Flank Hawk [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

Zombies are never a good thing. Souled zombies, ones that can independently think and act, are even worse. Then there are the goblins, ogres, seers, wizards, and more in this time nearly 3000 years in the future where magic is prevalent, dragons fly, and the evil necromancer king seeks to rule the world. The good people and creatures are far outnumbered by those bent on war and conquest. Those that can harness the most magic can turn the tide of battle -at least for now.

For Krish and his cousin Guzzy, the recent battles outside of their small village have been more then the annual minor attacks designed to disrupt the yearly harvest. The young men fight to defend their village, Pine Ridge, and to protect all they hold dear. With swords and spears protected by magic and salt, they fight on as the enemy in many different forms continues to press the attack and people they know die around them. Back up is on the way as kingdoms make alliances in order to slow the advance of those loyal to the evil necromancer king. One such alliance allows Prince Reveron of Kreese to eventually take over and lead the small group Krish is part of into battle. Krish becomes noticed not only by the Prince but by others and gradually works his way deeper and deeper into the circle of those that Prince Reveron trusts. While Krish may not have had formal military training, he acquires battle skills at a rapid rate and has certain other skills that he continues to try to keep hidden from those around him.

Nearly any fantasy story has to have an epic quest. The one Krish is sent on is huge and could mean the fate of the world as well as what is left of humanity, forever changed in our times, could massively change again. That is assuming he can survive and complete a quest that is nearly impossible from the start. The good thing is he will get some help. The bad thing is that the little help he gets most likely will not nearly be enough.

Blending a fantasy line set nearly 3000 years in the future heavily reliant on magic with a modern day cold and dispassionate tale of technology mercilessly doing exactly what it was designed to do resulting in horrific results, is not easy. Author Terry Ervin makes it look easy as he captivates readers for 288 pages in this very complex book.

Filled with interesting characters, this fully formed world is strangely different and yet at times very relevant to our modern day world of today. Krish is a man who develops throughout the book while never losing his awe at what forces are arrayed against him. Nor does he lose his own sense of purpose and place despite realistic periods of self-doubt and contemplation. The same core values that come across in the first few pages are still there at the end in a smarter more seasoned character.

In a world where nightmares and worse of a child are very much real and life does not last long, Krish battles and delights readers. It is a world that could happen. May even happen as technology spreads and is always vulnerable to use by those bent on power and greed.

The book is highly recommended as "FLANK HAWK "is a mighty good read.

Material provided quite some time ago by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2011

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, the characters are interesting, and the story never dull. Not to mention the fascinating underlying concept of Nazi technology being introduced into a world of swords and sorcery. I'm definitely looking forward to a sequel.

Dragons, zombies and panzers, oh my! Add in Stukas, goblins, ogres, m'unicorn war steeds and elemental monsters and you get an idea of what you're up against. Flank Hawk is a smorgasbord of fantasy and modern technology and it all works. The imagination this author possesses is astounding. Mr. Ervin seamlessly blends all the elements into a book that you'll find hard to stop reading once you start.

The story follows Krish, a wide-eyed farm boy who goes off to war against the Necromancer King. Through a series of battles, he finds himself paired with Road Toad, a disgraced dragon rider turned mercenary. It is during one of the vicious and devastating battles that Krish earns his mercenary name of Flank Hawk. Road Toad takes Flank Hawk under his wing and teaches the young boy some of the finer points of being a mercenary and some much needed sword-fighting skills.

While on a scouting mission with Prince Reveron of Keesee, Road Toad and a small contingent of elite soldiers, their position is betrayed and events are set into motion that will start Flank Hawk on an impossible quest. He must find the fabled Colonel of the West and barter the royal family's Blood-Sword for a way to stop the evil Necromancer King's advance across the kingdom. This is where the book becomes even more exciting. There is barely a chapter that goes by before something new and unexpected is thrown into the plot.

My favorite character was the Crusader Paul Jedidiah Roos from the Reunited Kingdom who Flank Hawk meets on his quest. All in all there are a number of wonderful characters in this book and I commend the author on such a well-written book. I highly recommend this book for all those readers who love fantasy and science fiction.