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Stormfall Chronicles #1
Storm's Herald
A peasant girl who dreams of becoming a sorceress, a boy who imagines himself a knight – trailed by a ruthless mercenary armed with an ancient sword.
All Lynette wanted was to leave her boring village life – to attend the Fae Academy and become a Druid priestess like her teacher before her. Her clumsy attempts at magic are a reminder of how much she has yet to learn. But if they would only accept her, if the Fae Kingdom – closed to human visitors for centuries now – would only just open its doors, she is certain she could become a master of the magical arts.
Yet her journey puts her on a collision course with a reawakened evil – offering a king’s ransom for the recovery of a long-lost relic. Treasure hunters of every variety – werewolves, mercenaries, common thieves and undead alike – are soon locked in pursuit of its promised riches. Together with Baxter, a young squire who fled his own kingdom, and Eirlon, a gnome who trades in rare antiquities, Lynette is drawn unwillingly into the hunt for the elusive relic.
Hounded by goblins, ogres – and darker things – Baxter carries his own burdens: secrets that have made him the enemy of the crown. And then there is Garth, the mysterious mercenary who both frightens and intrigues Lynette: the weapons-master armed with an ancient blade – snatched from the hand of a long-vanished fae prince.
Willingly or not, Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon must together solve the riddles behind the relic – and stay one step ahead of the ruthless killers that pursue them.
The complete Book One of the Stormfall Chronicles, Storm’s Herald is an Epic Fantasy series suitable for all ages.
All Lynette wanted was to leave her boring village life – to attend the Fae Academy and become a Druid priestess like her teacher before her. Her clumsy attempts at magic are a reminder of how much she has yet to learn. But if they would only accept her, if the Fae Kingdom – closed to human visitors for centuries now – would only just open its doors, she is certain she could become a master of the magical arts.
Yet her journey puts her on a collision course with a reawakened evil – offering a king’s ransom for the recovery of a long-lost relic. Treasure hunters of every variety – werewolves, mercenaries, common thieves and undead alike – are soon locked in pursuit of its promised riches. Together with Baxter, a young squire who fled his own kingdom, and Eirlon, a gnome who trades in rare antiquities, Lynette is drawn unwillingly into the hunt for the elusive relic.
Hounded by goblins, ogres – and darker things – Baxter carries his own burdens: secrets that have made him the enemy of the crown. And then there is Garth, the mysterious mercenary who both frightens and intrigues Lynette: the weapons-master armed with an ancient blade – snatched from the hand of a long-vanished fae prince.
Willingly or not, Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon must together solve the riddles behind the relic – and stay one step ahead of the ruthless killers that pursue them.
The complete Book One of the Stormfall Chronicles, Storm’s Herald is an Epic Fantasy series suitable for all ages.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2019
39 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
J.W. Golan
6 books11 followersMy first attempt at writing a Fantasy novel occurred decades ago - when I was still a student in high school. To say that the resulting book was awful would be too kind, and it was disposed of soon afterwards. From that experience, however, I gained a better appreciation for the elements that would be needed to produce a successful novel - including the persistence to see such an undertaking to its conclusion.
In the intervening years, life happened: university, jobs, marriage, kids. I never completely ceased writing, but I also had neither the time nor motivation to launch another novel. I did, however, have a non-fiction book (a history text - some 400+ pages, hardbound) that I gradually polished and rounded out - which was eventually published through a traditional, printed publishing house. The latter experience further solidified my conviction that I indeed could undertake a novel again - should I choose to do so.
It was my three daughters, however, who reintroduced me to the world of Fantasy-Fiction. Literature was something that the four of us could share, discuss and compare - together with other fantasy and literary influences. I was able to introduce some of my old favorites to my daughters, and they in turn, introduced me to some of theirs.
It was this latter experience, sharing and discussing stories and literature, that convinced me to try my hand at writing Fantasy-Fiction once again: weaving together tales and ideas that had been circulating across my mind for decades. I hope that the resulting stories and characters are as fun to read as they were for me to write.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 6, 2019
There’s something about a fantasy world, when well crafted, that just draws me in. Maybe it’s the different cultures or the threat of imaginative monsters. Perhaps it’s the everyday protagonists that have to stand against great evil in epic battles. J.W. Golan’s Storm’s Herald has all that, really anything you could want in a fantasy novel, and it’s well-written to boot. Main character Lynnette must learn magic in order to stand up to an ancient evil while travelling a really cool fantasy realm. All around a great one for any Lord of the Rings fans out there!
July 6, 2020
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Storm’s Herald is the first book in the Stormfall Chronicles series and is a very promising start to an interesting high-fantasy / coming-of-age adventure.
The main characters are Lynette and Baxter, who are both apprentices – mage and warrior, respectively – and both end up striking out alone for their own compelling reasons. Their paths inevitably converge (along with that of Eirlon, a gnome sage who appears to have secrets of his own) and they begin a quest that sees them looking for answers to recent attacks and gradually beginning to realise that this may be bigger and more daunting than they thought. Like, ‘legend-in-the-making’ big!
I was a little confused about the characters at first, as a third ‘apprentice’ was introduced early on and seemed, at first, to have equal standing with the two potential adventurers. Kalden is an apprentice healer and seemed like a natural complement to the skills of the other team members, but then he suddenly drops out of the narrative, choosing a place in village life. He does pop up again later, after I had mostly forgotten about him, but more as a minor character than a significant one so far. I found this just a tiny bit unsettling for a while, as wondering about his role in the story distracted me from full immersion in the story (until, as I said, I successfully dismissed him from my mind… sorry Kalden!).
Other than that – very insignificant – quibble, I really enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting and have plenty of room to grow and develop as the story progresses. Lynette and Baxter both confounded my initial impressions of them, by having hidden depths and individual motivations, causing them to occasionally act in unexpected ways. I particularly liked this character complexity.
Similarly, while the main plot appears to be a straightforward seek-and-find quest, there are clearly undercurrents of darker magic, murkier politics, secrets and deceptions that promise an epic wider story arc as the series continues. There are different types of magic and monsters to explore, and a range of classic fantasy races – fae, werewolves, gnomes, orcs, goblins – with their legendary stereotypes and, again, actual individual, personal quirks.
There were no graphic details – violent or romantic – that would make this story unsuitable for later middle grade upwards, but the level of storytelling, world-building and character development clearly push the book into classic epic/high fantasy territory, making it ideal for adult fans of the genre too.
I can’t wait to get stuck into book two, Storm’s Clouds, to find out what happens next…!
As she made her way up the path to Delyth’s cottage, Lynette wondered if it might be too late for another lesson. The shadows were growing long. But she had remembered to pick up a message tube from town, and a merchant caravan was passing through and would be setting out for the Feygate in the morning.
Afterwards, Lynette would wonder at why she hadn’t noticed how the birds and insects were strangely quiet as she approached the cottage. But at the time, she was too lost in her own thoughts to realize something was amiss.
– J.W. Golan, Storm’s Herald
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
Storm’s Herald is the first book in the Stormfall Chronicles series and is a very promising start to an interesting high-fantasy / coming-of-age adventure.
The main characters are Lynette and Baxter, who are both apprentices – mage and warrior, respectively – and both end up striking out alone for their own compelling reasons. Their paths inevitably converge (along with that of Eirlon, a gnome sage who appears to have secrets of his own) and they begin a quest that sees them looking for answers to recent attacks and gradually beginning to realise that this may be bigger and more daunting than they thought. Like, ‘legend-in-the-making’ big!
I was a little confused about the characters at first, as a third ‘apprentice’ was introduced early on and seemed, at first, to have equal standing with the two potential adventurers. Kalden is an apprentice healer and seemed like a natural complement to the skills of the other team members, but then he suddenly drops out of the narrative, choosing a place in village life. He does pop up again later, after I had mostly forgotten about him, but more as a minor character than a significant one so far. I found this just a tiny bit unsettling for a while, as wondering about his role in the story distracted me from full immersion in the story (until, as I said, I successfully dismissed him from my mind… sorry Kalden!).
Other than that – very insignificant – quibble, I really enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting and have plenty of room to grow and develop as the story progresses. Lynette and Baxter both confounded my initial impressions of them, by having hidden depths and individual motivations, causing them to occasionally act in unexpected ways. I particularly liked this character complexity.
Similarly, while the main plot appears to be a straightforward seek-and-find quest, there are clearly undercurrents of darker magic, murkier politics, secrets and deceptions that promise an epic wider story arc as the series continues. There are different types of magic and monsters to explore, and a range of classic fantasy races – fae, werewolves, gnomes, orcs, goblins – with their legendary stereotypes and, again, actual individual, personal quirks.
There were no graphic details – violent or romantic – that would make this story unsuitable for later middle grade upwards, but the level of storytelling, world-building and character development clearly push the book into classic epic/high fantasy territory, making it ideal for adult fans of the genre too.
I can’t wait to get stuck into book two, Storm’s Clouds, to find out what happens next…!
As she made her way up the path to Delyth’s cottage, Lynette wondered if it might be too late for another lesson. The shadows were growing long. But she had remembered to pick up a message tube from town, and a merchant caravan was passing through and would be setting out for the Feygate in the morning.
Afterwards, Lynette would wonder at why she hadn’t noticed how the birds and insects were strangely quiet as she approached the cottage. But at the time, she was too lost in her own thoughts to realize something was amiss.
– J.W. Golan, Storm’s Herald
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
March 26, 2020
Storm’s Herald
Author: J.W. Golan
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: January 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12yrs. and up
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 237
J.W. Golan Storm’s Herald, is a captivating ya fantasy that is a stellar adventure.
A compelling, intriguing, and well-written read right here. With three dimensional characters that are fleshed out. I felt connected them and drawn into their lives.
The narration flows perfectly and has the classical old world style that I completely enjoyed. A book for any Ya reader, who inhales and appreciates great fantasy adventure books.
Lynette, a poor farm girl who’s wants nothing more than to become a Druid priestess
along with a squire, Baxter who has his own secrets. Together with Eirlon, a gnome who trades in rare antiquities. There is also Garth, an intriguing, mysteries mercenary.
Two young heroes brought together by fate will cross paths along the way cross paths and encounter some fantastic creatures werewolves, mercenaries, common thieves, and of course let’s not forget the the undead.
A dark menacing, reawakened evil.. that threatens... the world of both fae and all of humankind.....A quest, A long-lost relic.
A kings ransom that has captured the interest treasure hunters galore.
I recommend Storm’s Herald to Fantasy and YA lovers
Author: J.W. Golan
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: January 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12yrs. and up
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 237
J.W. Golan Storm’s Herald, is a captivating ya fantasy that is a stellar adventure.
A compelling, intriguing, and well-written read right here. With three dimensional characters that are fleshed out. I felt connected them and drawn into their lives.
The narration flows perfectly and has the classical old world style that I completely enjoyed. A book for any Ya reader, who inhales and appreciates great fantasy adventure books.
Lynette, a poor farm girl who’s wants nothing more than to become a Druid priestess
along with a squire, Baxter who has his own secrets. Together with Eirlon, a gnome who trades in rare antiquities. There is also Garth, an intriguing, mysteries mercenary.
Two young heroes brought together by fate will cross paths along the way cross paths and encounter some fantastic creatures werewolves, mercenaries, common thieves, and of course let’s not forget the the undead.
A dark menacing, reawakened evil.. that threatens... the world of both fae and all of humankind.....A quest, A long-lost relic.
A kings ransom that has captured the interest treasure hunters galore.
I recommend Storm’s Herald to Fantasy and YA lovers
May 12, 2020
All the ingredients of a classic in making. :)
Lynette is a simple peasant girl with big dreams. She spent most of her days with her teacher, slowly and painstaking learning a bit of magic. But that all changes the day her parents inform her that she is to many a butcher, many many years older than her. She is very much against that. And when her teacher dies, there is nothing left for her in the village. She takes the letter that her teacher should deliver to the Fae Kingdom and embark on a journey.
Along the way, she meets Baxter, and later Eirlon.
It's an epic journey, filled with danger and secrets and magic.
My favorite thing about the story was the world created. As I read the story, the world became alive. It has a very good magical system (love those :)), lots of magical creatures and interesting history of the world. I liked the way the world and how it became that way is slowly revealed through the storyline, so it doesn't take away from the flow of the story.
It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once I got past the start, it got more and more interesting. :) I can't wait to dive into the second one!
received from Author
Lynette is a simple peasant girl with big dreams. She spent most of her days with her teacher, slowly and painstaking learning a bit of magic. But that all changes the day her parents inform her that she is to many a butcher, many many years older than her. She is very much against that. And when her teacher dies, there is nothing left for her in the village. She takes the letter that her teacher should deliver to the Fae Kingdom and embark on a journey.
Along the way, she meets Baxter, and later Eirlon.
It's an epic journey, filled with danger and secrets and magic.
My favorite thing about the story was the world created. As I read the story, the world became alive. It has a very good magical system (love those :)), lots of magical creatures and interesting history of the world. I liked the way the world and how it became that way is slowly revealed through the storyline, so it doesn't take away from the flow of the story.
It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once I got past the start, it got more and more interesting. :) I can't wait to dive into the second one!
received from Author
January 20, 2020
Epic fantasy novel for all ages to enjoy!
