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The Silent Champions #3-4, 0.5
Warriors of Blood and Shadow: Boxed Set 2
To save a kingdom from utter destruction by an unstoppable enemy, is there any cost too high?
Victory against the Blood Queen’s horde came at a steep price for Captain Aravon.
His elite unit is exhausted, battered, and isolated in hostile territory. His mentor and surrogate father lies murdered. In the upper echelons of his realm’s capital city, a traitor sells secrets to the enemy—secrets that could turn the tide of war against the Legionnaires.
Aravon and his Grim Reavers must survive not only betrayal in their own ranks, but a foe more savage and cunning than any they’ve defeated. Can the Silent Champions withstand the full might of the rampaging barbarians to save their kingdom one last time...even if they have to sacrifice their lives to succeed?
Victory against the Blood Queen’s horde came at a steep price for Captain Aravon.
His elite unit is exhausted, battered, and isolated in hostile territory. His mentor and surrogate father lies murdered. In the upper echelons of his realm’s capital city, a traitor sells secrets to the enemy—secrets that could turn the tide of war against the Legionnaires.
Aravon and his Grim Reavers must survive not only betrayal in their own ranks, but a foe more savage and cunning than any they’ve defeated. Can the Silent Champions withstand the full might of the rampaging barbarians to save their kingdom one last time...even if they have to sacrifice their lives to succeed?
- GenresFantasyMilitary Fiction
1884 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2020
221 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Andy Peloquin
89 books1,290 followersI am, first and foremost, a storyteller and an artist--words are my palette. Fantasy is my genre of choice, and I love to explore the darker side of human nature through the filter of fantasy heroes, villains, and everything in between. I'm also a freelance writer, a book lover, and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend hours talking about my fascination for the worlds I encounter in the pages of fantasy novels.
Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle--it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!
Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle--it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 11, 2020
Spectacular! The rest of the story...and what a story it is! Absolutely amazing conclusion to a fabulous series. Another Andy Peloquin must read!
Steel and Valor - Wow! Non-stop action! The Grim Reavers need to get the Duke’s body back to Icespire and identify & stop the traitor, without being killed first! Great character development and several nods other Peloquin series. Absolutely fabulous! A great story, told well, and wrapped up nicely. I look forward to Captain Snarl & companies next adventure and wish them the best of luck!
Courage to Sacrifice - Outstanding! A final impossible mission to end the threat from Tyr Farbjodr. The Grim Reavers are joined by the Deadheads in an action packed race against time, distance, untold enemies, impossible situations, and one twist even I missed the signs for (wow!). As always, wonderful characters, tons of amazing action & adventure, a fabulous story, and a deep understanding of what motivates a person. Loved this series!
The Last March - Excellent! The tragic story of the fall of Highcliff Motte and the sealing of the Eastern pass in the Sawtooth Mountains. We get to meet Captain Lingram when he is just a boy and learn how he became the only survivor. A deeply moving and extremely well written story. Loved it!
Steel and Valor - Wow! Non-stop action! The Grim Reavers need to get the Duke’s body back to Icespire and identify & stop the traitor, without being killed first! Great character development and several nods other Peloquin series. Absolutely fabulous! A great story, told well, and wrapped up nicely. I look forward to Captain Snarl & companies next adventure and wish them the best of luck!
Courage to Sacrifice - Outstanding! A final impossible mission to end the threat from Tyr Farbjodr. The Grim Reavers are joined by the Deadheads in an action packed race against time, distance, untold enemies, impossible situations, and one twist even I missed the signs for (wow!). As always, wonderful characters, tons of amazing action & adventure, a fabulous story, and a deep understanding of what motivates a person. Loved this series!
The Last March - Excellent! The tragic story of the fall of Highcliff Motte and the sealing of the Eastern pass in the Sawtooth Mountains. We get to meet Captain Lingram when he is just a boy and learn how he became the only survivor. A deeply moving and extremely well written story. Loved it!
April 13, 2023
Great conclusion to a nice series.
The final installments of the Grim Reavers series was a very fun read and enjoyable. The addendum of the history of the Highcliff episode was an interesting look into Captain Lindgram’s history as well. I also enjoyed the reappearance of the remnants of the legion from section 2.5, and their eventual inclusion as the Deadheads.
I really enjoyed the conclusion of the Grim Reavers adventures. The two books moved very well and had plenty of excitement and adventure. The book was able to both create a sense of attachment to the Grim Reavers and allow us to see their history and fully flesh our their characters. We were able to see the dynamic as a crack military detachment, composed of unique individuals each with specialized talents that they showed multiple times. We were also able to see how they begin to develop interpersonally as a tight knit family.
I really enjoyed how you were able to see Aravon slowly develop the relationship which each member but in a unique way.
The amount of combat in book 3 was amazing. From holding the mine to the siege of Icespire, it seems like the book 3 is nonstop action. This is big departure from book 4 that really hits the greater world building and overland adventuring, not that the climatic battle is to be missed. I really liked how Mr. Peloquin is really able to write to both aspects well and really make me excited to keep reading. He is able to use the characters in a way that makes you invested in them and when things go south, you really feel their pain and distress.
I was very impressed with the first collection of the Grim Reavers and the second collection did not disappoint. The reward at the end of book 4 felt like an earned accomplishment and not a trivial way to end the books. I would definitely recommend these for any fan of military fantasy. I am sad to see the Grim Reavers move on but look forward to further forays into Mr. Peloquin’s world.
The final installments of the Grim Reavers series was a very fun read and enjoyable. The addendum of the history of the Highcliff episode was an interesting look into Captain Lindgram’s history as well. I also enjoyed the reappearance of the remnants of the legion from section 2.5, and their eventual inclusion as the Deadheads.
I really enjoyed the conclusion of the Grim Reavers adventures. The two books moved very well and had plenty of excitement and adventure. The book was able to both create a sense of attachment to the Grim Reavers and allow us to see their history and fully flesh our their characters. We were able to see the dynamic as a crack military detachment, composed of unique individuals each with specialized talents that they showed multiple times. We were also able to see how they begin to develop interpersonally as a tight knit family.
I really enjoyed how you were able to see Aravon slowly develop the relationship which each member but in a unique way.
The amount of combat in book 3 was amazing. From holding the mine to the siege of Icespire, it seems like the book 3 is nonstop action. This is big departure from book 4 that really hits the greater world building and overland adventuring, not that the climatic battle is to be missed. I really liked how Mr. Peloquin is really able to write to both aspects well and really make me excited to keep reading. He is able to use the characters in a way that makes you invested in them and when things go south, you really feel their pain and distress.
I was very impressed with the first collection of the Grim Reavers and the second collection did not disappoint. The reward at the end of book 4 felt like an earned accomplishment and not a trivial way to end the books. I would definitely recommend these for any fan of military fantasy. I am sad to see the Grim Reavers move on but look forward to further forays into Mr. Peloquin’s world.
November 9, 2021
Good Start, Books 1-2, Readable YA but gets repetitive, redundant, inconsistent
Good start kept me reading but by book 3, author gets repetitive and starts moralizing repeatedly over same topics. I don’t mind in the beginning of a series to ensure I understand but by book 3….and it’s the same things over n over. War(it’s bad but sometimes you have to wage it), family, morals, author’s world, characters’ quirks n background, weapons, bad guys, etc, etc. Everything was fair game, over n over.
Started skimming in book 3 and major league thereafter. Became annoying and didn’t lose any storyline from skimming. The plot also suffered from inconsistencies and subplots that didn’t add anything but word count.
Action was overwhelming and lost meaning, perspective. Author probably knew about Roman Legions and Medieval weapons but didn’t demonstrate any real Military tactics n strategy.
All the repetitive verbiage that started to distract and at one point the author adds more characters and doesn’t develop them. Besides, they’re ‘just legionnaires’ and not elite as the MC’s. Maybe some elite military thinks that way but when they join your unit…they’re family now.
I wanted to find out how the author was going to end this, because of the original start and plot. Then…..see above.
Good starting plot and ideas that went under the bus. If not for start, maybe a two star….but I wouldn’t have continued. Won’t read this author again.
Good start kept me reading but by book 3, author gets repetitive and starts moralizing repeatedly over same topics. I don’t mind in the beginning of a series to ensure I understand but by book 3….and it’s the same things over n over. War(it’s bad but sometimes you have to wage it), family, morals, author’s world, characters’ quirks n background, weapons, bad guys, etc, etc. Everything was fair game, over n over.
Started skimming in book 3 and major league thereafter. Became annoying and didn’t lose any storyline from skimming. The plot also suffered from inconsistencies and subplots that didn’t add anything but word count.
Action was overwhelming and lost meaning, perspective. Author probably knew about Roman Legions and Medieval weapons but didn’t demonstrate any real Military tactics n strategy.
All the repetitive verbiage that started to distract and at one point the author adds more characters and doesn’t develop them. Besides, they’re ‘just legionnaires’ and not elite as the MC’s. Maybe some elite military thinks that way but when they join your unit…they’re family now.
I wanted to find out how the author was going to end this, because of the original start and plot. Then…..see above.
Good starting plot and ideas that went under the bus. If not for start, maybe a two star….but I wouldn’t have continued. Won’t read this author again.
May 5, 2021
This is a continuation of Warriors of Blood and Shadows Box 1. I jumped immediately from Box 1 to Box 2 and read straight through it. I cried through most of book 4 which surprised me.
And the author leads you to another series based in this same world with characters he has already introduced in this series. Very smart.
If you like military fiction, you will like this I think, though this book has more head stuff from the characters than the previous boxed set. I liked it. Your mileage may vary. I say give it a go, but for sure start with the first collection.
If is more your style, he has a series like that too. I may go to that one next, since I already have it.
And the author leads you to another series based in this same world with characters he has already introduced in this series. Very smart.
If you like military fiction, you will like this I think, though this book has more head stuff from the characters than the previous boxed set. I liked it. Your mileage may vary. I say give it a go, but for sure start with the first collection.
If is more your style, he has a series like that too. I may go to that one next, since I already have it.
November 2, 2020
A world and a story that won’t leave you alone
So, how many gruesome battles can you read about in one book? This series is full of very realistic battles and ways to die and that is the only point of criticism I have: it is a little bit too much. That said, the stories and characters are great and it is really hard to put the books away. Anyone who is into new worlds, tribes, rituals and religions while reading very well developed and written stories will find Andy Peloquin stands shoulder to shoulder with the very best fantasy writers.
So, how many gruesome battles can you read about in one book? This series is full of very realistic battles and ways to die and that is the only point of criticism I have: it is a little bit too much. That said, the stories and characters are great and it is really hard to put the books away. Anyone who is into new worlds, tribes, rituals and religions while reading very well developed and written stories will find Andy Peloquin stands shoulder to shoulder with the very best fantasy writers.
September 4, 2020
Riveting, suspenseful, emotional tale.
One of the best series I have read. I laughed, cried, angered and felt every emotion of the characters in this series. You could not help but feel everything from all the grim reavers and the duke. Snarl was a perfect character to include in the series. I have never felt the emotional roller coaster of feelings I felt reading this series.
Andy, keep up the amazing writing.
One of the best series I have read. I laughed, cried, angered and felt every emotion of the characters in this series. You could not help but feel everything from all the grim reavers and the duke. Snarl was a perfect character to include in the series. I have never felt the emotional roller coaster of feelings I felt reading this series.
Andy, keep up the amazing writing.
December 18, 2021
Small team tactics on an epic backdrop
I started reading this as an aside while waiting for the second assassin instalment to come out. It really blew my mind. Really liking Andy’s world and work. If you like small team tactical reading on an epic scale, you will like this. I rated 5 because it’s well written and intricate. Good stuff.
I started reading this as an aside while waiting for the second assassin instalment to come out. It really blew my mind. Really liking Andy’s world and work. If you like small team tactical reading on an epic scale, you will like this. I rated 5 because it’s well written and intricate. Good stuff.
May 25, 2023
A Good Read
The was great, and the story vowed really well. The only thing that didn't make since, was one book said that Linghram saw the leader in the heart, but he couldn't have because in the last book when Kulton shot the leader in the heart, he was out of sight in the secrete entrance. Other than that a great, and would recommend.
The was great, and the story vowed really well. The only thing that didn't make since, was one book said that Linghram saw the leader in the heart, but he couldn't have because in the last book when Kulton shot the leader in the heart, he was out of sight in the secrete entrance. Other than that a great, and would recommend.
March 16, 2021
Fast, gory and different
Like: very different to what I’ve read to date;
The heroes are very protective of fellow people and children;
The villains are the total opposite.
Dislike: rather very gory;
Like: very different to what I’ve read to date;
The heroes are very protective of fellow people and children;
The villains are the total opposite.
Dislike: rather very gory;
April 17, 2021
Fantastic
A twist on every page, making u read until u can read no more this day and awaiting the next days to follow on the gripping awesome tale that unfolds before your your eyes.
A twist on every page, making u read until u can read no more this day and awaiting the next days to follow on the gripping awesome tale that unfolds before your your eyes.
September 20, 2021
Great story lines
Really enjoyed the characters and the throw back timeline. Refreshingly new compared to my usual reads. Like the trip back to how life with it’s trials and tribulations are depicted. Seems like we take a lot for granted.
Really enjoyed the characters and the throw back timeline. Refreshingly new compared to my usual reads. Like the trip back to how life with it’s trials and tribulations are depicted. Seems like we take a lot for granted.
January 22, 2023
Lots of fun, feeling and furor.
The battles were epic, the action fully described. This writer communicates much of the horrors and triumphs of war. His characters are well developed and thought provoking.
The battles were epic, the action fully described. This writer communicates much of the horrors and triumphs of war. His characters are well developed and thought provoking.
October 9, 2020
Very good series of books
February 1, 2021
Outstanding series
An outstanding series lots of action and characters you want to stand up and cheer for. One of the best fantasy series I have read for some time
An outstanding series lots of action and characters you want to stand up and cheer for. One of the best fantasy series I have read for some time
March 13, 2021
Best story ever!
Best reading I have had in a long time! So well written, it is hard to stop. I look forward to more. Thank you!
Best reading I have had in a long time! So well written, it is hard to stop. I look forward to more. Thank you!
April 18, 2021
The Roman Legion vs The Vikings
I can not remember a military saga that I enjoyed more than this one. Gripping stoty telling, great characters, what more could you ask for!
I can not remember a military saga that I enjoyed more than this one. Gripping stoty telling, great characters, what more could you ask for!
October 12, 2025
Excellent
Second time reading this and enjoyed it as much as the first. If you want a can't put down well written series this is it
Second time reading this and enjoyed it as much as the first. If you want a can't put down well written series this is it
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews