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Michael R. Baker
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The Thousand Scars (Counterbalance) Paperback – December 7, 2017

by Michael R Baker (Author)
3.7 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
The greatest war since the time of ancient Chaos has reached the Balian Empire. Within the Balian council, a rogue faction unleashes an unthinkable dark magic to defeat its enemies. As the Empire loses ground, disgraced scholar and exile Tyrone Cessil is forced to go on the run. His only chance is with a band of cutthroat mercenaries, the Thousand Scars. Tyrone’s new commander is the notorious and hated Necromancer, Tyir of Irene. Life with the Scars is hard, but Tyrone believes the Necromancer can stop the Empire’s forbidden sorcery. Tyir leads the Scars on a campaign of bloody vengeance, and they commit acts of horrific brutality, leading Tyrone to question the price he is willing to pay to survive. The Thousand Scars will bleed the world. And they will save it.
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  1. Print length
    376 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 7, 2017
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.94 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    8283310291
  6. ISBN-13
    978-8283310290
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nordland Publishing (December 7, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 376 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8283310291
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8283310290
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.23 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.94 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

About the author

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Michael R. Baker

Michael R. Baker

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Michael R. Baker studied history at University of Sunderland, and at last, he found a use for his degree. The idea for Counterbalance came off the back of an exhausting bus journey, ironically starting an even longer voyage into writing and publishing fantasy. Alongside his passion for storytelling and worldbuilding, Michael is an avid video gamer and cartographer, bringing his fantasy world and others from the mind onto paper reality. The Thousand Scars is Michael’s debut novel and the first of the epic fantasy series.

Mailing List: https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=089cdd73131293305cfd17854&id=c95ddc3e6c&fbclid=IwAR0mcys5-Sdlngp43iG4qyu_nrMrRmuBjrT76fu7w3zmC2WFvzR9HSmxNi8

Blog: http://bit.ly/1RMNPho

Facebook Author page: http://bit.ly/2kiNHSk

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2kZ4wix

Worldbuilding Services: http://bit.ly/2kBMiCB

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thethousandscar

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2knxeHY

Patreon: http://bit.ly/2laP311

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B017GDAO3Q

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/thethousandscars

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
19 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's characters varied and interesting, and appreciate its impressive world-building. However, the dialogue receives mixed reactions, with one customer noting there's too much of it.

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4 customers mention "Character variety"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the variety of characters in the book, finding them varied and interesting, with one customer noting the inclusion of characters wearing helmets.

"...between conveying the urgency and confusion the characters experience without actually confusing the reader...." Read more

"...Also, it is nice to see characters wearing helmets. Fantasy movies seem to think characters need no protection...." Read more

"...There are a lot of characters to keep track of, several point of view characters, and omniscient POV in some parts...." Read more

"...Still, there are good aspects. The characters are varied and interesting, and there are no enormous info dumps, which is a huge bonus...." Read more

3 customers mention "World building"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the world-building in the book.

"...There is plenty of world-building in evidence as well but, even better, there are still hints that there is a lot more still to discover...." Read more

"...The worldbuilding is strong, with intricate politics and creatures...." Read more

"...There is impressive world-building at work here—this is clearly Baker's passion...." Read more

3 customers mention "Dialogue quality"0 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the dialogue in the book, with one finding it too much and another noting excessive swearing.

"...The dialogue is quite well done, but with too much swearing for my taste. For a debut novel, it is quite good...." Read more

"...It's a strange critique to have, but I felt like there was too much dialogue...." Read more

"...The dialogue also frequently feels awkward to me...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Drew McVittie
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Scribblings' Review of The Thousand Scars
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Something deadly is happening in the Balian Empire.

    Desperate to find a way to stave off an impending invasion, some of the most powerful people in the empire will scheme to employ the darkest magic their world has ever known. No matter who suffers because of it.

    Given that the magic referred to above is necromancy and the Thousand Scars of the title are a band of murderers and rapists (plus one innocent), to say that this book leans on the grimdark side of things is a bit of an understatement. Things are dark and brutal and violent but the quality of the writing consistent keeps you turning the pages.

    It is a bit of a slower start as the first few chapters move from one character to another, setting out the events and conflicts to come. But as the book progresses it settles predominantly into the POV of Tyrone Cessil, an inexperienced young man swept up in the fighting. We follow him from the chaos of his first battle to being imprisoned to eventually joining the Thousand Scars under the eye of their leader, the necromancer seeking to thwart the Empire's plans. His thought could be viewed as naive at times but they also serve to levy all the surrounding darkness.

    The battle scenes (and there are a few) are very well written, managing to tread a fine line between conveying the urgency and confusion the characters experience without actually confusing the reader. There is plenty of world-building in evidence as well but, even better, there are still hints that there is a lot more still to discover.

