Call of the Hero

Sanctuary #10

by Robert J. Crane

The city of Reikonos is prisoner to a tyrant.

After a thousand years, Cyrus Davidon and the guild of Sanctuary have returned to find the human capital in a terrible state: food is in short supply, the skies are choked with the smoke of industry, and a criminal gang known as the Machine prey on all who dare raise their hand in opposition to the Lord Protector.

When an old enemy reveals himself, the revolt that Cyrus has begun to raise comes up against a seemingly insurmountable stumbling block. But rise they must, for time is running out in the city of Reikonos, and if Cyrus cannot answer the call of his heart and free his home in time...all will perish.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

468 pages, Paperback

Published August 20, 2019

About the author

Robert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.

Reviews

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book had everything, all the action you could want, the great characters and story. There is despair, surprise, death and unknown happenings ending in a cliffhanger. Need to get into the next book for some resolutions.

[Brian King · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have liked the series but this installment absolutely did nothing for me. While magic seems weakened some can still use it unhindered with the book only providing a very weak explanation as to why. Maybe it plays in later but left me thinking this was some weak attempt to transition from a magical fantasy series to steampunk. On top of that the villain’s power is also somewhat affected early on but then later he is able to not only quickly overwhelm Curatio but also steal "hope"…. Seems hope had a lot of magic and could even generate “life”, how was it then so overwhelmed and unable to defend itself? It just all felt very weak to me…. Then on top of all that, the entire book leads to some grand finale, right? Nope not even close, unless you have read all the other books wondering why the bad guys never get a grand win. Well, finally this book is for you. For everyone else it leaves you with no hope and a lot of depressing storylines that require you to buy the next book. Had I read this book right after it was published it would have been the last. For me it was very frustrating and would have quickly been forgotten. However since I came to this series late it just so happens the next in the series is now available. I can only hope it isn’t as depressing as this one but the title sure doesn’t give me warm fuzzy feelings.

Edit-I have now read the reviews for the next book and it sounds like it is more of the same. Depressing overarching story but no individual story that reaches closure allowing the book to still stand on its own. I am not sure I want to buy yet another dark and depressing book... If I want to be depressed I can just watch the news.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read. I was conflicted whether to give it a 4 or 5. The book had everything so I ended up giving it a 5/5. Negatives were how i read it. there is a lot of short chapters. They could have been read all through with the reader not really missing much. Book does end on giant cliffhanger. Only certain things get resolved. So you've been warned. Book 10 is better than Ghost's of Sanctuary. Another negative is the doubt is still there. You would think after a few heroic moments most would know this is the real Cyrus but some don't. Overall a good read, great new character introductions, bad guys were outstanding, homes destroyed?. can't wait for the next book. Whenever it releases.

[Ski Croghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading!!!

I truly could not stop reading this book. I started in the afternoon and read until sometime after 2am, when I fell asleep and I woke at 7am. I then started reading again and finished at 12:45 pm, about 24 hrs after I started with roughly 5 hrs off for sleep. The storyline kept me enthralled for all that time. Will the heroes be able to beat Malpravus this time or will he destroy the city again. Another beluved character dies in this volume, as J'anda did in the last, but who is it? Read this , the 10th in the Sanctuary Series to find out. Highly recommended for all.

[scott lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but depressing

I have really enjoyed this series up until this point. It seems that in the authors attempt to create another seemingly unstoppable force for Sanctuary to overcome, he might have take it a step too far. (Semi-spoiler alert) For me at least he has created too much despair and left little hope at the end of this book. I know there needs to be ebb and flow but I think he was a bit heavy handed here and I’m not sure if I will continue tbh.

[susan palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

Exciting and excellent but I'm bummed hard to wait for the next adventure. How many will be. In this series? Love you writing looking forward to more thank you keep this up fantasies are fun.

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

now what, with hardly any magic and no Sanctuary

This book was really good. As we’re all the books in the series. I loved all the books. I’m curious to see where they land as Sanctuary no longer exists.

