Magic has been slowly fading from the enchanted forest ever since the greedy humans invaded. The native feathered-folk were kind in sharing their homeland, but peace couldn’t last forever. Conflict stirs while Barne, half human/half native, is stuck in the middle. Trapped between two worlds he must try and find himself before choosing a side. In a world where he never really belongs, Barne … searches to find his smile through all means necessary. But there’s a dark secret that holds his happiness hostage…
In a world of swords and sorcery, darkness and despair, nothing comes without a price.
About The Tarnished Lands: In the aftermath of the utopian regime that ruled for over a millennium, famine, chaos, murder and deceit reign in lieu of balance. The pendulum now swings in favor of disorder. The fierce strong-arm the weak, cowards lurk in the shadows like rats, and the wicked take everything that’s left over. This is no longer a place for good intentions, this is a place of survival.
P.A. Wikoff, the author that brought you “Feylin Lore: Reflections,” and “Anthology of Scrolls: Short Stories, Poetry & Prose,” now brings you this new series full of unique characters and adventure.
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This novel is the first book in the Forgotten Woods Series from P.A. Wikoff. I have not had the pleasure of reading anything by P.A. Wikoff before. I was caught by the front cover of the novel, and decided to go in blind and see what I would find. I am glad that I did, and I look forward to more novels in this series in the future.
This novel blends a lot of different genera’s into a perfectly molded story with a strong plot. You get a little bit of everything you could want in the action, adventure, and sci-fi department. At the root of it all we get a strong set of characters that make the novel that much more all-consuming. I felt like I was in this magical world. There is a lot, better left to be read than explained well. It was a short novel so I feel like all the pieces played a strong point and would ruin this story if I went too far into detail. If you like the idea of adventure, magic, and a new world then this is the perfect escape for an afternoon.
The Harrowed Half-Breed: A Tarnished Lands Story (Forgotten Woods #1) by P.A. Wikoff was a fast pace, action pace fantasy that had me reading this magical wonder in one sitting.
My first read my this author I wasn’t sure what to expect, fantasy are hit and miss for me and I normally like to stay with authors I know will ignite my read soul. I was not disappointed with this book, and will add this author to my list. Rich with detail the world building was freaking outstanding. That’s for me, is half the battle when writing fantasy. Now match that with lush scenery, complex and well rounded characters that just leap off the page, and you got one hell of a marvelous read.
For a fairly short read there is a lot going one, but nothing was let unattended. The author took time to give you as much as you need to picture what was going on without needing to add filler or, needing to over explain things. He lets you read between the lines, and that makes for easy and fast reading. I loved the feather folk race and the dealing with human, but mostly I loved with their relationship with nature. Give and take, on both ends, very harmonious. So get you to understand why they are peeved with the humans.
I will say that there are some heart destroying scenes as well as tender ones. This book was in perfect harmony with all it elements and, I can’t wait to see if there is going to more. I need more, cause this word that was created is just breathtaking.
If you haven’t guessed, this book has my super high recommendation. It’s like nothing you have ever read, just the world building alone will have you hooked.
Happy Reading.
-E.A. Walsh
5 Star
The Harrowed Half Breed :A Tarnished Lands Story(Forgotten Woods Book 1) By P.A. Wikoff is the first book in this series .This is a Science fiction/ fantasy book that I truly enjoyed reading. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. I was on the edge of my seat at time wanting to know what was going to happen next. There are twists and turns some suspense a little action and secrets.The more I read Science Fiction/Fantasy the more I’m liking it.I highly recommend reading this Book. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
The Harrowed Halfbreed: A Tarnished Lands Story (Forgotten Woods Book 1)
By P.A. Wikoff
I have to say that I love the cover of this book and until I started reviewing books fantasy was not my genre at all. But having read some I now have a new genre to go to. This book is a highly recommended read, if book one is this good can’t wait for future books in this series. It didn’t take me long to get into the story, I reckon it was before the first chapter had even finished. So much detail has been put into this book which leads you to only wanting more and more of the story. If you want to read a book with a strong plot, then this is the book for you. This wonderful story has everything in it from doom and gloom, action, adventure and some laughter. So, what more could you want from a book? Go get it and have a read you will not be disappointed.
The Harrowed Half Breed by: P.A. Wikoff Had me hooked from page one. I really enjoyed the story line and characters in the book. I dont usually read dark fantasy novels, but I really enjoyed this one. This is the first book I have read by this author and I’ll continue to read them. I cant wait to read the next book in this series. I give this book 5 stars. Great read!!
Such a great read! Absolutely loved this book! I was immediately captured by the story and found it exciting and thrilling throughout. My favourite aspect of the book is the description and creation of the setting; it was done so well. I really appreciated the amount of detail that had been put into the description and the explanation of this new world and it made me enjoy the overall book so much more! I also really liked Barne’s character; he was really easy to support and was a likeable character. I loved how it belongs in the fantasy genre but there was quite a strong theme of darkness which can be quite unusual in that genre. Overall, a great read which is thrilling all the way through!
A great read about taking sides. In a futuristic world, humans and fantastical feathered folk have been fighting over land for a long time. Stuck in the middle of it all is Barne, a half breed of both races, a boy just trying to make his way in the world despite the circumstances. But when events spiral out of control, he must find a way to make peace between them all. Will he be able to resolve matters and attempt a peace before it is all too late?
a great read. well developed plot with twists and turns that I just couldn’t put down. well developed characters like Valara trying to lead her people whilst struggling with her feelings or Barne as a confused young man but still standing up for himself. great cast of supporting characters like Nanis the wise old mentor or kind friends like Seyu. and a brilliant villain who wlll send shivers up your spine while not being too melodramatic.
I loved the sense of it being a bildungsroman as you watched Barne grow up and deal with new situations in a harsh world which was beautifully written. The change of perspectives for each chapter was a great idea to depict different points of view and was easy to follow.
the mix of fantasy elements with gems and armour and weapons and also sci fi sense of the future state of the world in the prologue was done brilliantly and made for an enjoyable read. the two races of different people with separate rules and laws and societies contrasted perfectly and made you sympathise as Barne tries to navigate it all. I loved the visual detail throughout the novel with the sense of nature being sacred to be preserved like the roots and trees of the forest and the grove or the caves. overall, a brilliant read and I would give it five stars.
The Harrowed Half-Breed: A Tarnished Lands Story- P.A. Wikoff
4-star review
The Harrowed Half-Breed: A Tarnished Lands Story by P.A. Wikoff is a one of a kind fantasy read. It’s the first book in the Forgotten Woods series, and it’s certainly an interesting start. This story is full of detail, action-packed, slightly dark and twisted, and it certainly wasn’t what I had been expecting, I was entertained the whole way through. I was able to read this book in one sitting as I got swept up in the storyline. It felt like I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next. All of the detail, from the forest, the history, Valara’s love, the humans and the folk people, it was all there which made it easy to picture everything playing out in my mind.
I’ve never read a story quite like this one, so I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
Don’t let its length fool you. This richly detailed fantasy creates an amazing universe that immerses its reader into an action packed story. The author does a wonderful job pulling the reader in and gripping them tightly until the story ends. My only complaint was that the story came to an end. Wonderful! Highly recommended!
The Harrowed Half-breed PA Wikoff
Four Stars
This was a unique and different. There is action, adventures and unknown creatures. The author gave us a different twist on the paranormal and it was a hit. There are many interesting characters and they all make the story come together. I felt that this story held a lot of growth for the characters. You read a lot about them coming into their own. Betrayal is an ugly emotion and drives us to do stupid things. Being a half breed is so sad for Bane and it seems he has no hope for a better life.
The Harrowed Half-Breed by P A Wikoff
4 Stars
Its always nice to step outside your favorite genre and read something new. This book is a refreshing change from my normal genre. I found it to be a very unique and refreshing read. The world built by this author is very original and well voiced.
I found the book to be filled with drama and twists and turns. The whole story was filled d with unique characters. I like how it began with Kit and turned into Barne’s story. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I really look forward to reading more from this author and hopefully this series.
The Harrowed Half-Breed: a Tarnished Land
(Forgotten Woods Book 1)
Written by P.A Wikoff
4 out of 5 stars
I wouldn’t call the fantasy genre my favorite but every once in awhile I stumble across a story that I can’t pass up. Between the book’s description and the well illustrated cover, The Harrowed Half-Breed was one of these books. This was my first experience with PA Wikoff’s writing but I will definitely be reading more of this series at the very least.
I was a little leery with this being the first book in a series, expecting that the world building would be slow and the storyline would lag but this wasn’t the case at all. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end with its action and truly unique characters.
I am not sure I’ve read anything like the Harrowed Half-Breed and I am looking forward to what is to come.
The Harrowed Half-Breed: A Tarnished Lands Story (Forgotten Woods Book 1)
By P.A. Wikoff
Rated 4 stars
I love the cover! It’s eye catching and immediately drew me to the book. This is a first time author for me. The story is nice and a bit weird at times. The plight of the half breed made me feel for him. He leads quite the life. This story has a darker element to it. The characters are different and wildly imaginative. His name was genius! Not nice but still…genius.
I loved the world of the feathered folk. Some of the things they were able to do was very cool. Of course there is the element of magic installed. I liked the magic inspired by the forest. Not so much the magic of the stones. There is a lot of despair and not much hope for this little half breed.
I also didn’t understand the point of the prologue along with the epilogue. I am not sure why he is laughing and so happy. Unless he is what Kip thinks and I guess I could understand that too. I see there will be another story. I wonder where that will lead the halfbreed and Kip
The Harrowed Half-Breed is the first book in the Forgotten Wood Boook by P.A. Wikoff is a dark fantasy that captured me from the first work. Wikoff has an amazing ability to write about different creatures but keep the eye on the main characters of humans and feather-folk. His imagery is intrigue so you can imagine the scenery and therefore can place the creatures inside the scenery. This story is a page turned that will want you to keep reading until the last word. This story is about the feather-folk. They treasured the land and never took from it more than necessary. The humans pilfered the world to have more than what they needed to show dominance in the land. Barne is the main character who is a half-breed. He is trying to fit in the best he can. This is the coming of age part of the book. We see Barne and what he has to go through just to be happy. I enjoyed reading about Barne. It makes you hopeful for the future. Will you see Barne in a better place than he was at the start of the story? You will have to read it to find out.
This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. This is science fiction-fantasy book that I couldn’t put down once I started it. There are twists and turns, action, suspense, and secrets. It is a fast paced book that left me sitting on the edge waiting to see what would happen next. I enjoyed the fantasy part of it with the darkness, swords and sorcery, the character Barne it makes it interesting. You never know what you might find lurking in the shadows. I highly recommend this book.
The Harrowed Half-Breed: A Tarnished Lands Story (Forgotten Woods Book 1) By P.A. Wikoff. This book took me by complete surprise with how much I liked it. I’m not a huge fan of fantasy stories but I’m so glad I gave this one a chance. Right from the beginning you are thrusted into an incredible story world. The author paints a picture that plays out right before your eyes with the attention to detail that’s given. This is a bit on the dark fantasy side and was everything I could have wanted. Each character brings something different to the story. Sometimes world building can slow a book down for me, but I never felt that way with this story. It was a well written and thought out story that had a nice pace. I’ll definitely be looking for more by this author. I’m giving this book a four star review and highly recommend it to everyone even if you’re not a fan of fantasy.
The Harrowed Half-Breed by P.A. Wikoff is a unique dark fantasy story set in a dismal world. There are strange creatures who are at war with humans and are quite a violent race even amongst themselves. It was quite gruesome at times but P.A. has done a great job of building and weaving the written word to fully explore all sides of the characters and the world in which they live. But it was not all doom and gloom, there are moments in time where there was things that will make you laugh.
As a fantasy lover I would recommend this book to anyone who likes things a little bit darker
4 Stars
The Harrowed Half Breed is A Tarnished Lands Story and the first book in the Forgotten Woods Series By P.A Wikoff. This is my first read by Mr. Wikoff, so I wasn’t sure what I would find when I began reading. The story is an interesting and original fantasy that has lots of action, adventure, drama, unique creatures/beings, magic, and some violence. The story has a dark tone to it and feels a lot like a D & D story/game. But mostly it is a story of self-discovery and a ‘coming of age’.
In the story we meet many characters, all of which play a part in making this story interesting- Barne, Valara, Kip, Nanis, Hogar, Neff, Seyu, and many others, help to bring the story alive. We explore the Tarnished Lands and meet the feathered folk- and discover a lot about their history and struggles.
“The feathered-folk had resided in the wildwoods for greater than a thousand years. They lived off nature’s gifts while never upsetting the symbiosis. It was a sacred way of life passed down from each generation.
Soon the humans found value in the forest’s wood and sought to cut down the very lands that provided for the folk. Human greed was a flaw that flowed deeply within their blood; they couldn’t help it any more than they could help breathing or blinking.
While the humans pilfered more than necessary, the trees bled dark sap, showing their displeasure.
As the self-appointed wardens of the forest, the feathered-folk raged war against the humans. Peace was in their nature, though you wouldn’t know it as of late. There hadn’t always been conflict between the two bloodlines, although as of the last couple years, it was a daily struggle. With each fallen warrior, contention spoiled their kind nature and poisoned their disposition.”
This is a very short and easy read, I read it in one sitting. Mr. Wikoff has a descriptive and detailed style, which gave the story a rich texture and feel. If you love swords and sorcery, D & D, original and interesting fantasy, and quirky/unique characters- then this book should be part of your collection.
There is a link at the end of the book to a D & D Module called “Breaking the Peace”- which is set before The Harrowed Half Breed.
Looking forward to “The Progeny Assassin!”, Book #2 in the series.
Thank you, Mr. Wikoff!
The Harrowed Half-Breed: A Tarnished Lands Story by P.A. Wikoff is the first book the Forgotten Woods series. This is a coming of age dark fantasy story. The main character Barne is not like the others and all he wants is to be happy in his life. Many can relate to his conundrum of balancing parts of his life and still finding a balance where he is happy. The setting of the story is creative and interesting. It was easy to see an image while reading and get further involved in the story. The writing is good and the story kept me interested. After reading this story I want to see where the author takes the series and how Barne will fit into the overall scheme of things.
I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy lately and THE HARROWED HALF-BREED is different from the other stories I’ve been reading. From the cover to the content, this book is full of greatness. It’s Book 1 of The Forgotten Woods Series and it almost reads like a prequel to the books to come (that is a guess on my part, not fact).
The characters in this story are described in such detail, that I could visualize what the author was trying to convey. It’s a short book, I was able to read it in one sitting and I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“We are the wind – they hear us and feel our presence, but we’re never to be seen.”
“Why does a hunter hunt when he’s not hungry? Why does a bee sting when it knows it’s going to die afterward? Because they love it.”
“…forget the past, forget the pain.”