Reviews are vital to any aspiring author, because without them it’s very hard to get found. So if you’ve read any of my works and enjoyed them, please take the time to follow the link below and say so. Even a one sentence review on Amazon or Goodreads helps more than you can imagine.
Here are some things others have said about my works.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023
I burned through the first book in one night, and now you've ruined my sleep schedule and I hate you. =( Switching between the Marilyse/Pascal story and the Luc story felt like jumping between worlds. You also write very realistic fight scenes. Nicely done.
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024
Loved the character development and look forward to seeing where the story leads. The setting has magic, and while the magic of this world follows rules the background for the magic is part of the story, making the magic simply another part of the world.
There were enough fights to keep the story moving and they didn't focus overly on just one type (magic, verbal, or physical) so it scratched all those itches. Additionally there was enough intrigue to keep me curious.
Overall a delightfully well detailed story
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
I really enjoyed the author's ability to tell a story. Above and beyond the vivid character and world-creation, the author takes the reader into an immersive experience of what life in Corelay is like. He pulls you in and you become so invested in the character's futures, experiencing joy, anguish, doubt, and a sense of foreboding alongside them. This book is the perfect panacea for any literary doldrums you may be experiencing. A MUST read.
That being said, I'm also always skeptical of FMCs in adventure books. I know it's a challenge to capture the complexity of female thought without leaning into polarizing stereotypes. Many FMCs vacillate between vapid decision-making to reptilian calculation and manipulative intrigue. Thankfully, the personalities are very believable in this book and the FMCs are consistent. The women are logical, productive, and heroic as any character, but also show emotional intelligence, compassion, and grit. You mean this book passes the Bechdel-Wallace Test? Yes. Yes, it does. I mean, sure... it has its fair share of feminine flouncing, but who says we can't like pretty dresses, dancing, and swords all at the same time? No-one.
By that same token, we have smart, strong males written in, too. Hell. Yesssss. My, have we come a long way! This book is proof that gender equality CAN exist successfully in a great piece of fantasy fiction without turning it into a "battle of the sexes". IMHO, of course.
Also, I'd like to add that I love this undercurrent of impostor syndrome throughout the book. I know we all take what we read with whatever lens we're looking through at that time, so I may be projecting. But we've all experienced it, haven't we? Anyway, it's gratifying to see the characters support each other as they each go through their own trials (mundane and magical).
Anyway, a MUST-READ for anyone who loves fantasy, swashbuckling, magic, and mayhem. I can't wait to read the next book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2023
A new favorite of mine and one I'm glad to have in my own book collection. This novel had rapt my attention and I couldn't put it down, now I can't wait to more content from this world. I'm very much looking forward to reading more from Uke.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023
This fantasy novel's a solid blueprint of character strength, skillfully designed with a realism that resonates. A refreshing narrative that creates a new perspective on power dynamics. A must-read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
This author has a fantastic ability to pull you into his stories, transporting you into a world you had no idea about on the most vivid way!
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024
While the first book did a great job of setting up the ordinary world for the main characters and regular citizens, this part dives deeper into the dark undercurrents. The protagonists get stronger, more capable, and more knowledgeable, but at a very real cost. The character work in general is excellent, and it's really engaging to see them bounce off and learn more about each other. Events definitely look like they'll escalate rapidly in the third part, and I'm looking forward to jumping right into it!
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
Come prepared to learn some new vocabulary while being led on a fantastic adventure. Believable, likable protagonists, complex villains, set in a dynamic world that feels so real you could almost reach out and touch it.
The Far Corelay series are the best novels I've read in recent memory. Absolutely worth a look if you enjoy fantasy, adventure, magic, horror, and the heroes who stand up and fight despite terrible odds.
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2023
While the first book is a little slow, the second speeds up dramatically as plans are revealed and plots begin to take shape and unravel. A good series so far, especially if you’re into black powder era fantasy.
Anjie
Far Corelay is a low fantasy, gothic horror, coming-of-age story set in an alternate history of Europe. It's essentially described as what medieval France would look like if the Mongols successfully spread their culture. This book has a little of everything, mystery, war, cosmic horror, magic. The setting is so vast and full of so much potential.
The world building is expertly done, and the author pulls you into the world born of his imagination. It’s as if you're there, living in Corelay. I enjoyed how the setting is written and described. The dialogue is amusing and funny at times and the characters are well thought out and well-written.
The story starts off with the seemingly normal and mundane life of Marilyse Beaujean. A witty and sarcastic young woman taken in by Comte Simeon and working as his tax collector. Then the story jumps to her adopted brother, Pascal, an aspiring doctor with a secretive double life.
Part one starts off slow but picks up with speed. I was unable to put the book down and got through it in a few days. Highly recommend.
John
This was the fastest I have finished a book in quite a while, and I fully expect its author Greg Uke to become one of the great fantasy authors of our time. The characters and dialogue are intelligent and interesting, the world is the deepest most believable I have ever seen, and the plot itself is sucking me in to know more in natural, subtle ways.
Note: this review is coming from the author's brother, but i's my honest opinion of one of the best books I've ever read.
Joseph Meister
Being someone who reads often, on average 40 books or more per year.I'm always pleased when I find a truly interesting new read and a talented new author.
This story was very well told. I was drawn into the world and honestly interested in seeing how the events would play out.
I finished it in 2 days and have already bought the second installment.
I look forward to continuing my journey through this new and exciting land that the author has created.
Well done.
I honestly recommend it.