Book Review - Amok the Powerful by Alan Draven

Amok the Powerful

By Alan Draven

Publication Date: 26th November 2024

Publisher: Pixie Dust Press 

Page Length: 320 Pages

Genre: Fantasy / Sword & Sorcery

From the Author of BITTERNEST and NOCTURNAL OFFERINGS Comes a Collection of Eight Connected Sword & Sorcery Tales

Armed with his powerful sword, a young barbarian named Amok and his friend Goyiir the sorceress embark on a quest to seek answers about his murky past. As they head west toward the mythical province of Atlantia, the road is long and fraught with peril.

They’ll battle a wide variety of foes ranging from ninjas, spectres, and even aliens as they carve their way through the cycle of seasons. Before their journey comes to an end, Amok will have to conquer Atlantia's evil ruler, the Harbinger of Doom, and his cultists.

Amok has always been curious about his past, and the many unanswered questions drive him to uncover the truth about his early years. A recurring dream has led him to believe that the answers he seeks lie in the west, so he plans to embark on a journey in search of them.

Accompanied by his sorceress friend, Goyiir, Amok dons his powerful sword and mounts his trusty stallion, Melrik. They set off toward the west, knowing the road ahead is perilous. As they navigate their way forward, fragments of the story begin to unfold, revealing a crucial truth: they are journeying to Atlantia. To put an end to the evil they face along the way, they must confront Atlantia’s king, the Harbinger of Doom.

Amok the Powerful by Alan Draven, is a collection of eight stories, following Amok and Goyiir on their journey west.

Amok is a character who remains unfazed by any challenge he encounters. He is fearless when facing monsters or people, confident in his own strength and in the magical properties of his sword, which holds mysterious powers. He greatly values his friendship with Goyiir, and together, they appear almost invincible. Amok is a character you can quickly come to like because of his can-do attitude; he is always willing to help those he meets along his journey. His tendency to jump into battles, even when they aren’t his to fight, is admirable, although it sometimes lands him in tricky situations due to his lack of foresight. The adventures he embarks on are filled with both mystery and action, and the intricate storytelling leads to some engaging quests.

Amok has many questions about his childhood. He doesn’t remember anything from the first seven years of his life, as he was found on a doorstep as a baby, with nothing but his sword strapped to his back. He also has questions about his life in the modern world, as there are aspects he doesn’t fully understand. The sword, which has been with him since infancy, feels like an extension of himself when he fights, and it glows purple whenever danger approaches. The significance of the sword puzzles Amok. Why does it seem perfectly suited to him, and what magical properties might it possess?

Additionally, there is a large white bear that appears during his quests. He has faced this bear multiple times, and he is curious about the reason it follows him. Throughout his adventures, Amok gradually uncovers more about these mysteries, slowly revealing the larger world and enriching the story. The quest to discover the truth behind all of Amok’s questions drives the novel forward, compelling readers to seek the answers just as fervently as Amok does.

This novel is crafted in a unique way. Although it tells one overarching story of Amok and Goyiir as they journey to Atlantia, it is divided into eight smaller tales. Each of these tales details a side quest that the two characters encounter along their journey. This structure not only breaks up the narrative but also ties it all together. The journey is long, so focusing on the moments when Amok and Goyiir face challenges and solve mysteries keeps the story fast-paced and intriguing. Much like a bard recounting the legendary feats of Amok the Powerful, the author has successfully created eight captivating stories that make you eager to continue reading and learn more about this great warrior.

The language used throughout this novel suggests it is aimed at a younger audience, as the descriptions are often simple and leave much to the imagination. The narrative is predominantly driven by dialogue rather than descriptive passages, which can make the stories feel more akin to those written for young teens. However, the content does not align with this assumption. There are several explicit sexual scenes that are inappropriate for younger readers, and the violence depicted is quite graphic.

At the end of each of the eight stories, there are illustrations showing what the characters look like, which further reinforces the idea that the book may be better suited for younger readers if it weren't for the inappropriate content. Nevertheless, as an easy-to-read novel, it is very engaging and keeps the reader captivated. If you're looking for an exciting fantasy action and adventure story without overly intricate descriptions, this book is certainly worth considering.

Amok the Powerful by Alan Draven is an exciting adventure that features eight fast-paced and engaging stories. With mysteries to solve and battles to fight, the journey is filled with friendships and rivalries. Amok's expedition is a memorable experience that lingers long after you've finished reading.

Review by Ellie Yarde

Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion

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Alan Draven 

Alan Draven was born the same year KISS unleashed their debut LP. He lives in beautiful Québec City with his lovely girlfriend. He’s been penning dark tales for nearly twenty years. His first novel, Bitternest, was published in 2007. Since then he’s written half a dozen novels mainly in the horror genre as well as a superhero novel, Heroes of the North: October Dawn in 2013, and a thriller titled Oblique in 2018 under the pseudonym Neal Vandar. He’s also edited two anthologies, Sinister Landscapes in 2008 and Creeping Shadows in 2009. In 2022, his final novel in the Bitternest series was published, Once Upon a Time in Bitternest. Amok the Powerful is his first foray into Sword & Sorcery fiction.

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