New York Times Bestselling Author R. A. Salvatore, author of Gauntlgrym: Neverwinter, Book I
“It’s always refreshing to read the work — the lifelong
love — of a promising beginning author. There’s something fresh and
strong and full of energy in these books, the very energy that turned me on to
the limitless promise of fantasy in the first place. As the publishing business
has become one of narrow margins and risk-aversion, we’re losing these
hidden treasures and this first-book energy, and while that might be something
positive for the next quarter’s bottom line, it’s surely not a
recipe for a healthy genre!
“So reading Jeff Getzin’s
Prince of Bryanae brought me back to that
special place I haven’t visited in a long time, that place where the
author’s energy and love for his or her magical vision is pure and fresh.
Indeed, the rough edges make the charm all the more inspiring.
“It’s the world-building that makes
Prince of Bryanae truly sing;
it’s so obvious that Jeff Getzin has spent years living in this world,
learning this world, falling in love with this world and making this world a
place where he can share with us so many wonderful adventures.”
Mike Freeman, author of The New York Times notable book Bloody Sundays
“Getzin makes you feel like a part of the intricate and
fascinating world he’s created. This is solid storytelling
and spicy yarns. Once inside, you won’t want to
leave.”
— Mike Freeman,
author of
The New York Times
notable book
Bloody Sundays
Billie Sue Mosiman, author of Legions of the Dark
“This is a splendid book full of adventure and a sympathetic character in
Willow. The story has heart and excitement. I'd recommend it to anyone who
loves a rollicking good fantasy. Jeffrey Getzin is a writer to watch.”
Scotti Cohn, author of Liberty’s Children
“I recommend [Prince of Bryanae] to anyone who enjoys a good story with
nonstop action and suspense, combined with strong, memorable characters and
an imaginative setting.”
Rebecca Kyle, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer
“There’s no enemy that creates more terror than one made
in childhood. Willow wreaks elven-made mayhem on her people’s
conqueror with determination and grit. I haven’t seen a
fantasy heroine that I admired and respected this much since
reading Elizabeth Moon’s
Paksenarrion.”
PaulaZone
“A novel that will keep all readers entertained and as the
journey progresses, [
Prince of Bryanae] has an ending that
will suit readers fine, but also leave them wanting
more.”
Sabrina O'Malone, author of Prayers for the Working Mom
“Every once in a while a book comes along that can make you both laugh and
cry, and keeps you turning page after page on a journey with the characters as
the story unfolds. Jeffrey Getzin has created a masterpiece with his debut novel
Prince of Bryanae.”
Rick Friedman, Founder, The James Mason Community Book Club
“‘After over a century of valiant service, the elven soldier
Willow has buried her past so deeply that even she has forgotten it.
But it hasn't forgotten her. Now old enemies have found her and have
kidnapped the Prince of Bryanae before her very eyes’ — A quick intro
into an extraordinary world created by Jeffrey Getzin. Occupied by
characters so unique and so finely drawn by a mangificent writer, the
reader is truly tansported into Mr. Getzin’s magical yet dangerous
world. The elven soldier Willow serves as the anchor and eyes into
this most original Fantasy epic — and a fine central character she
is — in the hands of a lesser writer, Willow could easily be relegated
into a one dimensional standard ‘heroine’ but in the hands of Jeffrey
Getzin, she is very much multi-dimentional — something that can be said
for each character as well as this most superb Fantasy as a whole. AN OFFICIAL
JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ ”
K. R. Schulteis, author of Calling
“I’m a sucker for fantasy — and the fact that one of my favorite
fantasy authors, R. A. Salvatore, had read the book and gave it favorable praise
in its treatment of its world development gave me good reason to feel comfortable
I knew what I was getting when I purchased the book.
“I was not disappointed. Mr. Getzin has built a believable world and populated it
with realistic characters. The main character, Willow, has a depth not always
common in this genre. She is completely broken inside but with enough steel,
literally in the form of her rapier, to withstand a long life spent trying to
forget her past.
“What struck me most about the book was the insight Getzin seems to have into the
bitterness of dysfunctional relationships and the way our past can scar us even
into our adulthood. Who Willow is at the beginning of the book, and why she is the
way she is becomes glaringly clear at the end. It is painful to read through at
times due to its graphic nature but Getzin’s treatment of the worst is well done
without resorting to gratuitous violence. In the end, Willow grows. How Getzin
treats that growth process is innovative, tender and honest.
“The only thing that kept me from going over to five stars immediately is that I
would have liked to have seen glimpses of Willow’s backstory interspersed more
throughout the book than it is versus the tell-all section where her full backstory
is revealed. That is merely a personal preference.
“This book may not be for the casual fantasy reader looking for a light romp into
the realm of elves and magic and younger readers may not appreciate the subtleties
of Willow’s transformation or its cause. The magic is a matter of course, often
taking a back seat to the main character’s development. But there is no shortage
of action with an abundance of description that brings the battles to life and
drills home the brutality of the victorious. If you prefer the R. A. Salvatore
style, you will like this book. If you like characters with depth, that break
the traditional hero mold while retaining their super hero like qualities, you
will appreciate Willow and to a lesser degree, Telemvar. For the villain minded,
pay special attention to Tee-Ri. She practically eclipses Lord Rackal who holds
his own in the anals of the hated.”
— K. R. Schulteis,
author of
Calling
Lisa Pietsch, author of The Path to Freedom
Just started and had a hard time pulling away after the first chapter!
Getzin gets it! Great story, great characters, great world.
Definitely worth the read!
Carlyle Clark, co-author of The Apocalypse Gene
PRINCE OF BRYANAE is subtler and more complex than the slaughter-fest cover would have you believe. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of violence and mayhem, so don't read that the protagonist Willow is an elf and expect a Young Adulty type fantasy. This ain't that, and it ain't for the faint of heart. With that disclaimer, I'll say that for those who do read it, you get an interesting look at the hard-ass, anti-social type character prevalent in fantasy fiction as well as many other genres, but her you get an in-depth looks at what sort of back-story a character/person would have to have to end up that character. And rather than being forced to wade through endless introspection like you might in a literary fiction novel, Getzin delivers it in an excellent pacey piece filled with action and plenty of little and big surprises, twists, and betrayals, which are executed properly. Which is to say it makes sense that the character did what they did rather than it suited the author and the plot to have them do something that was out-of-character. Also, Getzin balances the dark with good bits of humor.
I recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys action-packed fantasy that is dark and at times disturbing, but mixed with humor and three-dimensional characters.
Barb Caffrey, co-author of Bright As Diamonds
Jeff Getzin's Dark Debut Fantasy Succeeds on Every Level
PRINCE OF BRYANAE is about Willow, an Elven soldier and commander who is a consummate fighter and strategist. However, due to some real trouble in her past, she's been unable to form close friendships, much less anything else, with anyone. Her life is all about duty and honor.
Then, something terrible happens to Willow that keeps her from fighting; this allows the Prince of Bryanae, who'd been among those she'd been sworn to protect, to get kidnapped. She sees this happen, can do nothing, and is branded a coward and a traitor despite her many years of meritorious service.
So she decides to go after the kidnappers, even though they have a strange power over her she doesn't really understand; she can't leave the Prince of Bryanae to an undeserved fate no matter how difficult dealing with these people will be.
The rest of the novel is about how Willow comes into her own, how she and the Prince of Bryanae forge a remarkable friendship, and is all about the twain facing down their fears, singly and together.
I enjoyed this novel thoroughly and believe that if you enjoy young adult fantasy or darker fantasies (as some of what Willow's gone through in the past is horrific, and the people she must face down to get the Prince back are just as bad if not worse), you will love PRINCE OF BRYANAE as much as I did.
Five stars, highly recommended.