Storm’s Herald is Book one of the Stormfall Chronicles. The author builds a very credible world in which his characters play. The pacing worked well for me. There are a few places it got a bit wordy, but certainly not enough to detract from the story.
The characters develop nicely over the course of the book. They are consistent with their actions throughout the story. I enjoy books with strong female leads. Both Lynette and Elise fit that description. Baxter is easy to cheer for, even though he is a step behind most of the time. Eirlon is a unique character that adds a great deal to the plot. Mystery man Garth is quite intriguing. Is he Fae, human, or something yet unknown?
The story does have the feel of building toward book two, which is expected. The final scene is the perfect lead-in to Storm’s Clouds.
Storm’s Herald is Book one of the Stormfall Chronicles. The author builds a very credible world in which his characters play. The pacing worked well for me. There are a few places it got a bit wordy, but certainly not enough to detract from the story.
The characters develop nicely over the course of the book. They are consistent with their actions throughout the story. I enjoy books with strong female leads. Both Lynette and Elise fit that description. Baxter is easy to cheer for, even though he is a step behind most of the time. Eirlon is a unique character that adds a great deal to the plot. Mystery man Garth is quite intriguing. Is he Fae, human, or something yet unknown?
The story does have the feel of building toward book two, which is expected. The final scene is the perfect lead-in to Storm’s Clouds.
February 21, 2020
What an adventure! :D It's a 4.5 stars for me.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Overall opinion: Intense and adventurous Epic YA Fantasy that reads like High Fantasy for adults in a “vintage” writing style that’s a perfect fit for the world built.
Lynette is a poor farm girl who wants to become a sorceress. Baxter is a young squire with too much innocence and honesty to survive in his county. Two young people brought by fate to cross paths and encounter mythical creatures that are the norm in their world: gnomes, ogres, goblins, giants, and fae. There is an obscure force threatening the world of both fae and humankind, and none of the two teenagers can really turn their back on what’s fated to happen.
Golan’s story is a story of the world and the quest before it’s a story of the characters and their personal lives. It’s world-driven and quest-driven before it’s character-driven, even though when it’s characters to own the stage, they own it for good!
I found the writing style to be more suitable for an upper adult reader than a young adult, but that may be only my perception. It’s descriptive and filled with imagery, which fits perfectly with the world created.
The prose has a “vintage” taste to it. Think Jane Austen. Elegant, sometimes serious. In fact, initially I thought this was old-style High Fantasy than YA Fantasy.
The worldbuilding uncovers chapter by chapter, and it’s one of the protagonists of Storm’s Herald along with the characters. No clashing elements, no modern ideas inserted by mistake in the narration: the world and its characters are in perfect harmony with one another, and they belong.
READ THE FULL REVIEW AT: https://liadospetti.com/blog/storms-h...
Thanks for the books, John! ♥
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Overall opinion: Intense and adventurous Epic YA Fantasy that reads like High Fantasy for adults in a “vintage” writing style that’s a perfect fit for the world built.
Lynette is a poor farm girl who wants to become a sorceress. Baxter is a young squire with too much innocence and honesty to survive in his county. Two young people brought by fate to cross paths and encounter mythical creatures that are the norm in their world: gnomes, ogres, goblins, giants, and fae. There is an obscure force threatening the world of both fae and humankind, and none of the two teenagers can really turn their back on what’s fated to happen.
Golan’s story is a story of the world and the quest before it’s a story of the characters and their personal lives. It’s world-driven and quest-driven before it’s character-driven, even though when it’s characters to own the stage, they own it for good!
I found the writing style to be more suitable for an upper adult reader than a young adult, but that may be only my perception. It’s descriptive and filled with imagery, which fits perfectly with the world created.
The prose has a “vintage” taste to it. Think Jane Austen. Elegant, sometimes serious. In fact, initially I thought this was old-style High Fantasy than YA Fantasy.
The worldbuilding uncovers chapter by chapter, and it’s one of the protagonists of Storm’s Herald along with the characters. No clashing elements, no modern ideas inserted by mistake in the narration: the world and its characters are in perfect harmony with one another, and they belong.
READ THE FULL REVIEW AT: https://liadospetti.com/blog/storms-h...
