Author Reading - THE BATTLE THAT WAS LOST by Michael S. Jackson

Out of This World SFF couldn't be more excited to be hosting a special author reading of the fantasy novella THE BATTLE THAT WAS LOST by Michael S. Jackson. This novella is set in the same universe as Michael's intriguing and captivating first book in the Ringlander series, The Path and the Way, and Michael has been gracious enough to allow me to present a video that he created of him doing a reading from it. I've watched it in its entirety and it is really fantastic, so you should definitely check this out! 

And as an added bonus I was fortunate enough to have read this novella a few weeks ago, so I will be providing my full review after the reading for those who are interested. 

But let's get on with the show, shall we?

Out of This World SFF is happy to bring you fantasy author Michael S. Jackson reading from his brand new Ringlander novella THE BATTLE THAT WAS LOST!!!

That was amazing! Hope you enjoyed it. I know that I did and it also made me super excited to read book two in the Ringlander series once it is officially released in a few months.

Now for that review I promised you! 

Review

Michael S. Jackson's Ringlander: The Path and the Way was a fantasy revelation last year, so much so that it ultimately made it onto my top 10 reads of 2021. I was incredibly impressed with how a debut author could pull off such an amazingly tight story teeming with next level worldbuilding, the coolest magic, and characters who left me feeling as if I knew them all personally. And yet Jackson did it all beautifully with the writing chops of a seasoned pro.

Recently I was made aware that Jackson would be releasing a short novella titled THE BATTLE THAT WAS LOST, a standalone prequel set in the same Ringlander universe and detailing events that take place around a particular battle that is integral to the overall story. I begged him for an advance copy (well, maybe not begged, but I really wanted to read it and he kindly obliged). And so with that I embarked on this fiftyish page novella with a great deal of curiosity as to how exactly this would all tie in and if it would move me in the same way that the first full-length novel did.

The novella drops us right into the heart of the battle through the eyes of a couple of mercenaries, Qor and Staegrim, among others. They've found themselves in the thick of things as they watch the events unfolding between the dreaded and merciless occupiers the Bohr and a group of dedicated yet fairly undermanned rebels of the resistance, the Tsiorc. But this isn't a novella that simply describes a battle and nothing else. Rather, we get to see through the use of flashbacks in the dialogue moments in time that have played a part in the relationships of some of the characters. And this is where I was completely floored once again by Michael S. Jackson's talent of storytelling.

I didn't expect to get such depth of characterization in a 58-page novella, but that's exactly what I got. I was surprised that in the short time that I had with these mercenaries, I actually felt sympathy and nervous for them as they got closer and closer to the action. And another thing that I quickly became aware of is that this novella sheds a different light on some of the things that came out of book one. In that respect, it is a truly genius addition to the story arc that just made my anticipation for book two only that much greater. I mean, I really need book two, now! I came away from this novella with considerably more than I thought I would given its relative shortness in length.

In the end I believe this is an essential and entertaining element to the larger story and I was glad that I got a chance to experience it. This is a novella that not only expands the story in the first book, but compliments it in such a way as to make it that much more impactful. If you haven't read the Ringlander books yet, I would do so soon because it's a series that delights on every single level imaginable. I can't remember a fantasy series that had me this enraptured and fascinated with its history and worldbuilding, And I'm happy to say that THE BATTLE THAT WAS LOST only serves to add to that high quality of storytelling.

Rating:

You can preorder THE BATTLE THAT WAS LOST right now from The Broken Binding.

About the Author

Michael became a writer to explore, worlds, words and people. Throw in a love of all things science and the Ringlander universe was the inevitable outcome.

When not writing, or thinking about writing, Michael spends time with family, plays drums, designs, codes and fights off the little voice that beckons him constantly to sit down and do nothing.

You can connect with Michael S. Jackson and his books online via his Website, Twitter, and Goodreads.