Reviews of "The Axes of Evil"

(excerpts)

Here Michael A. Ventrella takes up the mantle of Christopher Stasheff.  Terin’s exploits are as entertaining as those of Rod Gallowglass, and fans of The Warlock in Spite of Himself will hugely enjoy The Axes of Evil.

Gregory Frost, author of Shadowbridge and Lord Tophet

Humor, danger and a twisted tangle of unlikely prophecies make for a page-turning adventure.

Gail Z. Martin, author of The Chronicles of the Necromancer series

A witty and original fantasy. Grips you from the start and never lets go.

Patrick Von Raven, author of The Bride of Annwn

Axes of Evil continues the story that began in Arch Enemies. In this one, Michael Ventrella weaves another of his perplexing tales where it seems his protagonist, the squire but would-be bard Terin Ostler, cannot succeed in solving one problem without betraying another.

Terin is now a squire of Duke Aramis of Ashbury – albeit a very new and unskillful one. His companion squires are Darlissa, the biata, from a race of magic skilled but enigmatic people created by gryphons, and Rendal, a skillful and brave normal human. Terin would much prefer a peaceful life but as in the other story, events seem to swirl around him. He wonders why he keeps being featured in prophesies which all lead to troubles that appear satisfied only by his death. The prophecy in the earlier tale was cryptic in that he was required to fulfill it without ever being able to see its contents – a conundrum deliciously solved in the finale. In this tale he is Bishortu, of whom three conflicting but secret prophecies are told and which he and his companions have to face many dangers to learn.

We meet the three tribes of the Vansir who live in a sparse and rocky land they call the Vansir Reclaim. Each of the chieftains has one of the three magic axes which have kept the tribes separated and at war with one another for many generations. The goblins also live in this inhospitable land – also perpetually at war with the Vansir. As Bishortu, Terin is expected to solve all the problems before the armies of Ashbury arrive to destroy them all.

As the perpetual pacifist, Terin often succeeds through his very reluctance to fight. He believes himself a coward, but is one of those who acts despite his fear. He stoically faces the dangers that keep him and his companions from their goal in a non-stop sequence of action and setback. He collects new friends and supporters by his purity – as well as a new admirer who joins the little band. In the very Taoist manner of succeeding by avoiding to contend, he leads the adventurers to conquer by failing, and to solve the problems by allowing the prophecies to prove themselves.

Christopher Hoare, author of Arrival and The Wildcat's Victory

Once again, Terin is a part of a prophecy – well three prophecies to be exact – and and this time the prophecies are not as clear. One says he will unite the Vansir tribes, one says he will destroy the people, and the final, well; no one will speak of it. Suffice it to say, it is revealed, but I will let you find out what it is, which is actually pretty funny and well worth finding out.

This was a very enjoyable read and moved much better than Arch Enemies did. The differences were the lack of need for character introductions and more direction for the characters to take. I found myself more engaged with this book and wanting to continue to see what happened next.

The characters are more fleshed out with this one. Even the side characters were a joy to read.

Even though this book is much shorter, I still felt as if I read a much longer book because of everything he was able to pack into it. Mr. Ventrella’s writing has really seemed to tighten up and become much better. 

There were some mysteries and surprises with this one that kept me engaged to the end. I haven’t heard anything about the next book, but I will be the first in line, or so I hope, to get it and devour it as I had this one.

Robert Hicks