If you love Fantasy stories about Rangers, then this is the book for you! There’s plenty of camping, tracking, hiking, and evading pursuers in the woods. Throughout the first half of the book, you can practically smell the wood-smoke, feel the dew on your pillow, hear the footsteps on pine needles. It’s cool when the heroes’ traveling party uses scouts to stalk ahead, looking for trouble, or where hunting parties take hours or days to track each other down before a vicious fight.

And there’s plenty of troubles to be found here. Athson (the ‘Archer’ hero) and his band of supernatural allies (sorceress, dwarves, and other magical beings) face off against an assortment of strange creatures. Also a variety of challenging landscapes, some of which are cursed. There’s even some classic dungeon crawling in the ‘Troll-Neath,’ which is a phrase I love! I especially liked one action scene involving a bridge that reminded me of Indiana Jones, or the famous Balrog scene in LOTR. My only issue was trying to differentiate between the types of troll hordes that Athson fights. I have fond memories of the terms ‘Bugbear,’ ‘Kobold,’ ‘Goblin,’ and ‘Hobgoblin,’ but I have a hard time picturing what each one of these creatures would look like. On the other hand, some of the other fiends and spells that Athson faces are very chillingly described.

The author writes in a masterful, fluid style, and the pages just roll by. At the same time, I didn’t find myself annoyed or bored by any of the characters, which can be quite a feat (IMO) when it comes to Fantasy stories. A totally enjoyable experience! I look forward to seeing what happens next with these characters.

Athson, son of Ath, has been living with the Elven Rangers since his family was killed along with his whole village 10 years ago. Savage Trolls showed no mercy, and serve a Wizard who is beholding to a vicious Dragon. As a young boy the massacre leaves him with spells in which his dead family appears to him, including his dog, Spark. The elves give him a potion called Soul — Ease which help during his ‘fits,’ and has to be used often but the day he is out hunting Athson leaves it at the Ranger Station. Even though raised by the elves, Heth and Cireena, and helped by his Elven friend, Gweld, the young hunter cannot escape his past even as he marches toward his uncertain future.

Athson wonders why his Captain Sameth never gives him some serious assignments, as if he knows something Athson doesn't remember – something that he should. When visited at his campsite by what might be a Withling, capable of helping or harming, he listens to her strange prophecy of a special Bow. An eagle screams overhead. The huge bird, croons the haggard woman, will ‘guide the heir,’. . . ‘Who suffers in silence for a secret?’ Is this a hideous dream or a memory fit? Athson picks up the package which the cackling woman tosses at him. It contains bow strings and a message which will forever change his life.

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.

This story has all the elements of good fantasy; elves, sorcerers, a Dragon, and other terrifying creatures, and will appeal to those who love ‘Ranger’ stories. 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.

This is P. H. Solomon's first book in the Bow of Hart Saga and in a word I found it incredible! The story is so rich with different elements that I found myself totally engrossed from the very beginning.
The opening perspective was very interesting and unexpected. I would say more, but I hate it when people give away too much of the plot in a review.
The action sequences were gripping and written in such a way as to make you feel like you are there with the main character at each twist and turn of the story.
I loved the maps of the lands , the different dialects and races in the story, the use of magic in that it wasn't overused but rather a wonderful seasoning to the story.
It is easy to see the time and attention to detail the author has put into this book. Give this story a try, you will not be disappointed!

I’ve been waiting for this since reading the prequels, and it was well worth the wait.

The author kept enough of the story a mystery until the right time while maintaining an engrossing story full of description and heartfelt love and angst. One of the highlights for me was the way the story started off with Athson having some difficulty before gradually moving away from some of the elements. I would say more, but I don’t want to spoil it. Sorry.

The characters were well written and engaging to the point I felt for Athson and wanted him to tell off Hastra through most of the book. Lol. Even Athson’s growing relationship with Limbreth felt right and was a pleasant change from the usual “fall in love at first sight” that’s common in fantasy. Out of all of the characters, Corgren remains one of my favorites, but he was bumped down to second place by the giant Ralda. Ralda’s complexity added an element that was briefly touched on in a couple of scenes and I’m curious to see if his character branches off in his own book or series.

Overall, this has become one of my favorite fantasy books and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

"-Mister Solomon has moved the ruler by which we believe indie fantasy novels should be judged. He has shown us that it is possible to write a story as great as any published by the big publishing houses.."

The Bow of Destiny by P.H. Solomon is a fantasy adventure that begins with our hero reliving the moment when he lost his parents during an attack. Memories of Corgren, trolls, and being told to run. He awakens from the fit, and realizes that he had forgotten his medicine; soul-ease. He recalled visiting Eagle's Aerie, Zelma the Withling, and receiving the package containing the letter and the bow string that accompanied it as part of his inheritance. Raised by the elves to be a ranger, Athson and his best friend, Gweld, are attacked by trolls. They get separated while escaping with the help of a giant named Ralda. The group finally makes it to Harky's Post, where Athson meets Limbreth, and Hastra the Withling. Someone has stolen her book, and it is tied to the prophesy of his inheritance and the Bow of Destiny.

P.H. Solomon has a talent that most literary agents refer to as spinning a yarn. As the story began, it seemed to me at the time to be a little too wordy, but that thought quickly faded as I began to appreciate his talent for vividly describing everything from Athson's strengths and weaknesses to the beginning of a romance. Mr. Solomon's characters are well developed, and although they can't seem to be honest with each other, they know that they are in for the long haul, through thick and thin. Having to go through the hardships of random attacks, trading posts being destroyed, and other delays, they become a cohesive unit. The dwarves, having adopted the sword maiden Limbreth as one of their own, are teaching her about their ways. The Bow of Destiny is the first book of The Bow of Hart Saga and, as the chase nears its end, events begin to happen that leave the reader champing at the bit for more. Bravo, Mr. Solomon!

The Bow of Destiny is book one in the epic fantasy series The Bow of Hart Saga by author P.H. Solomon. The book follows a protagonist by the name of Athson. Athson is a very haunted and uncertain individual. His tragic and sad upbringing not only takes a toll on his overall personality and character, but also on his sense of reality. He can't be certain what is real and what is not....well, except for all the terrifying trolls and creatures that hunt him. That is the only certainty in his life. When a mysterious bow comes into his world, what is he to believe? Is this something that has the power to change his life and allow something good to finally happen to him or is this just another illusion, destined to bring him down further.

I found this book to be a very entertaining and interesting read. I think fans of The Lord of the Rings and other epic fantasy reads will find a lot to like here. Athson reminded me of Aragorn at times (which is a very good thing), and 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. I was really rooting for Athson to find himself and discover a happier life, leaving his haunting past where it belongs - in the past. The cover is great too. I think it really encompasses the story as well as the fantasy genre. I would recommend The Bow of Destiny to all fans of epic adventure and fantasy genres. I am really looking forward to continuing the adventure in book two!

After ten years of suffering through the memories of the troll attack that destroyed his village and left everyone but him dead, Athson discovers that there may be more to his fits and nightmares than he and his friend Gweld, the elf, realize. P.H. Solomon takes you through the trials and tribulations Athson experiences as he is set on a course of action to find a family heirloom that he doesn’t even know is from his own family.

In The Bow of Destiny: The Bow of Hart Saga Book 1, Athson teams up with the Withling Hastra, a remnant of an ancient race, a princess from another kingdom searching for her place in life, a giant sentenced to help others, and some dwarves to try to find the famous Bow of Hart that Athson’s father hid many years earlier. Fighting trolls and the evil Corgren, servant to the Dragon Lord Magdronu, the group experiences setbacks and obstacles at almost every turn. With each person holding a little something about themselves back from the group, will it be possible for them to work together to actually solve the problem and defeat the evil menace?

Intense action, strong characters, and a life or death quest combine to make The Bow of Destiny: The Bow of Hart Saga Book 1 a true fantasy epic. P.H. Solomon writes with energy and emotion so you are easily caught up in not only Athson’s quest, but the reasons that have brought all the characters together. Well done! I truly enjoyed reading the story and can't wait for more. This is an excellent first volume for a series that promises to deliver true reading pleasure. This is a book that should do very well.