Valor (Faithful and the Fallen)

If you like fantasy / swords and sorcerers, read this.

It's not as dense or dark as game of thrones - that's both good (much easier read, no chapters you have to "grind" thru) and bad (not quite as much suspense, more predictable).

But if you're into this genre, this series should 100% be on your reading list.

*Original review on Goodreads and My Blog*

I was bought the first three books of this book from the store from a friend on Goodreads and I'm sure glad she did, I have now pre-ordered the 4th book that comes out in December. I loved the first book (Malice) and this book so much that I know I will love the next two.

Well, the only thing I don't like about them is the deaths, but you know this happens in books and shows so I'm ready for it each time.

This book continues where Malice left off, Corban and the group are sailing away from the downfall of their home, Dun Carreg. But this does not keep them down, they are fighting until they can't fight any more. There is plenty of bloodshed in this book as well. AND I was happy the Jehar Warriors came into the picture. I hope to learn more about them in the next book.

There's really not a whole like I can say without giving out spoilers but if you love epic/high fantasy books, you will probably love this one too!

Excellent! Oh man, so good! I really liked the first book, but felt it was a little slow at some points. The sequel? Not the case. Action is everywhere, making the pace steady and the story engaging. There are brand new characters that I adore, traps and betrayals to make a reader's heart pound, and a lot more magic than in the previous book. It was awesome to watch characters I was familiar with interact with each other, to read new perspectives and watch them all grow with uncertainty, doubt, and courage. I honestly loved this book and have virtually nothing to criticize. The story was easy to follow, thrilling, and leaves me wondering just who is moving the pieces of this board. The characters are rich, discernible from each other, and the action is positively stellar. This is absolutely a must for all epic and fantasy fans. If you like Game of Thrones, this is what you need to read next. Seriously, I just finished it and all I can think is that I need to read the next one! Don't miss out on it!

If you have nothing better laying around to read, this will do. But there is a lot out there that's better to read. This book/series is almost a guide map to cliche, with even a little plagiarism thrown in. You have the fierce horsemen warriors, the raiding pirates, the giants,and huge wolf pets from GOT, the impending demon army from Shanara, the fighting pits from Conan - and these are just a few examples. It's a typical story of a boy turning into a man, while learning important lessons as he's being chased all over to the ultimate fulfillment of a prophecy (in future volumes). Major'ish" secondary characters are bumped off fairly regularly, sometimes for no apparent reason other than it hasn't happened for a while. Every once in a while some extraordinarily awkward grammar also pops up. The plagiarism? There's one point where a character talks about being "a stranger in a strange land" (Heinlein). I can live with that. It could easily just be an homage. But, there's another scene that is just plain lifted. A "bad guy" is riding off trying to escape a losing fight, and to try and stop him one of the good guys takes a shot at him from a long distance, shooting the rider from the horse. The good guy's friend exclaims "That was an amazing shot!" and the first guy responds "Not really. I was aiming for the horse." This was the exact situation, and almost the exact dialogue, from "The Magnificent Seven." Please... at least TRY to be original. Don't steal other people's stuff!

I liked it. It got me feeling for the characters. It's better than the first book. It still isn't as good as TWOF or Fire&Ice or The Name of the Wind series or the Stormlight Archives (since it's still a little bit close to being a YA book), but it's good. I'll be buying the third book when it comes out.

I finished this book faster than any other long epic novel that I've read. This is one of those books that you can't wait to get off work, and get back to reading. Characters you love and some you really hate! These two books, as I stated in my review of Malice, these are my new favorite books of all time!! You won't be disappointed at all! I bought the big paperback. I cannot wait for the next book next spring summer 2015