With the realm falling apart, the fate of a people falls upon Laoch and Sura’s shoulders and the Gods’ weapons they now bear ‒ a thousand years of faith and lies reconciled in a single moment of hope and redemption.
First of all, a huge thank you to Nick Snape for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review.
I actually didn't know where to put this book in terms of my genre headers, only because there is such an eclectic mix, bits of sci-fi, fantasy and even elements of spirits. But surprisingly, it all works out seamlessly. From the very start, the book provides an immersive experience, featuring a fantastic well laid out map of Brandshold before the prologue featuring: The Handren Mountains, Partera Plains, Southern Reaches, Khund, Isle of Tees and the Isle of Meres. For a fantasy, this is an instant win with a well done map setting the stage for an epic journey.
I always find writing in third person is a lot harder than first, but Nick writing with this narrative enhanced the depth of the world and the characters, it provided insight into their thoughts and emotions rather than being limited to just one person's experience. The prologue can be a bit difficult to understand, it throws the reader straight into the world which could be challenging for those new to fantasy. However, once past that initial complexity, the book takes off and becomes an absolute gripping read. The novel starts with a mission gone wrong, instantly making the reader empathise with the protagonist. However, his journey is anything but predictable , grief stricken and lost, he turns to alcohol but is forced to continue his role as a ranger. His internal struggles along with his complicated feelings for the elven, Sura added layers to his character, making him both relatable and frustrating in the best way possible.
The personal turmoil for Laoch is overshadowed by a greater threat, as humanity is plunged into a sinister nightmare which from a simple mission transporting dangerous weapons is interrupted by otherworldly forces. This 'Soul Tear' changes everything, with this ANOTHER threat emerged, the constructors. Jeeeesh. This was incredible, the whole book was crafted perfectly to incorporate all of these twists and turns.
The only hope for this survival lies in God's weapons. But the seven, the legendary figures who once wielded them, are no longer around. Now, again, a select few hold the fate of the world in their hands. The multiple POV worked well in this novel, the narrative shifted between locations and perspectives providing different versions of the ongoing story. I found the world-building, detailed but never overwhelming and definitely no excessive info-dumping. Instead, the history unfolded naturally.
"I need certainty. Understand? We're done, Laoch. I can't take anymore of your crap. I can't trust you."
I'm not sure if anyone else has commented on this character, but I really liked Gowen, I can't say too much in this as it will spoil it, but certain actions change your mind about her by the end of the novel. The action sequences were also phenomenal, once they started, they didn't let up, I stayed open mouthed for a few pages until I turned again. The short chapters also worked amazingly well, added to the pacing quickly flipping between different scenarios keeping me engaged the entire time. The characters were deeply developed, some of them I'm hoping that will be more in depth in the next books. but their relationships with each other and their flaws made them feel incredibly real. The balance between science and religion within the story's themes added another layer of intrigue, and the interplay between Gods and the university, where knowledge and faith collide. It is very cleverly written and I feel as though a LOT of work would have been put into this to portray the themes and the twists. By the end, the book sets up the next installment perfectly, leaving just enough unanswered questions to build anticipation without feeling incomplete. While the beginning might be a bit complex for readers unfamiliar with fantasy, stick with it, because you'd be so thankful for the journey you are taken on.
I'm so glad I experienced this novel, it's a strong start to what promises to be an epic series, and I can't wait to continue the journey!
To buy the book:
https://amzn.to/3X1VhB6
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