By John Gwynne.
Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon.
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant-clans were broken in ages past, their ruined fortresses still scar the land.
But now giants stir anew, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of giant wyrms. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars.
Sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield.
Then there will be a war to end all wars.
The first in a series and I enjoyed it. Each chapter focuses on a different character, similar to Games of Thrones novels. There’s a fair bit of politics and also a coming of age story.
It has ‘viking’ vibes and it’s very much a sword and shield fantasy, with so far, only a little bit of magic, or what the books call elemental power.
The book is the first in a series called ‘The Faithful and the Fallen’ and the story is leading us towards something referred to as the ‘god-war’, but is essentially a battle between good and evil.
It was an enjoyable read, quite fast-paced with plenty of action and intrigue.
