Tag Archives: Gillian Grant

Where The Sky Burns (Blood of Eith 5) by Gillian Grant-review

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Where The Sky Burns (Blood of Eith 5) by Gillian Grant-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 7, 2023

To save their world they must find their way back to one another.

The war rages with the underground empire of Serevadia against the entire surface world. Elven warrior Abraxas Kain had once been the champion of the God of Light. Now he’s known as the Serevadian god Catarmon, blazing his path towards a future with the Divines, no matter how many have to die. The only thing in his way are his old friends, the Wandering Sols.

Stranded apart from one another, each of the Wandering Sols faces an arduous journey, but they must survive if they are to save the world, and their old friend. Can Evren Hanali, who sacrificed the love of her life, now kill the man she promised to save so long ago? Enslaved by the man who murdered his family, can Sorin Trinity escape in time to join the battle? Arke saved his people from Abraxas before, but now challenged with a greater task, the answers he seeks could be deadly. Trapped in enemy territory, Solri Amet has lost her home, her honor, and her friends. She falls back on old skills, but something darker lurks just out of sight.

They’ve each sacrificed so much already. How much was free will, and how much is destiny?

It pains Abraxas more than he’ll admit that the Wandering Sols refuse to fight at his side. Sooner than he’s ready for, he’ll have to choose between the family he found and the Divines who abandoned him. As the final battle looms, can he find redemption in the place where the sky burns?

•••••

REVIEW:WHERE THE SKY BURNS is the fifth and (final?) instalment in Gillian Grant’s adult THE BLOOD OF EITH high fantasy, adventure series focusing on twenty-three year old, half-elf, hunter Evren Hanali of Orenlion, and her ragtag team of misfit warriors who call themselves the Wandering Sols. WHERE THE SKY BURNS should not be read as a stand alone. I recommend reading the series in order as several plot lines converge in each instalment. If you have not read the previous instalments, there may be spoilers in my review.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including graphic violence, descriptive blood-gore and death, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives WHERE THE SKY BURNS follows in the aftermath of Evren Hanali’s attempts to save her family, her friends in the wake of Abraxas Kain’s attacks and rage. Abraxas aka Catarmon, a former member of the Wandering Sols, has turned to the dark side having spent one-hundred years, a century enduring the solitude and deviance of war and hate. In an effort to become a god himself, Abraxas is struggling to locate the Eternity Dagger, and pairing it with a the Sword, Abraxas would become all powerful, omnipotent, and ultimately cruel, keeping the gods, the Divines in perpetual holding but Abraxas has brought his fight for control to the lives of what is left of the Wandering Sols, a family torn apart by dimensions and time. Evren’s attempt to save her friends has scattered her family into the depths of their own h*lls, and each will have to battle the demons and magical beings that are determined to take them down. A final battle for control finds the group reunited, facing down a former member, that no one, not even love, is able to save.

Most of the previous story characters and members of the Wanderings Sols are blessed or ‘cursed’ with their own battle to fight: Sorin Trinity, goblin Arke, dwarf warrior Solri Amet, the love of Evren’s life, and the woman with whom she shares a heart Gyda; Song Mei and Barrion; and Abraxas Kain.

WHERE THE SKY BURNS is another lengthy, complex, comprehensive, exhaustive and graphic story of mythological gods and goddess, the spiritual and religious beliefs of a people who have witnessed far too many atrocities and death. Gillian Grant pulls directives, analogy and correlation to Dungeons and Dragons™, Lord of the Rings ™ and most especially A Game of Thrones™. The similarities are numerous, plentiful and diverse; the non-stop action is thorough and, at times, taxing-the war and fighting never end. The energetic premise is detailed and multi-layered; the characters are numerous, desperate and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Where The Shadow Beckons
Where the Night Consumes
Where The Heart Festers
Where the Light Dies

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

If you haven’t started the series, book one WHERE THE SHADOWS BECKON is currently FREE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /

 

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Gillian Grant was born in Texas and grew up enthralled with fantasy stories of all kinds. As she got older, she often traveled with her family and imagined wild adventures while exploring the mountains of Colorado and the glens of Scotland. Back home in Texas, she took her love of fantasy to the next level and sat a group of friends down to play Dungeons and Dragons. From there, they built the world her first novel, Where The Shadows Beckon was set in. When she’s not writing, Gillian is normally juggling too many D&D campaigns, grooming dogs, and imagining her next adventure. She still lives in Texas with her two cats.

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Where the Light Dies (Blood of Eith 4) by Gillian Grant-review

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Where the Light Dies (Blood of Eith 4) by Gillian Grant-review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 4, 2022

Will he find redemption or fall into eternal darkness?

Elven warrior Abraxas Kain thought he died in the battle. Instead, he’s stranded in time, a hundred years in the past and enslaved to his enemy, the blood mage and necromancer, Nerezza. Re-fighting old battles, Abraxas is forced to confront the atrocities he’s committed. He’d once been the Champion of Haphion, the God of Light. But had the battles he’d fought really been for the moral side? He no longer believes in redemption. There is only salvation, and salvation requires sacrifice.

As a lost daughter of Serevadia, Nerezza believes it’s her duty to bring her people out of the shadows where they’ve been living underground and into the light on the surface. And whether he’s willing or not, Nerezza is determined Abraxas will help her.

In the present time, Evren and the Wandering Sols grieve for Abraxas. Then they find themselves in a race against time as the Serevadian threat beneath their feet begins a war for the surface. Nerezza was once a friend, but destiny and her lust for power has turned her against the Wandering Sols as she hunts for the artifacts that will give her the divinity to return her people to their rightful place. Abraxas fights his own internal battle. Will he remain trapped in the darkness of the past or find his way back to the light? What will be sacrificed as old allies and enemies return to face the coming threat of an entire world at war?

•••••••

REVIEW: WHERE THE LIGHT DIES is the fourth instalment in Gillian Grant’s adult THE BLOOD OF EITH high fantasy series focusing on twenty-three year old, half-elf, hunter Evren Hanali of Orenlion, and her ragtag team of misfit warriors who call themselves the Wandering Sols. WHERE THE LIGHT DIES can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as several plot lines converge in each instalment.

Told from third person perspective WHERE THE LIGHTS DIES follows two paths: Elven warrior Abraxas Kain and newly turned necromancer/ blood mage Nerezza descend through time arriving one-hundred years before the current timeline. Believed to have been killed in the last battle, Abraxa finds himself a slave to a woman who was once a friend but a slave who will amass more power than anyone could have ever imagined.

Meanwhile, the current timeline finds Evren and the Wandering Sols searching for their friends, friends believed to have died but may still be alive. As both timelines focus on a war for control and influence, Abraxa and Nerezza go in search of an artifact that will give one or both god-like powers, while Evren pushes herself to the edge of reason, in an effort to protect the people she loves.

Once again, most of the previous story line characters return including Sorin Trinity, goblin Arke, dwarf warrior Solri Amet, and Keres, a spirit that is able to enter the bodies of the recently deceased but a spirit searching for a permanent home.

WHERE THE LIGHT DIES is a detailed, complex, action packed adventure of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, life and death, time travel and resurrection, all reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings™ franchise; the varying facets of Dungeons and Dragons™, and A Game of Thrones™ fantasy saga. From elves to dwarves, mages and dragon, WHERE THE LIGHT DIES takes the read into a fantastical journey where not everyone will survive.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Where The Shadow Beckons
Where the Night Consumes
Where The Heart Festers

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads / Amazon Author Page / Facebook /

Gillian Grant was born in Texas and grew up enthralled with fantasy stories of all kinds. As she got older, she often traveled with her family and imagined wild adventures while exploring the mountains of Colorado and the glens of Scotland. Back home in Texas, she took her love of fantasy to the next level and sat a group of friends down to play Dungeons and Dragons. From there, they built the world her first novel, Where The Shadows Beckon was set in. When she’s not writing, Gillian is normally juggling too many D&D campaigns, grooming dogs, and imagining her next adventure. She still lives in Texas with her two cats.

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Where the Heart Festers (Blood of Eith) by Gillian Grant-a review

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Where the Heart Festers (Blood of Eith 3) by Gillian Grant-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 28, 2022

A legacy of grief, a sacrifice for love, a battle that may destroy them all…

Half-elf Evren Hanali is dying. She has only vague, terrifying memories of losing her heart and gaining blood magic in return. Her companions, the Wandering Sols, believe the only way to save her is to return Evern to her home. A return to Orenlion means a return to toxic politics and a legacy of traumatic memories, where old friends have changed and old enemies won’t let her slip away again. But when they are approached by a prince in need of an escort through the treacherous Deep Wood, Evren reluctantly agrees to guide them.

The simple escort mission takes a dangerous turn when the prince is kidnapped, thrusting them all into a thousand year blood feud between the elves of Orenlion and the monstrous Hisrachi race. Amidst the brewing storm, Evren’s attraction to one of her companions grows, a weakness her dying body can’t afford and the simmering war won’t allow. Surrounded by betrayals, lies, and spies, her magic slowly killing her, and with a thirst for revenge, Evren won’t allow someone she loves to sacrifice their life to save her own.

But time is running out and dark secrets are revealed as a battle rages across time for an ancient relic that may alter all their futures. If only Evren can survive long enough

•••••

REVIEW:WHERE THE HEART FESTERS is the third instalment in Gillian Grant’s adult BLOOD OF EITH dark, high fantasy, adventure series focusing on twenty-three year old, half-elf, hunter Evren Hanali of Orenlion, and her ragtag team of misfit warriors who call themselves the Wandering Sols. WHERE THE HEART FESTERS can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from third person perspective (Evren) WHERE THE HEART FESTERS once again, focuses on Evren Hanali and the Wandering Sols, as they are tasked with protecting and guiding Prince Barrion Rhys, as he embarks on a journey towards peace with Evren’s homeland of Orenlion, a journey that sees the travellers facing a sentient forest known as the Deep Wood, the Archdruids of the Wood, a necromancer determined to take control of the world, a nest of Wyvern, and giant spiders known as the Weavers or Hisrachi. Evren is reluctant to return to the place that is nothing more than memories of heart break and pain for our story line heroine, a place where she will have to face the truth about the people and the past but Evren Hanali is dying and the truth will reveal a destiny born of blood and family, of death and life. As Evren struggles to move forward, betrayal, vengeance and a lust for control take aim, destroying everything and everyone in its’ path.

Most of the previous story line characters return including Sorin Trinity, goblin Arke, dwarf warrior Solri Amet, elf Abraxas Kain, and half giant / warrior Gyda, and the return of Nerezza Quill. We are introduced to Prince Barrion Rhys; Hisrachi Matriarch Shelis, and her solider Anep: Neri a Weaver yet not; as well as several members of the political elite of Orenlion including Soveriegn Wasanthi, Khama Song Mei, Fen, and Evren’s childhood friend Aster. Not everyone is willing to help Evren as the world around her implodes.

WHERE THE HEART FESTERS and the BLOOD OF EITH series is similar in premise and make up, reminiscent to Lord of the Rings™ franchise, a striking familiarity to Game of Thrones™ series, as well as Dungeons and Dragons™ including plot lines, characters, history and lore. Once again, an army of the ‘walking dead’ including a reanimated dragon are controlled by the ultimate evil, someone who was once a kindred spirit with the Wandering Sols. The premise is complex, well-developed and descriptive; the characters are numerous, energetic, colorful and dynamic. WHERE THE HEART FESTERS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Where The Shadow Beckons
Where the Night Consumes

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads / Amazon Author Page / Facebook /

Gillian Grant was born in Texas and grew up enthralled with fantasy stories of all kinds. As she got older, she often traveled with her family and imagined wild adventures while exploring the mountains of Colorado and the glens of Scotland. Back home in Texas, she took her love of fantasy to the next level and sat a group of friends down to play Dungeons and Dragons. From there, they built the world her first novel, Where The Shadows Beckon was set in. When she’s not writing, Gillian is normally juggling too many D&D campaigns, grooming dogs, and imagining her next adventure. She still lives in Texas with her two cats.

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Where The Night Consumes (Blood of Eith)by Gillian Grant-a review

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Where The Night Consumes (Blood of Eith 2)by Gillian Grant-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 5, 2022

When the lands they travel are as deadly as the enemies they face.

Bound together by friendship and the need to survive, the Wandering Sols loyalties are tested as their journey leads into the lands of eternal night. Evren Hanali, Gyda, Abraxas Kain, Arke, Solri Amet, and Sorin Trinity have no idea what’s coming for them.

Lured back to the Reino Terminan by the horrible news of her clan’s fate, Gyda finds herself under the thrall of the same unknown necromancer who now controls her undead kin. Her only hope is her new friends, but there are so many things she never told them.

Rescuing Gyda from a fate worse than death forces the ragtag team of adventurers to the very brink. But not only do the Wandering Sols have to save their friend, they’re going to have to confront a past that’s been haunting her and the secrets she kept. Their journey through the icy tundra is almost as dangerous as the enemies who are lurking in the shadows.

In the war against darkness itself, the biggest risk is exposing your secrets to the light of day.

•••••

REVIEW:WHERE THE NIGHT CONSUMES is the second instalment in Gillian Grant’s adult BLOOD OF EITH dark, high fantasy, adventure series focusing on twenty-three year old, half-elf, hunter Evren Hanali of Orenlion, and her ragtag team of misfit warriors who call themselves the Wandering Sols. WHERE THE NIGHT CONSUMES can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from third person perspective (Evren) WHERE THE NIGHT CONSUMES follows Evren Hanali and the Wandering Sols, in the wake of their latest contract, a job in which they came face to face with the walking dead. A suspected necromancer in the far north is reanimating the dead, and another group known as The Ashen Bond has been tasked with uncovering the truth. Refusing to sit by idly, half-giant Gyda of the Wandering Sols, who had previously lost her entire clan to The Long Night, offers her services to The Ashen Bond but in doing so sets into motion a journey where not everyone will return. Hoping to bring Gyda back into the fold, Evren and the Wandering Sols go in search of Gyda, only to discover they are ill-prepared for what comes their way.

Most of the previous story line characters return including Sorin Trinity, goblin Arke, dwarf warrior Solri Amet, elf Abraxas Kain, Professor Elend and half giant Gyda. We are introduced to The Ashen Bond: Drystan, Sahar Al-Fasil, Nerezza Quill, and Vox, as well as Keres, and a young but powerful Vasa named Gail.

WHERE THE NIGHT CONSUMES is a detailed, complex and fascinating tale of adventure reminiscent of Lord of the Rings™ franchise; the varying facets of Dungeons and Dragons™, but most especially this instalment of the Game of Thrones™ fantasy saga wherein the story line delves deeply into a ‘whitewalker’ esque style of army and power. Evren, the Wandering Sols, and The Ashen Bond must face down an army of the ‘walking dead’, an ice-cold, frozen army of soulless men and women, who are of one mind, an army trapped in the ice and snow, protected by a monster of unspeakable terror.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one WHERE THE SHADOWS BECKON

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads / Amazon Author Page / Facebook /

Gillian Grant was born in Texas and grew up enthralled with fantasy stories of all kinds. As she got older, she often traveled with her family and imagined wild adventures while exploring the mountains of Colorado and the glens of Scotland. Back home in Texas, she took her love of fantasy to the next level and sat a group of friends down to play Dungeons and Dragons. From there, they built the world her first novel, Where The Shadows Beckon was set in. When she’s not writing, Gillian is normally juggling too many D&D campaigns, grooming dogs, and imagining her next adventure. She still lives in Texas with her two cats.

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