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Darian Smith
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Kalanon's Rising: a murder mystery in a fantasy world (Agents of Kalanon Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Darian Smith (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 168 ratings
Solving the Murders. Saving the World.
Sir Brannon Kesh thought he'd left the name Bloodhawk (and the wartime reputation that went with it) behind but when the King's cousin is murdered, duty forces Brannon to take on a dangerous task. Solving the crime is the only way to save his country – and himself.
The disturbing crime scene suggests dark magic and clues point to the Nilarian ambassador, an alluring woman with secrets of her own. Kalanon barely survived the last Nilarian onslaught. Another war will mean disaster.
As bodies pile up and political ramifications escalate, Brannon must join forces with a vain mage with a mysterious dragon tattoo, a socially awkward priest, and a zombie-raising shaman to solve the murders and prevent the impending chaos. The Risen are the greatest danger Brannon has ever faced. If he and his team of misfits cannot stop the killer then all of Kalanon - and the world - will descend into darkness.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Agents of Kalanon
  2. Print length
    424 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    October 15, 2016
  6. File size
    3.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

What readers are saying:
★★★★★ Agatha Christie meets King Arthur
★★★★★ My favourite book in a long time.
★★★★★ Excellent fantasy mystery set in a well thought out world. I finished this and immediately bought the sequel to start!
★★★★★ Great book! Exciting, well written and really hard to put down!
★★★★★ Unique and refreshing and the twists and turns were a real thrill.
★★★★★ A delightful fantasy mystery full of vibrant characters in an intricately built world.


What reviewers are saying:
"A wonderfully engaging fantasy whodunnit with high stakes and fun magic" - Fantasy Book Review

"9.5 out of 10" - The Qwillery

"Darian Smith is a very talented writer, one whom I would rank on par with Brandon Sanderson and Peter V. Brett. Kalanon's Rising is both a murder mystery and a powerful fantasy novel, and Smith displays a considerable amount of talent and imagination at penning both." - Booksellers NZ

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01LWZOTWS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wooden Tiger Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 15, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 424 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0473366438
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Agents of Kalanon
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 168 ratings

About the author

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Darian Smith

Darian Smith

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Darian Smith writes mainly speculative fiction (fantasy) and lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife (who also writes) and their two black cats (who don't).

He holds two Koru Awards, is the winner of the SpecFicNZ/Steam Press manuscript competition, and a Sir Julius Vogel Award.

By day, he works with people who have neuromuscular conditions such as muscular dystrophy or charcot marie tooth disease. He is also a qualified counsellor/family therapist and can be seen - by those very swift with the pause button - on television shows such as Legend of the Seeker and Spartacus.

For more information about Darian and his upcoming work, please check out his website at www.darian-smith.com.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
168 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this fantasy mystery book, praising its unique premise and more twists and turns. The writing is well-crafted and easy to read, with well-rounded characters and entertaining banter. They appreciate the visual storytelling, with one customer noting the rich imagery.

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Mystery genreEnjoymentCharacter developmentWriting qualityVisual quality
27 customers mention "Mystery genre"25 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery genre of this book, appreciating its delightful fantasy elements and perfect balance of intrigue. The story features more twists and turns, with one customer highlighting its interesting magic system.

"...In fact, I would venture that the fantasy novel is his true form since the narrative in Kalanon’s Rising flows like Nilarian silk and the imagery is..." Read more

"...With a perfect balance of striking intrigue and gruesome action, it’s easy to understand how it secured its place in the SPFBO finals...." Read more

"...’s short stories for some time now, but this is his first full length epic fantasy, and I have to say this is the kind of book he was born to write...." Read more

"...The mysteries also get significantly more... um... mysterious in the other books...." Read more

23 customers mention "Enjoyment"20 positive3 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, particularly appreciating its fun magic and engaging banter.

"...Let me just say, it’s been worth the wait...." Read more

"...Kalanon’s Rising is entertaining read of puzzling and thrilling riddles with the lives of all hanging in the balance...." Read more

"...This book is a must read, and the excerpt of the second book accompanying it is just as intriguing...." Read more

"...these elements work together in just the right proportions to give us a fun, interesting, and authentic feel to a story that is really one-of-a-kind..." Read more

18 customers mention "Character development"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-rounded characters in the book.

"...Then he populates that world with vivid believable characters, each with conflicting agendas, and each unique and discernible despite there being..." Read more

"...Smith uses his delicately crafted characters to narrate this tale through an almost visual storytelling by jumping from point-of-view to point-of-..." Read more

"...Brannon is a true multi-layered character, haunted still by what he had to do during the war with his country’s neighbour, yet absolutely loyal and..." Read more

"...The characters get expanded upon wonderfully in the future books to the point where you'll be reading and suddenly realize exactly why they acted..." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well-crafted and easy to read, with one customer noting its beautiful command of language.

