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The Bow of Destiny: An Epic Fantasy Novel (The Bow of Hart Saga Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 635 ratings

Haunted by his past. Hunted in the present. Uncertain what is real.

Athson’s tragic past invades his conscious moments with hallucinations of death and destruction. But a promise to his dead father haunts him too – keep hidden the existence of a bow prophesied to destroy a dragon. Athson wants nothing to do with it.

When a strange will mentioning the bow lands in his possession from a dream, Athson's sure it's not real.

But the trolls that soon pursue him are all too real - and dangerous. And they serve the cunning wizard Corgren and his master, the hidden dragon, Magdronu.

Athson is drawn into a quest for the concealed Bow of Hart by the mystic Withling, Hastra.

But Athson isn't always sure what's real and who his enemies are.

With Corgren and Magdronu stalking his path, Athson faces frequent danger, his grasp on reality, and the reasons behind his tragic past.

Then he finds something unexpected. Will his discovery destroy him before he recovers the bow?

Pick up the first book of The Bow of Hart Saga because it's "quietly addictive."

Reactions to The Bow of Destiny

"…one can almost see the trail and fear the trolls."
- Victor

" the characters are still dancing around in my head, the sign of a fantastic journey." - MC

"Solomon has his own signature touch that gives us not only something original and unique but will leave many fantasy readers waiting for more." - Fantasia Reviews, 2016 Book of the Year

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From the Publisher

The Bow of Destiny by P. H. Solomon
The Bow of Destiny, Book 1 of The Bow of Hart Saga
The Bow of Destiny, top rated epic ranger fantasy

Editorial Reviews

Review

FantasiaReviews.com Review Excerpt:

"
Solomon has his own signature touch that gives us not only something original and unique but will leave many fantasy readers waiting for more."

fantasiareviews.com/2016/09/27/fantasia-reviews-the-bow-of-destiny/

Bookwraiths.com:
"Mr. Solomon never takes his foot off the accelerator for long, keeping this fantasy racing toward its conclusion...,
mixture of the classic fantasy past with new ideas"

Bookseller 456810 via NetGalley - 5 Stars:
"Wow.
The characters are larger than life in this. You could almost expect them to climb out of the pages, I'm not even kidding (and promise I'm more sane than Athson at the beginning).. This story is very well-written. It certainly leaves you desperately wanting more. There's a good thing there are more books, though I can hardly contain my excitement for the next one. Another awesome author has made it onto my reading list. Do yourself a favor if you love fantasy and adventures. Give this a read. Comes highly recommended."

Micki P. - 5 Stars
"Author P H. Solomon's first book in the 'The Bow Saga,' series is a must-read for adult fantasy lovers and YA. One is drawn in immediately in the first few pages. There is some confusion when Solomon switches between memory 'fits' and reality -- which is magical in itself. This is quickly remedied as the book flows forward at a steady pace, similar to the excellent fantasy series by the late author, David Eddings.

The Bow of Destiny is highly recommended for readers enjoying the fantasy genre as well as those who might want to try out an especially good one."

Other 5 Star Reviews:
"I appreciate his talent for vividly describing Athson's strengths and weaknesses....
Mr. Solomon's characters are well developed...
as the chase nears its end, events begin to happen that leave the reader champing at the bit for more.
Bravo, Mr. Solomon!" Reviewed by Stephen Fisher for Readers' Favorite, 5 Stars

"Solomon creates a rich and descriptive world for readers to immerse themselves in...
The premise in my opinion was unique, complex and riveting all at the same time." Reviewed by Charity Tober for Readers' Favorite - 5 Stars

"P.H. Solomon writes with energy and emotion so you are easily caught up Well done! I truly enjoyed reading the story and can't wait for more. " Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite - 5 Stars

From the Author

Where to connect with P. H.Solomon?
    • Email sign-up: subscribepage.com/phsolomon
    • Site: phsolomon.com
    • Goodreads:goodreads.com/author/show/8339496.P_H_Solomon
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    • Merchandise Store: archersaimpress.store
    • Requst a digital autograph: authorgraph.com/authors/ph_solomon
    • Imprint Information: archersaimpress.com
    • FacebookPage: facebook.com/AuthorP.H.Solomon
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    • FREE Chapters on Wattpad: wattpad.com/user/phsolomon

    Product details

    • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B014AZ5DMU
    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (September 28, 2015)
    • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 28, 2015
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • File size ‏ : ‎ 2908 KB
    • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
    • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
    • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
    • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
    • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
    • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
    • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
    • Customer Reviews:
      4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 635 ratings

    About the author

    Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
    P. H. Solomon
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    With his first novel of epic ranger fantasy, The Bow of Destiny, P. H. Solomon found bestselling success with a main character suffering from problems between his ears. The title won Book of the Year with Fantasia Reviews and garnered an audio book contract for the entire series, The Bow of Hart Saga.

    In his second steampunk detective fantasy series, The Cursed Mage Case Files, the main character suffered a severe setback which landed him in unemployment. Not long afterward, PH found himself working through severe “brain fog” that landed him in unemployment.

    He really identifies with his characters.

    Now, he’s on the comeback trail with additional books for The Cursed Mage Case Files on the horizon. Four additional first in series books are already drafted and he’s planning a follow-up series to The Bow of Hart Saga.

    Customer reviews

    4.1 out of 5 stars
    635 global ratings

    Review this product

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    Customers say

    Customers find the story interesting and well-written. They appreciate the engaging, unique characters with distinct traits. The writing quality is described as excellent and masterful. Opinions differ on the pacing - some find it intense and entertaining, while others feel it slows down for long stretches.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    67 customers mention "Story quality"55 positive12 negative

    Customers enjoy the well-written story. They find the backstory and history interesting, and describe it as an epic fantasy saga. The plot is engaging, with drips of information that build tension. While some readers felt the book was not exciting enough, the epilogue was described as blowing them away. Overall, customers appreciate the multi-dimensional characters and true tone of the epic fantasy saga in progress.

    "...It gave much pleasure and helped me to bear up under the stress. But you don't need a disaster to enjoy this book. I highly recommend it." Read more

    "...Highly recommend this to anyone that likes a good Fantasy Adventure book. I’ll be adding the next book to the top of my TBR list soon...." Read more

    "...I loved that it was clean without profanity and sexual content. There was a bit of romance, but it developed oddly...still clean...." Read more

    "Well written and with a good cast of characters. I like the story, and the back story and history is interesting as it is gradually introduced...." Read more

    33 customers mention "Character development"26 positive7 negative

    Customers enjoy the engaging and unique characters. They find the characters well-written and colorful, with distinct traits. The story is a classic fantasy tale full of fantastic creatures, magic, quests, and adventure.

    "...This book has wonderful characters that you get invested in and want to be okay...." Read more

    "...That’s a good thing! I enjoyed the characters and their development, though the main character Athson, can get on your nerves...." Read more

    "Well written and with a good cast of characters. I like the story, and the back story and history is interesting as it is gradually introduced...." Read more

    "...And the main character has no empathy for anyone else (it's all me and how I feel)...." Read more

    17 customers mention "Writing quality"15 positive2 negative

    Customers praise the writing quality. They find the descriptions excellent and the editing good. The concept is original, and the writing style is masterful.

    "...Well-written, though sometimes I felt the story was rushed, it kept me reading; wanting more...." Read more

    "...But again, it was well written enough for me to read to the end, so I do think people who can relate to the characters might enjoy it. Three stars." Read more

    "Well written and with a good cast of characters. I like the story, and the back story and history is interesting as it is gradually introduced...." Read more

    "...Masterfully done...." Read more

    22 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive12 negative

    Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it intense and addictive, with twists and turns that keep them wanting more. Others find the plot slow at times and difficult to engage with.

    "...Generally, the story flows smoothly, though it seems to drag a bit from time-to-time, due in part perhaps to some lengthy descriptions...." Read more

    "...It gave much pleasure and helped me to bear up under the stress. But you don't need a disaster to enjoy this book. I highly recommend it." Read more

    "I was very hooked for the first third. Then the book slowed down (two conflicts were resolved that I thought were over too easily)...." Read more

    "...The Bow of Destiny is like a sniper; it sneaks up on you and is quietly addictive. When I start reading it, I have no idea where the time goes...." Read more

    Top reviews from the United States

    • Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2024
      This is the first book in the Bow of the Hart series. I recommend you read the prequel What is Needed first, but it is not necessary. This book has wonderful characters that you get invested in and want to be okay. At first you don't see all of the intrigue and how all the people blend together, but as time goes on you get more involved. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the other 2 books. I have had some of P H Solomon books for awhile and decided to read this one while in South Carolina babysitting my 2 grandkids in a hurricane without power. It gave much pleasure and helped me to bear up under the stress. But you don't need a disaster to enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
    • Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2017
      I’ve owned Bow of Destiny for a while now, and I finally got to it, as the TBR list is large. I wish I’d gotten to it sooner. The Bow of Destiny is like a sniper; it sneaks up on you and is quietly addictive. When I start reading it, I have no idea where the time goes. That’s a good thing!
      I enjoyed the characters and their development, though the main character Athson, can get on your nerves. How can a character be that dense? But then I realized, I was that young once too. So, yeah, that is probably the way he should be.
      The story follows Athson as he tries to figure out why he is seeing visions and why the Withlings (witchy-spirit-woman-ish folk) won’t leave him alone. Some force is working in his life, and he just doesn’t like it. Yeah, that’s about all you’ll get from me as a spoiler/breakdown of the story.
      Well-written, though sometimes I felt the story was rushed, it kept me reading; wanting more. I liked the relationships in the story, and feel the author used just the right balance of showing/telling to make this a good read.
      Highly recommend this to anyone that likes a good Fantasy Adventure book. I’ll be adding the next book to the top of my TBR list soon.
      4 of 5 Stars
      5 people found this helpful
      Report
    • Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2022
      Overall, I liked the story. I loved that it was clean without profanity and sexual content. There was a bit of romance, but it developed oddly...still clean. What I found most distressing was the interaction of the characters. The way they made decisions seemed unrealistic and interactions between characters seemed...forced.

      One of the main characters is suspicious of an ally but for reasons I couldn't quite understand. He too was keeping secrets and he begrudged the other character for keeping secrets. Baffling. This theme seemed to exist between many of the characters.

      The book has no real resolution. It is meant to continue on to the next book, which is okay if you know that going into it. The title of the book led me to believe they would at least find the "Bow of Destiny," but no, they instead went after a book which they retrieved relatively easily and the book seemed to have no bearing on the story. The good guys were worried about the bad guys having it, but the bad guys didn't seem to care and allowed it to be regained. The good guys then never used the book, but risked their lives for it. Quite confusing, but perhaps it was all meant to be resolved in the next book.

      It was well written with some missed editing here and there. But because I couldn't really care about the characters, I doubt I'll read the next book in the series. I simply couldn't relate. I would have never made many of the decisions they did based on the information they had or reacted in the manner in which they did based on the circumstances...so I never became invested in the characters.

      But again, it was well written enough for me to read to the end, so I do think people who can relate to the characters might enjoy it. Three stars.
      8 people found this helpful
      Report
    • Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2024
      Well written and with a good cast of characters. I like the story, and the back story and history is interesting as it is gradually introduced. The main character can be tedious at times with his pouting and willful aggression. Yes, I know he has reason and post traumatic stress, but it becomes tiresome. I want him to grow up at some point. It is a shame he is the chosen one and can’t be killed off to enhance the story!

    Top reviews from other countries

    • Dave Higgins
      4.0 out of 5 stars A Mix of Classic Fantasy and Realistic Struggles
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2023
      Solomon blends classic fantasy with a characterful evocation of how even good people aren’t perfect, creating heroes who don’t simply shrug off the trauma and stress of extreme situations.

      Raised by elves after the death of his parents, Athson spends this time patrolling the wilds around a ranger station. On the heels of an encounter with a mysterious figure who claims he is heir to an ancient legacy, he is attacked by what seems the same band of creatures who destroyed his village, tangling his path with others also striving against the band. However, as he has suffered hallucinations since the death of his parents and the package the figure gave him is sometimes missing when he looks for it or appears in his bag after he has left it behind, how can he be sure which bits of the story are real.

      Solomon reframes the classic fantasy quest of reluctant chosen one by making the protagonist’s doubt and resistance come from the consequences of skilfully portrayed mental trauma. This provides a potentially greater sense of plausibility to Athson’s turning away from evidence of destiny than is often provided by the stereotypical peasant who turns out to have shocking skills.

      However, the rejection of apparent destiny is still a repeated rejection and so might not suit readers who do not enjoy the social and personal struggle of a hero against their destiny.

      And it is only a potentially greater plausibility, for Athson is keeping a secret he promised his father never to share that suggests his line are the guardians of an ancient artefact. Thus, his refusal to wholeheartedly engage could seem either seem a powerful evocation of how lingering trauma can overcome even the strongest evidence or a bias that verges on blatant authorial fiat.

      Athson is also not the only one keeping a secret from his longstanding and recent companions: almost all of the characters are concealing something significant, sometimes only from their companions but sometimes from the reader as well. Therefore, although this is not a book solely for readers actively seeking the experience of having explanations withheld, readers who dislike the trope of a mentor or guru who withholds answers because it is not the time or some other reason they will not share are quite likely to lose patience quite quickly.

      Solomon’s world building, both on narrow and broader scale, is solid, creating a sense of a place with ancient and complex history filled mostly with people who are facing the ordinary issues of life. Thus, while it might irritate some readers, the pervasive habit of not sharing the whole truth is not a trick to cover a shallow story.

      Unfortunately, Solomon’s focus on building his own world out of the basic tropes of fantasy rather than automatically conforming to the most common usage might create a cracked note. Rather than use troll in the most famous sense of a large and thuggish creature, he uses it in the more ancient sense of a collective term for several similar non-human races that live outside human civilisation. Therefore, readers who are more affected by having their mental image contradicted, might be jarred out of the story when the trolls who initially pursue Athson are later described as something small rather than huge.

      The novel does include a complete arc from inciting incident to resolution of that; however, the broader plot of foiling the antagonists is not significantly advanced, giving the book a strong feel of being part of a series rather than standing alone.

      Athson is a solidly crafted protagonist, driven forward by a genuine desire to do the right thing but hampered in that by not knowing who or what he can trust.

      His companions, ancient gnomic hermit sage aside, display the same slightly illogical and therefore very plausibly human, muddle of decency and difficulty openly sharing.

      The major antagonists are portrayed as having mostly logical but very selfish reasons for their actions, creating an engaging contrast with the protagonist’s core motivations that retains the pervasive sense of keeping secrets even from the closest associates.

      The portrayal of the trolls harkens back to the almost-genetically evil creatures of Tolkien and early successors. Whether this adds or detracts will depend on whether a reader has strong feelings on moral relativism in fantasy.

      Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I recommend it to readers seeking a story in which characters hold things back in the way most people do, rather than always putting the quest against great evil first.
    • Wendy
      5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
      Reviewed in Canada on July 1, 2017
      I would continue the saga as it is well written and very enjoyable
    • Al
      4.0 out of 5 stars Epic fantasy that ticks all the boxes (almost).
      Reviewed in Canada on April 9, 2018
      Okay, this isn't quite paint-by-numbers epic fantasy, although it's close, but there's enough good stuff in here to separate it from the pack and earn it that award it won a couple of years ago (see bumf above). The plot revolves around the usual destiny deal, with a teenager being sent on a perilous mission to retrieve the titular Bow of Destiny. It's all in here - a dragon (the big bad kahuna), underground dwarven cities, trolls and goblins, even a banshee for good measure (a pretty gnarly banshee at that).

      The cast of characters has the doughty dwarves; the giant who lacks in vocabulary but makes up for it in kickass skills; the princess rebelling against her own fate of political marriage; the Withling (read mage/cleric type) who knows more than she lets on; and of course an elf (the MC was raised by elves). There's a bad guy who's kind of fun, as he's terrified of the big bad kahuna.

      The real pleasure in this story is the "hero." Why? He's not your traditional farmboy who picks up a sword and suddenly starts fighting like a freakin' samurai. He's a ranger, kind of like a cross between a marine and park ranger. He's handy with a sword and a useful archer (aha!). So far, so very boring. But wait right there. He's an orphan (of course) who suffers fits when memories of his mother's death are triggered. He's also an annoying little fart. The kind of teenager you want to throttle, but you can't because there are laws against that kind of thing. He argues with everybody over everything, doesn't trust the Withling (the brains of the operation) and places himself in danger just because he knows better than every one else. Just like a real teenager. Why is this enjoyable when he sounds like a turd? Because it's different, plain and simple.

      The story rattles along at a breakneck pace (no Tom Bombadil stopovers), their foes always seem to be a step ahead of the heroes, and it doesn't tie up the story in a neat little "happy ending" bow (a bow of destiny?) but leaves on something of a downer, setting up the scene for the next book, which I will definitely be checking out. That was a ridiculously long comma-filled sentence, of which you will find none in this well-written book. I'd give it 4.5/5, but Goodreads won't let me.

      PS The author really likes the word "chivied."
    • RJ Babin
      3.0 out of 5 stars Okay read, some parts were slow.
      Reviewed in Canada on July 1, 2017
      It seems that PHS requires schooling in male female falling in love sequence. Cause the hero & his lover have more secrets then all thier enemies put together. There is no trust in thier love.
    • Amazon Customer
      5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
      Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2017
      Keeps you riveted, lovely read.

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