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Vanguards of Viridor #3
The Guildmaster
Having helped foil the attempt to kill Viridor’s queen, Merric’s return to the Guardians’ Guild should have been celebrated. Instead, his support of elementals has earned him nothing but scorn. With the man he loves presumed dead, and fearing his injuries may prevent him from ever becoming a full guardian, Merric believes his life may as well be over. But when a series of mysterious attacks puts the fate of all Viridor in jeopardy, Quinn, a handsome and dangerous pirate, may be just the man to help save the kingdom - and Merric.
- GenresFantasy
577 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 6, 2019
12 people want to read
About the author
T.S. Cleveland
5 books15 followersT. S. Cleveland is a writer and artist. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 12, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The Guildmaster is the third (and I believe final) book in the Vanguards of Viridor series and really ought to be read in order. While you could read it on its own, you’d miss much of the background given in book one. Elemental magics are more defined in this book, and it ties up some loose ends from the previous stories. Also, it’s just a fun series with entertaining characters and a nicely twisty plot.
Merric is a young man who lives in a world where every conversation is about him, every glance directed his way is heaped with scorn, and his own failures are all anyone knows about him. In part, this is due to the constant, unceasing pain of his injury, which leaves him short tempered and defensive — especially since this is the injury that kept him from saving Felix from being killed (or so he thought) by bandits. However, it’s also due to his father’s constant critiques and criticisms. Merric can’t help but compare himself to everyone else, and how can you be the best when someone else might be better than you, even if it’s in one small thing?
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
The Guildmaster is the third (and I believe final) book in the Vanguards of Viridor series and really ought to be read in order. While you could read it on its own, you’d miss much of the background given in book one. Elemental magics are more defined in this book, and it ties up some loose ends from the previous stories. Also, it’s just a fun series with entertaining characters and a nicely twisty plot.
Merric is a young man who lives in a world where every conversation is about him, every glance directed his way is heaped with scorn, and his own failures are all anyone knows about him. In part, this is due to the constant, unceasing pain of his injury, which leaves him short tempered and defensive — especially since this is the injury that kept him from saving Felix from being killed (or so he thought) by bandits. However, it’s also due to his father’s constant critiques and criticisms. Merric can’t help but compare himself to everyone else, and how can you be the best when someone else might be better than you, even if it’s in one small thing?
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
May 3, 2019
We’re back again in Viridor, this magical place filled with out-of-the-ordinary people, opportunities for quests waiting around the corner, intrigues and love, lots of free and beautiful and passionate love. Who are we following this time? We’re following Merric McClinktock, the son of the guildmaster of the Guardians. Merric is not in a good place (mentally and physically I would say). His wounds cause him a lot of pain and reduce his mobility and considering that he’s a guardian apprentice, that is a big problem. He’s also enduring his father’s displeasure about his current predicament, and the hatred from some of the other guardian apprentices. Then one day a royal carriage arrives, carrying two people who will change Merric’s life forever.
It amazes me how the author managed to make me go from “this character is okay” to “this character is amazing! I love him!”. We meet Merric in the first book, The Sun Guardian, and again in The King’s Whisper, where he had a slightly bigger role. There was something about him that made you want to know more but there were other stories taking place, so he never got the chance to show what he could offer. I’m glad he got his own story in this book. Why? Because…
- I love angst. Scorch, from the first book, was the protagonist of many angsty moments and now Merric receives the “angsty torch” and he carries it beautifully! I never thought I would empathise so much with him and there were tons of moments throughout the book when I felt like somebody was squeezing my guts. He feels lonely, helpless and hopeless. It’s a joy to witness his journey to a better place.
- I love slow burns but they have to be “real”. Have you ever found a slow burn that was a bit unrealistic? As in, the protagonists don’t get together because… of reasons? And you don’t quite get those reasons? Well, this doesn’t happen here. The characters don’t get together immediately because they need to be in the right place before taking that step. Mentally you have to “be there”. I don’t know if I’m making much sense, I guess you’ll see if you read the book :D
- The characters are so beautifully crafted they deserve to be in the spotlight. I have sung praises to Merric, it’s time I do the same for the other protagonist: Quinn. Quinn is an elemental (water elemental) and a ship captain. He’s witty, funny, flirty, charming and cheeky. He’s the type of character you know he would convince you to do the craziest things.
- I liked how some of the events of the first book are now more relevant. Even if each book of the trilogy (trilogy… for now) has its own story, they’re all tied together so I would say it’s practically imperative that one reads the previous books to fully enjoy and understand what’s happening in The Guildmaster.
There’s never a dull moment in the book. I practically inhaled it. I’m conflicted because I don’t know which one I like more. I think each book has its own charm and reasons to be loved, but this one… I think it’s the book that gripped my heart the hardest.
And let’s not forget the important message these books carry. People fear what they don’t know. They fear what is different and they don’t challenge that fear because they’re comfortable in it. And fear turns into hatred. Our protagonists fight against that hatred despite never being the easiest option. Despite being shunned or insulted. But it’s the right thing to do because making others see that their hatred is useless and constricting and by leaving that hatred, one is freer, becomes happier, is more important than their comfort.
I’m really happy to know that there will be a fourth book. We need more epic adventures with outstanding characters and love being free and not constrained. It’s been a wonderful journey. I can’t wait to dive back into Viridor!
It amazes me how the author managed to make me go from “this character is okay” to “this character is amazing! I love him!”. We meet Merric in the first book, The Sun Guardian, and again in The King’s Whisper, where he had a slightly bigger role. There was something about him that made you want to know more but there were other stories taking place, so he never got the chance to show what he could offer. I’m glad he got his own story in this book. Why? Because…
- I love angst. Scorch, from the first book, was the protagonist of many angsty moments and now Merric receives the “angsty torch” and he carries it beautifully! I never thought I would empathise so much with him and there were tons of moments throughout the book when I felt like somebody was squeezing my guts. He feels lonely, helpless and hopeless. It’s a joy to witness his journey to a better place.
- I love slow burns but they have to be “real”. Have you ever found a slow burn that was a bit unrealistic? As in, the protagonists don’t get together because… of reasons? And you don’t quite get those reasons? Well, this doesn’t happen here. The characters don’t get together immediately because they need to be in the right place before taking that step. Mentally you have to “be there”. I don’t know if I’m making much sense, I guess you’ll see if you read the book :D
- The characters are so beautifully crafted they deserve to be in the spotlight. I have sung praises to Merric, it’s time I do the same for the other protagonist: Quinn. Quinn is an elemental (water elemental) and a ship captain. He’s witty, funny, flirty, charming and cheeky. He’s the type of character you know he would convince you to do the craziest things.
- I liked how some of the events of the first book are now more relevant. Even if each book of the trilogy (trilogy… for now) has its own story, they’re all tied together so I would say it’s practically imperative that one reads the previous books to fully enjoy and understand what’s happening in The Guildmaster.
There’s never a dull moment in the book. I practically inhaled it. I’m conflicted because I don’t know which one I like more. I think each book has its own charm and reasons to be loved, but this one… I think it’s the book that gripped my heart the hardest.
And let’s not forget the important message these books carry. People fear what they don’t know. They fear what is different and they don’t challenge that fear because they’re comfortable in it. And fear turns into hatred. Our protagonists fight against that hatred despite never being the easiest option. Despite being shunned or insulted. But it’s the right thing to do because making others see that their hatred is useless and constricting and by leaving that hatred, one is freer, becomes happier, is more important than their comfort.
I’m really happy to know that there will be a fourth book. We need more epic adventures with outstanding characters and love being free and not constrained. It’s been a wonderful journey. I can’t wait to dive back into Viridor!
April 29, 2019
This seems to be the last in the series and there was a hope that this book would provide that little bit more complexity and tension to make a strong conclusion. Sadly, the story follows the same structure as previous books. It follows the growing relationship of two characters in the face of a wash of mutual adventures. The disappointment is that there has been a growing evil in the background that would have linked largely separate stories. Certainly, the baddie here is the one the reader expects, but only really comes to the fore towards the end of the story. There is a lot of action going on and as with the other books there is the potential for tension but all situations resolve themselves without placing the reader on edge. There are violence and death but it always seems to be at arm's length.
The central character is the most irritating of the heroes to date. He is frustratingly contrary and stubborn in his perceptions. He needs a good slap, but what he gets in return is everything going right for him. For no apparent reason, he gets a prestigious role that is very largely uncontested, that he has no difficulty managing and is relied upon for decision-making. He is not a particularly likable character and this highlights the richness of the characters surrounding him. All of the central characters from the previous books are present and play active roles in the plot.
The storyline is interesting with plenty of new locations and situations. The writing is generally well structured and written in the third person. There are a few typos that should have been picked up, as they seem to be the product of autocorrect.
The relationship between the two lead characters is held in abeyance by the central character who seems to put as many obstacles in the way as possible. The other character is richly drawn and interesting and frankly far too good for the other guy who is far too sorry for himself and self-centered. When their relationship does take off, for some reason all of the imposed barriers disappear and the lead character changes from chaste to slutty overnight and this strains credibility somewhat given all the personal doubts he carried around. As the story involves virginal sex it is good that some effort is made to make it realistic.
Overall the pace of the story is steady and strong with plenty going on to hold the reader’s attention. The lack of tension does make it somewhat samey and would have benefitted from more dynamic.
This is highlighted by the denouement, where the baddie is brought to the fore and the growing wickedness should lead to an increase in pace and richness in the description. However, there is no noticeable change and the situation is resolved quite simply. This leaves space for all of the other threads to be tied up and a happily ever after to be provided. The ending feels like yet another anti-climax, interesting in its way, but could have been so much more.
This review is also published at Gay Book Reviews
The central character is the most irritating of the heroes to date. He is frustratingly contrary and stubborn in his perceptions. He needs a good slap, but what he gets in return is everything going right for him. For no apparent reason, he gets a prestigious role that is very largely uncontested, that he has no difficulty managing and is relied upon for decision-making. He is not a particularly likable character and this highlights the richness of the characters surrounding him. All of the central characters from the previous books are present and play active roles in the plot.
The storyline is interesting with plenty of new locations and situations. The writing is generally well structured and written in the third person. There are a few typos that should have been picked up, as they seem to be the product of autocorrect.
The relationship between the two lead characters is held in abeyance by the central character who seems to put as many obstacles in the way as possible. The other character is richly drawn and interesting and frankly far too good for the other guy who is far too sorry for himself and self-centered. When their relationship does take off, for some reason all of the imposed barriers disappear and the lead character changes from chaste to slutty overnight and this strains credibility somewhat given all the personal doubts he carried around. As the story involves virginal sex it is good that some effort is made to make it realistic.
Overall the pace of the story is steady and strong with plenty going on to hold the reader’s attention. The lack of tension does make it somewhat samey and would have benefitted from more dynamic.
This is highlighted by the denouement, where the baddie is brought to the fore and the growing wickedness should lead to an increase in pace and richness in the description. However, there is no noticeable change and the situation is resolved quite simply. This leaves space for all of the other threads to be tied up and a happily ever after to be provided. The ending feels like yet another anti-climax, interesting in its way, but could have been so much more.
This review is also published at Gay Book Reviews
April 25, 2019
Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes! I was so excited to see that we got a third installment of this series. I think this one might be my favorite yet. This book me cry, laugh, and actually gasp out loud. All the characters from the first two books end up joining forces and it's so epic! You will not be disappointed. Can I just live on the Hadrian forever?!
May 14, 2022
Love it
This book is my favorite of the entire trilogy. Merric is very cute, at first he seems selfish and rude, but after everything that has happened to him, it is understandable that he behaves like a porcupine. Quinn is the perfect person to be by his side, someone who understands him and helps him get out of that self-imposed confinement.
Mereic and Quinn together are cute, and the tension is pretty good. The story continues with Merric in a new role within the guild, someone is now attacking the elemental sympathizers, and old enemies and friends reappear.
I have already read this book several times and I never get tired of it.
This book is my favorite of the entire trilogy. Merric is very cute, at first he seems selfish and rude, but after everything that has happened to him, it is understandable that he behaves like a porcupine. Quinn is the perfect person to be by his side, someone who understands him and helps him get out of that self-imposed confinement.
Mereic and Quinn together are cute, and the tension is pretty good. The story continues with Merric in a new role within the guild, someone is now attacking the elemental sympathizers, and old enemies and friends reappear.
I have already read this book several times and I never get tired of it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews