Reviewed: August 19th, 2022
Released: December 3rd, 2019
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Long ago, men harnessed the Channels of Power, creating tevisrals-devices capable of manifesting magic. But men weren’t the only ones to accomplish such feats. Dragons crafted the most sophisticated tevisrals. These shaped the world, defining civilization of man and elf alike.
Over the centuries, the people of Kalda have fallen into a dark age, where elves are estranged from men and dragons have retreated into legend. Tevisrals are scarce and men are willing to trade everything for them. But there are some who wish to bury the past, and in their lands, possessing tevisrals is tantamount to treason.
Still, daring men scour the world in search of Kalda’s past. One such man, the scholar Krindal, seeks an ancient order known as the Keepers of Truth and Might. He yearns for their knowledge, long feared lost.
Prince Kaescis Midivar also searches for these Keepers. The assassination of his uncle, the emperor of Mindolarn, killed his hopes of peace with his empire’s enemies. His empire’s survival hinges upon unearthing the Keepers’ secrets.
An aging warrior, Cornar Dol’shir, longs to be home with his wife. But his retirement must wait, as his band of adventurers is recruited to help find the Keepers’ hidden temple on the Isle of Klindala.
Haunted by his tragic past, Iltar, the Son of Adrin, does not join in the search for the Keepers. Instead, he seeks to unravel the mysteries held within a volume of prophecy foretelling the advent of the Unspoken One and the return of the Crimson Eye. His search takes him to the Empire of Mindolarn, where all is not as it seems.
An ancient war was won by a simple amulet. It brought peace, but in the wrong hands it could spell a doom the likes of which no world has ever seen.
May the Crimson Eye remain hidden for all time…
Helen’s thoughts: 5/5
Oh My Goodness! What a complex and complicated story!
In true epic fantasy style this book is a tome of detailed world building, origins and magic systems. The powers of the different wielders are as intriguing as the characters who wield them. You need to follow multiple threads and character arcs which have there own sections, which is a little frustrating as you get invested in one story line and then have to wait for ten chapters to get back to it, but the threads all weave together and complement each other in the end.
Rich characters are slowly developed and revealed, each with their own traumas and motivations, some of which are still not clear to me. Cornar and Iltar are worthy heroes, only just stepping on the path of their destinies. I’m not sure if Prince Kaescis is good or evil, or just striving for a different future, the other side of the coin. Pagus is an irritating student who leaps off the page and annoys you as much as Iltar, and you do wish for him to get his comeupance, though not to the detriment of Iltar.
You need time to invest in reading this book, because there is so much detail you worry you might miss something, and I am quite sure a second read will reveal even more depth. Your backbrain is busy digesting all the detail whenever you have to put the book down.
A wonderfully complex, and engrossing epic fantasy tale which will not only entertain but will draw you in until you’ve finished.
About the author:
Dan Zangari was born in 1960 and raised in the Mojave desert as an only child. Throughout his childhood, he discovered his first love, reading. At a young age he had become an avid reader, digesting fantasy and science fiction.
In 1978 he attended the University of Southern California and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 1982; afterwards, Dan served as an officer in the United States Air force, during which time he earned his Master’s Degree in Systems Management in 1984. Nevertheless, fantasy and science fiction held a dear spot in his heart all throughout his academic studies, from table-top games with friends, to books and formulating ideas of his own which would provide the framework of the Legends of Kalda universe. During his time in the armed services, Dan met his future wife, and they were married in 1984. In 1986, his only son was born. Soon after, the Zangari’s moved to the East Coast and two years later relocated to Northern Utah.
After settling in Utah, Dan began piecing together his ideas and in 1991 he sat down to draft his story which had been marinating in his mind for the last decade. For the next ten years Dan drafted his story, creating a trilogy which he called, Chronicles of Lorn; set on a large island-continent within the world of Varland. He completed his series, but after careful review decided to rework it. However, due to increased responsibilities he was unable to bring the series to publication.
All his hard work was not in vain. In 2011, his son-Robert Zangari-decided to help bring the series to life. They took Dan’s original story and expanded it, creating Tales of the Amulet; an nine-part epic including the Chronicles of Lorn as the climax to the series.
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 