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Legacy of Rukara #0.5
Salt & Cinder
For nearly four hundred years the Empire of Mirias Deil has stood - indomitable and undefeated. Built on the ashes of war, the empire’s legions are legendary, its soldiers resolute in defence of their homeland. While no rival nation can match the Miriai on the field of battle, sometimes the worst enemies don’t come from without - but within.
On the eastern plains, a caravan captain fights to get his daughter to safety. In the imperial city of Soften, a scholar risks both career and reputation to study the mysterious radiants looming above. Deep in the Miriai jungle, a band of mercenaries is willing to sacrifice everything to save a small town from a demonic horde. From the deepest jungle to highest peak, whispers of rebellion hang on the lips of every civilian, soldier, pirate, or scholar to call the empire home.
Within this volume are ten tales of betrayal, heartache, sacrifice, and war.
Within are the tales of the Legacy of Rukara.
Contents:
Redfall
Radiance
The Battle of Avra Sul
The Dark Descent
Gold Anchor Port
Volley
Cinder Ridge
The Sullen Feather
Soldier, Kraken, Bard
Savanistel
On the eastern plains, a caravan captain fights to get his daughter to safety. In the imperial city of Soften, a scholar risks both career and reputation to study the mysterious radiants looming above. Deep in the Miriai jungle, a band of mercenaries is willing to sacrifice everything to save a small town from a demonic horde. From the deepest jungle to highest peak, whispers of rebellion hang on the lips of every civilian, soldier, pirate, or scholar to call the empire home.
Within this volume are ten tales of betrayal, heartache, sacrifice, and war.
Within are the tales of the Legacy of Rukara.
Contents:
Redfall
Radiance
The Battle of Avra Sul
The Dark Descent
Gold Anchor Port
Volley
Cinder Ridge
The Sullen Feather
Soldier, Kraken, Bard
Savanistel
- GenresFantasyShort Stories
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2021
About the author
James Downe
13 books45 followersJames is a writer and designer in Toronto, Ontario. Raised on Lego, Nintendo, fantasy books, and tabletop role-playing games, he has been creating worlds for as long as he can remember. He is the author of 'Salt & Cinder', 'Sisters of Jade', and 'Sorrow & Shroud'. His work has been published in 'Resident Alien', and has short stories in the anthologies 'Lone Wolf', 'Swords for Hire', and 'Legacy: A One-Shot Anthology of Speculative Fiction'.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 4, 2021
I read an earlier version but this review will focus on the published work. My thoughts are my own.
"Magic was born in the deep, but time changed all things."
I was introduced to James Downe's writing through Grimdark's Short Story competition, the Battle Royale. There is a reason why he is a consistent finalist and winner. James writes for worlds brimming with history and lore, for worlds that are very much lived in and has personality. But as expansive as his world building is, it is simply that; a backdrop. His characters are what gives his stories life.
Salt & Cinder focuses on extraordinary but perhaps the unseen characters. In the midst of political war, his characters are not the Emperor or anyone in a high position of power. They are the mercenaries, the scholars, and the vagabonds of his world.
And along their journey, his characters find terror. They discover the forgotten monsters and hidden secrets of their world.
"But beneath it all, she could hear something far deeper.
Something in the storm. Or, rather, something below the waves. A heartbeat. A pounding rhythm, an eternal pulse. It took her a moment to realize the sound was actually not a sound at all but a feeling, an echo rising from deep within. Longing. Memory. But it did not belong to her."
Salt & Cinder is a fast read that is compact but left me wanting more. These ten stories read like a small drop into an incredible world. I am eager to read his next collection.
"Magic was born in the deep, but time changed all things."
I was introduced to James Downe's writing through Grimdark's Short Story competition, the Battle Royale. There is a reason why he is a consistent finalist and winner. James writes for worlds brimming with history and lore, for worlds that are very much lived in and has personality. But as expansive as his world building is, it is simply that; a backdrop. His characters are what gives his stories life.
Salt & Cinder focuses on extraordinary but perhaps the unseen characters. In the midst of political war, his characters are not the Emperor or anyone in a high position of power. They are the mercenaries, the scholars, and the vagabonds of his world.
And along their journey, his characters find terror. They discover the forgotten monsters and hidden secrets of their world.
"But beneath it all, she could hear something far deeper.
Something in the storm. Or, rather, something below the waves. A heartbeat. A pounding rhythm, an eternal pulse. It took her a moment to realize the sound was actually not a sound at all but a feeling, an echo rising from deep within. Longing. Memory. But it did not belong to her."
Salt & Cinder is a fast read that is compact but left me wanting more. These ten stories read like a small drop into an incredible world. I am eager to read his next collection.
January 21, 2021
I beta read for this collection of stories and thought they were great. I read through them quickly, each one had something going on and plenty of action. As you read through them they get better because the lore compounds upon itself and you get a real taste for the world and its history. There has clearly been lots of thought put into the whole. The stories with the kraken are my favourite.
February 26, 2021
Before Salt & Cinder, I’d avoided short story collections. I generally prefer my stories to have a little more meat on the bone. Well, it turned out this book had enough meat for an army of brigands.
The world is richly detailed and stretches well beyond the page. It’s a cruel and unforgiving world to be sure but is tempered by a myriad of unlikely heroes I enjoyed rooting for.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys getting lost in a dark fantasy world.
