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Felgrim
Demons, rebels, assassins, swords and sorcery...It seems that Hollowick is beset.
As young King Davon comes of age, he finds that his allies are few. The thimmaru, rune-marked undead rebels sworn to the Dead God, are massing at the gates of Hollowick. Within its walls lurks a far greater threat, one that cannot be slain by swords: a murderous felgrim, incorporeal demon of the abyss. He must turn to Tonsward, the assassin tower, in a last-ditch attempt to stop civil war.
Enter Marla Black. Ambitious, capable, and arrogant to a fault, Marla is the tower's star apprentice. Her job is simple: find the thimmaru camp, befriend the nephew of the leader, and bring him back for questioning. An easy step to becoming King's Dagger, she thinks.
What she doesn't expect is to like Eaton Poole and, worse, to find that the roots of his rebellion go far deeper than she ever expected...
As young King Davon comes of age, he finds that his allies are few. The thimmaru, rune-marked undead rebels sworn to the Dead God, are massing at the gates of Hollowick. Within its walls lurks a far greater threat, one that cannot be slain by swords: a murderous felgrim, incorporeal demon of the abyss. He must turn to Tonsward, the assassin tower, in a last-ditch attempt to stop civil war.
Enter Marla Black. Ambitious, capable, and arrogant to a fault, Marla is the tower's star apprentice. Her job is simple: find the thimmaru camp, befriend the nephew of the leader, and bring him back for questioning. An easy step to becoming King's Dagger, she thinks.
What she doesn't expect is to like Eaton Poole and, worse, to find that the roots of his rebellion go far deeper than she ever expected...
- GenresFantasy
459 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 4, 2022
I really really have enjoyed Felgrim, the book one of this original fantasy series created by the talented E.M Duffield-Fuller (author to be followed from now on!)
This dark fantasy book introduces an original world (based on a medieval fantasy plot), being the Felgrim the main conductor of the story. The Felgrims are a kind of demons that appears in the world murdering without hesitation.
In this book you will find a thoughtful world-building that makes total sense (names, places, politics, etc...) and also a cast of main characters that will make you fall in love with, especially the sassy, brave and kick-ass feminine main character Marla, a recently graduated assassin.
Do you like politics on your fantasy stories? You got it. Do you like fast paced action scenes perfectly plotted? You got them. Do you like a superb characters relationship development? You got it.
This yet-to-be trilogy story is something to take into account and something really worth of following. Great work by Duffield-Fuller. Keep on going! see you on Book 2!
This dark fantasy book introduces an original world (based on a medieval fantasy plot), being the Felgrim the main conductor of the story. The Felgrims are a kind of demons that appears in the world murdering without hesitation.
In this book you will find a thoughtful world-building that makes total sense (names, places, politics, etc...) and also a cast of main characters that will make you fall in love with, especially the sassy, brave and kick-ass feminine main character Marla, a recently graduated assassin.
Do you like politics on your fantasy stories? You got it. Do you like fast paced action scenes perfectly plotted? You got them. Do you like a superb characters relationship development? You got it.
This yet-to-be trilogy story is something to take into account and something really worth of following. Great work by Duffield-Fuller. Keep on going! see you on Book 2!
April 20, 2022
Incredible. A must read.
Wow. This book is amazing. It has everything I love about fantasy and is so so so good!
The characters: Told through the point of view of several different characters, each is distinct, realistic and a genuine person. My favorites were Bissey, who reminded me a little of Molly Grue from The Last Unicorn, and Garin the assassin master (not a point of view character). However, all the characters were great and so well portrayed.
The plot: A rich, intricate plot with lots of personal and political intrigue. While this is the first in a trilogy, and the story isn’t resolved by the end of the novel, there is enough resolution to be satisfying. However, I hope the second book is published soon as I can’t wait to read it!
The world building: Wow! The world building is incredible. This is my dream type of fantasy, where magic is part of the very fabric of the world and its people, where everything makes sense within the world, has rules and reason for being and history and it is all so believable that I feel I could walk right into the world depicted in the book. The details - from the belief system, government, down to little things like food and drink - are so expertly realized and revealed that every moment reading this book was a joy. There were no ponderous passages full of exposition, but at the same time important details were revealed at the right time so I was never confused about what was going on.
The writing: This book is so well written and perfectly paced, the only time I was drawn out of the narrative was when the outdoor earth of a field was referred to as the floor. It is very rare that I get so immersed in a book that I forget that I’m reading, but this book swept me up from page one.
An original, imaginative, absorbing fantasy that is a delight, and extremely satisfying on an intellectual and emotional level, I can’t wait to continue the series. I highly recommend this book.
Wow. This book is amazing. It has everything I love about fantasy and is so so so good!
The characters: Told through the point of view of several different characters, each is distinct, realistic and a genuine person. My favorites were Bissey, who reminded me a little of Molly Grue from The Last Unicorn, and Garin the assassin master (not a point of view character). However, all the characters were great and so well portrayed.
The plot: A rich, intricate plot with lots of personal and political intrigue. While this is the first in a trilogy, and the story isn’t resolved by the end of the novel, there is enough resolution to be satisfying. However, I hope the second book is published soon as I can’t wait to read it!
The world building: Wow! The world building is incredible. This is my dream type of fantasy, where magic is part of the very fabric of the world and its people, where everything makes sense within the world, has rules and reason for being and history and it is all so believable that I feel I could walk right into the world depicted in the book. The details - from the belief system, government, down to little things like food and drink - are so expertly realized and revealed that every moment reading this book was a joy. There were no ponderous passages full of exposition, but at the same time important details were revealed at the right time so I was never confused about what was going on.
The writing: This book is so well written and perfectly paced, the only time I was drawn out of the narrative was when the outdoor earth of a field was referred to as the floor. It is very rare that I get so immersed in a book that I forget that I’m reading, but this book swept me up from page one.
An original, imaginative, absorbing fantasy that is a delight, and extremely satisfying on an intellectual and emotional level, I can’t wait to continue the series. I highly recommend this book.
March 31, 2022
I agreed to receive an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review by March 31st.
First off, if Marla killed me, I'd actually thank her. I don't know if it's her attitude but, I was immediately drawn to her. I've read plenty of books and it's rare for me to encounter badass female characters who are allowed to be cocky and arrogant. It's nice to have that in a female character for once, and yes it gets her in trouble, but still, I find it a nice change of pace.
Now, at first, I kept putting the book off. That's not the author's fault though, I have a really short attention span and if I don't get into a book immediately, I'll avoid it until the end of time. However, I decided to try reading a bit each night, and I'm extremely glad I did because after a while, I could NOT put it down! (The beginning is a tad slow though, but again I don't blame that on the author as I've been drowned in multiple ARC reviews and work loads).
Felgrim is told by multiple POV's, yet, each character has a distinct voice, which is hard to achieve in a multiple POV story (believe me, I've tried writing multiple POV's at once!). Brava to the author for that. Which takes me to the difference when it came to Davon. I found his voice in his POV a tad whiny, yet other POV's described him as a strong person. Which is a great bit of information. I found the difference great!
Overall, I thought Felgrim was a great read. Strong, good worldbuilding. A character that makes me wish she killed me with her bare hands. Good fantasy and mystery with bad ass female assassins that I aspire to be like. Call me invested, but I look forward to book 2!
Ending had me SHOOK.
First off, if Marla killed me, I'd actually thank her. I don't know if it's her attitude but, I was immediately drawn to her. I've read plenty of books and it's rare for me to encounter badass female characters who are allowed to be cocky and arrogant. It's nice to have that in a female character for once, and yes it gets her in trouble, but still, I find it a nice change of pace.
Now, at first, I kept putting the book off. That's not the author's fault though, I have a really short attention span and if I don't get into a book immediately, I'll avoid it until the end of time. However, I decided to try reading a bit each night, and I'm extremely glad I did because after a while, I could NOT put it down! (The beginning is a tad slow though, but again I don't blame that on the author as I've been drowned in multiple ARC reviews and work loads).
Felgrim is told by multiple POV's, yet, each character has a distinct voice, which is hard to achieve in a multiple POV story (believe me, I've tried writing multiple POV's at once!). Brava to the author for that. Which takes me to the difference when it came to Davon. I found his voice in his POV a tad whiny, yet other POV's described him as a strong person. Which is a great bit of information. I found the difference great!
Overall, I thought Felgrim was a great read. Strong, good worldbuilding. A character that makes me wish she killed me with her bare hands. Good fantasy and mystery with bad ass female assassins that I aspire to be like. Call me invested, but I look forward to book 2!
Ending had me SHOOK.
May 13, 2022
A beguiling brew of witchcraft, spycraft, intrigue and treachery, Felgrim is the first instalment in E.M. Duffield-Fuller’s Darkwatch fantasy series, and it’s a terrific read. The felgrim of the title is a demon that appears periodically in Hollowick, slaying without mercy. The kingdom is also under siege from a troublesome clan of undead rebels, the thimmaru. To avert civil war, the king enlists the help of his famed house of assassins to infiltrate the thimmaru. The assassin chosen for the task is a young prodigy, Marla Black, who finds more than she ever bargained for on her dangerous quest.
Among a vivid cast of characters, the standouts are Davon, the brooding, brittle young monarch who’s cultivated a fearsome persona but in reality is riddled with self-doubt; Eaton, a budding rebel leader who’s been reborn in a frightening resurrection rite; and my favourite, Marla, an irresistible spitfire who runs, jumps, climbs, fights, and sasses her way through a series of forbidding encounters. Her participation in a roughhouse competition to select the new King’s Dagger is great fun (and quite brutal).
Two fascinating relationships the author describes so well are parental in nature, but fundamentally different. Davon can’t stand his mother, a scheming, icy priestess who constantly belittles him, but he also can’t quite bring himself to get rid of her either. It’s classic, toxic love-hate that really illustrates his fragility. Then there’s Marla and her Assassin-Master, a cruel but respected taskmaster who throws her about like a ragdoll if she doesn’t give her absolute best. She resents him and admires him in equal measure. The bond that’s developed between them, while mostly unspoken, transcends the standard teacher-student relationship, and is cleverly handled.
I’m used to more action and battles with my fantasy, but Felgrim weaves a more intimate, character-driven tale that flat-out works on its own terms because Ms. Duffield-Fuller knows these people inside out. They’re flawed, three-dimensional characters that all have passion and agency and things they have to overcome. The fight scenes are effective. The world-building is exemplary, especially the fantasy vernacular (names, places, lore, etc.), which is often a weakness in genre writing. The author writes her scenes with verve and solid pacing. It’s a dark story, but it casts a spell—I felt immersed in this world of assassins and demons.
I’d recommend Felgrim to all dark fantasy readers, especially those who like rough-and-tumble YA heroines and characters you wouldn’t want to turn your back on. I did guess the big reveal towards the end of the story, but it worked. It isn’t a standalone tale, as the author clearly says it’s going to be a trilogy. A couple of character threads are left dangling, but I’m sure they’ll be addressed in the future. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for book two. Well done.
Among a vivid cast of characters, the standouts are Davon, the brooding, brittle young monarch who’s cultivated a fearsome persona but in reality is riddled with self-doubt; Eaton, a budding rebel leader who’s been reborn in a frightening resurrection rite; and my favourite, Marla, an irresistible spitfire who runs, jumps, climbs, fights, and sasses her way through a series of forbidding encounters. Her participation in a roughhouse competition to select the new King’s Dagger is great fun (and quite brutal).
Two fascinating relationships the author describes so well are parental in nature, but fundamentally different. Davon can’t stand his mother, a scheming, icy priestess who constantly belittles him, but he also can’t quite bring himself to get rid of her either. It’s classic, toxic love-hate that really illustrates his fragility. Then there’s Marla and her Assassin-Master, a cruel but respected taskmaster who throws her about like a ragdoll if she doesn’t give her absolute best. She resents him and admires him in equal measure. The bond that’s developed between them, while mostly unspoken, transcends the standard teacher-student relationship, and is cleverly handled.
I’m used to more action and battles with my fantasy, but Felgrim weaves a more intimate, character-driven tale that flat-out works on its own terms because Ms. Duffield-Fuller knows these people inside out. They’re flawed, three-dimensional characters that all have passion and agency and things they have to overcome. The fight scenes are effective. The world-building is exemplary, especially the fantasy vernacular (names, places, lore, etc.), which is often a weakness in genre writing. The author writes her scenes with verve and solid pacing. It’s a dark story, but it casts a spell—I felt immersed in this world of assassins and demons.
I’d recommend Felgrim to all dark fantasy readers, especially those who like rough-and-tumble YA heroines and characters you wouldn’t want to turn your back on. I did guess the big reveal towards the end of the story, but it worked. It isn’t a standalone tale, as the author clearly says it’s going to be a trilogy. A couple of character threads are left dangling, but I’m sure they’ll be addressed in the future. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for book two. Well done.
June 6, 2022
Felgrim, book one of the Darkwatch trilogy by E.M Duffield-Fuller is an impressive start to the series. This is a dark fantasy novel involving demons in a rich medieval fantasy world. The world building is spot on. You very quickly get a feel for this world of violence and death. It is reminiscent of other fantasy worlds, such as Game of Thrones, but also the Assassin’s Apprentice and it reminded me a bit of Gormanghast. But it has enough unique features to make it feel new and fresh and at the same time familiar. There is magic but the magic and the need to explain the magic system do not swamp the story the way the can in some other books of this sort. Minor complaint- there was no map in the kindle series, but really it wasn’t needed. There was enough information about the geography without it turning into a travel log.
The plot is convoluted, but not confusing, and the twist and turns have a logic to them that makes them surprising but also believable.
The biggest strength of the book is the characters. They are very well drawn and subtlety portrayed. You invest in the characters from the start and really care about what happens to them even if they are on opposing sides. Possibly the characters are too sympathetic. An angry boy king that murdered his brothers for the throne and rules with a harsh authority is portrayed beautifully as an insecure and uncertain man-child trying to figure his way out in a blood thirsty and unforgiving world. A carefree assassin who would kill you as soon as look at you is portrayed as a damaged and immature adolescent. They are likeable, but should they be when you consider all the blood on their hands? Either way, it makes for a cracking read that I raced through and that left me desperate for more, even although the story left off at exactly the right place. I’m definitely giving this five stars and expect to see so much more from Duffield-Fuller
The plot is convoluted, but not confusing, and the twist and turns have a logic to them that makes them surprising but also believable.
The biggest strength of the book is the characters. They are very well drawn and subtlety portrayed. You invest in the characters from the start and really care about what happens to them even if they are on opposing sides. Possibly the characters are too sympathetic. An angry boy king that murdered his brothers for the throne and rules with a harsh authority is portrayed beautifully as an insecure and uncertain man-child trying to figure his way out in a blood thirsty and unforgiving world. A carefree assassin who would kill you as soon as look at you is portrayed as a damaged and immature adolescent. They are likeable, but should they be when you consider all the blood on their hands? Either way, it makes for a cracking read that I raced through and that left me desperate for more, even although the story left off at exactly the right place. I’m definitely giving this five stars and expect to see so much more from Duffield-Fuller
March 31, 2022
I received a free copy of this book as an ARC reader in return for an honest review.
This book had me teetering between a 3 star or 4 star review. The author has done a brilliant job creating a world that is in line with fantasy genre but is original and fresh in its execution.
I initially thought the multiple perspectives would make this book tiresome to read, however it allowed for new information to be imparted in various ways which I really enjoyed. I do hope that Polita plays a larger role in the next book as she seemed to only pop up when it was convenient, and I liked her character!
It took me a little while to become truly invested in this book as there were many characters introduced and a lot of world building in the initial chapters. However, knowing this is the first book in a trilogy I can see why such world building is required. It gave me Cresent City Vibes in how it started off slowly.
The author has a beautiful way with words. The descriptions in this story are vivid and beautifully described without being too over the top. The balance was perfection. For example; "her short shadow dancing in time to her movements on the blackened earth", was one line that so gorgeously brought an image to my mind.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this story! Davon appeared strong and intimidating to the public but was questioning his every move in private. Marla was unapologetically strong and determined and I loved that. While Bissy was soft and caring with a determination that came from losing everything but not letting it harden her. The only character I didn't love was Eaton as he seemed to be focussed only on himself and what he wanted at times. I worry for his return to the camp as leader as he appears to be hot headed.
At times the book seemed to jump quickly through the story line with no real catalyst to move it on. The jump into the final reveal felt sudden and almost forced. I actually thought I had skipped a chapter and went back to check! The twist at the end was satisfying but did not seem to hold quite as much weight as the build up wasn't there. SPOILER. Knowing the King was alive but not hearing of any of the things he had done that we had missed made this reveal fall flat in my opinion.
All in all this was a story I enjoyed and I am excited to continue reading this story in book 2 and see how the author continues to shape this world! I wish I had them all now so that I can see what happens as the story evolves.
This book had me teetering between a 3 star or 4 star review. The author has done a brilliant job creating a world that is in line with fantasy genre but is original and fresh in its execution.
I initially thought the multiple perspectives would make this book tiresome to read, however it allowed for new information to be imparted in various ways which I really enjoyed. I do hope that Polita plays a larger role in the next book as she seemed to only pop up when it was convenient, and I liked her character!
It took me a little while to become truly invested in this book as there were many characters introduced and a lot of world building in the initial chapters. However, knowing this is the first book in a trilogy I can see why such world building is required. It gave me Cresent City Vibes in how it started off slowly.
The author has a beautiful way with words. The descriptions in this story are vivid and beautifully described without being too over the top. The balance was perfection. For example; "her short shadow dancing in time to her movements on the blackened earth", was one line that so gorgeously brought an image to my mind.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this story! Davon appeared strong and intimidating to the public but was questioning his every move in private. Marla was unapologetically strong and determined and I loved that. While Bissy was soft and caring with a determination that came from losing everything but not letting it harden her. The only character I didn't love was Eaton as he seemed to be focussed only on himself and what he wanted at times. I worry for his return to the camp as leader as he appears to be hot headed.
At times the book seemed to jump quickly through the story line with no real catalyst to move it on. The jump into the final reveal felt sudden and almost forced. I actually thought I had skipped a chapter and went back to check! The twist at the end was satisfying but did not seem to hold quite as much weight as the build up wasn't there. SPOILER. Knowing the King was alive but not hearing of any of the things he had done that we had missed made this reveal fall flat in my opinion.
All in all this was a story I enjoyed and I am excited to continue reading this story in book 2 and see how the author continues to shape this world! I wish I had them all now so that I can see what happens as the story evolves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2022
4/5
TLDR: Felgrim is a story dripping with atmosphere. The highlights (for me) were the delightfully dark and macabre elements of the world it's set in: a kingdom plagued by unrest, rebellion, and demonic influence. Though the demons themselves don't take center stage, we still get a wonderful smattering of magical elements, be it rune charms, blood sacrifice, or creepy mists.
The novel has multiple POVS (5 in total, if I'm counting right), which is refreshing as we get to experience the story through very different perspectives (i.e. a king in one chapter and a prominent member of the rebel group in the next). I thought the character work here was pretty well done, though there was one POV in particular that didn't resonate with me. This character (Bissy) just didn't get quite enough characterization and seemed sort of detached from the main Felgrim-centric plot which all our other POVs dance around in the main location of our story: Hollowick, a castle with four large towers that house the King and his court (seemingly portrayed on the lovely cover.) Bissy seemed very one-note to me, and though her chapters served to familiarize us with the aspects of the rebel culture, which was intriguing. This is just my own personal taste, and I'm sure others may be more engrossed with this POV than I was, so don't let this discourage you in the slightest. Besides Bissy, I loved the other POVs, with my personal favorite being the first one we are treated to: Davon, our young, newly-crowned king of this beleaguered kingdom. His quest to find out information on the Felgrim was exciting and mysterious, and the political tight ropes he has to walk along the way really made his character endearing, in my opinion.
The world-building in this world is easily my favorite aspect of the novel. From the very start when you learn of the undead rebels who worship a dead god, the spooky, misty forest and tunnels that border/lie underneath Hollowick, and the runes, magic, and demons that litter the land, you will have a firm grasp of the tone of the novel. It's really something that hits the right notes for me, as it's beautifully dark and grim, without being too much so. The various names, locations, and traditions really spice up the pages and breathe life into the narrative. I was thoroughly invested in learning about the various aspects of the festivals thrown by the kingdom to try and appease the demons. Those mystical aspects made me want to learn more about this world, something that's sure to come in the sequels.
The action scenes were done well, though the magnitude of the battles and the stakes weren't as high as other, more epic-style fantasies. The action works here though, as it seems this story is more personal/"close to the vest" than a sprawling tale of armies and conquest. This is to say, don't go in expecting large battles, but know that the action that is present works well and meshes wonderfully with the mysterious, magical/religious, and political narrative the story creates.
The overall structure of the plot is solid and I thought the pacing was done well. The initial conflict is presented early on, and the various motivations of the other POVs are similarly introduced at an early time in order to give us time to latch on and root for them. There were a few twists and turns along the way, and they were both exciting and unexpected.
All in all, if you're a fantasy fan that likes magic, mystery, demons, and political intrigue, you may really enjoy this one, I certainly did.
TLDR: Felgrim is a story dripping with atmosphere. The highlights (for me) were the delightfully dark and macabre elements of the world it's set in: a kingdom plagued by unrest, rebellion, and demonic influence. Though the demons themselves don't take center stage, we still get a wonderful smattering of magical elements, be it rune charms, blood sacrifice, or creepy mists.
The novel has multiple POVS (5 in total, if I'm counting right), which is refreshing as we get to experience the story through very different perspectives (i.e. a king in one chapter and a prominent member of the rebel group in the next). I thought the character work here was pretty well done, though there was one POV in particular that didn't resonate with me. This character (Bissy) just didn't get quite enough characterization and seemed sort of detached from the main Felgrim-centric plot which all our other POVs dance around in the main location of our story: Hollowick, a castle with four large towers that house the King and his court (seemingly portrayed on the lovely cover.) Bissy seemed very one-note to me, and though her chapters served to familiarize us with the aspects of the rebel culture, which was intriguing. This is just my own personal taste, and I'm sure others may be more engrossed with this POV than I was, so don't let this discourage you in the slightest. Besides Bissy, I loved the other POVs, with my personal favorite being the first one we are treated to: Davon, our young, newly-crowned king of this beleaguered kingdom. His quest to find out information on the Felgrim was exciting and mysterious, and the political tight ropes he has to walk along the way really made his character endearing, in my opinion.
The world-building in this world is easily my favorite aspect of the novel. From the very start when you learn of the undead rebels who worship a dead god, the spooky, misty forest and tunnels that border/lie underneath Hollowick, and the runes, magic, and demons that litter the land, you will have a firm grasp of the tone of the novel. It's really something that hits the right notes for me, as it's beautifully dark and grim, without being too much so. The various names, locations, and traditions really spice up the pages and breathe life into the narrative. I was thoroughly invested in learning about the various aspects of the festivals thrown by the kingdom to try and appease the demons. Those mystical aspects made me want to learn more about this world, something that's sure to come in the sequels.
The action scenes were done well, though the magnitude of the battles and the stakes weren't as high as other, more epic-style fantasies. The action works here though, as it seems this story is more personal/"close to the vest" than a sprawling tale of armies and conquest. This is to say, don't go in expecting large battles, but know that the action that is present works well and meshes wonderfully with the mysterious, magical/religious, and political narrative the story creates.
The overall structure of the plot is solid and I thought the pacing was done well. The initial conflict is presented early on, and the various motivations of the other POVs are similarly introduced at an early time in order to give us time to latch on and root for them. There were a few twists and turns along the way, and they were both exciting and unexpected.
All in all, if you're a fantasy fan that likes magic, mystery, demons, and political intrigue, you may really enjoy this one, I certainly did.
April 24, 2022
A book with great promise that I just wish had stuck the landing...
I was really intrigued by the blurb for this one when I first read it: freedom fighters-cum-terrorists, demon attacks, and assassins-in-training? Sounds like my cup of tea! And there is a lot to like here: the worldbuilding is very strong, with a lot of development and thought given to the monarchy's rituals and traditions. The story takes several very cunning twists and turns that I truly didn't expect and that made me want to keep reading. The main characters, broadly speaking, are interesting and sympathetic while still being realistically flawed. And, thank the Lord, those character flaws actually do get the heroes in trouble now and then rather than just being window dressing.
But I did have some qualms with the book that prevent me from rating it higher. Firstly: the thimmaru (the undead rebels the blurb promises) are talked about as this super dangerous faction of freedom fighters, but they're not actually shown doing any real, uh, freedom fighting until basically the third act. And even then, the fight is led by a character from one of the *other* rebel camps that we never see directly, rather than the rebel camp that the main rebel good guy comes from. Consequently, the main rebel good guy spends much of the novel not actually doing much in the way of rebelling, and the reputation of him and his camp doesn't feel entirely earned.
Secondly: there's a goddamn love triangle. Why does YA fantasy always have to push the love triangle? I don't mind romance in a YA novel per se, and in fact Marla, the apprentice assassin, does have enough good chemistry with the young and insecure king Davon that I can believe something would spark between them. But she also has to go and snog Eaton, the good guy rebel who doesn't actually do much in the way of rebelling, and that's when I find myself losing interest real fast.
Thirdly, and most damningly: the ending feels really rushed. A lot of plot threads don't see resolution, and there's one shocking last-minute twist that has no room to breathe and just leaves me sitting there with even more questions. I understand that you want to leave threads hanging in the first act of a trilogy, so you can pick them up later, but you have to give resolution to *something*. I don't think a single thread actually got a clean wrap-up here. When writing a narrative as part of a series, you have to strike a balance between concluding the present narrative in a satisfying fashion and leaving the reader wanting more. I feel like this book thought so much about the latter that it didn't really consider the former.
There's potential here. The world is remarkably fleshed out and the story is mostly well-paced. I like the characters for the most part, and I'll admit I am curious to see how certain plot threads play out. But there are definitely some things that had me rolling my eyes. Hopefully the second book will improve on some of what fell flat here...
I was really intrigued by the blurb for this one when I first read it: freedom fighters-cum-terrorists, demon attacks, and assassins-in-training? Sounds like my cup of tea! And there is a lot to like here: the worldbuilding is very strong, with a lot of development and thought given to the monarchy's rituals and traditions. The story takes several very cunning twists and turns that I truly didn't expect and that made me want to keep reading. The main characters, broadly speaking, are interesting and sympathetic while still being realistically flawed. And, thank the Lord, those character flaws actually do get the heroes in trouble now and then rather than just being window dressing.
But I did have some qualms with the book that prevent me from rating it higher. Firstly: the thimmaru (the undead rebels the blurb promises) are talked about as this super dangerous faction of freedom fighters, but they're not actually shown doing any real, uh, freedom fighting until basically the third act. And even then, the fight is led by a character from one of the *other* rebel camps that we never see directly, rather than the rebel camp that the main rebel good guy comes from. Consequently, the main rebel good guy spends much of the novel not actually doing much in the way of rebelling, and the reputation of him and his camp doesn't feel entirely earned.
Secondly: there's a goddamn love triangle. Why does YA fantasy always have to push the love triangle? I don't mind romance in a YA novel per se, and in fact Marla, the apprentice assassin, does have enough good chemistry with the young and insecure king Davon that I can believe something would spark between them. But she also has to go and snog Eaton, the good guy rebel who doesn't actually do much in the way of rebelling, and that's when I find myself losing interest real fast.
Thirdly, and most damningly: the ending feels really rushed. A lot of plot threads don't see resolution, and there's one shocking last-minute twist that has no room to breathe and just leaves me sitting there with even more questions. I understand that you want to leave threads hanging in the first act of a trilogy, so you can pick them up later, but you have to give resolution to *something*. I don't think a single thread actually got a clean wrap-up here. When writing a narrative as part of a series, you have to strike a balance between concluding the present narrative in a satisfying fashion and leaving the reader wanting more. I feel like this book thought so much about the latter that it didn't really consider the former.
There's potential here. The world is remarkably fleshed out and the story is mostly well-paced. I like the characters for the most part, and I'll admit I am curious to see how certain plot threads play out. But there are definitely some things that had me rolling my eyes. Hopefully the second book will improve on some of what fell flat here...
March 25, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This took me quite a while to get through - I'm not sure if it's a long book or if I was just grappling with the rest of my life while trying to read. It's the first book in the Darkwatch trilogy and I must say I really loved it!
I'll start out with some negatives, so we can get them out of the way first. At times I was truly exasperated waiting for Davon to get half a clue about reality. I can see why it took him that long since he had the sort of background that meant he wanted to overlook certain hints about the truth. So I guess that wasn't a negative about the book itself - more exasperation at one of the main characters!
During the early chapters I felt like I was getting an onslaught of information and was struggling to grasp onto any of it. Since there was so much info that needed to be imparted, I feel that the author did do it quite well (e.g. it wasn't a huge slab of backstory or anything), but it did mean I was constantly going "The who and the what, wait, what?! What's that? Who's that?" But it didn't take long before the action of the story took over, so those confusing-ish early chapters were easily forgiven in the end.
Finally on the "not so great stuff", I feel like this book could have used one last line edit, but at least it wasn't infuriatingly riddled with typos/grammatical errors like some other books I've read over the years.
Now onto the good stuff. There were great moments where I was like "Oooohhh dammnn!", such as when we learn what Marla and Bissy have in common from their past. I thought it was interesting how we got Davon's point of view and he seemed quite weak, whiny, etc, but from outsiders' points of view looking at Davon, he looked strong, imperious, basically a king. The book has lots of drama and not everyone will survive. There are also plenty of mysteries, some of which we're yet to untangle by the end of the book (you'd hope so since it's only book 1 in a series).
I think the worldbuilding is really strong in this book, and the author has created a unique (at least in my opinion in what I've read before in my life) world that stamps itself on the fantasy landscape. As a reader I'm 100% invested in the story and look forward to reading book 2 to find out what happens next. I also want to know what's going to happen with Davon, Marla and his original "intended Heart". Intriguing stuff.
P.S. I definitely want to see justice done for the High Priestess, if ya know what I mean.
This took me quite a while to get through - I'm not sure if it's a long book or if I was just grappling with the rest of my life while trying to read. It's the first book in the Darkwatch trilogy and I must say I really loved it!
I'll start out with some negatives, so we can get them out of the way first. At times I was truly exasperated waiting for Davon to get half a clue about reality. I can see why it took him that long since he had the sort of background that meant he wanted to overlook certain hints about the truth. So I guess that wasn't a negative about the book itself - more exasperation at one of the main characters!
During the early chapters I felt like I was getting an onslaught of information and was struggling to grasp onto any of it. Since there was so much info that needed to be imparted, I feel that the author did do it quite well (e.g. it wasn't a huge slab of backstory or anything), but it did mean I was constantly going "The who and the what, wait, what?! What's that? Who's that?" But it didn't take long before the action of the story took over, so those confusing-ish early chapters were easily forgiven in the end.
Finally on the "not so great stuff", I feel like this book could have used one last line edit, but at least it wasn't infuriatingly riddled with typos/grammatical errors like some other books I've read over the years.
Now onto the good stuff. There were great moments where I was like "Oooohhh dammnn!", such as when we learn what Marla and Bissy have in common from their past. I thought it was interesting how we got Davon's point of view and he seemed quite weak, whiny, etc, but from outsiders' points of view looking at Davon, he looked strong, imperious, basically a king. The book has lots of drama and not everyone will survive. There are also plenty of mysteries, some of which we're yet to untangle by the end of the book (you'd hope so since it's only book 1 in a series).
I think the worldbuilding is really strong in this book, and the author has created a unique (at least in my opinion in what I've read before in my life) world that stamps itself on the fantasy landscape. As a reader I'm 100% invested in the story and look forward to reading book 2 to find out what happens next. I also want to know what's going to happen with Davon, Marla and his original "intended Heart". Intriguing stuff.
P.S. I definitely want to see justice done for the High Priestess, if ya know what I mean.
May 18, 2022
Trust me, just power through.
The author immediately captivates you from the first page, drawing you in with a fresh new voice and fun fantasy vibes. However, reading the first few chapters of the book was a bit of a struggle for me. I felt like I was processing so much information in the beginning. But the imaginative world building, relatable characters, well-balanced action, and powerful voice made me want to power through. And boy, am I glad I did!
This story gives you everything you could want from a fantasy novel! Seriously, the world building alone is enough to keep you turning the page. So many rich descriptions! You can tell the author spend hours upon hours in front of the keyboard to perfect this culture-rich world. I’m honestly a tad bit jealous…I wish I could world build as well as this author. A round of applause for this fantastic writer on these grounds alone!
I don’t usually like books that split to tell a different point of view in each chapter, but I don’t think this book could have been written any other way. The story telling felt so natural through each chapter. This author clearly new what they were doing when they decided to tell the story through multiple POVs. Each individual story intertwined beautifully! The characters’ well-balanced traits and egos make them feel so real and relatable. King Davon and Marla are especially well written! The dialogue is lovely, though it could use a tad more concision in my opinion.
PLEASE tell me there is a sequel. I'm so glad I powered through those first few pages and read this book cover to cover.
The author immediately captivates you from the first page, drawing you in with a fresh new voice and fun fantasy vibes. However, reading the first few chapters of the book was a bit of a struggle for me. I felt like I was processing so much information in the beginning. But the imaginative world building, relatable characters, well-balanced action, and powerful voice made me want to power through. And boy, am I glad I did!
This story gives you everything you could want from a fantasy novel! Seriously, the world building alone is enough to keep you turning the page. So many rich descriptions! You can tell the author spend hours upon hours in front of the keyboard to perfect this culture-rich world. I’m honestly a tad bit jealous…I wish I could world build as well as this author. A round of applause for this fantastic writer on these grounds alone!
I don’t usually like books that split to tell a different point of view in each chapter, but I don’t think this book could have been written any other way. The story telling felt so natural through each chapter. This author clearly new what they were doing when they decided to tell the story through multiple POVs. Each individual story intertwined beautifully! The characters’ well-balanced traits and egos make them feel so real and relatable. King Davon and Marla are especially well written! The dialogue is lovely, though it could use a tad more concision in my opinion.
PLEASE tell me there is a sequel. I'm so glad I powered through those first few pages and read this book cover to cover.
April 27, 2022
Thanks to the wonderful E. M. Duffield-Fuller and Book Sirens, I was lucky enough to get a copy of Felgrim to review!
So what is Felgrim all about? The newly-crowned King, Davon, is struggling in his rule: the thimmaru (rune-marked undead 'rebels') are trying to cause chaos, his people call him the Little Tyrant, and there is currently a demon roaming around Hollowick, killing people. King Davon employs Marla Black, an assassin apprentice, to find the rebel leader's nephew and bring him back to the city, so that he can find out what is going on. Marla sets out without questioning this, but when she finds Eaton Poole, the task becomes so much harder. Marla likes Eaton, and actually admires him. How can she prove her loyalty to the King, without condemning Eaton to death? Should Marla even try to reconcile these opposing demands?
This is an epic fantasy in every sense of the word. Duffield-Fuller has given us an intense and massive fantasy that is as dark and exquisite as your favourite dark chocolate. It has a lot of detail, as well as beautifully complex relationships that are forever changing. I am actually already wishing we had the next book in the trilogy to read!
* You can see my full review on my blog: https://www.immersedinbooks.com/felgr... *
So what is Felgrim all about? The newly-crowned King, Davon, is struggling in his rule: the thimmaru (rune-marked undead 'rebels') are trying to cause chaos, his people call him the Little Tyrant, and there is currently a demon roaming around Hollowick, killing people. King Davon employs Marla Black, an assassin apprentice, to find the rebel leader's nephew and bring him back to the city, so that he can find out what is going on. Marla sets out without questioning this, but when she finds Eaton Poole, the task becomes so much harder. Marla likes Eaton, and actually admires him. How can she prove her loyalty to the King, without condemning Eaton to death? Should Marla even try to reconcile these opposing demands?
This is an epic fantasy in every sense of the word. Duffield-Fuller has given us an intense and massive fantasy that is as dark and exquisite as your favourite dark chocolate. It has a lot of detail, as well as beautifully complex relationships that are forever changing. I am actually already wishing we had the next book in the trilogy to read!
* You can see my full review on my blog: https://www.immersedinbooks.com/felgr... *
March 2, 2022
Let’s get the obvious out of the way, things book is beautifully written and it’s clear that the author put a lot of effort into the world building. The story almost feels real. However it can get confusing at times. There is so much happening and all the unfamiliar words and titles left me slightly bewildered.
As for the story, I would gladly let Marla kill me. It’s refreshing to see a female character who is allowed to be cocky and arrogant, although it gets her in trouble sometimes. The book is told through multiple povs but it doesn’t feel repetitive and every character has a distinct voice. My one problem is the pacing. The world is so developed that there was an extreme amount of exposition. It took 9 chapters before anything actually happened, and in that time I probably would have DNF it if I hadn’t committed to leaving an ARC review. But, I’m so glad I didn’t because after it did pick up, it was great. Another problem I had was my lack of interest in the relationships, I thought they were kinda random.
In the end, I would read Felgrim if you are someone who loves getting immersed in a fantasy world. Also if you like badass female assassins.
Also, I did not see that ending coming I’m still in shock.
As for the story, I would gladly let Marla kill me. It’s refreshing to see a female character who is allowed to be cocky and arrogant, although it gets her in trouble sometimes. The book is told through multiple povs but it doesn’t feel repetitive and every character has a distinct voice. My one problem is the pacing. The world is so developed that there was an extreme amount of exposition. It took 9 chapters before anything actually happened, and in that time I probably would have DNF it if I hadn’t committed to leaving an ARC review. But, I’m so glad I didn’t because after it did pick up, it was great. Another problem I had was my lack of interest in the relationships, I thought they were kinda random.
In the end, I would read Felgrim if you are someone who loves getting immersed in a fantasy world. Also if you like badass female assassins.
Also, I did not see that ending coming I’m still in shock.
March 16, 2022
This is definitely the type of book I need to have in my hands, rather than read on my phone or kindle. There was a lot going on, so much so that you truly do have to pay attention. Everything is described PERFECTLY. I can clearly see everything that is being described, and I love it. The multiple character point of views was a lot to take in during the beginning, but towards the middle/end it started to get more comfortable.
I’m still trying to figure out Bissy’s role, as well as Polita. Obviously we have their background, or as much as we know, but the future is very unknown. Marla was incredible. I think we see a lot of ourselves in her, with her determination to prove herself. Overall, she’s my favorite. I’m hoping in the next book that doesn’t change because of Eaton and Davon. Davon frustrated me until he met Marla. I think she really humanized him, or just made him remember he can be more than “the little tyrant”, which really helped his character development. Iridia gives me a Red Queen vibe with her ambitions for herself, but I can’t tell quite yet if it also is for her son. That remains to be seen.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m still trying to figure out Bissy’s role, as well as Polita. Obviously we have their background, or as much as we know, but the future is very unknown. Marla was incredible. I think we see a lot of ourselves in her, with her determination to prove herself. Overall, she’s my favorite. I’m hoping in the next book that doesn’t change because of Eaton and Davon. Davon frustrated me until he met Marla. I think she really humanized him, or just made him remember he can be more than “the little tyrant”, which really helped his character development. Iridia gives me a Red Queen vibe with her ambitions for herself, but I can’t tell quite yet if it also is for her son. That remains to be seen.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 14, 2022
Felgrim is a wonderfully imagined and constructed story, full of all the aspects you want and need from a fantasy fiction. A naïve king, ambitious assassin, meddling mother and a hoard of rebels committed to the undying god. It is well paced and the plot moves along pleasantly as we follow the main protagonists and get to understand their world. There are some really good characters that are given time to develop, with some great set pieces and dastardly plots aiming to subvert and undermine the ruling elite. It gives the book an air of intrigue that keeps you wanting to read more to find out exactly what is in store. Really happy to have finished this first book by E. M. Duffield-Fuller, and I am excited to find out what happens in the next instalment of the Darkwatch Trilogy, I fully recommend Felgrim to all fans of fantasy and even those that aren't. I'm certain you'll love it.
April 11, 2022
Thank you so much BookSirens for sending me an Advanced Copy of Felgrim.
I was very excited for this book, but I did find it a bit hard to get into. I found the constant jumping of POVs to be a bit much to wrap my head around when we're entering into a brand new world. I felt like there was just an onslaught of information in the first few chapters as well, so it took me a minute to figure out what was going on.
Maybe that's just me!
However, after I figured out what was going on, I did think the worldbuilding was well done and it felt vibrant and lived in. I loved the characters and I loved their banter! I adored Marla and I think Cruel Prince and Throne of Glass fans will just love her too.
I wish I could rate this higher, but the clunky pacing at the start really turned me off and had me feeling like it was a slog. But it was worth it in the end!
I was very excited for this book, but I did find it a bit hard to get into. I found the constant jumping of POVs to be a bit much to wrap my head around when we're entering into a brand new world. I felt like there was just an onslaught of information in the first few chapters as well, so it took me a minute to figure out what was going on.
Maybe that's just me!
However, after I figured out what was going on, I did think the worldbuilding was well done and it felt vibrant and lived in. I loved the characters and I loved their banter! I adored Marla and I think Cruel Prince and Throne of Glass fans will just love her too.
I wish I could rate this higher, but the clunky pacing at the start really turned me off and had me feeling like it was a slog. But it was worth it in the end!
April 2, 2022
There is some superb world-building in Felgrim and it truly is an engrossing read - be warned though you will be slugging through some chapters as you come to grips with the sheer size of the story and world and many many characters As a fantasy it stands up well - good pacing, ballsy characters (THANK YOU FOR SUCH KICK-ASS FEMALES!) but the one thing that I didn't feel worked as well as it should (maybe because the world was just so big) is the multiple POVs the story is told from. Then again, these added richness that would have been lost otherwise. Enjoy! Read! .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 1, 2022
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review! Needless to say, I was absolutely blown away by how well-written this book is! The worldbuilding, story, action, characters! Especially Marla! I love her!!! I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers and I can say that this is my top read of the year!
March 6, 2022
The main characters of the young King (Davon), the aspiring Assassin (Marla) are well-rounded with associated strengths and weaknesses, and have layers of complexity that make them real and intriguing.
We learn less about other characters (mother, spy-master, assassin-master) who play various supporting roles which at times makes it challenging to understand their motivations. Although this keeps the intrigue going – which is probably not a bad thing – and potentially sets up reveals in subsequent books.
I also found the Eaton Poole character a little shallow, who despite supposedly being very capable and perhaps a future leader, comes across as a bit of a dumb-arse for various reasons which I won’t mention here so as not to insert spoilers into the review.
Having said that, Felgrim is a captivating fantasy adventure that is engaging and enjoyable to read with a great twist at the end.
Like all good fantasy series, this first book sets up the world for lots of adventures to come. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the fantasy genre.
We learn less about other characters (mother, spy-master, assassin-master) who play various supporting roles which at times makes it challenging to understand their motivations. Although this keeps the intrigue going – which is probably not a bad thing – and potentially sets up reveals in subsequent books.
I also found the Eaton Poole character a little shallow, who despite supposedly being very capable and perhaps a future leader, comes across as a bit of a dumb-arse for various reasons which I won’t mention here so as not to insert spoilers into the review.
Having said that, Felgrim is a captivating fantasy adventure that is engaging and enjoyable to read with a great twist at the end.
Like all good fantasy series, this first book sets up the world for lots of adventures to come. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the fantasy genre.
March 26, 2022
Great story. Held my attention throughout. It has earned a place in my top 10 books I've read this year. Can't wait to see what happens next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 5, 2022
Felgrim is the first in the Darkwatch Trilogy. To be honest I fell in love with the book cover and the plot of this story for the first sight, and it didn’t disappoint me after reading the book.
It’s an easy to read, fast paced YA fantasy, that will keep the reader busy for a while. This novel has all the elements that a fantasy bookworm can wish for.
It was a nice start for the Trilogy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s an easy to read, fast paced YA fantasy, that will keep the reader busy for a while. This novel has all the elements that a fantasy bookworm can wish for.
It was a nice start for the Trilogy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! While it took a little while to get to grips with all the characters and the plot, I found the story so compelling; I couldn't put it down. The characters were really well developed and I particularly loved Marla and her journey. The story has so much magic, drama, and twists and turns, I cannot wait for the next one in the trilogy!
June 11, 2022
I absolutely loved this book!
It is a quintessential, epic, multi-POV fantasy told with imagination and terrific characterisation. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. While it reads like an epic fantasy – more concerned with taking your hand and leading you into the world the author creates, than being fast-paced - it didn’t drag in the least.
The characters in this multiple POV story were all unique and real. I love multi-POV books as it is like reading many stories in one and keeps you thoroughly entertained. The only character that frustrated me – and even then, only a little - was King Davon who seemed blind when it came to his mother. But it was also believable that an eighteen-year-old would still seek his mother’s acceptance and approval and the author explored this dysfunctional relationship nicely. I hope to see him grow into being his own man more in the second book.
The story held a few twists, providing thrills of excitement and one twist even had me sitting up, perched on the edge of my couch, exclaiming ‘oh, wow!’.
I really enjoyed Duffield-Fuller’s voice. Her writing was lyrical, and I found myself impressed over and over with her gorgeous descriptions and turns of phrase. Seriously nice writing.
I’ll stay on the lookout for Book 2 in the series so I can see what happens to the cast. Seriously, this is now my new favourite fantasy! Even beating my obsession with Sarah J Maas! :-)
It is a quintessential, epic, multi-POV fantasy told with imagination and terrific characterisation. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. While it reads like an epic fantasy – more concerned with taking your hand and leading you into the world the author creates, than being fast-paced - it didn’t drag in the least.
The characters in this multiple POV story were all unique and real. I love multi-POV books as it is like reading many stories in one and keeps you thoroughly entertained. The only character that frustrated me – and even then, only a little - was King Davon who seemed blind when it came to his mother. But it was also believable that an eighteen-year-old would still seek his mother’s acceptance and approval and the author explored this dysfunctional relationship nicely. I hope to see him grow into being his own man more in the second book.
The story held a few twists, providing thrills of excitement and one twist even had me sitting up, perched on the edge of my couch, exclaiming ‘oh, wow!’.
I really enjoyed Duffield-Fuller’s voice. Her writing was lyrical, and I found myself impressed over and over with her gorgeous descriptions and turns of phrase. Seriously nice writing.
I’ll stay on the lookout for Book 2 in the series so I can see what happens to the cast. Seriously, this is now my new favourite fantasy! Even beating my obsession with Sarah J Maas! :-)
April 16, 2022
I received an ARC of this book, but didn’t get through before the book went live.
Felgrim is the first book of a trilogy set in the exceptionally violent Avillea, currently at war with the Thimmaru cult-rebellion, and struggling to satiate its bloodthirsty pantheon of gods and demons. It takes place through the eyes of five different characters – the king, his potential romance, an assassin, a rebel leader, and the rebel leader’s fawning childhood friend – with the characters alternating chapters. This book is mostly political-fantasy-mystery-thriller and so the character’s voices are really important, something that Lizzy manages fantastically well. Each character has their own ticks, their own unique ways of speaking, and their own failings and it never gets confusing to remember who wants what.
The whole concept of being demon-damned or fed to the demons that the mercenary gods placate is a really interesting angle, and what I was most invested in, something that I suspect will become ever more prominent in the sequels. Most of this book is spent uncovering what is actually happening in Hollowick, and whose side everyone is actually on. At the end though, the lines are drawn and the mystery is revealed, to be further explored in the sequel and it is very satisfying to get to that point.
What I would say is that this is a commitment to read if you’re looking for a YA novel. To me the pacing and chapter length felt close to Brandon Sanderson’s first Mistborn story, for reference. That’s not a problem for an adult fantasy fan, but for YA it felt quite long.
The only real caution I’d give to anyone thinking of picking up this book is that it is definitely a part of a trilogy. If you are looking for a book that you can read as a stand-alone and be satisfied without necessarily picking up the sequel, this is not it. There are numerous story threads left to resolve and the next book will probably pick up right from where this one leaves off. So, be ready to read a trilogy.
Felgrim is the first book of a trilogy set in the exceptionally violent Avillea, currently at war with the Thimmaru cult-rebellion, and struggling to satiate its bloodthirsty pantheon of gods and demons. It takes place through the eyes of five different characters – the king, his potential romance, an assassin, a rebel leader, and the rebel leader’s fawning childhood friend – with the characters alternating chapters. This book is mostly political-fantasy-mystery-thriller and so the character’s voices are really important, something that Lizzy manages fantastically well. Each character has their own ticks, their own unique ways of speaking, and their own failings and it never gets confusing to remember who wants what.
The whole concept of being demon-damned or fed to the demons that the mercenary gods placate is a really interesting angle, and what I was most invested in, something that I suspect will become ever more prominent in the sequels. Most of this book is spent uncovering what is actually happening in Hollowick, and whose side everyone is actually on. At the end though, the lines are drawn and the mystery is revealed, to be further explored in the sequel and it is very satisfying to get to that point.
What I would say is that this is a commitment to read if you’re looking for a YA novel. To me the pacing and chapter length felt close to Brandon Sanderson’s first Mistborn story, for reference. That’s not a problem for an adult fantasy fan, but for YA it felt quite long.
The only real caution I’d give to anyone thinking of picking up this book is that it is definitely a part of a trilogy. If you are looking for a book that you can read as a stand-alone and be satisfied without necessarily picking up the sequel, this is not it. There are numerous story threads left to resolve and the next book will probably pick up right from where this one leaves off. So, be ready to read a trilogy.
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May 21, 2022I loved the novel, and my favorite character is Marla. She seems like a determined young woman whom knows how to get what she wants.
My least favorite part was the multiple POVs because I am not a fan of having more than one POV. However that is not going to stop me from enjoying a good story.
The world building and characters draw me into the story, which is something I look for when choosing something new to read, and make me wish that I didn’t have to stop reading sooner than I do most days because I am fully immersed in the tale. I enjoy it when an author paints a picture using words, as if the printed pages are the canvas and the words themselves are the paints that magic us away to another time, another place or another world, and that is precisely what this author did with the book – transport us to a realm beyond our imagination.
My least favorite part was the multiple POVs because I am not a fan of having more than one POV. However that is not going to stop me from enjoying a good story.
The world building and characters draw me into the story, which is something I look for when choosing something new to read, and make me wish that I didn’t have to stop reading sooner than I do most days because I am fully immersed in the tale. I enjoy it when an author paints a picture using words, as if the printed pages are the canvas and the words themselves are the paints that magic us away to another time, another place or another world, and that is precisely what this author did with the book – transport us to a realm beyond our imagination.
April 24, 2022
ad-pr product - 4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this! Like all good fantasy books I felt I needed a pen and paper to keep track of everything, but you soon get into it.
The world building is great, with such a sense of history. The characters had so much depth to them, and I really appreciated the multiple points of view.
So much happens in this book, and it is a long one but it didn't feel it. I want to read the second one like right now! I need to find out what happens!!
Would recommend!
I really enjoyed this! Like all good fantasy books I felt I needed a pen and paper to keep track of everything, but you soon get into it.
The world building is great, with such a sense of history. The characters had so much depth to them, and I really appreciated the multiple points of view.
So much happens in this book, and it is a long one but it didn't feel it. I want to read the second one like right now! I need to find out what happens!!
Would recommend!
June 5, 2022
A decent fantasy adventure with lots of intrigue
Plot:
A boy-king, Davon, struggles to protect his city-state from neighboring empires, rebuild his cabinet and deal with the murdering demon loose in his castle, all whilst trying to put down a rebellion. The new state pantheon of ‘mercenary’ gods protects humans from demon predation in return for living sacrifices. The rebels are loyal to the old (now dead) pagan god, who grants them undead fortitude. In this alternate world, political – and even marital – appointment is decided by contest. The book follows aspirant royal assassin, Marla, and would-be queen, Polita, as they vie for their positions.
Prose:
The prose is elegant and at times poetic. Duffield-Fuller is skilled at telling the reader about the characters’ motivations and machinations and masterful at putting expressions and gestures on the page. The dialogue is lively and one particular phrase will stay with the reader awhile: “I don’t give a cockerel’s egg…”.
Originality:
The story is a unique blend, drawing on genres like the haunted house, tournament-style advancement, sympathetic rebels and familial intrigue, to create a coherent whole. Duffield-Fuller’s view of the undead – as slightly more hardy but otherwise regular humans, albeit with bleached hair – is a departure from the known trope.
Character:
The characters are solidly told, so much so that a reader is driven to immediate like or dislike. The boy-king, Davon, overcompensates for his self-doubt with hard-handed tactics. The apprentice assassin, Marla, is torn between loyalty and ambition. The rebel, Eaton, is both earnest and inept. The would-be queen, Polita, comes over as a wallflower. The childhood friend, Bissy, pines stubbornly after her unrequited love. Apart from the main characters, the queen-cum-high priestess deserves an honorable mention as an undermining force of nature.
Critique:
Felgrim contains fewer formatting and typing errors than the average Indie novel, although some always slip through, even in traditionally published books. That said, odd comma placement and the occasional highfalutin word can cause a reader to stumble in reading. By far the biggest regret is the absence of the felgrim – the demon which lends its name to the book. The reader never gets to ‘see’ the creature and the problem of its presence is not resolved by book’s end.
Plot:
A boy-king, Davon, struggles to protect his city-state from neighboring empires, rebuild his cabinet and deal with the murdering demon loose in his castle, all whilst trying to put down a rebellion. The new state pantheon of ‘mercenary’ gods protects humans from demon predation in return for living sacrifices. The rebels are loyal to the old (now dead) pagan god, who grants them undead fortitude. In this alternate world, political – and even marital – appointment is decided by contest. The book follows aspirant royal assassin, Marla, and would-be queen, Polita, as they vie for their positions.
Prose:
The prose is elegant and at times poetic. Duffield-Fuller is skilled at telling the reader about the characters’ motivations and machinations and masterful at putting expressions and gestures on the page. The dialogue is lively and one particular phrase will stay with the reader awhile: “I don’t give a cockerel’s egg…”.
Originality:
The story is a unique blend, drawing on genres like the haunted house, tournament-style advancement, sympathetic rebels and familial intrigue, to create a coherent whole. Duffield-Fuller’s view of the undead – as slightly more hardy but otherwise regular humans, albeit with bleached hair – is a departure from the known trope.
Character:
The characters are solidly told, so much so that a reader is driven to immediate like or dislike. The boy-king, Davon, overcompensates for his self-doubt with hard-handed tactics. The apprentice assassin, Marla, is torn between loyalty and ambition. The rebel, Eaton, is both earnest and inept. The would-be queen, Polita, comes over as a wallflower. The childhood friend, Bissy, pines stubbornly after her unrequited love. Apart from the main characters, the queen-cum-high priestess deserves an honorable mention as an undermining force of nature.
Critique:
Felgrim contains fewer formatting and typing errors than the average Indie novel, although some always slip through, even in traditionally published books. That said, odd comma placement and the occasional highfalutin word can cause a reader to stumble in reading. By far the biggest regret is the absence of the felgrim – the demon which lends its name to the book. The reader never gets to ‘see’ the creature and the problem of its presence is not resolved by book’s end.
August 23, 2023
(I have received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. To me it is a 3.75 ⭐️ rating)
“Freedom or Safety? An impossible choice.”
When you’re living among demons, assassins, swords, sorcery and other things, the simple thought of safety is a luxury.
Multiple POVs bring you into the story of a young king called Davon who’s having only a few people he can trust in but still needs to find a way to stop the felgrim, a muderous demon, to not only roam in his worst nightmares but also to keep his country safe. Another aspect highlights Marla who’s in training to become an assassin and wants to become the King’s Dagger. To achieve her dreams, she’s sent out to fetch the nephew of the Rebellion’s leader and drag him back into Hollowick.
However neither Eaton nor Marla or even Davon can expect what this adventure (or should I say nightmare) actually entails for them.
“There’s darkness here. And I don’t know if we can fight it. I wonder if its a losing battle, if this land is growing darker, slipping more under the demons.”
Honestly, this book has taken me much longer to get through than I had first anticipated. Mainly not because of its length but possibly because it takes a while to get into the story, especially when it’s depicted from multiple points of views which do not seem to really connect to each other at the beginning. Adding to that, I wasn’t quite sure where the story is going at first. However, the ties connected later on while reading more of it.
“Sometimes, I think the Gods are just as cruel as the demons.”
There were certain things, which did bother me and those were mainly two POVs where one of them I think seriously only adds a few extra information on certain characters and the world but isn’t from fundamental importance. The other was just mildly frustrating at times because for it is just very hard to understand her opinion and the choices she makes.
Nonetheless, the book is fine and possibly a good read for anyone who really enjoys High Fantasy.
PS: I am willing to give this book another chance once I’m out of this reading slump and in mood for fantasy again.
“Freedom or Safety? An impossible choice.”
When you’re living among demons, assassins, swords, sorcery and other things, the simple thought of safety is a luxury.
Multiple POVs bring you into the story of a young king called Davon who’s having only a few people he can trust in but still needs to find a way to stop the felgrim, a muderous demon, to not only roam in his worst nightmares but also to keep his country safe. Another aspect highlights Marla who’s in training to become an assassin and wants to become the King’s Dagger. To achieve her dreams, she’s sent out to fetch the nephew of the Rebellion’s leader and drag him back into Hollowick.
However neither Eaton nor Marla or even Davon can expect what this adventure (or should I say nightmare) actually entails for them.
“There’s darkness here. And I don’t know if we can fight it. I wonder if its a losing battle, if this land is growing darker, slipping more under the demons.”
Honestly, this book has taken me much longer to get through than I had first anticipated. Mainly not because of its length but possibly because it takes a while to get into the story, especially when it’s depicted from multiple points of views which do not seem to really connect to each other at the beginning. Adding to that, I wasn’t quite sure where the story is going at first. However, the ties connected later on while reading more of it.
“Sometimes, I think the Gods are just as cruel as the demons.”
There were certain things, which did bother me and those were mainly two POVs where one of them I think seriously only adds a few extra information on certain characters and the world but isn’t from fundamental importance. The other was just mildly frustrating at times because for it is just very hard to understand her opinion and the choices she makes.
Nonetheless, the book is fine and possibly a good read for anyone who really enjoys High Fantasy.
PS: I am willing to give this book another chance once I’m out of this reading slump and in mood for fantasy again.
January 20, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. Marla is honestly such a good main character, but Davon is definitely my favorite. I liked the fact that we got to see from the perspective of the king and the rebellion leader, as it helped me understand exactly what was going through their minds. I think it's really cool that both sides are understandable in their methods and reasonings, although I do side with one more than the other, but I won't say which for spoilers sake. I loved how capable Marla was and yet how realistic her abilities were, and I love how well the author manages to portray Davon's struggles in ruling.
*Potential spoilers from here on out*
There were a few things took it down from five stars to four in my opinion. The first and foremost were the characters of Bissy and Polita. I found both of them extremely annoying, and I mostly skipped over the chapters in their perspectives. I know they're probably important in the latter books but as this book stands, they seem to be in there for no reason, and it's not enjoyable to read.
Another thing is how fast Marla and Eaton got close. I understand that they were traveling together for weeks (I think?) but we only got to see them together three times before they were suddenly really close. The same thing applies to Davon, but his relationship with Marla is so much better and more believable as the author spent more time on it, and Davon is just a better character, in my opinion at least. I have a feeling a love triangle might form, and I hate love triangles, so I'm a little wary of that.
*Spoiler warning over*
There are a few errors in the book, but nothing major. I really enjoy how each character is flawed because it makes them seem that much more relatable and believable. The plot twists were well foreshadowed when they needed to be and made perfect sense when they weren't. In short, I enjoy this book and will definitely be reading the sequel.
*Potential spoilers from here on out*
There were a few things took it down from five stars to four in my opinion. The first and foremost were the characters of Bissy and Polita. I found both of them extremely annoying, and I mostly skipped over the chapters in their perspectives. I know they're probably important in the latter books but as this book stands, they seem to be in there for no reason, and it's not enjoyable to read.
Another thing is how fast Marla and Eaton got close. I understand that they were traveling together for weeks (I think?) but we only got to see them together three times before they were suddenly really close. The same thing applies to Davon, but his relationship with Marla is so much better and more believable as the author spent more time on it, and Davon is just a better character, in my opinion at least. I have a feeling a love triangle might form, and I hate love triangles, so I'm a little wary of that.
*Spoiler warning over*
There are a few errors in the book, but nothing major. I really enjoy how each character is flawed because it makes them seem that much more relatable and believable. The plot twists were well foreshadowed when they needed to be and made perfect sense when they weren't. In short, I enjoy this book and will definitely be reading the sequel.
March 19, 2022
Stunning world building and philosophical tension makes this series debut a must-read.
Right from the start, the author draws you into the brutality of the city of Hollowick, home of the Wicksted monarchy, in this fast moving fantasy.
E.M. Duffield-Fullers Young Adult novel Felgrim, is told from the viewpoints of five individuals. Each protagonist comes from a very different background. Each has qualities to love and hate, but they are ultimately human and believable. The writing illustrates how clearly the upbringing and stations in life have influenced many regional perspectives. Duffield-Fuller has created a world that is rich in culture and history, without being overwhelming.
The fast-paced story carries you along the personal and political struggles of its characters. It gives you just enough information to draw your own conclusions and then takes you on a roller coaster ending.
There were two characters that really shined. Marla, a young and headstrong assassin, and King Davon, who struggles with his identity as a strong leader. These two were my favorite storylines to follow. I often felt frustrated with their decisions, but ultimately enjoyed their journeys.
I would have loved to have a deeper view of Bissy and Eaton’s psyche, and I feel like Polita’s story was cut short. However, I hope to see more of these characters in book two.
I would recommend this story to anyone who loves a good fantasy, especially those who love bad-ass female protagonists.
Right from the start, the author draws you into the brutality of the city of Hollowick, home of the Wicksted monarchy, in this fast moving fantasy.
E.M. Duffield-Fullers Young Adult novel Felgrim, is told from the viewpoints of five individuals. Each protagonist comes from a very different background. Each has qualities to love and hate, but they are ultimately human and believable. The writing illustrates how clearly the upbringing and stations in life have influenced many regional perspectives. Duffield-Fuller has created a world that is rich in culture and history, without being overwhelming.
The fast-paced story carries you along the personal and political struggles of its characters. It gives you just enough information to draw your own conclusions and then takes you on a roller coaster ending.
There were two characters that really shined. Marla, a young and headstrong assassin, and King Davon, who struggles with his identity as a strong leader. These two were my favorite storylines to follow. I often felt frustrated with their decisions, but ultimately enjoyed their journeys.
I would have loved to have a deeper view of Bissy and Eaton’s psyche, and I feel like Polita’s story was cut short. However, I hope to see more of these characters in book two.
I would recommend this story to anyone who loves a good fantasy, especially those who love bad-ass female protagonists.
February 11, 2023
What first drew me to this book was its cover. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this story and there was a lot more to it than the back blurb revealed. Marla was immediately my favorite character. I loved her POV and the tone of her chapters. Garin was also a great character and totally didn't expect the twist for him. Davon and Marla's scenes were some of my favorites. There were 5 POVs in this story, and I didn't really care much for Bissy, Polita, and Eaton's POVs as much as Marla and Davon. The others seemed to crowd the narrative and the pacing of them made it a bit difficult to follow the different threads of the story. I also wasn't a huge fan of the quick romance between Eaton and Marla, even if part of it was for show. There were some cool elements in the story I wasn't expecting, especially the demon sacrifices and the religion. I did love that the mom was the culprit in the end and that the king was allied with the rebels. However, it was a bit unclear who the thimmaru were and about the different camps, how the rebellion started, and the political system of the world. The competitions the king has to hold were interesting, but I think they needed more explanation and could have happened sooner in the story. Contrary to the name of the book, the felgrim doesn't make an actual on page, just its aftermath, which was a bit disappointing for me since it sounded like such a cool monster. I do think the dagger competition was neat and the author did a good job of creating strong character voices for each POV.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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