May 1, 2024
Everything has changed in Necrad after the defeat of the Wilder siege. Aelfric's nephew, Derwyn, is on the throne as the Uncrowned King and he and his sister Olva, the Widow Queen, both have a place on the Council. This does not sit well with the Lords of Summerswell, since Lord Vond was Governor of Necrad before fleeing during the Wilder siege. So Summerswell sends a delegation to Necrad, led by Vond, demanding that Olva and Derwyn surrender Necrad to the Lords or be charged with treason and hand over Aelfric for the alleged murder of Prince Maedos. However, Olva has made alliances with the New Provinces, the merchants of Necrad, and the Witch Elves. In the meantime, rebellion has broken out in Summerswell and Aelfric has joined it, though he realizes he is not as strong and swift as he once was, leading him to ponder what all his fighting has really been for. In the high-fantasy tradition of Tolkien and Eddings, Hanrahan's latest (after The Sword Defiant, 2023) is a richly detailed narrative and with dramatic battle sequences. With magic, religious and political intrigues, sympathetic characters, and haunting issues about aging, this second volume in the Lands of the Firstborn series will draw in fantasy readers.
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May 3, 2024
The lives of legendary heroes are never as glamorous as they seem, and Alf's plight is the perfect expression of that. Once a hero among the Nine, he is now branded a traitor and on the run for his life. His actions have provoked a new war involving unseen forces, secret powers, and plots against humanity. Dissent and ruin sweep across the land, and the Rangers further twist the narrative to suit their own purposes. Alf's only hope now is a cast of disillusioned and defiant characters who must overcome monumental odds. This grim and gritty tale is a solid sequel to The Sword Defiant that raises the stakes and propels the story in cataclysmic fashion. It's still a slow burn, and it's still a tale of grief and triumph, where the monsters aren't always obvious and people easily turn on those who save the world. It's clever how the book comes full circle towards the end, and the myths of the Erlking add a mystical tone to the intrigue. VERDICT Hanrahan's sword-and-sorcery series is perfect for fans of The Witcher.--Andrea Dyba
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