Review: A Strong Coming of Age Adventure
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 22, 2014
I normally don't admit this, but I was instantly drawn to this book because of the cover art; something about it made me immediately think of a dark, sinister enemy and an epic fantasy plot that would entertain me for a few days. Perhaps it just looked like Sauron, who knows....either way, I am glad I picked this one up and gave Lashway a go. I can almost always find something redeemable about a fantasy novel, and I enjoy giving new writers a chance to blow me away. While I struggled with some of the awkward prose and slightly unpolished edges, the story was generally great and the author seems to have a real sense for his characters, which is such a key element in fantasy. He knows them inside and out, so readers aren't getting a superficial stock character. As the book progresses, we learn so much more about Merek, as well as Thorald, which is why I already know that I'll be reading the next book in the series. I think Lashway could certainly use a bit of guidance and a strict copy editor, but he certainly doesn't need help on creativity or depth in the world he has built. World-building is the fundamental responsibility of a fantasy author, and he seems to understand and enjoy that element of his writing. I would only hope for a bit more of a continuous flow through the story in the next few books, so it doesn't feel quite so much like an adventure from A to B to solve C. All of that aside, it's a great book, both for younger fantasy readers who want to challenge themselves, as well as adult readers who want an easy and splashy fantasy read that you can tear through in a weekend. Well Done!