I've read many books on stopping a dark lord from rising to power. Rebel's Creed looks at the years following the dark lord's rise, the atrocities used to secure that power, and the people struggling against this new oppression.
It isn't often that I get through anything longer than a novella in a single day. My reading habits normally consist of grabbing a chapter or three at a time several times a day. I get through books pretty quickly this way but often struggle with reading sessions longer than an hour.
I think I put Rebel's Creed down once while reading it. That was only because my wife and I needed to run errands. (Read: as "My wife needed things done, and I drive."). Where "Breach of Peace" felt rushed and light on world building, "Rebel's Creed" took its time, without ever feeling slow.
The three main characters all had unique and truly interesting stories that gave me my fill of action and world building, and gave the book a much-needed sense of place in the timeline of the world.
Chapman is a police officer rebelling against the Almighty (the chosen name for the Dark Lord character), struggling with how his choices and violence breach his own moral code while being necessary for the cause he supports. He questions his own choices, even as he willingly does things that he hates, and must decide if the cause he fights for is worth sacrificing his principles.
Khlid is a former officer and now a prisoner of the empire. She's lost everything, and in "Rebel's Creed" she has to lose even her humanity. The same empire that once employed her, that took everything from her, has found that she is the only patient receptive to the horrific experiments they have been implementing on their people. Khlid's story in this book is of a woman who has nothing but revenge and pain in her heart, and how she might turn the power used to destroy her against her captors.
"The Anointed walked to the table, unfazed by her prisoner's attempts at violence, and rested a hand on her forehead. Her voice sank into Khlid's ear like a seducing knife: "You're transcending so remarkably well."
Rebel's Creed Prologue by Daniel Greene
Holden was the protege of Khlid, Chapman, and Samuel, Khlid's husband, in "Breach of Peace." Now, as the only survivor of their police precinct, his fall to alcoholism and misery is complete. It's his story, and the relationships he builds up that really drives the plot. He's haunted by his loss, and deeply scarred, but has that sense of responsibility shoved upon him. He's forced to be better than he wants to be and watching that is so captivating.
The book hits over and over with great character moments, stellar world building, and plot moments that had me enraptured. I expect Greene's work in the series to only get bigger and better, and anyone looking for a self-pub author, just starting out in epic fantasy, should pick this series up ASAP!
If you want to pick this one up, Daniel Greene's Youtube channel is linked here. He regularly talks about fantasy and sci-fi, and you can find links to purchase his books from there.
