What Readers Are Saying: A Review of Resistance: Chaos Tol's Bane, Book 1

I’m always grateful when readers take the time to share their thoughts.

Here’s a review of Resistance: Chaos – Tol’s Bane, Book 1 from Ben Mazzullo a NetGalley Reviewer that highlights some of the story’s themes and elements. It’s great to see how the world and characters from my novel are resonating with others.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Full Text:

"I received a free e-copy of Resistance by CSR Keeley through Net Galley. Thanks to Net Galley, the author, and publisher for a chance to read Resistance.

This novel is the first in a proposed three-part series of heroic fantasy. Of the genre, it is more fantasy than heroic, meaning that the reader will encounter Druids, spellcasters, sentient wolves, enchanted swords, and other arcane artifacts.

Resistance begins in the mountains where Perrin Ohmholt is tending the small flock that helps feed his grandmother, Garat, and his brother, Bren. The story unfolds at a dangerous moment in the daily life of the destitute village; their fearsome overlords, The Brocken, have sent another force of soldiers to recruit—i.e., impress new bodies for their army/police force. While the Brocken soldiers take the roll of eligible young men, the tax collectors enforce the prince's royal times of everything movable: food, medicinal herbs, handicrafts, and feed.

Grandmother Garat tells Perrin, who has already served two terms of duty as a slave/soldier in the army, to take his brother Bren away. Bren, a slow, dreamy youth, would not survive recruitment in the brutal training camps. Garat gives Perrin a long-hidden great sword to take with him, along with instructions to head up into the mountains and find the resistance.

Perrin and Bren’s dangerous travels take them on a journey where they encounter enemy soldiers, strange beasts, and eerie allies. There is a resistance army building, headed by an enchantress who leads a growing force of human and other warriors.

I am a fan of sword-and-shield heroic tales with a touch of witchcraft, spellcasting, and nefarious plots. Not so much ethereal elves and their familiars, so the book was not exactly what I’m usually reading, but it is a good start to what promises to be a great series. The writing, characters, and world-building are well done. I can recommend it to those who enjoy a good fantasy novel.

Resistance was about a 300-page eBook. With two more books promised, that would mean a 600-page epic, and a challenge for any author to maintain the high quality. I hope so.

Recommended to fans of epic fantasy. My rating is a low four stars

Ben Mazzullo

Link To Purchase

CSR Keeley