Sam Burley

Fun adventuring book about a collection of would-be heroes tracking down a savage beast rampaging their home in the Pathfinder world. The book is exciting, with plenty of action scenes. The writing is good, fast paced when it needs to be and strong in character development of the main characters. Outside of the three main characters, you barely get to know any of the others making them quite forgettable. The plot is a bit simple but was still looking forward to the big finish. A good book to get to know more about the Pathfinder world.… (altro)

Howard Andrew Jones, one of the strongest writers in the Pathfinder stable, returns with a sequel to his first book with Pathfinder, this one is nearly as good, but not quite.

Elyana and half-orc Drelm are on the track of a huge invisible monster that is ravaging the River Kingdoms. Can they and their motley crew find and destroy it, before it destroys them?

Jones' best asset is his construction in my opinion. This book, like all his others, is built very well. Jones is adroit at hitting his marks, his pacing is superb - you barely notice it - and he's syncs the internal journeys his characters take with what's happening outside.

Elyana's thoughts take more of a backseat in this one - it's really more Drelm's book, plus an intriguing new character, a gun-slinger named Lisette. While I missed Elyana's flinty perspective, the other characters more than make up for it and Jones builds up a nice and varied party around her.

There's certainly no shortage of action, though the plot and motivation behind it is a little on the slight side.

This is just a quibble though as in Jones' hands, you know you're always in for a good time.… (altro)