Posted in
|
Chris Evans
|
|
||
|
Genre
|
|||
|
Media
|
Book
|
||
Publisher | Simon & Schuster | ||
ISBN | 978-184737362 | ||
|
Reviewer
|
Ann
|
Synopsis
Rejected by their own kind for bearing the mark of the Shadow Monarch, the Iron Elves chose instead to serve with the human armies of the Calahrian Empire, hoping through their dedication and discipline to wipe out the stain of their birth. Their reputation is legendary -- until their commander, Konowa Swiftdragon, takes it upon himself -- for the best of reasons -- to assassinate the Viceroy. Court-martialled and exiled to the forest he despises, his beloved regiment disgraced, dishonoured and disbanded, Konowa finds himself suddenly recalled and ordered to re-form the Iron Elves for one last reconnaissance mission. But the new Iron Elves are not at all the same as they were before, and the mission is a suicidal one, with more at stake than Konowa could possibly have imagined. For the Shadow Monarch and her allies have harnessed destructive forces with the power to tear worlds apart -- and those who bear her mark have a destiny greater than they know.So begins an heroic journey in the company of a motley band of misfits, rebels and outcasts, with a central character whose engaging, brilliantly realised blend of cynicism, dry humour, duty and anguish make him unlike any other in fantasy fiction.
Review
This has all the elements one could hope for in a fantasy novel - elves, dwarves, monsters, an evil powerful entity and a good one, magic and the search for magical artifacts, a flawed hero Konowa Swift Dragon, and lots of bad guys - plus wild animal pets and interestingly, bonding with trees, but somehow it didn't quite work for me which is a great shame.
I got confused with the elfkyna (not elves), the Iron Elves (originally shadow marked mercenary elves but now mainly a regiment not of elves) and the elves of the Long Watch (real elves !). Although initially bonding with the hero in his forest exile, my interest in his subsequent development was overshadowed by the other threads of the plot. Probably my fault, as I started to skip-read the battle and the gory, messy bits.
Nevertheless there are some lovely ideas - stone chewing dwarves with pewter teeth, an alcoholic messenger pelican and bonding with tree saplings - how would that work !
Enough here to make me look out for the next in the trilogy.
If you enjoy what we provide, please consider making a donation.
