Kareem’s Comments (group member since Jul 29, 2015)

Kareem’s comments from the The Faithful and the Fallen group.

It is everything I expected from John and a lot more besides :-)

Hi, welcome aboard. Always happy to see the ranks swell!

That would be telling. . . ;-)

Welcome aboard, Sayan! We all were. It's why we're here :-)

Wrath is a very special book, guys. My heart was thundering for most of it.

Yes would be the short answer. I pride myself on being able to predict the outcome of many situations and found I was constantly being surprised :-)

I would say the same thing in your shoes. Probably worse actually.

I got to test read it, it is pretty damned awesome!

Your wife has great taste :-)

Good man, Valour is my personal favourite of the three so far.

It is a massive cliff-hanger! Time will tell us much. Both fortunately and unfortunately I am becoming hazy on the finer details of Ruin... Perfect opportunity for a reread before Wrath!

For me too! I think we all want the answer to the last line in Ruin!

Edward wrote: "Hey guys, so last night I finished reading the first draft of the last book in the series Wrath. I can't give anything away, but this book is incredible. In my opinion the best in the series, with ..."

Even I haven't! We place our... faith (see what I did there) in you Ed!

Mark wrote: "Started this the other day, and its meeting an old friend."

Enjoy! of the three it is my favourite :-)

Welcome to all our new members! Apologies for my absence, life, education and work have pulled me from the banished lands sadly. However, I'm back! Wrath approaches!!!!!!

This chapter opens with Pendathran returning the surviving brigand from the Baglun to Queen Alona as Brenin is at the kings council.

Cywen and Corban were loitering in the courtyard trying to get a clear story.


The healer Brina is sent for, a witch that devours souls if Dath is to be believed. As Brina walks through the feast-hall doors Cywen darts forward to snatch a peak and catches Edana's eye. At great personal risk Edana sneaks Cy and Ban in and takes them to her room, from where they can listen in on Pendathrans report.

In this report we learn a few things, such as Alona had wished for more brought back alive to meet the King's justice. Pendathran explains that he had tried but as his men began to fall it became apparent that it could not be achieved. He credits their victory and the return of the prisoner to the two newcomers. Hallion a natural leader and Conall, an apparent match for Tull. An attempt is made by Pendathran to find out more information about the brothers but Alona explains that Brenin swore an oath to secrecy and so there was no point in digging for he was an honourable man.

Brina's presence was needed as the prisoner had a hole in between his ribs and she was tasked with bringing him back to health.

After the meeting Edana, Cywen and Corban find themselves at a loose end and so Corban suggest they go visit his new colt. On their way they encounter Dath, he has a bruised cheek and claims he fell. After some probing from the others he admits that his father had hit him whilst in his cups, saying Dath reminded him of Dath's mother (she had passed away)

On their way to Corban's colt the group run into Rafe, it doesn't take long for Rafe to start needling them. He is bragging about the quality of the practice sword he had stolen from Corban, then he comments on Dath's face and insults his family. Edana removes her hood and warns Rafe that secrets about his own family may find the light of day if he continues.

Cywen and Dath are trying to talk Rafe into returning Ban's sword when Rafe suggests a test of courage. If ge can bring him a trophy from Brina's cottage he would return his sword. Ban's friends think this ridiculous and are arguing the point when Corban says "I'll do it..."

I can't wait to see where Veardis' story goes in the final book. He definitely has some hard choices to make.

No pressure eh? Poor John :-)

Again, having read the series and reading back I can state that this is a fairly crucial chapter. Though that was apparent to me the first time I read it.

A few things take place but essentially it boils down to the kings council. Aquilus explains to the gathered Kings, Queen Rhin and Barons that a war is coming, the God War and that Asroth and Elyon will make the banished lands their battleground.

This is met with what you would expect, incredulity, shock, denial, offence and more. The King's councillor, Meical reads from a book he found in the lost city of Drassil. Many are uncomprehending when he reads from this centuries old book that prophesises signs of the coming war, many of which are coming true.

The Prophecy is worth paying close attention to. Certain figures stand out in this chapter and it is a tough call on predicting who will unite with Aquilus.

One thing is obvious, Nathair does not like Meical...

This is a short chapter wherein we find Corban waking before the dawn to carry on with his training. He finds Gar sweating, as he does every morning having just completed whatever it is that he does.

Corban Gets on with his routine that Gar has set him, it has been two ten-nights and he finds he is stronger and more flexible. He finishes his session with the 'slow dance' as he puts it. As he leaves Gar tosses him something, a practice sword! Young Corban is thrilled and excited to show Gar how capable he is with a blade. He promises to take it easy on the old warrior, attacks and promptly finds himself face down in the hay. This procedure is repeated until in a friendly exchange both Gar and Corban agree he would benefit from some lessons.

When Corban gets home his father is the only one home. He and Corban eat and then he tells Corban to follow him. His father tells Ban that Gar's stallion has just fathered a foal, a skewbald colt and it is his if he wants it.

The chapter ends with Marrock and Pendathran were returning from the Baaglun with the men who rode out. They pulled a wain covered over in hide. The wain strikes a rock, bounces and out of the hide flops an arm...

Mystery! :-)