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Calec of the Woods #1
Knights, Witches, and Murder
In a land where the wolf wind and mists roam like ghosts, the conflicted son of a witch was knighted by the king. Knighted to repay a debt to his father.
His name is Calec.
He alone holds knowledge from both the knighthood and the mysterious witches of the woods.
When the king’s sheep are found lying in the snow, riddled with black rashes and hemorrhagic eyes, Calec is summoned to discover the reason for their deaths. Then, as human victims arise in the city, Calec uncovers an eerie string of clues. He seeks the aid and determination of pious Eristin—his betrothed and niece of the king—but to catch the murderer they must find answers, answers hidden beneath a web of secrets ensnaring the royal family, a witch, an innkeeper, a priest, and a former thief.
And Calec never suspected he’d have to choose between the only two things he’s ever loved.
His name is Calec.
He alone holds knowledge from both the knighthood and the mysterious witches of the woods.
When the king’s sheep are found lying in the snow, riddled with black rashes and hemorrhagic eyes, Calec is summoned to discover the reason for their deaths. Then, as human victims arise in the city, Calec uncovers an eerie string of clues. He seeks the aid and determination of pious Eristin—his betrothed and niece of the king—but to catch the murderer they must find answers, answers hidden beneath a web of secrets ensnaring the royal family, a witch, an innkeeper, a priest, and a former thief.
And Calec never suspected he’d have to choose between the only two things he’s ever loved.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2021
480 people are currently reading
1331 people want to read
About the author
R.M. Schultz
34 books437 followersReceive a FREE R.M. Schultz best seller:
https://rmschultzauthor.com/landing-p...
R.M. Schultz is a #1 best-selling author of fantasy and science fiction.
After reading Tolkien, Ryan wrote his first 100,000-word fantasy novel as a freshman in high school. When he’s not saving animals, he continues reading and writing fantasy and science fiction, and has done so for over two decades. Ryan founded and heads the North Seattle Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Group and has published over a dozen novels.
And more than anything, he wants to be knighted by George R.R. Martin.
https://rmschultzauthor.com/landing-p...
R.M. Schultz is a #1 best-selling author of fantasy and science fiction.
After reading Tolkien, Ryan wrote his first 100,000-word fantasy novel as a freshman in high school. When he’s not saving animals, he continues reading and writing fantasy and science fiction, and has done so for over two decades. Ryan founded and heads the North Seattle Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Group and has published over a dozen novels.
And more than anything, he wants to be knighted by George R.R. Martin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
April 2, 2022
Riveting. Great world building and real life characters. Poignant. Thought provoking. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 19, 2022
I enjoyed this book. While it moved a little slowly in the beginning, it deals with a plague that ravages a kingdom. This kingdom of course blames those that live in the woods, the druids and the witches. Meanwhile, Sir Calec, a knight who only received his position because his father called in a favor, is tasked with figuring out where the plague has started and just how to stop it.
The twists and turns in this story leaves you questioning just who the Insitor is. I found myself changing who I thought who'd done it until the very end. Even when Calec had the answer I was still suspicious of the wrong person!
Four stars for the sake of the twists and turns. And because the romance in this book isn't your traditional romance and doesn't over take the whole story which I always appreciate.
The twists and turns in this story leaves you questioning just who the Insitor is. I found myself changing who I thought who'd done it until the very end. Even when Calec had the answer I was still suspicious of the wrong person!
Four stars for the sake of the twists and turns. And because the romance in this book isn't your traditional romance and doesn't over take the whole story which I always appreciate.
December 8, 2021
**I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author and Reedsy Discovery. This is an honest, spoiler-free review and all opinions are my own.**
Calec has spent his entire adult life trying to right the wrong of his birth: he is the son of a witch. Just when things have started to look up for him by earning the right to court the King's niece, amid the distrust of his fellow knights, darkness threatens everything he holds dear.
People are dying more and more, some in mere hours, each day. While some in the city blame the forest-dwelling witches for cursing them with this plague, the witches claim to be afraid for their own, and warn of god-level destruction. Either way, death has come to Calec's lands, and his king assigns him as the inquisitor to get to the bottom of it.
Knights, Witches, and Murder is a vividly written medieval-style Epic Fantasy with a twist. The mystery that Calec must solve is masterfully written, along the lines of a Sherlock Holmes tale (had Sherlock Holmes been a knight). Despite being able to predict the endings of mysteries most of the time, I was in no way expecting the ending this book had.
Schultz truly does a brilliant job keeping you in the world he has crafted. Details from tastes to smells to sounds are superb--it felt like I was walking in Calec's shoes throughout the story as I read. Also, the depth of character that develops in Calec as he grows through conflicts of faith, conflicts of love, and ultimately conflicts of his own identity are so rich that they entreat the soul while reading.
