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Chaos of Souls #1
The Gates of Golorath
At the edge of the world stands a gate to another realm. The fallen angels, the Lethen'al, sealed it when they fled the Apostate. It has lain dormant, forgotten for seven thousand years. But the Lethen'al have not been idle in their absence. They have mastered the arts of magic and of war, in preparation for their enemy's return.
Arielle is descended from the founder of the Areth'kon, the martial school. She dreams of becoming a Mala'kar, a Bladeless Master, like her parents before her. But she lived in the shadow of other's expectations for so long, followed the path they set for her without question, and forgotten her own desires. To reclaim who she is, she leaves her former life and lover behind to start anew at the Gates. But her past claims a stake in her future, and refuses to let her go.
Angus is driven by a secret; a failure he is ashamed of. To rectify his disgrace, he is determined to learn the ways of the sword. Forsaking the teachings of the Magi, he arrived at the Gates to train with his father's people. Raised on the heroic tales of the Blademasters, he strives to live by their example. But the Blademasters here are nothing like the stories.
When their squads arrive at the Gates for their final year of military training, Angus and Arielle are drawn together. The truth of who they are has the power to reshape the history and purpose of their people, but it is guarded by royal decree.
Will they be able to handle the truth of who they are? Can the world? Can they contain the magnificent powers they wield or will they destroy everyone in their way?
All the while, a new enemy stirs in the shadows.
Fans of J.R.R Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss and J.K. Rowling will feel right at home in this elaborately layered fantasy world that combines military society with a unique magical system.
Arielle is descended from the founder of the Areth'kon, the martial school. She dreams of becoming a Mala'kar, a Bladeless Master, like her parents before her. But she lived in the shadow of other's expectations for so long, followed the path they set for her without question, and forgotten her own desires. To reclaim who she is, she leaves her former life and lover behind to start anew at the Gates. But her past claims a stake in her future, and refuses to let her go.
Angus is driven by a secret; a failure he is ashamed of. To rectify his disgrace, he is determined to learn the ways of the sword. Forsaking the teachings of the Magi, he arrived at the Gates to train with his father's people. Raised on the heroic tales of the Blademasters, he strives to live by their example. But the Blademasters here are nothing like the stories.
When their squads arrive at the Gates for their final year of military training, Angus and Arielle are drawn together. The truth of who they are has the power to reshape the history and purpose of their people, but it is guarded by royal decree.
Will they be able to handle the truth of who they are? Can the world? Can they contain the magnificent powers they wield or will they destroy everyone in their way?
All the while, a new enemy stirs in the shadows.
Fans of J.R.R Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss and J.K. Rowling will feel right at home in this elaborately layered fantasy world that combines military society with a unique magical system.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
659 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2017
23 people are currently reading
923 people want to read
About the author
R.M. Garino
6 books56 followersR.M. Garino is the bestselling author of The Chaos of Souls Series and other expansive D&D inspired fantasy. With a Masters in Literature, he lives in the beautiful mountains on the east coast with the source of his inspiration: his fantastic wife, three sons, and a slew of unruly book characters.
An avid brewer of beer and strong coffee, Garino is a voracious reader, really bad dancer, an aficionado of fine cigars and single malt scotch, and is not nearly as obsessed with video games as his wife believes him to be.
An avid brewer of beer and strong coffee, Garino is a voracious reader, really bad dancer, an aficionado of fine cigars and single malt scotch, and is not nearly as obsessed with video games as his wife believes him to be.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 23, 2020
3.5
Thank you to the author R.M. Garino for the e-copy and the patience. It was a very long wait for this review request.
***
I have to admit I kind of felt like I was tossed into the deep end of the pool at the start of this book. It’s thick with complicated names and terms, and there is no easing you into it. It’s a very sink or swim style. There is a glossary though which does help a lot. Once I found my feet, the story settles in quickly and the pages blew by at a rate that was unexpected from an almost 700-page book.
The story, a new take on the whole angel/demon lore, focusses on two separate squads (or Pride’s) led by Arielle and Angus. The two leaders are in their last year of training, in what is the equivalent of a military boot camp (which, this, was totally my jam) before they are sent out to defend their realm, among others, from the demons. (I got a bit of Stargate vibe here with the Gates being doorways to each realm.)
Arielle, is training to be a Blademaster- she knows what she wants and works hard to achieve her goals. She has a lot of clout behind her with her family, who are practically royalty. A Rhen’val, her “house” is very distinguished and her Grandmother is the Commandant, making a lot of people believe that her family’s prestige, is what got her and her Pride so high in the standings. She is there to prove that she deserves to be there on her own merit.
Angus, is training to be a Magi- isn’t so well-liked, his squad-mates are looked down upon because of him. He has some baggage and a bit of an attitude that gets himself into a fair amount of trouble. He’s kind of the bad boy, but smart, and protective of those he cares about.
Arielle and Angus, to say it simply they are soulmates. Their Sin’s (which is kind of like an aura) have an instant connection, that is so strong, when they first came in the vicinity of each other they sent ‘lights’ from across the compound on a spiritual level, causing a lot of trouble, gossip, and ridicule.
Because of this connection between them, Angus and Ariel’s squads have become friends which I loved. I enjoyed the interplay within their own Prides and each other’s- they felt like they had been training together for years, and there was a relaxed feel to all of their interactions. They of course, had strife inside the group, as well as outside too, rounding out these relationships and making them tangible and solid feeling.
So, the culmination of this story and their years of training, ends here at the Gates of Golorath- with running the gauntlet, a big battle that is put on to prove the top squad. This put a lot of pressure on the relationships, and new found friendships between our two leaders and their Prides and it was a lot of fun to see how they overcame their differences, and who was going to come out on top.
The magic is what I’d call spiritual? The over-simplified explanation, is that their aura’s or Sin’s, can be manipulated to do things. Harden to become a defensive shield or attack another by draining that person’s aura. They can also speak to one another telepathically among other things.
I did really enjoy the story once we got to the boot camp. The beginning was a bit dense and almost felt unconnected to the rest of the story (other than the history) though at the end it does become clearer. I just wasn’t sold on it, as much as the rest of the book.
Other notes-
I loved the training exercises and mock battles some of which kind of reminded me of a Holodeck type of idea because the soldiers can be injured or even killed but then they just transport out and get healed. It was a lot of fun.
I loved the united front of the two prides when they began to be friends, and was excited to see them work out their differences along the way. It was especially fun when it came down to the running the gauntlet.
This book has a definite first book feel, as everything builds-up, we are beginning to see the tip of the iceberg as it comes to a close.
If you like strong character and team stories with some political maneuverings, you’ll probably love this book also the running the gauntlet was the icing on the cake, and just a huge amount of fun.
Thank you to the author R.M. Garino for the e-copy and the patience. It was a very long wait for this review request.
***
I have to admit I kind of felt like I was tossed into the deep end of the pool at the start of this book. It’s thick with complicated names and terms, and there is no easing you into it. It’s a very sink or swim style. There is a glossary though which does help a lot. Once I found my feet, the story settles in quickly and the pages blew by at a rate that was unexpected from an almost 700-page book.
The story, a new take on the whole angel/demon lore, focusses on two separate squads (or Pride’s) led by Arielle and Angus. The two leaders are in their last year of training, in what is the equivalent of a military boot camp (which, this, was totally my jam) before they are sent out to defend their realm, among others, from the demons. (I got a bit of Stargate vibe here with the Gates being doorways to each realm.)
Arielle, is training to be a Blademaster- she knows what she wants and works hard to achieve her goals. She has a lot of clout behind her with her family, who are practically royalty. A Rhen’val, her “house” is very distinguished and her Grandmother is the Commandant, making a lot of people believe that her family’s prestige, is what got her and her Pride so high in the standings. She is there to prove that she deserves to be there on her own merit.
Angus, is training to be a Magi- isn’t so well-liked, his squad-mates are looked down upon because of him. He has some baggage and a bit of an attitude that gets himself into a fair amount of trouble. He’s kind of the bad boy, but smart, and protective of those he cares about.
Arielle and Angus, to say it simply they are soulmates. Their Sin’s (which is kind of like an aura) have an instant connection, that is so strong, when they first came in the vicinity of each other they sent ‘lights’ from across the compound on a spiritual level, causing a lot of trouble, gossip, and ridicule.
Because of this connection between them, Angus and Ariel’s squads have become friends which I loved. I enjoyed the interplay within their own Prides and each other’s- they felt like they had been training together for years, and there was a relaxed feel to all of their interactions. They of course, had strife inside the group, as well as outside too, rounding out these relationships and making them tangible and solid feeling.
So, the culmination of this story and their years of training, ends here at the Gates of Golorath- with running the gauntlet, a big battle that is put on to prove the top squad. This put a lot of pressure on the relationships, and new found friendships between our two leaders and their Prides and it was a lot of fun to see how they overcame their differences, and who was going to come out on top.
The magic is what I’d call spiritual? The over-simplified explanation, is that their aura’s or Sin’s, can be manipulated to do things. Harden to become a defensive shield or attack another by draining that person’s aura. They can also speak to one another telepathically among other things.
I did really enjoy the story once we got to the boot camp. The beginning was a bit dense and almost felt unconnected to the rest of the story (other than the history) though at the end it does become clearer. I just wasn’t sold on it, as much as the rest of the book.
Other notes-
I loved the training exercises and mock battles some of which kind of reminded me of a Holodeck type of idea because the soldiers can be injured or even killed but then they just transport out and get healed. It was a lot of fun.
I loved the united front of the two prides when they began to be friends, and was excited to see them work out their differences along the way. It was especially fun when it came down to the running the gauntlet.
This book has a definite first book feel, as everything builds-up, we are beginning to see the tip of the iceberg as it comes to a close.
If you like strong character and team stories with some political maneuverings, you’ll probably love this book also the running the gauntlet was the icing on the cake, and just a huge amount of fun.
April 25, 2018
“The Gates of Golorath” is one seriously epic fantasy. Garino has taken a page out of such ambitious story tellers as George R.R. Martin when it comes to crafting vast and complicated house lines and the ties that bind them, as well as the fragile balance that many hold for no other reason other than tradition. The book focuses mainly on Angus and Arielle, two “angels” (who felt like elves to be honest) who go to train at the Gates in order to keep the forces of evil from ever being unleashed upon the human realm (I’m paraphrasing). But Garino introduces the reader to A TON of other characters, sometimes even showing us the world through their perspective, thus crafting a world that was so rich and vibrant that sometimes my body ached in sympathy pains for all the trials that our “young” protagonists go through (I say young because even centuries old they are still considered children). We watch as Arielle and Angus essentially go through boot camp so they can better prepare to protect their world, all while the author explains just what they’re protecting against, and why. Most of the action and conflict in this book revolves around house politics and competition for the highest honor, but honestly, I loved it and didn’t mind that the bigger conflict was only hinted at in this first book.
This is one of those books that’s a slow build due to its long set up, but the writing is so well done that you’re immediately immersed in the rich scenes with well-crafted action sequences and a magic system tied to an individual’s “aura” (it’s called something else in the book) that was both engaging and unique. Honestly, I forgot this was a re-imagining of the war of angels in the early days of human history for the story felt so removed from that event outside of a few history lessons the characters engage in. The tension of this story doesn’t come in the overt “we have to save the world” plot lines, but just the underlying tone that if the Gate falls, hell will be unleashed—literally. I liked that background tension as it allowed me to focus on the character arcs and enjoy their personal journey’s and triumphs without an all-consuming baddie getting in the way.
In fact, most of the tension comes from the narrator who retells the story of Angus and Arielle from a place of pain, stating that things now are in a bad place compared to the innocent beginnings of this young, bonded pair. The narrator, The Elder, is never formally named. But with the hints given, you can kind of guess who it is, and come the end of the book, that realization made me the most uneasy and not in the way where I’m yearning for the sequel to see what happens next. But because it felt like it undermined a lot of the triumphs of Arielle and Angus as they fight for what they believe in and want most despite tradition. I’m hoping I’m wrong about the Elder, but only future books will tell.
While I can’t praise the world and character building enough for this book, I am wondering what the next installment will focus on. Given all the characters and that the bigger battle was really only hinted at, plus with the Elder being all foreboding and what not, I’m uncertain as to what the next book will cover or who it'll focus on. But given how much I enjoyed this story, you can bet I’m excited for the next installment!
In fact, my only real issue with the book has nothing to do with the story, as long as you like a slow build and don’t mind some pretty detailed fight scenes, but with the house structure and the sheer amount of characters. The author included a glossary and house sheet, but it didn’t come until the end of the book and, frankly, I think it would have been a great deal more helpful at the start to better set up why certain houses didn’t get along and how the hierarchy of this world worked between the different military groups. The sheer amount of characters and their complexities got hard to follow at times, and I questioned why certain perspectives were even necessary, but the characters were so well built ahead of time that they didn’t feel like a worthless addition.
I really enjoyed “Gates of Golorath” and would highly recommend this book to fans of epic fantasies who enjoy well-crafted fight sequences and don’t mind getting lost in complex genealogies and character arcs. This is one of those stories you need to invest yourself in, and trust me, you’ll be glad you do when you get swept up in this marvelous fantasy realm. But because I did feel lost at times and I’m still really unsure how I feel about the narrator’s identity given where our main characters end up, I’m giving this a 4.5 star but am definitely rounding up, and can’t wait to see where the story goes from here! And thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for review!
This is one of those books that’s a slow build due to its long set up, but the writing is so well done that you’re immediately immersed in the rich scenes with well-crafted action sequences and a magic system tied to an individual’s “aura” (it’s called something else in the book) that was both engaging and unique. Honestly, I forgot this was a re-imagining of the war of angels in the early days of human history for the story felt so removed from that event outside of a few history lessons the characters engage in. The tension of this story doesn’t come in the overt “we have to save the world” plot lines, but just the underlying tone that if the Gate falls, hell will be unleashed—literally. I liked that background tension as it allowed me to focus on the character arcs and enjoy their personal journey’s and triumphs without an all-consuming baddie getting in the way.
In fact, most of the tension comes from the narrator who retells the story of Angus and Arielle from a place of pain, stating that things now are in a bad place compared to the innocent beginnings of this young, bonded pair. The narrator, The Elder, is never formally named. But with the hints given, you can kind of guess who it is, and come the end of the book, that realization made me the most uneasy and not in the way where I’m yearning for the sequel to see what happens next. But because it felt like it undermined a lot of the triumphs of Arielle and Angus as they fight for what they believe in and want most despite tradition. I’m hoping I’m wrong about the Elder, but only future books will tell.
While I can’t praise the world and character building enough for this book, I am wondering what the next installment will focus on. Given all the characters and that the bigger battle was really only hinted at, plus with the Elder being all foreboding and what not, I’m uncertain as to what the next book will cover or who it'll focus on. But given how much I enjoyed this story, you can bet I’m excited for the next installment!
In fact, my only real issue with the book has nothing to do with the story, as long as you like a slow build and don’t mind some pretty detailed fight scenes, but with the house structure and the sheer amount of characters. The author included a glossary and house sheet, but it didn’t come until the end of the book and, frankly, I think it would have been a great deal more helpful at the start to better set up why certain houses didn’t get along and how the hierarchy of this world worked between the different military groups. The sheer amount of characters and their complexities got hard to follow at times, and I questioned why certain perspectives were even necessary, but the characters were so well built ahead of time that they didn’t feel like a worthless addition.
I really enjoyed “Gates of Golorath” and would highly recommend this book to fans of epic fantasies who enjoy well-crafted fight sequences and don’t mind getting lost in complex genealogies and character arcs. This is one of those stories you need to invest yourself in, and trust me, you’ll be glad you do when you get swept up in this marvelous fantasy realm. But because I did feel lost at times and I’m still really unsure how I feel about the narrator’s identity given where our main characters end up, I’m giving this a 4.5 star but am definitely rounding up, and can’t wait to see where the story goes from here! And thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for review!
December 31, 2017
Incredibly disappointed to find that the second book to this isn't out yet! This is a wonderful book, well worth reading. Fantasy lovers should be so excited to get their hands on this! It has the feel of the science fiction / fantasy novels I couldn't get enough of as a kid, and has the subject matter closer to what I got into in high school. There were a few typos here in there, but I was so into the story that I didn't even care. I SO hope that this isn't one where I totally miss the release of the following books and completely forget about it!
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
August 26, 2019
I absolutely love fantasy, especially well fleshed out worlds laced with cool action, so when I came across R.M. Garino’s The Gates of Golorath I couldn’t put it down! A squad of angels must prove their worth by battling vicious monsters in an epic quest. There’s a lot more going on but I wouldn’t want to spoil it as there are some great twists. Fun characters, an awesome plot, and some slick writing makes The Gates of Golorath a must grab for any fans of Percy Jackson out there!
February 21, 2017
Except from the author:
'A new twist on the eternal struggle between angels & demons.
The angels have fallen, and as punishment, have been fragmented, rearranged, and born anew.
Angus is a Magi apprentice. Arielle is a Blademaster in training.
The pull of the angels they once were draws them together.
But it seems all of creation wants to pull them apart.
And the monsters, created by the demons who hunt them, want to tear them to pieces.'
-----------------------------------------
This is a debut book from a brand new author who has quite honestly shocked me. A very ambitious undertaking at just over 650 pages, R.M. Garino catapults you into his fascinating world of angels and demons. He has an instinctive ability in 'showing not telling' that let's everything flow in a very organic way. This easily crosses over into the world that he has created. You can feel, see, hear and almost taste that in which he has written.
His characters are vast, each with distinctive personalities and traits. The plot is suspenseful, intriguing and exciting. It has action packed battle scenes that play out like a movie in one's head. Being a fantasy with house affiliations and different words, it can seem a bit confusing at first, but the author has added a glossary at the end to make it easy to follow. This is a fantasy I would almost dare to compare to George R.R. Martin's Fire and Ice (Game of Thrones) books but with angels and demons. Now mind you, when I say this, it is not as heavy handed, or quite as intense, but nonetheless, there is something reminiscent of those books in this one.
If there was one complaint, it would be one that happens to practically every new author in a debut book. That is a small bit of pacing issues. There were small bits and pieces towards the beginning that could have been shaven to move the pace forward just a bit. Although once this author hit his stride, it was definitely no longer an issue. Overall, a great read and a reminder as to why I really enjoy a well written fantasy.
*** I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All reviews are based solely upon my humble non important opinion only. ***
'A new twist on the eternal struggle between angels & demons.
The angels have fallen, and as punishment, have been fragmented, rearranged, and born anew.
Angus is a Magi apprentice. Arielle is a Blademaster in training.
The pull of the angels they once were draws them together.
But it seems all of creation wants to pull them apart.
And the monsters, created by the demons who hunt them, want to tear them to pieces.'
-----------------------------------------
This is a debut book from a brand new author who has quite honestly shocked me. A very ambitious undertaking at just over 650 pages, R.M. Garino catapults you into his fascinating world of angels and demons. He has an instinctive ability in 'showing not telling' that let's everything flow in a very organic way. This easily crosses over into the world that he has created. You can feel, see, hear and almost taste that in which he has written.
His characters are vast, each with distinctive personalities and traits. The plot is suspenseful, intriguing and exciting. It has action packed battle scenes that play out like a movie in one's head. Being a fantasy with house affiliations and different words, it can seem a bit confusing at first, but the author has added a glossary at the end to make it easy to follow. This is a fantasy I would almost dare to compare to George R.R. Martin's Fire and Ice (Game of Thrones) books but with angels and demons. Now mind you, when I say this, it is not as heavy handed, or quite as intense, but nonetheless, there is something reminiscent of those books in this one.
If there was one complaint, it would be one that happens to practically every new author in a debut book. That is a small bit of pacing issues. There were small bits and pieces towards the beginning that could have been shaven to move the pace forward just a bit. Although once this author hit his stride, it was definitely no longer an issue. Overall, a great read and a reminder as to why I really enjoy a well written fantasy.
*** I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All reviews are based solely upon my humble non important opinion only. ***
February 19, 2018
A unique take on angels vs demon,the characters were well developed and the plot is really engaging. Its easy to read and you get gripped from the first page, i loved the tales by the fireside books that have that are just extra special for me because it reminds me of my culture, and that was just the start. I really can't wait for book two i highly recommend this book for those who love fantasy and scifi.
April 22, 2018
This book was so good! I really think any fans of Sarah J Maas would be big fans of this as well. I highly recommend this and I can't wait to read more of this world and these characters!
June 14, 2019
Books written with lots of names meant to be expressed in an elvish or angelic sort of tongue are always difficult to navigate but just as with a book like “Lord of the Rings”, this sweeping epic is so good that you completely stop focusing on the names after a couple of eventful chapters. I loved the fast pacing, descriptive phrasing and solid characterizations throughout this 400 and something pages of Magi prose.
Here’s a really cool line, “Silence slid across the room with deft precision.” Here’s another, “He let the lesson settle in and find a home within him.” The author spent enough time on each character and event to make me want to keep turning the page as quickly as I could to find out what was going to happen next.
The fight scenes were so rousing they had me cringing with imaginary pain. I kept feeling like I was reading a story about elves but this was really an epic battle between Angels and Demons over the literal fate of humanity at “The Gates of Golorath” which lies between the ethereal world and the earthly one.
The writing was fantastic and I was particularly fascinated with the touching love story between Blademaster trainee, Arielle and the Magi, Angus. Their love was Romeo and Juliet-esque in so many ways.
Lastly, I was glad for the glossary at the back of the book. It was a great and helpful addition and I would suggest reading through it first. Thank you, R. M. Garino, for keeping the reader uppermost in your mind. I am honestly impressed that this is the first book you’ve wrestled to completion. Consider this a solid vindication that your writing addiction should definitely continue.
Here’s a really cool line, “Silence slid across the room with deft precision.” Here’s another, “He let the lesson settle in and find a home within him.” The author spent enough time on each character and event to make me want to keep turning the page as quickly as I could to find out what was going to happen next.
The fight scenes were so rousing they had me cringing with imaginary pain. I kept feeling like I was reading a story about elves but this was really an epic battle between Angels and Demons over the literal fate of humanity at “The Gates of Golorath” which lies between the ethereal world and the earthly one.
The writing was fantastic and I was particularly fascinated with the touching love story between Blademaster trainee, Arielle and the Magi, Angus. Their love was Romeo and Juliet-esque in so many ways.
Lastly, I was glad for the glossary at the back of the book. It was a great and helpful addition and I would suggest reading through it first. Thank you, R. M. Garino, for keeping the reader uppermost in your mind. I am honestly impressed that this is the first book you’ve wrestled to completion. Consider this a solid vindication that your writing addiction should definitely continue.
July 30, 2018
*I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
This is a newer fantasy novel about a race of fallen angels, who train to protect the Gates. The Gates of Golorath separate their world from the human world, and it’s their job to make sure demons do not make it through. This story focuses on Arielle and Angus, two “younger” angels going through the military training. Both have interesting backgrounds and family ties that impact their experiences, but what really changes them is their pull toward each other.
This is an epic fantasy that was pretty intimidating to start, to be honest. There are a lot of new terms and names that seem confusing at first. However, the more I read, the more it made sense, and the more I loved it. It’s full of action and emotion, plus a little humor and romance. It’s a coming of age story unlike anything I have ever read before.
Garino has created an incredible world with magic and demon fighting. The descriptions give a fantastic visual without being over the top. In my opinion, he found just the right balance between the descriptions, storytelling, and dialogue. I loved the characters as well, and their interactions with each other. There are deep family lines, some of which do not get along. It leads to drama and sarcastic responses that had me laughing. This story really shows that some bonds are stronger than family, and that family doesn’t always mean blood.
Find the book here!
I really enjoyed this book. I am very new to the epic fantasy genre, as many of you know, but once I got into the story it didn’t feel that different than my usual preference of books. It just had a bit more detail and length. If you like fantasy, I’d definitely give this a go. It’s very intriguing and I cannot wait for the next book!
This is a newer fantasy novel about a race of fallen angels, who train to protect the Gates. The Gates of Golorath separate their world from the human world, and it’s their job to make sure demons do not make it through. This story focuses on Arielle and Angus, two “younger” angels going through the military training. Both have interesting backgrounds and family ties that impact their experiences, but what really changes them is their pull toward each other.
This is an epic fantasy that was pretty intimidating to start, to be honest. There are a lot of new terms and names that seem confusing at first. However, the more I read, the more it made sense, and the more I loved it. It’s full of action and emotion, plus a little humor and romance. It’s a coming of age story unlike anything I have ever read before.
Garino has created an incredible world with magic and demon fighting. The descriptions give a fantastic visual without being over the top. In my opinion, he found just the right balance between the descriptions, storytelling, and dialogue. I loved the characters as well, and their interactions with each other. There are deep family lines, some of which do not get along. It leads to drama and sarcastic responses that had me laughing. This story really shows that some bonds are stronger than family, and that family doesn’t always mean blood.
Find the book here!
I really enjoyed this book. I am very new to the epic fantasy genre, as many of you know, but once I got into the story it didn’t feel that different than my usual preference of books. It just had a bit more detail and length. If you like fantasy, I’d definitely give this a go. It’s very intriguing and I cannot wait for the next book!
August 7, 2019
So I always love a good angel story. This one did not disappoint.
The different factions of angels and the way that they interacted was interesting. However, I think my favorite storyline was that of Arielle. I could really her feel her grow throughout the book, and even though there is some romance in her story, it wasn’t immediate. We got to really meet her and root for her before she met the man she spotted at the beginning of the book.
Very complex with lots of worldbuilding, we see both the Realm of Humans, the Realms with Heaven and Hell, and the Realm in between. There are a lot of characters as well but getting a feel for each of who they were and what they wanted was a beautiful part of the story even when it got confusing at times.
While the plot moves slowly at first to introduce us to the characters, it picks up quickly leading for a very engaging read. Even though this is a long book, the writing was so well done that the time flew by.
Recommended for all epic fantasy fans!
The different factions of angels and the way that they interacted was interesting. However, I think my favorite storyline was that of Arielle. I could really her feel her grow throughout the book, and even though there is some romance in her story, it wasn’t immediate. We got to really meet her and root for her before she met the man she spotted at the beginning of the book.
Very complex with lots of worldbuilding, we see both the Realm of Humans, the Realms with Heaven and Hell, and the Realm in between. There are a lot of characters as well but getting a feel for each of who they were and what they wanted was a beautiful part of the story even when it got confusing at times.
While the plot moves slowly at first to introduce us to the characters, it picks up quickly leading for a very engaging read. Even though this is a long book, the writing was so well done that the time flew by.
Recommended for all epic fantasy fans!
January 10, 2018
Wow, what an amazing story, very intriguing, funny, with profound reflections regarding the characters spiritual aspects, a beautiful love story, adventure, this book has it all and exceeded by far my expectations.
