S.L. Rutland > Recent Status Updates

The author has a way of bringing you into this urban fantasy. The intensity of Rachel's interaction with Ivy was filled with tension and terror. The way she hints at future plots in such a subtle way that you feel surprised when the come back up again is incredible.

The battle within the Veiled city was intense and I'm unsure what to make of it. To me, this story is like a Dungeon and Dragons campaign as the party runs through each chapter.

There is an overabundance of description that slows the narrative, where telling, dialogue and basic description would have been a better use for the story.

Daria's backstory reveal reaction was odd.

The shattered edge is turning out to be a traditional fantasy focusing on the heroes' journey. I love the premise but I would have liked to more dialogue when introducing the secondary characters, especially Daria who seems to have joined him for little reason other than going the same way.

For the forged blade itself, it seems to be empowering the MC and changing the world around them for the worse.

Leaving the IS is supposedly bad, but you have a pixie and vampire going with you. What could go wrong?

With the first chapter down I have found myself a unique and well written gem. Spectral Braver so far has been a roller coaster following the MC Ben, a game developer, as he arrives in Sleepy Hallow at the Craig Manor with memories of his past haunting him and his remarkable ability to dream walk into a parallel world where the dead are waiting for him. Incredible so far and not at all what I suspected.

A good beginning. The tone and setting of the book is established while keeping the action confined to a dingy bar. Who knew it could be done?

Kind of feel bad for the pixie though...

The jump between the heroes and the villain is an interesting comparison. They internal motivations on both sides becoming clearer. The plot thickens, who betrayed them and why?

The first two chapters are a tense brutal opening showcasing from what I suspect, is the main protagonist and villians. Beautifully written, I truly shuddered from the cruelty of the pirates. The author has mastered show don't tell, drawing the reader deep into the compelling narrative.

The more I read this book the more I'm Fascinated by the authors writing style and knowledge of French medieval history. I have to say I have never read anything quite like it. Its almost historical fiction with fantasy sprinkled throughout. The threat of the dark knight Vifombre seems to loom ever closer and the author does well to have him as an unknown shadow that most dare not believe to exist.

The first couple of pages was a flurry of information to the level of mediaeval historical literature. The author has a high level of knowledge and understanding of European culture that as the story begins to unfold and the different character and fantasy races begin to appear you find yourself imagining this familiar but compelling narrative.