Velin The Lothorian - The Rifle's Song a review

I just finished reading Black Knight's novella and simply had to write and post a review. If you haven't read any of his work, especially his opus Starshatter, then you're missing out on one of the great recent entries into the sci-fi realm, and I highly recommend that you remedy that situation posthaste! 

Velin. Born into a harsh and unforgiving place, he knows tragedy from a young age. First his mother perishes, then, at the hands of the brutal Leht, his father. But Velin has an advantage most in his land don’t – a father who, before he met his own end, taught his son to survive, to persevere, and to endure hardship until he’s vanquished it. Velin, cast into slavery and toil after the tragedies that befall him, never lost his determination to prevail over his oppressors and to have his freedom – and revenge. 

At its core The Rifle’s Song is a timeless tale of good versus evil, the virtuous versus the depraved, the best of humanity versus its worst. Criminals of all strata, from simple thugs to cannibals, populate the world Black Knight has created. For those familiar with his opus Starshatter this novella will be both a familiar and entertaining addition to that rich and ever-expanding universe. 

The Rifle’s Song guides the reader through the seasons of Velin’s life. From his humble beginnings, through the trauma of enslavement, to his ultimate freedom and rebirth as a warrior, Black Knight tugs the reader swiftly along in his tale of tragedy, determination, and revenge. Heroes and villains are clearly delineated; there is no moral ambiguity to be found. The bad guys in The Rifle’s Song are really bad. The heroes embody the best of us in their adherence to the universal themes of the warrior – protect the weak, remain strong of mind and body, confront and defeat evil in all its guises. 

In today’s world, with its uncertainty and conflict, its polarized politics and clashing ideologies, a book like The Rifle’s Song is a welcome respite, a place to lose oneself in a tale of good defeating evil. As Black Knight himself wrote: “These were times of grand adventure! Days of hallowed deeds, unmatched bravery, and the triumph of Life Eternal.” I think we can all agree that the planet could use more of that. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM463SYB