The Legendary Tour for The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo - Hosted by Prism Book Tours

On Tour with Prism Book Tours...

The Legendary Tour

As the lighting blazed in a dancing, arcing column to the sky, a voice deep and powerful as thunder said, “My son, today my powers are bestowed upon you.”

This tour goes back to the age of legends. The author has taken a deep dive into rich history, bringing his love of fantasy with him. 

Review #1 - Guiamo

My Review/Thoughts:

I have to be completely honest…  If I was walking in the book store or searching for a book on line this would have picked up the book and thought the cover was beautiful….but reading the descriptions probably would have made me put it back on the shelf.  This time in History, the time of Caesar is one of my least favorite times.  When I started reading I thought this is probably not going to be one of my favorite books.  I was given this book in exchange for an honest review, so I thought I am just going to give it a chance.  I am so glad I did.  I really enjoyed this book.  This first book was good, but the following in the series are even better.  So let’s start with book one.

I found myself attached to sweet Guiamo immediately.  I was blown away at the heartless people he had to live with and then was abandoned by.   When abandoned Guiamo never stops to feel sorry for himself, he sees a fisherman and asks to work with him and in return the Fisherman takes Guiamo in and cares for him.  

Soon we are introduced to another character by the name of Gabinius who I also really love.  Gabinius is such a kind and loving man.  I liked that Guiamo is always learning new things and doing whatever is asked of him. 

This may be totally off base but in “MY OPINION” Guiamo reminds me of a character from the Bible, Joseph, who is sold by his brothers.  The brothers thought there family would be better off without him, and yet Joseph is the one who prospered, a lot like what Guiamo went through.   Yes, I am sure it is not supposed to remind me of that, but it does.  Guiamo was abandoned and faced with trials and yet did everything he could to better his life and all that was around him.  He always made the best of whatever situation he is in. 

The book gets intense towards the end and gets me even more excited to pick up the second book in the series!  I hope you all enjoy it.

My Rating: 

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Review #2 - Cumoro

My Thoughts / Review

I want to start with a quote in this book that I love love love that is said as Cumoro (aka) Guiamo  and Sreng (another character we are introduced to in this book) are faced with battle.

Sreng says "It is far better thing to fight for a hope, however faint, than to linger in fear while suffering the pangs of doubt ever gnawing at your soul."

AWESOME!

This book is filled with battle after battle and I couldn't put it down.  I found myself loving Curmoro (Guiamo) even more in this book.  He amazes me.  I love his connection with the land and the animals. I love that no matter what situation he is in, he is always doing the best he can.   The battle scenes are so intense and some of the descriptions were so real to me that I found myself clenching my fists waiting for the outcome. 

This series is just getting better.  I cannot wait to see where the adventure takes me next. Thanks Marshall Best for introducing me to an era I probably never would have read about if it wasn't for these amazing books.

My Rating:

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Review #3:  Morlanos

My Review / Thoughts

Again, I need to begin by saying I am new to this whole review thing, and I don’t think I have quite figured out how to do a “real” review without giving important details away. 

In this book Guiamo is known as Morlanos which means “filled with greatness”, such an appropriate name for him. 

We are introduced to more creatures in this book and more intense battle scenes.  Some of the descriptions I have to admit grossed me out a little bit, but they were fantastic. 

I found a quote in the book that I always want to remember Guiamo says:  “So the perception of truth is not the same as the truth.  The discrepancy between one man’s truth and another’s shows that mere perception or perspective is not an adequate measurement of truth”

Morlanos has grown into a great young man who is favored by the Gods.  What I found interesting in this book is that they refer to the “good Gods” and the “bad Gods”.   Morlanos and his people are faced with battle after battle with creatures that are almost impossible to kill.  If the book was a movie I would have been on the edge of my seat the whole time.  I have been fascinated with how much I have connected with characters lately and how much an affect written words can have on me and my emotions.  This book is intense.  

Morlanos has to be trained for 19 years before he can get married, but is finally introduced to a woman in this book, and I really like the character.  Her name is Sona.  Guiamo says of Sona (he appreciated her uncanny ability to know when to remain silent, listen, not with mere patience, but with sincere interest as his need to speak percolated to the surface).  How many times have we needed that someone to just listen.

With every book I keep thinking that it cannot get more intense but it seems that Marshall Best has a fabulous way of describing battle scenes.  I know I have said it before but I am still surprised at how much I love this series because it’s not something I would have read if not given this opportunity to review.   I am also thankful for the glossary at the end of the book, because there are a LOT of unfamiliar words and terms used in the series.  I love reading a book that teaches me new things, even if it’s just how people spoke during a particular time in history or just words that are not used very often. 

I hope that you enjoy reading this series as much as I have.

My Rating:

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Review #4 - Inis Emain Ablach

My Review/Thoughts

This book has probably been my favorite so far out of them all.  I am probably getting something totally different out of this book than most people do, there are quite a few times in this book that I thought to myself “this is the creating of the world”, and a lot of this is similar to the Bible.  I may be totally off base, but these are my thoughts. 

Guiamo continues to be an amazing young man.  He is faced with terrible hardships in this book and is caused great pain, yet he still does all he can to make the world a better place.  He finds himself losing favor with the Gods and some of the people.  It seems like just when there is a resemblance of peace something else happens.  There is so much contention in this book. 

I think Guiamo is such an honorable and loyal man.  He stays true to the things he has been taught regardless of whether they are popular or not.   He finds out who his true friends are and then is saddened by things that happen between him and his friends.  Relationships that I thought would be life long are challenged. 

Guiamo translates some ancient papers, and in so doing causes a little rift, yet he continues because he knows it’s the right thing to do.  Yet another reference to scripture…in my opinion.  

