Review: Epic Fantasy - Must Read!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 28, 2012
EPIC. The plot and characters are truly majestic and epic.  I am stunned by the depth, complexity and intricacy of this book.  If I could give 6 stars, I would do so without any hesitation!!!To truly appreciate this book, I reread the first 3 books of the series and then went right into this one.  It put me in mind of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.  Except, ya know, Andrew Ashling actually wraps up plot points before the 8th or 9th book of the series!  Andrew has a similar structure of one large plot and multiple subplots woven flawlessly together into a masterpiece of storytelling.  The characters all have very distinctive voices and personalities that make them leap off the page as fully fleshed out people.The large, ongoing plot that flowed through the first 3 books got wrapped up in the 3rd book. So this book is almost like a second series because it starts off with a new over-arching plot.  What jumped out at me about this book is that everything about it is bigger than the first series.  Most authors who deliver a tremendous piece of work like the first 3 books usually somehow luck into that and the rest of the work they publish from then on is lackluster and disappointing compared to their greatest book.Not Andrew!This book has more of everything than the first three!  More complex plots, more characters, more intrigue, more scheming,  and more romance.Honestly, I think pigeonholing this book as an m/m book does a great disservice to anyone who appreciates and enjoys an epic fantasy tale.Magnificent! A must read! I can't wait for the next book!!!