From Man to Man by D.E.M. Emrys

4 stars
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Kindle
Published by Four Branches Publishing
Published October 15th 2012
ASIN: B009QY4EAS
Where to Buy: Amazon
View on Goodreads

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

‘I’ve traded my old enemies for just this one…’ The axe thundered home. ‘I miss the old ones.’

Every man has a past, none more so than Draven Reinhardt. Abandoning his old life to settle down as a villager, he struggles to fit in, let alone hold down a job. When opportunity offers the much needed coin, Draven is torn between a promise and a purpose.

But, what’s one last job if you’ve already got blood on your hands?

‘From Man to Man’ is the story of how one man can change – or not – for the best. Prequel to the upcoming novel ‘It Began With Ashes’, the short (6400 words) introduces the reader to a world of suspense, intrigue, and action.

My Review:
This was an excellent short story.  The characters are bold and well defined.  Draven Reinhardt is mysterious and had a quick temper but also had a great many redeeming qualities.  Emry’s ability to build the character dialogue was impressive and smoothly maintained even through his thoughts and actions.

The idea of the whole book could really turn into something more with greater world building and more character development.  It was a great story and I wanted to read more.

About the Author:

David Emrys, known as D to his friends, is a serving soldier and author. He has clearance to know more than he should, but not the sense to know better. Leaving education with no more than a fifteen year olds understanding of English Literature, D’s storytelling craft is self-taught.

Growing up with the heroic tales written by authors such as David Gemmell and James Barclay, D was inspired to write stories of his own. After joining the army D used his free time to focus on his dream of sharing shelf-space with his idols.

D testifies to the fact that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword – but swords make for better letter-openers. He lives where the army send him, but home is in Chelmsford with his girlfriend. They say that behind every great man there is a woman pulling the strings, but she lets him dance to his own song whilst being the perfect partner in step. D claims that his books would not have been written without her.
 
Author’s website: http://written-with-a-sword.blogspot.co.uk/