Weapon of Flesh: Weapon of Flesh Series, Book 1

To date, this is the only book I've ever purchased at a convention because the author took a few minutes to convince me it was worth reading, and I think he actually undersold it.Weapon of Flesh is just the sort of fantasy novel I like, relying more on characters and story than the elaborate world building so many authors use to distinguish themselves from Tolkein and fantasy conventions. Rather than reinvent a perfectly good wheel, the author wastes no time in introducing the weapon of flesh--a nameless boy engineered by magic and training to be an unstoppable assassin--and setting him loose to make his own destiny. The characters and dialogue really shine through, managing to feel and sound like real people without distracting from the medieval fantasy setting. The idea of a living weapon going off the reservation and learning free will is a well-worn premise, but the story was anything but predictable. Just at the point I thought I knew what to expect, things took a surprising turn and kept me glued to the book until the last page. I highly recommend it, even if fantasy isn't usually your thing.

Weapon of Flesh was an exciting story to read. It did take me a bit longer to read than normal, but it had nothing to do with the book itself. I was constantly looking forward to have spare time to read, as I was always wanting to know what happened next.The main character is Lad, a boy that was born for only one purpose, to kill. The story starts by giving glimpses of his upbringing. He is in the custody of a wizard that is embedding magical runes in him that makes him a perfect killing machine. He is given a boost in his strength, speed, and endurance, as well as magical healing powers. He also feels no pain, and has no emotions. Chris Jackson does a great job at providing us with enough background on Lad without getting bogged down.When the story gets to the present time, Lad and his master are making the trip to deliver Lad to the Guildmaster of the Assassins Guild. The Guildmaster is called the Grandfather, and he is the person that commissioned the wizard to create Lad eighteen years previous.All Lad was told was that he was going to fulfill his destiny, not even knowing what a destiny was. On the trip they encounter a band of thieves, that Lad dispenses quickly, except for one thieve that laid in waiting and was able to kill the wizard.Suddenly Lad has no master and has to find his own way in the world. The story really takes a very compelling storyline from this point. It chronicles Lad's integration into the real world and how he deals with emotions and interacting with other people.He is introduced to Wiggen as he gains employment from her father, Forbish. Through Wiggen he is introduced to right and wrong. A band of extortionists try to rob Forbish and Wiggen, as well as rape and kill Wiggen. This is where Forbish and Wiggen see what Lad was made to do.Wiggen tells Lad that killing is wrong, and it is a lesson that sticks with Lad.Meanwhile, the Grandfather is not willing to let his expensive investment simply disappear. His trackers find Lad and capture him. The Grandfather forces Lad to kill.Chris Jackson continues to weave a wonderful story from this point. Some of the outcomes were a bit predictable, but still exciting. The one thing I would say that I was happy was that the bad guys stayed bad, and the good guys stayed good. Its not a story of bad guys being turned good, but instead a good person, Lad, struggling with what he was created for and what he has come to know as what is right.Its a wonderfully written book and the best news is that there are already two other books in the series that I will be reading.

The concept was great with huge potential but the character progression later on was a let down.***************** SPOILERS AHEAD *******************The beginning was good with the master and trainers but the supposed great weapon misses someone behind them but senses 6 people 50 paces in front of them while distracted?? The wizard then let his shield down right after being attacked?? This I can sort of forgive since the master needs to die to get the story going, but the kid just walking away after he died was a bit strange especially since his last order was to stay by the wagon and deal with any trouble....or technically I guess his last order was to kill the bandits but still he just wandered off after a life of confinement a always being directed what to do.Lad, the main character, goes from being completely ignorant at times to brilliant scholar/philosopher at the drop of a hat. The story emphasizes that he has no feelings but he displays remorse for those he kills because one person he just met told him it was evil, which he didn't know the meaning of until that point. He does a complete 180 in a matter of a few pages.Next is the main female character. It is alluded to that she was brutally gang raped before the hero meets her. The rapists return and begin tearing her clothes off when Lad saves the day by brutally killing them in front of her. Somehow being almost raped AGAIN and seeing the main character maim and kill makes her fall in love with him and she kisses him passionately right after..........Not a bad tale but definitely could have been much better the characters didn't really develop like they should, but readable for the price.

I enjoyed this book and kept reading away at the end even with the approach of morning to see what happened. One big problem with the plot however is that it is illogical. Lad, the central figure, has magic runes etched into his skin designed to make him the perfect assassin, including the inability to reject the commands of Grandfather the Assassin Guild dictator. Lad suffered immense guilt after killing people and the torment was such that he wanted to and asked to die. He, however, was able to ward off the runes and magic when it came to killing Wiggen, the love of his life. If Lad was so perturbed by killing people and it was such a problem for him, he should have been able to ward off the commands of the Grandfather early on in the book. Other than this, I enjoyed the book, but I like internal consistency in plots.

A very enjoyable and well written book. The plot is unique (in my experience) and a far cry from the young-hero-gaining-mystical-powers stereotype. The characters are interesting. The ending is more satisfactory than most 1st in trilogy books.I have one, tiny, niggle (and when I tell you what it is, you will think me very petty). It's the demographic/geography detail. Most of the action takes place in a town of (we are told) 20,000 inhabitants. This place has nobility, a series of murderable dukes and relatives, a thieves guild and a very powerful assassins guild. It also has a number of districts. It isn't the capital, and in other ways seems like a provincial town.Well, I have lived in places with 5,000, 65,000 and 500,000 inhabitants. Only the last of those could have supported such a diverse collection of groups - and then only just. In the pre-industrial 17th century, London would have been the only town in the British Isles to support the events of this book.You are probably thinking 'what a ridiculous thing to get hung up on'. And I agree! I mention it for two reasons - firstly I did find it distracting, secondly, if this is all I could find to whinge about, then this is a VERY good book!

Despite the similarities with other stories, this story manages to keep its own unique slant on the basic premise and gives the reader a good time.It's fast paced, full of engaging characters whether you love or loathe them, and it leaves a believable opening for more. Believe me, when you finish this one you are ready for more.

I generally love fantasy and medieval books so this was right-up my street. It was slightly different from the many others in this category and had some really good characters with a mix of romance,martial artists and corrupt villains.

Engaging and captivating...starts simple and interesting but as you get deeper into the book, the story, characters and plots thicken. I initially thought this is a weak version of Brent Week's Night Angel, but a wonderful book nonetheless.

New approach to fantasy fiction very impressed now on book two already purchased book 3 would recommend to fans of fantasygood character building with plenty of excitement built in .