THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (hardcover and Kindle)
THE SCYTHIAN STONE (coming soon!)
Publishers Weekly STARRED Review:
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A fast pace, sly humor, amusing dialogue and a richly researched background lift Baxley's fantasy, the first of a new series set in medieval Britain. When Merlin's long-ago apprentice Kruzurk Makshare (aka the Boozer) receives a dreamlike visitation from the legendary mage, he learns he must destroy another former apprentice, the villainous Seed of Cerberus. To do so will require a visit to the demon-guarded Blackgloom Keep.
Enter young Daynin McKinnon, who discovers a curious rune-covered headstone, which may be the fabled Scythian Stone, and brings it to Kruz's attention. Kruz believes it will provide entry into the fortress, while Daynin hopes the sale of the stone will restore his family's fortunes.
The colorful cast of good guys and ne'er-do-wells includes the Pictish ghost of Brude McAlpin liberated from his tomb, assorted pursuing Caledonians and a bemused Prior Bede, whose monastery serves as a hiding place for the Blackgloom Bounty. Suitable for fantasy enthusiasts of all ages, this novel evolved from an e-book,The Scythian Stone.
Reviewer: Tyler @ FantasyBookSpot.com
FANTASY BOOKSPOT
...Taking place in medieval Scotland, this epic of magic, adventure and love really captured my attention and kept me reading for hours. I have never been a big fan of fantasy novels that took place on Earth as they always seemed to be far fetched even for fantasy. Baxley really chose the perfect setting for his novel and created an Earth-based fantasy novel that knocked my socks off.
When I first read the back of the novel I was a little thrown off by the description as it told you right there that the enemy would be defeated. And so I slowly stepped into the tale of Daynin and Kruzurk wondering what the point of reading the novel was if I already knew the bad guy was going to die. Along the way they pick up a young “slave” girl named Sabritha after rescuing her from a vicious noble and continue along their journey.
As I came to the climax of the heroes’ battle with the Seed of Cerberus, which I thought was the climax of the novel, I still had a good two hundred pages to read and no idea what was going to happen next. I continued along in this superb novel and was not disappointed by the quality of the tale. The novel follows Daynin, Kruzurk and Sabritha on a quest to reclaim Daynin’s family’s lost lands after having looted Blackgloom Keep for an extensive amount of treasure. The group of travelers then must fight against an evil nobleman driven by greed and malice who wants nothing more than the treasure which our heroes possess.
Jon F. Baxley has created a book that has broken down another of my strongest convictions towards novels. The slightest hint of an Earth-based fantasy has always made me turn my back, but with The Blackgloom Bounty I have finally found a novel that may open me up to new Earth-based novels without having such a strong animosity towards them...Baxley’s novel really drew me in as a reader and brought a nice historical perspective to the tale incorporating two subjects I love, Medieval History and Fantasy.
One of the best parts of this novel...would have to be that there are two distinct plot lines. The first is where Kruzurk takes Daynin along on the adventure to kill the Seed of Cerberus, and the second deals with the reclamation of Daynin’s homeland, both of which were exhilarating and entertaining adventures. I really look forward to seeing this series continue and watching the characters face whatever interesting problems Baxley can come up with next.
Reviewer: Amy Brozio-Andrews "Inside the Cover Book Reviews"
AbsoluteWrite.com
The Blackgloom Bounty is a sweeping medieval fantasy that draws readers in with its swift plotting, dynamic characterization, and blend of magic, military, and history. The pace of the book is much faster than its almost 450 pages might suggest, with strong action scenes blending into each other as Baxley shifts the third-person narrative among his characters-- from Daynin, Sabritha, Kruzurk, and their allies to the duke's men in pursuit. Secondary characters are numerous, but Baxley skillfully moves them into and out of the narrative as he advances the story and keeps the reader focused on the primary plot.
Supporting the narrative with vivid historical detail and distinctive characters that come alive through sharp dialogue and seamlessly integrated backstories, Baxley's book has broad appeal. Daynin's charming inexperience-- with women and with doing battle--is endearing, while Sabritha's sharp tongue keeps the tension (romantic and otherwise) between the two at an almost fever-pitch. Battle scenes are exciting and cinematic in their telling, and Daynin's quest to restore his clan's keep in the face of those who massacred his family has a timeless theme that Baxley still manages to make feel fresh, even though the book takes place in the year 988. Baxley's energetic and engaging voice spins a captivating story, and I look forward to the next book in the series.
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If you're looking for a copy of Blackgloom, you can ask for THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY, (ISBN 1594144516) at a library near you. You can find your library by clicking here:
WorldCat.org
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