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The Warplands: Apocryphon of the Unstar Volume I
Devils, fairies, deranged outcast cultists--and only the Archons know what else--roam the Warplands. Nothing wholesome survives in those accursed stains on creation.
Else Whitmore of Gulvin, the charming daughter of a merchant, and her shy younger brother, Denin, are among the least equipped to escape such a hostile place. But when a mad magician confronts their caravan on the road, Else and Denin are wrenched from their comfortable lives and forced to try.
Fortunately for the siblings, they possess hidden reserves nobody would expect. Unfortunately, the deadly Warplands are only the beginning of their problems. Else must decide whether a handsome but unholy warrior can be trusted. Denin must confront a disturbing truth about himself that could make returning home more dangerous than the Warplands.
Their struggles place them at the center of a clash of cultures that will not only imperil their lives and souls but will shake the foundation of the entire Simonian Empire.
Else Whitmore of Gulvin, the charming daughter of a merchant, and her shy younger brother, Denin, are among the least equipped to escape such a hostile place. But when a mad magician confronts their caravan on the road, Else and Denin are wrenched from their comfortable lives and forced to try.
Fortunately for the siblings, they possess hidden reserves nobody would expect. Unfortunately, the deadly Warplands are only the beginning of their problems. Else must decide whether a handsome but unholy warrior can be trusted. Denin must confront a disturbing truth about himself that could make returning home more dangerous than the Warplands.
Their struggles place them at the center of a clash of cultures that will not only imperil their lives and souls but will shake the foundation of the entire Simonian Empire.
- GenresFantasy
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2021
29 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Bayard
6 books78 followersJoshua Bayard was a trial and appellate attorney forever. Through a series of unlikely events, he got the opportunity to escape that fate and chase his lifelong dream instead--writing stories about wizards and monsters.
He loves history, games, and movies. He wishes he was better at playing tennis and the mandolin, and he admires those who are. He resides in Colorado with his beautiful wife, his beautiful son, and his weird little dog.
Learn more or say hello at www.joshuabayard.com.
He loves history, games, and movies. He wishes he was better at playing tennis and the mandolin, and he admires those who are. He resides in Colorado with his beautiful wife, his beautiful son, and his weird little dog.
Learn more or say hello at www.joshuabayard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 19, 2021
This is a weird and wonderful tale of Gods and magic gone wrong. Full of religious intrigue and manoeuvring. Through no fault of their own Else and Denin are thrust into the deadly world of the Warplands. Denin and Else escape, returning to their hometown, but find their own people are just as deadly as those in the Warplands.
November 11, 2021
Bethu Ialta: Denin!
What a great story.
Warplanders is nothing like anything I've read in a long time. It is fantasy: fairies, magic, magicians, witches and wizards. Its It's right up in alley.
The humor and wit in the story between the brother and sister feels real. I really liked it.
Overall this story is a 5 out of 5 stars.
My only disappointment is that book 2 isnt out. I'm a fan and need book 2!
What a great story.
Warplanders is nothing like anything I've read in a long time. It is fantasy: fairies, magic, magicians, witches and wizards. Its It's right up in alley.
The humor and wit in the story between the brother and sister feels real. I really liked it.
Overall this story is a 5 out of 5 stars.
My only disappointment is that book 2 isnt out. I'm a fan and need book 2!
November 12, 2021
I completely enjoyed the immersive world that this author created. It was unique and creative - I was pulled in straight away! Great fantasy read, and I am really looking forward to the sequel because I NEED to find out what happens next!
March 31, 2022
DNF 50%, nothing quite wrong with the book, just wasn’t my expectations I suppose. More fairy taley than I thought.
February 26, 2023
This was a recommendation from a friend. It was well written and had a mix of action, plot interconnected mysteries that were bred crumbs for the plot minded reader, and great world building. The author effortlessly launches you into his world and avoids long esoteric explanations of Gods, mortal religions, and magic in favor of letting both his characters and readers learn together the answers to bigger questions. The cliff hanger ending has me eager to see what book two will do. This was an out of print book by the time I tracked down a copy but it is a nice add to my library.
May 9, 2023
The setting and plot for this book was very interesting, but everything could have been more fleshed out, the characters especially.
December 4, 2021
Warplands is a really interesting fantasy tale about 2 siblings, Else and Denin, as they struggles a land of magic. The story was a little hard to get into, but realy gets fascinating as you keep reading with lots of plot twists. 4/5 stars.
November 25, 2021
Warplands follows the story of two siblings, Else and Denin, and their struggles in navigating the dangerous Warplands, as well as trusting an unholy stranger and dealing with the truths that are coming to light.
I Ioved the story and the plotline is incredibly unique. I haven't read anything quite like this before, and it is a truly interesting read. The writing was fantastic, and the author did a great job in pulling you into this world and really immersing you in the story. The only thing that I didn't care for was the pacing. It was very slow for me, and it remained fairly slow throughout the entire book.
Mind your triggers, because there are some possessions, dub-con acts, and a ritual that may bother some people.
I Ioved the story and the plotline is incredibly unique. I haven't read anything quite like this before, and it is a truly interesting read. The writing was fantastic, and the author did a great job in pulling you into this world and really immersing you in the story. The only thing that I didn't care for was the pacing. It was very slow for me, and it remained fairly slow throughout the entire book.
Mind your triggers, because there are some possessions, dub-con acts, and a ritual that may bother some people.
November 21, 2021
I was very intrigued by the cover and synopsis of this book and the story definitely delivered. It was unlike any book I’ve ever read and drew me in. I am very interested in seeing what happens next with these characters.
However, I can’t give a full 5 star rating because I was very unsettled by one particular scene involving a demonic ritual. For future readers, I do think it’d be proper to even add a trigger warning because of the nature of the scene.
Overall though, I did enjoy The Warplands and look forward to the next installment.
tw: dubious sexual consent, demon possession
However, I can’t give a full 5 star rating because I was very unsettled by one particular scene involving a demonic ritual. For future readers, I do think it’d be proper to even add a trigger warning because of the nature of the scene.
Overall though, I did enjoy The Warplands and look forward to the next installment.
tw: dubious sexual consent, demon possession
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews