Death Unleashed

This book I find very well written, since the first page you can dive deep into the storyline. I also liked the cover very well. It is nice designed in the color and in the design itself. The writing style is very good and very pleasant and fluently to read. The book has been very clearly structured and the plot is traceable and very interesting. The characters  look very authentic and traceable to me. The author succeeds in writing very detailing about the scenery, characters, surroundings and emotions. This story is fascinating and consistent at the same time and keeps the tension until the end.

To say I was excited to get an early copy of this book would be an understatement! McHugh has rapidly climbed to the top of my ‘most anticipated’ list and he’s yet to disappoint.

This book takes up the story a few months after the end of Sorcery Reborn and continues with the split perspective, this time adding Mordred’s perspective to Nate’s and Layla’s. Despite there being three perspectives the book never feels too busy. All three characters have a distinct ’voice’ and it’s easy to distinguish which story we’re following (if you somehow miss the chapter headers where it tells you who it is - I’ve been surprised at how difficult people seem find keeping up with split perspectives in books, even with clear headings to guide them!). Once the action starts it’s pretty much non-stop, with new and intriguing uses of powers, and of course swearing - thanks mostly to Remy, who never ceases to amuse (read his novella Hunted to get more Remy goodness). It’s violent, but if you don’t want violent don’t read books about former assassins and wars, and it’s funny. It’s also heartbreaking at times, beloved characters are in peril, as are their loved ones, as they battle Avalon.

Again I’m impressed and happy that McHugh manages to be inclusive, with sexualities represented well and not used simply for titillation and fetishisation. He’s one of the best male writers with regard to female characters. They aren’t described or valued by their physical and sexual attributes- case in point, Aphrodite. She’s a succubus and is described as beautiful, but that’s it. No epic paragraphs about her body. It’s amazing how many male (and to be honest, female) writers are incapable of creating strong, competent and smart female characters without reducing them to a bra size. There are so many strong and powerful women in this universe, who get the respect they’re due. Even better than that, in some ways, McHugh isn’t afraid to create terrible women, and he isn’t afraid to treat them in the same way he treats his awful male characters. How sad is it that in 2020 it’s still so unusual to see true equality??

The amount of story threads that McHugh has had to weave together is staggering, and he does it masterfully. This trilogy is the culmination of 10 previous novels, over two series, with a huge cast of characters with a lot of plot to cover. Lesser writers would have stumbled many times, leaving loose ends galore, but other than a few things lost in editing - which he’s explained in various places - McHugh manages not to fumble.

I’d highly recommend reading all of McHugh’s books, this is a great universe to get lost in and is somewhere I return to regularly as I reread often. Unforgettable characters, continuous action, masses of humour and a great story.....what’s not to love?!

This is a very compelling series. Filled with several questing storylines to gain allies in the war with Arthur, Nate is determined to see his death. Layla is sent to seek help with the Valkyries, Mordred seeks Excalibur, Nate seeks the cure for a deadly venom. And it all comes to an explosive head as the combatants converge on Asgard. My reaction to the last pages of the book....Nooooo, no, no, no. Please no. Not.... I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Happy reading.

Death Unleashed by Steve McHugh. A good book, though felt slightly disjointed to me, unsure if this was the first in the series or not, but writing was well done.

This was a great second installment in the Rebellion Chronicles, the theme of well-written characters and top-notch world building continued to drawn me in. It was a rollercoaster going non-stop from beginning to end and I really enjoyed the ride and I can't wait to dive into book 3.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by NetGalley*

I want to thank the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication. I've been a big fan of Steve McHugh's Avalon books for quite some time. I was very excited when the previous book brought back Nate Garrett in the previous book, Sorcery Reborn.

As for Death Unleashed, I think this is a really good next edition in the series. I definitely think readers should probably have a working knowledge of the Hellequin series before diving into this book. The book is fast-paced, easy to read, and maintains the page-turner status that McHugh's books have had for quite some time. If you're looking for an interesting urban fantasy series, I definitely recommend this series, in general.

I think I have finally decided why I like these brash and violent and for the most part immensely readable books, I do not like comics but Steve McHugh's books turn comics into pulp fiction and that seems to work for me. Death Unleashed is an apposite title for this current volume as the book is full of it and the epilogue promises more to come. It may seem a contradiction to accept the gratuitous violence but complain about the number of expletives but that is the way my head is wired. Violence is violence and can be graphic or subtle but endless expletives are, as far as I am concerned, a language failure. If you like the idea of a comic format drawn in words then this is likely a book for you.

Nate is back, a rip roaring emotional rollercoaster with a great influx of new characters and heart stopping moments for returning characters.

A must read for all.

I haven't read McHugh in a while. Reading Death Unleashed reminded me why I like his books.

Lots of action, interesting characters and mix of gods from various pantheons.

McHugh is strong on character development. Also,he isn't afraid of killing off characters. Yes, it's sad but it's also necessary for plot development.

I really enjoyed this book. I was given an advanced reader copy. I have given my honest opinion.

Death Unleashed is the second installment in author Steve McHugh's The Rebellion Chronicles. This story picks up several months after Sorcery Reborn. The author has decided to use three main characters to tell his story; Nate Garrett, Layla Cassidy, and Mordred. In the realm of Asgard, Nate, has become a father for the first time in his long life, he has a chance to meet his father, Odin, and he is happy with Selene, a dragon shifter. But, things are not yet settled when it comes to stopping Arthur, Avalon, and Hera who truly wants to see Nate dead.

When Tommy and Odin return from Montana near death from an unknown venom, Nate knows that Hera is somehow involved. Nate's journey will take him to Montana, Canada, and London. Along the way, he picks up assistance from Rasputin and Pandora aka Hope. Nate's team includes Kase, Remy, Sky, and Zameka. With Tommy, and Odin dying of an unknown venom, time is ticking away. Nate learns that thanks to a blood ritual, 7 people were created to be weapons. He is apparently Death, Mordred is Conquest. Apparently, Pestilence, Judgement, and War are still alive. But, whose side do they fight for? He will eventually face off against War, Hera and Atlas before rushing back to Asgard for the final stand.

Meanwhile, Layla is sent on a mission to Valhalla with Piper, Tego, Irkalla, Chloe, Ava, and Jinayca. Layla, who is able to create weapons from metal, has a dual fold mission; to seek the Valkyries help in preventing Asgard from falling, and searching for Zeus's final resting place. Why Zeus? Because one of the 7 weapons created is Zeus's daughter, Judgement. It's not really a surprise when things don't go as planned in Valhalla, but they make some important discoveries here and the introduction of some new characters is an added plus.
Layla, who is eager for the war against Arthur to end so that she can move on with life without bloodshed, also encounters Brynhildr, aka Nate's mother, a Valkyrie who is leading a rebellion against Valkyries who have aligned with Arthur. Layla, Brnyhildr, and her new allies must fight to save Valhalla, as well as being there to prevent Asgard from falling to Arthur and Avalon.

For Mordred, he and Hel have become a happy couple despite the ravaging war that is destroying various worlds. But, he needs to accept his fate as the one who truly was meant to wield Excalibur, not Arthur. He first needs to find Guinevere who is said to have escaped Arthur along with the sword and promptly hid it where nobody but Mordred could find it. Mordred's journey includes meeting the Lady of the Lake and going thru a trial which means facing his past and his past darkness which consumed him until Nate stopped him. He will also have an encounter with Arthur that seemingly sets the stage for the next (2) books in this series. There's a whole lot of bloodshed in these series, but the humor often times comes from Mordred who has a never ending supply of movie themes to hum.

Later on in this book, readers get a brief chapter from the perspective of Arthur. The man really needs to die soon. He's been around for both the original Nate series, Layla's series, and now this one. He's evil incarnate and not the man that fiction novels have made him out to be. His plan to destroy any world that stands against him, has left devastating consequences behind. Also, there's a key character, an ally of Nate's, who really could use some loving after what happens to him. In essence, this character has been around since Nate's original series.
I am going to repeat what a fellow reviewer said recently. It is possible to read and enjoy Death Unleashed without reading any of the previous books, but I strongly advise you to read at least some of the other novels to truly appreciate just what a magnificent story teller Steve McHugh really is. You are likely to find your favorite Norse, or Celtic, or Arthurian, or Mythological character in this series. No character is safe. You are either on Nate's side, or Arthur's side. If you try to remain neutral, you are likely not to live long.

Death Unleashed (The Rebellion Chronicles Book 2) by Steve McHugh is an amazing story that I have read. This is book number two in this amazing series that I have loved reading. I highly recommend this story to everyone.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGallery

If you liked any of the previous books by Steve McHugh, then you will also likely to love this. Nate is back alongside all of the other characters developed during the previous series. Once again the action is fast paced, with a wide abundance of different magic/powers used.

What I have always loved about this world, which Steve McHugh has built, is the use of myths and legends, both from fiction and from history. From Greek deities, to King Arthur and Merlin, it is interesting, and I always look forward to seeing who will enter this world next!

On the whole, this was a very easy and enjoyable read, and I cant wait for the next one.

Great addition to the Nate Garret world. The introduction of new characters is awesome and I can't wait for the next book.

What can I say? This was like reading three different books that all converged in the one place. It was awesome reading of characters that I have grown to love. Bravo for another amazing story

Another excellent book following Nate Garret in his fight against Avalon. I would only recommend this book if you have already read the rest of the Hellequin chronicles and the other Rebellion chronicles as i dont think it can be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. However as a continuation of the series it is an excellent read and moves forward with the overarching plot well.

The next instalment in The rebellion chronicles is simply unputdownable. I thoroughly enjoyed the antics of Nate garett, Layla Cassidy, Mordred, and all their other supporters as they try to defend Asgard against Merlin and his cronies.

I just can’t wait for the next book to know what happens .

The addition of a third POV makes this feel a little overcrowded which also made the different story-lines feel rushed at times. However it was saved by the action packed scenes and the enjoyable characters. It's always nice to see the authors twist on famous and mythological figures from history.

I absolutely love the Helequin series. Steve is one if my top 3 fav authors .I started reading his books a while back because i was looking for a series like the Dresden Files. And have been a fan ever since . I am so glad he continued Nate Garrett‘s journey..