Hello Everyone,
Book Title: Never Die
Author: Rob J Hayes
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: self published (?)
Page Count: 300
Series: Standalone, but part of the Mortal Techniques series.
Goodreads Summary:
The Mortal Techniques novels are a series of stand-alone stories that can be read entirely independently, set in the award-winning Mortal Techniques universe.
Samurai, shinigami, vengeful spirits, and an impossible quest.
The Emperor of Ten Kings has plunged Hosa into war, and the gods are angry.
When the god of death gives Ein a mission to kill the immortal emperor, he knows he can’t do it alone. He needs allies, heroes who will fight for him. How else can an eight-year-old boy hope to do the impossible?
Whispering Blade, Iron Gut Chen, the Century Blade, and Flaming Fist. These are all names of legend. And the god of death has given Ein a way to bind them to his cause. There is only one catch. In order to serve him, they must first die.
Never Die is a stand alone set in the world of Mortal Techniques. It’s a wuxia adventure filled with samurai, shinigami, heroes, and vengeful spirits.
My Thoughts:
First Rob J Hayes book and it didn’t disappoint!
My Review:
Rob J Hayes is a new to me author. I’ve seen his work be praised by Mark Lawrence (another author I’ve yet to read) and I have finally taken the plunge and tried out Never Die. It started out strong, with characters aplenty. It definitely had that familiar grimdark feel and I liked where this was going. But there were parts where I didn’t fully connect with the characters and overall some of the story felt not quite for me. I can’t put my finger on why. Great writing, good characters, maybe it’s just that it’s been a bit since I read anything like this?
Never Die starts off with a character known as Whispering Blade attempting and failing to defend innocents. She’s brutally cut down (quite literally) and a boy, Ein, brings her back, binding her to him. He needs her help, in killing someone that he himself can’t kill.
What follows is a good hell of a story, and I was sucked in from the beginning. Lots of good lines in regards to honor, loyalty and strength. I’m definitely a fan of Hayes and looking forward to grabbing his next book.
My final rating: 4 ⭐.
Until next time,
-Pass Me That Book
Pass Me That Book 