The Cleanser

Vargrom, Book 3

Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
74 Pages
Reviewed on 09/11/2017
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Prior to hitting the fiction scene in 2009, Kevin was a freelance writer for several years, covering everything from finance to sports. His debut work, World of Ash, was released by MuseItUp Publishing in the fall of 2010. Since then, Kevin has released over a dozen books through MuseItUp, and he has also been published in various magazines and anthology books. Kevin's writing covers many genres, including dark fiction and horror, science fiction and fantasy, and crime fiction.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Cleanser: Vargrom, Book 3 is a dark epic fantasy short story written by Kevin Hopson. While this is the third book in the series, the author provides enough background information to enable this to be read and enjoyed as a standalone story. Serell was the closest thing to a superhero that the small village he lived in and the nearby town of Bardford could lay claim to. At over seven foot tall and weighing nearly twenty stone, his presence was only matched by his dedication to helping others. When the village elder, Rarfaed, was crushed under the weight of a fallen tree, Serell was able to lift the tremendous weight off him and then carry the injured man to the nearby healer. When Lord Seymour sent word for his assistance, Serell was enjoying an unexpected, stolen moment with his beloved fiancee, Didah, who had defied her parents’ wishes and his, and had surprised him, unchaperoned, at his home. Lord Seymour had a task that involved a creature who was killing the livestock and eating the crops of the elves in Hiborane. And while the next day was a feast day that Serell would rather have celebrated with his village and family, Lord Seymour promised him ample recompense upon his return.

I hadn’t read the two preceding volumes in Hopson’s Vargrom series, but I soon found I was immersed in this short, yet satisfying dark epic fantasy tale about heroism, betrayal and redemption. Hopson’s fantasy world is authentic and peopled with all manner of good and evil creatures, and his looming hero, Serell, fired up my imagination most powerfully. The Cleanser is well-written and compelling, and the story, while complete in itself, is an excellent and engaging introduction to the rest of the series. I found I wanted to spend more time in Hopson’s fantasy world and look forward to doing just that. The Cleanser: Vargrom, Book 3 is most highly recommended.

Stuart R. West

I've read some of Mr. Hopson's work before and enjoyed it, but the fantasy genre brings the best out in his prose. Hopson's The Cleanser (Book #3 in his Vargrom series) is a terrific, fast fantasy novella about a warrior tragically cursed to slave for a thousand years for an indifferent god. That's just the set-up for the first half. The second follows two extremely likable dwarves and a gnome as they unfortunately cross paths with "the Cleanser." Look out! Hopson has a way of dropping you into his world and does so with ease. So often fantasy bores me because it fills like work trying to enter the various kingdoms. Not so here. This fast read features likable characters, imaginative details, well-written action, and more. I've yet to read the first two books in Hopson's series, but I will now. So should you. Recommended.