What do you think?
Rate this book
The Soldier
Maddus is not a legendary fighter. He is not a veteran, a knight or even a great warrior. He is a man; a man who loves his wife enough to join the army before the final battle in a losing war in the hopes of keeping her, and all like her, safe.
The final battle will be the siege of Tenarr, the capital. Underequipped, with a small army of mostly new recruits, few believe they stand a chance – not against an experienced army that massively outnumbers them – an army with sorcery on its side.
Maddus, though, doesn’t believe this. He joins the army believing that any one person there can make a difference.
He believes they can win.
The final battle will be the siege of Tenarr, the capital. Underequipped, with a small army of mostly new recruits, few believe they stand a chance – not against an experienced army that massively outnumbers them – an army with sorcery on its side.
Maddus, though, doesn’t believe this. He joins the army believing that any one person there can make a difference.
He believes they can win.
409 pages, Paperback
Published January 26, 2018
8 people are currently reading
15 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 12, 2018
The Soldier
I am a great fan of fantasy adventure and I really enjoyed this book. The Soldier is well written and has a good flow throughout. There is swearing in this book – so sensitive people have been warned!
The story involves a group of disparate men who have come together as one to train to protect their King and country from a deadly invasion. The story is a fighting adventure brimmed full of the pain of training, the creating of wartime buddies, and the violence of war.
The battle and fighting descriptions are vivid and well written, so the reader is transported into the world of Maddus and you can feel the fear and anxiety build as the numerically far superior Sindutians approach.
The interplay between the men as they grow to know and trust each other is interesting to see develop throughout the story. The characters are different and unique in their own way. Apart from Maddus, the main character, the characters I particularly liked the King appearing to the men as a peasant, natural ruler while in reality his peasantry was rehearsed. Another interesting character for me, was the Grey with his battle scarred cynical outlook in direct contrast to the new volunteers. I also had a soft spot for the confident Davir but this is a story where everyone will have their own favourite characters.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, war, and high fantasy reads and I am really looking forward to reading of Maddus’ further adventures! Great Read.
I am a great fan of fantasy adventure and I really enjoyed this book. The Soldier is well written and has a good flow throughout. There is swearing in this book – so sensitive people have been warned!
The story involves a group of disparate men who have come together as one to train to protect their King and country from a deadly invasion. The story is a fighting adventure brimmed full of the pain of training, the creating of wartime buddies, and the violence of war.
The battle and fighting descriptions are vivid and well written, so the reader is transported into the world of Maddus and you can feel the fear and anxiety build as the numerically far superior Sindutians approach.
The interplay between the men as they grow to know and trust each other is interesting to see develop throughout the story. The characters are different and unique in their own way. Apart from Maddus, the main character, the characters I particularly liked the King appearing to the men as a peasant, natural ruler while in reality his peasantry was rehearsed. Another interesting character for me, was the Grey with his battle scarred cynical outlook in direct contrast to the new volunteers. I also had a soft spot for the confident Davir but this is a story where everyone will have their own favourite characters.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, war, and high fantasy reads and I am really looking forward to reading of Maddus’ further adventures! Great Read.
September 12, 2016
Writer was generously provided with ARC in exchange for an honest review:
This is NOT a romance novel, it's a heroic fantasy, but it might just be one of my favorite ARCs nonetheless.
First, it's important to know that there are a TON of characters in this book, and we’re introduced to 95% of them within the first 3 chapters. I will not mention all of them in this review, but I’m kind of impressed that the author was able to keep up and devote equal time to most of them. By the end, I really felt like I’d gotten to know each of these characters, which was quite surprising given how overwhelmed I felt at the beginning.
The book immediately introduces us to Maddus, a young farmer from Demerus, who has set off to join an impending war from the Sindutians. He worries for the fate of his wife, and reasons that joining the fight is the best chance to keep her safe in the long run. He is meant to be the protagonist, I think, but the pov changes quite often and I soon realized that many of the characters in this book could also, arguably, be the protagonist. It’s a different format than I’m accustomed to. I liked it!
From there, we are quickly introduced to several other warriors who have joined the ranks, some seasoned, some not. Howndell, the Demurian “Peasant King” discloses that their army is at a severe disadvantage and has only 1 week to prepare for an invasion that will likely overwhelm them.
Montagggge
This book takes a lot of time to make sure readers get a picture of what’s going on. The descriptions are lovely, the metaphors clever, and even the banter is funny where it needs to be, thought-provoking when shit gets serious.
A few characters in particular really grabbed my attention:
Grey, my personal favorite, is the hard ass beast of a man who cares for no one and wants to make everyone aware of how little he cares. Except for the dog. There’s a dog that follows him around, and it becomes obvious that he’s not as much of a prick as we’ve been led to believe. His character development was incredible. By the end of the book, I had completely changed my opinion of him.
Davir, the poet, reminds me of Paul Bettany’s character in A Knight’s Tale. He’s cocky, he’s witty, and his overconfidence is done in such a way as to make him endearing rather than annoying. He’s the comic relief, seemingly indestructible with his boundless energy, and he will never admit if he’s struggling.
Charon is another young teen out to prove himself, but the poor thing is a bit of a coward. His character development was also really intriguing. He doesn’t want to be a coward. He just is. His constant efforts to address it and change it made him transform from (what I thought would be) a potential cannon fodder character to a man who has to overcome his fear of disappointing others while also learning to face his fear of death.
Maressa is a bad ass warrior and she proves it right from the start. Reminds me a lot of Éowyn from Lord of the Rings. She’s ready to fight and doesn’t have time for your “girls are weak” bullshit.
There were only a few things that irked me about the story:
The sorcerers. I wanted to see more of their powers. Why were they even involved in all of this? Whatever happened to Kalicka? As I approached the end of this story I was beginning to think there would have to be a sequel, but it doesn’t seem so. Even one more chapter to address the way things were left would have been a welcome addition.
On a similar note, I struggled with how much trust Howndell immediately puts in the sorcerers. We’re left with very little proof that these guys are legit, but damn he was awfully eager to roll the dice on that one. Why would a group of sorcerers randomly decide to help either king, anyways? Because reasons.
So much damage occurred simply because the Sindutians made false promises and the Demurians just shrugged like “Well, they promised, didn’t they?”
There are so many more characters that I could go into, but for the sake of space I will just again reiterate that even though there are A LOT, the author does justice to each of them as the story progresses. This is a story of war, comradery, and bravery in the midst of incredible odds. After some time, the battles begin to bleed into the background because it has become a part of their daily routine. The author chooses to spend more time on the moments in between, which I thought was a great move stylistically.
Favorite line of the book:
“Kalicka has forseen the end of this war.”
“It’s a shame he didn’t check the stars yesterday. He could have saved you three catapults.”
I would rate this book 4.5 stars, only because I was left with several questions by the end. Are they crucial questions? Maybe not. But since it was a fantasy novel, I also feel like some of this information could have heightened the suspense even further. Without the sorcerers, after all, this could easily be a historical fiction.
That being said, the story would stand on its own either way. It’s that good.
This is NOT a romance novel, it's a heroic fantasy, but it might just be one of my favorite ARCs nonetheless.
First, it's important to know that there are a TON of characters in this book, and we’re introduced to 95% of them within the first 3 chapters. I will not mention all of them in this review, but I’m kind of impressed that the author was able to keep up and devote equal time to most of them. By the end, I really felt like I’d gotten to know each of these characters, which was quite surprising given how overwhelmed I felt at the beginning.
The book immediately introduces us to Maddus, a young farmer from Demerus, who has set off to join an impending war from the Sindutians. He worries for the fate of his wife, and reasons that joining the fight is the best chance to keep her safe in the long run. He is meant to be the protagonist, I think, but the pov changes quite often and I soon realized that many of the characters in this book could also, arguably, be the protagonist. It’s a different format than I’m accustomed to. I liked it!
From there, we are quickly introduced to several other warriors who have joined the ranks, some seasoned, some not. Howndell, the Demurian “Peasant King” discloses that their army is at a severe disadvantage and has only 1 week to prepare for an invasion that will likely overwhelm them.
Montagggge
This book takes a lot of time to make sure readers get a picture of what’s going on. The descriptions are lovely, the metaphors clever, and even the banter is funny where it needs to be, thought-provoking when shit gets serious.
A few characters in particular really grabbed my attention:
Grey, my personal favorite, is the hard ass beast of a man who cares for no one and wants to make everyone aware of how little he cares. Except for the dog. There’s a dog that follows him around, and it becomes obvious that he’s not as much of a prick as we’ve been led to believe. His character development was incredible. By the end of the book, I had completely changed my opinion of him.
Davir, the poet, reminds me of Paul Bettany’s character in A Knight’s Tale. He’s cocky, he’s witty, and his overconfidence is done in such a way as to make him endearing rather than annoying. He’s the comic relief, seemingly indestructible with his boundless energy, and he will never admit if he’s struggling.
Charon is another young teen out to prove himself, but the poor thing is a bit of a coward. His character development was also really intriguing. He doesn’t want to be a coward. He just is. His constant efforts to address it and change it made him transform from (what I thought would be) a potential cannon fodder character to a man who has to overcome his fear of disappointing others while also learning to face his fear of death.
Maressa is a bad ass warrior and she proves it right from the start. Reminds me a lot of Éowyn from Lord of the Rings. She’s ready to fight and doesn’t have time for your “girls are weak” bullshit.
There were only a few things that irked me about the story:
The sorcerers. I wanted to see more of their powers. Why were they even involved in all of this? Whatever happened to Kalicka? As I approached the end of this story I was beginning to think there would have to be a sequel, but it doesn’t seem so. Even one more chapter to address the way things were left would have been a welcome addition.
On a similar note, I struggled with how much trust Howndell immediately puts in the sorcerers. We’re left with very little proof that these guys are legit, but damn he was awfully eager to roll the dice on that one. Why would a group of sorcerers randomly decide to help either king, anyways? Because reasons.
So much damage occurred simply because the Sindutians made false promises and the Demurians just shrugged like “Well, they promised, didn’t they?”
There are so many more characters that I could go into, but for the sake of space I will just again reiterate that even though there are A LOT, the author does justice to each of them as the story progresses. This is a story of war, comradery, and bravery in the midst of incredible odds. After some time, the battles begin to bleed into the background because it has become a part of their daily routine. The author chooses to spend more time on the moments in between, which I thought was a great move stylistically.
Favorite line of the book:
“Kalicka has forseen the end of this war.”
“It’s a shame he didn’t check the stars yesterday. He could have saved you three catapults.”
I would rate this book 4.5 stars, only because I was left with several questions by the end. Are they crucial questions? Maybe not. But since it was a fantasy novel, I also feel like some of this information could have heightened the suspense even further. Without the sorcerers, after all, this could easily be a historical fiction.
That being said, the story would stand on its own either way. It’s that good.
September 14, 2016
This is an action-packed tale full of endeavo(u)r, battle and blood. Certainly not for the faint-hearted, this Medieval tale points to the horrors and wastefulness of war; the espirit de corps developed between fellow warriors; and the utter relentlessness of battle.
The characterisation in the novel is excellent. There are a considerable number of protagonists on each side of the siege, but each is developed in turn to have real depth and purpose. One lead voice is that of Maddus, a young farmer, newly married, forced into war to prevent the slaughter of his family, his property and his nation.
A Peasant King rules over this land under threat and he leads his people into a fearsome fight to defend their territory. There are many battle scenes, interspersed with humo(u)r to lighten the load; adventures of rescue missions; and even the introduction of fantasy to keep our attention.
The plot is pacy, exciting and beautifully described in parts. Never did I think that I would be enticed into needing to know how a heavy medieval sword did its work in dismembering soldiers of old. If you like your blood real and gory and not imagined, this is for you. Be warned.
The book had depth around the examination of the futility of all this suffering and the effects it has on each of the characters in turn. How they react before, during and after battle is adequately described; the trauma they suffered often being released in the local tavern. The antagonisms between 'platoon' or 'squadron' members is not ignored; indeed it is one of the features of the book which makes this real, as falling outs occur in all battle teams. How they are resolved and handled are key. The issues of leadership, too, are considered in this book. From the King to the sergeant in charge of a brave group of warriors, the complexities of command are explored and the relationships exposed for all their challenges, nuances and surprises.
I enjoyed this book because of the time the author took to develop each of the lead characters in turn. There are a number of surprises to keep our interest and to make the story less linear than it might otherwise have been. I might have liked to see a few more historical references; there are some, but I am greedy and I am always left wanting ever more from a tale of this kind. The book had me back there though, so it did its work.
This is indeed a good read. An engaging tale of adventure and courage. As I say, be careful where you put your feet. There is plenty of blood spilt in this interesting, enticing and fascinating read, which keeps you guessing and pondering right up to the final page. Enjoy, if you are, too, like Maddus and his comrades, willing to be challenged to see if you are brave enough.
The characterisation in the novel is excellent. There are a considerable number of protagonists on each side of the siege, but each is developed in turn to have real depth and purpose. One lead voice is that of Maddus, a young farmer, newly married, forced into war to prevent the slaughter of his family, his property and his nation.
A Peasant King rules over this land under threat and he leads his people into a fearsome fight to defend their territory. There are many battle scenes, interspersed with humo(u)r to lighten the load; adventures of rescue missions; and even the introduction of fantasy to keep our attention.
The plot is pacy, exciting and beautifully described in parts. Never did I think that I would be enticed into needing to know how a heavy medieval sword did its work in dismembering soldiers of old. If you like your blood real and gory and not imagined, this is for you. Be warned.
The book had depth around the examination of the futility of all this suffering and the effects it has on each of the characters in turn. How they react before, during and after battle is adequately described; the trauma they suffered often being released in the local tavern. The antagonisms between 'platoon' or 'squadron' members is not ignored; indeed it is one of the features of the book which makes this real, as falling outs occur in all battle teams. How they are resolved and handled are key. The issues of leadership, too, are considered in this book. From the King to the sergeant in charge of a brave group of warriors, the complexities of command are explored and the relationships exposed for all their challenges, nuances and surprises.
I enjoyed this book because of the time the author took to develop each of the lead characters in turn. There are a number of surprises to keep our interest and to make the story less linear than it might otherwise have been. I might have liked to see a few more historical references; there are some, but I am greedy and I am always left wanting ever more from a tale of this kind. The book had me back there though, so it did its work.
This is indeed a good read. An engaging tale of adventure and courage. As I say, be careful where you put your feet. There is plenty of blood spilt in this interesting, enticing and fascinating read, which keeps you guessing and pondering right up to the final page. Enjoy, if you are, too, like Maddus and his comrades, willing to be challenged to see if you are brave enough.
September 14, 2016
The Soldier. A story of love and war that grips from the very first chapter.
The story follows young Maddus as he prepares to fight and defend his king, his country and his wife in a battle that looks impossible to win against a foe that outnumber by fifteen to one.
This is a well written book filled with wonderful descriptions and exciting battle scenes, balanced by interesting and well developed characters. Conflicts and friendships, loyalties won, the naivety of youth displayed by Maddus, Grey, an old and jaded warrior who maybe will let his guard down, if only for a dog, comedic relief supplied by Davir the poet, the doubt and cowardice of Charon that balances the bravery displayed others in the face of battle.
This is easily a 5 star read in my opinion, and did remind me in some ways of historical works by the likes of Bernard Cornwell.
The story follows young Maddus as he prepares to fight and defend his king, his country and his wife in a battle that looks impossible to win against a foe that outnumber by fifteen to one.
This is a well written book filled with wonderful descriptions and exciting battle scenes, balanced by interesting and well developed characters. Conflicts and friendships, loyalties won, the naivety of youth displayed by Maddus, Grey, an old and jaded warrior who maybe will let his guard down, if only for a dog, comedic relief supplied by Davir the poet, the doubt and cowardice of Charon that balances the bravery displayed others in the face of battle.
This is easily a 5 star read in my opinion, and did remind me in some ways of historical works by the likes of Bernard Cornwell.
August 18, 2016
‘The Soldier’ is a heartwarming tale of a young man’s fight to defend his love and his land. The story centers on bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Maddus, who is eager to fight and doubly eager to win the war against the Sindutians. D.S. Fisher beautifully illustrates the naïveté that goes along with those lofty ambitions and artfully narrates the innocence it takes to go blindly bounding off to war, and the simultaneous bravery that often comes with such youthful ideals.
‘The Soldier’ is cinematic in its vivid description; from the clang of an axe to the slurp of a beheading, all the senses come alive the moment the battle scenes begin. Seamlessly floating from viewpoint to viewpoint, ‘The Soldier’ allows the reader to be a fly on the wall in one chapter and in the next, a fly on the window sill of a character’s soul. Through several main characters, D.S. Fisher shows us what it’s really like day-to-day on and off the battlefield. His characters are real. They don’t live to kill. Life goes on despite the chaos and carnage around them. Meals are still eaten. Ale is still drunk. Friends are made. D.S. Fisher’s ‘The Soldier’ is about a soldier, but I took home more than that. Whether or not it was the author’s intention, ‘The Soldier’ made me think about how still life ambles on even in the darkest times, and how when pushed to the brink, dignity can come to reign over survival.
‘The Soldier’ is cinematic in its vivid description; from the clang of an axe to the slurp of a beheading, all the senses come alive the moment the battle scenes begin. Seamlessly floating from viewpoint to viewpoint, ‘The Soldier’ allows the reader to be a fly on the wall in one chapter and in the next, a fly on the window sill of a character’s soul. Through several main characters, D.S. Fisher shows us what it’s really like day-to-day on and off the battlefield. His characters are real. They don’t live to kill. Life goes on despite the chaos and carnage around them. Meals are still eaten. Ale is still drunk. Friends are made. D.S. Fisher’s ‘The Soldier’ is about a soldier, but I took home more than that. Whether or not it was the author’s intention, ‘The Soldier’ made me think about how still life ambles on even in the darkest times, and how when pushed to the brink, dignity can come to reign over survival.
September 26, 2016
Action packed
Action packed and fast moving throughout. Kind of like the Alamo meets high fantasy. I liked that the main protagonist were normal people with no particularly special abilities other than their will, work ethic, and honor.
Action packed and fast moving throughout. Kind of like the Alamo meets high fantasy. I liked that the main protagonist were normal people with no particularly special abilities other than their will, work ethic, and honor.
August 28, 2018
Exciting!
Soldier is the type of book I really enjoy reading. It has everyday, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, not because they are heroes but because they feel they have no choice.
Is there a sequel?
Soldier is the type of book I really enjoy reading. It has everyday, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, not because they are heroes but because they feel they have no choice.
Is there a sequel?
October 13, 2016
It starts by introducing the main character Maddas just before he starts his training to become a soldier and from then on it follows the route until he goes to war for King Howndell. I particular liked the feisty Maressa and moody Grey who brought a nice mixture to the characters. The story flowed well and I read it with ease. My only issue was the names of the characters which I found were not memorable but this is just my own personal opinion. I liked the battle scenes the best, throughly exciting and full of action. Looking forward to the next one.
November 15, 2016
Although the writing doesn't delve too far into the minds of the characters, preferring to impart their immediate thoughts and actions, this author has a real knack for presenting them in just such a way that a reader imagines much of their internal struggle quite vividly, even in the absence of detailed insight. That feeling of not quite knowing the characters seems true-to-life in a way, and lends this story an addictive tension that doesn't ease up until the last page.
The battle scenes are the book's strongest parts, described with great gory imagery and a real sense of the stakes involved. But the scenes in between are not completely overshadowed. The contrast between violent war and human compassion is very well done. Lighter, more touching moments are all the more emphasised. Both sides of the conflict are explored, which is refreshing when reading about war in fantasy, as the battle between light and dark becomes less black and white and more of a thought-provoking grey.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone with interests in war and fantasy.
The battle scenes are the book's strongest parts, described with great gory imagery and a real sense of the stakes involved. But the scenes in between are not completely overshadowed. The contrast between violent war and human compassion is very well done. Lighter, more touching moments are all the more emphasised. Both sides of the conflict are explored, which is refreshing when reading about war in fantasy, as the battle between light and dark becomes less black and white and more of a thought-provoking grey.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone with interests in war and fantasy.
February 6, 2017
While this is not my usual genre, I have to say that I really enjoyed The Soldier. It’s action-packed and fast paced, with drama at every turn. There were a lot of characters to keep up with, but D.S Fisher makes them all memorable. My favourites were Grey (and his relationship with Little Grey) and Maressa – a strong, female fighter who kicks arse. And of course, Maddus, the hero of the story. I really liked his character, although I would have loved to find out more about his backstory and relationship with his wife (I’m a sucker for romance!). Overall a great read, and recommended to anyone who enjoys action, battle scenes and adventure with heart.
November 3, 2016
‘The Soldier’ was an easy read with excellent pacing about a young man, named Maddus, preparing and fighting in a war. It was completely different than what I originally thought and I enjoyed it. ‘The Soldier’ was action packed with a well thought out plot. The spirited Maressa and moody Grey brought a great mix to the characters in the novel that I enjoyed. The author did a wonderful job in the descriptions making it easy to picture the story as it played out. There are many likeable characters introduced in the book; I was impressed that the author provided equal time to many of them and kept track of them all. Despite the multiple characters there were many who I found intriguing. Overall, I found it a good story with an interesting plot. Well done to the author!
October 17, 2016
War
This was an easy read in the vein of Game of Thrones. It captured the wartime dynamic fairly well. The main character was the situation, rather than any one individual, though Maddus and Charon come close. And, for those who enjoy a soldier's perspective, this piece will entertain.
This was an easy read in the vein of Game of Thrones. It captured the wartime dynamic fairly well. The main character was the situation, rather than any one individual, though Maddus and Charon come close. And, for those who enjoy a soldier's perspective, this piece will entertain.
April 25, 2017
The Soldier: A Heroic Fantasy reads like an incredible, almost Arthurian legend meets Braveheart meets Game of Thrones. In other words, a very fresh and original fantasy novel that is packed with graphic action which makes you feel like you are part of the story. Maddus, the main character in the novel, shows how one does not have to be a skilled warrior with extensive experience in order to carry out heroic acts in battle. I really liked this message of the story and felt like it had an element of real inspiration. The author is a skilled writer who clearly knows how to capture the attention of the reader and weave a most exciting tale.
Read
May 8, 2018D. S. Fisher weaves a believable heroic fantasy with lovable characters, hated enemies, a likable king, and building tension. This is a well-conceived idea and plot and is perfectly delivered. Maddus and his friends demonstrate strengths and weaknesses, but are called to stand terrified to protect their nation against overwhelming odds. Fisher's presentation of a long, tiresome battle gives you the sense of exhaustion, but does not get tiresome to read. He expertly knew when to describe in detail the action and when to summarize it. This should become a classic.
Because of my position on morally presented fiction, I would have recommended that Fisher remove a few expressions of profanity, but there are not enough to cause the book to offend. He used them to express anger and frustration by the characters, which was realistic. He never stooped to sexual or suggestive situations, and I highly commend him for that.
A large evil army of 100,000 soldiers are marching to Tenarr to conquer the land. Tens of thousands answer to call to defend the city from many villages, but most are not soldiers. A young farmer, Maddus, volunteers to protect his new wife. The evil king, McRae, kills every living soul in the path of his murderous army.
After intense training of two weeks, the makeshift army is given weapons and await the approaching hords. Through the fight, calls for what seems to be suicide missions are answered by a few, Maddus and his friends being among them. Despite terrible odds, Maddus' unselfish bravery becomes encouragement to the others in a long, weary battle.
The ending is a surprise, even to the most imaginative reader.
Because of my position on morally presented fiction, I would have recommended that Fisher remove a few expressions of profanity, but there are not enough to cause the book to offend. He used them to express anger and frustration by the characters, which was realistic. He never stooped to sexual or suggestive situations, and I highly commend him for that.
A large evil army of 100,000 soldiers are marching to Tenarr to conquer the land. Tens of thousands answer to call to defend the city from many villages, but most are not soldiers. A young farmer, Maddus, volunteers to protect his new wife. The evil king, McRae, kills every living soul in the path of his murderous army.
After intense training of two weeks, the makeshift army is given weapons and await the approaching hords. Through the fight, calls for what seems to be suicide missions are answered by a few, Maddus and his friends being among them. Despite terrible odds, Maddus' unselfish bravery becomes encouragement to the others in a long, weary battle.
The ending is a surprise, even to the most imaginative reader.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews