Friday, November 29, 2013

Blog Tour: The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo by Marshall Best


On Tour with Prism Book Tours...

The Legendary Tour


As the lighting blazed in a dancing, arcing column to the sky, a voice deep and powerful as thunder said, “My son, today my powers are bestowed upon you.”

This tour goes back to the age of legends. The author has taken a deep dive into rich history, bringing his love of fantasy with him. 

Guiamo Review

We first meet Guiamo as a 10-year-old boy who gets abandoned at the side of the road by his Aunt and Uncle. We later learn that his father died when he was 5 and his mother and older brother died when he was 8. His aunt and uncle reluctantly took him in which is why they have no problem abandoning him. Fortunately, he's near some fishermen and one of them, Calidius, takes him in. After Calidius hears his story, he says, "Work diligently on the nets, and your life will improve. The lot of a fisherman is a life of hard work, but it is honest work, and there is honor in that. We also eat well, and that is one of life's greatest joys." Guiamo learns to fish and begins looking for ways to do it more efficiently.

When he's learned all he can from Calidius and the other fishermen, Calidius sends him to Gabinius, telling him to stay with him for three years and the lessons he learns there will prove valuable to Guiamo. Guiamo is sad to leave what has become his home but quickly adjusts to life with Gabinius and starts making improvements in his new location. He becomes friends with Ursius who trains dogs for the Roman army and their friendship continues throughout the book. He learns more about who he is and develops his gifts and continues to invent new things to make life easier and more efficient for those around him.

This book is the beginning of quite a journey! Guiamo is a character that is easy to love and invest in. I'm fascinated with him and the wisdom he possesses at such a young age. He's quite an inventor, as he's always looking for ways to improve life. He takes life in stride and looks for the good in it, never screaming and shouting that life is unfair or questioning why certain things happen to him. He does seem to have a moment of sadness at what he's left behind but always seems ready for the next adventure.

We also start to get glimpses of even greater things that Guiamo is destined to do in his life. He received a sword which has some amazing history and he learns more about his personal connection to it and how it can help him. There's also a curse that is revealed which gives some foreshadowing into his future. At then end, I was definitely ready to keep reading more!

My Rating=4.5 stars

Cumoro Review

The adventures of Guiamo continue! This book starts with Guiamo landing in Albion with Caesar's ships. He wanted to conduct business there so he went as part of Caesar's army with his good friend Ursius and the dogs. One day, while out with the Roman army, Guiamo became very sick and fainted. In the meantime, the rest of the Romans he was with were ambushed and their bodies were burned. Finding no survivors, Guiamo was presumed dead. We find out he's still alive and is taken before King Eterlam, who gives him a new name (Cumoro). The King is suspicious of Guiamo and ready to put him to death but with the help of his sword, Guiamo's life is spared and he tells the King his story. When the King realizes how powerful Guiamo is, he allows his training to continue but he is not able to return to the Romans.

There's a lot of fighting in this book and Guiamo is able to employ new strategies and gain the respect of the men around him. In one of the battles, something strange happens with his sword and he is able to learn more about the history behind his sword. The book felt like it wrapped up pretty well but the ending definitely left me ready for the next adventure!

These are not quick, light easy reads so they've taken me a while to read and because of that, I've only been able to read the first two. They are so interesting, though, and worth reading for the rich storytelling and history they contain. The author has definitely done his research. I like the way certain details are brought back into the story later on so I feel that every part of the story is significant. I also love what I'm learning from Guiamo's character and how he deals with the situations he finds himself in. This is a time period I'm not familiar with and I'm enjoying learning more about it through such an interesting character.

My only complaint is that I wish there was a Cast of Characters that I could refer to when I forget who someone is. There are lots of unfamiliar names and terms (which there is a Glossary for in the back) and it can take a while for me to figure out what's going on or remember who a certain person is. I plan to read the other two as soon as I can. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is a series that is definitely worth reading!

My Rating=5 Stars


Special Tour Price!!!
$3 off each book through Createspace.

(Click on the cover to take you there.)
Guiamo (The Chronicles of G... Cumoro (The Chronicles of G... Morlanos (The Chronicles of... Inis Emain Ablach (The Chro...
Use coupon code: GS9D2K7C 

Combining legitimate legends with actual historical events, Marshall Best weaves an epic story that portrays the ancient world as it might have been, a world which the ancient historians recorded as fact; a time when gods ruled the earth and strange creatures dominated the land. It is the era of civilized conquerors exploring distant and primitive new lands. Scant recordings left to us today only touch on the fringe of the fantastic and brutal reality that existed in those distant lands of the west. 


Into this age, young Guiamo enters the world stage as the great game-changer, and by his hand the gods and beasts become destined to disappear into myth and legend.





The Chronicles:

Guiamo (The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo, #1)
Guiamo

In 60 B.C., ten-year-old Guiamo Durmius Stolo, an exceptionally gifted Roman orphan, is abandoned in Gaul . Left to fend for himself, Guiamo is set onto a path of legend. Recognized by the gods as having world-changing talents, he is given a weapon that changes his destiny and the world’s forever. 



Cumoro (The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo, #2)

Guiamo Durmius Stolo sails in 55 B.C. with Rome’s 7th Legion as Julius Caesar invades Britain. But Caesar has not before encountered the Fomori, a dominion of wicked creatures which wage war against the human inhabitants and dominate much of Britain. Armed with his god-made spear, Guiamo joins with the tribal kings against their Fomori foe when Caesar departs. 




Having destroyed the Fomori in Britain , Guiamo Durmius Stolo decides in 51 B.C. to bring the Cruthin people, once slaves to the Fomori, to Ireland , but encounters the Fomori who reside there as well. Guiamo discovers that the gods venerated by the Druids are unworthy. The gods are displeased with him and begin to work against him.




In 50 B.C. Guiamo Durmius Stolo finds himself victor over the detested Fomori whose leader, Cichol, is slain and those few who survived are scattered. Guiamo explores the secret places where Cichol kept his most important secrets and discovers there the treasures of Cichol's master, the goddess Domnu.



Goodreads * Creatspace * Smashwords




The Author:


Marshall BestMarshall Best is an avid reader, father of six and business owner. In the past several years he has found his love of writing as well. What began as a desire to write a story for his children has evolved into a nine book series.

Marshall has done extensive research into the history behind the legends, people and places of England, Scotland and Ireland involved in his books. He loves being able to weave real people and legends into his stories making them come alive. He is definitely a writer that tends to the details often mapping out timetables, calendars, geneologies, etc. that pertain to his book to ensure that it is as realistic as possible. 

Marshall also enjoys putting real life issues into his books, delving into a bit of philosophy while entertaining with orcs, dragons, magic and battles. He is someone who loves a grand adventure but makes sure it's not a shallow one.



Tour-Wide Giveaway:


-One print set signed by author – world wide giveaway
-One complete e-book set – codes provided to smashwords
-Two winners: e-book of Cumoro and a $5 Amazon gift card each
-Two winners: e-book of Morlanos and a $5 Amazon gift card each
-Two winners: e-book of Inis Emain Ablach and a $5 Amazon gift card each

Ends 12/20. Please see restrictions on Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Chronicles of Guiamo as they unfold on...

The Legendary Tour:


11/25: Launch
11/29: Mel's Shelves 
12/1: Life as Leels 
12/4: Bookworm Lisa 
12/5: Mythical Books 
12/11: Mortal Moments 
12/13: Grande Finale




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3 comments:

Unknown said...

One of these days I am going to learn how to do more detailed reviews like you and Tressa @ Tressa's Wishful Endings! GREAT review! This series is so fun! I am so glad to be part of this tour!

Melanie said...

Paij, I loved your reviews on these and think you're doing a great job! It is a great series and I'm excited to read the other two!

Tressa @ Wishful Endings said...

Thanks, Melanie!

Tressa @ Tressa's Wishful Endings

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