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The Dark Citadel: The Complete Series
After Darik is sold into slavery upon the collapse of his family’s fortunes, he vows to escape to freedom in the barbarian lands over the western mountains. The city is under threat from a sorcerer and his armies, and Darik plans to use the chaos to escape.
When a pair of scoundrels—the elderly, seemingly buffoonish Markal, and a tall barbarian named Whelan—offer to help him flee the city, Darik has no idea that he’s about to be swept into a larger game. The two men are spies, a wizard and a paladin from the Free Kingdoms on the other side of the mountain.
Whelan and Mark are in the city to observe the sorcerer;s advance, and are alarmed at his growing strength, as he brings giants, dragons, and undead warriors into his ranks to brutally sack and enslave the khalifates of the plains. And they know that if he isn’t stopped before he reaches the mountains, he will carry his war all the way to the heart of the Free Kingdoms.
Now in a complete omnibus for the first time, the Dark Citadel is a five book series of dragons, wizards, and griffins by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Michael Wallace.
When a pair of scoundrels—the elderly, seemingly buffoonish Markal, and a tall barbarian named Whelan—offer to help him flee the city, Darik has no idea that he’s about to be swept into a larger game. The two men are spies, a wizard and a paladin from the Free Kingdoms on the other side of the mountain.
Whelan and Mark are in the city to observe the sorcerer;s advance, and are alarmed at his growing strength, as he brings giants, dragons, and undead warriors into his ranks to brutally sack and enslave the khalifates of the plains. And they know that if he isn’t stopped before he reaches the mountains, he will carry his war all the way to the heart of the Free Kingdoms.
Now in a complete omnibus for the first time, the Dark Citadel is a five book series of dragons, wizards, and griffins by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Michael Wallace.
833 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2018
1775 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Michael Wallace
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 2, 2019
Don't give up on book one
Book one is written in short, choppy sentences. Not the best reading. The concept, characterization, and storyline are solid. The writing is much improved in the rest of the series, and it becomes a well written work of fantasy fiction.
Book one is written in short, choppy sentences. Not the best reading. The concept, characterization, and storyline are solid. The writing is much improved in the rest of the series, and it becomes a well written work of fantasy fiction.
April 30, 2020
Update edit: I finished the series. What I state here when I was still just about finished with the first book applies to my feelings about the whole series...though I do have an edit at the end of this to add one more major point to my critique.
<<
I will preface this by saying I've only been reading into the first book so far, but there are some things that are really bothering me. I will give a full review when I finish reading the series, if I do so. But this needs to be said.
I have to say that I am downright embarrassed for authors who write prequel or sequel series and do not remain consistent with their subject material. I understand that this series was written first, and then the author went back to write the Red Sword trilogy as a prequel series, always knowing that he wanted to address things in past history of this world that he references in the Dark Citadel series. However, I found the Red Sword (RS) trilogy first, and read it, thoroughly enjoying the compelling world, magic system, varied characters, and overall plot. Then when I finished, I saw that it was merely a prequel series to the Dark Citadel (DC) series. I thought, "Awesome!" because I was very interested in staying in this world and seeing how it changed in the future. While it is still an entertaining story, the lack of consistency in subject material is extremely distracting and frustrating. He was a better author writing the RS stories, I understand that. He was more polished and established as an author. But goodness, authors, read your own material before you solidify and publish a prequel series that completely changes the history of the landscape and wars you reference!
THERE ARE SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE RED SWORD TRILOGY (prequel series to this), AND THE FIRST HALF (or not even) OF THE FIRST BOOK IN THIS SERIES!
Some examples that have already really bothered me in this DC series so far:
--The Desolation of Toth. The DC series talks about how Toth completely obliterated the land of Aristonia, and left this massive curse on the land. Not only that, but people hallucinate in it and go mad, and there is a wall of bones randomly in the waste in view of the Tothian Way. There are several problems with this. Toth did not create the Desolation of Toth, Markal did when he released the protective magic of Aristonia to destroy Toth's army and Toth himself. The idea that this was some massive curse that makes people go mad doesn't make sense, because it was protective magic that made the land itself protect itself and waste itself. This created a blight that destroyed everything and did not allow anything to grow, and so people would avoid it ever after. But the idea that it was some curse of Toth that makes people go nuts is inconsistent, and terribly so. And there was no wall of bones in Aristonia before Markal released the magic, so if the land does make people go nuts, there would be nobody to create this wall, either, so you can't have your cake and eat it too.
--Markal's magic of the Order of the Withered Hand: Suddenly Markal's magic withers his hand (that then heals) now in this series, instead of being this blood-letting system that it was before when he was in the Order of the Crimson Path. (As a sidenote, the Order of the Crimson Path was not "destroyed" as they state in the DC series, but Markal dissolved it by choice at the end of the RS trilogy). This on its own is forgivable, as it is stated in the RS trilogy that it is rather arbitrary where they draw their magic from. The good guys use their own blood to draw magic, while the bad guys draw their power from the pain of others. So I like that after Markal dissolves the Order of the Crimson Path, they apparently established a new order with a different way to draw magic from themselves that doesn't require them to wipe blood off their palms and forearms all the time. So my biggest issue here is the sidenote about how the Order of the Crimson Path is spoken of as "destroyed." And why dissolve that order in the first place if everyone from that order is now going to just create that new order anyways? They're all back...
--Narud being nothing but a child when Syrrmaria was destroyed (referencing Markal being significantly older). Um. No. Narud was actually a full wizard by then (the first to become one of the 4 apprentices), with unmentioned decades of study in the gardens as an apprentice. While the author purposefully avoids mentioning age of any of the apprentices (yes, Markal could be older), it is understood that they would be significantly older men (and woman) but for being members of the order that grants them extremely long life. Narud would have already been an older man, I'm guessing at least in his 40s, by the time Syrrmaria was destroyed. Nathaliey was the youngest apprentice, and her dad was the grand vizier of Syrrmaria at the time of its destruction, and seemed to be maybe in his 60s at most.
--The DC series talks about the history of Syrrmaria including Syrrmaria standing for months against a siege and then being destroyed by an army that raped, pillaged, and burned. This part also mentioned Memnet the Great defending the city to the end (implying this was what led to the "destruction" of the Order of the Crimson Path). This just didn't happen. Toth and his acolytes summoned fire salamanders from the core of the planet and just turned the whole city to burning slag in order to destroy the Order's magically protected library and wipe the city from the map. They actually pulled the whole occupying army out of the city in order to do this. And the city actually just capitulated at first to Toth's arm-twisting politics before rebelling and defending the wizard's garden and a pasha then being installed to rule Syrrmaria until its destruction. So no. There was no rape, pillage, and plunder. Just big magical fire beasts roasting the place and anyone who hadn't evacuated.
--Aristonia in general: Incorrect referencing of Aristonia as a whole being an amazing fertile area that had all this great fruit, wine, etc, when in the RS series, it was just the wizards' garden that was this way.
--Castle Montcrag: In one of these opening chapters, Montcrag falls to this new dark wizard's forces. The book mentions the characters being saddened in particular because it was a Helm's Deep situation, having "never fallen to direct assault. Until now." In the RS trilogy, Montcrag is the setting of a brilliant and overpowering takeover by the paladins and griffin riders including Nathaliey taking out a powerful recurring dark acolyte. It fell pretty spectacularly to them...not to mention, it was taken by Toth's forces when the crossed the mountains in the first places for it to be needing taking over by the Eriscoban army in the first place. So in the DC series, we're talking about that having been at least the 3rd time the castle had fallen.
...and I'm only a few hours into reading the first book!!
To some people, this may seem overly picky. A plot point or detail here and there that don't match is forgivable. But this many inconsistencies is downright embarrassing. I mean, read the books again, or get an editor to double check consistency. I've been trying to explain away some of the details as "well, maybe history was passed verbally for hundreds of years and they got stuff wrong." This falls short when several of the details described are from Markal's perspective, who was there.
Anyways, I'm still reading the DC series, but man...having loved the RS trilogy, it is frustrating to see some major plot points (from my perspective and order of reading) trampled on in the original series. I almost have to treat the 2 as separate entities, rather than a continuation of the history of this world that the author created for us. Maybe read one series or the other?
>>
One final straw. While pretty much all of my critiques before focused on his inconsistency between his prequel series and his original series, he had a significant inconsistency even WITHIN his original series. From one book to the next, Chantmer, while yes he is a traitor, he is blamed for the death of Nathaliey, even though EVERYONE knew and even saw that Nathaliey was killed by a blast of magic from Toth. It was like once again, he had an idea of where he wanted to go, but changed it between books to make Chantmer's betrayal a bigger deal.
