Customer Reviews

Flank Hawk

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Zombies are never a good thing. Souled zombies, ones that can independently think and act, are even worse. Then there are the goblins, ogres, seers, wizards, and more in this time nearly 3000 years in the future where magic is prevalent, dragons fly, and the evil necromancer king seeks to rule the world. The good people and creatures are far outnumbered by those bent on war and conquest. Those that can harness the most magic can turn the tide of battle -at least for now.

For Krish and his cousin Guzzy, the recent battles outside of their small village have been more then the annual minor attacks designed to disrupt the yearly harvest. The young men fight to defend their village, Pine Ridge, and to protect all they hold dear. With swords and spears protected by magic and salt, they fight on as the enemy in many different forms continues to press the attack and people they know die around them. Back up is on the way as kingdoms make alliances in order to slow the advance of those loyal to the evil necromancer king. One such alliance allows Prince Reveron of Kreese to eventually take over and lead the small group Krish is part of into battle. Krish becomes noticed not only by the Prince but by others and gradually works his way deeper and deeper into the circle of those that Prince Reveron trusts. While Krish may not have had formal military training, he acquires battle skills at a rapid rate and has certain other skills that he continues to try to keep hidden from those around him.

Nearly any fantasy story has to have an epic quest. The one Krish is sent on is huge and could mean the fate of the world as well as what is left of humanity, forever changed in our times, could massively change again. That is assuming he can survive and complete a quest that is nearly impossible from the start. The good thing is he will get some help. The bad thing is that the little help he gets most likely will not nearly be enough.

Blending a fantasy line set nearly 3000 years in the future heavily reliant on magic with a modern day cold and dispassionate tale of technology mercilessly doing exactly what it was designed to do resulting in horrific results, is not easy. Author Terry Ervin makes it look easy as he captivates readers for 288 pages in this very complex book.

Filled with interesting characters, this fully formed world is strangely different and yet at times very relevant to our modern day world of today. Krish is a man who develops throughout the book while never losing his awe at what forces are arrayed against him. Nor does he lose his own sense of purpose and place despite realistic periods of self-doubt and contemplation. The same core values that come across in the first few pages are still there at the end in a smarter more seasoned character.

In a world where nightmares and worse of a child are very much real and life does not last long, Krish battles and delights readers. It is a world that could happen. May even happen as technology spreads and is always vulnerable to use by those bent on power and greed.

The book is highly recommended as "FLANK HAWK "is a mighty good read.



Material provided quite some time ago by the author in exchange for my objective review.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2011

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, the characters are interesting, and the story never dull. Not to mention the fascinating underlying concept of Nazi technology being introduced into a world of swords and sorcery. I'm definitely looking forward to a sequel.

Dragons, zombies and panzers, oh my! Add in Stukas, goblins, ogres, m'unicorn war steeds and elemental monsters and you get an idea of what you're up against. Flank Hawk is a smorgasbord of fantasy and modern technology and it all works. The imagination this author possesses is astounding. Mr. Ervin seamlessly blends all the elements into a book that you'll find hard to stop reading once you start.

The story follows Krish, a wide-eyed farm boy who goes off to war against the Necromancer King. Through a series of battles, he finds himself paired with Road Toad, a disgraced dragon rider turned mercenary. It is during one of the vicious and devastating battles that Krish earns his mercenary name of Flank Hawk. Road Toad takes Flank Hawk under his wing and teaches the young boy some of the finer points of being a mercenary and some much needed sword-fighting skills.

While on a scouting mission with Prince Reveron of Keesee, Road Toad and a small contingent of elite soldiers, their position is betrayed and events are set into motion that will start Flank Hawk on an impossible quest. He must find the fabled Colonel of the West and barter the royal family's Blood-Sword for a way to stop the evil Necromancer King's advance across the kingdom. This is where the book becomes even more exciting. There is barely a chapter that goes by before something new and unexpected is thrown into the plot.

My favorite character was the Crusader Paul Jedidiah Roos from the Reunited Kingdom who Flank Hawk meets on his quest. All in all there are a number of wonderful characters in this book and I commend the author on such a well-written book. I highly recommend this book for all those readers who love fantasy and science fiction.

Flank Hawk is the first fantasy novel I've read in ages. I used to read in the genre all the time, but got away from it. Fortunately, Ervin's novel reminded me of all the reasons why I loved fantasy in the first place: quests, epic battles of good vs. evil, lovable heroes, etc. The fact that the book mixes WWII technology, zombies, elementals, wizardry and dragons makes me give it an enthusiastic review. BUY IT!

Terry Ervin II, has written a great epic fantasy tale. "Flank Hawk" starts out with action and keeps the pace throughout. I pride myself on knowing an ending prior to getting there and I totally missed it with Ervin's book. The ending was a surprise that I did not see coming. A wizard raises the dead Nazi empire to take on men using swords, dragons and magicians. They go against Nazi Stukas, panzer tanks, Ogres, giants and zombies. It is a good tale of good against evil with some unexpected twists, turns and some hair raising fights along the way. A solid good read.

Flank Hawk is a sensational debut for author Terry W. Ervin II.

Ervin's writing style could be best described as economical. Every word has a purpose. Every scene pushes the story forward as Krish, a farmer, must endure an array of obstacles to reach his goal- finding the weapon to kill an evil king.

I highly recommend Flank Hawk.

Magic meets technology with explosive results! Flank Hawk is fast-paced, full of great action and well-rounded characters that I quickly grew to love. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a great fantasy adventure.

Even as a fan of Fantasy and Science-Fiction novels, I was a bit hesitant to read this book. I did not think that it was possible to combine elements from so many different genres into a single story and be able to pull it off. As much as I was skeptical of how it would turn out, my curiosity got the best of me. I was hooked from the very first page and I personally blame the author, Ervin, for the lack of sleep that I endured for the three days that it took me to read through the book. The fast-paced action delivered an adrenaline rush so addicting that I could not put the book down of my own free will. Where Ervin really succeeds with this book is the level of depth in the development of his characters. In the midst of epic fantasy battles Ervin brings to life characters that become dear to the reader within only a few pages, which is the total length that some of the endeared characters are among the living. Sustaining the reader through the nearly non-stop action is the over-arching mystery concerning the origins of the conflict surrounding the characters. This book is a must for anyone who finds themselves even slightly curious to find out who would come out the victor in an air-superiority battle between dragons and Nazi Stukas!

BEWARE of sleep deprivation from not being able to close the book!

When I first reviewed this book, I gave it a three star. After completing the entire book, I'd like to change my rating to a five star. I admit I had trouble getting into the book, but I blame this on not normally reading science fiction books. Once I got a few chapters in, I became hooked.

Flank Hawk will sweep you away and take you to a magical world.

Terry W. Ervin II did a brilliant job writing this debut novel. There's never a dull moment as we follow Krish, a farmhand turned mercenary, as he forges through battles. Dragons, zombies, giants, and wizards color the pages of this science fiction, fantasy novel.

Thriving as a stong individual, Krish encounters new friends, and loses honorable allies. Krish's journey is not one you want to miss.

(I've only just begun reading Flank Hawk and it is a genre that I don't normally read. Terry W. Ervin II has brought to life some interesting characters. The writing is smooth and easy to follow. This book is definitly worth picking up.)

Terry successfully sets a stage where World War II warfare is blended with magical combat, complete with zombies, ogres, giants, and lycanthropes. Dragons vie against Stuka planes as Panzer tanks and a zombie army roll against desperate mercenaries and determined wizards. Set three thousand years in the future, it's a strange mix. The carnage is almost excessive, but all told it's one rip-roaring adventure with an explosive climax.

If fantasy novels have lost their sparkle for you, this one will change your mind.