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Union of Renegades (The Rys Chronicles Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Tracy Falbe (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 80 ratings
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In this opening novel of The Rys Chronicles you'll meet a man scarred by bad deeds who answers the call of a heroic cause. An unconventional heroine will tug at your sympathies as she bravely faces adversity with all the strengths and vulnerabilities of her womanhood. And overarching it all are the rys. Their magic makes them superior to humans, but they are not above employing humans in their deadly schemes.

Union of Renegades begins the love story between Dreibrand Veta an ambitious military officer and Miranda an escaped slave. They’ll become a power couple that rules a vast realm but only after grim struggle and terrible sacrifice.

Experience their first tense moments together in the opening chapters of Union of Renegades.
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Rys Chronicles
  2. Print length
    338 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    June 9, 2010
  6. File size
    1413 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a great read with plenty of intrigue, magic, terror, wizardry, spells, and subplots to grip the reader..." -- Crystal Reviews, January 2006

"Tracy Falbe makes a stunning debut in epic fantasy..."

"An exciting treat for fantasy buffs..." -- Small Press Bookwatch, February 2006

From the Back Cover

Dreibrand Veta has killed for his country. At the frontlines of imperial expansion, he seeks to rebuild the fortune of his noble family. In his daring travels he encounters the rys, a race far more powerful than the human empire that bred him. Dreibrand cannot defy the rys Queen Onja nor defend his companion, Miranda, and her children from the wicked tyrant Queen. Desperate for help, Dreibrand and Miranda join Shan, a rys with emerging powers who plans to challenge Onja. In Shan's pursuit of the rys throne, he exerts his magical powers, gathers his allies, and incites rebellion among Onja's human subjects. Great wealth and power will reward the kings, warriors, and spies that align themselves with the rys pretender, but defeat could mean worse than death. Onja can imprison souls and her genocidal rage is legendary. Everything is at risk for Shan's union of renegades.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003UES7U8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Falbe Publishing (June 9, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 9, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1413 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 80 ratings

About the author

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Tracy Falbe

Tracy Falbe

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Tracy Falbe makes wine, writes stories, and lives her life on her own terms as much as possible. Let her imagination take you on a vacation from this universe to a place of heroes, heroines, and magic.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
80 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Helgaleena
5.0 out of 5 stars slow moving but absorbing
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a very well-built universe where humans from one end of the world discover that they have never been alone. Two running from their society, a warrior and a former slave, catch the mage-sight of an ancient empress without morals. In subsequent volumes they will help to change the previously mysterious western world where the blue-skinned immortals have ruled for far too long. In this first one they are struggling to live among the strange civilizations that they encounter.
All of it is epic in scale and fully realistic. It will keep you reading for days and enlist you in the whole series gladly.
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W. B. Kamffer
4.0 out of 5 stars A solid opening to this epic fantasy series
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2012
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Union of Renegades is quite simply an engaging story. There are some things I don't like, but these are more down to personal taste than down to anything that might be classified as poor writing or storytelling. Indeed, the story itself drew me in, and I hungrily devoured each chapter, eager to return to the adventures of Dreibrand Veta and Miranda as they explored the vastness of the Wilderness and encountered strange races and foreign cultures.

There is a nice sense of history underpinning the story, a real feeling that the present in which Dreibrand and Miranda find themselves is the result of a steady sequence of events stretching back into the past. All too often, this is not the case in fantasy, with histories seemingly punctuated by earth-shattering events every two or three thousand years with nothing but boredom in between. What this history does is create a number of really difficult and complicated situations that Dreibrand and Miranda are forced to navigate, relying on logic and a guess at foreign proprieties to avoid giving insult and inviting some horrible fate on themselves.

And it is in the characters of this novel that Ms. Falbe shines as a storyteller. The characters are quite simply excellently drawn. If it is possible to say they are too lifelike, then they are indeed. I found myself really disliking some or expressing frustration with others. And herein lies about the only problem I have with the story, at least on a large scale: While Dreibrand is certainly the good guy and a decent sort, I just didn't feel 100% behind him. Even worse was my response to Miranda, who deserves sympathy if any character does. And yet, I often found myself thinking that she deserved all the trouble that came to her, that she just didn't think about her actions, that she was inviting harm simply by doing things that were completely avoidable. It was kind of frustrating, and I could imagine myself tossing a physical book aside in disgust-especially when she turned her self-inflicted wounds in self-pitying, even at one stage getting furious at Dreibrand when she was so very clearly in the wrong. In real life, I just can't stand people like that.

And yet, this mix of a uncertainty I feel about Dreibrand and frustration I feel at Miranda is all the result of characters who are genuinely real and lifelike. They reminded me of people I know, and that is what solicited such strong responses.

Of all the characters in the story, it is really Shan, the non-human Rys lord, who gave me someone to cheer. His cause is right. His heart is noble. His manner is gentle. He inspires confidence going forward, and while I was drawn into the story early on to see what would next befall Dreibrand and Miranda, I really found myself caring most about Shan by the book's end. I want him to win-and I almost don't care about the other characters (but, again, not in an apathetic "meh" sort of way).

The story at the end of Union of Renegades, the first in a four-part series, leaves us on the eve of a great war about to open between Shan and Queen Onja of the Rys, a villain who really inspires my dislike, even hatred. And here's the thing: I love the fact that our villain is a corporeal, physical, rational being and not some ethereal force or ancient spirit. I love Lord of the Rings, but Sauron is not exactly the kind of villain you cheer against; he's just sort of there. Having a physical menace like Onja is just great, and the fact that the traditional good-evil duality is existent in this novel but not lodged in the forms of human beings is great as well. The Rys are suitably alien enough that this simple polarization doesn't bother me so much as it does when encountered in human characters (I'm looking at you, O Noble Aragorn!). But, then, this isn't fantasy in the LotR mould, but rather seems to derive much of its milieu from The Song of Ice and Fire.

At the end of the day, I thoroughly enjoyed Union of Renegades and I am thoroughly enjoying The Goddess Queen, the next book in the series. Do yourself a favour and pick this one up. The sheer fact that I recommend this book despite its more gritty and Martinian production speaks volumes-as I've made no attempt to hide my dislike for Martin's works and the host of imitators that have followed.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Reading
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2022
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Great characters and growth as the story progresses. First individuals fighting for themselves, then start working together until they are a group watching each other’s back.
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DCH1400
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Series
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2013
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I was absolutely intrigued by this world and drawn in my the characters. You will not be disappointed by this book. The character interactions are realistic and the political structures ring true in both the east and west. The bad guy in intriguing, and I have a feeling that there is a lot that we haven't found out about yet. I can't wait to read the next one.
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Yankee Fan
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2010
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I only discovered this book when it was a free download and read it on a whim. I'm glad I did. I must say, that this book was a real location clicker (page turner for non-kindle users...lol). A dishonored warrior and an escaped slave team up with a powerful being from a magical race of "people" and do battle against the queen of the Rys. I just bought the 2nd book, so the publishers free intro book worked to get me hooked on the trilogy.
15 people found this helpful
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Thelyricist
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Epic Fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2012
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Tracy Falbe has created a brilliant epic fantasy with this series. I am completely taken in by the characters and enjoy the depth and personality of each one. Dreiband, Miranda, Shan, and King Taischek. Plus a host more.

Good versus evil, redemption, magic, fighting, intrigue, this book has it all.

One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Buy it and enjoy!!!!!
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Volpot
3.0 out of 5 stars Just Kinda "There"
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2011
I really wanted to like this book as I was searching for a good fantasy/science fiction series to begin. As it happens, this isn't it for me.

Now this isn't a "bad" book. It has a lot of good qualities. The world is fairly interesting, if simple (humans in the east meet non-humans in the west who are ruled by their ancient and evil queen who has subjugated her own non-human people plus the human tribes on that side of the world). The story is fairly interesting, if a bit slow developing in places. The characters are well developed (but more on that).

What I didn't care for: The dialogue was a bit flat and uninspired (it didn't "feel" realistic).

The main problem I had with the book was initially hard to put my finger on. Eventually I realized what it was...everyone in the book is stupid. I don't mean the characters were described in a stupid way by the author. I mean, everyone in the book I am sure could not possibly have an IQ over 85 (OK, OK, one or two might have IQs of 100). Throughout the entire book, the major and minor characters repeatedly do dumb things, in dumb ways, for dumb reasons. When they aren't adding 2 and 2 and getting three as their decision-making process, they are simply reacting emotionally. Honestly, to this reader it increasingly became apparent that there was no one in the book with whom I could even begin to identify or empathize nor was there ever likely to be in any subsequent book.

I've heard of "dumbing-down" language, sentence structure, and even plots in order to appeal to certain audiences. In this book, while it may not have been intentional, I felt like the characters themselves were literally "dumbed-down".
16 people found this helpful
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William Palaico
5.0 out of 5 stars Very much enjoyed this book
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2011
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I downloaded this rather long book and read it over the course of two days. It was wonderful. You really never know what will happen next, assassins, magic, kidnapping, and just pure adventure. I recommend this book highly. I'm going to download the second one promptly.
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Top reviews from other countries

Avid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2012
Verified Purchase
With a kindle price of £00.00 this is a great opportunity to read a great book. What can you possible lose ? What you will gain is a fabulous introduction to a well written book. Tracy Falbe is a fabulous writer; she has a way of making the characters real to the reader. The storylines are believable and the intrigue of what is coming next makes it difficult to put the book down until the end. The only disappointment exists until you get on to her next book. A writer not to be missed!
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strollonby
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read That Carries You Along
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2012
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There are a lot of sword and magic fantasy stories available and tastes vary but this one should hit the mark for most people. The story is involving and the main characters have enough imperfections to get us (or me at least) interested in them. The magic element is put in context as relating to another race (the Rys) and has its limits. The story sees humans getting involved with a Rys tussle for power. It is complete in itself but written as part of a series so it does leave a lot of issues to be resolved in future books.

It's well written with good characters. Why not give it a go?
One person found this helpful
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Catherine L. Vickers
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly wonderfully talented fantasy author.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2015
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I can always rely on this author to give me a good adventure. I've read all the Rys series and was left wanting more so now I'm reading the future of the rys, and I hope the Queen gets her come uppance, but I'll have to get the other books to find out. Thank you Tracy Falbe for your great imagination and putting it into words for us all to share.
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Dave the Modest Seraph
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book with a flaw
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2013
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I really liked the 'world', the 'characters' and the 'story'. It engrossed me and I read the book quickly.

There were quite a few times, however, that I felt the dialog and the descriptive text was 'wooden' and awkward. Occassionaly it was good but sometimes it made me cringe.

However that should not detract too much from a very enjoyable read and I recommend this to others. I will be buying the next installment
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Mr. A. A. Gundry
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2018
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This is a book that is difficult to put down. Excellent story line and intriguing characters. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.
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