MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.75/5
Format: Kindle eBook (1st read), Audiobook (2nd read)
BOOK DESCRIPTION
A flintlock fantasy novel set in a universe with muskets, magic, music, and dragons… though they are not like the usual stories.
On the frontier of a new, mostly undiscovered continent, an old war hero hiding from the mistakes of his past, a sorcerous bard trying to keep his secrets, a native chief looking to save her people, a hulking hunter from across the world, and a strange, young girl will all come to learn that a renegade’s only friend is another renegade.
MY REVIEW
First and foremost, I owe a huge thanks to Mario Mendoza, a mutual friend of mine and Steve’s for introducing us, if you’re reading this, just know we both appreciate you! That introduction let me point Steve in the direction of where he could get the most help and feedback as a new independent author, but rest assured, none of this has influenced my rating or review in any way.
The Way of Renegades is a stellar debut, bursting with a diverse, captivating cast and an imaginative, largely uncharted world riding the crest of an industrial boom. Muskets, magic, and a wild frontier collide in a fresh, vibrant setting. Knowing Steve’s a big Joe Abercrombie fan, I spotted that influence in the gritty yet accessible prose, complete with a clever nod to Abercrombie that’s a delightful touch. I also couldn’t help but wonder if Steve, a military veteran, wove some of his real-world experiences into this fantasy tapestry of mages, bards, and dragons, which I find very fascinating.
This is a character-driven tale, and Steve dives deep, exposing each character’s flaws while keeping them likable. The multi-POV storytelling introduces us to Ulric, a former war hero in exile; Dellioph, a magical bard with secrets; Gali, the future chief of her tribe; and the enigmatic Devo and Aari. Each feels distinct, their clashing personalities and hidden truths sparking tension that keeps things lively. Picking a favorite is tough, Dellioph hooked me pretty early, but Ulric, Devo, and Aari grew on me as the story went on, and I can’t wait to find out just what it is between them all. Even side characters, like the uniquely compelling Andrastos, feel vital to the story, and I hope his role expands in future books.
“He’d learned long ago that people always want to be amazed. They may try to demonstrate restraint upon first glance, then gracefully ease into disappointment when a performer doesn’t meet the required threshold for their awe, but no matter how minuscule, men always bear the hope that they will be enchanted and delighted.”
Steve’s world-building is top-notch, painting vivid scenes that pulled me right into the story, as he weaves descriptions methodically, making the world feel alive without overwhelming the narrative. Surprisingly, given the Abercrombie influence, it’s not as dark as I expected, striking a balance between gritty realism and adventurous spirit with some heart-pounding moments. The action, though less frequent than I anticipated, is well-paced to keep you engaged while fleshing out the characters and plot. Three major scenes had me glued to the page… I may have sat in my truck for over twenty minutes finishing the chapter to see how it ended.
The magic system, or sorcery, is a highlight, with real consequences that drain its users, preventing it from feeling overpowered. Two characters wield it, and I loved how Steve describes one seeing music as colors. It reminded me of a character in the show Heroes who had a similar power, which I always thought was so cool. Just recently, I learned about a phenomenon called synesthesia, where sound can trigger colors, and that connection made those scenes even more vivid in my mind. I did expect more dragons, given the series title and tagline, but while they’re present, their role feels like a setup for bigger things to come.
Steve’s onto something special with this epic flintlock fantasy, and I think he’s poised to make waves as he hones his craft. I had this pegged at a solid 4.0–4.25, but the final 15–20% of the book pushed it to a 4.5. Then I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Steven Pacey, to prep for the ARC of The Sound of Change, and wow, Pacey absolutely kills it! His narration breathes extra life into the story, giving each character a distinct voice, from Ulric’s Austrian twang that kept making me hear Arnold Schwarzenegger to Devo’s Scottish lilt, that screamed Shrek. Pacey’s performance elevated the characters and world so much that I’m bumping this to a 4.75.
Way of Renegades has left me hungry for more of Steve’s world and flintlock fantasy as a whole, to the point that I think I should be adding more of this genre to my TBR cache.
Wolfmantula.com 