![In the Company of the Dead (The Sundered Oath Book 1) by [Ballintyne, Ciara]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519IQWemKjL._SY346_.jpg)
Ballintyne has done an excellent job weaving the indepth, backstabbing nature of politics and of the gods in this stunning beginning of this Dark Fantasy Series. Although a battle/ siege story it does not get so wrapped up in the battle to drag the plot. The characters development and descriptions throughout help drive the mystery of the story as well as the pace. Ellaeva, the goddess of death's Battle Priestess, is in a great struggle between her need for revenge and her duty to the goddess. To make matters worse, because of her station she is always alone on a path she did not chose but was chosen for her at the age of five and this places internal struggles on her as she yearns for situations she vowed against. Her personal struggles and human side make her far more believable and like able than the cold perfect priestess of death. In the same way Lyram caught up in politics due to his position by birth, and in a state of rage due to evil men and the horrific death of his wife, shows his faults and mistakes in his emotions, grief, and rage, helping the reader form a bond with him and a need for vengeance, even through his flaws.
Ballintyne's character development is not the only thing that hooked me in this read. Her detailed descriptions of the fights with the army and the monsters, the setting like the castle, the enemies and my favorite the weapons and clothes, specifically the kilts, made the story come alive. I also enjoyed the authors ability to toy with the plot and characters, setting up the interest to not only read on but an urge to get my hands on the next book . The big reveal was not expected at all and because I was so intrigued when it happened it worked to only fuel more questions and interest in the next book. I am not often surprised but this great adventure did just that.
Product Description
Only a fool crosses a god.
WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award – Fall 2016 – Best Book in Fantasy
Chosen as a five-year-old orphan to be the Left Hand of Death, Ellaeva has nothing to call her own—nothing except a desire to avenge her slaughtered parents.
Lyram, third in line for the throne, is serving out his exile after the murder of his wife. When the castle is unexpectedly besieged, he fears his prince means to remove him from contention for the crown permanently.
Ellaeva’s arrival at the castle brings Lyram hope, until she reveals she has not come for the siege, but instead to hunt for a hidden necromancer dedicated to the dark god of decay.
Within their stone prison, Ellaeva and Lyram must fight to save themselves from political machinations and clashing gods. But as the siege lengthens, the greatest threat comes from an unexpected quarter.
[Dark Epic Fantasy, Castle Siege, Epic Battle]
- "Good Ol' Fashioned Fantasy Castle Siege: Strong writing, good world-building with all the terminology and the different gods, conflicted characters, ever-changing plot, intrigue, betrayal, and all the goodies of a good vs. evil battle." ~ Becky
- "Ciara Ballintyne writes adventurous tales that revel in their sense of sheer fun, and IN THE COMPANY OF THE DEAD takes that to a proper battlefield-sized fantasy." ~ Ken Hughes
IN THE COMPANY OF THE DEAD by Ciara Ballintyne
Evolved Publishing presents the first book in "The Sundered Oath" series of dark, epic fantasies. [DRM-Free]
Books by Ciara Ballintyne:
- In the Company of the Dead (The Sundered Oath #1)
- On the Edge of Death (The Sundered Oath #2)
- To Make the Dead Weep (The Sundered Oath #3 - Coming 2018)
- Confronting the Demon (The Seven Circles of Hell #1)
- Stalking the Demon (The Seven Circles of Hell #2)
More Great Fantasy from Evolved Publishing:
- Heir of Thunder by Karissa Laurel
- Shadow Swarm by D. Robert Pease
- The Soulbound Curse by Kira A. McFadden
- The Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich
About the Author
AUTHOR: Ciara Ballintyne holds degrees in law and accounting, and is a practising financial services lawyer. In her spare time, she speculates about taking over the world - how hard can it really be? If she could be anything, she'd choose a dragon, but if she's honest she shares more in common with Dr. Gregory House of House M.D. - both the good and the bad. She is a browncoat, a saltgunner, a Whedonite, a Sherlockian, a Ringer and a Whovian... OK, most major geek fandoms. Her alignment is chaotic good. She's an INTJ. Ciara lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband, two daughters, and a growing menagerie of animals that unfortunately includes no dragons.
EDITOR: Marissa loves falling into a story and just going along for the ride, but she also loves capturing a story and examining it like a naturalist would, trying to figure out what makes it tick and how it turned out so beautiful. She started out editing National Geographic books, and has been editing full time for over five years now, working on all genres but specializing in science fiction and fantasy. She loves her job more all the time. Being able to help storytellers bring their ideas to life and seeing them grow as artists is incredibly rewarding.
EDITOR: Marissa loves falling into a story and just going along for the ride, but she also loves capturing a story and examining it like a naturalist would, trying to figure out what makes it tick and how it turned out so beautiful. She started out editing National Geographic books, and has been editing full time for over five years now, working on all genres but specializing in science fiction and fantasy. She loves her job more all the time. Being able to help storytellers bring their ideas to life and seeing them grow as artists is incredibly rewarding.
