Monday, October 20, 2025

The Stormlight Archive Review

Part 2

Regular readers of my blog will remember the reviews I completed on Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Series, a high-fantasy adventure spanning more than 300 years of history set within the fictional world of Scadrial, where the exploits of Allomancers are detailed.
If you recall, Allomancers are individuals endowed with the capacity to gain enhanced speed, strength, and other abilities after ingesting certain metals. Powers they can access, thanks to the safeguards set in place by the two opposing gods of that world, Preservation and Ruin, who strive to counter each other in a never-ending struggle for dominance.

As I mentioned before, that series also reveals Preservation and Ruin are, in fact, 2 of 16 opposing creational forces or intents – Shards – which came into existence with the shattering of Adonalsium, the original Supreme Being. Those Shards are bound in pairs, and though they bear an aspect of Adonalsium’s original nature, each pair stands divorced from their opposite number while vying for control within the greater Cosmere.
Having enjoyed how that universal model was addressed in the Mistborn Series, my last article began to explore how Sanderson expanded on his concept when I delved into the first three of ten proposed books – The Way of Kings; Words of Radiance, and a short novella, Edgedancer – in what has become the Stormlight Archive. A series that introduced us to the world of Roshar, along with another pair of opposing Shards: Odium and Honor.

To briefly recap, Roshar is divided by religious and political unrest, and the various kingdoms of that world all vie for control, many of them employing a magic system – based on Stormlight trapped in gems that are replenished during each highstorm – to try and get one over on their opponents. Their best warriors also use shardblades and shardplate, (mystically enhanced armor and weapons), to maintain their dominance, while ignoring the ethereal spirits of the higher and lower planes – spren – who seem drawn to the emotions given off by people as they contend with the ups and downs of their daily lives.

The first three novels follow the lives of several main players: Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, Adolin, and Lift, as their talents emerge amid the onset of change in this politically and religiously charged drama, while hinting that the reclusive tribespeople who have live for millennia in the shattered hills, the Parshendi, might have a deeper, more ominous history than was first imagined.
As events moved forward, certain individuals began regaining abilities of old, while, in tandem, the Parshendi dabbled with the potential for Armageddon by accessing the realm of the spren – Shadesmar – to trigger the Everstorm. An act that paved the way for them to reacquire the most powerful of their long-forgotten forms. That of the voidbringer, minions of the dark and hateful Shard, Odium.

It was as our main protagonists responded to those revelations that another blast from the past was rediscovered. Urithiru, the fabled city of the Heralds and Radiants, who also exercised uncanny abilities thousands of years ago in order to fight off Odium and those very same voidbringers. And just as well, because when the Everstorm struck, it brought ancient spren along with it, creatures who transform the Parshendi into beings of incredible power.

A point to remember is that as the story-arc unfolded, we were given hints of the existence of another set of players. The Ghostbloods. A secret society that has been keeping an eye on Roshar and its citizens for a very, very long time. Buuut, just who they are and where they’re from wasn’t revealed.

That recap brings us very nicely to the next two books in the series: Oathbringer and Rhythm of War.

Oathbringer.

This book helps us uncover much more about the ancient Heralds and Radiants, along with their involvement in the ending of the last age, (termed, the Recreance). The world of the spren – Shadesmar – also gets examined in much more detail, as does the society of the spren themselves. In particular, it focuses on the results of the Parshendi’s decision to welcome the return of the ancestral spren, and the repeated battles that follow. (Don’t forget, the spren of Shadesmar are thousands of years old, experienced in battle, and harbor a deep animosity toward anyone who opposes them.)

It is as we start to understand the relationship between spren and those they bond with – human and Parshendi alike – that we also begin to comprehend the pitfalls of their magic system. How the spren actually manifest within the ‘real’ world, for example, is an absolute doozy.
We also get to see just how many types of spren there are and how that creates a clear distinction between the two camps. For example, the spren who decide to bond with humans often study their prospective partners for many years. Decades, even. While a certain faction of those who bond with the Parshendi are much more mercenary, especially if they’re of the primeval faction who fought against the Heralds and Radiants before. They become ‘Fused’ and lose all vestiges of their identity, their minds being overwritten by the persona of the immortal spren, many of whom teeter on the edge of insanity.
This also highlights the fact that each enhanced individual – Radiant or Fused – is endowed with their own particular blend of ethereal energy (surges): Stormlight or Voidlight. And get this. The two don’t mix. (Think of matter/antimatter and you’ll be on the right track).

As things kick off, the Parshendi/Fused open their campaign by targeting Kholinar, the capital of the strongest army on Roshar, and home to the royal family. A canny move, as Kholinar falls, and King Elhohar along with it as he tries desperately to rescue his family, leaving Dalinar the de facto regent in a time of escalating crisis. No easy task, for he has to navigate the stormy seas of politics while trying to unite the besieged nations of Roshar to fight against a common enemy. The strategic location of Urithiru and the Oathgates seem to help in this regard, though not as much as he would have liked.

Yet hope remains. Something about the abilities of the emerging Radiants worries Odium, forcing him to intervene, personally, in an attempt to derail both Dalinar and Kaladin.

In an even bigger twist, we discover Roshar was actually the ancestral home of the Parshendi, not humans . . . so WHO are the real voidbringers?
(A factor that just might have influenced the Radiants of old into abandoning the fight and walking away).
What this means, long-term, I’m intrigued to discover, for some among the Parshendi are willing to share and live in peace, while many of the Fused want to get rid of anybody who isn’t like them. Human and normal Parshendi – who they now refer to as Singers – alike.

There are a few other nifty twists and turns along the way, which I won’t divulge here. Nonetheless, what you get is an intriguing, action-packed extravaganza that sweeps you through more than 1300 pages in much less time than you might imagine, and sets you up, ready to go with. . .

Rhythm of War

In my opinion, this was one of the most revealing chapters of the Stormlight Saga so far, with a number of stratifying threads.

For one thing, we find the story arc focuses much more on the Parshendi, particularly Eshonai and Venli’s family, through a series of flashbacks.
Those recaps help us appreciate just how devious the ancient spren – especially the servants of Odium – are, and how adroitly they maneuvered the human and Parshendi pieces of the chessboard into place. Only once the board was set was the Everstorm triggered, helping explain why the Fused were so successful in dividing Dalinar’s forces; how they were able to sack Kholinar; and – through the use of anti-Stormlight weapons – how they were able to overcome the newly returned Radiants in their siege against Urithiru . . . which they take with surprising ease, despite an alarmingly high casualty rate.

In tandem with this unfolding drama, the story arc also focus on Shallan and Adolin, who travel into Shadesmar with the hope of persuading the honorspren to join the war; on Kaladin’s personal dilemma, having been left behind in Urithiru while Dalinar and the bulk of their army leave to support the war effort in Emul; and especially do we see the emergence of Navani as an intellect and true scholar as she tries to get to grips with the qualities of the different forms of light that empower both Radiants and Fused.
(More about that in the extended review in Amazing Stories) - see side bar

What I found particularly interesting is the fact that though humankind are the interlopers, it is possible for them to learn the rhythms of Roshar. True, not as well as the Parshendi, but sufficient to prove that, after many, many generations, they are ‘of’ Roshar, and capable of living in harmony with her natural children. . .

A fact demonstrated by Venli, who bonds to a ‘good’ spren, and becomes a Radiant, choosing to side with the humans and those singers who wish to live in peace.

But how does all this mix together in the actual book?
Ah, you’ll have to find out for yourselves. But rest assured, yet another meaty tome of more than 1300 pages will soon fly by. It really is that absorbing. And little wonder, because along with some of the threads I’ve already revealed, here are a few other fascinating little snippets to keep you engrossed:

It is confirmed that the Ghostbloods aren’t from Roshar.

Heralds – along with other beings of power from different worlds – have been hiding right under our noses all along. Some in plain sight, others in much more elusive guises. Not the godsend you might think, though. As has happened to many of the ancient Fused, most of the Heralds are unbalanced. Psychotic, by anyone’s standards, making them just as dangerous as Odium is.

We learn where humankind came from: A planet called Ashyn, and just who it was that first led them between worlds . . . though the reason is not yet revealed.

And the last thing that I really didn’t anticipate was what happened to Taravangian!

