Crusade

The Paladin Trilogy, Book 3

By: Daniel M Ford

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 29 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Old ways have been broken in the blood and smoke of the Battle of Thornhurst by Allystaire Stillbright and followers of the Goddess. Now the Paladin must recover from his ordeal, carve out a hopeful future for the shattered Baronies, and prepare for the next attack upon the Goddess' new and fragile following.

But the corrupt deity, Braech, the Sea-Dragon, will not easily let go of the power that has long been his. Braech's minions, led by the calculating Archpriest Symod, march on the now-weakened Baronies.

The final battle, a crusade against the Mother and all of her followers, is near, and Allystaire, the Arm of the Mother, is left to rally the survivors - including some of his oldest enemies - to face a foe that will not rest until all the Mother's faithful are broken and each Barony submits to the Sea Dragon once more.

©2018 Daniel M. Ford (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Each book better than the last.

The first book was good but not great. It seemed at times I was at Sunday school and was afraid the lead hero was going to preach for an entire book. My fears turned out to be for naught. By the second book I was hooked and knew Mr. Ford was great a building distinct well developed characters. He built these characters by writing interesting dialogue, so their personality and history was revealed by what we saw them say and do, rather than being told who they were by a 3rd party.

Maybe because I listened to the book and Michael Kramer was the narrator, but several times I almost thought I was reading a Brandon Sandersons book. That is the best praise I can give.

I hope this isn't the end.

The series is perhaps one of my favorite the level of joy and sadness and conflict and hope is like an ever filling pool. It was highly enjoyable. I recommend this book and the two before it. This was and hopefully "is" a great series. Seriously, I hope there will be more (Daniel!!!! Come on man we need more of the shadow and witt and will.)

wow

Great story, very well written. I enjoyed this book from the start to the end.

Listen to This

This is a good trilogy with a good narrator.
The characters and their relationships are placed in a world that draws you in wishing for more at the end.
Daniel Ford delivers some familiar tropes with enough of a unique stamp to avoid a tired same ole same ole feel.
The setting feels vast within a limited region with plenty of unknown lurking at the edges leaving the listener hoping for additional tales in the same realm.
Details of the characters, places, and gods are not mentioned as I do but wish spoil anything. Have some faith in a new little known author, give it a chance, and reap the benefits of a small gamble. As Allystaire would say: have fajth.

Great story

the only reason I'm not giving this a full five star is because I thought the ending was absolutely terrible. I don't understand the point and not having some happy ending.

Amazing

One of the greatest stories I've ever had the honor of hearing. Never have I cared more for characters of any story.

Great Story

Could not put it down, excellent writer with very very good imagination with the characters.

Good old fashioned trilogy

Great narration. The story is predictable in some ways but often we listen to these books because we like knowing the ending and it helps us escape the drudgery of the world. This is a great book/series and the imagery is great. It was like watching a movie. I like it.

A great conclusion

As I've written before, Daniel Ford understands the Paladin build, and gets into execution on a great level. This final book added a HUGE new element to the previous two installments, and a cast of legacy characters that you could get behind. The feeling that's meant to be imposed on you feels entirely natural.

I can't put into words WHAT I WOULD GIVE FOR AN EPILOGUE. There were some legacy things that are 100% left to your interpretation, which didn't hurt, but the author's notes on the legacy of this story would be an added bonus. Still a great read, and a great conclusion.

The ability to jump into this series again seems pretty high to me. I hope you enjoy.

a tale I will never forget

what a full journey,all three books never missed,it's so well told especially this final one,all the cards had been set by the two other books and we're playing out beautifully , i wish it could go on but all good things must come to an end.

Fantastic trilogy

Slightly let down by what felt like a somewhat scruffy ending, perhaps hurried by the author.

The performance by Michael Kramer was, as ever, a perfect match for the characters.

This series brought to life a story which was full of intrigue, magic, battles and great character building. only the last two chapters were not in keeping with the detail and suspense.

Reader/Listener, read the first two books and enjoy this third installment.

Engaging story, satisfying end and great narrator

This story just got better and better book by book. Recommended for any fantasy lover. Narrater does an amazing job 10/10

Hammer of the Sun

Let all of us be the heroes they believe we are.

Magic, politics, intrigue, sorcery, brilliant narration; this trilogy had it all and more. I think my favourite character, on the whole, was Idgen Marte, who just did. Allystaire, I felt, could be imperious at times, and introspective. As Harris put it … you like to fill up what ought to be silent.

However, the ending was inevitable for Allystaire, but, perhaps, the best outcome. Will everyone continue the journey? Perhaps.

Together we will be what the people of this village and beyond need.

OMG

A journey never to be missed.

Everything needed in a trilogy of fantasy, adventure and hero's.

Kramer does it again as the narrator.

The grand finale I've been waiting for..

Since I was casually suggested this book by audible's algorithms because I've listened to other books narrated by Mr Kramer, I came to this trilogy a ways after the second book was released.

I'm a huge DnD fan so the concept of a Paladin and what it's values are in the fantasy sense is not unknown to me. The difference is, no matter who you play Dungeons and Dragons with, it's a power fantasy.

Not a story.

The Paladin Trilogy is a story, a tale in every sense of the word. In the modern day it shines as an example of many things people value but almost never speak of.

From the beginning of this story, until 20 chapters Into the last I listen to the book now, I've seen real raw values portrayed from Mr Ford's mind into the souls of these characters I don't usually expect from a story.

Values expressed through real things that people really think; Family, Honesty, Trust, Home, Love like no other, Peace and the struggle to attain it for the right reasons.

I wasn't expecting this in my fantasy novel story with Dwarves and Magic and sorcerers and death and blood.

One other thing I see in this amazing story is the acceptance of beauty within all the flaws.
Ally's broken nose, Idgen Marte's scars, Torval and his gruff exterior and pained interior. Gideons lost innocence, Mol and her lost adolescents.
If I can update this review when I finish the book I shall.

I came for the escapism, I stayed for the realness and wholesomeness it gave me.
Thank you Daniel M. Ford.
I watch for your future novels with no small excitement.