Episode 1: To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 01 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 01, “To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts,” the Northern Union of Patria is in the middle of a civil war with the Southern Confederation of Patria. The latter’s superior defensive positions have given them an edge, so the Northern Union is desparate to come up with a way to turn the tide. Doctor Elaine Bluelake found it for them: She discovered a way to turn normal soldiers into the equivalent of mythical beasts. While the Sacred Beasts (called the Incarnates) were certainly able to reverse the Northern Union’s fortune, they did so at a price. Will Elaine and Captain Hank Henriette find a way to counter that price? Or will they lose everything they fought to protect?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 2: The Dragon’s Daughter
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 02 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 02, “The Dragon’s Daughter,” John William Bancroft doesn’t have the most money in the world, but he’s happy living with his daughter Nancy Schaal Bancroft and the orphans in the orphanage. He’s less than thrilled about being drafted, but he makes arrangements to keep the orphanage going. When the war ended, it was quite a shock when he came back as a gigantic dragon. Realizing he was still the same man in a different form, they let their relief and joy at his return take over, and for a time, all was well. But the villagers became increasingly alarmed as their livestock started going missing, and the dragon starting howling through the night. Can Nancy keep her family together? And what is she to make of the sudden appearance of Hank Henriette?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 3: The Minotaur’s Fortress
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 03 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 03, “The Minotaur’s Fortress,” Hank Henriette and Nancy Schaal Bancroft hitch a ride on a covered wagon to Hank’s next assignment. A Minotaur who had been under Hank’s command was slowly disassembling a town to build an impregnable fortress. Every night, he would bellow and go forth, and the townspeople were desparate and afraid. Many lived in refugee camps in their own city because their homes had been destroyed. Nancy insists on following Hank into the fortress because she wants to understand what drives the man who had killed her own father. Will Hank let her? Will the Minotaur let them enter at all? And why can’t Liza Renecastle find a blouse that has buttons?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 4: March of the Behemoth
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 04 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 04, “March of the Behemoth,” Hank Henriette and Nancy Schaal Bancroft are riding a train when they come within sight of an enormous bridge that crosses a deep divide. The conductor tells her that it’s the pride of peacetime because it straddles the North and South. Peaceful commerce now flows across it. The train is forced to an emergency stop, and Liza Renecastle tells them why: A gigantic Incarnate called Behemoth is lumbering towards the bridge. It falls to Hank to bring an end to the danger. What does it mean that the Behemoth had previously avoiding even injuring people? Why is it so intent on walking through the bridge? And what can Hank, as powerful as he is, possibly to do halt such an enormous creature?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 5: Gargoyle’s Judgment
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 05 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 05, “Gargoyle’s Judgment,” Hank Henriette and Nancy Schaal Bancroft rush to another town because Liza Renecastle has intelligence that Cain Madhouse was the likely culprit in a string of recent murders. When Hank examines the latest victim, though, he sees massive claw marks quite unlike anything Cain was capable of inflicting. Does that mean the intelligence is wrong? Is there some other Incarnate on the rampage? And why does the little boy named Andy keep glaring at Hank?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 6: The King of Beasts
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 06 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 06, “The King of Beasts,” Hank Henriette decided to accept the invitation from Cain Madhouse, in part because he wanted to rescue Nancy Schaal Bancroft and in part because of his mission. Meanwhile, Claude and his troops discover evidence that Cain is in the vicinity. They, too, converge on the dinner party. Will Hank be able to save Schaal? Why is Claude so vehement about confronting Cain? And just what is Cain planning to do?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 7: The Trigger of Memories
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 07 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 07, “The Trigger of Memories,” Nancy Schaal Bancroft made a surprisingly fast recovery, and it was related to something Elizabeth Weezer did. Was it intentional? Accidental? Schaal made her way back to her town, but everyone’s strangely distant. It doesn’t get any better when Claude, Liza Renecastle, and a company of soldiers show up. They’re tracking an Incarnate that was spotted nearby. Liza volunteers Schaal to be their guide. What she finds tests everything Schaal thought she knew — and inflicts yet more pain on the resilient young woman.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 8: Songstress of Sleep
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 08 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 08, “Songstress of Sleep,” Nancy Schaal Bancroft follows Claude, Liza Renecastle, and a company of soldiers to a port town. The citizens are wary of soldiers, but Claude has intelligence that an Incarnate is nearby. While taking a walk on the beach, Schaal accidentally finds Charles, the owner of the local saloon, and an Incarnate named Beatrice. Sensing the Incarnate is gentle, Schaal finds herself forming a friendship in spite of Claude telling her that he was impressed she had been able to gun down her own father. But the skittish locals become suspicious and demand to search Charles’ saloon. Can Charles thrown them off the trail? If he can’t, how will Beatrice react? Where will Schaal’s sympathies lie?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 9: The Hound of Hell’s Gate
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 09 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 09, “The Hound of Hell’s Gate,” we see Hank Henriette for the first time in a while, and he’s not looking well. He’s exhausted, and his conscience torments him. He has collapsed in a snow storm. All in all, it was a terrible time for him to meet Roy (whose Incarnate form is named Garm), an Incarnate under Cain Madhouse’s control. The Incarnate is as bent on convincing Hank to join his side as Hank is bent on not joining. But with Hank’s strength failing and his self-confidence destroyed, how long can he last? Meanwhile, Claude collapses with a fever, and Nancy Schaal Bancroft tries to nurse him back to health. Can she convince him that the Incarnates don’t deserve to be slaughtered wholesale? Will Claude listen to his sergeant and rest? Or will Liza Renecastle have to get rough with him?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 10: Two Oaths
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 10 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 10, “Two Oaths,” Roy/Garm barely eludes Claude’s troops, who continue to pursue him with their advanced technology. They are dismayed when Roy comes up with very effective counter measures. Meanwhile, Nancy Schaal Bancroft sees Hank Henriette fall into the canyon. Will she be able to find him? If she does, will he still be alive? Meanwhile, Liza Renecastle has her hands full trying to keep Claude from plunging back into battle despite his health. Has he learned nothing from his experiences in the last episode? Or has he learned more than it seems?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 11: The Start of Troubles Ahead
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 11 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 11, “The Start of Troubles Ahead,” much to Nancy Schaal Bancroft and Liza Renecastle’s consternation, Claude seems intent on treating Hank Henriette as a prisoner of war. That includes threats of torture! Fortunately for Hank (or for Claude, depending on how Hank would really have reacted to said torture), Claude receives orders to join the assault on Cain Madhouse’s newly discovered fortress. The first Incarnate our heroes encounter is Miles Byron, otherwise known as Centaurus, whose archery skills are better than modern day snipers. What can they do to counter such a long distance threat? Will Claude let Hank help with planning the assault? And just why is Cain so pleased that the Northern army located his base?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 12: Those Who Seek
Review: To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 12 – Best In Show
In To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Episode 12, “Those Who Seek,” Hank Henriette leads that attack against Centaurus and Cain Madhouse’s fortress. Hank’s coordination with sergeant Gerald Corlani was absolutely perfect — until Martin Wall, the North’s commanding officer, issues a command that changes everything. When Cain makes the full extent of his plan clear, Claude Withers and Nancy Schaal Bancroft are aghast. But what can they, as mere humans, do against the might of someone like Cain? Can even Hank prevail against him?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
