In a world where revolution ignites the flames of change, the true price of war is exacted upon both oppressors and the oppressed, engulfing the righteous and the morally compromised alike. In Stand , Damien Flynn finds himself thrust into the eye of this relentless storm, where the boundaries between justice and tyranny grow increasingly indistinguishable.
What started as a fervent rebellion between the oppressed Ricchans and despotic Braitons has evolved into an insatiable tempest threatening global peace. Aspiring conquerors, greedy opportunists, and desperate souls all rush to profit from the chaos of war, further complicating Damien's mission and placing the fate of the Ricchans at even greater risk than they could have imagined.
Damien's struggles and burdens are not borne alone. Victoria Montgomery, the heart and soul of the Ricchan uprising, confronts the shattering repercussions of her choices, paying a price too steep to bear. Stripped of her one true love and perhaps even her will to continue, she must find a glimmer of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.
As the tides of war shift against them, Damien, Jenn, and Victoria must stand united—or face the dire consequences of complete obliteration.
In this captivating tale of shattered allegiances, harrowing sacrifices, and heroic resilience, Stand challenges the very notions of right and wrong, testing our beliefs in the face of unwavering adversity. Embark on a breathless journey through the blurred lines of morality, where the fate of nations rests in the hands of the few brave enough to defend their vision of a just world.
The author did such an amazing job of expanding upon the world-building and history-style storytelling within this fantasy world while infusing even more political intrigue and suspense. The true nature of war and rebellion takes center stage in this narrative as the author explores the cruelty and hardships that a war can bring, and how it impacts those fighting in that war.
Aside from the incredible genre-bending story that this narrative tells and the balance of political intrigue and action, what really drew me into this sequel was the balance of character development the author found. Showing the real consequences those who fought up till this point in the series not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well really added a depth and emotional pull, especially to a couple of characters who have become quite pivotal to the rebellion overall, and also exploring this world’s version of relations between the Indigenous people of the land and the warring factions of settlers from another continent was so inspiring and fantastic to see crop up in a fantasy-driven narrative.
The Verdict
Captivating, entertaining, and thought-provoking in its delivery, author Mark S. Moore’s “Stand: The Cost of War” is the perfect sequel and a must-read for fans of historical fiction meets fantasy. With a rich tapestry of cultures the author crafted and memorable characters you cannot help being attached to, the book’s shocking moments will keep you invested all the way through.
Stand: The Cost of War by Mark Moore is a fantastic historical fantasy fiction set to dive into the boundaries of right and wrong during a war. Damien Flynn is facing the chaos erupted that is caused by cruelty in the name of justice. The lines haven't been blurrier between the two factions. Victoria Montgomery is also faced by the consequences of her actions, that will not only cost her the love of her life but also her will to live. Damien, Jenn, and Victoria must do everything in their power to make things right or face deadly outcome. I thoroughly got absorbed in the midst of the story, it's striking and intelligent. The author has exquisitely created a world of historic fantasy that is superbly creative and unique. The characters are amazing and well developed and correspond beautifully to the storyline. I highly recommend this read.
In this novel, Stand: The Cost of War, historical fiction and fantasy mix to create a fascinating read that engages readers from the first pages. I really like the job the author did in creating and expanding this amazing history-style narrative into a fantastic world. Political intrigue and suspense guide the plot through a series of twists and turns that together with the characters shape this novel and transform it into a thrilling read. The story follows three characters and describes the consequences of war in their lives, consequences that are physical, psychological and emotional. This together with the thrilling plot makes this novel a great second instalment in the series created by Mark S. Moore.
Stand: The Cost of War by Mark Moore is a historical novel set in an alternative universe, roughly following the model of the American revolution as its basis. The novel is a little bit of everything, from romance to war to political intrigue. Be aware that there are some graphic scenes, although they are not gratuitous and serve a purpose in the story.
There is plenty of excitement and drama with political backstabbing and twists and turns that will keep you guessing the direction the story will go in. If you like solid historical fantasy with a detailed world, then this book is a good choice for you. It is the second book in the series, so maybe consider starting with book one to get full enjoyment out of the series.
Stand: The Cost of War has just about everything. There's some light romance and flirtation (along with some curse words and sex if that's an issue), there's war and rebellion (and a bit of war related gore as well, heads up), politics, and adventure. The writing is good and I always like it when the author includes a map of the fictional region, as they did here, along with a timeline of relevant events (the story takes place in the 1500s). Decent book if you're looking for something interesting and entertaining to keep you occupied for a while (the book is a bit on the longer side at 491 pages).
“Stand: The Cost of War" is the second book of The Ricchan Chronicles written by Mark Moore. In this book, the readers will follow up with the Ricchans and Braitons preparing for their final battle. This novel is a bit of everything and yet I can't seem to find the proper theme for it; a bit fantasy a bit historical, adventures, and romance. This story is compelling; Moore does a great job interacting with the readers, I didn't get distracted at all, quite the opposite, I couldn't put the book down. It was intriguing to see what else was about to happen. I enjoyed this second part more, it is more energic! Great book!
From the moment I finished reading the first book in this series, I was anxious and restless to get the second one. Clearly, as soon as I heard about it, I didn't hesitate to start enjoying it and I have to say that it is as excellent as the previous one. The reader usually enjoys a good story in which good and evil are in a constant tug-of-war. The balance between them is absolutely perfect throughout the story, as well as the mystery and action that are woven into a magnificent web. I certainly expected nothing less from this author who proved to me to be a talented storyteller. Strongly recommended!
Damien Flynn faces the relentless storm of war, where justice and tyranny become indistinguishable. The narrative unfolds into an insatiable tempest, with conquerors, opportunists, and desperate souls adding complexity to Damien's mission. Victoria Montgomery, the soul of the Ricchan uprising, grapples with shattering repercussions. Moore weaves a captivating story of shattered allegiances and heroic resilience, challenging notions of right and wrong. In this breathless journey through morality's blurred lines, the fate of nations rests in the hands of the brave few.