Philistine by Steven Shrewsbury

This story appears to be historically inspired by the biblical tales of Goliath, the champion of the Philistines.   It seems that the Philistines were often mercenaries for hire. Goliath was the NBA size warrior who was their champion.

I felt the story was someone disjointed.   I followed it but the action happened all over the place.  There was a lot of detailed mayhem.  This is not a book for the faint of heart.   Goliath was not a nice person but neither were the assorted ogres, monsters, godlings, demons or priest/priestess.

I see some similarities to Gorias from the previous Shrewsbury works but Goliath is not nearly as likeable.  Gorias LaGaul, a barbarian’s barbarian,  was in my review of Thrall and Overkill.  I liked those books better.

This book has action galore as well as gore to spare.

Web site: http://www.seventhstarpress.com/current_authors/steven_shrewsbury.html

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Blood and Steel, Legends of La Gaul by Steven Shrewsbury

 

Gorias LaGaul, a barbarian’s barbarian,  is back and as I said in my review of Thrall and Overkill , he would kick Conan’s butt.  If you are looking for traditional heroes you may want to look elsewhere.   This is a short series of short stories about Gorias’ escapades.

I repeat from previous reviews, Gorias is a protagonist that I can identify with in many aspects.   Pragmatic to a fault he is accepting of his age and doesn’t let it stop him from doing what he wants to do.   I’m not sure I can identify with his ruthlessness but it certainly is effective.  He has skewed soft spots that pop up with surprising frequency.   He is a much, much larger than life character.  That is what makes him so entertaining. 

One of the stories, provides a little background on how Gorias got to be who he is when you meet his father.  I'm not all that fond of short stories in general but these were close enough to being relative to the books that they were enjoyable.   Gorias’attitude is amusingly brutal. However I suspect that in a time similar to that in which the story is set, that type of brutality would have been common. Mr Shrewsbury does a great job of creating an environment where a barbarian as grisly  as Gorias can flourish.

Action runs amuck as well as libidos, the easily offended may want to pass on this book.  For the rest of us who enjoy rollicking good humor and raucous action this is a book for the must read shelf. 

 

I highly recommend the book.

Web site: http://www.seventhstarpress.com/current_authors/steven_shrewsbury.html

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Thrall by Steven Shrewsbury

The press release suggested this book was in the vein of Conan but Thrall would kick Conan’s butt. A dark heroic fantasy with an aging protagonist.

While not an aging warrior, I am aging and feel some of the aches that plagued Thrall throughout the book. I thought Shrewsbury did an excellent job of portraying an aging warrior. He shows that treachery, deceit and experience can thwart youth and bravado. Thrall isn’t exactly likeable but he is admirable. He soldiers on when lesser men have curled up and died. I liked his perseverance and attitude.

The family interaction was certainly eye opening. The characters were well portrayed and the action and violence certainly fit the genre. I liked the book and hope to see a sequel.

I highly recommend the book.

Body of work of Steven Shrewsbury

Web site: None found

See my interview with the author.