Arielle is a trainee to being a Blademaster at the Gates and Angus is a Magi, training at the Gates inthe arts of the Blademasters. As they first meet, is becomes clear to everyone that they have a special bond in their soul level. Furthermore, the book narrates their personal development as their trainigs progress, add well as that of their relationship and the difficulties and oppositions they have to meet. The characters are very well persecuted, one has the impression to really get to know them, the plot is very well developed and engages the reader's attention from beginning to end. What also calls the attention is the great sense of humor the author displays in the story. I world absolutely recommended this book for fantasy fans.
Arielle is a trainee to being a Blademaster at the Gates and Angus is a Magi, training at the Gates inthe arts of the Blademasters. As they first meet, is becomes clear to everyone that they have a special bond in their soul level. Furthermore, the book narrates their personal development as their trainigs progress, add well as that of their relationship and the difficulties and oppositions they have to meet. The characters are very well persecuted, one has the impression to really get to know them, the plot is very well developed and engages the reader's attention from beginning to end. What also calls the attention is the great sense of humor the author displays in the story. I world absolutely recommended this book for fantasy fans.
April 22, 2019
Fantasy is typically not a genre I would select, but due to the possibility of soul mates being reunited and a love story subplot, I decided to go for this one.
Had the story just been fantasy, and the mesmerizing tale of Angus and Arielle, I would have easily given this story five stars. However, the various houses, pride pacts, squad leaders, then the history of beings between Heaven and Earth, made for a bunch of names to learn which ultimately lead to a ton of confusion for me. I did enjoy the history of Angus’ grandmother and the loss of her daughter who was ultimately reborn in both Arielle and Angus thus fusing them together. I just felt like there were too many genres cramped into one tale and I’m not sure how well that worked for me.
Had the story just been fantasy, and the mesmerizing tale of Angus and Arielle, I would have easily given this story five stars. However, the various houses, pride pacts, squad leaders, then the history of beings between Heaven and Earth, made for a bunch of names to learn which ultimately lead to a ton of confusion for me. I did enjoy the history of Angus’ grandmother and the loss of her daughter who was ultimately reborn in both Arielle and Angus thus fusing them together. I just felt like there were too many genres cramped into one tale and I’m not sure how well that worked for me.
March 2, 2018
I won a copy of this book in a competition/giveaway last year but have only just got round to reading it. I regret waiting so long, as this is a great read, proven simply from the fact that I was unable to put it down and once finished I had the disappointing feeling that there was as of yet no sequel for me to carry on with. My only criticism would be that very early on in the book you are thrown a lot of terms and names that are hard to get your head around, thankfully the author has realised this and helpfully included a dictionary in the back pages. If you reference these words once or twice you soon learn their meaning and are able to fully enjoy the amazing world that the author describes. Excellent characters, great story telling and a compelling narrative that makes you want to keep reading no matter what. Can’t wait for part 2 to arrive.
February 26, 2018
Where do I start!?! This book was fantastic through and through. Every time I had to put it down I couldn’t wait to pick it up again! The last series that held me with the same emotional attachment was the Harry Potter series. Though Gates also has adventure and magic, it is a very different yet equally wonderful world.
The story is a perfect blend of action, romance, humor, and heart. There are moments of sweetness, sadness, and suspense. The story unfolds in such a way that I felt I was there at the Gates experiencing it all! There is truly something for everyone in this book.
My only disappointment is that I can not pick up book two right now!!!
I am eagerly awaiting what is in store for Angus, Arielle, Thomlin, Gwen, Logan, and all the rest!!!
The story is a perfect blend of action, romance, humor, and heart. There are moments of sweetness, sadness, and suspense. The story unfolds in such a way that I felt I was there at the Gates experiencing it all! There is truly something for everyone in this book.
My only disappointment is that I can not pick up book two right now!!!
I am eagerly awaiting what is in store for Angus, Arielle, Thomlin, Gwen, Logan, and all the rest!!!
July 9, 2019
Although it took a few chapters to get into, by the time Arielle met Angus I was enraptured. This book had a breadth and sweeping grandeur of the classic high fantasy novels and could easily stand against anything Tolkien or Jordan produced. I don’t generally read fantasy this gritty, but the layers upon layers were done with a mastery I’ve rarely seen.
September 25, 2017
The book titled "The Gates of Golorath", has earned first place in my favorite fantasy collection.
The story was beyond my expectation as i was eager to finish reading it, I really loved it.
Looking forward to reading more books from R.M. Garino.
The story was beyond my expectation as i was eager to finish reading it, I really loved it.
Looking forward to reading more books from R.M. Garino.
May 7, 2018
I’m just going to dive straight into it. I loved this book! As a fantasy fan, I always have high expectations and a new fantasy book never fails to excite me. And this book did not disappoint. I really hope this review can do it justice.
Concept
The concept, the narrative, the characters and settings; all brilliant! At first, I was thinking it was going to be an epic fantasy version of Romeo and Juliet due to the House rivalries and how the attachment between Arielle and Angus grew so quickly, and honestly, I was a little bit worried about that due to the possible predictability. But, it turned out to be so much more, and it certainly surpassed my expectations. The action was gripping, the relationships (both positive and negative) were captivating, and the types of magic and fantastic features such as sin’dels and telepathic communications intrigued me.
I was fascinated by the idea of people’s sin’dels (auras) reacting to people and situations around them. I am also glad that we don’t have those in our reality as I find it difficult enough to keep it subtle when I really like (or dislike) someone without the incredible light show every time I saw them! But the moment of connection between Angus and Arielle was very amusing to read about, and the way Garino used the sin’dels to further develop powers and abilities was great!
Narrative
The narrative was particularly interesting and original while still adopting the elements I love most from fantasy and general fiction books; adventure, action, magic, and just a little bit of romance. The characters’ need to work around the army’s disciplinary actions and their ways of bending the rules was fun and interesting to read. There was a sense of impending doom surrounding the characters as they juggle their duties, traditions, and the unfair treatments from their superiors, the Elc’atar. One of the main messages of this book being to choose your own path, not to follow one just because others want you to. Arielle did well to develop an understanding and awareness of this throughout the book.
Foreshadow
Foreshadow was a large element of the book’s written style. The main narrative that the reader follows is set 304 years before the present day. The present-day narrative being of an Elder telling the story of the main narrative to a group of humans, giving a small impression of both the big thing that is going to happen at the end of this series and how it has (or hasn’t) impacted the lives of those living in the present day. The element of foreshadowing developed to be more prominent as we were taken back to each present day and the identity of the Elder became more clear each time we stepped out of the primary narrative. Something huge is going to happen later in this series. And I mean HUGE.
Characters
The characters were very well developed and varied. Creating the Houses helped with this as each House was portrayed with different character traits, but without the whole ‘this house is good and brave’, ‘this is the evil house’, ‘this house is for those who are intelligent or loyal’ like Hogwarts houses seem to do. They all had their stereotypes, but all seemed to enjoy breaking those stereotypes. This also made plenty of room for House rivalries to fit in but also allowed for unlikely alliances to develop between Houses. I would have liked to have read more about the other houses as there were times when I felt slightly overwhelmed by Fel’Mekrin House’s arrogance; I even began to dislike Gwen after a while, but that was mostly due to her excusing Logan’s behaviour and way of thinking because he was her brother and had a complicated way of thinking. Garino did well to create an antagonistic character that I was able to hate so much. I predict that Logan will play a big part in the huge thing that’s going to happen.
I loved the Pride’s (particularly Angus’) compassion and willingness to protect those around them, especially Ti’Vol in the brutal setting of an army camp. Through various tortures and Speaking of Ti’Vol, I’m hoping to see what happens to her and how she develops in the next book. And more lo’el! By far, one of my favourite parts of the book was Arielle bonding with the lo’el as it was one of the sweetest and most pure moments in the book!
Overall, I loved this book. The narrative, the characters, and the magic involved gripped me to this book and I really didn��t want it to finish. I’m excited to read the next one and read how the characters and plot develop further.
Concept
The concept, the narrative, the characters and settings; all brilliant! At first, I was thinking it was going to be an epic fantasy version of Romeo and Juliet due to the House rivalries and how the attachment between Arielle and Angus grew so quickly, and honestly, I was a little bit worried about that due to the possible predictability. But, it turned out to be so much more, and it certainly surpassed my expectations. The action was gripping, the relationships (both positive and negative) were captivating, and the types of magic and fantastic features such as sin’dels and telepathic communications intrigued me.
I was fascinated by the idea of people’s sin’dels (auras) reacting to people and situations around them. I am also glad that we don’t have those in our reality as I find it difficult enough to keep it subtle when I really like (or dislike) someone without the incredible light show every time I saw them! But the moment of connection between Angus and Arielle was very amusing to read about, and the way Garino used the sin’dels to further develop powers and abilities was great!
Narrative
The narrative was particularly interesting and original while still adopting the elements I love most from fantasy and general fiction books; adventure, action, magic, and just a little bit of romance. The characters’ need to work around the army’s disciplinary actions and their ways of bending the rules was fun and interesting to read. There was a sense of impending doom surrounding the characters as they juggle their duties, traditions, and the unfair treatments from their superiors, the Elc’atar. One of the main messages of this book being to choose your own path, not to follow one just because others want you to. Arielle did well to develop an understanding and awareness of this throughout the book.
