The Dead Trees

The Stalker Chronicles #2

by Erik Buchanan

In the great city of Abraniotok live the Stalkers: men and women dedicated to hunting the miscreations – magically created beasts – that lurk in the city and countryside.

So when a pair of fast-breeding, tree-eating miscreations attack a valley of orchards two days away, Assistant Stalker Abyowith and Lieutenant Kalitith are ordered to grab their swords and pistols and hunt them down.

It seems like an easy job until Abyowith finds the son of the local noble, lying dead near a mountain stream.

Now, the Stalkers must split their focus between finding the young man’s killer and stopping the tree eaters from destroying the valley.

But what looks like a simple murder grows ever-more complicated, and Abyowith discovers that finding the truth may be far more dangerous than anything she expected.

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2021

Reviews

[Ida Jagaric · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun, compelling read! The page-turning awesomeness of a mystery where you're constantly wondering what next, especially coz there's always a new aspect or event revealed! I personally love reading about fighting so always wish for more of that, but I'll also admit the stories don't need it. :) And I really enjoy the world Erik created, I'm always picturing all of it so well, and it's great to always learn more about miscreations and magicians! It's fast-paced and short so it's a quick read and I'll always enjoy spending more time with Abyowith and her world. :)

[Shirley Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is lovely! The books get more intense as Abywith grows as a character. The clues to the mystery are all there and still surprised me. Brother Cadfael on fantasy steroids with truly terrifying rogue magicians.