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Unraveling the Veil #1
Liars and Thieves
Behind the Veil, the hordes gather, eager to savage the world. But Kalann il Drakk, First of Chaos, is untroubled by the shimmering wall that holds his beasts at bay. For if he cannot cleanse the land of life, the races will do it for him. All he needs is a spark to light the fire.
Three unlikely allies stand in his way.
A misfit elf plagued by failure—
When Elanalue Windthorn abandons her soldiers to hunt a goblin, she strays into forbidden territory.
A changeling who betrays his home—
Talin Raska is a talented liar, thief, and spy. He makes a fatal mistake—he falls for his mark.
A halfbreed goblin with deadly secrets—
Naj’ar is a loner with a talent he doesn’t understand and cannot control, one that threatens all he holds dear.
When the spark of Chaos ignites, miners go missing. But they won’t be the last to vanish. As the cycles of blame whirl through the Borderland, old animosities flare, accusations break bonds, and war looms.
Three outcasts, thrust into an alliance by fate, by oaths, and the churning gears of calamity, must learn the truth. For they hold the future of their world in their hands.
Three unlikely allies stand in his way.
A misfit elf plagued by failure—
When Elanalue Windthorn abandons her soldiers to hunt a goblin, she strays into forbidden territory.
A changeling who betrays his home—
Talin Raska is a talented liar, thief, and spy. He makes a fatal mistake—he falls for his mark.
A halfbreed goblin with deadly secrets—
Naj’ar is a loner with a talent he doesn’t understand and cannot control, one that threatens all he holds dear.
When the spark of Chaos ignites, miners go missing. But they won’t be the last to vanish. As the cycles of blame whirl through the Borderland, old animosities flare, accusations break bonds, and war looms.
Three outcasts, thrust into an alliance by fate, by oaths, and the churning gears of calamity, must learn the truth. For they hold the future of their world in their hands.
- GenresFantasy
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2020
11 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
D. Wallace Peach
24 books176 followersI didn’t care for reading as a child – I preferred Bonanza and Beverly Hillbillies reruns, Saturday morning cartoons and the Ed Sullivan show. Then one day, I opened a book titled The Hobbit.
Tolkien … literally changed my life.
I love to write. It’s a luxury I never expected I’d have time for – life got in the way. You know how that goes – kids, work, chores… sleep. I worked for 18 years in business where amassing coin was the all-consuming objective. It required huge amounts of time and mental energy. And for me personally, it was soul-slaying.
Then on September 11, 2001 two planes flew into the World Trade Center. I was working in Connecticut, about 2 hours from ground zero, and remember sitting in a conference room, watching the second tower fall.
That tragedy initiated a process of redefinition for me, an evaluation of what was vital and important. Life felt short and precarious, and I started to wonder if it was time to do something that actually mattered. I began to write.
Tolkien … literally changed my life.
I love to write. It’s a luxury I never expected I’d have time for – life got in the way. You know how that goes – kids, work, chores… sleep. I worked for 18 years in business where amassing coin was the all-consuming objective. It required huge amounts of time and mental energy. And for me personally, it was soul-slaying.
Then on September 11, 2001 two planes flew into the World Trade Center. I was working in Connecticut, about 2 hours from ground zero, and remember sitting in a conference room, watching the second tower fall.
That tragedy initiated a process of redefinition for me, an evaluation of what was vital and important. Life felt short and precarious, and I started to wonder if it was time to do something that actually mattered. I began to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 19, 2021
Author D. Wallace Peach imbues a wonderful level of complexity, imagination, and drama in Liars and Thieves, the first book in her Unraveling the Veil series. What, you ask, is the veil? Darkness. Truth. Power. Much more... and three different races are in search of solving the dilemma for someone wielding all the control. Someone will go to any length, and all 3 main characters have been trapped in the Force's desire... from crystals to betrayal, trust and pure hope, everyone in this book has a purpose that comes together with a strong drive to reach their goals.
Not my usual genre or read, I often sample others to learn from the authors, experience a different world to temporarily visit, or test my reading comfort zones. Peach dazzles readers with a fantasy unlike others, using her creativity to paint pictures of the unknown and the scary, the highly imaginative and the magical. At its core, there is a multi-layered story about the lengths one will go to in order to save / protect, obtain power, survive. I found it highly appropriate to read this in the fall and around Halloween, not because the book is scary or contains similar themes, but the thought of elves, goblins, and changelings is elevated by the spirit of the season. A good representation of the value of an oath versus the desire to do the 'right' thing.
Not my usual genre or read, I often sample others to learn from the authors, experience a different world to temporarily visit, or test my reading comfort zones. Peach dazzles readers with a fantasy unlike others, using her creativity to paint pictures of the unknown and the scary, the highly imaginative and the magical. At its core, there is a multi-layered story about the lengths one will go to in order to save / protect, obtain power, survive. I found it highly appropriate to read this in the fall and around Halloween, not because the book is scary or contains similar themes, but the thought of elves, goblins, and changelings is elevated by the spirit of the season. A good representation of the value of an oath versus the desire to do the 'right' thing.
September 2, 2020
Goblins, elves, and changelings—they’d lived together for ages in an uneasy peace, in a world where only a Veil separated them from their gods. They’d successfully shared their world, but it was unclear if they could continue to share its resources.
All of them desired crystals. The goblins mined them, elves needed them to power their weapons and homes, and changelings used to them to shift shape. Goblins trusted no one—they carefully rationed the crystals available to their rivals. Elves knew better than to trust the lesser races—goblins were grasping and changelings were nothing but thieves. And changelings knew better than to trust either of them. Elves collared changelings and prevented them from shifting shape, and goblins were a humorless lot who cared only for amassing wealth.
But now their world is literally coming apart. A rash of earthquakes causes losses from all three races, and all of them are certain that one of the others is at fault. Alue, an elf, the goblin Naj, and the shapeshifter Talin all try to solve the mystery and save their people. But what hasn’t occurred to any of them is that someone beyond the Veil might be responsible. And if they can’t see past their own prejudices to figure out how to defeat an immortal, the Lord of Chaos may well defeat them all.
Fantasy readers sometimes argue over the most important elements of a good book. Is it unique world building, characters who seem to live and breathe of their own accord, or a plot that just never lets up? Snappy dialogue, intense action sequences, and characters who struggle to grow—these are all elements that writers labor to incorporate into their work.
Fear not. Liars and Thieves has all these things. A solid, compelling read—highly recommended.
All of them desired crystals. The goblins mined them, elves needed them to power their weapons and homes, and changelings used to them to shift shape. Goblins trusted no one—they carefully rationed the crystals available to their rivals. Elves knew better than to trust the lesser races—goblins were grasping and changelings were nothing but thieves. And changelings knew better than to trust either of them. Elves collared changelings and prevented them from shifting shape, and goblins were a humorless lot who cared only for amassing wealth.
But now their world is literally coming apart. A rash of earthquakes causes losses from all three races, and all of them are certain that one of the others is at fault. Alue, an elf, the goblin Naj, and the shapeshifter Talin all try to solve the mystery and save their people. But what hasn’t occurred to any of them is that someone beyond the Veil might be responsible. And if they can’t see past their own prejudices to figure out how to defeat an immortal, the Lord of Chaos may well defeat them all.
Fantasy readers sometimes argue over the most important elements of a good book. Is it unique world building, characters who seem to live and breathe of their own accord, or a plot that just never lets up? Snappy dialogue, intense action sequences, and characters who struggle to grow—these are all elements that writers labor to incorporate into their work.
Fear not. Liars and Thieves has all these things. A solid, compelling read—highly recommended.
September 3, 2020
If you've read D. Wallace Peach's Rose Shield series, you know she's a master of fantasy world-building and creating multi-layered, memorable characters. Peach does this to the nth degree in Liars and Thieves, so much so, that I know this is a book I'm going to want to read a few times to fully grasp its complexities and richness.
Liars and Thieves sees a world of three races commingle with mistrust and simmering unease, as they go about their day to day lives. Elves live a high-life of wealth and privilege, spoilt and pampered, but solely dependent on crystals mined by goblins to live their decadent lifestyles. The goblins (easily my favourite race), embrace logic in their austere world beneath the Raveen mountains and dole out crystals to the dependent races sparingly. Changelings, duplicitous, unpredictable, and wild, live in their forest...when they aren't spying on the other races.
Into this melting pot of tension, folk of all three races begin disappearing, and it's up to three misaligned, reluctant adventurers, to set aside their animosity toward one another, their inherent mistrust and deep-seated hostility, and learn to work together to uncover the truth behind the disappearances.
Liars and Thieves is a literary treat, brimming with Peach's trademark deliciously descriptive passages, filled with exceptionally well-thought-out world-building and lore, and chock full of interesting characters. I am hooked on this series, madly in love with one of the lead characters, and cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you've read Peach before, you know you're in for a treat. If you haven't, what the heck is wrong with you?
