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Thrall
When undead warriors threaten the land, aging warrior Gorias La Gaul joins with his bardic grandson and a female warrior to drive back the forces of evil.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 25, 2011
I had such high hopes for this one. Thrall has a great cover and a great premise, what's not to love? I highly enjoyed David Gemmell's Legend - also dealing with an aged hero - and I really didn't think I could go wrong.
Sadly, something went wrong.
Here's a quote I made on Goodreads when I was almost done:
"Can't say I'm enjoying this too much. Even though I realize it's character-driven, there's still not enough worldbuilding. Awkward wording left and right, like, "Kayla returned to her work, but this time, her pale fingers shook. For some reason, she couldn't stop this action." I wanted to like this so much, great ideas, but poor execution."
I commented that there's not enough world-building and that may not even be saying enough. I knew going into this somewhat short book (under 300 pages in trade paperback) that it was heroic fiction, so I already wasn't expecting a lot in terms of the world and instead a focus on the characters.
The focus was almost completely on the characters, but even going so far as to not even set up a scene. Sometimes the characters would be discussing their next move or explaining some type of history and without any set up of the world around them, it seemed to me they were taking a break in the middle of nowhere to just "talk this out".
This resulted in a somewhat awkward pace, if only the author had set the scene a bit more, it wouldn't sound like info-dumping.
Then there was the awkward phrasing as mentioned in my Goodreads quote. The oddest phrases and descriptions were given left and right. From above: "...for some reason she couldn't stop this action". There were many instances of this type of word usage. It wasn't that it didn't make sense, it was just not a great description.
I didn't hate Thrall, I enjoyed the aged warrior, Gorias La Gaul, but then again he wasn't easy to like immediately. He goes about killing almost haphazardly, especially at first and there's no real motive behind it except that he's this big tough hero that can't be stopped even in his old age.
I can't say I'd recommend Thrall by Steven Shrewsbury, but I'm also the type that likes a lot of detail - i.e. John Marco, Susanna Clarke, etc. If it sounds good to you and you don't mind this lack of detail, you'll probably enjoy this...at least more than I did.
2 out of 5 Stars (Just OK)
Sadly, something went wrong.
Here's a quote I made on Goodreads when I was almost done:
"Can't say I'm enjoying this too much. Even though I realize it's character-driven, there's still not enough worldbuilding. Awkward wording left and right, like, "Kayla returned to her work, but this time, her pale fingers shook. For some reason, she couldn't stop this action." I wanted to like this so much, great ideas, but poor execution."
I commented that there's not enough world-building and that may not even be saying enough. I knew going into this somewhat short book (under 300 pages in trade paperback) that it was heroic fiction, so I already wasn't expecting a lot in terms of the world and instead a focus on the characters.
The focus was almost completely on the characters, but even going so far as to not even set up a scene. Sometimes the characters would be discussing their next move or explaining some type of history and without any set up of the world around them, it seemed to me they were taking a break in the middle of nowhere to just "talk this out".
This resulted in a somewhat awkward pace, if only the author had set the scene a bit more, it wouldn't sound like info-dumping.
Then there was the awkward phrasing as mentioned in my Goodreads quote. The oddest phrases and descriptions were given left and right. From above: "...for some reason she couldn't stop this action". There were many instances of this type of word usage. It wasn't that it didn't make sense, it was just not a great description.
I didn't hate Thrall, I enjoyed the aged warrior, Gorias La Gaul, but then again he wasn't easy to like immediately. He goes about killing almost haphazardly, especially at first and there's no real motive behind it except that he's this big tough hero that can't be stopped even in his old age.
I can't say I'd recommend Thrall by Steven Shrewsbury, but I'm also the type that likes a lot of detail - i.e. John Marco, Susanna Clarke, etc. If it sounds good to you and you don't mind this lack of detail, you'll probably enjoy this...at least more than I did.
2 out of 5 Stars (Just OK)
May 15, 2025
The basic premise of this book was intriguing—Antediluvian setting, aging hero who accomplished unfathomable deeds, sorcery most vile, angels, demons, Northern Barbarian invasion under the God Wodan! Unfortunately, the story fell well short of what could have been. The modern language dialogue could gave been from a backyard cookout or a midwestern bar. Plenty of pointless vulgarity. There wasn’t enough emphasis on this great setting. Gorias La Gaul is quite a powerful hero, yet I never felt much for him. Other characters are done fairly well. It’s La Gaul’s dialogue that kills it for me. It’s kind of a sword and sorcery story, so you know going in that the story and characters are going to be the focus rather than the”world building.” The ending was stronger than the rest of the book, setting things up for prequels snd sequels. I’m not sure if I will continue this series.
January 22, 2011
A very satisfying read. The concept of an aging warrior is great.
Well executed heroic fantasy.
Full review in progress ......
Well executed heroic fantasy.
Full review in progress ......
January 4, 2011
http://www.rantingdragon.com/thrall-b...
Thrall is a stand-alone novel – for now, at least – by Steven Shrewsbury. It is a heroic fantasy in a dark and gritty setting filled with warriors, armies, blood, gore, some zombies, an undead dragon with the soul of a man, and even a mammoth cavalry ridden by barbarians. Cool, right? Above all, though, it is the story of Gorias La Gaul, an ancient hero and legend.
Interesting setting
Perhaps the most interesting part of this story is its setting. It isn’t set in a fantasy world, nor in a world we know as our own. Instead, the story of Thrall takes place in a Biblical version of Earth, in a time before Noah and the Flood, when angels roamed the earth and their children were the giants of legend, and when men lived a thousand years. It is a time when humans start to overpopulate the planet and there are whispers that God is about to wipe out mankind and start anew.
Zombie dragon
This is by no means a religious story, though. That is one thing made clear from the moment the novel starts, when our legendary hero, Gorias – slayer of dragons and believed long dead or even only a myth by many – kills a local assassin in brutal fashion. From there, he is led to the authorities who force him to take on the job of this assassin: preventing the planned revival of a dead priest who has the power to destroy the earth and everyone on it. The mission, however, soon turns out to be nothing like it seems, and Gorias is thrust into a war between three factions, one of which is led by a zombie dragon.
Sketchy plot
I had trouble describing the story, and my description still feels a little off to me. That is because, though this novel was highly enjoyable, the plot is thin at best. While Gorias leaps from one fight to the next, the reasons for these fights are never thoroughly explained. The battle in the last sixty pages of the book is truly amazing, but the reasons for the participating armies to be where they are is even more sketchy. Apparently, there is a weapon factory nearby that both armies have decided to storm at the same time, but the reason why the barbarians from the north are thousands of miles from home to attack this particular factory is never given.
Character-driven
However disturbing this flaw is, it doesn’t change the entertainment this book has brought me. I believe Shrewsbury never intended this to be a plot-driven story, but a character-driven story instead. The story is actually driven by one character, that of Gorias La Gaul. It works for me, too, for this is a very well fleshed out character. He isn’t always likable, but he is always believable. The story of Thrall depends on him to steal the heart of the reader, and that’s what he did to me. Gorias is definitely one of the better characters in fantasy, and an amazing hero.
Furthermore, this is a well-written story with great dialogues, containing a hint of philosophy I very much enjoyed, and an awesome climax. Who cares if the plot is sketchy when a legend battles an undead dragon, a cool hooded warrior girl shoots arrows at evil priests and an army runs into a cavalry of mammoths?
Why should you read this book?
Don’t expect a smart story or a masterpiece of fantasy. If you’re looking to be entertained, perhaps between reading some heavier fantasy, Thrall is a light story you might want to read. It works as it is, and I will definitely read the sequel that I’m sure will follow after this one’s cliffhanger ending. However, at a mere 260 pages, it could have benefited from an extra hundred pages to further explore both the plot and the setting.
Thrall is a stand-alone novel – for now, at least – by Steven Shrewsbury. It is a heroic fantasy in a dark and gritty setting filled with warriors, armies, blood, gore, some zombies, an undead dragon with the soul of a man, and even a mammoth cavalry ridden by barbarians. Cool, right? Above all, though, it is the story of Gorias La Gaul, an ancient hero and legend.
Interesting setting
Perhaps the most interesting part of this story is its setting. It isn’t set in a fantasy world, nor in a world we know as our own. Instead, the story of Thrall takes place in a Biblical version of Earth, in a time before Noah and the Flood, when angels roamed the earth and their children were the giants of legend, and when men lived a thousand years. It is a time when humans start to overpopulate the planet and there are whispers that God is about to wipe out mankind and start anew.
Zombie dragon
This is by no means a religious story, though. That is one thing made clear from the moment the novel starts, when our legendary hero, Gorias – slayer of dragons and believed long dead or even only a myth by many – kills a local assassin in brutal fashion. From there, he is led to the authorities who force him to take on the job of this assassin: preventing the planned revival of a dead priest who has the power to destroy the earth and everyone on it. The mission, however, soon turns out to be nothing like it seems, and Gorias is thrust into a war between three factions, one of which is led by a zombie dragon.
Sketchy plot
I had trouble describing the story, and my description still feels a little off to me. That is because, though this novel was highly enjoyable, the plot is thin at best. While Gorias leaps from one fight to the next, the reasons for these fights are never thoroughly explained. The battle in the last sixty pages of the book is truly amazing, but the reasons for the participating armies to be where they are is even more sketchy. Apparently, there is a weapon factory nearby that both armies have decided to storm at the same time, but the reason why the barbarians from the north are thousands of miles from home to attack this particular factory is never given.
Character-driven
However disturbing this flaw is, it doesn’t change the entertainment this book has brought me. I believe Shrewsbury never intended this to be a plot-driven story, but a character-driven story instead. The story is actually driven by one character, that of Gorias La Gaul. It works for me, too, for this is a very well fleshed out character. He isn’t always likable, but he is always believable. The story of Thrall depends on him to steal the heart of the reader, and that’s what he did to me. Gorias is definitely one of the better characters in fantasy, and an amazing hero.
Furthermore, this is a well-written story with great dialogues, containing a hint of philosophy I very much enjoyed, and an awesome climax. Who cares if the plot is sketchy when a legend battles an undead dragon, a cool hooded warrior girl shoots arrows at evil priests and an army runs into a cavalry of mammoths?
Why should you read this book?
Don’t expect a smart story or a masterpiece of fantasy. If you’re looking to be entertained, perhaps between reading some heavier fantasy, Thrall is a light story you might want to read. It works as it is, and I will definitely read the sequel that I’m sure will follow after this one’s cliffhanger ending. However, at a mere 260 pages, it could have benefited from an extra hundred pages to further explore both the plot and the setting.
June 10, 2011
Taking place in ancient times, Thrall by Steven Shrewsbury is a wonderfully crafted and compelling heroic fantasy. It’s a fascinating, character driven story that has it all: legendary heroes, kick-ass actions, epic battles, evil villains and monsters.
The protagonist of this story, Gorias La Gaul, is an aging warrior and a legend. There is not a single person on earth that wouldn’t be familiar with his heroic actions. He’s so famous that at one point people stopped believing that he actually exists. But he sure does, and despite his age (700-year-old and counting!) he still knows how to kick ass! In his life he killed countless dragons and Nephilum, as well as people who were foolish enough to cross him.
Dark days have come, the evil legions of Nosmada are growing in strength, more and more dead are raising to join them. With no one else brave enough to stop the dark powers from taking over the world, Gorias is going to have to take matters into his own hands. Together with his grandson, a bard and a tough young female warrior he must engage in a battle once again.
Thrall is without any doubt a character driven story. Each of the characters are clearly defined and explored throughout the book. They’re not pretty, sweet little characters that you would want to cuddle with, they’re very dark and rough characters, with ugly scars and many flaws. But that only makes them more human and it’s easier for us, readers, to relate to them and get engrossed in their story.
Steven Shrewsbury has a gift - he writes stunningly good fantasy which is gritty and realistic. There is no airy-faerie whiff about his work, and no long, over-complicated back story either. Steven’s writing style is exquisite, and a true example of how all fantasy novels should be written. Thrall is badass. It’s a real man fantasy novel through and through, and even though testosterone leaks from the pages, I, as a woman, thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It’s not a secret that I have a soft spot for good fantasy novels, and this definitely is one. It has a solid, interesting and well paced plot, the characters are vividly depicted and very real, and above all, it’s unique, fresh and breathtaking.
I didn't know what to expect when picking this novel up, but I'm really glad that I did. It was an imaginative and unpredictable story, filled with fast paced action and many unexpected twists. The tension and narrative pull was strong throughout the whole novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Thrall, it was a powerful and entertaining read and I strongly recommend it to all heroic fantasy fans!
The protagonist of this story, Gorias La Gaul, is an aging warrior and a legend. There is not a single person on earth that wouldn’t be familiar with his heroic actions. He’s so famous that at one point people stopped believing that he actually exists. But he sure does, and despite his age (700-year-old and counting!) he still knows how to kick ass! In his life he killed countless dragons and Nephilum, as well as people who were foolish enough to cross him.
Dark days have come, the evil legions of Nosmada are growing in strength, more and more dead are raising to join them. With no one else brave enough to stop the dark powers from taking over the world, Gorias is going to have to take matters into his own hands. Together with his grandson, a bard and a tough young female warrior he must engage in a battle once again.
Thrall is without any doubt a character driven story. Each of the characters are clearly defined and explored throughout the book. They’re not pretty, sweet little characters that you would want to cuddle with, they’re very dark and rough characters, with ugly scars and many flaws. But that only makes them more human and it’s easier for us, readers, to relate to them and get engrossed in their story.
Steven Shrewsbury has a gift - he writes stunningly good fantasy which is gritty and realistic. There is no airy-faerie whiff about his work, and no long, over-complicated back story either. Steven’s writing style is exquisite, and a true example of how all fantasy novels should be written. Thrall is badass. It’s a real man fantasy novel through and through, and even though testosterone leaks from the pages, I, as a woman, thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It’s not a secret that I have a soft spot for good fantasy novels, and this definitely is one. It has a solid, interesting and well paced plot, the characters are vividly depicted and very real, and above all, it’s unique, fresh and breathtaking.
I didn't know what to expect when picking this novel up, but I'm really glad that I did. It was an imaginative and unpredictable story, filled with fast paced action and many unexpected twists. The tension and narrative pull was strong throughout the whole novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Thrall, it was a powerful and entertaining read and I strongly recommend it to all heroic fantasy fans!
June 10, 2011
Thrall is a heroic fantasy novel set in the ancient times (btw, love how they've done the cover look old). It doesn't miss anything from other stories of the same genre. There is fighting, magic, necromancy, warrior, heroes, assassins, dragons,barbarians, adventure! With it's small surprises and the constant excitement, it creates you you won't lose interest at all. And even if it's small for a fantasy book (i'm used to 400+ pages at the certain genre) it fills yours time nicely.
My favorite thing, was our hero is not the usual farmer or boy who is getting in the story by mistake or some weird prophecy but an already legendary warrior (with over 500years on his back), who everyone knew him. He was already a really good warrior and a wise man, with lot of experiences and he made the story more interesting that way.
What i really need to mention though are 2 things.
First, the language is..not the usual English. There were half words and idioms (i think that's the right word) or the way the sentence was written was, not "normal". Like how the village people, talk. And for me, which English is not my native language, there were time i had problem with understanding immediately.
And secondly, there is lot of violence. That didn't bother me, i'm used to it but i thought to mention since some people don't like it. By violence, i don't mean towards women or animals. The usual battle violence but with details that you might have problem with. Not just "he stabbed him".
Thrall was an interesting adventures story, if i'm right it will have a second book too and i know that made me interested for the next events.
My favorite thing, was our hero is not the usual farmer or boy who is getting in the story by mistake or some weird prophecy but an already legendary warrior (with over 500years on his back), who everyone knew him. He was already a really good warrior and a wise man, with lot of experiences and he made the story more interesting that way.
What i really need to mention though are 2 things.
First, the language is..not the usual English. There were half words and idioms (i think that's the right word) or the way the sentence was written was, not "normal". Like how the village people, talk. And for me, which English is not my native language, there were time i had problem with understanding immediately.
And secondly, there is lot of violence. That didn't bother me, i'm used to it but i thought to mention since some people don't like it. By violence, i don't mean towards women or animals. The usual battle violence but with details that you might have problem with. Not just "he stabbed him".
Thrall was an interesting adventures story, if i'm right it will have a second book too and i know that made me interested for the next events.
February 7, 2012
After a confrontation in a tavern results in the death of a local official's mercenary, legendary warrior Gorias La Gaul is commissioned to prevent the resurrection of a cult leader. Accompanied by his grandson, the official's daughter, and a bard, Gorias traverses the vampire-plagued land only to find himself caught between an invading horde of barbarians, a powerful necromancer's advancing troops, and two old enemies from his past. Gorias must rely on his own experience and tactical planning to prevent an even greater evil from ravaging the land.
Steven Shrewsbury crafts an engaging tale, much in the tradition of Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith. The action scenes are depicted in brutal detail, putting the reader at the center of the action. Shrewsbury also has a good sense of tactics and timing, which works well as the forces converge and Gorias's plan begins to unfold.
If I had any complaints, the first chapter is a little slow in its set-up, appearing almost directionless until Gorias gets his mission. Also, there were times when I had difficulties with the dialog as the characters' voices switched between the more traditional fantasy style of speech versus the modern, contraction-laden vernacular. The electronic copy of the book I read also had some infrequent grammar and spelling errors and would have benefited from another round of editing.
Despite these minor issues, this is a welcome addition to the sword-and-sorcery fantasy genre, and fans of the aforementioned authors should enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more of Shrewsbury's work, as well as the forthcoming books in this series.
Steven Shrewsbury crafts an engaging tale, much in the tradition of Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith. The action scenes are depicted in brutal detail, putting the reader at the center of the action. Shrewsbury also has a good sense of tactics and timing, which works well as the forces converge and Gorias's plan begins to unfold.
If I had any complaints, the first chapter is a little slow in its set-up, appearing almost directionless until Gorias gets his mission. Also, there were times when I had difficulties with the dialog as the characters' voices switched between the more traditional fantasy style of speech versus the modern, contraction-laden vernacular. The electronic copy of the book I read also had some infrequent grammar and spelling errors and would have benefited from another round of editing.
Despite these minor issues, this is a welcome addition to the sword-and-sorcery fantasy genre, and fans of the aforementioned authors should enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more of Shrewsbury's work, as well as the forthcoming books in this series.
June 13, 2012
What happens when heroes grow old? The cynical womanizing Gorias of Steven Shrewsbury’s Thrall is a living legend, long thought dead, in a world so long before our present time it might as well be another planet, except… and the joy is in those exceptions.
The story develops slowly from a seemingly innocuous bar fight to oddly coincidental quest to wonderfully devious and complex weavings of battles and powers across the world. Gorias must have lots of backstories, but the author keeps them nicely simple. Yes, he probably had a son, and a grandson. He killed a dragon, and yes, he may be dying. But…
Soon Gorias is joined by a wannabe wizard, a singer and a valiant female warrior. The foursome battle to the haunting memory of dragonsong in a world where dragons and heroes are mostly gone. New enemies quest for darker powers than wine and blood or women and song, and legends of the nephilim, of angels’s wings and crystal souls, lead beautifully to hints and harmonies of histories and more.
The writing has an informative rather than evocative feel. It’s marred by occasional typos and sometimes clumsy descriptions. But the plot’s great and somehow carries that memory of Swords and Sorcery, Michael Moorcock, and riding my bike every Saturday to play Dungeons and Dragons with college friends.
I’m glad to know there are more tales in this series. Like Elric of Melnibone, Gorias de Gaul is the sort of character that stays in memory just as he’s stayed in this world’s imagined mythology. Who knows, maybe he or his people really dwelled there all along.
Disclosure: I was following a blog tour for this series and won a free ecopy of the book.
The story develops slowly from a seemingly innocuous bar fight to oddly coincidental quest to wonderfully devious and complex weavings of battles and powers across the world. Gorias must have lots of backstories, but the author keeps them nicely simple. Yes, he probably had a son, and a grandson. He killed a dragon, and yes, he may be dying. But…
Soon Gorias is joined by a wannabe wizard, a singer and a valiant female warrior. The foursome battle to the haunting memory of dragonsong in a world where dragons and heroes are mostly gone. New enemies quest for darker powers than wine and blood or women and song, and legends of the nephilim, of angels’s wings and crystal souls, lead beautifully to hints and harmonies of histories and more.
The writing has an informative rather than evocative feel. It’s marred by occasional typos and sometimes clumsy descriptions. But the plot’s great and somehow carries that memory of Swords and Sorcery, Michael Moorcock, and riding my bike every Saturday to play Dungeons and Dragons with college friends.
I’m glad to know there are more tales in this series. Like Elric of Melnibone, Gorias de Gaul is the sort of character that stays in memory just as he’s stayed in this world’s imagined mythology. Who knows, maybe he or his people really dwelled there all along.
Disclosure: I was following a blog tour for this series and won a free ecopy of the book.
February 18, 2016
What happens when heroes grow old? The cynical womanizing Gorias of Steven Shrewsbury's Thrall is a living legend, long thought dead, in a world so long before our present time it might as well be another planet, except... and the joy is in those exceptions.
The story develops slowly from a seemingly innocuous bar fight to oddly coincidental quest to wonderfully devious and complex weavings of battles and powers across the world. Gorias must have lots of backstories, but the author keeps them nicely simple. Yes, he probably had a son, and a grandson. He killed a dragon, and yes, he may be dying. But...
Soon Gorias is joined by a wannabe wizard, a singer and a valiant female warrior. The foursome battle to the haunting memory of dragonsong in a world where dragons and heroes are mostly gone. New enemies quest for darker powers than wine and blood or women and song, and legends of the nephilim, of angels's wings and crystal souls, lead beautifully to hints and harmonies of histories and more.
The writing has an informative rather than evocative feel. It's marred by occasional typos and sometimes clumsy descriptions. But the plot's great and somehow carries that memory of Swords and Sorcery, Michael Moorcock, and riding my bike every Saturday to play Dungeons and Dragons with college friends.
I'm glad to know there are more tales in this series. Like Elric of Melnibone, Gorias de Gaul is the sort of character that stays in memory just as he's stayed in this world's imagined mythology. Who knows, maybe he or his people really dwelled there all along.
Disclosure: I was following a blog tour for this series and won a free ecopy of the book.
The story develops slowly from a seemingly innocuous bar fight to oddly coincidental quest to wonderfully devious and complex weavings of battles and powers across the world. Gorias must have lots of backstories, but the author keeps them nicely simple. Yes, he probably had a son, and a grandson. He killed a dragon, and yes, he may be dying. But...
Soon Gorias is joined by a wannabe wizard, a singer and a valiant female warrior. The foursome battle to the haunting memory of dragonsong in a world where dragons and heroes are mostly gone. New enemies quest for darker powers than wine and blood or women and song, and legends of the nephilim, of angels's wings and crystal souls, lead beautifully to hints and harmonies of histories and more.
The writing has an informative rather than evocative feel. It's marred by occasional typos and sometimes clumsy descriptions. But the plot's great and somehow carries that memory of Swords and Sorcery, Michael Moorcock, and riding my bike every Saturday to play Dungeons and Dragons with college friends.
I'm glad to know there are more tales in this series. Like Elric of Melnibone, Gorias de Gaul is the sort of character that stays in memory just as he's stayed in this world's imagined mythology. Who knows, maybe he or his people really dwelled there all along.
Disclosure: I was following a blog tour for this series and won a free ecopy of the book.
January 8, 2011
Thrall by Steven Shrewsbury
The press release suggested this book was in the vein of Conan but Thrall would kick Conan’s butt. A dark heroic fantasy with an aging protagonist.
While not an aging warrior, I am aging and feel some of the aches that plagued Thrall throughout the book. I thought Shrewsbury did an excellent job of portraying an aging warrior. He shows that treachery, deceit and experience can thwart youth and bravado. Thrall isn’t exactly likeable but he is admirable. He soldiers on when lesser men have curled up and died. I liked his perseverance and attitude.
The family interaction was certainly eye opening. The characters were well portrayed and the action and violence certainly fit the genre. I liked the book and hope to see a sequel.
I recommend the book.
The press release suggested this book was in the vein of Conan but Thrall would kick Conan’s butt. A dark heroic fantasy with an aging protagonist.
While not an aging warrior, I am aging and feel some of the aches that plagued Thrall throughout the book. I thought Shrewsbury did an excellent job of portraying an aging warrior. He shows that treachery, deceit and experience can thwart youth and bravado. Thrall isn’t exactly likeable but he is admirable. He soldiers on when lesser men have curled up and died. I liked his perseverance and attitude.
The family interaction was certainly eye opening. The characters were well portrayed and the action and violence certainly fit the genre. I liked the book and hope to see a sequel.
I recommend the book.
March 9, 2011
3.5 stars -
This was a short, light and enjoyable action/adventure read which could have benefitted from a little more plot and world development. However, it's worth the time spent reading it. The book is fast paced and the main character is easy to become attached to. I look forward to reading more from Shrewsbury in the future.
Read my full review here:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/201...
This was a short, light and enjoyable action/adventure read which could have benefitted from a little more plot and world development. However, it's worth the time spent reading it. The book is fast paced and the main character is easy to become attached to. I look forward to reading more from Shrewsbury in the future.
Read my full review here:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/201...
December 16, 2017
The time ... setting ... premise ... character ... I couldn’t put it down.
June 24, 2011
Thrall is an epic stand alone fantasy novel.
Gorias La Gaul is a warrior and a legend, some say he was born of a nephilim, and with his 700 year old plus age, one begins to wonder. Gorias is so famous, that he runs into his own stories, some are hard-pressed to believe who he is, until they see him in action. With two swords in hand, or a dwarf, for that matter, Gorias is an unstoppable killing machine. Wearing a suit of dragon armor and carrying a blade of adamantine and his wits about him, there is no one with enough moxy to take down the likes of Gorias, and many try.
A hated foe of dragons, Gorias must stop a cult of Nosmada's necromancers from animating the corpse of Carlato Wyss, the only one who knows the true power behind the Daemononlatreia. When he successfully thwarts one attempt another is being cast and a Draco-Lich is risen and he wants blood, lots of it!
In order to save Khabnur, Lady Lira Rhan enlists Gorias' help to stop the necormancers from raising Wyss, by unknowingly condemning Gorias' own grandson, Maddox. Lira's daughter, Kayla is infatuated with Gorias and will stop at nothing to help his cause, joining his side to fight the evils that come their way. Tammas is a young bard who also joins the two, along with Maddox, the four must find out what is afoot and who the players are in the game.
General Tolin has a heart of a dragon and leads Nosmada's army, Nosmada is an evil necromancer whose age is undetermined, Zillian is Nosmada's ancient, decaying seer, Brock Lloydson, barbarian Chief of the Bellgades, looking to make his glory in all the carnage and having a great time doing so, Mitre Stillwell, a bugbear/ogre combination who is the overlord of the underground minds, where beholders and Minorcs lurk and slaves have their tongues cut out, the Leeches, who rise from the dead and suck the blood out of the living, Robyn De Balm, the evil necromantic dwarf with his own reasons for being involved and Ezran and Gavreel, two enigmatic and ethereal beings.
Everyone has their part to play and the stakes are high, will Nosmada's plans fail or will the end of the world finally prevail?
I thought the first chapter was horrible and it took me a while to get past it, the dialect was hard to read, the characters had no real purpose and everything seemed stiff, however, whence you get passed that first chapter, things begin to pick up immensely and Gorias becomes a likeable, witty, sarcastic, no holds barred kind of guy. He doesn't mince words or hold punches, a man who says and does what he wishes.
I found the story to be a fairly decent one, the characters came into their own as the story progressed, however, the back story was definitely lacking. There are so many references to back story, you get almost frustrated as the book progresses and you realize that there just isn't enough book left to get the meaning from the snippets of back story that do occur. It often leaves you with more questions than answers, and it is this reason that I found that the characters had no real direction, they always went the right way and did the right thing. The suspense was lacking in this sense, the path was laid before you with few twists and turns until the very end.
The battle scenes are great and there are a lot of them, I found some of the techniques involved to dispose of the intended target to be entertaining and sometimes amusing! I loved Gorias' natural fighting ability and his wit while doing so. The ending was great, and the outcome was more than surprising and leaves you wanting for more, which I do believe will be coming for the last print of the book states..."The End?"
I would definitely continue to read the series if it were to be made into such, the story can only grow as there is so much left unattended from Thrall. As I read, I watched Steven Shrewsbury strengthen his talent with his prose, the character building was phenomenal, however, I would pay attention to more detail on the scenery and background a bit more. Often times I didn't realize we had switched locations, the characters involved in each setting determined where you were in the book. I would recommend this to any fantasy readers, this will not disappoint!
Gorias La Gaul is a warrior and a legend, some say he was born of a nephilim, and with his 700 year old plus age, one begins to wonder. Gorias is so famous, that he runs into his own stories, some are hard-pressed to believe who he is, until they see him in action. With two swords in hand, or a dwarf, for that matter, Gorias is an unstoppable killing machine. Wearing a suit of dragon armor and carrying a blade of adamantine and his wits about him, there is no one with enough moxy to take down the likes of Gorias, and many try.
A hated foe of dragons, Gorias must stop a cult of Nosmada's necromancers from animating the corpse of Carlato Wyss, the only one who knows the true power behind the Daemononlatreia. When he successfully thwarts one attempt another is being cast and a Draco-Lich is risen and he wants blood, lots of it!
In order to save Khabnur, Lady Lira Rhan enlists Gorias' help to stop the necormancers from raising Wyss, by unknowingly condemning Gorias' own grandson, Maddox. Lira's daughter, Kayla is infatuated with Gorias and will stop at nothing to help his cause, joining his side to fight the evils that come their way. Tammas is a young bard who also joins the two, along with Maddox, the four must find out what is afoot and who the players are in the game.
General Tolin has a heart of a dragon and leads Nosmada's army, Nosmada is an evil necromancer whose age is undetermined, Zillian is Nosmada's ancient, decaying seer, Brock Lloydson, barbarian Chief of the Bellgades, looking to make his glory in all the carnage and having a great time doing so, Mitre Stillwell, a bugbear/ogre combination who is the overlord of the underground minds, where beholders and Minorcs lurk and slaves have their tongues cut out, the Leeches, who rise from the dead and suck the blood out of the living, Robyn De Balm, the evil necromantic dwarf with his own reasons for being involved and Ezran and Gavreel, two enigmatic and ethereal beings.
Everyone has their part to play and the stakes are high, will Nosmada's plans fail or will the end of the world finally prevail?
I thought the first chapter was horrible and it took me a while to get past it, the dialect was hard to read, the characters had no real purpose and everything seemed stiff, however, whence you get passed that first chapter, things begin to pick up immensely and Gorias becomes a likeable, witty, sarcastic, no holds barred kind of guy. He doesn't mince words or hold punches, a man who says and does what he wishes.
I found the story to be a fairly decent one, the characters came into their own as the story progressed, however, the back story was definitely lacking. There are so many references to back story, you get almost frustrated as the book progresses and you realize that there just isn't enough book left to get the meaning from the snippets of back story that do occur. It often leaves you with more questions than answers, and it is this reason that I found that the characters had no real direction, they always went the right way and did the right thing. The suspense was lacking in this sense, the path was laid before you with few twists and turns until the very end.
The battle scenes are great and there are a lot of them, I found some of the techniques involved to dispose of the intended target to be entertaining and sometimes amusing! I loved Gorias' natural fighting ability and his wit while doing so. The ending was great, and the outcome was more than surprising and leaves you wanting for more, which I do believe will be coming for the last print of the book states..."The End?"
I would definitely continue to read the series if it were to be made into such, the story can only grow as there is so much left unattended from Thrall. As I read, I watched Steven Shrewsbury strengthen his talent with his prose, the character building was phenomenal, however, I would pay attention to more detail on the scenery and background a bit more. Often times I didn't realize we had switched locations, the characters involved in each setting determined where you were in the book. I would recommend this to any fantasy readers, this will not disappoint!
January 10, 2012
Full, non-spoiler review courtesy at Book & Movie Dimension a Blog
Gorias La Gaul is a complete warrior legend in the world of Thrall. He is known best in Khaubnur but also in other lands as the man who has slayed dragons and lived! After so many years, La Gaul is just trying to relax and being here and there. When a mercenary calls him out. This woman can hardly guess the man she is so bothering is the man of legend himself. When he slays her he's captured by other mercenaries led by Lira Rhan. Rhan is a woman of power. After much introduction Lira Rhan reveals to Gorias that his help is needed in Khaubnur to stop who is ravaging the land with vampires. A man by the name of Lord Nosmada who is corrupting the land's youth. That isn't all that is troubling but savage barbarians are causing destruction as well. These two ill-intentioned forces are getting ready to battle it out. Nosmada's army led by General Tolin are fircely determined to end the barbarians and deliver what dark Nosmada wants. Through an interplay of tactics by all the characters alliances are forged and enemies are newly made. Just as Gorias believed it would be easy on his part to enter and slay those he must it proves harder. Deliverance Will Come in a raging death-struggle it seems.
For many fantasy fans, Thrall, is a very fun diversion. All the characters can be counted on delivering their unique one-liners which are truly hilarious. All the characters are in each of their own way a pleasant contribution to Thrall. None is more interesting though than Lord Gorias La Gaul. As can be seen in the way he pensively speaks such as:
"Doesn't sound fair," Maddox muttered. "No one said it was supposed to be. Don't be a baby. Life is awful and one has to do the best one can." "Why would God be at such mischief?, Tommas said."Perhaps to see if his children deserve to survive in this world. Any man close to the earth will tell you that, at times , one has to fish or cut bait. Think on the theory this way: Hold your own baby in your hands and swear you would do anything for it, even die for it. The baby doesn't even know you by name, save for the sensation of your care. Yet you understand that it is a part of you, flesh and bone. You'll die for your children even if they reject you. That's how God is with us. Even if we give him the brush off, I wagger he's always there. Does patience have a limit? Sometimes I think it makes him mad he made us."
Steven Shrewsbury gives some very good use of pace movement with some equally vivid written fighting scenes. The fighting scenes are alive so much! For fantasy just perfect. Thrall can also be seen to possess an olden tone of feel with a humorous voice.
Should you ever find yourself looking for a fantasy read to surely devour ,Thrall, should be your next stop at reading. Should be entertaining. If you have a taste for a fantasy series than Thrall is good to go. Actually leaves off with an opening for a sequel!
Overall: Amazing read!
Genre: Fantasy, Dragons, Wizards, Vampires
Contains: Blood and Gore Scenes, Sexually-Charged Scenes, Foul Language
Gorias La Gaul is a complete warrior legend in the world of Thrall. He is known best in Khaubnur but also in other lands as the man who has slayed dragons and lived! After so many years, La Gaul is just trying to relax and being here and there. When a mercenary calls him out. This woman can hardly guess the man she is so bothering is the man of legend himself. When he slays her he's captured by other mercenaries led by Lira Rhan. Rhan is a woman of power. After much introduction Lira Rhan reveals to Gorias that his help is needed in Khaubnur to stop who is ravaging the land with vampires. A man by the name of Lord Nosmada who is corrupting the land's youth. That isn't all that is troubling but savage barbarians are causing destruction as well. These two ill-intentioned forces are getting ready to battle it out. Nosmada's army led by General Tolin are fircely determined to end the barbarians and deliver what dark Nosmada wants. Through an interplay of tactics by all the characters alliances are forged and enemies are newly made. Just as Gorias believed it would be easy on his part to enter and slay those he must it proves harder. Deliverance Will Come in a raging death-struggle it seems.
For many fantasy fans, Thrall, is a very fun diversion. All the characters can be counted on delivering their unique one-liners which are truly hilarious. All the characters are in each of their own way a pleasant contribution to Thrall. None is more interesting though than Lord Gorias La Gaul. As can be seen in the way he pensively speaks such as:
"Doesn't sound fair," Maddox muttered. "No one said it was supposed to be. Don't be a baby. Life is awful and one has to do the best one can." "Why would God be at such mischief?, Tommas said."Perhaps to see if his children deserve to survive in this world. Any man close to the earth will tell you that, at times , one has to fish or cut bait. Think on the theory this way: Hold your own baby in your hands and swear you would do anything for it, even die for it. The baby doesn't even know you by name, save for the sensation of your care. Yet you understand that it is a part of you, flesh and bone. You'll die for your children even if they reject you. That's how God is with us. Even if we give him the brush off, I wagger he's always there. Does patience have a limit? Sometimes I think it makes him mad he made us."
Steven Shrewsbury gives some very good use of pace movement with some equally vivid written fighting scenes. The fighting scenes are alive so much! For fantasy just perfect. Thrall can also be seen to possess an olden tone of feel with a humorous voice.
Should you ever find yourself looking for a fantasy read to surely devour ,Thrall, should be your next stop at reading. Should be entertaining. If you have a taste for a fantasy series than Thrall is good to go. Actually leaves off with an opening for a sequel!
Overall: Amazing read!
Genre: Fantasy, Dragons, Wizards, Vampires
Contains: Blood and Gore Scenes, Sexually-Charged Scenes, Foul Language
May 12, 2011
I am very passionate about fantasy, whether it be epic fantasy (my ultimate love), heroic fantasy, YA Fantasy, urban fantasy, or any of the other classifications of the genre. Each has its own flavors and contours, including the basic core elements that serve as the engines for a particular style of fantasy literature.
When it comes to heroic fantasy, two of my all-time favorite authors are Robert E. Howard, with his indomitable Conan, and David Gemmell, who weaves some wondrous rays of light into his equally formidable Druss the Legend character. In my view, Conan and Druss are two characters by which other heroic fantasy characters can be adequately measured and critiqued.
This is where Gorias La Gaul, who makes his debut in Steven Shrewsbury's Thrall, comes in. The story takes place an ancient world setting, imbued with the supernatural, mysterious, and primal. It is an age when mythical monsters, the Nephilim, and magic exist. Human lifespans far exceed the ones that we know today. The atmosphere is a brooding one, where the presence of danger looms at every turn.
It is against this ominous backdrop that an aging Gorias La Gaul sets out to rescue his grandson, who has run afoul of a group steeped in the dark arts of necromancy. Friend and foe come in many forms, with some of flesh and blood, and others of a supernatural nature. As lethal as Gorias is, no outcome is for certain, as the course of events depicted in Thrall makes evident.
Heroic fantasy is, at its core, character and action-driven. It is not an exercise in world-building, as anyone that has read the masterful Robert E. Howard works such as Tower of the Elephant, Queen of the Black Coast, or Beyond the Black River finds that while you gain glimpses and references to various facets of the Hyborian age, you do not get the scope of background that you find in Tolkien's Middle Earth, Martin's Westeros, or Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Shrewsbury's Thrall thrives in both areas, as there is relentless action, ranging from larger scale battles, to life and death struggles between humans and monsters. Gorias La Gaul is far more than simply a great fighter. As the story unfolds, different facets about him are revealed, bringing a depth to the character that elevates Gorias well above being simply a bloodstained death dealer.
From mammoth cavalry, to the creative use of a dwarf in combat, Shrewsbury has worked several things into Thrall that are likely to surprise enthusiasts of this type of fantasy. The supporting cast is also captivating, and often highly unusual in nature, such as an undead dragon that proves to be a formidable challenge for Gorias.
Thrall contains all the bold, visceral elements that attracted me to Robert E. Howard, as well as the subtleties and rays of light that drew me to David Gemmmell. I can't wait to experience many more Gorias adventures, though I fear for the opponents foolish enough to find themselves standing before his deadly twin blades!
When it comes to heroic fantasy, two of my all-time favorite authors are Robert E. Howard, with his indomitable Conan, and David Gemmell, who weaves some wondrous rays of light into his equally formidable Druss the Legend character. In my view, Conan and Druss are two characters by which other heroic fantasy characters can be adequately measured and critiqued.
This is where Gorias La Gaul, who makes his debut in Steven Shrewsbury's Thrall, comes in. The story takes place an ancient world setting, imbued with the supernatural, mysterious, and primal. It is an age when mythical monsters, the Nephilim, and magic exist. Human lifespans far exceed the ones that we know today. The atmosphere is a brooding one, where the presence of danger looms at every turn.
It is against this ominous backdrop that an aging Gorias La Gaul sets out to rescue his grandson, who has run afoul of a group steeped in the dark arts of necromancy. Friend and foe come in many forms, with some of flesh and blood, and others of a supernatural nature. As lethal as Gorias is, no outcome is for certain, as the course of events depicted in Thrall makes evident.
Heroic fantasy is, at its core, character and action-driven. It is not an exercise in world-building, as anyone that has read the masterful Robert E. Howard works such as Tower of the Elephant, Queen of the Black Coast, or Beyond the Black River finds that while you gain glimpses and references to various facets of the Hyborian age, you do not get the scope of background that you find in Tolkien's Middle Earth, Martin's Westeros, or Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Shrewsbury's Thrall thrives in both areas, as there is relentless action, ranging from larger scale battles, to life and death struggles between humans and monsters. Gorias La Gaul is far more than simply a great fighter. As the story unfolds, different facets about him are revealed, bringing a depth to the character that elevates Gorias well above being simply a bloodstained death dealer.
From mammoth cavalry, to the creative use of a dwarf in combat, Shrewsbury has worked several things into Thrall that are likely to surprise enthusiasts of this type of fantasy. The supporting cast is also captivating, and often highly unusual in nature, such as an undead dragon that proves to be a formidable challenge for Gorias.
Thrall contains all the bold, visceral elements that attracted me to Robert E. Howard, as well as the subtleties and rays of light that drew me to David Gemmmell. I can't wait to experience many more Gorias adventures, though I fear for the opponents foolish enough to find themselves standing before his deadly twin blades!
May 13, 2011
I was Steve’s editor on this epic fantasy, and this was the second book we worked on together, I believe. So reviewers might fear this will be a biased review, but I’ll endeavour to keep it impartial.
What I enjoyed most about THRALL, and other books I’ve had the pleasure to work on with Shrews, is his imagination. Readers truly feel transported to another place and time when they read a Shrewsbury novel, and THRALL is no exception.
THRALL tells the story of an aged warrior named Gorias La Gaul, who has lived for centuries battling fantastic monsters, including dragons and the Nephilum. He is estranged from his son, and now must engage in an epic battle alongside his grandson, a bard, and a strong young lady who is also the daughter of the woman who hires him for his slaying services.
THRALL is not only rich in imagination, it is also rich in character development. In Gorias, we meet an aged warrior who is not perfect. There are no shining white knights in pristine armor here. He’s battle-scarred, has a bad back, and is weary, but Gorias still carries on, tough as nails. With his grandson, he begins to develop a relationship that somewhat replaces the bond that has been severed with his son. He also falls for the strong young lady who fights with the troupe.
This isn’t a light fantasy, and other reviewers have pointed out its gritty, dark nature, which is something I enjoyed. While Gorias could easier be a larger-than-life hero, Steve is careful to make him human, fallible, enough that we can relate to him and his story.
Steve and I did cut some material from the book, but we probably could have developed Gorias’ back story more so. For an epic fantasy, we ended up making it a shorter read, at just under 300 pages. I could have made more suggestions to smooth out the prose, as some reviewers have mentioned the narrative was still a bit choppy in places, but, all in all, most reviewers have enjoyed this epic tale of a legendary hero dealing with not just the monsters in his real world, but those he wrestles with in his spirit.
If you enjoy epic fantasy in the vein of Conan, you are sure to enjoy the journey THRALL will take you on.
What I enjoyed most about THRALL, and other books I’ve had the pleasure to work on with Shrews, is his imagination. Readers truly feel transported to another place and time when they read a Shrewsbury novel, and THRALL is no exception.
THRALL tells the story of an aged warrior named Gorias La Gaul, who has lived for centuries battling fantastic monsters, including dragons and the Nephilum. He is estranged from his son, and now must engage in an epic battle alongside his grandson, a bard, and a strong young lady who is also the daughter of the woman who hires him for his slaying services.
THRALL is not only rich in imagination, it is also rich in character development. In Gorias, we meet an aged warrior who is not perfect. There are no shining white knights in pristine armor here. He’s battle-scarred, has a bad back, and is weary, but Gorias still carries on, tough as nails. With his grandson, he begins to develop a relationship that somewhat replaces the bond that has been severed with his son. He also falls for the strong young lady who fights with the troupe.
This isn’t a light fantasy, and other reviewers have pointed out its gritty, dark nature, which is something I enjoyed. While Gorias could easier be a larger-than-life hero, Steve is careful to make him human, fallible, enough that we can relate to him and his story.
Steve and I did cut some material from the book, but we probably could have developed Gorias’ back story more so. For an epic fantasy, we ended up making it a shorter read, at just under 300 pages. I could have made more suggestions to smooth out the prose, as some reviewers have mentioned the narrative was still a bit choppy in places, but, all in all, most reviewers have enjoyed this epic tale of a legendary hero dealing with not just the monsters in his real world, but those he wrestles with in his spirit.
If you enjoy epic fantasy in the vein of Conan, you are sure to enjoy the journey THRALL will take you on.
November 15, 2011
With Thrall, Shrewsbury has managed to take the reader to an antediluvian land where Nephilum still walk the earth, and dragons still soar the skies. Although it's a shorter read, especially for readers who enjoy large scale casts and tome-length novels, Thrall is the perfect change of pace for anyone looking for something short and succinct that still manages to pack the same punch as lenthier counterparts.
As for the main character, Gorias La Gaul, Shrewsbury has taken everything that could be considered badass in a hero, and created an old, haggard legend that wants nothing more to have a good fight and bed some dames. A man near the end of his extremely long life, he has seen and done things that most have long since filed away in the annals of history. Though he is a legend and a myth on the lips of many, he is nothing more than a man to those that know him. And a flawed man at that.
Although at times it read as though Shrewsbury had torn a page out of some Dungeon Master's campeign book, nevertheless the yarn which has been spun far outways the cliched nuggets that lightly speckle the novel.
After finishing Thrall I wanted nothing more but to find out what happened next, but more importantly, I wanted to know what happened before. Whether intentional or not, Shrewsbury must have crafted Thrall while channeling David Gemmell. For some Trhall might put off because of such a large cast, with intimate histories shared with La Gaul, there is a lot that is left out in regards to these backstories. I think Thrall would make for a richer, more enjoyable read than what it was, if maybe it had been written later on in what I can only hope is a slowly forming series.
If you like the stories of David Gemmell, the manly protagonists of Robert E. Howard, or the gritty, magical darkness cast by the likes of Joe Abercrombie, then look no further than Thrall for your next read!
As for the main character, Gorias La Gaul, Shrewsbury has taken everything that could be considered badass in a hero, and created an old, haggard legend that wants nothing more to have a good fight and bed some dames. A man near the end of his extremely long life, he has seen and done things that most have long since filed away in the annals of history. Though he is a legend and a myth on the lips of many, he is nothing more than a man to those that know him. And a flawed man at that.
Although at times it read as though Shrewsbury had torn a page out of some Dungeon Master's campeign book, nevertheless the yarn which has been spun far outways the cliched nuggets that lightly speckle the novel.
After finishing Thrall I wanted nothing more but to find out what happened next, but more importantly, I wanted to know what happened before. Whether intentional or not, Shrewsbury must have crafted Thrall while channeling David Gemmell. For some Trhall might put off because of such a large cast, with intimate histories shared with La Gaul, there is a lot that is left out in regards to these backstories. I think Thrall would make for a richer, more enjoyable read than what it was, if maybe it had been written later on in what I can only hope is a slowly forming series.
If you like the stories of David Gemmell, the manly protagonists of Robert E. Howard, or the gritty, magical darkness cast by the likes of Joe Abercrombie, then look no further than Thrall for your next read!
June 25, 2025
I'm not sure how to explain to you all how much I loved this book, but I'm going to try to convey the reasons to you. I hope I can come close.
Thrall is a story that is set in Ancient times and the flow of this story is perfection. Filled with action and breathtaking twists and turns, Thrall is a tremendous read. I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons one being how real it seemed while I was reading it. It was if the characters were right in front of me and acting out every word of the book. I wasn't sure about this book at first, because the main character is so bad ass and it seemed to be a man's man type of book, but as a woman I loved it, but I do love Fantasy books.
I mean the first line of the book is "By the gods, pull the damn sword out," that got me right off the bat and I couldn't wait to read more. Sucked into the story doesn't even seem to define how much I was hooked, more like swallowed hole by this book.
The characters are very well developed and very believable. If you are searching for a very different fantasy story then this is the perfect book for you. I also love that the plot wasn't overly packed with the back story to all the characters.
Strewsbury, is a gem among the Fantasy world and I will be a very loyal reader of his from now on. His talent shines through each word of this story and I was hooked from the first page till the last.
Thrall is a story that is set in Ancient times and the flow of this story is perfection. Filled with action and breathtaking twists and turns, Thrall is a tremendous read. I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons one being how real it seemed while I was reading it. It was if the characters were right in front of me and acting out every word of the book. I wasn't sure about this book at first, because the main character is so bad ass and it seemed to be a man's man type of book, but as a woman I loved it, but I do love Fantasy books.
I mean the first line of the book is "By the gods, pull the damn sword out," that got me right off the bat and I couldn't wait to read more. Sucked into the story doesn't even seem to define how much I was hooked, more like swallowed hole by this book.
The characters are very well developed and very believable. If you are searching for a very different fantasy story then this is the perfect book for you. I also love that the plot wasn't overly packed with the back story to all the characters.
Strewsbury, is a gem among the Fantasy world and I will be a very loyal reader of his from now on. His talent shines through each word of this story and I was hooked from the first page till the last.
May 4, 2016
THRALL is Steven L. Shrewsbury's first Gorias La Gaul book, but don't expect it to be the beginning of the ancient mercenary's story. This is the third La Gaul story I've read in a collection that bounces around this amazing character's life. I have been hooked on Shrewsbury since reading his paranormal western, Bad Magick. His Sword & Sorcery stories are my favorites, however. Some say he is reincarnated from Robert E. Howard, and though I can't confirm this, I can say with absolute certainty that Shrewsbury is intimately familiar with the vast body of REH works and writing style because it shines through in his own writing. THRALL is everything a S&S fantasy reader wants. It's edge-of-your-seat, violent, epic in scale, and features dynamic characters surrounding the star - his legendary Gorias La Gaul. He writes a tight story that grabs you by the lapels and yanks you into his vision of antediluvian Earth. If you enjoy S&S fantasy, you don't want to miss this book; and if you read Steven L. Shrewsbury, your collection of his works isn't complete without THRALL. Thrall
May 15, 2016
THRALL is Steven L. Shrewsbury's first Gorias La Gaul book, but don't expect it to be the beginning of the ancient mercenary's story. This is the third La Gaul story I've read in a collection that bounces around this amazing character's life. I have been hooked on Shrewsbury since reading his paranormal western, Bad Magick, His Sword & Sorcery stories are my favorites, however. Some say he is reincarnated from Robert E. Howard, and though I can't confirm this, I can say with absolute certainty that Shrewsbury is intimately familiar with the vast body of REH works and writing style because it shines through in his own writing. THRALL is everything a S&S fantasy reader wants. It's edge-of-your-seat, violent, epic in scale, and features dynamic characters surrounding the star - his legendary Gorias La Gaul. He writes a tight story that grabs you by the lapels and yanks you into his vision of antediluvian Earth. If you enjoy S&S fantasy, you don't want to miss this book; and if you read Steven L. Shrewsbury, your collection of his works isn't complete without THRALL. Thrall
June 12, 2011
....Ultimately, Thrall is a book that had potential but suffers enormously from a flawed execution. With a little more attention to the worldbuilding and some more polish applied to the writing it could have been a much better novel. As it is, the novel feels like a rough draft, a work that needs to be fleshed out in places. Plenty to work on if the author does indeed decide to write a sequel. Plenty of the world left to uncover as well. It would be a shame to let all that potential remain undeveloped.
Full Random Comments review
Full Random Comments review
September 6, 2012
Won from a Goodreads giveaway
Thrall is a gritty fantasy novel filled with blood, guts, gore, and zombie dragons. Who wouldn't love that?
The plot was not too complicated, but it may have been overshadowed in some parts with merciless killing of everyone around. Some parts of the plot are not completely explained, but it didn't effect the story too much.
I noticed while reading was that though there was a lot of back story and events that happened before Thrall took place, Shrewsbury wrote in such a way that there was room for additional books, but it didn't hinder the story.
I would recommend this book for any fantasy lover, but don't expect a heavy, complicated book.
Thrall is a gritty fantasy novel filled with blood, guts, gore, and zombie dragons. Who wouldn't love that?
The plot was not too complicated, but it may have been overshadowed in some parts with merciless killing of everyone around. Some parts of the plot are not completely explained, but it didn't effect the story too much.
I noticed while reading was that though there was a lot of back story and events that happened before Thrall took place, Shrewsbury wrote in such a way that there was room for additional books, but it didn't hinder the story.
I would recommend this book for any fantasy lover, but don't expect a heavy, complicated book.
March 3, 2011
alternate reality of Earth. Took me a while to place all characters. Plot is about heaven verses hell and how each views it. Main characters kept me reading book, borders on horror in Si Fi genre. Only real disappointment was book was not a stand alone and left reader a few pages from the end only to turn into cliff hanger.
January 19, 2012
I really wanted to love this book. At first this book seemed to promise so much but this promise rapidly died off. I have not finished this book, as of yet, but am struggling so much I might never finish it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews