Review of Thrall by Steven L. Shrewsbury

Overview
Set in the mists of ancient times, Thrall tells the story of Gorias La Gaul, an aging warrior who has lived for centuries battling the monstrosities of legend and lore. It is an age when the Nephilum walk the earth, demonic forces hunger to be unleashed, and dragons still soar through the skies … living and undead. 

On a journey to find one of his own blood, a young man who is caught in the shadow of necromancy, Gorias' path crosses with familiar enemies, some of whom not even death can hold bound. Thrall is gritty, dark-edged heroic fantasy in the vein of Robert E. Howard and David Gemmell. It is a maelstrom of hard-hitting action and unpredictable imagery, taking place within an incredible antediluvian world. In Gorias La Gaul, Thrall introduces an iconic new character to the realms of fantasy literature. 

Thrall invites the reader to go on a perilous journey where it is not a matter of whether one has the courage to die, but whether one has the courage to live.
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Recommended: Yes.

                          About Thrall 

Available as: Paperback $12.44 and other lower prices from Amazon.com,

E-book $2.99 from Amazon.com's Kindle Edition 

Recommended Ages: 17 and Up

Paperback: 288 pgs.

Published: November 23rd 2010 by Seventh Star Press

 For This Review:  *Book Copy Provided by Publisher for Review Purposes*

My Star Review

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Gorias La Gaul is a complete warrior legend in the world of Thrall. He is known best in Khaubnur but also in other lands as the man who has slayed dragons and lived! After so many years, La Gaul is just trying to relax and being here and there. When a mercenary calls him out. This woman can hardly guess the man she is so bothering is the man of legend himself. When he slays her he's captured by other mercenaries led by Lira Rhan. Rhan is a woman of power. After much introduction Lira Rhan reveals to Gorias that his help is needed in Khaubnur to stop who is ravaging the land with vampires. A man by the name of Lord Nosmada who is corrupting the land's youth. That isn't all that is troubling but savage barbarians are causing destruction as well. These two ill-intentioned forces are getting ready to battle it out. Nosmada's army led by General Tolin are fircely determined to end the barbarians and deliver what dark Nosmada wants. Through an interplay of tactics by all the characters alliances are forged and enemies are newly made. Just as Gorias believed it would be easy on his part to enter and slay those he must it proves harder. Deliverance Will Come in a raging death-struggle it seems.
For many fantasy fans, Thrall, is a very fun diversion. All the characters can be counted on delivering their unique one-liners which are truly hilarious. All the characters are in each of their own way a pleasant contribution to Thrall. None is more interesting though than Lord Gorias La Gaul. As can be seen in the way he pensively speaks such as:

"Doesn't sound fair," Maddox muttered. "No one said it was supposed to be. Don't be a baby. Life is awful and one has to do the best one can." "Why would God be at such mischief?, Tommas said."Perhaps to see if his children deserve to survive in this world. Any man close to the earth will tell you that, at times , one has to fish or cut bait. Think on the theory this way: Hold your own baby in your hands and swear you would do anything for it, even die for it. The baby doesn't even know you by name, save for the sensation of your care. Yet you understand that it is a part of you, flesh and bone. You'll die for your children even if they reject you. That's how God is with us. Even if we give him the brush off, I wagger he's always there. Does patience have a limit? Sometimes I think it makes him mad he made us."

Steven Shrewsbury gives some very good use of pace movement with some equally vivid written fighting scenes. The fighting scenes are alive so much! For fantasy just perfect. Thrall can also be seen to possess an olden tone of feel with a humorous voice.
Should you ever find yourself looking for a fantasy read to surely devour, Thrall, should be your next stop at reading. Should be entertaining. If you have a taste for a fantasy series than Thrall is good to go. Actually leaves off with an opening for a sequel!
Overall: Amazing read!
Genre: Fantasy, Dragons, Wizards, Vampires

Contains: Blood and Gore Scenes, Sexually-Charged Scenes, Foul Language 

                            

                             PRAISE FOR THRALL
"Gorias is definitely one of the better characters in fantasy, and an amazing hero. Furthermore, this is a well-written story with great dialogues, containing a hint of philosophy I very much enjoyed, and an awesome climax."- The Ranting Dragon (review)

"Thrall just had everything that I love, it was gritty, dark, epic fantasy and written tightly. Nothing drags on, or tries to complicate things. Thrall just delivers you action, great dialog, and left me very satisfied. As Gorias often said “Deliverance will come.” And Thrall delivered for me." -Watch Play Read (review)

"The press release suggested this book was in the vein of Conan, but Thrall would kick Conan’s butt."-The Azure Dwarf's Horde of Fantasy and Sci-Fi (review)  

                                 About the Author

Steven L. Shrewsbury, from Central Illinois, enjoys Football, books about history, guns, politics, mystery shows, and good fiction. 365 of his short story have been published in print or digital media. His novels STRONGER THAN DEATH, HAWG, TORMENTOR, AND GODFORSAKEN run from horror to historical fantasy. His collaboration with Nate Southard BAD MAGICK was his first hardback release from Bloodletting Press. His collab novel with Peter Welmerink, BEDLAM UNLEASHED, was recently accepted by Belfire Press for an early 2011 release. The novel HELL BILLY is also on the Horizon, to be published by Bad Moon Books in 2012. When not writing new tales or working on collobarations with Maurice Brauddus and Brian Keene, he searches for brightness where it may hide.