Liars and Thieves sees a world of three races commingle with mistrust and simmering unease, as they go about their day to day lives. Elves live a high-life of wealth and privilege, spoilt and pampered, but solely dependent on crystals mined by goblins to live their decadent lifestyles. The goblins (easily my favourite race), embrace logic in their austere world beneath the Raveen mountains and dole out crystals to the dependent races sparingly. Changelings, duplicitous, unpredictable, and wild, live in their forest...when they aren't spying on the other races.
Into this melting pot of tension, folk of all three races begin disappearing, and it's up to three misaligned, reluctant adventurers, to set aside their animosity toward one another, their inherent mistrust and deep-seated hostility, and learn to work together to uncover the truth behind the disappearances.
Liars and Thieves is a literary treat, brimming with Peach's trademark deliciously descriptive passages, filled with exceptionally well-thought-out world-building and lore, and chock full of interesting characters. I am hooked on this series, madly in love with one of the lead characters, and cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you've read Peach before, you know you're in for a treat. If you haven't, what the heck is wrong with you?
September 3, 2020
D. Wallace Peach builds an awesome aura in her exquisite style, before transporting you into a fantasyland inhabited by elves, goblins and changelings. Oscillating between darkness and light, ‘Liars and Thieves’ explores all the possibilities of a truce between the old foes, pretending to be friends. Goblins consider themselves to be superior, as they have extraordinary minds with excellent engineering skills. They mine crystals, which are needed to power the lanterns, heat water, run their homes and businesses and protect them.
Elfin people are arrogant, competitive, dismissive of treaties and laws and don’t hesitate to trespass and tunnel into goblin mountains to steal their crystals. It is interesting to note that they know emotional aches. Evil runs through the Borderland, as trust has been lost between the clans. Nobody is pristine but they blame each other. The fear of retaliation and war looms large over them. Wisdom, confidence and boldness could help but who would outshine is the question!
This book moves at a steady pace, with a focus on Alue, Talin and Naj. Peach keeps a careful balance between all three but Alue won my heart despite all her failures and disappointments. She is irrational, driven by anger and impulses, and is bold enough to charge alone into goblin territory, unfazed by the consequences. Naj appears to be a coward though he is a conniver. Talin is like a double-edged sword, quite unpredictable. Peach’s superb character crafting is the highlight of the first book in the series besides building a vibrant realm that promises to pulsate with action in the next book.
Elfin people are arrogant, competitive, dismissive of treaties and laws and don’t hesitate to trespass and tunnel into goblin mountains to steal their crystals. It is interesting to note that they know emotional aches. Evil runs through the Borderland, as trust has been lost between the clans. Nobody is pristine but they blame each other. The fear of retaliation and war looms large over them. Wisdom, confidence and boldness could help but who would outshine is the question!
This book moves at a steady pace, with a focus on Alue, Talin and Naj. Peach keeps a careful balance between all three but Alue won my heart despite all her failures and disappointments. She is irrational, driven by anger and impulses, and is bold enough to charge alone into goblin territory, unfazed by the consequences. Naj appears to be a coward though he is a conniver. Talin is like a double-edged sword, quite unpredictable. Peach’s superb character crafting is the highlight of the first book in the series besides building a vibrant realm that promises to pulsate with action in the next book.
November 7, 2020
D. Wallace Peach's latest fantasy novel, Liars and Thieves (2020), Book 1 in her new fantasy series, Unraveling the Veil, is one of those stories you wish you could read again for the first time. The concept is simple--bad guys cause havoc and good guys must stop them. What makes it a story you won't forget is how Peach reveals the characters, the plot, and the amazing world where they live:
"...they fed the Veil’s mass with heat harvested from the mountains’ core, from pristine forests and wildflower meadows, from creatures of hoof and wing. All withered, browned, and blackened. Then they stole the light from the dawn."
xx
"The Veil thinned and solidified, releasing the energetic mass that had fortified it against the storm."
Her choice of words, always spot on, are never wasted:
xx
"...the ambition of a well-fed cat on a sunny sill."
xx
"Then they stole the light from the dawn."
xx
"He sniffed the air. Scents of blue snow and dank earth mingled with something new—the electric tang of power."
The stunning reality she has built includes an eclectric mix of elves, changelings, and goblins, some purebred and others mixed, and all the problems and challenges that go with different cultures intermingling. To stop chaotic events that could destroy the world, these folks find themselves working with old enemies, relying on those they previously distrusted, and discovering new alliances. Though presented as a fantasy world, it will remind you of real-life. As you read, you will never really know what the truth is, when something you thought you knew turns out to be upside down. This made for an excitingly fresh tale like few I've ever read. The detail she includes is riveting and in large part why you will think this world could really exist. To give you an example, read Diana's explanation of what happens to an individual's bones, hair, organs, and muscles when switching from animal to human.
"The skeletal changes came first. He sank to his knees as his oblong skull crushed inward at the muzzle and bulged in the cranium. His neck compressed. Shoulder blades and ribcage shrank while hip bones expanded and rearranged their connections to fibulae and spine."
As with every book Peach has written, her world building is believable, her characters likable, and her plot never stops surprising readers. Grab a copy, sit back, and enjoy.
"...they fed the Veil’s mass with heat harvested from the mountains’ core, from pristine forests and wildflower meadows, from creatures of hoof and wing. All withered, browned, and blackened. Then they stole the light from the dawn."
xx
"The Veil thinned and solidified, releasing the energetic mass that had fortified it against the storm."
Her choice of words, always spot on, are never wasted:
xx
"...the ambition of a well-fed cat on a sunny sill."
xx
"Then they stole the light from the dawn."
xx
"He sniffed the air. Scents of blue snow and dank earth mingled with something new—the electric tang of power."
The stunning reality she has built includes an eclectric mix of elves, changelings, and goblins, some purebred and others mixed, and all the problems and challenges that go with different cultures intermingling. To stop chaotic events that could destroy the world, these folks find themselves working with old enemies, relying on those they previously distrusted, and discovering new alliances. Though presented as a fantasy world, it will remind you of real-life. As you read, you will never really know what the truth is, when something you thought you knew turns out to be upside down. This made for an excitingly fresh tale like few I've ever read. The detail she includes is riveting and in large part why you will think this world could really exist. To give you an example, read Diana's explanation of what happens to an individual's bones, hair, organs, and muscles when switching from animal to human.
"The skeletal changes came first. He sank to his knees as his oblong skull crushed inward at the muzzle and bulged in the cranium. His neck compressed. Shoulder blades and ribcage shrank while hip bones expanded and rearranged their connections to fibulae and spine."
As with every book Peach has written, her world building is believable, her characters likable, and her plot never stops surprising readers. Grab a copy, sit back, and enjoy.
September 10, 2020
“Liars and Thieves” is a fantasy with Elves, Goblins, and Changelings living in an uneasy truce with crystals as their energy. The theme of greed and need felt current to me, and the world was brilliantly written in beautifully described images. My favorite character is Talin, who is a spy with a heart, and Alue is a close second as an Elf who has more sense of justice and temper than most. I enjoy the interactions between them in any form. Naj, the half-Elf and half-Goblin, approaches things more logically but is a solid leading character with a charming relationship with the Goblin he loves. I like what binds the three together. Then, there’s a lack of trust and blame between the three groups that felt very real to me as well as some misplaced loyalties. The unexplained disappearances and earthquakes threw in some chaos. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens. If you love fantasies, you will want to read this.
September 9, 2020
A fantastic fantasy read.
I haven't read this author before and came across this book during its launch tour on varioius blogs on the web. I am so pleased I picked it up and bumped it up my to-read list. I only put it down because life forced me to, lols.
As I read, a few lines stood out for me. I share three here:
1. A clocktower rang the hours, and when night crept into the alleys, he follwed on its heels.
2. Though goblins were permitted anywhere in the Borderland, their right to breathe didn't equate to a warm welcome.
3. He possessed the ambition of a well-fed cat on a sunny sill.
At the beginning, a dark force attempts to break the veil. When he's unsuccessful, he sets off events that will have the three races fight and destroy each other for him. The political intrigue, machinations, and manipulations are well written and gripping. And the world-building is wonderfully done, as is the characterisation.
I eagerly await the second book in the series. This book so moved me that I've now added D Wallace Peach's other books to my ereader.
A solid five stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I haven't read this author before and came across this book during its launch tour on varioius blogs on the web. I am so pleased I picked it up and bumped it up my to-read list. I only put it down because life forced me to, lols.
As I read, a few lines stood out for me. I share three here:
1. A clocktower rang the hours, and when night crept into the alleys, he follwed on its heels.
2. Though goblins were permitted anywhere in the Borderland, their right to breathe didn't equate to a warm welcome.
3. He possessed the ambition of a well-fed cat on a sunny sill.
At the beginning, a dark force attempts to break the veil. When he's unsuccessful, he sets off events that will have the three races fight and destroy each other for him. The political intrigue, machinations, and manipulations are well written and gripping. And the world-building is wonderfully done, as is the characterisation.
I eagerly await the second book in the series. This book so moved me that I've now added D Wallace Peach's other books to my ereader.
A solid five stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
September 1, 2020
I'll start off by saying I found this an enjoyable read rather than a gripping read or a thrilling read. The storyline is character-driven following the exploits of our three heroes, Naj, half-goblin, half-elf, Alue, elf and Talin, changeling. The goblins inhabit the mountains, the elves the river plains, and the changelings the jungle. The alliance is starting to disintegrate between these three races as they grow increasingly suspicious of each others motives. This is the first book in a series and I assume volume one is the introduction to the characters and world-building, which is very well done. I liked the interplay between the characters as well as the excellent descriptions of the world they inhabit. There is a motif of missing elves, changelings, and goblins that occurs throughout the storyline, and I assume we have to stay tuned to upcoming volumes to discover the reasons for this. I read the book in two days, so it definitely held my attention. I was puzzling over why I wasn't gripped by the storyline and realized there were no nemesis, no really bad character that challenged our heroes and added drama to the narrative. Perhaps this will develop in further volumes. It was the reason I gave it four stars instead of five.
December 2, 2020
Wonderful world building
Three races - the goblins, the elves and the changelings have lived in mistrust and in an uneasy peace for years now. But an earthquake forces three characters - each of a race, to look beyond their differences to find an answer to the earthquake and seek for answers beyond the veil.
The world building is amazing and the characters and their interactions were thoroughly enjoyable. The plot was unpredictable and built beautifully well. Liked it.
Three races - the goblins, the elves and the changelings have lived in mistrust and in an uneasy peace for years now. But an earthquake forces three characters - each of a race, to look beyond their differences to find an answer to the earthquake and seek for answers beyond the veil.
The world building is amazing and the characters and their interactions were thoroughly enjoyable. The plot was unpredictable and built beautifully well. Liked it.
July 29, 2021
This is a fun fantasy story in the tradition of The Hobbit, but with excellent poetic prose occurring throughout, and a major re-think of some of the traditional denizens of the fantasy landscape. The author invented a very original view of the three major races in her fantasy tale, goblins, changelings, and elves. The author even took the time to work out a law of physics for how the characters behave and use some of their special abilities, and how they relate to one another on that same basis.
Three characters, a changeling, a goblin, and an elf, trade off the narrative as the book works through the interactions, life struggles, and geo-politics of the three kingdoms which all exist in close proximity and in economic interdependence to one another.
The writing is excellent, and very poetic, for example when approaching a city on the plains for the first time there is this line:
"The sprawling city of Ka Radiff neared, a low-roofed maze of clay blocks and fluttering laundry strung over its brick streets."
This sort of evocative imagery is common throughout the whole book, and the author often presents readers with series of images with which they can see the fantasy world of the story for themselves.
The pacing is good, though perhaps as a side effect of alternating the narrative between three characters who continuously run into one another, I was left with a feeling that the world they live in was very small. This despite efforts made to describe high mountains, a large rail system, and vast rainforests. The characters did seem to go back and forth to the same places for the whole story, and sometimes it seemed too easy for characters with their low levels of technology to travel long distances whenever they wanted to. But this didn't detract from the story at all, it just gave the story a sort of "small town" feel to it, at least to this reader.
The story line is interesting, as was the revealing of the different races and their various characteristics and needs. One quibble I had was that at an early part of the book a pair of Goblins, who in the story are specially evolved for subterranean living, barely avoid a danger, which turns out not to be as dangerous as it at first looked. I felt with their powers of living underground they should have seen through this obstacle immediately, so the set up for that moment of danger seemed a bit too strained for the effect it purported to have on the characters.
However, there is a seriously legit shock at a later part of the story which I defy anyone to claim they saw coming!
This is the first book in a trilogy, and it does an excellent job of introducing the characters, the world they live in, and the major races and political considerations which drive character behavior.
I'm definitely a fan of the author and her writing style, and I would recommend Liars and Thieves along with its two sister books in the trilogy, to any reader who enjoys finely crafted Hobbit-style fantasy tales which employ excellent language usage and intricate plot developments as well as original character concepts.
Three characters, a changeling, a goblin, and an elf, trade off the narrative as the book works through the interactions, life struggles, and geo-politics of the three kingdoms which all exist in close proximity and in economic interdependence to one another.
The writing is excellent, and very poetic, for example when approaching a city on the plains for the first time there is this line:
"The sprawling city of Ka Radiff neared, a low-roofed maze of clay blocks and fluttering laundry strung over its brick streets."
This sort of evocative imagery is common throughout the whole book, and the author often presents readers with series of images with which they can see the fantasy world of the story for themselves.
The pacing is good, though perhaps as a side effect of alternating the narrative between three characters who continuously run into one another, I was left with a feeling that the world they live in was very small. This despite efforts made to describe high mountains, a large rail system, and vast rainforests. The characters did seem to go back and forth to the same places for the whole story, and sometimes it seemed too easy for characters with their low levels of technology to travel long distances whenever they wanted to. But this didn't detract from the story at all, it just gave the story a sort of "small town" feel to it, at least to this reader.
The story line is interesting, as was the revealing of the different races and their various characteristics and needs. One quibble I had was that at an early part of the book a pair of Goblins, who in the story are specially evolved for subterranean living, barely avoid a danger, which turns out not to be as dangerous as it at first looked. I felt with their powers of living underground they should have seen through this obstacle immediately, so the set up for that moment of danger seemed a bit too strained for the effect it purported to have on the characters.
However, there is a seriously legit shock at a later part of the story which I defy anyone to claim they saw coming!
This is the first book in a trilogy, and it does an excellent job of introducing the characters, the world they live in, and the major races and political considerations which drive character behavior.
I'm definitely a fan of the author and her writing style, and I would recommend Liars and Thieves along with its two sister books in the trilogy, to any reader who enjoys finely crafted Hobbit-style fantasy tales which employ excellent language usage and intricate plot developments as well as original character concepts.
July 20, 2021
Liars and Thieves and Elves and Changelings and Goblins oh my!
I can’t rave enough about this author. I was drawn in from the get go. I love fantasy but add elves, shape shifters and half goblins and I’m suddenly immersed in another world. The attentional detail, world building, character development, and excellent imagery is beyond fantastic. The three different POV was spot on. I can not wait to read the other books in this series.
I can’t rave enough about this author. I was drawn in from the get go. I love fantasy but add elves, shape shifters and half goblins and I’m suddenly immersed in another world. The attentional detail, world building, character development, and excellent imagery is beyond fantastic. The three different POV was spot on. I can not wait to read the other books in this series.
September 6, 2020
Three characters on a path to discover what is changing their world, as they are changed by each other.
It's an excellent start to a trilogy, characters interesting and believable, strong and motivated.
The journey promises to be very interesting, the skills and interpersonal conflicts compelling and intriguing, and it's all about the crystals they rely on for life as they know it -- although, they each know it differently.
I really enjoyed the story, and I look forward to the next instalment.
It's an excellent start to a trilogy, characters interesting and believable, strong and motivated.
The journey promises to be very interesting, the skills and interpersonal conflicts compelling and intriguing, and it's all about the crystals they rely on for life as they know it -- although, they each know it differently.
I really enjoyed the story, and I look forward to the next instalment.
September 14, 2020
In Liars and Thieves, Diana built a believable world of three races and three characters representing each. The goblins dwelt in the mountains. They were terrakinetic, a skill in their possession in manipulating, moving, and transforming rocks and minerals into altered shapes, into alloys, into machinery. The elves lived in the river plain but invaded the changeling’s territory when cutting trees. The changelings inhabited in the jungle in human form but could shift into animals and insects, known for being thieves and spies.
Borderland was a common area where the Council meets. The Council leadership comprised of nine members—three representatives from each race. All races were free to live and work and die in the Borderland. The Veil in the far north held the secrets of eternity. It divided the Known World of the three races to the unknown. Those who had attempted to cross through had never returned. The common denominator for all three races was the crystals. The goblins mined them, elves needed them to power their weapons and homes; and changelings used them to shift shapes.
The three main characters were: Naj, the half-elfin, half goblin, used reasoning to make decisions. Alue, an elf who was impulsive, made mistakes at turn. Talin, the changeling, gained the queen’s favorite by being her spy.
After building the foundation of the fantasy world, Diana skillfully unfolded the chaos and resolution-seeking among the races and the characters. Over the years, the explosion in the north collapsed the mine. Some members from all three races disappeared, but there were no remains. Each race was suspicious over the others for killing their kinds and stealing the crystals. When Naj, Alue, and Talin questioned by their leaders, they selected and omitted details to report only what the leaders wanted to hear. Individually, these three were not enemies to each other. They acted on the commands of their leaders. During trials, when one was in danger of being executed, the other tried to extend the defense. As reflected in the actual world, these races tried to form an alliance with one race to go against the other. When circumstances changed, they retreated and changed their mind to protect their own interest.
Diana skillfully made her imagination visible in the lines such as:
“Waves bulged along the Veil’s magnetic lines like sound along an instrument’s string.”
“The elders leaned toward each other, their murmured comments passing to the ends of the arc and back like ripples in a pond.”
“The ancient goblins gasped as Naj’s skull flattened and muzzle protruded, baring deadly canines. His limbs shuddered and contracted. Shoulder blades and hip bones tilted as his body contorted on the floor and spine lengthened. Joints tore apart and reformed into new connections.”
I developed a personal liking for the characters and wanted to know what happened to them next. I stayed up for two nights to read this book. There were two FREE chapters for Book 2 at the end, and I can hardly wait for Book 2 to be available.
Borderland was a common area where the Council meets. The Council leadership comprised of nine members—three representatives from each race. All races were free to live and work and die in the Borderland. The Veil in the far north held the secrets of eternity. It divided the Known World of the three races to the unknown. Those who had attempted to cross through had never returned. The common denominator for all three races was the crystals. The goblins mined them, elves needed them to power their weapons and homes; and changelings used them to shift shapes.
The three main characters were: Naj, the half-elfin, half goblin, used reasoning to make decisions. Alue, an elf who was impulsive, made mistakes at turn. Talin, the changeling, gained the queen’s favorite by being her spy.
After building the foundation of the fantasy world, Diana skillfully unfolded the chaos and resolution-seeking among the races and the characters. Over the years, the explosion in the north collapsed the mine. Some members from all three races disappeared, but there were no remains. Each race was suspicious over the others for killing their kinds and stealing the crystals. When Naj, Alue, and Talin questioned by their leaders, they selected and omitted details to report only what the leaders wanted to hear. Individually, these three were not enemies to each other. They acted on the commands of their leaders. During trials, when one was in danger of being executed, the other tried to extend the defense. As reflected in the actual world, these races tried to form an alliance with one race to go against the other. When circumstances changed, they retreated and changed their mind to protect their own interest.
Diana skillfully made her imagination visible in the lines such as:
“Waves bulged along the Veil’s magnetic lines like sound along an instrument’s string.”
“The elders leaned toward each other, their murmured comments passing to the ends of the arc and back like ripples in a pond.”
“The ancient goblins gasped as Naj’s skull flattened and muzzle protruded, baring deadly canines. His limbs shuddered and contracted. Shoulder blades and hip bones tilted as his body contorted on the floor and spine lengthened. Joints tore apart and reformed into new connections.”
I developed a personal liking for the characters and wanted to know what happened to them next. I stayed up for two nights to read this book. There were two FREE chapters for Book 2 at the end, and I can hardly wait for Book 2 to be available.
February 11, 2021
Goblins, elves, and changelings—they’d lived together for ages in an uneasy peace, in a world where only a Veil separated them from their gods. They’d successfully shared their world, but it was unclear if they could continue to share its resources.
All of them desired crystals. The goblins mined them, elves needed them to power their weapons and homes, and changelings used to them to shift shape. Goblins trusted no one—they carefully rationed the crystals available to their rivals. Elves knew better than to trust the lesser races—goblins were grasping and changelings were nothing but thieves. And changelings knew better than to trust either of them. Elves collared changelings and prevented them from shifting shape, and goblins were a humorless lot who cared only for amassing wealth.
But now their world is literally coming apart. A rash of earthquakes causes losses from all three races, and all of them are certain that one of the others is at fault. Alue, an elf, the goblin Naj, and the shapeshifter Talin all try to solve the mystery and save their people. But what hasn’t occurred to any of them is that someone beyond the Veil might be responsible. And if they can’t see past their own prejudices to figure out how to defeat an immortal, the Lord of Chaos may well defeat them all.
Fantasy readers sometimes argue over the most important elements of a good book. Is it unique world building, characters who seem to live and breathe of their own accord, or a plot that just never lets up? Snappy dialogue, intense action sequences, and characters who struggle to grow—these are all elements that writers labor to incorporate into their work.
Fear not. Liars and Thieves has all these things. As a first book of a trilogy, it’s a solid, compelling read—highly recommended.
All of them desired crystals. The goblins mined them, elves needed them to power their weapons and homes, and changelings used to them to shift shape. Goblins trusted no one—they carefully rationed the crystals available to their rivals. Elves knew better than to trust the lesser races—goblins were grasping and changelings were nothing but thieves. And changelings knew better than to trust either of them. Elves collared changelings and prevented them from shifting shape, and goblins were a humorless lot who cared only for amassing wealth.
But now their world is literally coming apart. A rash of earthquakes causes losses from all three races, and all of them are certain that one of the others is at fault. Alue, an elf, the goblin Naj, and the shapeshifter Talin all try to solve the mystery and save their people. But what hasn’t occurred to any of them is that someone beyond the Veil might be responsible. And if they can’t see past their own prejudices to figure out how to defeat an immortal, the Lord of Chaos may well defeat them all.
Fantasy readers sometimes argue over the most important elements of a good book. Is it unique world building, characters who seem to live and breathe of their own accord, or a plot that just never lets up? Snappy dialogue, intense action sequences, and characters who struggle to grow—these are all elements that writers labor to incorporate into their work.
Fear not. Liars and Thieves has all these things. As a first book of a trilogy, it’s a solid, compelling read—highly recommended.
October 21, 2020
Liars and Thieves is book 1 in the Unraveling the Veil fantasy series.
Three outcasts, thrust into an alliance by fate, by oaths, and the churning gears of calamity, must learn the truth. For they hold the future of their world in their hands.
What do a changeling, an elf, and a goblin have in common? A rather unlikely union.
Alue (elf), Talin (changeling), and Naj (goblin) find themselves thrust together in a desperate search to find who, or what, is causing the rift between their cultures and the murder and disappearances of their people.
For centuries, the three races have lived next to each other and trade resources, following the dictates set by their elders. But when a mineshaft, built by elves, caves in and men go missing, accusations begin to fly.
Why is the mine heading into goblin territory? What do the changelings know? Why do the elves cut wood not belonging to them, endangering changeling lives. Why do goblins control the Savan crystals needed for survival?
Round and round the blame flies, escalating toward an unavoidable war between the races- unless three misfits can save them all.
I am a huge fan of this writer’s work. She is unparalleled when it comes to vivid scene descriptions.
Here are a couple of my favorite lines:
Alue and her wardens rode into Ka Varine as the trees blushed like shy maidens beneath the eyes of twilight.
Liars and Thieves by D. Wallace Peach
The mechanical clock in the center of Ka Radiff tolled the early hours of morning, the sky a black blanket of wool with the promise of dawn embroidered across the hem.
Liars and Thieves by D. Wallace Peach
D. Wallace Peach has written an unputdownable fantasy series- I’m already starting the next book, Allies and Spies!
Three outcasts, thrust into an alliance by fate, by oaths, and the churning gears of calamity, must learn the truth. For they hold the future of their world in their hands.
What do a changeling, an elf, and a goblin have in common? A rather unlikely union.
Alue (elf), Talin (changeling), and Naj (goblin) find themselves thrust together in a desperate search to find who, or what, is causing the rift between their cultures and the murder and disappearances of their people.
For centuries, the three races have lived next to each other and trade resources, following the dictates set by their elders. But when a mineshaft, built by elves, caves in and men go missing, accusations begin to fly.
Why is the mine heading into goblin territory? What do the changelings know? Why do the elves cut wood not belonging to them, endangering changeling lives. Why do goblins control the Savan crystals needed for survival?
Round and round the blame flies, escalating toward an unavoidable war between the races- unless three misfits can save them all.
I am a huge fan of this writer’s work. She is unparalleled when it comes to vivid scene descriptions.
Here are a couple of my favorite lines:
Alue and her wardens rode into Ka Varine as the trees blushed like shy maidens beneath the eyes of twilight.
Liars and Thieves by D. Wallace Peach
The mechanical clock in the center of Ka Radiff tolled the early hours of morning, the sky a black blanket of wool with the promise of dawn embroidered across the hem.
