"Epic coming of age fantasy"
The Cataclysmic War ended the reign of magic with mages
fleeing for their lives. Over the next three centuries, in
spite of the demise of magic as a combat tool and the
thought that the Cataclysmic War was the war to end all
wars, battles continue using savage mundane methods to kill
or maim your adversary. In 2208, the Year of the Black, Kosar the Thief watches the
rider in red serendipitously comes to the village
Trengborne. He is stunned as the stranger begins a
slaughter killing the young and anyone else offering
resistance even the militia while taking blows that should
have left him dead. Kosar notices one teenage boy escapes
up the dark hillside. That lad Rafe Baburn saw his parents
and others murdered by what had to be a demon. Evidence has
surfaced that magic has been rebirthed in the young; the
Red Monk and his minion plan to eradicate it before the one
soul possessing the skill can mature enough to use it
against them. Kosar meets and teams up with A'Meer the
Shantasi warrior in a search to find and protect Rafe from
the Red Monk, but first must expedite him from Hope the
witch. This epic coming of age fantasy grips the audience from the
moment the Thief fearfully observes the red-robed killing
machine and never slows down as Kosar finds allies to
protect the dying world's perhaps last hope Rafe. The
exhilarating story line paints a dark gloomy Poe like
atmosphere throughout especially when the adversaries take
center stage. The key characters in particular the teen and
his champions are unique individuals that make their realm
seem even more nightmarishly real. Tim Lebbon paints the
darkest DUSK that will have readers keeping the lights on
until dawn breaks. Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 16, 2006
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 24, 2007
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