Arcanist Fables

Frith Chronicles #5.5

by Shami Stovall

Strange places. New arcanists. The rise of the Second Ascension.

Volke Savan has proven himself time and time again, but now the others of the Frith Guild want their opportunity. Illia wants to recover a lost runestone, Master Zelfree hopes to learn the magics of the Mother of Shapeshifters, and Adelgis surprises himself with the new depths of his dreamweaving abilities.

But while the Frith Guild prepares for the coming war, the Second Ascension has grand plans for the world. When two more god-creatures are born, dastardly arcanists try their hands at braving the godly lairs. With the Dread Pirate Calisto as a ferry, men like Theasin Venrover will have to outsmart puzzles and traps that put the world serpent’s to shame.

Witness stories from the viewpoints of friend and foe alike, all while the world races to find and bond with the remaining god-creatures.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2021

About the author

Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction. Before that, she taught history and criminal law at the college level, and loved every second. When she’s not reading fascinating articles and books about ancient China or the Byzantine Empire, Stovall can be found playing way too many video games, especially RPGs and tactics simulators.

If you want to contact her, you can do so at the following locations:

Website: https://sastovallauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GameOverStation/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAStovall/
Email: s.adelle.s@gmail.com

Reviews

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

War is coming thanks to the Second Ascension and the birth of new god creatures. Members of the Frith Guild and the Second Ascension are making their preparations for the battles to come and the book shows those preparations from their prospectives.

First and foremost, if you expect to see or learn anything new about Volke Savan prepare to be disappointed. Volke is mentioned, but no notable information about him is discussed. With that being said, the book is incredibly illuminating in regards to the Second Ascension. I'd mention details, but they are all significant spoilers.

Arcanist Fables isn't quite what I expected. On a plus we do have multiple point of view characters including Illia, Adelgis aka Moonbeam, Calisto, Hexa, the Kirin arcanist Orwyn Tellia, Everett Zelfree, new characters Ezril Rivers and The Keeper of Corpses, Fain, Ryker Blackwater, Mathis Weaversong (Luthair's first arcanist), and Rhys. The downside is the stories aren't all told directly after the book World Serpent. Many of the stories take place during World Serpent and some are before it. I was hoping for more current information on the characters, but that's a mixed bag with this book. The majority of the stories that happened during or before World Serpent didn't feel that worthwhile, but those that happened afterwards did provide some interesting prospectives and information.

The majority of the characters behave just the way you would expect. I was not a fan of Ryker. I hope he's not whining all the time moving forward. Ezril Rivers and the Keeper of Corpses were an unexpected plus. It will be interesting to see what the story has for them moving forward. Though not being a point of view characters, we learn a lot more about Theasin Venrover and the Autarch. Everett Zelfree's opinion of Theasin continues to be proven correct over time. Theasin is a particularly vile individual. I hope we learn more about the Autarch as he's far more complex than the outright villain Theasin.

Arcanist Fables was a solid story and seem to be necessary reading for those who plan to continue the series.

[Oscar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se trata de una serie de relatos ambientados en el universo Arcanista. Transcurren antes de los hechos acaecidos en el libro 6, y algunos son imprescindibles para poder entender lo que vendrá posteriormente. En ellos se les da voz por primera vez a Illia, la hermanastra de Volke, así como a Adelgis y Fain. También tienen protagonismo los villanos, como el Temible Pirata Calisto. En resumen, es un buen interludio para las emociones que se avecinan en el sexto libro.

[Jeanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fables were great. But what's really worth it was the bloors at the end, those were fantastic. Do not skip this one.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The threads left dangling are tied in at last.

I have to say that as a reader I am alway dubious about add-ons that are not part of the main series…

What bits did the author not include in the main story and why didn’t they are all questions that spring to mind.

For me this book answers a lot of the questions raised during the first five books. True it raises more, and leaves huge openings in the hedges that surround the story pathway in the main series, for the author to step into along the road to its conclusion.

I feel there may also be chances for sequels and prequels, just from reading this book… and there are even some funny outtakes at the end…

Shami is quickly becoming the expert weaver in the tales she tells us with each new adventure.

[Anushka Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of fresh perspective stories set in the Arcanist Universe, with a moving foreword, and all the usual quirks and issues that come with this series.

What I loved best was (FINALLY!) getting Illya's perspective. Illya's VOICE! Which, btw, is 1000% less annoying that Volke's, in case anyone was interested.

I'm eagerly waiting for Warlord Arcanist, and this was a nice interlude to break the monotony in the meantime.

[A Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this collection of short stories - they're told from the point of view of several secondary and even tertiary characters. These stories were super for character development, which I felt was lacking in the main books. It really made the characters more realistic and less one-dimensional and provided important insights into why some of the characters were feeling and doing what they were in the main books. There was also additional information into why some of the characters were "bad guys," whereas in the book it's almost portrayed as "we're bad cause we're evil." This was a really well-done compilation that added depth and meaning to the main series.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the other viewpoints did not feel that different, it was nice to see some secrets that Volke did not know, and some of the bried backstories to events more recently.