Guiamo finds a way to travel between his world and the world of the Gods, and it makes for some interesting encounters.  

There are so many things I want to say but don’t want to spoil the book for those who haven’t read it.  I may have done that already but that was not my intention.

There are a few things I am going to say that you may want to stop reading now because they MIGHT spoil a little.

Guiamo finally gets word back to his family that he is still alive, and in return is rewarded with some sweet letters from those who helped raise him.  This may have been the best part of the whole book for me.  I love that Guiamo gets a taste of his home and his loved ones.  It was one of the sweetest moments as he sits to read the letters from his loved ones, being so thankful and relieved to find out after many years that he was still alive and well.  I got a little chocked up at one of the letters. 

I think I said this at the beginning of my reviews, but I am going to repeat myself.  I am so glad I had the chance to review these books, because they are totally out of the “norm” for me.  I would have walked by them in the book store and thought the covers were awesome, but when I read what they were about, and when they took place I would have put them back on the shelf and not given them a second glance, and now I know I would have really missed out on a great series.

I cannot wait for the saga to continue.   Marshall Best is a great writer.  I am glad I ventured out of my “comfy” zone and was introduced to this great series. 

I honestly hope that if you have this on your “to read” list that you enjoy it as much as I did, and if you don’t add it!  You won’t regret it! This is such a great story!  If you like battles, this series has plenty of them.

It’s very clean although some of the battle scene descriptions grossed me out; I consider this series very clean.

My Rating:

Source:  I was given all four of these books to download from Smashwords in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway for these reviews.  These are my PERSONAL thoughts on these books.

Special Tour Price!!!

$3 off each book through Createspace.
(Click on the cover to take you there.)

   

Use coupon code: GS9D2K7C 

Combining legitimate legends with actual historical events, Marshall Best weaves an epic story that portrays the ancient world as it might have been, a world which the ancient historians recorded as fact; a time when gods ruled the earth and strange creatures dominated the land. It is the era of civilized conquerors exploring distant and primitive new lands. Scant recordings left to us today only touch on the fringe of the fantastic and brutal reality that existed in those distant lands of the west. 

Into this age, young Guiamo enters the world stage as the great game-changer, and by his hand the gods and beasts become destined to disappear into myth and legend.

The Chronicles:

Guiamo

In 60 B.C., ten-year-old Guiamo Durmius Stolo, an exceptionally gifted Roman orphan, is abandoned in Gaul . Left to fend for himself, Guiamo is set onto a path of legend. Recognized by the gods as having world-changing talents, he is given a weapon that changes his destiny and the world’s forever. 

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Amazon * Amazon UK * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

Excerpt

Cumoro

Guiamo Durmius Stolo sails in 55 B.C. with Rome’s 7th Legion as Julius Caesar invades Britain. But Caesar has not before encountered the Fomori, a dominion of wicked creatures which wage war against the human inhabitants and dominate much of Britain. Armed with his god-made spear, Guiamo joins with the tribal kings against their Fomori foe when Caesar departs. 

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Amazon * Amazon UK * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

Morlanos

Having destroyed the Fomori in Britain , Guiamo Durmius Stolo decides in 51 B.C. to bring the Cruthin people, once slaves to the Fomori, to Ireland , but encounters the Fomori who reside there as well. Guiamo discovers that the gods venerated by the Druids are unworthy. The gods are displeased with him and begin to work against him.

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Amazon * Amazon UK * Barnes & Noble

Inis Emain Ablach

In 50 B.C. Guiamo Durmius Stolo finds himself victor over the detested Fomori whose leader, Cichol, is slain and those few who survived are scattered. Guiamo explores the secret places where Cichol kept his most important secrets and discovers there the treasures of Cichol's master, the goddess Domnu.

Goodreads * Creatspace * Smashwords

Amazon * Amazon UK * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

The Author:

Marshall Best is an avid reader, father of six and business owner. In the past several years he has found his love of writing as well. What began as a desire to write a story for his children has evolved into a nine book series.

Marshall has done extensive research into the history behind the legends, people and places of England, Scotland and Ireland involved in his books. He loves being able to weave real people and legends into his stories making them come alive. He is definitely a writer that tends to the details often mapping out timetables, calendars, geneologies, etc. that pertain to his book to ensure that it is as realistic as possible. 

Marshall also enjoys putting real life issues into his books, delving into a bit of philosophy while entertaining with orcs, dragons, magic and battles. He is someone who loves a grand adventure but makes sure it's not a shallow one.

Website * Goodreads * Google + * Facebook * Twitter

Tour-Wide Giveaway:

-One print set signed by author – world wide giveaway

-One complete e-book set – codes provided to smashwords

-Two winners: e-book of Cumoro and a $5 Amazon gift card each

-Two winners: e-book of Morlanos and a $5 Amazon gift card each

-Two winners: e-book of Inis Emain Ablach and a $5 Amazon gift card each

Ends 12/20. Please see restrictions on Rafflecopter.

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Follow the Chronicles of Guiamo as they unfold on...
The Legendary Tour:

11/25: Launch

11/26: My Love for Reading Keeps Growing 

+ Kelly P's Blog 

11/27: Cu's Ebook Giveaways 

11/29: Mel's Shelves 

12/1: Life as Leels 

12/2: The Wonderings of One Person 

12/3: Tressa’s Wishful Endings 

12/4: Bookworm Lisa 

12/5: Mythical Books 

12/6: All Fantasy Worlds 

12/8: Pieces of Whimsy 

12/9: Mother Daughter Book Reviews 

12/10: My Devotional Thoughts 

12/11: Mortal Moments 

12/12: It Started With A Click 

12/13: Grande Finale

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