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The Belltower
When they uncover a betrayal beyond imagining, two former heroes turn their back on their god and their once-sacred order - but at what price?
- GenresFantasy
ebook
First published January 31, 2022
6 people want to read
About the author
Frank Dorrian
16 books102 followersFrank Dorrian was born in Liverpool. His hometown, a post-industrial cityscape, served as poignant inspiration for his creative efforts. He would commence writing in earnest during his teenage years, composing stories to sate desires of both expression and introspection.
Former careers include shop cashier, qualified mental health nurse and large-scale change governance and gap analysis for an international business. Today, Frank works as an operational analyst for a major UK institution, overseeing and improving complex data and processes.
When not writing, Frank spends his spare time reading, playing computer games, collecting tattoos and Thai boxing. He has previously competed as a fighter domestically in the UK and abroad in Thailand.
His first book, The Shadow of the High King, a grimdark fantasy novel, was released 30th August 2016, followed by To Brave the End on the 28th February 2017 and Scars of the Sand on the 8th September 2017, both standalone novellas set in the world of the Weaving Shadows Trilogy.
A further standalone, the start of a new series, Horns of the Hunter was released on 27th July 2021, a standalone novel set in the ancient days of Luah Fáil.
Former careers include shop cashier, qualified mental health nurse and large-scale change governance and gap analysis for an international business. Today, Frank works as an operational analyst for a major UK institution, overseeing and improving complex data and processes.
When not writing, Frank spends his spare time reading, playing computer games, collecting tattoos and Thai boxing. He has previously competed as a fighter domestically in the UK and abroad in Thailand.
His first book, The Shadow of the High King, a grimdark fantasy novel, was released 30th August 2016, followed by To Brave the End on the 28th February 2017 and Scars of the Sand on the 8th September 2017, both standalone novellas set in the world of the Weaving Shadows Trilogy.
A further standalone, the start of a new series, Horns of the Hunter was released on 27th July 2021, a standalone novel set in the ancient days of Luah Fáil.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 3, 2022
This is one of the three short stories that was generously provided for free in Frank Dorrian’s newsletter.
This one slightly tops Crown of Witches as the best of the bunch. Holy ass, this was good!
The Belltower is another high fantasy affair and the most narratively complex of the three stories. This one has a great premise. Kathas is the beloved god that is worshipped by the people of Gellas, but Agallon and Elkara, a knight and a mage (for lack of official terms that I may or may not have missed), have discovered the sinister truth that hints at the god’s darker intentions. Now they must climb the Belltower of Kathas to stop the ringing of the bell that is literally and symbolically the source of the god's power.
I loved the world and the characters in this one. They felt fresh and alive, and there was genuine excitement in their attempt to stop the tolling of the Bell. The action was wonderfully visceral and the world building was deftly handled without feeling like too much or halting the flow of the story with endless info-dumps. I loved the reveals. I loved the ambiguous nature of the god, and although from the POV’s we are told that they’re right in their assertion, a lot of people seem to think otherwise. And what is the price of the freedom they pursue anyway? The Belltower felt like the climax of a novel I wish I could read.
This one slightly tops Crown of Witches as the best of the bunch. Holy ass, this was good!
The Belltower is another high fantasy affair and the most narratively complex of the three stories. This one has a great premise. Kathas is the beloved god that is worshipped by the people of Gellas, but Agallon and Elkara, a knight and a mage (for lack of official terms that I may or may not have missed), have discovered the sinister truth that hints at the god’s darker intentions. Now they must climb the Belltower of Kathas to stop the ringing of the bell that is literally and symbolically the source of the god's power.
I loved the world and the characters in this one. They felt fresh and alive, and there was genuine excitement in their attempt to stop the tolling of the Bell. The action was wonderfully visceral and the world building was deftly handled without feeling like too much or halting the flow of the story with endless info-dumps. I loved the reveals. I loved the ambiguous nature of the god, and although from the POV’s we are told that they’re right in their assertion, a lot of people seem to think otherwise. And what is the price of the freedom they pursue anyway? The Belltower felt like the climax of a novel I wish I could read.
May 10, 2022
A warrior and a priest risk everything to free an accursed land of the false god who oppresses them.
Very nice short fantasy story, well written with excellent pacing.
Very nice short fantasy story, well written with excellent pacing.
May 4, 2022
Wow! So much packed into just seven short pages. I wish this was a full novel. Excellent short story!
May 30, 2022
Damn that was fantastic little short story. Frank Dorrian packs a punch with this grim tale The Belltower, short, sweet and bloody. To fit so much awesomeness into 10 pages, I would love to see this written into a full novel one day. Two heroes Elkara a powerful sorceresses priestess and the Sheild Unbreakable Aggalon have turned their back on their gods Kathas, Vakas and their fellow heroes. Elkara vows to bring their world to an end and bring about a new one drenched in Blood. Can the heroes stop them or will the Bells stop finally ringing. Check it out, fantasy fans will love this, highly recommend...😁💥🔥
June 7, 2022
Cracking short, hope this will become part of something bigger!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews