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The Reaper's Seed #1
The Sword and the Promise
Librarian Note: The latest edition with updated cover of this title can be found HERE
For nearly eight hundred years, the exiles of Amilum have battled their immortal foe and fellow exile, Mornoc. They have survived life in the harsh Lowlands. They have waited to see if the Promise will be kept.
Only a few have truly believed. Most have settled for exile. Many have despaired, joining Mornoc in his endless quest to rule the Lowlands. Now, after fifty years of baiting his enemies into complacency with his silence, Mornoc readies his forces for one final war.
Creedus, the last true warrior among men and bearer of the Sword of Amilum is now an old man. He must pass the Sword to another. Is his young grandson, Corred ready to lead, to wield the only weapon that Mornoc has ever feared? Can he even survive what is coming?
If Corred fails, only the fulfillment of the Promise can save them.
For nearly eight hundred years, the exiles of Amilum have battled their immortal foe and fellow exile, Mornoc. They have survived life in the harsh Lowlands. They have waited to see if the Promise will be kept.
Only a few have truly believed. Most have settled for exile. Many have despaired, joining Mornoc in his endless quest to rule the Lowlands. Now, after fifty years of baiting his enemies into complacency with his silence, Mornoc readies his forces for one final war.
Creedus, the last true warrior among men and bearer of the Sword of Amilum is now an old man. He must pass the Sword to another. Is his young grandson, Corred ready to lead, to wield the only weapon that Mornoc has ever feared? Can he even survive what is coming?
If Corred fails, only the fulfillment of the Promise can save them.
- GenresFantasy
266 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2014
98 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
Jaffrey Clark
19 books56 followersGrowing up, I started telling stories as early as three or four years old. My imagination was so healthy, I am told, that I often acted out full-scale battles between good and evil in the yard . . . by myself. In classic boy style, they were of course violent, causing some concern for my mother. Fortunately, I turned out okay.
As early as second grade, writing was a highlight in my education. I even looked forward to research papers. I relished most the chance for creative writing. Despite this enjoyment, I never tackled anything as ambitious as a novel in High School.
After two years of working toward a BA in Accounting and competing for the varsity swim team at Penn State University, something snapped. One summer afternoon, I grabbed a notebook and a pen, sat down at the picnic table on my parents back deck and started writing my first novel. As it would happen, I still haven’t finished that story, but it re-awakened in me the desire to write fiction.
Fast forward more than ten years, several experimental young adult fiction projects, many vacations from disciplined writing, and I have at last completed the first book in a larger story entitled “The Reaper’s Seed.” The story will likely be four books in all. And, of course, I have several other novels in partial states of completion, on paper and in my head. As a part-time writer, that’s life.
As early as second grade, writing was a highlight in my education. I even looked forward to research papers. I relished most the chance for creative writing. Despite this enjoyment, I never tackled anything as ambitious as a novel in High School.
After two years of working toward a BA in Accounting and competing for the varsity swim team at Penn State University, something snapped. One summer afternoon, I grabbed a notebook and a pen, sat down at the picnic table on my parents back deck and started writing my first novel. As it would happen, I still haven’t finished that story, but it re-awakened in me the desire to write fiction.
Fast forward more than ten years, several experimental young adult fiction projects, many vacations from disciplined writing, and I have at last completed the first book in a larger story entitled “The Reaper’s Seed.” The story will likely be four books in all. And, of course, I have several other novels in partial states of completion, on paper and in my head. As a part-time writer, that’s life.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 19, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A bit ago I began to lose hope that there was good fiction being produced with a redemptive model driving the story. How delightful it was to read The Reaper's Seed and be swept away, engulfed in the story.
I felt at parts I wasn't sure there was character development to back up actions that were taken, but the overarching story made up for those brief moments. I felt myself rooting for Corred, wondering who Remiel is and concerned for Olwen. I was invested in so many of the characters and was nervous as the climax neared. It was the a beautiful beginning to what I hope is an epic series.
My favorite part of the story... there are pieces from the very beginning that pique your interested but aren't fully developed --yet you see the threads in various parts of the whole story and wonder how it'll all piece together! Also--the very end made me wish the next book in the series was written. It leaves you wanting more--which is the best place a book can leave you.
I have great hope for how the story will be developed further and how it'll all piece together.
Highly recommended it.
I felt at parts I wasn't sure there was character development to back up actions that were taken, but the overarching story made up for those brief moments. I felt myself rooting for Corred, wondering who Remiel is and concerned for Olwen. I was invested in so many of the characters and was nervous as the climax neared. It was the a beautiful beginning to what I hope is an epic series.
My favorite part of the story... there are pieces from the very beginning that pique your interested but aren't fully developed --yet you see the threads in various parts of the whole story and wonder how it'll all piece together! Also--the very end made me wish the next book in the series was written. It leaves you wanting more--which is the best place a book can leave you.
I have great hope for how the story will be developed further and how it'll all piece together.
Highly recommended it.
June 9, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. The story was well paced and engaging giving glimpses of both opposing forces viewpoints, with their actions building from small ambushes and skirmishes all the way to all out war! Clearly I have a thing for the action/adventure genre. I appreciated the initial telling of the lore and legend at the start of the book. Although this initially makes a slower first impression on the reader, I felt it added a much greater sense of depth to the story and served the characters later on as well. Definitely a strong opening to the series. I very much look forward to more books!
April 29, 2019
I'm leery of picking up a Christian allegorical work of fantasy for a variety of reasons. The largest one being the loose definitions and odd importance put in things that should not be seen as important. This book did not have that problem, but it has its fair share anyway. One of the biggest I think is character development. One of my favorite thing in stories.. Is the depth of characters - their troubles and motivations. All that. This book was very lax in such. I found the characters were there and there were moments of movement for them, but because I didn't know or understand them.. It was hard to be worried or interested in their plight. I'm probablygoing to spoil a few things after this so quit reading if you don't want spoilers….
Characters that died had no purpose, but to die. I'm good with Randoms dying in a story, but let's not make them a big deal after they are dead, let's make them a big deal beforehand so the reader feels it when it happens.. As well.. If someone "important" dies.. Or is kidnaped.. It would be nice to have that actually be part of the story.. Rather than it being an interjection by a passerby to tell the characters you are with. It makes it easier to feel for the characters in those situations.. Rather than to not much care about them because they are faceless and without motivation. The supposed heroes become pointless in the climax so any growth that was created was taken from them by injecting a new character that we did not know and making them… something strong enough to fight back. Cool.. But who are they? Why are they here.. What is their motivation.. All we got was doubt on if this person was for them or not.. And next thing was that they were the hero.
It was very easy to get lost and not understand which character was being portrayed at a certain time and all of this was sad because ultimately I think the premise for the story is a good one.. And I could easily see how this could have been both a compelling and great story with very good characters. The prose was just not there. It's more like we got the TV movie version of the book and somewhere out there is a book that just has all the nice details that I love in stories.
I got this book for free, so I don’t see myself paying to continue the story.
Characters that died had no purpose, but to die. I'm good with Randoms dying in a story, but let's not make them a big deal after they are dead, let's make them a big deal beforehand so the reader feels it when it happens.. As well.. If someone "important" dies.. Or is kidnaped.. It would be nice to have that actually be part of the story.. Rather than it being an interjection by a passerby to tell the characters you are with. It makes it easier to feel for the characters in those situations.. Rather than to not much care about them because they are faceless and without motivation. The supposed heroes become pointless in the climax so any growth that was created was taken from them by injecting a new character that we did not know and making them… something strong enough to fight back. Cool.. But who are they? Why are they here.. What is their motivation.. All we got was doubt on if this person was for them or not.. And next thing was that they were the hero.
It was very easy to get lost and not understand which character was being portrayed at a certain time and all of this was sad because ultimately I think the premise for the story is a good one.. And I could easily see how this could have been both a compelling and great story with very good characters. The prose was just not there. It's more like we got the TV movie version of the book and somewhere out there is a book that just has all the nice details that I love in stories.
I got this book for free, so I don’t see myself paying to continue the story.
April 30, 2018
Enticing complex story with elaborate characters and excellent worldbuilding.
The Good
-Grand and complicated story
-Many intricate fabrics in this novel which weave together
-Well-written action
-It's easy to build poor action, but Clark creates battles essential to the storyline.
-Deep characters
-Many characters are carefully constructed
-The characters beliefs and actions explained.
-Scene setting is rather remarkable.
-One example, which as it continues shifts into character development.
-"A large, horse-drawn wagon carrying a few remaining hay bales slowly strolled into Oak Knoll. With a piece of straw in the corner of his mouth, Garrin occasionally snapped the reigns, staring straight ahead, lost in thought. He couldn't shake the conflict..."
The Bad
-Definite switch of character viewpoint within a chapter without distinct markings except a paragraph break.
-"Once again, Corred was alone, staring up into the windows, wanting only to catch another glimpse of Olwen, wanting to know she was safe. Out of respect for the grief of Lord Wellman's family, he resumed his walk through town.
From the back wall of the hall that led to her room, Olwen felt her pulse quicken..."
The Unsure*
-*N/A
*My opinion: what I didn't care for or do not prefer. This will not lower a rating unless it overly distracts from the story.
An impressive beginning of The Reaper's Seed trilogy, I recommend "The Sword and the Promise."
The Good
-Grand and complicated story
-Many intricate fabrics in this novel which weave together
-Well-written action
-It's easy to build poor action, but Clark creates battles essential to the storyline.
-Deep characters
-Many characters are carefully constructed
-The characters beliefs and actions explained.
-Scene setting is rather remarkable.
-One example, which as it continues shifts into character development.
-"A large, horse-drawn wagon carrying a few remaining hay bales slowly strolled into Oak Knoll. With a piece of straw in the corner of his mouth, Garrin occasionally snapped the reigns, staring straight ahead, lost in thought. He couldn't shake the conflict..."
The Bad
-Definite switch of character viewpoint within a chapter without distinct markings except a paragraph break.
-"Once again, Corred was alone, staring up into the windows, wanting only to catch another glimpse of Olwen, wanting to know she was safe. Out of respect for the grief of Lord Wellman's family, he resumed his walk through town.
From the back wall of the hall that led to her room, Olwen felt her pulse quicken..."
The Unsure*
-*N/A
*My opinion: what I didn't care for or do not prefer. This will not lower a rating unless it overly distracts from the story.
An impressive beginning of The Reaper's Seed trilogy, I recommend "The Sword and the Promise."
March 24, 2018
Writing an allegory with a gospel flavor is a tough task. Clark has done a good job of creating a world where good and evil are in a battle for survival. The evil Mornoc and his nefarious scouts are a good allegory to the devil and his minions. On the good side are faithful people who believe the Promise from so long ago. There is a promised one who will come to rescue his people. But it has been so long and some no longer are convinced the Promise is true.
This is a good beginning to an epic fantasy adventure in the style of Lewis or Tolkien. There are heroic characters faithful to the Promise. There are spies from the dark side. There is the hope of renewed life in the midst of the death of Mornoc's mountain refuge. There are epic battles. There is a princess and the hint of a romance.
Readers are left wanting more at the end of this volume. Mornoc thinks he has the upper hand and the good people of the Promise must try a rescue before all is lost. I'll be looking for the next in the series.
You can see a map of the land and read more about the plot and the characters in this novel at the author's website. I was interested to read about the origin of the character names and their meanings. If you plan to read this novel, I'd suggest you check out the site first and I think that will give additional meaning to the novel's content as you read..
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.
This is a good beginning to an epic fantasy adventure in the style of Lewis or Tolkien. There are heroic characters faithful to the Promise. There are spies from the dark side. There is the hope of renewed life in the midst of the death of Mornoc's mountain refuge. There are epic battles. There is a princess and the hint of a romance.
Readers are left wanting more at the end of this volume. Mornoc thinks he has the upper hand and the good people of the Promise must try a rescue before all is lost. I'll be looking for the next in the series.
You can see a map of the land and read more about the plot and the characters in this novel at the author's website. I was interested to read about the origin of the character names and their meanings. If you plan to read this novel, I'd suggest you check out the site first and I think that will give additional meaning to the novel's content as you read..
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 15, 2019
Another version of people seeking redemption while a group of them seek dominance.
Like able characters who are raised to believe that their ancestors committed a crime that got them expelled from their version of Eden. While one group believes if they can live better, they can be redeemed and go live on the high mountain with their kin, the other group fights for world domination. Easy enough read, but somewhat predictable. No one ever wants it to be their father or brother that go over to fight for the dark side, but sadly enough, it does happen. No one can ever just fight, win the day, and walk off into the sunset, so one would have to read book 2, in order to see the true ending.
Like able characters who are raised to believe that their ancestors committed a crime that got them expelled from their version of Eden. While one group believes if they can live better, they can be redeemed and go live on the high mountain with their kin, the other group fights for world domination. Easy enough read, but somewhat predictable. No one ever wants it to be their father or brother that go over to fight for the dark side, but sadly enough, it does happen. No one can ever just fight, win the day, and walk off into the sunset, so one would have to read book 2, in order to see the true ending.
May 13, 2019
I loved it!
Well written, great characters and another 'real' Christian author!
I really could see the parallel to the way the world is today.
It especially spoke to me about fear not!!
I recommend it!
I am anxious to read the next in the series.
Well written, great characters and another 'real' Christian author!
I really could see the parallel to the way the world is today.
It especially spoke to me about fear not!!
I recommend it!
I am anxious to read the next in the series.
June 11, 2018
The story seems to cliche and the sides too strict...one side is pure evil (all men and all black scraggly hair) and the other is good. I made it like 10% before I gave up.
September 25, 2019
Enjoyable and relaxing read
Great entertainment and looking forward to reading more of this author. Not a must read but great when you need some wholesome entertainment.
Great entertainment and looking forward to reading more of this author. Not a must read but great when you need some wholesome entertainment.
March 20, 2017
Excellent debut novel. Interesting characters, fascinating plot, and we'll written.
May 26, 2015
If you have an appetite for large sweeping stories that include a wide cast of characters, this series is for you. The first book (The Sword and the Promise) opens in an ordinary Medieval rural setting, but by the second book more fantasy elements emerge – strange creatures, bending of physical laws, in short the world becomes increasingly more imaginative and immersive. When I read the first book, I particularly enjoyed the prehistory told by the grandfather. It’s the stuff of ancient legends and prophecies. As the conflict breaks open, you begin to see how that prehistory meets present day, with a dramatic character revelation in the final chapter. Book 1 really leaves you wanting book 2!
While the book was likely written for a 7-8th grade reading level, there is some beautiful and fresh use of figurative language that make it a worthy read for all ages.
While the book was likely written for a 7-8th grade reading level, there is some beautiful and fresh use of figurative language that make it a worthy read for all ages.
January 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book, even though it was a little bit of a different genre than I would usually choose. The book moved quickly and I liked Corred as a hero. He stood out as a hero but wasn't superhuman. I felt like it ended a bit abruptly, though. I expected the story to continue on for a bit longer, and I was left assuming that there will be a sequel.
Overall I liked it and I would read another book by this author. :-)
Overall I liked it and I would read another book by this author. :-)
August 17, 2016
I purchased this book from the author at Creation Northeast & was lucky enough to have had him sign it! It was amazing. I couldn't put it down but when I had to I was wandering what was happening?!
Mr. Clark captures you and brings you. I love turning the page and wondering where he's taking me next.
Mr. Clark captures you and brings you. I love turning the page and wondering where he's taking me next.
October 15, 2015
Outstanding first book in a series of four...right away the first chapter pulls you in and makes you want to keep reading! Great pacing, great story, and some awesome fight and battles. Clark has a great writing style, can't wait for next installment!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews