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Dhulyn and Parno #3
The Storm Witch
The third novel in Violette Malan's bold fantasy series.
Mercenary Partners Dhulyn and Parno have returned to their Mercenary House to clear themselves of accusations of kidnapping and murder. But before they can resolve these charges, old friends are taken hostage by the Long Ocean Nomads, and they are forced to come to the rescue, agreeing to trade their services for the release of their friends.
Mercenary Partners Dhulyn and Parno have returned to their Mercenary House to clear themselves of accusations of kidnapping and murder. But before they can resolve these charges, old friends are taken hostage by the Long Ocean Nomads, and they are forced to come to the rescue, agreeing to trade their services for the release of their friends.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 29, 2009
4 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Violette Malan
26 books92 followersViolette Malan lives in a nineteenth-century limestone farmhouse in southeastern Ontario with her husband. Born in Canada, Violette’s cultural background is half Spanish and half Polish, which makes it interesting at meal times. She has worked as a teacher of creative writing, English as a second language, Spanish, beginner’s French, and choreography for strippers. On occasion she’s been an administrative assistant and a carpenter’s helper. Her most unusual job was translating letters between lovers, one of whom spoke only English, the other only Spanish. She can be found at violettemalan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 6, 2013
It took me a while to figure out what was going on, since I haven't read the first books in this series. I got a feel for the story pretty fast, and I enjoyed this book. Dhulyn and Parno are both likable characters, and I love the concept of their Partnering and their Mercenary code and training.
I will have to track down the other books in this series.
Reviewed for Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
I will have to track down the other books in this series.
Reviewed for Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
October 5, 2009
The third in the Dhulyn (pronounced Dillon) and Parno series. I hope this isn't the end because frankly, there are some things from the second book that haven't been cleared up due to the delay that occurred in this book.
I won't go into much with this book because then it would be classified as a spoiler but trust me when I say, if you've read the first two books you will feel gut-wrenched, on-edge, surprised, relieved and a little heart-broken.
I won't go into much with this book because then it would be classified as a spoiler but trust me when I say, if you've read the first two books you will feel gut-wrenched, on-edge, surprised, relieved and a little heart-broken.
February 13, 2014
This time Dhulyn & Parno find themselves on the other side of the world (more-or-less literally after a long sea voyage); they're also separated for much of the book, which proves challenging for both them and everyone they're working with.
March 26, 2021
After reading this novel, I was... surprised.
It's full of fully realised three dimensional and interesting characters. The action and suspense sequences are realistic and enjoyable. Both the protagonists pack a lot of punch. The story had elements of adventure mixed with a sense of inner quest— where people try to find out more about their own past and selves.
And yet hardly anyone seems to be knowing about these books. There are no games, no movies. Even the mass market paperback is printed rather shabbily, with generic cover, small fonts, inadequate space and lead, with an overall bad lay-out that makes reading a painful process.
Sad really. Otherwise, as far as the novel is concerned, it's definitely recommended to any lover of Sword & Sorcery.
It's full of fully realised three dimensional and interesting characters. The action and suspense sequences are realistic and enjoyable. Both the protagonists pack a lot of punch. The story had elements of adventure mixed with a sense of inner quest— where people try to find out more about their own past and selves.
And yet hardly anyone seems to be knowing about these books. There are no games, no movies. Even the mass market paperback is printed rather shabbily, with generic cover, small fonts, inadequate space and lead, with an overall bad lay-out that makes reading a painful process.
Sad really. Otherwise, as far as the novel is concerned, it's definitely recommended to any lover of Sword & Sorcery.
August 23, 2019
An ocean voyage and a change in setting keeps things fresh in this Dhulyn & Parno adventure. Dhulyn's vision acts as a sword of Damocles adding tension to early scenes.
November 23, 2019
Sword and sorcery done very well indeed.
May 24, 2021
Love this series! You have to pay close attention to what is happening.
June 26, 2017
I have read The Sleeping God, The Soldier King, and now The Storm Witch, and I am increasingly baffled: Why isn't this series better known? Why hasn't it caught on?
What do I enjoy reading about more than a woman who kicks butt? A man and a woman who kick butt together -- in the words of TV Tropes, a "Battle Couple." Dhulyn and Parno are the most solid Battle Couple I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. Both are intelligent; both are formidable in battle; both have certain magical gifts. While their strengths may differ, it's clear that neither of them is stronger than the other. They are EQUALS, in the best sense of the word. Their relationship is driven by cooperation and understanding, not by competition and game-playing. I genuinely admire both characters. I also appreciate that while they aren't perfect and make mistakes, they are basically decent people, who try (though they don't always succeed) to do the right thing. They can show kindness and compassion, even if it sometimes comes with difficulty. They are flawed heroes, not grimdark anti-heroes.
This book also has a strong cast of supporting characters, among them Carcali, Remm, Xerwin, and the enigmatic, slightly disturbing White Twins. I even liked Xendra, though her role was small. And the villains -- well, there was really only one (the other antagonists being complicated mixes of good and bad), but he was appropriately despicable.
This is solid four-star entertainment. It doesn't quite manage that "little something extra," that dash of beauty and power in the writing, that might elevate it to five stars. But there's good fun to be found here. Again, I can't help wishing more people would discover these characters and their series.
What do I enjoy reading about more than a woman who kicks butt? A man and a woman who kick butt together -- in the words of TV Tropes, a "Battle Couple." Dhulyn and Parno are the most solid Battle Couple I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. Both are intelligent; both are formidable in battle; both have certain magical gifts. While their strengths may differ, it's clear that neither of them is stronger than the other. They are EQUALS, in the best sense of the word. Their relationship is driven by cooperation and understanding, not by competition and game-playing. I genuinely admire both characters. I also appreciate that while they aren't perfect and make mistakes, they are basically decent people, who try (though they don't always succeed) to do the right thing. They can show kindness and compassion, even if it sometimes comes with difficulty. They are flawed heroes, not grimdark anti-heroes.
This book also has a strong cast of supporting characters, among them Carcali, Remm, Xerwin, and the enigmatic, slightly disturbing White Twins. I even liked Xendra, though her role was small. And the villains -- well, there was really only one (the other antagonists being complicated mixes of good and bad), but he was appropriately despicable.
This is solid four-star entertainment. It doesn't quite manage that "little something extra," that dash of beauty and power in the writing, that might elevate it to five stars. But there's good fun to be found here. Again, I can't help wishing more people would discover these characters and their series.
February 4, 2010
I really love this series. This volume- the third- resolves some issues while opening up more areas of possible exploration- I hope there's a fourth!
August 29, 2010
Violette Malan is rapidly moving up my list into the realm of buying her new books without even checking to see what they're about. Never disappointed.
February 5, 2011
Loved it! One of my favourite Dhulyn and Parno novels so far!
September 7, 2011
Dhulyn and Parno need to stop being so darn cute and awesome.
October 11, 2013
Violette Malan is now one of my favorite fantasy authors. Love that each story reveals a little more of their pasts!
February 13, 2015
I love these books! The characters are fresh and engaging. I highly recommend them!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews