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The Myridian Constellation #1
The Sword in the Stars
Centuries have passed since the Silence, and the few remaining faithful cling to the ancient prophecies of the First One. They wait for the Caller and watch the skies for the Sword in the Stars, even as the world they've always known unravels around them. Murderous Gorracks have secretly penetrated the kingdom's borders. Their attacks grow more brazen...more horrific, threatening to touch off a war on a scale that hasn't been seen in seven ages. In the capital city of Anglinore, noble King Aravel ponders the advice of this twin brother declare all out war on the Gorrack nation. While Anglinore's High Shepherd, the wise Sebastian Grenlaff urges caution and listens to troubling voices on the wind. Queen Mariel, due to deliver a child any day, suspects the unthinkable about her husband's brother Morlan. She sets off alone to Morlan's castle in Dunharrow, hoping against hope that she can keep old wounds from erupting in war. Alastair Coldharrow, tortured by an addiction to the outlawed Witchdrale and haunted by a violent past, wagers his life on the hope that the foretold Halfainin, the Pathwalker, would come. When at last, the Sword appears in the Stars, Alastair begins a fruitless search for the Halfainin that leaves him disillusioned, broken, and lost. Used to caring only for himself, Alastair will enter a maelstrom of conflict as loyalties are tested, dark schemes are hatched, and the many realms of Myriad brace themselves for war. Will Alastair realize what he has before its too late...for everyone?
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2010
81 people are currently reading
1273 people want to read
About the author
Wayne Thomas Batson
43 books931 followersWayne Thomas Batson was born in Seabrook, MD in 1968. He had an adventurous childhood and adolescence that included: building forts in the woods, crabbing and crayfishing in bays, ponds, and bayous, playing lead guitar in a heavy metal band, and teaching tennis lessons at the local recreation center. He attended Gabriel DuVal Senior High School where he wrote for the school’s newspaper and literary magazine. He was voted “Most Talented” in his senior year, and wrote this for his Yearbook Senior Goal: “To become a published author.” Little did he know that God had even greater plans.
Wayne Thomas Batson has spent the last thirty years teaching Reading and English to Maryland middle school students. Wayne Thomas Batson lives in Eldersburg with his extraordinary wife of 26 years. His four adult children intermittently live at home whenever their unexpected adventures lead them.
Batson’s writing career began in 2005 with the publication of fantasy epic, The Door Within. Since then, The Door Within, The Final Storm, Isle of Swords, and Isle of Fire have all appeared on the CBA Young Adult Bestseller List, including #2 for The Final Storm Fall 2007. To date, Batson has penned or coauthored seventeen novels and has sold well over half a million copies.
Wayne Thomas Batson gives thanks to God for the abundant life he’s been given. He continues to write for the people he cares so deeply about because he believes that, on a deep level, we all long for another world and yearn to do something important.
Wayne Thomas Batson has spent the last thirty years teaching Reading and English to Maryland middle school students. Wayne Thomas Batson lives in Eldersburg with his extraordinary wife of 26 years. His four adult children intermittently live at home whenever their unexpected adventures lead them.
Batson’s writing career began in 2005 with the publication of fantasy epic, The Door Within. Since then, The Door Within, The Final Storm, Isle of Swords, and Isle of Fire have all appeared on the CBA Young Adult Bestseller List, including #2 for The Final Storm Fall 2007. To date, Batson has penned or coauthored seventeen novels and has sold well over half a million copies.
Wayne Thomas Batson gives thanks to God for the abundant life he’s been given. He continues to write for the people he cares so deeply about because he believes that, on a deep level, we all long for another world and yearn to do something important.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
May 1, 2016
Wayne Thomas Batson is one of my favorite authors. His books The Door within and Isle of Swords are two of my all-time favorite books. I love how he combines humor, action, and Christian themes into some pretty awesome stories.
Sword in the Stars is about former assassin Alastair Coldhollow as he tries to deal with his horrible past while also searching for the Halfinnin, the prophesied Savior who will save the kingdom of Anglinore. Meanwhile, tensions between Anglinore and an enemy nation escalate, and the outcome may be war.
I loved the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and standing up for what's right no matter the consequences. I loved how Batson incorporates humor into the story. I loved the characters and the unique setting.
I enjoyed Sword in the Stars ....but I also thought it seems too long. The first two-thirds seemed to drag on with constant POV shifts and somewhat repetitive scenes. The last third, when everything ties together, was when I thought the book was most interesting. There are a lot of characters and it sometimes was difficult to keep track of who's who. Also, I will note that Sword in the Stars can be pretty dark at times. The villains are certainly evil, so there's a good deal of violence.
Sword in the Stars is an exciting fantasy allegory, and I'll definitely read the next one. However, I didn't think it was Batson's best and I would recommend The Door Within or Isle of Swords first.
Sword in the Stars is about former assassin Alastair Coldhollow as he tries to deal with his horrible past while also searching for the Halfinnin, the prophesied Savior who will save the kingdom of Anglinore. Meanwhile, tensions between Anglinore and an enemy nation escalate, and the outcome may be war.
I loved the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and standing up for what's right no matter the consequences. I loved how Batson incorporates humor into the story. I loved the characters and the unique setting.
I enjoyed Sword in the Stars ....but I also thought it seems too long. The first two-thirds seemed to drag on with constant POV shifts and somewhat repetitive scenes. The last third, when everything ties together, was when I thought the book was most interesting. There are a lot of characters and it sometimes was difficult to keep track of who's who. Also, I will note that Sword in the Stars can be pretty dark at times. The villains are certainly evil, so there's a good deal of violence.
Sword in the Stars is an exciting fantasy allegory, and I'll definitely read the next one. However, I didn't think it was Batson's best and I would recommend The Door Within or Isle of Swords first.
July 13, 2020
The Sword in the Stars by Wayne Thomas Batson is the first book in a Christian allegorical fantasy set in a medieval-like world.
Once an assassin, Alastair Coldhollow has pledged his life to God. He knows his destiny is to call out the Halfainin, a prophesied warrior, and when the Sword appears in the stars, he knows the time is come for the prophecy to be fulfilled. But as the prophecy unfolds (or doesn't?), it isn't as straightforward as he had imagined.
Wow. This book was extremely rich in detail, depth, and planning. It was very well-written, and I loved it, especially because it was an allegory.
Alastair was the main character, but there were many other point-of-view characters and much going on besides his story. The major plot was a war between light and dark, the people of God and the people of the Dark Lord whose desire is death for everyone. There were kings, politics, unique characters, battles, betrayals, redemption, a little bit of romance, prophecies, and much more in the complex, creative world - everything that makes for a great high fantasy. Tying it all together within the battle of light and dark was the prophecy of the Halfainin who would conquer the Dark Lord once and for all. But since this is an allegory, if you know the story of Jesus Christ, you know that the great prophesied warrior-king didn't come in, guns blazing and conquering the world ... at least, not yet. And the way this series captured all of that is one of the things I loved about this story.
Threaded into the story was the theme of redemption. Alastair was a man with an extremely dark past. Obeying the Dark Lord, he led raids to murder entire villages of innocents and became addicted to an extremely addictive, illegal drug. But Alastair found hope in God and left it all behind (though he still struggles sometimes with the drug). However, he isn't certain he can believe that God can redeem him from ALL of it. Some of the leading God-followers don't even believe Alastair can be redeemed of his atrocities. But he puts his hope in the Halfainin and waits for the day he can ask the prophesied warrior in person about forgiveness. (And since we believe the Apostle Paul was forgiven for his evil, Alastair, if he were real, would also be forgiven.)
I read this book as an audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator, and he did a great job with some of the voices and the inflection.
On the whole, this book was very good. It was definitely dark, though, with a lot of violence and maybe a little too many details about the enemies' horrific evil. I'd recommend it to adults, not teens. But I really enjoyed it for all the reasons I listed above.
I received a complementary copy of this audiobook from the author. I was not compensated for writing a review. All opinions are my own.
Once an assassin, Alastair Coldhollow has pledged his life to God. He knows his destiny is to call out the Halfainin, a prophesied warrior, and when the Sword appears in the stars, he knows the time is come for the prophecy to be fulfilled. But as the prophecy unfolds (or doesn't?), it isn't as straightforward as he had imagined.
Wow. This book was extremely rich in detail, depth, and planning. It was very well-written, and I loved it, especially because it was an allegory.
Alastair was the main character, but there were many other point-of-view characters and much going on besides his story. The major plot was a war between light and dark, the people of God and the people of the Dark Lord whose desire is death for everyone. There were kings, politics, unique characters, battles, betrayals, redemption, a little bit of romance, prophecies, and much more in the complex, creative world - everything that makes for a great high fantasy. Tying it all together within the battle of light and dark was the prophecy of the Halfainin who would conquer the Dark Lord once and for all. But since this is an allegory, if you know the story of Jesus Christ, you know that the great prophesied warrior-king didn't come in, guns blazing and conquering the world ... at least, not yet. And the way this series captured all of that is one of the things I loved about this story.
Threaded into the story was the theme of redemption. Alastair was a man with an extremely dark past. Obeying the Dark Lord, he led raids to murder entire villages of innocents and became addicted to an extremely addictive, illegal drug. But Alastair found hope in God and left it all behind (though he still struggles sometimes with the drug). However, he isn't certain he can believe that God can redeem him from ALL of it. Some of the leading God-followers don't even believe Alastair can be redeemed of his atrocities. But he puts his hope in the Halfainin and waits for the day he can ask the prophesied warrior in person about forgiveness. (And since we believe the Apostle Paul was forgiven for his evil, Alastair, if he were real, would also be forgiven.)
I read this book as an audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator, and he did a great job with some of the voices and the inflection.
On the whole, this book was very good. It was definitely dark, though, with a lot of violence and maybe a little too many details about the enemies' horrific evil. I'd recommend it to adults, not teens. But I really enjoyed it for all the reasons I listed above.
I received a complementary copy of this audiobook from the author. I was not compensated for writing a review. All opinions are my own.
February 16, 2012
When former assassin Alastair Coldhollow sees the legendary sword appear in the stars, he believes that his quest to proclaim the arrival of the Halfainin - the long promised hero - is about to be fulfilled. There's just one problem. He can't seem to find the Halfainin! Not only that, but he suddenly finds himself playing nursemaid to an abandoned baby. And to top it all off, the past he tried so hard to bury is slowly but surely catching up with him. Danger lurks over Myriad. Mysterious midnight murders and an enemy invasion lead to a kingdom that is arming for war. And yet, the greatest danger always comes from within...
Will the Halfainin arrive in time to save Myriad?
The title of this book and the premise captured my attention at once. I found the story engaging, the plot intriguing, and the action - in typical Batson style - kept the story moving at all times. Alastair, the main character, earned my sympathy and respect as he battled to free himself from his past.
The first in The Dark Sea Annals, Sword in the Stars comes to a satisfying conclusion while at the same time forcing you to wait in eager anticipation for the second. Batson builds a beautiful world and writes descriptions and battles that you can see as if on camera. Myriad is quite large, however, and at times I wished there had been a map so I could better picture what was going on.
The only difficulty I had while reading the book was keeping track of the vast number of characters from the nine different races of Myriad. While having to keep turning to the character sheet at the front of the book was distracting, it didn't take too much away from the actual story!
Due to the violent battles and occasional disturbing content – some of the evil characters are pretty nasty – I’d recommend Sword in the Stars for an older audience (14+). It’s not a little kid’s bedtime read-aloud, but it is a great story for anyone who loves an exciting fantasy tale filled with epic battles, creatures, betrayals, and victories!
Will the Halfainin arrive in time to save Myriad?
The title of this book and the premise captured my attention at once. I found the story engaging, the plot intriguing, and the action - in typical Batson style - kept the story moving at all times. Alastair, the main character, earned my sympathy and respect as he battled to free himself from his past.
The first in The Dark Sea Annals, Sword in the Stars comes to a satisfying conclusion while at the same time forcing you to wait in eager anticipation for the second. Batson builds a beautiful world and writes descriptions and battles that you can see as if on camera. Myriad is quite large, however, and at times I wished there had been a map so I could better picture what was going on.
The only difficulty I had while reading the book was keeping track of the vast number of characters from the nine different races of Myriad. While having to keep turning to the character sheet at the front of the book was distracting, it didn't take too much away from the actual story!
Due to the violent battles and occasional disturbing content – some of the evil characters are pretty nasty – I’d recommend Sword in the Stars for an older audience (14+). It’s not a little kid’s bedtime read-aloud, but it is a great story for anyone who loves an exciting fantasy tale filled with epic battles, creatures, betrayals, and victories!
June 8, 2019
This is the standard good kingdom vs bad kingdom story, with the brutish ex-warrior who is the good kingdom's only hope. That said, it's definitely got some unique twists, and the main character, Alastair, very quickly stole my heart. I've read several of Mr. Batson's books and his writing is strong and rich, as is the story world in this book. The plot is well-paced and full of action, with battle scenes that are not overdone or hard to follow, but rather keep you riveted and rooting for Alastair Coldhollow.
My Website
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
book 3
My Website
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
book 3
April 27, 2019
(First read: March 2012. Second read: April 2019.)
Sword in the Stars plunges you into Batson's richest, broadest fantasy realm yet--the land of Myriad. Here we roam forested kingdoms and ancient ruins and dark keeps, following a large cast of characters in a cinematic style. Rereading this book was a huge nostalgia kick. This was one of the tales that shaped my love of fantasy. Now, seven years later, a bit of the shine has worn off, but I still love the heart and vision of this book.
Former assassin Alastair Coldhollow drives much of the plot forward. Wrestling with a bloody past and an addiction to Witchdrale, he nevertheless searches for the Halfainin, a hero prophesied to defeat the Dark King and save Myriad. But a baby he never wanted and a woman he meant to stay away from pull Alastair in another direction.
Before you know it, he becomes caught in a web of dark designs as his former master, King Morlan, secretly stirs the kingdoms to war.
WHAT I LOVED:
-Alastair Coldhollow is just plain epic. He seems to be a mix of Aragorn and the biblical Saul-turned-Paul. I love his character arc.
-Queen Maren--she's a total boss. That women has such poise and strength.
-The Shepherds. CAN WE HAVE MORE OF THEM, PLEASE? Mosteryn the Old and Sebastian Sternbough and everyone else? Their powers are flipping amazing and, erm, I can't spoil anything, but a certain chapter called "Shepherds and Wolves" is sooo perfectly chilling.
-The slow decline of Myriad's faith in the First One is A+, especially on King Aravel's part. I mean, it's a terrible thing, but it was portrayed really well.
-Speaking of which, King Ealden's legalistic stance is so realistic. He's one of the last to truly cling to the First One, and yet he lays judgment on others who struggle.
-King Morlan is in this for the long game, and I don't know about you, but that sort of patience is one of the scariest qualities a villain can possess.
-The slow build to the climax is worth it, because THAT CLIMAX. I shan't spoil it, either, but wow. Super good even though I remembered what was coming.
-The little snippets of history and poetry and letters at the beginning of each chapter added such depth to the world.
-I think I caught a couple of Easter eggs! At least two characters from other Christian fantasy series are mentioned. O.O
-All the allegorical elements surrounding the Halfainin and the Age of Silence are also A+.
-CYTHRAUL IS ONE CREEPY DUDE.
-THE ENDINGGGG. *screeches* I wish I could say something but I WON'T.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE:
-Okay, so like I mentioned, a bit of the shine wore off. There were some spelling/punctuation mistakes that another proofread could've caught. Two characters are said to have died in one chapter, only to show up alive--without any explanation--in the following chapter. (I checked the newly revised edition, and that was fixed!)
-The beginning third meandered quite a bit. Entertaining, but a little slow, and some events didn't contribute enough to the plot.
-It might seem a bit odd that it took Alastair SO long to discover the Halfainin, because readers will likely catch on right away. (However, in his defense, people see what they expect to see. And considering the allegory, people didn't recognize Jesus as the Messiah for a good long while.)
-The list of characters at the beginning, though helpful, maybe should have included a few more of the major players. And perhaps a description of each race, because with seven of them running around, it was hard to keep track at times.
-Speaking of keeping track, a map would have been LOVELY. Thankfully the new version of this book does have one! <3
-Speaking of keeping track again, I couldn't figure out the month system. Every chapter includes the date, which is awesome, but for the longest time, I couldn't tell if Drinnas came before or after Celesandur, not to mention all the other months that fly by toward the end of the book. Oh well. It's a small, small detail in the grand scheme of things.
-A few anachronisms like the frequently used "okay" threw me off a little bit.
CONCLUSION
I was pleasantly surprised at how well the majority of this book held up so many years later!
Myriad is a world I can sink my teeth into, meaty enough to carry the rest of this series (which I think is supposed to be seven books long). I applaud Mr. Batson for setting the stage as he did, choosing poignant characters to head up a story playing out on a global scale.
Now to continue reading and find out what might cross the Dark Sea... >:)
Sword in the Stars plunges you into Batson's richest, broadest fantasy realm yet--the land of Myriad. Here we roam forested kingdoms and ancient ruins and dark keeps, following a large cast of characters in a cinematic style. Rereading this book was a huge nostalgia kick. This was one of the tales that shaped my love of fantasy. Now, seven years later, a bit of the shine has worn off, but I still love the heart and vision of this book.
Former assassin Alastair Coldhollow drives much of the plot forward. Wrestling with a bloody past and an addiction to Witchdrale, he nevertheless searches for the Halfainin, a hero prophesied to defeat the Dark King and save Myriad. But a baby he never wanted and a woman he meant to stay away from pull Alastair in another direction.
Before you know it, he becomes caught in a web of dark designs as his former master, King Morlan, secretly stirs the kingdoms to war.
WHAT I LOVED:
-Alastair Coldhollow is just plain epic. He seems to be a mix of Aragorn and the biblical Saul-turned-Paul. I love his character arc.
-Queen Maren--she's a total boss. That women has such poise and strength.
-The Shepherds. CAN WE HAVE MORE OF THEM, PLEASE? Mosteryn the Old and Sebastian Sternbough and everyone else? Their powers are flipping amazing and, erm, I can't spoil anything, but a certain chapter called "Shepherds and Wolves" is sooo perfectly chilling.
-The slow decline of Myriad's faith in the First One is A+, especially on King Aravel's part. I mean, it's a terrible thing, but it was portrayed really well.
-Speaking of which, King Ealden's legalistic stance is so realistic. He's one of the last to truly cling to the First One, and yet he lays judgment on others who struggle.
-King Morlan is in this for the long game, and I don't know about you, but that sort of patience is one of the scariest qualities a villain can possess.
-The slow build to the climax is worth it, because THAT CLIMAX. I shan't spoil it, either, but wow. Super good even though I remembered what was coming.
-The little snippets of history and poetry and letters at the beginning of each chapter added such depth to the world.
-I think I caught a couple of Easter eggs! At least two characters from other Christian fantasy series are mentioned. O.O
-All the allegorical elements surrounding the Halfainin and the Age of Silence are also A+.
-CYTHRAUL IS ONE CREEPY DUDE.
-THE ENDINGGGG. *screeches* I wish I could say something but I WON'T.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE:
-Okay, so like I mentioned, a bit of the shine wore off. There were some spelling/punctuation mistakes that another proofread could've caught. Two characters are said to have died in one chapter, only to show up alive--without any explanation--in the following chapter. (I checked the newly revised edition, and that was fixed!)
-The beginning third meandered quite a bit. Entertaining, but a little slow, and some events didn't contribute enough to the plot.
-It might seem a bit odd that it took Alastair SO long to discover the Halfainin, because readers will likely catch on right away. (However, in his defense, people see what they expect to see. And considering the allegory, people didn't recognize Jesus as the Messiah for a good long while.)
-The list of characters at the beginning, though helpful, maybe should have included a few more of the major players. And perhaps a description of each race, because with seven of them running around, it was hard to keep track at times.
-Speaking of keeping track, a map would have been LOVELY. Thankfully the new version of this book does have one! <3
-Speaking of keeping track again, I couldn't figure out the month system. Every chapter includes the date, which is awesome, but for the longest time, I couldn't tell if Drinnas came before or after Celesandur, not to mention all the other months that fly by toward the end of the book. Oh well. It's a small, small detail in the grand scheme of things.
-A few anachronisms like the frequently used "okay" threw me off a little bit.
CONCLUSION
I was pleasantly surprised at how well the majority of this book held up so many years later!
Myriad is a world I can sink my teeth into, meaty enough to carry the rest of this series (which I think is supposed to be seven books long). I applaud Mr. Batson for setting the stage as he did, choosing poignant characters to head up a story playing out on a global scale.
Now to continue reading and find out what might cross the Dark Sea... >:)
September 25, 2020
This book is about as epic as Christian High Fantasy gets. Three thumbs up!
Five Stars | PG-13 | YA |
Elements of Christianity
-Forgiveness
-Almighty God may be silent at times, but He Is Real.
-Sin against people, kingdoms, and God and the power of acquittal in the hands of each.
-Great quotes:
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
“All men are full of holes that cannot be filled by clutching, grasping, or taking.”
“An honest word bears much fruit, but truth withheld begs for destruction.”
-Allegory. Verrry interesting allegory. I have never read an allegory that started where this one did. It's fascinating and unique, and I'm excited and curious to see how it plays out in this universe.
World building
100/100
Expansive, epic, high fantasy world-building.
Characters
100/100
Alistair Coldhollow
-Ex-assassin
-Looking for redemption
-Fighting addiction to really evil dark-magicy drink
-Gets someone else's baby thrust into his care. Shenanigans. XD
-Super skilled swordsman
-Tries to pawn off said baby on his friend Abbagael
-A mess
-But the First One has mercy
Abbagael Rivynfleur
-Not what you'd expect
-Girly
-Spunky
-Loyal
-Feminine
-Shoots arrows like a boss
-Loves stories
-Stubborn when it's time to be stubborn
-Flexible when it's time to be flexible
Telwyn – :)
Queen Maren – Wonderful and interesting queen
King Araveal – Likable but a mess
King Ealden – Devout elven king.
Action
5,000,000,000/100
-Quick
-Concise
-Sword fights
-Fast paced
-Heart accelerating
-Annnd. Um. Blood. Lots of blood. Not as much as there could have been, but still. If that's not your thing stay clear.
Writing
I've never been inspired to write well before. I write fantasy books sometimes. As long as the picture in my mind got translated onto the page in a way that was understandable to the reader, that's all I cared about. I didn't care about my writing, just the story. It was just the pencil I needed to get the drawing done.
This book changed that.
It is written So. Well. that I want to write well now.
Romance
100/95
-Side plot
-Cute
-Lovely
-Pure
-Of good report
-Much smooching
Villains (They don't get bolded letters. *sticks tongue out*)
Negative -100/0
-S o o o c r e e p y
-TERIFYING
-EEEEVIL
-Yuuuuck
-GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
-wHyWhYwHy
-HALP.
-Noooo
-Bye.
To Sum Up:
-Wonderfully Written
-Action PACKED
-So much world building
-Epic
-Intriguing
-Lots of kingdom politics
-Heat break
-Humor
-Groans
-Giggles
-Squeals of delight
-Heart-searching
-Thought provoking
-Breathtaking
-God is AMAZING
-Alastair <3
-Abbagael <3
-Telwyn <3
Still here? That means you can probably make it through this beautiful 556 page book! Can also be used as teddy bear, door stop, bug killer, and photo prop. Also, there are few books that I've spent money on before I read them, and this is one of them. It's a fair exchange of green paper for white paper with letters all over it.
All right, I'm out a here. Please go buy this book and enjoy it as much as I did. I hope to re-read it a lot and gobble up the sequels and wait for more.
Forth! And fear no darkness! (Okay, wrong book, but still.)
Five Stars | PG-13 | YA |
Elements of Christianity
-Forgiveness
-Almighty God may be silent at times, but He Is Real.
-Sin against people, kingdoms, and God and the power of acquittal in the hands of each.
-Great quotes:
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
“All men are full of holes that cannot be filled by clutching, grasping, or taking.”
“An honest word bears much fruit, but truth withheld begs for destruction.”
-Allegory. Verrry interesting allegory. I have never read an allegory that started where this one did. It's fascinating and unique, and I'm excited and curious to see how it plays out in this universe.
World building
100/100
Expansive, epic, high fantasy world-building.
Characters
100/100
Alistair Coldhollow
-Ex-assassin
-Looking for redemption
-Fighting addiction to really evil dark-magicy drink
-Gets someone else's baby thrust into his care. Shenanigans. XD
-Super skilled swordsman
-Tries to pawn off said baby on his friend Abbagael
-A mess
-But the First One has mercy
Abbagael Rivynfleur
-Not what you'd expect
-Girly
-Spunky
-Loyal
-Feminine
-Shoots arrows like a boss
-Loves stories
-Stubborn when it's time to be stubborn
-Flexible when it's time to be flexible
Telwyn – :)
Queen Maren – Wonderful and interesting queen
King Araveal – Likable but a mess
King Ealden – Devout elven king.
Action
5,000,000,000/100
-Quick
-Concise
-Sword fights
-Fast paced
-Heart accelerating
-Annnd. Um. Blood. Lots of blood. Not as much as there could have been, but still. If that's not your thing stay clear.
Writing
I've never been inspired to write well before. I write fantasy books sometimes. As long as the picture in my mind got translated onto the page in a way that was understandable to the reader, that's all I cared about. I didn't care about my writing, just the story. It was just the pencil I needed to get the drawing done.
This book changed that.
It is written So. Well. that I want to write well now.
Romance
100/95
-Side plot
-Cute
-Lovely
-Pure
-Of good report
-Much smooching
Villains (They don't get bolded letters. *sticks tongue out*)
Negative -100/0
-S o o o c r e e p y
-TERIFYING
-EEEEVIL
-Yuuuuck
-GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
-wHyWhYwHy
-HALP.
-Noooo
-Bye.
To Sum Up:
-Wonderfully Written
-Action PACKED
-So much world building
-Epic
-Intriguing
-Lots of kingdom politics
-Heat break
-Humor
-Groans
-Giggles
-Squeals of delight
-Heart-searching
-Thought provoking
-Breathtaking
-God is AMAZING
-Alastair <3
-Abbagael <3
-Telwyn <3
Still here? That means you can probably make it through this beautiful 556 page book! Can also be used as teddy bear, door stop, bug killer, and photo prop. Also, there are few books that I've spent money on before I read them, and this is one of them. It's a fair exchange of green paper for white paper with letters all over it.
All right, I'm out a here. Please go buy this book and enjoy it as much as I did. I hope to re-read it a lot and gobble up the sequels and wait for more.
Forth! And fear no darkness! (Okay, wrong book, but still.)
May 30, 2018
It's been a while since I've read a fantasy story, my work has taken me into other genres. For a break, a cleansing of my reading palette, I opened the cover of Sword in the Stars where Batson's well-crafted story flung me into a world far away and into the future. I quickly came to know Alastair, a strong, committed, yet very flawed character, who determined to walk away from an evil past even if the consequences brought a fate worse than he'd imagined. The list of stellar and memorable characters could easily fill this page. You will simply have to meet them in the book yourself. Trust me, it will be time well spent.
As I write, I'm trying to find something I didn't like about the story, and am unable to come up with a single idea. The longer I ponder, the more I recall impressive scenes like the test to find the Halfainin, the devotion to The First One, the tavern's family escape, and so much more.
The story's fast pace rang true while allowing several moments for readers to breathe and enjoy getting to know the characters, understand their point of view, see their setting then cheer or boo for them for the rest of the story.
Sword in the Stars is an example of Batson's gift for creating a thrilling stop. I highly recommend this book
Mary Vee, author of Daring to Live
As I write, I'm trying to find something I didn't like about the story, and am unable to come up with a single idea. The longer I ponder, the more I recall impressive scenes like the test to find the Halfainin, the devotion to The First One, the tavern's family escape, and so much more.
The story's fast pace rang true while allowing several moments for readers to breathe and enjoy getting to know the characters, understand their point of view, see their setting then cheer or boo for them for the rest of the story.
Sword in the Stars is an example of Batson's gift for creating a thrilling stop. I highly recommend this book
Mary Vee, author of Daring to Live
August 7, 2019
This is the new “authorized” edition of Sword in the Stars. I recently reviewed the original edition here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My thoughts on that one pretty much apply to this new version! Not much changed between editions. There are a few tweaks to the opening chapter and a continuity issue is resolved. (In the old version, someone died, then showed up alive with no explanation—that’s been fixed here.)
On a more minor note, there were some new formatting errors in this edition, like too-small outer margins and too-wide inner margins, along with a few funky paragraph breaks. Hopefully those things are fixed in a future print run.
Otherwise, great story! Be sure to check out my other review if you’re curious! :)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My thoughts on that one pretty much apply to this new version! Not much changed between editions. There are a few tweaks to the opening chapter and a continuity issue is resolved. (In the old version, someone died, then showed up alive with no explanation—that’s been fixed here.)
On a more minor note, there were some new formatting errors in this edition, like too-small outer margins and too-wide inner margins, along with a few funky paragraph breaks. Hopefully those things are fixed in a future print run.
Otherwise, great story! Be sure to check out my other review if you’re curious! :)
March 11, 2024
Great book in terms of introduction to this world and these characters! It’s a very different, but familiar, world with complex factions and plots that are layered in a very fun and digestible way.
Maybe the pacing and tones are a bit mismatched at times, but all in all, enjoyed the journey and excited for more.
Maybe the pacing and tones are a bit mismatched at times, but all in all, enjoyed the journey and excited for more.
May 2, 2019
A fun read that kept me guessing the whole way through! If you like fantasy with creepy villains, heart-stopping action, and an excessive amount of plot twists, here's your book. 😜
July 11, 2024
This was my first time reading one of Batson's books, and it was a fantastic read! It's been much too long since I've read an epic high fantasy, and The Sword in the Stars was a wonderful way to get back into the genre.
Batson is fantastic at world building, and the world of Myriad is wonderfully detailed and formed. Were it not for the villains, it would be a story world I'd love to visit. The allegory and faith elements are woven naturally into the world, and I look forward to seeing how they progress in the next books in the series. I love the idea of the Shepherds and their gifts from the First One.
Along with the world building, Batson crafts well-developed characters. While I wanted to shake some sense into him at times, Alastair was my favorite character. I will never get tired of ex-assassins with redemption arcs. Along with Alastair, Abbagael was so wonderful. I loved her strength and kind heart. And Telwyn! He's so precious, in more ways than one. The rest of the cast are wonderful as well. The villains are truly villainous (in a word, I cannot stand them but that shows they're written well) and terrifying.
The story has a bit of a slow start, but then it picks up with nonstop action, and the last half of the book is very intense. I couldn't flip through the pages fast enough to see what happened. I love the themes here, of the grace and mercy of God. The Sword in the Stars is a fantastic set-up for a great series, and I desperately need to read the rest! I would recommend it to 14-16+ due to violence and some gory scenes (battles and villains being the cause).
Content: semi-detailed descriptions of battle and torture; creepy villains with creepy abilities (while the Shepherds get their abilities from the First One (God for this story world), the villains get their abilities from the devil of this story world).
Batson is fantastic at world building, and the world of Myriad is wonderfully detailed and formed. Were it not for the villains, it would be a story world I'd love to visit. The allegory and faith elements are woven naturally into the world, and I look forward to seeing how they progress in the next books in the series. I love the idea of the Shepherds and their gifts from the First One.
Along with the world building, Batson crafts well-developed characters. While I wanted to shake some sense into him at times, Alastair was my favorite character. I will never get tired of ex-assassins with redemption arcs. Along with Alastair, Abbagael was so wonderful. I loved her strength and kind heart. And Telwyn! He's so precious, in more ways than one. The rest of the cast are wonderful as well. The villains are truly villainous (in a word, I cannot stand them but that shows they're written well) and terrifying.
The story has a bit of a slow start, but then it picks up with nonstop action, and the last half of the book is very intense. I couldn't flip through the pages fast enough to see what happened. I love the themes here, of the grace and mercy of God. The Sword in the Stars is a fantastic set-up for a great series, and I desperately need to read the rest! I would recommend it to 14-16+ due to violence and some gory scenes (battles and villains being the cause).
Content: semi-detailed descriptions of battle and torture; creepy villains with creepy abilities (while the Shepherds get their abilities from the First One (God for this story world), the villains get their abilities from the devil of this story world).
November 5, 2018
First off, let my say that Wayne is my favorite Christian Fantasy author. I have many of his books and absolutely love them. So, this review is somewhat difficult for me to write. Once I hit chapter forty-nine I was finally sucked in and by the end I was ready for the next novel. It seemed like it took a long time to set up the main event that took place towards the end.
That being said, there were several things I did love about this novel. Alastair's and Abbagael's interactions were some of my favorite parts of the book. The section of letters between the two of them was a clever choice to help show the passage of time but still keep readers informed of what events were taking place. Their banter made me laugh and I loved Abbagael's unwillingness to give up on him. The characters were believable and I enjoyed learning more about them.
The one thing I love most about Wayne's writing is his ability to create vast worlds that are so much fun to imagine. The different types of creatures, the wondrous halls, and the magical components of the story will allow you to immerse yourself in the world of Myriad and never want to leave. It's such a beautiful world that rivals the likes of Narnia and Middle Earth.
While the plot was slow at the beginning, I'm glad I continued on and finished the book. If you have not read this book, I implore you to get it and read it for yourself! By the end, you'll be wishing for more! I give this book four stars.
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
That being said, there were several things I did love about this novel. Alastair's and Abbagael's interactions were some of my favorite parts of the book. The section of letters between the two of them was a clever choice to help show the passage of time but still keep readers informed of what events were taking place. Their banter made me laugh and I loved Abbagael's unwillingness to give up on him. The characters were believable and I enjoyed learning more about them.
The one thing I love most about Wayne's writing is his ability to create vast worlds that are so much fun to imagine. The different types of creatures, the wondrous halls, and the magical components of the story will allow you to immerse yourself in the world of Myriad and never want to leave. It's such a beautiful world that rivals the likes of Narnia and Middle Earth.
While the plot was slow at the beginning, I'm glad I continued on and finished the book. If you have not read this book, I implore you to get it and read it for yourself! By the end, you'll be wishing for more! I give this book four stars.
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
June 1, 2018
Beautifully Written
I chose to read this book just before I experienced a great loss in my life. Entering into the story was easy to do, the world the author created fully engulfs you. I found myself caring very much about each character, and purposefully plotting out my day so that I could read more.
The story of the main character is a lot like our own. We all have things in our lives, whether large or small, that we are ashamed of. Many of us find it hard to accept forgiveness, even if it is freely given. The flawed main character makes this book so much more real and easy to relate to. The love story that takes place may be a little predictable, but this only makes it more endearing. Sword play, a good story with a deeper meaning, good vs. evil, and even some hard truths at times. This book/story is worth your time.
As for the AudioBook, I'm just going to say -- if you have children, or if part of you never grew out of the thrill of hearing a book expertly read by a good strong voice that rises and falls with the story, this audio is worth your investment. You can see the story in vivid colors as your ears are stimulated with the story taking place. Both the author and the reader are experts at their craft!
The only thing that made experiencing this book better is having the AudioBook to listen to as well, so that I was fully engaged in the story. I've followed this author for years now, every since I happened upon his Door Within Trilogy, his writing never disappoints.
I chose to read this book just before I experienced a great loss in my life. Entering into the story was easy to do, the world the author created fully engulfs you. I found myself caring very much about each character, and purposefully plotting out my day so that I could read more.
The story of the main character is a lot like our own. We all have things in our lives, whether large or small, that we are ashamed of. Many of us find it hard to accept forgiveness, even if it is freely given. The flawed main character makes this book so much more real and easy to relate to. The love story that takes place may be a little predictable, but this only makes it more endearing. Sword play, a good story with a deeper meaning, good vs. evil, and even some hard truths at times. This book/story is worth your time.
As for the AudioBook, I'm just going to say -- if you have children, or if part of you never grew out of the thrill of hearing a book expertly read by a good strong voice that rises and falls with the story, this audio is worth your investment. You can see the story in vivid colors as your ears are stimulated with the story taking place. Both the author and the reader are experts at their craft!
The only thing that made experiencing this book better is having the AudioBook to listen to as well, so that I was fully engaged in the story. I've followed this author for years now, every since I happened upon his Door Within Trilogy, his writing never disappoints.
August 5, 2014
This book has so much goodness in it.
Pros:
A complicated, really interesting world. Kind of Tolkien-esque in that there's a lot of worldbuilding that's gone into it. I love the little blurbs before each chapter that lend light on different facets of the world. So many original ideas that lend to a fascinating world.
Complex, realistic characters who don't fall to the common black-white pitfalls of Christian literature. I particularly loved the interactions between the MC, who struggles with a lot of serious sins, and the king whose basically an example of Christian legalism/extreme Christian fundamentalism (depending on how you define that last term). Both characters were so realistic, and I love how Batson was able to subtly show the errors of the king without being all preachy about it.
Overall:
This book is one of my favorite modern fantasy novels, and my favorite fantasy novel written by a Christian. It's one of those books that restores my faith that Christian fantasy novels can be really, really good when enough time and work is put into them.
4.5-5 stars.
Pros:
A complicated, really interesting world. Kind of Tolkien-esque in that there's a lot of worldbuilding that's gone into it. I love the little blurbs before each chapter that lend light on different facets of the world. So many original ideas that lend to a fascinating world.
Complex, realistic characters who don't fall to the common black-white pitfalls of Christian literature. I particularly loved the interactions between the MC, who struggles with a lot of serious sins, and the king whose basically an example of Christian legalism/extreme Christian fundamentalism (depending on how you define that last term). Both characters were so realistic, and I love how Batson was able to subtly show the errors of the king without being all preachy about it.
Overall:
This book is one of my favorite modern fantasy novels, and my favorite fantasy novel written by a Christian. It's one of those books that restores my faith that Christian fantasy novels can be really, really good when enough time and work is put into them.
4.5-5 stars.
April 7, 2015
Seriously putting it, Sword in the Stars was an epic book. It kept me captivated all evening. I finished it an about 6 or less hours. :)
Alastair Coldhollow is The Iceman, the person who shall find the fabled Halfainan when the sword in the stars appears in the night sky when the moon is red. Alastair soon finds himself caring for a baby boy and whisked off into an adventure with the charming Abbagael. In his adventures, Alastair never forgets his true mission, to find the Halfainan.
Far away, the race of the Gorracks are attacking the kingdom and making King Arannel in the need for troops. Far off, in another castle, betrayel in action......
Alastair Coldhollow is The Iceman, the person who shall find the fabled Halfainan when the sword in the stars appears in the night sky when the moon is red. Alastair soon finds himself caring for a baby boy and whisked off into an adventure with the charming Abbagael. In his adventures, Alastair never forgets his true mission, to find the Halfainan.
Far away, the race of the Gorracks are attacking the kingdom and making King Arannel in the need for troops. Far off, in another castle, betrayel in action......
January 6, 2018
Second read through - book was still great... Alistair is still my favourite character... Now to move on to book two...
May 11, 2016
I didn't like this book at first but towards the end it got better!
April 19, 2020
Alastair Coldhollow once killed the followers of the First One, on the order of King Morlan of Vulmarrow. But now he follows the First One, seeking for the prophesied Halfainin, a deliverer who will overthrow the Dark King and bring redemption, so Alastair hopes, to even on such as him. But his quest is fraught with perils, as Morlan continues his efforts against the First One’s followers. Caught up with Alastair is young Abbagael Rivynfleur, who is not-so-secretly in love with him. Can the two of them evade Morlan’s minions? And what happens when Abbagael discovers the truth about Alastair?
The premise of Sword in the Stars is relatively familiar: the search for a prophesied deliverer, one who will conquer evil. At some points the story comes very close to allegory, and that very well may be the author’s intent. Allegory is a genre that can be difficult to write, because the danger is always there of preaching at one’s audience, or of telling a story that is too similar to that which it is trying to depict. Batson does a good job of avoiding both of those pitfalls in this, the first installment of The Myridian Constellation. Based on title alone, the series sounds very promising.
However, the first installment of the series leaves something to be desired in the execution. The characters of Alastair and Abbagael are loveable in their own ways, but the story doesn’t spend enough time with them, instead spending quite a bit of time dealing with the relationship between two brother kings, one good and the other, well, evil. These two characters are also primary figures, but they aren’t as interesting as Alastair.
Another issue with the story is the way the point of view jumps between characters without warning. It seems to be an underlying rule that an author should not switch perspectives without some kind of warning or indication that the perspective has indeed shifted. Granted, rules in writing are allowed to be broken, but the author needs to have a good reason for it. In this case, it seems like sloppy writing.
There are also some formatting issues in the edition that I read, such as out of place punctuation and strange line breaks. This may have had more to do with the publishing process than the author’s writing, however. Still, it can be a little jarring at times.
Also, something about the writing seems…. Stale? That may not be the correct word, but there’s a certain cadence to a story that’s well-written, where each line pulls you into the next, that while not entirely absent, does seem to be lacking to a certain extent with this book. Perhaps it is simply the style of writing, as authors definitely have their own. Maybe the problem is that the world doesn’t seem fully-fleshed out, as though the history isn’t there for as grand a story as the author is trying to tell. The book is thick, and one gets the sense just looking at it that it tells a grand tale; but when the reader has finished, he feels like the story just doesn’t have everything it needs. Perhaps it is simply a different style of story than I’m used to reading, or prefer.
Whatever the case, the story does have some good points to make about forgiveness and love, and while that in itself doesn’t make a good book, it definitely helps this one’s case.
The premise of Sword in the Stars is relatively familiar: the search for a prophesied deliverer, one who will conquer evil. At some points the story comes very close to allegory, and that very well may be the author’s intent. Allegory is a genre that can be difficult to write, because the danger is always there of preaching at one’s audience, or of telling a story that is too similar to that which it is trying to depict. Batson does a good job of avoiding both of those pitfalls in this, the first installment of The Myridian Constellation. Based on title alone, the series sounds very promising.
However, the first installment of the series leaves something to be desired in the execution. The characters of Alastair and Abbagael are loveable in their own ways, but the story doesn’t spend enough time with them, instead spending quite a bit of time dealing with the relationship between two brother kings, one good and the other, well, evil. These two characters are also primary figures, but they aren’t as interesting as Alastair.
Another issue with the story is the way the point of view jumps between characters without warning. It seems to be an underlying rule that an author should not switch perspectives without some kind of warning or indication that the perspective has indeed shifted. Granted, rules in writing are allowed to be broken, but the author needs to have a good reason for it. In this case, it seems like sloppy writing.
There are also some formatting issues in the edition that I read, such as out of place punctuation and strange line breaks. This may have had more to do with the publishing process than the author’s writing, however. Still, it can be a little jarring at times.
Also, something about the writing seems…. Stale? That may not be the correct word, but there’s a certain cadence to a story that’s well-written, where each line pulls you into the next, that while not entirely absent, does seem to be lacking to a certain extent with this book. Perhaps it is simply the style of writing, as authors definitely have their own. Maybe the problem is that the world doesn’t seem fully-fleshed out, as though the history isn’t there for as grand a story as the author is trying to tell. The book is thick, and one gets the sense just looking at it that it tells a grand tale; but when the reader has finished, he feels like the story just doesn’t have everything it needs. Perhaps it is simply a different style of story than I’m used to reading, or prefer.
Whatever the case, the story does have some good points to make about forgiveness and love, and while that in itself doesn’t make a good book, it definitely helps this one’s case.
November 6, 2018
Deep in the depths of imagination is a story that I was challenged with. It was hard at first for me to follow all the creatures and mystical beings. There were times when the battles were graphic but for me it added just the right amount to vividly see the adventure unfold. I really liked the battle with the dragon at the beginning of the story. The author has a way with descriptive words which place readers in the arena watching as one by one the dragon prevailed.
I suddenly found myself really into the story as Alistair became this person who seemed lost and hoping for forgiveness from his past. He is a worthy opponent and does have a soft side which he tries to hide from others. There is definitely darkness throughout the story and a vast array of creatures that would scare anyone. I began to wonder what all these battles, kings and creatures where trying to project. These are just my thoughts and maybe someone else will see the story in a different way. Alistair is always looking for Halfanin. He is always seeking for that someone, a being , anything that would forgive him. Isn't that what we do? We want forgiveness, but at times don't realize that God is right there waiting with arms wide open.
There is another part in the story that took my breath away. Lady Abbagael is quite the character. Alistair has called on her to help with a baby he has been given to protect. There are a few laughs when they banter over how to take care of the baby. The most significant part for me was in the midst of the battle, the baby who seemed to be covered in blood was unharmed. Perhaps what Alistair had been searching for all this time, was right there in front of him. A mere infant clothed in cloth, innocent and yet full of hope.
I fell in love with the Willowfolk and wanted to be in their presence. They had an aura of peace around them, but were fierce when protecting each other. The author has written such a wonderful story that takes readers on a journey like none has ever imagined. The genius of the authors' writing has surpassed many others who write in this genre. It is brilliant and the ending is nothing short of epic. I have become a fan although at first I was overwhelmed by all the characters in the book. Well done story and a series of battles make this book a must read. Don't miss your chance to read a book rich in imagination and filled with truths and lessons.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
I suddenly found myself really into the story as Alistair became this person who seemed lost and hoping for forgiveness from his past. He is a worthy opponent and does have a soft side which he tries to hide from others. There is definitely darkness throughout the story and a vast array of creatures that would scare anyone. I began to wonder what all these battles, kings and creatures where trying to project. These are just my thoughts and maybe someone else will see the story in a different way. Alistair is always looking for Halfanin. He is always seeking for that someone, a being , anything that would forgive him. Isn't that what we do? We want forgiveness, but at times don't realize that God is right there waiting with arms wide open.
There is another part in the story that took my breath away. Lady Abbagael is quite the character. Alistair has called on her to help with a baby he has been given to protect. There are a few laughs when they banter over how to take care of the baby. The most significant part for me was in the midst of the battle, the baby who seemed to be covered in blood was unharmed. Perhaps what Alistair had been searching for all this time, was right there in front of him. A mere infant clothed in cloth, innocent and yet full of hope.
I fell in love with the Willowfolk and wanted to be in their presence. They had an aura of peace around them, but were fierce when protecting each other. The author has written such a wonderful story that takes readers on a journey like none has ever imagined. The genius of the authors' writing has surpassed many others who write in this genre. It is brilliant and the ending is nothing short of epic. I have become a fan although at first I was overwhelmed by all the characters in the book. Well done story and a series of battles make this book a must read. Don't miss your chance to read a book rich in imagination and filled with truths and lessons.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
October 27, 2021
I love Wayne Thomas Batson and first read The Door Within trilogy, which got me interested in his writing style. He has a great way of creating exciting adventures with an underlying Christian value and I think he's very good at it! I highly recommend The Door Within trilogy. This book was exciting to me and had a good premise. A promising hero sees "the sword in the stars" and seeks to find the special one that prophecies have been foretelling for a long time.
This is pretty similar to the wiseman seeing a star in the sky when Jesus was born and traveling to find the baby boy. Honestly, I don't know how Wayne comes up with these mythological stories based on biblical events - they're so good. Great job on this part!
Besides that, the content itself is sadly dissatisfying. I was excited for another series similar to The Door Within, which always had me captivated and excited for the next chapter, but this book just wasn't it. It seemed too complicated and there was always too much going on. There's A LOT of different things and you're thrown into a new universe and expected to learn really quickly.
One thing that particularly bugged me was how many names were mentioned. This is a new universe so we're already learning the groundwork of the story and plot, but the author literally gave us like 60 different people's names to remember. If you NOTICE something like that, it means it's too much. Like I was literally like "why are there so many people I need to keep track of." And it doesn't help that everyone has weird hard-to-pronounce names so I constantly found myself searching names and trying to see where I had remembered someone from.
Maybe I just didn't read it fast enough so I forgot what was going on between reads. I read about a chapter before bed each night for a few weeks. At 42% I dropped the book (I've only stopped reading partway through with like 2 of 35 books this year so honestly this was kind of a big deal). It was interesting and fun but it didn't hold my attention as well as I had hoped. In a world where you can literally never run out of new things to read, it was best for me to stop reading.
Is it a bad book? Not necessarily. Definitely too many names and it's very overcomplicated and overwhelming. The story itself seems promising though and I for the most part enjoyed it while I was reading it!
This is pretty similar to the wiseman seeing a star in the sky when Jesus was born and traveling to find the baby boy. Honestly, I don't know how Wayne comes up with these mythological stories based on biblical events - they're so good. Great job on this part!
Besides that, the content itself is sadly dissatisfying. I was excited for another series similar to The Door Within, which always had me captivated and excited for the next chapter, but this book just wasn't it. It seemed too complicated and there was always too much going on. There's A LOT of different things and you're thrown into a new universe and expected to learn really quickly.
One thing that particularly bugged me was how many names were mentioned. This is a new universe so we're already learning the groundwork of the story and plot, but the author literally gave us like 60 different people's names to remember. If you NOTICE something like that, it means it's too much. Like I was literally like "why are there so many people I need to keep track of." And it doesn't help that everyone has weird hard-to-pronounce names so I constantly found myself searching names and trying to see where I had remembered someone from.
Maybe I just didn't read it fast enough so I forgot what was going on between reads. I read about a chapter before bed each night for a few weeks. At 42% I dropped the book (I've only stopped reading partway through with like 2 of 35 books this year so honestly this was kind of a big deal). It was interesting and fun but it didn't hold my attention as well as I had hoped. In a world where you can literally never run out of new things to read, it was best for me to stop reading.
Is it a bad book? Not necessarily. Definitely too many names and it's very overcomplicated and overwhelming. The story itself seems promising though and I for the most part enjoyed it while I was reading it!
January 3, 2024
Shame that it says Dark Sea Annals, as the series has been renamed the Myridian Constellation.
I liked this book. I didn't love it, but it was well done. The characterization was solid. I didn't really fall in love with anybody, but thats okay. I liked Ealden, the snobby doctrine obsessed elf king. I feel like the author had someone in mind when he wrote him. The satan figure pulling the strings, I forgot his name, but he was extremely well written, absolutely terrifying. Morlan was cool too, though I am confused about his birth. There is a wonderful sense of atmosphere in many of the scenes. The author is very good at painting a picture. The fight scenes and battles are also very well written, something I very much appreciate. The battles can get pretty brutal, with entire enemy forces getting wiped out, which I thought was kinda... idk. Dang okay? The Gorracks were a nuanced depiction of the horde archetype, being rather sympathetic. I liked them. Alastairs conversion scene was genuinely really emotional. The reveal that the baby (who was very gross I disliked him immensely) was actually Jesus was weird idk I don't think making one of your characters literally Jesus is a smart story decision but we shall see. I felt like the worldbuilding could be a bit clunky, with all the different races feeling a bit random sometimes. But there was some stuff that really clicked, like the dark history of the dark force in the background (what was his name he was the best part), and the fact that they have air taxies pulled by winged men. Like thats epic! The prose is... okay? Some good stuff, some kinda clunky stuff, like describing Alastair as having a "manly" footprint????? Also, there are some horrible typos in this book, probably the most egregious being very easy to notice contradictory dates above the chapters. Agh it made me so mad. I'm a bit surprised it had an editor, no offense to them. Maybe i got a bad printing or smth? Overall though, this was a marveously fun read and I look forwards to the next one.
I liked this book. I didn't love it, but it was well done. The characterization was solid. I didn't really fall in love with anybody, but thats okay. I liked Ealden, the snobby doctrine obsessed elf king. I feel like the author had someone in mind when he wrote him. The satan figure pulling the strings, I forgot his name, but he was extremely well written, absolutely terrifying. Morlan was cool too, though I am confused about his birth. There is a wonderful sense of atmosphere in many of the scenes. The author is very good at painting a picture. The fight scenes and battles are also very well written, something I very much appreciate. The battles can get pretty brutal, with entire enemy forces getting wiped out, which I thought was kinda... idk. Dang okay? The Gorracks were a nuanced depiction of the horde archetype, being rather sympathetic. I liked them. Alastairs conversion scene was genuinely really emotional. The reveal that the baby (who was very gross I disliked him immensely) was actually Jesus was weird idk I don't think making one of your characters literally Jesus is a smart story decision but we shall see. I felt like the worldbuilding could be a bit clunky, with all the different races feeling a bit random sometimes. But there was some stuff that really clicked, like the dark history of the dark force in the background (what was his name he was the best part), and the fact that they have air taxies pulled by winged men. Like thats epic! The prose is... okay? Some good stuff, some kinda clunky stuff, like describing Alastair as having a "manly" footprint????? Also, there are some horrible typos in this book, probably the most egregious being very easy to notice contradictory dates above the chapters. Agh it made me so mad. I'm a bit surprised it had an editor, no offense to them. Maybe i got a bad printing or smth? Overall though, this was a marveously fun read and I look forwards to the next one.
April 1, 2022
It took me a bit to get into the story, but once I did I found this book very enjoyable!
Set in a fantasy world with a lot of different names and races and locations, at times I had trouble keeping track of everyone and everything. But overall, one of Batson’s major strengths is in his worldbuilding—there’s a lot of fascinating concepts in there, and the world feels real and alive. The plot was complex but in the end, everything paid off in a finish that leaves me wanting to immediately grab the next book in the series.
As a main character, Alistair is compelling and fairly well-written—the author is at his best when it comes to establishing a character’s skill, and I could really feel Alistair’s skill come through on the pages of the book. He’s deadly, and that rings true, but he’s also conflicted and guilty. The romance is sweet, and I really liked Abbagael. My other favorite characters were Aravel and Maren—I liked both characters a lot, and I liked how they clearly loved each other despite everything.
And the villain—Morlan is utterly compelling and probably one of the best characters in the book. His strategy is fascinating and feels grounded in something that could actually happen in war, and his powers are fascinating and disturbing at the same time. His scenes were some of my favorites in the book, in a dark villain sort of way. I’m interested to see what happens to him in the future.
(I also enjoyed the way the story subverted the “orc” trope and made them, in some ways, as much victims as the “good guys.”)
The allegory is very blatant, and lately I’ve preferred books without such blatant allegory, but I did find the way it played out to be very clever and enjoyable.
Overall, a very good start to an epic fantasy series, and I’m looking forward to reading the next few books!
Set in a fantasy world with a lot of different names and races and locations, at times I had trouble keeping track of everyone and everything. But overall, one of Batson’s major strengths is in his worldbuilding—there’s a lot of fascinating concepts in there, and the world feels real and alive. The plot was complex but in the end, everything paid off in a finish that leaves me wanting to immediately grab the next book in the series.
As a main character, Alistair is compelling and fairly well-written—the author is at his best when it comes to establishing a character’s skill, and I could really feel Alistair’s skill come through on the pages of the book. He’s deadly, and that rings true, but he’s also conflicted and guilty. The romance is sweet, and I really liked Abbagael. My other favorite characters were Aravel and Maren—I liked both characters a lot, and I liked how they clearly loved each other despite everything.
And the villain—Morlan is utterly compelling and probably one of the best characters in the book. His strategy is fascinating and feels grounded in something that could actually happen in war, and his powers are fascinating and disturbing at the same time. His scenes were some of my favorites in the book, in a dark villain sort of way. I’m interested to see what happens to him in the future.
(I also enjoyed the way the story subverted the “orc” trope and made them, in some ways, as much victims as the “good guys.”)
The allegory is very blatant, and lately I’ve preferred books without such blatant allegory, but I did find the way it played out to be very clever and enjoyable.
Overall, a very good start to an epic fantasy series, and I’m looking forward to reading the next few books!
October 27, 2018
This book is a real page-turner! The author, Wayne Thomas Batson, created a whole other world with so many different creatures. This book has it all, from dragons to woodland faries. I loved reading about the various creatures that Batson imagined.
The hero in this book, Alastair Coldhollow, is very easy to relate to. While he is a brave man with incredible abilities in swordplay, he is also a man with a dark past and addictions and his own personal demons that he must overcome. Alastair has spent years waiting for the Halfainin to arrive. His struggle to hang on to his faith is a central theme in this book and one that we can all relate to. I love the Christian themes that are strung throughout this book.
The story is told through various character's perspectives. It heightens the suspense when you see parts of the bad guy's plans and hear the story from his viewpoint. I realized again how much I enjoy books that tell the story from various points of view. It adds an interesting depth that is not there otherwise.
I greatly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys fantasy books with Christian themes. A word of advice? Get the second book in the series before you finish this one. I made the mistake of waiting to reserve the second book at the library until I finished this one, and now I have to wait to find out what happens. I'm waiting most anxiously and impatiently!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit for the purpose of reviewing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The hero in this book, Alastair Coldhollow, is very easy to relate to. While he is a brave man with incredible abilities in swordplay, he is also a man with a dark past and addictions and his own personal demons that he must overcome. Alastair has spent years waiting for the Halfainin to arrive. His struggle to hang on to his faith is a central theme in this book and one that we can all relate to. I love the Christian themes that are strung throughout this book.
The story is told through various character's perspectives. It heightens the suspense when you see parts of the bad guy's plans and hear the story from his viewpoint. I realized again how much I enjoy books that tell the story from various points of view. It adds an interesting depth that is not there otherwise.
I greatly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys fantasy books with Christian themes. A word of advice? Get the second book in the series before you finish this one. I made the mistake of waiting to reserve the second book at the library until I finished this one, and now I have to wait to find out what happens. I'm waiting most anxiously and impatiently!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit for the purpose of reviewing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 3, 2018
Apart from the plethora of names, I find the story intriguing. It is a great start to a series that I believe I might enjoy (Christmas list!!). There is nothing slow about it, but it doesn't go so quickly that you lose a lot in the story telling. In my recent time of reviewing books, I have read a few from the fantasy genre. Different facets can drive a story. Sometimes it's the characters. They are engaging and interesting and you develop a concern for them and what's going to happen to them, that was Shadows' Sorrow, while the fantasy elements kind of "ride along" and help with the story. Sometimes it's the fantasy element itself, and the characters become secondary players, for me, that was Kingdom of Ruins. Sword in the Stars is both for me. I think Wayne Batson does a great job of balancing both elements, hence creating an incredible world.
One thing that stood out to me is, that it is not a "nice" story, it's gritty and earthy. There's battle and blood shed and death, but you can't have heroes without villains. You can't have light without dark. The Greatest Story Ever Told is about the Greatest of All defeating the darkest of dark, defeating death itself. Sometimes you have to tread through the darkness to appreciate the light.
I received this book as a gift. I have not been compensated for my review in any way, other than a really good read.
One thing that stood out to me is, that it is not a "nice" story, it's gritty and earthy. There's battle and blood shed and death, but you can't have heroes without villains. You can't have light without dark. The Greatest Story Ever Told is about the Greatest of All defeating the darkest of dark, defeating death itself. Sometimes you have to tread through the darkness to appreciate the light.
I received this book as a gift. I have not been compensated for my review in any way, other than a really good read.
April 15, 2018
Mr. Batson is one of those authors that I will read for as long as he keeps writing. His "Door Within" series changed my life when I first read it over a decade ago and was a huge influence on my own writing journey.
I waited on this one for the reboot, "authorized" edition, and I'm glad I did. This story held all the elements I've come to expect from Mr. Batson, daring sword fights, brave knights, and an acutely Christian theme woven in a wonderfully allegorical way. I appreciate the tactful way Mr. Batson handled the faith aspect of this novel, skillfully wrought with many applications to today's world. *minor spoiler ahead* This is the first time I've seen "Christian legalism" played out in a fantasy novel. A devout character judging another character due to his struggle with a form of alcoholism. I appreciate Mr. Batson tackling this sensitive subject and I look forward to seeing how the story plays out.
The only downside of this story is the grand scope. Myriad is a BIG world and densely populated. I'm sure in the grand scheme of the seven book series this will become, it is all necessary, though sometimes a bit difficult to grasp at times. But thank you, Mr. Batson, for always including beautiful maps in your books!
-An exited reader hungry for more.
I waited on this one for the reboot, "authorized" edition, and I'm glad I did. This story held all the elements I've come to expect from Mr. Batson, daring sword fights, brave knights, and an acutely Christian theme woven in a wonderfully allegorical way. I appreciate the tactful way Mr. Batson handled the faith aspect of this novel, skillfully wrought with many applications to today's world. *minor spoiler ahead* This is the first time I've seen "Christian legalism" played out in a fantasy novel. A devout character judging another character due to his struggle with a form of alcoholism. I appreciate Mr. Batson tackling this sensitive subject and I look forward to seeing how the story plays out.
The only downside of this story is the grand scope. Myriad is a BIG world and densely populated. I'm sure in the grand scheme of the seven book series this will become, it is all necessary, though sometimes a bit difficult to grasp at times. But thank you, Mr. Batson, for always including beautiful maps in your books!
-An exited reader hungry for more.
October 30, 2018
When I first became an avid reader at about 10 years old, Chronicles of Narnia was one of the first series I reached for. Needless to say, that experience solidified my love of a good read in a fantasy world complete with all the fantasy creatures. Sword in the Stars truly is an EPIC fantasy, and honestly was so full of action, new worlds, mystical characters, and the hero and heroine with a truly strong persona that it screamed the word EPIC. Complete with a reference guide and map to the new world we were delving into as well as a guide to all the characters and creatures and their lineage, we jump right into the action with Alastair and Abbagael. What a ride it is! It took me a minute to get oriented to the world, the places, and people/creatures found within, but once I did, I was hooked. The author painted the world and the action so clearly that I had the story in movie scenes playing out in my mind. I also enjoyed the themes of faith found within. Looking forward to more in this truly EPIC fantasy series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own.
November 11, 2021
(I am writing this review quite a while after I read the series, so my memories may be a little foggy and/or incorrect. Much apologies if that is the case.)
This series is really good.
This first book, though? Not the greatest opener. The book dragged quite a bit, was very dark at points, and I didn't really like the MC. And certain elements of the worldbuilding - like the fairy-things - seemed very random and out of place. But maybe that's just me. I'm not hugely into high fantasy to start.
The villain was definitely the most interesting character in this book. I wish he wasn't so dark, but I found his story very captivating, as well as the story of the king (I think his twin? It's been a while since I actually read this).
The book overall didn't feel super well-written. It's a feeling a lot of Sir Batson's books have given me, unfortunately.
If high fantasy is your thing, I'd read this one. It leads to some pretty good stuff in books two and three, and I will most likely continue reading this series when the next books come out (warning: the series is unfinished at the time I am writing this review!)
This series is really good.
This first book, though? Not the greatest opener. The book dragged quite a bit, was very dark at points, and I didn't really like the MC. And certain elements of the worldbuilding - like the fairy-things - seemed very random and out of place. But maybe that's just me. I'm not hugely into high fantasy to start.
The villain was definitely the most interesting character in this book. I wish he wasn't so dark, but I found his story very captivating, as well as the story of the king (I think his twin? It's been a while since I actually read this).
The book overall didn't feel super well-written. It's a feeling a lot of Sir Batson's books have given me, unfortunately.
If high fantasy is your thing, I'd read this one. It leads to some pretty good stuff in books two and three, and I will most likely continue reading this series when the next books come out (warning: the series is unfinished at the time I am writing this review!)
November 1, 2018
I was so excited when I got this book because it is a rather large volume and I couldn't wait to dive in! The author does a wonderful job of world building and I was immediately pulled in. I loved Alastair. He is a wonderful character and flawed so he isn't unrealistic, but one you can relate to. Faith and Christian themes are woven throughout the story and I truly enjoyed that. They weren't forced but rather just a wonderful part of this story.
I honestly don't think there was a part of the story that I didn't like. There were ups and downs throughout and not everything was 'perfect' but that was what made it so great. I fell in love with the author's writing style and the world he created. The characters were great and the pace of the book kept me entertained and reading (only putting it down out of necessity).
It was a 5/5 for me and I cannot wait to read more!
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via CelebrateLit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
I honestly don't think there was a part of the story that I didn't like. There were ups and downs throughout and not everything was 'perfect' but that was what made it so great. I fell in love with the author's writing style and the world he created. The characters were great and the pace of the book kept me entertained and reading (only putting it down out of necessity).
It was a 5/5 for me and I cannot wait to read more!
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via CelebrateLit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
October 30, 2018
This book was just simply fun to read. It's been quite some time since I read a fantasy book, it's typically last on my genre list, but this book bumped it up a little bit. It was exciting, imaginative, fun, adventurous and full of action. I felt like a child again reading. When I was younger, I used to imagine all sorts of crazy stories in my head, with dragons, princes, fairies, and other creatures. I haven't really thought about that in forever, so I appreciate this book bringing those memories back to me. The author used vivid descriptions to take you to a faraway place, and the scenes played out in my mind much like a children's cartoon. With faith themes throughout, this book is a win in my eyes. Fantasy readers will fall in love with this story! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 3, 2018
Now this is a fantasy book that I loved! I know it’s a bit shocking to hear that from me, but boy was this book good. The world that Wayne Thomas Batson created is like non-other, it is one that I found myself eager to visit at the end of each day.The imagery is beyond anything I have ever experienced in a novel and the characters are superb. I didn’t like putting this book down and only did so when I had to adult.
I think many readers could find themselves lost in this book, it takes you away to a world that is like Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, but only add some C.S. Lewis. I think that is the only way I could come close to comparing but there really isn’t a book out there that is like this one, I can faithfully say that. I would eagerly read the entire series and look forward to book two.
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