That’s all I’ll say. But . . . Ouch!
I can’t wait to see how things develop in the fifth book and beyond. And neither should you. Treat yourselves to the beginnings of this truly epic series. (And of course, a much more detailed and extended review in Amazing Stories) - Click the link in the sidebar.
I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.

Until the next time, happy reading.

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A Hybrid's Tale

Born a Cambion – a half-demon, half-human hybrid – and cursed by a terrible hunger he can barely control, Augustus Thorne spends his long and lonely life hunting and exterminating any Incubi and Succubae he can find. But no matter how many he destroys, he can always make room for one more. Especially if it’s the foul scum who raped his mother; Augustus’ own spawn-father, Fanon. Guided by his mother’s diaries, Augustus pursues Fanon down through the centuries and around the world, until fate seems to point him toward his heart’s desire. Yet, things are not as they appear, and the revelations Augustus uncovers are mind boggling. For if he wishes to face his father, he must first learn more about his own unique heritage, and the awful circumstances that led to his creation. The trouble is, doing so might just cost him his humanity.

Call of the Cambion

Cursed to live his life as a Cambion – a half-demon, half-human hybrid – Augustus Thorne has spent centuries hunting the creature responsible for his existence. His own spawn-father, Fanon. Along the way, Augustus has built something of a reputation as a demon slayer. However, his reputation proves to be a two-edged sword, for while it keeps him safe, it prevents Augustus from forming a relationship. Something he yearns for with all his heart. Neither does it protect him from the wrath of the demondim, who view his activities as a threat. In an effort to overcome these obstacles, Augustus finds it necessary to confront the darker aspects of his Cambion nature. Something, it seems, he must embrace fully. Only then will he be free to make his own choices, and in a position to end his father once and for all. Alas, such a path results in dire consequences.

The Siren's Song

Having survived the double-cross planned by Asmodai, the demon king, and Fanon, his own spawn-father, Augustus Thorne is trying to come to terms with his lot in life. Both Fanon and Agamemnon, the king’s assassin, are dead. As are the embers of a burgeoning relationship. The only woman Augustus has ever dared to love has fled, driven from his side in fear of the danger being with him brings. Unfortunately, he can’t dwell of what might have been. An insidious new threat has emerged, one that exposes humanity to unimaginable peril. Yet fate seems to lend a helping hand when Augustus stumbles upon a mysterious woman, someone who appears to be the only other Cambion he’s ever met. It’s only after they team up to fight the rising tide of terror together that things get complicated.

Web of the Succubus

Augustus Thorne has his work cut out, trying to juggle his recuperating capabilities with a turbulent personal and professional life. On the plus side, things have improved dramatically with Colleen Wolf. But, as he endeavors to cement his relationship with her, events conspire against him. It transpires there are elements within some of the most powerful human governments who are secretly collaborating with the demon court. Their goal being to turn the majority of mankind into chattel. Brood livestock, whose only purpose is to serve the demondim’s ghastly appetites. Augustus simply can’t allow that to happen. He sets out to frustrate Asmodai’s machinations, unaware that a spider is waiting in the dark. And it’s ready to pounce.

A Crown in Peril

Devastated by the loss of Colleen and enraged by the treacherous cunning of the demon king, Augustus Thorn decides that he’s suffered enough. Embracing the full might of his Cambion Nature, he takes the fight deep into the heart of demondim territory, wreaking terrible destruction on all who cross his path. Gaining access to forbidden archives, he uncovers ancient texts, hinting at the mantle he must assume to bring the reign of the demon king to an end. However, Asmodai hasn’t been idle. Learning from his mistakes, he also seeks hidden knowledge, and goes all out to consolidate his position. And the knowledge he uncovers just might contain the vital clue he needs to end the Cambion threat once and for all. It’s a race against time . . . and there can only be one winner.

Rise of the Despoiler

Augustus Thorne is evolving. Into what, he doesn’t quite understand. Yet! All he does know is that his destiny is somehow linked to that of the Despoiler. A champion that prophesy claims will bring the demon king to his knees, undoing all the harm inflicted upon the three realms since the Fallen came to Earth. But to ensure such a destiny, Augustus must walk into uncharted territory. Wield stygian forces, the likes of which have never been witnessed before. Court death, as if was his intimate lover. Most disconcerting of all, he must put his personal vendetta aside, and submit to the greater good. Only then will he become the foretold hero, ending tyranny’s reign forever.