    With all it's good points, it feels like I should have enjoyed the book more. But, for whatever reason, something didn't quite click with me when I read it. I'm still not sure why. But whatever that was, it's not enough to stop me from probably giving it, or the later books in the series, another try.
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  • Ty Arthur
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quality grimdark indie fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2018
    I've been reading a lot of indie / underground dark fantasy and grimdark lately, and when I first came across this one I had no idea what to make of it based on the cover. Is that a whale or a ship or what the heck is going on? My expectations were low, but the end product completely blew me away.

    Most of the pitfalls of indie fiction are entirely gone here. Sure, there may be a few issues here and there were repeated words could have been changed up, but overall this is really high quality and I wasn't constantly wishing for an editor to show up, as I do with many other self-published books.

    Although less sprawling and complicated, for much of the book I was reminded of the tone of Malazan. There are plenty of factions who all want different outcomes and aren't necessarily working well together during war time, along with plenty of interesting characters making up those factions. Several segments had me thinking of the back and forth conversations of the Bridgeburners.

    A really great balance is also struck between the action-heavy segments and the character-building ones were people are planning attacks or copying dusty tomes in libraries. There really aren't any noble or altruistic characters, just ones who are more sane or less willing to commit violent atrocities to win.

    The magic system and religious and government structures are quite a bit different from your standard European high fantasy, which is a welcome change of pace. Overall really enjoyed this one and would like to see more from the author.
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  • S
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect, but a fun ride into an interesting world
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The Thousand Scars is a good read, and an important introduction to the Counterbalance world.

    The worldbuilding is strong, with intricate politics and creatures. The author could have shown more of the customs and mindset of the different cultures.

    The characters seem to be introduced in a rush, with names tumbling over one another in their need to be introduced. No time was given at their first appearance to form an opinion of them, or imagine them in any way. They remained 'just names' for a chapter or two, by which point I knew whether I liked them or not.

    There are some golden lines, and generally the story flows well. The action is solid, with lots of detail and good medieval weapon accuracy. Also, it is nice to see characters wearing helmets. Fantasy movies seem to think characters need no protection.

    The dialogue is quite well done, but with too much swearing for my taste.

    For a debut novel, it is quite good. I think with further writing, some development, and more editing, the second will be much better. The Counterbalance introduces a brilliantly grim world, and I look forward to my next visit.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Grimdark.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2018
    If the words grim, dark, brutal and unforgiving are descriptions for the kind of book your looking for then you need look no further.

    The start of this book is chaotic. Apart from the huge battles, there are many factions and characters being introduced at such a rapid rate, its hard to keep track of them all, but that soon dies down and a story, a dark, dark story begins.

    From the first page you know that this is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think those who enjoy the grim brutality of war and its politics will find this book quite enjoyable.

    The setting is more akin to ancient Greece than the traditional Middle Age type setting of most fantasy books. This was different for me, but still had a lot of appeal.

    On the whole I would say the second half of the book is much stronger than the first and by the time I got to the end I was quite enjoying it. I quite liked it but beware the darkness. :D

    Also there is a glossary at the end which I recommend reading through about halfway through, it really made the factions and characters a lot clearer.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Keith M.
    4.0 out of 5 stars A dark tale with a twinkle of hope
    Reviewed in Australia on January 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    ***Warning spoilers! Continue at your peril...Muhahaha!***

    Sorry...

    I just finished reading Michael Baker's 'The Thousand Scars' which is the first novel in his Counterbalance series. It's dark, gritty and although some people may disagree with me, I'd say it's not without hope. Although that may seem a far reach upon reading the first half of the book.

    In brief, the Dominion has invaded (in retribution for what has been done to them in the past). They are numerically and militarily superior to the Balian Empire and as I said, it feels like all hope is lost. Tyrone, one of the main characters, reluctantly joins The Thousand Scars after his homeland is decimated by the Dominion. The Thousand Scars is a mercenary band of cutthroats and to begin with, he doesn't really fit in. One character to whom I was drawn was Horse, who looked out for Tyrone and showed him the ropes, so to speak.

    Tyir is a small time necromancer who is a novice at the art, but he is also the commander of The Thousand Scars. I liked him too, he was interesting, three dimensional, and to begin with, I wondered where his allegiance would lie with the war slowly advancing to his doorstep. He and his band of merry cutthroats decide the Dominion need defeating, but they know they'll need the help of the Keidan (a force more powerful than the Scars, with a powerful resource Tyir needs to get the job done).

    They don't initially make it to the Keidan, but I won't go into more detail, save it to say that it definitely wasn't smooth sailing for the poor buggers.

    I enjoyed this adventure and with the binding of three unlikely forces together to fight the Dominion, the book finished. I look forward to seeing where Michael takes us in this series. I do like it that even though the three forces (usually not overly friendly to one another in the past) were allied together it still left me wondering whether it truly was enough to even make a dent against the Dominion.

    Time will tell, I guess.
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  • terry lyth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would strongly recommend. Good plot, well developed characters and well paced.
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