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Blood and Balance #1
The Sage's Lot
The entire world is teetering on the edge of war and madness the likes of which haven’t been seen for an age, yet all the schemes of the ambitious and the cruel matter very little to Arkos Rhidain, a table-scrubber wanted for murder. That his victim had been the very worst kind of fiend seems to mean far less than the weight of the dead man’s purse when balancing the scales of justice, and even less still when said killing was achieved through the summoning of fire.
An unfortunate way to discover you’re a divinate, but one day (if he lives long enough) Arkos might wield the drop of divine blood running through his veins as a fully trained sage, the heroes and mystics of which a thousand slurred songs are sung. But that day is a long ways off. Right now, Arkos’s sole concern is foiling the deluge of danger that keeps hounding himself, his friends, and his timely rescuers. The gods may have a plan for Arkos Rhidain, a plan of blood, of glory, of struggles and turmoil that could set the entire world ablaze. But frankly, Arkos couldn’t give a damn. All he wants is a soft bed to rest in, a fresh ale to drown his sorrows, and for people to very kindly stop trying to kill him.
Fate can be a fickle wench, but that’s just the sage’s lot.
An unfortunate way to discover you’re a divinate, but one day (if he lives long enough) Arkos might wield the drop of divine blood running through his veins as a fully trained sage, the heroes and mystics of which a thousand slurred songs are sung. But that day is a long ways off. Right now, Arkos’s sole concern is foiling the deluge of danger that keeps hounding himself, his friends, and his timely rescuers. The gods may have a plan for Arkos Rhidain, a plan of blood, of glory, of struggles and turmoil that could set the entire world ablaze. But frankly, Arkos couldn’t give a damn. All he wants is a soft bed to rest in, a fresh ale to drown his sorrows, and for people to very kindly stop trying to kill him.
Fate can be a fickle wench, but that’s just the sage’s lot.
- GenresEbooks
ebook
Published July 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 8, 2022
First, I must say that Freeman-Hall asked me to read this book about 2 months ago. I had Explained to him that I would try to get it as soon as possible. Being the ever kind soul that he is, he said “No worries” I’d rather a rating then not have you read it all” I then concluded that people like him (the ones who say, “take your time, just please read it” have the absolute “Best Books Ever” And boy does Freeman-Hall have a bloody Flash Burner for you.
So let me break down the twist of this masterpiece.
We start this book out with Xylin Jhatharen who is a sage of the Spectres bloodline, who is hired to slip into a mystery villa, obtain a ledger and vacate the premises. However once inside, Xylin notices a very intricate vault with all sorts of glyphs to keep Sages out. This of course piques his interest and he waits for the drunken steward to open the vault, memorizes what the steward does to access the vault. Then decides he must see for himself, what could possibly be hidden in a vault to keep sages out. To Xylin’s dismay, what is inside the vault, he wishes he had never laid eyes upon. It is a correspondent letter bearing the seal of the broken chain and cross swords. That life as he knew it was about to change, that’s where Xylin meets Lady Rarl, the lady who’s face no can remember. The only one who truly has the power to help set the course correct. But first the key players had to be aligned exactly right.
Arko Rhidain: Arko’s is just a boy living what he thinks is a good life with his father in Eastwatch, his best friend Drin Tamnter, and the love of his love Melania Casteer. Arko’s is a mere table scrubber and serves ale to drunkards that he cannot stand., but his father insists that it is honest labor and simple to do. Then one day Arko’s is tending the merchant fair stalls for his boss’s wife Ms. Kimber’s Stall. When two companions happen about looking for a remedy for back pain happen to come by Arko’s. They just so happen to be Remik and Austell, it is important that you remember these two names. But when Austell gives the money to Arko’s and their hands touch, Arko’s ends up passing out.
The Beginning: Rekar and his friends, Bullmaine, Chalsin, Erodos, attack Arkos, Drin and Melania. Rekar tries to rape Melania in front of Arkos, but Arkos demeans him instead and Rekar tosses Melania aside and tries to disfigure Akros’s face. However, that never happens because the anger coursing through Arkos, causes him to do something that he did not even know he was capable of doing. Arkos and Drin flee for his house because his father will know what to do, instead of them getting caught by the locals. Once they tell Arko’s father what has happened in the woods, Merlor Rhidain tells them to pack immediately, they have to leave. Unfortunately, they are too late. Dolton Gretan has arranged an angry mob to avenge his son’s death. Actually, putting a gold bounty out for anyone who brings Arkos to justice. Merlor ends up fighting to save his sons life as Dolton Gretan keeps increasing the bounty, so people will not stop fighting for him. Merlor ends up getting viciously injured when Sirrion Gullgar comes and helps them escape. Merlor ends up telling Arkos the reason he did what he did was because he is a divinate and that one day hopefully he will become a Sage.
Seeker: Sirrion Gullgar then tells Merlor Rhidain that he will do all he can to protect young Arkos, at first Merlor is hesitant until Sirrion introduces him to his travel companion Nhaheel, who happens to also be a Sage. Sirrion saved her when she was a young girl and swore to protect her, just as he is swearing to protect Arkos. So, on Merlors death bed, Gullgar gives him the Seeker’s oath to protect his son. Gullgar does all in his power to protect and save Arkos. Even along the way adding to their numbers.
Falcar Dejanta who comes to their rescue against the Brotherhood of Numanas Truth, which sets off an entirely whole new meaning of “HELL BREAKING LOOSE “and Debauchery thanks to the death of one Talwin Vericus.
Feylock: Once finally making it to Feylock they come upon Freya who is also added to their merry lot, who also likes Arkos, However Feylock comes under siege by the Hillmen (The Silver Teeth) Freya, Fal and Arkos, get kidnapped by the Hillmen, but thanks to Fals quick wit and her fathers gifting her with a necklace of the Hillmen tribe while on his journeys, they are granted protection of the “Open Hand”
Then Gren the oldest member of their tribe and the far seer does a reading of the three of them. And this is where all things get chaotic, and this is
WHERE I LEAVE YOU DEAR READER.
You may have thought I told you a spoiler, I have not even touched upon one yet, Well! Maybe one!
But let me tell, this book has so many twists and turns it is like you are on the most wonderful roller coaster ride ever. Freeman-Hall is genius at this.
THIS IS TRULY SOME N.K. JEMISIN TYPE MANUEVERABIILITY GOING ON IN THIS BOOK, BLINK AND YOU MAY MISS SOMETHING, AND ONLY PEOPLE WHO PAY ATTENTION UNDERSTAND.
Freeman-Hall has done the same thing here!
Kudos to his word building, impeccably done world imagery, cinematically imagined, especially those battle scenes.
This book was well worth the 8227 words according to my Fire and could have gone on as far as I am concerned. Love a book that does not have word dump and this book certainly did not have any of that.
Freeman-Hall is an expert wordsmith and all I can say is, based on that epilogue.
OMG!!! OMG!!!! SCANDALOUS!
HAPPY TO PREVIEW YOUR ARC FOR BOOK 2 AND CAN’T WAIT!!
OUTSTANDING
Freeman-Hall is one to watch, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR THIS ONE!
WE HAVE A TRUE WINNER IN THIS AUTHOR FOR SURE!
So let me break down the twist of this masterpiece.
We start this book out with Xylin Jhatharen who is a sage of the Spectres bloodline, who is hired to slip into a mystery villa, obtain a ledger and vacate the premises. However once inside, Xylin notices a very intricate vault with all sorts of glyphs to keep Sages out. This of course piques his interest and he waits for the drunken steward to open the vault, memorizes what the steward does to access the vault. Then decides he must see for himself, what could possibly be hidden in a vault to keep sages out. To Xylin’s dismay, what is inside the vault, he wishes he had never laid eyes upon. It is a correspondent letter bearing the seal of the broken chain and cross swords. That life as he knew it was about to change, that’s where Xylin meets Lady Rarl, the lady who’s face no can remember. The only one who truly has the power to help set the course correct. But first the key players had to be aligned exactly right.
Arko Rhidain: Arko’s is just a boy living what he thinks is a good life with his father in Eastwatch, his best friend Drin Tamnter, and the love of his love Melania Casteer. Arko’s is a mere table scrubber and serves ale to drunkards that he cannot stand., but his father insists that it is honest labor and simple to do. Then one day Arko’s is tending the merchant fair stalls for his boss’s wife Ms. Kimber’s Stall. When two companions happen about looking for a remedy for back pain happen to come by Arko’s. They just so happen to be Remik and Austell, it is important that you remember these two names. But when Austell gives the money to Arko’s and their hands touch, Arko’s ends up passing out.
The Beginning: Rekar and his friends, Bullmaine, Chalsin, Erodos, attack Arkos, Drin and Melania. Rekar tries to rape Melania in front of Arkos, but Arkos demeans him instead and Rekar tosses Melania aside and tries to disfigure Akros’s face. However, that never happens because the anger coursing through Arkos, causes him to do something that he did not even know he was capable of doing. Arkos and Drin flee for his house because his father will know what to do, instead of them getting caught by the locals. Once they tell Arko’s father what has happened in the woods, Merlor Rhidain tells them to pack immediately, they have to leave. Unfortunately, they are too late. Dolton Gretan has arranged an angry mob to avenge his son’s death. Actually, putting a gold bounty out for anyone who brings Arkos to justice. Merlor ends up fighting to save his sons life as Dolton Gretan keeps increasing the bounty, so people will not stop fighting for him. Merlor ends up getting viciously injured when Sirrion Gullgar comes and helps them escape. Merlor ends up telling Arkos the reason he did what he did was because he is a divinate and that one day hopefully he will become a Sage.
Seeker: Sirrion Gullgar then tells Merlor Rhidain that he will do all he can to protect young Arkos, at first Merlor is hesitant until Sirrion introduces him to his travel companion Nhaheel, who happens to also be a Sage. Sirrion saved her when she was a young girl and swore to protect her, just as he is swearing to protect Arkos. So, on Merlors death bed, Gullgar gives him the Seeker’s oath to protect his son. Gullgar does all in his power to protect and save Arkos. Even along the way adding to their numbers.
Falcar Dejanta who comes to their rescue against the Brotherhood of Numanas Truth, which sets off an entirely whole new meaning of “HELL BREAKING LOOSE “and Debauchery thanks to the death of one Talwin Vericus.
Feylock: Once finally making it to Feylock they come upon Freya who is also added to their merry lot, who also likes Arkos, However Feylock comes under siege by the Hillmen (The Silver Teeth) Freya, Fal and Arkos, get kidnapped by the Hillmen, but thanks to Fals quick wit and her fathers gifting her with a necklace of the Hillmen tribe while on his journeys, they are granted protection of the “Open Hand”
Then Gren the oldest member of their tribe and the far seer does a reading of the three of them. And this is where all things get chaotic, and this is
WHERE I LEAVE YOU DEAR READER.
You may have thought I told you a spoiler, I have not even touched upon one yet, Well! Maybe one!
But let me tell, this book has so many twists and turns it is like you are on the most wonderful roller coaster ride ever. Freeman-Hall is genius at this.
THIS IS TRULY SOME N.K. JEMISIN TYPE MANUEVERABIILITY GOING ON IN THIS BOOK, BLINK AND YOU MAY MISS SOMETHING, AND ONLY PEOPLE WHO PAY ATTENTION UNDERSTAND.
Freeman-Hall has done the same thing here!
Kudos to his word building, impeccably done world imagery, cinematically imagined, especially those battle scenes.
This book was well worth the 8227 words according to my Fire and could have gone on as far as I am concerned. Love a book that does not have word dump and this book certainly did not have any of that.
Freeman-Hall is an expert wordsmith and all I can say is, based on that epilogue.
OMG!!! OMG!!!! SCANDALOUS!
HAPPY TO PREVIEW YOUR ARC FOR BOOK 2 AND CAN’T WAIT!!
OUTSTANDING
Freeman-Hall is one to watch, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR THIS ONE!
WE HAVE A TRUE WINNER IN THIS AUTHOR FOR SURE!
July 28, 2023
A very satisfying read. A book to get your teeth into. A flash of rage throws lowly and mild-mannered Arkos's world into chaos. He finds out something about himself that he never suspected. His world becomes filled with dangerous people and plots upon plots. Recommended reading for all S&S fans.
January 13, 2023
I’ve read it twice. It really gets going and doesn’t stop.
Waiting for the next one!
Waiting for the next one!
January 16, 2024
A wonderful adventure of fantasy! A tale to read. It does contain some adult situations and themes but still an exciting experience and true adventure. I loved it!!!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews