Colin Frake, On Fire Mountain

A Reading Experience Like No Other

Let Two Steps From Hell take you on a magical journey; filled with mystical creatures, adventure, romance, wonderful characters and live music.

After reading this book, I feel the need to share it with the world. I will try not to spoil it, as you really should read it for yourself, but I will do my best to right a review worth of Two Steps From Hell's epic proportions.

This was the first ebook I ever read from start to finish. It's written by the incredibly talented Nick Phoenix. The book is accompanied by wonderful and beautifully ink illustrations by Otto Bjornik. This is also not just any ordinary eBook. It's an enhanced eBook that contains a wonderfully composed soundtrack, recorded with a live orchestra. The music was mostly composed by Nick's fellow co-creator or TSFH, Thomas Bergersen, while Nick composed a few tracks as well.

Music never went along with a book so well as it did here. Each track was placed strategically within the novel so that when you read the passages of the book, you can see the story enhanced even more than just reading mere words. You can choose to not listen to the music as well. Not listening does nothing to take you away from the captivating storytelling. (But if you're like me and love TSFH, you'll want to play every song and enjoy the ride as you read).

There was one thing that I noticed about the music however. Not sure if this was supposed to happen, but it seems that some songs just fade off, or stop shortly. (Doesn't sound bad, it sounds natural. But since I own the soundtrack to the book as well, I know the songs are longer). But this inst a big nuisance. Prepares you for the next come to come.

Aside from the music and the illustrations, there were a few other elements that I liked. Such things included the 'Badger Spell'. It was shown on 'old paper' and made you fell like you could make this spell happen, should you choose.

That being said, I really enjoyed the book. I was a bit unsure of how I would like it at first, knowing that Nick, a composer of fine music, was writing. I wasn't sure of of his writing skills. In my opinion, his writing style could use a bit of work, perhaps a few more words here and there, or just describe something a bit differently. But his simply style makes an easy read and does what it's supposed to do; tell a story.

At first, I found the story a bit confusing. Introducing many characters with story lines far different from the last. But I had a hunch this was all done on purpose. I was correct to assume so as near the end, all the pieces came together and joined into one.

It took a few chapters to get really interesting, but once it did, I couldn't put the book down and read it all in one go. There was one part with Petunia, (my favorite character) that had a plot twist that I did not see coming. (Or even with Hadrian, who gains some pretty cool abilities)

Speaking of Petunia, I like the relationship she has with Colin. A bit of romance for all you romance people.

Along with romance comes action and great adventure. This book has it all. With so many characters, your bound to fall in love with one of them and relate.

All in all, I'd give this book a 9.5 / 10. It's only missing a .5 due to the simple writing style. But if you're OK with a book that doesn't write like JK Rowling, or George RR Martin, then you'll do just fine.

So what are you waiting for? This book is by the creators of Two Steps From Hell, so you know it's golden. Buy it now, you wont regret it. Read the book, enjoy the pretty pictures and bask in the music like you've never done before in an eBook.