The world is richly detailed and stretches well beyond the page. It’s a cruel and unforgiving world to be sure but is tempered by a myriad of unlikely heroes I enjoyed rooting for.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys getting lost in a dark fantasy world.
January 29, 2021
Great collection of stories in an immersive world. Ill be looking for more from this author.
December 10, 2022
Amazon Rating: ★★★★★
Book Rating: ☆★★★★
—
I can’t express enough how much I enjoyed Salt & Cinders.
I actually read Sisters of Jade first thinking that was the first book in the series. I was left a little confused in places and had several questions and I thought that a followup would explore them. When I came to this book I soon realised I read out of order. (Not a dreadful mistake if you’re wondering, but it would’ve been a little less ‘What?’)
And I loved the standalone short story format more than I thought. Yeah, I actually love short stories but there was a way in which James Downe approached them that made me LOVE love them. There was the faintest connection binding them but it’s hard to describe exactly. Each story is from a new person, around a new event, but also following or related to previous events.
And damn are they harsh stories. There are few (if any) happily ever afters here. It is honest and real and gritty and often sad. I love it.
Some issues:
A few spelling errors and whatnot scattered throughout.
The first story was rocky. It could’ve used some serious work. I was almost in despair when I first read it, thinking ‘Where did all the charm of Sisters go?’ Some of the dialouge and character reactions were terrible. I thought this was the second book at the time and when I realised it was the first I was relieved and hoped it would pick up — it did pick up guys. And if you’re a bit disappointed in the beginning remember that it does pick up, and mate, some of those stories are just amazing.
—
My rating Systems:
Amazon Rating: (because they suck when it comes to book ratings)
5 – Fantastic work. Anything from brilliant to highly likeable.
4 – A decent solid piece of writing with a lot going for it. I really dig your jive.
X – No rating if I didn’t like it or think others won’t like it.
All other Book Rating Systems:
5 – Absolutely genius. I probably want to marry you.
4 – Fantastic story. I loved it and will pick up your other work without hesitation.
3 – A good, solid story. I enjoyed it and if it wasn’t quite my thing I’m sure others would dig it.
2 – I wasn’t into it. Some potential but missed opportunities.
1 – Yeah, na.
Typically my Amazon score is my honest rating + an extra star.
I try to star-rate with the intended audience in mind, not my own personal feelings.
Book Rating: ☆★★★★
—
I can’t express enough how much I enjoyed Salt & Cinders.
I actually read Sisters of Jade first thinking that was the first book in the series. I was left a little confused in places and had several questions and I thought that a followup would explore them. When I came to this book I soon realised I read out of order. (Not a dreadful mistake if you’re wondering, but it would’ve been a little less ‘What?’)
And I loved the standalone short story format more than I thought. Yeah, I actually love short stories but there was a way in which James Downe approached them that made me LOVE love them. There was the faintest connection binding them but it’s hard to describe exactly. Each story is from a new person, around a new event, but also following or related to previous events.
And damn are they harsh stories. There are few (if any) happily ever afters here. It is honest and real and gritty and often sad. I love it.
Some issues:
A few spelling errors and whatnot scattered throughout.
The first story was rocky. It could’ve used some serious work. I was almost in despair when I first read it, thinking ‘Where did all the charm of Sisters go?’ Some of the dialouge and character reactions were terrible. I thought this was the second book at the time and when I realised it was the first I was relieved and hoped it would pick up — it did pick up guys. And if you’re a bit disappointed in the beginning remember that it does pick up, and mate, some of those stories are just amazing.
—
My rating Systems:
Amazon Rating: (because they suck when it comes to book ratings)
5 – Fantastic work. Anything from brilliant to highly likeable.
4 – A decent solid piece of writing with a lot going for it. I really dig your jive.
X – No rating if I didn’t like it or think others won’t like it.
All other Book Rating Systems:
5 – Absolutely genius. I probably want to marry you.
4 – Fantastic story. I loved it and will pick up your other work without hesitation.
3 – A good, solid story. I enjoyed it and if it wasn’t quite my thing I’m sure others would dig it.
2 – I wasn’t into it. Some potential but missed opportunities.
1 – Yeah, na.
Typically my Amazon score is my honest rating + an extra star.
I try to star-rate with the intended audience in mind, not my own personal feelings.
July 26, 2021
Salt and Cinder, a collection of short stories that draws you in and makes you want more. Hopefully the author will expand on what he’s created here. A civilization in rebellion. Two sides sure of the worthiness of their cause. Within the pages is a world rich in history, creatures, and magic and populated it with people flawed and noble, lucky and doomed, wise and foolish. The stories are full of characters you come to admire and want to know more about (at least the ones that survive, this is grimdark afterall). Well done.
February 5, 2021
Some Interesting Stories
This book of a collection of stories all set on the same world, and they seem to take place chronologically. It's all pretty standard fantasy stuff, with magic, demons, orcs, and tentacled monsters. Pirates too. Pirates are always fun.
This book of a collection of stories all set on the same world, and they seem to take place chronologically. It's all pretty standard fantasy stuff, with magic, demons, orcs, and tentacled monsters. Pirates too. Pirates are always fun.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews