if the situation called for it---which was the point, I suppose, and the cause for his exile: being a demon who possessed humanity. But that's not what I'm after when I read about a demon character.
I also didn't see anything particularly demonic about Tarrik, other than his skin color, eating habits, and the slight supernatural power he possessed. Normally, these things could easily be considered demon traits, but Tarrik ran into quite a few humans capable of these things, too, which made him seem incredibly ordinary in comparison.
As for Ren, I liked her, but she was also incredibly difficult to get to know, even from a reader's standpoint. She was distant, assertive, and cagey to Tarrik, and even when her goal became obvious to me, she refused to shed any light on it for Tarrik's sake until close to the very end of the novel. I enjoyed her abilities, her rare shows of humor, her vulnerable side, and her determination; that's probably why I'm as dissatisfied with the ending as I am.
While the worldbuilding and fearsome creatures that Hogan created were fascinating, a lot of the backstory of places and characters was told through exposition, particular facets of both Tarrik's and Ren's pasts. I came to wish that their respective backstories were the focus of the novel instead of the plot I was given, because they sounded more intriguing, more natural. I felt this keenly with the way Tarrik went on about his dead human wife, the one he'd gotten exiled by his own kind for, as well as Ren's torments under Samal's influence.
Otherwise, the novel consisted of a lot of rapid traveling as Ren and Tarrik flew from place to place. Even though the events that occurred at each place were different, the rhythm of it became very repetitive to read and eventually Ren's goals at each of these places felt that way, too.
Tarrik's fleeting on-and-off attraction to Ren despite his hatred of her was also not the best I've read, making the time when his feelings for her changed less poignant than it should have been. Part of me still roots for the both of them; I think their relationship---be it friendship or romantic in nature---could be enjoyable to read if handled a little better.
Despite this, I can see many people enjoying this book for the epic fantasy romp that it is. The prose and writing style is also very good. It just didn't scratch a particular itch that I have, and I kept expecting elements from it that I never received, making the reading experience less enjoyable for me. However, I'm still thankful for giving it a shot.
If you've read Shadow of the Exile, what did you think of it? Let me know because I'd love to commiserate with you about what you liked and didn't like!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC of Shadow of the Exile by Mitchell Hogan in exchange for an honest review. And sorry this wasn't sooner!
Tarrik Nal-Valim, a demon of the 37th order, is summoned from his exile in the Abyssal Realms to human lands by sorceress Serenity "Ren" Branwen. Ren is the daughter of Tarrik's former master, who he'd come to trust, but now it appears he revealed all of Tarrik's secrets for his daughter to enslave him once again to do her bidding. Ren instantly commands Tarrik to protect her from her enemies, while keeping her own goals shrouded in secrecy.
Tarrik hates Ren for enslaving him and vows to get free of her bindings as soon as he can, but his urgency grows when he discovers she's part of the Nine, a group of deranged sorcerers who have been broken and compelled to free the worst and most powerful demon who ever lived, Samal. If Samal is freed, the human realm will be wiped out and the Abyssal Realms enslaved to his will, and Tarrik finds himself facing increasingly difficult choices, especially when Ren's path appears to deviate from this goal.
When I started this book, I admit I had some particular expectations for it. A powerful monster enslaved to do a human woman's bidding? That's got Hellsing and The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms written all over it. Instantly, though, I realized the relationship between Tarrik and Ren would not be like that of Alucard and Integra, or even Yeine and Nahadoth. There would not be struggles for one to obtain power from the other, their interactions ripe with sexual tension from the start. So I adjusted my expectations, excited for this new type of relationship.
Unfortunately, though, I quickly became bored, and I soon realized this book just wasn't for me. While Tarrik was a strong-willed character, he was almost mostly ineffective compared to Ren's power; I kept wondering why someone as strong as she clearly is needed Tarrik. I wondered why, as a demon, Tarrik wasn't more interesting, more creative as a character.
He read more like an incredibly honorable human man who wouldn't shy away at getting his hands dirty if the situation called for it---which was the point, I suppose, and the cause for his exile: being a demon who possessed humanity. But that's not what I'm after when I read about a demon character.
I also didn't see anything particularly demonic about Tarrik, other than his skin color, eating habits, and the slight supernatural power he possessed. Normally, these things could easily be considered demon traits, but Tarrik ran into quite a few humans capable of these things, too, which made him seem incredibly ordinary in comparison.
As for Ren, I liked her, but she was also incredibly difficult to get to know, even from a reader's standpoint. She was distant, assertive, and cagey to Tarrik, and even when her goal became obvious to me, she refused to shed any light on it for Tarrik's sake until close to the very end of the novel. I enjoyed her abilities, her rare shows of humor, her vulnerable side, and her determination; that's probably why I'm as dissatisfied with the ending as I am.
While the worldbuilding and fearsome creatures that Hogan created were fascinating, a lot of the backstory of places and characters was told through exposition, particular facets of both Tarrik's and Ren's pasts. I came to wish that their respective backstories were the focus of the novel instead of the plot I was given, because they sounded more intriguing, more natural. I felt this keenly with the way Tarrik went on about his dead human wife, the one he'd gotten exiled by his own kind for, as well as Ren's torments under Samal's influence.
Otherwise, the novel consisted of a lot of rapid traveling as Ren and Tarrik flew from place to place. Even though the events that occurred at each place were different, the rhythm of it became very repetitive to read and eventually Ren's goals at each of these places felt that way, too.
Tarrik's fleeting on-and-off attraction to Ren despite his hatred of her was also not the best I've read, making the time when his feelings for her changed less poignant than it should have been. Part of me still roots for the both of them; I think their relationship---be it friendship or romantic in nature---could be enjoyable to read if handled a little better.
Despite this, I can see many people enjoying this book for the epic fantasy romp that it is. The prose and writing style is also very good. It just didn't scratch a particular itch that I have, and I kept expecting elements from it that I never received, making the reading experience less enjoyable for me. However, I'm still thankful for giving it a shot.
If you've read Shadow of the Exile, what did you think of it? Let me know because I'd love to commiserate with you about what you liked and didn't like!
October 14, 2019
Unlike the streaking speed of the Sorcerer Ascendant series, this book was slow, real slow. Slow to introduce characters, and slow to move the plot. Despite being about magic, there was no magic until well near the end. And this author is adamant in not including ANY form of romance in his works through his other books. So I think we're in for a stakeout.
April 27, 2020
Notes to Self: Only follow up on the series if I'm really bored.
Good narration & somewhat interesting ideas but overly dramatic writing that did not add to the character/scene/etc.
Good narration & somewhat interesting ideas but overly dramatic writing that did not add to the character/scene/etc.
October 11, 2018
I'm not going to spoil the plot or give any spoilers at all... suffice it to say that this book is a page turner, the interaction between the principal characters is awesome, it has a great pace and unique perspective, one that will challenge your previous fantasy reads and cause you to question your assumptions....
Is it going to be a love story to boot? who knows.
I carried out an ARC read and was thrilled to do so... I enjoyed it so much I purchased the audible version!
Is it going to be a love story to boot? who knows.
I carried out an ARC read and was thrilled to do so... I enjoyed it so much I purchased the audible version!
September 11, 2018
Tarrik Nal-Valim, exiled demon of the 37th order. Currently exiled to Shimrax for working alongside the sorcerer Contian and marrying a human. Tarrik is ripped from Shimrax and thrown into the world of humans, which can only mean one thing... he's been summoned by a powerful sorcerer. But this isn't any ordinary sorcerer. Tarrik has been summoned by Serenity 'Ren' Branwen, daughter of Tarriks former master and friend, contian.
My favourite thing about this book was the extrmeley well thought out magic system. Sorcerers and demons both use cants from the dusk-tide and dark-tide. Tarrik also has different abilities such as shadow stepping, absorbing higher demons when defeating them and a powerful sword which can be summoned with a simple cant. Ren on the other hand is a powerful sorcerer capable of magic few even knew existed. Ren is also part of the nine, a group of sorceres tortured and brainwashed by the demon lord Samal Rak-shazza. Their goal is to free him from his prison to reek chaos and death onto the world. Tarrik simply wants no part of this and wishes only to return to Shimrax to continue his plans to reverse his banishment. This creates a dramatic and fiery relationship between the two.
Shortly after the summoning, Hogan takes us on a journey bouncing from city to city as Ren has business to settle. We're introduced to other demons and sorcerers and also start to get to know Tarrik and Ren in a bit more depth. Tarrik is a wise demon with a lot of knowledge when it comes to magic, specifically the dark-tide. I think his sense of humour and charisma made him a serious but likeable character. He also has a fondness for alcohol, especially spirits. Which leads to a couple of funny moments.
Ren comes across as a cold hearted killer who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. And to he honest that's kind of what she is but she has a certain kindness about her. The more the book goes on the more I took a liking to Ren and her abilities. These two characters have definitely made into my top 10 favourite characters.
Once again I've been fortunate to surf through another book without disliking anything, everything just flowed perfectly.
I had no problems at all with giving this book 5 stars. To be completely honest, it's the best book I've read this year and will take something insanely good to trump it.
When people ask me to recommend an awesome book with badass characters, this is the book I'll recommend!
I would like to thank Mitchell Hogan, 47 North and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this gem of a book.
My favourite thing about this book was the extrmeley well thought out magic system. Sorcerers and demons both use cants from the dusk-tide and dark-tide. Tarrik also has different abilities such as shadow stepping, absorbing higher demons when defeating them and a powerful sword which can be summoned with a simple cant. Ren on the other hand is a powerful sorcerer capable of magic few even knew existed. Ren is also part of the nine, a group of sorceres tortured and brainwashed by the demon lord Samal Rak-shazza. Their goal is to free him from his prison to reek chaos and death onto the world. Tarrik simply wants no part of this and wishes only to return to Shimrax to continue his plans to reverse his banishment. This creates a dramatic and fiery relationship between the two.
Shortly after the summoning, Hogan takes us on a journey bouncing from city to city as Ren has business to settle. We're introduced to other demons and sorcerers and also start to get to know Tarrik and Ren in a bit more depth. Tarrik is a wise demon with a lot of knowledge when it comes to magic, specifically the dark-tide. I think his sense of humour and charisma made him a serious but likeable character. He also has a fondness for alcohol, especially spirits. Which leads to a couple of funny moments.
Ren comes across as a cold hearted killer who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. And to he honest that's kind of what she is but she has a certain kindness about her. The more the book goes on the more I took a liking to Ren and her abilities. These two characters have definitely made into my top 10 favourite characters.
Once again I've been fortunate to surf through another book without disliking anything, everything just flowed perfectly.
I had no problems at all with giving this book 5 stars. To be completely honest, it's the best book I've read this year and will take something insanely good to trump it.
When people ask me to recommend an awesome book with badass characters, this is the book I'll recommend!
I would like to thank Mitchell Hogan, 47 North and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this gem of a book.
April 24, 2020
definitely my cup of tea
was looking for a new fantasy book to read and someone had this listed on reddit so i gave it a go and love it.
was looking for a new fantasy book to read and someone had this listed on reddit so i gave it a go and love it.
September 12, 2018
I was fortunate to get an ARC from Mr Hogan. If you enjoyed the Sorcery Ascendant series, and Revenant Winds, you will absolutely love this book. Demons, the Tainted Cabal, interesting characters, and another great story.
August 26, 2018
I loved this from the beginning to the very bittersweet ending. I had never read Mitchell Hogan before, but I will definitely be looking at his other works. The story begins when Tarrik, a long-forgotten demon in exile, is being summoned by Serenity or Ren. Ren is a powerful sorceress in a desperate situation and as a last resort summons her first demon for assistance. The story is interesting because it's told from the demon's point of view. He is very demon-like and often thinks of the many ways he'll kill Ren when he gets free from her bonds but he slowly but surely begins to identify with Ren and her predicament even though being friendly with humans is precisely why he was exiled in the first place. Tarrik is in a constant struggle trying to decide if it's in his best interest to help Ren or not. Even though he is a demon, he's quite likeable. I loved the authors writing style, his world building and was on the edge of my seat during the intense and exciting battles and altercations. This is a great start to a new series that has me wishing that it will not be limited to just three books. I definitely recommend this book if you loved the Hobbit, LOTR and Harry Potter. Overall a great book in my opinion. I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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