Reviewed: July 15th, 2022
Released: December 19th, 2020
Genre: Epic Fantasy/Sword and Sorcery
Aram Raythe has the power to challenge the gods. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Aram thinks he’s nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark corner of the world. As far as Aram knows, he has nothing, with hardly a possession to his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him, which is something he’s never known. But Aram is more.
Much, much more.
Unknown to him, Aram bears within him a gift so old and rare that many people would kill him for it, and there are others who would twist him to use for their own sinister purposes. These magics are so potent that Aram earns a place at an academy for warrior mages training to earn for themselves the greatest place of honor among the armies of men: dragon riders.
Aram will have to fight for respect by becoming not just a dragon rider, but a Champion, the caliber of mage that hasn’t existed in the world for hundreds of years. And the land needs a Champion. Because when a dark god out of ancient myth arises to threaten the world of magic, it is Aram the world will turn to in its hour of need.
Helen’s thoughts: 4/5
This is a true epic tale, starting with a coming of age story of two heros, and ending with a superhero moment. Great worldbuilding sets a vibrant backdrop for development of our heros from untrained youths to champions who will face down the worst evil. And the evil comes in the form of those who you would expect to protect you.
There is a lot expected and placed on young shoulders, and I found it frustrating that at every turn Aram was underestimated or written off, and yet they expected so much of him without giving him that much support. Whatever choices Aram made, all, even Markus at times, expected him to fail.
There are elements of horrific violence, especially the attacks on the innocent, the anchors and the Elesium. Bonding with dragons was lovely, and I would have liked to see more of it, especially betweeen Aram and Agaroth, the Great One. For them to be a fighting unit, and yet, not fighting that much together was a bit of miss.
This is a long book, quite an investment in time,and it can get a bit detailed which slows the pace, but overall it was worth it. The characters are well developed, Aram, Markus, Calise and the dragons are all worthy heroes and you’ll find yourself rooting for them, even if you are frustrated with the attitudes of those who should know better.
If you like detailed worldbuilding, complex magic systems and of course dragons, then this is the book for you.
About the author:
ML Spencer lives in Southern California with her three children and two cats. She has been obsessed with fantasy ever since the days of childhood bedtime stories. She grew up reading and writing fantasy fiction, playing MMORPG games, and living, as mom put it, “in her own worlds.” ML now spends each day working to bring those worlds into realitb
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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 