What do you think?
Rate this book
The Beast Hunter of Ashbourn #2
The Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign
A mysterious corpse, beastly assassins, and a basement full of cadavers dissolving in acid, lead the beast hunters towards an enigmatic candidate, favourite to claim the throne of Ashbourn.
Despite not wanting to get involved in the coming coronation, Ara and the two beast hunters cannot deny the beastly nature of the clues they discover. Ara must adopt fake personas, infiltrate political galas, and pursue shadowy assassins. Still, the candidate’s monstrous nature eludes her. With the future of Ashbourn at stake, Ara has to solve the mystery before the new king is crowned.
Strangely, Ara’s abilities from Cornstead seem connected with the incidents that transpire during their investigation. Whispers in her mind foretell of sinister events, which she can slowly see come to life. The venom that grants her powers, seems to intertwine her fate with the dark creature threatening to be crowned king.
The second book in The Beast Hunter of Ashbourn series, Dark Sovereign offers a grand conspiracy, building on the events from the first book. Can Ara escape her connection to the ominous entity manipulating the Capital?
Despite not wanting to get involved in the coming coronation, Ara and the two beast hunters cannot deny the beastly nature of the clues they discover. Ara must adopt fake personas, infiltrate political galas, and pursue shadowy assassins. Still, the candidate’s monstrous nature eludes her. With the future of Ashbourn at stake, Ara has to solve the mystery before the new king is crowned.
Strangely, Ara’s abilities from Cornstead seem connected with the incidents that transpire during their investigation. Whispers in her mind foretell of sinister events, which she can slowly see come to life. The venom that grants her powers, seems to intertwine her fate with the dark creature threatening to be crowned king.
The second book in The Beast Hunter of Ashbourn series, Dark Sovereign offers a grand conspiracy, building on the events from the first book. Can Ara escape her connection to the ominous entity manipulating the Capital?
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2022
11 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Christer Lende
8 books59 followersChrister Lende is a Multi-Award Winning author who began writing in a library, which sounds fitting, only he was supposed to be there working on his engineering degree. He is a professional screenwriter, working with the Norwegian movie producer behind “One Love”, “Who Killed Birgitte” and “All about my Father” Bjørn Eivind Aarskog, together they are eveloping the manuscript for a Norwegian thriller. Bjørn hired Christer after reading The Beast Hunters, trusting Christer could bring his vision to life.
Christer lives in what Norwegians call a city, but people from actual cities would call a town. Of proud Viking blood, he honours his ancestors by
heroically sitting in front of a computer writing Fantasy and Science Fiction books. He believes in writing a little bit every day, through weekends, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, even his own birthday. When he’s not writing, he takes care of his two dogs and tries to broker peace with his girlfriend. He’s often found at a gym, trying to compensate for his height issues, or lazily playing video games.
Christer did get that master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, despite procrastinating by writing fiction in the library, and works for a large IT firm, but writing and storytelling are his passions.
Christer lives in what Norwegians call a city, but people from actual cities would call a town. Of proud Viking blood, he honours his ancestors by
heroically sitting in front of a computer writing Fantasy and Science Fiction books. He believes in writing a little bit every day, through weekends, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, even his own birthday. When he’s not writing, he takes care of his two dogs and tries to broker peace with his girlfriend. He’s often found at a gym, trying to compensate for his height issues, or lazily playing video games.
Christer did get that master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, despite procrastinating by writing fiction in the library, and works for a large IT firm, but writing and storytelling are his passions.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 19, 2023
Full text link: https://jamreads.com/reviews/the-beas...
The Beast Hunters: Dark Sovereign is the sequel to one of my favourite books of the last year, The Beast Hunters, written by Christer Lende, picking where this one left one, showing us the aftermath that our three characters are experimenting after the events on Cornstead.
Ara has acquired new abilities, that in some way are connected to their last encounter, and which will be connected to the mystery at the core of this second book. Our group travels to Ashbourn, a bigger city that may offer better opportunities for the hunters and better payments; they are right, getting soon involved in the investigation of a corpse, which may be related to the upcoming coronation.
A mysterious candidate for the coronation becomes also the focus of their investigation, putting the hunters in danger; beastly assassins appear to make the situation even more difficult. Khendric and Topper get to meet an old friend, who was part of previous adventures, bogging down the situation, as we can say that the relationship with this person varies between Khendric and Topper.
The elements I loved in the previous book are also present in this one. We get to see how they methodically approach the task, getting in danger due to it, as they are fighting forces beyond their comprehension. The grim atmosphere is also present, despite the urban setting (I was a little bit worried about this because I wasn't sure if it would work in a more populated town), adding an extra layer to the mystery they are investigating. Ara continues her development as a character, gaining experience, and sometimes being in really difficult situations due to her curiosity, but becoming more autonomous in the process.
Despite being a short book, it's incredible the amount of things that happen on its pages. Pacing is excellent, never feels slow, and always keeps your attention because the tension is there; and honestly, the ending just let you question when will be the third book released.
Dark Sovereign is an excellent sequel to The Beast Hunters. If you liked the first book, this second is even better, raising the stakes and connecting it directly to what happened in Cornstead. Grim atmosphere, a group of methodical investigators, and mysterious creatures. Do I need to say more?
The Beast Hunters: Dark Sovereign is the sequel to one of my favourite books of the last year, The Beast Hunters, written by Christer Lende, picking where this one left one, showing us the aftermath that our three characters are experimenting after the events on Cornstead.
Ara has acquired new abilities, that in some way are connected to their last encounter, and which will be connected to the mystery at the core of this second book. Our group travels to Ashbourn, a bigger city that may offer better opportunities for the hunters and better payments; they are right, getting soon involved in the investigation of a corpse, which may be related to the upcoming coronation.
A mysterious candidate for the coronation becomes also the focus of their investigation, putting the hunters in danger; beastly assassins appear to make the situation even more difficult. Khendric and Topper get to meet an old friend, who was part of previous adventures, bogging down the situation, as we can say that the relationship with this person varies between Khendric and Topper.
The elements I loved in the previous book are also present in this one. We get to see how they methodically approach the task, getting in danger due to it, as they are fighting forces beyond their comprehension. The grim atmosphere is also present, despite the urban setting (I was a little bit worried about this because I wasn't sure if it would work in a more populated town), adding an extra layer to the mystery they are investigating. Ara continues her development as a character, gaining experience, and sometimes being in really difficult situations due to her curiosity, but becoming more autonomous in the process.
Despite being a short book, it's incredible the amount of things that happen on its pages. Pacing is excellent, never feels slow, and always keeps your attention because the tension is there; and honestly, the ending just let you question when will be the third book released.
Dark Sovereign is an excellent sequel to The Beast Hunters. If you liked the first book, this second is even better, raising the stakes and connecting it directly to what happened in Cornstead. Grim atmosphere, a group of methodical investigators, and mysterious creatures. Do I need to say more?
December 14, 2022
This little pocket sized book packs a punch! The story continues right where we left off after the first instalment, and does not disappoint.
I was constantly impressed with the character development, the worldbuilding, the plot and also the back and forth banter between some of the characters. Christer does a great job introducing some new characters, a new on again off again romance, and of course it wouldn’t be a beast hunter book without some brand new (and fkn awesome) monsters. There’s shadow assassins, giant rock golems, garbage monsters, ghosts and more!
There is some fantastic humour weaved into the story seamlessly that I also very much enjoyed.
Ill be honest though for a large part of the book I was wondering how christer would be able to tie everything together as it seemed to stall towards the end and there didn’t seem like enough pages left to finish it well! But alas the last 40 or so pages just went WHACK and drew me right back in. The only thing I was annoyed at is the cliffhanger ending, which I usually hate in books. But christer will be forgiven as it was a short read, and his next one comes out in feb!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just grab yourself a copy already
I was constantly impressed with the character development, the worldbuilding, the plot and also the back and forth banter between some of the characters. Christer does a great job introducing some new characters, a new on again off again romance, and of course it wouldn’t be a beast hunter book without some brand new (and fkn awesome) monsters. There’s shadow assassins, giant rock golems, garbage monsters, ghosts and more!
There is some fantastic humour weaved into the story seamlessly that I also very much enjoyed.
Ill be honest though for a large part of the book I was wondering how christer would be able to tie everything together as it seemed to stall towards the end and there didn’t seem like enough pages left to finish it well! But alas the last 40 or so pages just went WHACK and drew me right back in. The only thing I was annoyed at is the cliffhanger ending, which I usually hate in books. But christer will be forgiven as it was a short read, and his next one comes out in feb!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just grab yourself a copy already
November 29, 2022
In the kingdom of Ashbourne a coronation is about to take place. This one however reeks of conspiracy. Compiled with supernatural ghastly circumstances the Beast Hunters draw in. This series is so much fun! Great interactions, action & humour.
October 15, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
Okay but don’t you just love it when a sequel doesn’t simply live up to the first book, but absolutely exceeds it in every single way?
The Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign is the second book in the Beast Hunter of Ashbourn series and it continues the tale of Ara and the two Beast Hunters who have taken her on as their apprentice.
This book picks up right where the first one left off and we get to see how our characters have been impacted by all the gruesome events that took place in the first book. Ara has been left with some new, peculiar abilities that somehow seem to connect her to the mystery that’s at the heart of this second book. That is, a new king is to be crowned in Ashbourn, yet something sinister seems to be going on with the upcoming coronation and the future of Ashbourn is at stake. So, naturally, it’s up to our favourite crew of Beast Hunters to investigate the mysterious corpse, beastly assassins and suspicious crown candidates in hopes to solve the monstrous mystery at the heart of this coronation.
I have to admit that I thought this series was just going to be a fun ‘monster of the week’ type of deal, but oh boy… was I wrong. The events from book 1 come back into play in this new mystery and it’s incredibly satisfying to see all the puzzle pieces fall into place. I love it when mysteries start to unravel and you realise that the author has been leaving breadcrumbs for you to pick up on from the very start of the story. It was all planned out, you just didn’t see it before.
Though, as much as I appreciate the plot and the mystery aspect of this story, the absolute highlight of this series remains the cast of characters for me. Ara’s character development in book 1 was already really amazing, but in this second book we truly get to see her come into her own. And seeing her grapple with her new, mysterious powers was also so fascinating, it really added another layer of depth and complexity to her character that I really appreciated.
Khendric and Topper remain an iconic duo and I loved that we got more of their backstories in this sequel, there really is a lot more to them than first meets the eye.
I really enjoy that they aren’t just the stereotypical mentor figures to Ara, their personalities just leap off the page and they both have their own internal struggles to overcome.
We are also introduced to some new characters, who all quickly captured my heart as well. The interactions between all the characters in this series are just so great and don’t even get me started on the found family vibes, simply unmatched!!!
Also, I think the author did a perfect job of injecting some heavier themes and heartfelt discussions into the story, without ever making the tone feel bleak. The more serious and gruesome moments are balanced with light-hearted, witty banter and exciting action, making this just an absolutely delightful read.
The world building also continues to blow me away. The scope of the story really expands here and it was fascinating to see the world open up. We get to learn about the political landscape and the various cultures and belief systems in this world, which were all very well established. It truly feels like this world is lived in and that makes for an incredibly immersive reading experience.
Also, the monster lore just keeps getting cooler and more complex, which I absolutely adore. Part of what makes these mysteries so much fun is seeing our Beast Hunters methodically putting their skills and knowledge to use. And the bestiary at the back of the book is such a nice extra bit of world building. It’s so incredible to see how much thought, time and effort has gone into the creation of this world and its (beastly) inhabitants!
This series is quickly shaping up to be one of my favourite comfort reads. Despite some very gruesome monster hunting scenes and the discussion of some difficult, darker themes, there’s just a cosy and delightful vibe to these books that I can’t get enough of.
If you are looking for some quick and entertaining fantasy reads with excellent character work, intriguing mysteries, rich worldbuilding and just a whole lot of monstrous mayhem, then I highly recommend The Beast Hunter of Ashbourn series. I am a big fan!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Okay but don’t you just love it when a sequel doesn’t simply live up to the first book, but absolutely exceeds it in every single way?
The Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign is the second book in the Beast Hunter of Ashbourn series and it continues the tale of Ara and the two Beast Hunters who have taken her on as their apprentice.
This book picks up right where the first one left off and we get to see how our characters have been impacted by all the gruesome events that took place in the first book. Ara has been left with some new, peculiar abilities that somehow seem to connect her to the mystery that’s at the heart of this second book. That is, a new king is to be crowned in Ashbourn, yet something sinister seems to be going on with the upcoming coronation and the future of Ashbourn is at stake. So, naturally, it’s up to our favourite crew of Beast Hunters to investigate the mysterious corpse, beastly assassins and suspicious crown candidates in hopes to solve the monstrous mystery at the heart of this coronation.
I have to admit that I thought this series was just going to be a fun ‘monster of the week’ type of deal, but oh boy… was I wrong. The events from book 1 come back into play in this new mystery and it’s incredibly satisfying to see all the puzzle pieces fall into place. I love it when mysteries start to unravel and you realise that the author has been leaving breadcrumbs for you to pick up on from the very start of the story. It was all planned out, you just didn’t see it before.
Though, as much as I appreciate the plot and the mystery aspect of this story, the absolute highlight of this series remains the cast of characters for me. Ara’s character development in book 1 was already really amazing, but in this second book we truly get to see her come into her own. And seeing her grapple with her new, mysterious powers was also so fascinating, it really added another layer of depth and complexity to her character that I really appreciated.
Khendric and Topper remain an iconic duo and I loved that we got more of their backstories in this sequel, there really is a lot more to them than first meets the eye.
I really enjoy that they aren’t just the stereotypical mentor figures to Ara, their personalities just leap off the page and they both have their own internal struggles to overcome.
We are also introduced to some new characters, who all quickly captured my heart as well. The interactions between all the characters in this series are just so great and don’t even get me started on the found family vibes, simply unmatched!!!
Also, I think the author did a perfect job of injecting some heavier themes and heartfelt discussions into the story, without ever making the tone feel bleak. The more serious and gruesome moments are balanced with light-hearted, witty banter and exciting action, making this just an absolutely delightful read.
The world building also continues to blow me away. The scope of the story really expands here and it was fascinating to see the world open up. We get to learn about the political landscape and the various cultures and belief systems in this world, which were all very well established. It truly feels like this world is lived in and that makes for an incredibly immersive reading experience.
Also, the monster lore just keeps getting cooler and more complex, which I absolutely adore. Part of what makes these mysteries so much fun is seeing our Beast Hunters methodically putting their skills and knowledge to use. And the bestiary at the back of the book is such a nice extra bit of world building. It’s so incredible to see how much thought, time and effort has gone into the creation of this world and its (beastly) inhabitants!
This series is quickly shaping up to be one of my favourite comfort reads. Despite some very gruesome monster hunting scenes and the discussion of some difficult, darker themes, there’s just a cosy and delightful vibe to these books that I can’t get enough of.
If you are looking for some quick and entertaining fantasy reads with excellent character work, intriguing mysteries, rich worldbuilding and just a whole lot of monstrous mayhem, then I highly recommend The Beast Hunter of Ashbourn series. I am a big fan!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2023
4.5 stars
The Beast Hunters was my first foray into the world of indie/self pub books and the first ever ARC I received; you can say it's very special to me. Although there were flaws, I could see the potential of the book to turn into something better and grander. Author Christer Lende has done exactly that with the second installment in the series.
We pick up the story as Ara, Khendric and Topper journey towards Ashbourn. The events that happened at the end of book 1 weigh heavily upon them and we see Ara struggling with the consequences. Soon they reach Ashbourn and are immediately sucked into a new mystery. We get to know more about the world and the political structure of Ashbourn. The city has four factions and they hold regular elections to elect a King. A new election is coming up when our trio enter Ashbourn and are hired by a young assistant of one of these factions to solve the death of a prominent figure and possibly unearth a greater conspiracy. Shadow assassins, bloodless corpses, and ancient beings- what did our mighty heroes get themselves into!
My major complaint in Book 1 was the lack of a compelling villain. Well, that was solved in this book. The big bad is revealed at the end and I actually didn't see it coming! There were little clues peppered throughout the book that came beautifully together at the end. Christer gives you enough to suspect something fishy is happening so that when the reveal happens you're both surprised and impressed by the attention to details.
The characters are fun as ever, the banter and jokes make the book fresh and vibrant. We meet an old friend of Khendric’s who isn't on the best of terms with Topper. That made for an amazingly hilarious dynamic as they are forced to work together. The other side characters are distinct and help move the story forward.
The creatures are a bit in the background in this book but still play a major role in the story. Christer is as imaginative as ever and has crafted the creatures and their lore with meticulous brilliance. There's even a bestiary at the back for people like me who have a horrible memory!
The ending, OMG. It ends on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read the final book that comes out on 14th. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to people who enjoy plot driven stories. The book is a bit light on the character work which might put off some character driven readers.
The Beast Hunters was my first foray into the world of indie/self pub books and the first ever ARC I received; you can say it's very special to me. Although there were flaws, I could see the potential of the book to turn into something better and grander. Author Christer Lende has done exactly that with the second installment in the series.
We pick up the story as Ara, Khendric and Topper journey towards Ashbourn. The events that happened at the end of book 1 weigh heavily upon them and we see Ara struggling with the consequences. Soon they reach Ashbourn and are immediately sucked into a new mystery. We get to know more about the world and the political structure of Ashbourn. The city has four factions and they hold regular elections to elect a King. A new election is coming up when our trio enter Ashbourn and are hired by a young assistant of one of these factions to solve the death of a prominent figure and possibly unearth a greater conspiracy. Shadow assassins, bloodless corpses, and ancient beings- what did our mighty heroes get themselves into!
My major complaint in Book 1 was the lack of a compelling villain. Well, that was solved in this book. The big bad is revealed at the end and I actually didn't see it coming! There were little clues peppered throughout the book that came beautifully together at the end. Christer gives you enough to suspect something fishy is happening so that when the reveal happens you're both surprised and impressed by the attention to details.
The characters are fun as ever, the banter and jokes make the book fresh and vibrant. We meet an old friend of Khendric’s who isn't on the best of terms with Topper. That made for an amazingly hilarious dynamic as they are forced to work together. The other side characters are distinct and help move the story forward.
The creatures are a bit in the background in this book but still play a major role in the story. Christer is as imaginative as ever and has crafted the creatures and their lore with meticulous brilliance. There's even a bestiary at the back for people like me who have a horrible memory!
The ending, OMG. It ends on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read the final book that comes out on 14th. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to people who enjoy plot driven stories. The book is a bit light on the character work which might put off some character driven readers.
October 22, 2022
The first book in this series left me wanting more and Dark Sovereign delivered! The characters are presented in a way that makes them feel friends and it was impossible for me not to become emotionally involved as they came to understand themselves better as they grow into even more competent Beast hunters. This book is full of monsters, of the beast and human variety!
July 30, 2024
I really wanted to like this series, and I kind of do... Christer has an amazing talent when it comes to world building. What really lets this book down for me is the writing - I might be mistaken, but I think it's written in English (not translated) when I'm guessing Norwegian is the author's first language. It disrupts the reading flow, making it an occasional jarring read.
I originally put down 2 stars, but changed it to 3 stars, because I'll still read the final book in the series. And although this review might seem harsh (which I feel a bit bad about, but honestly if I didn't feel invested in or engaged by the author's work I probably wouldn't leave a review) I think it's really cool to see a fantasy author from my own country and really hope to see him grow, but I also want to give an honest review. I feel a really good (English) editor could push these books to where they deserve to be quality wise (and that's no shade for the author - all books have editors and often many other people shaping up the final book).
I originally put down 2 stars, but changed it to 3 stars, because I'll still read the final book in the series. And although this review might seem harsh (which I feel a bit bad about, but honestly if I didn't feel invested in or engaged by the author's work I probably wouldn't leave a review) I think it's really cool to see a fantasy author from my own country and really hope to see him grow, but I also want to give an honest review. I feel a really good (English) editor could push these books to where they deserve to be quality wise (and that's no shade for the author - all books have editors and often many other people shaping up the final book).
January 24, 2023
I loved the first book in the series and Dark Sovereign goes up a level! The Beast Hunters’ story continues as Ara, Khendric and Topper head for Ashbourn, a grand capital, which is somehow connected to the mystery from Cornstead. They take on a case which tests their skills and make grisly discoveries in their effort to solve the mystery surrounding the coming coronation.
This is a fast-paced fantasy with great world building and an enthralling story. The murder and mystery keeps you guessing, and there is an added dimension of political intrigue which I found fascinating. Along the way, we learn about new monsters who inhabit this world and some of them are terrifying! The stakes are higher in this action-packed adventure and highlights include exciting fight scenes.
It was wonderful to catch up with Ara, Khendric and Topper. I love their dynamics and the banter they share. I enjoyed learning more about Khendric and Topper as we get to hear their points of view in this book. Topper’s character intrigues me and it was interesting to discover more about his unique nature. We are also introduced to some welcome additions to the main cast of characters. The multiple POVs add another layer to this compelling read.
Ara’s character development stood out to me. Thanks to Khendric and Topper’s training, she becomes a kick-ass heroine! Whilst she has an advantage when fighting because of a newfound ability, Ara has to contend with her connection to a dark entity which grows stronger. I would describe it as a double-edged sword which mirrors the duality of the book. This is a dark fantasy with some gruesome scenes which are balanced out by light touches of humour.
Overall
Dark Sovereign is a superb sequel to The Beast Hunters. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next in the series!
Thank you so much to Christer Lende for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and sending me a copy of the book.
This is a fast-paced fantasy with great world building and an enthralling story. The murder and mystery keeps you guessing, and there is an added dimension of political intrigue which I found fascinating. Along the way, we learn about new monsters who inhabit this world and some of them are terrifying! The stakes are higher in this action-packed adventure and highlights include exciting fight scenes.
It was wonderful to catch up with Ara, Khendric and Topper. I love their dynamics and the banter they share. I enjoyed learning more about Khendric and Topper as we get to hear their points of view in this book. Topper’s character intrigues me and it was interesting to discover more about his unique nature. We are also introduced to some welcome additions to the main cast of characters. The multiple POVs add another layer to this compelling read.
Ara’s character development stood out to me. Thanks to Khendric and Topper’s training, she becomes a kick-ass heroine! Whilst she has an advantage when fighting because of a newfound ability, Ara has to contend with her connection to a dark entity which grows stronger. I would describe it as a double-edged sword which mirrors the duality of the book. This is a dark fantasy with some gruesome scenes which are balanced out by light touches of humour.
Overall
Dark Sovereign is a superb sequel to The Beast Hunters. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next in the series!
Thank you so much to Christer Lende for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and sending me a copy of the book.
December 29, 2022
Amazing storyline, lore and characters. This book has so much action, mystery, adventure and depth, and I can’t wait to read the next book!
January 18, 2023
I read the first book in the series last year and really enjoyed it, and so was delighted when Christer asked if I would review Dark Sovereign — and it absolutely lived up to the hype!
There is fantastic character development. We learn more about Topper and his abilities, as well as more about Khendric and his past. Ara too grows into herself, and continues to grow in self-confidence and adapt to her new powers. There are also some new characters, including Darlaene, Khendric’s on and off again lover and fellow Beast Hunter. I really liked them and they added a lot to the story. As in the last book, there are lots of laughs and jokes between Khendric, Topper and Ara, which are lots of fun to read too.
The story is really dark, and so these light-hearted moments really gave the story some colour. I was really impressed with the range of monsters that we get to see (and was glad to see that the Bestiary at the back of the book continues here!). I enjoyed learning about them alongside Ara’s studies — the information is given really naturally with no ‘info dumps’.
Dark Sovereign is a fast-paced and exciting story. I enjoyed this a lot, possibly even more than the first — there’s definitely no ‘middle book slump’ here. While this isn’t a long book (just over 250 pages), Christer packs in a lot! It’s creative, with a wide variety of beasts and monsters, as well as interesting, well-written characters. I’d recommend this if you are interested in reading a young adult fantasy series that’s filled with mythical beasts, or with a strong female main character. I am delighted to see that the final book in the series is out on 14th February, so I don’t have long to wait to find out what happens next!
There is fantastic character development. We learn more about Topper and his abilities, as well as more about Khendric and his past. Ara too grows into herself, and continues to grow in self-confidence and adapt to her new powers. There are also some new characters, including Darlaene, Khendric’s on and off again lover and fellow Beast Hunter. I really liked them and they added a lot to the story. As in the last book, there are lots of laughs and jokes between Khendric, Topper and Ara, which are lots of fun to read too.
The story is really dark, and so these light-hearted moments really gave the story some colour. I was really impressed with the range of monsters that we get to see (and was glad to see that the Bestiary at the back of the book continues here!). I enjoyed learning about them alongside Ara’s studies — the information is given really naturally with no ‘info dumps’.
Dark Sovereign is a fast-paced and exciting story. I enjoyed this a lot, possibly even more than the first — there’s definitely no ‘middle book slump’ here. While this isn’t a long book (just over 250 pages), Christer packs in a lot! It’s creative, with a wide variety of beasts and monsters, as well as interesting, well-written characters. I’d recommend this if you are interested in reading a young adult fantasy series that’s filled with mythical beasts, or with a strong female main character. I am delighted to see that the final book in the series is out on 14th February, so I don’t have long to wait to find out what happens next!
November 27, 2022
A mysterious corpse, beastly assassins, and a basement full of cadavers dissolving in acid, lead the beast hunters towards an enigmatic candidate, favourite to claim the throne of Ashbourn.
Despite not wanting to get involved in the coming coronation, Ara and the two beast hunters cannot deny the beastly nature of the clues they discover. Ara must adopt fake personas, infiltrate political galas, and pursue shadowy assassins. Still, the candidate’s monstrous nature eludes her. With the future of Ashbourn at stake, Ara has to solve the mystery before the new king is crowned.
Strangely, Ara’s abilities from Cornstead seem connected with the incidents that transpire during their investigation. Whispers in her mind foretell of sinister events, which she can slowly see come to life. The venom that grants her powers, seems to intertwine her fate with the dark creature threatening to be crowned king.
The characters jump out to greet you and you are friends for life.
Wow this book is awesome ,don't miss out..
Despite not wanting to get involved in the coming coronation, Ara and the two beast hunters cannot deny the beastly nature of the clues they discover. Ara must adopt fake personas, infiltrate political galas, and pursue shadowy assassins. Still, the candidate’s monstrous nature eludes her. With the future of Ashbourn at stake, Ara has to solve the mystery before the new king is crowned.
Strangely, Ara’s abilities from Cornstead seem connected with the incidents that transpire during their investigation. Whispers in her mind foretell of sinister events, which she can slowly see come to life. The venom that grants her powers, seems to intertwine her fate with the dark creature threatening to be crowned king.
The characters jump out to greet you and you are friends for life.
Wow this book is awesome ,don't miss out..
January 17, 2023
So we are back in the world of the Beast Hunters for a sophomore instalment where we see Ara, Khendric and Topper back on another adventure. But this time with a difference. Instead of the world building from the previous book, we get to delve into a mystery with darkness starting to make pace in the background.
We meet new characters, some good and some not so much. Not only do we have the overarching themes of beasts but also political intrigue and secretive plots. It is far more intricate than the previous instalment where the characters are making decisive and confident choices. Especially for our fave apprentice, Ara.
If you want to get away from the current world affairs, this book will serve as an escape from reality.
What these last two books do remind me of however, is a tv show. Why I say this is because it felt kind of episodic but they both have reinvented themselves with different themes. I found this to be quite good actually. This is because it feels like we get to see a greater visibility of the journey that the characters are going through.
We meet new characters, some good and some not so much. Not only do we have the overarching themes of beasts but also political intrigue and secretive plots. It is far more intricate than the previous instalment where the characters are making decisive and confident choices. Especially for our fave apprentice, Ara.
If you want to get away from the current world affairs, this book will serve as an escape from reality.
What these last two books do remind me of however, is a tv show. Why I say this is because it felt kind of episodic but they both have reinvented themselves with different themes. I found this to be quite good actually. This is because it feels like we get to see a greater visibility of the journey that the characters are going through.
December 26, 2023
Huge development from the 1st book... Which was excellent in itself but felt like a fun romp through the world. But this book develops a deeper, thicker plot linking the first book into a tighter story line.
The plot has now built into an actual trilogy, and while there is a cliff hanger at the end, the story almost just carries on into the 3rd, almost like a 2 part episode on a drama TV series.
All the characters develop in a natural way, building depth and intricacies, with the addition of excellent supplementary characters which further add depth to the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it's easy to see how the author has improved between both books. I just want to jump into the finale now!
The plot has now built into an actual trilogy, and while there is a cliff hanger at the end, the story almost just carries on into the 3rd, almost like a 2 part episode on a drama TV series.
All the characters develop in a natural way, building depth and intricacies, with the addition of excellent supplementary characters which further add depth to the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it's easy to see how the author has improved between both books. I just want to jump into the finale now!
March 31, 2024
I just finish the second book and trust me when I say you won’t want to put this down.That cliff hanger at the end was incredible. Where have these books been all my life. These books are a must read. I have the books on my kindle but I bought the paperback books because they are so good. Amazing writer and look forward to reading everything the author writes.
This book reminds me of why I love reading. I laughed in this book. I was at the edge of my seat.
I don’t want to give any spoilers but if you haven’t read this book go get it now. I’m so happy I found out about these books on TikTok. Seriously go read this book and thank me later.
This book reminds me of why I love reading. I laughed in this book. I was at the edge of my seat.
I don’t want to give any spoilers but if you haven’t read this book go get it now. I’m so happy I found out about these books on TikTok. Seriously go read this book and thank me later.
December 18, 2022
The story of the beasthunters continues and I truely enjoyed the ride. The second book gives you a deeper insight to the world, the characters and the mystery - and of course, new beasts. I enjoyed the bigger picture that is painted in this book, the intervowen threads and the politics. The relationships between the characters are entertaining and funny, and of course Ara is the my hero.
It is a light read, but keeps you entertained and curious throughout. I am excited to read the next book to get some answers!
It is a light read, but keeps you entertained and curious throughout. I am excited to read the next book to get some answers!
October 19, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
November 28, 2022
Just the needed follow up from the first book in the series. It did reveal some mysteries, but still kept my mind blowen with its «didn’t see that coming».
Better cancle your calender once you get your hands on the book, because I could not put it by side once I opened it🎉
Better cancle your calender once you get your hands on the book, because I could not put it by side once I opened it🎉
October 14, 2023
⭐️4.5
I just finished this book, and I loved it! It was as good as the first one, if not better 👏🏻 I really liked how we met more cool characters, got a little bit of romance and there was a great bad guy in this book. It had a lot of action and was super exciting. The ending was a total surprise and left me wanting more. I can't wait to read the next and final book in the series. These books are short and different from what I usually read, which is a nice change of pace.
I just finished this book, and I loved it! It was as good as the first one, if not better 👏🏻 I really liked how we met more cool characters, got a little bit of romance and there was a great bad guy in this book. It had a lot of action and was super exciting. The ending was a total surprise and left me wanting more. I can't wait to read the next and final book in the series. These books are short and different from what I usually read, which is a nice change of pace.
November 15, 2022
I read it and I was breathless. The first book was a miraculous dark fantasy and the second book did the same but with even more artistry woven into it. A solid 5 🌟 and a great book looking forward to reading more from this author and his work.
August 7, 2025
I read the first book quite a while ago and got sidetracked by reading other things. I’m so glad I finally returned to Ashbourne.
There are amazing creatures here which almost eclipse other main characters. Khendric, Topper, and Ara are a good team of beast hunters. Ara has a strangely strong arm from her attack. We learn more about this. Poor Topper! How many times must he suffer? And young Ara is figuring things out slowly. Darlaene is a feisty, redhead, who lends some spice into the picture. And another young person, Adenar, is endearing and innocent, but he acts bravely when needed.
The pacing is good and we learn who this mysterious dark lord is.
What a cliffhanger!
There are amazing creatures here which almost eclipse other main characters. Khendric, Topper, and Ara are a good team of beast hunters. Ara has a strangely strong arm from her attack. We learn more about this. Poor Topper! How many times must he suffer? And young Ara is figuring things out slowly. Darlaene is a feisty, redhead, who lends some spice into the picture. And another young person, Adenar, is endearing and innocent, but he acts bravely when needed.
The pacing is good and we learn who this mysterious dark lord is.
What a cliffhanger!
May 29, 2023
Khendric, Ara, Topper continues to Ashborn which they encounter more unpredictable beast and unfortunate events. Lots of intense and unpredictable moments. A great 2nd book in the series.
February 24, 2023
4.5 Stars rounded up!
Thoroughly enjoyed this second entry to The Beast Hunters trilogy.
Compared to the first installment, I found the pacing of this book to be a bit slower and more detailed which I was hoping for. The character detail and descriptions were of better quality and I found myself really being able to visualize and enjoy the world building in this entry.
Character depth, voicing, action descriptions, and mystery solving were all strong points of this book. Slower pacing really seemed to help this story compared to book one in terms of excitement, world building, and character depth. I also enjoyed that a main villain character is now added to keep up the interest level.
There were still a few grammatical and spelling errors that were noticeable at times, but nothing that took away from pacing or my enjoyment while reading.
If you’re a fan of monster hunting, mystery, and the supernatural, this is a quality series to read through and enjoy. For being such a light read, Mr. Lende does a great job describing the setting and keeping up the excitement!
Overall I found this to be a solid sophomore installment and I can’t wait to get the time to read through book 3!
Thoroughly enjoyed this second entry to The Beast Hunters trilogy.
Compared to the first installment, I found the pacing of this book to be a bit slower and more detailed which I was hoping for. The character detail and descriptions were of better quality and I found myself really being able to visualize and enjoy the world building in this entry.
Character depth, voicing, action descriptions, and mystery solving were all strong points of this book. Slower pacing really seemed to help this story compared to book one in terms of excitement, world building, and character depth. I also enjoyed that a main villain character is now added to keep up the interest level.
There were still a few grammatical and spelling errors that were noticeable at times, but nothing that took away from pacing or my enjoyment while reading.
If you’re a fan of monster hunting, mystery, and the supernatural, this is a quality series to read through and enjoy. For being such a light read, Mr. Lende does a great job describing the setting and keeping up the excitement!
Overall I found this to be a solid sophomore installment and I can’t wait to get the time to read through book 3!
November 6, 2023
Book Review - Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign
The second book in the Best Hunters of Ashbourne series was a good follow up to the first book.
In book 1 the story in centred on a small town case.
This is not the case in book 2, with the scale and stakes increased dramatically.
Our beast hunters Khendric, topper and Ara have travel to Ashbourn hoping to pick up a simply case to help Ara with her training.
However, what they stumble into is something more sinister and somehow connected to the case in Cornstead.
In this book the author spend a lot of time focusing on character development and I believe he pulled this off very well.
Ara really comes into her own in this book, definitely not the timid girl we met in the first book.
This entry to the series is much darker in tone compared to the first book and I just loved how the author managed to seamlessly add humour to the story, adding that little bit of lightness against the dark.
The banter between the characters is really good.
The pacing was relatively even throughout the book until the final few chapters and then bam, it ends leaving the story on a cliffhanger.
I really enjoyed this instalment of the trilogy and looking forward to reading the final book.
Rating 7.5/10 ⭐️
The second book in the Best Hunters of Ashbourne series was a good follow up to the first book.
In book 1 the story in centred on a small town case.
This is not the case in book 2, with the scale and stakes increased dramatically.
Our beast hunters Khendric, topper and Ara have travel to Ashbourn hoping to pick up a simply case to help Ara with her training.
However, what they stumble into is something more sinister and somehow connected to the case in Cornstead.
In this book the author spend a lot of time focusing on character development and I believe he pulled this off very well.
Ara really comes into her own in this book, definitely not the timid girl we met in the first book.
This entry to the series is much darker in tone compared to the first book and I just loved how the author managed to seamlessly add humour to the story, adding that little bit of lightness against the dark.
The banter between the characters is really good.
The pacing was relatively even throughout the book until the final few chapters and then bam, it ends leaving the story on a cliffhanger.
I really enjoyed this instalment of the trilogy and looking forward to reading the final book.
Rating 7.5/10 ⭐️
September 20, 2023
A poor, dragons & mythical creatures fantasy tale. A group of beast hunters (Ara, Topper, Khendric, and Darlaene) face their biggest challenge to date: a situation that may destroy their society.
While the story holds some merit, the chapters might be long, but most have frequent breaks for scene changes. Furthermore, the story simply stops. There is no indication as to what has happened or what is to come. Unless you plan to read all of the series, skip this one.
Action-packed. Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
While the story holds some merit, the chapters might be long, but most have frequent breaks for scene changes. Furthermore, the story simply stops. There is no indication as to what has happened or what is to come. Unless you plan to read all of the series, skip this one.
Action-packed. Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
October 20, 2022
Once again in this series...Driving, well crafted characters...A cleverly crafted mystery, and gobs and gobs of action result in a truly well crafted novel which happened to be a extremely well done page turner that had a short lived life on my nightstand! KUDOS, AUTHOR LENDE! World building goodie, and heartily recommended!
February 21, 2023
This book was outstanding. It really picks up the pace and has a fantastic setting and mystery to keep you guessing. The characters are all fantastic and it will leave you wanting to read the next book right away!!
September 6, 2022
Amazing as always! Great storyline, and incredible characters😍
October 19, 2022
Once again, Christer doesn’t fail! The second book is just as good as the first! Looking forward to the story continuing!
This is my honest review.
This is my honest review.
November 13, 2022
Amazing book! Rich world-building and great characters. Lende has really hit the balance between twisted, horrifying creatures and warm, sympathetic characters!
December 9, 2023
Book 2
I like the book but found book 1 was better but I like the cliff hanger in the end, but only if book 3 tells what happened next to the characters left hanging!
I like the book but found book 1 was better but I like the cliff hanger in the end, but only if book 3 tells what happened next to the characters left hanging!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews