This is an epic fantasy novel that doesn't follow the now very over used formula that so many books in the genre follow yet it still stays comfortably within the genre. This makes a refreshing change. Add to this a heap of imagination and a talent for clear writing and you have a great book.
If you read the genre you know the plot. A young man or woman is thrust into a situation that he or she doesn't understand and probably doesn't want. Eventually he realizes he is of a famous bloodline and must take on the mantle of responsibility in order to save the world from evil forces. He also usually realizes that he has magical power that is the key to the salvation of the world if only he could figure out how to control it. You read along as the story works itself to a slow crescendo, which you know will bring about the inevitable demise of the evil forces; unless of course the author plans a second and third book. It's a story that has been done many times before.
This novel takes this concept and turns it around. This book opens with a very big crescendo and then we follow along with the various characters as they try to deal with the consequences. Some try to fix things while others try to re-build what was. It's a great concept and it works well. It's also pretty refreshing to read. And it might also be totally alien to you if you read fantasy on a regular basis. But I give the book five stars just for this accomplishment and for the risk successfully taken.
The story itself is intriguing and the plot moves along very well. We get to know several main characters and we get a good dose of creative ideas penned by the author. He capably builds a world of fantasy and magic and peppers it with just a little bit of unusual technology which gives the world a sense of a very long and interesting history.
Avoiding the biggest pitfall of complex epic fantasy
Most epic fantasy, especially if it is part of a multi-book series, has the problem of dealing with a complex social structure. There are always a variety of factions, religions, groups, armies, secret societies, kings, and lords that are vying for control, power and wealth in the world. And this complexity can muddle a book. A reader can get lost in all the details and forget which lord is which. While this book has complexity and various factions the author handles it all with ease. We are introduced slowly to various characters and groups and we always have a good sense of who is aligned where.
Should you buy the book?
If you are a fan of the genre and you are looking for something new and different yet still comfortably within the genre then yes. And you are in for a good ride because this novel is the first of a planned series of five. And the beautiful thing about that is because the crescendo came at the beginning you don't have to worry about how the hero almost saves everything at the end of each book forcing you to get the next book to see if that's the one that finally ends it.
Will Kalif is the author of two epic fantasy novels. If you love fantasy visit his website where you can find guides to the genre and lots more reviews of books from the past and the present
The Fantasy Guide website – Your guide to Fantasy on the World Wide Web
If you want a daily dose of Fantasy and Medieval things visit his blog at:
Heroic Dreams – Never Give A Sword to A Man Who Can't Dance
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