Friday 1 November 2013

Book Review - The Seven Kingdoms: The Darkening Lands

Title: The Seven Kingdoms: The Darkening Lands
Author: Harry G. Sherwin
Publisher: AuthorHouseUK
Release Date: 16 May 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1481792134
ASIN: B00CYDNR6U

Synopsis
For the first time in over a thousand years the Seven Kingdoms of Justava are at peace with each other. As age old tensions melt away, the people are able to rest easily in their homes, safe in the knowledge that war will trouble them no longer. But a new power is growing in the heart of Justava, an unseen malice that threatens to destroy the fragile peace and throw Justava back into chaos and war. With the evil Necromancer Empire spreading to every corner of the Seven Kingdoms, it falls upon two young elves who lost everything to this new evil to make a stand. Together, Brenik and Nalia must overcome age old prejudices and travel deep into the wilds of Justava in order to raise their banner and ignite the fires of rebellion. 

My Review
I went to Winter LFCC last month and there were some authors there. Harry G Sherwin was one of them, I'd never heard of him but liked the look of this book. The cover drew me in, it's quite simple but very enticing. Once I had read the synopsis I thought it sounded good, but I couldn't afford to buy a copy and to be honest I have a lot of review books outstanding so I offered the author a promo post on my blog if he was ever interested. Must have been my lucky day because he gave me a copy in exchange for an honest review. And I'm glad he was so generous. 
This book is only 200 pages long but it packs a punch. As a lover of fantasy novels I had a good feeling about this one and I wasn't disappointed. 
The Seven Kingdoms are at peace, until the Necromancers start an uprising. As chaos descends over the land we are left with Nalia and Brenik, two elves who have to fight back to save everything they know and love. Along the way you come across vampires, werewolves, dragons, dwarves, magicians - all sorts. But it doesn't feel jumbled, they all fit in and play their own parts.
I was intrigued from the prologue and wanted to know more about these characters. I really enjoyed the chapters with Brenik and Nalia and thought they had a great presence. The other chapters focused on the Necromancers and Guillard - and whilst these were darker and did move the plot forward I didn't enjoy them as much. 
I actually read a good portion of this book in bits, the odd few minutes I could grab, but I then got to sit down today and read the second half of the book in one go which actually made me feel more involved in the story and I started to really enjoy it. 
There are a host of good characters, I liked the sarcastic dwarf and the Chief Cirnan (although I'm not entirely sure what he is - i think he was human but meh)
Overall this book is fast paced and exciting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the lands. I wouldn't say that it blew me away or anything but it was enjoyable and I would recommend it to any fantasy lover. 
There are lose ends set up for another one in the series and it says that Sherwin is hoping it will be part of a series so I look forward to seeing more from that world. 

My Rating
    

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