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Nightblade Epic #1-3
The Nightblade Epic First Trilogy Box Set: Books 1-3 of The Nightblade Epic
This volume holds the first THREE books in the bestselling Nightblade Epic, and also contains dozens of pages of extra background materials about the world of Underrealm.
Loren is a girl like any other but with dreams larger than all the nine lands.
Loren has grown up in the forests of the kingdom of Selvan, raised by cruel parents who see her only as a burden to be married off as quickly as possible. But driven by whispered tales around campfires in her youth, she has always dreamed of something greater. And something darker as well.
After fifteen years of toil, when the wishes of her heart have very nearly died out, a spark arrives to rekindle them: a half-glimpsed coat of blue, dodging through the trees of the Birchwood. A wizard. A man from the outside world. A fugitive.
Escape.
NIGHTBLADE (Book 1)
Fleeing the Birchwood with the wizard Xain, Loren swiftly finds herself keeping company with all manner of those who walk outside the King's law. Some are kind, others cruel, but all fear the red armor of the constables that pursue them throughout the kingdom.
All she has are the clothes on her back, a bow for hunting, and a mysterious dagger at her hip. It is a blade the world has not seen in centuries, imbued with a great and deadly power and it turns enemies to allies when she least expects it.
Unsure who to trust, Loren faces danger and betrayal trying to save the life of the innocent daughter of a merchant. And on the streets of the great city Cabrus, there are hooded eyes watching in every corner, all while Loren finds new strangers in every alley who seem to know something about her.
Her only hope is to find out who wants to help her and who wants to kill her, before either one of them succeeds.
MYSTIC (Book 2)
Loren now travels beside Jordel the Mystic, a strange man with a shrouded past, who seeks the wizard Xain for aims he will not share with her. Despite her misgivings, Loren needs someone to trust, and Jordel seems as fine a partner as any she is likely to find on the King's road.
But Jordel is not the only Mystic in the nine lands, and Loren soon meets his lieutenant, Vivien. An altogether different sort of person, Vivien's eyes are clouded like rainclouds and sharp as daggers, and she seems to know far too much about Loren's friend Annis. With Xain on the loose, consumed by a dark and terrible power, Loren's only hope to save the wizard may lie with the redcloaks beside her.
But if they learn that Loren herself is the source of Xain's madness, even the Nightblade's dagger might not be enough to save her.
DARKFIRE (Book 3)
With Xain's madness barely under control, Loren and her friends are branded fugitives from the King's justice and the Mystics as well. Now their only hope lies in a hidden stronghold, far to the north of the kingdom of Selvan.
With their steps hounded at every turn, their road to safety runs through peril: the high pass that traverses the Greatrock Mountains to the west. But more than Mystics and constables pursue them, as dark creatures stalk them from the shadows of the high peaks. And all the while, the presence of a mysterious foe known only as The Lord looms over them.
And in the darkness of his shadow, one traveler's journey will end forever.
Loren is a girl like any other but with dreams larger than all the nine lands.
Loren has grown up in the forests of the kingdom of Selvan, raised by cruel parents who see her only as a burden to be married off as quickly as possible. But driven by whispered tales around campfires in her youth, she has always dreamed of something greater. And something darker as well.
After fifteen years of toil, when the wishes of her heart have very nearly died out, a spark arrives to rekindle them: a half-glimpsed coat of blue, dodging through the trees of the Birchwood. A wizard. A man from the outside world. A fugitive.
Escape.
NIGHTBLADE (Book 1)
Fleeing the Birchwood with the wizard Xain, Loren swiftly finds herself keeping company with all manner of those who walk outside the King's law. Some are kind, others cruel, but all fear the red armor of the constables that pursue them throughout the kingdom.
All she has are the clothes on her back, a bow for hunting, and a mysterious dagger at her hip. It is a blade the world has not seen in centuries, imbued with a great and deadly power and it turns enemies to allies when she least expects it.
Unsure who to trust, Loren faces danger and betrayal trying to save the life of the innocent daughter of a merchant. And on the streets of the great city Cabrus, there are hooded eyes watching in every corner, all while Loren finds new strangers in every alley who seem to know something about her.
Her only hope is to find out who wants to help her and who wants to kill her, before either one of them succeeds.
MYSTIC (Book 2)
Loren now travels beside Jordel the Mystic, a strange man with a shrouded past, who seeks the wizard Xain for aims he will not share with her. Despite her misgivings, Loren needs someone to trust, and Jordel seems as fine a partner as any she is likely to find on the King's road.
But Jordel is not the only Mystic in the nine lands, and Loren soon meets his lieutenant, Vivien. An altogether different sort of person, Vivien's eyes are clouded like rainclouds and sharp as daggers, and she seems to know far too much about Loren's friend Annis. With Xain on the loose, consumed by a dark and terrible power, Loren's only hope to save the wizard may lie with the redcloaks beside her.
But if they learn that Loren herself is the source of Xain's madness, even the Nightblade's dagger might not be enough to save her.
DARKFIRE (Book 3)
With Xain's madness barely under control, Loren and her friends are branded fugitives from the King's justice and the Mystics as well. Now their only hope lies in a hidden stronghold, far to the north of the kingdom of Selvan.
With their steps hounded at every turn, their road to safety runs through peril: the high pass that traverses the Greatrock Mountains to the west. But more than Mystics and constables pursue them, as dark creatures stalk them from the shadows of the high peaks. And all the while, the presence of a mysterious foe known only as The Lord looms over them.
And in the darkness of his shadow, one traveler's journey will end forever.
- GenresFantasyYoung AdultEbooks
Audiobook
First published July 24, 2015
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July 11, 2021
The Nightblade Epic Volume One: A Book of Underrealm
(Nightblade Epic #1-3)
by Garrett Robinson
First, I love this cover and kept waiting for it to happen but it is the last battle in the book! I loved the epic adventure up to then anyway! This is a wonderful world and great characters. A semi-sad ending. Never boring!
Our main character is a girl, a teen, who is big and strong yet abused terribly by her parents. She loves a boy in town and it's mutual but he can't pay the dowry so she will be married off. She meets a Wizard in the woods and he is starving and on the run. She feeds him and runs off with him but takes a knife that her dad has had locked up forever. She calls the knife Nightblade.
This book is their adventures as this Wizard is friend, foe, backstabber, lifesaver, and more. She also meets and becomes friends with a merchant's girl, a street orphan boy, and a Mystic. They all become traveling companions off and on. They have many deadly adventures too!
By book #3 they have added another merchant that is a guide through the mountains. Through the last book, my favorite, they encounter harpies and satyrs. Also a large army of wizards of incredible strength. I really enjoyed this series!
(Nightblade Epic #1-3)
by Garrett Robinson
First, I love this cover and kept waiting for it to happen but it is the last battle in the book! I loved the epic adventure up to then anyway! This is a wonderful world and great characters. A semi-sad ending. Never boring!
Our main character is a girl, a teen, who is big and strong yet abused terribly by her parents. She loves a boy in town and it's mutual but he can't pay the dowry so she will be married off. She meets a Wizard in the woods and he is starving and on the run. She feeds him and runs off with him but takes a knife that her dad has had locked up forever. She calls the knife Nightblade.
This book is their adventures as this Wizard is friend, foe, backstabber, lifesaver, and more. She also meets and becomes friends with a merchant's girl, a street orphan boy, and a Mystic. They all become traveling companions off and on. They have many deadly adventures too!
By book #3 they have added another merchant that is a guide through the mountains. Through the last book, my favorite, they encounter harpies and satyrs. Also a large army of wizards of incredible strength. I really enjoyed this series!
April 27, 2016
Loren is a girl like any other—but with dreams larger than all the nine lands. Loren has grown up in the forests of the kingdom of Selvan, raised by cruel parents who see her only as a burden to be married off as quickly as possible. But driven by whispered tales around campfires in her youth, she has always dreamed of something greater. And something darker as well. After fifteen years of toil, when the wishes of her heart have very nearly died out, a spark arrives to rekindle them: a half-glimpsed coat of blue, dodging through the trees of the Birchwood. A wizard. A man from the outside world. A fugitive. Escape. Her travel through the first three books have her life in danger several times and with others help, they seem to come out of it alive but not unburdened.
The Nightblade Epic is a fantasy series that follows Loren, a young woman from a forest town, who dreams of becoming the world's greatest thief - Nightblade. Nightblade, the first book, follows Loren as she takes control of her destiny, even though she doesn't know how to begin. Mystic, the second book, continues the tale with Loren having to learn who to trust, as not everyone is willing to tell her the whole truth. Darkfire, the third book, closes the trilogy with chaos and consequences ripe to disrupt Loren's entire journey. These books are well written, enjoyable, and fast paced. If you enjoy fantasy adventures, protagonists that try to do the right thing (but the world is against them at every turn), you will enjoy the Nightblade Epic. But don't be fooled - this series is written for young adults, but it is anything but childish. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Nightblade Epic is a fantasy series that follows Loren, a young woman from a forest town, who dreams of becoming the world's greatest thief - Nightblade. Nightblade, the first book, follows Loren as she takes control of her destiny, even though she doesn't know how to begin. Mystic, the second book, continues the tale with Loren having to learn who to trust, as not everyone is willing to tell her the whole truth. Darkfire, the third book, closes the trilogy with chaos and consequences ripe to disrupt Loren's entire journey. These books are well written, enjoyable, and fast paced. If you enjoy fantasy adventures, protagonists that try to do the right thing (but the world is against them at every turn), you will enjoy the Nightblade Epic. But don't be fooled - this series is written for young adults, but it is anything but childish. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 25, 2020
I purchased this audiobook packaged in a trilogy on sale on Chirp. The first book in the box set was Nightblade. I listened to about 2/3rds of Nightblade and 25 of 125 chapters of the trilogy, and I put it down. I was hoping for a long grand adventure but was very disappointed. The author does a terrible job of world-building. With almost 20% of this trilogy over, I have no idea what the rules are in this world.
The narration and the narrator does not add to the story. While not exactly wooden, the narration fails to bring life to the story. This is only in part the narrator’s fault. The biggest issue is tied to the written dialog. I found the dialog, and the authors attempt to introduce a version of old English, to be stilted and distracting. The mixing of old English dialog with modern language provided by third-person narration sounds stilted and contrived.
While the author provides the reader with reasons to generate sympathy for the main character Loren, she is not very likable. She has some physical skills but was not very smart and does not seem to be learning as she goes on. Nor are any of the few characters the author has introduced likable. The story is completely devoid of any humor, and it was a real struggle to get through the 20% of this trilogy.
While I own this trilogy, I have made a decision to abandon my reading before finishing the first book. I am glad I did not pay more for the purchase, and if I had purchased it on audible, I would be returning the book. Continuing this read is simply not worth my time.
The narration and the narrator does not add to the story. While not exactly wooden, the narration fails to bring life to the story. This is only in part the narrator’s fault. The biggest issue is tied to the written dialog. I found the dialog, and the authors attempt to introduce a version of old English, to be stilted and distracting. The mixing of old English dialog with modern language provided by third-person narration sounds stilted and contrived.
While the author provides the reader with reasons to generate sympathy for the main character Loren, she is not very likable. She has some physical skills but was not very smart and does not seem to be learning as she goes on. Nor are any of the few characters the author has introduced likable. The story is completely devoid of any humor, and it was a real struggle to get through the 20% of this trilogy.
While I own this trilogy, I have made a decision to abandon my reading before finishing the first book. I am glad I did not pay more for the purchase, and if I had purchased it on audible, I would be returning the book. Continuing this read is simply not worth my time.
September 22, 2015
Great storytelling, but
I found the narrative kept me reading way past bedtime often, but there were some plot holes you could drive a trick through and a few instances of appalling editing. Names incorrect, for example, as well as typos.
There are some interesting moral questions raised, but characters are, for the most part, fairly stock. And why Loren's ambition was to be a thief is not really accounted for by ancient tales.
Still, I can't go without finding what happens next so...
I found the narrative kept me reading way past bedtime often, but there were some plot holes you could drive a trick through and a few instances of appalling editing. Names incorrect, for example, as well as typos.
There are some interesting moral questions raised, but characters are, for the most part, fairly stock. And why Loren's ambition was to be a thief is not really accounted for by ancient tales.
Still, I can't go without finding what happens next so...
March 10, 2017
Blending the coming-of-age tropes of the classic quest with a more realistically imperfect world, Robinson creates an immediately accessible fantasy while avoiding a sense of pastiche or staleness. While this collection is closer to young adult than epic fantasy, it has the complexity to engage readers with greater experience of fantasy and life in general.
This book collects Nightblade, Mystic, and Darkfire (the first three books in the Robinson’s Underrealm series), along with a series of essays on the world.
Loren has lived her entire life in a small village. her only escape from her parents abuse are her fantasies of becoming the most famous thief in the world. Until a chance encounter with a fugitive wizard convinces her to make her dreams of heroism a reality – even if the wizard doesn’t want her help. However, the world is filled with people equally as cruel as her parents, but with much more significant goals than marrying their daughter for money and social station. Tangled in another plot before she even understands the one that drew her from her home, Loren discovers that neither thievery nor deeds to inspire legends are the clear and cheerful things the tales made them seem.
Taken at the highest level, this is the classic fantasy tale of a farm hand heading of in search of adventure, complete with the conflict between plain honest peasant-craft and complex political civilisation, noble thieves, and mysterious forces. However, Robinson does not limit himself to the safe discomforts and conflicts of the chosen one trope: the child abuse threaded through the narrative is realistic rather than fairytale; and the violence by many is casual rather than only the evil of the clearly bad or justified defence of the clearly good.
While each of the three books in this collection contains a complete arc, capable of standing on its own, it also leaves threads of the greater plot hanging for later instalments. As such, this box set will reduce reader frustration in addition to any saving over the individual parts.
Loren herself is equally a mix of classic fantasy and gritty realism. Her expectations of life are straight out of a fable: stealing from the deserving, having trusted companions, slipping unseen from shadow to shadow. However, the abuse she has suffered in childhood also manifests in a very plausible ambivalence to threats: she either capitulates without attempting opposition or refuses to accept weakness. Shifting along these two axes from scene to scene, she displays archetypal yet complex reactions, making her – at first – sympathetic if occasionally irritating character. As each betrayal, reversal, and victory, challenges Loren’s view of what is possible and right her responses become more complex. However, Robinson does not fall back on the classic trope of innocence becoming realism; while Loren’s principles bring her difficulties they also bring her strength and respect.
Despite the gritty realism of life as a youth in a feudal world, the plot also contains plenty of lighter moments where Loren’s mix of cunning and naïvety conflict with expectations.
The supporting cast show a similar blend of fantasy trope and nuanced character. Decent humane guards break the law not to avoid injustice but due to specific corruption. Motherly crime lords genuinely care for the cheeky ruffians who steal for them, but also possess decidedly unsavoury habits. Warriors tasked with defeating a genuine evil disagree over suitable methods and acceptable collateral damage.
Unlike some expansive fantasy series, these novels do not require an encyclopaedia or character list to understand. However, the collection does include four appendices containing selected history, timekeeping, fauna, and facsimile documents that explain or expand on events in the novels. As with the appendices to Lord of the Rings (a comparison Robinson actively seeks), these are likely to be of interest to only a subset of readers. However, unlike Tolkien’s offerings, they are pitched more at the lay reader than the academic making that subset the majority.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection greatly. I recommend it to readers looking for fantasy that balances depth with accessibility.
I have read earlier editions of each of the novels. I received a free copy from the publisher with a request for a fair review.
This book collects Nightblade, Mystic, and Darkfire (the first three books in the Robinson’s Underrealm series), along with a series of essays on the world.
Loren has lived her entire life in a small village. her only escape from her parents abuse are her fantasies of becoming the most famous thief in the world. Until a chance encounter with a fugitive wizard convinces her to make her dreams of heroism a reality – even if the wizard doesn’t want her help. However, the world is filled with people equally as cruel as her parents, but with much more significant goals than marrying their daughter for money and social station. Tangled in another plot before she even understands the one that drew her from her home, Loren discovers that neither thievery nor deeds to inspire legends are the clear and cheerful things the tales made them seem.
Taken at the highest level, this is the classic fantasy tale of a farm hand heading of in search of adventure, complete with the conflict between plain honest peasant-craft and complex political civilisation, noble thieves, and mysterious forces. However, Robinson does not limit himself to the safe discomforts and conflicts of the chosen one trope: the child abuse threaded through the narrative is realistic rather than fairytale; and the violence by many is casual rather than only the evil of the clearly bad or justified defence of the clearly good.
While each of the three books in this collection contains a complete arc, capable of standing on its own, it also leaves threads of the greater plot hanging for later instalments. As such, this box set will reduce reader frustration in addition to any saving over the individual parts.
