The Elder: The Martuk Series [Kindle Edition]

Jonathan Winn (Author)

Book Description

In The Elder, the latest installment of The Martuk Series, Jonathan Winn, author of Martuk … The Holy, digs deeper into the world of ancient Uruk. A world of power and absolute rule. Of magic and superstition. Of Dark Gods and mysterious Ancients, magical Immortals and unseen Seers. Of powerful Priests cloaked in robes of red and gold and a Man from the Mountains who has yet to arrive.

From the innocence and depravity and blood-drenched chaos of The Wounded King, we now follow The Elder, a Priest desperate to rule, blinded by power, afraid to die. A man who climbs deep into caves beneath sun-scorched mountains and sacrifices anonymous flesh in a blood-stained Temple. A desperate soul driven by words whispered from the lips of a doomed Child and haunted by the warnings of an Immortal buried in ash. One who makes an impossible choice for the promise of Life Everlasting and, riddled by doubt, chooses again, this final act of violent desperation opening the way for an ancient curse from a Darkness older than Time.

From the whispered pleas to the Darkest of Gods to the anguished screams of the stolen innocent, this is … The Elder.

***

The Elder is the second book in The Martuk Series, an ongoing collection of Short Fiction inspired by the full-length novel Martuk … The Holy.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Screenwriter, playwright, actor, and author of Martuk ... The Holy and The Wounded King: The Martuk Series, Jonathan Winn was born in Seattle, WA, and currently divides his time between the East and West coasts.  

The Elder is the latest installment in The Martuk Series, a collection of Short Fiction inspired by the full-length novel Martuk ... The Holy.

Feel free to visit him at martuktheholy.com

Product Details

• File Size: 170 KB
• Print Length: 50 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008Y65ZUM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,575 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Elder: The Martuk Series by Jonathan Winn October 9, 2012

By Karen Doering

Format:Kindle Edition

"The Elder," latest in The Martuk Series by Jonathan Winn, is almost a companion book to the series. Focusing on one character in depth, we learn more about the motivation that drives The Elder as he travels in search of answers he can only receive from The Seerer. Asking the question of what his future and the future of the kingdom will be. His quest for power and lasting legacy is explored. The reader begins to see the very real human who is behind the frightening mask of cruelty.

As with all Jonathan Winn's works I am impressed with the sheer beauty of the writing, the very literate and literary use of language to convey the nuance of the protagonists and characters he envisions. He writes with finesse and style. The editing is top-notch and not a word is wasted. A joy to read.

We rate this 18+ for the violence but don't consider it gratuitous.

A review copy was received from the author at no charge to the reviewer. A review was neither required nor promised.

Karen Bryant Doering,
Parents' Little Black Book
[e-mail]

5.0 out of 5 stars This darkly disturbing, complex story is a masterpiece of spinechilling, bloodcurdling inspired writing! December 29, 2012

By Lucinda

Format:Kindle Edition

Having read a previous work by Jonathan Winn I was naturally extremely keen to read more, and delighted to be given the opportunity of continuing the story from where it left off in `The Wounded King' (Martuk series, book 1).

Martuk series, book 2: The Elder answers many questions that were left lingering within your mind after reading book one, such as for example that the silver haired old woman who killed the Queen was an ancient. The Elder is on a mission to achieve his ambition and satisfy his greed, by seeking out the `man from the mountains' who is able to aid him in becoming an ancient being that is gifted with everlasting life. He witnesses a most brutal act so that a Seer can speak to him words with such meaning, as he learns of the horrendous truth about how one must pay the price from Shamisé. There are great consequences for his actions, as an innocent soldier is sacrificed to the Gods - for the Elder knows that once the Wounded King is beyond the Veil then, and only then, can he make the choice between power & eternal life versus the one being whom he loves; his beloved. This is a fight between good and evil, between Aztec Gods who require blood sacrifices and those whose mind is unhinged so that self-seeking thoughts rule.

This remarkable series is like nothing I have ever encountered before, with the inhumane acts and graphic, gory descriptions sending chills down my spine. Twisted, dark and disturbing this is a tale that is extraordinary, masterful and intoxicating - as you find yourself unable to avert your gaze from the pages. The short, choppy sentences help to build-up the drama, tension and suspense that leads to the most exciting, astonishing climax and cliffhanger ending...leaving you guessing once more! This is a character-study of evil, corrupted beings who seek out desires for their own whilst not heeding caution. Sat on the edge of my seat with white knuckles gripping the pages tightly, I was shocked at how the innocence of such characters could be overwhelmed by such duplicity. The complex, cleverly crafted plot is commendable and which draws the reader in so that you are compelled to read on.

Another exceptional, absorbing book by a noteworthy author, whose `The Martuk series' is truly outstanding and which has once again left me tingling and breathless. Shocking, bloodthirsty and explicit this detailed narrative is atmospheric and so `real' the words seem to come to life off the page. I cannot fault this whatsoever, and so I highly recommend and urge you to read this.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book (on Kindle) from the author himself. I would like to thank Jonathan Winn for his generosity and for having the opportunity and privilege to read this.*

More About the Author

Screenwriter, playwright, actor, and now author, Jonathan Winn was born in Seattle, WA, and currently divides his time between the East and West coasts.  

Martuk ... The Holy is his first book.

Feel free to visit him at http://martuktheholy.com