Sunday 25 December 2011

Global reviews for the Prophecy of the Kings

As an Indie author it is not easy getting genuine reviews. On Amazon, my books have only a smattering of reviews and being a trilogy they are diluted across the three books and the omnibus. However, across many review sites the books have many great reviews. Check out my website below for a more comprehensive list of reviews and links to these:

http://davidburrows.org.uk/reviews.html

Some example reviews with links to their source:
Legacy of the Eldric is pure escapism, a high fantasy novel that manages to entertain from beginning to end with an easy to read narrative, interesting characters and intelligent world building, I highly recommend this novel to any fan of fantasy fiction. http://sfbook.com/legacy-of-the-eldric.htm (5/5 stars)

Yes there are is a prophecy, dwarfs, demons and dragons, but the story is captivating, exciting and fast-moving and you will find it difficult to put down. David Burrows has added some nice touches to what could have turned out to be a run of the mill fantasy. If you love Raymond E Feist or Robin Hobb you will not regret adding this book to your bookshelf. http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/david+burrows/the+prophecy+of+the+kings+trilogy/6433368/  (4/5stars)

In Legacy of the Eldric he has certainly achieved his aim; the characters are memorable and the plot is fast-paced and exciting. It is an opening chapter in a series that I look forward to reading the mid and end parts to. This is solid fantasy; exactly what a fantasy doctor would order for those looking for an enjoyable escape from reality, fans of Tolkien, Hobb and Moorcock will love what they find here. Definitely recommended. http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/David-Burrows/Legacy-of-the-Eldric.html (8/10 stars)

While the writing is good, and the battle scenes are excellent, the true highlight of these novels for me, were the characters. Each were distinct and interesting. While it did take me a bit of time to absorb their personalities, once I did, I deeply cared for the outcome of their lives. Kaplyn, whom was the main character, was very likable, and Vastra, a wizard with a secret, was compelling all the way through. There was also a decent amount of character development, which is something I always enjoy. For me, if the characters aren’t interesting, the writing will never truly grab me. http://tyrionfrost.wordpress.com/2009/12/25/the-prophecy-of-the-kings-trilogy-by-david-burrows/ (4/5 stars)

Fantastic fantasy series! This series has everything a fantasy lover like me wants out of a story. It had me constantly turning the pages to find out what happens next! Very exciting and gripping in every aspect of the word. I recommend this series to all fantasy lovers, I know you'll love it as much as I do! (5 out of 5 stars) http://www.librarything.com/work/6600779/reviews/

The Prophecy of the Kings trilogy is a fantastic epic. David Burrows creates a vibrant and compelling world which captivates his readers. The first book started a little slow but quickly grabs a hold of the reader. Burrows develops his characters well and by the end of the first book you feel compelled to keep reading to find out the outcome of the tribulations the characters must go through. The second and third books are equally engaging and the pace quickens with every page. I truly enjoyed this novel and would recommend to all fantasy fiction fans. (5 out of 5 stars) http://www.librarything.com/work/6600779/reviews/

I really enjoyed the story and found that the books were very easy to ready and very enjoyable. I felt that these characters all brought something to the story while still not making the story so complex that it was hard to follow. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the fantasy genre of book. (4 out of 5 stars) http://www.librarything.com/work/6600779/reviews/

Great reading and a Merry Christmas

David

Saturday 24 December 2011

A great review for Drachar's Demons!

Great review on Drachar's Demons. "An imaginative and action-packed fantasy that provides a background for the events that end the halcyon days of the Eldric. The insidious descent into evil dictated by one man’s search for power and the defense mounted by those who support goodness is presented in this entertaining tale which features wonderfully intriguing beings such as the flying grakyn and the evil krell. A great introduction to the series. (The Prophecy of the Kings)"

Check it out at:
http://www.nightowlscifi.com/nor/Reviews/ELF-reviews-Drachars-Demons-by-David-Burrows-and-Andrew-Burrows.aspx

Thanks Tammie King

Merry Christmas all

David

Tuesday 13 December 2011

First Review - Drachar's Demons. Terrific prequel

Thanks Kendra for the first review of Drachar's Demons on Amazon.com. 4 stars!

This is a prequel to the first three books written by Mr. Burrows; it fills the reader in on what triggered the prophecy and the story in the trilogy. Another interesting book, lots of plot-line and action, the book grabs one and pulls the reader back into this familiar world. The author does a good job of giving the bad guy a voice, and while you don't like him, he definitely holds your attention. Solid main characters have you rooting for the good guys, but fascinated with the bad guy!

http://www.amazon.com/Drachars-Demons-David-Burrows/dp/1441471456/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1323800977&sr=8-4

David

Sunday 11 December 2011

Drachar's Demons - a new fantasy novel

I am very pleased to announce my new novel Drachar's Demons is out on Kindle. Check my website for details.

Drachar, banished by his own people, forges an unholy alliance with the demons by offering them ten thousand souls, but the demons demand one hundred thousand and without quibbling Drachar accepts. Only all out war will deliver so many souls and the old enemy Trosgarth is his only potential ally, but he must cross the land to confront their king and persuade him to his cause. Drachar has the power of the demon world at his command, but madness threatens when the demons plague his dreams, demanding souls.

His people, the Eldric, realise that they must learn to combat the growing threat by summoning demons themselves to exploit any weakness they may find. However, it is an exceptionally brave man that confronts a demon let alone tries to kill one. Their scales are impervious to blades and any mistake results in the demon claiming another soul for eternal damnation.

The race is on for war threatens; a war like no other for sorcerer will battle sorcerer and demon set against demon.

Good reading and Merry Christmas soon

David

Saturday 10 December 2011

Fantasy - Christmas special offer

Calling on all US fantasy fans.
For a limited period. Get the Prophecy of the Kings Omnibus at a discount. Visit http://prophecyofthekings.com/ - click on the link and use the discount code provided.
Good reading

Genuine reviews - Prophecy of the Kings

Hi. I was recently informed some Indie authors pay for 4/5 star reviews. Shocking. Mine are all genuine and I have linked them to the source, so please check out my reviews or better still, if you have read the novels, send me your thoughts or post a review on Amazon. I'd love to hear from you.

Reviews - Prophecy of the Kings

David

Sunday 4 December 2011

Fantasy video clip

I have just published a premotional video clip for the Prophecy of the Kings. Have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=b6VM0sL-9EM
Let me know what you think.
David

Wednesday 30 November 2011

Thanks all UK Kindle fantasy lovers

Thanks all Kindle fantasy lovers in the UK for the tremendous sales. It's really appreciated. All comments/reviews are welcome. Join me on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prophecy-of-the-kings-a-fantasy-novel/197567296949644?sk=wall
David :)

Saturday 19 November 2011

Free book chapters, Prophecy of the Kings

Please visit my website to download seven free book chapters, taken from Legacy of the Eldric - Book 1 of the Prophecy of the Kings. Many thanks for the excellent reviews to date - as an Indie author these are really appreciated. Please keep them coming. I would love to hear from you.
Sales on Kindle have been really good, so thanks to all those who have purchased copies.
Coming soon - Drachar's Demons. The book is in its last stages of editing and a few review copies have been issued for feedback.

Drachar, banished by his own people, forges an unholy alliance with the demons by offering them ten thousand souls, but the demons demand one hundred thousand and without quibbling Drachar accepts. Only all out war will deliver so many souls and the old enemy Trosgarth is his only potential ally, but he must cross the land to confront their king and persuade him to his cause. Drachar has the power of the demon world at his command, but madness threatens when the demons plague his dreams, demanding souls.

His people, the Eldric, realise that they must learn to combat the growing threat by summoning demons themselves to exploit any weakness they may find. However, it is an exceptionally brave man that confronts a demon let alone tries to kill one. Their scales are impervious to blades and any mistake results in the demon claiming another soul for eternal damnation.

The race is on for war threatens; a war like no other for sorcerer will battle sorcerer and demon set against demon.
Many thanks
David

Saturday 29 October 2011

Fantasy fans - $5 discount

Calling on all US fantasy fans.
For a limited period. Get the Prophecy of the Kings Omnibus at a discount. Visit http://prophecyofthekings.com/ - click on the link and use the discount code provided.
Good reading

Saturday 30 July 2011

New fantasy book - Drachar's Demons


Here is the artwork for Drachar's Demons. The book is being edited and will be available soon.

Sunday 15 May 2011

New fantasy novel - Drachar's Demons


Hurray. Just finished first draft of a new novel, Drachar's Demons.
Feels great. Took 5 months compared to Prophecy of the Kings trilogy which took
4 years!




Drachar's Demons is a prequel to Prophecy of the Kings and it tells about Drachar's rise to power and how the prophecy comes about. I have a long slog now editing it.



