Widowmaker's Apprentice

by Steven Shrewsbury

Famed executioner, the ‘Widowmaker’ Absalom Abbas, arrives in Larak to put down a murderess. While the war orphans of the city stand in awe of Abbas and his lurid apprentice, Sadik, they could never guess the level of the terror to come.

When the eldest sister of the orphan leader, Kyle, is substituted for the Duke of Larak’s daughter, Abbas executes the wrong person. Kyle’s rage to avenge his sister’s life blinds him to the bloody road ahead for his sacrifice. Beware a man who doesn’t want your soul, only your life…

Genres: Fantasy

Nook

First published October 13, 2010

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although listed as a short story, the "Widowmaker's Apprentice" is really a novella. I listened to it on my Kindle and enjoyed it very much. The Widowmaker is an executioner, a violent man in many ways, but a just man as well. When a band of war orphans come to him for justice for one of their own, all hell breaks loose.

A lot of compelling description in this one, and I enjoyed the cast of characters very much. The ending is solid but almost begs for a sequel. All in all, I recommend it for readers of fantasy, particularly those who like heroic fantasy.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings a sense of brutal everyday life to fantasy. I would read more fantasy if it were like this.