Reviewed by Ami
Title: The Priest
Author: Rowan McAllister
Series: Chronicles of the Riftlands
Heroes: Tasnerek/Girik
Genre: MM/Fantasy
Length: 213 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Brother Tasnerek, one of the infamous Thirty-Six stone bearers, is facing a dangerous crisis of faith after uncovering a secret that could shake the foundations of the Brotherhood of Harot. When Tas is sent to protect a tiny village on the edge of Rassa’s borders from Riftspawn, he struggles to resume his duties, risking his life and the lives of those around him.
Girik has always been an outsider, but to help his sick mother, he agrees to be the village’s offering in a painful ritual deemed necessary by the Brotherhood. But when the priest has a crisis of conscience, Girik offers his help to untangle a web of lies—even if it means getting closer than he ever imagined and committing sacrilege in the process.
With a monster lurking in the forest, a wandering mage mysteriously appearing, and more secrets awakening to unravel the truths of their world, Tas and Girik must make grave decisions. A life without danger seems a far-off hope, but love just might be theirs… if they survive.
Review: Brother Tasnerek (or “Tas”) is one of the Thirty-Six stone bearers known as Brotherhood of Harot – although, they also called them “pain priests” behind their back since they inflict pain upon Offerings, in order to charge their stone and hunt Spawns. Tas has been having a crisis of faith lately, after he discovers a journal that claims such pain from Offerings is not necessary to charge the stone.
Girik is the latest Offering to help his village – and when Tas is unable to do his job, Girik is set to help the priest, because they still need to get rid of the Spawn near their village.
I admit that at times, I was lost in the explanation of the Ancient Stone and the story of the Rift. I am not blaming the book though, it’s all my fault. I usually have low concentration when it comes to high fantasy tales – which is why I usually don’t read them *laugh*.
But the gist of The Priest is simple. Tas learns the web of lies that has shaken his understanding about the Brotherhood. In the meantime, Girik, the humble village man, is at his side which makes Tas also learns about love.
I liked the previous book slightly better though – I thought Girik was rather bland, and Tas … well, Tas can be rather stubborn. I mean, when the previous characters from the first book – Lyuc, Yan, and Bryn – made appearances, I found the story to be more interesting. Maybe because I thought Lyuc and Yan’s relationship to be sweeter than Tas and Girik. And Bryn was awesome *laugh*.
I think the story will continue though, because the ending of this book has yet described closure about what Lyuc, Tas, and everyone will do about the land.
Overall Impression: I liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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