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The Necromancer's Key #3
Subversion
A corrupted power stirs from beyond the grave.
The Necromancer Queen will rise again.
Sent with a contingent of knights to reinforce the Thousand Lakes Kingdom against the aggression of the normally peaceable Soreshi, Anskar DeVantte learns that the Necromancer Queen Talia’s reach is longer than he could have believed.
Cajoled into procuring the components of the Armor of Divinity that will bring Talia back from the realm of the dead, Anskar must put her demands to one side when the real threat facing the Kingdom is revealed.
For the Necromancer Queen is not the only shadow of evil reaching forth.
And Anskar’s growing sorcerous abilities may be all that stands in the breach between the world of Wiraya and a second cataclysmic demon war.
An immersive and ambitious new series from the Aurealis Award-winning author of A Crucible of Souls.
The Necromancer Queen will rise again.
Sent with a contingent of knights to reinforce the Thousand Lakes Kingdom against the aggression of the normally peaceable Soreshi, Anskar DeVantte learns that the Necromancer Queen Talia’s reach is longer than he could have believed.
Cajoled into procuring the components of the Armor of Divinity that will bring Talia back from the realm of the dead, Anskar must put her demands to one side when the real threat facing the Kingdom is revealed.
For the Necromancer Queen is not the only shadow of evil reaching forth.
And Anskar’s growing sorcerous abilities may be all that stands in the breach between the world of Wiraya and a second cataclysmic demon war.
An immersive and ambitious new series from the Aurealis Award-winning author of A Crucible of Souls.
- GenresFantasy
471 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2021
54 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Mitchell Hogan
38 books941 followers
*** Signup to Mitchell's New Release mailing list to be the first to hear about new releases, and for bonus chapters of A Crucible of Souls! ***
When he was eleven, Mitchell Hogan was given the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to read, and a love of fantasy novels was born. He spent the next ten years reading, rolling dice, and playing computer games, with some school and university thrown in. Along the way he accumulated numerous bookcases' worth of fantasy and sci-fi novels and doesn’t look to stop anytime soon.
His first attempt at writing fantasy was an abysmal failure and abandoned after only one page. But ideas for characters and scenes continued to come to him and he kept detailed notes of his thoughts, on the off chance that one day he might have time to write a novel. For a decade he put off his dream of writing until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He knew he would regret not having tried to write the novel percolating inside his head for the rest of his life. Mitchell quit his job and lived off dwindling savings, and the support of his fiancé, until he finished the first draft of A Crucible of Souls.
He now writes full time and is eternally grateful to the readers who took a chance on an unknown author.
A Crucible of Souls won the 2013 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
Mitchell lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, Angela, and daughters, Isabelle and Charlotte.
When he was eleven, Mitchell Hogan was given the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to read, and a love of fantasy novels was born. He spent the next ten years reading, rolling dice, and playing computer games, with some school and university thrown in. Along the way he accumulated numerous bookcases' worth of fantasy and sci-fi novels and doesn’t look to stop anytime soon.
His first attempt at writing fantasy was an abysmal failure and abandoned after only one page. But ideas for characters and scenes continued to come to him and he kept detailed notes of his thoughts, on the off chance that one day he might have time to write a novel. For a decade he put off his dream of writing until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He knew he would regret not having tried to write the novel percolating inside his head for the rest of his life. Mitchell quit his job and lived off dwindling savings, and the support of his fiancé, until he finished the first draft of A Crucible of Souls.
He now writes full time and is eternally grateful to the readers who took a chance on an unknown author.
A Crucible of Souls won the 2013 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
Mitchell lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, Angela, and daughters, Isabelle and Charlotte.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 31, 2021
King Aelfyr of the Thousand Lakes, has asked for help from the Order of Eternal Vigilance against the Soreshi, known to be strong sorcerers, who have been invading his villages and killing his people. Unknown to him, the Soreshi is only part of the problem and not the real threat to his people.
Anskar DeVantte, is part of the contingent sent to aid the king, and thus his education of the tides continue as he meets new allies along the way. Josac the Warrior Priest, Braga the the smithy, Zek the Soreshi, and Brother Bonavir all add colorful conversation and knowledge, helping Anskar find his true path, only naming a few influences. Along with positive comes the negative, with Gann brother of an old foe, Castellac , Uspeth, and another unwelcome acquaintance of the Tainted Cabal.
Meanwhile, Carred and Orix, guided by Queen Talia speaking through Noni, are on there own quest to retrieve the Armor of Divinity, which involves following instructions from an unembodied head.
Anskar can be a frustrating character to follow at times, as he bonds easily to people and then has a profound loyalty to them, which often sways his beliefs one way or the other. He'll turn from his upbringing one minute, then something happens to sway him back the next, but it is all a learning experience for him and the reader. As of yet, I've to figure out if there is a right path for Anskar to follow, as they are all tinged with corruption. Guess, I'll have to wait for the next installment to see.
My thanks to the author for the ARC for an honest review.
Anskar DeVantte, is part of the contingent sent to aid the king, and thus his education of the tides continue as he meets new allies along the way. Josac the Warrior Priest, Braga the the smithy, Zek the Soreshi, and Brother Bonavir all add colorful conversation and knowledge, helping Anskar find his true path, only naming a few influences. Along with positive comes the negative, with Gann brother of an old foe, Castellac , Uspeth, and another unwelcome acquaintance of the Tainted Cabal.
Meanwhile, Carred and Orix, guided by Queen Talia speaking through Noni, are on there own quest to retrieve the Armor of Divinity, which involves following instructions from an unembodied head.
Anskar can be a frustrating character to follow at times, as he bonds easily to people and then has a profound loyalty to them, which often sways his beliefs one way or the other. He'll turn from his upbringing one minute, then something happens to sway him back the next, but it is all a learning experience for him and the reader. As of yet, I've to figure out if there is a right path for Anskar to follow, as they are all tinged with corruption. Guess, I'll have to wait for the next installment to see.
My thanks to the author for the ARC for an honest review.
April 26, 2023
I think this is the end of the series for me. Anskar is a super annoying main character and I just couldn't find it in me to truly care anymore. In the first book he had really strong character growth but that has been the extent in 3 books. He hasn't grown at all since the first book and it's just frustrating to read his POV.
The world building is the only thing saving this series because it is at least interesting. Overall this book is fine.
The world building is the only thing saving this series because it is at least interesting. Overall this book is fine.
December 19, 2021
I miss Niklaus - otherwise was pretty good
June 8, 2021
A story that keeps getting better!
This was a great continuation of Anskar's story and that of Queen Talia. Anskar and his fellow knights are sent to go against the Soreshi sorcerand their Tainted Cabal allies, while Orix, Noni, Carred and the rebels continue their search for the armour of divinity.
I won't say more to avoid spoilers (but damn, that ending! ).
This book was really well written, and it interesting. We also learned some new things about the world of Wiraya and that's something I really liked.
If you've read the previous books (and you really should, despite the super detailed prologue included here), you'll know what you're getting and you know you'll love it.
I'm genuinely excited to find out what happens next!
This was a great continuation of Anskar's story and that of Queen Talia. Anskar and his fellow knights are sent to go against the Soreshi sorcerand their Tainted Cabal allies, while Orix, Noni, Carred and the rebels continue their search for the armour of divinity.
I won't say more to avoid spoilers (but damn, that ending! ).
This book was really well written, and it interesting. We also learned some new things about the world of Wiraya and that's something I really liked.
If you've read the previous books (and you really should, despite the super detailed prologue included here), you'll know what you're getting and you know you'll love it.
I'm genuinely excited to find out what happens next!
June 15, 2021
Uspeth! Your Mama's Calling!
The author continues with his tale of Anskar, true prince of Niyas, who grudgingly accepts his necromancer roots and shade of a mother. Subversion is a complete story and can be read on its own. But, I recommend you begin at Book 1. This story contains considerable violence. So, do not share this read with a tween. Otherwise, Subversion is perfect for teen and adult fantasy sorcery and swordplay lovers. There are lots of battles, demons, monsters, sinners, and saints. I definitely recommend Subversion as a Summer 2021 read and Books 1-3 as a Xmas stocking stuffer. I'm looking forward to Book 4. Enjoy!
The author continues with his tale of Anskar, true prince of Niyas, who grudgingly accepts his necromancer roots and shade of a mother. Subversion is a complete story and can be read on its own. But, I recommend you begin at Book 1. This story contains considerable violence. So, do not share this read with a tween. Otherwise, Subversion is perfect for teen and adult fantasy sorcery and swordplay lovers. There are lots of battles, demons, monsters, sinners, and saints. I definitely recommend Subversion as a Summer 2021 read and Books 1-3 as a Xmas stocking stuffer. I'm looking forward to Book 4. Enjoy!
June 9, 2021
A nice continuation of a great new series by one of my favorite authors Mitchell Hogan. A well written book that fleshes out the characters and adds more to the story but for me it also seems to be just more chapters and doesn't stand out on it's own.
Read
July 23, 2021Excellent expansion of the world created in Books 1 and 2. Everything feels bigger and the stakes higher. Hogan's excellent character development continues as he really captures the 'work-in-progress' nature of our protagonist who is still very much figuring it all out.
Full Review to Follow...
Full Review to Follow...
June 10, 2021
Good read with lots of action
I am Enjoying this series and looking forward to next book. Main character changes as he ages
learning about life as he travels and matures.
I am Enjoying this series and looking forward to next book. Main character changes as he ages
learning about life as he travels and matures.
June 16, 2021
5 Stars for enjoyment factor. So many possibilities for the next book!
August 13, 2021
A must read and can't wait for Conversion!
September 18, 2021
very good
June 2, 2021
Great continuation but nothing new
For me this was the quote on quote filler book in the series, nothing new, a few misadventures, but ultimately ehh. I would honestly skip and wait for the fourth and enjoy the first two.
For me this was the quote on quote filler book in the series, nothing new, a few misadventures, but ultimately ehh. I would honestly skip and wait for the fourth and enjoy the first two.
February 21, 2024
The story is good with some good characters.
Ansgar continues to be an annoying teen and unfortunately he does not mature much in this book. I really hope he develops more in the next installment. I also hope for the return of Niclas.
Ansgar continues to be an annoying teen and unfortunately he does not mature much in this book. I really hope he develops more in the next installment. I also hope for the return of Niclas.
December 26, 2023
This series is dragging HARD; I really hope the next book is better because I dunno how to push through two more books
April 17, 2024
This series is far too long.
July 12, 2024
Im loving this series so far.. interesting characters, good story line...can't wait to start book 4
January 12, 2026
it’s the second series I’ve loved of his. brill work!
I’ve loved a few series of MH. This has been great! I’ll prob keep reading all his stiff !thanks Mitchell
I’ve loved a few series of MH. This has been great! I’ll prob keep reading all his stiff !thanks Mitchell
May 9, 2021
Another great addition to the Tainted Cabal world. Anskar is very close to becoming man he should be. And maybe the necromancer he should be. Can’t wait to see how this part of the story ends.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews