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Valengetrix #1
Valengetrix
In the savage realm of Auropia, lurks a ghost in the form of a man. Valengetrix, exiled from his mysterious homeland, seeks redemption in the eyes of his people as he sets out to retrieve lost relics of the once renowned empire of Aratania. Accompanied by a sentient blade, forged from the soul of an ancient warrior of his race, Valengetrix begins to understand that the price for returning home must be paid in blood and treasure.
Along his travels, the young Aratanian soon learns that though he shares no affinity to the gods of this realm, he is instead guided by his desire to live up to those who came before him. With the aid of his ancestral blade, and the various peoples of this world he encounters along the way, the name of Valengetrix becomes a name widely revered by his allies, and feared by his many adversaries.
Exotic lands, dreadful foes and untold secrets abound in the world of Auropia. Explore them all in this short story series set nearly two millennia before the events in the Legends of Harbinger of World's End novel.
Excerpt from Blood in the Snow
The burly, pillar of a man by the name of Kaleva, towered head and shoulders above the Aratanian, though he himself stood taller than most men. A broad, two-handed hammer he wore upon his back, and snow coated his fiery beard in white as he turned to observe his guest's arrival. The look on his face indicated he had his doubts on whether the Aratanian would show, considering his apparent lack of accustomedness to the cold and the knowledge that he'd spent the night in the warm embrace of the lovely barmaid from the local tavern. Turns out the stranger was serious after all.
“Morning to you,” said the Fyrstian with a powerful voice befitting his hulking frame. “Sure you're up for this, Aratanian? Gets a lot colder than this where we're going.”
Val nodded in return before taking a deep breath of the frigid northern air and looking about. “I've been everywhere from the impassible mountains of Aratania to the snake-riddled jungles of Oskhari and the burning deserts of Mar-Es-Hai in between. I think I'll manage.”
“Ha, I like your attitude stranger. However, I suggest you prepare yourself before we leave. There are creatures here in the north, known to take more than just a man's life.”
Along his travels, the young Aratanian soon learns that though he shares no affinity to the gods of this realm, he is instead guided by his desire to live up to those who came before him. With the aid of his ancestral blade, and the various peoples of this world he encounters along the way, the name of Valengetrix becomes a name widely revered by his allies, and feared by his many adversaries.
Exotic lands, dreadful foes and untold secrets abound in the world of Auropia. Explore them all in this short story series set nearly two millennia before the events in the Legends of Harbinger of World's End novel.
Excerpt from Blood in the Snow
The burly, pillar of a man by the name of Kaleva, towered head and shoulders above the Aratanian, though he himself stood taller than most men. A broad, two-handed hammer he wore upon his back, and snow coated his fiery beard in white as he turned to observe his guest's arrival. The look on his face indicated he had his doubts on whether the Aratanian would show, considering his apparent lack of accustomedness to the cold and the knowledge that he'd spent the night in the warm embrace of the lovely barmaid from the local tavern. Turns out the stranger was serious after all.
“Morning to you,” said the Fyrstian with a powerful voice befitting his hulking frame. “Sure you're up for this, Aratanian? Gets a lot colder than this where we're going.”
Val nodded in return before taking a deep breath of the frigid northern air and looking about. “I've been everywhere from the impassible mountains of Aratania to the snake-riddled jungles of Oskhari and the burning deserts of Mar-Es-Hai in between. I think I'll manage.”
“Ha, I like your attitude stranger. However, I suggest you prepare yourself before we leave. There are creatures here in the north, known to take more than just a man's life.”
- GenresSword and SorceryFantasy
124 pages, ebook
Published August 14, 2022
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 7, 2023
Very good book of short sword and sorcery/ heroic fantasy stories. Cason is a great independent author. I already have the second installment in this series ready to go. Now Im going to get the novel “Legends of Altameria: Harbringer of Worlds End. Fans of Moorcock and Howard should enjoy this.
February 25, 2023
“Valengetrix: Ghost of Aratania” by J R Cason is a collection of 5 short stories (or novelets, introduced by an opening epic poem called “The Lay of Auropia”) that form a loose story arc, giving the individual adventures context as Valengetrix makes his way back to his homeland. He was exiled at some point prior to these tales and seeks vengeance against his enemies. Assumed dead, his return is like that of a ghost as he prepares to enter his home city and confront the emperor who has driven out the more noble families of the realm.
Assisting Val in his quest is a ‘soul’ (ancestral spirit) that lives in the jeweled hilt of the sword he carries. This spirit being, Ashren by name, needs to ‘feed’ in battle, and when it strikes it sucks out the life source of those it defeats, turning the dead opponent into a pile of ashes. This makes for some great action and exciting situations. These are buddy tales, after a fashion, and the dialog between Val and Ashren is sly, witty, and humorous. Some great chemistry between the two.
As for the stories themselves, there’s a nice variety of sword and sorcerous encounters in this short volume – from stealing back a precious medallion from a cannibal chief who worships a snake god to confronting an arctic giant while accompanying a shape-shifter unawares, then on to a pirate fight on the high seas while facing monsters from the deep, before finally arriving back to his homeland in Aratania.
Here’s a quick summary from the book’s blurb, which is quite descriptive and enticing:
In the savage realm of Auropia, lurks a ghost in the form of a man. Valengetrix, exiled from his mysterious homeland, seeks redemption in the eyes of his people as he sets out to retrieve lost relics of the once renowned empire of Aratania. Accompanied by a sentient blade, forged from the soul of an ancient warrior of his race, Valengetrix begins to understand that the price for returning home must be paid in blood and treasure.
…With the aid of his ancestral blade, and the various peoples of this world he encounters along the way, the name of Valengetrix becomes a name widely revered by his allies, and feared by his many adversaries. (According to the author’s notes on Amazon, “this short story series [is] set nearly two millennia before the events in the Legends of Atlameria: Harbinger of World's End.”)
Overall, I enjoyed these serial tales (kind of like an ‘episodic novel’), especially “Blood in the Snow” and “Caught in the Undertow.” The action was strong, the characters well-drawn, the individual plots and monsters and crises were exciting and intriguing. A few of the stories began with a lot of world-building and descriptive set-up, so I had to adjust my expectations a bit and ‘get into’ the setting before being rewarded with the action I was looking for. So I might say some parts were a little slow for me. But again, in general, the collection was a fun and fulfilling find.
Plus, as mentioned, the rest of the characters are well-described. Although the storytelling is a bit ‘pulpy’ at times, the players aren’t cardboard characters, especially some of the females that make an appearance. As one reviewer on Goodreads notes: “The leading ladies aren't particularly awed by our barbarian hero and have agency other than being love interests. Yes, [this collection has] its share of friendly tavern maids…and gleaming manly thews….” But, it is sword & sorcery after all.
“Ghost of Aratania” ends with Val and Ashren at the city gates of his homeland, and I assume book 2 in this series, “Valengetrix: Lion of Auropia”, will provide continued adventures and wrap up the storyline of vengeance and redemption. I look forward to reading the second series of stories. I recommend this collection to other S&S fans – or really any fantasy pulp readers who like discovering new worlds and heroes and diving into the high adventures they provide.
Assisting Val in his quest is a ‘soul’ (ancestral spirit) that lives in the jeweled hilt of the sword he carries. This spirit being, Ashren by name, needs to ‘feed’ in battle, and when it strikes it sucks out the life source of those it defeats, turning the dead opponent into a pile of ashes. This makes for some great action and exciting situations. These are buddy tales, after a fashion, and the dialog between Val and Ashren is sly, witty, and humorous. Some great chemistry between the two.
As for the stories themselves, there’s a nice variety of sword and sorcerous encounters in this short volume – from stealing back a precious medallion from a cannibal chief who worships a snake god to confronting an arctic giant while accompanying a shape-shifter unawares, then on to a pirate fight on the high seas while facing monsters from the deep, before finally arriving back to his homeland in Aratania.
Here’s a quick summary from the book’s blurb, which is quite descriptive and enticing:
In the savage realm of Auropia, lurks a ghost in the form of a man. Valengetrix, exiled from his mysterious homeland, seeks redemption in the eyes of his people as he sets out to retrieve lost relics of the once renowned empire of Aratania. Accompanied by a sentient blade, forged from the soul of an ancient warrior of his race, Valengetrix begins to understand that the price for returning home must be paid in blood and treasure.
…With the aid of his ancestral blade, and the various peoples of this world he encounters along the way, the name of Valengetrix becomes a name widely revered by his allies, and feared by his many adversaries. (According to the author’s notes on Amazon, “this short story series [is] set nearly two millennia before the events in the Legends of Atlameria: Harbinger of World's End.”)
Overall, I enjoyed these serial tales (kind of like an ‘episodic novel’), especially “Blood in the Snow” and “Caught in the Undertow.” The action was strong, the characters well-drawn, the individual plots and monsters and crises were exciting and intriguing. A few of the stories began with a lot of world-building and descriptive set-up, so I had to adjust my expectations a bit and ‘get into’ the setting before being rewarded with the action I was looking for. So I might say some parts were a little slow for me. But again, in general, the collection was a fun and fulfilling find.
Plus, as mentioned, the rest of the characters are well-described. Although the storytelling is a bit ‘pulpy’ at times, the players aren’t cardboard characters, especially some of the females that make an appearance. As one reviewer on Goodreads notes: “The leading ladies aren't particularly awed by our barbarian hero and have agency other than being love interests. Yes, [this collection has] its share of friendly tavern maids…and gleaming manly thews….” But, it is sword & sorcery after all.
“Ghost of Aratania” ends with Val and Ashren at the city gates of his homeland, and I assume book 2 in this series, “Valengetrix: Lion of Auropia”, will provide continued adventures and wrap up the storyline of vengeance and redemption. I look forward to reading the second series of stories. I recommend this collection to other S&S fans – or really any fantasy pulp readers who like discovering new worlds and heroes and diving into the high adventures they provide.
December 17, 2023
In this current market, indie works of S&S abound. Jason Ray Carney has postulated that there could in fact be a glut. Certainly, there is a smorgasbord that would rival Valhalla or the Library of Alexandria. It is indeed difficult to stand out and grab the attention of potential readers. I found Cason's Valengetrix by word of the mouth. You see, my friend, David Malaski, is a champion for good stories. If he says he enjoyed it, well then, I probably will too.
Cason is self-published. Which is a rather common thing today. The paperback comes with a glossy cover, which I enjoy. The artwork, while not very appealing in my opinion, serves to tell the potential reader exactly what they are about to get into. Which is a collection of S&S stories in the classic sense. However, he has revised all three books and added much better cover art.
Valengetrix is an exile. A peerless warrior, he searches for a way to return home. His sole companion is his Sinshear Blade, Ashren. A sentient blade, containing the soul of an ancestor. Ashren is hungry and devours the souls of those slain by its keen edge.
The paperback clocks in at 112 pages and includes five stories and one poem. Each story may be read independently. My interest in each varies. A Relic of Aratania is a great introduction. I especially liked the twist. Although, I was disappointed that one of the characters does not reprise their role in the later stories. Caught in the Undertow is another favorite. I enjoyed the running sea battle, the sea monsters, and the whirlpool. The ending caught me off guard and I was left wanting more. Secrets Beneath Forgotten Stone is a decent dungeon crawl. Although, I felt like some of it was redundant, like the chorus of a song. The final story, Vengeance of the Exile, was worth the price of admission alone. Valengetrix decides to go home. It features a guerilla fight through the woods. The reader learns why Velengetrix was exiled and of the rot festering back home. The story closes leaving the reader anxious for book two, which thankfully is readily available.
Cason is self-published. Which is a rather common thing today. The paperback comes with a glossy cover, which I enjoy. The artwork, while not very appealing in my opinion, serves to tell the potential reader exactly what they are about to get into. Which is a collection of S&S stories in the classic sense. However, he has revised all three books and added much better cover art.
Valengetrix is an exile. A peerless warrior, he searches for a way to return home. His sole companion is his Sinshear Blade, Ashren. A sentient blade, containing the soul of an ancestor. Ashren is hungry and devours the souls of those slain by its keen edge.
The paperback clocks in at 112 pages and includes five stories and one poem. Each story may be read independently. My interest in each varies. A Relic of Aratania is a great introduction. I especially liked the twist. Although, I was disappointed that one of the characters does not reprise their role in the later stories. Caught in the Undertow is another favorite. I enjoyed the running sea battle, the sea monsters, and the whirlpool. The ending caught me off guard and I was left wanting more. Secrets Beneath Forgotten Stone is a decent dungeon crawl. Although, I felt like some of it was redundant, like the chorus of a song. The final story, Vengeance of the Exile, was worth the price of admission alone. Valengetrix decides to go home. It features a guerilla fight through the woods. The reader learns why Velengetrix was exiled and of the rot festering back home. The story closes leaving the reader anxious for book two, which thankfully is readily available.
January 7, 2023
Considering the intense pulpiness of the cover (and the fash-adjacent nonsense that sinks its hooks into some modern sword-and-sorcery), I was bracing myself for some pretty unreconstructed attitudes and was pleasantly surprised. The leading ladies aren't particularly awed by our barbarian hero and have agency other than being love interests. Yes, it's got its share of friendly tavern maids and femmes fatales and gleaming manly thews, it's definitely pulp sword-and-sorcery, but it's basically a love letter to R.E. Howard with the 30s racism filed off. Also, it's got furry rhinos, werewolf versus Bigfoot, undead giants, and lots and lots of swords. Good fun if S&S is your thing.
December 26, 2022
This first book in a new series contains several sword and sorcery stories featuring Valengetrix an exiled warrior. I was amazing with the writing ability of an author I had not heard of. The 180 page book moved along quickly with fast paced tales of sword against dark sorcery. Our hero is outstanding in his, drinking, wenching, and battling. I recommend this book for fans .Howard, Moorcock, and others.
October 21, 2022
Simple, straightforward, swash-buckling adventure. Imaginative, and written in an unapologetically retro, old-fashioned style which adds to the fun.
January 17, 2023
has a little taste of what's good about Sword and Sorcerey
A bit Kull, a tinge of Conan, and just
A sprinkling of Elric. Overall, it was good pulp fun. although I would like to see the author do some historical fiction, from the naming convention alone, he has the heart for it
A bit Kull, a tinge of Conan, and just
A sprinkling of Elric. Overall, it was good pulp fun. although I would like to see the author do some historical fiction, from the naming convention alone, he has the heart for it
December 10, 2025
The setting explodes off the page. You feel the cold, you hear the crunch of snow, you see the massive figure of Kaleva looming like a mountain. The banter between him and Val adds charm without breaking tension. This reads like the opening to a seriously ambitious world. Fans of high-stakes adventure and ancient mysteries will get hooked immediately.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews