Vulcan's Blade - BookWyrm

Paperback, 325 pages

English language

Published Aug. 23, 2022 by Independently published.

ISBN:: 979-8-8480-2638-2

(1 review)

Weylan Seppala is a small-town blacksmith who has no time for fate or destiny. Fortunately (or unfortunately), a mischievous wizard named Hornbeam comes along and upends his life. Weylan is roped into a quest to find the knowledge and material to forge a legendary blade before they are overtaken by the wicked Mother of Diseases.

After meeting a handful of new allies, he meets a young girl with a traumatic past who wields an immense and horrifying power. Though dangerous, she may be the only one who stands between victory and death. Can Weylan and Hornbeam help her escape her wicked family and defeat the Mother of Diseases before the world is overrun with darkness?

Weylan is not the one destined to wield the blade, so Hornbeam decides to recruit a drunken, regret-filled mercenary who long ago gave up a life lived in glorious combat. Though the warrior is hesitant …

Weylan Seppala is a small-town blacksmith who has no time for fate or destiny. Fortunately (or unfortunately), a mischievous wizard named Hornbeam comes along and upends his life. Weylan is roped into a quest to find the knowledge and material to forge a legendary blade before they are overtaken by the wicked Mother of Diseases.

After meeting a handful of new allies, he meets a young girl with a traumatic past who wields an immense and horrifying power. Though dangerous, she may be the only one who stands between victory and death. Can Weylan and Hornbeam help her escape her wicked family and defeat the Mother of Diseases before the world is overrun with darkness?

Weylan is not the one destined to wield the blade, so Hornbeam decides to recruit a drunken, regret-filled mercenary who long ago gave up a life lived in glorious combat. Though the warrior is hesitant to join the quest, his horse is more than willing to lead the charge.

Traveling through marshes, woodlands, and over the sea, Weylan meets many dangerous and mythical creatures, many of whom are able to torment the minds of mortals with terrifying visions that could drive them to madness. Weylan finds out quickly that fate has intervened in his life whether he accepts it or not.

1 edition

Jacob T. reviewed Vulcan's Blade by Mark Sutter

An action-packed debut

4 stars

Content warning Lightest of plot spoilers for Vulcan’s Blade.

Full disclosure: I know Mark, but purchased my own copy of his book.

Vulcan’s blade is a mere 315 pages, but the adventure density is hard to fathom. So much happens within the first 50 pages alone, my only major critique of the book is that it’s too short.

Structurally it’s similar to The Hobbit, or better yet, a D&D campaign. As the diverse members of the particularly well-written wizard Hornbeam’s party are gathered, so too become the perilous events that befall them.

I think by fleshing out some of the more major plot points and some of the earlier character development, this story could easily be made into two books – if not three! Heck, there are some smaller story elements that fascinated me (I’m looking at the night gnomes) that came and went in just a few short paragraphs.

Still, as a first effort I cannot judge this story too harshly. The final third of the book had my full attention and interest. This was a wonderful short adventure, perfect for an old fantasy nut like me trying to get back in the saddle. I’m looking forward to what Mark puts out next!

Favorite characters: Hornbeam, Raaka, and the bard

Subjects

Fantasy
Magic
Adventure