Reviews

ANIMUS AND PERDITION
Kerry F.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything I want in a good read
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
First off, I tend to not read books where the setting is in a non-existent land, filled with non-existent beasts.
This series is certainly an exception to that. Being familiar with the author’s articles on politics and current events, I decided to give this series a try. Glad I did! Interesting storyline, but not predictable. Heroic characters, yet realistically flawed.
I am quite picky concerning what I read, even more so about what brings me to the theater, but this story would be grand on the big screen! I highly recommend it.

PERDITION, PART THREE
William Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Page Turner Continues
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2020
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The saga of Ardenia continues. Great adventure, character development, and political and social commentary. I could not put it down. I like the way the author has written this book in installments. Anticipation builds as you wait for next installment.

PERDITION, PART THREE
ann70821
5.0 out of 5 stars
The story just gets better and better.
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2020
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You don’t want to miss reading this series. Great character development and a storyline that moves along at an excellent pace. Start with Book 1 and keep going!

PERDITION, PART THREE
Patricia
5.0 out of 5 stars
I’d give this book, and the entire series, 6 or 7 stars, if that was an option
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2020
Another excellent addition to the Tales of Armenia series. Once again, McKay has outdone himself. Can’t wait for Part Four !!

PERDITION, PART TWO
ann70821
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect escapist literature for these trying times!
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2020
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I am NOT the target audience for this book. I have never watched a single minute of Outlander or anything similar. And yet I cannot stop reading each installment of this series as soon as it is released and downloaded to my Kindle. If you want some escapist literature to get you through these trying times then start reading these books!

PERDITION, PART ONE
Lisa Patterson
5.0 out of 5 stars
good book
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2020
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good book

PERDITION, PART ONE
ann70821
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great escape from the problems of the day
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2020
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This is the first part of the 2nd book of the Ardenia series. While it is not necessary to have read the first book, really, do yourself a favor and read Animus first. Then come back and start reading Perdition.
The story of Ardenia is a big one, and like any big story there are plenty of smaller stories woven into to the plot. Excellent character development and description of terrain, landscape, and even clothing and interior design make this book a joy to read.
Book 1 was published in its entirety, Book 2 is being serialized. The only problem with the serialization is that now I have to wait for part 2!

PERDITION, PART ONE
Patricia
5.0 out of 5 stars
A captivating read
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2020
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McKay’s work is excellent. Part one of Perdition is another “can’t put down” book. Absolutely one of the best books I’ve ever read. Great story line; super character development.
Can’t wait for Parts 2, 3, and 4, and the other books to follow.

PERDITION
T Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read only comes along every now and then…
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2020
This book is the continuation of McKay’s first book – “Animus”. The story is kind of a Atlas Shrugged meets Game of Thrones with a little good old fashioned mystery mixed in. I enjoyed the story line and pace of the read and anyone who likes this genre will too…
In this time of self quarantined exile from the world, a good read is very important. This story will grab you and keep you engrossed start to finish.

PERDITION
Mikegootee
5.0 out of 5 stars 
Great continuation of Animus!
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2020
I’m always skeptical of sequels being as good as the original story, but wow, I didn’t see any of this coming! The story didn’t dwell on old old characters, but created new ones, with new suspenses that kept me on on edge throughout the whole story. I actually found myself yelling at some of the characters for getting themselves into trouble that could have been avoided, LOL! Some of the event descriptions are so well written that I actually felt like I was experiencing them myself. Great book Mr. Mckay! Please don’t make me wait to long for the next one!!!

ANIMUS
M.Caplinger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spectacular! A page turner!
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2020
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Could not put this book down – fascinating, mesmerizing and SO well articulated.

ANIMUS
JinLA
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific story
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2020
What a nice surprise this book was for me. It’s one of those books where you say “just a few more pages” and then you find yourself still reading an hour later. I’m looking forward to the other books in the series!

ANIMUS
Mr. Daniel FAGAN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow! What a great read.
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2020
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I’ve been putting off reading “Animus: A Tale of Ardenia” because I know the author and I was fearful I may not like it. I’ve been blown away by Scott’s political writing on his popular blog, The Hayride. I knew Scott was an amazing writer but I had no idea how talented he is when it comes to writing fiction. I read the entire book in three days. Typically, it takes me weeks to read a book, especially fiction. I highly recommend Animus: A Tale of Ardenia.

ANIMUS
Patricia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2020
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Riveting story. Started reading about noon one Saturday and didn’t put the book down until I finished it about 7:00 that evening; it’s THAT good !!

ANIMUS
Janice Baker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2020
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I enjoyed the story once I got a grip on the numerous main characters. The story did flow nicely but did tend to hop back in time when switching from one event to another. Once I got use to the writing style it became easier to follow. The ending was abrupt and left the reader hanging right at the on onslaught of WAR; so I hope this story will continue in another book. I am curious how the war with Udars ends up?
It is a good story and I’ll be buying the next book for sure because I want to know what happens next!

ANIMUS
Jason Harbison
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is great – but the best is yet to come!
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2020
The story was engaging and expertly crafted. The characters felt real while the author made this world come alive.
But it is clear that the coming editions of this story will be even better.

ANIMUS
Ryan Eugene Heck
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to believe this is a first time author…
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2019
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It’s been quite awhile since I’ve had the free time to enjoy a work of fiction. I recently had to travel for business and a friend recommended this book to me.
Wow. I feel like I know these characters. Within the first 10 to 15 pages I was totally immersed in the world of Ardenia. I am eagerly anticipating book 2. The last time I fell in love with a story and the characters like this one was The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. That’s a pretty high bar!

ANIMUS
sromer5
5.0 out of 5 stars
Battle, Love, Politics, and More!
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2019
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Best fiction book I’ve read in a long time. Action-packed story line and descriptive writing made it easy to follow and hard to put down. Highly recommend to fans of adventure!

ANIMUS
William Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best and the worst of man clash in this fantasy thriller.
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2019
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This is a genuine page turner. Exciting yet instructive. The clash of two civilizations; one very advanced and the other very primitive. A fantasy world that contains the best and the worst of man.

ANIMUS
J.C. Broussard
5.0 out of 5 stars
It feels like the classics
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2019
What McKay does with his book is something you really only experience in the classics. You are immediately drawn in and become connected with deep and complex characters and immersed in a grand new world. I could not put it down once I started. The story definitely has a wide audience, and the author deserves acclaim for what he accomplished with it.

ANIMUS
ann70821
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great new series in the making!
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2019
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OK, I will admit it. I have never seen a single episode of Game of Thrones. I haven’t read a single one of the Outlander books. I will also admit that I was a bit skeptical about this book.
What an engaging tale! The author has created a world that I find inviting, one I think I would like to live in, and definitely want to visit again. The character development is excellent, enough of a backstory has been created for each character without becoming overbearing. The plot moves along at a good pace, never dragging, and there are no omissions in the story line–you are never wondering “how did we get here?”
Despite the cover image, McKay does not feel the need to fill his book with overly graphic depictions of violence, something I really appreciate.
The tale being woven is both a parable for our times, and perhaps a prophecy.
If you are looking for something fresh, new, and exciting for a quick read, give Animus a try. You won’t be disappointed.

ANIMUS
Mitch Worley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Keeps your attention and looking forward to the continuations.
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
Fast moving and interesting characters.
Well written.

ANIMUS
Katie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A whole new world
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2019
This isn’t a genre that I usually read, but it kept popping up on my newsfeed and I finally decided to check it out. The author created a whole world rich in detail and background. There is a large cast of characters and multiple settings. It started off quickly and the pace was brisk all the way through to the climax. The most interesting thing to me was the clash of two opposite cultures. One in the midst of a technological revolution, similar to the early 20th century. The other with no technology at all, not even firearms. You would think it would be an uneven match, but maybe it won’t. I will be anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.

ANIMUS
Christopher Holton
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real page-turner
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019
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I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book. Fiction has never been my cup of tea, but this story was so well told and the details depicted so vividly that the book captivated me. It’s been a long time since I read a book that kept me awake at night because I didn’t want to fall asleep so I could keep reading to see what happened next. Animus is fast-paced too. It was the perfect length. It kept my attention and drew me in without giving me fatigue like some of today’s non-fiction which are 800 pages long. I look forward eagerly to the sequel

ANIMUS
Bill Warren
5.0 out of 5 stars
To say this book is ‘action-packed’ is an understatement!
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2019
To say this book is ‘action-packed’ is an understatement!
While I admit I am not a big reader, I had trouble putting it down at night and looked toward to reading more the next day. It begs to be a series on Netflix and ‘binged watched’

ANIMUS
Daniel Erspamer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Big adventure in a vivid new world
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2019
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Scott McKay takes readers on a swashbuckling adventure through a wild new world. If you’re a fan of adventure fantasy in the vein of Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, you’ll have a great time with this debut novel from Scott. I can’t wait to explore the rest of the series and learn more about Ardenia – and all the lessons that come with it!

ANIMUS
MML
5.0 out of 5 stars
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC and ENGROSSING SERIES!!
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2019
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I am over 60 and have read a train load of books in my time – mostly fiction. But these last years I have been reading mostly non-fiction as I couldn’t find any fiction that kept me engrossed enough to read to the end much less the series …..until now!
This is an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC book and I cannot wait for the rest of the series! I read the free pages online and was hooked…I had to find out what happened next to those great characters!
One review claims it is “Game of Thrones meets Atlas Shrugged”…I guess….but I think that doesn’t do it justice. For me it read as late 19th century/early 20th century (and a little steampunkish) meets Atilla the Hun! I found that a FASCINATING storyline. Two civilizations clash!
This book has a little of everything: historical (to the land created), political intrigue, spycraft, romance, adventure and war. The characters are extremely well fleshed out and the storyline is captivating! Before you know it you are at the last page and wanting more!
I am recommending this to all my fellow fiction lovers! This is a keeper and I can’t wait for the rest of the series….so get writing McKay and what took you so long!!

ANIMUS
Keith B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding read. I am going to love this series!
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2019
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Excellent world building! I read the whole thing non-stop in a day! A corrupt civilized nation settling new lands amid the constant threat of violent and ruthless natives. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I found the geopolitics of this world very fascinating. Very creative storytelling developing the culture, language and customs of the more primitive Udars. Draws you right in.
After reading the atrocities committed by the Udars I wanted to kill them myself. I’ll be rooting for Rob and Will as they mature into their roles as leaders in the war.
The technology of the Peace Party leading the civilized world vs the millions of Udar barbarians. Who will win? The civilized are hopelessly outnumbered! I can’t wait to see how it all turns out in the future books in the series.

ANIMUS
Amazon HR
5.0 out of 5 stars
If Sid Meier Wrote A Book
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2019
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If Sid Meier wrote a book about his series of Civilization games it would be very similar to Tales of Ardenia.
Fans of Civilization should give this a read.

ANIMUS
IMinCali
5.0 out of 5 stars
Check Out This One ASAP!
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2019
Scott is a well-known and deeply influential political analyst in the South, but who knew he was also a skilled fantasy novelist. I had the chance to check out an advance copy. If you’re looking for fantasy novels with a twist, check out Animus!

ANIMUS
Neocon-Dissident
5.0 out of 5 stars 
Action, adventure, political intrigue and a Warfighters mystique!
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2019
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Move over George R.R. Martin and Ayn Rand. It looks like you’ve got some competition. This book by Scott McKay brings all the elements necessary for the perfect literary journey to a far away land where you can witness the dichotomy of cultural development and how that leads us to a litany of battlefields. Low tech versus high tech and how that will rule the battlefield. What starts out as What seems a hopeless journey is bolstered by a solid heroic rescue and so much more. I purchased on Kindle, and when it comes out in hardcopy, my Christmas list may have just gotten filled. Have the read and enjoy the ride.

ANIMUS
David Cagnolatti
5.0 out of 5 stars
New author worth your time to read.
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2019
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Excellent read. Captures your imagination. You can’t stop reading. True struggle and triumph with deep characters. A fantasy world but one you can believe in and be engaged with. I had to pull an all-nighter to finish it.

ANIMUS
Chris Treadaway
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, fast read — and I’m ready for the next book!
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2019
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I’m not much of a fiction guy, but got sucked into this story in the first chapter. I couldn’t stop reading it. The book is engaging and the story is fascinating. Looking forward to the next book and rest of the series.