Book Review: Shadowcursed

Title: Shadowcursed

Author: Gelo R Fleisher

Genre: fantasy

Book Blurb: 

Bolen is a thief, plying his trade under the spires of an ancient and sprawling city. Worried that he's growing too old, Bolen has lined up a risky job, just to prove that he can still pull one off.Tonight, he's going to break into a nobleman's vault and help himself to its contents. What he doesn't know is that inside is the key to a secret as old as the city itself.

Kings have killed for it, demons have coveted it, priests have prayed for it, and in a few moments it will be in his hands. And when it is, the adventure of his life will begin.

Reviewer: Samantha

Review:

Bolen is getting old. That’s bad news for a thief, especially for a thief like Bolen whom often has to climb, jump and run when on the job. Turning the better part of forty is naturally a time to consider retirement. Bolen knows and fears this and it weighs on his mind while taking his latest gig- steal from the great Tanni mansion that has plenty of guards with steel guns. 

What Bolen finds in the rich manor's vault are the usual precious gems and priceless family heirlooms. In the vault is also a small unusual ruby statue. A statue that brings out the emotions of regret, guilt and comfort. Emotions that Bolen believed to long be dead. 

The Good: I LOVED this book! I am very weary of giving any book 5 stars. 5 star books to me must be a story I can read at any age, something I can see myself rereading over and over, I can identify with the characters and finally it has to be a story that my mind still thinks about even after reading and reviewing it.

The world building is great; the way Shadowcursed was written gave me a clear picture of the city and have me readily accepting the magical aspects of Bolen's world. 

Identifying with Bolen, a forty something year old man had me thinking I would not be able to identify with Bolen with me not being a man and not being forty. However I was. Bolen's age did nothing to keep me from getting into his head. His ache and pains were understandable and honestly made him believable. Into the novel the reader sees that Bolen is consider an awesome thief; like Sherlock Holmes awesome. Which he is, but the reader does not see this until other mention it. Bolen is not cocky and he is always just trying to get the job done. I really loved that about his character. He had an awesome reputation without the snark, probably not even realizing his reputation precedes him. 

The Bad: It was too short! It had a good ending that could just be an end to the story but it also left off with the potential of another book or story. I really hope the author considers writing more about the characters! I want to know more! (So really I could not see anything negative; I just did not want it to end.)

The Book: I RECOMEND this novella to EVERYONE!!! It's entertaining, thoughtful and is action packed. I would put this on the 'Shelf of Honor' right with Harry Potter, His Dark Materials and Eragon. Go out, buy it ($2.99) and read it!

Rating: