BOOK REVIEW: THE CERBERUS REBELLION

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Joshua will be awarding .mobi copies of his short stories (details available at www.gunpowderfantasy.com/products) to one commenter at every stop. Grand Prize for one random commenter: The Chesian Wars collection (all published 3 short stories and an additional prelude short story exclusive to the collection).

One hundred years of peace and prosperity. War changes everything.

On the world of Zaria, Elves, magic and mythical beasts coexist beside rifles and railroads. The futures of two nations hang in the balance as rebels and revolutionaries trade gunfire with loyalists and tyrants.

Eadric Garrard was raised to believe that as the rightful King of Ansgar, his loyal nobles and fearful subjects answered to his every whim, no matter the cost or consequence. His decision to send his troops thousands of miles away will test that fear, and loyalty.

Raedan Clyve was ordinary until an Elven ritual involving a griffin’s heart turned him into something more. Twenty years later, he still struggles with the magics that rage through his body. His mentor holds him back from his full potential and he faces pressure to find a suitable wife and father an heir.

Hadrian Clyve has picked up where his father left off and works to expand his family’s influence amongst the Ansgari nobility. His aggressive negotiation of alliances and shrewd choice of marriage agreements has earned him respect, and resentment. When his King calls his troops to arms, Hadrian has other things in mind.

After a century of scheming and decades of preparation, Magnus Jarmann is ready to bring his family’s plans to fruition by launching a war of independence that will free his people and return his country to its rightful place among the nations of Zaria. The King’s call to arms creates an opportunity that Magnus cannot afford to miss.

In a war, little is held back; in a revolution, nothing is safe.

The Cerberus Rebellion is a very ambitious work. In tone and scope, it reminds me of David Eddings. There are many characters and, at times, I found I needed to go back and reread a section to make sure who I was reading about.

The author is very detailed in some areas--such as telling the reader what everyone was wearing--yet not detailed enough in others. The storyline itself was interesting; however, the book would have been better had it been better edited. The descriptions of clothing slowed down the action and did not add anything to the storyline itself.

This is a part of a series, so the abrupt ending was not a surprise--the reader should be aware, however, that not all issues in the story are resolved.

The author has obviously spent a lot of time on the world building for this work and I am looking forward to reading more of the adventures that take place here.

About the Author:

Joshua Johnson is the author of "Gunpowder Fantasy" The Cerberus Rebellion and the creator of the Griffins & Gunpowder universe. When he isn't working or spending time with his family, he writes novels, short stories and novellas.

He currently lives in Northern Illinois with his wife and young son.

Website: www.GunpowderFantasy.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authorjkjohnson