"The second is better than the first.""A really great sequel.""Paul Gaskill’s world is filled with emotion, action and the magic that only fantasies can bring to life.""Usually the second novel in a trilogy lulls, this one did not!"Tallarin has fallen.Now Oracus finds himself captive of the Ulatoris while King Jowra becomes more powerful than ever before.But the King is to be tested, for a legion of Fizorachis from a distant land have arrived on Pharia’s shores, set to invade.These events in the north have left Oracus with a choice – either suffer in captivity, or rise to face two enemies more powerful than himself.Pharia is being destroyed. Will Oracus try to save it?
Paul Gaskill is a fantasy author from the UK. He was born in August '91 and completed his education at John Port School in Derby, where he took a liking to Mathematics. Fast forward a number of years and Paul studied Mathematics at University, then became a Financial Adviser. Despite the career in numbers, Paul's secret love was letters, and his novels were created during the evenings when everything finance during the daytime had been forgotten.
"Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am a Mathematician turned Author - I was never quite Albert Einstein, but I knew much more than the average person about numbers, equations and formulae. But if you'd asked me what a semi-colon was used for, I'd have shrugged at you. Now it seems to be the other way around.
"I had a fairly normal childhood. I loved football (I still do) and I used to be out until dusk or beyond kicking a bag of air around a field or on a street. If it wasn't football, then it was usually another sport of some kind. Unless it was sneakily searching for golf balls on the local 9-hole golf course with friends and selling the balls we'd found back to the golfers who had lost them in the first place. Mischievous, but entrepreneurial, at a young age.
"I've been very lucky to grow up with loving parents who have helped me become the person I am. They're both intelligent and driven, and it has laid the foundation for me to do what I enjoy doing, and that is to write.
"Without this beginning to sound like a CV, I am ambitious about, and inspired by, creative writing (and I can work well in a team as well as efficiently by myself). Fantasy appeals so much to me because it is about creating something that nobody else has seen before. Worlds, lands, races, laws, politics, character personalities; everything is of my own invention. In some ways it gives a sense of power, but also a sense of pride that I've built something to provide enjoyment to others."
His life is now filled with turmoil, severely wounded and taken into an enemy’s camp after a brutal and bloody battle. Instead of being tortured or killed, Oracus is healed and entrusted with an agreement that will set free him. His powers are finally revealing themselves, he and Bander are now a formidable team, but an event witnessed by his allies, but completely misunderstood has made him an enemy to his own people. How does he prove his loyalty? How does he fulfill his promise to the gray people? How does he stay alive now that he knows his blood is tainted by the vile’s King’s bloodline itself?
Ancient relics of power can defeat the king’s powers and Oracus has them both. But how does he use THE EMERALD PAIRING? One is set into his late father’s fine sword, the other hangs around his neck as a medallion and Oracus is clueless as to how to use them. Our young Vassath Rider may have to do the impossible, but it will come at a price.
Heroes will fall, some in the glory of battle, some for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, too young to have their lives snuffed out. Follow Oracus on his quest to free his people and end the vile reign of the King, shared blood or not.
Paul Gaskill’s world is filled with emotion, action and the magic that only fantasies can bring to life. Fast-paced, filled with daring action, human errors, newly found trusts and a future that remains unknown. Step into Oracus’ world and feel the young man become a true warrior who will do all he can to end the tyranny. I loved the relationship between Bander and Oracus, they were more than two beings who have bonded. They are one, each with their own strong points and each always having each other’s backs. Start to finish the perfect follow up to book one!
I received this copy from Paul Gaskill in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Trilogy: Oracus - Book 2 Publication Date: April 26, 2016 Publisher: Paul Gaskill Genre: YA Fantasy Print Length: 286 pages Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
This second installment of the Oracus series did not disappoint, in fact the action intensified. I can't wait to see what happens next, but must read another book for another author before I can proceed.
Oracus has faced death again a few more times, was reunited with Kivali (I hope they get married)! Now on a dangerous mission, that he must complete, and hopefully help the Pharians in their battle with Jowra, I do hope all goes well, but must wait until #3 to find out. A new foe has also made an appearance that also threatens the well being of all Pharia-- the reader can only have faith that Oracus will be able to defeat this new enemy just as his ancestor had.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I like the way that this book continues to evolve and just when you think you know what's coming mores is added to the story and hidden layers are revealed. The king is no longer the only threat in this series. I liked how the character development continued to get better and the story continues to move at a good speed. Which is nice because usually the second book is just a filler and not much happens. But this book makes you want to read more. I think that it's a great edition to the series. Book received in exchange for an honest review.
The second is better than the first. I find that the second novel in a trilogy is usually a bit of a filler but this just added more to the story - you think that the King is Oracus' only real enemy but then suddenly there's another! Another great twist and a truly wonderful carry-on from the first.
Just like the first, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book and had a hard time putting it down when it was time to stop. The introduction and in depth society of the ultori was wonderful and had me wanting to be there myself, and the expansion of the on going war made me want more. I have already bought the third in this series and cannot wait to dive right in.
Rating 5 Emerald Pairing is the second book of this epic fantasy trilogy of a young man’s growth as he struggles with his new found powers and finds himself in the forefront of a raging and deadly war. But first, Oracus must know who he is, his destiny and he needs to learn how and use and control his powers. He knows power corrupts. He has seen it.
Oracus finds himself and Bandor captured by the Ulatori in the Black Forest of Valaroth where no man has ever been known to escape. He meets Sarvon, the chieftain and a bargain is made for his life. This is where we really get to know Oracus and a little more of his past that had been kept secret from him. Both Bandor and Oracus grow and come into their own. I wasn't just reading about Oracus and Bandor. I was there. I loved being with Oracus and sharing his trials, thoughts, mistakes and fears. It made him real with frailty and strength with hope for the future...
The second is better than the first I think. The story grows and so too do the personalities and the connections between the different characters. This is predominantly a story about a lovable young man vs an evil king but there is an addition to this story that is strangely left-field and the terrible king is no longer Oracus' only real enemy. Usually the second novel in a trilogy lulls, this one did not!
An entertaining sequel to the first book in the trilogy. Oracus continues to grow as a person and a Rider as does his Lavorian. Other characters are further developed to and the excitement builds to bring about another battle to help with the survival of freedom from the tyranny of the self-appointed king of Pharia. It is all building up to what I think will be an exciting finale in the final book of the trilogy which I look forward to reading. Paul's writing flows throughout the book and he is likely to gain a good following of fans if he continues to write in this vain and if the visibility of his books grows. I hope that Paul continues to write in this genre.