Novella Review: Hope's End & The Girl of Hrusch Avenue

Hope's End

By:  Brian McClellan

Publish Date:  September 23, 2013

Format:  ebook, 30pgs

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  Novella in The Powder Mage series set before book; Novella ~ Forsworn, Book 1 ~ The Promise of Blood

Recommendation:  Yes! A short story in the life of a soldier. See Tamas from another's eyes and the world people live in.

Synopsis:
Captain Verundish has two problems. On campaign with the Adran army and far from her homeland, she is helpless when the young daughter she left at home is threatened. To make matters worse, General Tamas has put her lover in command of a Hope's End—the first charge through a breach straight into the teeth of enemy cannon and sorcery. To save the people she loves, Verundish will have to come up with a deadly solution...

First Sentence:
Captain Verundish contemplated killing herself.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

**I read this for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Captain Verundish's letter from her ruthless husband is not good. Her father won't approve their divorce, as he performed the marriage and has to sign for divorce. Her husband has other plans. He holds a threat of their daughter's life over her for the divorce, one way or another. Captain Verundish learns her lover is chosen to lead the charge at Hope's End, the first line through and facing all deadly throws. Rarely does anyone survive. Captain Verundish has an idea to help save her daughter and her lover...

I had suspected her plan was as such. Brian, brave as he is, took his characters there and I love it. Hard battle and personal life struggles are present in this short.

We read from the eyes and heart of Captain Verundish. We see Tamas in her thoughts and views. Tamas is in the field, as General. Younger and in action. You see his hatred of the Privileged seeping through in his strategies.

Tamas seems to influence those he meets, and Verundish is one of them.

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The Girl of Hrusch Avenue

By:  Brian McClellan

Publish Date:  June 28, 2013

Format:  ebook, 29pgs

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  Novella in The Powder Mage series set before book, Novella ~ Forsworn, Book 1 ~ The Promise of Blood,

Recommendation:  YES!! If you read and loved The Promise of Blood, you'll love seeing Vlora, Taniel, and Bo as young kids.

Synopsis:
Vlora is an orphan living at a boarding school as a ward of the state. Even at her young age, she already has enemies: the Bulldog Twins, Baron Fendamere, and her own headmistress. When a strange man offers to buy her, Vlora runs away and takes to the roofs above the gunsmithies of Hrusch Avenue. It is there that she meets a boy named Taniel and begins a friendship that will change her life forever.

First Sentence:
Vlora planned on stealing a gun.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

**I read this for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Ten year old Vlora is at a boarding school and knows she loves the smell of sulfur from the black powder smoke of freshly fired guns at the gunsmithies on Hrusch Avenue. The focus and energy that comes from it... Vlora has to have a gun. The desire so strong she can't quench it. But the streets are dangerous for a lone orphan girl. While escaping the grasps of the two bullies that 'own' the street Vlora makes a stronger enemy, a Noble who has no qualms with killing. Vlora comes across another the bullies attack, Taniel. A strong boy that fights back against the odds. Taniel tells Vlora of the magic of powder and become quick friends.

Oh I love seeing Vlora as a young girl. Even Taniel and Bo! They are kids, and it's awesome the things kids of this time and world do. Oh great! Once again we see Tamas in action. He does have a quick action scene and influences as he recruits his Powder Mages.

I give great credit to Brian as he easily tells you of the Powder Mage and Privileged powers in the world. So you know the rules of the world and not left clueless.

To see the history of Vlora explains a bit more about her character. We knew she had a rough upbringing, well before she came to Tamas, but this shows it better through actions. To see Taniel and Bo and children as well...they are a hoot, but I'm not on the receiving end of the antics. lol.

I think this is my favorite novella out of the three thus far, because of the characters involved. Vlora's story at the age of ten. How she meet Taniel and Bo and came to start a trust with Tamas. We see them as children and the troubles they get into. I very much enjoyed seeing this side of the characters and their history. Fun quick read. Well worth picking up.