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Heath Pfaff

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Servant of Steel (Chaos Awakens Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Heath Pfaff (Author), Hannah Bartlett (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 158 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Chaos Awakens

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By the author of amazon.com/The-Hungering-Saga-Complete-ebook/dp/B006ELWCK0 The Hungering Saga Complete, the beginning of a brand new series!

Servant of Steel

Having two of his fingers cut off at an early age hadn't done much to make Xandrith an agreeable fellow. Besides marking him as a pariah and having him shunned by even his own family, it had also hurt. A lot. Being stripped of a few of his fingers and cast out of the Order of Mages had left him bitter and angry, but if there was any consolation to be had it was that he was doing rather well in his new line of work. While perforating people for money might not have been the most noble of callings, it was quite lucrative. Well, it had been quite lucrative.

In a conspiracy of fate seemingly beyond his control, Xan soon finds himself facing a dilemma of conscience, and that isn't something he's familiar with. One dilemma leads to another, and before long the mage-turned-assassin finds himself performing more and more honorable deeds. Worse yet, without even attempting to do so he manages to acquire friends and to develop a sense of compassion.

As Xan struggles with his burgeoning humanity, a terrible darkness begins to wake in the world. The Order of Mages, once an overbearing power of control, seems to be losing its grip as a terrifying doom of their own creation rises in the north. As if that wasn't enough, the horror brought upon the world by the folly of the mages may only be the precursor to something far more sinister.

For more books by Heath Pfaff, have a look at the following:
Servant of Steel (Chaos Awakens 1) amazon.com/Servant-Steel-Chaos-Awakens-ebook/dp/B00CHVBO4QCrown of Steel (Chaos Awakens 2) amazon.com/Crown-Steel-Chaos-Awakens-Book-ebook/dp/B00ITY954QCity of Steel (Chaos Awakens 3) amazon.com/City-Steel-Chaos-Awakens-Book-ebook/dp/B00SDJ7CII
The Hungering Saga Complete amazon.com/The-Hungering-Saga-Complete-ebook/dp/B006ELWCK0The Noble Fool (Hungering Saga 1) amazon.com/The-Noble-Fool-Hungering-ebook/dp/B006JGUEDCThe Vengeful Malice (Hungering Saga 2) amazon.com/The-Vengeful-Malice-Hungering-ebook/dp/B007DJK8DKThe Snow Song (Hungering Saga 3) amazon.com/The-Snow-Song-Hungering-ebook/dp/B00CQO5GF2God Ender [SHORT] amazon.com/God-Ender-ebook/dp/B0088GBCL4Seventh [SHORT] amazon.com/Seventh-The-Marching-Darkness-ebook/dp/B007X09H22

Thank you for taking interest in an independent writer! Your support aids us in improving the quality of our final products, and encourages creativity and innovation beyond what the major publication houses will print. For up to the date information on Heath's latest projects, contests, and inane ramblings follow us on Facebook facebook.com/heathpfaff/

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CHVBO4Q
Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 1.0 edition (April 23, 2013)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 23, 2013
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1085 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 424 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #2,372,275 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #24,354 in Epic Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- #54,357 in Epic Fantasy (Books)
- #230,184 in Literature & Fiction (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.2 158 ratings

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Heath Pfaff

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Heath Pfaff is an author who lives in rural, western New York. He was born in a small town, and spent a good portion of his life growing up all over the world as part of a military family. He is married, and has many cats. Some might argue that he has TOO many cats.

He has been featured as one of the top 5 fantasy best sellers for his book series The Hungering Saga, and has since gone on to write several more successful novels. He enjoys engaging with his fans, playing video games, and watching horror films.

Among his primary influences are David Gemmell, Stephen King, Clive Barker, Robert Jordan and Terry Brooks.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

158 global ratings

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Nevernaught

Devastatingly appealing

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2013

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I took to the characters right away, it was easier to connect to the characters in this book than it was with the characters in the Hungering Saga (still a good read though)

Half way through I felt as though the story was coming to a close and was delighted to see there was plenty more to go. (I also wanted to write a review about how great the book was before I had finished, which almost never happens)

I enjoyed the magic system, even if we didn't get to see a lot of it in action, I enjoyed the pacing and was surprised a couple of times when I thought I had the next scene figured out. I also enjoyed the combat, which was simple yet very satisfying.

