Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
A volcano erupts ripping asunder the Kingdom of Dhevyn from the mainland Kingdom of Senet. At about the same time, a once exiled and now badly injured sailor floats ashore on the island of Elcast. His arrival reveals carefully hidden secrets that lead to Antonev journeying to Elcast to learn more of the truth. Civil war seems imminent as Belagren's contentions begin to prove false.
This world seems real due to the genuine feel of the characters that make the action-packed fantasy so much fun to follow. Especially interesting is the pious Antonev, a firm believer in the Goddess to the point that he will kill indiscriminately while he viciously imposes his beliefs on others if that supports his religious zeal. Belagren is an interesting High Priestess who uses fabrications to gain followers, but readers will have to decide if that is for her to achieve and hold power or to convert zealots to the Goddess. Other players are as dichotomously intriguing as Jennifer Fallon provides a cerebral fantasy thriller whose theme of "what a web we weave when we first deceive" (modern politics?) will be followed in the next two months with the rest of "The Second Sons" trilogy.