Customer Reviews

Rogue's Honor (Honor Bound saga)

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This fantasy novel is about the past and present of the elf Telion Steele. He is the mercenary captain of the Black Brigade and is set on protecting the Elfen princess who he's madly in love with. Unfortunately, she doesn't quite feel the same way.

The premise isn't all that original but Sawyer does a wonderful job of making it unique in the way he tells the story. It was interesting, seeing Telion the way he was when he was young juxtaposed with the older more cynical mercenary he is now. The question of how it happened had me completely hooked. Another thing that I approve of is the "band of friends" he had. They were all strong characters, with no two alike. The female characters were distinctively feminine but have their own admirable strengths.

Telion's past is told in a series of flashbacks that is interspersed throughout Telion's adventure. It didn't bother me enough to ruin the story but it does get a bit tiresome, having the characters pause in thought and thinking about the past every few pages or so. There HAS to be an easier way of telling Telion's backstory because this way feels pretty awkward and forced.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a good fantasy. It's not perfect and might be easier to read if it's not all in one sitting but Telion's journey is a fantastic one and, if you stick with it till the end, you'll enjoy it immensely!

"Tellion Steele, a peasant Elf by birth, was typically naive and optimistic in his formative years and, without regard to the disparity between their stations, surrendered his young heart impulsively and completely to Lynless Allystriel, the Elven princess of Celestar. Yet, Tellion was anything but a typical Elf. Even in his youth he had faced demons, and he held secrets. . . secrets that eventually landed him in trouble with the Elven aristocracy.

Banished from his homeland, the only honor Tellion Steele came to know was that of the sword and the shadows. Bereft of family and forsaken by Lynless, the outcast Elf learned to make his way in life as a thief and a mercenary"

As one who enjoys a good fantasy read, it is so refreshing to say that a truly talented fantasy writer can be added to the list of greats! That writer is Aiden Sawyer, author of Rogue's Honor.

For a fantasy to be successful, two key elements must be perfected. An engaging and original lead character and a plot involving quests and unique supporting characters. Rogue's Honor passes this test with flying colors! Tellion Steele, and elf with little going for him in the way of wealth, yet full of spunk and enthusiasm, immediately find a place in the reader's heart. How can one not root for such a likable character, who, despite great odds, never loses his belief in himself and his mission? The fact that Tellion is not exactly loved by the Elvin leaders, makes him more appealing to the reader. The vast array of facinating and at times hilarious and/or horrific characters he meets keeps the reader glued to each page.

Tellion may decide to become a thief and a mercenary, yet at the end of the Rogue's Honor, he is very much our thief and a mercenary!

A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ

RICK FRIEDMAN

FOUNDER

THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB

An exciting and well written story. For example, the lead character is wounded at one point in the story and the author's descriptions lead to believe he must have the same injury to describe it so well. The characters seem very real and their interactions seem the result of astute observation instead of imagination. The author also effectively used several converging timelines to good effect though it was a little frustrating to learn about the main character's past so slowly.

My only cautions are that there are about a dozen small typos that the editor should have caught. Also the epic pursuit seemed a little too epic.

This seems to be the author's first book. Hopefully he'll write a few more. Highly recommended.

The time and careful attention the author gives to the developement of characters through the use of flashbacks was a very effective way of allowing the reader to "see" the action as it plays out. I was concerned at first that the flashbacks would slow the plot, but in fact they drive the plot forward and allow the tension to build between the main character, his nemesis, and the princess. In addition to the development of characters, I found the imagery beautiful in the most foreboding sense and the action very exciting and easy to follow. I would place this in the category of traditional fantasy genre with a few surprises. My only concern is how long the wait will be for the next installment.