Genre: Fantasy Horror
Publisher: J Ellington Ashton Press
Publication Date: 9th June 2015
Pages: 51
MY REVIEW:
In a little break from the norm, I picked up The Scarlett Curse: Sacred Blade of Profanity Book One by Toneye Eyenot, to read for my own pleasure rather than a review submission. This book is published by the wonderful people at J Ellington Ashton Press.
I picked this up for a read of my own for a couple of reasons. I have seen quite a buzz in the social media scene about this man’s writing and also Book Two has just come out so I wanted to have a go at this so I can catch up with the story.
The first surprise I got was the fact that this is a fantasy story and not pure horror. My bad. I automatically thought that it would be horror given the circles Mr Eyenot travels in. Nevertheless, I started it, so I will finish it.
This is what I thought.
Scarlett holds the key to many a person’s end. She currently possesses the Sacred Blade of Profanity. Or does it possess her?
This ancient blade possesses whoever holds it and it commands them to do its bloody deeds. When Scarlett loses control of the blade, young Dera picks it up and is instantly overcome with bloodlust.
Scarlet must now try to rectify things while both of them need to try and outrun Joshua, a man with his own troubles that he believes getting hold of Dera can fix.
In terms of characters, this one mainly centres around Scarlett, Dera and Joshua. Scarlett is obviously going to be the heroine in this saga, although heroine may be a term used loosely. Dera is just a confused young girl caught up in something that makes no sense to her and something she cannot control. Joshua is vile. At least that is my impression of him due to some things he does but that may change as the story progresses.
So what is the story? What is the plot? That is the interesting bit, or as I found, the confusing bit as well. The fact that it has Book One in its title suggests that this is going to be a series. The fact that book two is out confirms this.
This Book One to me, was confusing. When the story begins you are dropped straight in the middle of it. No explanations and no build up, just bam and the action starts. Now, in some ways, I like this idea but I would have liked it a bit more if there had been some explaining later in the book about how Scarlett came to own the blade and what it’s true history was.
Now, again, I understand this will probably come in further parts of the story but it left me wanting a little bit more from this book to clarify things for me.
However, this is good stuff. It has a real dark feeling to it that I reckon is going to fill out very nicely and has huge potential to become a story of wonder.
This is a short read, coming out at about fifty pages or so. It’s not a great deal of time to get across to your readers the feeling that a story like this deserves.
However, again, Mr Eyenot does it very effectively. Even with the confusion I felt at times, when you read this you will quite easily get lost in the sights and sounds and smells of the time. The writing style is sometimes punchy and to the point but at the same time asks your own imagination to fill in the blanks and pad things out a bit more. That isn’t an easy thing to do. Especially in a short book like this where you are trying to introduce a whole new concept and story of probable epic proportions.
Apart from the confusion at times, I really liked this one and after letting it sit in my mind for a while before writing the review, it is growing on me even more. Time to go pick up book two I think.
To summarise: the opening part of what I would call a dark fantasy tale that is sure to develop and turn magical. Mr Eyenot’s writing is very easy on the Eye and I really look forward to reading more of this saga.
General rating:
★★★★ has potential.
Dark Fantasy rating:
★★★★ practically perfectly dark.
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Thanks.
Book Synopsis:
Scarlett, bearer of The Sacred Blade Of Profanity for nigh on three hundred years, untouched by linear time, unhindered by the confines of space, nevertheless has grown weary. The ancient dagger, crafted in sorcery over eight thousand years ago, requires the blood of the profane to sustain its power. Scarlett has killed scores over the centuries and will continue for as long as she possesses The Blade.
Her chance meeting with young Dera, an 11-year-old mute from the outskirts of town, throws both of their worlds into chaos, as Scarlett returns to the busy town of Mills Wall, to complete a failed attempt on her most elusive target to date. Could this child be the downfall of Scarlett? The demise of The Sacred Blade Of Profanity? Dark and troubled times are all that is foreseeable for both Scarlett and the mysterious little girl. Indeed, for all of Mills Wall.
Toneye Eyenot hails from The Blue Mountains in Australia. Although writing horrible tales for the better part of 25 years, 2014 has seen his first published work in REJECTED For Content - Splattergore, through J. Ellington Ashton Press, an anthology showcasing alongside many other esteemed authors of the bloodsoaked word. His first extended story, in the form of a Dark Fantasy/Horror novella, THE SCARLETT CURSE is book one in the Sacred Blade Of Profanity series, released through J. Ellington Ashton Press and available now in print and on Kindle.
Book II in the series- JOSHUA'S FOLLY has also just been released through JEA Mar.13, 2016. Book III in the Sacred Blade Of Profanity series is currently being conjured. With more anthology appearances in both, REJECTED FOR CONTENT 2-Aberrant Menagerie and REJECTED FOR CONTENT 3-Vicious Vengeance, also Doorway To Death, Jeapers Creepers and Lost Gods And Forgotten Cities, and more in Cellar Door III - Animals/Hell II - Citizens by James Ward Kirk Fiction, as well as The Grays by James Ward Kirk fiction and more anthologies awaiting publication. Eyenot is also the editor for a werewolf themed anthology-FULL MOON SLAUGHTER, to be released through JEA in October '16. This year sees the author emerge from the muse with terrifying results. Take a walk thru the mind(s) of a luniakk...
And for more about Toneye, visit his site or find him on social media:
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – Amazon Page
