I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

 

Both the title and the story suggest this is going to be the first book in a new series.

 

This book starts as an alternate history in which 'The Demon King' (Richard III; How dare they!) wins the battle of Bosworth against Henry Tudor, but only because he has made a pact with demon Melusine. Richard III and future kings -who are conveniently also called Richard- are forced to destroy magic in Britain, first brought back to England by Richard Lionheart, leading to an Inquisition trying to exterminate it (while also using some kind of magic, which is plain hypocrite!)

 

Besides this alternate history the story is a traditional fantasy, with a young man and woman embarking on an adventure they didn't ask for (nor do they completely know WHAT it is they are looking for/trying to do). With, naturally, the help of some older mentor, after a father-figure dies. Unfortunately, no dragons...

 

Exactly what the uprising in this book is the title refers to, I'm not sure. In the beginning of the story, there are some 'history lessons' between the chapters to allow readers to learn something on the alternate history without characters having some kind of forced conversation. I really liked the combination between the alternate England and traditional fantasy, although I had liked to see some more England (as they really travel all across Europe in this book). Most of the characters however did not really come to life for me, I didn't feel connected to any of them, really. It was however still an enjoyable read, and I'm planning on reading the second book in this series, will it arrive...

This was the first book I ever receive to review it. I will not go astray with my review with a prospect of receiving other books.
Sarah Cawkwell is a great writer. I say this because I’ve read several short stories by her, set on the 40K world, and they were quite good. So in we go to a new adventure.

The world as we know change a bit. After the crusades magic was introduced to Europe nobility. As the time passed the peasants got hold of it. Of course the nobility didn’t want that to happen and neither did the King so the Inquisition was formed and magic purged. The reason was beyond the jealousy or fear. There is a secret that only the house of Plantagenet knows that will doom the country.

As the story progress we get to know Richard V, his Inquisition Lord Charles Weaver, our Main character Mathias and his bethroned Tagan. There are also some other characters like the Pirate King, Shapeshifter, She who Sees and a engineer that developed some steam boats and a battle tank. There are a lot of characters and in my opinion none were that developed. In the end besides the King none seemed to changed. Ok Tagan and Mathias had to make some sacrifices but only in their last chapters. The engineer had some parts of a chapter but that was it. Why was he included? He had no purposed besides building those machines. He had some motivation but no purpose or interest. He was just there. The shapeshifter had some internal problems that didn’t resolve until the end of the book. Even Charles Weaver, probably the character that had more word count not counting with Mathias didn’t have a closure.

I know this seems to be a lot of bad things but there were some interesting points. There is a feel of alternate history, fantasy and steampunk in each chapter that made me know more. The magic and it’s role was quite interesting, but at the same I felt that I didn’t know nothing about it. The story tells us about those characters and England but I didn’t know nothing of the rest of Europe besides that there were really good magus in the Vatican. So the church embraced magic? Why? How? This were answers I would like to see answered. Along with the purpose of our characters and allies in the coming struggle against the demons from the aetherworld.

I really thing this book can be a beginning a series that will enjoy alternate history, steampunk and fantasy enthusiasts. 3.5 stars

As with all of this short-short stories, they have one thousand words, which give us 5 or 6 pages per story. With each tale for 0.99 I don't think that half this stories are worth that. Sorry... They are so small that most of them feel rush...

- Kill Hill - an Iron Snakes short story by Dan Abnett
This was an interesting short story that brought my mind to brothers of the snake. It's a prequel of some sorts with Priad. Advisable to read.

- Immortalis- a Flesh Tearers short story by Andy Smillie
Well, Andy Smillie really enjoys his Flesh Tearers. Here we follow a space marine as he passes several stages... First victim of Red Thirst then entombed on a Dreadnought. Yet again, too rushed. This tale could have been 20 or 30 pages and way better. Being on first person perspective was not a good choice (IMHO).

- Only Ash Remains- a Salamanders short story by Nick Kyme
Good tale. Nick Kyme really knows how to write short story prose... It reminds me of Necromunda... I have to read his longer works..


- Easy Prey- a Dark Angels short story by C Z Dunn
I really enjoy this story. This and Kharn story were the best. Probably the only worth the 0.99. And why? Cypher is in it. Brother Terach of the Dark Angels is helping the Inquisitor cleanse of a world they pass from hunters to hunted.... "I know the Emperor. This..." he gestured to the bolt riddled corpses of miner lying in the corner of the hub. "This is not his will."

- For The Fallen- a Crimson Fists short story by Aaron Dembski-Bowden


- The Weakness of Others- a Kharn the Betrayer short story by L J Goulding
This tale we follow Kharn the Betrayer and his neverending tally. We know about the Contest and his 1306 kills and in the end, a bit of information about his psychic and how he got his name of Betrayer. Really good.

- All Is Dust- a Thousand Sons short story by John French
This tale is quite... strange. I am sorry but I couldn't connect to him and I didn't enjoy the tale, even after reading twice.

- Evil Eye- a Commissar Yarrick short story by David Annandale
This tale is one of those stories that don't contribute anything to the overal story of some character. This story didn't had anything besides giving another reason for Yarrick to hate (more) the orks. I really enjoy the Yarrick novella but this one... bah... As I read this I thought the writer had to cut some words from his novella and bang.. this is it.

- Army of One- a Horus Heresy short story by Rob Sanders
This tale connects with James Swallow book Nemesis. That's my opinion but... I enjoy it. Unfortunally I have yet to read any HH book so...