Loren herself is equally a mix of classic fantasy and gritty realism. Her expectations of life are straight out of a fable: stealing from the deserving, having trusted companions, slipping unseen from shadow to shadow. However, the abuse she has suffered in childhood also manifests in a very plausible ambivalence to threats: she either capitulates without attempting opposition or refuses to accept weakness. Shifting along these two axes from scene to scene, she displays archetypal yet complex reactions, making her – at first – sympathetic if occasionally irritating character. As each betrayal, reversal, and victory, challenges Loren’s view of what is possible and right her responses become more complex. However, Robinson does not fall back on the classic trope of innocence becoming realism; while Loren’s principles bring her difficulties they also bring her strength and respect.
Despite the gritty realism of life as a youth in a feudal world, the plot also contains plenty of lighter moments where Loren’s mix of cunning and naïvety conflict with expectations.
The supporting cast show a similar blend of fantasy trope and nuanced character. Decent humane guards break the law not to avoid injustice but due to specific corruption. Motherly crime lords genuinely care for the cheeky ruffians who steal for them, but also possess decidedly unsavoury habits. Warriors tasked with defeating a genuine evil disagree over suitable methods and acceptable collateral damage.
Unlike some expansive fantasy series, these novels do not require an encyclopaedia or character list to understand. However, the collection does include four appendices containing selected history, timekeeping, fauna, and facsimile documents that explain or expand on events in the novels. As with the appendices to Lord of the Rings (a comparison Robinson actively seeks), these are likely to be of interest to only a subset of readers. However, unlike Tolkien’s offerings, they are pitched more at the lay reader than the academic making that subset the majority.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection greatly. I recommend it to readers looking for fantasy that balances depth with accessibility.
I have read earlier editions of each of the novels. I received a free copy from the publisher with a request for a fair review.
September 11, 2019
Review for The Nightblade epic vol 1. By Garrett Robinson.
As a whole, this book was a nice read. I felt excited to read the book after the first chapter, mostly because it and every other chapter is so short that it's easy to read quickly. One trick I noticed the author using is hinting that there is going to be a big reveal or mystery at the end of each book and then leaving the answer at the beginning of the next book. This would be annoying, if it weren't for the fact that this was an anthology or if the questions raised at the start of the book weren't answered. Luckily both this things are fulfilled, and being able to get the answers immediately at the beginning of the next book and letting that decide how that story will play out allowed me to get back into the reading flow and heightened my connections with the world and characters.
One problem with the book (This might not apply if you haven't watched the author on YouTube or his tumblr on twitter) is that it didn't live up to the marketing of the rest of the series as an LGBT+ friendly series. There isn't any hatred or discrimination targeted towards any one from that group, but there also wasn't any character from that group in the book at all. I'm aware the author decided to make the series more LGBT+ friendly as the series went on, but the lack of any of those types of character is jarring if you follow the author on social media.
A small breakdown of each book, with spoilers for all.
Nightblade.
Introduces the world of Underrealm as well as the main character Loren who wants to be a master thief but doesn’t want to kill or hurt any innocents. A plan thrown into chaos when she decides to flee her village, join up a criminal mage, join a caravan of murderous merchants after the mage abandons her, tries to join a thieves guild after she betrays the caravan and steals away the leaders daughter - only to make an enemy of them too and be stuck inside a city where everyone is hunting her down.
A good opening to the series, with enough hints to the world, magic, and the intentions of characters to make you crave he next book. Which is conveniently in the volume.
Mystic.
Described by the author as being weaker than the first, I think he's wrong. Mystic picks up where Nightblade left off, with Loren and the Mystic in question trying to find their friends that were waiting for them at the end of the first book. The plot snowballs from there, as Loren leaves the Mystic at the urging of their mage friend, only to be pursued by another Mystic, captured by both of them, and be stuck inside another city, this time under siege. Another fun book, this is where you start to get a feeling for the world of Underrealm, where the first book was mainly focused on establishing characters. Even as the world grows, so do the characters, as Loren is challanged by each of her friends and enemies on her no killing stance, and forced to deal with the fact that this might not be viable in the world. And you watch as one character starts to fall to darkness in order to get what they need.
Dark fire.
Loren and her group of good friends + one captive bad friend, get into another fight, this time with a group of mystics and are forced to go on the run. Luckily for them, there is a path they can take that is danger free. Unluckily, that is a lie. There is danger, like, so much danger. Satyrs, harpies, cults are in the cards for Loren. This is the book that pushes her no killing rule to the limit, and how this ties into the twist at the end of the book regarding something that happened at the beginning of the first book is quite the gut punch. This book suffers the most from the what I see as the main problem with the first three books, being there isn't an overarching goal, or at least one that relates to Loren's desire to be a theif. In the first book its fine because Loren has begun to make herself known to the world and learns a neat trick for escaping, but in the second book she doesn't get anything like that, and in this book it feels like she's just reacting to dangers as they come up and not learning how to be a thief. Despite this, Dark fire itself is a fine book.
I would definitely recommend this book and the series so far.
As a whole, this book was a nice read. I felt excited to read the book after the first chapter, mostly because it and every other chapter is so short that it's easy to read quickly. One trick I noticed the author using is hinting that there is going to be a big reveal or mystery at the end of each book and then leaving the answer at the beginning of the next book. This would be annoying, if it weren't for the fact that this was an anthology or if the questions raised at the start of the book weren't answered. Luckily both this things are fulfilled, and being able to get the answers immediately at the beginning of the next book and letting that decide how that story will play out allowed me to get back into the reading flow and heightened my connections with the world and characters.
One problem with the book (This might not apply if you haven't watched the author on YouTube or his tumblr on twitter) is that it didn't live up to the marketing of the rest of the series as an LGBT+ friendly series. There isn't any hatred or discrimination targeted towards any one from that group, but there also wasn't any character from that group in the book at all. I'm aware the author decided to make the series more LGBT+ friendly as the series went on, but the lack of any of those types of character is jarring if you follow the author on social media.
A small breakdown of each book, with spoilers for all.
Nightblade.
Introduces the world of Underrealm as well as the main character Loren who wants to be a master thief but doesn’t want to kill or hurt any innocents. A plan thrown into chaos when she decides to flee her village, join up a criminal mage, join a caravan of murderous merchants after the mage abandons her, tries to join a thieves guild after she betrays the caravan and steals away the leaders daughter - only to make an enemy of them too and be stuck inside a city where everyone is hunting her down.
A good opening to the series, with enough hints to the world, magic, and the intentions of characters to make you crave he next book. Which is conveniently in the volume.
Mystic.
Described by the author as being weaker than the first, I think he's wrong. Mystic picks up where Nightblade left off, with Loren and the Mystic in question trying to find their friends that were waiting for them at the end of the first book. The plot snowballs from there, as Loren leaves the Mystic at the urging of their mage friend, only to be pursued by another Mystic, captured by both of them, and be stuck inside another city, this time under siege. Another fun book, this is where you start to get a feeling for the world of Underrealm, where the first book was mainly focused on establishing characters. Even as the world grows, so do the characters, as Loren is challanged by each of her friends and enemies on her no killing stance, and forced to deal with the fact that this might not be viable in the world. And you watch as one character starts to fall to darkness in order to get what they need.
Dark fire.
Loren and her group of good friends + one captive bad friend, get into another fight, this time with a group of mystics and are forced to go on the run. Luckily for them, there is a path they can take that is danger free. Unluckily, that is a lie. There is danger, like, so much danger. Satyrs, harpies, cults are in the cards for Loren. This is the book that pushes her no killing rule to the limit, and how this ties into the twist at the end of the book regarding something that happened at the beginning of the first book is quite the gut punch. This book suffers the most from the what I see as the main problem with the first three books, being there isn't an overarching goal, or at least one that relates to Loren's desire to be a theif. In the first book its fine because Loren has begun to make herself known to the world and learns a neat trick for escaping, but in the second book she doesn't get anything like that, and in this book it feels like she's just reacting to dangers as they come up and not learning how to be a thief. Despite this, Dark fire itself is a fine book.
I would definitely recommend this book and the series so far.
July 14, 2017
I read these books separately first, the addition of the addendum is a huge bonus.
Nightblade:
Truly epic, this book whisked me away to another world. With nonstop action, engaging characters, and scenery I could practically see (and smell).
Loren is a great heroine, with an awful past. I think she has a bright, though dangerous, future.
Mystic:
I really didn't think epic fantasy was a genre for me, but I was proved wrong with Nightblade and now even more so with Mystic.
The descriptions of the surroundings pulled me quickly into Loren's world and I could 'see' where they were at any given time.
The characters are all developing well, some have drifted into the background, but others, such as Jordel, have been thrust into the foreground and we see more of the type of person they really are.
The story is a journey, escaping from one danger only to come face to face with more. There are enemies galore, some right under Loren's nose, but she is young and still slightly naive.
The ending was astounding, graphic, and a splendid way to finish the book. It left me hoping that Loren and the children will find their dreams come to fruition, but not all tales have a happy ending....
Darkfire:
Part 3 of the Nightblade series is just as enthralling as the other books.
Loren gains strength and determination as she continues her travels, Gem grows in spirit as well as bodily and Annis finds her resolve.
The action is still gripping and often graphic, and there are some tremendous shocks to be found within the pages.
An addictive series, that's for sure and, despite how long each book is, the time flies as as Loren, Jordel and Xain cross the nine lands.
Nightblade:
Truly epic, this book whisked me away to another world. With nonstop action, engaging characters, and scenery I could practically see (and smell).
Loren is a great heroine, with an awful past. I think she has a bright, though dangerous, future.
Mystic:
I really didn't think epic fantasy was a genre for me, but I was proved wrong with Nightblade and now even more so with Mystic.
The descriptions of the surroundings pulled me quickly into Loren's world and I could 'see' where they were at any given time.
The characters are all developing well, some have drifted into the background, but others, such as Jordel, have been thrust into the foreground and we see more of the type of person they really are.
The story is a journey, escaping from one danger only to come face to face with more. There are enemies galore, some right under Loren's nose, but she is young and still slightly naive.
The ending was astounding, graphic, and a splendid way to finish the book. It left me hoping that Loren and the children will find their dreams come to fruition, but not all tales have a happy ending....
Darkfire:
Part 3 of the Nightblade series is just as enthralling as the other books.
Loren gains strength and determination as she continues her travels, Gem grows in spirit as well as bodily and Annis finds her resolve.
The action is still gripping and often graphic, and there are some tremendous shocks to be found within the pages.
An addictive series, that's for sure and, despite how long each book is, the time flies as as Loren, Jordel and Xain cross the nine lands.
May 28, 2017
The Book ''The Nightblade Epic Volume One'' Is a excellent Book which I read Ever In My Life.
The Author Garrett Robinson Presents This Book In a brilliant Way.I Read This Author First Time & This Makes Me Fan of This Author & His Writing Through This Book.The Characters in the Book presents in a Most effective & Entertaining Way,When You read this Book you didn’t find Any loss of interest As This Book Is A most interesting And Effective inspite of This is A large edition.
Here I Didn’t Mentioned The StoryLine In My review because I Didn’t want To open The Thrill 7 suspenses even Facts In The Book story line But I Appreaciate The Author To Wrote This kind of Books .
Really This is A Brilliant Book I Must Recommend To all readers,Just Read It without Any Delay.
Even If I wanted To Give The Star rating To This Book I want to give 7 Stars To This book Because of Highly recommended To read,Definataly I will follow This Author in His Future Writings As Well Because When I read This Book I find The Author Is Must Be a honour Through Reading any other Book He Wrote In Future.
So Final Recommendation For readers is To read & Find this Fantasy Fiction What I Mentioned in My review Above.
Strongly Recommend.
The Author Garrett Robinson Presents This Book In a brilliant Way.I Read This Author First Time & This Makes Me Fan of This Author & His Writing Through This Book.The Characters in the Book presents in a Most effective & Entertaining Way,When You read this Book you didn’t find Any loss of interest As This Book Is A most interesting And Effective inspite of This is A large edition.
Here I Didn’t Mentioned The StoryLine In My review because I Didn’t want To open The Thrill 7 suspenses even Facts In The Book story line But I Appreaciate The Author To Wrote This kind of Books .
Really This is A Brilliant Book I Must Recommend To all readers,Just Read It without Any Delay.
Even If I wanted To Give The Star rating To This Book I want to give 7 Stars To This book Because of Highly recommended To read,Definataly I will follow This Author in His Future Writings As Well Because When I read This Book I find The Author Is Must Be a honour Through Reading any other Book He Wrote In Future.
So Final Recommendation For readers is To read & Find this Fantasy Fiction What I Mentioned in My review Above.
Strongly Recommend.
March 18, 2017
Nightblade #1. OK, I used to read a lot of fantasy but have migrated to mystery & espionage as I've grown older. Garrett Robinson has hauled me back with this book! Well written with captivating characters and an ongoing storyline that continues to grow as the story goes. No spoiler here though.
Mystic #2. Well written with captivating characters and an ongoing storyline that continues to grow as the story goes. No spoilers here though.
Darkfire #3. AMAZING book! Well written with captivating characters and an ongoing story line that continues to grow as the story goes. If Nightblade can be compared to Tolkien's The Hobbit, then Robinson's subsequent books compare favorably to The Lord of the Rings, each better than the last. No spoilers here though, I highly recommend you to buy the book and prepare yourself for a journey into a well woven world!
Mystic #2. Well written with captivating characters and an ongoing storyline that continues to grow as the story goes. No spoilers here though.
Darkfire #3. AMAZING book! Well written with captivating characters and an ongoing story line that continues to grow as the story goes. If Nightblade can be compared to Tolkien's The Hobbit, then Robinson's subsequent books compare favorably to The Lord of the Rings, each better than the last. No spoilers here though, I highly recommend you to buy the book and prepare yourself for a journey into a well woven world!
January 25, 2019
Loving it and wanting more!
I loved this! I am totally loving this series! Strong women characters, good guys. bad guys, Human, non human, creatures. This author makes them believable.
The new addendum at the end is wonderful! It breaks stuff down answers some questions you may have while reading these books. As to who some of the people are. How they rank. How the year, month and seasons work in this time line. Where the "Underrealm" is. It does make you wonder. As there are mentions of peoples that we have not met as of yet..
I can not wait to read the next book in the series and onward. I thoroughly enjoy this author!
*Disclaimer: I got a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review.
I loved this! I am totally loving this series! Strong women characters, good guys. bad guys, Human, non human, creatures. This author makes them believable.
The new addendum at the end is wonderful! It breaks stuff down answers some questions you may have while reading these books. As to who some of the people are. How they rank. How the year, month and seasons work in this time line. Where the "Underrealm" is. It does make you wonder. As there are mentions of peoples that we have not met as of yet..
I can not wait to read the next book in the series and onward. I thoroughly enjoy this author!
*Disclaimer: I got a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review.
May 4, 2017
So this series is awesome. At first I kept finding a kind of resistance to the main character Loren, a dislike of her that changed as I realized part of her character was this naive wanderlust idealist as she learns to be better along the way of her journey. Then my perception changed and I found her very relatable.
This is an authentic fantasy experience by a masterful author with a keen eye on plot, description, characters, and dialogue.
Each book kept getting better and better, building something great while being in the moment of any given scene was exciting and gripping.
Author has a diverse cast of characters with clashing ideologies and worldviews. Highly recommend checking this out if you enjoy fantasy.
This is an authentic fantasy experience by a masterful author with a keen eye on plot, description, characters, and dialogue.
Each book kept getting better and better, building something great while being in the moment of any given scene was exciting and gripping.
Author has a diverse cast of characters with clashing ideologies and worldviews. Highly recommend checking this out if you enjoy fantasy.
May 10, 2017
Gripping from beginning to end!
Well written, inventive, this epic sucks you in. I read the original books a while back, then read this updated volume, then listened to the audible version and will do so again. There are new details and Easter eggs every time. The appendices are a great bonus too! I'll be eagerly diving into the next books and looking forward to another big volume with audible upgrade.
Well written, inventive, this epic sucks you in. I read the original books a while back, then read this updated volume, then listened to the audible version and will do so again. There are new details and Easter eggs every time. The appendices are a great bonus too! I'll be eagerly diving into the next books and looking forward to another big volume with audible upgrade.
August 26, 2017
Journey Across Underrealm
I gave this box set a rating of 5 because I loved it . The book made me cry when one of Loren's friends died and than again when she heard the news from home. I love the way that there was info on some of the characters in the back of the book. It made it where you can see the bigger picture of Underrealm. I recommend this book to anyone that loves fantasy , action and adventure. I hope everyone that reads this box set enjoys it as much as I did.
I gave this box set a rating of 5 because I loved it . The book made me cry when one of Loren's friends died and than again when she heard the news from home. I love the way that there was info on some of the characters in the back of the book. It made it where you can see the bigger picture of Underrealm. I recommend this book to anyone that loves fantasy , action and adventure. I hope everyone that reads this box set enjoys it as much as I did.
October 21, 2019
The ideas in here are great, but the characters are mostly unlikeable. And that was the biggest flaw. The ideology that each person employed wasn't really expounded upon and it left the reader wanting. Some of the content just mystified with its explanation. It is a shame since some of the concepts around the world had interest but tough to find anything or anyone to really cheer for. Kind of with this was the end and they all died. That would have made me happier than continuing.
April 11, 2018
An awesome compilation of the first 3 books of the Nightblade series. Garrett Robinson enthralls with his word-smithing, world creating, and character development. This volume also includes an additional section that provides the history of The Underrealm as well as a whole bunch of interesting things. I highly recommend this book!
March 19, 2017
This trilogy follows a group of characters as they flee from various authorities and not so savoury characters. Magic and mayhem there is, sadness and growing up of the main characters happens too as well as not knowing who to trust.
It's worth buying this as the trilogy as there is an addendum with some more information on the family of Yerrin, the merchants in which the main character Loren runs into and steals something from and so they pursue her. Some various information on how their calendar works and some more history on the wizard kings and original rulers and conquering of the Underrealm.
It's well written and easy to read and doesn't jump about all over the place confusing you with multiple stories at once.
It's worth buying this as the trilogy as there is an addendum with some more information on the family of Yerrin, the merchants in which the main character Loren runs into and steals something from and so they pursue her. Some various information on how their calendar works and some more history on the wizard kings and original rulers and conquering of the Underrealm.
It's well written and easy to read and doesn't jump about all over the place confusing you with multiple stories at once.
May 7, 2017
Main character started dumb and naive and never grew up for 3 books. very formulamatic with nothing to make it standout. I will have forgotten this book in 2 weeks. If I hadn't got 3 books in one I would not have bought the 2nd one.
October 19, 2018
The addenda at the end of this volume contain some interesting background for both characters and world. I especially enjoyed the letters at the end. Makes it feel more authentic.
I recommend getting the omnibus if you enjoyed Nightblade. If you enjoy the world, the addenda are worth it.
I recommend getting the omnibus if you enjoyed Nightblade. If you enjoy the world, the addenda are worth it.
March 20, 2019
I've been watching Garret Robinson's youtube channel off and on for the last few years. I finally got this volume for Christmas and finished it early this month. Its a funny, classic but also somewhat unique story arc within the vast fantasy fiction genre and was never dull (the only reason it took me so long to finish was due to many exciting life things and being a slow reader).
The Nightblade Epic follows the story of young runaway Loren who longs for a fresh, exciting life after leaving her abusive home situation. Along her journey she makes new allies, dangerous enemies, and decisions that could affect the fate of whole country. There are shape shifting wizards, charming child-age thieves, and friendly water-dwelling creatures.
Overall, I loved the series and I really want to read more. Parts of the book made me laugh out loud while others made me almost cry. The book's writing and structure is solid throughout, improving with each book. I'm looking forward to reading more.
The Nightblade Epic follows the story of young runaway Loren who longs for a fresh, exciting life after leaving her abusive home situation. Along her journey she makes new allies, dangerous enemies, and decisions that could affect the fate of whole country. There are shape shifting wizards, charming child-age thieves, and friendly water-dwelling creatures.
Overall, I loved the series and I really want to read more. Parts of the book made me laugh out loud while others made me almost cry. The book's writing and structure is solid throughout, improving with each book. I'm looking forward to reading more.
September 14, 2019
A good read.
A good read. Entertaining. Reasonably well developed characters and interesting if not overly complex storyline which can be good and allows your to rattle through at a good pace.
A good read. Entertaining. Reasonably well developed characters and interesting if not overly complex storyline which can be good and allows your to rattle through at a good pace.
October 4, 2018
2.5 stars. Started out OK but then just petered out into a boring "coming of age story" about a girl who never actually seems to "come of age". DNF second book of trilogy
June 8, 2020
Cannot say that I could get past the childish behavior, plots or characters. Will stop at the first novel.
August 8, 2020
A very enjoyable read! The action and honor among the main characters is amazing. I really enjoy the build up of Loren's lore and the start of an epic story: Nightblade.
March 17, 2017
Amazing is all I can say. Every book in this series is so enjoyable. Loved being able to help review
March 14, 2017
YA, with no depth, but not a bad way to spend a few hours.
(Momma G's Husband) As the lede suggests. Better written than many at the price, but not re readable, no depth here.
(Momma G's Husband) As the lede suggests. Better written than many at the price, but not re readable, no depth here.
February 27, 2017
The plot thickens
The world keeps getting larger and the story deeper. A sad ending but a very good book. Can't wait for the next one
The world keeps getting larger and the story deeper. A sad ending but a very good book. Can't wait for the next one
February 22, 2017
For young adults, in this book three kids meet two wizards and have a fun adventure in every chapter. Our heroine says she is traveling "with no plan and no purpose". Too bad. A good story needs those things.
May 21, 2016
The Nightblade Epic
I have just finished reading books 1-4 of the Nightblade Epic. As the first three books were in a bundle, I decided to simply write a review encompassing the series to date.
Loren is a strong, tall, young woman who has grown up in the woods. Her father is a forester, and as such has passed on his skills to his only child. Loren longs for the day when she can be free of her family, for the physical and emotional abuse is substantial. Finally getting her chance, she embarks on an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. From the beginning, ill luck seems to dodge her every step. But along the way, she makes some very interesting friends, and some that may not be friends at all.
There really isn't much that I can say about this story without adding spoilers. Suffice it to say, it moves rather quickly and will keep you interested until the end.
Loren is the main character, and she has a rather strange rule. She is determined to never kill anyone. Ever. For any reason. Now, I understand the reasoning, but the sheer amount of times that she puts everyone in danger by refusing to kill is absurd. Also, I have a hard time believing that a girl (a 15 year old girl at that) is capable of repeatedly rendering grown men unconscious without ever sustaining injuries herself. It makes for a good story line, but too far-fetched for my tastes.
. For me, Loren is not very likable in the first 2 books. She grows more endearing as time goes by, thankfully. There is a great supporting cast of characters, all with their own individuality. The author does a great job of making each character seem real. The characters growth throughout the series is gradual and believable as well.
I did have a problem with Annis always being referred to as a child (even though it is mentioned that she is 12 ) when Loren is treated as an adult throughout the series (and is only 15).
All in all, I would say that this is a relatively good fantasy series. I am off to read book 4, Shadebo
I have just finished reading books 1-4 of the Nightblade Epic. As the first three books were in a bundle, I decided to simply write a review encompassing the series to date.
Loren is a strong, tall, young woman who has grown up in the woods. Her father is a forester, and as such has passed on his skills to his only child. Loren longs for the day when she can be free of her family, for the physical and emotional abuse is substantial. Finally getting her chance, she embarks on an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. From the beginning, ill luck seems to dodge her every step. But along the way, she makes some very interesting friends, and some that may not be friends at all.
There really isn't much that I can say about this story without adding spoilers. Suffice it to say, it moves rather quickly and will keep you interested until the end.
Loren is the main character, and she has a rather strange rule. She is determined to never kill anyone. Ever. For any reason. Now, I understand the reasoning, but the sheer amount of times that she puts everyone in danger by refusing to kill is absurd. Also, I have a hard time believing that a girl (a 15 year old girl at that) is capable of repeatedly rendering grown men unconscious without ever sustaining injuries herself. It makes for a good story line, but too far-fetched for my tastes.
. For me, Loren is not very likable in the first 2 books. She grows more endearing as time goes by, thankfully. There is a great supporting cast of characters, all with their own individuality. The author does a great job of making each character seem real. The characters growth throughout the series is gradual and believable as well.
I did have a problem with Annis always being referred to as a child (even though it is mentioned that she is 12 ) when Loren is treated as an adult throughout the series (and is only 15).
All in all, I would say that this is a relatively good fantasy series. I am off to read book 4, Shadebo
February 14, 2018
This book was awesome.
I first read all the Nightblade Books (1-3) individually. Then I got my hands on this and read all the bonus content. What an adventure!
I really got to see the character go from a fumbling girl who doesn't know what she's doing to a competent adventurer. I fell in love with all the main characters in the book and found myself fully emersed in the story.
The bonus content gave me extra "secrets" and backstories to the characters. This gave me an even better understand of Underrealm.
I first read all the Nightblade Books (1-3) individually. Then I got my hands on this and read all the bonus content. What an adventure!
I really got to see the character go from a fumbling girl who doesn't know what she's doing to a competent adventurer. I fell in love with all the main characters in the book and found myself fully emersed in the story.
The bonus content gave me extra "secrets" and backstories to the characters. This gave me an even better understand of Underrealm.
Read
February 1, 2016As all three books in this "trilogy" were relatively quick reads, I decided to read all three before reviewing. After reading them, I feel a single review will suffice. Certainly the books need to be read in order--there's little or no recapping of the previous story in the sequels.
I found these books to be extremely frustrating. The story starts out with an element of a plot--a young girl raised by abusive parents dreams of making a name for herself as a thief--but that the books all but abandon that story line in short order. Once or twice we see a legend of Nightblade start to develop, but then the author drops the ball and we're just left with a bunch of characters wandering around here and there. There's no real quest, no real sense of direction. Jordel has a "higher purpose" of sorts that motivate his pursuit of Xian, but the fact that it basically isn't shared with Loren (and us as readers) for a long time left me feeling almost as though the author himself didn't really know what Jordel's motivation was and was just kind of killing time until he figured something out.
Truthfully, I felt like all three books were just the author rambling without direction. The characters never seem to really know where they are going, or why they should choose one dirction over another. Nothing is really resolved in either of the first two books. They end almost with a sense of "okay, here's a good stopping point, let's send this off to the publisher and start the next book."
The fact that the "trilogy" ends on a cliffhanger only perpetuates my impression that the author has no real plan but is just following whimsy where it might take him.
Overall I found the books readable enough to continue with the next, but I suspect unless there's some major plot development in book 4 that I may not continue after that. Based on the fact the first 3 books are in a collection called "The First Trilogy," I don't hold out much hope for a quick ending.
Two and a half stars.
I found these books to be extremely frustrating. The story starts out with an element of a plot--a young girl raised by abusive parents dreams of making a name for herself as a thief--but that the books all but abandon that story line in short order. Once or twice we see a legend of Nightblade start to develop, but then the author drops the ball and we're just left with a bunch of characters wandering around here and there. There's no real quest, no real sense of direction. Jordel has a "higher purpose" of sorts that motivate his pursuit of Xian, but the fact that it basically isn't shared with Loren (and us as readers) for a long time left me feeling almost as though the author himself didn't really know what Jordel's motivation was and was just kind of killing time until he figured something out.
Truthfully, I felt like all three books were just the author rambling without direction. The characters never seem to really know where they are going, or why they should choose one dirction over another. Nothing is really resolved in either of the first two books. They end almost with a sense of "okay, here's a good stopping point, let's send this off to the publisher and start the next book."
The fact that the "trilogy" ends on a cliffhanger only perpetuates my impression that the author has no real plan but is just following whimsy where it might take him.
Overall I found the books readable enough to continue with the next, but I suspect unless there's some major plot development in book 4 that I may not continue after that. Based on the fact the first 3 books are in a collection called "The First Trilogy," I don't hold out much hope for a quick ending.
Two and a half stars.
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