What do you think?
Rate this book
The Half Tales #1
Half a Lion
Half a Lion, a coming-of age epic fantasy, follows the adventures of three siblings as they struggle for survival, embrace forbidden magic, and class for thrones in the shadow of an enemy that threatens to drown their world in blood.
The half-blood fights shamans and skinchangers, all while caring for an ailing mother and vowing to win an unwanted throne. Betrayed, hunted and alone, the exile dreams of revenge and must rely on the loyalty of sworn enemies to do so. The cripple has lost everything, but loss can be the deadliest of weapons wielded by the coldest of hearts.
Amid poetry and politics, magic and murder, who has the strength to take the throne, and keep it? Enter the jungle.
The half-blood fights shamans and skinchangers, all while caring for an ailing mother and vowing to win an unwanted throne. Betrayed, hunted and alone, the exile dreams of revenge and must rely on the loyalty of sworn enemies to do so. The cripple has lost everything, but loss can be the deadliest of weapons wielded by the coldest of hearts.
Amid poetry and politics, magic and murder, who has the strength to take the throne, and keep it? Enter the jungle.
362 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2021
16 people are currently reading
4490 people want to read
About the author
Palle E.K. Oswald
4 books59 followersPalle Oswald was born in a country of about 240 tribes. He was raised on a staple of folklore, of magical battles and mythical beasts. The stories that frightened other children, fascinated him. In school, the traditional fare was complimented with Western classics such as Great Expectations and Jane Eyre. His writing adopts the best of both worlds.
Palle Oswald resides in Maryland and is author of the debut novel Half A Lion.
Twitter https://twitter.com/pekoswald?s=09
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PalleEKOswald
Blog https://awalkwithpeko.blogspot.com/?m=1
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 6, 2021
This was a thrilling read. The plot moves along smoothly, and the characters have wonderful depth. There's plenty of action interspersed with emotional scenes. Oswald has done a brilliant job of bringing the entire story to life, drawing the reader in from the first page. It was almost like watching a movie unfold in front of my eyes. I easily lost hours while reading, and was reluctant to take any breaks. Absolutely recommend for anyone who's interested in a gripping saga that will echo in your mind after you've finished the final page.
October 15, 2021
The book takes you into the world of the tribals and their battles to safeguard their land, their lineage, and their honor. Sakhan, a 15-year-old prince of The Lion tribe who’s yet to hear all of his tribe's war stories, is suddenly faced with the brutality of the jungle when his friend Adah is killed under suspicious circumstances. His half-brother Neneh, an arrogant but seasoned warrior, detests Sakhan, and never truly considered him to be one of them. With the eldest brother injured in battle and the unruly exile of Sakhan with his mother, Neneh’s claim to the throne went unchallenged. A tale of disguised identities, fresh bonds, and revelations begin, as Sakhan fights for his mother’s and his life, weeding out traitors on the way.
It’s not a half-cooked plot of battles and fights for the throne. The narration was successful in keeping me engaged throughout the story by effectively explaining the relationships, nature, and history of the characters in the story. The use of vivid verbs while describing the setting and simple vocabulary while the battle scenes were in play made me feel as if the writer was taking me through the book, page by page, holding my hand. One of my favorite lines is: ''If you want to kill a man, stab his heart, the wisemen claim, and if you want to stab his spirit, kill his pride.'' And another one was -''Some men are bred to be careful; others are born to be sung of”. There were numerous instances while reading the book when my mind drew some parallels with the movies Avatar (2009) and Apocalypto (2006), especially at the mentions of blue warriors.
However, I felt in certain places the continuity was broken and a new scene was introduced, causing confusion, especially due to the unconventional character names (Bekele, Soneh, Turae). But overall, it’s an engaging read and I would recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in life of warriors and to someone who carries a notion that they are only partially engaging, and that too during just the climax. This one kept me engaged till the end.
Thanks.
It’s not a half-cooked plot of battles and fights for the throne. The narration was successful in keeping me engaged throughout the story by effectively explaining the relationships, nature, and history of the characters in the story. The use of vivid verbs while describing the setting and simple vocabulary while the battle scenes were in play made me feel as if the writer was taking me through the book, page by page, holding my hand. One of my favorite lines is: ''If you want to kill a man, stab his heart, the wisemen claim, and if you want to stab his spirit, kill his pride.'' And another one was -''Some men are bred to be careful; others are born to be sung of”. There were numerous instances while reading the book when my mind drew some parallels with the movies Avatar (2009) and Apocalypto (2006), especially at the mentions of blue warriors.
However, I felt in certain places the continuity was broken and a new scene was introduced, causing confusion, especially due to the unconventional character names (Bekele, Soneh, Turae). But overall, it’s an engaging read and I would recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in life of warriors and to someone who carries a notion that they are only partially engaging, and that too during just the climax. This one kept me engaged till the end.
Thanks.
January 19, 2022
A little bit daunting at first, "Half a Lion" blooms into an enthralling read. Any confusion I had during the first few pages was swept away by the incredibly vivid world-building, writing that flowed like a dream, and characters formed so well I could almost believe I was reading fictionalised history. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another of Palle E.K. Oswald's books.
My thanks to the author and BookTasters. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author and BookTasters. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
November 16, 2021
A warriors tale. A young man takes on the mantle of warrior to try to save his friend. Excellent character building with a depth that leads you into their lives and feelings. The world around them is written in such a way so that you can see the sky overhead and the movement of even a blade of grass. I found myself enthralled by the take!
Read
October 23, 2022DNF - Review to come. I decided to keep my promise as I type several reviews on this uncharacteristically damp Southern California morning:
I'm not going to rate this book, though the fact that I DNF it should make plain that I can't recommend it. Half a Lion did not work for me on any level.
Story: It's a tried-and-true tale about three brothers, all children of a powerful and domineering father, who find themselves at loggerheads when the throne is left suddenly vacant.
Characters: Haikachi is the eldest brother, tested warrior and respected leader; Neneh is the middle sibling, reckless, ambitious and arrogant; and Sakhan is the youngest. A half-brother from one of the king's concubines. Haikachi generally ignores him, and Neneh delights in tormenting him.
Writing: Glancing over some of the reviews on this site, I wonder if there wasn't a malfunction in my Kindle download & I got a rough draft. The writing just isn't that good. I'd probably enjoy the story well enough if not for the writing dragging me out of the story every few paragraphs. What particularly stood out was the oddest use of metaphor and an apparently contradictory grasp of characterization. Of the latter, there's a point when someone describes Haikachi as hot-headed and reckless. Traits which he has never exhibited; if anything, he seems quite the opposite. Neneh is the hot-headed arse with anger-management issues.
The usual caveat - this is my opinion. It's apparent others have found Oswald quite safisfying and you may too but he's not an author who's going to be on my radar going forward.
I'm not going to rate this book, though the fact that I DNF it should make plain that I can't recommend it. Half a Lion did not work for me on any level.
Story: It's a tried-and-true tale about three brothers, all children of a powerful and domineering father, who find themselves at loggerheads when the throne is left suddenly vacant.
Characters: Haikachi is the eldest brother, tested warrior and respected leader; Neneh is the middle sibling, reckless, ambitious and arrogant; and Sakhan is the youngest. A half-brother from one of the king's concubines. Haikachi generally ignores him, and Neneh delights in tormenting him.
Writing: Glancing over some of the reviews on this site, I wonder if there wasn't a malfunction in my Kindle download & I got a rough draft. The writing just isn't that good. I'd probably enjoy the story well enough if not for the writing dragging me out of the story every few paragraphs. What particularly stood out was the oddest use of metaphor and an apparently contradictory grasp of characterization. Of the latter, there's a point when someone describes Haikachi as hot-headed and reckless. Traits which he has never exhibited; if anything, he seems quite the opposite. Neneh is the hot-headed arse with anger-management issues.
The usual caveat - this is my opinion. It's apparent others have found Oswald quite safisfying and you may too but he's not an author who's going to be on my radar going forward.
December 27, 2021
A surprisingly good read from this new author who randomly requested me to review his book via Goodreads. I'm normally reticent to do so but this was an unexpected gem.
I'm reminded of reading Chinua Achebe and his Things Fall Apart trilogy in its raw authenticity about tribal Africa. This is a warrior's tale with a dizzying array of characters, which can be challenging to follow at times. However, it doesn't matter if you accept that you're in the talented, articulate hands of a master storyteller who knows how to command an intricate and well-planned storyline. One reviewer called it Apocalypto meets Game of Thrones - I think that's accurate.
Definitely a thrill ride of a novel - I'm sure we'll be hearing more from this talented writer.
I'm reminded of reading Chinua Achebe and his Things Fall Apart trilogy in its raw authenticity about tribal Africa. This is a warrior's tale with a dizzying array of characters, which can be challenging to follow at times. However, it doesn't matter if you accept that you're in the talented, articulate hands of a master storyteller who knows how to command an intricate and well-planned storyline. One reviewer called it Apocalypto meets Game of Thrones - I think that's accurate.
Definitely a thrill ride of a novel - I'm sure we'll be hearing more from this talented writer.
March 6, 2022
fantastic storytelling
I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
Read
January 31, 2022This book has a lot of great characters. I loved how they interacted with each other and how they moved the story forward.
The fact that there is some magic intertwined with the plot makes it also very interesting. I love the handlers, people who can merge with animals and look through their eyes.
I'm curious to see what Sakhan (one of the main characters) will do later on, it looks like he has a lot more going on then meets the eye.
Can't wait to read the next book!
The fact that there is some magic intertwined with the plot makes it also very interesting. I love the handlers, people who can merge with animals and look through their eyes.
I'm curious to see what Sakhan (one of the main characters) will do later on, it looks like he has a lot more going on then meets the eye.
Can't wait to read the next book!
January 26, 2022
I won the kindle edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and cannot wait to read it!
April 11, 2022
A powerful storyteller is Palle E.K. Oswald. His book ‘Half a Lion’ is a story set in tribal Africa. This story is well-crafted with twists and turns intricately woven to keep the interest of the reader intact. Simple storytelling in simple words. The language the people speak, their rituals and their way of life is authentically depicted. The book is packed with action. There is never a dull moment throughout the book. In fact, this book is so action packed that it would make a good movie similar to the western movies of yesteryear. It is a great ‘action’ book with a lot of combat described with elan. There are detailed descriptions of chiefs and generals and their manjas in battle.
This story is of African tribes defending their land for their children and grandchildren in conflict with other tribes who believe the land belongs to them. Friends and foes, marriages and deaths, princes and chiefs, the book has stories about them all. There are, of course, horses and white hawks but this book has wildebeests too. There are forests and spirit flowers. The protagonist, the half lion, Sakhan, is an endearing character. His love and loyalty for Adah, the princess of the Abuns, who is contemptuous of Neneh, Sakhan’s arrogant half-brother, influences all his actions. She is killed but leaves Sakhan the Talisman of Maa which makes him the chief of her people. But Sakhan has to go through many travails before this happens. There is much fighting, tribe against tribe. The descriptions of these battles are excellent. This book is for those who like reading ‘action and adventure’ books.
Palle Oswald is an extremely talented writer. This is his debut novel. Read it! You will like it!
This story is of African tribes defending their land for their children and grandchildren in conflict with other tribes who believe the land belongs to them. Friends and foes, marriages and deaths, princes and chiefs, the book has stories about them all. There are, of course, horses and white hawks but this book has wildebeests too. There are forests and spirit flowers. The protagonist, the half lion, Sakhan, is an endearing character. His love and loyalty for Adah, the princess of the Abuns, who is contemptuous of Neneh, Sakhan’s arrogant half-brother, influences all his actions. She is killed but leaves Sakhan the Talisman of Maa which makes him the chief of her people. But Sakhan has to go through many travails before this happens. There is much fighting, tribe against tribe. The descriptions of these battles are excellent. This book is for those who like reading ‘action and adventure’ books.
Palle Oswald is an extremely talented writer. This is his debut novel. Read it! You will like it!
January 14, 2022
The Lion tribe lives in a land known for brutal conquest and magic. There are three potential heirs to the tribe, and only one can ascend. Sakhan cares for his mother, vowing to win the throne he isn't even interested in. Haikachi wants revenge and is working with the tribe's sworn enemies. Neneh's wife was murdered, so others feel he's cursed; this means he has nothing left to lose and everything to prove. Who will lead the Lion tribe?
Inspired by African folklore of the 240 different tribes in his country of origin, Palle Oswald crafted a story of rival brothers, shamans, and dangerous magic. The brothers are all in a struggle for their father's throne, and their personalities were set long before their father died. Each wife looks down on the others, but especially Sakhan's mother, who was from an enemy tribe. She genuinely cared for their father but was still cast out. Machinations on every front exist: the two brothers Haikachi and Neneh that want the throne, enemy tribes, uncertain allies, and the vagabonds on the road that want to eventually find a home. The Lion tribe occupies very fertile land with gold in the river, and many area men conspire to control it. Sakhan wants none of it, but of course, would never be believed when men are expected to war and save face at all times.
Half a Lion is an epic tale, with men vying for thrones and power. It definitely draws you in as you travel with the brothers, particularly Sakhan. As the underdog in the story, I cared more about his thread than the others. He had to balance between the different tribes and identities that he carried as he struggled to survive in the wilderness. There's a hook for future novels, and there is definitely more to this story that can be explored.
Inspired by African folklore of the 240 different tribes in his country of origin, Palle Oswald crafted a story of rival brothers, shamans, and dangerous magic. The brothers are all in a struggle for their father's throne, and their personalities were set long before their father died. Each wife looks down on the others, but especially Sakhan's mother, who was from an enemy tribe. She genuinely cared for their father but was still cast out. Machinations on every front exist: the two brothers Haikachi and Neneh that want the throne, enemy tribes, uncertain allies, and the vagabonds on the road that want to eventually find a home. The Lion tribe occupies very fertile land with gold in the river, and many area men conspire to control it. Sakhan wants none of it, but of course, would never be believed when men are expected to war and save face at all times.
Half a Lion is an epic tale, with men vying for thrones and power. It definitely draws you in as you travel with the brothers, particularly Sakhan. As the underdog in the story, I cared more about his thread than the others. He had to balance between the different tribes and identities that he carried as he struggled to survive in the wilderness. There's a hook for future novels, and there is definitely more to this story that can be explored.
August 5, 2022
Half a Lion has a brilliant, gripping start, and great themes. Palle clearly have studied military strategy quite well, with realistic and thrilling fights. Palle's tone and pacing are fantastic.
The protagonist is a compelling character who is enthralling to observe. The plot was complex and unpredictable in the best way possible. Half a Lion is a novel for any history or military fanatic. Fans of Bernard Cornwell and John Flanagan will love Palle.
The protagonist is a compelling character who is enthralling to observe. The plot was complex and unpredictable in the best way possible. Half a Lion is a novel for any history or military fanatic. Fans of Bernard Cornwell and John Flanagan will love Palle.
August 15, 2022
Half A Lion was a non-stop exciting adventure from the first chapter. The characters are realistic and well written, and inspired strong emotional responses from me. Thanks to the author for sending me a copy to review. I can't wait to read the next installment.
September 9, 2023
As someone who grew up enthralled by epic fantasies, I'm always searching for the next great saga to sweep me away. Half a Lion, the debut novel by Palle E.K. Oswald, delivered the kind of thrilling adventure and complex worldbuilding that reminds me why I fell in love with the genre.
Set in a world inspired by Central African folklore, the story follows three siblings with a turbulent relationship who get caught up in a violent struggle for control of the throne. Oswald quickly pulls you into the action, with vividly described battle scenes and political scheming propelling the plot forward. Yet where the book truly shines is in the nuanced development of the central characters. Each sibling has their own unique motivations and inner conflicts, shaped by betrayal, loss, and a desire for power.
As the narrative shifts between the rival siblings, Oswald maintains engagement through his strong prose and attention to imaginative details. The rituals, traditions, and landscapes of this fantasy Africa setting jump off the page. It feels akin to discovering a new world, free of recycled medieval European tropes. While the frequent perspective changes could be confusing at times, the sheer energy of the writing style and the epic scope of the tale prevailed.
Fans of character-driven, gritty fantasy will find a lot to enjoy in Half a Lion. Oswald has crafted a lived-in world and a compelling cast of flawed yet relatable protagonists facing equally human struggles. The clan rivalries, forbidden magic systems, and brash action sequences offer the perfect escapist blend. As the first book in a planned trilogy, I'm eager to see where this adventure goes next. Oswald has marked himself as a fantasy author to watch.
Set in a world inspired by Central African folklore, the story follows three siblings with a turbulent relationship who get caught up in a violent struggle for control of the throne. Oswald quickly pulls you into the action, with vividly described battle scenes and political scheming propelling the plot forward. Yet where the book truly shines is in the nuanced development of the central characters. Each sibling has their own unique motivations and inner conflicts, shaped by betrayal, loss, and a desire for power.
As the narrative shifts between the rival siblings, Oswald maintains engagement through his strong prose and attention to imaginative details. The rituals, traditions, and landscapes of this fantasy Africa setting jump off the page. It feels akin to discovering a new world, free of recycled medieval European tropes. While the frequent perspective changes could be confusing at times, the sheer energy of the writing style and the epic scope of the tale prevailed.
Fans of character-driven, gritty fantasy will find a lot to enjoy in Half a Lion. Oswald has crafted a lived-in world and a compelling cast of flawed yet relatable protagonists facing equally human struggles. The clan rivalries, forbidden magic systems, and brash action sequences offer the perfect escapist blend. As the first book in a planned trilogy, I'm eager to see where this adventure goes next. Oswald has marked himself as a fantasy author to watch.
August 28, 2022
(Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.)
Firstly, Half a Lion is the first volume of the The Half Tales series, so the ending is a cliff-hanger. The good news is that the book is definitely interesting enough to make you want to keep going to the next book, Half a Legend.
Half a Lion refers to the hero, Sakhan, son of the Lion tribe’s chief, Kheng, aka The Horselord. He is considered half of the Lion because his father may be the chief, but his mother, Tefeh, is the chief’s second wife, and is of another tribe. This makes other members of the tribe suspicious of his loyalties. His half-brother, Haikachi, is the oldest son of the chief and his first wife, Mbodeh, which makes him first in line to advance to the Lion throne. But is he too weak to rule? We shall see. His younger brother, Neneh, may be the better choice, but his arrogance could put everyone in danger.
Got all that? Good. It took me a minute to sort out who was who but it’s worth it as the story builds and build it does. There are battles between tribes, and family fights, escapes and exiles, marriages, partnerships and alliances, and never a dull moment. The story is seasoned with African folklore and poetry, taking place in the forests and jungles of Africa. The reader follows Sakhan as he goes through all the trials and tribulations and dangers of being an exile from his own tribe in a treacherous and war-prone area between the four main tribes of the tale. His brothers weave in and out of the story as well, each struggling to find his own way to destiny after the throne they all seek becomes available to the one strong enough to take it and keep it.
Firstly, Half a Lion is the first volume of the The Half Tales series, so the ending is a cliff-hanger. The good news is that the book is definitely interesting enough to make you want to keep going to the next book, Half a Legend.
Half a Lion refers to the hero, Sakhan, son of the Lion tribe’s chief, Kheng, aka The Horselord. He is considered half of the Lion because his father may be the chief, but his mother, Tefeh, is the chief’s second wife, and is of another tribe. This makes other members of the tribe suspicious of his loyalties. His half-brother, Haikachi, is the oldest son of the chief and his first wife, Mbodeh, which makes him first in line to advance to the Lion throne. But is he too weak to rule? We shall see. His younger brother, Neneh, may be the better choice, but his arrogance could put everyone in danger.
Got all that? Good. It took me a minute to sort out who was who but it’s worth it as the story builds and build it does. There are battles between tribes, and family fights, escapes and exiles, marriages, partnerships and alliances, and never a dull moment. The story is seasoned with African folklore and poetry, taking place in the forests and jungles of Africa. The reader follows Sakhan as he goes through all the trials and tribulations and dangers of being an exile from his own tribe in a treacherous and war-prone area between the four main tribes of the tale. His brothers weave in and out of the story as well, each struggling to find his own way to destiny after the throne they all seek becomes available to the one strong enough to take it and keep it.
May 4, 2022
Half a Lion is a beautiful, deeply researched fantasy tale that's a breath of fresh air. From the very first chapter, I was caught. The conflict and strength of the characters, even in the prologue, brought tears to my eyes, which is rarer for me these days after reading so much. The world is intricately crafted, with details of food, architecture, rituals, and more. I very much felt like I'd been drawn into a new and different world. I was so delighted to read a fantasy that wasn't based on a Western mythology and climate. It really gets old but I regained my wonder and curiosity as a reader by delving into a world based on African mythos. It took me longer to care about the characters. Sometimes it seemed like more effort and research had gone into crafting the world than the characters and more descriptions were based on the surroundings than the interior life of the people we followed. I appreciated the style of the writing however, glad for a more omniscient perspective that flowed between characters rather than large chunks of POV that switched back and forth after long chapters. Sometimes this was confusing, but I got more used to it as I went along and it's a more fluid and enjoyable read in my opinion than stories that have 10 POV characters in close 3rd that we have to wait ages to get back to. All in all, a great fantasy adventure story, with a fresh take and powerfully emotional characters. I certainly won't get bored with my TBR list if new authors produce original content like this! Thank you to Palle Oswald for providing me with a review copy.
August 23, 2022
Half a lion
by
Palle E. K. Oswald
Half a Lion, the first in a new epic fantasy trilogy, follows the tale of three siblings - the warrior, the worker and the accursed - as they struggle for survival, embrace forbidden magic, and clash for thrones in the shadow of an enemy that threatens to drown their world in blood.
-Synopsis-
“If wishes were grains of sand, the world will be a desert.”
An impressive debut novel by Fantasy writer Palle E. K. Oswald.
Engaging from the first chapter, we are thrown into a very realistic story, of a violent and bloody world between several tribes. Finely written scenes abound in this adventure of vengeance and loyalty.
The author weaves dark tapestry: “The dead paved the land like straw scattered in a storm, blunted swords and broken spears thrown away, along with arrows pinned into the ground.” And we are reminded of the strength one beholds, a well indestructible if chosen. There are secrets and conversations that should never be overheard, and there are cowards to fear as much as the creatures that dwell in the dark.
“Before the sun is high again, you will be fat with the flesh of traitors. I Promise.”
Who can the reader trust?
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and therefore award Half a Lion 4.5 stars
Thank you, Palle E. K. Oswald, for sharing your work with The Book Dragon.
Andrew Bell, Official Reviewer of Audio Fiction for The Book Dragon
by
Palle E. K. Oswald
Half a Lion, the first in a new epic fantasy trilogy, follows the tale of three siblings - the warrior, the worker and the accursed - as they struggle for survival, embrace forbidden magic, and clash for thrones in the shadow of an enemy that threatens to drown their world in blood.
-Synopsis-
“If wishes were grains of sand, the world will be a desert.”
An impressive debut novel by Fantasy writer Palle E. K. Oswald.
Engaging from the first chapter, we are thrown into a very realistic story, of a violent and bloody world between several tribes. Finely written scenes abound in this adventure of vengeance and loyalty.
The author weaves dark tapestry: “The dead paved the land like straw scattered in a storm, blunted swords and broken spears thrown away, along with arrows pinned into the ground.” And we are reminded of the strength one beholds, a well indestructible if chosen. There are secrets and conversations that should never be overheard, and there are cowards to fear as much as the creatures that dwell in the dark.
“Before the sun is high again, you will be fat with the flesh of traitors. I Promise.”
Who can the reader trust?
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and therefore award Half a Lion 4.5 stars
Thank you, Palle E. K. Oswald, for sharing your work with The Book Dragon.
Andrew Bell, Official Reviewer of Audio Fiction for The Book Dragon
November 8, 2022
Title : Half A Lion
Author : Palle E. K. Oswald
This is a book that starts with death. The death of a warrior. Then the actual story begins with Sakhan and Adah. Sakhan, the son of the chief of the lion tribe and Adah his friend, a young and beautiful lass. The crown prince Neneh, Sakhan's half brother and Sakhan so not see eye to eye. A story of tribal warfare and race to supremacy between tribes. Each tribe trying to get the better of the other. Political liaisons between princes and princesses, and betrayals by the known forms the core of the story.
Brother fighting with brother and Shamans dictating terms with sorts of magic. A truly medeival tale.The Lions, the Abuns and Menjun tribes warring amongst themselves. Bloodshed is fodder for the book and inevitably so as it is about tribal wars. The story of the young Sakhan who loses his friend and how he copes with the enmity of Neneh, as both are half brothers forms a part of the tale.
The writing style is simple, the characterisation is detailed and makes for an interesting read. The pace of the book is good and keeps the grip of the reader. One to read.
Author : Palle E. K. Oswald
This is a book that starts with death. The death of a warrior. Then the actual story begins with Sakhan and Adah. Sakhan, the son of the chief of the lion tribe and Adah his friend, a young and beautiful lass. The crown prince Neneh, Sakhan's half brother and Sakhan so not see eye to eye. A story of tribal warfare and race to supremacy between tribes. Each tribe trying to get the better of the other. Political liaisons between princes and princesses, and betrayals by the known forms the core of the story.
Brother fighting with brother and Shamans dictating terms with sorts of magic. A truly medeival tale.The Lions, the Abuns and Menjun tribes warring amongst themselves. Bloodshed is fodder for the book and inevitably so as it is about tribal wars. The story of the young Sakhan who loses his friend and how he copes with the enmity of Neneh, as both are half brothers forms a part of the tale.
The writing style is simple, the characterisation is detailed and makes for an interesting read. The pace of the book is good and keeps the grip of the reader. One to read.
November 3, 2025
Book Review: Half A Lion by Palle E. K. Oswald
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d get into a tribal-style story, but Half A Lion completely surprised me. What started as curiosity turned into me staying up late just to see how things played out between the main characters, Sakhan, Haikachi and Neneh. The story follows their struggle for leadership within the Lion tribe; a clash between Sakhan, the good-hearted “half-Lion” son trying to do right, and Neneh, the highly emotional, hard-hearted half-brother driven by ambition.
It reminded me of the early scenes in Black Panther... that same tension of tradition, family, and power but with a deeper, more rugged flavor. The world-building pulls you in, the emotional layers feel real, and by the end, I found myself genuinely invested. And just when I thought I’d get closure… the ending left me hanging and wanting more. It’s one of those cliffhangers that makes you immediately reach for the next book because you have to know what happens next. �
I definitely recommend this, now im off to devour the next in series, Half a Legend.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d get into a tribal-style story, but Half A Lion completely surprised me. What started as curiosity turned into me staying up late just to see how things played out between the main characters, Sakhan, Haikachi and Neneh. The story follows their struggle for leadership within the Lion tribe; a clash between Sakhan, the good-hearted “half-Lion” son trying to do right, and Neneh, the highly emotional, hard-hearted half-brother driven by ambition.
It reminded me of the early scenes in Black Panther... that same tension of tradition, family, and power but with a deeper, more rugged flavor. The world-building pulls you in, the emotional layers feel real, and by the end, I found myself genuinely invested. And just when I thought I’d get closure… the ending left me hanging and wanting more. It’s one of those cliffhangers that makes you immediately reach for the next book because you have to know what happens next. �
I definitely recommend this, now im off to devour the next in series, Half a Legend.
April 12, 2022
As Stevo’s Novel Ideas, I am a long-time book reviewer, member of the media, an Influencer, and a content provider. I received this book as a free review copy from either the publisher, a publicist, or the author, and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. This review is submitted in collaboration with @BookTasters.
In Half a Lion, three siblings: a warrior, a worker, and one that is accursed, must compete for kingship: the LionChair, while under attack by forces that threaten to overwhelm them at every turn. Tragic and violent, but also filled with magic, tribal lore that guides them, and a solid sense of place, this debut, the first in a trilogy, is an adventure thrill ride. Edgar Rice Burroughs would be proud.
Find more Goodreads reviews at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4..., and find many more reviewed and recommended books and products by searching for me on Google.
In Half a Lion, three siblings: a warrior, a worker, and one that is accursed, must compete for kingship: the LionChair, while under attack by forces that threaten to overwhelm them at every turn. Tragic and violent, but also filled with magic, tribal lore that guides them, and a solid sense of place, this debut, the first in a trilogy, is an adventure thrill ride. Edgar Rice Burroughs would be proud.
Find more Goodreads reviews at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4..., and find many more reviewed and recommended books and products by searching for me on Google.
February 15, 2022
An epic and brutal tale of three brothers vying for control of their tribe, in a land where politics and power are in constant flux. This is a complicated and layered tale, populated with a variety of solidly wrought characters. Loyalties ebb and flow with kidnapping, murder, and the coming of age trials of the young men. Battles galore and action crowd the pages, many lives taken easily, and some instigating revenge and further twists and turns of fortune. Customs and conflicts between tribes and between families mean the plot is strewn with human struggles and strife. Threads of the supernatural pepper the weaving to add further hints of danger.
The complex story requires concentration as the point of view follows several of the characters and occasionally seems to skip and slip away. A little too battle heavy for my tastes, but a good solid read.
The complex story requires concentration as the point of view follows several of the characters and occasionally seems to skip and slip away. A little too battle heavy for my tastes, but a good solid read.
March 22, 2023
I found it quite full on at first, a heavy read with lots of information to absorb and multiple characters to follow but the story and descriptions of the world created throughout the story was just beautiful to imagine and explore. I could see and smell it! It was so refreshing to enjoy a story set in Africa with myths and well researched traditions, all the politics that came with the families, war and love. I felt the arrows when they hit and moved with the character's ever changing emotions and scenarios. I wanted the characters to be slightly more developed, as much as the landscape but generally they had substance.
I found that when I had to put it down for a few days (life permitting) I had to read back a good amount of pages to get back into it and continue the story due to the sheer volume absorbed with each read. I'm looking forward to part two. Thank you Booktasters for the preview copy and the book suggestion.
I found that when I had to put it down for a few days (life permitting) I had to read back a good amount of pages to get back into it and continue the story due to the sheer volume absorbed with each read. I'm looking forward to part two. Thank you Booktasters for the preview copy and the book suggestion.
June 12, 2022
What a thrilling twisting adventure full of magic, revenge, discovery, and more! The prologue was a violent introduction but one that told me I was about to dive into an epic story. I fell into the writing easily, the plot unfolding in a smooth enticing manner. Intriguing characters, vivid imagery, and a story that rolled like the tide, Half a Lion is but the first installment of The Half Tales trilogy and was utterly engaging.
Thank you to the author for submitting this book for review!
Thank you to the author for submitting this book for review!
December 13, 2022
In a far away land, in a distant past, Half a Lion is a beautifully written story about tribal and brothers rivalries, an ancestral blade, a prophecy from ancient drawings and the bravery of a young struggling prince, tormented by the loss of his most precious friend. While taking his revenge for his friend's killers and protecting his mother in exhale, he rose above his brothers and became chief, against all odds. A worth reading novel by Palle!
March 30, 2022
What a refreshing African fantasy where colorism is not overshadowing the story… I liked the characters and their plight of wanting to be seen/being accepted. Though this is a fantasy, there were not many elements of the fantastical, I would have enjoyed it more it that aspect was a bit heavy handed.
July 5, 2022
This was a captivating read, taking us into a whole new world. The plot unfolds smoothly and the characters are richly written. There are many action scenes as well as emotional scenes. In addition, the book is instructive in the history of the characters and their culture. It is truly an interesting story, I recommend it.
December 13, 2022
I took a few months to read this book as I had been so busy with work. This books is great for being able to pick up when you last left it. I was able to keep up with the tales of the brothers but sometimes got confused when over characters were introduced. This book is great for anyone interested in history and tribal tales.
January 5, 2023
Disclaimer: I recieved a free copy of this in exchange for a review.
So, my enjoyment was actually more of a 2, but I'll bump it up to a 3; the 2 seems seems harsh because I think, judging by the other reviews here, there's clearly an audience for this book... unfortunately it just wasn't me (and that's okay).
For one thing, this book is marketed as fantasy, and while I eventually started to see the fantastic element, I think I was just expecting more of it.
It was very hard for me to get through this book because I struggled with caring about the characters (not to mention none of the female characters are particularly strong in my opinion) and I struggled to feel that engaged with the novel's themes of honour and lineage. I also had a hard time feeling engaged because the POV changes a lot -- in a not very clear way sometimes.
I think you'd enjoy this book though if you are especially interested in the themes it dealt with (which I guess I wasn't) AND if you like a lot of battle scenes -- it's very battle scene heavy, which I guess also wasn't really my thing.
So, my enjoyment was actually more of a 2, but I'll bump it up to a 3; the 2 seems seems harsh because I think, judging by the other reviews here, there's clearly an audience for this book... unfortunately it just wasn't me (and that's okay).
For one thing, this book is marketed as fantasy, and while I eventually started to see the fantastic element, I think I was just expecting more of it.
It was very hard for me to get through this book because I struggled with caring about the characters (not to mention none of the female characters are particularly strong in my opinion) and I struggled to feel that engaged with the novel's themes of honour and lineage. I also had a hard time feeling engaged because the POV changes a lot -- in a not very clear way sometimes.
I think you'd enjoy this book though if you are especially interested in the themes it dealt with (which I guess I wasn't) AND if you like a lot of battle scenes -- it's very battle scene heavy, which I guess also wasn't really my thing.
January 3, 2023
I was excited to read this book as the summary was very interesting. It's not my usual genre but I'm glad I was able to get out of my comfort zone with this book.
Read
March 31, 2022DNF. Lost from the beginning. Just not the genre for me. Thanks to the author for the Goodreads giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews