FanFi Addict ★★★★★

This was an absolute blast of a novel. Eluthienn: A Tale Of The Fromryr by Sam Middleton is a dark, fast-paced fantasy meets sci-fi story that has a creative storyline.

The world-building here is amazing and I was a fan of how distinct each character was. We have all sorts from elves to exorcists and this bonds well with the insane politics, magic and science that we see develop over the course of this novel. Middleton has created a brilliant blend of fantasy and sci-fi that is incredibly appealing. The world itself is interesting and a brilliantly unique setting.

The characters themselves are well-established and I enjoyed their dynamic. Lyander, a knight turned exorcist, and Brazier, the son of a traitor, are engaging and whilst they offer a similar adventure, each POV is a mix of action and development. Even the side characters have their own personalities and moments. There were side characters that I rooted for which is something that authors sometimes fail and feel one-dimensional but Middleton encapsulated this world and its inhabitants brilliantly.

The plot itself was surprising. I went into this novel with minimal information but was surprised at how diverse and page-turning it was. It was so creative and enthralling and shows that Middleton’s imagination really flourished and kept me going throughout. This is a fast-paced romp of epic proportions and I’m thoroughly excited to see what else comes from the mind of Sam Middleton.

Bearded Book Beast ★★★★★

Eluthienn was a FANTASTIC debut! I absolutely loved how unique and inventive this fantasy book was! The characters are wonderful, I loved both the POVs and the side characters!!!

The world building, lore, technology and mashup between classic fantasy, sci-fi tech, and supernatural elements was absolutely mind blowing! I cannot wait to see what the author does next! A heck of a fun ride, check it out!

Goodreads Reviewer ★★★★★

Captivating from start to finish, Eluthienn: A Tale of the Fromryr does not disappoint. I was hooked immediately, the moment the word “bounty” appeared, I knew I was in for a ride.

And what a ride indeed. Middleton’s writing transports you straight into the heart of the world: the cities, the tunnels, the ships were all vividly drawn. The same goes for the characters, who quickly became my favourite aspect of the book.

It’s action-packed, with fight scenes that are thrilling, visceral, and utterly entertaining, delightfully gnarly at times. This is the opposite of a slow burner; it will keep you right on the edge of your seat. I’m incredibly excited for the next instalment. I can’t wait to see what Sam Middleton has in store for readers.

Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

A fantastic debut novel from Middleton. After teasing the concept of the world of Fromryr in his short story collection he fully dives in with his first novel Eluthienn.

In the novel, Middleton has created an interesting world that blends a mixture of fantasy and sci-fi populated with likeable and engaging characters. The plot is fast paced and engaging and kept me enthralled from beginning to end. This certainly has the feel of being the first book in a series as it sets the stage for larger and grander adventures.

I really enjoyed the framing device for the novel as it hinted at a larger mystery. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes the genre and cannot wait to see where the story goes to next.

Storygraph Reviewer ★★★★★

This is a wild ride.

Eluthienn is a gritty, dark, and fast-paced epic fantasy with great characters and a unique storyline. As others have noted, the standout feature of the book is the world-building, which really pushes the bounds of the epic fantasy genre in a way that few fantasy books do nowadays. To offer just a glimpse, we get underground ships powered by magical “gyre ice,” ancient constructs that allow a form of communication across the vast network of tunnel cities, and a type of magical sand called “Hex Reduction” that acts as a kind of fantasy computer network.

Sound weird? It is – but it works so well and creates a fantasy world like no other.

The two main characters – Lyander and Brazier – are well-developed, have their own motives and backstories, and are written in an alternating PoV similar to the Expanse series. By the end of the book I had developed a real connection to both. While Lyander and Brazier are highly engaging, Eluthienn contains some of the best side characters I’ve ever read in a book, and really help to make this world come to life – from bloated religious tyrants and demon librarians to insane dwarven crime lords and sarcastic witch hunters. It’s all enormous fun and really shows the extent of the author’s imagination.

What’s probably more impressive is Middleton has managed to create an incredible new fantasy world with fully fleshed out characters and story in just 371 pages. There’s no extraneous scenes, the plot is tight and focused, and the writing quality is superb and easy to follow.