Sword and Sorcery Fantasy Book Reviews From BookViral

A BookViral Review Of The 19th Bladesman By S J Hartland

Recommend  for the coveted BookViral Crimson Quill. To make your recommendation simply click on the award badge below..…. 

SUMMARY:

His duty is to die young, but fate has something far more lethal in mind. If Kaell breaks, the kingdom breaks with him. And prophecy says the 19th Bladesman will break…

The BookViral Review: Genre – Sword and Sorcery Fantasy Books

The opening volume of a projected series, you know from the very first page that The 19th Bladesman is something rather special.

Few fantasy writers demonstrate Hartland’s range and in a taut 600 pages she packs in impressive world building and superb characterization. From Kings, princes, warriors and sorcerers; it’s little short of brilliant and reminds us why the Sword and Sorcery Fantasy genre remains unerringly popular.

With the eponymous Kaell at the centre of events, the plot is labyrinthine, with twists and turns and reversals of fortune whilst battle scenes are rendered with graphic realism and tangible feelings of tension.

Clearly, character development is her forte and the relationship between Kael and Val Arques is deeply explored and intelligently conveyed. But without the need for overwrought sentimentality as she expertly reveals characters flawed by circumstances beyond their control. On first glance you might be forgiven for thinking Hartland’s novel is a classically clichéd good versus evil telling but the notion itself is subversive and the real story here is one of honour and fortitude on an epic scale.

Culminating in a heart-rending and rousing finale that sets the scene for the second volume. The 19th Bladesman and the Shadow Sword series is an unmissable read for discerning fans of the genre and is recommended without reservation.

Recommended Book Reviews
In The BookViral Spotlight

New Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction

New Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction

Dystopian fiction, more often than not, leans towards the bleak whilst relying heavily on genre tropes but Utopia? is something a little different. A novel with ideas that whilst unnerving is refreshingly original.

Read More »
Medieval Historical Fiction Reviews

Medieval Historical Fiction Reviews

A rousing historical adventure and a delightfully confident novel from Isard who delivers a read packed with densely packed intrigue and chases The Guild of Salt and the King’s Messenger proves a powerful debut.

Read More »

Author Publishing Tips & Recommended Book Reviews

Author Publishing Tips
Editorial Team

Authors and The Great Romantics

Have you ever come home to a hot bath strewn with rose petals and filled with bubbles, in a bathroom bedecked with scented candles and an ice cold glass of champagne fizzing invitingly on the side. If not you might be thinking poor me but you might want to think again!

Read More »

Book Reviews That Readers Trust.

From humble beginnings in 2002 as a book review club BookViral has grown to become the first choice in book reviews for authors around the world and one of the biggest book review sites on the web. BookViral reaches millions of potential readers through best practice SEO and a trusted social media presence ensuring readers get unbiased, critical recommendations they can trust. 

BookViral also offers a full suite of author services, including, book editing services for unpublished and self-published authors, website design and bespoke SEO that help authors get discovered by more potential readers as well as industry influencers, such as publishers, agents and film executives. 

© Copyright 2019 BookViral Reviews. All Rights Reserved.