"Great fantasy"
Following the death of his wife and child, Devlin of
Duncaer was named Kinslayer and became Kinbereft. He
sought death so he asked to be considered the Jorskian
Empire's Chosen One. Found worthy, a magical geas was
placed on him forcing him to put the empire's needs before
his own even if it meant his death. Devlin's accomplishments quickly made him a favorite of the
king and the people and the monarchy names him General of
the Royal Army. Devlin worries that war is inevitable but
fails to persuade the nobles and the king that a crisis is
coming. Meanwhile they want Devlin to own the Sword of
Light, which he recognizes from a palace picture as being
in Duncaer. He hates returning home as everyone scorns
him, but the geas forces him to obtain the sword. On his
way to Aluaran to pick up the sword, a wizard places him
under a dangerous spell that interferes with his mission.
If he fails to gain the sword, the empire could collapse at
a time when war is imminent. Devlin is the key to this action-packed fantasy as readers
will reach out to him with empathy while he seeks to die
until he obtains a reason to live. Once Devlin becomes the
Chosen One, protecting those most vulnerable as well as the
empire, the audience will switch emotions and end up
rooting for him as a hero and feel his angst when he goes
back to his home as a most hated conqueror. This
protagonist turns a well-written epic fantasy into a
powerful action and adventure tale loaded with a deep cast
led by this champion. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 1, 2003
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