The Quest For Freedom (The Conquest Trilogy Book 1)

Matthew Devitt makes a sensational debut with this first volume of the trilogy. It is hard to believe that the first impression is so great – the plot is built on an incredibly original idea, and the narration seems to be right from the start. Devitt presents the world of Affer inhabited by six types of beings. Five of them have been living in peace for a long time, but the sixth one was conquered and enslaved. Here is the story of one Fletcher Rush who spent the last eleven years of his life preparing for revenge. Devitt tells it at a great pace without rushing – the protagonist is exhausted, bloodthirsty, and ready to bring the entire system to ruin. Fletcher Rush is a typical Rush, a race whose members have all the flaws of humans and other creatures. This is the first of the positives of the book, but not the only one. Devitt manages to raise the action level just enough so that the next chapters are eagerly awaited, and the battles seem to begin right away. The author is good at creating an atmosphere around the story, and he does not fail in the first volume. Affer’s world is great; the reader can almost hear how different races pronounce words, notice the architecture of the city, and feel the air coming out of their lungs. Devitt managed to convey the history of Affer, which is presented in the prologue, making the entire story even more attractive because it gives it meaning and makes the long journey of the protagonist inevitable. Another positive aspect is the presence of comic relief, which is sorely needed given the dark mood of the story. Such characters are Abe, the devoted follower of Rush, the sharp-tongued Crystal, and the powerful but clumsy Tor. It is not the first time that Devitt has written about Rushes, which makes his debut volume significant. It makes it easier to understand the world described in the book, which is a plus for the first installment of the trilogy. This story seems to be aimed at a particular type of reader who likes grimdark books about ordinary underdogs who later become heroes with a capital letter. In conclusion, all this is combined into an exciting beginning of the series, the next installment of which is eagerly awaited.

“No one normal is going to change the world” Over four hundred years ago, the planet Affer was a peaceful home to humans, demons, angels, elves, the dammed, and the hybrids. Affer was the symbol of uniformity amidst diversity, a world that could progress despite the diversity of its inhabitant species. But all these were lost the moment the seed of fear and envy was planted. Mathew Devitt’s “THE QUEST FOR FREEDOM” is the account of a changed world where the fate of humans rests on the shoulders of a young slave boy named Fletcher Rush. With the balance of Affer in jeopardy, one begins to wonder the chances of a common slave boy against the menace of the Demon nation and other species. Devitt's story, though a fiction, underscores the importance of craftsmanship, bravery, friendship and determination. Fletcher's sword forging skills while adding to the richness of the plot becomes a cardinal factor to actualization of his dream of bringing freedom to humanity. But all that sword skills would have been nothing without the companionship of Ji. Devitt's elucidation on the theme of purpose is indeed enchanting. With purpose one can not only change his fate but that of entire humanity. In fact, through the pursuit of one's purpose, the purpose of others is discovered. In the negative, a man who fails or refuses to pursue his purpose may indirectly be hampering the purpose of others. Devitt's gift of detailed story telling is perhaps his weakness as a brief reader may consider his style of writing overly detailed and overwhelming especially the detailed narration of action scenes and dialogues. That aside, Devitt's “THE QUEST FOR FREEDOM” is an entertaining read filled with a taste of ancient myths and heroes. A perfect recommended read for lovers of fiction and hero themed novels.

Fletcher would rather die trying than die as a slave. Humans were taken as slaves by elves, hybrids, angels, and demons. Being at the bottom of the food chain, Fletcher is ready to make some changes, but it starts with him escaping the clutches of the demons. Freeing more humans, he won't stop till the last one tastes freedom. Matthew Devitt, in the book The Quest for Freedom, creates a plot that is worth following. He shows how devotion and purpose are all one needs to achieve their goals. Fletcher and his team work hand in hand to free other humans, and this shows how far teamwork makes the dream work. With its fast-paced nature, the book captures readers with the never-ending fight scenes and the resilience of the characters. The characters were well explored with different mannerisms and speech. My favorite being Crystal. The progress she’s made is admirable. I highly recommend this book to lovers of action and fantasy, as it beautifully blends both, curating a world of battle, scars, and revenge.

A man riddled by years of pain, loss, and slavery is finally ready to take the strenuous reins of freedom, whatever the cost. Matthew Devitt narrates this thrilling, blood-stained journey in The Quest for Freedom. Fletcher, strong, capable, and filled with a righteous fury, has been burdened by decades of seeing his kind subjected to the strain and pain of slavery in Affer, a planet where his kind were once a powerhouse. This leads him to undergo a journey of no return, either kill or be killed, that brings him to meet friends who stand with him during this tumultuous journey. He also pays the price of losing trusted allies in a bloody war. I liked how Matthew Devitt displays the hazardous nature that the human species were subjected to in the hands of the demons, the hybrids, the angels, elves and the dammed. The author takes the reader through a poignant reality of suffering in extreme subjugation and the need for an urgent revolving change that needs to be carried out by the human species. I also liked how The Quest for Freedom, though a book filled with death, pain, swords, and armors, also highlighted a genuine friendship that can be formed even in the midst of a tumultuous battle. The banter between Fletcher and Ji, the likely romance between Ji and Crystal, and the unrelenting banter between Tor and Leon brought a warm thrill of feelings through an otherwise bloody journey. Fletcher is described as a tenacious man ready to take on all creatures in Affer. The author writes in a vivid way which transports the reader into the world of a unified trilogy fighting through several cities with every equipment that can be mustered to defend the fallen race. I recommend The Quest for Freedom to readers seeking an entry into the brutal, bloody world of fantasy filled with sacrifice, friendship, and the relentless fight for freedom. I received an advanced reader's copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book doesn't ease you in gently. Fletcher Rush is stabbing a demon in the ear with a screwdriver and taking his injured friend through a tunnel that is underground and has a blade in his back and making jokes as he bleeds through five different spots. You will have a wonderful time, should that sound like your sort of book. The arrangement is dismal but strong. Humans had been the mightiest species on the planet Affer, but then the other five united, and enslaved man and spent the next 473 years ensuring it remained so. Since he was ten years old, Fletcher has been a slave blacksmith, in private training, intending to have a one-man revolution. It is not magic or prophecy of the chosen one, but that he has been working on the armor of the demons all of his life and has been able to tell where it is weak. Just that fact speaks more than any backstory monologue would ever do the character. Fletcher and Ji make the book interesting to read. The friendship is the driving force of the entire scenario - they are always bickering, rescuing each other at an alternate chapter, and finding something humorous in every situation that seems impossible. It is not a fight scene that I personally remember. It is Ji, newly freed after years as a slave, who pauses a moment and then reminds him about the triple-fudge cookies of the slave city - the only thing he is going to miss. Fletcher advises him to forget about those cookies. Ji simply shrugs and replies that he has a sweet tooth. It is six seconds of nothing, with two action sequences that are brutal and it is the most human thing in the book. The language is practical and not poetic and the medium can slow down at certain points in the middle. But the ambition is difficult to deny, and Devitt devotes himself to it. Crude as it may be, but a lot of fun.

This book had several strengths and several weaknesses, so I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, the action-packed early chapters hook the reader early with high stakes and a clear goal. The combat scenes throughout the book are also described very well, and we get some key moments of characterization through them. However, there are so many scenes that are either actual battles or combat training, that the impact of these scenes dwindles by the later chapters. Also, while some combats add something to certain characters, many fail to add to the story beyond the minimum plot requirement of the war progressing. On a similar note, the stakes of this story start out strong, but by later on, it becomes clear that our protagonists will always win no matter what. A couple of the named fighters might die, but they are inevitably replaced by new characters who fill the exact same role. Showing that these characters are at actual risk of losing and that each named character has actual relevance (instead of most of the male fighters being clones of each other personality-wise) would keep this story more compelling. One of the aspects of this book that interests me is how goal-focused Fletcher is. He acts like a typical "chosen one" except he hasn't been chosen by a prophecy or some higher power-he has chosen himself. I think this could be dissected more in the rest of the series, especially if he struggles with leadership (right now he has no real flaws-he has characteristics that could be seen as flaws but they do not have negative consequences for him) and other characters point out how he has to earn his role as the leader. There is similar intrigue with the characters of other races, with some of them showing clear political skill that could make the humans' struggle for freedom more difficult than just going from one combat to the next. Ultimately, there are several points that make this book interesting and ways to keep it interesting. However, there is also room for improvement on making the characters unique and the stakes clear which will keep the story from becoming repetitive.

Okay so I picked this up not knowing what to expect and honestly, I liked it. The setup is simple. Humans are slaves on a different planet. One guy decides he is done with that. He has been planning his escape for years and has been training every single day. He keeps pretending to just be another slave. That whole buildup only is interesting enough to keep you hooked. I liked the main character. He is not someone who wins everything easily. He messes up badly at one point up to an extent that people die because of his decision. But what I liked is that he just stands there and takes the blame. He doesn't shifts the blame on anyone else. He just owns it and moves on. That kind of character feels real. The planet has demons, angels etc. They all are living together but there is one interesting (also weird) thing that none of them likes each other. The story explains it naturally that is why you never feel lost. The side characters are fun too. There is a funny one, a serious one, and even one random old guy who made me laugh. My only issue with the book is that the story moves so fast that you don't even get time to breathe between the scenes. A few quiet scenes between the fights would have made this even better. But yeah. Good book.

The Quest For Freedom (The Conquest Trilogy Book 1) by Matthew Devitt is a truly captivating story. Fletcher, from the moment he was young, has had a dream of freeing his kin from the shackles of slavery. However, what stands in his way is a monumental task; he has to go against the angels, demons, and elves to free mankind. He currently has nothing but his willpower and strong drive to accomplish this feat. How will he pull this through? The story is set squarely in a military or war backdrop,making the action intense and thrilling. This action is marked by planning and execution, calculations, miscalculations, bloodshed, and its aftermath. Action is further brought to life through vivid descriptions that captivate you as you follow the characters to the battlefield, moving from blow to blow, attack to counterattack, and victory to surrender. Fletcher is a formidable character in this story, with his strength and willpower proving to be fuel for this conquest. Ji and Crystal add a layer of support to Fletcher in helping him execute his plan, which also brings some sense to what you could call Fletcher's madness, or the high feat he has set to go against several kinds of formidable species to free his kin. Ryan, Thor, Leon, Miller, and other characters also contribute to the character buildup, making the story memorable. The story adopts a different approach to plot twists common in thrillers through Fletcher’s drive and determination. His zeal to free his kin and an anticipation of how his plan will culminate keep you engaged in the story. Fletcher does not let up, moving from one goal to the next, thus keeping you turning the pages. The stakes are also set quite high from the start, as the author writes an excellent prologue and then moves right into action in the next and subsequent chapters. It is do or die with no way out. I couldn't bear to think of what would happen to Fletcher and his team as the plot unfolds. This book is hard to put down, and I’m eager for the next installment of this trilogy. I highly recommend it to readers who love stories based on war, mixed with some light humor, banter, and formidable characters to boot.

This is an interesting story that takes place on the planet Affar, which is inhabited by both supernatural beings and humans. The story centers on Fletcher Rush, a seasoned human forgemaster who is on a mission to escape cruel slavery, free his people from oppression, and make a difference in the world. For over four centuries, the once populous humans have been persecuted, enslaved, and maltreated by the alliance of supernatural species, which consists of angels, demons, the dammed, hybrids, and the elves. Together with his friend, Ji, alongside Crystal, Fletcher sets off on an incredible and heroic adventure, defeating enemies, conquering cities, and gathering allies. Despite numerous obstacles he faces, he is confident that his dreams will come true, He then realizes that he needs as much help as he can, to flip the odds in his favor. Will Fletcher manage to eradicate human slavery from the world? What will he encounter in his mission? Readers are in for a breathtaking experience filled with twists and turns. I think the author’s writing style is sublime, amazing, and well-detailed. The author manages to emotionally pull at the heartstrings of interested readers, magnifying the somberness, heroism, and desolation that surround the lifestyles of the protagonist and all humans in the storyline. The book’s sanguinolent content is very moviesque and engaging enough to whisper promises of plot twists, dark humor, action-packed scenes, and unforgettable moments, making the reading experience indelible. The developmental traits of the main characters are very nice, adding a sense of belongingness to the encounters of the protagonist amid war and turmoil. Fletcher, as a protagonist, is very battle-hardened, ambitious, shrewd, strategic, strong, and agile, a risk-taker, and an innovative leader. His character flaws are very notable, especially his numerous rash decisions that cost the lives of his allies. Driven only by purpose and determination, he wastes no time in swiftly annihilating the opposing supernaturals, mainly demons and elves, and even injuring Ji during combat training, highlighting his ruthlessness. He is acquainted with pain, bloodshed, and suffering, as well as good camaraderie, which fuels his goals further. He understands that, to give up as a warrior is to embrace death, and therefore he makes sure his allies are aware of that. His personality reminds me of the quote, “Perseverance conquers all”, which is backed by a statement from Fletcher himself, “Not even Hell itself could stop me from reaching my goal.” Overall, I am impressed with the meticulous and well-detailed narration that leaves little to the reader’s imagination on the picturesque and vivid depiction of the inhabitants of the planet Affar. I also admire how the storyline contains subtle morals on real-life inequality based on social status and race over the centuries, as well as the constant struggle of many for peace and tranquility. This is based on a statement by Crystal, “Just because you aren’t a slave doesn’t mean you’re necessarily free.” I do not have any dislikes to offer about the book, nor did I encounter any grammatical errors while reading. I like how the book’s glossary contains proper pronunciations of the aforementioned cities in its storyline. This book is well-written and excellently edited. I am impressed by the power, emotional intensity, and complexity in the book’s context and style, and therefore do not hesitate to rate it a perfect 5 stars. I cannot help but be thoroughly satisfied with the author’s narration. I believe the ending is well-justified. A question that still lingers in my mind is why Fletcher is capable of rousing suspicion from his closest allies, especially Crystal, in relation to his bloodlust. I recommend this book to young adult readers who love God of War, 300, and Doom Eternal, as well as fiction stories that depict revolutions, wars, and the presence of supernatural beings. Readers’ discretion is advised, because of the presence of gore, violence, and borderline profanity.

This story is one that  is brutal, layered, and full of emotion. It's set on a planet torn apart by war, where humans have been enslaved for centuries, and Fletcher dares to do the impossible and rise up against an entire world. ‎ ‎Rebuilding the world felt alive, as every species, every kingdom, every fight scene had a purpose. The story made me realize how it just takes the courage of just one person to rekindle lost hope when everything seems impossible. ‎ ‎Fletcher although imperfect and flawed, but just an ordinary guy who trains obsessively, thinks strategically, and refuses to accept the world as it is made his character so human. ‎ What makes Fletcher compelling is his complexity. He can be ruthless in battle, executing enemies without hesitation, yet he shows genuine care for his team. He's confident to the point of arrogance. ‎ ‎What I loved most was the genuinity between Ji and Fletcher's friendship and  the banter during fights as they literally argued while surrounded by enemies which was both tense and hilarious. ‎ ‎I thank the author for supplying me a copy of his work and I rate the book a 4 out of 5

The Quest for Freedom This is a great book that gets straight to the point. The humans were being kept as slaves by demons. There were other creatures, but humans were on the lowest tier, and they were the weakest. They needed someone to save them, and that's how Fletcher emerged. He believed in himself and had only one purpose: to save his kind from slavery. This mission wasn't easy; in fact, it was very hard, and as much as the other species were stronger, Fletcher didn't let that stop him. With the help of Crystal and Ji, he was able to overcome a lot and progress on his mission.This is a fast-paced, thrilling story that shows amazing friendship traits with a mission to save humanity. It melted my heart how Ji and Fletcher related. The bromance was so cute even though they were on a mission. They were in a very dangerous situation, but they still made the theme light and bubbly.I love how casually the book has been written; it makes the story cheerful despite the seriousness of the matter. I would recommend reading this book. It's such an amazing story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.