That isn’t to say that nothing happens however – in fact far from it. When Arki learns something – then so do we and sometimes it’s a while before the information is forthcoming. Basically we learn what’s going on through Arki and as he’s kept in the dark by his new boss then we are also pretty much kept in the dark too. Secondly the plot is revealed as the story progresses. First, and most obvious, I don’t want to give away spoilers. I can tell you absolutely nothing about the plot whatsoever and the reason for this is twofold.

However, a few pages later I found myself pretty much intrigued and compelled to read. And, let me just say that these are a bunch of lively characters who are not shy of a bit of creative cursing – you have been warned! Now, I understood on picking this up that this was going to be dark fantasy but after the first couple of pages I was wondering just how grim and dark this would really become, in fact I momentarily had doubts as the start of the book really does set its stall out quite early. We start the narrative in an inn where a number of the key characters are introduced as they exchange banter. His new employer is the head of a bunch of Syldoon soldiers who are about to embark on a mission and Arki is about to go on an adventure. Having lived the majority of his, albeit short, life in relative comfort chronicling the narratives of merchants and other people lacking in excitement he takes a job that he believes will make his name.

We get off to an immediate start and learn in relatively short order a few of the key characters and what they’re about. The story follows a relatively small band of characters, soldiers, on something of a military adventure. I really enjoyed this I have to say although when it comes down to writing a review I confess it’s quite difficult. Scourge of the Betrayer is the first of the Bloodsounder’s Arc series by Jeff Salyards.

Scourge of the betrayer