10 October, 2011

The Iron Elves Trilogy - Should I Read It?

The third and final book of the Iron Elves Trilogy, Ashes of a Black Frost [US] [UK] [Kindle] is coming out and I was wondering, should I read this series?

I've been looking at this trilogy for a while and it seems pretty good, plus the covers are right up my alley. I also haven't read about elves in a while so maybe this is where I should start.


Here's some info on the first book in the series, A Darkness Forged in Fire:
We do not fear the flame, though it burns us,
We do not fear the fire, though it consumes us,
And we do not fear its light,
Though it reveals the darkness of our souls,
For therein lies our power.
-- Blood Oath of the Iron
Elves

First in a stunning debut series, A Darkness Forged in Fire introduces an unforgiving world of musket and cannon...bow and arrow...magic, diplomacy, and oaths -- each wielding terrible power in an Empire teetering on the brink of war.

In this world, Konowa Swift Dragon, former commander of the Empire's elite Iron Elves, is looked upon as anything but ordinary. He's murdered a Viceroy, been court-martialed, seen his beloved regiment disbanded, and finally been banished in disgrace to the one place he despises the most -- the forest.

Now, all he wants is to be left alone with his misery...but for Konowa, nothing is ever that simple. The mysterious and alluring Visyna Tekoy, the highborn daughter of an elfkynan governor, seeks him out in the dangerous wild with a royal decree that he resume his commission as an officer in Her Majesty's Imperial Army, effective immediately.

For in the east, a falling Red Star heralds the return of a magic long vanished from the earth. Rebellion grows within the Empire as a frantic race to reach the Star unfolds. It is a chance for Konowa to redeem himself -- even if the entire affair appears doomed to be a suicide mission...

and that the soldiers recruited for the task are not at all what he expects. And worse, his key adversary in the perilous race for the Star is the dreaded Shadow Monarch -- a legendary elf-witch whose machinations for absolute domination spread deeper than Konowa could ever imagine....



Here's some info on the newest, Ashes of a Black Frost:

In the bestselling traditions of Terry Brooks, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Bernard Cornwell comes the third novel in the acclaimed epic fantasy series following The Light of Burning Shadows.

Musket and cannon, bow and arrow, and magic and diplomacy vie for supremacy once again in this all-new epic adventure from acclaimed author Chris Evans. As the human-dominated Calahrian Empire struggles to maintain its hold on power in the face of armed rebellion from within, the Iron Elves’ perilous quest to defeat the power-hungry elf witch, the Shadow Monarch, now takes on greater urgency....

Packed with wit, high adventure, and political intrigue, Ashes of a Black Frost will hook readers on this bold and exciting series.


Also, the Author is doing a Twitter chat on Oct. 13th. It is from noon-4PM Est using the hashtag #NYCC.

Let me know what you think of this series, you're the only ones I trust.

8 comments:

ediFanoB said...

You are not the only one with this question. I do not own copies but as I will get an eBook Reader on Christmas I'm thinking about to buy some books for it and a trilogy would be nice.

But since I read the review of Ashes of a Black Forest by Robert Thompson whom I trust, I think I will choose other books.

Anyway if you go for the trilogy I'm really interested in your opinion.

Rich F. said...

I've read the first two and did not enjoy them at all. I found them slow and a bit disjointed.

Bryce L. said...

@edi - Yeah, I saw that review and it has me a bit nervous although he speaks very positive about the rest of the series.

@Rich - Thanks a bunch, I need the heads up.

Pabkins said...

I agree - I was going to say I'd go for it - but this one never hit my radar so I likely won't ever pick it up. Unless my book soul mate says its good haha
Pabkins @ Mission to Read

Caitrin said...

I tried reading the first book and just couldn't finish it. It's been awhile and I only vaguely remember it but I think I didn't like the writing style and the main character. Good luck if you decide to read!

Bryce L. said...

@Pabkins - Yeah, those are always trustworthy. :)

@Caitrin - I think I might still give it a go, at least the first one. Maybe I'll try it on audiobook.

Ruggins said...

I have read the first 2 books and they are not too bad. A bit disjointed, as a previous poster stated but as I have read a bunch of other books like that, I did not find it all that hard to follow. The clash of magic and gunpowder is interesting.

It's worth a read as filler if you are waiting for a favorite author to finish another book in a series (ie Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, etc.)

Robert said...

Personally I thought the first 2 were very entertaining. So much so that I just started reading it again. While not my favorite I found the books a good read, interesting with a different take on many aspects of fantasy fiction. Not for everyone it seems, but to each their own I suppose.