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Greymantle Chronicles #3
Swordmaster
The third novel in J David Baxter's epic portal fantasy series, the Greymantle Chronicles.
Set in a unique world of swords and magic that is medieval in flavor but seen through the lens of a modern college student from Earth. The Greymantle Chronicles are an epic fantasy series on a high magic fantasy world where technology and science never existed. Yet, cities are cleaner, banking is done with magic tokens, floating carts are used to haul freight, and magic is a science in its own right. However, that was not always the case; in the distant past, the Bane elves ruled a primitive empire that spanned most of the world. During that time, magic was unreliable, and humans and elves were treated little better than animals, but the seeds of the modern world were planted in the ashes of that dark time.
Needing to learn the skills and abilities necessary to save his friends, Nate travels back through time to the Great Empire. He hopes to find trainers to make him capable of defeating the Blood Mages and their minions. However, arriving in a primitive era ruled by evil Bane elves, his luck has run out, and nothing is like he expected. Now trapped in the past, can he survive and get what he requires to escape? He just might save far more than himself and his friends if he can.
Set in a unique world of swords and magic that is medieval in flavor but seen through the lens of a modern college student from Earth. The Greymantle Chronicles are an epic fantasy series on a high magic fantasy world where technology and science never existed. Yet, cities are cleaner, banking is done with magic tokens, floating carts are used to haul freight, and magic is a science in its own right. However, that was not always the case; in the distant past, the Bane elves ruled a primitive empire that spanned most of the world. During that time, magic was unreliable, and humans and elves were treated little better than animals, but the seeds of the modern world were planted in the ashes of that dark time.
Needing to learn the skills and abilities necessary to save his friends, Nate travels back through time to the Great Empire. He hopes to find trainers to make him capable of defeating the Blood Mages and their minions. However, arriving in a primitive era ruled by evil Bane elves, his luck has run out, and nothing is like he expected. Now trapped in the past, can he survive and get what he requires to escape? He just might save far more than himself and his friends if he can.
- GenresFantasy
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2022
257 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
J. David Baxter
13 books36 followersJ David Baxter's career path has been as varied as it is intriguing. From the adrenaline-fueled days of falling off horses as a Renaissance Festival Jouster to managing teams and projects at Fortune 500 companies, his experiences are as diverse as they come. Armed with a degree in English and teaching certifications in English and History, J David has always been passionate about storytelling and education.
Most recently, J David lent his editorial expertise to the Stargate Role Playing Game Core Book produced by Wyvern Games. As a co-founder of Silver Paw Publishing, he is dedicated to helping new authors navigate the complexities of self-publishing, sharing his knowledge and experience to empower others.
J David writes in the Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and LitRPG genres, creating intricate tales that captivate and entertain readers.
Most recently, J David lent his editorial expertise to the Stargate Role Playing Game Core Book produced by Wyvern Games. As a co-founder of Silver Paw Publishing, he is dedicated to helping new authors navigate the complexities of self-publishing, sharing his knowledge and experience to empower others.
J David writes in the Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and LitRPG genres, creating intricate tales that captivate and entertain readers.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 13, 2023
Okay... this one is probably my favourite by far. Watching Nate working hard on the daily and getting stronger has been a treat to witness. He isn't as OP as I first assumed earlier on. Again... that ending, Baxter knows what he's doing with these endings!
August 1, 2022
Book 3 was a slog, pure and simple. In the third book Nate decides to travel back to the distant past to learn from the greatest sword master of all time, Belanor.
What follows is a training montage and time travel. Nate is just as helpless as always, pining for his sister and trying not to incite the Bane elves. For a main character, he's not strong enough to drive the story forward. Instead, the elves and Belanor do that for him. Only at the very end does he come into his own, but by then we've read three books about a wishy washy guy.
4/5* Better than book 2, but still a slog for most of the book.
What follows is a training montage and time travel. Nate is just as helpless as always, pining for his sister and trying not to incite the Bane elves. For a main character, he's not strong enough to drive the story forward. Instead, the elves and Belanor do that for him. Only at the very end does he come into his own, but by then we've read three books about a wishy washy guy.
4/5* Better than book 2, but still a slog for most of the book.
March 6, 2023
Exciting Read
Nate must save his friends. To do this, he transports back to the time of the Great Empire. It is magnificent, or is it? Training in the sword, learning magic, and personal evolvement ensue. I like the action, humor, and intrigue. I can feel the emotions of the characters. I look forward to the next book.
Nate must save his friends. To do this, he transports back to the time of the Great Empire. It is magnificent, or is it? Training in the sword, learning magic, and personal evolvement ensue. I like the action, humor, and intrigue. I can feel the emotions of the characters. I look forward to the next book.
October 29, 2022
Standard training with a few twists to get there. The history of the Great Empire is a lot more clear. The greatest human swordfighter is introduced. Think a fantasy version of Rocky with swords and lots of raw meat to cut up...
The length could have been 1/4 of what it was and worked as well.
The length could have been 1/4 of what it was and worked as well.
November 20, 2022
Wow crazy and good
Good book. Kind of a crazy plot. Wild and Unpredictable. I enjoyed the book at the beginning I wasn't sure I liked where it was heading but the end of the book it made sense. Still lots of questions Buy the end of this book but many many questions were answered throughout. I can't wait to get to the next book.
Good book. Kind of a crazy plot. Wild and Unpredictable. I enjoyed the book at the beginning I wasn't sure I liked where it was heading but the end of the book it made sense. Still lots of questions Buy the end of this book but many many questions were answered throughout. I can't wait to get to the next book.
March 11, 2024
Every book in this series is getting more cringe with this conflicted hero business. The hero agonizing over inevitable choices you know they are going to make is the same part of Sanderson’s heroes that ultimately killed my interest in ever picking up another one of his books. Hopefully book four doesn’t continue this deliberate error forward.
August 4, 2022
Compelling
The conclusion of this book was pointed at by flashing neon signs throughout the story, but getting there was a wild ride. If I say much more it will spoil the story, but it was well worth the read.
The conclusion of this book was pointed at by flashing neon signs throughout the story, but getting there was a wild ride. If I say much more it will spoil the story, but it was well worth the read.
August 15, 2022
Outstanding books
Stumbled onto this author a few days ago. The beginning of book one was a little bit slow for me but after about 20% of the way through it picked up and just took off. Books 2 and three were just as good. I highly recommend reading. Looking forward to book 4
Stumbled onto this author a few days ago. The beginning of book one was a little bit slow for me but after about 20% of the way through it picked up and just took off. Books 2 and three were just as good. I highly recommend reading. Looking forward to book 4
August 14, 2022
Keeps getting better.
I really love this series. Everytime I think I know what's going to happen I get another great surprise. I can't wait to continue exploring this world!
I really love this series. Everytime I think I know what's going to happen I get another great surprise. I can't wait to continue exploring this world!
September 3, 2022
A great continuation of the series. Make sure you read the first two.
The MC continues to grow, and this is the sort of growth I expect in a fantasy novel. Nicely done!
The climax is done well, if a bit predictable.
Still, some sentence and grammar issues, but only a few where I had to stop and puzzle out a meaning. I’d rather not encounter any. Still, I like the storyline and look forward to the next book.
The MC continues to grow, and this is the sort of growth I expect in a fantasy novel. Nicely done!
The climax is done well, if a bit predictable.
Still, some sentence and grammar issues, but only a few where I had to stop and puzzle out a meaning. I’d rather not encounter any. Still, I like the storyline and look forward to the next book.
September 27, 2023
Oof, time travel. Oof, how it's discussion is handled. Oof, the magic dump at the end. Sigh.
Of course, our MC is now the best mage, the best swordsman, and the biggest hero ever. Of course, in 100.000 years humanity cannot learn to be better swordsmen even if the rest of the society evolved. Sigh.
Yes, I like the hard training part and the "twist" with the Great Empire, but the story lost so much.
Of course, our MC is now the best mage, the best swordsman, and the biggest hero ever. Of course, in 100.000 years humanity cannot learn to be better swordsmen even if the rest of the society evolved. Sigh.
Yes, I like the hard training part and the "twist" with the Great Empire, but the story lost so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2024
In general, I like the story.
I will continue reading the series.
However, the protagonist is nauseating.
He is excessively virtuous, naive, altruistic and self sacrificing.
I can suspend disbelief to buy into magic. I can't do so for a character who behaves like a lower intelligence/wisdom version of Mother Theresa. :-)
ADDENDUM: The story epilogue was pretty darn good. It took a twisted path to get to it, but it was nice.
I will continue reading the series.
However, the protagonist is nauseating.
He is excessively virtuous, naive, altruistic and self sacrificing.
I can suspend disbelief to buy into magic. I can't do so for a character who behaves like a lower intelligence/wisdom version of Mother Theresa. :-)
ADDENDUM: The story epilogue was pretty darn good. It took a twisted path to get to it, but it was nice.
September 14, 2022
I’m tired of the guy getting knocked out and people being kidnapped it’s just getting tiresome. The hostage stuff gets old. It’s also honestly silly he was able to cast the hardest spell ever to head back and learn the sword. I loved book 1 but I feel large parts of 2 and 3 were less interesting.
October 29, 2024
Incredible Adventure!!!
Heart thumping, adrenaline pumping, edge of my seat, losing sleep, can't put it down, can't wait for the next in this series!!! I love Nate and all the supporting characters so much! And oh how FANTASTIC this storyline is!!!!!!
Heart thumping, adrenaline pumping, edge of my seat, losing sleep, can't put it down, can't wait for the next in this series!!! I love Nate and all the supporting characters so much! And oh how FANTASTIC this storyline is!!!!!!
September 30, 2022
Great read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like magic and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like magic and progression type of books with lots of action.
October 1, 2022
Better than book 2... Though that's A low bar
Story was going along pretty well. The attempt at an epilogue was nice. Still needs some work but its the best one yet.
Story was going along pretty well. The attempt at an epilogue was nice. Still needs some work but its the best one yet.
February 3, 2023
Swordmaster: Greymantle Book 3
This was a fun read. The plot and action was fast paced. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This was a fun read. The plot and action was fast paced. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 17, 2023
Push through
I found the author did too good a job encapsulating hopelessness in this book. Still very much worth the read, still loving the series.
I found the author did too good a job encapsulating hopelessness in this book. Still very much worth the read, still loving the series.
June 21, 2024
Swordmaster by j. David baxter. This series is getting better and better. The world building is insane and Nates character development is chef's kiss
September 6, 2024
I've listened to the first three audiobooks in a week and this one involves possible time travel.
What do you expect me to say except*tosses mug at floor*
ANOTHER
What do you expect me to say except*tosses mug at floor*
ANOTHER
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews