Thank you for your review and comments. You probably won't read this response, but I sincerely hope you do. As far as the writing style is concerned, I must admit to two things. First - I wrote this novel almost twenty years ago, and I agree that my work has improved substantially over that time. Second, I also wrote this series in the style of classic, golden era sword and sorcery, which does carry a simpler tone over more modern fantasy. Now, the part of your review regarding misogyny... I do take issue with every character being sexualized. My wife and daughter are VERY sensitive to that, and both of them were surprised by your statement. Easy example - the venerable queen of Aquis is not sexualized in any way. Some female characters are, but that is purposeful. Blood and Steel (and actually the entirety of The Cor Chronicles) is not just a sword and sorcery tale, but a commentary on power dynamics in all forms. There is a scene with a prostitute (self-sexualization). She exercises power over Cor to get what she wants (a client). There is also a scene with a slave girl (forced sexualization) in which Cor actively chooses NOT to exercise his power over her because he knows it's wrong. Anyway, I think it's possible that my very journeyman writing (at this stage in my life) failed to get my point across. I also think there may have been some tonal mismatch in what you prefer to read. Regardless, I'd like to offer you a free e-book of The Oathbreaker's Daughter which I published in 2024. I think it might be more what you're looking for. If you would give me that opportunity, DM me.
Thank you for your review and comments. You probably won't read this response, but I sincerely hope you do.
As far as the writing style is concerned, I must admit to two things. First - I wrote this novel almost twenty years ago, and I agree that my work has improved substantially over that time. Second, I also wrote this series in the style of classic, golden era sword and sorcery, which does carry a simpler tone over more modern fantasy.
Now, the part of your review regarding misogyny... I do take issue with every character being sexualized. My wife and daughter are VERY sensitive to that, and both of them were surprised by your statement. Easy example - the venerable queen of Aquis is not sexualized in any way. Some female characters are, but that is purposeful. Blood and Steel (and actually the entirety of The Cor Chronicles) is not just a sword and sorcery tale, but a commentary on power dynamics in all forms. There is a scene with a prostitute (self-sexualization). She exercises power over Cor to get what she wants (a client). There is also a scene with a slave girl (forced sexualization) in which Cor actively chooses NOT to exercise his power over her because he knows it's wrong.
Anyway, I think it's possible that my very journeyman writing (at this stage in my life) failed to get my point across. I also think there may have been some tonal mismatch in what you prefer to read.
Regardless, I'd like to offer you a free e-book of The Oathbreaker's Daughter which I published in 2024. I think it might be more what you're looking for. If you would give me that opportunity, DM me.
Best regards,
Martin