Digital Reads Reviews

Omg omg omg I don’t think I can do this book any justice in my review. It was earth-shakingly fabulous. The world that I knew had changed; it had become what the author wanted to show me. Such was the power of Justin Lee Anderson’s writing.

The first thought that came to me as I opened the book was – magnum opus. Every cell in me woke up and went on the adventure that the author took me on. The blood in my veins rushed in a tempo which matched the excitement this story brought about.

I was introduced to Laird Aranok, the draoidh, (think magician) with earthly elements as his magical power and his bodyguard Lady Allandria who was mighty frisky with her bow and arrow. An envoy of the King Janaeus of Eidyn where the two had fought by his side in the war against Mynygogg and his demons who was ultimately contained in Dun. On a mission sent by the king, they were joined by Glorbad and Nirea. Vastin, the blacksmith’s son, Brother Meristan from the Order of White Thorn, and Samily a knight in the same Order.

This motley group of people had to deal with various hardships like fights with Rievers, many different types of demons, the Blackened who spread plague by touch, murders, magic, and treachery. It was so beautiful and heart warming to see them coming together as a cohesive group. They were like family as they traversed through the pages, and they were like friends to me as I read down the chapters. I was rooting for them through their anger, pain, joy, desperation. Every emotion shown by them was felt deeply in me.

The author has written a complex land with myriad of beings with layers in the characterization of its people. Every chapter in this book brought about a vivid adventure much grander than the previous. Pulse spikes and pools of excitement were many as I kept reading down its pages.

The initial half laid the adventure of the quest. But it was the last few chapters which simply blew me away. I had goosebumps as I read through the twists and reveals. I hoped that the author would put the final twist as I had imagined the plot in my mind. I was right! I knew it, but what I didn’t know was how this brilliant author would write that twist. It was simply mind boggling.

I can go on and on, talking about this book. I can tell you that the action sequences were thrilling, the plot lines had so many rhythmic layers that I was dancing as I read them all. The characters have run away with a slice of my heart. And the magic and supernatural beings just made me feel only awe for the author’s imagination.

The adventure and the quest this group went on made me realize how much I love this genre, but the last few chapters made me laugh with glee at the pure wickedness of Justin’s writing. He brought this book alive like a three dimensional vivid colorful movie. SIMPLY AWESOME!!

I LOVED THE BOOK, AND IT DAMN WELL LOVED ME BACK!!

I received a free ARC from the author, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.

All my reviews can be read here

The war is over, but something is rotten in the state of Eidyn.

With a ragged peace in place, demons burn farmlands, violent Reivers roam the wilds and plague has spread beyond the Black Meadows. The country is on its knees.

In a society that fears and shuns him, Aranok is the first magically-skilled draoidh to be named King’s Envoy.

Now, charged with restoring an exiled foreign queen to her throne, he leads a group of strangers across the ravaged country. But at every step, a new mystery complicates their mission.

As bodies drop around them, new threats emerge and lies are revealed, can Aranok bring his companions together and uncover the conspiracy that threatens the kingdom?

Publication Date: 30th August 2019