Melissa Barker-Simpson

In a time of heroes, a man will take any job to provide for his family.

Ichabod Brooks has earned a reputation for taking the jobs most men and women fear to challenge. This reputation has brought him to the charred remains of a small village nestled within the hills and forest of Ralian. The ruins are a source of strange monsters that terrorize the countryside and repeatedly elude the local guards and hunters. The few brave souls who have entered the creatures’ lair have yet to come out alive or dead.

The chances of survival are slim, but that generous payment is too much for Ichabod to resist. After all, a man and his family have to eat.

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed Ichabod Brooks and the City of Beasts. It’s a wild, magical adventure, which will leave you hungry for more. Ichabod is wise, experienced, funny, and only slightly jaded. He’s an admirable warrior, though a somewhat unconventional hero. It’s my favourite thing about him. He gets the job done, as quickly and as cleanly as possible so he can return to his family.

Ichabod doesn’t take himself too seriously, which is another thing I like about him. He knows what he’s walking into, and though the assignment takes an unexpected turn, he doesn’t let it phase him; he’s been around the block. I get the feeling few things surprise him.

The monsters are grotesque beasts, as unique as they are terrifying. Yallowitz describes these predators beautifully, bringing them to life on the page. The action scenes are thrilling too, and it helps that Ichabod has some excellent weapons at his disposal. In a village full of monsters, I’d want to be on Ichabod’s team!

Ichabod meets Morgan Jones during the adventure, an intriguing hunter I was instantly drawn to. I have a feeling their paths will cross again in the future, and I’m really looking forward to it.

Reading the story it’s clear that the world Yallowitz has created is a rich and varied place. A place I can’t wait to spend more time in.

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn’t working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. ‘Legends of Windemere’ is his first series, but it certainly won’t be his last.

Thanks for stopping by

Mel