Wonderful Reads for the Quirky & Discerning Book Lover
Adult
Christian Fantasy
Availability:
Amazon
Format:
ebook, paperback, hardcover
Clean Fiction Edition:
Spring 2022
Reviewer:
ALM
Reviewer Website:
Blurb:
A new Judge has been chosen, now a new path must be taken… Leon Rhise has been chosen. He is the latest Judge to walk amongst civilization. Saving villages, slaying undead, and bringing the light of a forgotten God back to the world was proving to be no easy feat. Recently, it had become even more difficult after being branded a criminal. Hidden behind a heroic identity, he attempts to atone for his past deeds– including ones that left the Kingdom without its prince. After uncovering and witnessing a long forgotten truth, Leon and his friends rush to aid Princess Schalae who had once been betrothed to Leon’s commanding officer, Prince Gelan. A massive army of undead is bearing down on her home, and they must help her decide whether her people should stand and fight against impossible odds, or run and save what they can. Pasts and paths converge, and the fate of the last kingdom will be decided. But what form will that fate take when it seems as if all hope is already lost?
Review:
You saw the debut novel of this writer in the Winter Edition 2021 where I was pleasantly surprised by his wit and thoroughly enjoyed the world he created. Book two of this series does not disappoint. In fact, it raised the bar.
ACTION: The action in this installment was taken up a notch. Sternberg has hit his stride. Using precise pacing and concise description, he lends a cinematic quality to the fight scenes that had me watching the battles unfold like a movie in my head. Though he often takes moments to add humor to break the tension, it does not take away from the dire feeling of the battles Leon and his compatriots face. This book is a bit more gruesome than the previous, but it was tempered by the author’s unique way of dispatching zombies, by turning them to salt.
ADVENTURE: This book has even more of the air-nautical explorative feel that gives Sternberg’s writing a unique feel. Though travel is somewhat forced, it doesn’t feel that way. The main character Leon takes a moment to enjoy each new locale with beautiful descriptions that lend a realism to this fantasy realm of magic and creatures of myth. Through the story, you will meet even more of the peoples that populate this special world. All are rich with defined cultural differences and are appreciated in their own way.
ROMANCE: No longer relegated to a sub-sub-plot, there is more relationship to be found in this installment. If you are worried, you shouldn’t be. Any romance that appears does not go past adorable. I would still label the progression a sub-plot because it is by no means the feature of the story. More of a, “by the way…”, situation.
RELIGION: The spiritual lessons in this book are “chef’s kiss”. Still in the forefront of the story, Sternberg continues to put God in the spotlight. Though the divine help/lessons are overt, the pacing makes each mention/happening feel completely natural. This cannot be said about many books that attempt to do this. Sternberg seems to achieve this with ease.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Sternberg has outdone himself with this book. The first book in the series was enjoyable, well written, and unexpected. This book was so much more. The development of the characters and the world were beautiful to behold. His pacing and wit moved the story along in a page turning fashion that I loved. Sternberg is fast becoming one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend you enjoy this magical God-honoring story.
G - This does not mean for general audiences, includes action, adventure, intrigue, and suspense. More violence is allowed, as well as mild language and mature themes.
Did you enjoy this review? Purchase Your Copy of the Spring Edition 2022!