Liars and Thieves by D. Wallace Peach
D. Wallace Peach has written an unputdownable fantasy series- I’m already starting the next book, Allies and Spies!
September 19, 2020
I have to say that fantasy is not a genre that I have read in recent years, but based on reading the excerpts and the reviews shared during the author’s book launch, I was intrigued to read the book in its entirety. I was certainly not disappointed, as the world building was exceptional, and the characters, from the three main protagonists to the minor players within the three cultural factions, were excellently portrayed.
Whilst this land that Elves, Goblins and Changelings inhabit is imagined, it has parallels to our own world with political wrangling between nations all seeking precious resources, especially those not abundant in their own territory. Governing bodies have their own agendas, and behind the scenes manipulation of the facts is driven by secrecy and greed, whilst more moderate voices are struggling to be heard.
The story unfolds as each of the main characters runs the gauntlet of events orchestrated by a hidden power that fractures the earth and the fragile peace that exists between the three groups. Through a series of unintentional encounters, they cross into forbidden territory, and are exposed to each other’s innate skills as they form an uneasy alliance to survive. As unrest and distrust between the groups grows, and their world teeters on the edge of war, that alliance is tested to the extreme.
I thoroughly enjoyed this page turning introduction to this series and meeting the three outcasts Elanalue, Talin and Naj’ar. I can highly recommend that you enter it too. The author has left us on the brink of what promises to be a very exciting next book as the three of them seek the truth about what is happening beyond the Veil.
Whilst this land that Elves, Goblins and Changelings inhabit is imagined, it has parallels to our own world with political wrangling between nations all seeking precious resources, especially those not abundant in their own territory. Governing bodies have their own agendas, and behind the scenes manipulation of the facts is driven by secrecy and greed, whilst more moderate voices are struggling to be heard.
The story unfolds as each of the main characters runs the gauntlet of events orchestrated by a hidden power that fractures the earth and the fragile peace that exists between the three groups. Through a series of unintentional encounters, they cross into forbidden territory, and are exposed to each other’s innate skills as they form an uneasy alliance to survive. As unrest and distrust between the groups grows, and their world teeters on the edge of war, that alliance is tested to the extreme.
I thoroughly enjoyed this page turning introduction to this series and meeting the three outcasts Elanalue, Talin and Naj’ar. I can highly recommend that you enter it too. The author has left us on the brink of what promises to be a very exciting next book as the three of them seek the truth about what is happening beyond the Veil.
November 28, 2020
In any D. Wallace Peach novel, you can count on a diverse cast of characters and an exceptionally detailed fantasy world. With Liars and Thieves, Peach delivers both, mesmerizing the reader from the first chapter. Goblins, elves, and changelings maintain tenuous relationships, one step away from erupting into war. At the center are Savan crystals, mined by the goblins, but necessary for the survival of all three races.
The trio of main characters—a temperamental elfin solider, a sly and cunning changeling, and a half-breed goblin—are inexplicably thrown together among a backdrop of political machinations and festering hostilities. All three have reasons to distrust, even loathe the others. As a reader, it takes a while to warm up to Alue, Talin and Naj, as none come off as the typically crafted fantasy characters, but all are equally compelling. Glimpses into their backstories are doled out morsels at a time, deftly reeling in the reader.
I can’t applaud the author enough for her brilliant use of description, gift for imagery, and—most especially—her complex worldbuilding, all of which held me spellbound. If you enjoy flawed characters, a plot that moves like a chess game with moves and countermoves, plus exquisite writing, don’t miss Liars and Thieves. I am ready and eager to dive into book two!
The trio of main characters—a temperamental elfin solider, a sly and cunning changeling, and a half-breed goblin—are inexplicably thrown together among a backdrop of political machinations and festering hostilities. All three have reasons to distrust, even loathe the others. As a reader, it takes a while to warm up to Alue, Talin and Naj, as none come off as the typically crafted fantasy characters, but all are equally compelling. Glimpses into their backstories are doled out morsels at a time, deftly reeling in the reader.
I can’t applaud the author enough for her brilliant use of description, gift for imagery, and—most especially—her complex worldbuilding, all of which held me spellbound. If you enjoy flawed characters, a plot that moves like a chess game with moves and countermoves, plus exquisite writing, don’t miss Liars and Thieves. I am ready and eager to dive into book two!
February 19, 2021
Original Review at Jaunts & Haunts
4/5
I gave this novel four stars!
In a nutshell, this high fantasy book is about three main characters, an elf, a goblin, and a changeling. One frightening event draws them together and threatens the lifestyles they know. Can they solve the mystery behind the event and bring their races together, or is all-out war unavoidable?
I've been wanting to try D. Wallace Peach's work since I found her on GoodReads, and I'm glad I gave this a go! First and foremost, I have to say that high fantasy is not my typical go to in reads, so my opinion probably won't match what avid readers of the genre say. Hooray for diversity!
Overall, there were a lot of strong elements in this book.
The characters really made this book come to life. The three main characters are Alue (elf), Naj (goblin), and Talin (changeling). Of the three my favorite was Talin. I felt that his narrative was the easiest to follow, that and I enjoyed his scrappy character (they tend to win out for me in general).
Each character has to navigate through their own journey, and they each had depth that made them feel very real to me. I especially felt for Naj. Being a half-breed, it's gotta be tough to fit in anywhere, especially in the divided landscape of this world.
The plot was very unique for a high fantasy, and I had a ton of fun! Throughout the book we learn a lot about the three distinct races and what makes them so different. I think that the author's take on these races switched things up, and that was really refreshing. The system of magic and shifting was very intriguing. Also, this book was well rounded. Sometimes you explore the side of politics, while other times there's a bunch of action or a good furthering of the mystery.
If I had to pick at anything, I would say sometimes the amount of detail overwhelmed me, but given that this is a high fantasy and rich detail is a given, I can't judge too harshly.
Despite my not being an avid high fantasy reader, this book was a solid fun experience and is definitely worth a read!
4/5
I gave this novel four stars!
In a nutshell, this high fantasy book is about three main characters, an elf, a goblin, and a changeling. One frightening event draws them together and threatens the lifestyles they know. Can they solve the mystery behind the event and bring their races together, or is all-out war unavoidable?
I've been wanting to try D. Wallace Peach's work since I found her on GoodReads, and I'm glad I gave this a go! First and foremost, I have to say that high fantasy is not my typical go to in reads, so my opinion probably won't match what avid readers of the genre say. Hooray for diversity!
Overall, there were a lot of strong elements in this book.
The characters really made this book come to life. The three main characters are Alue (elf), Naj (goblin), and Talin (changeling). Of the three my favorite was Talin. I felt that his narrative was the easiest to follow, that and I enjoyed his scrappy character (they tend to win out for me in general).
Each character has to navigate through their own journey, and they each had depth that made them feel very real to me. I especially felt for Naj. Being a half-breed, it's gotta be tough to fit in anywhere, especially in the divided landscape of this world.
The plot was very unique for a high fantasy, and I had a ton of fun! Throughout the book we learn a lot about the three distinct races and what makes them so different. I think that the author's take on these races switched things up, and that was really refreshing. The system of magic and shifting was very intriguing. Also, this book was well rounded. Sometimes you explore the side of politics, while other times there's a bunch of action or a good furthering of the mystery.
If I had to pick at anything, I would say sometimes the amount of detail overwhelmed me, but given that this is a high fantasy and rich detail is a given, I can't judge too harshly.
Despite my not being an avid high fantasy reader, this book was a solid fun experience and is definitely worth a read!
December 8, 2020
Someone posted an extract of this book on the Internet and it was the beauty of the language that attracted me to it first. Fantasy isn’t a genre I’ve had anything to do with since the struggle of trying to read The Lord of the Rings as a very young child. However, on the strength of those words, I bought the Kindle version.
It’s a fabulous book in both senses. The mythical world is beautifully crafted, the characters are three-dimensional and the plot is gripping.
The three protagonists, each immensely likeable but flawed, have their own special abilities. Thrown together they form an uneasy alliance using their abilities to survive in a land where something is creating chaos and suspicion and threatening the fragile peace between the three communities. There’s suspense, intrigue, humour and tragedy.
As with all new environments it took me a few pages to get my bearings and then the tale had me in its grip to the end. And then there’s the writing itself. Often lyrical, it brought things visually to life without slowing the flow or pace of the book. The mountains are described as ‘serrated peaks sawed into the blue sky, their summits parting the wind and embraced by the everlasting caress of snow.’ In the night ‘Stars pricked holes in the obsidian sky’ and elsewhere ‘The sky a black blanket of wool with the promise of dawn embroidered across the hem.’ These are just a handful of examples but I was soon too caught up in the narrative to stop and make notes.
Having begun this review by saying that I don’t usually read this genre, I went straight back to Amazon and bought the second book in the series.
A fully deserved 5*
It’s a fabulous book in both senses. The mythical world is beautifully crafted, the characters are three-dimensional and the plot is gripping.
The three protagonists, each immensely likeable but flawed, have their own special abilities. Thrown together they form an uneasy alliance using their abilities to survive in a land where something is creating chaos and suspicion and threatening the fragile peace between the three communities. There’s suspense, intrigue, humour and tragedy.
As with all new environments it took me a few pages to get my bearings and then the tale had me in its grip to the end. And then there’s the writing itself. Often lyrical, it brought things visually to life without slowing the flow or pace of the book. The mountains are described as ‘serrated peaks sawed into the blue sky, their summits parting the wind and embraced by the everlasting caress of snow.’ In the night ‘Stars pricked holes in the obsidian sky’ and elsewhere ‘The sky a black blanket of wool with the promise of dawn embroidered across the hem.’ These are just a handful of examples but I was soon too caught up in the narrative to stop and make notes.
Having begun this review by saying that I don’t usually read this genre, I went straight back to Amazon and bought the second book in the series.
A fully deserved 5*
November 7, 2020
Reading other books by this author, I know to expect masterful world-building, vivid imagery, and complex characters. This novel is no exception.
In this land of elves, changelings, and goblins, the already uneasy peace is threatened after a series of earthquakes. Friends go missing and each group places blame on the others. Everyone has their own agenda and political squabbling runs rampant.
Character development is strong, and Alue, Talin, and Naj each possess strengths, weaknesses, talents and flaws – all which make them realistic, fallible, and easy to identify with. With vast differences between the species in regards to wealth, privilege, and way of life, it’s easy to see the parallels in today’s society.
To discover the truth behind all these occurrences and ensure the safety of all of their races, Alue, Talin, and Naj must set aside their mutual hostilities and mistrust to form an unlikely alliance. Is there tension? Loads of it. But also moments of humor and enlightenment among the characters (I think some of Talin’s scenes were my favorite).
This is the first book in a trilogy, but unlike most series, the other two books are available now. If you’re a fan of this genre, this book is sure to thrill your dark fantasy loving heart and is one I’d highly recommend.
In this land of elves, changelings, and goblins, the already uneasy peace is threatened after a series of earthquakes. Friends go missing and each group places blame on the others. Everyone has their own agenda and political squabbling runs rampant.
Character development is strong, and Alue, Talin, and Naj each possess strengths, weaknesses, talents and flaws – all which make them realistic, fallible, and easy to identify with. With vast differences between the species in regards to wealth, privilege, and way of life, it’s easy to see the parallels in today’s society.
To discover the truth behind all these occurrences and ensure the safety of all of their races, Alue, Talin, and Naj must set aside their mutual hostilities and mistrust to form an unlikely alliance. Is there tension? Loads of it. But also moments of humor and enlightenment among the characters (I think some of Talin’s scenes were my favorite).
This is the first book in a trilogy, but unlike most series, the other two books are available now. If you’re a fan of this genre, this book is sure to thrill your dark fantasy loving heart and is one I’d highly recommend.
September 15, 2020
Liars and Thieves Review
By D. Wallace Peach
Early in my fascination with the fantasy genre I was enamored of Roger Zelazny’s work, particularly his Chronicles of Amber. (Which has nothing to do with Peach’s new series, but indulge my tangent.) It was his world of “chaos” that grabbed me. So, when I saw the blurb for “Liars and Thieves” the mention of “hordes of Chaos” and particularly the designation “the First of Chaos” I was on the hook. Combine that with how much I admire this author’s work – and the knowledge that this is the first in an all new trilogy… well I was downright giddy.
Don’t worry. I’m not going to do a gushing summary. You’ve already seen that in the book description. If you love “high fantasy” don’t miss this novel. If you’ve never read fantasy, or maybe you aren’t sure you would understand it? Peach develops her worlds beautifully and comprehensibly. I still recommend this book for you. You just might find something fresh and new to take you far away from our current, difficult times.
By D. Wallace Peach
Early in my fascination with the fantasy genre I was enamored of Roger Zelazny’s work, particularly his Chronicles of Amber. (Which has nothing to do with Peach’s new series, but indulge my tangent.) It was his world of “chaos” that grabbed me. So, when I saw the blurb for “Liars and Thieves” the mention of “hordes of Chaos” and particularly the designation “the First of Chaos” I was on the hook. Combine that with how much I admire this author’s work – and the knowledge that this is the first in an all new trilogy… well I was downright giddy.
Don’t worry. I’m not going to do a gushing summary. You’ve already seen that in the book description. If you love “high fantasy” don’t miss this novel. If you’ve never read fantasy, or maybe you aren’t sure you would understand it? Peach develops her worlds beautifully and comprehensibly. I still recommend this book for you. You just might find something fresh and new to take you far away from our current, difficult times.
September 7, 2021
"Liars and Thieves" threw me right from the get-go. I'm used to traditional fantasy that uses standard races – dwarfs, elves, etc… so throwing a goblin and a changeling at me definitely put me into a new mindset right from the start. Note – I'm a fan of alternate characters, so this was a good thing. The story itself flows very well as we learn about the main characters as well as the various races that populate this world, and the slow disintegration of the shaky alliances that hold everything together. The author's almost-poetic world building is thorough, without going full-on "telling" instead of "showing" which was nice.
I liked how there's a bit of real-world politics built in. I really enjoyed seeing both the elvish and changling versions of the Savan crystal supply when compared to the goblins. In a way, the attitude of the goblins really reminded me of the Vulcans from Star Trek – maybe it's the ears. None of the three organizations here regarded themselves as the "bad" guys and all had fairly logical reasoning for what they did.
Regardless, this was a refreshingly good read for anyone that entertains a love of high fantasy. 4 stars.
I liked how there's a bit of real-world politics built in. I really enjoyed seeing both the elvish and changling versions of the Savan crystal supply when compared to the goblins. In a way, the attitude of the goblins really reminded me of the Vulcans from Star Trek – maybe it's the ears. None of the three organizations here regarded themselves as the "bad" guys and all had fairly logical reasoning for what they did.
Regardless, this was a refreshingly good read for anyone that entertains a love of high fantasy. 4 stars.
October 2, 2021
I do love a good throwback fantasy, and Liars and Thieves, by D. Wallace Peach, brings me back to those old fantasy novels of the 80’s and 90’s. In a good way, free of the bad hair styles and dress.
This is a character driven novel, focusing on three individuals representing the three major races (goblins, elves and changelings, thrust together due to dire need. And why? Basically, due to supply and demand. So, each race has good reason to hate their economics professors.
The story took a little for me to get into. The first chapter threw me off, and there are a lot of world-unique references, jargon, and excessive use of adjectives from the get-go. However, after chapter three things started getting into a good rhythm. What I found therein was a solid plot, with vivid image and world building. What makes this book stand out are the characters though. The are solid developed, interesting, and avoid all the standard tropes.
In summary, this is a solid novel, that while it may take a little while to adapt to the writing style, is definitely worth the patience.
This is a character driven novel, focusing on three individuals representing the three major races (goblins, elves and changelings, thrust together due to dire need. And why? Basically, due to supply and demand. So, each race has good reason to hate their economics professors.
The story took a little for me to get into. The first chapter threw me off, and there are a lot of world-unique references, jargon, and excessive use of adjectives from the get-go. However, after chapter three things started getting into a good rhythm. What I found therein was a solid plot, with vivid image and world building. What makes this book stand out are the characters though. The are solid developed, interesting, and avoid all the standard tropes.
In summary, this is a solid novel, that while it may take a little while to adapt to the writing style, is definitely worth the patience.
November 29, 2020
Goblins, elves, changelings and more. Occasional humans too--rarely. It's the interactions of the first three that holds the conflict and a storyline of finger-pointing over who is trespassing on whose territory--violating a treaty intended to keep competing interests from breaking out in war. They depend on one another--to an extent, so that's preferable.
It's my first reading of this compelling sub-genre and found it very entertaining. Just took a little while to figure out who was really who, their powers or attributes, and where it all would end up. I knew it really wouldn't "end" because this is the first in a series. So, yes, I will read more.
It's my first reading of this compelling sub-genre and found it very entertaining. Just took a little while to figure out who was really who, their powers or attributes, and where it all would end up. I knew it really wouldn't "end" because this is the first in a series. So, yes, I will read more.
March 20, 2021
An elf, a changeling and a goblin unite to save their worlds.
Sworn enemies discover that maybe their adversaries aren’t as bad as they have been taught and maybe their own cultures aren’t as perfect as they’ve been led to believe.
This was a fascinating story that was intricately written. The world building is second to none and the characters well-developed. The longer I read, the more I was drawn in. There are surprises that add an extra layer to the storyline and the characters. I enjoyed the read so much I purchased the second in the series.
Sworn enemies discover that maybe their adversaries aren’t as bad as they have been taught and maybe their own cultures aren’t as perfect as they’ve been led to believe.
This was a fascinating story that was intricately written. The world building is second to none and the characters well-developed. The longer I read, the more I was drawn in. There are surprises that add an extra layer to the storyline and the characters. I enjoyed the read so much I purchased the second in the series.
September 5, 2020
It's a story with great potential, well-written, but there's something missing. I can't tell what they're fighting. There's intrigue, a bit of suspense, and conflict, but no overall understanding of what they fight for or against. Status quo isn't enough.
And there's no ending. There's a point where the book stops, but it doesn't resolve anything raised in the early part of the story.
I understand it's the first book of a trilogy, but each book should also have at least enough to understand the what and why, and to reach a resolution to the first hurdle (there needs to be a hurdle, something to fight for or against), despite knowing there's more to come. This didn't happen.
Overall, I liked it, and I will read the next one.
I usually enjoy books by this author, and expect the next one to arc up to full steam.
And there's no ending. There's a point where the book stops, but it doesn't resolve anything raised in the early part of the story.
I understand it's the first book of a trilogy, but each book should also have at least enough to understand the what and why, and to reach a resolution to the first hurdle (there needs to be a hurdle, something to fight for or against), despite knowing there's more to come. This didn't happen.
Overall, I liked it, and I will read the next one.
I usually enjoy books by this author, and expect the next one to arc up to full steam.
January 17, 2021
A world is held together with the most tenuous alliance. A world like no other and inhabited by three races; elves, goblins and changelings. Together they’ve kept the peace in Borderland, yet its thin veneer is threatened as the dark force of Chaos seeks to overthrow the land. However, its leader, Kalann il Drakk, must first penetrate the shimmering border wall, the Veil.
With excitement, I was propelled into ‘Liars and Thieves (Unraveling the Veil Book 1) and into the midst of Drakk and his force’s attack on the Veil. Its electrical energy is as powerful as the writing. Although the attack ultimately fails, seeds of Chaos are planted through the wall … although the reader is left in doubt about its format.
From this dramatic beginning, the book, the first of a trilogy, becomes increasing captivating as the story unfolds through chapters centred on three misfit characters who dominate the narrative and whose in-depth revelations help to create this outstanding fantasy novel.
The striking red-haired Alue Windthorn, an elf soldier, is plagued by failure which lands her in constant trouble with her leaders and father.
Talin Raska is a rogue of a changeling whose charm and cheek cannot see him out of all his pitfalls as he is also a liar, a thief and a spy. His greatest failure is to fall for his mark, Alue.
Naj’ar is a half-elf, half-goblin and the two elements of his being are in a constant battle for his soul.
All three are outsiders, loners, they have constant difficulty following orders and rules. All three possess great abilities, some known to them, others revealed later. All three find their lives are, against their better judgement and wishes, intrinsically intertwined.
The author’s superb gift of storytelling immediately drew me into the book and the compelling lives of the characters. Through a close third-person narrative of each a chapter at a time, their thoughts, emotions, reasonings, fears and vulnerabilities are revealed in touching and dramatic detail.
Equally compelling is the finely woven plot as strange disappearances of its people throughout the land are experienced by all three races. Of course, they immediately seek to blame each other although they are dependant on each other for their assets. The balance and harmony are severely strained as ever more are killed, threatened or simply disappear in the mysterious quakes.
As the tension escalates, events spiral out of control and distrust reigns and soon accusations and counter-accusations nearly bring Borderland to the brink of war.
With imaginative tour de force, D Wallace Peach creates an exceptional new world, which through stunning detail, beautiful descriptions immediately become real and true to the reader.
Whilst ‘Liars and Thieves’ is an epic fantasy novel it is at the same time a wonderfully intimate and personable story. I can imagine books 2 and 3 will become increasingly intense as Chaos and its destruction and fight for the eradication of the world dominates the plot.
Having read and loved some of the other books by the author, ‘Liars and Thieves’ is my favourite as yet! I look forward to reading the next two in the series and they are already on my Kindle!
To conclude, ‘Liars and Thieves’ is a must for all fantasy book fans as well as an exciting and enthralling book for readers new to the genre. Highly recommended.
With excitement, I was propelled into ‘Liars and Thieves (Unraveling the Veil Book 1) and into the midst of Drakk and his force’s attack on the Veil. Its electrical energy is as powerful as the writing. Although the attack ultimately fails, seeds of Chaos are planted through the wall … although the reader is left in doubt about its format.
From this dramatic beginning, the book, the first of a trilogy, becomes increasing captivating as the story unfolds through chapters centred on three misfit characters who dominate the narrative and whose in-depth revelations help to create this outstanding fantasy novel.
The striking red-haired Alue Windthorn, an elf soldier, is plagued by failure which lands her in constant trouble with her leaders and father.
Talin Raska is a rogue of a changeling whose charm and cheek cannot see him out of all his pitfalls as he is also a liar, a thief and a spy. His greatest failure is to fall for his mark, Alue.
Naj’ar is a half-elf, half-goblin and the two elements of his being are in a constant battle for his soul.
All three are outsiders, loners, they have constant difficulty following orders and rules. All three possess great abilities, some known to them, others revealed later. All three find their lives are, against their better judgement and wishes, intrinsically intertwined.
The author’s superb gift of storytelling immediately drew me into the book and the compelling lives of the characters. Through a close third-person narrative of each a chapter at a time, their thoughts, emotions, reasonings, fears and vulnerabilities are revealed in touching and dramatic detail.
Equally compelling is the finely woven plot as strange disappearances of its people throughout the land are experienced by all three races. Of course, they immediately seek to blame each other although they are dependant on each other for their assets. The balance and harmony are severely strained as ever more are killed, threatened or simply disappear in the mysterious quakes.
As the tension escalates, events spiral out of control and distrust reigns and soon accusations and counter-accusations nearly bring Borderland to the brink of war.
With imaginative tour de force, D Wallace Peach creates an exceptional new world, which through stunning detail, beautiful descriptions immediately become real and true to the reader.
Whilst ‘Liars and Thieves’ is an epic fantasy novel it is at the same time a wonderfully intimate and personable story. I can imagine books 2 and 3 will become increasingly intense as Chaos and its destruction and fight for the eradication of the world dominates the plot.
Having read and loved some of the other books by the author, ‘Liars and Thieves’ is my favourite as yet! I look forward to reading the next two in the series and they are already on my Kindle!
To conclude, ‘Liars and Thieves’ is a must for all fantasy book fans as well as an exciting and enthralling book for readers new to the genre. Highly recommended.
October 21, 2020
D. Wallace Peach is rapidly becoming one of my favorite fantasy authors. I've read several of her books and loved each one, but Liars & Thieves is in a class by itself. First, Wallace's writing is superb. That's all there is to it. Her phrasing and pacing are first rate and make reading this entertaining story even better.
Secondly, her characters are engaging and unique, something that is always important to me. If I'm not invested in a book's characters, I seldom finish the book. Our three main players--Naj, the goblin, Talin, the changling, and Alue, the elf--are all 3-dimensional. Sympathetic at times, amusing at times, sad at times, and angry at times, just the way real people are, and every bit as believable as any human characters I've read.
And third, Wallace's world-building is excellent. I could picture every scene perfectly, and felt as though I were standing in the background, watching the story unfold. I couldn't have asked for more.
This first book of the series was exciting from the opening page to the last, and I highly recommend it! If you enjoy fantasy done well, this is for you.
Secondly, her characters are engaging and unique, something that is always important to me. If I'm not invested in a book's characters, I seldom finish the book. Our three main players--Naj, the goblin, Talin, the changling, and Alue, the elf--are all 3-dimensional. Sympathetic at times, amusing at times, sad at times, and angry at times, just the way real people are, and every bit as believable as any human characters I've read.
And third, Wallace's world-building is excellent. I could picture every scene perfectly, and felt as though I were standing in the background, watching the story unfold. I couldn't have asked for more.
This first book of the series was exciting from the opening page to the last, and I highly recommend it! If you enjoy fantasy done well, this is for you.
September 16, 2020
Eighty percent of the way through this book, someone says: "Even heroes are fallible… And villains may, now and then, prove valorous."
That pretty much sums up the three main characters, who often seem more villains than heroes. I must admit, I didn't find them particularly sympathetic, except for one whom I will not name to avoid prejudicing future readers. They struck me as individuals who have a lot to learn.
The setting is a kind of frontier region where the territories of the world's three humanoid races maintain an uneasy peace. All parts of it—from icy mountains to steamy jungle to stony scrubland—are harsh and full of dangerous creatures. Peach describes places with zest and verve. For example: "Alue headed for her home in the Sandrif District where the races mingled in cluttered shops and outdoor bazaars. Elfin kinetics juggled wobbly balls of water, occasionally lobbing one at clusters of screeching children. They flash-cooked kabobs with fires cradled in their cupped hands." Or this: "Homes with roofs of layered palm leaves stitched an ambling fringe around Glenglisan's walls, and he navigated their dirt paths as he approached the open gates. Two sentries straddled the ends of a wooden bench, playing kruli, a favored game with eight-sided dice and carved tiles." This world engages all of a reader's senses.
Character development is equally detailed and graphic. The three—a halfbreed goblin, a changeling, and an elf—are thrown into precarious and often life-threatening situations, which they manage with varying degrees of success using their unique talents. One of these is the ability to shift into the physical form of another life-form. The process is no fun, as is shown by several harrowingly detailed descriptions.
Shifting is a major plank in this book's structure. So are the energized crystals mined in the mountains of the goblin clans. Everyone, both groups and individuals, wants crystals and uses different tactics to obtain them. When individuals disappear and accusations fly of infractions to treaties, each of the three main characters is sent on a mission to investigate and report back to their ruling councils. The elders of said councils include the more sympathetic and reasonable characters in the book, although even they display baser motives at times.
Despite a compelling reading experience, I had a couple of problems with the story. First, an important individual named in the opening scene is never referred to subsequently. Not once. I kept wondering why. Moreover, the Veil, a mysterious phenomenon that forms an uncrossable barrier to an unknown realm, is also rarely mentioned. Given the title of the series, and the significance of that opening scene, I suspect these elements will come to the fore in the next two books.
Despite many vividly rendered action scenes, I did not have a sense of an overall mission or crisis for at least three quarters of the book. I was left with the sense that its intention was to introduce Naj, Talin, and Alue, to get readers to know them really well. At the very end, there is a convergence of events that draws them together and ramps up the stakes. How that plays out is a matter for Books 2 and 3. Readers will have to decide if they are sufficiently invested in these characters to go along for the ride, which I'm sure will be a bumpy and exciting one.
That pretty much sums up the three main characters, who often seem more villains than heroes. I must admit, I didn't find them particularly sympathetic, except for one whom I will not name to avoid prejudicing future readers. They struck me as individuals who have a lot to learn.
The setting is a kind of frontier region where the territories of the world's three humanoid races maintain an uneasy peace. All parts of it—from icy mountains to steamy jungle to stony scrubland—are harsh and full of dangerous creatures. Peach describes places with zest and verve. For example: "Alue headed for her home in the Sandrif District where the races mingled in cluttered shops and outdoor bazaars. Elfin kinetics juggled wobbly balls of water, occasionally lobbing one at clusters of screeching children. They flash-cooked kabobs with fires cradled in their cupped hands." Or this: "Homes with roofs of layered palm leaves stitched an ambling fringe around Glenglisan's walls, and he navigated their dirt paths as he approached the open gates. Two sentries straddled the ends of a wooden bench, playing kruli, a favored game with eight-sided dice and carved tiles." This world engages all of a reader's senses.
Character development is equally detailed and graphic. The three—a halfbreed goblin, a changeling, and an elf—are thrown into precarious and often life-threatening situations, which they manage with varying degrees of success using their unique talents. One of these is the ability to shift into the physical form of another life-form. The process is no fun, as is shown by several harrowingly detailed descriptions.
Shifting is a major plank in this book's structure. So are the energized crystals mined in the mountains of the goblin clans. Everyone, both groups and individuals, wants crystals and uses different tactics to obtain them. When individuals disappear and accusations fly of infractions to treaties, each of the three main characters is sent on a mission to investigate and report back to their ruling councils. The elders of said councils include the more sympathetic and reasonable characters in the book, although even they display baser motives at times.
Despite a compelling reading experience, I had a couple of problems with the story. First, an important individual named in the opening scene is never referred to subsequently. Not once. I kept wondering why. Moreover, the Veil, a mysterious phenomenon that forms an uncrossable barrier to an unknown realm, is also rarely mentioned. Given the title of the series, and the significance of that opening scene, I suspect these elements will come to the fore in the next two books.
Despite many vividly rendered action scenes, I did not have a sense of an overall mission or crisis for at least three quarters of the book. I was left with the sense that its intention was to introduce Naj, Talin, and Alue, to get readers to know them really well. At the very end, there is a convergence of events that draws them together and ramps up the stakes. How that plays out is a matter for Books 2 and 3. Readers will have to decide if they are sufficiently invested in these characters to go along for the ride, which I'm sure will be a bumpy and exciting one.
December 27, 2020
Liars and Thieves was, as a whole, an enjoyable book. The world was complex and entertained a full suite of political situations, alliances, and treaties. The three major races - elves, goblins, and changelings - all work around a treaty that keeps them at peace... for the moment. Each race had political jurisdiction in a different environment, as well; it's so often you get fantasy or sci-fi worlds that are homogenous and either feel like "everything is England" or "everything is Norway" or "everything is the Sahara". The wide variety of weather, climate, and vegetation added a richness to the setting.
The inciting incidence - a mine collapses, and everyone inside mysteriously disappears - causes the elves to suspect the goblins of foul play. Similar events over large portions of the world shared by these races occur, and racist opinions on the cause abound. The palpable tension over something to which blame couldn't easily be attributed was great. The political fragility of the whole situation made me feel like it was a 3-way Cold War, rife with spies, weapons of mass destruction, and utter terror of the populace.
Out of the three main characters - Alue the elf, Talin the changeling, and Naj the goblin (well, half-goblin half-elf, but it seems there's some one drop rules in this world regarding goblins) - Talin was my favorite. Then again, I'm a big fan of people hiding secrets about their true identities. I loved Talin's parts as a spy, and I liked his shifting loyalties and thoughts. Naj reminded me a lot of Spock from Star Trek. The goblins were overwhelmingly logic-oriented, and Naj as a half-goblin had to struggle with greater emotional imbalance.
(Spoiler for like the first 3 chapters or something coming up). Alue? I liked her less than the other two. She is an officer in the elfin army and was initially sent to look over and protect a mining operation near the borderlands. After the mysterious earthquake, she decides to blame Naj and chase him. As soon as I read about this decision, I thought, "That's dumb. She should have sent someone else." And, sure enough, it was a dumb move. Foreseeing that made me feel smart, but Alue continues making poor decisions, which led me to wonder why she was in the army at all. She often relies on others to rescue her and fails to move forward. While I'm interested in her relationships with Naj and Talin, I wasn't really able to get into Alue for her own sake.
Lastly, the book did feel like an intro to the rest of the books. There were solutions to the main problem of distrust between the main characters and how to bind them together, but it seemed the main point of the book was to get the three together and introduce the main problem of the series. As such, it didn't have as powerful plots as Soul Swallowers or The Melding of Aeris, also by Peach. I still think it was fantastic, especially for an indie book, but so far I like the other two better.
The inciting incidence - a mine collapses, and everyone inside mysteriously disappears - causes the elves to suspect the goblins of foul play. Similar events over large portions of the world shared by these races occur, and racist opinions on the cause abound. The palpable tension over something to which blame couldn't easily be attributed was great. The political fragility of the whole situation made me feel like it was a 3-way Cold War, rife with spies, weapons of mass destruction, and utter terror of the populace.
Out of the three main characters - Alue the elf, Talin the changeling, and Naj the goblin (well, half-goblin half-elf, but it seems there's some one drop rules in this world regarding goblins) - Talin was my favorite. Then again, I'm a big fan of people hiding secrets about their true identities. I loved Talin's parts as a spy, and I liked his shifting loyalties and thoughts. Naj reminded me a lot of Spock from Star Trek. The goblins were overwhelmingly logic-oriented, and Naj as a half-goblin had to struggle with greater emotional imbalance.
(Spoiler for like the first 3 chapters or something coming up). Alue? I liked her less than the other two. She is an officer in the elfin army and was initially sent to look over and protect a mining operation near the borderlands. After the mysterious earthquake, she decides to blame Naj and chase him. As soon as I read about this decision, I thought, "That's dumb. She should have sent someone else." And, sure enough, it was a dumb move. Foreseeing that made me feel smart, but Alue continues making poor decisions, which led me to wonder why she was in the army at all. She often relies on others to rescue her and fails to move forward. While I'm interested in her relationships with Naj and Talin, I wasn't really able to get into Alue for her own sake.
Lastly, the book did feel like an intro to the rest of the books. There were solutions to the main problem of distrust between the main characters and how to bind them together, but it seemed the main point of the book was to get the three together and introduce the main problem of the series. As such, it didn't have as powerful plots as Soul Swallowers or The Melding of Aeris, also by Peach. I still think it was fantastic, especially for an indie book, but so far I like the other two better.
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