Vengeance of Hope, P.J.Berman’s explosive debut novel, marks the beginning of the Silrith series, a new power in the world of epic fantasy.This opening book pitches you head first into the intense and unrelentingly dangerous Kingdom of Bennvika, a world of strong, powerful women and ambitious, ruthless men. As a bitter power struggle surges through the land, you are just as likely to die in a … die in a devious political plot as you are in the carnage of a great, bloody battle.
Your ears will ring with the clang of steel on steel. Your heart will tremble at the thundering of charging hooves. You will feel the cut and slash of blades as you follow three very different rebels in their desperate fight against a tyrannical King.
Silrith, the exiled Princess of Bennvika, stands shoulder to shoulder with her followers, sword in hand, ready to defend those in need of her protection. Yet she knows that if she falls, thousands more will also perish.
Ezrina, of the Hentani tribe, burns with desire for revenge against those who oppress her people, but more than anything she must fight to protect the woman she could be executed for loving.
Zethun, an ambitious young politician, yearns for a fairer world with a greater voice for the poor. However, for him and his followers, to speak the word ‘republic’, could be a fatally dangerous move in a land ruled by a despot.
Will the rebel factions succeed? Or in the indiscriminate butchery of war, will their disunity prove to be their downfall, bringing about the destruction of their world as they know it?
With vivid imagery, a punchy writing voice, detailed worldbuilding and an unapologetically fast pace, Vengeance of Hope has everything an epic fantasy novel needs.
From the Back Cover:
‘Mother of many, Mother of none, a Queen will fall, and a Warrior will come.’
The sword. The word. The holy relic.
How would you fight to reclaim your liberty?
The king is dead. An arrest has been made. The throne has been usurped. Bennvika is a land engulfed in turmoil and uncertainty.
Reviews:
‘Read it if you have a taste for rebellion, a fire in your belly and tried and tested nerves of steel!’
@littlewaller
‘This is one of the best stories I have read featuring strong female characters’
FeeRtheDragon
‘Everything a fantasy novel needs.’
Don Jimmy Reviews
‘Considerable storytelling adroitness where author P.J.Berman heralds a deadly game of power and control’
TheReadingCornerForAll.com
‘I really enjoyed Berman’s use of strong female characters’
@marissaexplainsitall
‘I did not know you could feel that physical pain just by reading it’
@nextbookplease_
‘Fierce female characters’
@booksontheknightbus
Upcoming Books in the Silrith Series:
King of the Republic (December 2019)
War of Mercy (2021)
About the Author:
Website and Blog: www.pjbermanbooks.com
Instagram: @pjbermanbooks
Twitter: @pjbermanbooks
P.J.Berman grew up in Hertfordshire, England. Since then, after a brief but enjoyable period living in Plymouth, Devon, he has settled in the beautiful Welsh countryside of Carmarthenshire.
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Vengeance of Hope by P.J. Berman is the debut novel set in the world of Bennvika. We follow three main characters, Silrith, a princess; Ezrina, a rebel; and a lesser noble, Zethun as they stand up to tyranny and religious persecution. Will they succeed?
I have to say, this is one of the best stories I have read featuring strong female characters. It was refreshing to read about a female character who is actually strong in the ways that women need to be strong. Standing up for what they believe in and fighting for what’s right.
Berman doesn’t sugarcoat things, and he gets right to the heart of the trials and tribulations that are happening in the world he has created. Berman’s writing is such that we see the effects of tyranny and oppression as they happen. Seeing strong characters fighting for what’s right had me on the edge of my seat, rooting for the good guys and gals. This is definitely a must read and I highly recommend it. It is not for the faint of heart, though. It takes strong people to fight such actions and these characters definitely do that. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next installment, ‘King of the Republic.’
My first observation on the book was about the title, as I thought it didn’t really make sense. However, having read the book, it is absolutely perfect.
Secondly, don’t let the character list, the glossary, or the maps put you off. These are things to look at if you need them and, indeed, they make more impact afterwards. I didn’t need them during my reading as the author had described everything very clearly.
I really enjoyed ‘Vengeance of Hope’, it’s full of action, adventure and political drama. Just when you think everything is going along quite smoothly, something happens which throws not just one, but many spanners in the works. The twists are great.
PJ Berman writes a blinder of an honest read. The battles are real, they’re bloody, and you’ll feel every thrust of the sword and clang on the shield. The imagery is striking. It’s a very emotive story for some of the characters more than others. There’s always greed, money, and how people appear to others involved somewhere. The intrigue is smooth and very well done, and the book itself is well-written and easy to read. I love the way that the prophecy is manipulated to mean the current actions of people or events, and I adored the strength of the female characters.
I’m looking forward to reading ‘King of the Republic’ and ‘War of Mercy’ in the future.
I won a paperback copy in a competition run by the author (thank you!). I voluntarily read and honestly reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.
I’m going to state it straight off; This is a fantastic book. I absolutely loved everything about it. The character traits are on point, the plot is intriguing and the action is intense. The opening scenes pretty much sum up Silrith’s entire situation and throw the drama in your face. You very quickly realise her dilemma, her new fate and the country’s political situation without having read about it in an endless text of explanation. P.J Berman has a way of making you feel highly involved in the battle strategy, yet feel so totally fazed by the fact that there is little one can do to bring the fight to your favour. Scandalous love, secret betrayals and one brave woman’s desire to save her people are just the beginning of what you will enjoy reading in this book. If you are a fan of The Game of Thrones, you will definitely love this story.
Overview: “Vengeance of Hope” is P.J.Berman’s epic debut novel—A Middle-Age-styled fantasy/action/adventure marking the beginning of the Silrith series.
In the tradition of grand epics like Ivanhoe and Camelot, Author P.J. Berman pens a masterful saga complete with royal pomp and circumstance, crucial power struggles, earth-shaking assassinations, and court intrigue as soldiers and spies fight vicious battles to seize control of the realm. As if all this wasn’t enough to keep a reader riveted to this epic, Berman adds a driving force to the complex interwoven tapestry that is “Vengeance of Hope”—A legend that predicts the coming of an unnamed Warrior who will arise and rule them all.
Berman’s cast of colorful characters are so well-conceived and developed, with personalities whose histories have such lush backgrounds, they explain the overall history of this saga. Heroes are heroic, savvy, and bold, yet modest and self-effacing, while villains remain committed to their own selfish goals and aspirations, causing them to end up richly deserving of their ultimate fates. Both men and women act as equal driving forces in this story, using their wits and strength of mind to survive and conquer their enemies—Be that in battle or in love.
Berman’s self-encapsulated world includes its own colorful history based on multiple family legacies which are easy to understand and follow. “Vengeance of Hope” also contains a glossary, character list, and detailed maps that help guide the reader through this tale.
Berman’s story does contain graphic violence and adult situations as befits a Middle-Age-styled fantasy epic of this caliber, so I highly recommend this read for young adults and adults who enjoy wartime epics, battle scenes, and court intrigue.
“Vengeance of Hope” is available as an audiobook narrated by Christopher Dukes.