Obviously the bloopers were hilarious too; someone has been reading Will Wight!

[Eric Lehaf · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible

What a waste, its basically a flash back point of view from different characters. FOR THE WHOLE BOOK! I'm glad I didn't buy it

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how essential this book is to read, I guess that will only be clear when reading book 6. It certainly offers extra meat on the bones of the overall story, but at the point of finishing the last story, I don't feel like any of the stories left me chopping at the bit for the next mainline book.

That being said, I blooming loved the tonal shift of the Fable of the impossible trial of worth. It was something completely separate from the usual upbeat, even in the face of adversity attitude we usually have. The characters were well realised and fleshed out for such a short story and the prose being much darker and more visceral was great.

Also, contrary to what I said above, the third part of Adelgis' stories does feel like it is important and could play a major part in book 6 and beyond. But I think the fact this isn't explored in the main books leads me to believe it's not going to be that important, or we will get a retelling in the main book, making this part of the story pointless.

I would say it's worth a read,just for the extra Frith and it is nice to hear the thoughts associated with a characters first person pov.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the series

I really enjoyed this book even though it was a bit of a side trip for the main series. This book is a series of short stories that take place before, during or immediately after the events in the World Serpent Arcanist as seen through the eyes of other major secondary characters. We get stories from Illia, Adelgis, Calisto, Hexa, Zelfree, Orwyn, Mathis Weaversong and Rhys’ POV. In these short stories we are giving more of these characters’ back stories, their personalities, and motivations which adds even more dimension to the overall series and the main story arc. It also gives us some hints about what is coming next. The book includes end of the world scenarios, paranormal creatures, loyal friends and family, complicated families, painful pasts, mystical coincidences, snark, love, secrets, and laughs. I love this series.

[Garrett Marshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why authors decide to write these kind of books. It hardly ever pays off in my opinion.

This book is a collection of short stories from other characters. Very few advance the main plot, which is unfortunate.

The best parts are the tales from the point of view of the villains. Seeing into their world and mindset helps inform the story a bit.

My new least favorite character is now Ryker. He has a lot of Volke book 1 in him, and by that I mean a huge amount of self pity, even though things are going pretty good for him.

Some interesting new characters make appearances, but honestly this one was kind of a drag to get through. I'm glad the author got it out of her system, please don't do it again.

[Nathan England · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating glimpse into the stories of both allies and enemies! While not essential to the main storyline, this collection of fables adds so much depth to the world and its characters. I loved getting a peek into the minds of people like Illia and Adelgis as they tackle their own challenges. Each story felt fresh and exciting, with enough action and intrigue to keep me thoroughly entertained. A great addition to the series for fans looking to explore the world further!

[Jake Benedict · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall a disappointment

The author still writes well with the prose we've come to appreciate over the last five books. Unfortunate this collection is a somewhat scattered series of flashbacks featuring major, minor and unheard of characters from the previous works. This could have been done throughout the previous five books written and was as my title states, a disappointment.

[Aron Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great perspectives and side stories

I'm sure we all have been wanting to know the memories and thoughts of some of the side characters and this is a perfect set of mini stories of some of the side characters as it helps to gear you up for the next novel! It is also great to see a piece on Mathis, Luthair's original arcanist.

[Andrey Lukyanenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories from different points of view. The author did a great job showing how different characters perceive the world and act. Some of the stories contributed to the main books, explaining how certain things happened. And the bloopers were fun!

[Erik Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Addition

I love the way the author fit these short stories into the existing books. They really flesh out the world and help bring it to life. I also love the way the secondary characters are given the spotlight. They seem more human and less just names on pages.

[Jenny Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confused

Do the short stories mean there will be a final book? I enjoyed them but somewhat baffled as it is a break from the series. They do provide some insight to the over all story.

[Thomas Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Flashbacks don't make a good book.

It's annoying and boring to read a collection of minor characters thoughts and opinions. If you want to include them do it in an ongoing fashion not in flashbacks. I was excited to read the main arc. Not some BS.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, better then then main series. Character actually develop here.. They face semi-interesting delemas that force them to grow, a bit whiney at times, but I guess that's the authors style at this point.

[Wida Hamidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was ok

Decent book. It was not as good as the previous books but it’s still a good book. This book is basically like a filler.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Another great book. Even though this is a book of multiple stories, my favorite by far was when the author thanked her husband. Cant wait for the next in the series.

[Fayth · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story’s

i loved the change up it was a great read and i can’t wait for book 6 in the series to come out keep up the great work

[Sponc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked these small stories. Especially the ones with Adelgis. They feel very ethearical :)