Skinwalker - Genesis

As one of only seven soldiers to survive the grueling, six-month long, UK Special Forces selection process, Captain Callum MacDonald has earned the right to be counted a member of the killer elite. Alas, all thoughts of celebration are forgotten when one of his fellow candidates disappears in an area of the Amazonian rainforest regarded as cursed by local indigenous tribes. A rescue mission is quickly mounted. However, it’s not until the heavily armed group of hardened commandos reenters the jungle and find themselves being hunted, that it slowly dawns on them. They might not be the apex predators they thought they were. After all, how can you expect to overcome something that refuses to stay dead?

Skinwalker - Exodus

Callum MacDonald’s hope of becoming a fully fledged member of the UK Special Forces died on the day he became a skinwalker – A legendary creature capable of assuming the form and nature of any animal they desire. Many would look on such a metamorphosis as a dream come true. Not so Callum MacDonald, who now views his existence as a nightmare, one in which he must consider every step he takes. And the reason? There are those who would exploit his gifts should they ever learn of his existence. And with a mounting tally of dead bodies surrounding his every move, that likelihood becomes more of a reality with each passing day.

Skinwalker - Apocalypse

Ever since the authorities discovered the existence of the skinwalker clan to which Callum MacDonald now belongs, their evolution has continued apace. Far from being exploited, they are coveted for their skills, and encouraged to use their abilities for a greater good. And not before time. A growing peril threatens the safety of decent folk living throughout the whole of the North American continent. One that was allowed to gain a foothold, long, long ago, because of mankind’s own fears, prejudice and shortsightedness. As such, the risk was ignored, allowing it to fester and grow. So much so, that now, centuries later, even the power of the fabled skinwalkers might not now be enough to thwart it.

Sinister Stories

A new wife treasures her Tuesday morning coffee with the ghost of her husband’s first wife—until she doesn’t. A man responds to his friend’s text and meets him at a very strange bar for happy hour; they soon find there’s nothing happy about the place, and they’re going to be there for a sight more than an hour. A young woman finds herself under spiritual attack from a powerful witch who wants nothing less than the very skin she inhabits. A once-drug-addicted mother struggles mightily to exorcise the demon possessing her six-year-old son, all to no avail. This new collection of horror stories from some of Raven Tale Publishing’s top horror authors explores from every possible angle the things that scare us. Enjoy these eleven tales however you see fit—one per day or all at once . . .

Red Right Hand

They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s what friends and family were quick to tell Connor MacGregor following the death of his wife and only child at the hands of a terrorist bomber in the heart of London. Yet they were in the very place they wanted to be, celebrating Connor’s retirement from the Royal Marines after more than twenty years of distinguished service. A time that should have seen them starting a new chapter in life together, searching for a forever home and settling down in one place, at last, with their eyes fixed firmly on the future. A future that now lies in ruins, forcing Connor MacGregor down a path that can only end in bloodshed and death. For while the police and security services are quick to respond and launch a huge, nationwide investigation in the hunt for those responsible for the bombing, MacGregor has his own way of doing things. A way that isn’t hampered by lawful procedures and judicial protocols. Yes, the race is on to see who will reach the bomber first. And if it’s Connor MacGregor, God help them, for the red right hand of vengeance is poised to strike, and he won’t allow anything to stand in its way.

The Battle of Port-en-Bessin

The early hours of 6 June, 1944, saw Sergeant Richard—Lion—Hart of 47 (Royal Marine) Commando, leading his men ashore at JIG Green Sector, on the beaches of Normandy. Their objective: To establish a foothold on enemy territory, and then march west, across country, to the strategically placed and heavily fortified harbor town of Port-en-Bessin. A location that would serve the Allies as a temporary marshalling area for fuel, weapons and supplies until Cherbourg had fallen. On paper, a straightforward—if hazardous—endeavor. Yet war is seldom straightforward. The Germans had been preparing for this moment for four years. And, as history has shown us time and again; “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” An idiom that Sergeant Hart and members of 47 Commando subsequently learned to their cost.

Operation Holdfast

In one of the most decisive battles to take place following the D-Day Landings, 47 (Royal Marine) Commando were successful in ousting the resident German artillery and infantry regiments still dug in at the heavily fortified fishing harbor of Port-en-Bessin, to take control of the region. Having done so, they were expected to hold the ground they’d fought so hard to win. No easy task, for not only had 47’s strength been drastically reduced during that offensive, but they—like all the other Allied units to arrive in Normandy following the opening stages of Operation Overlord—were introduced to a new style of combat: Boscage warfare. Averaging out at well over fifteen feet in height and bolstered by a thick girdle of nettles and brambles—torturous to navigate along their base—the hedgerows of France were verdant fortresses, providing both protection and cover for the defenders, and an assault course of thorns and thistles and booby-traps for those trying to attack. And, as Company Sergeant Major Richard—Lion—Hart, CGM, knew only too well. . . The longer fighting in such a claustrophobic environment was allowed to continue, then the more his men would bleed. No matter how well trained they were.

Operation Infatuate

47 (Royal Marine) Commando have been at the forefront of No 4 Special Service Brigade’s advance through Normandy since D-Day began. However, Hitler’s response to the Allied invasion gathers apace, with a massive influx of troops and armor throughout France, Belgium, Denmark and eastern Germany itself. And nowhere are those reinforcements more imposing than at Walcheren Island, sitting at the mouth of the Scheldt Estuary. For the Scheldt leads to the strategic port of Antwerp, and Antwerp is the perfect location for the final push toward Berlin. Little wonder, then, that Commando Regimental Sergeant Major Richard—Lion— Hart, CGM, MiD, and his men find themselves in the thick of it, for the assault will prove one of the most important, decisive battles of World War II.

Rough Justice

The Kansas Plains were never a safe place to settle—yet for Jacob and Noah Pearl, it’s the only place worth protecting. Elder Grove might be a young town, but it’s built on grit and heart. And the Pearl brothers have done everything they can to keep it standing tall. That all changes when a gang of outlaws attacks a Cheyenne hunting party and rides off with their horses. The raid sets off a dangerous chain of events that threatens to unravel everything the Pearls have worked so hard to build. But make no mistake—these brothers don’t back down. When lawless men come knocking, Jacob and Noah bring justice the old-fashioned way. Swift. Relentless. No questions asked.

Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail

A Cheyenne raiding party turns the quiet community of Elder Grove, Kansas, upside down, resulting in the death of a mother and father, and the abduction of their teenage daughters. All seems lost. But the Cheyenne didn’t reckon on the leaders of Elder Grove, Jacob and Noah Pearl. Two men with a remarkable shared history, who are a force of nature when roused. And as the Cheyenne are about to discover, they’re also the kind of men who will do anything to see justice done, even if it means getting their hands dirty.

Shootout at Russell Springs

A tornado tears through the open plains of Kansas, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Yet that force of nature isn’t the only thing that might ravage the land. The Plains Indians are massing in their hundreds. Cheyenne, Comanche, Lakota, Kiowa, and Arapaho. All of them, turning their eyes toward the foreign settlers who encroach ever further into their ancestral hunting grounds with each and every passing year. Already on the run from the law, the notorious Reno Gang also come calling, thinking that the residents of Elder Grove will be no match for a bunch of murdering horse thieves. And just who are the two strangers from the east that come to town, acting all friendly, yet asking sly question about the Pearl brothers? One thing’s for sure. . . Another storm is brewing. And when it strikes, not everyone will walk away.

Uprising in Comanche Country

It took the Pearl brothers considerable time and effort to shape the region around Elder Grove into a safe haven for all. For settlers. For travelers. Even for the Plains Indians who constantly roam the prairie in pursuit of buffalo. But when a bunch of marauding army deserters commits a heinous act that rouses the massed tribes to anger, it puts all that hard work in jeopardy. Yes, the hornet’s nest has been stirred. So much so, that even the Comanche are provoked to war. And their sting is deadly indeed. How the Pearl brothers will react remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure. Nobody will escape unscathed.

Living By The Code

The old west can be a harsh and unforgiving place, even for those like Jacob and Noah Pearl, who are used to the rigors of frontier living. So, when ghosts from the past return to threaten the peace and stability of their community, they’re quick to respond, and go out of their way to eradicate that threat before the shadow it casts can spread too far. Some might view their response as an overreaction. Ruthless, even. But the Pearl Brothers and the residents of Elder Grove look on it as following the Code of the West. A code that never wavers in the protection of you, your own, and seeing justice done.

Unfinished Business

The Pearl brothers encountered all sorts of people in the years it took them to set up the community of Elder Grove. Disgruntled Plains Indians. Murderers. Horse thieves. Army deserters. And in all that time, none were more exasperating than those folks who acted like a dog with a bone. Those mavericks who let their past failures and grievances gnaw away at them so much that they never seemed able to let go. A troublesome enough irritation when you have to deal with such behavior in passing. Imagine, then, how they’ll respond upon encountering a notorious gang who can’t abide the thought of simply giving up and moving on until they’ve carried out ‘just one more’ robbery. Or worse still, predatory bands of Cheyenne, stubbornly seeking revenge on those they feel have caused them to lose face. Yes, life is never dull on the Plains of Kansas . . . As the Pearl brothers are about to discover yet again.

Call of Duty

The long-awaited day has arrived! Yes, it’s been some time coming, what with all the trials and tribulations they’ve had to overcome. But at last, the day of the wedding is here, and Jacob and Astrid are finally going to tie the knot and settle down. . . Or are they? You see, that’s the thing about Kansas. It’s a vast and majestic country, filled with natural wonders and delights to satisfy the soul and take the breath away. Yet it’s also filled with dangers enough to catch the unwary and send them to an early grave. And when one of those dangers insists on poking its nose into the Pearl brothers’ affairs, now, of all times? Well, it’s time for someone to step up and answer the call of duty.

The IX

The IX, an epic novel spanning past, present, and future:
The ultimatum:
Fight or die.
Roman legionnaires, far from home, lost in the mists of Caledonia; a US cavalry company on a special mission for Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln; and a Special Forces unit from the 21st century, desperate to prevent nuclear catastrophe:
Snatched away from Earth at the moment of death to a failing planet far away, these misfit soldiers must unite against a relentless foe, where the cost of victory may be more than they're willing to pay. How far will they go to stay alive?
From Perseid Press.

Exordium of Tears

Fight or die.
That simple yet brutal reality is the tenet by which the refugees from Earth – including the fabled lost 9th Legion of Rome; the 5th Company, 2nd Mounted Cavalry Unit; and the Special Forces Anti-Terrorist Team – were forced to live by while the Horde menace existed. Believing that the threat is over, the
survivors now yearn to settle down, start families, and reclaim the lives stolen from them.
But such aspirations might remain beyond their reach, for a shadow looms on the rose-tinted horizon of new beginnings.
The release of the re-genesis matrix has done much to foster a restoration of exuberance across Arden. Along with a resurgence in floral and faunal diversity comes the results of splicing the Ardenese and human genomes: transmutation. A
metamorphosis of stunning magnitude that not only affects the living, but those still is stasis as well.
Recognizing the emergence of a new hybrid species, the Architect – the arcane AI construct tasked with the preservation of the Ardenese race – responds by unlocking
previously hidden and inaccessible areas of the city. It also releases an archive of sealed state secrets. Such revelations are eagerly perused, whereupon a shocking discovery is made.
Prior to the fall, it was common knowledge amongst the Senatum (the highest levels of Arden’s government) that not all the rabid Horde had joined in the rampage across the stars toward Arden.
Realizing that the peril still exists, the newly reformed administration elects to respond in earnest. Existing resources are utilized, suitable candidates are chosen, and a flotilla of ships is sent out to secure, quarantine, and reclaim the outer colonies. A mammoth and hazardous undertaking. And nowhere more so than at the planet from where the outbreak was known to have originated – Exordium – for there, the ancient Horde are not only supremely evolved and highly organized, but are capable of a level of lethal sophistication, the likes of which has never been witnessed before.
It is into this kiln of incendiary potential that the cream of Arden’s fighting forces is deployed.
Worlds are torn asunder, suns destroyed, and star systems obliterated. Yes, tragedy is forged, in a universe spanning conflict which proves once again that…

Death is onlythe beginning of the adventure.

Prelude to Sorrow

The task force dispatched from Arden to eradicate the Horde menace failed, and for those few left alive, the tenet by which they have survived for so long resounds as never before.

Fight or Die!

Now marooned, out of time and out of place, the survivors lick their wounds and struggle to recover while the Horde gather their strength for a final strike that will change the course of history forever. The fate of the galaxy – and more – hangs in the balance.

But fate, it seems, isn’t done with the Ninth, and our heroes find themselves forced to mount a last-ditch attempt to end the threat once and for all.

Will the darkness be vanquished, or will our heroes’ efforts finally signal the beginning of the end of their adventure?

IX Genesis

Arden, birthplace of a people who have mastered the secrets of arcane, reality-bending technology, and home to a civilization that now spans more than thirty planets throughout an entire quadrant of the galaxy. They are wise and understanding. Majestic in vision. Powerful beyond compare. And intent on extending their benevolent influence throughout the stars. . . Until the fateful day their thirst for knowledge leads them to push too far, too quickly. In doing so, they open a door into the antiverse, a realm where the very nature of existence is an anathema to life. An antithesis to all that is good. Evil. And that evil is sentient, as highly contagious as it is fueled by an irresistible proclivity to feed and multiply and spread. And feed and multiply it does. Faced with an overwhelming flood, the Ardenese have no option. They must fight or die!

Hell Bound

In hell, none of the condemned believes they deserve to be there. And that’s fine, so long as they’re not foolish enough to try and do anything about it. For those that do, there’s always Satan’s Reaper–and chief bounty hunter–Daemon Grim.
Feared throughout the many layers of the underverse, no one in their right mind dares to cross him.
However, when Grim discovers that someone has attempted to evade injustice, and seems hell-bent on gaining access to ancient angelic artifacts proscribed since the time of the original rebellion in heaven, circumstances point to the fact they may be doing just that.
The question is...why?
Thus begins an investigation that leads Grim throughout the many contradictory and baffling levels of the underworld, where he unearths a conspiracy that is not only eating its way like a cancer through the highest echelons of Hellion society,
but one which threatens the very stability of Satan’s rule.

As you can imagine, Grim’s response is bloody, brutal, and despicably wicked.

Hell Bound – In hell, everyone can hear you scream...

Hell Hounds

Feared throughout the many circles of the underworld, Satan’s Reaper – and chief bounty hunter – Daemon Grim, is known as a true force to be reckoned with.

Having eliminated a major player in the uprising eating its way like a cancer through the underbelly of hell, Grim is stunned to discover he cannot afford to rest on his laurels, for the rebellion runs far deeper than was ever imagined. New players have emerged – denizens with uncanny abilities – who seem determined to support Chopin and Tesla’s revolutionary agenda.

Ever keen to test their mettle, the Sibitti – personified weapons of the ancient Babylonian plague god, Erra – also appear eager to capitalize on the growing unrest, and set about maneuvering events in order to place themselves in direct opposition to Grim’s investigation.

And if that was not cause for concern enough, there’s an insane angel on the loose, a creature as hell-bent on creating havoc as he is to return home.

How do Grim and his rabid pack of bounty hunters respond?

Baying for blood – doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Hell Gate

The Angel Grislington is dead, effaced from existence during an epic battle with Daemon Grim that destroyed a Zion forged blade and one of Satan’s premier palaces in the process.

Chopin and Tesla have gone to ground. So much so, that they might as well be six feet under helping to push up hell-daisies.

Even Erra and the Sibitti, his living weapons of vengeance and destruction, seem reticent to show their faces.

Rioting sweeps the length and breadth of the underworld. Yet the halls of the Mortuary lie vacant, for someone is stealing soul-essence, the very means by which Satan condemns sinners to everlasting torment.

But who would dare such a thing? And how does the hush that descends upon the dirty streets of latterday hell tie into ancient prophecy relating to the Reaper’s destiny?

It’s often calmest before the storm.

Just imagine how bad things will get with the apocalypse approaching.

Monday, October 20, 2025

The Stormlight Archive Review

Part 2

Oathbringer.

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