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Knight Watch #2
Valhellions
AN AGENT OF KNIGHT WATCH, TASKED TO PROTECT HUMANITY FROM SUPERNATURAL ENEMIES, MUST GO TO HELL AND BACK TO CLEAR HIS NAME AND SAVE THE WORLD
When John Rast signed up for Knight Watch, he expected it to be all fighting dragons and rescuing maidens. You know, hero stuff. But instead he’s stuck patrolling game conventions and cosplayer competitions, looking for dangerous anachronisms and the villains who may be trying to exploit them. Fortunately, all that changes when an honest-to-goodness necromancer shows up wielding a weapon created by Nazi occultists and accompanied by some badass evil Valkyries, hell-bent on kicking off the end of the world.
John and the team will go to great lengths—even Minnesota—to find out who’s responsible for all this and foil their plans. Also, there’s a giant dog who thinks the moon is a ball. It’s epic.
About Valhellions :
"Akers' novel puts the fantasy in urban fantasy, with real-world-dwelling fantastical characters similar to Jim Butcher and ridiculous set pieces reminiscent of Terry Pratchett." -- Booklist (starred review)
About Knight's Watch :
“Buckle up and get ready for a fun ride. Tim Akers delivers an epic story about weekend ren faire warriors versus actual monsters. Best fictional use of a Volvo station wagon ever.” —Larry Correia
About Tim
“A must for all epic fantasy fans.” — Starburst
“Full of strong world building, cinematic and frequent battle scenes, high adventure, great characters, suspense, and dramatic plot shifts, this is an engaging, fast-paced entry in a popular subgenre.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Take a bit of fantasy, mix in the horror of the demonic, and put in some top-notch writing and you’ll have Akers’ latest novel.” — Hellnotes
“Fast-paced . . . an epic fantasy story with action, intrigue and a good story.” — RPG
“Delivers enough twists and surprises to keep readers fascinated . . . contains action, grittiness, magic, intrigue and well created characters.” — Rising Shadow
“An extremely well-developed secondary world.” — SF Signal
When John Rast signed up for Knight Watch, he expected it to be all fighting dragons and rescuing maidens. You know, hero stuff. But instead he’s stuck patrolling game conventions and cosplayer competitions, looking for dangerous anachronisms and the villains who may be trying to exploit them. Fortunately, all that changes when an honest-to-goodness necromancer shows up wielding a weapon created by Nazi occultists and accompanied by some badass evil Valkyries, hell-bent on kicking off the end of the world.
John and the team will go to great lengths—even Minnesota—to find out who’s responsible for all this and foil their plans. Also, there’s a giant dog who thinks the moon is a ball. It’s epic.
About Valhellions :
"Akers' novel puts the fantasy in urban fantasy, with real-world-dwelling fantastical characters similar to Jim Butcher and ridiculous set pieces reminiscent of Terry Pratchett." -- Booklist (starred review)
About Knight's Watch :
“Buckle up and get ready for a fun ride. Tim Akers delivers an epic story about weekend ren faire warriors versus actual monsters. Best fictional use of a Volvo station wagon ever.” —Larry Correia
About Tim
“A must for all epic fantasy fans.” — Starburst
“Full of strong world building, cinematic and frequent battle scenes, high adventure, great characters, suspense, and dramatic plot shifts, this is an engaging, fast-paced entry in a popular subgenre.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Take a bit of fantasy, mix in the horror of the demonic, and put in some top-notch writing and you’ll have Akers’ latest novel.” — Hellnotes
“Fast-paced . . . an epic fantasy story with action, intrigue and a good story.” — RPG
“Delivers enough twists and surprises to keep readers fascinated . . . contains action, grittiness, magic, intrigue and well created characters.” — Rising Shadow
“An extremely well-developed secondary world.” — SF Signal
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
288 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
About the author
Tim Akers
47 books159 followersTim Akers was born in deeply rural North Carolina, the only son of a theologian. He moved to Chicago for college, where he lives with his wife of thirteen years and their German shepherd. He splits his time between databases and fountain pens.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 2, 2023
I received an eARC of this book from Baen in return for an honest review. This is the second book in a series, [Knight Watch is the first] although I have not yet read the first. Not having read the first was not much of a handicap, since enough background was provided during the course of the story. I generally don't provide plot summaries in my reviews, because those are readily available on Goodreads and / or Amazon.
This is an enjoyable romp, in a universe of D&D or RPG, built around Norse Mythology (perhaps somewhat loosely). So why 4 stars and not 5? I have never been personally into LARPing, so while fun, the set up did not totally resonate with me. The other point is that hero's wise cracking was a bit too much for me. One or too cracks about the Viking boat built from dead Viking toenails would have been enough for me, for example.
What I especially liked about Valhellions was the fact that the protagonist [John Rast] is just a regular guy, whose role in the team basically is to be beat on while his teammates provide the offense. Despite this, John ends up saving the day through perseverance and some fast thinking.
I especially enjoyed the big dog in John's domain and the Viking dog Fenris. [I'm just a dog guy].
This is an enjoyable romp, in a universe of D&D or RPG, built around Norse Mythology (perhaps somewhat loosely). So why 4 stars and not 5? I have never been personally into LARPing, so while fun, the set up did not totally resonate with me. The other point is that hero's wise cracking was a bit too much for me. One or too cracks about the Viking boat built from dead Viking toenails would have been enough for me, for example.
What I especially liked about Valhellions was the fact that the protagonist [John Rast] is just a regular guy, whose role in the team basically is to be beat on while his teammates provide the offense. Despite this, John ends up saving the day through perseverance and some fast thinking.
I especially enjoyed the big dog in John's domain and the Viking dog Fenris. [I'm just a dog guy].
April 26, 2022
Knight Watch is my favorite book, and Valhellions did not disappoint as the sequel. It’s ridiculously fun.
March 7, 2022
Little did John Rast realize that his favorite pass time and obsession would become a reality that would change his whole universe. But, that's exactly what happened the day that he took down a dragon. Amazingly, it wasn't his sword fighting skills that did the deed (he was the runner up in his local LARPing and anachronistic society for three years in a row after all). He DID manage to find a rather useful vehicle that he used to put an end to the creature. Well...needs must, and soon John found himself recruited into a very elite organization. So elite, that they didn't even really exist in the "mundane" world. The Knight Watch was created in an effort to fight and control all things from the Unreal world that found their ways into a world of humans that had no idea that they even existed. And so, John and his erstwhile girlfriend Chesa Lozaro and others, answer the call when the Unreal touches the Real.
Today, though, the totally unexpected happens and John and his friends are called to fight a Necromancer whose single touch with a blade can kill and bring those who die into his army of undead zombies. To complicate things, the new guy also seems to have his own squadron of Valkyries at his beck and call who are just as determined as he is to resurrect the undead of the past and create a "new" world of their own.
Most new books, when they reach my front porch and then find their way into my substantial TBR pile, must wait their time in the rotation until they percolate to the top. A few though...very few...become immediate "I gotta read this!" books and keep calling to me until I open that cover and begin the journey. Tim Akers KNIGHT WATCH books are most definitely one of those.
Akers continues his amazingly fun and entertaining journey through the universe of the KNIGHT WATCH with this, the second book in the series - VALHELLIONS. In case you're wondering the origin of the word, Akers has taken the maidens of the battlefields who seek out and bring heroic souls to Valhalla, and turned them upside down as they side with a villain whose only goal, apparently, is to create as many undead as possible to bring his world to fruition.
Akers heroes from his first book are here: John the Warder, Chesa the Elf Queen Archer, Tembo the ancient Mage, Matthew the Sainted Healer, and Bethany the Shadow Assassin. Joining the team... much to the seemingly jealous resentment of his main hero...is Gregory Chastain de Beuregard d'Haute - Warrior and true Paladin (and Chesa's apparent new eye candy).
Akers blends the world of contemporary blind to Unreality humans, with his heroes of classic epic fantasy, and mixes in a substantial amount of dry wit and sarcastic humor that strikes the exact right tone as he pits his creations up against villains of the most evil sort.
Oh...and don't miss the Volleyball scene...you'll laugh so hard your head will roll off!!!
Can't wait for more in this world.
Today, though, the totally unexpected happens and John and his friends are called to fight a Necromancer whose single touch with a blade can kill and bring those who die into his army of undead zombies. To complicate things, the new guy also seems to have his own squadron of Valkyries at his beck and call who are just as determined as he is to resurrect the undead of the past and create a "new" world of their own.
Most new books, when they reach my front porch and then find their way into my substantial TBR pile, must wait their time in the rotation until they percolate to the top. A few though...very few...become immediate "I gotta read this!" books and keep calling to me until I open that cover and begin the journey. Tim Akers KNIGHT WATCH books are most definitely one of those.
Akers continues his amazingly fun and entertaining journey through the universe of the KNIGHT WATCH with this, the second book in the series - VALHELLIONS. In case you're wondering the origin of the word, Akers has taken the maidens of the battlefields who seek out and bring heroic souls to Valhalla, and turned them upside down as they side with a villain whose only goal, apparently, is to create as many undead as possible to bring his world to fruition.
Akers heroes from his first book are here: John the Warder, Chesa the Elf Queen Archer, Tembo the ancient Mage, Matthew the Sainted Healer, and Bethany the Shadow Assassin. Joining the team... much to the seemingly jealous resentment of his main hero...is Gregory Chastain de Beuregard d'Haute - Warrior and true Paladin (and Chesa's apparent new eye candy).
Akers blends the world of contemporary blind to Unreality humans, with his heroes of classic epic fantasy, and mixes in a substantial amount of dry wit and sarcastic humor that strikes the exact right tone as he pits his creations up against villains of the most evil sort.
Oh...and don't miss the Volleyball scene...you'll laugh so hard your head will roll off!!!
Can't wait for more in this world.
March 7, 2022
Once again we join John Rast and his band of heroes as they work to save our world from the mythical creatures that share it, but that we just don't notice. Going from the patrolling renaissance fairs and cosplay conventions to Valhalla (or it is Minnesota?) they will encounter necromancers, Valkyries and hordes of undead nazis in their quest to prevent Ragnarok.
John is still the 'new guy' on the team, who seems to get by more on luck than skill. Rather than the heroic knight, his role is the warden - protecting the more vulnerable members of the team while allowing them use their abilities to take down the monsters they encounter. He never seems to get the proper credit for anything he does (including killing a dragon). His former girlfriend Chesa, on the other hand, has easily slipped into the role of an elvish ranger princess. Part of his role would appear to be comic relief, or simply the 'everyman' that the reader can identify with, so even though he saves the day multiple times, he still never quite seems to be accepted as the major part of the team that he is.
Much like the first novel, this one is full of great lines and humorous situations, while still giving a sense of menace and threat as the danger increases. I found myself chuckling from the first page onward (much to my wife's chagrin as I insisted on quoting lines to her while she was stuck in the airplane seat next to me, unable to get away).
The book does a good job of starting to growing some of the other characters as well, in a very natural way that fills in major parts of their backstory with their lives in the mundane world (while still leaving others to explore later). These pieces flowed naturally, seeming to be an effortless part of the story (which in itself shows how much effort actually goes into the writing of the book).
The descriptions and characterizations give a very cinematic feel to the story, and it would make for a great streaming series.
Much more than just a mash up of men in black and cosplay, you actually start to care about the characters, And like many great books, this leaves you both satisfied and wanting more.
Overall a fun and exciting ride with plenty of laughs and excitement along the way. I truly am looking forward to the next installment of this series.
John is still the 'new guy' on the team, who seems to get by more on luck than skill. Rather than the heroic knight, his role is the warden - protecting the more vulnerable members of the team while allowing them use their abilities to take down the monsters they encounter. He never seems to get the proper credit for anything he does (including killing a dragon). His former girlfriend Chesa, on the other hand, has easily slipped into the role of an elvish ranger princess. Part of his role would appear to be comic relief, or simply the 'everyman' that the reader can identify with, so even though he saves the day multiple times, he still never quite seems to be accepted as the major part of the team that he is.
Much like the first novel, this one is full of great lines and humorous situations, while still giving a sense of menace and threat as the danger increases. I found myself chuckling from the first page onward (much to my wife's chagrin as I insisted on quoting lines to her while she was stuck in the airplane seat next to me, unable to get away).
The book does a good job of starting to growing some of the other characters as well, in a very natural way that fills in major parts of their backstory with their lives in the mundane world (while still leaving others to explore later). These pieces flowed naturally, seeming to be an effortless part of the story (which in itself shows how much effort actually goes into the writing of the book).
The descriptions and characterizations give a very cinematic feel to the story, and it would make for a great streaming series.
Much more than just a mash up of men in black and cosplay, you actually start to care about the characters, And like many great books, this leaves you both satisfied and wanting more.
Overall a fun and exciting ride with plenty of laughs and excitement along the way. I truly am looking forward to the next installment of this series.
December 30, 2023
An enjoyable take on modern fantasy with very witty banter.
March 22, 2022
I read the previous book in the series and enjoyed it, so I pre-ordered this one. I'm glad I did.
John Rast, the narrator and protagonist, is your typical 20-something Renfair geek. Or he was until he killed a dragon in the previous book. Then he got a job working for Knight Watch, an organization that works to keep the various magical realms separate from our mundane existence. His then-girlfriend, now ex-girlfriend, also joined.
Now in Book 2, John is on the job, which in this case is walking the halls of a local indoor Renfair which was bathed in "the visible funk of body odor shimmering under the fluorescent lights." They are looking for a real magic user prowling among the wannabes. Alas, they find him, and action ensues.
The novel is a quick read, and full of snark. Tim Akers, the author, is writing of his tribe and his humor runs throughout. I'm not usually a fantasy fan, but this is found enjoyable.
John Rast, the narrator and protagonist, is your typical 20-something Renfair geek. Or he was until he killed a dragon in the previous book. Then he got a job working for Knight Watch, an organization that works to keep the various magical realms separate from our mundane existence. His then-girlfriend, now ex-girlfriend, also joined.
Now in Book 2, John is on the job, which in this case is walking the halls of a local indoor Renfair which was bathed in "the visible funk of body odor shimmering under the fluorescent lights." They are looking for a real magic user prowling among the wannabes. Alas, they find him, and action ensues.
The novel is a quick read, and full of snark. Tim Akers, the author, is writing of his tribe and his humor runs throughout. I'm not usually a fantasy fan, but this is found enjoyable.
June 1, 2023
John Rast was a gamer who joined Knight Watch (paper) after killing a dragon that manifested into the real world and then saving the world from his best friend. Sometimes his job takes i\him to conventions where evil can manifest. This time he finds a zombie-creating sword and Valkyries determined to bring on Ragnarok. These Valhellions (paper from Baen) send him from Valhalla and back, erasing even his magical abilities. Lots of fun and properly silly.
March 31, 2022
Interesting blend of characters.
This felt alot like the old D&D cartoon from the 80's. Great blend of comedy and action. Not sure if I agree with some of the mythos bending but the author made the realm his own and I respect that. I would recommend it to fans of RPG's and those open to new takes on Norse mythology.
This felt alot like the old D&D cartoon from the 80's. Great blend of comedy and action. Not sure if I agree with some of the mythos bending but the author made the realm his own and I respect that. I would recommend it to fans of RPG's and those open to new takes on Norse mythology.
March 11, 2024
An excellent follow-up novel. Butcher meets Pratchett is probably the best description for this.
July 7, 2024
Ragnarok how it can be
This book pulls all the stops in showing how even the end of the world can be shown in a different light.
This book pulls all the stops in showing how even the end of the world can be shown in a different light.
December 1, 2022
Valhellions improves upon its predecessor in several ways, while still lacking in others. Very mild spoilers to follow.
Improvements:
*sidelining some characters allows the reader to dive deeper into others, particularly John and Chessa.
*the range of female character traits grows somewhat
*John matures a lot over the course of the text
*more depth is added to the world of the Knight Watch
*the plot is exciting, fast-paced, with great action scenes
Room for Improvement
*the female characters still fall into stereotypes, albeit a healthier range of stereotypes
*the prose isn a bit lackluster
*despite the growth and maturity, John still isn’t very likeable
Improvements:
*sidelining some characters allows the reader to dive deeper into others, particularly John and Chessa.
*the range of female character traits grows somewhat
*John matures a lot over the course of the text
*more depth is added to the world of the Knight Watch
*the plot is exciting, fast-paced, with great action scenes
Room for Improvement
*the female characters still fall into stereotypes, albeit a healthier range of stereotypes
*the prose isn a bit lackluster
*despite the growth and maturity, John still isn’t very likeable
July 10, 2024
Another exciting adventure with John and Chesa of Knight Watch! This time with Valkyries! Saving the world with steel and sarcasm. This series is great fun, with plenty of fantasy action and intrigue all the way through. I love it!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews