Ahren und seine Gefährten sind in heller Aufregung. Nachdem sie auf den Inseln der Klingensee die beiden Paladine Fisker und Aluna im Kampf gegen den Widersacher für sich gewonnen haben, geschieht etwas Beunruhigendes mit der Bannsäule. Unwissend, dass der Hochfang Sven seinem Meister ein grausiges Opfer dargebracht hat, eilen die Gefährten zur Königsinsel, um am ersten Konklave seit Jahrhunderten teilzunehmen. Doch dort angekommen, erwarten sie furchtbare Unbekannte Dunkelwesen haben Hjalgar überrannt und drohen, sämtliche Bewohner des kleinen Reiches umzubringen. Ahren steht seine düsterste Prüfung bevor, denn die gefürchteten Dunklen Tage sind nach Jorath zurückgekehrt.
I was born in Krefeld, Germany in 1976 and still live there under the caring eyes of my wife and two Norwegian Forest cats. Originally a publishing salesman, I couldn't resist the lure of writing, and after over a dozen years of playing the gamemaster in pen-and-paper groups, not to mention reading hundreds of fantasy novels, I decided to finally try to write a story myself that I thought might be worth telling. And so my novel Ahren was published in Germany, the first in the best-selling series The 13th Paladin.
When I am not creating new worlds and stories, I like to relax by playing pen-and-paper and story rich video games, reading or binging on TV series. I also practise Jiu Jitsu and the art of handling ancient Japanese weapons like the Katana or the Bo Staff.
Ein solides Buch aus der Reihe. Hatte wieder viele schöne Momente und ein wirklich ergreifendes Ende. Allerdings habe ich mich am meisten über das Ende von Sven gefreut, denn ich fand ihn einfach nur noch unerträglich. Danke an den Autor, der eingesehen hat, dass es der es wirklich nicht bis zum Schluss dieser Serie schaffen muss. Die Rahmenerzählung dieser Reihe wird mir zunehmend egaler, aber wegen der kleinen Momente mit den Charakteren und all dem, was sie auf ihrem Weg erleben, muss ich einfach dranbleiben.
The book feels quite different from the previous ones - where first four titles were largely about exploration and characters, this one is about combat and strategy. Other Paladins get a lot of spotlight, which is a good thing. All seven Paladins fighting side by side was highly enjoyable and made me think that 13th Paladin would do well as a TV series (one season per each book, maybe just 5 episodes per season would be enough). Three scenes in the book are particularly powerful - the descent into the crypts and the first battle against centaurs. Especially the second one was so thrilling and well written that even the siege of Tiefstein paled by comparison. Third great scene was the very final showdown between Ahren and Sven. I expected the genre standard: a hero is in disadvantage against the far more powerful rival, but in the last minute manages to somehow come on top. That's exactly what didn't happen - Ahren took the centaur down without even breaking a sweat. I loved it, as it shows how far Ahren has come since the beginning. I also liked Khara's struggle and Ahren's approach towards it - a lot of character development in there. I suppose the next book will move the relationship forward a lot, though it is yet to be seen in which direction. Falk's storyline was weird, but interesting as well. if I understand it correctly, it means now that the 13th is back any Paladin can father a child and if the Paladin dies, the child inherits his powers. It foreshadows heroic death for Falk in my opinion. Let's see. To sum it up: while the book is different, it's just as good as the previous ones, if not even better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Mal wieder lässt das Korrektorat zu wünschen übrig, und ich finde es sehr bedauerlich, dass die größte Schwachstelle des Romans inzwischen der Schreibstilist ist, der noch einige Luft nach oben hat. Bezüglich des Plots gibt es auch ein paar Probleme. Einige positive Aspekte gibt es aber auch: Kharas Zustand wird sehr gut dargestellt, die neu eingeführten Elemente des Weltenbaus (die Hungerleichen und die Kentauren) sind ebenfalls interessante Neuauflagen altbekanter Kreaturen, und das Lesen hat schlicht und ergreifend sehr viel Spaß gemacht.
Insgesamt ist der sechste Teil der Reihe unterhaltsam, weist aber einige Mankos auf, insbesondere im Bereich Korrektorat und Schreibstil. (Die einzige Verbesserung, die ich von der Adoption durch den Verlag sehen kann, ist die Druckqualität. Der Rest ist ziemlich unverändert.)
Contained everything from magic, love, sadness, intense battles, friendship and lots of positive and wise words of wisdom. I appreciate how each character is growing and how the reader forms a bound with them. They become more then characters a fictional books. You cheer along with them as they achieve success as well as cry when they lose fellow warriors or friends.
A very refreshing story that I couldn’t put down and will reread for sure. Can’t wait to read more. This book would great for those who love fantasy. Not as complex as Lord of the Rings, but in my opinion just as good.
After a long political War Conclave on King’s island, the paladins, ancients and their allies head into Hjalgar to reenforce and defend Deepstone and Three Rivers from the Dark Ones’ army. It’s led by an old neighbor who’s been changed into a cunning creature.
Lots of intense battles with several friends deaths. But also, some new Paladins are found, connections made and loves found. A wondrous thing happens at the end.
Fave scenes: snakes in the carriages, Ahren stopping the bugle, Akkad ‘painting’ the palisade and Ahren in the tree trunk.
Legitimately my favorite independent fantasy series. Good writing, great characters, wonderful world. The pacing is good, there’s action, it’s the whole package. This installment might be my favorite so far. The characters continue to come into clearer light and the relationships evolve in a fun and believable way. Can’t wait for the rest of the books to be translated.
This series has all of that witch you seek. An excellent main character and a great list of supporting characters. It is very well written and you can loose your self in the pages as you read about the world it is set in. You will find your normal cranky old characters like Falk and Jelinolen and your fun loving ones like Trogadon . All in all I truly hope you read this series for you will fall in love with it as I have..
I'm hooked on this narrative! Ahren, our thirteenth Paladin, his wisecracking Wolf,irritable sorcerers and intriguing elves, along with a loveable dwarf and a whole host of believable characters make this story come alive and the reader personally invested. I can't wait for the next installment!
The Battle for Hjalgar is so action packed it is hard to put down. Wetze pulls you into his world and you find yourself rooting for his characters . I have recommended the 13 th Paladin to every friend I have that loves epic fantasy and to date, no one has been disappointed. I cannot wait for the next book.
This is a wonderful series of books with robust characters. Reminds me of Robert Jordan 's "Wheel of time" series .What disappointed most was the poor editing. Not just incorrect words but also awkward phrases. When you have to read a sentence several times to ensure you have the gist of it, it becomes cumbersome.
Have been waiting for this book for some time,as undoubtedly many of you who have been following Ahrens latest adventures have. I wasn't disappointed. The book tells of the upcoming war and battle for Ahrens homeland ,bringing him at last face to face with an old adversary. Thoroughly enjoyable Can't wait for the next one.
Good read and character builds. I like that its not a typical story line. Twists and turns with little predictability. Its also well illustrated for the minds eye and peppered with humor throughout. TW does a good job of conveying and evoking emotion in the reader.
Heroic quests and and a flippant familiar, Taltos would be so proud.
Heroic deeds and colorful characters make this series a lively read. The sarcastic and irrepressible animal companions and an irrascible dwarf and wizard or two, would make Tolkien smile. Brust's use of a sarcastic familiar is amplified and accentuated by multiple animal companions. I commend you Torsten!
I habe read the entire series so far and find the series amazing. Friendships, evil.doers, teams of warriors that bring survival skills to towns that need their energy to survive. A mythical adventure with all these characters that create an amazing story. Can't wait for the next!!
Einer meiner liebsten Buchreihen. Die Welt ist groß und Facettenreich. Es gibt immer wieder Spannung und interessante Gegner aber auch Humor. Eine klassische Heldenreise die dem Helden viel abverlangt, ihn aber auch wachsen lässt. Ich habe dieses Buch ebenso genossen wie die vorhergegangenen und freue mich auf die weiteren Teile.
Every book gets better and better. These stories are everything you could ask for in a great read. From a struggling young boy, to an apprentice, to a guardian, then into a Paladin. The trials he needs to overcome are thought out spendedly. Emocions are as raw and real as a human can feel. Well done! Can’t wait to start the next books!
One of my favorite things about this series is the playful relationship between Ahren and Kara, so it was hard to watch them battle with the after effects of the last book (iykyk). On the up side we finally got the confrontation between Ahren and Sven, and Ahren finally growing into his Paladin role in full.
This series of books really keeps you grounded in the book. It’s hard to put it down as so much is happening through out the books. You really get involved in the series. Pity they weren’t translated at the same time. Now we wait!!
Really enjoying this series. Well crafted narrative with characters that move through the storylines with humour and depth. If you like your fantasy do yourself a favour and get with this.
Great plot, believable characters with every day flaws and fears that make them even more likable. Add an interesting enemy to the mix and you have a very good tale
Great characters and really enjoy the maturation of Ahren and how the story progresses. Would like to see less killing of innocents but I guess that is part of life. Can't wait for the next book.
Absolutely loving the characters and plot, cannot wait for the next instalment! It is a great coming of age epic with all the classic fantasy components, woven together into a series that is very difficult to put down, even at 4am in the morning
The world building in this series starts slow but then advances at a good pace. The reader becomes invested in the characters and their experiences quite early on.
It’s a good read with. Wide variety of characters to grow and expand throughout. The only thing I didn’t care for is the author’s choice of girlfriend for the main character. They don’t seem to suit to me. I would recommend the read.
Written by a talented author with great world building. Can't wait for the 7th book. Ahren is a great character to follow and the other 12 paladins haven't even found yet.
I love how these books have matured when the protagonist. At first I was concerned that I was going to be devotedly sucked into another prototypical YA series but I have been surprised by the evolving subject matter and themes. Glad to have stuck with this.
I am enjoying this series and hope it continues well past its current antagonist and protagonist plot. I can see this as a TV or movie series and hope that that happens. However the author needs a new proff reader to take out the grammar errors.
Looking forward to the next book which is number seven. Really enjoy this writer and am aghast that a publisher hasn't pick him up yet. They must all be a bunch of bores if they cannot recognise the talent of this man.
Es ist Band 6 und immer noch nicht langweilig! Ich liebe diese Reihe einfach. Viel Kampf, viele Leichen, viele Tode, viel Wut. So würde ich dieses Band am besten beschreiben. Das Ende von diesem Teil war sehr nervenaufreibend, aber hoffe auf eine glückliche Fügung im nachten Teil.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.