"...With a paranormal romance, a collection of well-crafted short stories, and a psychology workbook for writers already to his name, the addition of..." Read more

"...Simple prose and steady pacing create highly effective suspense and tension in this generally intimate and cozy tale...." Read more

"...twists that are a trademark of his work, tight plotting, a beautiful command of language and a great character at its heart...." Read more

"...The part I really liked is that the author does an excellent job of making the female characters actual individual characters, instead of..." Read more

4 customers mention "Visual quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual quality of the book, with one noting its almost visual storytelling and another highlighting its rich imagery, while another mentions it has enough detail.

"...in Kalanon’s Rising flows like Nilarian silk and the imagery is as rich Sandilar gold. There’s some rather pithy dialogue in there, too...." Read more

"...crafted characters to narrate this tale through an almost visual storytelling by jumping from point-of-view to point-of-view, showcasing every side..." Read more

"...It’s just great. With all the subtle and edgy plot twists that are a trademark of his work, tight plotting, a beautiful command of language and a..." Read more

"...The world-building in this book is amazing. There’s enough detail to make it feel like a real place, but the descriptions are never drawn out..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Lee Murray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping high fantasy mystery!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ever since Darian Smith won the SpecFicNZ/Steam Press Manuscript Award, many of us have been waiting less than patiently for the release of Kalanon’s Rising, the first book in his Agents of Kalanon fantasy mystery series. Let me just say, it’s been worth the wait.
    Simply put the story goes like this: when the body of the king’s cousin is found mutilated in a local inn, the king calls in his friend, soldier-turned-surgeon, Sir Brannon Kesh, to solve the murder.
    Of course, it is never that simple.
    Set in a time of broadswords, amulets and potions, author Smith has made sure the kingdom of Kalanon is rife with all the post-war political, economic, and cultural tension we would expect when one nation lords it over its neighbours. Then he populates that world with vivid believable characters, each with conflicting agendas, and each unique and discernible despite there being thousands of them. Amongst my favourites are Draeson the old mage with his newly youthful body, who is more intent on uncovering his next romantic conquest than the facts of the case, and Ylani, the beautiful Nilar ambassador who appears to have a few special skills up her red velvet sleeves. I rather liked Fressin too, the despicable steward with his smarmy righteousness and knack for getting under your skin.
    While we were waiting for the book’s release, Smith’s writing has improved. In fact, I would venture that the fantasy novel is his true form since the narrative in Kalanon’s Rising flows like Nilarian silk and the imagery is as rich Sandilar gold. There’s some rather pithy dialogue in there, too. In terms of theme, Smith refreshes the age-old notions of good versus evil, tolerance, and working together towards a common good. Old themes, but relevant all the same.
    I would have loved to see a map of the various kingdoms to help me place the story, so I’m putting it here in the hope one will be included in future volumes ‒ which shouldn’t be too far away, given that an excerpt of Book 2 Starlight’s Children appears the back of the ebook.
    With a paranormal romance, a collection of well-crafted short stories, and a psychology workbook for writers already to his name, the addition of this gripping high fantasy mystery only proves Darian Smith’s versatility as a writer. I can only imagine what his next offering will be. I expect it will be worth the wait.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Justine
    4.0 out of 5 stars A gripping, unique, and cozy whodunit murder mystery laced with the arcane and political intrigue
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Kalanon’s Rising by Darian Smith is a gripping and unique whodunit murder mystery laced with the arcane and political intrigue. At its heart, it highlights the ideal that in order to build a brighter future one must let go of the dark pain of the past, and that people can, in fact, change for the better. Within its pages we investigate a string of perplexing murders, following a grisly trail of blood that leads to several truly shattering truths. While the answers to the mysteries are a bit predictable, the twists and turns to get there are both unexpected and executed exceptionally well. I thoroughly enjoyed following the path of breadcrumbs Smith carefully placed on my journey for truth.

    Readers are immediately dropped into a world on the mend from devastating war, where relationships between nations are tenuous and strained, and simmering prejudices are very prominent. Smith offers just enough to immerse without overwhelming with copious amounts of unnecessary details; the subtlety of the worldbuilding is both excellent and engaging. There are hints of dangerous factions working from the shadows, back alley deals for international trade, and strange magics that bring the dead back to life as “Risen”, which all left me curious for more as I made my way through this engrossing story.

    Smith uses his delicately crafted characters to narrate this tale through an almost visual storytelling by jumping from point-of-view to point-of-view, showcasing every side of the story. At the lead of the cast is Sir Brannon Kesh, a former soldier and current King’s Champion, who is deeply haunted by his past. By his side is Magus Draeson, a crotchety, old mage, embracing and enjoying his newly acquired young body. They’re joined by Ula, a powerful Djin shaman, Brother Taran, a priest with an unusual aptitude for poisons, Jessamine, a young and eager physician’s apprentice, and Ylani, a charismatic ambassador from an enemy nation. A well-rounded party, each individual with their designated role, with their own distinct voice creates stunning dynamics as they venture to find solve the multiple mysteries presented to them.

    Simple prose and steady pacing create highly effective suspense and tension in this generally intimate and cozy tale. Choosing to focus more on the potentially catastrophic effects of the multiple mysteries weaved throughout its pages, rather than forcing superfluous action was a brilliant decision, which again added to the sincerity of the book. Smith does, however, use some questionable mechanics to move this story along; the most jarring being the conclusion itself, which I felt was terribly rushed and carried out in an unappealing way. I hit the final chapter expecting one of the plot lines to carry over to the next book, but was wrapped up in a matter of pages, unpolished unlike the rest of the book.

    Kalanon’s Rising is entertaining read of puzzling and thrilling riddles with the lives of all hanging in the balance. With a perfect balance of striking intrigue and gruesome action, it’s easy to understand how it secured its place in the SPFBO finals. While this particular story concludes, there’s a nice segue into the potential future adventures of Sir Brannon, and I’m excited to see where Smith takes us next. If you’re looking for a more personal murder mystery steeped in the fantastical, I suggest you give this one a try. I highly recommend.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Mary Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars An epic fantasy the author was born to write.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I’ve enjoyed Darian Smith’s short stories for some time now, but this is his first full length epic fantasy, and I have to say this is the kind of book he was born to write. It’s just great. With all the subtle and edgy plot twists that are a trademark of his work, tight plotting, a beautiful command of language and a great character at its heart.
    Sir Brannon Kesh is a onetime war hero of Kalanon, and still his King and close friend’s Champion. But he has also become a trained physician, healing where once he caused death and injury. Brannon is a true multi-layered character, haunted still by what he had to do during the war with his country’s neighbour, yet absolutely loyal and committed to fulfilling the duties his country needs. He steps in without hesitation when a sudden and unusual murder of a member of the royal family points at a threat to the kingdom and does not hesitate when his military skills are called on, despite his desperate need to leave the killing and death behind him.
    Surrounding him is a troop of characters as fully realised: a primitive woman Shaman, a priest with secrets, an assistant physician and the ambassador from the one time enemy country Kalanon and Brannon Kesh fought so hard against.
    This book is a must read, and the excerpt of the second book accompanying it is just as intriguing. I look forward to reading the sequel: “Starlight’s Children”.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous story with twists I didn't see coming
    Reviewed in Australia on November 12, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Typically when I read a book with a mystery in it I can accurately guess what's going to happen. However this book kept me guessing and I loved how even the baddie got justice in the end. I also loved that there was a conclusion and NO cliffhanger (even though it's part of a series). I can't say too much more in this review because I'd give the story away but you should read it because the world is one you can fully immerse yourself in. I've downloaded book 2 now I loved the first one so much!
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  • Martin Owton
    3.0 out of 5 stars A lot to like in this one
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    There's a lot to like in this book; rather than the usual epic fantasy fare of heroes struggling against some existential threat to the empire/kingdom/world Kalanon's Rising presented as murder mystery in a fantasy setting. There are some interesting world-building quirks - they have gas lighting though without the other indutrial infrastructure that supports it, but this isn't actually used in the story. It is multi-POV, though there were a few annoying points where I felt the author did not disclose everything the POV character knew - this sir is cheating the reader. My main difficultly was that I felt I never got close to Brannon, the main POV character. He seemed to remain a vehicle for the plot rather than a real person. Perhaps he neded more back story. There was however a good twist at the end that I did not spot.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A super fun murder mystery in a fantasy setting!
    Reviewed in Australia on January 17, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    My second last SPFBO read by @dariansmith. Whoo I loved the little team of murder investigators in this book! If you love a good murder and political mystery wrapped up in a fantasy setting, you'll like this book! My favourite was the priest who was also an expert on poisons, but all the characters were really well drawn, including our MC, Brannon, who is the strong, slightly broody but really good-hearted type. A recommended read from me!
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  • Patricia Au
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent fantasy mystery. Sequel purchased immediately.
    Reviewed in Australia on December 2, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Excellent fantasy mystery set in a well thought out world. It is a finalist in the 2019 Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off and deservedly so. I finished this and immediately bought the sequel to start!

    I enjoyed the:
    - murder mystery which did keep me guessing.
    - various types of magic shown.
    - strong female characters and particularly related to one who was the mother of a young child.
    - main character who was a warrior turned physician.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Something different
    Reviewed in Australia on June 29, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It was a pleasure to read while some of the twists and turns were easy to see they fitted well.

    Imaginative and different.

    I have now brought the whole series and am working through the next book.
    Report

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