My Review

The Characters Drive the Story. Initially, in the first book, I was daunted by the number of characters and relationships. Now, that is the part of the series that I enjoy the most. As characters grow and change, their responses to the storyline change as well--some characters are growing older, some are growing up. There’s hesitation in some characters. There's a clear sense that every choice is going to cost something. The characters do not feel out of place or out-of sync--but, more like the natural progression of someone being pushed into responsibility (or out of it) whether he’s ready or not.

This book definitely slows down in places. There’s more focus on clan politics, strategy, and leadership decisions than on quests and constant action. It’s not a fast-moving fantasy with some chapters falling much heavier on discussion than adventure. For me, this actually made the world feel more solid. The stakes feel earned because we see the buildup. When conflict comes, it doesn’t feel random.

The audiobook performance continues to be a strong point. John Keating keeps his narration steady. He doesn’t try to over-perform the emotional moments, which works in the story’s favor. The tone feels consistent with the historical setting, and I never felt pulled out of the experience. 

Would I recommend Rise of the Pendragon? Absolutely — especially to readers who appreciate layered historical fantasy. This isn’t flashy storytelling. It builds. It takes its time. And by the end, I realized how invested I’d become in where all of this is heading. The pace was slower, but if anything, this novel made me more eager to see how the larger storyline unfolds. 

This morning, we are featuring Elmer Kelton’s The Blessing by John Bradshaw in our book spotlight! Learn about the book and author and enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post. 

Date Published: 12-03-2025

Publisher: Devil's Claw Press

About the Book

Trouble is, it was bought from his old adversary, Fat Gervin, who is still as crooked as ever. Gervin finds a seeming loophole in the contract and tries to pull another fast one on Hewey, who is fed up with Gervin’s endless treachery. Tensions rise, and when Gervin is shot, it’s Hewey who’s on the hook for the crime. But things are never as they seem, and it’s up to an eclectic cast of characters to sort it out, and for Hewey to learn what’s really important in life. 

Written by longtime journalist turned novelist John Bradshaw, who was selected by The Elmer Kelton Estate to continue the Hewey Calloway tradition. 

Bradshaw attended South Plains College followed by Texas Tech University. He spent several years shoeing horses for a living as his writing career progressed. 

While the desire to write books was always there, Bradshaw first pursued a career in journalism. He wrote numerous stories for ranching, horse and horseshoeing magazines. 

Growing up, Livestock Weekly came in the mail once a week, as it does for most in the livestock industry. Writing for Livestock Weekly was always a goal, and in 2005 Bradshaw’s first story was published. It was a profile of Brownie Metzgar, a humorous cowboy still working in a feedlot while in his late 80s. 

In 2007 Bradshaw accepted a fulltime position with Livestock Weekly. While with the paper he had over a thousand stories published, as well as enough market reports to give him permanent nightmares. 

Horses have always played an important role in his life. The son of a horseshoer, he has spent a significant amount of time either on or under a horse. He still shows in both ranch horse and reined cow horse competitions. 

He and his wife, Sara, live outside Abernathy. Sara owns an architecture firm, SK Architecture Group, and they raise Spanish goats, hair sheep and cattle. 

In 2013 the couple had a stillborn son, Fox Joaquin Bradshaw. After several years of heartbreak they adopted an infant boy, whom they named Julian Boone Bradshaw. Boone died in his dad’s arms following an accident at the barn five days before his sixth birthday. 

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My Review

Across the Sea is an Easier Story to Sink Into. Across the Sea feels like a natural step forward for the series, and it was much easier to settle into this book from the start. Having a better understanding of the many characters and their past connections made the story flow more smoothly for me, and everything felt more grounded this time around. The world and relationships felt familiar in a good way, allowing the story to focus more on emotion and momentum rather than world-building and character setup.

The Narrator Brings the Story to Life. Listening to this book on audio really elevated the experience. The narrator’s accent and delivery added so much depth to the characters, making the emotional moments hit harder. Dialogue felt more natural, quieter scenes carried more weight, and the overall tone of the story felt richer and more engaging. The narration helped pull me into the story in a way that I did not find on my own in the first book.

Across the Sea Brings Stronger Emotional Flow and Character Connections. This installment leans even more heavily into character relationships, and it works extremely well. With a clearer sense of who everyone is and how they’re connected after Islands in the Mist, the emotional stakes felt higher throughout the story. The pacing felt smoother, the tension more effective, and the character moments more meaningful. Everything seemed to click in a way that made the story feel fuller and more satisfying.

Would I recommend Across the Sea on audio? Absolutely. This audiobook give readers a strong continuation of the series, with engaging storytelling and excellent narration that enhances every part of the experience. I enjoyed the first book--but, loved this one. Listeners who enjoy character-driven fantasy with emotional depth will have a hard time hitting pause.

Buy the Book

Today, I am joining the audiobook tour for The Illusionist by Laurie Buchanan! Learn about the book and the Sean McPherson series and the author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a giveaway at the end of this post. 

A Sean McPherson Novel, Book 5

A contemporary crime thriller perfect for Louise Penny and Robert Dugoni fans, Illusionist presents PI McPherson with an impossible dilemma: kill an author at a writing retreat in the Pacific Northwest, or let a college student die.

 

About the Author

Growing up, she dreamed of being a magician, an international spy, and a mad scientist. There’s still time!

Her writing studio is the hayloft of a historic carriage house in the Pacific Northwest, where creativity thrives. Her husband, Len, a private pilot, and Henry, their not-so-standard Standard Poodle, join her on daily walks. She always carries a camera because sometimes, the best word choice is a picture.

A journey that left an indelible imprint on her was a 20-day, 211-mile trek across the majestic landscapes of Scotland. She, her husband, and their son hiked from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, with the pinnacle being the climb of Ben Nevis at the midpoint of their adventure, the highest point in the British Isles. 

"My writing goal is simple: to leave you wanting more." —Laurie Buchanan

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