Posted in
|
David Anthony Durham
|
|
||
|
Genre
|
|||
|
Media
|
Book
|
||
Publisher | Doubleday | ||
ISBN | 9780385722520 | ||
|
Reviewer
|
Steve
|
Synopsis
Presiding over Acacia, an empire named after the idyllic island from which he rules, Leodan Akaran has inherited a peace and prosperity won long ago by his ancestors.
He's an intelligent man, a widower who dotes on his four children, and it is this devotion that obliges him to hide a terrible secret from them - that Acaia's wealth is founded on the trafficking of drugs and human lives. A man of integrity, he determines to end this vile trade. But powerful forces stand in his way.
An assassin, sent by the Mein - a race exiled long ago to an ice-locked stronghold in the frozen north - strikes, and the Mein unleash surprise attacks against their old oppressor. Mortally wounded, Leodan puts into play a plan to enable his children to escape, to survive and to fulfil their destinies.
And so begins an epic quest - to avenge a father's death and restore an empire, this time on the basis of universal freedom.
Review
As fantasy novel it seemed unusual as the view point was of leaders and rulers rather than of a relatively insignificant citizen (who becomes a hero). It feels a bit as if you were playing Civilisation or Risk. The number of different characters and their separate storylines left me feeling more dispassionate towards them and their fate, although it did give the author a chance to kill some of them off without losing all of his protagonists! The supernatural elements are introduced gradually as the story develops but they are only a minor part compared to the human battles and intrigues.
I would read the next volume when it comes out, but am happy to wait as I don't particularly care about the fate of the surviving main characters.
If you enjoy what we provide, please consider making a donation.
