Legacy

The Dead God #1

by C.J. Pyrah

Young Torben has resigned to a mundane, sheltered existence, until a chance encounter catapults him into a world more dangerous than he ever imagined.

In the world of Ulskandar, where Humans, Dwarves and all manner of races co-exist, all must fight and die together in the wars between rival kingdoms and feral tribes. But when relics and powers from the past threaten to emerge, the fragile kingdoms are pushed to the brink of destruction.

Can Torben rise to the occasion and become the hero the realm needs - or will he fall like so many others before him?

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks

446 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2019

About the author

Originally from the North East of England, C J Pyrah has been steeped in the boundless worlds opened up by fantasy and science fiction ever since he was old enough to read and write. The writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, Philip Pullman, Garth Nix, C.S. Lewis, H.P. Lovecraft, Frank Herbert, Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett have been vastly influential in the creation of Pyrah's literary inventions. In addition, having studied Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Oxford, along with Field Archaeology at the University of York he is also greatly influenced by the myths, legends, cultures and histories of Ancient and Dark Age British Isles, Europe, and the Middle East all of which have very much affected Pyrah's writing and story craft. As a result, many hours of his day are spent scrawling out maps, tweaking invented alphabets and creating histories, pantheons and mythologies for the worlds that he has created and in which his stories are set.

As well as novels, C J Pyrah is also an avid Dungeons and Dragons player where, taking on the mantle of Dungeon Master, he has written and led many campaigns for his players in the home-brew setting of Ulskandar, which is also the setting for Pyrah's novel Legacy, along with the other forthcoming works from The Dead God Series.

Reviews

[Mark Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent read. I Download lots of free books from kindle and have found some real duds. Gave this a go and was pleasantly surprised. A few tropes thrown in, but the characters were very likeable and it had plenty of action and some decent fight scenes.

My one gripe is the ending, it was mid scene and not the end of a story. Not a regular cliff hanger!

Overall a solid book and will be looking at the second in the series.

[Johnathon Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished the first book sndf have enjoyed it very much. Now part way into book 2 in the series.
Very entertaining. The plot seems to get confused a couple of times because there are so many characters.

[Dawn Goodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth a read

This is a good book, easily readable and with a good story and well depicted characters. I'd have given 5 stars, but there are quite a lot of mistakes in it.

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torben had worked on the farm for almost his entire life. Amos had taken him in, and as much as he kept promising he would leave and pursue his own life he couldn't stand the thought of the man who raised him losing everything. Winters had been hard, harvests bad, if he left he knew they could afford no help and were too old to work the land alone. So he stayed. But when a dwarf with a pouch of gold tempts him on a day's jaunt, it seems too good to pass up. Little did he know when he sets foot on the journey his life will be forever changed, and when you can't go back, the only thing to do is move on, and with the promise of riches beyond his wildest dreams, what's left to consider?

C.J. Pyrah's Legacy is book one in The Dead God series. In a journey of discovery into the self and the world beyond Bywater, you are introduced to Torben, a man whose minor experiences have in no way marred him to the world. An innocent heart unwilling to judge at first glance or rumour as he comes to learn there is more variety in the world than he had ever imagined, from dwarves to lupines, guilds and epic adventures. You will find a read filled with adventure, action, and discovery written in a flowing third-person narrative with great world-building and likeable characters who, due to their flaws and distinct personalities have a very believable feel to them.

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

It started very well; world-building and character-building were excellent. It slowed way down about two chapters in and, toward the end, seems to be stagnant. Then, just as we might have reached the end and invested in the characters, it ended.
Spoiler: There is no ending.

I don't like it when someone tears out the last 10 pages of a book I am reading, and I don't watch 75 minutes of a 90-minute show. I want an end. A real end that shows that the goal stated throughout the book has been achieved or failed. I felt cheated, and I have no idea what happens to any of the characters at all. A series doesn't have to end like that.

Torben, Antauros, Gwilym and Eleusia, are you all oK?

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting adventure set in Ulskandar, a fantasy world that feels very real. The reader learns about the world with Torben, as Torben leaves everything he has known and gets thrown into a quest to find the Keystone. Really enjoyed the rich detail of the world throughout and the playful dynamic between the main characters.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book leads you on an exciting and fast-paced adventure with plenty of action and suspense. The author has a real talent for description and paints a vivid image of the world of Ulskandar. You really bond with the characters and learn more about them as the story progresses. A gripping read that was impossible to put down!

[Elizabeth Anwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely fast paced adventure book, interesting mix of characters, looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Perry Chalmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!

Awesome introduction to a new author. Fantastic story. The author does a masterful job of laying out story and enticing you to keep reading more

[Oscar Etienne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Teaser

Was not aware the series was not kindle free to read. Rest of the series has to be
bought, Will never know the outcome!

[Peter Barrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this fantasy good,

[Barb Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

creative and a compelling adventure

A very captivating read from the irate few pages only lead to a desire for more adventure as each page is turned.
I hope the adventure continues…

[Shane Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read..... What s cliff hanger ending.

This is a really good read that is easy to follow and gas interesting and diverse characters. Looking forward to the second book.

[sp smout · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read but I found it a little slow to start but I couldn't put it down at the end. I look forward to reading book 2.

[Peter Barrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series of books 1 more to go I'll read something else first though

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.