Blackthorn Rising (Legends of Agora)
June 2015 · Traveling Bard Publishing
4.5star
6 reviews
eBook
300
Pages
About this eBook
From USA TODAY Bestselling author Michael James Ploof.
Before Dirk Blackthorn became known as one of the deadliest assassins in the four kingdoms, he spent his childhood as a street urchin, fighting for survival in the shadowy streets and back alleys of Agora’s toughest cities.
For ten long years young Dirk has followed his drunken father from one city to another, always having to cheat and steal for his next meal, and never knowing what the future might hold. A magician turned con artist, Dirk’s father Thad has taught him everything he knows. After being driven out of just about every southern city, they have come to Kell-Torey in search of a new beginning.
With winter on its way, and all but a rusty coin spent on his father’s drinking, Dirk must make full use of his skills if they are to survive the harsh northern cold. As Thad descends deeper into his drunken delirium, Dirk becomes determined to make a name for himself in the city’s criminal underworld.
After a run-in with a group of local hooligans, Dirk learns of a notorious master thief called Akleous Aaronson, whose incredible feats seem to be nothing more than myth and legend. Still, Dirk is intrigued, and begins to search out the mysterious man.
If he can somehow find the master thief and join his notorious crew, Dirk just might be able to find some semblance of a normal life, and save his father from the unforgiving streets.
Far across the Great Sea, the daughter of the dark elf Eadon stands upon the threshold of discovery.
Krentz has always known that she was different from other dark elves. When she learns of a portal in the catacombs of her father’s palace, she cannot resist the lure of freedom, and ventures through it, to the fabled land of Agora.
But one does not so easily betray the father of the dark elves. Stripped of her weapons and energy crystals, Krentz must somehow thwart her powerful pursuers as she maneuvers through the strange new land. Prophetic dreams haunt her, and she soon begins to doubt her bold decision to leave her homeland. After a bloody encounter with her father’s vicious draggard which leaves many humans dead, Krentz begins to believe that she is doomed to live the lonely life of a cursed runaway.
After barely escaping the draggard, Krentz sets out in search of the only thing that might turn the tide in her struggle—an elven energy crystal. What she discovers along the way will shape her in ways that she never imagined, and lead her to wonders that she had never thought possible.
Destined for love, doomed by fate, Dirk and Krentz must fight for a place in an ever changing and often hostile world of magic, deception, and danger.
Featuring two of Legends of Agora’s most beloved characters, Blackthorn Rising is a fast-paced coming of age tale wrought with sword and sorcery, it is a story of failure and triumph, and a testament to the unrelenting spirit of defiance and adventure within us all.
Before Dirk Blackthorn became known as one of the deadliest assassins in the four kingdoms, he spent his childhood as a street urchin, fighting for survival in the shadowy streets and back alleys of Agora’s toughest cities.
For ten long years young Dirk has followed his drunken father from one city to another, always having to cheat and steal for his next meal, and never knowing what the future might hold. A magician turned con artist, Dirk’s father Thad has taught him everything he knows. After being driven out of just about every southern city, they have come to Kell-Torey in search of a new beginning.
With winter on its way, and all but a rusty coin spent on his father’s drinking, Dirk must make full use of his skills if they are to survive the harsh northern cold. As Thad descends deeper into his drunken delirium, Dirk becomes determined to make a name for himself in the city’s criminal underworld.
After a run-in with a group of local hooligans, Dirk learns of a notorious master thief called Akleous Aaronson, whose incredible feats seem to be nothing more than myth and legend. Still, Dirk is intrigued, and begins to search out the mysterious man.
If he can somehow find the master thief and join his notorious crew, Dirk just might be able to find some semblance of a normal life, and save his father from the unforgiving streets.
Far across the Great Sea, the daughter of the dark elf Eadon stands upon the threshold of discovery.
Krentz has always known that she was different from other dark elves. When she learns of a portal in the catacombs of her father’s palace, she cannot resist the lure of freedom, and ventures through it, to the fabled land of Agora.
But one does not so easily betray the father of the dark elves. Stripped of her weapons and energy crystals, Krentz must somehow thwart her powerful pursuers as she maneuvers through the strange new land. Prophetic dreams haunt her, and she soon begins to doubt her bold decision to leave her homeland. After a bloody encounter with her father’s vicious draggard which leaves many humans dead, Krentz begins to believe that she is doomed to live the lonely life of a cursed runaway.
After barely escaping the draggard, Krentz sets out in search of the only thing that might turn the tide in her struggle—an elven energy crystal. What she discovers along the way will shape her in ways that she never imagined, and lead her to wonders that she had never thought possible.
Destined for love, doomed by fate, Dirk and Krentz must fight for a place in an ever changing and often hostile world of magic, deception, and danger.
Featuring two of Legends of Agora’s most beloved characters, Blackthorn Rising is a fast-paced coming of age tale wrought with sword and sorcery, it is a story of failure and triumph, and a testament to the unrelenting spirit of defiance and adventure within us all.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
6 reviews
Katherine Duchette
- Flag inappropriate
29 December 2015
I would have given the full five stars if this book went far beyond one hundred pages AND I could adjust the font size so these bad eyes could have an easier time with the reading AND it did not end with a cliff hanger with no next installment for me to read! I've loved the travels and adventures of all the Whill of Agora books. I am so hooked! But Michael, you need to quickly do something about the cliff hangers of Whill, Talon, and Dirk. I need to know the rest of the story!
About the author
Michael James Ploof is the USA Today bestselling author of the fantasy series Legends of Agora, and The Orion Rezner Chronicles.
Michael enjoys writing, working out, road trips, cooking, gardening, daydreaming, hanging out with the Family, and beating the odds.
He currently lives in Northern NY and dreams of sandy beaches when not hammering away on the current W.I.P.
Join the mailing list at www.whillofagora.com and receive your choice of any of his published works as a FREE gift.
Books by Michael James Ploof
LEGENDS OF AGORA
Book #1: Whill of Agora
Book #2: A Quest of Kings
Book #3: A Song of Swords
Book #4: A Crown of war
Book #5: Kingdoms in Chaos - Coming soon
THE WINDWALKER ARCHIVE
Book #1: Talon
Book #2: Sea Queen
BLACKTHORN
Book #1: Blackthorn Rising
THE ORION REZNER CHRONICLES
Book #1: Afterworld
Book #2: The Salem Coven - 2015
THE SOCK GNOME CHRONICLES
Book #1: Billy Coatbutton and the Wheel of Destiny
Book #2: Billy Coatbutton and the ring of Sockchild
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