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Book Cover |
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Excerpt |
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Yes,
it was Artor's wish that he take the throne.
Now, as he approached
Jervois Landing, Borneheld reviewed the forces he still commanded.
Despite the losses at Gorkentown - all of which had been the fault of
either the demon-spawned Axis or that traitor Magariz - he still
controlled a powerful force. The original column of five thousand he had
led from Gorkenfort had been swelled by the refugees from Ichtar. And,
as sorry as these refugees were now, they could work and some could be
trained to fight. There were also troops still stationed in Achar that
Borneheld could command. There was still a cohort of five hundred
Axe-Wielders guarding the Brother-Leader at the Tower of the Seneschal.
All these could be his. And, if those soft chimes meant what he hoped
they did, he would also have the Ravensbundmen. Uncouth savages to be
sure, but they had both spears and horses. If they could stick an enemy
in the gut then they would be useful. Finally, there were the resources
of the Corolean Empire to the south of Achar. If that simpering fool of
a King, Priam, hadn't yet thought about arranging a military alliance
with the Coroleans then Borneheld would make sure that he soon would.
Suddenly a stationary
horseman loomed out of the mist and Borneheld barked an order to halt.
He sat for a moment and looked at the inscrutable Ravensbundman's face.
It was even more intricately tattooed in blue and black than most of his
race. Dizzying whorls and spirals covered not only his cheeks, but his
forehead and chin as well - although, strangely, there was a circular
area right in the centre of his forehead that remained naked and
untattooed. As with all his race, the savage had tiny chips of blue
glass and miniature bells threaded through his myriad greasy black
braids. Even his mount - ugly, stunted yellow-furred nag that it was -
had glass and bells woven into its mane and tail.
Uncivilized
savages.
Still, if they could kill they might yet serve a purpose.
Ho'Demi let the Duke
stare at him a moment, then spoke, demonstrating a fluent command of the
Acharite language. "Duke Borneheld. Gorgrael has taken my land and
murdered my people. He drives his Ghostmen south. The Ravensbundmen live
only to defeat Gorgrael. If you fight against Gorgrael then we will
stand by your side."
Borneheld narrowed his
eyes at the barbarian. "I do fight Gorgrael. But if you want to
fight with me then you will place yourself and your people under my
command."
Ho'Demi wondered at the
implicit threat in Borneheld's tone, but it did not perturb him. He
nodded. "Agreed."
"Good."
Borneheld peered into the mists behind the Ravensbundman, trying to see
how many men he had with him. "How do will you bring to my
command?"
"Of the twenty
thousand in my camp, eleven thousand can fight."
"You have done well
to choose my cause," Borneheld said quietly. "Together we will
make our stand here at Jervois Landing against whichever of our enemies
attack. This time, I will prevail."
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Synopsis |
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Axis SunSoar, now known as
the prophesized StarMan, the one who would unite the three races and
drive Gorgrael from the land, starts his training to become a powerful
Icarii Enchanter while living in Talon Spike, the mountain home of the
Icarii. He is taught by his father, StarDrifter, and his grandmother,
MorningStar, the songs required to become an Enchanter.
Complications
arise when they realize that Axis already knows some of the most
difficult songs, which is impossible since only a member of the SunSoar
family could have taught him. Who could have taught Axis if it wasn't
either of them? Azhure begins her training by obtaining the fabled bow,
the Wolven, of WolfStar SunSoar, one of the most powerful
Enchanter-Talons that ever lived who was murdered over 4,000 years
ago. Axis proclaims that he will reunite all people and lead both the
Icarii and the Avar back into Achar so that their heritage can be
reclaimed.
During Beltide, Axis and Azhure get together and she becomes
impregnated with Axis' first child, Caelum. After mastering the bow and
then training her own force, and while crossing the Wild Dog Plains on
her way to Sigholt, Azhure gains the loyalty of the feared Alaunt
Hounds, who once belonged to WolfStar.
Meanwhile, Faraday, the Tree
Friend, remains in Calor while her husband, and now king, Borneheld,
raises and army to battle both Gorgrael and Axis, his hated
half-brother. As Gorgrael moves his Skrealings further south into Achar,
Axis realizes that he cannot fight a war on two fronts; one against
Gorgrael and the other against Borneheld.
Enchanter is the second book of
The Wayfarer Redemption series, a six book set. This was originally the
second book of The Axis Trilogy for the Australian market. It is a fantasy tale that revolves
around Axis, Faraday and Azhure, as they struggle to figure out where they fit
into the Prophecy of the Destroyer.
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Review |
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This story just gets better and better. I was
happy to see that Enchanter didn't focus as much on Gorgrael
this time, but rather on the growing conflict between Axis and Borneheld.
I thought the story also took and interesting twist when Axis becomes
interested in Azhure while putting Faraday into the back of his mind.
Azhure was always kind of a mystery as she was shunned by both the
village where she grew up in and by the Avar because of her violent
nature.
Who is Azhure? Well, I am happy to report that Sara Douglass
finally reveals who she is and how she fits into the Prophecy...and it
is wonderful. Not being a main character in The
Wayfarer Redemption, she is becomes one of the two main characters
in this story, the other being Axis. I found this story to be a great
builder for what is hopefully going to happen in the third book,
StarMan.
Enchanter is a top-notch fantasy that will enthrall its readers
with a tale of magic and swordplay that will not be forgotten. The
characters are wonderfully written and the world Sara Douglass has
created is quite intriguing. She hints that the story actually takes
place on Earth far, far in the future. I found that to be kinda cool.
Overall, this is a fantastic fantasy novel that got my heart pumping and
I found it extremely hard to put down at night.
I rated this book a 9 out of
10. |
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