Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Legends of the Realm #1
Published: January 6, 2015
Pages: 384
Ages: 14+
Synopsis
Hyam is a likeable lad who will make a fine farmer someday. But he carries a burden few can fathom. As his mother slips toward death, she implores him to return to Long Hall, where he spent five years as an apprentice. It was there that Hyam's extraordinary capacity for mastering languages came to light--and soon cast him into the shadows of suspicion. How could any human learn the forbidden tongues with such ease? When Hyam dares to seek out the Mistress of the Sorceries, her revelation tears his world asunder.
He has no choice but to set out on the foreboding path--which beckons him to either his destiny or his doom. An encounter with an enchanting stranger reminds him that he is part hero and part captive. As Hyam struggles to interpret the omens and symbols, he is swept up by a great current of possibilities--and dangers.
He has no choice but to set out on the foreboding path--which beckons him to either his destiny or his doom. An encounter with an enchanting stranger reminds him that he is part hero and part captive. As Hyam struggles to interpret the omens and symbols, he is swept up by a great current of possibilities--and dangers.
Review
I requested and received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Like most epic fantasies, this is the story of a man on a quest to rid the world of a great evil, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Although the events in this story seemed to escalate very quickly, it felt like the entire story took place over the course of a single month, I really felt like the characters grew and developed tremendously in that time. Hyam went from being a simple farmer to leading an army into battle. I may just not have noticed the passage of time because it was subtly mentioned rather than shoved in my face though.
This story was woven as fine as any tapestry. The realm created by Mr. Locke is detailed and vivid and the descriptions painted a very clear picture of what the world looks like.
This story is told in limited omniscient third person, and occasionally switches between two of the main characters. I liked this approach to the story because it provided us with a bit more background on some of the major players than we would have had if we had simply been following Hyam around the whole time, and it helped me to appreciate them more.
Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because I was thoroughly entertained, the descriptions were well done, and the book was structurally solid. I'd definitely recommend it to epic fantasy fans everywhere.
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About the Author
Thomas Locke is an award-winning novelist with total worldwide sales of seven million copies.
His work has been published in twenty languages, and critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction and his 2014 induction into the Christy Hall of Fame.
Thomas divides his time between Florida and England, where he serves as Writer In Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University. He holds a lifelong passion for epic fantasy, science fiction and techno-thriller stories.
Thomas's screenplay adaption of EMISSARY is under development as a feature film with a British production company.
Contact Thomas at info@tlocke.com
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