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The Chronicles of the Troop #2
Silverlake
“Goodbye, Pawdrig Maorilan, last of your line, head of a childless family, and Lord of Redtail Hold.” Alaris’s anger swirled within his eyes. “You are on your own.”
Aeons ago an ancient war ravaged the land, and no one knows why.
The Endless Plains are once again the site of that ancient conflict. Ondilaani tribesmen are raiding throughout the land. Homes have been destroyed, lives lost, and the rumors of war are proving true.
In the outskirts of the kingdom, the troop has saved Resthaven from its destruction. But Tommy’s family must now continue south, for there are other villages, other innocents to save. Other places to make safe around the Serensea.
What’s happened has changed Tommy, reshaping his life into something he never imagined.
And the changes are still taking place.
A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
Aeons ago an ancient war ravaged the land, and no one knows why.
The Endless Plains are once again the site of that ancient conflict. Ondilaani tribesmen are raiding throughout the land. Homes have been destroyed, lives lost, and the rumors of war are proving true.
In the outskirts of the kingdom, the troop has saved Resthaven from its destruction. But Tommy’s family must now continue south, for there are other villages, other innocents to save. Other places to make safe around the Serensea.
What’s happened has changed Tommy, reshaping his life into something he never imagined.
And the changes are still taking place.
A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
- GenresFantasy
632 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
27 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Colin Darney
7 books66 followersIn a world where gods are silent and magic is feared, Colin Darney writes stories about people who still fight forward. A veteran, trauma nurse, and lifelong student of human resilience, Colin’s fantasy series—The Chronicles of the Troop and The Book of Ghaan—explore what it means to survive, to love, and to hold on to hope when the world says you shouldn’t.
Known for gritty realism, emotionally layered characters, and the kind of dialogue you'd actually hear in a bar full of off-duty soldiers, Colin blends classic epic fantasy with raw, lived experience. His readers often say the world feels real, the characters feel familiar—and that once they start reading, they can’t put it down.
The Book of Ghaan, Part Two is currently in editing, with release planned for summer 2025.
Known for gritty realism, emotionally layered characters, and the kind of dialogue you'd actually hear in a bar full of off-duty soldiers, Colin blends classic epic fantasy with raw, lived experience. His readers often say the world feels real, the characters feel familiar—and that once they start reading, they can’t put it down.
The Book of Ghaan, Part Two is currently in editing, with release planned for summer 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 1, 2022
This book is #2 in a series and even though I haven't read #1 (Resthaven), it didn't take away from the storyline or the characters! I mean I was a little lost when it came to referring to the first book...but I was able to follow the storyline just fine. It actually made me want to read the first book and then read this one again!! Having said that, this book is HILARIOUS!! It's like Tolkien and Pratchett sat down together and wrote a book!! I could not stop laughing!! The battle scenes were epic and written well. The characters are amazingly written and you learn about them and their relationship with each other, as the storyline plays out. There's also the hint of mystery with the "Silverspear" and Donnor thing, which would be cool to figure out why he's known as that. Obviously, because it's a series, Silverlake ends with unanswered questions and an unsatisfied ending...hopefully the next book will answer those questions and satisfy my desire for a HEA ending!!
June 6, 2024
When Darney Reached out asking if I would like to review book two of his “Resthaven” series. I had to agree. I needed to know what would happen to Tommy and the rest of the gain.
So let me start by saying that I felt this book's flow went a little slower than the first book. That being said, that is the only negative thing I have to say about the book.
I really enjoyed the characters that we had come to love, and cheer for. While he also brought new characters to life. The main plot is the same. Donnor and his made family and son, are walking with the army they had created. Trying to spot the Ondilaani, from killing everyone and everything. I felt that we got another deeper, almost newer understanding of each character.
This is shown in one way, with Tommy and Ari. The growth and healing that both of these went through. It shows how strong each character became. I also enjoyed getting a new look at Mikus. I felt like in the first book, we got a small look into this character. While in book two, we get more into his thinking, and build up.
I felt the war scenes were done with taste, and talent. Neither over doing the details or cutting them short. It was interesting to see the Ondilaani get more detailed. And learn more about these beastly things.
All in all, I am very happy with this story, and the way things went. Which is why I gave it a 8/10 rating. And why I am excited to continue the story with book three “Windysprings”.
Thank you Colin for giving me “Silverlake” to review.
#HaveYouReadReviews
So let me start by saying that I felt this book's flow went a little slower than the first book. That being said, that is the only negative thing I have to say about the book.
I really enjoyed the characters that we had come to love, and cheer for. While he also brought new characters to life. The main plot is the same. Donnor and his made family and son, are walking with the army they had created. Trying to spot the Ondilaani, from killing everyone and everything. I felt that we got another deeper, almost newer understanding of each character.
This is shown in one way, with Tommy and Ari. The growth and healing that both of these went through. It shows how strong each character became. I also enjoyed getting a new look at Mikus. I felt like in the first book, we got a small look into this character. While in book two, we get more into his thinking, and build up.
I felt the war scenes were done with taste, and talent. Neither over doing the details or cutting them short. It was interesting to see the Ondilaani get more detailed. And learn more about these beastly things.
All in all, I am very happy with this story, and the way things went. Which is why I gave it a 8/10 rating. And why I am excited to continue the story with book three “Windysprings”.
Thank you Colin for giving me “Silverlake” to review.
#HaveYouReadReviews
November 21, 2023
After the first book I didn't think it could get much better, but I have to say Colin did an amazing job and somehow exceeded my pretty high expectations.
This book carry on from where the first book, Resthaven, finished. Following Donnor, his son and the rest of irregular troup. We get introduced to a wide variety of new characters and learn a lot more about some of the major ones.
I'm a massive fantasy fan and it's basically all I read. The main thing I think that differs in this series is language Colin has used throughout, it's not old 'worldie' (is that even a word 😂), he has included a lot of banter and sarcasm throughout. There are many sections throughout that made me laugh and I loved how even if pretty dire situations the laughter seemed so genuine and relaxed.
The story as a whole is just brilliant I love how each character has their role and you learn more about them and sort of feel like your growing with them through the story, especially Tommy. You get a good sense of how much Tommy has grown throughout the book and even though he is young they give him important jobs and really let him use his very unique skills (I've got a feeling he is going to play a very important part in the future).
I love Arisaylia, she is such a strong willed character and has such a good relationship with Tommy and Donna. However my favourite character is Saress, her , id say dry sarcasm, is brilliant and she really comes out of her shell and starts socialising with the group and not just staying in the background.
The only complain id have is that now I have to wait a while for book 3 😂.
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for other people to read it and hopefully love it just as much.
Thank you so much Colin for giving me this opportunity to read this as an ARC book. I'll always be willing to read any of your future one.
This book carry on from where the first book, Resthaven, finished. Following Donnor, his son and the rest of irregular troup. We get introduced to a wide variety of new characters and learn a lot more about some of the major ones.
I'm a massive fantasy fan and it's basically all I read. The main thing I think that differs in this series is language Colin has used throughout, it's not old 'worldie' (is that even a word 😂), he has included a lot of banter and sarcasm throughout. There are many sections throughout that made me laugh and I loved how even if pretty dire situations the laughter seemed so genuine and relaxed.
The story as a whole is just brilliant I love how each character has their role and you learn more about them and sort of feel like your growing with them through the story, especially Tommy. You get a good sense of how much Tommy has grown throughout the book and even though he is young they give him important jobs and really let him use his very unique skills (I've got a feeling he is going to play a very important part in the future).
I love Arisaylia, she is such a strong willed character and has such a good relationship with Tommy and Donna. However my favourite character is Saress, her , id say dry sarcasm, is brilliant and she really comes out of her shell and starts socialising with the group and not just staying in the background.
The only complain id have is that now I have to wait a while for book 3 😂.
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for other people to read it and hopefully love it just as much.
Thank you so much Colin for giving me this opportunity to read this as an ARC book. I'll always be willing to read any of your future one.
August 30, 2022
A Nice bit of original Fantasy and a noticeable step up from the previous book in the series.
First, the bad:
-In a word, pacing. This book can be a slow burn sometimes, though less so than Resthaven was. It sometimes feels like it takes about 50% longer than it should to get somewhere, making the whole thing feel like being stuck behind a car going 45mph in a 55 zone.
-The first 6-ish chapters are particularly bad at this, especially the bits that recap the first book (if you've read Resthaven recently, you might fall asleep from being told things you already know).
-Some aspects of the lore seem self contradictory. Elves put extreme value on families... but some family matters (not going into detail to avoid spoilers) are handed in extremely informal ways. If it was that important, then you'd think an ancient civilization would've codified things a bit more.
-Explicit blood, gore, and violence. people don't just die in this book, they get dismembered and disemboweled and bodies get left out in the open to rot. If you're not 18 years old (or if you have a weak stomach), go read something else. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, then ignore this bullet point.
Now, The good:
-After about chapter 6, the book picks up and it STAYS up for the rest of the runtime. Even during quiet chapters, the stakes and suspense stay high and I kept wanting to know what happened next. Yeah, the critic in me kept seeing a sentence here and a paragraph there that could've easily been skipped, but I kinda stopped caring.
-Resthaven made you feel like a soldier marching off to war, Silverlake makes you feel like a small-unit commander. In effect, it takes the lessons of the first book and builds on them, rather than repeating them (even though the characters themselves are largely doing the same day-to-day routine).
-Big epic battles. Resthaven had several good fight sequences in it and Silverlake does too. The difference is that Silverlake goes the extra mile to give us huge fantasy battles between armies, not just rag-tag bands of men defending small villages from raiders.
In summary, if you liked Resthaven, you'll love Silverlake. If you were on the fence after finishing Resthaven, this one might win you over. If you're seeing this book for the first time and you'd like to try out a small-time author... then go read Resthaven first. There's some recapping here, but you'll probably still be lost in the sequel if you didn't read the original. I would definitely recommend this book to any fan of high-Fantasy (who is an adult: see my comment on blood and gore and violence).
First, the bad:
-In a word, pacing. This book can be a slow burn sometimes, though less so than Resthaven was. It sometimes feels like it takes about 50% longer than it should to get somewhere, making the whole thing feel like being stuck behind a car going 45mph in a 55 zone.
-The first 6-ish chapters are particularly bad at this, especially the bits that recap the first book (if you've read Resthaven recently, you might fall asleep from being told things you already know).
-Some aspects of the lore seem self contradictory. Elves put extreme value on families... but some family matters (not going into detail to avoid spoilers) are handed in extremely informal ways. If it was that important, then you'd think an ancient civilization would've codified things a bit more.
-Explicit blood, gore, and violence. people don't just die in this book, they get dismembered and disemboweled and bodies get left out in the open to rot. If you're not 18 years old (or if you have a weak stomach), go read something else. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, then ignore this bullet point.
Now, The good:
-After about chapter 6, the book picks up and it STAYS up for the rest of the runtime. Even during quiet chapters, the stakes and suspense stay high and I kept wanting to know what happened next. Yeah, the critic in me kept seeing a sentence here and a paragraph there that could've easily been skipped, but I kinda stopped caring.
-Resthaven made you feel like a soldier marching off to war, Silverlake makes you feel like a small-unit commander. In effect, it takes the lessons of the first book and builds on them, rather than repeating them (even though the characters themselves are largely doing the same day-to-day routine).
-Big epic battles. Resthaven had several good fight sequences in it and Silverlake does too. The difference is that Silverlake goes the extra mile to give us huge fantasy battles between armies, not just rag-tag bands of men defending small villages from raiders.
In summary, if you liked Resthaven, you'll love Silverlake. If you were on the fence after finishing Resthaven, this one might win you over. If you're seeing this book for the first time and you'd like to try out a small-time author... then go read Resthaven first. There's some recapping here, but you'll probably still be lost in the sequel if you didn't read the original. I would definitely recommend this book to any fan of high-Fantasy (who is an adult: see my comment on blood and gore and violence).
August 11, 2023
No, no, no .... it was so good I read it too fast! Now I have to wait 3 weeks for Windyspring to be released to find out what happens next! (Which I preordered the day it became available to do so). Absolutely fantastic. Friendship, family, camraderie, epic battles, & an enigmatic, angry elf throwing a spanner in the works! Brilliant.
September 1, 2022
Amazing continuation with lots of action, believable character growth and lots of room for a long savoury story to come! I loved it. Thank you for the ARC and I hope to see a slew of sequels.
July 19, 2023
Wars never really end
Having young Tommy document the recent battles for Lord Maorilan and Sir Laigan in order summarize parts of ‘Resthaven’ for the reader was quite ingenious.
The chapter that had a visiting prince who just happened to have brought along an army was a lesson in politeness, pecking order, and politicking (not necessarily in that order). I NEVER would have survived at court!
The feast’s menu alone was a tool for showing off and had passive-aggressive undertones.
There are, understandably, culture clashes among the various races (humans, elves, sprites, gnomes). But when one totally disregards a very important item of his/her own – let’s just say it doesn’t go over very well.
Lots of ‘T-T-T-T-THWACK of the troop’s arrows’, ‘CHARGE!’, and ‘WHOOOOOOP’ make for lively war scene reading.
Fave quote:
‘If they kill me, I’ll bloody kill you!’
There’s something to be said about romance between two established lovers (even if they were apart for years). Most stories are about new or young love, but it’s really the test of time that makes for a relationship.
Don’t miss out on the Character Guide and Pronunciation List at the end of the book.
Already looking forward to the next book!
*** Edit - just confirmed ARC - expected release 1 September!
Having young Tommy document the recent battles for Lord Maorilan and Sir Laigan in order summarize parts of ‘Resthaven’ for the reader was quite ingenious.
The chapter that had a visiting prince who just happened to have brought along an army was a lesson in politeness, pecking order, and politicking (not necessarily in that order). I NEVER would have survived at court!
The feast’s menu alone was a tool for showing off and had passive-aggressive undertones.
There are, understandably, culture clashes among the various races (humans, elves, sprites, gnomes). But when one totally disregards a very important item of his/her own – let’s just say it doesn’t go over very well.
Lots of ‘T-T-T-T-THWACK of the troop’s arrows’, ‘CHARGE!’, and ‘WHOOOOOOP’ make for lively war scene reading.
Fave quote:
‘If they kill me, I’ll bloody kill you!’
There’s something to be said about romance between two established lovers (even if they were apart for years). Most stories are about new or young love, but it’s really the test of time that makes for a relationship.
Don’t miss out on the Character Guide and Pronunciation List at the end of the book.
Already looking forward to the next book!
*** Edit - just confirmed ARC - expected release 1 September!
October 14, 2024
A good fantasy novel
As the second novel of the Troop expands it's horizons to bring in more characters and events that are linked to the troop. The Elves have arrived the horde seem even stronger and the Troop are marching further into the unknown.
As the second novel of the Troop expands it's horizons to bring in more characters and events that are linked to the troop. The Elves have arrived the horde seem even stronger and the Troop are marching further into the unknown.
May 1, 2023
In Silverlake we are first taken to Redtail Hold, where it has been discovered that the immense tribe of ondaalin warriors has overtaken the pass which leads through the mountains into the rest of the kingdom. Our story then picks up where Resthaven left off, our fearless troop having just successfully defended the village of Resthaven from the vicious assult of the ondaalin tribe, they are now resting and recouping their supplies. They are basking in their victories and in a generally better spirit when a troop sent from Redtail Hold notifies them that their mission is now to set out and travel to check on other villages and to fight and drive back the ondaalin forces wherever they might find them. Upon seeing what our troop was capable of, there were a few villagers from Resthaven that set out to help rid the world of the ondaalin. The troop is a mixture of humans, elves, sprites, halflings, gnomes, dwarves, and even a half-orc.
While the troop is off scouting for surviving villages and fighting the ondaalin, they are unaware of what is happening at Redtail Hold, the place that they escaped to after their village was attacked and destroyed by the ondaalin warriors in the first book. An army of elves led by a prince from the Vale has arrived and they have some questions for Lord Maorilan. What is it they could want from the humans of the hold, and how far will they go to get it? Will they help defend from the ondaalin attacks?
I loved this book! The writing was phenomenal, the characters were amazing. The world just drew me in and didn't let up. The start of the first book showed me that there were going to be darker themes, and there were, but there was also so much goodness with our characters. They had so much growth and maturity. They were constantly putting themselves into dangerous situations and risking their lives to protect people that they hadn't even met yet.
I have a lot of unanswered questions at the end of this book and it did end on a cliffhanger! But I have heard that there will be a third book, and I will be over here patiently waiting for it because I am invested in what will happen next to our brave troop!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy story that draws you in from the first page and keeps you thinking about it even after you have been done with it for days!
I received this book from the author and this is my honest review.
While the troop is off scouting for surviving villages and fighting the ondaalin, they are unaware of what is happening at Redtail Hold, the place that they escaped to after their village was attacked and destroyed by the ondaalin warriors in the first book. An army of elves led by a prince from the Vale has arrived and they have some questions for Lord Maorilan. What is it they could want from the humans of the hold, and how far will they go to get it? Will they help defend from the ondaalin attacks?
I loved this book! The writing was phenomenal, the characters were amazing. The world just drew me in and didn't let up. The start of the first book showed me that there were going to be darker themes, and there were, but there was also so much goodness with our characters. They had so much growth and maturity. They were constantly putting themselves into dangerous situations and risking their lives to protect people that they hadn't even met yet.
I have a lot of unanswered questions at the end of this book and it did end on a cliffhanger! But I have heard that there will be a third book, and I will be over here patiently waiting for it because I am invested in what will happen next to our brave troop!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy story that draws you in from the first page and keeps you thinking about it even after you have been done with it for days!
I received this book from the author and this is my honest review.
August 23, 2022
Silverlake is book two in a series, following Resthaven. It picks up where that book left off, following (no spoilers!) the continuing adventures of Commander Donnor's ragtag troop of irregulars. We learn a bit more about all the major characters as well as plot points only hinted at in the first book.
I'm not sure I'm satisfied with how Silverlake ended though, because now I've got to wait until the third book to see what happens.
What differentiates this series from similar sword n' sorcery tales is the characters' relatively modern language and, with few exceptions, sarcastic senses of humor. There's hardly a scene in the book, other than the battles and one memorable and tense interaction between nobles, where they aren't cracking wise with one another.
I also appreciate the discursions into leadership: Donnor and Arisaylia are reluctant leaders. Donner, forced by Lord Maorilan into command, demonstrates a natural ability to cut through nonsense and focus those around him on the things needed to ensure their survival. Arisaylia's healing ability and deep compassion inspire reverence and loyalty that she doesn't want but learns to live with. Their young son, Tommy, has a blend of their skills. They occasionally call upon him to lead, despite his misgivings.
My favorite character is Saress, Arisaylia's half-elf, half-askilat guard, who's a woman of few words and a dead shot with a bow. I was interested to see her develop throughout the story and take on a new significance.
All in all, Silverlake was an enjoyable read. I look forward to book three, and I hope it will get to the bottom of why Donnor is known to some as "Silverspear."
I'm not sure I'm satisfied with how Silverlake ended though, because now I've got to wait until the third book to see what happens.
What differentiates this series from similar sword n' sorcery tales is the characters' relatively modern language and, with few exceptions, sarcastic senses of humor. There's hardly a scene in the book, other than the battles and one memorable and tense interaction between nobles, where they aren't cracking wise with one another.
I also appreciate the discursions into leadership: Donnor and Arisaylia are reluctant leaders. Donner, forced by Lord Maorilan into command, demonstrates a natural ability to cut through nonsense and focus those around him on the things needed to ensure their survival. Arisaylia's healing ability and deep compassion inspire reverence and loyalty that she doesn't want but learns to live with. Their young son, Tommy, has a blend of their skills. They occasionally call upon him to lead, despite his misgivings.
My favorite character is Saress, Arisaylia's half-elf, half-askilat guard, who's a woman of few words and a dead shot with a bow. I was interested to see her develop throughout the story and take on a new significance.
All in all, Silverlake was an enjoyable read. I look forward to book three, and I hope it will get to the bottom of why Donnor is known to some as "Silverspear."
September 18, 2022
There is a great story being told in this sequel to Resthaven.
Donnor, Ari, Tommy, Mikus, and Saress (the primary characters among too many to count) embark on a journey south with their small military force to seek out and protect any remaining survivors from the barbaric Ondilaan attacks. Meanwhile, the elves of the Vale are searching for Arisaylia Saliantrea, a prestigious family name amongst the elves, who fled her own realm due to a disagreement with her family and their decision to whom she is to marry. There are many great battles both physical and magical, a lot of emphasis on training and growing of the military forces, and an even heavier focus on family bonds.
The one drawback is that some of the training scenes and retelling of events in the first book feel like they take a little too long. This is subjective, however. If you enjoy experiencing slow growth rather than just witnessing the dramatic bang of the final product, then this epic sequel might be for you. One thing the author really captured is the contrast between heavy, traumatizing battles and the healing that happens in between. There are a lot of good scenes worth reading.
Donnor, Ari, Tommy, Mikus, and Saress (the primary characters among too many to count) embark on a journey south with their small military force to seek out and protect any remaining survivors from the barbaric Ondilaan attacks. Meanwhile, the elves of the Vale are searching for Arisaylia Saliantrea, a prestigious family name amongst the elves, who fled her own realm due to a disagreement with her family and their decision to whom she is to marry. There are many great battles both physical and magical, a lot of emphasis on training and growing of the military forces, and an even heavier focus on family bonds.
The one drawback is that some of the training scenes and retelling of events in the first book feel like they take a little too long. This is subjective, however. If you enjoy experiencing slow growth rather than just witnessing the dramatic bang of the final product, then this epic sequel might be for you. One thing the author really captured is the contrast between heavy, traumatizing battles and the healing that happens in between. There are a lot of good scenes worth reading.
January 7, 2025
I really had to work my way through the first book in this series. This book is no different. There is definitely a solid story here and the author does a good job of working in backstory and intrigue, but the pacing is frustratingly slow.
The history and interactions between all the different species is fairly generic, but still interesting. The snippets of backstory and history of the world, especially the elves and Donnor, kept me reading. But the amount of boring reading between these snippets is what made me DNF this book.
There is a lot of fluff text and A LOT of repetition. Some of the chapters feel like they could be cut in half and nothing would be lost. There was a lot of dialogue that made me roll my eyes or sigh because it was either superfluous, characters awkwardly and overly gushing over each other, or was just unnecessary explanation of something all the characters just witnessed.
I made it around 40% of the way through and had to put it down in frustration and boredom.
Conclusion: Solid story and world building, way too much boring text between the stuff that moves the story forward.
The history and interactions between all the different species is fairly generic, but still interesting. The snippets of backstory and history of the world, especially the elves and Donnor, kept me reading. But the amount of boring reading between these snippets is what made me DNF this book.
There is a lot of fluff text and A LOT of repetition. Some of the chapters feel like they could be cut in half and nothing would be lost. There was a lot of dialogue that made me roll my eyes or sigh because it was either superfluous, characters awkwardly and overly gushing over each other, or was just unnecessary explanation of something all the characters just witnessed.
I made it around 40% of the way through and had to put it down in frustration and boredom.
Conclusion: Solid story and world building, way too much boring text between the stuff that moves the story forward.
August 25, 2022
Well... Its just getting better ... I liked Resthaven but this one in my opinion is even better.... This book's story starts from where it has ended in book one... And proceeds from there with lots of action and magic.... I love Donner and Ari's banter and flirting and would really love some more of their romantic part in upcoming books... Alaris' arrival has made the story even more interesting... And ofcourse please take heed there's an awesome cliffhanger at an awesome point of the story which will definitely keep you hanging till next part, which probably won't be coming very early like next month(here's to hoping 😜)...... But its a really good read..I loved it (if you ignore the cliffhanger😭).... This was my honest opinion and I thank the author for the arc of the book.
October 27, 2025
This story swept me into a vividly imagined world of conflict, courage, and change. The stakes feel enormous, ancient wars resurfacing, tribes raiding villages, and innocents caught in the chaos, yet the story remains grounded through Tommy’s personal journey. I loved how the narrative balances epic fantasy elements with intimate character growth, showing how tragedy and responsibility reshape a young life. The pacing keeps you hooked, moving from battles to quieter moments of reflection seamlessly. While the themes are mature and the combat intense, it never feels gratuitou, just a compelling, immersive tale of heroism, loss, and the cost of survival.
October 28, 2024
Really enjoyed this second book in the series! Felt like the author hit his stride in this one as the pace was much faster than the first book. Enjoyed following the characters on their adventures. Loved the sprites, didn't like the gnome. Can't wait to see what happens next with the elves! Read this book for:
🪙 Epic battles
🪙 Found family
🪙 Awesome worldbuilding
🪙 A dash of romance
🪙 Family ties
Favorite quote: "...but first they met Donnor. And there they met death."
Favorite characters: Tommy and Sarress (although I imagine her more fox than cat)
🪙 Epic battles
🪙 Found family
🪙 Awesome worldbuilding
🪙 A dash of romance
🪙 Family ties
Favorite quote: "...but first they met Donnor. And there they met death."
Favorite characters: Tommy and Sarress (although I imagine her more fox than cat)
July 26, 2024
Another fantastic book by Colin Darney. Lots of action, adventure, magic, a bit of humor and excellent world building and character development. I found the characters to be engaging and likeable. I really enjoyed reading this second book and I am ready for book 3. Again, I definitely recommend this book.
March 5, 2023
Great story line. My only problem is with the enemies that they fight all the time. It becomes repetitious after a while because the fighting scenes are almost always the same. But I read the whole book both of them and I think they're great thanks keep on writing
May 23, 2023
Couldn't stop reading just like the first book!
I loved following along with the characters. They were brought to life so vividly. The battles were epic and gruesome at times. The details in the book brought everything to life in my mind as I read.
I loved following along with the characters. They were brought to life so vividly. The battles were epic and gruesome at times. The details in the book brought everything to life in my mind as I read.
September 1, 2022
Following the events in the village of Resthaven, Donnor, Ari, Tommy, Mikus, Saress, and the rest of the troop continue their mission for Lord Maorilan. Their group of irregulars becomes tightly-knit, sharing both tragedy and success. As they train on the way and shape up into a strong military unit, the gravity of the threat they are up against becomes more and more apparent. No one remembers the ondilaan being as close, as numerous, as savage and formidable as now. The furry warriors leave death and destruction in their wake, and news spreads of villages falling, lands being lost, of flesh being torn from bone as the ondilaan feast on their foes.
Meanwhile, in the Redtail Hold, Lord Maorilan is feeling the pressure. With resources scarce, manpower low, and his villagers scared, he receives unexpected guests from the Vale. The elves are looking for someone very important to them, and they know that Maorilan knows exactly who they’re after. How can Maorilan do the right thing without betraying anyone, and above all, do right by the people he’s vowed to protect?
The stunning worldbuilding set up in the first book is expanded on in this sequel, and continuity is maintained with ease and elegance. Information is revealed gradually and naturally, through conversations between the characters where necessary for the plot. The author yet again conveys deep knowledge of and confidence in the world he’s created, and it’s shared with the readers organically – always informing and entertaining, never overwhelming. The way each major character has a unique way of speaking is fascinating, and the snippets in different languages help ground the story in its world without breaking the flow.
Probably the most striking feature of both books is the sheer range and scope of it all: there are personal stories that help us understand some of the characters better, there’s the chronicle of the troop’s training and battles, there are the wonderfully tense scenes of courtly customs in the Hold, there’s the battle against the ondilaan on a larger scale. Not a single paragraph is boring, there is always something going on, and all of it is a delight to follow.
Most of the characters are ones we already know, and reading about them again feels like meeting old, cherished friends. They grow and change and evolve, but remain recognizable and memorable. Tommy’s coming of age continues, as he explores the enormous potential of his Tol, deepens his bond with his mother, learns about other races and cultures, and treats everybody with respect and wonder. The way he is truly interested in listening to other people and getting to know them is really sweet. His father, Donnor, is a great mystery, and yet we know enough about him to always root for him. Donnor’s amazing leadership skills combined with his compassion and kindness make for an awesome protagonist. His friendship with Mikus is absolutely beautiful, and his exploration of his feelings towards Yella and Ari is touching to behold. Mikus himself is a sort of rock both for everyone around him and for the readers. When he’s around, somehow you know it’s going to be okay. Ari is as wonderful as always; her already complex character is given even more depth. The banter between Mikus and Saress is refreshing, as a more playful, relaxed side of Saress is explored. Her character arc is amazing. There are also some cool new characters, like the sprite family; and some of the old characters, like Sella, are given more space to tell their stories. It’s also intriguing to finally meet Alaris Farlesdar, who was only mentioned previously. Lord Maorilan is a great character as well, and the way he navigates leadership, life as a noble, and the intricacies of custom and tradition in the face of a daunting threat to his people is fascinating. And that epilogue is thoroughly chilling.
This sequel also offers some more insight into the cultures of the elves and the sprites, which is super interesting.
There is some violence related to the battles and their aftermath, some swearing and adult themes. There is a map of The Endless Plains, and the illustrations are beautiful. The descriptions are so immersive, that it’s easy to get lost in the story even without looking at the map too often. At the end of the book book, there is a character list and a pronunciation guide for elvish, dwarven, and the sprite tongue.
After the epic brilliance of Resthaven , Silverlake exceeds all expectations. The story is enthralling, and the telling of it flows with ease at just the right pace. The worldbuilding is absolutely breathtaking, the characters are captivating in their depth and credibility. There is so much humor, and warmth, and heart. The themes of accepting each others’ differences, found family, friendship and loyalty are universal and explored in a wonderful way. This is top-notch fantasy, and there’s so much more to look forward to.
Meanwhile, in the Redtail Hold, Lord Maorilan is feeling the pressure. With resources scarce, manpower low, and his villagers scared, he receives unexpected guests from the Vale. The elves are looking for someone very important to them, and they know that Maorilan knows exactly who they’re after. How can Maorilan do the right thing without betraying anyone, and above all, do right by the people he’s vowed to protect?
The stunning worldbuilding set up in the first book is expanded on in this sequel, and continuity is maintained with ease and elegance. Information is revealed gradually and naturally, through conversations between the characters where necessary for the plot. The author yet again conveys deep knowledge of and confidence in the world he’s created, and it’s shared with the readers organically – always informing and entertaining, never overwhelming. The way each major character has a unique way of speaking is fascinating, and the snippets in different languages help ground the story in its world without breaking the flow.
Probably the most striking feature of both books is the sheer range and scope of it all: there are personal stories that help us understand some of the characters better, there’s the chronicle of the troop’s training and battles, there are the wonderfully tense scenes of courtly customs in the Hold, there’s the battle against the ondilaan on a larger scale. Not a single paragraph is boring, there is always something going on, and all of it is a delight to follow.
Most of the characters are ones we already know, and reading about them again feels like meeting old, cherished friends. They grow and change and evolve, but remain recognizable and memorable. Tommy’s coming of age continues, as he explores the enormous potential of his Tol, deepens his bond with his mother, learns about other races and cultures, and treats everybody with respect and wonder. The way he is truly interested in listening to other people and getting to know them is really sweet. His father, Donnor, is a great mystery, and yet we know enough about him to always root for him. Donnor’s amazing leadership skills combined with his compassion and kindness make for an awesome protagonist. His friendship with Mikus is absolutely beautiful, and his exploration of his feelings towards Yella and Ari is touching to behold. Mikus himself is a sort of rock both for everyone around him and for the readers. When he’s around, somehow you know it’s going to be okay. Ari is as wonderful as always; her already complex character is given even more depth. The banter between Mikus and Saress is refreshing, as a more playful, relaxed side of Saress is explored. Her character arc is amazing. There are also some cool new characters, like the sprite family; and some of the old characters, like Sella, are given more space to tell their stories. It’s also intriguing to finally meet Alaris Farlesdar, who was only mentioned previously. Lord Maorilan is a great character as well, and the way he navigates leadership, life as a noble, and the intricacies of custom and tradition in the face of a daunting threat to his people is fascinating. And that epilogue is thoroughly chilling.
This sequel also offers some more insight into the cultures of the elves and the sprites, which is super interesting.
There is some violence related to the battles and their aftermath, some swearing and adult themes. There is a map of The Endless Plains, and the illustrations are beautiful. The descriptions are so immersive, that it’s easy to get lost in the story even without looking at the map too often. At the end of the book book, there is a character list and a pronunciation guide for elvish, dwarven, and the sprite tongue.
After the epic brilliance of Resthaven , Silverlake exceeds all expectations. The story is enthralling, and the telling of it flows with ease at just the right pace. The worldbuilding is absolutely breathtaking, the characters are captivating in their depth and credibility. There is so much humor, and warmth, and heart. The themes of accepting each others’ differences, found family, friendship and loyalty are universal and explored in a wonderful way. This is top-notch fantasy, and there’s so much more to look forward to.
December 31, 2022
anther great book in the series can;t wait for the next one
February 12, 2023
Enjoyed it greatly
I am totally disappointed that there is not a third book yet. I want to continue reading this series. Really liked the characters.
I am totally disappointed that there is not a third book yet. I want to continue reading this series. Really liked the characters.
June 26, 2023
Awesome book.
Awesome book awesome series .
Definitely worth re reading. I would like to read the next. Seven books in the series.
Awesome book awesome series .
Definitely worth re reading. I would like to read the next. Seven books in the series.
October 16, 2022
I'm enjoying this series as the characters develop even more in this 2nd book. I still love the humorous bits and relationships more than the tiresome battles, but it wouldn't be much of an epic without them, would it? Hence, go forth and fight on, Donnor, Ari, Tommy, Saress, Mikus and the rest of the troop. I'm looking forward to finding out more of your secrets in book number 3!
December 24, 2023
Unfortunately does not improve on the first book, after reading 40% I'm mostly bored by the lack of activity and creativity.
The battles are becoming less and less believable and are really poor constructed, for example the main characters army are fighting in a phalanx formation and they manage to do a surprise attack against the enemy in a forest, how? Phalanx is a formation battle used only in open flat terrain otherwise it is completely useless (ancient Greeks discovered this the hard way battling the Romans), it is also not a stealthy one (getting surprised by people marching in formation can only happen if someone is deaf).
I had high hopes for Tommy but his presence is meaningless, his single role is to be a living battery supplying magic to Ari, does not do anything else. I was expecting to rebel being used like that but no emotion is coming from him.
Ari is just a leach, cannot do anything herself and looks more like the villain then the hero.
So in the part that I have read there was a boring and unrealistic battle, a few skirmishes that have no purpose and some chit-chat between the characters (without any meaning attached to it, no advance to the story at all).
Big disappointment this series, I don't believe it can be saved.
The battles are becoming less and less believable and are really poor constructed, for example the main characters army are fighting in a phalanx formation and they manage to do a surprise attack against the enemy in a forest, how? Phalanx is a formation battle used only in open flat terrain otherwise it is completely useless (ancient Greeks discovered this the hard way battling the Romans), it is also not a stealthy one (getting surprised by people marching in formation can only happen if someone is deaf).
I had high hopes for Tommy but his presence is meaningless, his single role is to be a living battery supplying magic to Ari, does not do anything else. I was expecting to rebel being used like that but no emotion is coming from him.
Ari is just a leach, cannot do anything herself and looks more like the villain then the hero.
So in the part that I have read there was a boring and unrealistic battle, a few skirmishes that have no purpose and some chit-chat between the characters (without any meaning attached to it, no advance to the story at all).
Big disappointment this series, I don't believe it can be saved.
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