Here's another book I stumbled upon accidentally. And what a gem it is.
I was in this Malazan book group on FB and we were talking about what other books similar to Malazan. Then one guy kind of just asked if there were other published authors on the group. True enough there were three other published authors on that group. So they were asked how their books were doing, if they could give links so we could support them, and if they could give a bit of description about their works.
I don't remember the other two's answer but the other guy (Sean Rodden) said, "Hey, my book is being compared by my friends to have that Malazan feels." That piqued the interests of the members. With more prodding from members he was kind of asked more questions. He later revealed that his book was self-published and available too on Amazon. He is Canadian too like Steven Erikson and R. Scott Bakker.
Erikson and Bakker are currently regarded as the top of the cream in the genre. Canadians have wider imaginations as my FB book club mates would say--Oops, kind of veering away from the book.
Back to what I was saying, the group were like done reading and rereading Malazan and really was clamoring for new epic fantasy books to devour. This Sean Rodden guy suddenly says that he has a book that's a bit similar to Malazan, and so everyone wanted to order one.
Since the mother Malazan group was so stingy and so quick to censure stuff, we kind of formed a splinter group devoted to Malazan still yet we can talk about anything under the sun. Sean kind of also went on with the breakaway group.
I messaged Sean that my country is unable to buy the book from Amazon, or I can buy it but the shipping fee is just like Ethereum's gas fees, more expensive than the product I was buying.
Sean replied to me and just asked for my complete address. He just sent me the book. He said he'll just write it off as marketing expense. Sadly, I didn't get a signature though because the book came straight from the print house to my address. But I did buy the kindle format so I still kind of get a sense of supporting the author and count me as a sale.
The mail arrived, and--Whoa! It's a big book! From the thickness of the book I already have a hunch it's going to be a good one. For me, thicker books are better books. Looking at the cover, it looks good. Not a typical fantasy book cover. It brings in a fresh cover format on the genre. Probably also saying, "not your typical fantasy book." Then I started reading.
Being a debut author, I really didn't have that much high expectations. I think I finished the book in a week. That's a fast pace for me. I normally finish a book in three weeks to a month, good or bad book. I just read at night before I sleep and when I have idle time.
The book actually did have the Malazan feels for me, but just a little, probably on the battle sequences. I think it has more of the Lord of the Rings feel to it. As I've said wasn't having too much expectations, especially it's a Book 1, it most likely will be a litany of introduction of characters and description of the world, which sometimes could be tedious.
But from the prologue to the last page, the action was non-stop. There's always something happening. Even the side stories/characters are interesting hero side or villain side. I was actually spellbound chapter after chapter after chapter after chapter. The writing was truly impeccably fluid, vivid and melodic. I never got that feel of the author trying invariably hard to describe a fantasy world. His style just kinds of mesh together the plot and the world building without you noticing, he's that fluid.
A bit LoTR-ish but trust me, it doesn't follow the usual fantasy tropes you'll see. Maybe because the Fiannar are like the elves on LoTR. As I've said you'll feel the Malazan-ish thing on the battle scenes, so expect them to be epic battle scenes. Sean introduces new races and all sorts of baddies. You'll be introduced to Daradurs, Bloodspawns, and the ethereal Athairs and among others.
For me, this book deserves the full 5 stars rating because I couldn't think of any other authors who wrote such a fast-paced Book 1 without putting too much effort on details.
As of the moment, Sean is hard at work to finish Book 3. Book 2, entitled Roars of War had been released and picks up where Whispers left off. More stuff are revealed in here, so the interest of readers are further bolstered here by introduction of exciting characters.
In Book 2, the situation gets more bleak and hopeless. You'll get the feel of extreme despair and desperation in this book as the odds looks so unsurmountable as our heroes get battered and evil's shadow looms wider. Epic duels here too aside from epic battles with special mention of Yllufar, my favorite Athair.
Probably what will catch your attention here, if you're bookworm is his writing style. You will love how just the words flow because the story just becomes so vivid in your mind as you read. I think this what sets Sean apart from other fantasy authors.
I see a future movie deal with this book. Read it before it gets adapted.
P.S. Sean, if you're reading this, we can't wait for Book 3.
Disclaimer: Photo is mine