Reign of the Nightmare Prince

By Mike Phillips

Rakam’s world is under attack by an ancient adversary that has plagued his people for generations – or so it would seem. All around him, these new Shaitani – supernatural beasts with mythical powers – murder the innocent and burn any evidence a village even existed. Through his gift of True Sight, that allows him to look into the greater world, Rakam sees the devastation of his native lands, and the danger his people now face. The True Sight abandons him however, after he is visited by an evil spirit, on a journey through the desert. But there is still much to do. The loss doesn’t stop Rakam and his great-grandfather Mabetu from leading their people in a fight to save the world they love. The quest ultimately unites the remaining villages under a common goal, the fight for survival. The crusade against the invaders leads to battles against not only the mystic and evil terrors native to Rakam’s world, but also with the alien powers that wish to destroy everything. Survival means defeating an enemy with superior weapons and a thirst for blood. Although it seems like a fight he’s destined to lose, Rakam is willing to die to save his world from certain annihilation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JournalStone
• Release date: Jul 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781936564132

Mike Phillips

Mike Phillips is the illustrator of many children's books including the Horrible Histories: Gruesome Guides and the Horrible Geography series.

Book preview

Blood

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter

1

Though his people were down at the village circle, dancing in celebration around a fire as tall as a man, the Chief felt ill at ease. Not long ago, just as he and his sons returned to the village with meat for the feast, he was troubled by an evil presence. Sitting in the doorway of his hut, he wondered now if he should have ignored the feeling. Of all times this was the most dangerous. The Long Night had come.

Are you coming, grandfather? the Chief’s grandson Kitpa asked in his small voice, fingering the ceremonial mask sitting proudly on his dark head.

The carved and painted likeness was of some terrible beast from the land of spirits, with features grotesque as only nightmares can make them. The mask had once been his, and he remembered wearing it with similar pride, a sign he was becoming a man. The memory made him smile, gifting him with a momentary distraction from his troubles.

Grandma is looking for you.

Much annoyed, the Chief said, Tell your grandmother I’ll come when I’m ready, sometime before all the water has fallen from the sky and the lake has dried to its bottom.

The boy said nothing, not knowing what he should do next. He bit his lip, fighting off tears, thinking he had failed in his errand.

The Chief was touched with sympathy for the child, set between such terrible adversaries as he and his beloved wife. Inspecting the mask with approval, he gave Kitpa a wink and a smile. You’ve done well and earned a fine reward for your trouble. Tell your grandmother I promised you some of her best candied fruit. She can’t keep it all to herself. She’s already too sweet by half.

The boy grinned.

Swatting his grandson affectionately on the bottom, the Chief said, Now get! I’ll see you in a little while. Have fun and stop worrying about an old man.

Released from his errand, the boy hustled off with both hands on the mask, careful not to let it fall. In the distance, drums started beating, crafting magicks of protection for the village and its people.

Be safe, dear child, the Chief whispered, "May the darkness work no evil upon you or this place in the Long Night."

Yet, the prayer gave him no comfort. Turning away from the village circle, he looked toward the lake, searching for some omen or sign. What little celestial light that blessed the land revealed nothing. He tried to tell himself it was an old man’s imagination that was the cause of his fright, not some real threat. But he knew better. It had been real. It had been out there.

Earlier, when he and his sons were returning to the village with meat for the feast, his son Pakkea had felt it, too. What care is it that wilds your mind? the Chief had asked.

Nothing, most honored father, Pakkea replied hesitantly. I thought I heard a noise, that’s all.

Hatcha ate too many beans, Saska, the eldest son, joked.

Hatcha replied with an ill-tempered grunt.

It gave me a strange feeling, but it’s gone now, whatever it was. Pakkea made a laugh that held no mirth. "The Long Night will have me jumping at water beetles if I let it."

Hatcha said, If you’re done acting like a little girl, can we go? My belly aches like a katabo.

Go on. Mamma wanted me to bring back some good reeds if my arms weren’t filled with game.

You’ll spoil that wife of yours, Hatcha said.

When you get a wife of your own, I might take your advice.

The rebuke was met with approval from his brothers. Even so, Pakkea did not relax as he handed his portion of the kill to his younger brother and set to work collecting reeds.

As he and the others departed, the Chief called over his shoulder, Don’t be too long.

Through the entire exchange the Chief had remained silent, and as he watched his people gathering for the feast, he thought about his own feeling of apprehension. He had felt something, too, but had no better explanation for it than his son did. The thing, whatever it had been, had robbed him of his courage. Thinking on it, his mind turned again to the Shaitani and to the stories his grandfather told about the pale skinned, savage beasts that swept from the mountains like hunting packs. They destroyed villages, taking people away, never to be seen or heard from again.

It was said the Shaitani used children in the practice of their dark arts, that by hot blood or a still beating heart they could gain mastery over the forces of the cosmos. Many good warriors his age said such ideas were nonsense, stories to scare children into behaving well when the darkness came and danger closed in around them. But the Chief knew differently. If his grandfather said that such a thing was true, then it was true. He needed no more proof.

The drums quickened. Soon the ceremony would begin. The Chief leaned back on his elbows, staring deeply into the night sky. A new star shined in the heavens, lonely, as the clouds thickened and the consuming darkness seemed to press in all around him. Never before had he seen such a thing, a star beneath the clouds, so low in the sky that a man might pierce it with a well-aimed spear. He wondered if this too were a vision, an omen sent by the Almighty to warn the faithful of coming danger.

You’re as big a fool as Mamma always said, he pronounced with conviction, slapping his flanks and rubbing the stiffness from his joints.

The Chief shivered. His skin pricked as with a hundred insects, a feeling as if he were being singled out as prey. He gripped his spear and stepped back into the night shades cast by the hut, standing very still, listening and waiting. Shadows gathered between him and the fire, slipping unnoticed in and out of huts, sliding round people and trees, mixing with the harried light stirred by dancers and the flickering flames.

 Honored Chief, a brusque voice called out, nearly startling him.

It was the Kasisi, the holy man of the tribe.

Please, join us at the fire, he said. All is ready. They will want their Chief to give his blessing.

Yes, yes, thank you, Jakma. I was just on my way.

Is everything all right?

The Chief had never much cared for this man, done up in a fearful mask he had no business wearing. His father had been a fine counselor and a good friend, but he had died young. Perhaps if his son had had the benefit of a more lengthy apprenticeship, his arts would be sharper.

No, the Chief said, "just an old man at the coming of the Long Night."

The Chief looked up, about to point out the strange light he had seen above, but it was gone. Perhaps it had never been there. The shadows must have been just a trick of the firelight. Maybe he was getting old and his mind was, indeed, growing feeble.

Tell me, Jakma, do the stars shine favorably upon us?

All is right in the heavens. We are truly blessed.

Good. Thank you. Tell Mamma I’m coming. She has no need to send others to fetch me.

*   *   *

Down by the fire, the people danced. Crafting the ancient forms of the great beasts of the wild, they bared teeth and curled fingers into claws. As the drummers beat a fierce rhythm, they paced and circled, finding a victim amongst the crowd. First one child and then another was chosen, singled out and attacked. The children ran in horror and delight, screaming and laughing as they were chased down and made into a meal.

The Chief laughed as he saw them. The real dance had yet to begin, the ceremony that would give his village the much-needed protection through this dangerous time. This was much more fun to watch. He remembered being chased as a child and in his turn chasing his own children. Halfway to the village circle, he stopped short.

Pakkea paced the outer ring of the fire, body tense, looking as though he truly intended to take a child as feast. The children sensed his mood, and they backed away, afraid some spirit of the forest possessed their playmate. Smiling in a kindly way, Pakkea sent them back to their parents. He paused to speak to his brother for only a moment before stalking off toward the village.

What is it, my son? the Chief asked, touching the handle of his knife. He was carrying his Chief’s mask for the ceremony, but also had a bow and a quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder.

Nothing, father. Mamma sent me after a knife, he replied, but the excuse didn’t hold true.

"The Long Night comes and many sorrows trouble the world, the Chief assured him. Tell me."

Glancing into the darkness, Pakkea began, It was the same as it had been at the lake. I heard a noise where none should be, felt like some peril lay hidden from me, some cloud covering my eyes. Hatcha was sitting nearby with his friends, but he was in more of a mood to taunt me than to look for danger.

Nodding his head toward the fire, the Chief said, And, did you see anything?

There was a place in the dirt where a large stone had moved. A footprint was nearby, the like of which reminded me more of the cloven hoof of some beast of burden than a man.

As they began walking toward the village, shadows swam upon the ground like serpents on the lake. Dark and foreboding, the trees swayed above them with the blowing of the wind, the ghost shapes of the leaves and branches working the complex patterns of destiny at their feet. But the shapes were strange, alive with purpose.

Something hard and cold brushed the Chief. He looked over his shoulder to see what it was, but nothing was there. Pakkea watched his father turn and reacted in kind. Saying nothing, he pointed to a dark patch on the ground and gave his father a fearful look. Ethereal, like a cloud shadow in high sun, it moved away, in a direction against the wind. The Chief set a hard look to his features and nodded agreement.

Attack! Attack! the Chief shouted, dropping the mask and putting an arrow to the bowstring, searching for the prospect of a target.

As if in reply, the nearest hut burst into flame. Wood and thatch caught quickly, the fire spreading with unnatural ferocity. The feral blaze gave rise to a cloud of smoke that fouled the air. Thick and putrid, the stinking smoke swallowed everything around it, clinging to the ground like the sky-form of some beast from the underworld.

Choking from the smoke and sudden stench, the Chief and his son bent over, clutching their stomachs. Nearby, balls of flame leaped from what seemed the shadow’s place. The Chief pointed, disbelieving what he saw. Stories told of the ability of the great Kasisi of distant lands to control fire, but he had never before heard a tale of such power as he was witnessing now.

Run! the Chief shouted.

I’ll not leave you.

You’re family.

Take my hand.

Together they ran to the village circle. Behind them the huts lit with fire as bright as dawn. Women were screaming. Children were crying out. But the warriors were making ready. They stood between the village and their families, holding whatever weapons could be gathered in haste.

Do you see them? Where are they? the Chief called out.

No, replied Saska. We’ve seen nothing but the fires and our Chief coming to lead us.

More like running for my life, said the Chief under his breath. Louder, he said, Everyone get down. Take cover.

Surprised to find that none were harmed, he pointed to a group of warriors and said, Get ready. The others must stay. Pakkea, that means you.

But, father, Pakkea protested.

Stop! Keep the children safe. There is no greater price among all the fortunes and glories of war.

Pakkea nodded, ready to do what was commanded.

"Listen to me, all of you. There is some devilry at work here. The Shaitani have returned. There is a sorcerer amongst them. They have a great talent in working fire. We have nothing to make our defense but our hands and our lives, but fight them we must. They also have some trick, making themselves invisible, so be on your guard. They could be anywhere. Look for shadows upon the ground."

Quickly ordering themselves for battle, the warriors marched toward the village. Huts were burning, but there was no sign of the enemy.

Where are they? Hatcha growled. Why don’t the cowards fight?

I don’t know, said the Chief.

Maybe the fire is a curse brought down on us from the sky, someone said in a weak voice, scared and pitiful. The Chief thought it sounded like Jakma.

No, Pakkea and I saw it happen.

Saska said, Then, where are they?

I don’t know.

A moment or two longer, the Chief made a decision. This is a night for death. Let’s search the village. We must bring the havoc of battle on our own terms.

 Silently the warriors gathered in formation, marching toward the still burning huts, the light of the flame hot and fierce. The air was thick with smoke, mixed with an odor beyond their knowledge, the remains of some witchcraft, perhaps.

A stiff wind blew and the fire crackled, sparks like dragon spawn into the night. The steps of the warriors were heavy upon the ground as they approached their burning homes. With a flash of light, something appeared.

The creature was tall and broad, standing upon two legs, but looking very little like a man. It was black as night, with a shining carapace like the dung beetles women coveted so much as jewelry. The Chief thought bitterly that the Shaitani would be much prettier if it, too, were strung upon a cord around his wife’s neck.

The Shaitani had no features, no ears or mouth or even hair, save two darker slits where eyes should have been. Those black slits seemed pitiless, cruel, and they held a cold menace the Chief had never felt before. The Shaitani just stood there, facing them, its hands loosely cradling what looked to be a long club of some kind, waiting patiently as the village was consumed behind it.

The Chief signaled his men to stop. Well trained in the arts of war, they went into a defensive posture. Reaching slowly into his quiver, the Chief’s fingers played across the many arrows with points of bone until he found one of the metal tipped shafts that were the prize of his youthful journeys upriver. Those points had ever been his treasure, awesome weapons that cut deeply into the flesh of even the most formidable game. Two were all that was left of the score he had once possessed. The others he had given to his sons or lost to misfortune. If any weapon in his possession would penetrate that shell, these were it. Hand shaking, he withdrew the arrows. Holding one in reserve, he set the other to the string and waited.

At some unknowable signal, two more Shaitani appeared. They were big, as strong and terrible looking as the first. The one on the left was banded with stripes of yellow and black, while the other was red as blood.

Thinking it time to make a show of strength the Chief stood, his warriors rising beside him. He readied the bow and called out the ancient curse to all the enemies of free people. With that, he and his warriors stomped and clapped and raised a battle song to the Almighty, preparing themselves for war and their enemies for certain death.

In rage and defiance, he let his arrow fly. Seeing the flash of metal, his people cheered, knowing what a mighty weapon their Chief had loosed upon the enemy. The arrow streaked through the air straight and true as a star in flight across the heavens. It struck the black Shaitani in the chest. The villagers whooped in delight, but as the arrow hit the shining carapace it snapped, shattering in pieces, falling without effect to the ground. The villagers went silent.

A line of Shaitani stepped from the shadows. They shined dully in the light of the fire. Their very skins seemed to be made of metal akin to the Chief’s prized arrowheads, strange symbols of some evil enchantment written upon their bodies. The line of Shaitani stretched from the village to within a few paces of where the women and children huddled together. Between the Shaitani and the fire, they were surrounded.

The Chief swallowed hard, doing his best to steady his voice. They had no defense against so great an enemy, but he hoped that perhaps a few of them could survive if he had courage to do what a Chief must.

Pull them apart like bugs. That will be their weakness. The Chief’s word was passed among them. When the battle comes, Pakkea and those with young families must provide for the escape of the women and children.

Yes, my honored father, said Pakkea in return.

Take them deep into the forest, spread out. That is your only hope. We will fight them as long as strength remains in our bodies.

But where are we to go? Where will we be safe?

Courage, my son, the Chief said, putting an affectionate hand to Pakkea’s shoulder. He looked deep into his eyes as if to remember him always. "Find your way to Pakali; but go in secret; the Shaitani will know the paths and will search the river."

To the Marsh King?

Yes.

But it’s so far away.

None of the villages have strength enough to challenge this threat. Warn them if you can.

Yes, father.

They embraced.

Hurry now, be ready. May luck and the Almighty be with you.

Pakkea began to spread the word. Those men with young families nodded sullenly and collected what they could for protection, if only a rock or a burning stick to add to their ceremonial accoutrements. Those men with sons of a suitable age gave instructions and, then, ordered themselves near their Chief.

When all was ready the Chief said, Now, we will attack first. Split into two groups. Saska will take the left side, and I will lead the right.

A queer sort of horn blew, a sound harsh and piercing. The red Shaitani raised his club into the air and shouted. The stick made a crack like thunder and spewed a brilliant flash into the night sky.

The Shaitani army held their clubs out in front of them. The horn sounded again, and the weapons flashed and cracked. Many warriors fell to the ground, struck dead or clutching bloody wounds. The women screamed, and the children cried at this new horror. With a last note from the terrible horn, the Shaitani charged. The Chief shouted the call for battle, and they rushed to meet the attack.

Chapter

2

There was something troubling about this place, a feeling of emptiness that could not be explained. On the surface, all was as it should be. The wind blew through the leaves of the trees, and the little river complained of rocks in its path. Small animals chattered noisily as they gathered food. By these signs, Rakam knew there was no immediate threat. But there was something else, something inexplicable. It was almost as if a dreadful presence lingered, finding shadow places to dwell, lying unseen behind trees or under rocks.

What is it that worries you, my friend? asked Sachem in a whisper. Do you sense an enemy?

The quiet, said Rakam, forming only crude sentences, for his knowledge of Sachem’s language was not fluent. There is nothing here, no laughing or crying children, no errant husbands or angry wives. This is supposed to be a land populated with many villages. Where are all the people?

Maybe we are lost, Sachem suggested gravely, exhaling a gust of weary breath.

Stifling a more discourteous reply, Rakam said, Who can get lost going up river? The two of us are not so young as to be utter fools, never having slept away from our mammas or hunted on our own.

Who knows? Sachem shrugged. Maybe we took the wrong fork. There was that wide place, remember, where the way was uncertain. Such a thing has happened to travelers before. We would not be the first, you know. It’s not so easy to travel the world without taking a misstep from time to time.

In his travels, Rakam had heard much talk about a tribe named the Losli that tamed beasts of burden standing taller than a house. These wondrous creatures were used to plow fields, to move stones, and to travel great distances. It was said they could even knock down trees and haul them away in a single piece. Stories often grew larger in the telling, but if only a fraction of what he had heard were true, then he wanted to see these wonders for himself. 

The Chief of the Village of the Purple Fern had told Rakam how to find the Losli villages and what he should expect of their customs, the friendly reception that visitors often received. He said Rakam would find himself an honored guest; and, if he weren’t careful, a beautiful Losli wife.

The Chief had even gifted Rakam with his nephew Sachem as guide and protector, though Rakam was beginning to believe there might have been other motivations behind that decision. But they had traveled long and had seen nothing of the Losli or the beasts that carried their name, and Rakam was certain he could not have gotten lost so easily.

After a short while, Rakam and Sachem turned a bend in the river and came to a waterfall. The laughing waters tumbled down from a deep cut in the cliff. At the summit there was a white rock that looked curiously like a dog. Smiling, Rakam made his way up the stony cliff face to where the rock lay.

This is it, he called down to Sachem. Take a look. This is the sign your uncle said would mark the village of the mountain Losli where the young beasts are trained.

Resting his feet in the water, Sachem shouted back, Are you sure? That rock doesn’t look much like a dog to me. It’s a long way up, and it won’t prove an easy climb for someone who isn’t half monkey, I’d wager. Maybe we should turn back. I’m sure my uncle would be glad to see you, and my sister fancied your company.

Rakam remembered the Chief’s sense of humor and was sure now he was the object of some joke. Hearing the story of Rakam’s Jaribu, the tradition of the Kasisi to travel the world to find their true purpose, the Chief had taken mind of his wayward nephew. Though capable in his own way, a voyage such as this was proving to be quite a trial for poor Sachem.

Get up here, you lazy bum.

Reluctantly, Sachem took his feet from the stream and stood, seeming to have the weight of a Losli beast as tall as a house resting upon him. If you insist, but if this turns out to be a mistake, let it be known I did my best to warn you.

Shaking his head in surrender, Rakam went to have a closer look at the sign the Chief of the Purple Fern had spoken of. This dog-shaped rock was reputed to be magical. People were said to have found healing by washing its smooth surface with the cool waters of the river. Rakam knew from his work with his Great-Grandfather that enchanted rocks seldom cured anything, unless the hurts were of the spirit and not of the flesh. There was a difference.

On closer examination, Rakam found the rock scorched and chipped. The magic symbols that would have been carved upon its surface were gone. Such a desecration could only have been the work of an enemy, but none that he knew would dare defile a holy place in this way, not even the holy place of the conquered. These things were simply not done, lest the wrath of some devil, expecting heathen worship, be raised.

Tracing his fingertips upon the rock where a symbol might once have been, Rakam was seized by the feeling of starlight in the heavens. Discarding his spear and satchel, he bent in a posture of prayer. He had learned at these times to quiet himself, to allow the Almighty to work His Purpose, to accept the gift of True Sight.

Images flashed in Rakam’s mind, perceived through an awareness that is beyond the worldly senses. Once there had been a happy people in this place. They had made good lives for themselves. He saw babies being born and their parents dancing for joy. He saw courtships and marriages. He saw old men dying and their wives weeping as their bodies were put into the ground. There was hunger and plenty, happiness and sorrow. All that a village was, an honorable thing, a good thing, passed in an instant. Then, he saw the fire.

Some shapeless evil had come, a people that he had no power to fix his mind upon, a ghost race. The shapeless ones burned the huts and bins to the ground. They stole all the food they could carry and destroyed the rest. They led the women and the children away, burning the bodies of the dead in a great pile. They destroyed everything, even scattering the rocks that had once held fire in the village circle.

Shivering, Rakam felt the starlight run from his shoulders to the tips of his fingers and to the ground. The vision was gone. He still knew very little of what this enemy was, but such gifts were unpredictable. Sometimes he was meant to work for the answers to these puzzles. Exhausted by the ordeal, he took a long drink from the river and lay back to rest.

While he and Sachem had traveled the lonely river, Rakam had become used to the sounds of the running water. More than once he had felt the river itself was speaking to him, asking him to come to this place. The people of his village would say such a notion was blasphemy. The gods of the waters, the trees, and the mountains were false, devils that had tricked the heathen tribes into worshipping them instead of the One True and Almighty. As he lay at the river’s edge he wondered if it were perhaps one of these devils that had called to him, corrupting his faith, or if he were being charged with some holy mission he did not yet understand.

Are you all right? Sachem said, breathing hard as he crested the ridge. I feared you had been attacked by spirits.

No, not attacked, Rakam answered without looking up. Blessed.

This One Almighty of yours has given you another vision?

Yes.

And so what are we to do?

You are listening to me now, are you? Rakam said, his taunts feigned, a half smile concealed by the slight turn of his head. Have our travels together taught you to believe as I believe?

Come on, you’re not going to make me listen to another sermon, are you?

You’re the one who wanted to come along.

Yes, Sachem said petulantly, to trade, to find a pretty village girl, or two, to spend time with. But this place is as empty as my father’s heart.

Perhaps you are the one to fill your father’s heart.

There you go again, said Sachem, plopping down on the ground next to Rakam. What are we supposed to do now?

Look here, there is a path, or what remains of a path. Let us see what we may. The vision has told me much, but I think there is more that I must find out for myself.

Briefly discussing the vision as they went, Rakam and Sachem followed the overgrown tract leading away from the once sacred stone. The trail led to what was once the village circle, where the fires of the community were lit. But here the pit that would have held encircling stones was gone, just as Rakam had seen in the vision. New growth sprouted everywhere, perhaps three or four rains old. This place would soon return to the forest. Perhaps it was better that way.

The tree at the far end of the circle was tall and ancient. Rakam examined the trunk for the religious figures that were certain to be there, symbols that protected the tribe and provided for bountiful harvests and plentiful game. There were no such markings to be seen, but there were places where whole sections of the tree had been hacked away.

Most of these wounds had healed in the fashion of trees, but down low where the oldest and most powerful symbols would be, the bare patches had turned to rot. Insects were at the tree, and the wood was spoiled. The tree would be dead soon, if not eaten from the inside by insects, then pushed over by some great wind when the Long Night came.

Standing, Rakam said a prayer over the tree. Though he was in the heathen lands, he thought such an act would please the good wood and noble protector all the same, for all things were the creation of the Almighty and so deserved respect.

"Let us

Reviews for Reign of the Nightmare Prince

[chio10-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought this book was okay. It is definitely a mystery that one has to solve which makes the book really interesting. I am not usually into science fiction books but this one was different. Rakam is a character who goes into a journey to find himself and along the way he finds different types of groups of people. He has supernatural powers (I liked that touch very much!) he has the gift of sight which means he can vision things happening beforehand. Really interesting book but at times I felt like it was a bit confusing. However, a good read to all of those who enjoy science fiction. Thank you Library thing for giving me the opportunity to review this piece!

[trish9_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Reign of the nightmare price is based on various groups of Natives fighting against a unknown "advance" enemy who comes to claim their land as their own. Now, I did get a little lost in the details at some points, but i think most people will like the story line because almost everywhere in the world Natives fought for their homeland against Settlers. Characters were very interesting and most of the time the writing had you right there in the thick of it. I am going to assume that this is Mike Phillips first book, which make me a little more lenient because when it did get going you couldn't put it down, but the parts where you were lost really did throw you off. Im going it give it 3 stars.

[cwaldrum_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Too many story lines, too many points of view, a broken timeline of events and characters that are unrelatable left me not liking this tale. As I stated the idea behind the work is an important one to be told and reminded, but it was poorly illuminated in this tale. Major re-work is needed to make this a credible and enjoyable tale to read.

[juva_3 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

After finishing this book my first thought was, "What the crap did I just read?" It's hard to compose a plot summary because most of this novel is frankly inexplicable. The common phrase, "Show don't tell" is a great piece of advice and one this author could benefit from following. Crazily enough, it would also help if the author told a little more too. I often found myself wondering who the various characters are and why I should care. Does this novel take place on earth or some other planet? Who are the strange invaders? Aliens? Refugees from a far more advanced culture? There are Jinn's witches, ghosts, the list goes on and on. None of it makes any sense. Here's what I got out of it: There is a remote jungle civilization, basically stone age, maybe bronze age but with the addition of shamanistic magic. The civilization finds themselves under attack by an invading force of highly advanced outsiders. One man must set out on a quest to save his people.This novel is extremely disorienting. Characters wander in an out with no apparent purpose. The most jarring is the main character's love interest. She is introduced as someone he knew as a child but hasn't seen in years. Literally two days later they are married. The worst part is they don't even seem to like each other. She is abrasive and emasculating. He is insensitive and juvenile. After some extremely uncomfortable honeymoon sequences, she disappears from the book for the rest of the novel, just as abruptly as she arrived. Gross. Just awful from beginning to end.

[roseeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reign of the Nightmare Prince is an Avatar-type story, without the avatars. The decaying Earth is desperate to find new worlds and does not care about indigenous people, who are designated 'hostiles.' An unusual, and effective twist is that parts of the story is told from the invaders' point of view; we see their tensions within the group, and dangers on an unfamiliar planet, and their complete disregard for life on other worlds, coupled with a complete lack of empathy for other people. Earth is now a terrible place to live, and finding other more pleasant worlds is all that matters. The beginning is a little slow, but well worth persisting, as the story becomes more involving and exciting so that you are left breathless, and rooting for the hero, Rakam. I believe that young people would enjoy this book very much; it might even encourage boys to read. I have to admit that I still haven't worked out where the title came from.

[kingoftheicedragons · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I first started reading this book, 1) it was hard to get into, and I wasn't really quite sure where it was going. I was actually glad when the view point switched from the natives of the planet over to the humans in the story, and liked reading that portion of the book, and 2) I really thought this was going to turn into a rip-off of Avatar. I was pleased when it wasn't a complete rip-off of that, though you can definitely make parallels throughout the book. I thought there was some clumsy writing in parts of the book, and it took about half of the book to really get into the story, but once that happened, I was eager to keep reading.

[rnp247 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I won this e-book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers/Member Giveaway Group.I have mixed feelings about this book. It wasn't a bad read, but I think the story jumped around too much. It got confusing as to what was going on. And at the end of the book it left a lot of questions unanswered. The book did have an enjoyable list of characters, and they fit the story perfectly. It's just too much was left unwritten I think.

[reciperhon · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I originally read this book once and was totally confused at several points in the book. When I finished the book, I thought, "That's it? Maybe I missed something?" So I read the book again hoping that I would comprehend it better. Maybe I had just read it too quickly. Um, no. I did comprehend it better; however, I had the same results. I still think that the intertwining plots were confusing. Sometimes when the plot would change, I was left wondering who are these new people? How do they relate to the story? What is actually happening in the story? What is actually happening in the background that given to us? The ending was abrupt. I was left wondering about a few of the characters. For example, what became of Betu and the sick children? Betu was the best part of the book. This book actually reminded me of something I would have read in school that the class would analyze, and because of this, I did not enjoy it. It felt too much like a class assignment. I think it would have been better if the setting would have been stated clearer. Such as does it take place in Africa or another third world country, or does it take place in a fictional place, or is it another planet? Really, what was the editor thinking.....when they decided to publish this thing? The e format of this book was poor. When I went back to another page to review something, there was no easy way to do it, I just had to keep scrolling until I got there. There were no shortcuts to chapters. Overall, this was my least favorite of the books I have had to read, and I review on two different sites. Definitely, thumbs down! I received a copy of this e-book from LibraryThing in exchange for doing an honest review.

[kpolhuis_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is always a wonderful piece of luck when I get to read some new science fiction. Reign of the Nightmare Prince is a real treat. I liked the cover art, cared for the characters right away and raced through the story to see how it would all work out in the end. I was, of course, disugusted when I found out who the 'boogeymen' really are (it was pretty suspenseful until the mystery is taken away and you are faced with an ugliness in human nature that no-one can ever be comfortable with). I was worried about the ending, it did come up a little abruptly, I was wondering to myself "Is this a series? Am I just reading the first one?" I'm happy to say that the story ended satisfactorily, and I have an interest in seeing what might happen next. Will we see more about these characters and this world? I hope so!

[kyriaw_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

About a race of people who come to a new world and attempt to wipe out the previous race so they can settle there, this book held my attention. Written from the point of view of the natives, and mostly from one tribesman, it makes you think about what it must have been like to be an Inca or an African when the scary Europeans descended upon them and took over with brute force. You root for the little guy; you want the tribesmen to win. This book flowed pretty well, but it was a little supernatural for my taste. However, all in all, I liked it! If you are into a little bit of sorcery and a lot of adventure, this may be a good book for you.

[ladyofunicorns · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of this e-book from LibraryThing in exchange for doing an honest review.I enjoyed this e-book immensely. It took a bit for me to get into the book at the beginning but that may have been do to the genre of the book I read before this one. Once I was able to get into it, I had a hard time stopping, even at night when I was supposed to be sleeping.The characters are well written and that helps to make them more real.I think the ending leaves it open for a sequel book but that is just me.All in all, a great book!Thanks for sharing it.

[jynxpierce · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think the charactor develpoment and plot were very convincing and keep the action moving along. The time frame explored was a very intersting choice and well written.

[rhonda1111 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed most of the book, I did get lost and confused at times. Probably just me. I was thinking in ways its like when explores came to south america. Natives where killed and robbed of thier gold and jewels. Sacred places ruined. I saw in someone review they thought of Africa. Its amazing how same book hits different people different.Rakam is on a journey traveling and learning about different groups trying to find what his path will be. He has the gift of sight. Those who have gifts train and then go on like a vision quest. He goes to see different animals that this one village use, but as he comes to it, it is completly destroyed. Even the rocks surrounding their fire pits is gone. He sees what happened in a vision. He heads for home to warn his people and finds village after village destroyed even their sacred places.Rakam is bit by snake and he almost dies a riverdog saves him and brings him fish while he heals. After he realizes that his visions are gone but a new power has imerged.He warns his people and shows them the armor they where that their arrows cant hurt. They flee to the marsh king to let others know of these enemys that kill and destroy everything and hope by joining can stop them somehow.It is interesting story of natives having to fight for thier lands and beliefs. Different groups having their traditions. Choosing good over evil. What fight is worth dying for.I was given this ebook in exchange for honest review.

[paulco_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't always look forward to "small press" books eagerly, and after reading this one decided I should probably stop that attitude. I found this one very entertaining, a quick and interesting read. It has a different perspective on humanity, one that can be a little disturbing at times.Character build-up was adequate, and even if it was slightly predictable at times, I didn't mind it. Many times books will drag in the middle, the "fill" section, but this one moved right along. WSill this one be a classic? Probably not, but it's still one I woul recommend to a friend into sci-fi, and would read more by th same author.

[regan.johnw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An excellent read. Creates a world that is consistent and interesting and tells a story that flows with characters that are believable. Will look forward to further books by this author.

[aphillips5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I had a hard time understanding the book, it was not the kind of book that I would normally read, but it was good.

[ani36ol · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I think if you are a true science fiction fan than maybe you would enjoy this book. However I am more into fantasy and found the book just plain confusing. I truly wanted to like the book and as I said I am sure true science fiction fans will....but that is not me. Keep of the writing and maybe give those of us who are confused Clifts Notes next time.

[nanajlove_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Omens and portents of encroaching evil abound in this adventure. Set in another world, the highly spiritual native people are under the very real threat of extermination by colonizers, who have cut a swath of death and destruction through their lands. The gifted Rakam must unite the people to fight against this threat, while protecting their spiritual essence from the threats of the Dark. The characters are engaging and well developed and the story has a good pace. I would truly like to see a sequel that explores the type of leader the hero, Rakam, becomes.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author through the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

[sawcat · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

"I received this through the Early Reviewers program. This book was difficult to read, but not because it was a heavy subject. It was difficult because it was very confusing. There were four or five different points of view in the first six chapters of the book, and the reader is thrust into each, without getting any of the background on some of the major themes that run through out the book. While I normally feel like I generally pick up easily the major points and settings of the books I read, in this one I felt I didn't get the basic background of one of the main groups until I was about three-quarters of the way through the book. While the main storyline would have been interesting enough if flushed out more, it was disjointed by what seemed unnecessary point of view changes, or information that didn't seem to pan out in the end of the book. I still am not certain how or who the title pertains to.Additionally, the e-book was formated poorly. There were no chapters in the contents section, so if you wanted to go back to something, you had to go all the way back to the table of contents page and use the links on it. But it also refused to show the bookmarks I had placed, so you had to keep track of that if you backtracked for something. Chapters seemed to start whenever on a page, and not on a new one. And there were a few pages that had from 1-5 lines on it only, but it wasn't an end of the chapter. The formating just added to the overall frustration withe the book."

[mynewhitman · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I have to say that this is one book that I have won from the early reviewers that I did not really enjoy. It started off in a strange style which was very confusing for me and that meant that I could not continue and finish it. I see from the other reviews that it picks up, but I don't think it's worth going back to.

[dfbone_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While I enjoyed many aspects of this book, I also felt lost for the first half of the book. I spent most of the book wondering whether the location was an island on Earth or a whole other planet. While I'm not ignorant of the negative side of humanity, I was not thrilled with the implication that another race, that seemed from descriptions to be well equipped Earth military soldiers, would be sent so casually on such a mission as genocide. I did enjoy the development of the main character, but felt that once Rakam left someone or somewhere; what happened to the person became irrelevent. Those people stung by the poisoned flower for example, or Rakam's wife after he was kidnapped. Do you really believe she would just ignore his disappearance and continue with other plans without attempting to locate him? What about her way of treating him like he was unimportant when they met up with other? It's like the author didn't even care to tie all the loose ends.

[nkscf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was a bit confused as to what this book was trying to produce. There were many times where I flat out didn't understand what was going on here.However, I did love the development of the main character and his allies as they tried to stop the destruction of all they knew. Not the greatest thing in the world, but it was okay.

[roudyjsoule · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Although the concept and the general plot of this novel was well conceived, it did confuse as well as leave me questioning alot. The characters seemed well developed and were fairly relatable. I did enjoy how everything was described, in a almost "native" or "real person" type of way. Sadly the book could not keep my attention and seemed to drag on. My favorite part was the villians of the story, Shanitani, who seemed very original and very deadly. This was also a part that confused me, as I felt not everything was explained enough and some ideas appeared out of now-where, such as the title which seemed to have no relevence. Overall this was an interesting and creative novel, but it could have been improved.

[flowerchildren · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is a tale of invaders and what one character does to try to help and save his village. What I actually liked most about this book was the interaction between the main character and his pet, the otter. It was a good book.

[iris1948_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book for its mixture of science fiction, fantasy, and mysticism. I don't see the reason for the title, but the story itself is filled with interesting characters. The action begins "in medias res" which always intrigues me--getting right into the conflict. The destruction of the natives and their culture by an invading advance team from a "superior" civilization gives the novel a timely theme. The values and culture of the native population contrasted to the seek-and-destroy soldiers is well-conceived and developed. Rakkam, a native of the other-world, is a sympathetic character whose internal conflicts make him believable and admirable. On the other hand, the conversations of the Captains of the invasion force also reveal much about their character and military/mercenary mindset. The story kept me interested from the beginning and I was not disappointed with the resolution. A good read with thought-provoking undercurrents.

[lostinalibrary · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I just finished reading this book and I liked it a lot. However, I had a couple of problems with it - one small, one not so small.First, my small problem:The title. It didn't seem to have any relation to the book. There is no prince, nightmare or otherwise. A king, yes, a Jinn, uh huh, champions, a witch, and a few really nasty bad guys, but no prince. So, unless this is a metaphor for something (in which case I clearly missed it), I don't understand the significance of the title. Frankly, I just don't get it unless this is the first in a series and all will be made clear in a future sequel.Second, my larger problem:Questions. It just seemed like there were a lot of issues raised in the book which just seemed to be left unanswered. For example, what happened to the children who were poisoned by the blue flowers and, by the same token, how come the captain of the invaders survived poisoning while the natives died? Shouldn't it have been the other way around - you know, acquired immunity and all that? And there were a couple of references to colonizers having landed, or going to land, so what happened to them? And what happened to Tombo and his followers? And where was Negera during the fighting? I know, this may seem like nit picking. Most stories have loose ends and I can accept that but, given the amount of time spent on these issues during the novel, I would have liked a little more closure unless, as I said earlier, this is just the first in a series.Anyway, despite these problems, the story is well-written and the characters are three-dimensional. Even some of the bad guys are likable. The book also raises some interesting issues like prejudice and our tendency to view other cultures narrowly, and whether might really does make right, certainly important questions given the state of the world today.

[barbara_ell_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as a LibraryThing Early Reader, for an honest review.When others come and start destroying villages and killing the residents, what are the priests and warriors supposed to do?As Rakkam goes on his spiritual journey, one gift given to him by the Almighty, the True Sight, was taken from him through a bite from a serpent. Also on this journey he meets the enemy that no one thought would be back.Will these strangers completely destroy the native population, or can the Kassisi and the Warriors overcome what the people fear about the strangers and protect their very lives?This book has many layers. We have Rakkam wondering about the loss of his most powerful gift, and about the receiving of a new gift. We see the family dynamics and jealousy throughout the cousins in some having more gifts than others, and some riding on the shirt-tails of their father's gifts. We have the grandfather nurturing his family and their gifts, while helping his great-grandson, Rakkam, understand what he is going through. With the strangers, we see them as they try to navigate this new land, and try to clear it for the corporation. We also see the dynamics within the group as the Colonel and his 3 captains try to motivate their army, and one of the captains is bent on satisfying his own ends.I thoroughly enjoyed the story and it was a great easy read.

[madamediotte · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A refreshing take of the 'planet invasion' theme, using the right blend of action, gravity, and humour to make you want to keep reading! I especially liked the fact that you see both sides of the coin and that there is much character development. All in all, an excellent novel!