This is the type of book I hope I can write one day.

I am very interested in finding out what happens next and if the next book isn't out yet I'll be sure to pre-order it.

Read this book, love this book and get in line for more.

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Avid Reader with a Bit of Tech

A Great Read at this price point

Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2013

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This book has well developed characters and an interesting plot line. It is a cut above most fantasy novels at this price point. That being said, it had some spelling errors that really irked me. Such as misspelling "pier" as "peer" and in one instance "know" instead of "no". But all in all it is worth reading. I will definitely buy the next book in the series.

5 people found this helpful

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Jeremiah

Excellence in book form.

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2013

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The book is excellent. I love Heath's characters, and he has a way of instilling emotional attachment in the reader towards his characters. I feel sorrow for the circumstances that they face, and pride through their strength and accomplishment. There are quite a few similar themes between 'A Hungering Saga' (by the same Author, Heath Pfaff) so if you enjoyed that you will definitely love Servant of Steel. Despite the similar themes, they are still quite different. You will find yourself immersed in a new world wrought with it's own issues, and you'll be right there alongside Xan combating both morality and lethal foes.

Highly suggested, I could hardly put down my kindle while reading this.

4 people found this helpful

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TuaLaoch

Great story and world building, bad editing

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2013

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The story is very good and the world details keep filling in and adding to the enjoyment of the plot line. The characters are enjoyable, though I found the personality development of Xan to be jarring at times. The editing/proofreading is quite poor and can be very irritating. This is typical of e-published books, but I hope for improvement as e-publishing becomes a standard. Books published solely in electronic format appear to be edited merely by spell-checkers without taking grammar or context into account. Authors, editors, publishers, and proofreaders hear me, please! Do your readers a favor (we're paying for these works, after all) and take the time to really pore over your work and make sure your grammar and context are correct! Thank you!

10 people found this helpful

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Carol J

Such a Good Story

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2017

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This story was so good I could hardly put it down. I stopped writing reviews some 15 books or so ago but am compelled to write one now. Xandrith Dalt is an assassin. He is a force to be reckoned with...dangerous, witty, charming and so well developed that you actually feel as if you walk beside him during his dangerous adventures. Does Xand leave his well honed craft behind to face evils unknown? Well he did well into the story and battled wits with his bonesteel knife along the way. You have to read this book to learn what evil lurks for you and Xand!

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2014

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This books good, it tends on enjoying the suffering of the main character too much, as a crutch, but thats a style complaint, and style is something I think gets a pass when everything else works.

Definitely a good piece of fiction, worth your money. Just sort of understand that this is a bit of a downer in spots, and as a piece of escapism...acts like reality tv where you go thank his noodly appendage my life's not that! bad!

I liked it.

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smilingTolerantly

While annoying, those types of mistakes rarely take me out ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2014

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Overall, it's an entertaining read that is clearly in need of an editor.

I'm not anal about spelling and grammar. While annoying, those types of mistakes rarely take me out of the story. The area that really shows the need of an editor is the often meandering/rambling narrative, that will repeat itself on more than one occasion. It's natural to write by spilling one's thoughts onto the page, as one is caught up in telling a story, but it's the editor's job to catch this type of repetition and pull the chafe so to speak. There are many instances where the chafe should have been pulled.

As I said, putting the technical issues aside, the story is entertaining, though there is one plot point that does take the suspension of disbelief a bit far (sure, it's fantasy, but things should still make sense within the framework of the setting), and it concerns the obsession the mages appear to have with our protagonist.

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John Meissner

really enjoyed and looking forward to the next book

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2013

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I gave this 4/5 stars. I reserve 5 stars for books similar to "Mistborn" or "Name of the Wind". That said. I really enjoyed this book. I like dark heroes who start out or continue "on the wrong side" of things. There weren't any boring parts of this book and I really didn't want to put it down.

The hero in this book was enjoyable to follow and his development was fairly good. I say fairly because his first character change seemed slightly contrived but otherwise it progressed quite well.

The world building in this book was very good and everything seems to fit together and is believable. The history and politics meld wonderfully into the plot line.

I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

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Amazon Customer

Heath Pfaff does it again

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 20, 2013

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Another brilliant book by Heath Pfaff, thIs author think entirely outside the box he keeps coming up with better and better story's that are all like nothing else out there, I go through 2 to 3 books a week and if I'm honest most of these are just time killer waiting for the next Heath Pfaff book to come out,

Can't wait for the next instalment

Hurry up Heath

C. Law

easy to pick up and hard to put down

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2014

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As usual, easy to pick up and hard to put down. Xandrith is a really likeable character; complex and clearly struggling with complex - and oftentimes contradictory - feelings. He's better at stabbing people than socialising with them, yet is a natural born leader and attracts (female) friends. Any worries that he undergoes the classic anime powerup sequence is tempered by drip-feeded weakness. Heath Pfaff has a really great way of writing that doesn't tire the reader - clear but descriptive and not plodding.

As story lines go, it isn't the most original but Heath Pfaff has an interesting modern day slant on the standard fantasy tropes. He's not afraid to invoke magic, but at least goes some way to rationalise his creations. I wish that the Meccana were explained more deeply. The only other criticism is that sometimes his characters can seem a little too progressive. Afterall, we're at the cusp of pre-industrialisation of Central Appox, not the middle of it.

Damien Anderson

Superb story and amazing characters

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2013

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Once again I have fallen in love with a book by Heath Pfaff. Characters that make you care deeply about their fate and a genuinely moving story. Everyone should read this book an d his others for a moving and unique take on fantasy novels.

One person found this helpful

Zoe

Truly well crafted story.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2014

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Excellent story, hard to put down. Woven well with a fast pace. Liked the descriptions. The ability to create something new as a fantasy. Really hooked me so looking forward to the next book.

Book-Muse

Good but a bit pricey

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2013

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It has been some time since I've read a book with an assassin as the main character. The last one I believe was Brent Weeks, since then I've shyed away from those particular story lines, as I felt they've been done to death (no pun intended).

The novel starts of with our protagonist, Xandrith or Xan, for short heading of to meet a client, who seeks the death of a mage. And from here the story takes off. The book starts off with a pace to it that immediately drew me in and got me turning the pages, eager to read on.

The author, Heath Pfaff, has created a character in Xan that I instantly came to like. He wasn't your typical silent, broody - mood killer to be around - type of character that you normally find in assassins. Instead what Pfaff gave us was an intelligent, thoughtful and more importantly realistic character. Someone who you can imagine being a killer - an assassin born out of necessity from his environment.

It was only during the middle section of the book did my thoughts begin to wander. The storyline almost abruptly changes and without trying give too much away, a major character in the book suddenly becomes obsolete and fades to the background. Which I found a great shame as I really enjoyed the character. And from there on, the book failed to grip me with the same intense fascination as the beginning did. I found myself almost hesitantly drifting through large sections of text, ploughing on with the hope that the story might pick up.

Which it did, I'm glad to say, but not until the last few chapters. The book ends with a cliff hanger, not a dramatic one in which I'm agonising over the days until the next installment but one in which I'm curious as to see what happens next.

The book is rather costly and I can imagine that putting off quite a few perspective readers but the author has clearly invested a lot of energy into producing a book that can rival published books in terms of cover art, editing, grammar etc. At no point in the book did I stop to re-read a sentence because it didn't flow or look right and I certainly didn't find any glaring spelling mistakes.

I was tempted to give it a 4 stars but in the end I opted for a 3. If I had gone into decimals then I would have given it 3.99. I will be keeping an eye out for the sequel, but more out of curiosity than anticipation.

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Servant of Steel (Chaos Awakens Book 1) Kindle Edition

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