by H. David Blalock
Review by Bill Pottle, author of DreamQuest
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by H. David Blalock Review by Bill Pottle, author of DreamQuest |
Thran Reborn is the first novel by H. David Blalock. It is an engaging tale of political intrigue and the quest of a family to restore its honor. The story is set in Adylonis, the southernmost island in the Atlantean Archipelago. The Emperor of Atlantis technically owns the entire island, but it is governed by eight rival human houses as well as the Kel (elven) and Telmet (dwarven) peoples. The head of each house is called the Jarl, and the council of mages in Moorkai has the power to give the Ascendancy (control over the other houses) to the Jarl of one particular house. The majority of the book takes place nearly five hundred years after the Ascendancy was last revoked.
The haunting beginning hooks the reader right away. We see the full power of Pentar Thran as he helps the Telmet and Kel against House Suum with his awesome power of spellsong. For fighting with non-humans against fellow humans, House Thran is exiled. Now, hundreds of years later, Andalarn Thran and his family must fight to restore their house. However, they have to do so amongst treacherous servants, demonically controlled Avengers, meddling priests, and university professors concerned only about protecting the dark secret within their tower.
If you are looking for a simple, predictable fantasy book with clear lines between good and evil, go read something else. If you�re looking for a tale of shifting allegiances, veiled motivations, characters that are both good and evil at the same time, and multiple, yet coherent, plotlines, Thran Reborn is a good choice.
Blalock�s skill is particularly apparent in the descriptions of his characters. He gives the reader something for each of his senses, and this makes the characters leap off of the page. The names may be a bit difficult for some readers to pronounce, but after reading a while they start to grow more comfortable. Also, many different characters are all referred to by the same name, i.e., at least 3 characters are all called Thran, but it is a testament to the writers ability that the reader is never confused about who the statement is referring to.
Thran Reborn is the first book is a series of six. It certainly marks a powerful debut for Blalock, with more time and experience, his work is bound to only get sharper. From the beginning to the stunning conclusion featuring an army of undead, a bowl with the power to shape the fate of armies, and the monster behind the door of Andalarn�s dreams, Thran Reborn is one wild ride. This is definitely an author to watch out for in the future.