"Do as they say or die in the dungeons," the poor storekeepers would say. "Do as they say or disappear," the commoners would warn. But Venir and Melegal could not have cared less what anyone had to say. They had been this way since their childhood. As the underlings rally all of the evil forces they can muster to destroy the mystical and legendary Darkslayer, something unexpected has upset the delicate balance between good and evil on the world called Bish, making the Darkslayer a pawn in other insidious disputes. Strife and turmoil are constant features of life as humans struggle to survive among a wide array of creatures, including orcs, ogres, and the most evil of all--the underlings. When recklessness provokes a Royal household, Venir is forced to flee the city, along with his comrade, the skinny thief Melegal. The Royals and underlings soon unleash some unusual powers against him and start to close in. Facing the final showdown, nothing unfolds as it should. Review 5 out of 5 Stars! "From the causal fantasy subscriber, to the die-hard Tolkienist, everyone will find something to enjoy in the ever expanding world of Bish." See full review below. --Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review 5 out of 5 Stars! "...this author has written an extremely cool book." "...makes me believe that these characters should also appear in a video game or up on a movie screen very, very soon. Enjoy! --Feathered Quill Book Review From the Author I had been writing reviews and short stories for over a decade when I decided to put my first full length novel together. I could have written anything, but I chose fantasy because I always loved it the most. I grew up reading all of the great works of J.R.R.Tolkein, Terry Brooks, Stephen R. Donaldson, Robert Jordan, and certainly Robert E. Howard, the father of pulp fantasy. Dragonlance was another favorite series of mine, in addition to all of R.A. Salvatore stories, and countless others. Not long ago, I ventured my first epic fantasy and The Darkslayer was born. The goal was to write a series of books that would thrill the readers with endless action, exciting characters and a compelling story. I like blending magic and steel with survival and instincts and take the reader through the dangerous World of Bish. I have two rules though, no vampires and no elves. I think the market is chalk full of them. I do like the other races and creating a new species here and there as well. I also feel that readers want more than just plain ole text with their books, for example, artwork. We've included several images of the characters in my story, as I feel it enhances it and gives the reader a clearer picture who they are reading about. Interior design is a little detail that people like too, making it a good fit for the material. Additionally cover design needs to be special. I know all of this because I talk to my readers about these details, and they tell me what they like and we design the entire book based off what I know they want to see and read. I want my books to be something you don't want to part with and are hesitant to lend out, for fear of loss, that nasty crease in the spine, or a bent corner that drives some people crazy. Of course, you don't have to worry about these if you download the eBook version. With all of that said, I am pledged to not letting the reader down or leave them hanging, only leaving them wanting more. I promise you, what many have confirmed, The Darkslayer is hard to put down, unless you are finished. Note: The second book in my first series is complete and in production. It will be released by Two-Ten Book Press in summer 2011. Some other unrelated works will be released as well. WELCOME TO THE UNWELCOME WORLD OF BISH ...When recklessness provokes a Royal household, Venir and his friend Melegal the thief are forced to flee the city. In pursuit, the Royals soon unleash some unusual powers against them and start to close in. Can Venir and Melegal survive the impending doom that is about to befall them? Only Bish knows, but Venir has been secretly keeping evil forces at bay for years. He is the Darkslayer, a man possessed by a mantle of power he cannot let go.Enter the underlings, an evil race bent on the destruction of mankind.Enter the Royals, the self-absorbed rulers of the world of Bish.Enter the orcs, halflings, dwarves, ogres and other races, some good, most bad, all caught in the maelstrom of treachery and seduction.Strife and turmoil are constant features of life as humans struggle to survive among orcs, ogres, and the most evil of all?the underlings. As the underlings rally all of the evil forces they can muster to destroy the mystical and legendary Darkslayer, something unexpected has upset the delicate balance between good and evil on the world called Bish, making the Darkslayer a pawn in other insidious disputes.*Five out of Five Stars* ?Sacramento Book Review"Halloran shines in giving a compelling narrative. Every fantasy subspecies is jam-packed into the book. While the main characters will punch a hole in your heart and settle down in it, it is the minor characters that add the depth to the plot. From the casual fantasy subscriber, to the die-hard Tolkienist, everyone will find something to enjoy." When recklessness provokes a Royal household, Venir and his friend Melegal the thief are forced to flee the city. In pursuit, the Royals soon unleash some unusual powers against them and start to close in. Can Venir and Melegal survive the impending doom that is about to befall them? Only Bish knows, but Venir has been secretly keeping evil forces at bay for years. He is the Darkslayer, a man possessed by a mantle of power he cannot let go. Enter the underlings, an evil race bent on the destruction of mankind. Enter the Royals, the self-absorbed rulers of the world of Bish. Enter the orcs, halflings, dwarves, ogres and other races, some good, most bad, all caught in the maelstrom of treachery and seduction. Strife and turmoil are constant features of life as humans struggle to survive among orcs, ogres, and the most evil of all--the underlings. As the underlings rally all of the evil forces they can muster to destroy the mystical and legendary Darkslayer, something unexpected has upset the delicate balance between good and evil on the world called Bish, making the Darkslayer a pawn in other insidious disputes Bish and bone Chain lash Underlings, Chongo and vengeance The Red Clay forest The detective and the cleric Here comes the Darkslayer Mayhem in the marsh Meet Eep Two-ten city Farc's rules The pit Eep's eye Jarla's army Trapping the Darkslayer Bolt catcher Welcome to the warfield.