What do you think?
Rate this book
Kur
Like other young men of military age, Isho, son of Ramos, is naive. When the brutal Assyrians threaten his homeland, he hurries to meet them in battle. What he can’t know is that the enemy has obtained divine assistance. A powerful advantage, but at what cost?
After a crushing defeat, Isho flees into the wildlands far beyond the civilized world, where he encounters unearthly beings familiar with the workings of the gods. Together with a runaway named Safia, he discovers a terrifying secret: Assyria’s patron god has grown weary of humanity and intends to wipe out mankind forever.
To preserve mortal life as they know it, Isho and Safia must journey through the underworld, find allies among belligerent tribes, and unite nations in the face of unthinkable odds. Will they remain true to their cause, or lose themselves and each other in the mounting conflict?
After a crushing defeat, Isho flees into the wildlands far beyond the civilized world, where he encounters unearthly beings familiar with the workings of the gods. Together with a runaway named Safia, he discovers a terrifying secret: Assyria’s patron god has grown weary of humanity and intends to wipe out mankind forever.
To preserve mortal life as they know it, Isho and Safia must journey through the underworld, find allies among belligerent tribes, and unite nations in the face of unthinkable odds. Will they remain true to their cause, or lose themselves and each other in the mounting conflict?
376 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2022
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 26, 2023
Young Isho trains as a soldier and fights for his homeland, the independent settlement of Nimvar, against the Assyrians. Captured and held prisoner, he is forced to work as slave labour for his captors, and escapes--only to be taken by Anacharsis and his Scythian warrior community, into which he is assimilated.
Cursed by an enemy, Isho consults a mystic, to be told that he was already cursed, and simultaneously blessed. His task in life becomes clear--to travel to Kur, the Underworld, there to consult with a seer, as the god Assur has become weary of humanity and seeks to destroy it.
Isho is accompanied in his journey by Safia, who becomes his wife. On their way to Kur they free her sisters and countless enslaved beings, as well as consulting and being enlightened by the animals of the forest realm.
It's a detailed story, of war more than love as the lack of obvious courtship between Isho and Safia demonstrates--they spend time together and then seem to decide that marriage is the natural next step. The pace picks up when the couple--together with the dog Hano--reaches Kur. The seer, the strange creatures and deceased humans who they encounter, and especially Ereshkigal, Queen of the Underworld, bring the story to life, in the realm of the dead. It's a mythology not often encountered, The Epic of Gilgamesh being a notable example of it. There's also an Orpheus-like element in Safia's staying in Kur, her 'Me or the dog' ultimatum bringing a comic note.
It's an imaginative piece of storytelling, with well-drawn battle scenes, if perhaps overlong. There's a natural break when Isho returns to life, war and the seeking of a resolution to the affairs of gods versus men, and it might work better as two shorter books. My personal taste though, and not necessarily for everybody.
Cursed by an enemy, Isho consults a mystic, to be told that he was already cursed, and simultaneously blessed. His task in life becomes clear--to travel to Kur, the Underworld, there to consult with a seer, as the god Assur has become weary of humanity and seeks to destroy it.
Isho is accompanied in his journey by Safia, who becomes his wife. On their way to Kur they free her sisters and countless enslaved beings, as well as consulting and being enlightened by the animals of the forest realm.
It's a detailed story, of war more than love as the lack of obvious courtship between Isho and Safia demonstrates--they spend time together and then seem to decide that marriage is the natural next step. The pace picks up when the couple--together with the dog Hano--reaches Kur. The seer, the strange creatures and deceased humans who they encounter, and especially Ereshkigal, Queen of the Underworld, bring the story to life, in the realm of the dead. It's a mythology not often encountered, The Epic of Gilgamesh being a notable example of it. There's also an Orpheus-like element in Safia's staying in Kur, her 'Me or the dog' ultimatum bringing a comic note.
It's an imaginative piece of storytelling, with well-drawn battle scenes, if perhaps overlong. There's a natural break when Isho returns to life, war and the seeking of a resolution to the affairs of gods versus men, and it might work better as two shorter books. My personal taste though, and not necessarily for everybody.
July 6, 2023
I thought I'd try this book because I'd never read one with an Assyrian setting, and I like fantasy adventure stories generally. It seemed to be the author's first self-published work, and I was intrigued.
Sadly, many issues with the writing affected my enjoyment of the story. The overuse of adverbs became jarring to read after a while, as in:
"gazing thoughtfully"
"whispered loudly"
"Kraxus smiled purposefully"
"Safia gazed warily at Isho."
"Suddenly and unexpectedly, Safia started dancing"
"Isho smiled confusedly at Safia."
"Safia said easily."
"Irina grimaced haughtily"
"Isho acknowledged absently".
As well as instances of redundancy and 'tell' rather than 'show': "Kraxus especially was grinning with satisfaction" and errors such as "he had to squint the light from his eyes". Light isn't liquid, it can't be 'squinted' out.
In addition there were so many long and clunky sentences, interrupting my reading rhythm. I found myself having to read back over some parts, as in: "He only hoped that someone around had understood that he, the man with the sack over his head, was the same foreigner who had just been seen by hundreds competing successfully in the contest."
Aside from the writing issues, I would have liked Safia, as one of few women in the book, to have been more fully developed. We get a description of her beauty, including her "big, wild eyes of a wildcat and long, brown hair" and later how emotional she is: "I sometimes let my feelings take hold of me. I just feel so strongly." To me, Safia served solely in the plot as Isho's attractive love interest who followed stereotypical female tropes, summed up by Isho's sexist impression of her: "Isho furrowed his brow in the eternal manner of men who struggle to understand the sentimentality of women." Safia often cried and had to be rescued.
I wanted to give this 3 stars since I'm sympathetic as it seems, English may not be the author's first language? However, the stilted dialogue and numerous adverbs and clunky sentences prevented any real enjoyment of this book. Safia's own point of view says it all: "Safia scrunched her brow, apparently frustrated on behalf of all mankind." Some potential, but poor execution. Whether through the author's lack of experience in writing a novel, or whether this is what I assume is a work of juvenilia, I'm afraid it's 2 stars from me. I wouldn't recommend it as currently published.
Sadly, many issues with the writing affected my enjoyment of the story. The overuse of adverbs became jarring to read after a while, as in:
"gazing thoughtfully"
"whispered loudly"
"Kraxus smiled purposefully"
"Safia gazed warily at Isho."
"Suddenly and unexpectedly, Safia started dancing"
"Isho smiled confusedly at Safia."
"Safia said easily."
"Irina grimaced haughtily"
"Isho acknowledged absently".
As well as instances of redundancy and 'tell' rather than 'show': "Kraxus especially was grinning with satisfaction" and errors such as "he had to squint the light from his eyes". Light isn't liquid, it can't be 'squinted' out.
In addition there were so many long and clunky sentences, interrupting my reading rhythm. I found myself having to read back over some parts, as in: "He only hoped that someone around had understood that he, the man with the sack over his head, was the same foreigner who had just been seen by hundreds competing successfully in the contest."
Aside from the writing issues, I would have liked Safia, as one of few women in the book, to have been more fully developed. We get a description of her beauty, including her "big, wild eyes of a wildcat and long, brown hair" and later how emotional she is: "I sometimes let my feelings take hold of me. I just feel so strongly." To me, Safia served solely in the plot as Isho's attractive love interest who followed stereotypical female tropes, summed up by Isho's sexist impression of her: "Isho furrowed his brow in the eternal manner of men who struggle to understand the sentimentality of women." Safia often cried and had to be rescued.
I wanted to give this 3 stars since I'm sympathetic as it seems, English may not be the author's first language? However, the stilted dialogue and numerous adverbs and clunky sentences prevented any real enjoyment of this book. Safia's own point of view says it all: "Safia scrunched her brow, apparently frustrated on behalf of all mankind." Some potential, but poor execution. Whether through the author's lack of experience in writing a novel, or whether this is what I assume is a work of juvenilia, I'm afraid it's 2 stars from me. I wouldn't recommend it as currently published.
April 16, 2023
Alas, not a single kiss
In ‘Kur: An Ancient Odyssey into the Underworld and Beyond’, K.R. VanderBrooke offers an inspirational fantasy tale. His story blends elements of medieval European fantasy stories with its Assyrian setting. Our hero is Isho, a young boy drawn into a mission to defeat Ashur, the Assyrian god seeking to destroy mankind. Unusually, he’s not a ‘Pawn of Prophesy’ or any other classic hero. Instead, he is a young man trying to understand the war that rages around him.
‘Kur’ is his epic fantasy set thirty-odd centuries ago, and locations are perhaps the strongest part of the story. Throughout the book, the characters are also vividly portrayed, and the plot is artfully constructed: a great deal of effort has been put into aligning his settings with a medieval European theme (think Carcassonne).
As Isho grows, his morals are tested, but his decisions, which make sense at the time, sometimes backfire; nevertheless, he grows into the well-rounded fantasy character central to any book of this genre. The rich supporting cast is pivotal to the story—particularly delightful are Safia and Irina—while the predominance of slaves parallels some of the terrible things happening in our modern world. VanderBrooke’s debut fantasy has all the other elements we would expect: a few magic spells, a smattering of evil curses, a handful of devils, and enough horses, bows, arrows and swords to satisfy the most difficult-to-please fan of the genre—but alas, not a single kiss.
With its easy-to-read style, ‘Kur’ is one of those books I’m happy to pick up and find difficult to put down—I devoured it over the Easter weekend. I especially liked the reliability of the world-building. It’s effortless to empathise with everything happening and envisage the intricate realm VanderBrooke has created.
In ‘Kur: An Ancient Odyssey into the Underworld and Beyond’, K.R. VanderBrooke offers an inspirational fantasy tale. His story blends elements of medieval European fantasy stories with its Assyrian setting. Our hero is Isho, a young boy drawn into a mission to defeat Ashur, the Assyrian god seeking to destroy mankind. Unusually, he’s not a ‘Pawn of Prophesy’ or any other classic hero. Instead, he is a young man trying to understand the war that rages around him.
‘Kur’ is his epic fantasy set thirty-odd centuries ago, and locations are perhaps the strongest part of the story. Throughout the book, the characters are also vividly portrayed, and the plot is artfully constructed: a great deal of effort has been put into aligning his settings with a medieval European theme (think Carcassonne).
As Isho grows, his morals are tested, but his decisions, which make sense at the time, sometimes backfire; nevertheless, he grows into the well-rounded fantasy character central to any book of this genre. The rich supporting cast is pivotal to the story—particularly delightful are Safia and Irina—while the predominance of slaves parallels some of the terrible things happening in our modern world. VanderBrooke’s debut fantasy has all the other elements we would expect: a few magic spells, a smattering of evil curses, a handful of devils, and enough horses, bows, arrows and swords to satisfy the most difficult-to-please fan of the genre—but alas, not a single kiss.
With its easy-to-read style, ‘Kur’ is one of those books I’m happy to pick up and find difficult to put down—I devoured it over the Easter weekend. I especially liked the reliability of the world-building. It’s effortless to empathise with everything happening and envisage the intricate realm VanderBrooke has created.
July 8, 2023
K.R. VanderBrooke's "Kur: An Ancient Odyssey Into the Underworld and Beyond" takes readers on an extraordinary journey that breaks away from the typical medieval European fantasy narratives. As someone who usually indulges in steamy reads, this book was a refreshing change of pace that had me completely captivated.
The author's portrayal of the Assyrian setting added a unique flavor to the story. It was a delightful experience to explore this era through a different lens, and VanderBrooke's writing style made it effortlessly enjoyable and easy to comprehend. The vivid descriptions transported me to far-off lands, immersing me in the moment and bringing the story to life.
While delving into the fantastical elements, "Kur" also delves into deeper themes, such as the nature of morality and the intervention of gods in our lives. The plot is skillfully constructed, and the characters are portrayed with such vibrancy that they practically leap off the pages. Isho, the main character, is a fascinating hero who relies on his wit, cunning, and sincerity rather than physical strength to overcome challenges. His growth throughout the story is compelling and adds depth to the overall narrative.
The supporting cast, including memorable characters like Safia and Irina, contributes significantly to the story's richness. Moreover, the book cleverly draws parallels between the plight of slaves in the story and real-world issues, providing a thought-provoking layer to the narrative.
"Kur" effortlessly combines elements of historical fantasy with an engaging plot, vivid locations, and a diverse set of characters. Although it diverges from my usual reading preferences, this book proved to be a true gem. For fans of the genre seeking a fresh and captivating tale, I recommend adding "Kur: An Ancient Odyssey Into the Underworld and Beyond" to your library.
The author's portrayal of the Assyrian setting added a unique flavor to the story. It was a delightful experience to explore this era through a different lens, and VanderBrooke's writing style made it effortlessly enjoyable and easy to comprehend. The vivid descriptions transported me to far-off lands, immersing me in the moment and bringing the story to life.
While delving into the fantastical elements, "Kur" also delves into deeper themes, such as the nature of morality and the intervention of gods in our lives. The plot is skillfully constructed, and the characters are portrayed with such vibrancy that they practically leap off the pages. Isho, the main character, is a fascinating hero who relies on his wit, cunning, and sincerity rather than physical strength to overcome challenges. His growth throughout the story is compelling and adds depth to the overall narrative.
The supporting cast, including memorable characters like Safia and Irina, contributes significantly to the story's richness. Moreover, the book cleverly draws parallels between the plight of slaves in the story and real-world issues, providing a thought-provoking layer to the narrative.
"Kur" effortlessly combines elements of historical fantasy with an engaging plot, vivid locations, and a diverse set of characters. Although it diverges from my usual reading preferences, this book proved to be a true gem. For fans of the genre seeking a fresh and captivating tale, I recommend adding "Kur: An Ancient Odyssey Into the Underworld and Beyond" to your library.
April 1, 2023
"Kur" is a refreshing departure from the usual mythological settings we're used to. Instead, the reader is transported to the mythological Assyrian era, where we follow the journey of Isho, a common boy drafted into the army of the Medes to fight against the all-powerful city of Assyria.
The story is written in accessible language, allowing the reader to easily immerse themselves in this distant world. Isho's character is relatable, as he grows from a haughty youth into a thoughtful adult plagued by doubt in an uncertain world. Through Isho's journey, we learn how ambiguous and arbitrary morals can be, and how well-intentioned actions can lead to unwelcome reactions.
The eponymous underworld is the most fully realized part of the book, with dark environs that captivate the reader's imagination. The Scythians, with whom Isho spends time, are also fascinating, adding to the richly drawn historical fantasy setting.
Safia, a delightful character who adds much-needed comic relief to the story, is a standout. The other characters are deeply flawed, yet still charming and relatable.
The author has made a great effort to make the setting true to history, which makes the journey through the various places and peoples Isho interacts with both entertaining and informative. Isho, while not a legendary warrior, relies on his wits, cunning, and sincerity to overcome his foes, making him a fascinating hero.
Overall, "Kur" is a solid and enjoyable effort that fans of historical fantasy stories should add to their library.
The story is written in accessible language, allowing the reader to easily immerse themselves in this distant world. Isho's character is relatable, as he grows from a haughty youth into a thoughtful adult plagued by doubt in an uncertain world. Through Isho's journey, we learn how ambiguous and arbitrary morals can be, and how well-intentioned actions can lead to unwelcome reactions.
The eponymous underworld is the most fully realized part of the book, with dark environs that captivate the reader's imagination. The Scythians, with whom Isho spends time, are also fascinating, adding to the richly drawn historical fantasy setting.
Safia, a delightful character who adds much-needed comic relief to the story, is a standout. The other characters are deeply flawed, yet still charming and relatable.
The author has made a great effort to make the setting true to history, which makes the journey through the various places and peoples Isho interacts with both entertaining and informative. Isho, while not a legendary warrior, relies on his wits, cunning, and sincerity to overcome his foes, making him a fascinating hero.
Overall, "Kur" is a solid and enjoyable effort that fans of historical fantasy stories should add to their library.
April 17, 2023
K.R. VanderBrooke's "Kur: An Ancient Odyssey Into the Underworld and Beyond" is an epic adventure that takes readers on a journey through ancient lands and mythology. The story follows Isho, a young man who is thrust into the brutal world of warfare when his homeland is threatened by the Assyrians. After a crushing defeat, Isho embarks on a quest with Safia, a runaway, to save humanity from the wrath of a vengeful god.
VanderBrooke's vivid descriptions bring the ancient world to life, from the lush landscapes of the wildlands to the dark depths of the underworld. The characters are well-developed, and readers will find themselves invested in Isho and Safia's journey as they face unimaginable challenges and make alliances with unlikely allies.
The story is both thrilling and thought-provoking, exploring themes of morality, sacrifice, and the consequences of divine intervention. Kur is a page-turner that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. VanderBrooke's skillful storytelling and attention to detail make this an unforgettable read for fans of epic fantasy and ancient mythology.
VanderBrooke's vivid descriptions bring the ancient world to life, from the lush landscapes of the wildlands to the dark depths of the underworld. The characters are well-developed, and readers will find themselves invested in Isho and Safia's journey as they face unimaginable challenges and make alliances with unlikely allies.
The story is both thrilling and thought-provoking, exploring themes of morality, sacrifice, and the consequences of divine intervention. Kur is a page-turner that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. VanderBrooke's skillful storytelling and attention to detail make this an unforgettable read for fans of epic fantasy and ancient mythology.
March 27, 2023
I read a lot of fantasy. More sci-fi, but that's neither here nor there. Kur: An Ancient Odyssey into the Underworld and Beyond was a pleasant surprise and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. What we have here is a very refreshing take on a fantastical genre.
From the Assyrian setting that really gives a new flair to a medieval European genre, to the pleasantly engaging characters and setting, I have to give this book full marks. One of the most refreshing facets of this story is that our main character is not some prophesied victor, nor a chosen one, nor a legendary hero. He's essentially a conscript thrust into a war, and he is naive enough to be eager to fight. This makes it feel just a little more real.
The characters come alive off the page, and the story, which is well and truly foreshadowed throughout the book, is still well-told and engaging. I am going to have to give this book a recommendation. I will say this is not standard medieval fantasy. There are some twists that you will discover about the world as you explore, but I want to let you explore them.
From the Assyrian setting that really gives a new flair to a medieval European genre, to the pleasantly engaging characters and setting, I have to give this book full marks. One of the most refreshing facets of this story is that our main character is not some prophesied victor, nor a chosen one, nor a legendary hero. He's essentially a conscript thrust into a war, and he is naive enough to be eager to fight. This makes it feel just a little more real.
The characters come alive off the page, and the story, which is well and truly foreshadowed throughout the book, is still well-told and engaging. I am going to have to give this book a recommendation. I will say this is not standard medieval fantasy. There are some twists that you will discover about the world as you explore, but I want to let you explore them.
July 3, 2023
This novel certainly stands out by setting itself in the ancient world of Assyria. I know almost nothing about this era. So you’ll definitely get to learn some things as you join our main character, Isho, a kid who is conscripted into a war. I can’t vouch for the historical accuracy, but the story does a good job of transporting you into a different culture. There’s a sense of scale, mystery and foreignness as we embark on Isho’s adventure. Although the book is a historical fantasy, it does away with the whole chosen one or superhero-like warriors tropes. Instead, Isho is just a regular guy thrust into big events and his story unfolds not as you might always expect. The book itself also feels fairly grounded with realistic interactions while containing some fairly epic elements involving gods. An interesting novel for anyone willing to dive into a setting not found in many other mainstream books.
June 16, 2023
K.R. VanderBrooke's "Kur: An Ancient Odyssey Into the Underworld and Beyond" was rather out of my normal realm. I usually read a lot of steamy stuff, so this was like a nice pallet cleaners that had me turning the pages as fast as I could.
I really enjoyed the setting. Medieval but not typical white washed medieval. Seeing this era through a different lens was such a joy. Despite the unique setting, the author wrote in such a ways as made it easy to understand and enjoy. I appreciated his voice so much.
Vanderbrooke’s were colorful and made me feel like I was right there in the moment, whisked away to far off lands.
The story digs into some deeper stuff than my normal steamy romances—what is morality really and what happens when the gods intervene with our lives. Over all, I really enjoyed VanderBrooke’s Our: An Ancient Odyssey Into the Underworld and Beyond.
I really enjoyed the setting. Medieval but not typical white washed medieval. Seeing this era through a different lens was such a joy. Despite the unique setting, the author wrote in such a ways as made it easy to understand and enjoy. I appreciated his voice so much.
Vanderbrooke’s were colorful and made me feel like I was right there in the moment, whisked away to far off lands.
The story digs into some deeper stuff than my normal steamy romances—what is morality really and what happens when the gods intervene with our lives. Over all, I really enjoyed VanderBrooke’s Our: An Ancient Odyssey Into the Underworld and Beyond.
May 24, 2023
The main character Isho is hard to get a handle on sometimes, but his journey reads like an epic, mythological style journey. Side characters catch your interest, but the major draw is that archaic formality and word style. I stayed awake a couple of nights to see what happened next. The main detraction I had from the overall story were some odd word choices. Passing haplessly under an archway was a disjointed feeling for me, as was the word "hassle" used in a paragraph of ancient styling and words. The word itself is less than a century old. Other than those few things that may just be unique to my perspective, it was an engaging tale, told in a way to invoke the exotic and ancient and very different culture of early prehistory.
May 27, 2023
The cover art caught my attention and the intriguing premise of a fantasy set in the cradle of civilisation drew me in, but the execution of a potentially great story failed.
I’m struggling to fully engage with the main character, Isho, who lacks agency. He stumbles from event to event, surviving by sheer luck and the intervention of side characters. He responds to crises, including his own potential death, with frustrating equanimity.
Even his marriage is an event which happens to him without an enthusiastic commitment on his part. There isn’t even a courtship to speak of. He simply goes along with whatever he’s told to do without resistance.
Difficult to cheer for the hero who only reacts to circumstances and doesn’t instigate any action. An oddly passive MC.
The language is verbose and the sentence structures feel like they are constructed by someone whose mother-tongue is not English. The language is stilted, but a good editor could help.
I gave only three stars because this novel did not live up to my expectations and I struggled to finish, mainly because Isho lacks agency.
I’m struggling to fully engage with the main character, Isho, who lacks agency. He stumbles from event to event, surviving by sheer luck and the intervention of side characters. He responds to crises, including his own potential death, with frustrating equanimity.
Even his marriage is an event which happens to him without an enthusiastic commitment on his part. There isn’t even a courtship to speak of. He simply goes along with whatever he’s told to do without resistance.
Difficult to cheer for the hero who only reacts to circumstances and doesn’t instigate any action. An oddly passive MC.
The language is verbose and the sentence structures feel like they are constructed by someone whose mother-tongue is not English. The language is stilted, but a good editor could help.
I gave only three stars because this novel did not live up to my expectations and I struggled to finish, mainly because Isho lacks agency.
May 16, 2023
This Book had fun settings. It's so hard to do reviews on Great books because i dont want to give anything away so all I'll say is, "The Gods smile upon this story!"
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews