Soulrazor (Blood Skies, Book 3) [Kindle Edition]

Steven Montano (Author), Barry Currey (Illustrator)

Book Description

****BOOK THREE OF THE BLOOD SKIES SERIES****

The war continues...

Eric Cross and his team of elite mercenaries are the bane of the Ebon Cities. Armed with the cutting-edge arcane weaponry of the Southern Claw, Cross and his crew - Black, Kane, Ronan, Maur, Grissom and Ash - have become a veritable thorn in the side of the vampire armies.

Now the team is tasked with halting vampire activity near the remote city-state of Fane, where the Ebon Cities have teamed up with a former Revenger in search of a deadly weapon called Soulrazor.

To make matters worse, something sinister has happened to Cross, and the key to his salvation is somehow directly tied to the Ebon Cities' new soldiers: a host of necrotic angels who bear traces of divine power.

Cross and his team must travel across a blighted wilderness and do battle with a vile array of enemies as they race not only to save the city of Thornn from total annihilation, but to rescue Cross' very soul from an enemy more powerful than he could ever imagine...

*****Check out the entire Blood Skies series*****

BLOOD SKIES 

BLACK SCARS

SOULRAZOR

CROWN OF ASH

THE WITCH'S EYE

Each just $3.99! 

Book 6, CHAIN OF SHADOWS, coming Fall/Winter 2013!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wow! What a fantastic cliff-hanger of an ending! Can't wait for the next volume in this series! Lots of surprises and shocks in this one, many of which I didn't see coming. Once again, great writing from Mr. Montano!" -- Steve (not the author, I swear), Goodreads Review

From the Author

*****Check out the entire Blood Skies series*****

BLOOD SKIES 

BLACK SCARS

SOULRAZOR

CROWN OF ASH

THE WITCH'S EYE

Each just $3.99! 

Book 6, CHAIN OF SHADOWS, coming Fall/Winter 2013!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 552 KB
• Print Length: 296 pages
• Publisher: Darker Sunset Press (March 14, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007KFKCP6
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,083 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #65 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Dark Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Montano Continues to Deliver! March 15, 2013

By TheGrav

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can't get enough of this series. The Characters are amazing, and the blending of concepts and worlds is considerable and done to a stunning effect. Montano manages to blur the lines between what is and what could be in away I have rarely seen executed properly.

My favorite in Cross' adventures to date!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind blowing!! March 18, 2012

By jordan jones

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Blood skies series is One of the best series I have ever read and I've read a lot of of what kindle has to offer. From the beginning of this book Steven Montano sucks you into a world of brutality, sorrow, and pain , with such incredible detail that it's hard to put down because yor emotions follow along with the characters just like the first two books. You get to understand more about The black and the things it has brought to the earth. It has picked up over a year from the second book and the characters have already become considerable close even though they might not know it yet. The book switches from Cross to Black so you get both perspective of the story , which comes in handy when reading this elaborate of a story. I won't spoil anything further because you should just read it because if you have read blood skies and black scars you know your going too, unless you haven't read the first two books then you shouldn't be reading this and should have already started one of those....

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great adventure into the mind of Steven Montano March 7, 2013

By Ghost

Format:Kindle Edition

I fall more and more in love with the Blood Skies series with every book. Steven Montano has a way of silently ensnaring you in his world of dark fantasy. And the deeper into the series you get the deeper your connection with the story and the characters go. I know I for one am a huge fan of Eric Cross.

Cross has not had an easy time working for the Southern Claw, as we know from the first two books Cross goes through some pretty hefty crap, but it is his deep rooted determination that keeps him going. But he no longer works for the Southern Claw. Instead he heads up a team of mercenaries that are contracted to do the dirty work for the Southern Claw. But their team is the best. No doubt about it. And so as the best they get the worst and most impossible jobs. In Soulrazor Cross and his team of mercenaries are on the mission to stop the Ebon Cities from getting their hands on the deadly weapon the Soulrazor. While on this mission something ominous happens to Cross that changes everything. In Soulrazor Cross is put through incredible tests that will challenge his ability as a soldier and as a mage, with the ultimate price being his soul.

