Beginning of Arrogance

Overview

Paladins are nothing but trouble. Stories about paladins are everywhere, noble warriors riding magic steeds into battle against terrible foes. Champions of their gods. Heroes to everyone, except those who already have everything. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don't worship their deity.

So when Krell is called to service by the capricious god of the seas and skies, ReckNor, those with wealth and power can't help but be concerned. ReckNor hasn't called a paladin in years, and his nature is ever-changing and erratic. The fact that Krell is also an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea turns their concerns into fear.

All of which matters less than the threat clawing its way from the waves, ready to turn the ocean red with spilled blood...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780228868675
Publisher:	Tellwell Talent
Publication date:	06/30/2022
Series:	A Paladin's Journey , #1
Pages:	418
Sales rank:	996,647
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.06(d)

About the Author

Bryan is an avid reader, and has loved the fantasy genre since he was a child. His love of stories of mighty knights, terrible dragons, and noble steeds has inspired him for decades.

Editorial Reviews

★ 2022-11-25
This debut archetypal fantasy adventure revolves around a young man with no past who leads a group of unlikely heroes against a seemingly unstoppable evil.

Krell has only been a paladin of the god ReckNor for a short time, ever since his alcoholic mentor, Olgar, found him on the docks of Watford after he was rescued at sea floating on ship debris. But Krell is a survivor, and ReckNor has taken a liking to the courageous warrior. The god even speaks to him (inside his head) frequently. Still, Olgar warns Krell: “ReckNor is wild and tempestuous, like the sea. One minute it’s calm and gives you fish to feed your family, the next it washes them all out to sea and drowns them.” When workers at a dwarven mining camp mysteriously disappear, Krell and other adventurers are tasked with finding them. After this first mission, the misfit group goes on to investigate a haunted tower and inadvertently uncovers a grand-scale conspiracy that includes an invasion of amphibious creatures that worship a mad god. There are numerous noteworthy narrative elements here to satisfy even the most demanding fantasy fan. Krell’s eclectic companions are all memorable and intriguing in their own ways: a fey-touched sorcerer, a hulking orc, a badass female halfling, a warrior monk, a dwarven priest. Krell, not surprisingly, is the most complex character—a young (and naïve) paladin who is just beginning to understand his powers and destiny. The pacing of this first installment of a series is breakneck. Cole consciously structures the novel this way by removing the low intensity sequences that usually act as bridges between the high adrenaline scenes. This story is pure action and adventure from beginning to end. Additionally, the various monstrosities aren’t the stereotypical fare. The companions battle undead ghouls, cave wraiths, and sea devils, to name but a few. Lastly, the tale has an impressive scope. Although there is a complete story arc with a satisfying ending, this volume is just the start of a much larger saga.

This outstanding series opener feels like the beginning of an epic Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

Kirkus Reviews