There are only two reasons this review is receiving a four-star as opposed to a five-star. One is because of the resolution to the mystery in the end. As this is a spoiler-free review, I cannot go into specific details, but there is a masterful scene to frame evidence on the "true" antagonist at the end of this book.
While the framing makes sense and is clear, the means by which this villain accomplished the killings in the book felt either skimmed-over or left out entirely. Because so much emphasis was placed on whether this is a curse or natural plague spread by other means, it would have been nice to have more details there.
The other reason is the resolution of Calec's love triangle. His decision is never fully explained, and honestly there are even hints that he doesn't know himself why he decides on the person he does. After so much time investing in both of the women in his life, I almost felt cheated out of the reason that couple should be shipped in the end.
Ultimately, Knights, Witches, and Murder is a tale written by a master storyteller. If you love beautiful, elaborate worlds with rich religious cultures and magic, you definitely won't want to pass this book up. It would be perfect for any lover of Arthurian literature mixed with classic mystery.
**Trigger Warnings: Death of parent, death of mother during childbirth, gore/gruesome death and trafficking of minor children under age 18, substance abuse, war, racism**
Calec has spent his entire adult life trying to right the wrong of his birth: he is the son of a witch. Just when things have started to look up for him by earning the right to court the King's niece, amid the distrust of his fellow knights, darkness threatens everything he holds dear.
People are dying more and more, some in mere hours, each day. While some in the city blame the forest-dwelling witches for cursing them with this plague, the witches claim to be afraid for their own, and warn of god-level destruction. Either way, death has come to Calec's lands, and his king assigns him as the inquisitor to get to the bottom of it.
Knights, Witches, and Murder is a vividly written medieval-style Epic Fantasy with a twist. The mystery that Calec must solve is masterfully written, along the lines of a Sherlock Holmes tale (had Sherlock Holmes been a knight). Despite being able to predict the endings of mysteries most of the time, I was in no way expecting the ending this book had.
Schultz truly does a brilliant job keeping you in the world he has crafted. Details from tastes to smells to sounds are superb--it felt like I was walking in Calec's shoes throughout the story as I read. Also, the depth of character that develops in Calec as he grows through conflicts of faith, conflicts of love, and ultimately conflicts of his own identity are so rich that they entreat the soul while reading.
There are only two reasons this review is receiving a four-star as opposed to a five-star. One is because of the resolution to the mystery in the end. As this is a spoiler-free review, I cannot go into specific details, but there is a masterful scene to frame evidence on the "true" antagonist at the end of this book.
While the framing makes sense and is clear, the means by which this villain accomplished the killings in the book felt either skimmed-over or left out entirely. Because so much emphasis was placed on whether this is a curse or natural plague spread by other means, it would have been nice to have more details there.
The other reason is the resolution of Calec's love triangle. His decision is never fully explained, and honestly there are even hints that he doesn't know himself why he decides on the person he does. After so much time investing in both of the women in his life, I almost felt cheated out of the reason that couple should be shipped in the end.
Ultimately, Knights, Witches, and Murder is a tale written by a master storyteller. If you love beautiful, elaborate worlds with rich religious cultures and magic, you definitely won't want to pass this book up. It would be perfect for any lover of Arthurian literature mixed with classic mystery.
**Trigger Warnings: Death of parent, death of mother during childbirth, gore/gruesome death and trafficking of minor children under age 18, substance abuse, war, racism**
October 19, 2022
This wasn’t a bad story but it dragged a lot of the time. It only seemed to get moving in about the last third of the book. Up until then I was tempted a number of times to just put it down and not finish. I didn’t hate the story though so I carried on. I’m glad I did finish it. I even have the next in the series to read but I might not read it right away.
February 1, 2024
This books is like a King Arthur and knights of the round table medieval fantasy mashed up with a Sherlock Holmes type mystery. It took a bit to get going in the beginning, a true slow burn of a story. The title covers the main points of the story, to be honest. But it was very well written. The prose was detailed, descriptive, and helped immerse you completely into the story. There is a bit of a romance/ love triangle (definitely not the main story, more like a side quest) storyline the weaves into the story. Overall, a good first book in a series, I can’t wait to read the next one!
Calec is a knight, but he is also the son of a witch. Destined to be born first, but pulled second from his dead mother’s womb, he almost died at birth. In the eyes of the law, his brother receives all the property passed down in his family, so he became a knight. He grew up in the woods with his grandparents who were part of the “people of the wood” (druids and witches). He forsake that for Christianity when he became a knight. But when a whole flock of sheep is found dead and bloody, he is the one the turn to for his knowledge of witchcraft. Is the plague that is coming on swiftly natural or magic? Can it be stopped?
Thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
Calec is a knight, but he is also the son of a witch. Destined to be born first, but pulled second from his dead mother’s womb, he almost died at birth. In the eyes of the law, his brother receives all the property passed down in his family, so he became a knight. He grew up in the woods with his grandparents who were part of the “people of the wood” (druids and witches). He forsake that for Christianity when he became a knight. But when a whole flock of sheep is found dead and bloody, he is the one the turn to for his knowledge of witchcraft. Is the plague that is coming on swiftly natural or magic? Can it be stopped?
Thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
July 28, 2024
New author I discovered on audible and decided to take a chance on. The first book is pretty great with blend of mystery, magic, coming of age, and fantasy.
February 28, 2024
The author just has a way of writing that is so good. Who would have thought that mystery and fantasy go together?! I wouldn't have thought to ever write about something like this !!!
The world building holy cow talk about amazing it is my favorite part of the story I think because it doesn't overtake the story or take away from tire major story
line.
The story follows Calec who is a knight but also a witch. His mom was a witch so he spends a lot of time in the woods learning the way of the witches.
I mean for this only being book 1 so much happens and it's amazing it's not to much either it really sets up tr series and I am already so looking forward to book 2 !! I was so invested and drawn in I felt like I was in the story. I loved Calec he is a top main character for me and I can't wait to see where the author is going to go best with this series!!
Go get this book y'all !!!
The world building holy cow talk about amazing it is my favorite part of the story I think because it doesn't overtake the story or take away from tire major story
line.
The story follows Calec who is a knight but also a witch. His mom was a witch so he spends a lot of time in the woods learning the way of the witches.
I mean for this only being book 1 so much happens and it's amazing it's not to much either it really sets up tr series and I am already so looking forward to book 2 !! I was so invested and drawn in I felt like I was in the story. I loved Calec he is a top main character for me and I can't wait to see where the author is going to go best with this series!!
Go get this book y'all !!!
February 27, 2024
Royal families, a witch, an innkeeper, a priest, and a former thief.... What could go wrong?
Murder, magic, and secrets of course.
Book one of this series combines my favourite genre, fantasy, with my least read genres - mystery and thriller. Picture a detective novel, only with magic and fantasy elements thrown it. I enjoyed reading this book so much and getting to know Calec was really fun. The novel is descriptive and fluid, there weren't many times were I felt like the dialog was stunted or scenes were dragging.
All in all, an excellent book and I can't wait to read the next one!!
Murder, magic, and secrets of course.
Book one of this series combines my favourite genre, fantasy, with my least read genres - mystery and thriller. Picture a detective novel, only with magic and fantasy elements thrown it. I enjoyed reading this book so much and getting to know Calec was really fun. The novel is descriptive and fluid, there weren't many times were I felt like the dialog was stunted or scenes were dragging.
All in all, an excellent book and I can't wait to read the next one!!
November 17, 2021
I liked the original idea of Knights, witches and murder. I was intrigued by this world that looked like a post Arthurian world. This moment when Christianity came to replace ancient rites of the Goddess on the land, turning the former druids and priestesses into witches and wizards. And this was the background of a surprising series of murders making this novel an "Arthurian" fantasy murder story? Intriguing really.
However, as I kept on reading, I was a bit disappointed. I really wanted to be swept away by this novel. On paper, it had everything to blow my mind. Yet, I couldn't get into the story. The investigation kept going round and round, I also couldn't stand the hero (but maybe it was on purpose?). To be honest, my favourite characters in the story were characters who maybe said 5 sentences in total. And I was sorely disappointed when the murderer was unveiled which should normally have been the culminating point of the story.
Overall, not a terrible book but it could have been so much more. 3 stars for the originality !
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
However, as I kept on reading, I was a bit disappointed. I really wanted to be swept away by this novel. On paper, it had everything to blow my mind. Yet, I couldn't get into the story. The investigation kept going round and round, I also couldn't stand the hero (but maybe it was on purpose?). To be honest, my favourite characters in the story were characters who maybe said 5 sentences in total. And I was sorely disappointed when the murderer was unveiled which should normally have been the culminating point of the story.
Overall, not a terrible book but it could have been so much more. 3 stars for the originality !
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 5, 2021
This book is a perfect blend of mystery, fantasy and thriller. The mystery is well done and keeps you hooked until the end (I loved how the reveal is done!), the fantasy setting and world the author created I found much more interesting than your typical mystery story and the pacing like a thriller made it hard to put down. Also, unlike most mystery books where the characters are very basic and add little to the story other than the mystery itself, the main character in this book is very well-developed and I found I was reading to find out how his story played out as much as I was to find out the how the mystery was solved. Overall a fantastic read!
November 8, 2021
A Fun Fantasy Thriller
I thoroughly enjoyed this genre mashup. Mixing witches, druids, and religious fanatics with a mystery/thriller plot kept me turning the pages, as did the struggle of Calec, the story's protagonist, who ultimately has to choose between who he was born to be vs the man he desired to be.
I thoroughly enjoyed this genre mashup. Mixing witches, druids, and religious fanatics with a mystery/thriller plot kept me turning the pages, as did the struggle of Calec, the story's protagonist, who ultimately has to choose between who he was born to be vs the man he desired to be.
April 22, 2022
Not my kind of book
The story Line was mostly religious related story. The characters were not fully developed. I found this story boring and not much magic. It dragged on and on. Who would benefit if the witches died? Took too long for me to end. Just as I predicted it would.
The story Line was mostly religious related story. The characters were not fully developed. I found this story boring and not much magic. It dragged on and on. Who would benefit if the witches died? Took too long for me to end. Just as I predicted it would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2022
Fantasy and murder sign me up! This has something for everyone.
November 5, 2021
Wonderful story of love, magic, and betrayal
I really enjoyed the author’s voice. It was unique and well suited for this story. The author paced the events well and let the story tell itself. I would certainly read more from this author. I would also enjoy learning more about this lost knight, man of the woods. Well done.
I really enjoyed the author’s voice. It was unique and well suited for this story. The author paced the events well and let the story tell itself. I would certainly read more from this author. I would also enjoy learning more about this lost knight, man of the woods. Well done.
January 20, 2022
Fascinating
The storyline for this story is spellbinding. Full of intrigue, suspense and deceit. The inner conflict was spellbinding but did not overwhelm the storyline.
The storyline for this story is spellbinding. Full of intrigue, suspense and deceit. The inner conflict was spellbinding but did not overwhelm the storyline.
April 11, 2024
Fantastic start
November 2, 2021
A unique story with it's own characters, plot, mystery, and world. It has elements of fantasy and thriller and mystery dusted in a fairy tale like way. Nothing truly original about each element (not that anything has this), but all tied together into a non-stop, fun, intelligent read.
One of the most fun and mysteries fantasy books I've read in years.
One of the most fun and mysteries fantasy books I've read in years.
November 4, 2021
Heart pumping enough to match any thriller or mystery on the market, but in an epic fantasy/Arthurian legend setting.
November 2, 2021
Such a great combination of fantasy, world-building, characters with a break-neck thriller pace and a well plotted and gripping mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique book. Not run of the mill typical fantasy or mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique book. Not run of the mill typical fantasy or mystery.
April 22, 2022
Loved it!!!
Its one of the better reads Ive had in years.
It wasnt a learning thing, it was purely right up my alley without any religious endocrination. Purely fantastic & entertaining.
Its one of the better reads Ive had in years.
It wasnt a learning thing, it was purely right up my alley without any religious endocrination. Purely fantastic & entertaining.
July 28, 2022
Evidence of a plague has shown up in a Kingdom. The son of the king's sage and a witch, and in his own words, "the least respected knight in the Kingdom of Duminborne", has been tasked with investigating the plague deaths. Sir Calec comes to believe deaths are murder, made to look like the plague. Others in the kingdom believe the plague is a curse from druid witches that live in the woods outside of the city. The book takes us along in Calec's search for the truth. He enlists the help of his siblings and witch.
As more people begin to die, tempers and accusations rise. Inexperience, secrets, lies and past family conflicts make the investigation even more difficult Calec. Will he figure out this mystery before more people die or a war breaks out between the townsfolk and the witches?
I really wanted to like this book more. It has so many elements to make a great book but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I received a free digital copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
As more people begin to die, tempers and accusations rise. Inexperience, secrets, lies and past family conflicts make the investigation even more difficult Calec. Will he figure out this mystery before more people die or a war breaks out between the townsfolk and the witches?
I really wanted to like this book more. It has so many elements to make a great book but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I received a free digital copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
February 2, 2024
I loved this book.
It's a good old-fashioned fantasy novel with a hint of murder mystery thrown into the equation.
Knights, horses, Witches... what's not to love?
I love Calec! He definitely has a dark, brooding nature, especially about his past, and he is very obviously conflicted with expecting vs. who he really is.
He tries to hide behind a mask, but alas, it slips from time to time.
The landscape is rich as you would expect with a fantasy novel of this nature, and there are definite 'King Arthur and the Round Table' vibes which I loved.
P.s. I personally felt Calec made the right choice at the end 😉
This is Book 1 of a lengthy series, and if this is a taste of what's to come, then we are in for a real treat!
It's a good old-fashioned fantasy novel with a hint of murder mystery thrown into the equation.
Knights, horses, Witches... what's not to love?
I love Calec! He definitely has a dark, brooding nature, especially about his past, and he is very obviously conflicted with expecting vs. who he really is.
He tries to hide behind a mask, but alas, it slips from time to time.
The landscape is rich as you would expect with a fantasy novel of this nature, and there are definite 'King Arthur and the Round Table' vibes which I loved.
P.s. I personally felt Calec made the right choice at the end 😉
This is Book 1 of a lengthy series, and if this is a taste of what's to come, then we are in for a real treat!
September 21, 2022
Unfortunately, I was bored through most of this book. I was going to give it 2 stars as it was tedious - ride out to the woods, ride back to the castle, visit the inn, ask the same people different questions, ride out to the woods, etc. The people in the woods seemed more interesting than the city folk, but there isn't much about them. The knight finally used his deductive reasoning skills and solved the murders, and the ending was good.
April 16, 2022
A story it is, but not sword & sorcery
Mostly a murder mystery using knights and woods people
There is no sorcery in the book. No knight stuff.
The main character is a detective, that is dressed as a knight.
I won't read the next book
Mostly a murder mystery using knights and woods people
There is no sorcery in the book. No knight stuff.
The main character is a detective, that is dressed as a knight.
I won't read the next book
October 5, 2023
Knights, Witches and Murder by R.M. Schultz
Knights, Witches and Murder is a faux-medieval murder mystery set in a world where witchcraft and magical powers are an accepted reality, rather than the outcome of superstitious ignorance. It's an interesting attempt at genre-blending and it's at least partially successful. Recently-knighted Calec hsa his foot in two worlds. His father was a respected scholar in the medieval kingdom of Duminborne; his mother was a witch, one of the forest-dwelling gypsie-like peoples. Growing up Calec was educated in both the ways of Christendom (although the novel never names the religion that is deeply entrenched through the medieval society of the story, it's clearly meant to be a version of Christianity) and of nature and earth magic. The King and his advisors (and the people of the city) are fearful and suspicious of the witches and a war is brewing. Calec spends this story struggling with his own identity as his allegiances are tested.
Into this setup comes a mysterious "Inciter" who appears to be behind a prolific series of deaths. Are they plague? Sorcery? Or simply murder? Calec will use his father's scholarly approach, with the assistance of his brother and sister who inherited his father's laboratory and methods, to investigate the deaths. His investigations will also take him deep into the forest to seek out the witches of his youth, as somebody clearly is trying to suggest that their dark magic is behind the deaths. Will Calec solve the mystery in time to save the kingdom before it falls into anarchy? Can he prevent a war between the kingdom and the witches? And can he save the lives of both his castle fiance and the witch-woman who knew him from his youth?
There's a lot here to like. Suspects in the mystery are plentiful and red herrings, secrets revealed and surprising turnarounds abound. Calec's investigations are a combination of a scientific approach, muscular interrogation and magical ritual. His journey will take him from castle to cathedral, from deep in the forest to bucolic pastures. The conflict between his upbringing amongst the free folk of the forest and the religious piety of the kingdom gives the story some emotional heft.
Unfortunately emotion is a little lacking elsewhere. Calec will suffer injury, betrayal and loss during the course of the story and the narrative is uninvolving, his response told rather than experienced. The world-building throughout seems shallow, with scenes very sparsely described and no clear view of the geography or culture of the world the story occurs in. Characters are thinly drawn and often stereotypical. This leaves plenty of room for the reader to fill with their own experience, making the world seem a little derivative.
The book is clearly written and easy to follow; it's an easy read. Very occasionally the action becomes muddled, and the narrative accelerates as the story progresses; by the end of the book the pace is rapid, with revelations coming thick and fast. The writing does suffer from some occasionally laboured metaphors and similes, in search of a deep fantasy feel that it never really earns. And if I never read the term "wolf wind" again it will be one time too many.
So, how does this novel fare as a murder mystery? It gets some things right. The range of suspects and motives is wide and the mystery of the method is intriguing. I found the finale slightly unsatisfying. Without wanting to reveal spoilers, the ultimate resolution of the mystery is lacking because it relies on a last-minute revelation for which there had been little foreshadowing. Readers who like to solve the mystery alongside the detective will be disappointed here.
This is the first of a series of mysteries for "Calec of the Woods" and they improve as they go, so I consider this novel a good but not excellent mystery and a promising introduction to the series.
Knights, Witches and Murder is a faux-medieval murder mystery set in a world where witchcraft and magical powers are an accepted reality, rather than the outcome of superstitious ignorance. It's an interesting attempt at genre-blending and it's at least partially successful. Recently-knighted Calec hsa his foot in two worlds. His father was a respected scholar in the medieval kingdom of Duminborne; his mother was a witch, one of the forest-dwelling gypsie-like peoples. Growing up Calec was educated in both the ways of Christendom (although the novel never names the religion that is deeply entrenched through the medieval society of the story, it's clearly meant to be a version of Christianity) and of nature and earth magic. The King and his advisors (and the people of the city) are fearful and suspicious of the witches and a war is brewing. Calec spends this story struggling with his own identity as his allegiances are tested.
Into this setup comes a mysterious "Inciter" who appears to be behind a prolific series of deaths. Are they plague? Sorcery? Or simply murder? Calec will use his father's scholarly approach, with the assistance of his brother and sister who inherited his father's laboratory and methods, to investigate the deaths. His investigations will also take him deep into the forest to seek out the witches of his youth, as somebody clearly is trying to suggest that their dark magic is behind the deaths. Will Calec solve the mystery in time to save the kingdom before it falls into anarchy? Can he prevent a war between the kingdom and the witches? And can he save the lives of both his castle fiance and the witch-woman who knew him from his youth?
There's a lot here to like. Suspects in the mystery are plentiful and red herrings, secrets revealed and surprising turnarounds abound. Calec's investigations are a combination of a scientific approach, muscular interrogation and magical ritual. His journey will take him from castle to cathedral, from deep in the forest to bucolic pastures. The conflict between his upbringing amongst the free folk of the forest and the religious piety of the kingdom gives the story some emotional heft.
Unfortunately emotion is a little lacking elsewhere. Calec will suffer injury, betrayal and loss during the course of the story and the narrative is uninvolving, his response told rather than experienced. The world-building throughout seems shallow, with scenes very sparsely described and no clear view of the geography or culture of the world the story occurs in. Characters are thinly drawn and often stereotypical. This leaves plenty of room for the reader to fill with their own experience, making the world seem a little derivative.
The book is clearly written and easy to follow; it's an easy read. Very occasionally the action becomes muddled, and the narrative accelerates as the story progresses; by the end of the book the pace is rapid, with revelations coming thick and fast. The writing does suffer from some occasionally laboured metaphors and similes, in search of a deep fantasy feel that it never really earns. And if I never read the term "wolf wind" again it will be one time too many.
So, how does this novel fare as a murder mystery? It gets some things right. The range of suspects and motives is wide and the mystery of the method is intriguing. I found the finale slightly unsatisfying. Without wanting to reveal spoilers, the ultimate resolution of the mystery is lacking because it relies on a last-minute revelation for which there had been little foreshadowing. Readers who like to solve the mystery alongside the detective will be disappointed here.
This is the first of a series of mysteries for "Calec of the Woods" and they improve as they go, so I consider this novel a good but not excellent mystery and a promising introduction to the series.
November 8, 2022
Mr. Schultz has created a very believable Arthurian era world, populated with the typical bakers, serfs, blacksmiths, peasants, priests, Royalty… and Witches.
The book starts out with a flock of the King’s sheep lying dead in a field near the castle. Symptoms of black rash on their skin indicates a possible start of a winter plague that killed thousands two decades ago. While there was a peace agreement signed by the Witches of the Forest and the King some years ago, everyone immediately blames the sickness on the Witches. They in turn claim they are innocent.
When the King learns of the flock’s demise he sends out one of his knights to discover the truth, is it truly a disease or is it murder by sorcery? Why he sends Sir Calec is initially beyond me, as he’s young, inexperienced, and half witch - half human, and no one trusts him. Yet he does have some experience in discovering how a disease affects the body, things he learned at his human scientist father’s knee. Those lessons, and his attention to detail, do help him to eventually present us with the truth.
The book follows the outline of a murder mystery that uses the Summation trope where the suspects are gathered in one room and eventually the guilty party is flushed out. If you’re a murder mystery fan then you have probably seen this technique used by Agatha Christie in both the Hercule Poirot and the Miss Marple mysteries, among others.
I admit I found myself disappointed by the book. Given its description I thought it’d be a good bit of Swords and Sorcery of which there was little to none. A good deal of the book has Calec wrapped up in layers upon layers of regrets and self-doubt that just hung about him like an albatross. I didn’t like Calec, and I can’t say I really liked any other character all that much either. While they are very well crafted and possessing strong individual personalities, I just couldn’t find a hero in the bunch to root for.
The book starts out with a flock of the King’s sheep lying dead in a field near the castle. Symptoms of black rash on their skin indicates a possible start of a winter plague that killed thousands two decades ago. While there was a peace agreement signed by the Witches of the Forest and the King some years ago, everyone immediately blames the sickness on the Witches. They in turn claim they are innocent.
When the King learns of the flock’s demise he sends out one of his knights to discover the truth, is it truly a disease or is it murder by sorcery? Why he sends Sir Calec is initially beyond me, as he’s young, inexperienced, and half witch - half human, and no one trusts him. Yet he does have some experience in discovering how a disease affects the body, things he learned at his human scientist father’s knee. Those lessons, and his attention to detail, do help him to eventually present us with the truth.
The book follows the outline of a murder mystery that uses the Summation trope where the suspects are gathered in one room and eventually the guilty party is flushed out. If you’re a murder mystery fan then you have probably seen this technique used by Agatha Christie in both the Hercule Poirot and the Miss Marple mysteries, among others.
I admit I found myself disappointed by the book. Given its description I thought it’d be a good bit of Swords and Sorcery of which there was little to none. A good deal of the book has Calec wrapped up in layers upon layers of regrets and self-doubt that just hung about him like an albatross. I didn’t like Calec, and I can’t say I really liked any other character all that much either. While they are very well crafted and possessing strong individual personalities, I just couldn’t find a hero in the bunch to root for.
April 15, 2024
“ [...] Those who seek the emerald city die trying or turn to madness. [...]”
"Knights, witches, and the vanished city" by R.M. Schultz, this is a very interesting fantasy book. Despite not knowing the previous parts, I found myself here very well. The author presented his dark story in a perfect way. I found witches here, a disappearing city that appears in a different place every day, and many other attractions. Who will dare to break the curse cast by a certain witch? How do you approach the task? Honestly, I was very afraid for the inhabitants of the Emerald City. Why? You will find out while reading this novel. "Knights, Witches, and the Vanished City" is a perfect fantasy. I'm eager to read the previous parts, and I'm looking forward to the next ones. Here I met the knight Calec, whom I liked from the very beginning. His investigation and pursuit of the truth terrified me from time to time. I would love to see this story on the big screen. The main theme of this book, as I have already mentioned, is a disappearing city and its inhabitants. Will our main hero save the inhabitants of the cursed town? If you like plot twists, I must tell you that there is no shortage of them here. And even I was very surprised more than once. This is a plus for the author. Thriller lovers will also find something here. If, like me, you like dark stories, go ahead and read this book. Who will the villain turn out to be? I won't tell you that. It's worth reading this story to the very end. I really liked the ending. Another plus for the author. This book is so addictive that you can't put it down even for a second.
An original plot, interesting action that doesn't slow down and a great hero, it all deserves my 10/10.
Thanks to "Knights, Witches, and the Vanished City" I became a fan of R.M. Schultz. The author perfectly combines an interesting story with supernatural phenomena. I'll leave you with a question, would you go into a haunted house?
"Knights, witches, and the vanished city" by R.M. Schultz, this is a very interesting fantasy book. Despite not knowing the previous parts, I found myself here very well. The author presented his dark story in a perfect way. I found witches here, a disappearing city that appears in a different place every day, and many other attractions. Who will dare to break the curse cast by a certain witch? How do you approach the task? Honestly, I was very afraid for the inhabitants of the Emerald City. Why? You will find out while reading this novel. "Knights, Witches, and the Vanished City" is a perfect fantasy. I'm eager to read the previous parts, and I'm looking forward to the next ones. Here I met the knight Calec, whom I liked from the very beginning. His investigation and pursuit of the truth terrified me from time to time. I would love to see this story on the big screen. The main theme of this book, as I have already mentioned, is a disappearing city and its inhabitants. Will our main hero save the inhabitants of the cursed town? If you like plot twists, I must tell you that there is no shortage of them here. And even I was very surprised more than once. This is a plus for the author. Thriller lovers will also find something here. If, like me, you like dark stories, go ahead and read this book. Who will the villain turn out to be? I won't tell you that. It's worth reading this story to the very end. I really liked the ending. Another plus for the author. This book is so addictive that you can't put it down even for a second.
An original plot, interesting action that doesn't slow down and a great hero, it all deserves my 10/10.
Thanks to "Knights, Witches, and the Vanished City" I became a fan of R.M. Schultz. The author perfectly combines an interesting story with supernatural phenomena. I'll leave you with a question, would you go into a haunted house?
February 1, 2024
Now I've read a book by this author before so I knew going into this to expect some brilliant world-building and characters that were really interesting, and that's exactly what I got. This is the first book in what is currently a 9 book series so I expected to have a lot of explanation and filling in of gaps of information about where we were to take up the bulk of this book and don't get me wrong we do have a lot of that but the way we get given the backstory of our MC Calec is really well done. Instead of the usual, the MC is telling us, the reader, about his backstory and important information we need to know about family dynamics etc we get Calec answering questions from his betrothed and that gives us what we need to know, and I really liked that format it makes me feel like a fly on the wall rather than someone he's talking too. I've loved all the world-building and learning about the dynamics of the different groups of people in this world, It is all so brilliantly written that once I start reading I'm drawn in and I don't want to put the book down, I think the first time I picked it up I flew through the first 30 chapters without even realising that id read quite so much in one go, it really is such an easy to read fantasy book.
I've found Calec such an interesting character, his conflict with his witch side and his "Normal" side really intrigued me and his whole friction with his brother was something I immediately wanted to dive deeper into, I loved that we got pieces of his past given to us like crumbs of a trail to follow but equally I could have just sat and read about his past so easily.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series, I'm actually reviewing books 2 and 3 in February so I don't need to wait too long to read more but I will be finishing this series this year! Unless the author writes more books...
I've found Calec such an interesting character, his conflict with his witch side and his "Normal" side really intrigued me and his whole friction with his brother was something I immediately wanted to dive deeper into, I loved that we got pieces of his past given to us like crumbs of a trail to follow but equally I could have just sat and read about his past so easily.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series, I'm actually reviewing books 2 and 3 in February so I don't need to wait too long to read more but I will be finishing this series this year! Unless the author writes more books...
February 23, 2023
Sir Calec knows he was only knighted by the king to repay a debt to his father, and folks at the castle call him the witch knight because his mother was one of the people of the woods. Yet Calec works hard to be respected, and when mysterious deaths start to happen, he wants to show his worth by solving the mystery for the kingdom. Except it's something more than a simple plague. Calec is pulled between two worlds, and he doesn't know which one to trust, but he must find out who caused these deaths lest he be next to die.
While Calec is older than a teenager, I feel this has a very YA fantasy feel as he's finally coming to know who he is and figure out what he wants to be. Calec has only ever wanted to be honorable and earn the respect of the royals and his fellows, but they do not wish the same thing for him because of his heritage. This medieval fantasy is set in post-Arthurian times when Christianity is tightening its grip and those who practice the old ways are outcasts, thought to be evil, and live in the forests. It's very heavy on the Christian preaching as those in power would want to have their beliefs rule, but since Calec is floating between two worlds, and his heart is true, he is able to look from both perspectives. The story is very detailed, and it can be slow paced at parts. There is a mystery to be solved though, and it's compelling enough to lure the reader through those parts. I would have liked to see more of Calec's scientific family and the forest folks, but perhaps we will in other books in the series.
While Calec is older than a teenager, I feel this has a very YA fantasy feel as he's finally coming to know who he is and figure out what he wants to be. Calec has only ever wanted to be honorable and earn the respect of the royals and his fellows, but they do not wish the same thing for him because of his heritage. This medieval fantasy is set in post-Arthurian times when Christianity is tightening its grip and those who practice the old ways are outcasts, thought to be evil, and live in the forests. It's very heavy on the Christian preaching as those in power would want to have their beliefs rule, but since Calec is floating between two worlds, and his heart is true, he is able to look from both perspectives. The story is very detailed, and it can be slow paced at parts. There is a mystery to be solved though, and it's compelling enough to lure the reader through those parts. I would have liked to see more of Calec's scientific family and the forest folks, but perhaps we will in other books in the series.
April 18, 2022
This was my brain child concocted with my brother for an idea we haven't seen done before.
I personally love stories that are unique and bring something new, although I realize a lot of avid readers enjoy reliving similar stories in fantasy with similar tropes and worlds and characters.
This, my first attempt at the fantasy, mystery, thriller genre mixing was difficult and took several editors and beta readers to pull off and many rewrites and edits.
However, I love the way it turned out: the depth of characters and the world not typically seen in most mysteries or thrillers. Then on the other side of the coin, the pacing and twists and intensity not typically seen in many fantasies.
This story also is by far and away the most desired of mine books with retailers, so we've concocted many more ideas that start to bring more and more fantasy and magic into Calec's realm and put unique twists on the mysteries. An entire series is being developed.
My vision is to give them a fantasy flare over typical mysteries. Many are turning out to be similar to a fantasy meets X-Files type of story. Look for future releases coming every few months for the next couple years.
I personally love stories that are unique and bring something new, although I realize a lot of avid readers enjoy reliving similar stories in fantasy with similar tropes and worlds and characters.
This, my first attempt at the fantasy, mystery, thriller genre mixing was difficult and took several editors and beta readers to pull off and many rewrites and edits.
However, I love the way it turned out: the depth of characters and the world not typically seen in most mysteries or thrillers. Then on the other side of the coin, the pacing and twists and intensity not typically seen in many fantasies.
This story also is by far and away the most desired of mine books with retailers, so we've concocted many more ideas that start to bring more and more fantasy and magic into Calec's realm and put unique twists on the mysteries. An entire series is being developed.
My vision is to give them a fantasy flare over typical mysteries. Many are turning out to be similar to a fantasy meets X-Files type of story. Look for future releases coming every few months for the next couple years.
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