This series is getting a huge cover update and I love it! This is the sequel to The Warden series. a fantasy series that has our characters dealing with magic, small towns, relationships, bureaucracy and of course a dash of evil. There's mythology and history that the world draws a lot from as we follow Aelis who is kind of this spoiled overly confident character as she protects this small back water village. If you enjoyed the first one, this one expands on it in a really fun way.

Daniel M. Ford continues the fun tale of Aelis de Lenti, appointed The Warden (paper) of the village of Lone Pine, a place without a warden for years. The people of the village accept her now, even when she unlocks a magical crypt and unleashed walking skeletons. The stop them in her role as Necrobane (hard from TOR) must travel to a lost citadel where a control rod might be found. That, unfortunately, leads to more problems. This is a highly recommended fun series that I can't read without smiling. I can’t wait for her next adventure

Necrobane is, I think, a book that would have benefitted from me reading it much sooner after The Warden than I was ultimately able to. I realise I say this a lot of the time, but I think it’s more true in this case than most. Not least because, having had that year-plus long break, I remembered very little of the first book.

The story picks up almost immediately after the last chapter of that book, so, in a way, it’s not too much of a problem if you forget because you’re chucked straight back into the swing of things. You pick it back up as you read (although there were definitely some things that I just had to shrug and go along with).

There are two things that really stood out to me in this one as issues — and probably, if I’m honest, at least one was something I thought about the first book, but was hoping would get remedied in the second. Alas, it did not, so here I am. Let’s take that one first though.

The worldbuilding is, to put it bluntly, flimsy. It seems to me to rely a lot on shared concepts of fantasy worlds within the readers, the familiarity of them, instead of building a complete world in itself. Sure, to an extent, a lot of fantasy books do this, but this was a case where I could feel it. This was not to its detriment in book one — it let you pick up the world pretty quickly. But in book two I wanted more (and surely, was not helped by reading The Fellowship of the Ring at the same time because boy, does Tolkien know how to worldbuild). More is what I didn’t get, except to introduce new characters and magical concepts without any grounding in the worldbuilding. However, YMMV on this one: I know I lean on the in-depth worldbuilding side of things, but for others the lack of it will be a draw.

My second point lies, oddly enough, in how clever the main character is. Now, this is not to say I don’t want clever characters: of course I do! A plot resting on sheer stupidity is, unless amusing, guaranteed to irritate me no end. But there’s clever and then there’s this. The issue here is that Aelis is almost too clever. She can solve every problem, usually within a few pages, and a lot of the time she just doesn’t slip up. It’s like a scaling issue: she’s too powerful (read: intelligent) for the world she’s in and the problems she faces. As such, none of the stakes in this book feel that high. I’m sure they’re meant to be, but it just feels like an oddly low stakes high fantasy book (while clearly having stakes which are not meant to be low). Take, for example, the ease with which the big bad is killed at the end (assuming he’s genuinely been killed this time, of course). It happens within a few pages and all the build up to it (aka the entire rest of the book) feels a little pointless. Except to introduce the magical equivalent of modern Doctor Who’s sonic screwdriver which resolves every issue that Aelis can’t on her own. (I’m sure there’s a word for this, not deus ex machina, though I suppose that sort of works, but anyway…) As such, it’s all a bit like …oh well, okay, there goes that obstacle.

As I said, though, this is probably a book I’d have enjoyed more if I’d read it straight after the first one. Maybe then, I’d have managed to overlook all of this.

Daniel M. Ford blew me away last year when I got to read The Warden. At the time, I had said that I was hoping that I would get to spend more time in Aelis’s world soon, and guess what? Necrobane is here.

This book picks up immediately where The Warden left off, so heads up. Here there be spoilers.

Aelis is a necromancer and a noble scion. She’s a child raised in wealth in a large city, trained in magic and combat. In short, she is the antithesis of most of the people that she is, as a Warden, charged to protect. In her efforts to defend the village of Lone Pine, she accidentally activated an unknown number of animated dead of Mahlgren, necromancy-fueled remnants of the last war. While she was able to defeat the handful of skeletons that arose within the chamber she was exploring, she learned that there are far more similar crypts scattered throughout the realm. Now that they’re active, they’re likely to be heading in the direction of her new home. Just as the villagers were beginning to trust the outsider, now she’s got to warn them about an impending invasion of restless dead that are technically only emerging because of her actions.

Rather than leave the people of Lone Pine to fend for themselves, Aelis quickly hatches a plan to seek out a control mechanism that could potentially deactivate the entire enemy force. She narrows down the likely location to a stronghold of a fallen empire and gathers her allies. She may be a skilled and talented Necrobane, able to defeat animated dead with her own magic, but this struggle isn’t a solo venture. Up first, of course, is Maurenia. The half-elf is a skilled soldier and engineer, and her status as Aelis’s lover doesn’t hurt her chances to be invited along. Next is Timmuk, a dwarf merchant and a coworker of Maurenia’s on their last excursion across the frontier of Ystain. Last but not least is Tun, a half-orc woodsman who assisted Aelis on her previous adventure. Tun’s skill as a tracker is invaluable in their journey through the wilderness. Together, they hope to cut off any animated dead before they’re able to even approach Lone Pine. Ideally, they’ll put them down before any tensions between the humans and orcs along the frontier can be strained and reignite a war. Plus, maybe they’ll find some treasure along the way! As long, that is, as the control mechanism actually exists…

Ford’s writing and world-building remain top-notch throughout Necrobane, and it makes a spectacular continuation to the story established in The Warden. The stakes are higher now, and Aelis’s skills are going to be pushed to their limit if the party has any chance of succeeding. I am still wildly in love with this series, and will continue to recommend it for any fantasy fan who enjoys D&D and books like Gideon the Ninth and Legends & Lattes. I know at this point that we’re expecting a 3rd book in Aelis’s adventures in the near future, and I am ready for it.

My utmost thanks (once again) to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for access to an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review. Today is publication day, so go grab yourself a copy.

This review originally appeared here: https://swordsoftheancients.com/2024/04/23/necrobane-a-review/

I think this is a series for readers who enjoy tabletop rpgs. But it’s original, it’s good and the main character is interesting. For me it’s a five star book. I can’t wait to see what happens in book three, For someone who just wants a straight forward adventure fantasy four stars perhaps. For someone who’s a bit pickier and wants substance and meaning in their fantasy probably not your book…. It’s a solid adventure story and a fun page turner and not too deep. But a great deal of fun. 200 books would be a slow year for me and these two have still been in my top 20 or so each of these last two years because they put a smile on my face and Aelis has been the best fish out of water.

We pick up right after the last book with Aelis. She accidentally let something out while cleaning up another mess, and now has to get back to Low Pine and make sure its residents are prepared for what could be coming. She, her friend Tun, and a couple of others will see if they can stop what's coming before it gets to her new home.
This story gives me cozy fantasy vibes, I love how Aelis is determined to care for the people of Low Pine even though she would prefer to be elsewhere. I love her close friendship with Tun, and how despite her wanting to stay a bit apart from the townsfolk she can't help but get involved in their lives and grow closer to them.
I love the adventure they all go on, it was just action-packed and suspenseful enough to keep me entertained, and not want to put it down until I reached the last page.

I have a lot of fun reading this series and can't wait to see whats going to happen in book 3!

Picking up where the first book left off, we are set on another with Aelis and her companions. Aelis is tasked with finding more magic to protect her village and along for the journey includes the mercenary she's fallen for, her half-orc friend, and a dwarven merchant. It's a good second book but I did end up preferring the first book. Aelis felt a bit more juvenile in this one, compared to the last one. Overall it is a good fantasy series.

This is book two of The Warden series, and it picks up immediately after the end of book one. The story and characters came back to me right away as the reader is reminded of what happened in the first book without infodumps. Aelis is a necromancer, a healer, and a warden. An army of the animated dead are loose somewhere in the countryside and she and her friends leave the village she’s protecting to hunt them down and stop them before they can wreak havoc.

The plot moves along at a good pace with action balanced with calmer scenes. Aelis is a good character- she has flaws and messes up but keeps going. I enjoyed this, and I’m looking forward to the next book. It comes out April 23. Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for the eARC.

Necrobane continues the story of Aelis de Lenti, the new Warden of the village of Lone Pine. It picks up pretty much right where the first book ended.
This is one of two books that I have been waiting for in 2024.
I was not disappointed. This book had just as much going for it as the first book.
Aelis, while a new Warden, is very skilled at what she does. Even when it is to her own detriment.
I love the town of Lone Pine and its residents. Especially (and I still don’t know why) the goat that seems to be the bane of her existence.
If I have any complaints about this book, it’s that a couple of parts in it seemed to go a little longer than they needed to. Not that I was bored, necessarily. I just felt it was time to move on to the next happening.
Can’t wait to see what book 3 brings!

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this second installment in The Warden series because the first book was such an overwhelming favorite of mine when it was first released. I loved everything about it from the main character, Aelis, to the setting, to the adventurous plot. Much to my delight, Necrobane was almost just as great a read as The Warden!
We’re dumped right back into the story where we left off, with Aelis having just returned in much haste to Lone Pine from her frightening excursion into the wilderness. Aelis must tell the people that her mucking about (at the instruction of her superiors) has unleashed an unknown number of undead into Old Ystain and they might come into Lone Pine. She immediately sets off again, despite her badly injured ankle, with Tun, Maurenia, and the dwarf who’s name I can’t remember to stop this threat. There’s a great deal of walking, so if that’s something that really drags a story down, you probably already gave up in the first book.
I love Aelis’ brash confidence in her own abilities, which are not insignificant, and how she’s balanced out by Tun. Tun was definitely one of the highlights of the first book and continues to be an excellent character, though I feel that his character doesn’t get fleshed out too much more this time around. Maurenia, as Aelis’ love interest and kick ass inventor does get more page time and more depth this time around, which I greatly appreciated. The dwarf… well, I can’t even remember his name, so that’s enough about that.
While this story starts and ends strongly, one particular section really dragged along. As the group are traveling toward Mahlgren, where they hope to locate a control mechanism for the unleashed undead, they stop in a valley where they have to make a deal with some sort of… forest spirit? Anyway, the whole sequence reminded me of the Tom Bombadil section in the Fellowship of the Ring and I HATED it. It felt so tedious, though it was ultimately very important!
Overall, Necrobane was a great second book and I’m pleased to see that there’s already a title for the third book (The Advocate), though no release date yet. I’m a little peeved by the cover art change because I really loved the style of the art on The Warden and felt that it fit the overall vibe and the new, light, almost anime style of the new art doesn’t fit it quite as well. I think this is a great series for someone looking for the D&D vibe in their fantasy books.

Actual rating 3.75, rounded up to 4 stars. It is amazing how in any given situation, Aelis can find the exact wrong thing to say! It's difficult to watch her be so damn cocky and headsure all of the time, but also, shes 22, so how could I NOT forgive her for that? I am once again left admiring her ability to turn a Situation into More Situations. Looking forward to her future attempts at problem solving in book three!
PS- Tun is everything to me and he got so much more page time in this book, which pleased me greatly <3

This was a strong sequel in the Warden series, the characters felt like they were supposed to and enjoyed the overall feel of this world. The plot had that fantasy element that I wanted and enjoyed the feel of the world. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall story. I enjoyed the idea of the mystery in this book and can't wait to read more from the author and story. Daniel M. Ford always writes a strong story and characters and glad I got to read this.

I didn't like this book quite as much as I did the first one in the series. The youthfulness of the Aelis seemed to really stand out. It was mentioned several times how she ran headlong into a situation without really taking time to figure things out first, and unfortunately it did affect her friends this time. The book ended on a mini cliffhanger, and I am definitely going to read the next book in the series.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Tor Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this second book in a very good fantasy series, dealing with magic, small towns, relationships, bureaucracy and of course evil.

A second book in a series is sometimes a difficult beast to master. One has their entire lifetime to work on the first book, the second one a whole lot less. In that time editors will add their ideas, reviews might effect the brain, and affect the story. Second guessing the second part might be a factor. I come to second books with a bit of trepidation. Can't lighting in a bottle captured again? Yes, yes it can. Necrobane is the second book in the Warden series, written by Daniel M. Ford and does everything a good second book should. Expands the world, raises the stakes, keeps what one enjoys in the characters present, and has a really great story.

Aelis de Lenti is the daughter of a rich and powerful family, a user of magic and the Warden of the town of Lone Pine. Aelis is still feeling her way in the town, but is still flush from her victory with another magic user, and the friends she has made. However Aelis also likes to rush into things and on an mission makes a mistake that puts a lot of people into danger. Aelis has caused the dead to rise, and soon they might be coming to Lone Pine, or even worse into Orc territory. Which could cause a war. Aelis gathers her friends and sets out into the woods to try and fix her mistake, but soon finds that there are many odd things happening, far more than just the undead. A cabin in the middle of the valley offers clues, but the cost might be too high. Answers might be found in a keep that is rapidly going underwater. Which is patrolled by an undead creature that none has seen before. And behind it all, might be something that Aelis with all her skills might not be able to beat.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and this one continues that tradition. Fantasy has gotten a little staid for me, but Ford has given me a lot of hope for the genre. Ford has created mythology and a history for the land this takes place in with lots to draw on. This fills out his characters and events, which Ford doles out carefully never dumping anything on the reader. The characters are also very good. Aelis is headstrong brash, scared, smart, sure, and vulnerable almost at the same time. The way that Ford makes her look at situations and figure things out really helps readers understand Aelis and her motivations. And her love. Even minor characters are given things to do, the barkeeps, and the farmers especially, and all of them are distinct, with enough backstory for further books. Plus the book has a good hook to get one excited for the next book, which I am excited to read, and can not wait.

Recommended for people who enjoy good fantasy stories, strong characters who actually feel things, great action and a plot that is clear and narratively easy to follow. Role players will get a lot out of this also, as the world is quite well set up, the magic is fascinating, and Ford's writing is a good template for adventures. Honestly can't wait for the next book.

I feel like this series is seriously underrated and I don't understand why. We follow Aelis who is spoiled and full of pride, but takes her job of protecting a small, backwater village seriously. She shouldn't be likeable, but she absolutely is. And I love how she is reluctantly turning into a mentor/teacher. It's great. More people please read this!

Picking up directly where The Warden left off, Necrobane hurls us back into a wry, rollicking necromantic adventure. Packed with genuinely threatening magical foes and skeletal creations alike, Necrobane is kind of like The Witcher if Geralt were an impulsive, ornery, brilliant magic school grad with more friends and a mild alcoholic streak. The worldbuilding and magic system is rich and fascinating, the characters are three-dimensional and lived in - and, as with The Warden, it has a satisfying ending while still teasing the next book with a juciy cliffhanger. A very strong follow-up and thoroughly enjoyable book.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

I enjoyed the previous book in this fantasy series, and this one was a definite improvement. Better writing and better editing FTW (although there were still quite a few spelling errors and word choices that I hope were taken care of before final publication).

In this book we have mostly the same cast of characters as appeared in the first book. The relationships progress nicely, the main character slowly finds the means to interact and integrate better with the citizens she is responsible for, and the obligatory quest was interesting and had consequences that will continue into future books. And, of course, this book ends in a similar cliffhanger as the previous book did, giving us the great news that this fun series will continue.