Thank you to all of the people who have taken the time to write a review for Mark's books. Good or bad they help writers to hone their craft, reinvigorate their enthusiasm for writing and inspire them to be better authors. They help tremendously on Amazon as if you get to the review page on Kindle, the author will get credit for you reading the entire book. Authors get paid by page count on Kindle.
The writers of these reviews have given their express permission to share them or they are public reviews on Amazon.
Bob L - Review of The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 1 -5.0 out of 5 stars A New Author to Watch in the Fantasy Genre
With his first book, Mark Sowers has established himself as an author to watch. New authors seem to pop up all the time in this genre, many never to be heard from again after a book or two. Others seem to have that indefinable “something” from their very first chapter. Mr Sowers, in my opinion, definitely belongs in the latter category. The eye-catching cover and intriguing story description caught my interest and compelled me to hit the purchase button and within a couple of chapters, I was glad I did!
Mark has done an amazing job of creating an immersive world, filled with fascinating locations and peoples. In Revan and Arval, he’s brought to life a pair of characters the reader comes to care about, root for, commiserate with, feel their pain, thirst, fear and wonder as they travel on their quest across strange new lands. Several times during the course of the book, I had to stop and shake my head in amazement that I was reading the work of a first time author and not a seasoned pro. This book definitely left me with a desire to see what awaits our heroes next and I’ll be anxiously waiting to hit that Purchase button on Book 2 of The Blackfire Chronicles!
Bob L.
Mark has done an amazing job of creating an immersive world, filled with fascinating locations and peoples. In Revan and Arval, he’s brought to life a pair of characters the reader comes to care about, root for, commiserate with, feel their pain, thirst, fear and wonder as they travel on their quest across strange new lands. Several times during the course of the book, I had to stop and shake my head in amazement that I was reading the work of a first time author and not a seasoned pro. This book definitely left me with a desire to see what awaits our heroes next and I’ll be anxiously waiting to hit that Purchase button on Book 2 of The Blackfire Chronicles!
Bob L.
Gary A -Review of The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 1-5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Can't wait to read volume 2.
Staci W -Review of The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 1- 5.0 out of 5 stars Really fun adventure!
This book is very well written with many fun twists and turns. The main characters are very fun to get to know and the author's character development creates an endearing bond with them for the reader. I can't wait to find out what happens in the rest of the series!
Jodi W. - Review of the Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 1 - 5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading
I do a lot of reading and if I I am not interested in the first chapter or two I usually don’t finish the book, this one hooked pretty quick I really enjoyed and look forward to more from this author !!
Philip B, Review of The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 1 - 5.0 out of 5 stars Awestruck
Mark Sowers stuck a bullseye on his first entry into a genre I rarely find engaging. I was captivated by the stiking cover art, and absorbed in the creatve realm Mark lays out in a manner befitting the best authors established in the field. His ability to capture the settings and characters had me feeling as though I was going along on the adventure with them. Names of characters and places were congruent, dialogue coherent,and pacing captivating. I await the rest of the volumes as I also have had the privilige of reading some of Mark's short stories. Mark Sowers is a gifted author whose career I will follow as closely as I am following Revan and Arval. I hope to see this series on video some day, although seeing it my mind's eye already is as satifying as any written tale can be to a reader. A must read for those who love adventures of epic scale.
P.B.
P.B.
From the Awestruck Reviewer (Email shared with express permission)
Hi Mark,
I am nearly finished with the first volume of The Blackfire Chronicles and I am trying to find words to convey my response to such a compelling adventure.
The magnificent cover art mesmerizes me every time I gaze at it. It is spectacular, and drew me into the realm you created at first glance.
I was not disappointed upon entry. This truly is a work of art akin to all of the legends told of King Arthur, through to the current rage, Harry Potter.
It is a genre I rarely embrace. Few tales seem reasonable in my mind. Fantasy is an elusive quality, not easily accepted by my mind's eye.
If Hollywood could refrain from sensationalism and hyper special effects, I can see this becoming a film success as a drama, more so than an action/adventure film.
The story carries the day, and the reader or viewer can be drawn into the adventure with their own imagination intact.
You can be very proud of your status as a first-time author with this tremendous launch of your career. JK may have met her match!
I await the full series in this masterful tale, and to whatever else comes along in the future from the hand of a master.
Sincerely,
P.B - Alaska
I am nearly finished with the first volume of The Blackfire Chronicles and I am trying to find words to convey my response to such a compelling adventure.
The magnificent cover art mesmerizes me every time I gaze at it. It is spectacular, and drew me into the realm you created at first glance.
I was not disappointed upon entry. This truly is a work of art akin to all of the legends told of King Arthur, through to the current rage, Harry Potter.
It is a genre I rarely embrace. Few tales seem reasonable in my mind. Fantasy is an elusive quality, not easily accepted by my mind's eye.
If Hollywood could refrain from sensationalism and hyper special effects, I can see this becoming a film success as a drama, more so than an action/adventure film.
The story carries the day, and the reader or viewer can be drawn into the adventure with their own imagination intact.
You can be very proud of your status as a first-time author with this tremendous launch of your career. JK may have met her match!
I await the full series in this masterful tale, and to whatever else comes along in the future from the hand of a master.
Sincerely,
P.B - Alaska
Mike L. - Review of The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 1 - 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent blend of fantasy and excitement
A book like I've never read before. Sort of like the Hobbit with a fantasy world and fantasy characters with human-like fears and feelings. Couldn't put it down.
Brent -Review of The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 1 -5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Great book!
D. Harris - Five Stars! (Message shared with express permission)
This book is one that I cannot put down, It is written to keep you wondering what comes next. An unbelievable talent to write something this different. Just can't imagine writing something like this, now I'm done with my work for the day and can get back to this book.
That is an amazing talent, you feel for the people, and they all have an individual identity, I never understood how an author can accomplish this. I sure do enjoy reading, I am never bored, when I have a good book!
I enjoyed reading about the author in the end of the book, naming his wife, and children and even her good cooking, that was so sweet. Now I'll have to read the next one. I gave it 5 stars.
D.H. - Marinette, WI
Philip B. - Review of Enders & Associates - 5.0 out of 5 stars
Another captivating engagement with an intriguing exploration of contrasting elements of human nature. From the cold Alaska woods to the searing Arizona desert, and from the wonder of love to the horror of evil, Mark Sowers transports readers throughout the full spectrum of life on this well paced tale full of hope and despair in full measures. Chapter 33 had me gasping for air while visions flooded my mind's eye as if I were present to witness a marvel of indescribable proportion. And then. Navigating the mysteries and sharing in the joys led me smack into the final surprise. Marvelous, imaginative twist that had me pondering the possibilities and potential for humankind to evolve in ways hoped for or or fearful about. Masterful story telling and another invitation to follow Mark as an fine author with a talent to take readers where they may not want to go, but can be assured he will lead them back safely to a better place.
Mike L. - Review of Enders and Associates - 5.0 out of 5 stars
This story is fast-paced and continues to pull you farther and farther into the story as you read.
Mark tells an interesting story and does it very well.
Mark tells an interesting story and does it very well.
Carol - Review of Enders & Associates - 5 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed reading this book and would recommend to others who enjoy a good suspense novel. The writer is very creative with his mix of mystery, suspense and a little bit of the supernatural to keep it exciting.
Verified Buyer - Compelling first book - Review of The Blackfire Chronicles Volume 1 - 5 out of 5 stars
I greatly enjoyed this beginning of what promises to be an epic fantasy series. Great characters, plot and dialog. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Garry. M. - Review of The Blackfire Chroniclies, Volume 1 - 5 out of 5 stars
The first book in a series that left me wanting more from slavery to joy of simple things like tasting real food for the first time give. You a sense of our characters life and the simple things we take for granted to learning to fight and use magic this book in my opinion is a worthy addition to the fantasy world l don't normally write reviews but this book is very good.
Joyce B. - Fantastic Sequel - Review of The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 2 - 5 out of 5 stars
I'm waiting on pins and needles for the third book! These are so hard to put down and stop reading, but I need to go to work... AWW!
Phillip B. - An engaging exploration of the human condition, Review of French Press Sludge - 5 out of 5 stars
Mark continues to delight my mind as I ponder the predicaments his characters endure in so many imaginative scenarios. His sharp insights regarding the social milieu we share piques my curiosity as to how we relate to one another at this challenging time in the world. Mark's sense of humor is as keen as his sense of irony. His characters' dialogue is authentic in its alternating crudeness or compassion. I eagerly await the next journey on the pages of Mark's excellent and growing body of work.
Howie - great read - Review of The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 2 - 5 out of 5 stars
A very enjoyable book to read I didn’t want it to end. I kept looking at how many pages I had left, So Mark needs to get busy writing Volume 3
Phillip B. - Watch out _____ , here comes the fan, Review of Society's House of Intractable Tension - 5 out of 5 stars
Mark captures the absurdity of our time in a humorous tale of intrigue and inspiration. His Certain Revelation Attributed to Politics is thought provoking. I have a viewpoint that reveals a Thoroughly Relative Understanding of True History that differs from the author's. Nonetheless, Mark hits the mark with his story telling talent. I will continue to be a fan and I look forward to any forthcoming publications from this gifted author.
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