Review: Relentless Blades by Russell Carroll
Blurb:
Debut author, Russell Carroll is excited to present the thrilling fantasy saga, The Prophecies of Zarune, Volume I - Relentless Blades! It promises heart-pounding action, rich world building, and unforgettable characters. With a gripping plot, heroes to root for and villains to despise, this is a must read for any fantasy fan craving an edge-of-your-seat adventure from beginning to end. The fight for Zarune begins-are you ready?
Cross the wrong men and meet their blades!
In Zarune, peace hangs by a thread as the vragoths, once tyrannical rulers, hunger to reclaim their dominance. When an ancient scepter capable of tipping the balance of power is unearthed, they will stop at nothing to seize it.
Burdened by shame and hiding in a frontier town, Vigilanton never expected to stand against them. But when his estranged brother arrives to investigate the discovery, Vigilanton is forced to confront his past and take action. Joined by Grimlock—a half-skron driven by vengeance and haunted by guilt—they may be the realm’s only hope of stopping the vragoths.
As fates collide, unlikely allies engage in a deadly pursuit of these wicked fiends, while old grudges and past failures threaten to tear their fragile alliance apart. Time is running out, and each knows that failure will doom the land to the vragoths’ brutal reign.
Review:
Relentless Blades by Russell Caroll follows Vigilanton, a dishonoured Valadian Knight who has to prove his worth by saving the world from the evil Vagroths, who are on the verge of unleashing an ancient evil. He is joined by Grim, a half-skron who is driven by vengeance and haunted by guilt. Together,they are the realm’s only hope of stopping the Vragroths.
I discovered this novel through the SFF Insiders Discord library and the cover art immediately caught my attention. I instantly emailed Russell asking if I could read and review his book. Russell was incredibly welcoming and thoughtful with his responses. What I didn't expect was for Russell to send me his proof copy, for which I am very grateful, as he simply wanted my honest feedback.
Relentless Blades is a fast-paced epic fantasy novel featuring a variety of magic and unique races, including goblins and other creatures. Initially, the book didn’t quite click for me, as I struggled to follow the story. However, after a few chapters, I became accustomed to Russell’s writing style and I was completely hooked and couldn’t put the book down.
My favourite characters within Relentless Blades were Rarran and Grim. Rarran’s presence was so impactful that I eagerly awaited his scenes. He served as a father figure to both Grim and Vig, guiding them with wisdom and helping refine their skills without ever judging them. Rattan saw potential in them from the start, accepting them for who they were. He never discriminated against Grim for being half-skron and ensured Grim found work suited to his abilities. Likewise, he didn’t look down on Vig for his struggles with reading but instead offered his help with kindness.
Grim was another character that I came to admire, especially for how he carries himself in tough situations. He is an all-around warrior, and although his temper sometimes gets the best of him due to his emotional state, he remains a very honourable individual. Always striving to do the right thing despite how others perceive or treat him. When Grim opened up about his past, I couldn't help but love him more. The pain and challenges he endured were deeply moving and I admire the way he grew from them. I can’t wait to see more of Grim in the series, as I have a feeling his journey has only just begun, with much more to explore.
One of my favourite aspects of this novel was the emotional depth, as Russell timed these moments masterfully. They really struck a chord with me, especially moments of grief and reflection, which revealed the depth of these characters, making them more than just stereotypical heroes. I’d love to see more moments like these, as they stayed with me long after I finished the book.
In conclusion, Relentless Blades offers a fresh story filled with magic, action, adventure, and heart. The deeper message I took away from this novel is to not dwell on the past and to always appreciate family, even after arguments try to reconcile because you never know if you’ll get a second chance. The story was beautifully written, and I can’t wait for the next instalment to see what is in store for these amazing characters.
