Omnibus Edition reviews
Bloggers/reviewers on
The Doomsayer Prince
A definite must read
“…caused several sleepless nights as I was just not able to put it down...This book will have much appeal for fans of writers like Sanderson and George R.R. Martin, layered fantasy with multiple characters going through story arcs leading to a dynamic conclusion. This is a definite must read if you enjoy epic fantasy.”
This book is definitely one of a kind
“…I have never read a book (where) battle scenes and visions of the future are blended together so well. This is a multi-person story and it takes a while for the plot to reveal itself, but the payoff was fantastic…I look forward to the next volume!”
Reviews in Danish (translated)
Captivating and exciting
“It starts with a lot of drama and action. This also helps the reader to get caught up in this new world faster...good for people who have a hard time starting a book.”
WORLD-CLASS EPIC FANTASY
“...a fabulous reading experience...The story grips and maintains its audience in the same way as the Harry Potter series...5 Stars is almost too little.”
The author’s recommendation for your best reading experience:…
eBook: Buy the Omnibus Edition.
It’s a great concept!
“It was also nice to see the main culture of the world not based in the Dark Ages of Europe.”
Jay Bailey was caught posing with Rune’s Artifact War books somewhere on a beautiful island in Maine, USA. Thank you for the photo, Jay!
Reader reviews
Superb depth
“There is a lot to like about this book. For one, the magic system of the 5 different types was well thought out…Another huge positive was the worldbuilding, which was epic and sprawling. Superb depth. I'm also a sucker for magical items/artifacts and this book had those in spades!”
A gripping read with a cliff for a conclusion!
“…undoubtedly worth the time investment. The magic is unique…The characters are flawed and real…Overall a great story with a very interesting plot, and I'm excited to see where it leads in the next book!”
A long epic journey
“…the plot was really interesting. It was a very wide-scaled operation, covering multiple empires and countries and different political issues, cultures, and a detailed magic system. There was a lot of magic, mostly used in fighting scenes, and detailed explanations on how every spell worked. The characters were interesting too.”
A captivating story about power, gender, customs, friendship and magic
“This story got me from page one. The main characters get under your skin very fast, and you understand their motivation, and no one is completely good nor completely bad.”
I loved this book
“…does not resemble the usual D&D like inspired magic/fantasy stuff. And of course the entire world is about to go haywire because of some villain with too much power, too little empathy and a ‘just’ cause.
It reminds me a bit of the fantastic Farseer series in the novelty of magic and character building.”
OTHER reviews IN ENGLISH
Bloggers/reviewers on
The Arch of The Zhi’el
Reviews in Danish (translated)
It (the book) continues right where The Doomsayer Prince and The Vulture Sentinel let off. He (Pino) is still full of flaws, which works really well. All the characters you meet are full of flaws and good character traits. The characters have different but good personalities that suit the story very well. The book starts with a good summary of books 1 and 2 so that you remember what just happened in relation to the setting and the story. Then you’ve entered the universe again and it just works really well. At the end of the book, there is a dictionary of the characters that are in the book, and words and places that the book takes place in. It all just works very well together.
Reader reviews
Arch is a story about finding oneself
“…And it does it very well. I read the story across only three sessions, because when I did pick it up I couldn't put it down. I was disappointed, on my fourth sitdown, to find there was only some 20 pages left. When next book!”
the author’s PERSPECTIVE
Thank you for all the reviews, DMs, and chats at book fairs!
Most everyone I talk to about The Doomsayer Prince and the later books in the series often insists it’s not like the other fantasy stories they enjoy.
One reader even went so far as saying, “Your book is a fresh take on the fantasy genre.”
Whatever the case, I’m happy if the readers are happy. So, if you have an enjoyable time reading one of my books, please tell me.
What my books are like
I aim to create characters who act intelligently when facing obstacles and to give you an immersive and epic world-building. I’m trying hard to make you feel like you’re in a real place with real people and give you that nice fantasy twist. As an author friend told me: “I appreciate a writer that looked at the Byzantine palaces and went, ‘those are glorious and also would make for some sick parkour.’”
Busted…that’s exactly what I did. You can read how it turned out in Doomsayer Prince.
Take a risk
It’s often easier to take a risk on a new book if someone you know has read it…or if you’re sure it’s similar to a book you’ve enjoyed.
Since I likely don’t know your friends and family...I can’t really do the first, so, I’ve kept pestering readers to tell me what other works of fantasy they think The Doomsayer Prince reminds them of the most. I’d like to write “great for fans of…,” and insert the name of some preferably immensely famous author whose books are not that different from mine.
No such luck, Rune!
Unfortunately, the readers give very different answers like the teenager who said, “The closest thing is definitely Avatar: The Last Airbender,” or the author who told me, “The way you use historical details reminds me of the works of the Guy Gavriel Kay but with a bit of a ‘Tad Williams meets Assassins Creed’ vibe to it.”
Does that make you as confused as I am?
And what about the review that compares my books to works by some of the big names in the business: Brandon Sanderson and George R.R. Martin?
While historical sources heavily inspire both Guy Gavriel Kay and George R.R. Martin…I’m not into that sort of thing. I don’t think Brandon Sanderson is either. Not that I don’t do research (for instance, the Izanti Empire is a bit inspired by several real-world empires,) but my works aren’t based on one historical period, a specific event, or a war.
Does anybody ever mention the same authors?
Well, truth be told several readers have told me that the beginning reminds them of Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy. And while I do introduce a new unique kind of magic, and the first few chapters of Doomsayer Prince do take place among royalty, the rest of the book is nothing like the Farseer Trilogy.
So, I’ve given up on asking readers. I now just think that what I write is my own thing…a bit hard to pin down…or perhaps a little bit like everything else.
To be honest, my series might be like Avatar: The Last Airbender. I’ve only ever seen the beginning of one episode so I wouldn’t know.
Thank you all for the comparisons and the praise!!!
I suspect you’re all right to some degree (readers and reviewers most often are.) After all, common sources of inspiration flow through most modern Western fantasy. Sources like Lord of The Rings, the earlier Arthurian legends (all things medieval really,) fairytales of the Brothers Grimm and H.C. Anderson, mythologies (like Norse, Greek, Egyptian, Christian,) and the Icelandic sagas.
Proudly, I’ve concluded that Doomsayer Prince and the rest of the Artifact War series is a tale that stands on its own merits.
I hope you’ll take a risk on one of my books, and please do send me a message if you like it.
