Consider the stereotypical ending of a fantasy novel. The heroes have prevailed in opposition to a tide of darkness, the evil has been purged from the land and all rejoice as peace is restored. But what occurs subsequent? Who guidelines over the defeated kingdom? What will the mighty heroes do with nobody left to combat? Gareth Hanrahan’s The Sword Defiant means that, as soon as the conflict is over, the heroes will combat each other.
Years in the past, Aelfric and his 9 companions saved the world, banding collectively to defeat Lord Bone and conquer his dread metropolis of Necrad. Now the heroes are the rulers of Necrad, although, fact be instructed, none of them actually volunteered for the job. It’s simply what was wanted to maintain the peace. In addition to this, Aelfric was tasked with carrying Spellbreaker, Lord Bone’s enchanted, sentient broadsword. Though the sword bestows unbelievable magical energy to the wielder, it thinks for itself and continuously yearns for bloodshed. When Aelfric and Spellbreaker uncover that Lord Bone’s tomb has been opened, Aelfric suspects that one of his eight remaining companions broke in and stole the physique. But who? And why?
Hanrahan does an ideal job developing Aelfric’s backstory and creating nostalgia for his once-simple life. Aelfric and his companions’ shared historical past is sprinkled all through, and the cracks inside the group slowly change into obvious. Aelfric is a soldier, a monster-slayer with no want to rule, and he loves his companions at the same time as he suspects some of them of heinous acts. It creates an exquisite sense of rigidity that can be tinged with unhappiness; Aelfric is painfully conscious that the group is each getting older and rising distant from each other.
However poignant, this story might nonetheless come aside if the world constructing wasn’t as much as snuff, however I’m completely satisfied to report that it’s incredible. Hanrahan creates totally realized environments with wealthy histories, rendering the murky metropolis of Necrad, cities and inns alongside the highway and an elvish kingdom with exact element. He additionally employs a second perspective, that of Aelfric’s sister, Olva, to indicate the reader different components of the dominion. Her mission—discovering her wayward son, Derwyn—is partaking, however typically much less so than Aelfric’s gripping quest.
A artistic writing professor I as soon as had mentioned, “When you figure out how it ends, stay there,” urging us to push previous what appeared just like the anticipated conclusion and as a substitute see what would occur if we let issues proceed to play out. I’ve a sense Hanrahan would excel at such an train.
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