[Belle Ann Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disparity

I read with angst. Dreading the next words. I had to stop for a second. I didn’t want to go through the journey but I had to. What a wild treacherous ride it was. I was there…

[Wayne Parton · Rating 2 out of 5]

to much useless dialogue

This book has endless conversations between the characters eating page upon page. Way to predictable and not much action. I don’t know if I care about the hero’s, find a conclusion soon

[Mrs R F Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab reading

Love reading these stories, cant wait for the next book. Robert J Crane always provides a good read which makes it hard to put down once started.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending!

Way to go, Robert Crane! What an ending....I was on the edge of my seat; I could not read quickly enough. But will you ever give Cyrus and Aleric a break?

[Steve Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always holds my attention

Consistently good read. Always a good cliffhanger. Ready for next book in the series to see what happens next. Been a very enjoyable series.

[Marilyn MacMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliffhanger

Really left ha Ning .whats next I hope to find out some how. I wonder if it will ever end

[Chris Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting read

This was an awesome book and I really do feel better for having experienced it. I honestly think you will too.

[Cajun Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome, I can't wait until the next adventure in this lovely series

[Sandy Varner · Rating 4 out of 5]

good but …

Not sure if it’s the era or all the jokes but thus book was not as compelling a read as the others.

[Linda D. Politte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn, what an ending!

Not that this is the last book but wow. All are scattered. Where will they end up? How will they find each other? On to the next book to find out! Huzzah.

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to rebound after the absolute disaster that was Book 9.

[Paul Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call of the Hero - Review 5 Stars - Very clean, worthy of your time

Robert J Crane has created a universe that will have you begging for more to explore with characters so rich and diverse you will lose many hours of sleep as you follow along enjoying the unique banter unearthed only within his magnificent creation. In this installment of the saga, Cyrus Davidon and his merry band once again find themselves in their beloved city of Reikonos facing Malpravus a foe they thought they had extinguished only to discover he is back stronger than ever. Thousands of years have gone by with new technology replacing much of the enchantment of magic Cyrus’s Guild is accustomed to along with new foes, reluctant allies and family.
Mr. Crane’s special talents bring the reader curiosity, amusement, sacrifice, friendship and above all, Loyalty and Honor.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure that I'm talking to Mr Crane after finishing this book.

Remember the Scourge? Remember the feeling of helplessness against and overwhelmingly superior foe? Yup. Mr Crane writes those scenarios exceptionally well - even Vaste's pert bottom doesn't lighten the mood.

And even though I know (or hope) that there is some kind of epic rabbit to be pulled out of a hat in the next book, I'm just going to sit over here and sulk for a while. Don't mind me. I'm sure I'll get over it... eventually.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Emily Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2

Unfortunately I don't really recommend this book. We have lost magic and what have we gained to replace it?

This left me missing the ways of the old sanctuary as well as some of the characters we have lost with time. Instead of each book getting it's own closure suddenly we are given cliff hangers and minimal plot twists. I don't mind a cliff hanger but like the residents of Sanctuary we need some hope to keep us going.

[Sharon Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science Fiction/fantasy

Wow! This book is so different than the rest of the series it just leaves me with my mouth open. I love it!! It is still so so Cyrus but into the worst of the industrial age. And they are battling some old enemies and new ones as well as each other in some cases. There are some whooping surprises as well.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Have been waiting for this book and was not disappointed it's a great tale full of adventure and battling against impossible odds. I've missed the humour from Vaste and the way the character's bounce of each other. Looking forward to the next installment

[Douglas Gove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waited for this to come out had to go back and reread #9 Ghosts of Sanctuary and do not regret it 1 minute. I am now thinking about going back and reading the entire series again just because its that good.

[Joy Plumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you say AWESOME

I really liked Call of the Hero because it had a lot of action, humor and sadness. I would totally recommend this book to a more mature audience because of slight innuendos lol. Overall Mr Crane comes through again with another Phenomenal book 😎

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good return for Sanctuary

Great to have Sanctuary back and all the great characters. So e nice twists and turns. Can't wait for instalment 11

[William Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words fail me.....

I cannot find the words to describe this incredible book. Holy mother of God! The wait for the next one is going to be interminable!

[Cynthia Russo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finality

I read all the others and enjoyed the story. This one was not as enjoyable as the others. Was a bit confusing.