The Great Hearts Series by David Oliver

"An unexpected pleasure to read...an excellent adventure," Two Bald Mages (Steve)"What Mr Oliver has done with this story and the characters within is nothing short of wonderful...it puts to shame some big name authors," Two Bald Mages (Keith)Imperator. A word synonymous with fear, pain, loathing and, for a chosen few, the sharp end of a blade. The voice of the Emperor, an Imperator is the perfect weapon, skilled in combat, politics and strategy and moulded by years of punishing training... more"An unexpected pleasure to read...an excellent adventure," Two Bald Mages (Steve)"What Mr Oliver has done with this story and the characters within is nothing short of wonderful...it puts to shame some big name authors," Two Bald Mages (Keith)Imperator. A word synonymous with fear, pain, loathing and, for a chosen few, the sharp end of a blade. The voice of the Emperor, an Imperator is the perfect weapon, skilled in combat, politics and strategy and moulded by years of punishing training. They are the hidden assassins, the enforcers of the Emperor’s will. They are the hunters of the unknown. Calidan Darkheart is an Imperator, a self-professed killer and an adept hunter of the creatures that most citizens of the Empire do not realise exist.Together with his hulking companion Cassius, he hunts the beast that slaughtered their home village.Pity those who find themselves in their path. Calidan and Cassius were bright young boys, living peaceful, happy lives in a remote mountain village, until the day everything changed. Once the screams have subsided, and with the horrors they have seen embedded in their minds, they embark on a journey of survival, fraught with danger, strange magic and dark deeds. Unbowing and undaunted they push forward, striving for power, making lifelong friendships along the way, and above all else, discovering the truth behind the magnificent, mythical Great Hearts. Young Calidan is a boy full of hope and courage, driven by the past but not ruled by it. Old Calidan is a bitter and twisted killer of monsters and men, his past haunting his dreams. This is his story.The first instalment of a new series, David Oliver’s debut novel features mythical beasts, epic sword duels, dark rituals and a friendship for the ages. Following in the footsteps of authors such as Mark Lawrence, Joe Abercrombie and Brian McClellan, The Great Hearts melds gritty, vivid action with the soft, warm purr of a gigantic panther.The first instalment of a new series, David Oliver's debut novel features mythical beasts, epic sword duels, dark rituals and a friendship for the ages. Following in the footsteps of authors such as Mark Lawrence, Joe Abercrombie and Brian McClellan, The Great Hearts melds gritty, vivid action with the soft, warm purr of a gigantic panther. less

Calidan Darkheart has survived monsters, men and the first years of the Academy, but will he be able to survive a higher power than his own?As a young student at the Academy and freshly dealing with the loss of a dear friend, Calidan must endure a new trial; one that will test every fibre of his being. If he survives, he will be forged into something new and be one step closer to his ultimate goal. Revenge... moreCalidan Darkheart has survived monsters, men and the first years of the Academy, but will he be able to survive a higher power than his own?As a young student at the Academy and freshly dealing with the loss of a dear friend, Calidan must endure a new trial; one that will test every fibre of his being. If he survives, he will be forged into something new and be one step closer to his ultimate goal. Revenge.Alone in the dark, Calidan the Imperator has so far managed to avoid the clutches of a rampaging beast but now seeks to escape and fulfil his lifelong dream. Intent on saving his best friend Cassius and heading deeper into the barren wastelands, he seeks a prey that will eclipse all others.He might find that the reality is more than he can handle.David Oliver’s second novel in the Great Hearts series brings back the dual adventures of past and present day Calidan, following the protagonist’s journey from earnest youth to a cold and forbidding Imperator.Brutal combat, terrifying magics, dark secrets and the antics of a certain panther lay within. less

The Academy is at war.Having survived the early years of the Academy, Calidan Darkheart has proven his strength and skill. Now faced with a new challenge, mastering the mysterious abilities of seraph, and with a swathe of murders cutting through the empire, he must learn to adapt, and quickly.For the dark holds many dangers and the night is closing in.Calidan the Imperator has sworn to save Cassius from his afflictions and destroy the Emperor... moreThe Academy is at war.Having survived the early years of the Academy, Calidan Darkheart has proven his strength and skill. Now faced with a new challenge, mastering the mysterious abilities of seraph, and with a swathe of murders cutting through the empire, he must learn to adapt, and quickly.For the dark holds many dangers and the night is closing in.Calidan the Imperator has sworn to save Cassius from his afflictions and destroy the Emperor. He pushes on to lands unknown, hoping to find someone, anyone, who can assist in his endeavor.But what if the cure is worse than the disease?David Oliver’s third novel in the Great Hearts series continues the dual adventures of past and present-day Calidan, following the protagonist’s journey from earnest youth to a cold and forbidding Imperator.Brutal combat, terrifying magics, dark secrets, and the antics of a certain panther lay within. less

There's no rest for the wicked.The Hrudan are gathering in the north and a spike in monster attacks throughout the empire has the Academy worried and Calidan exhausted. Training to be a monster-hunter under Sarrenai, he and Cassius must learn, and learn fast, because there are a whole lot of monsters and only so many hunters to go around... moreThere's no rest for the wicked.The Hrudan are gathering in the north and a spike in monster attacks throughout the empire has the Academy worried and Calidan exhausted. Training to be a monster-hunter under Sarrenai, he and Cassius must learn, and learn fast, because there are a whole lot of monsters and only so many hunters to go around.With a whole new breed of enemy on the horizon, will Calidan gain the skills he needs in time to protect himself, his loved ones, and his empire?Beholden to the Wanderer, how far will Calidan the Imperator go to save both Cassius and Seya? Because robbing a god certainly doesn't seem healthy.David Oliver’s fourth novel in the Great Hearts series continues the dual adventures of past and present day Calidan, following the protagonist’s journey from earnest youth to a cold and forbidding Imperator.Brutal combat, terrifying magics, dark secrets and the antics of a certain panther lay within. less