Queen of Swords and Silence

Ghost Walker Chronicles #1

by Carrow Brown

A banished Valkyrie stripped of her place among the gods,
Mythics vanishing left and right along with ancient relics,
A sword thirsty for blood and drenched in madness,
and now the roof has a leak—where’s the vodka?

A literal man eater, Ghost was born . . . damaged.

Where do you go when your own creator discards you?

The world is bleak, but Ghost couldn’t care less about others woes. She has her own to contend with. A castaway, stripped of her valkyrie title, and enslaved for centuries due to her deformity…how’s that for a sob story?

Her love life and bank account are equally empty, her best friend is a bloodthirsty sword, and the roof has a leak . . . but Ghost’s duties ensure very few days are dull. Doing her master’s bidding has some benefits: global travel, meeting interesting people, stealing their priceless artifacts, and doing a little murder if needed. She could be tasked to oversee treasure or execute a magi who foolishly stepped out of line.

But the shadows in Ghost’s world are shifting. When Mythics disappear under strange circumstances, Ghost finds herself in a lethal game of supernatural politics. The Gods seek ancient relics that could prove the ticket to Ghost’s acceptance, but how far will she go to take her place within the pantheon? The stakes are high when one mistake could open a hole into Chaos . . .

Genres: Fantasy

355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2020

About the author

Carrow Brown grew up in a military family and traveled the world absorbing everything she could (including whatever bad words she could find!) Carrow’s passion has always been to write stories to share with others that both entertain and provoke thought. Carrow resides in sunny Arizona with her husband and German shepherds. In the little free time she has between writing The Ghost Walker Chronicles and her clinical psychology graduate work, Carrow can often be found sketching her characters into life and hiking in the wilderness with her husband and dogs.

She is easily bribed with tacos and the answer is always “yes” if you offer to show her pictures of your dogs.

Reviews

[Alana Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book, and I am so glad to have been that lucky.

Queen of Swords and Silence follows Ghost, one of the most complex, flawed and interesting protagonists I've had the pleasure of reading about. She is far from perfect, but is extremely lovable. The best part though, is that every character feels just as well thought out and real. All the characters are multi faceted and intriguing on multiple levels. My personal favorites are David, Babd, and Silence. Silence especially, was much deeper than I originally expected.

The plot is equally intriguing. Every time you think you know whats going on, think again. Yet, it all comes together beautifully at the end.

The romance is also extremely refreshing. Both partners are equally awesome, the purest power couple I've ever seen. He is confident, she is gruff, and I love them together. Plus, their meet cute is 10/10.

I cannot recommend this book enough. if you like fantasy, romance, fight scenes, and/or murderous swords, you'll love Queen of Swords and Silence.

[Emily Luebke]

DNF'ed at about 15%
It just wasn't gripping me. I could keep forcing myself through it, or just follow my heart and pass on this one. Obviously I chose the latter. The ideas in the book are fun, but it's the writing for me. It reads extremely armature and there's a lot of forced dialogue that's obviously trying too hard to be clever and quippy. There's a TON of filtering through the whole book. "Her eyes saw the thing." "She grabbed the thing with her hands." when you could/should just say "she saw the thing" "she grabbed the thing".

Overall I just think the author needs more practice. I like their ideas, but their craft can't keep up. There are a ton of plot points right away and a lot going on with an MC who is a literal monster who consumes human organs to live. That drew me in right away. I wanted to see that explored, and that is the best handled part IMO. But there is a LOT of other stuff going on in this world where all mythology is real, but it just isn't working for me, again, mostly down to the craft itself being so noticeably crunchy.

I will continue to read indie books through Dec, but this one just didn't make the cut.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun new world

I fell in love with Ghost and Silence instantly! I enjoy modern fantasy and if you like Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, or Faith Hunter this will be a fun new world to enjoy.

[Ceres95 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Queen of sword and silence we follow the adventures of Ghost who is not only a Valkyrie but also a monster, at least in the eyes of his people. It may not be perfect in the eyes of the valkyries, but for me it is. He's a complex character who deserves to try.
I really liked this book, I love Ghost, I like the way he responds and communicates. Sure, it's not ideal, but at the same time she's not being helped.
I love Silence, he has a dark sense of humour and frankly he's a pretty deep character.
David is a lovely man, he is not afraid of many things and he takes it very well when he discovers what Ghost is.
I really enjoyed the story of this first volume and I look forward to reading more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A literal man eater, Ghost was born.... damaged.
A Valkyrie without a purpose.
Working as an Enforcer and servant to the grumpy Master of the Well of Knowledge doesn't leave Ghost a lot of time to dwell on the small stuff. Like why her Valkyrie sisters call her an abomination, why Odin has abandoned her, or why her possessed sword Silence can't figure out a simple haiku. When she is hired to assassinate a Mythic gone bad her problems continue to multiply. Not only are Mythics disappearing but she has been tasked with retrieving a missing book that leaves her with a lot more questions than answers. Ghost discovers there is a lot more going on behind the scenes of the Mythical Realm than she once thought.
Ghost doesn't take responsibility for her actions often, but when she does it's because she doesn't want the world to end.

I really enjoyed reading this ARC.
What a wonderful and interesting character Ghost is!
Well written plot and story line with some twists about.
I love the way the characters are written and enjoyed reading about them.
Can't wait to read more of these!
Recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Mcnew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this unique and epic story. I have found in most books even when dealing with vampires, the protagonist finds a way to live while not murdering innocent people. This is not the case here and she loathes herself for it. And while she has lived for centuries this story shows character growth and self discovery. The story is infused with magic, myths, humor, mystery, a little romance and thought provoking discussions. I loved the protagonists allies as well. I look forward to the next book, as there are still some loose ends to tie up. Dive into this amazing world!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's got a smart, funny heroine with a smart aleck sidekick. It's got all the mythical characters you could ever want in one book. Ghost isn't perfect by a long shot but she's got a good heart, sometimes two of them. What she doesn't have is very many friends but she's made peace with that and does her best to keep them and be a better person as well.

This is a world where all of the mythical characters co-exist with humans. Most of the humans just don't know it. There's angst, action, laughs and a budding romance along the way to an ending that leaves lots of avenues for further exploration and I am looking forward to it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Blue Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good! If you're a fan of Kate Daniels, Patricia Briggs, or like books with kick-ass heroines, amazing world building, and awesome adventures, you will love Queen of Swords and Silence. I loved it so much I bought the physical copy along with the Kindle edition. I hope the author comes out with an audio version too so I can listen to it in my car.
Not that I'm fangirling or anything...I just really liked the book.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of Swords and Silence by Carrow Brown is an awesome story to read. This is book number one in this awesome series and I loved reading it. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy and paranormal romances in their stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sort of Lovecraftian Valkyrie urban fantasy story? Whatever, it works!

So, I was not quite sure what to expect with this one. It's an urban fantasy about a tough supernatural warrior woman who is sort of a Valkyrie, and also sort of not - turns out she's part Outside entity, as in Lovecraftian "Outside" - she hears a bloodthirsty sentient sword (a bit more articulate than Moorcock's Stormbringer), and shenanigans ensue. The writing is decent, and the author makes a better-than-decent stab at Old Norse names . . . I am not easily impressed, but this all kind of works . . . Not a bad read, as it turns out!

[Marie Lipscomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of kicking ass

I honestly don't know how Carrow's head hasn't exploded from the size of her imagination. QoSaS is a gripping, galloping ride from start to finish. I'm a huge fan of flawed characters, and they don't come much more flawed than Ghost. I loved the sassy humor, whirlwind pace, and wide array of unique characters. Viva la Murder Chicken!

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story line was good and the story had a nice, smooth flow. The character work was fantastic (yes, the sword was my favorite). I was hooked from the beginning and remained that way throughout the entire book. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given an impossible quest by Oden, Ghost finds herself at a crossroad with her friends, Shadow, and even her life. I also enjoyed Toasted Marshmallow and Staff Meeting by Carrow Brown. I highly recommend The Ghost Walker Chronicles.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DragonCodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humane monster saves the world.

When mythos, humanity, and a monster walk into a bar you can't help but love the witty mix. I enjoyed the characters and the story immensely. Disability inclusive. Loved it.

[Debra Ryan]

Ghost is very funny and Silence is awesome, throw in Outerworld beings and mythic creatures, you get one helluva fun time.

[Heather W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Ghost Walker Chronicles series and I enjoyed it. The characters are interesting and the storyline is unique. I am interested in reading more in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, the character Ghost was interesting and I liked her character. The plot was really well done and I look forward to more in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cassi Sanchez-Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint. From the very first page I was hooked! In this story humans are unknowingly living amongst mythical creatures.The main character is relatable and likable. I look forward to more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite shows is Forged In Fire, so when I saw this title and read the blurb I hoped that it would live up to expectations. I have to say I haven’t laughed as hard or as much over a book in ages.

Let’s talk about Silence the sword, its like a very stubborn 4y/o throwing a temper tantrum at times, a moody sulky teenager, the sexy girlfriend that flirts with everything that makes your eyes cross, the tell it like it is no filter BFF you have to prepare everyone for, the world weary jaded forty something friend and the at times doting motherly type all in one stabby, snarky package.

Then we have Ghost, Silence’s wielder. Ghost is a literal monster in human form, and when she is aggravated or hungry her real side comes out and it’s a killer. In her own way she is trying to atone for her bloody past, all with the hopes that her family finally accepts her. While she is a monster, she does some very sweet human like things that shows that despite everything she feels more than others realize. She is an enforcer and sometimes bounty hunter of those supernatural that stray beyond what is acceptable in her world.

When she is tasked to find someone, she realizes that there is a lot more at stake than one out of line mystic and she may not be able to fight her past overtaking the new self she is trying to create.

It’s like this author was in my head and found my love of fantasy, magic, sci-fi, blood and gory books with a healthy dose of wise guy and brought it to life with Ghost and Silence. Not sure how many times I said I LOVE THIS BOOK, but it was a lot.

The book wasn’t perfect it had moments where it did drag a bit, combined with some word tense issues but nothing so bad that I was pulled out of the world the author created. My only concern is can the author maintain this level of combining so many fantasy creatures, snark, blood & gore and having Ghost and Silence grow yet stay the fantastic duo that they are?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[H.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This book was good. I liked how it was different than most other books out there. After all, how many books are there that are from the perspective of a man eater? My only complaint is that the book sometimes didn’t make sense, especially toward the end.

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're my favorite man-eating monster-friend"
Rating: 4.75
The dynamic between Ghost and Silence was so much fun to read. While they are both sarcastic and tough it was still a loving relationship. I was immediately pulled in after the first chapter, Ghost is a Valkyrie and something else that eats people BUT she's not a fan of eating people so she picks off the old and dying...and she still feels bad about it. Then she meets David and, while there was an attraction there, I am so happy Carrow kept Ghost the same strong humanoid she is. I got a little confused at the end for a second because there are people in Ghost's head and Ghost got a little sappy but other than that the book made me laugh out loud and m even though Ghost is a Man-eating monster I look forward to reading more about her and Silence.

[Zipper · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This book surprised me. I’m not a fan of the cover so I can’t say what made me stop to read the synopsis. Which I found interesting enough to download the sample. It wasn’t long before I had the whole book. I was not expecting the main character to be such a man eater. (Snicker) And the cast of
characters that I was introduced to! Overall the writing and editing was top notch. My only complaint was that sometimes the author chose to say a sentence in long form rather then shorten it up. Like saying “No, I do not know” instead of “No, I don’t know.” Trivial really but I noticed it a few times. I am going to see if there is a book 2. I hope there is!

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliantly creative, binge-worthy book! I loved the unusual twist on mythology and magic, but my favorite part of the story was the amazing cast of characters. Inner strength, courage, sarcasm, loyalty, friendship, strong women, the power of knowledge, freedom, sacrifice, acceptance, and new beginnings all played a part in this thrilling and humorous tale. This was my first Carrow Brown book, and I can't wait to read what she writes next.

I received a free copy of Queen of Swords and Silence, but that did not affect my review.

[Avrisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book and really look forward to the series. Ghost's interactions with Silence are awesome throughout and the world Carrow has created is simply amazing. The depth of the characters and story make for a great read.

Strong female lead with a supporting cast that is beyond interesting. Love it.

I am really looking forward to Book 2 and the novellas I've heard will be released in between.

[Tara Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was a wonderful read! The characters were interesting and the story flowed really well!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dal Cecil Runo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It travels a lot, I love travelling stories.

[Manon F · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two chapters hooked me right away!

[Crystal V. Morillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to the next one

I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline of this book - Smart, well written, bloody and intriguing “hero”.
I snapped up all the novellas as well because I enjoyed the adventures of Ghost and Silence so much. Moar pleezzz!

[Sandy Schleich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out interesting but it was definitely not what I expected. I definitely thought it was odd that ghost ate people and talked to her sword like it was another person. Ghost seem like a very nice person in his story but she was treated like crap by the other Val curry. I really like this book but I can’t wait until the next one comes out. I listen to this book on audible and I did like the narrator. I thought she did a very good job.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome dark fantasy novel! Filled with action, humor, dark elements, and a captivating story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.