Welcome to the end of the world as seen through the eyes of William Hill. William is just your average 40 something divorcee, a man who creates beautiful works of art in the form of wind chimes and basically minds his own business. Speaking in the first person, William paints a vivid portrait of how it all began and why he finally decided to make the trip to the island.

The Island Book, One Part, One (Fallen Earth) spends a lot of time giving us the background and building the central character. There is not a lot of action, but that doesn’t mean you will get bored. I found William to be an interesting character, someone I could call a friend in real life. William did his time in the corporate world, wearing a suit and tie to please his wife. When the marriage finally breathed its last breath, he took a look around and found that he was not where he wanted to be. So he did something about it. He remade his life into the image of his dreams, dreams he put on hold during the course of his marriage. I found myself drawn into the dream, wishing I hear the beautiful music his hands and the wind create (I have always wanted to build wind chimes myself!).

I was also able to clearly identify with William’s relationship with his late father and the way he came to appreciate the gifts his father gave him only in hindsight. As the daughter of a difficult man, I can relate. So often in our youth we resent our parents, only to look back through the eyes of experience and see how much they gave us. This is what Williams describes for us in realistic detail. A lot of time is spent on building this relationship for the reader, a relationship with a man who cannot be an active character in the story. Or can he? I am intrigued by this, how a man long dead can impact the survival of his son when the world and all its modern conveniences disappear. 

Can I be honest here? I chose this book for my first review because it wasn’t too long. Sure, the story seemed like one I would enjoy, but my first criteria was not to get into something I wouldn’t have time to finish and then write up. Let me tell you, it was hard to stop at Book One. I wanted to keep going, to see what would happen next. The action really starts to show some promise in the final few chapters and I found myself downloading Parts 2-4 and the Final Chapters before I even considered writing this review. I managed to stop myself from going more than a page or two into Part 2, but I am itching to get back into Williams world.        

I give The Island four out of five stars.

This week’s guest writer, Tamara Tipton, is what we term here at UBR as  a“power reader.” If she isn’t reading, listening to an audiobook, or watching TV (books with moving pictures!) she is likely unconscious.  She has 2 blogs, writes reviews of the hit show Castle for fanbolt.com, and is a contributing author for The Falling Skies Blog.  When not looking for the next great novel or blogging she’s a certified pharmacy technician, a wife, and the mommy and chief litter box cleaner to a herd of furry felines.

Underground Book Reviews writer and assistant editor Brian L. Braden is pleased to announce the publication of BLACK SEA GODS, his first full length novel.  

As a way of saying thank you to all our UBR readers and authors, BLACK SEA GODS is free today and tomorrow on Amazon as an e-book.  

A fresh, new direction in historical fantasy, BLACK SEA GODS transforms recently re-discovered Black Sea legends, possibly the root of all Eurasian mythology, with ancient Chinese mythology to create an unprecedented epic fantasy series.

***

The fish have disappeared from the sea. The animals have vanished from the land. All humanity, and even the gods, tremble under the specter of a pending cataclysm. The demigod Fu Xi races home from the edge of the world bringing news of a looming god war, but finds his land under attack by monsters he once called his children. He discovers a terrible curse has been cast, one intended to destroy the gods and all life. To his shock, Fu Xi learns mankind’s hope rest solely on him, a simple fisherman and a banished slave girl.

Beset on all sides, Fu Xi knows he must act quickly and races west to rescue the saviors. Unaware of the real doom that awaits, Aizarg the fisherman and his party begin a perilous journey across a dangerous steppe. They seek the last of the Narim, the legendary Black Sea Gods, who hold the key to their salvation. Leading them is the rescued slave girl Sarah, the only one among them who knows the path to the land of the god-men.

Over seven days the defining struggle of gods and humans begins under the onslaught of a powerful force whose true objective and origin remain a mystery. Fu Xi knows the secret to victory resides in a fisherman and a slave girl, whose lives he must protect, even if it means the rest of the world must perish.

***

Keep up with the latest updates on Brian Braden’s writing projects on his blog, Facebook and Twitter . If you miss the free promo, you can still buy his books, Black Sea Gods or Carson's Love, on Amazon.

Title: Pale Queen’s Courtyard

Author: Marcin Wrona

Publisher: Self-Published

Genre(s): Historical Fantasy

Length: 320 pages


THE RUNDOWN

Historical fantasy’s mission is to bring a specific period in human history to life through myth and legend. Successfully writing historical fantasy is tough for several reasons. Just like straight-up historical fiction, the historical fantasy author must operate within the confines of actual history. However, the historical fantasy writer must also delve deeply into the myths, legends and folklore of that period; simultaneously keeping facts straight while letting the imagination soar into the realm of speculative fiction. Combining fact and myth in an entertaining format is a tall order, and it's easy for an historical fantasy writer to get lost along the way. In Pale Queen’s Courtyard, author Marcin Wrona has no such trouble and delivers a tale to satisfy any fantasy reader.

Leonine is a handsome thief with a tragic past and a very special talent – magic, a gift punishable by death in Wrona’s version of ancient Mesopotamia.  When tasked by a wicked sorceress, leader of a forbidden cult, to steal a magical object he sets off a chain of events that sweeps him into a deadly chase. He must elude a band of zealous soldiers led by a ruthless priest-warrior called The Hound. Things get complicated when Leonine rescues a little girl also hunted by The Hound. He soon discovers she possesses an untamed magic so powerful it endangers herself and all around her. Leonine, who for so long has suppressed all feelings of love, begins to think of this girl as a daughter. Now his old employer, the wicked sorceress, wants the girl’s power as her own. If he keeps the little girl, the Hound will surely find them. If he abandons the child to the sorceress, she’s doomed. Leonine is running out of places to hide, from both his enemies and his own past.   

Wrona’s debut novel is well written and edited. His prose is excellent and the plot moves quickly and smoothly. Pale Queen’s characters are fully fleshed and memorable. My only issue with Pale Queen’s Courtyard is the avalanche of historical and mythological names that immediately hits the reader. I found it difficult at first to keep track of places and characters. I had to do a lot of jumping around to re-look up the formidable host of unfamiliar proper nouns. This creates an initial barrier which may discourage less persistent readers. A map would have helped, too. Don’t fear, because with just a little patience the characters and plot quickly gel and carry the reader deep into the book.

While this initial noun barrier was sufficient to nudge Pale Queen out of my top picks, it shouldn’t discourage fantasy fans from reading this book.  Pale Queen’s Courtyard is a worthy novel, especially for lovers of historical fantasy. Suitable for early teens and up, Pale Queen’s Courtyard scores 89 out of 99 cents.


99 Cents Worth of Marcin Wrona Links:

Marcin Wrona’s Blog

Marcin Wrona on Twitter

Pale Queen’s Courtyard on Amazon

TITLE: What Would Satan Do?

AUTHOR: Anthony Miller

GENRE: Comic Fantasy

PUBLISHER: Brother Maynard Publishing

EDITOR: Peazy Monellon

LENGTH: 399 pages

THE RUNDOWN

With the end of the world upon us, there isn't a much more appropriate book to pick up than What Would Satan Do? by Anthony Miller. The novel's approach to the End of Days is both comic and original. While some funny books aim to do nothing but keep you laughing, What Would Satan Do? also delivers an engaging plot.

Satan has realized that when the end of the world comes, he doesn't have a chance. It's already been written that he's going to get the short end of the stick, and God will be victorious. So, instead of fighting, Satan decides to hide on earth in a human body. He's hoping his minions won't find him and force him to carry out his original plans to overthrow the Creator of the Universe.

In order not to blow up entire cities, Satan has  to take anger management classes. To kill time, he teaches a college course on the History of Religion. He loves fast cars and soft-serve ice cream. Satan's really just a likeable guy who feels a little miffed by God, and happens to get a kick out of torturing people.

Anthony Miller's writing is hilarious. He takes delight in describing facial expressions and body language in creative ways. That strength, however, is also a weakness. Sometimes, an overly-described aside about a character's bodily function distracted me instead of making me laugh. The only other thing that kept this book out of my Top Picks was the tendency to switch point-of-view without warning.

Despite that, the book still "delivered the funny" as promised by the Shirley You Jest awards. What Would Satan Do? is well deserving of the Shirley HAH award. From beginning to end, it is engaging and original.


THE RECOMMENDATION

If you're ready to read some raunchy language, laugh at biblical references, giggle over carnage and at least smirk at cultural and racial jokes, pick up What Would Satan Do? It's not a particularly offensive book if it's taken with a grain of salt, or some happy pills. I have no doubt that Christopher Moore fans will enjoy the book from start to finish. And no, it's not suitable for young adults.


THE LINKS

Buy What Would Satan Do?
Find it on Facebook 
Follow Anthony on Twitter
Visit his website
Satan’s Blog



THE GIVEAWAY

Anthony Miller is giving away five print copies and unlimited digital copies of What Would Satan Do? for one week only, starting Saturday.

If you have a subscription to our Weekly Newsletter, you will find instructions for the book giveaway at the bottom of your email.

Don't have the Weekly Newsletter? Subscribe now!

In the realm of Paranormal steaminess, The Forever Girl does not disappoint in turning up the heat. This romance is centered around twenty-two year old Wiccan protagonist Sophia. From the onset it is clear Sophia is not an ordinary girl with her mental static, her reputation as the town witch and her bad luck at being around whenever strange deaths occur. Then, if things weren’t weird enough for her, she begins hearing voices, dead people and animals with sulfur-green eyes that glow in the dark. Ominous signs abound. So then the next logical progression? Enter the vampires. 

Okay, so in this book they are not called vampires, but elementals. They have some creative new powers and a mythology that stems back decades. Sophia finds herself wrapped up in all this when her friend Ivory takes her to a mysterious night club. There she encounters Charles, the sexy and mysterious dream guy who of course is a paranormal creature, one she is extremely attracted to. Now the question is, how can she uncover the secrets of her past, while managing her feelings for Charles and staying alive against the forces that seek to destroy her and her love?

Buy the book to find out.

The Forever Girl has many striking similarities with Twilight. Critics have pounced on this, calling it a rip off. However, sales alone indicate that Hamilton is merely tapping into a fad that people want. Women want the sexy and dangerous love interest; the kind, but troubled damsel in distress; and the evil, fanged antagonist. Sure, this story is similar to Twilight, but I think that is what most readers find appealing.  While reading I found myself making connections between Twilight and this story, but it did not detract from my enjoyment. Hamilton is a clear professional. You won’t find errors, weak subplots or stilted dialog. This book reads like any you would pull off a store shelf. And the passion between Sophia and Charles? Stephenie Meyer has nothing on Hamilton. A word of caution: while the sexual references are tasteful and by no means pornographic, this book is not intended for children. It is written for “New Adults” a burgeoning category that seeks to entertain the 18-30 crowd. And those 18-30 year-olds have not been disappointed.

You can find The Forever Girl here. 
You can find Rebecca Hamilton here. 

If you enjoyed this review you can follow Underground Book Reviews on Facebook or Twitter and subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow Katie French on Facebook and on her website. 

After reviewing Michael Manning’s debut novel, Mageborn: The Blacksmith’s Son, over a year ago I eagerly awaited the sequel. When Mageborn: The Line of Illeniel finally came out, other books needed reviewing, so I had to wait. Finally,  Underground Book Review’s one year anniversary provided me the perfect  opportunity. The Blacksmith’s Son  was UBR’s premier review, so it was only fitting we return to Michael G. Manning’s self-published fantasy series to celebrate our website’s first birthday. Pass out the funny hats and cut the cake.

Wait,  not so fast. At first, it seemed like a great idea and I committed to the review immediately. Then it occurred to me sequels often  don’t live up to the original. It was possible, albeit unlikely, The Line of Illeniel might stink. In the year since reviewing The Blacksmith's Son I’ve learned a great deal about writing and critiquing. With some experience under my belt I wondered if I’d give Blacksmith the same positive rating now I as did as a newbie reviewer.   I didn’t want to celebrate UBR’s one year anniversary with a negative review, but would if I had too. I dove into Illeniel hoping Manning was as good as I remembered. I am pleased not only to report Illeniel doesn't suck, but improves significantly on Blacksmith’s Son. The birthday party is back on, so pass out the cake and funny hats. 

Illeniel picks up with our hero, the young wizard Mordecai (Mort) and his fiancé Penny rebuilding his castle and trying to establish a fledgling dukedom. All our favorite characters are back, from brave Dorian to elegant Lady Rose to faithful Marcus. The action begins almost immediately when the village is attacked by a relentless horde of soul-sucking monsters. The action and intrigue steadily rise as Mort must confront a less than amicable king, a super-warrior who wants to use Penny to dampen Mort’s growing magical powers, and a goddess manipulating his friend Marcus to try to control Mort. Oh yes, and an enormous army is also about to invade his lands. Mort has his hands full, not to mention he hears voices in his head, threatening to drive him insane. 

Manning doesn’t miss a beat and builds on the strengths that  made Blacksmith such a good book.  While he introduces a few new minor characters, Manning spends most of the novel building upon the established characters, with heavy emphasis on Mort and Penny. Their stormy relationship provides a great deal of the novel’s tension  and entertainment. Manning never strays very far from Mort and Penny, which  effectively anchors the plot.  This is important because Illeniel possesses a faster pace, more moving parts, and significantly more action than  Blacksmith. A lesser writer might
have lost his way. 

Illeniel is a tribute to Manning’s recently deceased father, elevating the novel to an intensely personal level. Mordecai’s relationship with his father, Royce, mirrors Manning’s own feelings for his father. Manning shows exceptional  courage and grace as he shares his love and mourning with his readers. Illeniel’s closing scene is both  touching and beautiful.    

Many of my negative critiques in Blacksmith’s Son are resolved in Illeniel.  The characters are fully fleshed, the dialogue highly polished. The sudden perspective shifts and abrupt narration-style changes of Blacksmith are gone. The editing quality is significantly improved, providing the reader an effortless and distraction-free experience. 

The Line of Illeniel contains a few cases of strong language, mild sexual themes, and swords and sorcery violence. Overall, the book is suitable for teens and up.   

With The Line of Illeniel Michael G. Manning proves Blacksmith’s Son was no fluke. 
He also demonstrates a self-published author can deliver a high quality, entertaining fantasy series that stands toe-to-toe with anything produced by traditional publishing houses. On the one-year anniversary of Underground Book Reviews Mageborn: The Line of Illeniel lines up 92 out of 99 cents and becomes our second season’s first Top Pick.

99 Cents of Michael G. Manning links:

Michael G. Manning on Facebook
Mageborn, The Line of Illeniel on Amazon.

If you enjoyed this review follow Underground Book Reviews on Facebook, Twitter  and subscribe to our newsletter.

You can also follow Brian Braden on his blog,  Facebook and Twitter and buy his 
book, Carson's  Love.  If you are an agent or publisher you can make the smartest financial decision of your life and offer Brian a contract on his brilliant novel, Black Sea Gods.

If someone offered me a choice between having my eyeballs gouged out by a feral cat or reading a vampire novel I’d have to think hard about it. When I got into the book review business I promised myself I would stay clear of anything that sucked, especially anything that sucked blood. Therefore, I only grudgingly picked up Andy Gavin’s indie vampire novel The Darkening Dream after someone I trusted talked me into it.

After the first ten pages I couldn’t put it down. I still hate vampire books, but I love The Darkening Dream.

Perhaps the best way to describe The Darkening Dream is a Dusk Till Dawn meets Yentle with just a dash of Buffy and The Mummy thrown in to spice it up. While you’re trying to wrap your mind around that, I’ll just say this book is the most original novel I’ve read in years and has made me an instant Andy Gavin fan.

The Darkening Dream tells the story of two teenagers in pre-World War I Salem, Massachusetts. Sarah is the daughter of a rabbi, who she comes to learn is a powerful wizard. Alex is a young Greek immigrant with a wizened grandfather harboring dark secrets of his own. Over the course of the book Sarah and Alex fall in love and stumble on a plot run by an evil sorcerer in league with an ancient vampire. We also meet a kinky blue demon, a painting with an attitude, and an Egyptian beetle-god.  They’re all looking for a mystical artifact that holds the power of the universe and Sarah is the key to finding it.

Unlike most horror novels, Darkening is character driven. Gavin’s characters draw you in because of the seamless way he changes point of view from character to character. This simultaneously gives Darkening depth and speed.

The villains make this novel especially delicious. Gavin paints Nasir as a classic vampire while giving him a very human, yet twisted, practicality. But the vampire is not the best villain in this book. That honor belongs to the evil sorcerer and his sexually insatiable succubus girlfriend, who’s so bad she’s good. They steal the show and deserve their own sequel.  

Even though the protagonists are young, this book is clearly not YA (Gavin classifies Darkening as “dark historical fantasy.”) It’s chocked full with violence, gore, and wizard-on-blue-demon sex. It is suitable for ages 18 and up.  

My only minor critique of Darkening is Gavin didn’t fully develop the town of Salem itself. The period setting of early 1900’s Massachusetts never came alive and felt like a missed opportunity in what I otherwise found was a flawless story.

I’m astonished The Darkening Dream could have been passed up by any agent or mainstream publisher. Andy Gavin unearths a tired genre I thought was long past its prime, injects it with a spurt of fresh blood and sends it into the night to with a blood-curdling 95 out of 99 cents.

99 cents of Andy Gavin links:

All things Andy Gavin 
The Darkening Dream, free sample chapters, 
Find it on Amazon.
Andy's next novel, Untimed.
Find Andy Gavin on Facebook andTwitter. 



If you enjoyed this review follow Underground Book Reviews on Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to our newsletter.

You can also follow Brian Braden on Facebook and Twitter and buy his book, Carson's Love.

Bryan R. Dennis, the author of The Uncanny Valley, describes his sci-fi, horror, and fantasy compendium as “old-fashioned.”  I call it wonderful. This compilation of sixteen short stories harkens back to the days when giants like Bradbury, Asimov, and Anderson published exciting short stories kids like me devoured. Their tales lifted the reader beyond the fantastic and made us realize the humanity of sci-fi was as every bit as important as the technical wonder. I’m not saying Dennis is in the same league as these great writers (yet), only that he captures the same magic. Like those authors of yesteryear, he explores the impact of the improbable, and the impossible, upon the human spirit.

The element of the common-meets-the-unfamiliar injects these stories with a distinct, unsettling feel. Cover-to-cover, each story thrusts the characters out of their familiar surroundings into bizarre, often terrifying, environments. Dennis even goes so far as to throw extraordinary characters into ordinary situations for which they are ill prepared. In worlds turned upside down, Dennis forces his protagonists to confront the essence of their humanity; to decide what is right and wrong and good and evil. Along the way, the reader must ask not only what it means to be human, but what it means to truly feel human.

At worst, some stories in Uncanny are merely good. Eight Legs to Doomsday and One Good Joke are satisfying sci-fi fare. The book only has one true horror tale, Noah, about an emerging sociopath. Even the weakest story, Super Temps, will still put a smile on your face.

At best, however, many of Bryan R. Dennis’s stories are simply brilliant. After reading Nox Noctis I promise you will never take light for granted again. I Am You, which vaguely echoes Spielberg’s A.I., strikes to the heart of the book’s central theme. Asian Food and Scents of Life are showcases for Dennis’s talent and will haunt you long after you put the book down.

What makes this work truly modern is how Dennis masterfully blurs the line between sci-fi and fantasy. Stories like Isle of Stumps don’t neatly fit in one genre or another.

It isn’t just the subjects or theme that makes this book so satisfying. Dennis is one of those rare authors who is both an adept story teller and an excellent wordsmith. From page one it’s obvious he knows what he’s doing. With warm, natural prose he quickly summons realistic characters and exciting plots. You don’t read his work as much as soak it in.

The Uncanny Valley suffers from only a mild case of the bane of the self-published - mechanical and formatting errors. However, it wasn’t enough to detract from the book. This book is suitable for ages twelve and up, with only minor violence and some suggestive themes. 

Coming off the heels of my last review, I am reluctant to select back-to-back Top Picks, but the quality of this work leaves me no choice. Good short stories are hard to come by and these are exactly the kind I loved as a teenager. I thereby give The Uncanny Valley a rating of 90 out of 99 cents and add it to annals of the Underground’s Top Picks.

99 Cents worth of Bryan R. Dennis links:

Bryan R. Dennis's Amazon Author Page
Follow Bryan R. Dennis on Twitter
Bryan R. Dennis on Smashswords
Indiesnippets

If you enjoyed this review, follow me on Facebook and Twitter. You can also follow the Underground on Facebook and become a subscriber.

Review of: The Taker
By: Alma Katsu
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books

Summary: 
Late one night, Dr. Luke Findley is summoned to the emergency room in the quaint town of St. Andrews, Maine. Findley is a divorced, lonely, middle-aged physician stuck practicing in the small town where he was born. But, when the local sheriff brings Lanore (Lanny) McIlvrae, a suspect in a murder case, into the hospital to be evaluated, Luke’s life takes a drastic turn. 

Luke is strangely taken by the young, mysterious woman. She tells him she was born and raised St. Andrews . . . in the early l800’s. After proving signs of immortality, the physician agrees to help her escape. This is when Lanny’s dark story begins to unfold.
Lanny McIlvea’s account begins as a teenager with her obsessive desire for Jonathan, the son of the St. Andrews founder. When she becomes pregnant with his child, Lanny’s is sent to Boston where she is to give birth, give the child up for adoption, and then return to her Pilgrimage home. 

A strange twist of fate, however, leads her to the home of Adair, a wealthy European. When she is forced to take a potion stolen from a physic some 200 years ago, she becomes eternally bound to the destructive, twisted and depraved Adair.
The well-crafted story interweaves historical fiction with the supernatural. THE TAKER explores an age-old question. At what price is someone willing to not only pay for eternal life, but to covet another person . . . . forever.


Quote from The Taker:
“We sleep and wake, eat and drink, go through our day like anyone else. The only difference is that another person might ponder, from time to time, which day will be his last. But you and I, our days, will never end.”


Reaction:
I will say I was a bit apprehensive when I chose to review this book. I am pragmatic. I want to know how something happens and why. However, Katsu took me by surprise when I found myself totally captivated. Her free and easy writing style captured every moment and brought each character to life. Katsu doesn’t just take us there, we are there. The scenes move easily and fluently from present day back to the l800’s and then to Romania in the l600’s. 

It is not only Katzu’s vivid descriptions that hooked me, but the story line. The story was so believable that I found myself shaking my head to remind myself I was reading fiction.

Recommendation:
Top pick!
This is a captivating read for anyone open who wants to read a great book. A reader needs to be open-minded, however, about the dark side of our human nature. If you are absolutely opposed to reading about sex, abuse, or witchcraft, this is not your book. However, I wasn't that interested in stories with such overtones, but couldn’t put the book down. 

Just as The Scarlet Letter became a classic, I predict Katsu’s trilogy will also live on to become classics.


**Not recommended for anyone under l8 years old.


Stay tuned for The Reckoning, the second book in Katsu’s trilogy is due to be released in June of 2012.


Star Rating: 5 out of 5


www.almakatsu.com
almakatsu.blogspot.com
'Alma Katsu, author' on Facebook
@almakatsu on Twitter

Michael G. Manning’s debut novel, Mageborn: The Blacksmith’s Son, is the tale of Mordecai, the village blacksmith’s teenage son. It takes place over several days in the castle of Mordecai’s benefactor (and his best friend’s father) the Duke of Lancaster. Through many twists and turns Mordecai learns he is actually the son of a murdered duke, falls in love, makes a mortal enemy, and discovers he is a brilliant wizard.

Manning employs conventional fantasy themes, such as wizardry and medieval-style settings. He doesn’t break any new ground in Mageborn, but he doesn’t have to. It’s Manning’s solid presentation that makes this an entertaining read. He seems to understand what makes good fantasy - a delicate balance between world-building, complete with history and cultures, without losing sight of the characters that inhabit it. Manning sweeps the reader from one scene to the next with tight chapters, efficient descriptions, flowing action, and likable characters.

The hero, Mordecai, is a geek’s dream. He’s like a kid who’s really good in math and isn’t afraid to show just how smart he is, but somehow manages to come off as cool. However, Mageborn’s strongest characters are its women. Penny (Mordecai’s love interest), and Lady Rose (the beautiful noble with a heart of gold and a well-hidden dagger) leave the reader wanting more. 

Readers will also appreciate how Manning handles the fantasy elements in Mageborn. In any given fantasy series, hardcore fans always pay close attention to the rules governing magic. Does the author make the unbelievable... well, believable? In this respect Mageborn doesn’t disappoint. Readers will enjoy Marcus the Heretic’s chapter introductions, where he scientifically details the nature of magic in the Kingdom of Lothion.

The book is not without its flaws. Lord Devon Tremont, the villain, comes across slightly two-dimensional. Sudden perspective shifts and abrupt narration-style changes can make this book a bit bumpy at times. While there is very little profanity, when it is used, it feels too modern and out of context for the setting and characters. When you encounter the profanity it’s like rolling over speed bump on a smooth asphalt road, you wish it wasn’t there.  Overall, however, these flaws are minor, especially for a first novel.

In addition to the few snippets of strong language, this book contains some sexual content, including an attempted rape scene, and swords and sorcery violence. Overall, nothing is gratuitous and the book should be suitable for the older teenage reader and up.   

Mageborn, The Blacksmith’s Son will put a smile on your face and make you glad you read it. I therefore bestow upon it a rating of 85 out of 99 cents. I’ll be on the lookout for the sequel, which according to Manning’s Facebook page, is nearing completion.

I doubt I’ll be able to buy it for only 99 cents.

Finally, here's 99 Cents Worth of Michael Manning and Mageborn Links:

Michael G. Manning on Facebook

Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son on Facebook

Get Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son on Kindle!