I love Cross. He is one of those characters that you like in the first book but by the time the second book is done you are completely attached. He is that guy that creeps up on you. He's the guy your mom always told you not to tease because when he grew up he was going to knock your socks off. Yeah, he's that guy. And it has been incredible to read his journey. And it has been one hellacious journey.

Cross has been beaten, bruised, and tormented never quite getting his happy ending. Oh sure he survives, for the most part. But for Cross it is just one battle after another. And it just get's worse in Soulrazor.... Cross is put through so many tests as a hero it amazes me that he hasn't broken yet. And every time I thought things were going to get better for Cross in Soulrazor I found myself yelling at Steven Montano as I was sorely disappointed. Granted it makes for one hell of a story, but come on give my guy a break!

But Cross is not the only one who is tested in this series. You see no character escapes Steven Montano's creative wrath. Every character is put through trials that test all their abilities. And it is in these moments that we truly see the type of characters that they are. This is when Steven Montano separates the men or women from the boys. And in Soulrazor I was happy to see Danica in more of a starring role. I have to say that she is growing on me. There was a part of me that wanted Steven Montano to let Cross kill her in Black Scars, but now I am glad that he didn't. (Good thing I didn't have a say huh?!).

In Soulrazor we get to see Danica take more of a leadership role as certain events caused her to be in charge. And I was surprised to see how remorseful she was for her past behaviors. I loved reading some of the chapters from Danica's perspective as it really allowed me to learn what made her tick. And I will just say that what I found out shocked the hell out of me. So well played on Steven Montano's part, I am now a Danica fan.

Of course I was happy to see the return of Kane one of my favorite warriors. I love Kane's care free attitude and his ability to always crack a joke. He is fierce and is definitely not someone I would mess with. Because under that casual attitude is a scary dude who would certainly kick your ass if he had to. But there's more to Kane than just comedy and his superior fighting skills. Underneath all that he is a tender guy who had his heart broken. He is incredibly loyal to those he calls his friends, is trustworthy, and can forgive those that have wronged him. But I would love to see more of Kane. Soulrazor also introduces us to a slew of new characters that I am quickly falling for. Especially Maur the Gol, he is awesome.

Steven Montano never ceases to amaze me as book after book he writes a more incredible adventure. I am so wrapped up in his world that I don't think I will ever look at vampires or magic the same way again. But I'm okay with that. Steven Montano has always had the ability to surprise me in the Blood Skies books, but I have to say that with Soulrazor the surprises literally took my breath away, leaving me completely flabbergasted. And knowing Steven Montano the surprises aren't over yet. I for one can't wait to see what he has in store for Cross, especially with the reintroduction of a certain character, as his story continues in Crown of Ash. I'm sure there will be more yelling involved, but I know that Cross can take it, he is just that kind of a guy!

Soulrazor is an absolute action packed adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat, will take your breath away and will have you yelling at the skies. Put your imagination to the test and dive in to Steven Montano's epic fantasy and be swept up in a world of magic and vampires. A world that seems like a cross between a western and the future a world that will leave you reeling for days.

*Received copy of book from author in exchange for an honest review Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected. December 20, 2012

By M. Wanchoo VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Soulrazor is the third book in the Blood Skies series and after reading the first two books in the series, I was very excited to see where the author was taking the story as in the ending of Black Scars, the protagonist had come at a crossroads of sorts and found new company. His struggles have not lessened though but he has more shoulders to share the burdens.

The book story begins twenty-five years after the events of the Black and Eric Cross now has his own mercenary team to handle. They are going after certain targets and getting good at their work when they unwittingly discover something more horrifying than the vampire overlords. Eric manages to save his team however learns that he might have over-extended his abilities. Things take a topsy-turvy turn as he's forced to search for the answers on his own. This gives rise to another POV character and Danica Black gets a chance to showcase her leadership skills and the readers get to know her thoughts while she lead the team into a maelstrom unlike they have ever faced in their lives.

Soulrazor is the book I was waiting to read since a long time as it deals primarily with the reason the world is the way it is now. It gives us the raison d'ętre for the occurrence of the event known as the Black. The author has hinted at certain things in the past two books however the revelations in this book come entirely out of the left field. Previously we had Eric Cross as the sole narrative driver however this time around he shares the focus of the story with Danica who's as different from Cross as chalk is to cheese. I very much enjoyed this change of POV as Cross can be thought of a goody two-shoes but Danica is an anti-hero and one whose cruelty can only off set by her bravery.... This was a sharp move by the author and does create an interesting dynamic to the plot. On reading the book it becomes very clear as to why this move was precipitated by the author, which bring me to the main plot thread of the story.

The book deals with a lot of the why of the occurrence of the Black and I can't say I'm thoroughly elated with all that was revealed. I think that it might work for certain readers but many might be disappointed by the happenings in the story. I'll clarify that the story is not different from its predecessors in regards to the action, pace and plot twists however the revelation and the main twist of the story is something that didn't work for me because I'm not a fan of deus ex machina resolutions and this twist has a partial DEM feel to it. The ending then further sets up the story that is to come but at this point one of the biggest mysteries of this series has been revealed and that kinda takes precedence over the end twist of the story. The book however is still evenly paced and in regards to the action sequences continues on from the preceding titles. The character cast is also suitably widened as we get to know newer members of the team however I must warn the readers that the author is a ruthless one and so be prepared for unexpected character deaths.

It was a book that I anticipated a lot from but it didn't exactly deliver on the promise. I think that was more due to personal reasons and I'm still excited for this series though. I will review the fourth book soon to find out what Steven Montano has planned next with Cross, Black and his darkly alluring and dangerous world. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotic; a great entry in an original & exciting fantasy series October 23, 2012

By Scott Whitmore

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Hypnotic. That's how I described Soulrazor, the third book of the Blood Skies series by author Steven Montano (@Daezarkian), on my Twitter feed.

Everything I said about the second book, Black Scars, in my review can be repeated here. Mr. Montano's prose exploits and explores the senses. The reader will see, hear, feel, taste and smell everything in this wonderfully dystopian world; so much so that we almost become supporting characters.

I can honestly say I've never read another author who puts me into the story so completely as Mr. Montano.

And what stories! The setting is Earth, but not an Earth that any of us can easily recognize. Twenty-five years earlier The Black happened, a cataclysmic fusing of our planet with untold numbers of other worlds. The Black added species, continents, cities, and -- most important for the survival of humans -- magic to our planet while wiping out or altering our previous existence.

In Soulrazor we learn more about what The Black is and where it came from, once again following Eric Cross, a warlock and former soldier of The Southern Claw, the alliance of humans formed to battle the vampires of the Ebon Cities. What's that? Oh, yes, there are vampires and all manner of undead creatures roaming about thanks to The Black. Bloodwolves and giants, too, which makes the lives and future of humans somewhat tenuous.

After the events described in Black Scars, Cross left the Claw and formed his own mercenary team with former prison-warden Danica Black and Kane, who was once her prisoner. Soulrazor opens with the team conducting a vital surveillance mission for the Claw; what they find sets the stage for the rest of the story, which includes all the thrilling action and adventure I've come to expect from this series....

In a slight departure from the first two entries, much of this story is told from Danica's perspective, which I enjoyed. Having brutalized her fellow humans (including Kane) in the prison and served as an ally to the vampires, she is a deeply flawed character, which makes for great reading.

No spoilers, but there is also an element of time-travel in Soulrazor, which makes perfect sense in the scheme of things with The Black. I've never been much of a fan of "temporal distortion" stories, (looking at you, Star Trek), but it is handled so well here, and fits into the story perfectly.

If you haven't already, I highly suggest starting with Blood Skies and then continuing with the subsequent books in this highly original and exciting series. The fourth book, Crown of Ash, is on my To-Read List and I'm looking forward to continuing the journey. Read more ›

More About the Author

Steven Montano fell out of the sky one day and landed behind an accountant's desk. Rather than write novels about his experiences in an alternate post-apocalyptic world besieged by vampires, he decided to reconcile accounts and calculate journal entries. He still writes in his spare time.

Visit Steven's official website, bloodskies.com