Foreshadow
Foreshadow was a large element of the book’s written style. The main narrative that the reader follows is set 304 years before the present day. The present-day narrative being of an Elder telling the story of the main narrative to a group of humans, giving a small impression of both the big thing that is going to happen at the end of this series and how it has (or hasn’t) impacted the lives of those living in the present day. The element of foreshadowing developed to be more prominent as we were taken back to each present day and the identity of the Elder became more clear each time we stepped out of the primary narrative. Something huge is going to happen later in this series. And I mean HUGE.
Characters
The characters were very well developed and varied. Creating the Houses helped with this as each House was portrayed with different character traits, but without the whole ‘this house is good and brave’, ‘this is the evil house’, ‘this house is for those who are intelligent or loyal’ like Hogwarts houses seem to do. They all had their stereotypes, but all seemed to enjoy breaking those stereotypes. This also made plenty of room for House rivalries to fit in but also allowed for unlikely alliances to develop between Houses. I would have liked to have read more about the other houses as there were times when I felt slightly overwhelmed by Fel’Mekrin House’s arrogance; I even began to dislike Gwen after a while, but that was mostly due to her excusing Logan’s behaviour and way of thinking because he was her brother and had a complicated way of thinking. Garino did well to create an antagonistic character that I was able to hate so much. I predict that Logan will play a big part in the huge thing that’s going to happen.
I loved the Pride’s (particularly Angus’) compassion and willingness to protect those around them, especially Ti’Vol in the brutal setting of an army camp. Through various tortures and Speaking of Ti’Vol, I’m hoping to see what happens to her and how she develops in the next book. And more lo’el! By far, one of my favourite parts of the book was Arielle bonding with the lo’el as it was one of the sweetest and most pure moments in the book!
Overall, I loved this book. The narrative, the characters, and the magic involved gripped me to this book and I really didn��t want it to finish. I’m excited to read the next one and read how the characters and plot develop further.
October 21, 2019
The Gates of Golorath is one of the best epic fantasies I've read for quite some time. It has such a unique spin on the angels vs demons theme that you hardly even realize you're reading about angels at all. Garino has made them a whole new type of being in this series. Following Arielle and Angus through their trial as a Romeo and Juliet pair has been thrilling, especially in a book with so much detail in its scenes.
There are only two negatives I want to mention about this book, that arent even really negatives. First, it is slow building, so if you pick it up, dont put it down! You will be hooked, I promise! Second, it can be a little hard to keep track of the strange names within the book. Until you can get a rhythm of how they might sound, it can look like just a jumble of random letters. For me, because I'm a fan of making strange names, this enveloped me further into the story. However, it did take me a minute to ground myself.
All in all, this book deserves a five star rating for its detailed world crafting and the hard work the author put into making sure readers are immersed into that world.
There are only two negatives I want to mention about this book, that arent even really negatives. First, it is slow building, so if you pick it up, dont put it down! You will be hooked, I promise! Second, it can be a little hard to keep track of the strange names within the book. Until you can get a rhythm of how they might sound, it can look like just a jumble of random letters. For me, because I'm a fan of making strange names, this enveloped me further into the story. However, it did take me a minute to ground myself.
All in all, this book deserves a five star rating for its detailed world crafting and the hard work the author put into making sure readers are immersed into that world.
July 8, 2018
This book is a labor of love -- that much is clear. It's an intelligent story with a lot of heart and soul. The characters are not stock, and the prose is well crafted. Seriously, there's so much junk in the marketplace, and so much in the genre that blurs into one another.... that a story like "The Gates of Golorath" is a welcome addition on my shelf.
Arielle is a worthy protagonist you will absolutely care about. Her struggles, her desires, her relationships.... all make for a compelling character and an engrossing character arc. She's not simply a well-written character; she's also a character you wish were real and someone you knew. A strong woman that isn't GRATUITOUSLY strong for today's sensibilities. She's a strong character, a strong person, and a strong woman without any of the pretentious, ponderous, heavy-handed social commentary. You know... the way characters are SUPPOSED to be written. Not as types but as people.
Each of the characters is a person in his/her own right with distinct dialogue. Sometimes writers make every character sound the same.... not because they WANT to, but because they get stuck in their own AUTHORIAL voice. Garino writes authentic characters.
You become invested in the characters, and when you reach an emotional payoff.... it's a GENUINE payoff. The interior life of the characters (along with the unique story line) will keep you turning the pages on this epic-size first book in the "Chaos of Souls" series.
Garino knows how to weave an interesting plot.... laying down the foundation early on and being smart about it. Nothing is wasted, nothing is unnecessarily drawn out, and you won't drown in exposition. Everything Garino puts into place NEEDS to be in the story. He wastes nothing, pulls no punches, and doesn't meander.
Ahh, the world building.... Garino's world building is top notch.... including all the social, cultural, and historical elements .... as well as the supernatural components. The story element of the auras, and how Garino handles it... is truly evocative, particularly as treated in the relationship of Arielle and Angus. You find yourself absorbing into the story and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these two as they face their hardships.
Garino knows how to develop action, and writes all the military elements like a master. Again, there are a lot of hacks out there that don't bother to add nuance and sophistication. Just muscle and all the broad strokes.
One last item.... Some authors have their narrative drone on and on with scarcely any dialogue.... Or they create characters that ceaselessly chatter, with no sense of the world they inhabit. Garino has a handle on both narrative and dialogue, and the result is a well-balanced experience for the reader. This isn't merely a novel with great characters. It's not merely a strong, interesting story. The PROSE is also rich. And that to me makes all the difference in the world.
It's why I'm currently reading this book a SECOND time. (The first time was over a year ago.).... and why I'm writing a review. (I almost never write reviews for ANYTHING.)
And it's why I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
R.M. ... Keep doing what you're doing. It's working.
Arielle is a worthy protagonist you will absolutely care about. Her struggles, her desires, her relationships.... all make for a compelling character and an engrossing character arc. She's not simply a well-written character; she's also a character you wish were real and someone you knew. A strong woman that isn't GRATUITOUSLY strong for today's sensibilities. She's a strong character, a strong person, and a strong woman without any of the pretentious, ponderous, heavy-handed social commentary. You know... the way characters are SUPPOSED to be written. Not as types but as people.
Each of the characters is a person in his/her own right with distinct dialogue. Sometimes writers make every character sound the same.... not because they WANT to, but because they get stuck in their own AUTHORIAL voice. Garino writes authentic characters.
You become invested in the characters, and when you reach an emotional payoff.... it's a GENUINE payoff. The interior life of the characters (along with the unique story line) will keep you turning the pages on this epic-size first book in the "Chaos of Souls" series.
Garino knows how to weave an interesting plot.... laying down the foundation early on and being smart about it. Nothing is wasted, nothing is unnecessarily drawn out, and you won't drown in exposition. Everything Garino puts into place NEEDS to be in the story. He wastes nothing, pulls no punches, and doesn't meander.
Ahh, the world building.... Garino's world building is top notch.... including all the social, cultural, and historical elements .... as well as the supernatural components. The story element of the auras, and how Garino handles it... is truly evocative, particularly as treated in the relationship of Arielle and Angus. You find yourself absorbing into the story and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these two as they face their hardships.
Garino knows how to develop action, and writes all the military elements like a master. Again, there are a lot of hacks out there that don't bother to add nuance and sophistication. Just muscle and all the broad strokes.
One last item.... Some authors have their narrative drone on and on with scarcely any dialogue.... Or they create characters that ceaselessly chatter, with no sense of the world they inhabit. Garino has a handle on both narrative and dialogue, and the result is a well-balanced experience for the reader. This isn't merely a novel with great characters. It's not merely a strong, interesting story. The PROSE is also rich. And that to me makes all the difference in the world.
It's why I'm currently reading this book a SECOND time. (The first time was over a year ago.).... and why I'm writing a review. (I almost never write reviews for ANYTHING.)
And it's why I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
R.M. ... Keep doing what you're doing. It's working.
August 28, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! At first I was hesitant to read it because it's not the genre I usually read, but I read the summary and figured I would give it a shot because it sounded interesting. I cant even begin to explain how happy that I decided to read it. It filled me with joy at times and brought me laughter at others. The first couple of chapters felt a little slow, but they were just laying the ground work for the rest of the story.
Arielle is a perfect main character for me, as a woman. She's at a point in her life where she's taking control of it for herself. She's not just letting people tell her what she should be doing anymore and she's become a stronger fighter and person. I love that the author made me wait for her to finally meet face to face with Angus; the man she makes an intense eye contact with toward the beginning of the story. The author made me wait until about the middle of the book before they finally meet and start talking and remembering their past together. The anticipation made me want to just keep reading and reading. I don't think I went through a book this long as fast as I did. The writing was so well done that I couldn't bring myself to stop reading it, I felt like I had a movie playing in my head the whole time.
I loved the unique idea of having their auras (sin'del) shown for the other characters to see how they react to certain things. And that they can be used for fighting and healing and communication.
I did feel that some fighting parts could've been elaborated more. They felt kind of short and I was left wanting to know a little more. But even so, I was so involved in this book that it was all I thought about and will be thinking about for a long time. I can't wait until the next part comes out!
Arielle is a perfect main character for me, as a woman. She's at a point in her life where she's taking control of it for herself. She's not just letting people tell her what she should be doing anymore and she's become a stronger fighter and person. I love that the author made me wait for her to finally meet face to face with Angus; the man she makes an intense eye contact with toward the beginning of the story. The author made me wait until about the middle of the book before they finally meet and start talking and remembering their past together. The anticipation made me want to just keep reading and reading. I don't think I went through a book this long as fast as I did. The writing was so well done that I couldn't bring myself to stop reading it, I felt like I had a movie playing in my head the whole time.
I loved the unique idea of having their auras (sin'del) shown for the other characters to see how they react to certain things. And that they can be used for fighting and healing and communication.
I did feel that some fighting parts could've been elaborated more. They felt kind of short and I was left wanting to know a little more. But even so, I was so involved in this book that it was all I thought about and will be thinking about for a long time. I can't wait until the next part comes out!
November 13, 2018
I wish I could say I loved the book. Garino is a very talented writer who created a rich and vivid world and a cast of interesting, well-rounded characters that make the story come alive.
Angus and Arielle are two “angels” who go to train at the Gates of Golorath to make sure demands don't make it through and destroy the human realm. Problem is, it never gets to that point. The entire book is a long set that builds to the fatal moment. Kinda interesting if you're into military training. Incredibly dull and slow paced if you're not (can you tell I'm not?).
I do think it's worth sticking to it till the end, if nothing else because Garino is a wonderful writer who shows instead of telling. And it does get more and more interesting as you progress. I just wish the book had been packed with more action, that's all.
Angus and Arielle are two “angels” who go to train at the Gates of Golorath to make sure demands don't make it through and destroy the human realm. Problem is, it never gets to that point. The entire book is a long set that builds to the fatal moment. Kinda interesting if you're into military training. Incredibly dull and slow paced if you're not (can you tell I'm not?).
I do think it's worth sticking to it till the end, if nothing else because Garino is a wonderful writer who shows instead of telling. And it does get more and more interesting as you progress. I just wish the book had been packed with more action, that's all.
July 18, 2019
The Gates of Golorath is the first part of an epic fantasy adventure. Author R.M. Garino has created a complex world that exists somewhere between the realm of humans and the realms of heaven and hell. Here, the Elc’atar warriors, guardians of the Gate, are charged with keeping the hoards of monsters from the netherworld from invading the world of humans. This world is populated by the descendants of fallen angels, who possess a variety of magical powers and physical abilities that aid them in their appointed obligations. This is a world filled with different races, families, clans, and politics, and this is just the first installment of a multi-part epic. (Note that 3-star rating is more like 3.5 and that fans of this genre will certainly like it more than casual fantasy readers.)
The text here is very well-written, with lush descriptions and flowing prose that carries the reader away into this fantasy world. The names, relationships, motivations, and adventures of all the characters are sometimes difficult to keep straight, but there is no shortage of gripping action, romance, and detailed description.
The main story follows Arielle, a fledgling warrior who is going through the equivalent of Elc’atar boot camp for a year before being deemed worthy of taking her place as a guardian. She is drawn to a male named Angus, whose lineage is from a different “house” but the two of them are drawn together like Romeo and Juliet and are truly star-crossed lovers. There are many, many other characters, all of whom have hard-to-pronounce names, with their own lineages and back-stories, but Arielle and Angus are the focus, and they have deep histories and are developed in this book in great detail and are compelling and interesting characters.
If you are a fan of large-scale fantasy adventure, you will find this book entertaining. But be warned, it is quite long (600 pages) and the plot moves forward very slowly as we experience training camp with Arielle and Angus and learn about the over-arching plot only in very small bits along the way. Even at the end of book #1, it’s not really clear what the real plot is, who the real villains are, or what lies ahead. One of the major characters has just embarked on a dangerous assignment, which will no doubt be some of the story in book #2, but this epic is far, far from being over. This is not a quick beach read, and once engaged in the story, be ready for a very long road ahead. To make a comparison to the gold standard of fantasy adventure epics, The Lord of the Rings, what is missing here is a clear understanding of the nature of the quest and what the ultimate conflict is. The author has established the world, but has not fully explained why we should care or what the central goal is. It’s not really fair to expect Tolkien quality, of course, and perhaps the next book in the series will explain more, but for now the prospective reader should have a clear understanding that the road you are starting down is very interesting, but we have no real idea how long the hike is going to be and where we’re ultimately going. If you just want to dip your metaphorical toe into this genre, this book may not be your best option.
The text here is very well-written, with lush descriptions and flowing prose that carries the reader away into this fantasy world. The names, relationships, motivations, and adventures of all the characters are sometimes difficult to keep straight, but there is no shortage of gripping action, romance, and detailed description.
The main story follows Arielle, a fledgling warrior who is going through the equivalent of Elc’atar boot camp for a year before being deemed worthy of taking her place as a guardian. She is drawn to a male named Angus, whose lineage is from a different “house” but the two of them are drawn together like Romeo and Juliet and are truly star-crossed lovers. There are many, many other characters, all of whom have hard-to-pronounce names, with their own lineages and back-stories, but Arielle and Angus are the focus, and they have deep histories and are developed in this book in great detail and are compelling and interesting characters.
If you are a fan of large-scale fantasy adventure, you will find this book entertaining. But be warned, it is quite long (600 pages) and the plot moves forward very slowly as we experience training camp with Arielle and Angus and learn about the over-arching plot only in very small bits along the way. Even at the end of book #1, it’s not really clear what the real plot is, who the real villains are, or what lies ahead. One of the major characters has just embarked on a dangerous assignment, which will no doubt be some of the story in book #2, but this epic is far, far from being over. This is not a quick beach read, and once engaged in the story, be ready for a very long road ahead. To make a comparison to the gold standard of fantasy adventure epics, The Lord of the Rings, what is missing here is a clear understanding of the nature of the quest and what the ultimate conflict is. The author has established the world, but has not fully explained why we should care or what the central goal is. It’s not really fair to expect Tolkien quality, of course, and perhaps the next book in the series will explain more, but for now the prospective reader should have a clear understanding that the road you are starting down is very interesting, but we have no real idea how long the hike is going to be and where we’re ultimately going. If you just want to dip your metaphorical toe into this genre, this book may not be your best option.
June 15, 2019
I had a difficult time with this book at first. This isn't the genre I normally read, and there's a lot to take in, right from the beginning. I had to write down the names of characters, since so many came at me at once; however, once I got rolling and began getting into a rhythm, the book jelled and came together, thanks to outstanding writing.
The setting is dystopian, with humans playing a peripheral role to characters who have lived hundreds--some even thousands--of years. They are the result of the battle between good and evil. I won't go into further detail than that because I might reveal too much about the plot.
It begins with a storyteller recalling the legendary exploits of two people, Arielle and Angus, who had once been childhood friends but had been separated for reasons unbeknownst to them. Their worlds are reconnected when they begin strict military training at a fortress known as The Gates. Angus is a troublemaker, and when they first meet again, he's being severely punished for a prank he's pulled.
The training they undergo, the rules they must endure, their heritage all affect the way they--and all others at The Gates conduct themselves. Arielle is outstanding as--for lack of a better word--a cadet. She is a warrior and can fight her way out of many situations that her male colleagues might have difficulties enduring.
Many twists and turns in the plot happen in every chapter. The author takes pains with descriptions and character interactions, throwing monkey wrenches into scenes where Arielle and Angus think they have everything worked out.
The punishments these characters must endure for breaking rules are extraordinary, and the author must have spent a great deal of time in developing not only the characters but also the various ranks, conditions of the barracks, time travel, magic, etc. I am not a fan of reading about torture, punishment and fighting, and this novel contains graphic descriptions of these scenes. However, I don't think this book could have been written WITHOUT those descriptions.
I do believe I will read the next book in the series, because now I NEED to know what happens to the characters in this novel. I am impressed by this author's writing and intrigued by where these characters will go next. If I could have, I would have given it 4.5 stars.
One piece of advice: I wish I had known there's a glossary at the end of the book BEFORE I began reading it. The definitions of some of the words would have been helpful before I delved head-first into this novel.
Readers who enjoy this type of action-oriented dystopian work will, in my opinion, love this novel.
The setting is dystopian, with humans playing a peripheral role to characters who have lived hundreds--some even thousands--of years. They are the result of the battle between good and evil. I won't go into further detail than that because I might reveal too much about the plot.
It begins with a storyteller recalling the legendary exploits of two people, Arielle and Angus, who had once been childhood friends but had been separated for reasons unbeknownst to them. Their worlds are reconnected when they begin strict military training at a fortress known as The Gates. Angus is a troublemaker, and when they first meet again, he's being severely punished for a prank he's pulled.
The training they undergo, the rules they must endure, their heritage all affect the way they--and all others at The Gates conduct themselves. Arielle is outstanding as--for lack of a better word--a cadet. She is a warrior and can fight her way out of many situations that her male colleagues might have difficulties enduring.
Many twists and turns in the plot happen in every chapter. The author takes pains with descriptions and character interactions, throwing monkey wrenches into scenes where Arielle and Angus think they have everything worked out.
The punishments these characters must endure for breaking rules are extraordinary, and the author must have spent a great deal of time in developing not only the characters but also the various ranks, conditions of the barracks, time travel, magic, etc. I am not a fan of reading about torture, punishment and fighting, and this novel contains graphic descriptions of these scenes. However, I don't think this book could have been written WITHOUT those descriptions.
I do believe I will read the next book in the series, because now I NEED to know what happens to the characters in this novel. I am impressed by this author's writing and intrigued by where these characters will go next. If I could have, I would have given it 4.5 stars.
One piece of advice: I wish I had known there's a glossary at the end of the book BEFORE I began reading it. The definitions of some of the words would have been helpful before I delved head-first into this novel.
Readers who enjoy this type of action-oriented dystopian work will, in my opinion, love this novel.
April 14, 2020
I haven’t been an avid reader of epic fantasies, my last one being, ‘The redemption of Althalus,’ a stand-alone high fantasy by David and Leigh Eddings, but the prologue of the book, ‘The gates of Golorath’ by R. M Garino renewed my interest in this genre. The prologue is very well written and piques the reader's interest to explore further.
What hooked me on to this book was a simple sentence at the end of the prologue.”But the old ways have gone stale, and the new blood will challenge its rule.”
The book begins with a vivid description of the world and its inhabitants as they are introduced to the reader. Since I am not a great fan of epic fantasies, I found it a bit hard to progress through the first few pages, but as I have already mentioned, the prologue had me hooked. I wanted to know.
The writing is very lucid and the world-building is fantastic. I admire the way that the various characters have been built so that they feel more human than Elves or Demons. The chemistry between the characters is awesome and so are the various scenes which have been written with expertise, leaving no place for flaws or second-guessing. I appreciate that the author has provided a detailed world map at the beginning and an elaborate glossary at the end of the book.
The apostrophized words, though a bit difficult to pronounce, actually add to the mystery of the world that we have been introduced to. Remember, it isn’t the world of humans, although the relationships at times are strikingly human and so is the beautiful love story of the two star crossed lovers, Arielle and the magi, Angus.
The fighting scenes are descriptive and interesting, but a bit prolonged in some places, I also wished for some more chemistry between the lead characters, being a fan of romantic fiction, maybe. This book will have you hooked, from page three, if not from page one. The lengthy nature of the book makes it perfect for long, leisurely days during the current times.
I would definitely recommend the book to lovers of epic fantasies, people who enjoyed reading Tolkien should definitely read this book. The book is a first in the Chaos of Souls series and I hope the drama gets better and more challenging with the second book in the series. The concept behind the title is very powerful and I would really like to know how it originated in the Author's mind. Just wondering :-)
What hooked me on to this book was a simple sentence at the end of the prologue.”But the old ways have gone stale, and the new blood will challenge its rule.”
The book begins with a vivid description of the world and its inhabitants as they are introduced to the reader. Since I am not a great fan of epic fantasies, I found it a bit hard to progress through the first few pages, but as I have already mentioned, the prologue had me hooked. I wanted to know.
The writing is very lucid and the world-building is fantastic. I admire the way that the various characters have been built so that they feel more human than Elves or Demons. The chemistry between the characters is awesome and so are the various scenes which have been written with expertise, leaving no place for flaws or second-guessing. I appreciate that the author has provided a detailed world map at the beginning and an elaborate glossary at the end of the book.
The apostrophized words, though a bit difficult to pronounce, actually add to the mystery of the world that we have been introduced to. Remember, it isn’t the world of humans, although the relationships at times are strikingly human and so is the beautiful love story of the two star crossed lovers, Arielle and the magi, Angus.
The fighting scenes are descriptive and interesting, but a bit prolonged in some places, I also wished for some more chemistry between the lead characters, being a fan of romantic fiction, maybe. This book will have you hooked, from page three, if not from page one. The lengthy nature of the book makes it perfect for long, leisurely days during the current times.
I would definitely recommend the book to lovers of epic fantasies, people who enjoyed reading Tolkien should definitely read this book. The book is a first in the Chaos of Souls series and I hope the drama gets better and more challenging with the second book in the series. The concept behind the title is very powerful and I would really like to know how it originated in the Author's mind. Just wondering :-)
July 7, 2019
So I have mixed feelings about this book. Parts of it are very compelling. There's an intricate world and cosmology that obviously took a lot of time to develop. There are thrilling action scenes and amusing jokes. Some of the characters are well-developed, and the descriptions can be stunning. It raised a lot of questions for the next book.
But there's also a lot of issues. It jumps right in with a lot of complicated terms and similar words. I had to reread the prologue a few times before I felt confident that I could remember the difference between the Lethen'al (basically elves) and the Lo'ademn (basically demons). At the end of the last chapter, I found a glossary. It would have helped if this were linked from the table of contents so I could refer to it as I read. Also, this book could really use a good proofreader. So many errors in punctuation, mistaken words, and about halfway through, Satyagraha changed to Satyagarha. And I am still confused by how some of the complicated world works. Does the Gate separate them from the human world, the Sur (kind of like Hell), or both?
Anyway, the main part of the book deals with military and magical training, both things I enjoy. It was interesting to see all the different stages that they went through and how they could find creative solutions. The biggest challenge reminded me of the Hunger Games a little, how they worked together so more than one group could win. The book could have ended with that victory. After that, things felt rushed to get to the next big event and skimmed over things that could have been interesting, like the wolves. Also, the villain's appearance after being dreaded for so long was anticlimactic.
LGBTQ characters: this book was recommended on a list for LGBT characters. I think there might be a F/F pairing, but it was all subtext. Almost no romantic relationships were mentioned except for the main (straight) couple. I wouldn't have even guessed anyone was gay if I wasn't explicitly looking for it based on the rec.
In the end, this is a decent high fantasy with detailed world building. Might be enjoyed by fans of Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, and Shannara. I don't know if I'll continue reading the series.
But there's also a lot of issues. It jumps right in with a lot of complicated terms and similar words. I had to reread the prologue a few times before I felt confident that I could remember the difference between the Lethen'al (basically elves) and the Lo'ademn (basically demons). At the end of the last chapter, I found a glossary. It would have helped if this were linked from the table of contents so I could refer to it as I read. Also, this book could really use a good proofreader. So many errors in punctuation, mistaken words, and about halfway through, Satyagraha changed to Satyagarha. And I am still confused by how some of the complicated world works. Does the Gate separate them from the human world, the Sur (kind of like Hell), or both?
Anyway, the main part of the book deals with military and magical training, both things I enjoy. It was interesting to see all the different stages that they went through and how they could find creative solutions. The biggest challenge reminded me of the Hunger Games a little, how they worked together so more than one group could win. The book could have ended with that victory. After that, things felt rushed to get to the next big event and skimmed over things that could have been interesting, like the wolves. Also, the villain's appearance after being dreaded for so long was anticlimactic.
LGBTQ characters: this book was recommended on a list for LGBT characters. I think there might be a F/F pairing, but it was all subtext. Almost no romantic relationships were mentioned except for the main (straight) couple. I wouldn't have even guessed anyone was gay if I wasn't explicitly looking for it based on the rec.
In the end, this is a decent high fantasy with detailed world building. Might be enjoyed by fans of Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, and Shannara. I don't know if I'll continue reading the series.
October 21, 2021
Fine World-Building
This is a truly epic book. The author builds a fantasy world that is populated by diverse beings. There is political intrigue, a complex magical system, and history and lore that span thousands of years, if not eons. The geography is vast.
The book itself is long, at almost 600 pages. However, it is well worth your time.
I was initially lost, trying to keep track of a host of characters and their origin stories. You feel as if you’ve been dropped in the middle of things, with only a tiny hint as to what is happening, and why.
I also had trouble with the many invented words and concepts, which aren’t all explained from the get-go. One benefit is the story isn’t bogged down by info dumps. On the other hand, I couldn’t figure out what some of the words meant. It was only after I reached the end that I discovered the glossary, which might have helped clear some of my confusion had it been in the front. I was under the impression the main characters were militant elves until I got further in the book, when I realized they were descended from renegade angels.
The book’s main focus is Arielle. She enters a training facility with her friends. They are Lethen’al, the descendants of fallen angels, and they hope to become skilled warriors who can protect their people and humans from those who seek to destroy them. While at the facility, Arielle is reunited with Angus, a long-lost childhood friend. A romance develops.
While I found the book a little slow in the beginning, I was soon immersed in Arielle and Angus’ adventures. Kudos to the author for excellent world-building and attention to detail. The writing is tight and dynamic. The descriptions of the locations are so vivid I could picture them in my mind’s eye. The characters also are finely drawn, compelling and relatable.
The action really ramps up in the second half of the book, when the young soldiers-in-training are placed in peril. Things started coming together, and I found I couldn’t put the book down.
The book ends on a note of suspense, and promises that so much more is to come. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it for fans of high fantasy. I am interested in reading further installments in the series.
This is a truly epic book. The author builds a fantasy world that is populated by diverse beings. There is political intrigue, a complex magical system, and history and lore that span thousands of years, if not eons. The geography is vast.
The book itself is long, at almost 600 pages. However, it is well worth your time.
I was initially lost, trying to keep track of a host of characters and their origin stories. You feel as if you’ve been dropped in the middle of things, with only a tiny hint as to what is happening, and why.
I also had trouble with the many invented words and concepts, which aren’t all explained from the get-go. One benefit is the story isn’t bogged down by info dumps. On the other hand, I couldn’t figure out what some of the words meant. It was only after I reached the end that I discovered the glossary, which might have helped clear some of my confusion had it been in the front. I was under the impression the main characters were militant elves until I got further in the book, when I realized they were descended from renegade angels.
The book’s main focus is Arielle. She enters a training facility with her friends. They are Lethen’al, the descendants of fallen angels, and they hope to become skilled warriors who can protect their people and humans from those who seek to destroy them. While at the facility, Arielle is reunited with Angus, a long-lost childhood friend. A romance develops.
While I found the book a little slow in the beginning, I was soon immersed in Arielle and Angus’ adventures. Kudos to the author for excellent world-building and attention to detail. The writing is tight and dynamic. The descriptions of the locations are so vivid I could picture them in my mind’s eye. The characters also are finely drawn, compelling and relatable.
The action really ramps up in the second half of the book, when the young soldiers-in-training are placed in peril. Things started coming together, and I found I couldn’t put the book down.
The book ends on a note of suspense, and promises that so much more is to come. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it for fans of high fantasy. I am interested in reading further installments in the series.
February 23, 2020
In a vivid, brilliantly designed world is where fallen angels, the Lethen’al, reside. The Gates is where the various houses send their youth for training. The rivalry between different groups, or prides, is evident as they compete for ranking within the complex. Jealousy, betrayals, and sabotage are some of the hurdles our young heroes endure as they strive to succeed. Blade Masters and Bladeless Masters are what each student strives to become. Arielle dreams of becoming a Bladeless Master like her parents but the road is long and twisted. Angus left Magi training to learn the sword. When these two meet their sin’del, or auras, meet in a spectacular display which sets the admin on edge and sets the stage for a fantastic story.
When Arielle first enters the Gates the scene is reminiscent of what my first day in boot camp was like though our punishment wasn’t nearly as severe. She is called out for an infraction and humiliated before the entire assemblage. We are soon submerged into the daily life of the ‘scrubs,’ the young recruits attempting to secure their futures. There are so many obstacles to overcome and each seems nearly impossible. I loved everything about this story though I'm not a fan of titles and names which contain apostrophes. For some reason the rhythm of my reading seems to stumble when I come across them and this story has many, but I soon became familiar with the names and the story flowed nicely. In fact, I found the book nearly impossible to put down. Great storyline with some awesome characters made this one of my all-time favorites and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly Recommended!
When Arielle first enters the Gates the scene is reminiscent of what my first day in boot camp was like though our punishment wasn’t nearly as severe. She is called out for an infraction and humiliated before the entire assemblage. We are soon submerged into the daily life of the ‘scrubs,’ the young recruits attempting to secure their futures. There are so many obstacles to overcome and each seems nearly impossible. I loved everything about this story though I'm not a fan of titles and names which contain apostrophes. For some reason the rhythm of my reading seems to stumble when I come across them and this story has many, but I soon became familiar with the names and the story flowed nicely. In fact, I found the book nearly impossible to put down. Great storyline with some awesome characters made this one of my all-time favorites and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly Recommended!
September 1, 2018
I'll be perfectly honest, the main reason I requested this book was the cover; because the cover art is absolutely gorgeous.
I also have to confess that I'm quite torn by this book.
On the one hand, I really did enjoy this book, and found myself getting lost in the past 'story' sections. The characters were well developed, and had their own traits and quirks which made them feel really well-rounded; this, combined with the increasingly complex interactions between individuals and groups of characters, made for an interesting and dynamic novel. I also enjoyed that it was a different take on the typical angels and demons saga, instead focusing on their societies being removed from humanity to a greater degree than is typically depicted.
Unfortunately, on the other hand there were some things about the writing which somewhat irked me, and just made reading it less pleasurable than it could otherwise have been.
For one, some parts of the story just felt like synonym tool had been overused. I would consider myself to have a large vocabulary, but there were sentences I found hard to follow because I was having to think about what the words meant and how they had been put together. However, I found this became less of an issue as the book progressed, so perhaps it just took me a while to get into the story.
The Gaelic accent initially frustrated me as I believed it to be a, somewhat lacking, attempt at writing a Scottish accent; however the author has since reached out to me to inform me that it's actually an Irish-based accent which is unique to the world of Chaos of Souls.
Personally, I found that the 'modern day' sections seemed to be lacking a purpose, but I'm hoping based on the content so far, that they are going to become the main focus of later books once the past has been fully explored.
*Spoilers*
Similarly, I wasn't a huge fan of the fact that "how evil 'she' becomes" and "what 'she' did" is referenced in the modern day sections as now I'm waiting to find out what Arielle does that is so terrible, which I feel is somewhat of a spoiler.
However, I will definitely read any sequels which come out, as I'm excited to find out what happens with Angus and Arielle next!
I also have to confess that I'm quite torn by this book.
On the one hand, I really did enjoy this book, and found myself getting lost in the past 'story' sections. The characters were well developed, and had their own traits and quirks which made them feel really well-rounded; this, combined with the increasingly complex interactions between individuals and groups of characters, made for an interesting and dynamic novel. I also enjoyed that it was a different take on the typical angels and demons saga, instead focusing on their societies being removed from humanity to a greater degree than is typically depicted.
Unfortunately, on the other hand there were some things about the writing which somewhat irked me, and just made reading it less pleasurable than it could otherwise have been.
For one, some parts of the story just felt like synonym tool had been overused. I would consider myself to have a large vocabulary, but there were sentences I found hard to follow because I was having to think about what the words meant and how they had been put together. However, I found this became less of an issue as the book progressed, so perhaps it just took me a while to get into the story.
The Gaelic accent initially frustrated me as I believed it to be a, somewhat lacking, attempt at writing a Scottish accent; however the author has since reached out to me to inform me that it's actually an Irish-based accent which is unique to the world of Chaos of Souls.
Personally, I found that the 'modern day' sections seemed to be lacking a purpose, but I'm hoping based on the content so far, that they are going to become the main focus of later books once the past has been fully explored.
*Spoilers*
Similarly, I wasn't a huge fan of the fact that "how evil 'she' becomes" and "what 'she' did" is referenced in the modern day sections as now I'm waiting to find out what Arielle does that is so terrible, which I feel is somewhat of a spoiler.
However, I will definitely read any sequels which come out, as I'm excited to find out what happens with Angus and Arielle next!
August 23, 2019
The slow build in this storyline completely held my attention as Angus and Arielle, who are angels, endure trials as they train at the gates to protect the human realm from being overrun and destroyed by evil. Their military style training at the gates pushes them to discover who they are, other than their family lineage. In this fresh take on an epic angels vs demons story the author draws us into this sci-fi world were the reader is able to relate to the many struggles these two angels go up against. While they may be centuries old, they are still in their angel youth. The thing I loved most was their sin’del’s which externally showed what they were feeling and the sin’del’s also allowed for telepathic communication, it was a unique and fresh concept. The world and character building was a flawless balance of passion, action, wit, and fire in the souls of the protagonists. The houses were a bit confusing in the early chapters but became clearer further into the book. By the end of this first book of the series I was anxious to read the next book and find out what happens in the epic battle. I would definitely suggest this as a great read.
July 16, 2019
Highly recommend to fans of sweeping epic fantasy with amazing attention to detail.
Hands up, I'm a reader of general fiction. I often start books in this genre and either don't finish them or skip read. For me to fully engage, there must be,
1, relatable characters with distinct personalities and a clear purpose.
2, a strong storyline, purposefully leading somewhere.
3, consistent logic within the imaginative world created.
This book ticked all three and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you often read this genre you're in for a real treat. if like me, it is a genre you only dabble in, the personalities of Arielle, Angus and their fellow house-mates will help you through the strange-sounding terminology. (There is a glossary at the back to help). The challenges and prejudices they face throughout their training are very well described and I loved the framing of the story by the elder recounting the story from outside the gates. Also, once I was into the read, the length of the book makes it very good value for money!
Hands up, I'm a reader of general fiction. I often start books in this genre and either don't finish them or skip read. For me to fully engage, there must be,
1, relatable characters with distinct personalities and a clear purpose.
2, a strong storyline, purposefully leading somewhere.
3, consistent logic within the imaginative world created.
This book ticked all three and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you often read this genre you're in for a real treat. if like me, it is a genre you only dabble in, the personalities of Arielle, Angus and their fellow house-mates will help you through the strange-sounding terminology. (There is a glossary at the back to help). The challenges and prejudices they face throughout their training are very well described and I loved the framing of the story by the elder recounting the story from outside the gates. Also, once I was into the read, the length of the book makes it very good value for money!
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