Tuesday 12 April 2011

Free books

I'm offering 10 more copies of the trilogy - in exchange for reviews on Amazon. That's thirty books in total. Simply contact me on prophecyofthekings@blueyonder.co.uk Don't forget the competitions below. Best of luck David

Sunday 27 March 2011

Free books

I am running a competition from May to July offering free copies of my trilogy each month. The competition is as follows.



  1. Let me know why you want a copy of the trilogy. I bags, because I just do, dude so that doesn't count. At the end of May I will announce the winner on this blog page. Entries should be posted on my blog under the comment box. If this is difficult to do then email me your answer to prophecyofthekings@blueyonder.co.uk.

  2. Email me three names of the main heroes. Hint - have a look at my website and the free sample chapters. In the event of a tie I will draw names from a hat. Email to the same address above. I will announce the winner at the end of June.

  3. Send me a fantasy related joke. I will post these on my blog. Feel free to decide which is your favourite, but my decision is final. For example jokes check some initial jokes out at http://davidsfantasyjokes.blogspot.com/ You can convert most the jokes you know to fantasy ones; give it a try. I will announce the winner at teh end of July.


Good luck and best wishes


David

Sunday 20 February 2011

Sorcerers vs wizards

Just assume that a sorcerer’s power is through the spirit world, a wizard’s via a capacity within himself; a well for magic to precise. Which would be the more powerful? The spirit world, with its elementals, air, fire, earth and water, or the power from within? But elementals are not the only spirits. Elementals exist on our plane, but their cousins the demons live in another world from ours.

Demons of immense power.

Demons that spread ill within the world, plague and disease.

But what of a kara stone. A stone that can contain magic. A well to enhance a wizard's power.

Who now is the more powerful?

Thursday 10 February 2011

Vastra's tale

I was day dreaming, staring deep into the dying embers of the coal fire, my eyeballs dry from the heat as I ignored the howl of the wind on a bitter January night. I jumped when a knock at the door interrupted my reverie. This was an insistent knock, a loud demanding knock; one that shattered the calm, refusing to be ignored. Sighing, I went to the door, angered by the loss of solitude made worse by the frigid wind that greeted me.

He was an old man with an old man’s frailties. His face was long, and his flesh grey and wrinkled. Dark bags beneath his eyes suggested insomnia, the curse of the old.

“Yes,” I said, not hiding the anger that I felt.

“I need to speak with you,” he snapped, seemingly equally irritable.

“Do I know you?” I asked, for his tone was one of a relative, making demands.

I did not like his look and was already pushing the door to when, remarkably swift for an old man, an arthritic claw grabbed the door and a boot thudded against the base.

I was scared now. He had shocked me. Feral eyes locked on mine, deep dark and accusing. “I need to talk,” he insisted.

My first thoughts were to call for help. Phone the police perhaps, but that would be too late. He was wild – a mad man standing halfway in my house. The simplest course seemed to be to let him in and listen to his ramblings, after all he was an old man and what harm could he do?

As he swept inside, I noticed for the first time his attire. It was outlandish to say the least, a long flowing tunic, grimed with dirt, and the cuffs frayed. At one time it had probably been blue, a deep rich colour, but under the dirt it was now hard to say. He smelt old, and a scent lingered that I found hard to place, but an image of a dragon swept to mind and I shivered, even though the door was now shut.

With a thud he dropped a sizeable doorstep of papers on the coffee table. The paper was sun-bleached and aged as much as he was. I shook my head; it was going to be a long night.

As I sat, a hand shot out and with strength belittling his years seemed to seek to crush my bones as though talking was insufficient to hold my attention. Well that did it; he had my attention now as dread coursed through my veins.

“I am Vastra,” he announced as though it was of some importance. “Vastra,” he repeated, his mouth agape. .

“My arm,” I wheedled for I did not relish the pain.

He looked at me, before releasing his grasp. My wrist was red and burned still from his grip. The wind rattled the window, deepening the mood.

“I have done much wrong and I need to atone,” he said, looking at me fiercely. I nodded and he sat back. His eyes swept around the room, glancing at the TV and the hi-fi, but somehow unseeing.

“I did them all wrong. I betrayed them, but I tried … in the end. Oh, yes, I tried. It is in the manuscript, I have written it all down. A labour of love some would say, but to me it is a curse, for my part in it was real, too real and the impact had repercussions across the world, ours and theirs.”

“Theirs?” I asked.

He nodded. “Demons. Dragons,” he said in a hushed voice

I believed him. Why shouldn’t I?

“Go on,” I said, enthralled.

“I was an ambitious fool. I thought that I controlled the imp, but I didn’t.”

When he said the word imp, something appeared, hovering by his side. A small demon-like creature, hairless, a green glow emanating from deep within its flesh. I jumped and could not hide my fear.

“Do not worry,” he sneered, glancing at the creature. “It is a memory, a shaol, a guardian spirit. That is all…

Some guardian though! I can see yours, faint across the expanse of time. He will protect you as best he can; a sixth sense in the darkest hour. But why did I trust an imp? I was warned, by my friends … but I knew better, and the very people who would have helped me, I ignored, and worse, betrayed.”

His gaze dropped and the final word was barely a whisper. A tear slid down his cheek and fell upon the manuscript.

“No one is alone,” I said. “You must have friends, talk to them.”

He sniffed wiping the tears with his cuff, shaking his head. “I cannot, for I am banished from that world. Shastlan understood. The ghost of a dead emperor, exiled from his own world for deeds as bad as mine. What a pair we made, arrogant and foolish, engrossed in our own self-importance.

“And what of the people I betrayed. Kaplyn. As good a friend as any, but so far beneath my ambitious scheming. Of all the people, I hurt him the worst. I would make amends but I cannot.

“Because of me, his family and friends all died. I was responsible for Shastlan becoming his shaol. Mad whispering in the dark of the night. And dragons! An evil curse to blight the world. Demons and dragons, the choice was unfair. How could anyone choose and remain sane?”

“Surely it cannot be that bad,” I said when he fell silent, his gaze riveted to the manuscript.

Read it,” he said through clenched teeth. “Judge me then, not before. I must atone.”

“How is this atoning?” I said. “You chastise yourself with a stick of your own making. How can I be your judge? Surely your friends have judged and forgiven you. Everyone has a spark of good deep within. They must have seen yours.”

“Read it!” he insisted.

I picked it up. Reverently. It was heavy as though weighted by the souls of the damned. When I looked up, he was gone. Yet the tearstain on the cover was as real as anything I had ever seen.

The Prophecy of the Kings, the title said. Flicking to the back cover it was signed Vastra.

Having now read the manuscript I wonder at our meeting. Was he a shoal, or a restless spirit wandering the worlds seeking redemption? Of one thing I am certain, if his world was real then the tale must be told. By doing so, it honours the dead, and forgives those who need to be forgiven.

Excuse me then for claiming to be the author. It is a wondrous story and it will move you. As you read, think then upon Vastra, and Shastlan. Perhaps we can find it in our hearts to forgive, for now I know why so many people in their worlds would not. But then, that was Vastra’s intent, and if he knocks on your door in the dead of night, listen to his tale. It will move you, as it has moved me.

Sunday 6 February 2011

Dragons, are they good or evil?

Tolkien portrayed dragons as evil. Weiss and Hickman sat on the fence; dragons were good or evil depending upon their colour.

Read the Prophecy of the Kings to see what that author thinks, sentient beings or a dumb brute, lazy and a hoarder, or ravagers of nations? Undoubtedly powerful, what is their nemesis? How to destroy a dragon? That was uppermost in Ariome’s mind during the second battle of DrummonCall. A witch of great beauty: a mind of twisted evil. How could she please her Lord? Destroy a dragon! How would you do it! Moments have passed and a dragons wrath is vengeful. Time is running out.

Kill the dragon or die. Check out the website http://davidburrows.org.uk

Friday 28 January 2011

Guardian Angels - do you believe?

Apparently 40% of people believe in guardian angels. What do you believe? Read the Prophecy of the Kings and see how the author deals with this subject.

For most people the link with their guardian angel is tenuous, a warning in the dark of the night, a feeling on entering a room for the first time, ghostly eyes and not being alone …

Imagine then a guardian angel being your twin: a twin who died in the womb and was never born. How much closer would your link be with your guardian? How would that affect your life, being closer to the spirit world? Would you use that power for good, or for ill?

Imagine your guardian spirit being the shade of a dead emperor from another world: a world not much different to yours; a world at war, a war at the behest of the emperor who is now your guardian; a world with a dreadful secret. How would this affect your dreams? Could you sleep?

Imagine your guardian being a demon. Now the link to the spirit world is complete. At night your dreams are no longer your own. Look into the demon world and see the horror they create. Live with that … and rejoice. What would that make you?

These are the characters in the books. Read the novels and see who you are most like. How would you cope?

Tuesday 4 January 2011