Knightmare Arcanist

Frith Chronicles, Book 1

By: Shami Stovall

Narrated by: Brian Wiggins

Magic. Sailing. A murderer among heroes.

Gravedigger Volke Savan wants nothing more than to be like his hero, the legendary magical swashbuckler, Gregory Ruma. First he needs to become an arcanist, someone capable of wielding magic, which requires bonding with a mythical creature. And he’ll take anything - a pegasus, a griffin, a ravenous hydra - maybe even a leviathan, like Ruma.

So when Volke stumbles across a knightmare, a creature made of shadow and terror, he has no reservations. But the knightmare knows a terrible secret: Ruma is a murderer out to spread corrupted magic throughout their island nation. He’s already killed a population of phoenixes and he intends to kill even more.

In order to protect his home, his adopted sister, and the girl he admires from afar, Volke will need to confront his hero, the Master Arcanist Gregory Ruma.

A fast-paced flintlock fantasy for those who enjoy How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, Unsouled (Cradle Series) by Will Wight, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan.

©2019 Capital Station Books (P)2024 Capital Station Books

Great start to the series

This was a great book and I can honestly say that I have nothing bad to say or even minor thing to critique. The story was very well written and left me excited to find out what else was still left to explore in this new world.

The characters had good backstories and hinted at much more being revealed in future books in this series.

Brian Wiggins did a fantastic job narrating this book. He had a great range for both males and female characters (And magical creatures!) and did very well at making each one unique and come to life.

I typically won't hesitate at giving 4 out of 5 stars for a review but I felt like this book earned 5 out 5 across the board.

I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the series and finding out what will happen next.

Disclaimer - Per my request I received a copy of this audiobook for free and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

Great beginning to the series.

I loved this fast paced coming of age fantasy. It had a layered storyline, witty dialogue, surprising plot twists, flawed main characters, mystery, and suspense all woven together in a captivating plot. I was equally desperate to read it all at once and also to savor it and make it last. Volke Savan, the son of criminals, is a gravedigger apprentice on the Isle of Ruma. He wants to be an arcanist like his hero Master Arcanist Gregory Ruma. He studies for decades for the opportunity. When he fails, he and his adopted sister Illia, search for and bind to mystical creatures. Volke is second bonded to a Knightmare who has powers over fear and shadows. Unfortunately, life as a new arcanist is not all he imagined. He will need to figure out how to stop his hero when learns that Ruma is no longer the hero he thought but is instead evil. The story includes what you’d expect from this genre - fighting, dangerous situations, end of the world scenarios, paranormal creatures, loyal friends and family, complicated families, painful pasts, mystical coincidences, snark, love, secrets, and laughs. I am looking forward to reading more this series. 4.5 stars.

Brian Wiggins did a phenomenal job narrating the story and characters into life with enough change of inflection, tone and cadence to voice multiple characters quite convincingly.

not bad

this was definitely an interesting book, it was a slow start, but the character development was pretty good and had a unique storyline.

enjoyed it

very well done, I am looking forward to the rest of this series for sure

Amazing open book to a series.

Stovall creates a world where people and magical creatures bond together so that they can both reach their best magical potential. Before dropping a everyone into an adventure riddled mystery of love and murder.

Wiggins start out a bit rough in his read but by the end is magnificent. He truly goes all out to not only give the listener unique voices but also great performances.

If you like magical open world stories with lots of adventures, friends, magic, and intrigue this is a book for you.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.