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Chronicle of the Seer #1
Errant
In the remnants of a lost empire, a mysterious sect of assassins lurks in the shadow; the Circle of Sages is often wrong; a young prince tries to win back his throne; a mother fights for her children, using both mind and sword. Amid tragedy and betrayal, allies and enemies, the fate of Jara’s family hangs in a precarious balance, as many nobles covet her body and lands.
His family dead in an ambush, Codrin, the legitimate heir to the Arenian throne, runs for his life into the wilderness. Trained to fight by a renegade from the Assassins Sect, he has only one friend left in the whole world - his sword. A chance encounter with Jara and her family, draws Codrin to Severin, a land threatened by Orban, the slayer of Jara’s husband. The Circle of Sages, a secret order created to rebuilt the lost empire, is helping Orban, and Severin must fall.
Filled with mystery, intrigue, romance and adventure, Errant is by turns taut medieval fantasy and touching love story, an irresistible read.
His family dead in an ambush, Codrin, the legitimate heir to the Arenian throne, runs for his life into the wilderness. Trained to fight by a renegade from the Assassins Sect, he has only one friend left in the whole world - his sword. A chance encounter with Jara and her family, draws Codrin to Severin, a land threatened by Orban, the slayer of Jara’s husband. The Circle of Sages, a secret order created to rebuilt the lost empire, is helping Orban, and Severin must fall.
Filled with mystery, intrigue, romance and adventure, Errant is by turns taut medieval fantasy and touching love story, an irresistible read.
434 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2017
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3311 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 11, 2018
The description of “Errant” by Florian Armas is as exciting as they come, promising an exciting tale of war, lost kingdoms, mysterious sects, and a love story, all mixed in a soup of tragedy and betrayal. The book lived up to this blurb in some areas while slipping in others.
Codrin and Jara tell their independent stories, which mesh together in this tale of countries and men wrestling for power. Both have lost their rightful places in the hierarchy, and must find new paths to replace the old ones that have vanished. At one point, Jara tells Codrin, “A court is similar to a war zone, only the weapons are not the same.” The author permits us to watch all the battles, both on and off the battlefield.
Other characters have their place, and while the main story belongs to Jara and Codrin, readers are allowed to understand the motives of the people who affect the two main characters. Mr. Armas does not overwhelm us with names and useless characters, and I always felt as if I had a good grasp of who everyone was and what parts they played.
This is a long book, made unfortunately longer due to the author’s wish to help the reader understand every nuance of actions and words. Conversations are heavily laced with long explanations of the real meaning behind everything the characters say, leaving nothing to the imagination. While I recognize that the efforts were due to Mr. Armas wanting to ensure readers understood everything, there were many times that the characters’ meanings were clear or could have been explained in a short paragraph after the conversation. The author’s method of giving a blow-by-blow of every conversation ballooned the book’s size and slowed the pace.
Another plot development halfway through the book jarred more than excited me was the introduction of a hereditary relationship between some of the characters. This revelation was unexpected, and I viewed it unnecessary to the plot as well as improbable. Some readers might view this as an aha moment; for me, it felt forced and I hoped as the book progressed that the author would have a good reason for his choices.
The end was rushed, and after reading almost 450 pages, I felt unsatisfied. The last paragraph forecast what will probably entail numerous chapters in the next book, as if it was meant to serve as an enticement to continue reading the story. Neglecting to mention that this was a multiple-book tale only increased my frustration.
Overall, “Errant” showed promise with interesting characters and the twists and turns of a politically-laced plot that prompt readers to continue turning pages. Unfortunately, the long explanations and occasional information dumps slowed the pacing considerably. Three stars.
Codrin and Jara tell their independent stories, which mesh together in this tale of countries and men wrestling for power. Both have lost their rightful places in the hierarchy, and must find new paths to replace the old ones that have vanished. At one point, Jara tells Codrin, “A court is similar to a war zone, only the weapons are not the same.” The author permits us to watch all the battles, both on and off the battlefield.
Other characters have their place, and while the main story belongs to Jara and Codrin, readers are allowed to understand the motives of the people who affect the two main characters. Mr. Armas does not overwhelm us with names and useless characters, and I always felt as if I had a good grasp of who everyone was and what parts they played.
This is a long book, made unfortunately longer due to the author’s wish to help the reader understand every nuance of actions and words. Conversations are heavily laced with long explanations of the real meaning behind everything the characters say, leaving nothing to the imagination. While I recognize that the efforts were due to Mr. Armas wanting to ensure readers understood everything, there were many times that the characters’ meanings were clear or could have been explained in a short paragraph after the conversation. The author’s method of giving a blow-by-blow of every conversation ballooned the book’s size and slowed the pace.
Another plot development halfway through the book jarred more than excited me was the introduction of a hereditary relationship between some of the characters. This revelation was unexpected, and I viewed it unnecessary to the plot as well as improbable. Some readers might view this as an aha moment; for me, it felt forced and I hoped as the book progressed that the author would have a good reason for his choices.
The end was rushed, and after reading almost 450 pages, I felt unsatisfied. The last paragraph forecast what will probably entail numerous chapters in the next book, as if it was meant to serve as an enticement to continue reading the story. Neglecting to mention that this was a multiple-book tale only increased my frustration.
Overall, “Errant” showed promise with interesting characters and the twists and turns of a politically-laced plot that prompt readers to continue turning pages. Unfortunately, the long explanations and occasional information dumps slowed the pacing considerably. Three stars.
June 2, 2020
Nice world building
Errant is told from the point of view of two main characters, Jara, a young widow and mother of noble heritage, and Codrin, the dispossessed heir to the throne of a kingdom. The two meet and intrigue ensues.
There’s a good story here, and the author does a good job of building tension and not letting things develop too quickly. Our hero, Codrin, doesn’t have everything go his way, and neither do the other characters in the book.
I really only have two complaints with this, and both are relatively mild. The first is that it does bog down in places, but that’s only due to the meeting and planning sessions that take place. A lot of the book revolves around those, but they are interesting. For some, it won’t feel bogged down at all.
The other is that the novel is written in a strange mixture of first and third person that I’ve never come across before. Most of the book is first person, but some chapters are from Codrin’s perspective and some are from Jara’s. And then there are occasional chapters in third person from someone else entirely. It’s not horrible but does take little getting used.
This is the first book of four, it appears. And from the set-up in this book, it’s quite the epic. Worth the read for fans of sprawling, court-intrigue focused fantasy.
Errant is told from the point of view of two main characters, Jara, a young widow and mother of noble heritage, and Codrin, the dispossessed heir to the throne of a kingdom. The two meet and intrigue ensues.
There’s a good story here, and the author does a good job of building tension and not letting things develop too quickly. Our hero, Codrin, doesn’t have everything go his way, and neither do the other characters in the book.
I really only have two complaints with this, and both are relatively mild. The first is that it does bog down in places, but that’s only due to the meeting and planning sessions that take place. A lot of the book revolves around those, but they are interesting. For some, it won’t feel bogged down at all.
The other is that the novel is written in a strange mixture of first and third person that I’ve never come across before. Most of the book is first person, but some chapters are from Codrin’s perspective and some are from Jara’s. And then there are occasional chapters in third person from someone else entirely. It’s not horrible but does take little getting used.
This is the first book of four, it appears. And from the set-up in this book, it’s quite the epic. Worth the read for fans of sprawling, court-intrigue focused fantasy.
August 29, 2018
“Errant” by Florian Armas is an epic fantasy novel worthy of the fantasy genre. That really means something from me, because fantasy is my favorite type of book. First, I would like to say that some people posting reviews were wondering if this book is part of a series. I have spoken with the author and they said that it will be a trilogy and that they are working on the next one; which I am eagerly awaiting. There’s a lot that I am wondering about, and it does leave off on a cliff hanger.
The world that Armas has created is fantastically full of politics and war with swords, armor and horses. One of the things that many fantasy novels have is a map of the world in the beginning. I think this novel would benefit from such a map, but I can understand if the author couldn’t find out how to do this. There is some magic, but not much in this first book. I hope to learn more in the continuing novels. This is not for the faint hearted, for it has violence and sex in it, but many fantasy novels do. While present, there are some fantasy books that have much more of these aspects in them. It’s nowhere as bad as “Game of Thrones.” The book starts with Jara’s character and I did find the first chapter a little choppy. When we get to the second protagonist, and actually the main one: Codrin, things really come together. Soon into the book we see why it is called “Errant” when Codrin makes a knightly vow of revenge. Codrin is not a knight though, and this novel details how he wants to become one, and the steps he takes to reach this goal. Codrin once had a high position, but he lost everything and has to start from scratch. Jara is an older character who has also fell in position, but she rises back up the ranks and helps Codrin on his journey, though not as much as he would like. The characters in “Errant” are great, I found myself relating to the protagonist even though I am not immersed in politics in real life. There is also an epic romance, not between Jara and Codrin, but between Codrin and someone else that is enticing. “Errant” has all of the elements of a great fantasy novel.
Some have said this book is long, but great fantasy tends to be long in length. Personally, I found this to be just the right length for this type of novel. There is an appendix (like most fantasy novels have) on lineage, though I think it would be great if there were more, like the ranks of the political system. I would also have liked to have seen an about the author page. Maps, appendixes, and about the author pages are not crucial to the writing. The plot is, and it is a great one. If you love fantasy novels, this book is for you.
The world that Armas has created is fantastically full of politics and war with swords, armor and horses. One of the things that many fantasy novels have is a map of the world in the beginning. I think this novel would benefit from such a map, but I can understand if the author couldn’t find out how to do this. There is some magic, but not much in this first book. I hope to learn more in the continuing novels. This is not for the faint hearted, for it has violence and sex in it, but many fantasy novels do. While present, there are some fantasy books that have much more of these aspects in them. It’s nowhere as bad as “Game of Thrones.” The book starts with Jara’s character and I did find the first chapter a little choppy. When we get to the second protagonist, and actually the main one: Codrin, things really come together. Soon into the book we see why it is called “Errant” when Codrin makes a knightly vow of revenge. Codrin is not a knight though, and this novel details how he wants to become one, and the steps he takes to reach this goal. Codrin once had a high position, but he lost everything and has to start from scratch. Jara is an older character who has also fell in position, but she rises back up the ranks and helps Codrin on his journey, though not as much as he would like. The characters in “Errant” are great, I found myself relating to the protagonist even though I am not immersed in politics in real life. There is also an epic romance, not between Jara and Codrin, but between Codrin and someone else that is enticing. “Errant” has all of the elements of a great fantasy novel.
Some have said this book is long, but great fantasy tends to be long in length. Personally, I found this to be just the right length for this type of novel. There is an appendix (like most fantasy novels have) on lineage, though I think it would be great if there were more, like the ranks of the political system. I would also have liked to have seen an about the author page. Maps, appendixes, and about the author pages are not crucial to the writing. The plot is, and it is a great one. If you love fantasy novels, this book is for you.
January 10, 2020
Ok - Let me first start with I’m very picky about my high fantasy - And I dunno why! I enjoy some a lot - like LOTR (crazy fan) but some - I just can’t even if they are really famous! But this book was quite an interesting read. I enjoyed the epic war/battles and the beautiful imagination that the author had weaved. The many change from the POV does not bother me - in fact I like to see every characters POV.
Jara and Codrin were very strong characters and I liked them. However, I just felt that there was too much happening at certain points and too many descriptions thay I personally could have lived without. But that’s just me.
Overall a nice epic fantasy read!
Jara and Codrin were very strong characters and I liked them. However, I just felt that there was too much happening at certain points and too many descriptions thay I personally could have lived without. But that’s just me.
Overall a nice epic fantasy read!
May 16, 2020
This one was tough to rate because it pulled me in separate directions and I felt different things as I read. Here a plot twist or a character’s shrewd decision left a smile on my face, there the decision making had my scratching my head. At times the pages flew by, and sometimes I felt mired in a single paragraph.
I’ll talk about what I liked first: the author set the stage for a long story, and I liked that. Codrin didn’t go from child on the run to a challenger to the throne within the span of 200 pages. It’s clear that his path is going to be a long one even as I turn the final page on this first book.
The Saline/Codrin story arc was wickedly brilliant, and terribly tragic.
Speaking of Saline, my God what a character. I truly felt for her, and the anguishing dilemma in which she is placed. She was possibly my favorite character in the book.
I love me some secret societies, and they’re here in abundance.
Poor Jara and her family. To kinda piggyback off Saline, she’s stuck in a horrible spot and is doing her absolute best to hold herself and her family together. She’s not perfect and makes some mistakes, but it’s a dangerous game she’s playing and one has to be careful.
Some things I didn’t like: this is probably on me, but I often felt lost. This book is more akin to Game of Thrones than Lord of the Rings because of all the political intrigue, and that’s not my forté in reading (I gave up on GoT after three books). So the plot was hard to digest at points.
The passage of time can be swift and sudden at times. I’d be reading some dialogue when suddenly the same characters are speaking in another room the next morning. That happened quite a bit and was always jarring.
Though I did like the concept of the secret societies, they felt too remote and distant to be enjoyable, especially the Circle. I’m hoping they play a more conspicuous role going forward.
While the Saline/Codrin arc was incredible, all the other nearly-there romances got tiresome. I know Codrin is a great guy and all, but come on not every woman can be smitten with him.
Too much showing. Yeah yeah, the “advice du jour” in the writing community is “show don’t tell”, but sometimes it was hard to follow the action or the advancing of time, and I feel like it was the result of too much showing. There has to be telling, authors are storyTELLERS after all, and it would have been better at times to simply tell me “An arrow pierced the rider’s neck” than to show me a horse galloping along riderless.
All in all I was entertained, and the writing was of good quality with only the occasional slip. Not the best fantasy I’ve ever read, but it was still a satisfying read and fantasy fans should enjoy it.
I’ll talk about what I liked first: the author set the stage for a long story, and I liked that. Codrin didn’t go from child on the run to a challenger to the throne within the span of 200 pages. It’s clear that his path is going to be a long one even as I turn the final page on this first book.
The Saline/Codrin story arc was wickedly brilliant, and terribly tragic.
Speaking of Saline, my God what a character. I truly felt for her, and the anguishing dilemma in which she is placed. She was possibly my favorite character in the book.
I love me some secret societies, and they’re here in abundance.
Poor Jara and her family. To kinda piggyback off Saline, she’s stuck in a horrible spot and is doing her absolute best to hold herself and her family together. She’s not perfect and makes some mistakes, but it’s a dangerous game she’s playing and one has to be careful.
Some things I didn’t like: this is probably on me, but I often felt lost. This book is more akin to Game of Thrones than Lord of the Rings because of all the political intrigue, and that’s not my forté in reading (I gave up on GoT after three books). So the plot was hard to digest at points.
The passage of time can be swift and sudden at times. I’d be reading some dialogue when suddenly the same characters are speaking in another room the next morning. That happened quite a bit and was always jarring.
Though I did like the concept of the secret societies, they felt too remote and distant to be enjoyable, especially the Circle. I’m hoping they play a more conspicuous role going forward.
While the Saline/Codrin arc was incredible, all the other nearly-there romances got tiresome. I know Codrin is a great guy and all, but come on not every woman can be smitten with him.
Too much showing. Yeah yeah, the “advice du jour” in the writing community is “show don’t tell”, but sometimes it was hard to follow the action or the advancing of time, and I feel like it was the result of too much showing. There has to be telling, authors are storyTELLERS after all, and it would have been better at times to simply tell me “An arrow pierced the rider’s neck” than to show me a horse galloping along riderless.
All in all I was entertained, and the writing was of good quality with only the occasional slip. Not the best fantasy I’ve ever read, but it was still a satisfying read and fantasy fans should enjoy it.
February 11, 2018
A secret society that wants to reunite four dukes under any king. A lone survivor who seeks to regain his father’s throne. A mother determined to save her children.
Florian Armas’ sweeping wars and political intrigue provide a backdrop for the story of a young man’s rise (or fall.) Family politics murders Codrin’s family. Jara’s family falls from power and flees from the conquering enemy.
Errant acknowledges the dark realities of politics and war but does not glorify them. Armas empathetically conveys the horrid choices mothers are forced to make. Both politics and war were credibly written. I found it unrealistic that no woman, other than the female narrator, put effort into on influencing politics or decisions. Even with a female narrator, this book passes neither the Mako Mori test or the Bechdel Test.
I enjoyed the overarching villain. His words, the first-person narrative, and a focus on the value of information make me inquisitive about the untold parts of the story. There are just enough gaps in the historical narrative to make me wonder about the villain’s motivations.
This boy-to-man story positively reminded me of the lead character in The Warded Man. I recommend Errant to fans of Peter V. Brett.
I was frustrated to reach the last page and await the next book.
Florian Armas’ sweeping wars and political intrigue provide a backdrop for the story of a young man’s rise (or fall.) Family politics murders Codrin’s family. Jara’s family falls from power and flees from the conquering enemy.
Errant acknowledges the dark realities of politics and war but does not glorify them. Armas empathetically conveys the horrid choices mothers are forced to make. Both politics and war were credibly written. I found it unrealistic that no woman, other than the female narrator, put effort into on influencing politics or decisions. Even with a female narrator, this book passes neither the Mako Mori test or the Bechdel Test.
I enjoyed the overarching villain. His words, the first-person narrative, and a focus on the value of information make me inquisitive about the untold parts of the story. There are just enough gaps in the historical narrative to make me wonder about the villain’s motivations.
This boy-to-man story positively reminded me of the lead character in The Warded Man. I recommend Errant to fans of Peter V. Brett.
I was frustrated to reach the last page and await the next book.
October 26, 2019
An easy 4 stars.
If you are looking for a epic fantasy-like high adventure with numerous intertwined characters and their creeds then "Errant" by Florian Armas is for you. I certainly marveled at the complexity, ambition and depth of the story-making and the writing was precise and flowed very nicely.
Errant is a book where the reader needs to put in some investment as it takes a while to get going and the switching of POVs (first person) between chapters - well, you think it isn't going to work and then somehow it does. It is a little Game of Thronish in places - seeing the words "Mesters" Hang on a minute?
Errant had some tender moments which stood out for a softy like me "It's the only way, Codrin," Saline repeated in a weak voice, breathing unevenly. With a sad smile, she pushed my hand away and her horse rode to a gallop. Wow - that caught me :( On the other hand, there were some references to rape and violence that I don't think young readers should go near.
Overall, well executed. A few typos and a bit wordy in places - but I'm not going to beat anyone up about that. It is self-published. Well done!
If you are looking for a epic fantasy-like high adventure with numerous intertwined characters and their creeds then "Errant" by Florian Armas is for you. I certainly marveled at the complexity, ambition and depth of the story-making and the writing was precise and flowed very nicely.
Errant is a book where the reader needs to put in some investment as it takes a while to get going and the switching of POVs (first person) between chapters - well, you think it isn't going to work and then somehow it does. It is a little Game of Thronish in places - seeing the words "Mesters" Hang on a minute?
Errant had some tender moments which stood out for a softy like me "It's the only way, Codrin," Saline repeated in a weak voice, breathing unevenly. With a sad smile, she pushed my hand away and her horse rode to a gallop. Wow - that caught me :( On the other hand, there were some references to rape and violence that I don't think young readers should go near.
Overall, well executed. A few typos and a bit wordy in places - but I'm not going to beat anyone up about that. It is self-published. Well done!
February 9, 2018
Dictionaries generally describe the word “errant” as wandering, traveling, roving around aimlessly, traveling in search of adventure, a knight’s errant. This last definition fits Florian Armas’ book “Errant” to a tee. This is a future knight (18 year old, Cordin’s) tale, set in medieval times with all the intrigue, backstabbing, life and love in and around the neighboring castles. There are wars aplenty between the clans, with vivid descriptions of the battles and arms used - lance, spear, sword, arrows and knives. “Errant” has two main characters – Cordin and Jara. I especially liked reading one chapter from Jara’s point of view and the next from Codrin’s perspective. The author included a generous amount of what each character was thinking while speaking, which added depth to the story. There doesn’t seem to be any question that Cordin’s adventure will continue in later books by Florian Armas. I, for one, look forward to them.
March 4, 2018
Overall: This is an ambitious book with plenty of world-building, interesting characters and just enough intrigue to keep readers interested. It is long, and sometimes it felt too complicated, but the main characters were compelling enough to overlook the fact that I simply couldn’t keep track of all the secondary characters and their stories.
Writing: At times the writing was very strong. This is not my typical genre, but the writing drew me in instantly. Throughout the book, the author is very descriptive, which helped to flesh out the world building. At the same time, the dialogue was often stiff, and occasionally I didn’t know who the author was talking about. The battle scenes were very well done and compelling, although sometimes I wanted more substance in between the battles. What I enjoyed most about the writing was the unique way the author let you know what the narrator was thinking as the scene unfolds.
Plot: The plot was a nice mix of impossible love and political maneuverings. There was plenty of scheming and a few unexpected twists, but it still felt a little predictable. For the length of the book, I felt more could have happened. The end came abruptly, without any real resolution—none of the major plot points came to a conclusion. I wanted all the threads to be wrapped up and to make sense, instead, we are simply set up for the next book. This is my biggest complaint.
Characters: The characters were likable, and very interesting, although somewhat stereotypical. While I ended up caring about the love story, at times it felt too flat.
Recommendation: This is a well-written book. If you like knights and kingdoms, battles and backstabbing, it’s worth picking up. I almost gave it a 3, because I felt so cheated by the ending, or lack of ending. But, I kept it at a 4 because I was entertained all the way through.
Writing: At times the writing was very strong. This is not my typical genre, but the writing drew me in instantly. Throughout the book, the author is very descriptive, which helped to flesh out the world building. At the same time, the dialogue was often stiff, and occasionally I didn’t know who the author was talking about. The battle scenes were very well done and compelling, although sometimes I wanted more substance in between the battles. What I enjoyed most about the writing was the unique way the author let you know what the narrator was thinking as the scene unfolds.
Plot: The plot was a nice mix of impossible love and political maneuverings. There was plenty of scheming and a few unexpected twists, but it still felt a little predictable. For the length of the book, I felt more could have happened. The end came abruptly, without any real resolution—none of the major plot points came to a conclusion. I wanted all the threads to be wrapped up and to make sense, instead, we are simply set up for the next book. This is my biggest complaint.
Characters: The characters were likable, and very interesting, although somewhat stereotypical. While I ended up caring about the love story, at times it felt too flat.
Recommendation: This is a well-written book. If you like knights and kingdoms, battles and backstabbing, it’s worth picking up. I almost gave it a 3, because I felt so cheated by the ending, or lack of ending. But, I kept it at a 4 because I was entertained all the way through.
May 20, 2021
I found myself thoroughly immersed in Florian Armas’ Kingdom fantasy Errant.
The story follows the intertwining fate of two dispossessed nobles, Codrin, youngest son of the slain King of Arenia and Lady Jara, widowed and defeated by the power-hungry Grand Seigneur Orban in the divided kingdom of Frankis. Both are forced flee, both seek to restore their rightful positions through their skills, making of alliances, making their fortunes. When Codrin saves Jara from attack in the forest, their fates become tied.
But surviving is not easy in a world of tangled vested interests and secret groups; the other Knights, the mysterious Circle, the Assassins and the Wanderers all working to restore the old Empire for themselves or at least to grab as much power and riches as they can.
I connected the most with Codrin - in his late teens, possessing tenacity, skill and instinct, impatient, proud and a deadly killer by training and necessity, yet sensitive, loyal and just. I did connect with Jara at first, given her plight, but as she becomes more and more enmeshed in the political game, prepared to sacrifice happiness for success, and willing to mislead Codrin, to secure his talent by making promises she has little intention or ability to keep, I found her less empathetic, though still a strong character trying to survive in a brutal and deadly game. Codrin also uses deceit, playing both sides of the game at great risk of discovery, though he remains loyal to Jara and her two girls and his vision of the future.
In many ways, the political intrigue felt like a game of chess, and the loss of life in battle or in stratagems brushed off (unless a personal connection existed). Once or twice I felt a bit jaded by the complicated plots - or the confusion about who Codrin and Jara had set their heart on (there is always an element of calculation in their love).
But mostly I was gripped by their struggle against the hostile forces, their emotional journeys and I am invested in Codrin achieving his goals and finding happiness in love. Errant finished with some battles won, more challenges raised and the definite feeling this is the first book in a series. Writing style, characterisation and setting were all expertly handled.
An intriguing, kingdom fantasy with strong characters. Worth the read.
The story follows the intertwining fate of two dispossessed nobles, Codrin, youngest son of the slain King of Arenia and Lady Jara, widowed and defeated by the power-hungry Grand Seigneur Orban in the divided kingdom of Frankis. Both are forced flee, both seek to restore their rightful positions through their skills, making of alliances, making their fortunes. When Codrin saves Jara from attack in the forest, their fates become tied.
But surviving is not easy in a world of tangled vested interests and secret groups; the other Knights, the mysterious Circle, the Assassins and the Wanderers all working to restore the old Empire for themselves or at least to grab as much power and riches as they can.
I connected the most with Codrin - in his late teens, possessing tenacity, skill and instinct, impatient, proud and a deadly killer by training and necessity, yet sensitive, loyal and just. I did connect with Jara at first, given her plight, but as she becomes more and more enmeshed in the political game, prepared to sacrifice happiness for success, and willing to mislead Codrin, to secure his talent by making promises she has little intention or ability to keep, I found her less empathetic, though still a strong character trying to survive in a brutal and deadly game. Codrin also uses deceit, playing both sides of the game at great risk of discovery, though he remains loyal to Jara and her two girls and his vision of the future.
In many ways, the political intrigue felt like a game of chess, and the loss of life in battle or in stratagems brushed off (unless a personal connection existed). Once or twice I felt a bit jaded by the complicated plots - or the confusion about who Codrin and Jara had set their heart on (there is always an element of calculation in their love).
But mostly I was gripped by their struggle against the hostile forces, their emotional journeys and I am invested in Codrin achieving his goals and finding happiness in love. Errant finished with some battles won, more challenges raised and the definite feeling this is the first book in a series. Writing style, characterisation and setting were all expertly handled.
An intriguing, kingdom fantasy with strong characters. Worth the read.
February 1, 2024
This complex medieval-style fantasy novel of intrigue and conflict centers mainly around Codrin, last of his family, and Jara, widow and mother. Their individual stories weave together against the backdrop of this world of struggles over power.
There's a lot going on in the story and the many characters, each with their own allegiances and plots, at times interact and other times oppose each other. The world in which these characters move is rich in culture and detail, and the magic that is present is subtle. The myriad intrigues that the many different factions supported held my interest and kept me reading to see how they would intertwine and succeed or fail.
Unfortunately, the numerous characters were hard to keep straight - who supported and who opposed whom. The narrative introduced them quickly, often with little to distinguish them, and many disappeared from the story just as quickly. The ending came abruptly and did not give a sense of closure, no satisfying conclusion to even part of the story. That leaves the story with not even the slightest feeling of anything having been resolved, even if only temporarily.
Many instances of odd phrasing, incorrect words and typos, and random tense changes made the reading difficult, usually requiring re-reading sections to try to discern the meaning, which often remained just out of reach. There are instances of multiple voices smashed together into a single paragraph, and sudden time jumps from one paragraph to the next. These issues interfered with the flow of the story and sadly worked to obscure subtleties and nuances. It became a struggle to follow what was going on.
Overall, this is an intriguing story of plots, betrayals, and conflicts. But it's held back by word-usage errors and grammatical and other problems in the writing. An interesting read that's tough to follow at times.
(3.5 stars, rounded up)
There's a lot going on in the story and the many characters, each with their own allegiances and plots, at times interact and other times oppose each other. The world in which these characters move is rich in culture and detail, and the magic that is present is subtle. The myriad intrigues that the many different factions supported held my interest and kept me reading to see how they would intertwine and succeed or fail.
Unfortunately, the numerous characters were hard to keep straight - who supported and who opposed whom. The narrative introduced them quickly, often with little to distinguish them, and many disappeared from the story just as quickly. The ending came abruptly and did not give a sense of closure, no satisfying conclusion to even part of the story. That leaves the story with not even the slightest feeling of anything having been resolved, even if only temporarily.
Many instances of odd phrasing, incorrect words and typos, and random tense changes made the reading difficult, usually requiring re-reading sections to try to discern the meaning, which often remained just out of reach. There are instances of multiple voices smashed together into a single paragraph, and sudden time jumps from one paragraph to the next. These issues interfered with the flow of the story and sadly worked to obscure subtleties and nuances. It became a struggle to follow what was going on.
Overall, this is an intriguing story of plots, betrayals, and conflicts. But it's held back by word-usage errors and grammatical and other problems in the writing. An interesting read that's tough to follow at times.
(3.5 stars, rounded up)
February 16, 2018
I was a reluctant and am now an enthusiastic fan of George R.R. Martins’ Song of Ice and Fire, so I was excited and nervous to read Florian Armas’ Errant due to the large cast of characters with their shifting alliances all unfolding in strangely named places that's typical of the genre.
Although these elements are evident here (the appendix lists close to thirty characters), I was quickly and comfortably able to follow the action due to the exceptional organization of the novel. It unspools from the standpoints of Codrin, a young heir navigating the tricky landscape of power-hungry foes, and Jara, the world-weary mother who must balance her affection for her family and Codrin with the reality of politics.
Although Errant is on the long side, it is well written using dialogue and thoughts to reveal character and develop sympathy. The writing borders on poetic during the fight scenes, and the dialogue is crisply written and rendered. Only the occasional blunders (“threw out” instead of threw up) marred the flow. My caveat is that I would have appreciated a touch more description, so that I could effectively envision the intricacies of the world instead of substituting Game of Thrones' scenery and dress.
All in all, an absorbing read, particularly for newbies to the genre like myself.
Although these elements are evident here (the appendix lists close to thirty characters), I was quickly and comfortably able to follow the action due to the exceptional organization of the novel. It unspools from the standpoints of Codrin, a young heir navigating the tricky landscape of power-hungry foes, and Jara, the world-weary mother who must balance her affection for her family and Codrin with the reality of politics.
Although Errant is on the long side, it is well written using dialogue and thoughts to reveal character and develop sympathy. The writing borders on poetic during the fight scenes, and the dialogue is crisply written and rendered. Only the occasional blunders (“threw out” instead of threw up) marred the flow. My caveat is that I would have appreciated a touch more description, so that I could effectively envision the intricacies of the world instead of substituting Game of Thrones' scenery and dress.
All in all, an absorbing read, particularly for newbies to the genre like myself.
October 11, 2017
Team Jara! If you're looking for your next immersive read then look no further than Errant. Part sophisticated fantasy political thriller and part guilty pleasure I found that I couldn't put this book down. When a book somehow manages to hook you the same way a graphic novel can without one single illustration you know you've got a winner. I'm a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson and Miles Cameron and so found it easy to fall into this book. It's lengthy but that's not a bad thing with this kind of writing. Armas has a way of putting you right in the middle of everything by including those realistic details that manage to intrigue instead of overwhelm and ground the story instead of bogging it down. Other reviewers have outlined the story well enough - I'm just happy to detail why this book is a win for someone who is very much into this genre. Highly recommend!
September 30, 2020
An epic fantasy tale set in the Middle Ages with constant battles, political intrigue and doomed love. It is well written and flows along at a fast pace. I enjoyed the read, but wanted even more 'epicness'.
There are quite a few characters and shifts in settings, so it did make me focus quite hard on keeping up with the overall picture, but the storytelling kept bringing me back on track. Also, as it progressed it focused more and more on one character, Codrin, the dispossessed king of one of the kingdoms, which made everything easier to follow.
My constructive criticism would be that I felt it could have been braver in its story telling. There were lots of battles and poisonings and suchlike, but I never believed any of the main characters would die. I also wanted more from the mystical, magical elements of the story that never delivered on my expectations. I don't read too much fantasy, but when set against the likes of George R R Martin, it felt quite a safe story. I wanted it to take more risks.
There are quite a few characters and shifts in settings, so it did make me focus quite hard on keeping up with the overall picture, but the storytelling kept bringing me back on track. Also, as it progressed it focused more and more on one character, Codrin, the dispossessed king of one of the kingdoms, which made everything easier to follow.
My constructive criticism would be that I felt it could have been braver in its story telling. There were lots of battles and poisonings and suchlike, but I never believed any of the main characters would die. I also wanted more from the mystical, magical elements of the story that never delivered on my expectations. I don't read too much fantasy, but when set against the likes of George R R Martin, it felt quite a safe story. I wanted it to take more risks.
April 17, 2018
I find it very hard to rate this book. As a story, it's great: the plot is intricate and I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. The characters are well developed, and their interactions are subtle, complex and unpredictable. The central love story—or stories—are poignant and very believable. There is also a broad grasp of political realities, with many conflicting nations, organisations and power groups; and the central coming-of-age character has to learn the hard way that people in positions of authority, no matter how well-disposed, must often make decisions that are expedient, rather than just.
I also appreciated the author's cross-cultural insights, with interesting cultural and linguistic differences woven into the fabric of the story.
However… The book's many strong points are weakened by the author's imperfect command of English. I hate saying this: he obviously speaks English well, and most of the story is clearly enough expressed to follow it without trouble. What's more, he has some vivid descriptions using well-chosen phrases. But there are too many of the other kind, such as: "…his knowledge took us by the storm, and from all the involved people I would bear most of his grunt, his cold greeting, a day before, was nothing but a proof."
It's not that the book is riddled with spelling and grammar errors (though there are quite a few of those): the problem is rather that in many places, often at crucial points in the story, it's clear that he's thinking in his native language and translating into English. The effect of this is that the English reader understands each individual word—and maybe many of the phrases—but the meaning of the passage as a whole eludes him or her—or takes time and effort to process.
In terms of plot structure, I particularly struggled with the sudden change of storyline in Chapter 2. At first I thought the first-person viewpoint character was the same as in Chapter 1, but quickly realised this couldn’t be the case. I found myself thinking, Who is this new "I"? I didn't even know if it was a he or a she. And I felt betrayed to find the character of Jara, who I was just starting to know and like, suddenly abandoned in favour of this total unknown. I was once taught that one should stick to the same storyline at least up to chapter 8. I've taken that with a grain of salt, but I can see the reason for it here. Either Jara's story should have continued for several chapters, or we should have started with Codrin at the beginning. (It was only later that I realised that the little addition to the Chapter 2 title: " – Codrin" — was actually a male name, and that this was who the chapter was all about.)
Other less important defects in the story were that I felt it lost some momentum in the middle of the book; and also there was often too much discussion and description, and not enough action. Many times I thought, "Show, don't tell!" And apart from the cultural differences mentioned above, there wasn't much distinctive world-building. There were a few attractive descriptions of scenery, but in all I felt it was a fairly generic 'mediaeval' fantasy world.
To me, though, the greatest drawback was the effort involved in struggling with the frequent unnatural uses of English. As a result, I cannot honestly give this book a 4 or 5. My final reluctant rating is 3½. I would strongly advise the author to have the book (or future books) copy-edited by a native English speaker. That would make all the difference.
I also appreciated the author's cross-cultural insights, with interesting cultural and linguistic differences woven into the fabric of the story.
However… The book's many strong points are weakened by the author's imperfect command of English. I hate saying this: he obviously speaks English well, and most of the story is clearly enough expressed to follow it without trouble. What's more, he has some vivid descriptions using well-chosen phrases. But there are too many of the other kind, such as: "…his knowledge took us by the storm, and from all the involved people I would bear most of his grunt, his cold greeting, a day before, was nothing but a proof."
It's not that the book is riddled with spelling and grammar errors (though there are quite a few of those): the problem is rather that in many places, often at crucial points in the story, it's clear that he's thinking in his native language and translating into English. The effect of this is that the English reader understands each individual word—and maybe many of the phrases—but the meaning of the passage as a whole eludes him or her—or takes time and effort to process.
In terms of plot structure, I particularly struggled with the sudden change of storyline in Chapter 2. At first I thought the first-person viewpoint character was the same as in Chapter 1, but quickly realised this couldn’t be the case. I found myself thinking, Who is this new "I"? I didn't even know if it was a he or a she. And I felt betrayed to find the character of Jara, who I was just starting to know and like, suddenly abandoned in favour of this total unknown. I was once taught that one should stick to the same storyline at least up to chapter 8. I've taken that with a grain of salt, but I can see the reason for it here. Either Jara's story should have continued for several chapters, or we should have started with Codrin at the beginning. (It was only later that I realised that the little addition to the Chapter 2 title: " – Codrin" — was actually a male name, and that this was who the chapter was all about.)
Other less important defects in the story were that I felt it lost some momentum in the middle of the book; and also there was often too much discussion and description, and not enough action. Many times I thought, "Show, don't tell!" And apart from the cultural differences mentioned above, there wasn't much distinctive world-building. There were a few attractive descriptions of scenery, but in all I felt it was a fairly generic 'mediaeval' fantasy world.
To me, though, the greatest drawback was the effort involved in struggling with the frequent unnatural uses of English. As a result, I cannot honestly give this book a 4 or 5. My final reluctant rating is 3½. I would strongly advise the author to have the book (or future books) copy-edited by a native English speaker. That would make all the difference.
July 3, 2021
As a new reader of epic fantasy, I found the world building to be a bit overwhelming at times. But for readers who are regular lovers of this genre, they should appreciate the twists and turns. The story is full of family and power and is told through both of the MCs POV. Like other books of this ilk, it leaves the reader with a cliffhanger and a lot to ponder while waiting for the next book.
January 10, 2020
Review of Errant by Florian Armas (Chronicle of the Seer Book 1)
What a great title for a fantasy novel! It fits the main character Codrin perfectly and Jara too to an extent. Both are deposed royalty fleeing from evil persecutors and trying to make a place for themselves in a foreign land so they can eventually regain their rightful place in the world.
Errant (adjective): roving, especially in search of adventure
What a great title for a fantasy novel! It fits the main character Codrin perfectly and Jara too to an extent. Both are deposed royalty fleeing from evil persecutors and trying to make a place for themselves in a foreign land so they can eventually regain their rightful place in the world.
Errant is a novel about palace intrigue, much in the vein of Game of Thrones—sword and sorcery with the emphasis on the sword. Every characters is plotting to advance an agenda in some way. There are numerous skirmishes and battles with sword or bow. The sorcery comes in through a special class of characters who have visions of the future. This gives them an advantage in their schemes, although the future shifts as actions unfold. The main viewpoint characters Jara and Codrin have slight gifts of precognition, but they have not been trained as have the Circle and the Wanderers.
I really liked this novel. The main characters are interesting and sympathetic. The story is well told and compelling. This novel is written without foul language, graphic violence, or sex so as to appeal to an audience YA and older.
One thing I didn’t like is many errors in grammar (not on every page). You will notice them, though you will want to overlook them to return to devouring the story. Only one pronoun reference error caused me to re-read a passage (when Codrin gets his first kiss).
When I finished the novel, I returned to the Prologue because I remembered it as being confusing. I had forgotten that Malin is depicted here—because I had no idea who he was at the time. The Prologue is full of details I had no way of understanding.
I suggest beginning the reading with Chapter 1, which is gripping. Jara sees enemy soldiers filing through her castle gates only to be told by her father than her husband is dead and the war lost. He has signed a treaty to protect her and her children, but they are at the mercy of the evil Orban and his intentions of rape and exploitation.
Watching these characters navigate a landscape of threats is breathtaking. I got caught up and wanted to read on. This is the first book in a series (Chronicle of the Seer), so don’t expect everything to be resolved by the end. But it is worth reading on its own (the next two books have also been published).
August 29, 2018
Errant is a fantasy adventure story filled with assassins, political intrigue, betrayal, love, and a hard lessons in restraint, humility, and all is fair in love and war.
I got into this fantasy epic saga even though it isn't commonly my go-to type of novel. I was sucked into the pages, and refused to cheat on the book with others until it was finished. I am a serial offender of reading two or three books at a time. Errant had me flipping the pages and staying up late for hours to finish it. And it isn't finished! I got to the end and it was possibly the worst cliffhanger ever, but I'm not terribly upset about it. Okay, a little upset about it. But that's only because I was absorbed into the story and now I MUST know how he makes it to being king, because he just has to make it there! Fangirl aside, I'm hooked. I will totally be waiting with baited breath for the next installment in the series.
The only butts about it:
The beginning was a bit rough for me, just the first few chapters, it was jarring to start off with Jara and not have enough time with her before jumping into Codrin. After a few chapters in I got into the rhythm of it and I got to know each of them well enough that the chapters were well seamed together.
Also warning: Rape in the beginning of the novel, but not overtly graphic, it was stated and events leading up to and events after are there, but it's very obvious what had happened. Also, in the medieval times period that it's set in lends to lots of situations where women are used for their bodies. Despite this warning theme, there are plenty of strong women in the story that balance out this gender inequality nicely.
I got into this fantasy epic saga even though it isn't commonly my go-to type of novel. I was sucked into the pages, and refused to cheat on the book with others until it was finished. I am a serial offender of reading two or three books at a time. Errant had me flipping the pages and staying up late for hours to finish it. And it isn't finished! I got to the end and it was possibly the worst cliffhanger ever, but I'm not terribly upset about it. Okay, a little upset about it. But that's only because I was absorbed into the story and now I MUST know how he makes it to being king, because he just has to make it there! Fangirl aside, I'm hooked. I will totally be waiting with baited breath for the next installment in the series.
The only butts about it:
The beginning was a bit rough for me, just the first few chapters, it was jarring to start off with Jara and not have enough time with her before jumping into Codrin. After a few chapters in I got into the rhythm of it and I got to know each of them well enough that the chapters were well seamed together.
Also warning: Rape in the beginning of the novel, but not overtly graphic, it was stated and events leading up to and events after are there, but it's very obvious what had happened. Also, in the medieval times period that it's set in lends to lots of situations where women are used for their bodies. Despite this warning theme, there are plenty of strong women in the story that balance out this gender inequality nicely.
January 17, 2019
What I like most about the first entry in Florian Armas's epic fantasy 'Chronicle of the Seer' series is how well-written it is. I've encountered more than my fair share of jumbled, too-long 'Game of Thrones' rip-offs, but 'Errant' is an interesting, tense, and well-crafted fantasy novel. The descriptions are lush without being overwrought, the dialogue might be a little stiff, but it is still serviceable, and the world-building is appropriately written.
The story of Cordrin and Jara weave together in a narrative that is both familiar and new-ish, which is what great genre fiction is all about. I am very picky about the kind of fantasy I read, but I found myself drawn into the story of each character as the world around them is manipulated through subversive political means. It’s in the vein of something written by George R.R. Martin without cribbing too directly from it.
The book is not without fault. Mainly, the author spends an inordinate amount of time deconstructing character thoughts and statements. I think it’s maybe a trope of the genre to have this much language-parsing and speculation, but being mostly a fan of crime novels and so forth, I get lost in the weeds when there is too much elaboration.
Overall, though, I have to say ‘Errant’ is a good read, full of twists and turns that continue to up the ante for the average reader. You’ll enjoy the ride, even if it gets bumpy in spots. Would definitely recommend.
The story of Cordrin and Jara weave together in a narrative that is both familiar and new-ish, which is what great genre fiction is all about. I am very picky about the kind of fantasy I read, but I found myself drawn into the story of each character as the world around them is manipulated through subversive political means. It’s in the vein of something written by George R.R. Martin without cribbing too directly from it.
The book is not without fault. Mainly, the author spends an inordinate amount of time deconstructing character thoughts and statements. I think it’s maybe a trope of the genre to have this much language-parsing and speculation, but being mostly a fan of crime novels and so forth, I get lost in the weeds when there is too much elaboration.
Overall, though, I have to say ‘Errant’ is a good read, full of twists and turns that continue to up the ante for the average reader. You’ll enjoy the ride, even if it gets bumpy in spots. Would definitely recommend.
August 4, 2020
This epic tale provides the reader with a well developed hero in Codrin, and heroines in Jara and her daughters. It provides a series of settings that are well described and the imagery feeds the imagination. It provides a plot that is well thought out and relatively easy to follow given the large canvas of locations and characters. it provides battles and fights so full of action that you feel like you are in the scene. It provides dialog full of intrigue, tenderness, suspicion, and revelation. So, because of all that, this was a difficult book to put down.
I agree with other reviews that Armas attempts to give the reader more analysis of the scene than necessary. His characters are so well drawn that their words and actions speak for themselves. This made the story drawn out and onerous at points.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and tempted to read the entire series.
I agree with other reviews that Armas attempts to give the reader more analysis of the scene than necessary. His characters are so well drawn that their words and actions speak for themselves. This made the story drawn out and onerous at points.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and tempted to read the entire series.
September 2, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the epic fantasy saga, ERRANT - Book One of the Chronicle of the Seer Pentalogy by Florian Armas. It is well written and the author takes his time to flesh out the world-building, the many characters and the battles they fight. Maybe to a fault, as the descriptions can be, at times, tedious and too in-depth. It’s the fantastical love story of Jara and Codrin, who have lost everything and a chance encounter gives them strength. Adventure set amidst the realm of tragedy, war and betrayal; the main characters share their parallel stories until they connect. All’s fair in love and war when there’s magic involved. I had a little trouble with the grammatical and typographical errors as they got annoying after a while, but overall a solid medieval-style fantasy along the lines of G.O.T. and an enjoyable read.
August 9, 2025
Book Review: Errant (Chronicle of the Seer #1) by Florian Armas
Rating: 3.8/5
Analysis & Thematic Depth
Florian Armas’ Errant presents an ambitious dark fantasy that attempts to weave together political intrigue, elemental magic, and brutal medieval warfare. The novel’s premise of the Wanderers - seers who can predict but not prevent catastrophe - offers an interesting twist on prophecy tropes, though the execution sometimes falters under the weight of its own ambitions. Codrin’s transformation from grieving warrior to magic-wielder through the bolt of silent lightning feels somewhat abrupt, lacking the gradual development that might make this transition more believable.
The worldbuilding shows promise, particularly in the depiction of the Serpent’s blood magic cult and the remnants of the fallen empire. However, these elements often compete for attention rather than coalescing into a cohesive whole. Lady Jara’s storyline provides a compelling counterpoint to Codrin’s journey, though her political struggles sometimes feel overshadowed by the more overt fantasy elements.
Reader Reactions & Emotional Impact
While the novel’s darker moments - particularly Codrin’s oath at his family’s graveside - carry genuine emotional weight, the constant barrage of tragedies in the opening chapters creates a numbing effect. The action sequences are well-crafted, with the battle at Severin standing out as a particular highlight, though the romantic subplot feels tacked on rather than organically developed.
As someone who typically enjoys complex fantasy worlds, I found myself wanting more depth in the magic system and political structures. The sentient sword Shadow is an intriguing concept that never quite reaches its full potential, serving more as a plot device than a fully realized character.
Constructive Criticism
-Pacing Issues: The novel struggles to balance its numerous plot threads, with some sections feeling rushed while others drag
-Underdeveloped Concepts: Promising ideas like the Wanderers’ foresight and the White Light magic need more exploration
-Characterization: Secondary characters often feel like archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals
-Tonal Inconsistency: The shift between grimdark elements and romantic subplots creates narrative whiplash
How I would describe this book:
- A dark fantasy where seeing the future might be the cruelest fate of all
- For readers who enjoy their medieval fantasy with a side of political intrigue
- A world where swords have souls and gods thirst for blood
Personal Remarks
Reading Errant reminded me of discovering new fantasy worlds as a teenager - there’s clear passion and imagination here, but also the growing pains of a debut. I found myself sketching maps of Severin and the surrounding lands, wishing the novel had included more of this geographical detail. While the story didn’t always resonate with me emotionally, certain images - particularly the lightning-struck graveside oath - have stayed with me.
Gratitude
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for providing the opportunity to review this novel. While not without its flaws, Errant shows promise for readers willing to invest in a new fantasy universe.
Final Verdict
A 3.8/5 - a flawed but intriguing debut that fantasy enthusiasts may find worth their time, particularly if future installments develop the world and characters more thoroughly. The novel delivers on action and atmosphere but struggles with pacing and depth.
Rating: 3.8/5
Analysis & Thematic Depth
Florian Armas’ Errant presents an ambitious dark fantasy that attempts to weave together political intrigue, elemental magic, and brutal medieval warfare. The novel’s premise of the Wanderers - seers who can predict but not prevent catastrophe - offers an interesting twist on prophecy tropes, though the execution sometimes falters under the weight of its own ambitions. Codrin’s transformation from grieving warrior to magic-wielder through the bolt of silent lightning feels somewhat abrupt, lacking the gradual development that might make this transition more believable.
The worldbuilding shows promise, particularly in the depiction of the Serpent’s blood magic cult and the remnants of the fallen empire. However, these elements often compete for attention rather than coalescing into a cohesive whole. Lady Jara’s storyline provides a compelling counterpoint to Codrin’s journey, though her political struggles sometimes feel overshadowed by the more overt fantasy elements.
Reader Reactions & Emotional Impact
While the novel’s darker moments - particularly Codrin’s oath at his family’s graveside - carry genuine emotional weight, the constant barrage of tragedies in the opening chapters creates a numbing effect. The action sequences are well-crafted, with the battle at Severin standing out as a particular highlight, though the romantic subplot feels tacked on rather than organically developed.
As someone who typically enjoys complex fantasy worlds, I found myself wanting more depth in the magic system and political structures. The sentient sword Shadow is an intriguing concept that never quite reaches its full potential, serving more as a plot device than a fully realized character.
Constructive Criticism
-Pacing Issues: The novel struggles to balance its numerous plot threads, with some sections feeling rushed while others drag
-Underdeveloped Concepts: Promising ideas like the Wanderers’ foresight and the White Light magic need more exploration
-Characterization: Secondary characters often feel like archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals
-Tonal Inconsistency: The shift between grimdark elements and romantic subplots creates narrative whiplash
How I would describe this book:
- A dark fantasy where seeing the future might be the cruelest fate of all
- For readers who enjoy their medieval fantasy with a side of political intrigue
- A world where swords have souls and gods thirst for blood
Personal Remarks
Reading Errant reminded me of discovering new fantasy worlds as a teenager - there’s clear passion and imagination here, but also the growing pains of a debut. I found myself sketching maps of Severin and the surrounding lands, wishing the novel had included more of this geographical detail. While the story didn’t always resonate with me emotionally, certain images - particularly the lightning-struck graveside oath - have stayed with me.
Gratitude
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for providing the opportunity to review this novel. While not without its flaws, Errant shows promise for readers willing to invest in a new fantasy universe.
Final Verdict
A 3.8/5 - a flawed but intriguing debut that fantasy enthusiasts may find worth their time, particularly if future installments develop the world and characters more thoroughly. The novel delivers on action and atmosphere but struggles with pacing and depth.
September 19, 2021
Let me start with a disclaimer: I’m likely one of the few people who have absolutely no clue about ‘GAME OF THRONES’ and by absolutely I mean ABSOLUTELY … [I watched about 20 minutes once on a long flight…and then not being able to grasp anything at all I switched channels]. So with ERRANT by Florian Armas, the time had come for me to explore this genre which appears to fascinate a lot of people.
Well, for the first quarter of the book I really felt like I was back in that airline seat imagining at times that my head had just been cut off and was rolling down the aisle like a lot of the heads of various characters do in all the constant battles and skirmishing… BUT the exposition of the world the author has created for the ‘Chronicle of the Seer Pentalogy’ is of course necessary [and the cinematic writing style -especially in all the battle scenes- immerses the reader into the middle of all the killing taking place… perhaps that is where the feeling of seeing my own head rolling away came from?? (BTW did some important character in ‘Game of Thrones’ also lose their head???)…OK but back to ERRANT now!].
What I would suggest to readers is to actually perhaps start the book with the appendix which is provided at the end (yes it will contain some minor spoilers if you read that first but it helped me a lot when I discovered it to ‘stop loosing my head’ in the beginning of the story).
But OMG once past the first quarter of the book - the intrigues, the wickedness, the ‘double/tripe/xxx-agent’ situations, the darkness, the infighting, the hidden mystical story in the background… oh it just started pulling me in deeper and deeper - and once I reached the last page I now have a dilemma: Read the next book in the Pentalogy or start watching GoT??
Therefore, thanks a lot Florian Armas for making me understand how so many people can become ‘addicted’ to the genre of your type of stories!
[As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, the version of ERRANT which I have read (eBook - Second Edition December 2020) does have some minor ‘editorial’ issues. Therefore, if you are a reader who is sensitive to these type of things, just be aware, and give the author some time to iron things out in a future edition].
Well, for the first quarter of the book I really felt like I was back in that airline seat imagining at times that my head had just been cut off and was rolling down the aisle like a lot of the heads of various characters do in all the constant battles and skirmishing… BUT the exposition of the world the author has created for the ‘Chronicle of the Seer Pentalogy’ is of course necessary [and the cinematic writing style -especially in all the battle scenes- immerses the reader into the middle of all the killing taking place… perhaps that is where the feeling of seeing my own head rolling away came from?? (BTW did some important character in ‘Game of Thrones’ also lose their head???)…OK but back to ERRANT now!].
What I would suggest to readers is to actually perhaps start the book with the appendix which is provided at the end (yes it will contain some minor spoilers if you read that first but it helped me a lot when I discovered it to ‘stop loosing my head’ in the beginning of the story).
But OMG once past the first quarter of the book - the intrigues, the wickedness, the ‘double/tripe/xxx-agent’ situations, the darkness, the infighting, the hidden mystical story in the background… oh it just started pulling me in deeper and deeper - and once I reached the last page I now have a dilemma: Read the next book in the Pentalogy or start watching GoT??
Therefore, thanks a lot Florian Armas for making me understand how so many people can become ‘addicted’ to the genre of your type of stories!
[As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, the version of ERRANT which I have read (eBook - Second Edition December 2020) does have some minor ‘editorial’ issues. Therefore, if you are a reader who is sensitive to these type of things, just be aware, and give the author some time to iron things out in a future edition].
January 18, 2020
Errant (Chronicle of the Seer Book 1) from Florian Armas is about Codrin, the son of a king in hiding. After his father’s murder, the teenager flees with his mentor – a rebel assassin – and his older brother to a neighbor kingdom in an effort to escape the wrath of the usurper who took over the throne. Soon, they are ambushed and Codrin – the only survivor – sets to Frankis to hide. There, he tries to make himself a name as a Protector and eventually meets Jara, a widowed Signora in disgrace, and her family.
Codrin burns to rise from his vagrant status to one of Knight, which would allow him to raise an army and try to reconquer his throne and sees in the convoluted power plays and political intrigues around Jara’s family a chance to prove himself and grow into knighthood.
Of course, it isn’t that easy, and Codrin’s path is arduous. The adolescent needs to grow into a man, and the complicated balance of power isn’t easy to grasp, considering that several secret organizations – the circle, the assassins, and the wanderers – are toying with the political chessboard as well. To complicate things further, he falls in love with the “wrong” girl.
Well, after the first two of three chapters, which were – to me – hard to read, I enjoyed the story. I particularly liked the fact that the author didn’t idealize medieval society but showed how politic took precedence over feelings. Codrin is very young at the beginning of the story and he learns by trial and error. It makes him likable. I appreciated that no one is perfect, and the author showed their strength but also their weaknesses. The character development is believable, and I cared about them – I will probably get the second part to see how it goes.
So, why was it hard for me to get “into” the story at first? I think it has to do with the rather unusual narrative. I’m the kind of person who likes to stick with one character and I was upset when I discovered that the author went for a multiple first-person retelling, plus a lot of thoughts and interjected explanations. I like a more direct narrative, but I suspect a lot of readers will feel the contrary.
Overall, I’d give the story five stars, narrative three.
Four stars.
Codrin burns to rise from his vagrant status to one of Knight, which would allow him to raise an army and try to reconquer his throne and sees in the convoluted power plays and political intrigues around Jara’s family a chance to prove himself and grow into knighthood.
Of course, it isn’t that easy, and Codrin’s path is arduous. The adolescent needs to grow into a man, and the complicated balance of power isn’t easy to grasp, considering that several secret organizations – the circle, the assassins, and the wanderers – are toying with the political chessboard as well. To complicate things further, he falls in love with the “wrong” girl.
Well, after the first two of three chapters, which were – to me – hard to read, I enjoyed the story. I particularly liked the fact that the author didn’t idealize medieval society but showed how politic took precedence over feelings. Codrin is very young at the beginning of the story and he learns by trial and error. It makes him likable. I appreciated that no one is perfect, and the author showed their strength but also their weaknesses. The character development is believable, and I cared about them – I will probably get the second part to see how it goes.
So, why was it hard for me to get “into” the story at first? I think it has to do with the rather unusual narrative. I’m the kind of person who likes to stick with one character and I was upset when I discovered that the author went for a multiple first-person retelling, plus a lot of thoughts and interjected explanations. I like a more direct narrative, but I suspect a lot of readers will feel the contrary.
Overall, I’d give the story five stars, narrative three.
Four stars.
May 11, 2020
Fifteen-year old Codrin is forced to flee when his uncle kills the king, Codrin’s father, and takes the throne of Arenia. After the death of his brother and his mentor, he is now nothing more than a hunted vagrant, poor and alone.
With the loss of her husband, Jara, along with her father, son, and two daughters has been driven from her home by the power-hungry Orban.
Circumstances bring these two together in an age of political maneuvering, violence, and upheaval. Though I didn’t always like Codrin’s and Jara’s manipulation of circumstances and people, I appreciated how necessary it was for both in order to survive in a world dominated by a hierarchy of powerful men, and secretive groups. There is also a strong cast of secondary characters.
I was thrown out of the story at the beginning of chapter two when the first-person perspective shifts from Codrin to Jara for the first time. Though the chapter is labeled ‘Jara’, at that point I didn’t know what or who Jara was. Once I realized what was happening, it did not present a problem again.
I enjoyed the medieval fantasy feel of this book. The language, though a mix of masterful descriptions and awkward phrasing, fit the story. I enjoyed Codrin’s and Jara’s interspersed thoughts throughout conversations and actions. For me, it helped the first-person perspective to flow well without bogging down in self-absorption by either main character.
The story is intense, and I finished it within a few days. Though there are some flaws, as pointed out by other reviewers, this is, on a whole, a well-written and engaging book. I recommend it highly.
With the loss of her husband, Jara, along with her father, son, and two daughters has been driven from her home by the power-hungry Orban.
Circumstances bring these two together in an age of political maneuvering, violence, and upheaval. Though I didn’t always like Codrin’s and Jara’s manipulation of circumstances and people, I appreciated how necessary it was for both in order to survive in a world dominated by a hierarchy of powerful men, and secretive groups. There is also a strong cast of secondary characters.
I was thrown out of the story at the beginning of chapter two when the first-person perspective shifts from Codrin to Jara for the first time. Though the chapter is labeled ‘Jara’, at that point I didn’t know what or who Jara was. Once I realized what was happening, it did not present a problem again.
I enjoyed the medieval fantasy feel of this book. The language, though a mix of masterful descriptions and awkward phrasing, fit the story. I enjoyed Codrin’s and Jara’s interspersed thoughts throughout conversations and actions. For me, it helped the first-person perspective to flow well without bogging down in self-absorption by either main character.
The story is intense, and I finished it within a few days. Though there are some flaws, as pointed out by other reviewers, this is, on a whole, a well-written and engaging book. I recommend it highly.
August 20, 2018
Errant, by Florian Armas, is a medieval story centered around the tales of Jara, her daughters Vio, Saliné, son Veres, the young noble Codrin, and their struggles against the tyrannical and sadistic Orban, responsible for ruining the lives of aforementioned cast. Now on the run, Jara, her family, and Codrin eventually encounter one another, and must navigate the thick, duplicitous world of medieval politics and warfare.
I was originally turned off by the heavy exposition at the start of the novel, but as the story continued I began to warm up to the book. The writing is good, if a bit peculiar, but that appears to work to the novel's advantage. Combat scenes were short, but managed to invoke tension and suspense. The interpersonal relationships between the main characters and the supporting cast were well done. The political intrigue was also good. All of which helped to elevate the book from a solid three star to four.
The length however is rather long, and I feel that quite a few scenes, while adding a bit of spice to the novel, could have been trimmed in order to make this a more compact read. The ending was a bit of a let down, and as other reviewers have noted, it felt rushed. I understand that this is supposed to be a multi-part series, but the ending was admittedly lacking.
I am admittedly an action oriented kind of guy, and that typically this type of story telling would not appeal to me, but I must say that Armas does a good job regardless. Despite the aforementioned issues, I would suggest giving it a read.
I was originally turned off by the heavy exposition at the start of the novel, but as the story continued I began to warm up to the book. The writing is good, if a bit peculiar, but that appears to work to the novel's advantage. Combat scenes were short, but managed to invoke tension and suspense. The interpersonal relationships between the main characters and the supporting cast were well done. The political intrigue was also good. All of which helped to elevate the book from a solid three star to four.
The length however is rather long, and I feel that quite a few scenes, while adding a bit of spice to the novel, could have been trimmed in order to make this a more compact read. The ending was a bit of a let down, and as other reviewers have noted, it felt rushed. I understand that this is supposed to be a multi-part series, but the ending was admittedly lacking.
I am admittedly an action oriented kind of guy, and that typically this type of story telling would not appeal to me, but I must say that Armas does a good job regardless. Despite the aforementioned issues, I would suggest giving it a read.
July 31, 2020
This book starts slow, but gets better as it goes, and I thought it was worth sticking through. There is much political intrigue, and thorny dilemmas, which due to their complexity take some time to work through. I liked the heroes for the most part, and disliked the villains, always a good sign. My big concern was the handling of the women. At times I felt like the women were simply presented as trophies for the men to win, accomplishing nothing on their own, fundamentally without power, even at the mercy of the men's violent natures. This was most notable with the lead female character. I didn't like that, and I hope the author resolves this in later books. And let me note that there are women with power in the story. Although magic is not central to the plot here, it obviously is going to be later in the series. To balance this, the sword work and military issues I thought were very well handled. I was not as disappointed at the ending as some other reviewers, as I understood this was a multi-book series, but it does end rather abruptly.
May 27, 2022
Errant is an epic fantasy story, in the style of what has been called Sword and Sorcery. The main character is a young man who loses his family and his rightful throne. He swears a solemn oath to avenge their deaths and regain his rightful crown.
The boy growing into a man has many adventures, working as a hired sword and learning his way in the world. This world is complicated, with many factions competing for power. Some of these factions use magic and others use good old fashioned swordplay. I did enjoy the whole thing although there are a lot of characters to keep track of.
I feel the writer does not have a good grasp of the English language. Many times the wrong word was used, or maybe the wrong form of a word. A good editor could help a lot.
All in all, this is a good book for anyone who enjoys a well-developed Fantasy world.
The boy growing into a man has many adventures, working as a hired sword and learning his way in the world. This world is complicated, with many factions competing for power. Some of these factions use magic and others use good old fashioned swordplay. I did enjoy the whole thing although there are a lot of characters to keep track of.
I feel the writer does not have a good grasp of the English language. Many times the wrong word was used, or maybe the wrong form of a word. A good editor could help a lot.
All in all, this is a good book for anyone who enjoys a well-developed Fantasy world.
April 17, 2018
An amazing addition to the Fantasy genre. Errant is a story delivered from 2 points of view - first that of Codrin, a young heir to the throne, forced to run away and fend for himself. Second is that of Jara, whose husband, a Signeur, is murdered and their lands taken over. Both stories inter vine pretty soon and what results is a story of Jara and Codrin try to survive.
While Errant has great characters, world building and a sufficient level of a larger mystery built in, it really stands out on 2 aspects: First is the description of the inner court strategies devised and implemented by various characters. Second aspect is the description of the scenes of various battles.
If I had to identify a minor flaw, I would say that the last few pages feel a little rushed. But never the less, I am really looking forward to the second part of this story. I will certainly be one of the first few to go out and buy the sequel, whenever it is out.
While Errant has great characters, world building and a sufficient level of a larger mystery built in, it really stands out on 2 aspects: First is the description of the inner court strategies devised and implemented by various characters. Second aspect is the description of the scenes of various battles.
If I had to identify a minor flaw, I would say that the last few pages feel a little rushed. But never the less, I am really looking forward to the second part of this story. I will certainly be one of the first few to go out and buy the sequel, whenever it is out.
May 7, 2020
Reminiscent of Tolkien, right down to the maps that open various sections, Florian Armas’ “Errant” is a fantasy tale with romantic elements. The two leads, Codrin and Jara, have been wronged and placed in the middle of numerous conflicts, both political and on the battlefield. It’s a lengthy book, but that shouldn’t be an issue for fantasy fans. Personally, the book’s greatest failing is in the author’s often clumsy prose, which at times blunts the impact of what should be significant moments. While some sequences, like a few of the action scenes, convey the drama well, there are other moments that are simply difficult to follow. A mixed bag, but an impressive effort.
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