This guy has a few pros to his writing, particularly in that he has some decent world building, and I really liked the concept of magic he employed. But too many cons to recommend him without him getting a better editing team that can point out that internal consistency (between series, but come on, especially WITHIN a series) is a make or break item with good writing.
<<
I will preface this by saying I've only been reading into the first book so far, but there are some things that are really bothering me. I will give a full review when I finish reading the series, if I do so. But this needs to be said.
I have to say that I am downright embarrassed for authors who write prequel or sequel series and do not remain consistent with their subject material. I understand that this series was written first, and then the author went back to write the Red Sword trilogy as a prequel series, always knowing that he wanted to address things in past history of this world that he references in the Dark Citadel series. However, I found the Red Sword (RS) trilogy first, and read it, thoroughly enjoying the compelling world, magic system, varied characters, and overall plot. Then when I finished, I saw that it was merely a prequel series to the Dark Citadel (DC) series. I thought, "Awesome!" because I was very interested in staying in this world and seeing how it changed in the future. While it is still an entertaining story, the lack of consistency in subject material is extremely distracting and frustrating. He was a better author writing the RS stories, I understand that. He was more polished and established as an author. But goodness, authors, read your own material before you solidify and publish a prequel series that completely changes the history of the landscape and wars you reference!
THERE ARE SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE RED SWORD TRILOGY (prequel series to this), AND THE FIRST HALF (or not even) OF THE FIRST BOOK IN THIS SERIES!
Some examples that have already really bothered me in this DC series so far:
--The Desolation of Toth. The DC series talks about how Toth completely obliterated the land of Aristonia, and left this massive curse on the land. Not only that, but people hallucinate in it and go mad, and there is a wall of bones randomly in the waste in view of the Tothian Way. There are several problems with this. Toth did not create the Desolation of Toth, Markal did when he released the protective magic of Aristonia to destroy Toth's army and Toth himself. The idea that this was some massive curse that makes people go mad doesn't make sense, because it was protective magic that made the land itself protect itself and waste itself. This created a blight that destroyed everything and did not allow anything to grow, and so people would avoid it ever after. But the idea that it was some curse of Toth that makes people go nuts is inconsistent, and terribly so. And there was no wall of bones in Aristonia before Markal released the magic, so if the land does make people go nuts, there would be nobody to create this wall, either, so you can't have your cake and eat it too.
--Markal's magic of the Order of the Withered Hand: Suddenly Markal's magic withers his hand (that then heals) now in this series, instead of being this blood-letting system that it was before when he was in the Order of the Crimson Path. (As a sidenote, the Order of the Crimson Path was not "destroyed" as they state in the DC series, but Markal dissolved it by choice at the end of the RS trilogy). This on its own is forgivable, as it is stated in the RS trilogy that it is rather arbitrary where they draw their magic from. The good guys use their own blood to draw magic, while the bad guys draw their power from the pain of others. So I like that after Markal dissolves the Order of the Crimson Path, they apparently established a new order with a different way to draw magic from themselves that doesn't require them to wipe blood off their palms and forearms all the time. So my biggest issue here is the sidenote about how the Order of the Crimson Path is spoken of as "destroyed." And why dissolve that order in the first place if everyone from that order is now going to just create that new order anyways? They're all back...
--Narud being nothing but a child when Syrrmaria was destroyed (referencing Markal being significantly older). Um. No. Narud was actually a full wizard by then (the first to become one of the 4 apprentices), with unmentioned decades of study in the gardens as an apprentice. While the author purposefully avoids mentioning age of any of the apprentices (yes, Markal could be older), it is understood that they would be significantly older men (and woman) but for being members of the order that grants them extremely long life. Narud would have already been an older man, I'm guessing at least in his 40s, by the time Syrrmaria was destroyed. Nathaliey was the youngest apprentice, and her dad was the grand vizier of Syrrmaria at the time of its destruction, and seemed to be maybe in his 60s at most.
--The DC series talks about the history of Syrrmaria including Syrrmaria standing for months against a siege and then being destroyed by an army that raped, pillaged, and burned. This part also mentioned Memnet the Great defending the city to the end (implying this was what led to the "destruction" of the Order of the Crimson Path). This just didn't happen. Toth and his acolytes summoned fire salamanders from the core of the planet and just turned the whole city to burning slag in order to destroy the Order's magically protected library and wipe the city from the map. They actually pulled the whole occupying army out of the city in order to do this. And the city actually just capitulated at first to Toth's arm-twisting politics before rebelling and defending the wizard's garden and a pasha then being installed to rule Syrrmaria until its destruction. So no. There was no rape, pillage, and plunder. Just big magical fire beasts roasting the place and anyone who hadn't evacuated.
--Aristonia in general: Incorrect referencing of Aristonia as a whole being an amazing fertile area that had all this great fruit, wine, etc, when in the RS series, it was just the wizards' garden that was this way.
--Castle Montcrag: In one of these opening chapters, Montcrag falls to this new dark wizard's forces. The book mentions the characters being saddened in particular because it was a Helm's Deep situation, having "never fallen to direct assault. Until now." In the RS trilogy, Montcrag is the setting of a brilliant and overpowering takeover by the paladins and griffin riders including Nathaliey taking out a powerful recurring dark acolyte. It fell pretty spectacularly to them...not to mention, it was taken by Toth's forces when the crossed the mountains in the first places for it to be needing taking over by the Eriscoban army in the first place. So in the DC series, we're talking about that having been at least the 3rd time the castle had fallen.
...and I'm only a few hours into reading the first book!!
To some people, this may seem overly picky. A plot point or detail here and there that don't match is forgivable. But this many inconsistencies is downright embarrassing. I mean, read the books again, or get an editor to double check consistency. I've been trying to explain away some of the details as "well, maybe history was passed verbally for hundreds of years and they got stuff wrong." This falls short when several of the details described are from Markal's perspective, who was there.
Anyways, I'm still reading the DC series, but man...having loved the RS trilogy, it is frustrating to see some major plot points (from my perspective and order of reading) trampled on in the original series. I almost have to treat the 2 as separate entities, rather than a continuation of the history of this world that the author created for us. Maybe read one series or the other?
>>
One final straw. While pretty much all of my critiques before focused on his inconsistency between his prequel series and his original series, he had a significant inconsistency even WITHIN his original series. From one book to the next, Chantmer, while yes he is a traitor, he is blamed for the death of Nathaliey, even though EVERYONE knew and even saw that Nathaliey was killed by a blast of magic from Toth. It was like once again, he had an idea of where he wanted to go, but changed it between books to make Chantmer's betrayal a bigger deal.
This guy has a few pros to his writing, particularly in that he has some decent world building, and I really liked the concept of magic he employed. But too many cons to recommend him without him getting a better editing team that can point out that internal consistency (between series, but come on, especially WITHIN a series) is a make or break item with good writing.
August 31, 2019
A gem of a book
Great characters, excellent plot and told in such a way that you do not want to stop reading. I am blown away knowing that I have discovered a new favourite author. I am very grateful that I was able to get the whole Saga for such a great price.
Great characters, excellent plot and told in such a way that you do not want to stop reading. I am blown away knowing that I have discovered a new favourite author. I am very grateful that I was able to get the whole Saga for such a great price.
November 5, 2018
Enjoyable
I had a rough time staying focused with the story throughout the series, but the characters pulled me back every time, to the point that I’m ready to move on to The Red Sword trilogy to see what happens next.
I had a rough time staying focused with the story throughout the series, but the characters pulled me back every time, to the point that I’m ready to move on to The Red Sword trilogy to see what happens next.
December 1, 2018
It was a great read. You know it was good when you wonder what each character is doing now.
I wonder what they're up to now. Families, children? Baby griffins? New kingdoms? What are the Wizardsup to? I'm hoping for more.
I wonder what they're up to now. Families, children? Baby griffins? New kingdoms? What are the Wizardsup to? I'm hoping for more.
December 3, 2018
A really great read. Had everything I enjoy, fast reading, suspense, intrigue, magic, demons.
April 9, 2020
Very Entertaining
And well written. None of the use of words that sound alike. Even no misspelling found in so many self published books. I'm a nitpicker, and I could find no bits pick. As technically perfect as I could determine, but my degree is in history.
This follows the Red Sword series, and historically flows well.
It has been 400 years since we were last in these lands, and with Mahmet the Great in the sword that captured souls, it has been used for good. However, the sword is starting to waver. The bad souls it his killed and captured are gaining strength.
A young slave boy is saved from a sorry life be an old man and a scruffy vagabond, who turn out to be a sorcerer and a prince, and that's all the reveal I will give.
Like the Red Sword trilogy, there are little, and big, twists and turns that well serve to keep your interest. After I started, this was a difficult book to put down, but when I spent nearly 20 minutes to comprehend a single page at 4:30 in the morning, I just had to get some beauty rest (too bad it didn't work).
This is the second day of reading and the 13th day of Covid-19 confinement, and I didn't think of the "house arrest" one time.
Thank you Mr. Wallace
And well written. None of the use of words that sound alike. Even no misspelling found in so many self published books. I'm a nitpicker, and I could find no bits pick. As technically perfect as I could determine, but my degree is in history.
This follows the Red Sword series, and historically flows well.
It has been 400 years since we were last in these lands, and with Mahmet the Great in the sword that captured souls, it has been used for good. However, the sword is starting to waver. The bad souls it his killed and captured are gaining strength.
A young slave boy is saved from a sorry life be an old man and a scruffy vagabond, who turn out to be a sorcerer and a prince, and that's all the reveal I will give.
Like the Red Sword trilogy, there are little, and big, twists and turns that well serve to keep your interest. After I started, this was a difficult book to put down, but when I spent nearly 20 minutes to comprehend a single page at 4:30 in the morning, I just had to get some beauty rest (too bad it didn't work).
This is the second day of reading and the 13th day of Covid-19 confinement, and I didn't think of the "house arrest" one time.
Thank you Mr. Wallace
February 26, 2019
Serious editing needed.
This work is in serious need of editing. You cannot even understand what is being said. Was this written in another language and translated?
Then I struggled with a 13_year old murdering psycho of a prince's daughter. One he gladly and willingly bore into battle. A spoiled brat who only cares about murdering....
Yeah any good and decent king or Dad would love to teach her to kill, maim n slaughter. Go daddy!
Then a queen who has a dead baby in her womb? Kinda gross really. Is not anything sacred to you? Spose some like dead baby jokes. Go get em.
Why would her birthing pains be worse than a couple dozen tortured or brutally murdered or burnt alive? Failed to connect dots there except you had a queen pee and fouling herself in front of everyone? Why?
I really struggled with a book that was more aimless battle than anything else. Is this goth or more accurately just sadistic mayhem? Think nit? Wizards cast magic by torture, pain or simple slaughter. Ahhh right. Sadistic extremist gone crazy.
This work is in serious need of editing. You cannot even understand what is being said. Was this written in another language and translated?
Then I struggled with a 13_year old murdering psycho of a prince's daughter. One he gladly and willingly bore into battle. A spoiled brat who only cares about murdering....
Yeah any good and decent king or Dad would love to teach her to kill, maim n slaughter. Go daddy!
Then a queen who has a dead baby in her womb? Kinda gross really. Is not anything sacred to you? Spose some like dead baby jokes. Go get em.
Why would her birthing pains be worse than a couple dozen tortured or brutally murdered or burnt alive? Failed to connect dots there except you had a queen pee and fouling herself in front of everyone? Why?
I really struggled with a book that was more aimless battle than anything else. Is this goth or more accurately just sadistic mayhem? Think nit? Wizards cast magic by torture, pain or simple slaughter. Ahhh right. Sadistic extremist gone crazy.
July 19, 2020
The series starts promising... a boy on the cusp of coming of age is torn from the life of privilege he knows, and forced to see the world from the perspective of the slaves he had oppressed throughout his life. The plot develops nicely. Terrible evil dark lords and what not. Vanquished gods. Good stuff.
But the character interactions struggle. In particular, anytime two characters of roughly the same age and different genders get in close contact, they spend tons of time struggling against their confusing and dark feelings for each other... for YEARS. There's no real reason for their blind commitment to deprivation and misery, but they steep in it like a couple of 17 year olds that met at bible camp. Ugh.
The only other sexual tension comes from the princess being raped. The subject isn't handled with any real thoughtfulness. It's rape as plot... rape as entertainment. It's presented in a mildly disapproving way, but there's something insidious about the way that all sexual tension in the books come from either chastity or rape.
But the character interactions struggle. In particular, anytime two characters of roughly the same age and different genders get in close contact, they spend tons of time struggling against their confusing and dark feelings for each other... for YEARS. There's no real reason for their blind commitment to deprivation and misery, but they steep in it like a couple of 17 year olds that met at bible camp. Ugh.
The only other sexual tension comes from the princess being raped. The subject isn't handled with any real thoughtfulness. It's rape as plot... rape as entertainment. It's presented in a mildly disapproving way, but there's something insidious about the way that all sexual tension in the books come from either chastity or rape.
October 8, 2018
Great, intriguing, suspenseful series with wizards, dragons, griffin, and kings
Michael Wallace knows how to weave a fascinating and insightful fantasy. I read this series before as individual books, but it is even better after reading "The Red Sword Trilogy". The characters are so likeable and believable and blend so well together. The scenes are fast-paced and action-packed with battles between armies, dragons and griffins, wizards, and kings. There are so many surprises and twists. It is very difficult to put down this series until you finish all the books, and then you still want more. I hope there will be more to come.
Michael Wallace knows how to weave a fascinating and insightful fantasy. I read this series before as individual books, but it is even better after reading "The Red Sword Trilogy". The characters are so likeable and believable and blend so well together. The scenes are fast-paced and action-packed with battles between armies, dragons and griffins, wizards, and kings. There are so many surprises and twists. It is very difficult to put down this series until you finish all the books, and then you still want more. I hope there will be more to come.
March 6, 2019
light and Death
Markel and the remaining members of the Red Hand mages have been battling the undead King Toth for hundreds of years. things are coming to a head and it appears that the dark wizard is winning. fate and their former mentor brings help in the form of a girl from the eyries and a boy from the slave block.
Thoroughly enjoyed the series. Marek and Nerud are great fun characters that play off well against each other. Darik and Daria are great studies of the questing knights. and of course, the epic battle between good and evil.
Markel and the remaining members of the Red Hand mages have been battling the undead King Toth for hundreds of years. things are coming to a head and it appears that the dark wizard is winning. fate and their former mentor brings help in the form of a girl from the eyries and a boy from the slave block.
Thoroughly enjoyed the series. Marek and Nerud are great fun characters that play off well against each other. Darik and Daria are great studies of the questing knights. and of course, the epic battle between good and evil.
September 27, 2019
Good story.
I enjoyed the characters and story of this tale. Five volumes was a bit long to read one after the other but I had a break and then finished the final book. It wasn't the best fantasy I have read but I can definitely recommend it as long as you don't mind a long storyline. I would also suggest you read the Red Sword trilogy first as that will give more background to this tale. Sit back and enjoy.
I enjoyed the characters and story of this tale. Five volumes was a bit long to read one after the other but I had a break and then finished the final book. It wasn't the best fantasy I have read but I can definitely recommend it as long as you don't mind a long storyline. I would also suggest you read the Red Sword trilogy first as that will give more background to this tale. Sit back and enjoy.
January 21, 2020
Great stories hope there's a bridging story...
I came to this series after its companion series, The Red Sword... It's a prequel, and I appreciate that the author decided to make changes to the world - that perhaps makes this a harder read, but I filled only one gaps, so as to piece them together better.
They're fantastically told stories, just hope the author works on something to bridge the gap, and tie the inconsistencies together.
I came to this series after its companion series, The Red Sword... It's a prequel, and I appreciate that the author decided to make changes to the world - that perhaps makes this a harder read, but I filled only one gaps, so as to piece them together better.
They're fantastically told stories, just hope the author works on something to bridge the gap, and tie the inconsistencies together.
February 6, 2020
Great Read!
I hope there will be. Follow up book! I want to know how many children Derik and Daria Flockheart have. Do King Whelan and Kallia Staffa have more children. Do King Daniel and Marialla have children? Does Cantmer get the message and get over himself? Who does Sofiana marry? As the Desolation greens do the Cloud Kingdoms return to Atistonia? Do all the people discover that the world is round? PLEASE WRITE MORE!!!
I hope there will be. Follow up book! I want to know how many children Derik and Daria Flockheart have. Do King Whelan and Kallia Staffa have more children. Do King Daniel and Marialla have children? Does Cantmer get the message and get over himself? Who does Sofiana marry? As the Desolation greens do the Cloud Kingdoms return to Atistonia? Do all the people discover that the world is round? PLEASE WRITE MORE!!!
January 1, 2019
Outstanding storyline action and everything
Oh!but what a wonderful read this anthology is destined to be a classic ,the characters and action was constant stream of this edge of your seat love life story.
Oh!but what a wonderful read this anthology is destined to be a classic ,the characters and action was constant stream of this edge of your seat love life story.
January 9, 2019
Magic of good vs evil to save the land...
A series about good vs and somewhere in Europe. Full of magic, betrayal, death, faith, religious orders, mythical creatures and the belief in honor and love.
Jo-Ann Doyle
A series about good vs and somewhere in Europe. Full of magic, betrayal, death, faith, religious orders, mythical creatures and the belief in honor and love.
Jo-Ann Doyle
January 23, 2019
Great read
Epic story with slight twists on the typical fireball slinging mages, enchanted items and griffins. Definitely worth picking up for a read, the characters are all interesting and well-written.
Epic story with slight twists on the typical fireball slinging mages, enchanted items and griffins. Definitely worth picking up for a read, the characters are all interesting and well-written.
February 27, 2019
Didn’t even finish. Only read 1 chapter. The setting seems to be Saudi Arabia or the like. I couldn’t relate to it. The I could not get a grip on the writing. I kept reading the same lines over. I suppose it didn’t flow.
March 3, 2019
A good read
Quite engrossing throughout this series of books but I think I would have preferred to read the red sword series first. Never been a fan of prequels. Obviously more to come after the dark citadel, which makes this the middle of a good story
Quite engrossing throughout this series of books but I think I would have preferred to read the red sword series first. Never been a fan of prequels. Obviously more to come after the dark citadel, which makes this the middle of a good story
December 29, 2019
Not a bad read but the characters are not always developed in a coherent manner which hinders engagement with them. However the story progresses well and overall it kept my interest, although it wasn’t a book I couldn’t put down and probably not one I’ll rush back to reread.
July 14, 2020
A very entertaining series. I really enjoyed how magic was employed throughout, with a very clear cost for each and every spell cast. While I found the ending to be a bit anti-climatic, it did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the books.
May 15, 2022
Fantastic read… coherent storyline across the books, nicely spaced content per book and highly engaging from the get go with encapsulating imagery that reflects on the authors master craftsmanship.. I put my next novel read back one and have started on the follow on trilogy The Red Sword Trilogy.
November 12, 2018
Dark Citadel
A long fight to the end. Love and hate battle for the world. Evil is hell bent on taking over the world. A great read and great writing.
A long fight to the end. Love and hate battle for the world. Evil is hell bent on taking over the world. A great read and great writing.
February 28, 2019
High entertainment
Enjoyed this series to the end of the series was always looking forward to the next page I would recommend this series to ever likes action
Enjoyed this series to the end of the series was always looking forward to the next page I would recommend this series to ever likes action
August 21, 2019
Great read!
Recommend to most fantasy readers, really enjoyed it! Plenty of fun, plenty of fighting and plenty of magic for all...
Recommend to most fantasy readers, really enjoyed it! Plenty of fun, plenty of fighting and plenty of magic for all...
October 30, 2019
Well plotted narrative
It was a well plotted, well paced story. I liked all five books, which isn’t always the case when reading a series.
It was a well plotted, well paced story. I liked all five books, which isn’t always the case when reading a series.
January 29, 2020
I love series as I get to know all the characters, but the only problem is at the end when the story is over, lol. I feel such a loss until I get into another good read. Really enjoyed this series!!
April 23, 2020
Could not get past the first chapter. A first for me. The writing, the setting, just didnt click.
I gave this another try and was able to finish all the books. I moved the rating from a one to a three. The story was pretty good but the writing was just ok. Poorly written battle scenes, repeating topics, and did I mention, poorly written. Things like: the battle was lost everyone is spent, outnumbered 50-1 and its over. But wait, there’s the queen fighting, we can all fight now, oh we won, WHAT? Sorry but this could have been a really good series and maybe in the next saga it will improve.
I gave this another try and was able to finish all the books. I moved the rating from a one to a three. The story was pretty good but the writing was just ok. Poorly written battle scenes, repeating topics, and did I mention, poorly written. Things like: the battle was lost everyone is spent, outnumbered 50-1 and its over. But wait, there’s the queen fighting, we can all fight now, oh we won, WHAT? Sorry but this could have been a really good series and maybe in the next saga it will improve.
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