Thanks for the books, John! ♥
June 26, 2019
(a copy was provided by author for an honest review)
🗺️ a new beginning: welcome to a brand new world with an adventure that is about to begin. Storm's Herald is an origin story at its core, we follow several different characters that are about to embark on a mission to save their world from an impending evil. As such, there is a lot of introduction, some of which can seem a bit overwhelming. The author wants to introduce us to the cast of the story but with the way everything is structured, there are a lot of names and switching POVs happening very rapidly at the beginning. This isn’t necessarily problematic but results in a bit of confusion. I ended up having to write down the names to keep track - some of the characters were name dropped and didn’t come up for a while either. Regardless, the novel introduces the story and premise for the series in a way that is straightforward in its intention.
🗺️ fantasy favorites: this has all the tropes that make a classic YA fantasy…almost too much so. The author’s biography mentions discovering and falling in love with YA fantasy genre through his children which is awesome, but this novel feels like a compilation of his exposure as a result. With that said, it’s not a bad thing to have trolls and magic and a historical-fantasy world setting but it will make the novel a bit hard to pick out from the rest because of its lack of originality. However, this is the first book in a series, it is the author’s first time writing fantasy, and it’s a relatively short book - so I am still curious to see how exactly the author will takes these popular tropes and stereotypes and make them unique and his own.
More reviews posted at Le Petit Photograph
🗺️ a new beginning: welcome to a brand new world with an adventure that is about to begin. Storm's Herald is an origin story at its core, we follow several different characters that are about to embark on a mission to save their world from an impending evil. As such, there is a lot of introduction, some of which can seem a bit overwhelming. The author wants to introduce us to the cast of the story but with the way everything is structured, there are a lot of names and switching POVs happening very rapidly at the beginning. This isn’t necessarily problematic but results in a bit of confusion. I ended up having to write down the names to keep track - some of the characters were name dropped and didn’t come up for a while either. Regardless, the novel introduces the story and premise for the series in a way that is straightforward in its intention.
🗺️ fantasy favorites: this has all the tropes that make a classic YA fantasy…almost too much so. The author’s biography mentions discovering and falling in love with YA fantasy genre through his children which is awesome, but this novel feels like a compilation of his exposure as a result. With that said, it’s not a bad thing to have trolls and magic and a historical-fantasy world setting but it will make the novel a bit hard to pick out from the rest because of its lack of originality. However, this is the first book in a series, it is the author’s first time writing fantasy, and it’s a relatively short book - so I am still curious to see how exactly the author will takes these popular tropes and stereotypes and make them unique and his own.
More reviews posted at Le Petit Photograph
April 12, 2020
A quick read with a very intriguing tale.
This fantasy series has all my favorite elements and promises to be quite an adventure.
Easy to follow narrative with a variety of interesting characters this storyline holds much promise.
This multiple point of view novel should be ideal for the teenager who loves Lord of the Rings and all things Fae and magical.
This fantasy series has all my favorite elements and promises to be quite an adventure.
Easy to follow narrative with a variety of interesting characters this storyline holds much promise.
This multiple point of view novel should be ideal for the teenager who loves Lord of the Rings and all things Fae and magical.
April 16, 2020
Storm's Herald demands your attention from the outset. I went in expecting to like this, not love it. But I do. I absolutely love it! Vivid imagery and a story that captures the reader from page one makes this a fun and enchanting read. The characters and setting are rich and well-developed, definitely a story anyone can enjoy regardless of age.
January 1, 2026
Epic fantasy
The story opens on multiple fronts with five young and inexperienced characters with different roles to play in a story that only gradually starts to unfold, draw them together and revel who is who.
A good read. I’ll look forward to seeing what comes next in this series - and before in the prequel series.
The story opens on multiple fronts with five young and inexperienced characters with different roles to play in a story that only gradually starts to unfold, draw them together and revel who is who.
A good read. I’ll look forward to seeing what comes next in this series - and before in the prequel series.
October 13, 2023
Excellent beginning to a new series - a delightful read for young or the young at heart
Great plot & character development. Plausible story line. Keeps your interest. Really first rate writing. I rarely give five stars. HIGHLY recommended!!!
Great plot & character development. Plausible story line. Keeps your interest. Really first rate writing. I rarely give five stars. HIGHLY recommended!!!
November 2, 2019
It’s been a quick minute since I’ve read in this genre, and I am kicking myself that I let so much time pass by! I love YA fantasy!! How could I forget that!? Thanks, J.W. Golan, for sending your book my way. It has reignited my passion.
*spoiler alert*
I love the team element of the story structure. It really opens up world-building possibilities and POV dynamics. The perspective transitions are smooth for the most part; I can only think of one place in the novel where I felt jolted out of the story flow due to the POV change.
My worst criticism of the story is Garth. He seems overpowered in my opinion. This character comes in during every conflict and dispatches the bad guys. It seems he’s there as the plot’s problem solver, a deus ex machina. But, he is very likeable. I have a small suspicion that this world’s hero, Garth/Gwythyr/Gyaltso, will give the ultimate sacrifice sometime later in the series.
Another point about Garth—I didn’t realize the title of the book was referring to him until the most of the way through the novel. I assumed the “storm’s herald” was referring to the girl on the cover, Lynette. She has some magical abilities which is noted to be rare for a human, but I did find the descriptive phrase “naturally gifted/attuned/talented” overused. Perhaps the author can find a different way to describe her in the upcoming books or, at least, harp on another trait of hers once in a while.
All in all, a lovely read. The story is very engaging. I fell in love with the characters, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in their adventure!
*spoiler alert*
I love the team element of the story structure. It really opens up world-building possibilities and POV dynamics. The perspective transitions are smooth for the most part; I can only think of one place in the novel where I felt jolted out of the story flow due to the POV change.
My worst criticism of the story is Garth. He seems overpowered in my opinion. This character comes in during every conflict and dispatches the bad guys. It seems he’s there as the plot’s problem solver, a deus ex machina. But, he is very likeable. I have a small suspicion that this world’s hero, Garth/Gwythyr/Gyaltso, will give the ultimate sacrifice sometime later in the series.
Another point about Garth—I didn’t realize the title of the book was referring to him until the most of the way through the novel. I assumed the “storm’s herald” was referring to the girl on the cover, Lynette. She has some magical abilities which is noted to be rare for a human, but I did find the descriptive phrase “naturally gifted/attuned/talented” overused. Perhaps the author can find a different way to describe her in the upcoming books or, at least, harp on another trait of hers once in a while.
All in all, a lovely read. The story is very engaging. I fell in love with the characters, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in their adventure!
December 15, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: J.W. Golan
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: January 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, mature scenes, some gore)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 237
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A peasant girl who dreams of becoming a sorceress, a boy who imagines himself a knight – trailed by a ruthless mercenary armed with an ancient sword.
All Lynette wanted was to leave her boring village life – to attend the Fae Academy and become a Druid priestess like her teacher before her. Her clumsy attempts at magic are a reminder of how much she has yet to learn. But if they would only accept her, if the Fae Kingdom – closed to human visitors for centuries now – would only just open its doors, she is certain she could become a master of the magical arts.
Yet her journey puts her on a collision course with a reawakened evil – offering a king’s ransom for the recovery of a long-lost relic. Treasure hunters of every variety – werewolves, mercenaries, common thieves and undead alike – are soon locked in pursuit of its promised riches. Together with Baxter, a young squire who fled his own kingdom, and Eirlon, a gnome who trades in rare antiquities, Lynette is drawn unwillingly into the hunt for the elusive relic.
Hounded by goblins, ogres – and darker things – Baxter carries his own burdens: secrets that have made him the enemy of the crown. And then there is Garth, the mysterious mercenary who both frightens and intrigues Lynette: the weapons-master armed with an ancient blade – snatched from the hand of a long-vanished fae prince.
Willingly or not, Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon must together solve the riddles behind the relic – and stay one step ahead of the ruthless killers that pursue them.
Review: The book was pretty good! I loved the setting and the epic fantasy feel of this book. I liked the pacing of this book and the overarching story seems really interesting.
However, this is the first book and the book has a lot of introductions to make, which makes the reading a bit difficult in some spots. The POV changes a lot and without a lot of notice, so it’s a bit hard to follow in some spots too. The name dropping was kinda chaotic too. I think I need a map now, but other than that it was really good.
Verdict: I decent start to an epic fantasy!
Author: J.W. Golan
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: January 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, mature scenes, some gore)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 237
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A peasant girl who dreams of becoming a sorceress, a boy who imagines himself a knight – trailed by a ruthless mercenary armed with an ancient sword.
All Lynette wanted was to leave her boring village life – to attend the Fae Academy and become a Druid priestess like her teacher before her. Her clumsy attempts at magic are a reminder of how much she has yet to learn. But if they would only accept her, if the Fae Kingdom – closed to human visitors for centuries now – would only just open its doors, she is certain she could become a master of the magical arts.
Yet her journey puts her on a collision course with a reawakened evil – offering a king’s ransom for the recovery of a long-lost relic. Treasure hunters of every variety – werewolves, mercenaries, common thieves and undead alike – are soon locked in pursuit of its promised riches. Together with Baxter, a young squire who fled his own kingdom, and Eirlon, a gnome who trades in rare antiquities, Lynette is drawn unwillingly into the hunt for the elusive relic.
Hounded by goblins, ogres – and darker things – Baxter carries his own burdens: secrets that have made him the enemy of the crown. And then there is Garth, the mysterious mercenary who both frightens and intrigues Lynette: the weapons-master armed with an ancient blade – snatched from the hand of a long-vanished fae prince.
Willingly or not, Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon must together solve the riddles behind the relic – and stay one step ahead of the ruthless killers that pursue them.
Review: The book was pretty good! I loved the setting and the epic fantasy feel of this book. I liked the pacing of this book and the overarching story seems really interesting.
However, this is the first book and the book has a lot of introductions to make, which makes the reading a bit difficult in some spots. The POV changes a lot and without a lot of notice, so it’s a bit hard to follow in some spots too. The name dropping was kinda chaotic too. I think I need a map now, but other than that it was really good.
Verdict: I decent start to an epic fantasy!
November 26, 2020
Good story
It really is a great story, so I've been wondering why I don't like it more. I think it's because the characters for one, do not work together and learn from each other. They all stay apart for the most part. They are not involved in each others lives. They don't ask questions or demand answers. They show little concern, or that concern is perfunctory. If they would team up to solve the problems, riddles, had real interest in the history found artifacts fascinating and explained why they were useful. Pooled talents grew real respect for each other. The girl is not very interesting. She should be. All the characters should be, interesting and lovable. Polite does not mean a lack of warmth. The author is just shy of making these wonderful books I this because she hasn't made the characters lovable, true friends who respect each other and Rely on each other. So the books, I'm actually reading no 2, are a bit empty. All the ingredients, mostly are there. But the warmth, liking the characters is missing. I don't. So the books are falling flat. Also I like smart characters who are involved. Not ones who just let the others do their part while they sit back and watch, have no opinion, it's not my business. Like the sage is examining the ground after an attack looking for clues. Neither the boy or girl have any interest or try to help or offer their insight. They just stay separate uninvolved and they don't even admire or show appreciation of the value any of them offers. A kind of cluelessness about anything but their own role. Potentially awesome books. They need a heart friends respect understood pain understanding. It's not there yet
It really is a great story, so I've been wondering why I don't like it more. I think it's because the characters for one, do not work together and learn from each other. They all stay apart for the most part. They are not involved in each others lives. They don't ask questions or demand answers. They show little concern, or that concern is perfunctory. If they would team up to solve the problems, riddles, had real interest in the history found artifacts fascinating and explained why they were useful. Pooled talents grew real respect for each other. The girl is not very interesting. She should be. All the characters should be, interesting and lovable. Polite does not mean a lack of warmth. The author is just shy of making these wonderful books I this because she hasn't made the characters lovable, true friends who respect each other and Rely on each other. So the books, I'm actually reading no 2, are a bit empty. All the ingredients, mostly are there. But the warmth, liking the characters is missing. I don't. So the books are falling flat. Also I like smart characters who are involved. Not ones who just let the others do their part while they sit back and watch, have no opinion, it's not my business. Like the sage is examining the ground after an attack looking for clues. Neither the boy or girl have any interest or try to help or offer their insight. They just stay separate uninvolved and they don't even admire or show appreciation of the value any of them offers. A kind of cluelessness about anything but their own role. Potentially awesome books. They need a heart friends respect understood pain understanding. It's not there yet
August 10, 2020
Good book!
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more in the series. I’m glad the second book is out.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more in the series. I’m glad the second book is out.
July 10, 2019
This book has many of the great things in a YA fantasy; different cultures, monsters, magical vs non-magical realms, battles and a path of discovery for some young characters. There are also some other secondary characters that add some fun story line aspects to the overall novel. The fantasy world J.W. Golan has created is interesting and well-described and I always love a fantasy that includes many different species (goblins, ogres, fae, oh my!). I also enjoyed Lynette’s magical schooling of different fae abilities. I do wish there had been a few more scenes of her testing these abilities out as they were interesting and explained the fae world a bit more.
One other thing I was a bit disappointed with was that the character Baxter, who in the description seems to be a main character, only had a short time in the spotlight. After a few chapters of his importance to the story, he kind of faded to the background and was mentioned in passing. I liked his character and would have been interested to see more of his storyline and progression. Maybe he is more prominent in the next book of the series, but again wish he had more parts in this book.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
One other thing I was a bit disappointed with was that the character Baxter, who in the description seems to be a main character, only had a short time in the spotlight. After a few chapters of his importance to the story, he kind of faded to the background and was mentioned in passing. I liked his character and would have been interested to see more of his storyline and progression. Maybe he is more prominent in the next book of the series, but again wish he had more parts in this book.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
February 20, 2024
This book, first in the series, gripped me from the first few pages! I'm leaving a review and comment late in the game as I was unaware of this forum, but glad to join the commentary.
I found the story mesmerizing and clever. The natural magic woven throughout was well done and from a real witch makes me admire the author and their insights into our world, even though it is fantasy. Not many people could accomplish this whilst creating such a complex and riveting storyline.
Most stories today that try to weave magic and fantasy
fail, in my opinion, and leave me wanting early on, because they are so outlandish. The most effective alchemy is to make the story real enough for magical people to recognize the magic while the fictional story is fantastic enough to transport everyone to another realm. Mr. Golan does this very well indeed.
I found the story mesmerizing and clever. The natural magic woven throughout was well done and from a real witch makes me admire the author and their insights into our world, even though it is fantasy. Not many people could accomplish this whilst creating such a complex and riveting storyline.
Most stories today that try to weave magic and fantasy
fail, in my opinion, and leave me wanting early on, because they are so outlandish. The most effective alchemy is to make the story real enough for magical people to recognize the magic while the fictional story is fantastic enough to transport everyone to another realm. Mr. Golan does this very well indeed.
November 24, 2020
Low 3
The basic story is decent, although I am not fully pleased it reaches a good stopping point with a sense of conclusion, and characters okay, but the writing frequently felt weak throughout--good revision could make it so much more vivid and compelling. The characters could also benefit from more depth and use of their individuality in the writing.
The basic story is decent, although I am not fully pleased it reaches a good stopping point with a sense of conclusion, and characters okay, but the writing frequently felt weak throughout--good revision could make it so much more vivid and compelling. The characters could also benefit from more depth and use of their individuality in the writing.
December 21, 2020
Review on my blog, The Reading Fairy
TW: Death, loss of loved one, violence, blood
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for promotion of Storm's Clouds
This book was nice and short. Maybe it's a good thing since I was in the mood to read something short before I jump into Lady Midnight again. I was sure what I was expecting minus that this book was fantasy. And also, I guess it dealt with fey which is really cool.
I still haven't got enough of fey yet, so maybe that's a good thing. I do feel like their customs, their history and why they have to hide from men (that sounds so familiar) should have been explored. I think that's what the book was missing majorly was more world-building.
From the reviews I have seen, the next book actually covers more world-building so maybe the idea can be explored further? I really hope so, because this book has the potential to be a lot more than a typical fantasy book.
I wasn't a huge fan of the characters really. I liked them especially Lynette with her determination in becoming a sorceress. She was a good character, but I did want to see a lot more from her. Her past, maybe more of her personality traits.
The characters didn't seem to be fully fleshed out especially Baxter. He seems to be a decent character, but we barely know anything about him.
The writing was good mostly. Most of the times, I liked about it. There was something about it-but this is the author's debut novel and debut novels are often like that. There were some areas where it got really wordy and felt forced, but other than that it was decent.
TW: Death, loss of loved one, violence, blood
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for promotion of Storm's Clouds
This book was nice and short. Maybe it's a good thing since I was in the mood to read something short before I jump into Lady Midnight again. I was sure what I was expecting minus that this book was fantasy. And also, I guess it dealt with fey which is really cool.
I still haven't got enough of fey yet, so maybe that's a good thing. I do feel like their customs, their history and why they have to hide from men (that sounds so familiar) should have been explored. I think that's what the book was missing majorly was more world-building.
From the reviews I have seen, the next book actually covers more world-building so maybe the idea can be explored further? I really hope so, because this book has the potential to be a lot more than a typical fantasy book.
I wasn't a huge fan of the characters really. I liked them especially Lynette with her determination in becoming a sorceress. She was a good character, but I did want to see a lot more from her. Her past, maybe more of her personality traits.
The characters didn't seem to be fully fleshed out especially Baxter. He seems to be a decent character, but we barely know anything about him.
The writing was good mostly. Most of the times, I liked about it. There was something about it-but this is the author's debut novel and debut novels are often like that. There were some areas where it got really wordy and felt forced, but other than that it was decent.
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