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William Ray
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Gedlund (A Tale of the Verin Empire Book 1) Kindle Edition

by William Ray (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
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"This bracing, complex tale pits a fantasy-world version of the Victorian British Empire against a sorcerer-dictator out of The Lord of the Rings." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 
 Thanks to rifle and iron rail, humanity now flourishes after centuries of submission. With the oppressive power of the Elves ended at last, human nations have grown mighty, and the Verin Empire's colonies spread civilization to the farthest corners of the world. But civilization has not taken root everywhere...

To the north sits Thyesten, the ancient Lich King of Gedlund. He banished death, and for countless centuries he has ruled a land where ghosts, vampires, and other wicked undead keep mortal men in feudal servitude. Now, without the Elves to keep that monstrous realm in check, the Verin Empire must pit men and cannons against Gedlund's legions of the dead, its ruthless Everlords, and terrifying ancient magics.

Tammen Gilmot, a young soldier defending the Empire's colonial frontier, finds himself swept into this reckless new campaign. Disowned by his family, yet ill-fitted among his new comrades, to survive the coming war, he must learn to lead.

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2016, Gedlund is the story of a young man's rise to responsibility amid battles between humanity and mythic terrors. Drawing inspiration from Lord of the Rings, Catch-22 and our own late 19th century, William Ray's debut novel features a complex new world of memorable characters and unique perspectives in this bold reinvention of classic fantasy.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    A Tale of the Verin Empire
  2. Print length
    638 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    December 5, 2014
  5. File size
    3.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

" This bracing, complex tale pits a fantasy-world version of the Victorian British Empire against a sorcerer-dictator out of The Lord of the Rings." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00QN3M7NG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services (December 5, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 5, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 638 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the author

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William Ray

William Ray

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William Ray is the author of Gedlund, named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2016, as well as The Great Restoration and other forthcoming tales within the Verin Empire setting.

Originally from North Carolina, he currently lives in Reston, VA with his wife, son, and two dogs. A graduate of Ithaca College, and Wake Forest's School of Law, he has worked in television, retail, patent prosecution, trademark law, and other irrelevant nonsense. To paraphrase Lloyd Alexander, however, if being a life-long lover of fantasy literature qualifies one to write it, then he is well qualified indeed.

You can find him as VerinEmpire on both Facebook and Twitter, and check out his website at VerinEmpire.com

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
70 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging with dynamic storytelling and imaginative elements. They describe the book as a great read from start to finish. Readers praise the well-thought-out world, attention to detail, and likable characters. The history of the world is interesting and informative.

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Story qualityReadabilityWriting qualityCharacter developmentHistory
13 customers mention "Story quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the adventure story with its great characters, suspense, and mystery. They appreciate the dynamic storytelling that blends fantasy and modernity in an interesting way. The vivid, imaginative aspects of the book are memorable. Readers describe the book as a fun fantasy war story that borrows its roots from history. The final twist is exciting and meaningful.

"...The characters were well thought out and they developed nicely as the story progressed...." Read more

"...incredibly cool, and the horror and gore of what awaits them is super immersive...." Read more

"...and Ray teases them out over the course of the book, keeping us engaged and wondering. The same is true about the world Ray has created...." Read more

"...If you enjoy a good fantasy war story that borrows it's roots from history, I definitely think you will enjoy this book...." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging from start to finish. They say it's worth reading, a must-read for fantasy fans, and a great new author. The characters feel lifelike and believable.

"Very good book. The characters were well thought out and they developed nicely as the story progressed...." Read more

"...Great stuff." Read more

"...The book was overall an enjoyable read and I definitely was drawn into the story and the struggles of the characters...." Read more

"...The author is brilliant in the pacing of the story and the world the author wrote around the main characters are interesting and informative that..." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing quality. They find the world well-thought-out, with new ideas that work well with the story. The attention to detail and weaving of storylines is impressive. The images evoked are good without being overly wordy.

"...The world is well thought out, and I loved the portrayal of the Verin Empire as a powerful empire of humanity that was on the upswing...." Read more

"The aesthetics and premise of Gedlund are great - the contrast of an 1850s-style army invading a gothic fantasy nation is incredibly cool, and the..." Read more

"...The imagery evoked was good without being overly wordy...." Read more

"This beautifully written book with new ideas that work very well with the story line and goes beyond anything I've read in a long time...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers like the character development.

"Very good book. The characters were well thought out and they developed nicely as the story progressed...." Read more

"Gedlund is a cracking good adventure story with great characters, suspense, mystery, and battles galore...." Read more

"...The characters are likable. I would have to say Tam and the captain are my favorite...." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it easy to empathize with the main character, Tam, as he struggled to find his place in his ever changing..." Read more

5 customers mention "History"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the history interesting and well-written. They describe the world as rich with history and the Verin Empire as a powerful empire of humanity on the rise.

"...out, and I loved the portrayal of the Verin Empire as a powerful empire of humanity that was on the upswing...." Read more

"...the author wrote around the main characters are interesting and informative that made me not want to put the book down till it was finished .This..." Read more

"...There is something in here for everyone and the world is rich with a history that I can't get enough of. I gladly look forward to the next book!..." Read more

"...the book (I am a very slow reader) but what I have read is very interesting and well written...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jason Kerschner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book. The characters were well thought out and ...
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Very good book. The characters were well thought out and they developed nicely as the story progressed. I tended to get wrapped up in the story to the point that I felt like I was right there with them. The world is well thought out, and I loved the portrayal of the Verin Empire as a powerful empire of humanity that was on the upswing. The stagnant, yearning for the past styles of human empires in other similar books tends to get a little old. Modern vs. magic is a fun conflict to read about.
    There were a fair amount of typos, but since I've been told that seems to be the norm for kindle books, it wasn't enough of a deterrent for me.
    My only gripe is that there was no maps for me to follow along with. Just a personal thing for me. Perhaps we will be lucky enough to see some in the future installments.
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  • Elaina Martineau
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dark world, unquestioned colonialism
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The aesthetics and premise of Gedlund are great - the contrast of an 1850s-style army invading a gothic fantasy nation is incredibly cool, and the horror and gore of what awaits them is super immersive. I just wish the author had challenged the ethics of the colonial aspirations of the Verin Empire a little more.
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  • Jmacyk
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a blast
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Gedlund is a cracking good adventure story with great characters, suspense, mystery, and battles galore. You could call it gunpowder fantasy or steam fantasy (as the author does; sort of steam punk without the punk), but the genre isn’t important. Just stir up a brew of 19th century armies, British empire ethnocentrism, magic, vampyres, dark lords, zombies, and the clash of modernity with traditional societies and you have “Gedlund.”

    The characters are particularly fun to read about. Each one has a mystery at the center, and Ray teases them out over the course of the book, keeping us engaged and wondering. The same is true about the world Ray has created. There’s much more going on than we ever see “on stage.”

    Meanwhile, for sheer Fantasy fun, the number and variety of magical beasties is a delight.

    Honestly, I’ll put this book up with McClellan’s Gunpowder Mage series and Evan’s Iron Elves series. Great stuff.
    One person found this helpful
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  • J. Clayton
    4.0 out of 5 stars the unveiling of the Gedlund world is the best part
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Honestly, I had a tough time choosing a rating for this book. There were some things I really liked and a few I didn't.

    The characters are likable. I would have to say Tam and the captain are my favorite. There was also a smattering of humor which I enjoyed.

    By far, my favorite part of the book was discovering the threat posed by each new enemy faced.

    The book was overall an enjoyable read and I definitely was drawn into the story and the struggles of the characters. The imagery evoked was good without being overly wordy.

    As mentioned by another reviewer, it does have editorial errors, but so do Clive Cussler books and he probably has one of the top editors in the country reviewing his books before they are published.

    The other thing I wasn't crazy about was more a matter of personal preference than anything else. The story is pretty dark. I've never really cared for really dark stories. I read fantasy to escape the harsh realities of the world for a bit so I just don't find harsh realism an attractive feature in my stories. That said, the story is not without hope and selfless courage so I found myself enjoying the story despite it's delving into the harsh realities of war.

    If you enjoy a good fantasy war story that borrows it's roots from history, I definitely think you will enjoy this book. I will probably find myself reading the next book just to see more of the world unveiled in Gedlund.
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  • Victor Salinas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome !!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This beautifully written book with new ideas that work very well with the story line and goes beyond anything I've read in a long time.The attention to detail is a breathtaking experience and the weaving of story lines is impressive !The author is brilliant in the pacing of the story and the world the author wrote around the main characters are interesting and informative that made me not want to put the book down till it was finished .This book is worth the money and time to read but it's definitely different read the author does a masterful job putting everything together in a way that will immediately draw the readers attention that they are reading something very special !! Please saviour it and enjoy the ride !! Finally, a story line that has so many possible ways to be explored their only great books ahead .
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  • sls4ak
    4.0 out of 5 stars Remarkably good!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a book worthy of reading more than once. I have read Tom Sawyer around nine times, The Hobbit at least six, The Good Earth, perhaps seven...I will know better after a second reading whether this Steam/Fantasy has risen to the level of perennial review or is just a good book that I was in a great mood to read when I found it. Either way it is very well done and I will heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys steampunk or middle-earthish fantasy. I am following the author and hope that his well of inspiration is overflowing.

    I would like for there to be a bit more steampunk punk in some of his future writing, perhaps the lovely Mr. Glynn may find adventure in a part of the Empire where such tech is more common? Should Mr. Ray choose to reprise Tammen Gilmot's character, it would be quite interesting for him to be a bit of a sidekick to Glynn as a historian / biographer in the mould of Dr.Watson, following and assisting the indomitable Glynn, detective adventurer - foil to the establishment. Whatever the direction he takes with this world you may be sure that I will be reading.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • jennifer
    4.0 out of 5 stars This is a good solid story. I enjoyed it and it’s definitely worth checking out.
    Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Tammen Gilmon is a scholarly young man with goals to make a career out of his writings- in particular, travelogues. Unable to afford travelling, he hopes to help jumpstart his career and travel, by joining the army.
    Unfortunately, he doesn’t go to some of the more mundane destinations he expects and for his first time out, he is sent into the thick of things holding the line against Goblins. Which is how he ended up under Captain Valdemar Hoskaaner’s command and subsequently on his way to Gedlund.

    We see the bulk of this story through Tammen. He is kind of a serious guy who puts his best effort into everything he does including helping others. I liked him and that we feel just as out of sorts and uncomfortably green as he does in the beginning. He starts settling in, and us along with him and it’s a comfortable read with a nice easy voice.

    For that reason, the point of view change about midway was probably my biggest grievance. I’m not sure if it was the suddenness of having character’s that up until then we only saw briefly through Tam’s eyes, or if it was a little because neither were characters I cared about. But whatever it was, the change in pov jarred me out of my relaxed viewpoint.
    I do understand why the change was needed, especially in the back-end where it helps to keep the scope of the battle as large as it was (luckily by then I was used to Gus, so it was comfortable again).

    The world is a neat mix of goblins, elves, and other ghostly things, eerie creatures, and the very cool Everlords- Gedlund’s version of vampires.
    I enjoyed the setting- it was atmospheric and there is a good sense of gradual creepiness with each encounter they have with the Everlords, making a nice build to the end.
    I’m going to go on a bit here because I really love military fantasy. I don’t know what it is about it but I like the guns, the uniforms, even the silliness of some of the requirements. I like the order- everything has a place, a path, a chain of command- it all fits together and somehow the chaos of hundreds of soldiers manage to become a large-scale working instrument (and to think I can’t get three people to use a laundry basket)- they either do their job well, or they whole unit stands a chance of falling apart.
    So as military fantasy’s go, I found a lot to like in this one. There’s a lot of battles which get progressively bigger until the finale. There are organising troops, gun use, and marching- some of my favorite parts were the parade row marching and just any of the scenes where they had to keep or use a tempo. I especially loved the use of sound combined with the visuals to bring the scenes alive.

    I also like knowing how things work. I maybe don’t want it to be in-depth for pages and pages but the insights and little details included here and there of everything; from bookkeeping and requisitioning gear, to moving the army- be it, equipment, people, or just the large guns that have to be broken down for the ships or hauled across the land and put back together etc. this was totally my jam.
    I appreciated those kinds of small details for helping to round out the world and adding that bit of realism to the inner workings of an army that is essentially the equivalent of a small-town worth of people. And this is one of the few books I’ve read where the war actually felt larger than just the company that our mc, Tam, belongs to. I don’t know if it was the imagery (the one I had in my head of that lightning golem stamping across the field of soldiers was pretty great) or what, but the battles felt huge- as if an actual army was there.

    Some of the battles did get a little long. I personally think one in particular would have been more impactful having Tam and co. arrive in the aftermath but that’s my opinion. Though, I would have missed the cool parade march to ‘show off’ to the city and that would have been a shame.

    This is a good solid story. I enjoyed it and it’s definitely worth checking out.

    Other notes-
    I liked the somewhat political turn the plot took.
    Nicely placed foreshadowing to remind us of certain things we may have forgotten so when they came about in the final battle, they felt right.
    Self contained story.

    The logs/notes at the beginning of the chapter are a lot of fun, add a lot to the story and by the time you get to the end fill in some details that you may have not have realized you were going to want to know.
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