Genre: Fantasy Horror
Publisher: J Ellington Ashton Press
Publication Date: 9th June 2015
Pages: 51
MY REVIEW:
In a little break from the norm, I picked up The Scarlett Curse: Sacred Blade of
Profanity Book One by Toneye Eyenot, to read for my own pleasure rather
than a review submission. This book is published by the wonderful people at J
Ellington Ashton Press.
I picked this up for a read of my own for a couple of
reasons. I have seen quite a buzz in the social media scene about this man’s
writing and also Book Two has just come out so I wanted to have a go at this so
I can catch up with the story.
The first surprise I got was the fact that this is a
fantasy story and not pure horror. My bad. I automatically thought that it
would be horror given the circles Mr Eyenot travels in. Nevertheless, I started
it, so I will finish it.
This is what I thought.
Scarlett holds the key to many a person’s end. She
currently possesses the Sacred Blade of Profanity. Or does it possess her?
This ancient blade possesses whoever holds it and it
commands them to do its bloody deeds. When Scarlett loses control of the blade,
young Dera picks it up and is instantly overcome with bloodlust.
Scarlet must now try to rectify things while both of them
need to try and outrun Joshua, a man with his own troubles that he believes
getting hold of Dera can fix.
In terms of characters, this one mainly centres around
Scarlett, Dera and Joshua. Scarlett is obviously going to be the heroine in
this saga, although heroine may be a term used loosely. Dera is just a confused
young girl caught up in something that makes no sense to her and something she
cannot control. Joshua is vile. At least that is my impression of him due to
some things he does but that may change as the story progresses.
So what is the story? What is the plot? That is the
interesting bit, or as I found, the confusing bit as well. The fact that it has
Book One in its title suggests that this is going to be a series. The fact that
book two is out confirms this.
This Book One to me, was confusing. When the story begins
you are dropped straight in the middle of it. No explanations and no build up,
just bam and the action starts. Now, in some ways, I like this idea but I would
have liked it a bit more if there had been some explaining later in the book
about how Scarlett came to own the blade and what it’s true history was.
Now, again, I understand this will probably come in
further parts of the story but it left me wanting a little bit more from this
book to clarify things for me.
However, this is good stuff. It has a real dark feeling
to it that I reckon is going to fill out very nicely and has huge potential to
become a story of wonder.
This is a short read, coming out at about fifty pages or
so. It’s not a great deal of time to get across to your readers the feeling
that a story like this deserves.
However, again, Mr Eyenot does it very
effectively. Even with the confusion I felt at times, when you read this you
will quite easily get lost in the sights and sounds and smells of the time. The
writing style is sometimes punchy and to the point but at the same time asks
your own imagination to fill in the blanks and pad things out a bit more. That
isn’t an easy thing to do. Especially in a short book like this where you are
trying to introduce a whole new concept and story of probable epic proportions.
Apart from the confusion at times, I really liked this
one and after letting it sit in my mind for a while before writing the review,
it is growing on me even more. Time to go pick up book two I think.
To summarise: the opening part of what I would call a
dark fantasy tale that is sure to develop and turn magical. Mr Eyenot’s writing
is very easy on the Eye and I really look forward to reading more of this saga.
General rating:
★★★★ has potential.
Dark Fantasy rating:
★★★★ practically perfectly dark.
If you would like to help support Confessions of a
Reviewer, then please consider using the links below to buy Toneye Eyenot - The Scarlett Curse: Sacred
Blade of Profanity Book 1 or any other books from Toneye. This not only
supports me but also lets me know how many people actually like to buy books
after reading my reviews.
Thanks.
Book Synopsis:
Scarlett, bearer of The Sacred Blade Of Profanity for
nigh on three hundred years, untouched by linear time, unhindered by the
confines of space, nevertheless has grown weary. The ancient dagger, crafted in
sorcery over eight thousand years ago, requires the blood of the profane to
sustain its power. Scarlett has killed scores over the centuries and will
continue for as long as she possesses The Blade.
Her chance meeting with young Dera, an 11-year-old mute
from the outskirts of town, throws both of their worlds into chaos, as Scarlett
returns to the busy town of Mills Wall, to complete a failed attempt on her
most elusive target to date. Could this child be the downfall of Scarlett? The
demise of The Sacred Blade Of Profanity? Dark and troubled times are all that
is foreseeable for both Scarlett and the mysterious little girl. Indeed, for
all of Mills Wall.
Toneye Eyenot hails
from The Blue Mountains in Australia. Although writing horrible tales for the
better part of 25 years, 2014 has seen his first published work in REJECTED For
Content - Splattergore, through J. Ellington Ashton Press, an anthology
showcasing alongside many other esteemed authors of the bloodsoaked word. His
first extended story, in the form of a Dark Fantasy/Horror novella, THE
SCARLETT CURSE is book one in the Sacred Blade Of Profanity series, released
through J. Ellington Ashton Press and available now in print and on Kindle.
Book
II in the series- JOSHUA'S FOLLY has also just been released through JEA
Mar.13, 2016. Book III in the Sacred Blade Of Profanity series is currently
being conjured. With more anthology appearances in both, REJECTED FOR CONTENT
2-Aberrant Menagerie and REJECTED FOR CONTENT 3-Vicious Vengeance, also Doorway
To Death, Jeapers Creepers and Lost Gods And Forgotten Cities, and more in
Cellar Door III - Animals/Hell II - Citizens by James Ward Kirk Fiction, as
well as The Grays by James Ward Kirk fiction and more anthologies awaiting
publication. Eyenot is also the editor for a werewolf themed anthology-FULL
MOON SLAUGHTER, to be released through JEA in October '16. This year sees the
author emerge from the muse with terrifying results. Take a walk thru the mind(s)
of a luniakk...
And
for more about Toneye, visit his site or find him on social media:
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – Amazon Page
No comments:
Post a Comment