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Legends of the Nameless Dwarf #1
Carnifex
A name destined to be forgotten. A cursed axe. An atrocity too great to be forgiven.
"Gritty, tense, and brutally tragic. High quality storytelling with great characters and a relentless plot." -- Mitchell Hogan , author of A Crucible of Souls and Aurealis Award winner.
The legend begins...
For more than a thousand years, the dwarves have hidden away from the world in their ravine city of Arx Gravis.
Governed by an inflexible council whose sole aim is to avoid the errors of the past, the defining virtue of their society is that nothing should ever change.
But when the Scriptorium is broken into, and Ravine Guard Carnifex Thane sees a homunculus fleeing the scene of the crime, events are set in motion that will ensure nothing will ever be the same again.
Deception and death are coming to Arx Gravis.
The riddles that preceded Carnifex's birth crystalize into a horrifying fate that inexorably closes in.
But it is in blood that legends are born, and redemption is seeded in the gravest of sins.
For Carnifex is destined to become the Ravine Butcher, before even that grim appellation is forever lost, along with everything that once defined him.
The long-awaited Nameless Dwarf origins novel, and the start of a brand new series, Legends of the Nameless Dwarf, Carnifex by D.P. Prior is a welcome addition to the sword and sorcery tradition that spawned R.E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Lieber, and Lin Carter, and it picks up right where the heroic fantasy of David Gemmell left off. With tight point of view, complex characterization, and an abundance of horror, bloodshed, and the relentless march of an uncaring fate, it also carries the hallmarks of modern day grimdark that readers of Joe Abercrombie and George R.R. Martin are familiar with.
"Gritty, tense, and brutally tragic. High quality storytelling with great characters and a relentless plot." -- Mitchell Hogan , author of A Crucible of Souls and Aurealis Award winner.
The legend begins...
For more than a thousand years, the dwarves have hidden away from the world in their ravine city of Arx Gravis.
Governed by an inflexible council whose sole aim is to avoid the errors of the past, the defining virtue of their society is that nothing should ever change.
But when the Scriptorium is broken into, and Ravine Guard Carnifex Thane sees a homunculus fleeing the scene of the crime, events are set in motion that will ensure nothing will ever be the same again.
Deception and death are coming to Arx Gravis.
The riddles that preceded Carnifex's birth crystalize into a horrifying fate that inexorably closes in.
But it is in blood that legends are born, and redemption is seeded in the gravest of sins.
For Carnifex is destined to become the Ravine Butcher, before even that grim appellation is forever lost, along with everything that once defined him.
The long-awaited Nameless Dwarf origins novel, and the start of a brand new series, Legends of the Nameless Dwarf, Carnifex by D.P. Prior is a welcome addition to the sword and sorcery tradition that spawned R.E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Lieber, and Lin Carter, and it picks up right where the heroic fantasy of David Gemmell left off. With tight point of view, complex characterization, and an abundance of horror, bloodshed, and the relentless march of an uncaring fate, it also carries the hallmarks of modern day grimdark that readers of Joe Abercrombie and George R.R. Martin are familiar with.
- GenresFantasy
310 pages, Paperback
Published January 16, 2016
1 person is currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Derek Prior
79 books209 followersInternationally bestselling and award winning author Derek Prior excels in fast-paced, high stakes epic fantasy adventure stories in which good ultimately triumphs, but always at a cost.
Taking familiar fantasy tropes as a point of departure, Prior expands upon them to explore friendship, betrayal, loyalty and heroism in worlds where evil is an ever-present reality, magic is both a curse and a blessing, and characters are tempered in battle.
Winner of best fantasy novel 2012 (The Nameless Dwarf: The Complete Chronicles)
Fantasy Faction semifinalist for the SPFBO 2018 (Ravine of Blood and Shadow)
Website: www.derekprior.us
Twitter: @NamelessDwarf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dpprior
Taking familiar fantasy tropes as a point of departure, Prior expands upon them to explore friendship, betrayal, loyalty and heroism in worlds where evil is an ever-present reality, magic is both a curse and a blessing, and characters are tempered in battle.
Winner of best fantasy novel 2012 (The Nameless Dwarf: The Complete Chronicles)
Fantasy Faction semifinalist for the SPFBO 2018 (Ravine of Blood and Shadow)
Website: www.derekprior.us
Twitter: @NamelessDwarf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dpprior
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 7, 2020
If I could give another star I think I would. This story starts off with excitement from the get go.
And the creation of the characters was solid(because they're Dwarfs),great!
With the world they live in being rather unique.This story was soley about Dwarfs (which had my interest).
There was drinking and brawling.And then there was fighting.
I was really captivated by this book so much that I didn't want it to end.
Aww but it did. Now I have to find the next book.
And I would like to thank Bookwraths for the recommendation:)
And the creation of the characters was solid(because they're Dwarfs),great!
With the world they live in being rather unique.This story was soley about Dwarfs (which had my interest).
There was drinking and brawling.And then there was fighting.
I was really captivated by this book so much that I didn't want it to end.
Aww but it did. Now I have to find the next book.
And I would like to thank Bookwraths for the recommendation:)
January 18, 2024
Pre-Reading: Huh? How did this get on my kindle? Alright - Let's go.
Notes: SO MUCH VIOLENCE
During reading: Why create a new word for berserker when berserker already exists? Do Scottish people really say laddie and lassie this much? Shog seems to be a curse word that covers everything. Oh no, Oh no, Oh no, Oh no, Oh no, Oh no ........
And that covers my whole stream of consciousness for this novel.
After reading:
That. Was. Tragic.
I'm not even sure why I liked this book so much. There were so many little language things that annoyed me in the writing but the story ... wow what a story. Once I was caught in its current that was it.
Carnifex is straight forward and likable. He relies on the reality in front of his face and the morals instilled in him by his father to navigate life. His practicality makes him real. But every now and then he dips into philosophy and the reader gets a look at the deeper thoughts that swirl in his mind. He is smart, loyal and was dealt a crappy hand of cards.
Carnifex's life started with loss and the story continues to strip everything away from him. But even as his faces death, secrets, and betrayal he tries his hardest to stay grounded and loyal. Unfortunately when you trust what is before your eyes without questioning it things can get turned upside down on you quickly. And poor Carnifex was spun topsy turvy.
Speaking of topsy turvy one of the places Carnifex visits is like an Alice in Wonderland hellscape where the path leads to worse and worse non-sensical horrors. I spent a lot of this story going, "oh no" as I watched him march towards his own destruction.
Unlike other stories I've read where the protagonist becomes his own nightmare I didn't get frustrated with him. Even while I could see the inevitable crappy-ness coming for him I could understand why someone in such a vulnerable state would end up the way Carnifex did. I couldn't help reading as his story progressed even with a good idea of what the outcome was to be.
I will read more of this series. I really hope there is more hope in the future novels.
I would give this one a solid recommendation to anyone who enjoys fantasy especially if they have a soft spot for dwarves.
Notes: SO MUCH VIOLENCE
During reading: Why create a new word for berserker when berserker already exists? Do Scottish people really say laddie and lassie this much? Shog seems to be a curse word that covers everything. Oh no, Oh no, Oh no, Oh no, Oh no, Oh no ........
And that covers my whole stream of consciousness for this novel.
After reading:
That. Was. Tragic.
I'm not even sure why I liked this book so much. There were so many little language things that annoyed me in the writing but the story ... wow what a story. Once I was caught in its current that was it.
Carnifex is straight forward and likable. He relies on the reality in front of his face and the morals instilled in him by his father to navigate life. His practicality makes him real. But every now and then he dips into philosophy and the reader gets a look at the deeper thoughts that swirl in his mind. He is smart, loyal and was dealt a crappy hand of cards.
Carnifex's life started with loss and the story continues to strip everything away from him. But even as his faces death, secrets, and betrayal he tries his hardest to stay grounded and loyal. Unfortunately when you trust what is before your eyes without questioning it things can get turned upside down on you quickly. And poor Carnifex was spun topsy turvy.
Speaking of topsy turvy one of the places Carnifex visits is like an Alice in Wonderland hellscape where the path leads to worse and worse non-sensical horrors. I spent a lot of this story going, "oh no" as I watched him march towards his own destruction.
Unlike other stories I've read where the protagonist becomes his own nightmare I didn't get frustrated with him. Even while I could see the inevitable crappy-ness coming for him I could understand why someone in such a vulnerable state would end up the way Carnifex did. I couldn't help reading as his story progressed even with a good idea of what the outcome was to be.
I will read more of this series. I really hope there is more hope in the future novels.
I would give this one a solid recommendation to anyone who enjoys fantasy especially if they have a soft spot for dwarves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2022
** 4.5 Stars **
Let me just start by saying the second half of this book was incredible. I found the ending totally unexpected, which doesn't happen very often. I finished this book and immediately started looking at what the series contained and what my next read should be.
So, why not a full five stars if I found myself that enthusiastic after the ending? The first 25% felt very slow. Not so slow that I was interested, just nothing spectacular. Very cut and paste fantasy. And again, I'm taking about half of a star here. I don't want to be more down on the opening than is necessary. But around that 25% mark I had no intention of continuing the series, just finishing the book. I have a feeling, though, the rest of the series will just keep the momentum going from the end of this book.
Let me just start by saying the second half of this book was incredible. I found the ending totally unexpected, which doesn't happen very often. I finished this book and immediately started looking at what the series contained and what my next read should be.
So, why not a full five stars if I found myself that enthusiastic after the ending? The first 25% felt very slow. Not so slow that I was interested, just nothing spectacular. Very cut and paste fantasy. And again, I'm taking about half of a star here. I don't want to be more down on the opening than is necessary. But around that 25% mark I had no intention of continuing the series, just finishing the book. I have a feeling, though, the rest of the series will just keep the momentum going from the end of this book.
May 31, 2022
This is a fantasy classic and it lives up to its status. It's the first of the series so it introduces the characters and sets up for the rest of the series. The characters are interesting and well developed. The action sequences are described in detail and sound realistic. Carnifex is a conflicted hero looking for his purpose and trying to get along in the world. If you like classic fantasy you need to read this book.
July 17, 2021
Dwarf has a destiny to fulfill against demons.
August 10, 2021
A fantastic read, my second reading of this outstanding novel, a must read for all fantasy lovers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews