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Oblivion's Forge
For thousands of years they have sought the world from which they were cast out. Now, at last, Aona has been found. The younger races of this world will all be swept up in a struggle for survival, as their ancient, malevolent masters, guardians of all Aona's secrets, rise to do battle with their foes, remorseless destroyers of world after world throughout the known Existence.
- GenresFantasy
306 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
35 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Simon Williams
10 books504 followersSimon Williams is an author of dark fantasy with elements of science fiction and horror, and a rather shapeless male of indeterminate age who seems intent on writing about himself in the third person.
If you're especially lucky you may see him half-shambling, half-rolling along the street in his home town of Trumpton. You'll catch the best view from the other side of the road, which is probably where you'll be anyway. Small children will point excitedly and turn to their parents to exclaim, "It must have been *one hell of a* spade to do that!"
He is the author of the Aona series (five books in all, and the series is complete) and Summer's Dark Waters, which is a fantasy / sci-fi adventure aimed more at children and teens although judging by the reviews a lot of adults seem to like it too.
The positive response to Summer's Dark Waters further prompted him to start writing a sequel.
His favourite authors include Clive Barker, Alan Garner, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Joe Abercrombie, Ian Irvine, George R R Martin, C J Cherryh, Tad Williams, Celia Friedman, Aldous Huxley and numerous others.
When not scribbling away in his notepad of doom, the curious Mr Williams enjoys counting magpies, opening old paperbacks and marveling at how each one smells very slightly different, discussing current interest rates and inflation with the local squirrels, and eating whatever he finds at the back of the fridge (unless it's a door to Narnia, which he'd never eat just in case Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy were hoping to use it to get back).
Interviews with the author:
Rachel Hunter
Ross Kitson
Gwen Perkins
M L Falconer
Kim Smith
Alex Butcher
Fiona McVie
Veronica Roxby Jorden
Dakota Douglas
Kyra Dune
Heidi Angell
If you're especially lucky you may see him half-shambling, half-rolling along the street in his home town of Trumpton. You'll catch the best view from the other side of the road, which is probably where you'll be anyway. Small children will point excitedly and turn to their parents to exclaim, "It must have been *one hell of a* spade to do that!"
He is the author of the Aona series (five books in all, and the series is complete) and Summer's Dark Waters, which is a fantasy / sci-fi adventure aimed more at children and teens although judging by the reviews a lot of adults seem to like it too.
The positive response to Summer's Dark Waters further prompted him to start writing a sequel.
His favourite authors include Clive Barker, Alan Garner, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Joe Abercrombie, Ian Irvine, George R R Martin, C J Cherryh, Tad Williams, Celia Friedman, Aldous Huxley and numerous others.
When not scribbling away in his notepad of doom, the curious Mr Williams enjoys counting magpies, opening old paperbacks and marveling at how each one smells very slightly different, discussing current interest rates and inflation with the local squirrels, and eating whatever he finds at the back of the fridge (unless it's a door to Narnia, which he'd never eat just in case Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy were hoping to use it to get back).
Interviews with the author:
Rachel Hunter
Ross Kitson
Gwen Perkins
M L Falconer
Kim Smith
Alex Butcher
Fiona McVie
Veronica Roxby Jorden
Dakota Douglas
Kyra Dune
Heidi Angell
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 21, 2014
When I review a book I seldom paraphrase the plot as others do, I don't wish to give anything away or to sway the reader to experience the context of the story in any particular direction. That is an intimate experience reserved for reader and author alone. What my reviews will impress upon you is what makes or breaks the book underneath the plot.
Aside from the amazing and complex plot, Simon writes with a passion for the craft, and his world creation is rich and unique. Though I believe that Simon's writing rivals that of Goodkind and Jordan, Oblivions Forge Is not the same old story redone in slight ways like Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series v.s. Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. The similarities in those two plots are eerily similar. Oblivion's Forge, however, is a compelling, original read. Unique plot lines, characters and races drive the novel.
From the first chapter the author's writing made me envious, and the story, as the images that Simon's words paint took life inside my mind, grasped me with both hands and pulled me into his world. The author has an uncanny way of making the reader become part of his imagination, a character struggling for survival in the chaos that consumes Aona.
Simon's writing is highlighted by vivid description, brilliant word choices, and amazing moments of awe inspiring prose. The characters are three dimensional and come to life on the page. Their plights are powerful, page turning entities.
Some books and characters, the very well written ones, have the power to resonate with me long after the reading is done. That's how you know the work is of quality. Several nights, between chapters of Oblivion's Forge as I was drifting to sleep, my dreams would take me to Aona and I would become a character in this world seeking understanding and salvation.
Consider letting go of old notions and experience a new way of perceiving the fantasy genre with Oblivion's Forge. This is an epic adventure. I have said it before and I'll say it again, this is one of those works that I wish I'd written.
Aside from the amazing and complex plot, Simon writes with a passion for the craft, and his world creation is rich and unique. Though I believe that Simon's writing rivals that of Goodkind and Jordan, Oblivions Forge Is not the same old story redone in slight ways like Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series v.s. Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. The similarities in those two plots are eerily similar. Oblivion's Forge, however, is a compelling, original read. Unique plot lines, characters and races drive the novel.
From the first chapter the author's writing made me envious, and the story, as the images that Simon's words paint took life inside my mind, grasped me with both hands and pulled me into his world. The author has an uncanny way of making the reader become part of his imagination, a character struggling for survival in the chaos that consumes Aona.
Simon's writing is highlighted by vivid description, brilliant word choices, and amazing moments of awe inspiring prose. The characters are three dimensional and come to life on the page. Their plights are powerful, page turning entities.
Some books and characters, the very well written ones, have the power to resonate with me long after the reading is done. That's how you know the work is of quality. Several nights, between chapters of Oblivion's Forge as I was drifting to sleep, my dreams would take me to Aona and I would become a character in this world seeking understanding and salvation.
Consider letting go of old notions and experience a new way of perceiving the fantasy genre with Oblivion's Forge. This is an epic adventure. I have said it before and I'll say it again, this is one of those works that I wish I'd written.
April 4, 2013
For those seeking comfort fantasy, Simon Williams' "Oblivion's Forge" is probably not what you are looking for. For lovers of Dark Fantasy this book is a rare and delightful find. On a grand scale, Aona is a world caught in a war between two evil factions. Regardless of which faction wins, it is unlikely the plight of the races populating this world will improve. Mr. Williams has chosen to present this world and its strife through the eyes of several characters, each caught in the conflict, unable to escape. Through their stories, the tale unfolds with mounting and unrelenting tension.
"Oblivion's Forge" explores new areas of Fantasy in an edgy and engaging manner that makes this a book hard to put down. There are no shining heroes or beautiful trembling maidens. But there are a several very real characters, manipulated by powers beyond their control, striving to find ways to cope. Through his words, Mr. Williams forces the reader to contemplate how they would react in these circumstances and to wonder if they could survive.
I can't wait to dive into "Secret Roads", the sequel to this great book.
"Oblivion's Forge" explores new areas of Fantasy in an edgy and engaging manner that makes this a book hard to put down. There are no shining heroes or beautiful trembling maidens. But there are a several very real characters, manipulated by powers beyond their control, striving to find ways to cope. Through his words, Mr. Williams forces the reader to contemplate how they would react in these circumstances and to wonder if they could survive.
I can't wait to dive into "Secret Roads", the sequel to this great book.
July 17, 2014
I am not a prolific reviewer for many reasons, one of which is that I really don’t like spoilers. How to take a well-worn, tried-and-trusted premise and somehow hide the fact it is just more of the same, has been rehashed a thousand times before verbiage none of us should ever be forced to read? I’m pleased to say none of those things is a problem with “Oblivion’s Forge”, by Simon Williams, and thus this review.
Oblivion’s Forge is interesting, well written, and magnificently original. It is also of sufficient complexity to keep any reader guessing. Simon Williams lays down the threads of his epic Fantasy series masterfully. (This is something readers should bear in mind before beginning the journey – Oblivion’s Forge is only the first book in an epic series.) Right from the outset you’ll find yourself visualizing the completed picture. You’ll also find yourself constantly revising the image as each new thread adds in another layer. Something nasty awaits, you know it, you imagine it, you anticipate it, and Simon Williams gradually reveals it. Each new character is unique, and each new character is conflicted. Who is good, and who is bad remains unclear throughout. Expect redeemable villains, and flawed heroes, furthermore expect to be confused as to which category each new character belongs.
Simon Williams writing is detailed and thought provoking – so expect to be provoked!
Others who have reviewed Oblivion’s Forge have described it as “Dark Fantasy”. I don’t see it that way at all. To me the work is full of hope. Yes, the characters inhabit a grim, corrupted world, but all of them, even the most delusional, are striving to make the best of their situation. Each of them believes they are on the correct side. Note I did not say the “right side”. Since each strives for success, why does the writing deserve to be labeled “dark”?
If you enjoy complex, deep, and substantive writing, then Oblivion’s Forge deserves a place on your reading list. Oblivion’s Forge deserves to be read with a conscious eye to the finer details.
Are there things about Oblivion’s Forge I didn’t like? Of course, however they are mitigated by the scope of Simon Williams’ vision for his series, of which this is just the first book. I found myself irritated to discover several brand new characters introduced in the closing stages of the work. I feared Simon had run out of original ideas and that these new characters would be used as a deus ex machina device to wrap up the story. Thankfully, my fears proved unfounded.
No, I’m not going to tell why it is justifiable for new characters to be introduced in the closing pages of a book – to find that out you’ll have to read Oblivion’s Forge yourself. So put on your thinking cap, along with your clairvoyants cape, and prepare for a particularly interesting journey.
Also remember to pack your hindsight goggles – you’re going to be using them, a lot!
Bottom line? There are more books in the Aona series, and I will be returning to visit Aona as I traverse their pages. And if they’re as good as Oblivion’s Forge I might even review them!
Oblivion’s Forge is interesting, well written, and magnificently original. It is also of sufficient complexity to keep any reader guessing. Simon Williams lays down the threads of his epic Fantasy series masterfully. (This is something readers should bear in mind before beginning the journey – Oblivion’s Forge is only the first book in an epic series.) Right from the outset you’ll find yourself visualizing the completed picture. You’ll also find yourself constantly revising the image as each new thread adds in another layer. Something nasty awaits, you know it, you imagine it, you anticipate it, and Simon Williams gradually reveals it. Each new character is unique, and each new character is conflicted. Who is good, and who is bad remains unclear throughout. Expect redeemable villains, and flawed heroes, furthermore expect to be confused as to which category each new character belongs.
Simon Williams writing is detailed and thought provoking – so expect to be provoked!
Others who have reviewed Oblivion’s Forge have described it as “Dark Fantasy”. I don’t see it that way at all. To me the work is full of hope. Yes, the characters inhabit a grim, corrupted world, but all of them, even the most delusional, are striving to make the best of their situation. Each of them believes they are on the correct side. Note I did not say the “right side”. Since each strives for success, why does the writing deserve to be labeled “dark”?
If you enjoy complex, deep, and substantive writing, then Oblivion’s Forge deserves a place on your reading list. Oblivion’s Forge deserves to be read with a conscious eye to the finer details.
Are there things about Oblivion’s Forge I didn’t like? Of course, however they are mitigated by the scope of Simon Williams’ vision for his series, of which this is just the first book. I found myself irritated to discover several brand new characters introduced in the closing stages of the work. I feared Simon had run out of original ideas and that these new characters would be used as a deus ex machina device to wrap up the story. Thankfully, my fears proved unfounded.
No, I’m not going to tell why it is justifiable for new characters to be introduced in the closing pages of a book – to find that out you’ll have to read Oblivion’s Forge yourself. So put on your thinking cap, along with your clairvoyants cape, and prepare for a particularly interesting journey.
Also remember to pack your hindsight goggles – you’re going to be using them, a lot!
Bottom line? There are more books in the Aona series, and I will be returning to visit Aona as I traverse their pages. And if they’re as good as Oblivion’s Forge I might even review them!
February 5, 2015
4 stars.
Let me start out by saying I enjoyed this book
World: The world of Aona is very intriguing, with a rich and long history, of which the reader gets enough of a peek at to draw one in. It’s a complex world – with various races and factions, magic users, peasants, tyrants and heroes. Most of whom don’t like one another much. Aona is a world of half-forgotten myth and ill-remembered gods. And it seems such mystical beings are set to return.
Oblivion’s Forge is dark, with a world on the edge of apocalypse, many people in thrall and prepared to do whatever it takes to please whichever religion/faction they serve. I’d say good and evil aren’t clear cut. Certainly a surprise twist where a villain becomes an unwitting hero shakes the reader’s ideas of good and evil, and who serves whom.
The author gives many hints of what is to come, who REALLY runs the show and a dark history. It helps to know this is the first book of the series, and so I hope unanswered questions will be addressed in later books.
Characters: There are a LOT of characters in this book, and some play a far greater role than others as one would expect. However the point of view jumps around and in places I found it hard to keep up with who was doing what. Vornen – the main male character is most interesting. He has a dark and mysterious past, which we learn a little about. Haunted by the Gates which have appeared he is not his own man, and he is quite fatalist (with good reason). I had a lot of time for this character, he is brave in his own way and decent, at least in a world which is being torn apart. His befriending of a lost pilgrim leads to monumental events. He also has his flaws, which makes him both worthy of pity and respect in equal measure.
The shifting point of view was distracting and unless I missed something (which is certainly possible) at least one of the characters seemed to disappear.
Writing: There is some wonderful imagery. The world is painted well enough to give the reader a taste but not too much that it detracts from the story telling. There were a few technical issues, but they were a few and overall didn’t diminish the reading experience for me. In places the prose is almost poetic.
On the downside I’d say the last couple of chapters where unnecessary – unless as a lead in for the later books. The problem was fixed – sort of – and suddenly a character we meet mid way, and doesn’t seem that important suddenly comes to the fore, with her master. It reads as the start of a new book, to me at least.
OVERALL
A good read with a rich, complex world, intriguing plot and fine characters. A bit hard to keep up with the rapidly shifting point of view (to be fair to the author I was reading this over a relatively long period) but certainly engaging enough to keep me reading. The plot itself pulled the reader in, as one found oneself cheering the heroes along as they struggled in a world of chaos and strife, and curious about what it was making the midden hit the windmill J.
I’d recommend this author for fans of dark fantasy, dystopia and dark fiction. I’ll be picking up Mr William’s other books for sure and continuing to learn the fate of Aona.
May 22, 2014
Oblivion’s Forge, the first instalment of the Aona Trilogy, is a highly original work free of the clichéd characters one expects of a fantasy work. Instead the author populates this cold, bitter, hostile and dilapidated world with deeply flawed, all too human individuals.
The main protagonist , Vornen, is an individual banished and disowned by his own people, someone cursed with Gate sight, the ability to see portals between dimensions, and ‘a violent madman … a lunatic and a wastrel’ as his old enemy Rocan sees him. He’s also someone who feels an intense emptiness within, something he has tried to fill with drink, violence and the drug kyush. Amethyst meanwhile is a woman fated to forever wander and like Vornen is drawn to the gates whilst Jaana is a healer, one who has lost all faith in herself or her abilities. She is a broken character lost in self-doubt as all around madness and disease flourish.
A sense of latent menace pervades the entire novel and we soon discover something ancient is trying to break through. These are the Marandaal, powerful beings who we suspect (like the Great Old Ones in H. P. Lovecraft) are seeking to return and destroy the petty humans who populate the earth.
Much is made in this first instalment of light and darkness and if I have one criticism of the novel it is that the references become too frequent and repetitive. Yet this is only a small criticism. With these prophecies of the coming of the light, the author manages to capture a sense of religious mania, of awaiting a second coming. Visions abound in the novel as the Maraandal impress their minds on vulnerable mortals.
The narrative remains strong throughout and the pacing is excellent with a number of vividly described and widely different landscapes. I was particularly impressed with the ancient and forgotten citadel Mirkwall surrounded by “a vast swampland, clad in the perpetual grey of mist.” It is here the good wizard Fistelkarn’s enemy resides, the frail, decrepit and dying wizard Shimlock. The language here reaches dark, poetic heights and reminds me in many ways of another decaying structure, that of Roderick Usher’s, although even Poe never dreamt up the bizarre red phantom worms that crawl between the cracks of crumbling brick.
It is here, near the end that the ominous threat, although still un-glimpsed, becomes palpable as Fistelkarn senses the “black shapes” which have risen up from that place and “cast a burning frost upon the ground,” that is the madness, visions and disease that have been spreading through the villages. Yet just when we naively begin to assume we understand these beings there is a revelation at the end which comes as a major shock. It is a revelation guaranteed to compel you to want to read the second instalment.
The main protagonist , Vornen, is an individual banished and disowned by his own people, someone cursed with Gate sight, the ability to see portals between dimensions, and ‘a violent madman … a lunatic and a wastrel’ as his old enemy Rocan sees him. He’s also someone who feels an intense emptiness within, something he has tried to fill with drink, violence and the drug kyush. Amethyst meanwhile is a woman fated to forever wander and like Vornen is drawn to the gates whilst Jaana is a healer, one who has lost all faith in herself or her abilities. She is a broken character lost in self-doubt as all around madness and disease flourish.
A sense of latent menace pervades the entire novel and we soon discover something ancient is trying to break through. These are the Marandaal, powerful beings who we suspect (like the Great Old Ones in H. P. Lovecraft) are seeking to return and destroy the petty humans who populate the earth.
Much is made in this first instalment of light and darkness and if I have one criticism of the novel it is that the references become too frequent and repetitive. Yet this is only a small criticism. With these prophecies of the coming of the light, the author manages to capture a sense of religious mania, of awaiting a second coming. Visions abound in the novel as the Maraandal impress their minds on vulnerable mortals.
The narrative remains strong throughout and the pacing is excellent with a number of vividly described and widely different landscapes. I was particularly impressed with the ancient and forgotten citadel Mirkwall surrounded by “a vast swampland, clad in the perpetual grey of mist.” It is here the good wizard Fistelkarn’s enemy resides, the frail, decrepit and dying wizard Shimlock. The language here reaches dark, poetic heights and reminds me in many ways of another decaying structure, that of Roderick Usher’s, although even Poe never dreamt up the bizarre red phantom worms that crawl between the cracks of crumbling brick.
It is here, near the end that the ominous threat, although still un-glimpsed, becomes palpable as Fistelkarn senses the “black shapes” which have risen up from that place and “cast a burning frost upon the ground,” that is the madness, visions and disease that have been spreading through the villages. Yet just when we naively begin to assume we understand these beings there is a revelation at the end which comes as a major shock. It is a revelation guaranteed to compel you to want to read the second instalment.
October 9, 2014
Absolutely excellent. My review will follow shortly.
Oblivion's Forge
By Simon Williams
This is a dark, mysterious and gripping first instalment of the Aona Trilogy. The story begins when Vornen Starbrook, the main protagonist who is wounded and found by a mysterious lady named Ona and is slowly nursed back to health by the Chulan people. Vornen tries his best to remember what he saw when Ona questions him, as he recalls a number of ambiguous flashbacks, however all he can recollect is the opening and closing of gates and stars that were not of their world, he also heard voices that didn’t belong to any creature or any life-form that he could understand and then suddenly he remembers a name “Marandaal” to which the voices belong, “They are coming here, they want the world for their own!”
Meanwhile there is madness, terrifying visions and unexplainable disease spreading throughout the villages and an overall sense of hopelessness and doom threatening to destroy the villager’s existence.
S.Williams introduces the reader to a number of memorable characters all of which are conflicted with their own issues to a certain degree. The narrative is well written and captures the characters hope, fear and anticipation all at the same time, while provoking the reader to finish the first instalment and start the next one immediately.
S.Williams is a genius story teller and a master of depicting things of an un-natural nature. Oblivion's Forge is unforgettable speculative/fantasy fiction at its very best and deserves to be ranked at the top.
My Rank
5 Stars
Oblivion's Forge
By Simon Williams
This is a dark, mysterious and gripping first instalment of the Aona Trilogy. The story begins when Vornen Starbrook, the main protagonist who is wounded and found by a mysterious lady named Ona and is slowly nursed back to health by the Chulan people. Vornen tries his best to remember what he saw when Ona questions him, as he recalls a number of ambiguous flashbacks, however all he can recollect is the opening and closing of gates and stars that were not of their world, he also heard voices that didn’t belong to any creature or any life-form that he could understand and then suddenly he remembers a name “Marandaal” to which the voices belong, “They are coming here, they want the world for their own!”
Meanwhile there is madness, terrifying visions and unexplainable disease spreading throughout the villages and an overall sense of hopelessness and doom threatening to destroy the villager’s existence.
S.Williams introduces the reader to a number of memorable characters all of which are conflicted with their own issues to a certain degree. The narrative is well written and captures the characters hope, fear and anticipation all at the same time, while provoking the reader to finish the first instalment and start the next one immediately.
S.Williams is a genius story teller and a master of depicting things of an un-natural nature. Oblivion's Forge is unforgettable speculative/fantasy fiction at its very best and deserves to be ranked at the top.
My Rank
5 Stars
August 29, 2015
I will start by saying, that the author's style, in some respects reminded me of Terry Goodkind, and he was an author whose work I really enjoyed, so needless to say, for me this was a good read.
The author creates a multitude of diverse characters, and the story follows three main ones whose journey takes them on very different paths; this of course means we are presented with a rare opportunity to witness different events, and piece together the information each of them know to come to a greater understanding about what exactly is happening on Aona. I particularly enjoyed how real the characters were, each of them, as any one does, has their own vices and flaws, which play a role in shaping them.
Throughout the story we learn much of the world and the conflicts of old, there has clearly been a great deal of thought put into the races, their backgrounds, alliances, and history, not to mention the plot, which ties everything together so well.
I can't really put too much about the story and events, as they will spoil the reading experience for anyone who buys it, but it is certainly well presented and drives the reader forward. Last night I was so close to the end I couldn't bring myself to put it down as I just had to know what happened, this of course meant a very late night for me, but it was worth every minute.
I would recommend this book to adults who enjoy reading fantasy, especially fantasy with a darker twist.
The author creates a multitude of diverse characters, and the story follows three main ones whose journey takes them on very different paths; this of course means we are presented with a rare opportunity to witness different events, and piece together the information each of them know to come to a greater understanding about what exactly is happening on Aona. I particularly enjoyed how real the characters were, each of them, as any one does, has their own vices and flaws, which play a role in shaping them.
Throughout the story we learn much of the world and the conflicts of old, there has clearly been a great deal of thought put into the races, their backgrounds, alliances, and history, not to mention the plot, which ties everything together so well.
I can't really put too much about the story and events, as they will spoil the reading experience for anyone who buys it, but it is certainly well presented and drives the reader forward. Last night I was so close to the end I couldn't bring myself to put it down as I just had to know what happened, this of course meant a very late night for me, but it was worth every minute.
I would recommend this book to adults who enjoy reading fantasy, especially fantasy with a darker twist.
October 22, 2015
An epic tale of dark fantasy.
Author Simon Williams has skilfully created the dark world of Aona in the first of the epic series. It is a bleak medieval “other-world” of dark shadows and mysterious forces, where witches, sorcerers and warlocks abound. Among the many characters, Voren travels in search of The Gates which he is drawn towards; Amethyst is cursed by a witch to seek out a mysterious girl who resides within herself; Jaana laments the loss of her healing skills. Each have their own demons which they struggle to overcome. The story-line is intricate and some of the threads are woven together in a complex pattern. I had to step out of my genre to enter this mysterious world of dark fantasy, but I’m glad I did and found myself gradually but surely drawn into this epic tale. It has an apocalyptic theme with dark forces that emerge in shadowy forms, as the people of this world await madness and death. Oblivion’s Forge is only the first book of the Aona Series, and I look forward to reading the sequels and the final conclusion. A very absorbing read from a skilful author!
Author Simon Williams has skilfully created the dark world of Aona in the first of the epic series. It is a bleak medieval “other-world” of dark shadows and mysterious forces, where witches, sorcerers and warlocks abound. Among the many characters, Voren travels in search of The Gates which he is drawn towards; Amethyst is cursed by a witch to seek out a mysterious girl who resides within herself; Jaana laments the loss of her healing skills. Each have their own demons which they struggle to overcome. The story-line is intricate and some of the threads are woven together in a complex pattern. I had to step out of my genre to enter this mysterious world of dark fantasy, but I’m glad I did and found myself gradually but surely drawn into this epic tale. It has an apocalyptic theme with dark forces that emerge in shadowy forms, as the people of this world await madness and death. Oblivion’s Forge is only the first book of the Aona Series, and I look forward to reading the sequels and the final conclusion. A very absorbing read from a skilful author!
December 1, 2012
This was an author forward I ran into either in one of my sci-fi fantasy lover groups, or on fb. (can't remember which) Regardless this novel had me enthralled from as early as the sample pages. Usually when a peice is inexpensive one can expect flawed editing or a lack of real author enthusiasm-but this story was not only well written and pretty much flawless, it was talented and interesting! It's rare to find such treasures and Simon Williams series works will be among those I follow from today forward. It was well paced action with lyrical description and a plot well crafted. If you like sciencefiction/fantasy at all, check this one out.
July 23, 2017
This is a wonderfully written first book in a series of five. The detail contained is huge and is a book you will want to savour and not race through. There is a vast array of well described and developed characters , with the setting as engrossing as the characters themselves and their stories. As I was reading this I felt myself thinking that there was a strain of Tolkien in the background.
It has an amazingly intricate and complex Good ‘v’ Evil storyline to it. To give a full review without giving away some of the plot is very difficult as it is so tightly entwined. There are some great characters, I really liked the diversity and memorable nature of those such as Vornen, Jaana, Iyoth, Lyya and Amethyst to name a few.
If in a story you love and relish grim, gripping, addictive sorcery, portals, assassins, mysterious foul and unwholesome beings, shadows and this is only scratching the surface, then you will really want to read this.
I would highly recommend this book to readers of Dark Fantasy. I look forward to reading the rest of this series in the future. I would like to say a big “Thank You” to Simon for bringing this book to my attention, for my honest and unbiased review.
It has an amazingly intricate and complex Good ‘v’ Evil storyline to it. To give a full review without giving away some of the plot is very difficult as it is so tightly entwined. There are some great characters, I really liked the diversity and memorable nature of those such as Vornen, Jaana, Iyoth, Lyya and Amethyst to name a few.
If in a story you love and relish grim, gripping, addictive sorcery, portals, assassins, mysterious foul and unwholesome beings, shadows and this is only scratching the surface, then you will really want to read this.
I would highly recommend this book to readers of Dark Fantasy. I look forward to reading the rest of this series in the future. I would like to say a big “Thank You” to Simon for bringing this book to my attention, for my honest and unbiased review.
April 27, 2014
Fantasy Review Barn
The word that springs to mind while reading this is portentous. The opening chapters are stuffed with mysterious happenings, deeply meaningful but unexplained dreams and visions, characters who are compelled to do certain things and who are assisted at life-threatening moments by shadowy mystics. Something Very Bad is about to happen, and it’s so bad that it can only be spoken of in cryptic utterances that the reader will come to understand by the end of the book (or possibly the end of the trilogy, who knows). And all this in a deeply hostile wintry landscape.
So clearly this is dark fantasy, which means the characters will suffer many unpleasant experiences on their journey through the plot. And I’ll be honest, I just wasn’t in the mood for it. Sometimes I just want entertainment rather than gruesomeness. Sometimes I just want to know what the hell’s going on. Sometimes I get tired of these fantasy worlds where everything is gloom and misery, and there isn’t even a decent tavern brawl. So mea culpa, this is just a mismatch between the book and me.
And I’m a bit cross, because beneath the mysticism, this is a wonderfully literate and thoughtful piece of work, which normally I would be lapping up. The author has an almost lyrical style which is a pleasure to read, although he’s a bit inclined to toss in a lot of backstory (all of it portentous, naturally, and not at all explanatory). The world itself is very well thought out and there’s plenty of magic of various sorts going on.
For anyone who likes their fantasy dark, cryptic and thoroughly mystical, this is an excellent, well-written example. Sadly, it wasn’t for me. I got 15% of the way in before giving up. One star for a DNF.
The word that springs to mind while reading this is portentous. The opening chapters are stuffed with mysterious happenings, deeply meaningful but unexplained dreams and visions, characters who are compelled to do certain things and who are assisted at life-threatening moments by shadowy mystics. Something Very Bad is about to happen, and it’s so bad that it can only be spoken of in cryptic utterances that the reader will come to understand by the end of the book (or possibly the end of the trilogy, who knows). And all this in a deeply hostile wintry landscape.
So clearly this is dark fantasy, which means the characters will suffer many unpleasant experiences on their journey through the plot. And I’ll be honest, I just wasn’t in the mood for it. Sometimes I just want entertainment rather than gruesomeness. Sometimes I just want to know what the hell’s going on. Sometimes I get tired of these fantasy worlds where everything is gloom and misery, and there isn’t even a decent tavern brawl. So mea culpa, this is just a mismatch between the book and me.
And I’m a bit cross, because beneath the mysticism, this is a wonderfully literate and thoughtful piece of work, which normally I would be lapping up. The author has an almost lyrical style which is a pleasure to read, although he’s a bit inclined to toss in a lot of backstory (all of it portentous, naturally, and not at all explanatory). The world itself is very well thought out and there’s plenty of magic of various sorts going on.
For anyone who likes their fantasy dark, cryptic and thoroughly mystical, this is an excellent, well-written example. Sadly, it wasn’t for me. I got 15% of the way in before giving up. One star for a DNF.
November 6, 2014
I was thoroughly impressed with this book. Oblivion’s Forge (Aona Book 1) is dark fantasy at its best. It’s the story of a land on the cusp of change, an unknown ancient evil on the verge of awakening, and the many characters—innocent and not so innocent—caught up in its wake. The mystery deepens with each chapter, weaving its way through a vast elaborate world; painted beautifully with passion and a rich prose that lures you in from the first page.
Toggling between a large cast of characters, the author shifts POV often. Normally, I find this jarring. Such constant shifting can throw me out of a story and leave me glossing over the pages, waiting for my favorite characters to come back. This didn’t happen once in Oblivion’s Forge. I did have my favorites (Vornen, who was tormented by his inexplicable pull toward the gates, the formidable assassin Iyoth, the healer Jaana who felt betrayed by her own gifts), but each and every character was interesting and complex. Many shared a common purpose, yet they were all flawed and tortured in their own ways. They seemed destined to come together and I found myself reading eagerly for that very moment.
The intricate storyline is original and never predictable. The author takes great care to peel it back in layers. He inflicts tragedy and heartbreak on the entwined lives of his characters as he builds the plot to a vivid climax that is satisfying, yet remains open for much more.
Oblivion’s Forge is an engrossing read. The only element I could see missing was a map. I would have found it useful to have a visual reference as I journeyed across the diverse landscapes of this suffering world.
Toggling between a large cast of characters, the author shifts POV often. Normally, I find this jarring. Such constant shifting can throw me out of a story and leave me glossing over the pages, waiting for my favorite characters to come back. This didn’t happen once in Oblivion’s Forge. I did have my favorites (Vornen, who was tormented by his inexplicable pull toward the gates, the formidable assassin Iyoth, the healer Jaana who felt betrayed by her own gifts), but each and every character was interesting and complex. Many shared a common purpose, yet they were all flawed and tortured in their own ways. They seemed destined to come together and I found myself reading eagerly for that very moment.
The intricate storyline is original and never predictable. The author takes great care to peel it back in layers. He inflicts tragedy and heartbreak on the entwined lives of his characters as he builds the plot to a vivid climax that is satisfying, yet remains open for much more.
Oblivion’s Forge is an engrossing read. The only element I could see missing was a map. I would have found it useful to have a visual reference as I journeyed across the diverse landscapes of this suffering world.
July 22, 2013
Oblivion’s forge is one of those novels that had me all confused as to whether it’s categorized as fantasy or Sci Fi.
Make no mistake. My confusion does not at all take away anything from the story, in fact I have a very high regard towards anyone that can create something from nothing which is what fantasy is all about.
In Oblivion’s Forge, Simon Williams has managed just that, to create a chain-full story revolving around the embarking of key characters journeys all of which play off in the world of Aona. The dark fantasy starts with the characters individual adventures that flow into a splendid final as the said individual’s world’s interlock with majestic brilliance.
Surprisingly, the separation of reading the story from different perspective doesn't pull ones concentration away from the story at hand. Instead it creates grounds for a masterfully set adventure which is carefully crafted around their individual personas.
The splendidly put intricate words of Simon salute the resurrection of an ancient force who returns from a void in an effort to restore the old magic within it. The war between the two fractions sets a delightful display as it embarks with no backdrop but flows in such a way that you are fed multiple points of information throughout the story-line without feeling a loss.
Cunningly set and skilfully displayed.
Splendid craft.
Make no mistake. My confusion does not at all take away anything from the story, in fact I have a very high regard towards anyone that can create something from nothing which is what fantasy is all about.
In Oblivion’s Forge, Simon Williams has managed just that, to create a chain-full story revolving around the embarking of key characters journeys all of which play off in the world of Aona. The dark fantasy starts with the characters individual adventures that flow into a splendid final as the said individual’s world’s interlock with majestic brilliance.
Surprisingly, the separation of reading the story from different perspective doesn't pull ones concentration away from the story at hand. Instead it creates grounds for a masterfully set adventure which is carefully crafted around their individual personas.
The splendidly put intricate words of Simon salute the resurrection of an ancient force who returns from a void in an effort to restore the old magic within it. The war between the two fractions sets a delightful display as it embarks with no backdrop but flows in such a way that you are fed multiple points of information throughout the story-line without feeling a loss.
Cunningly set and skilfully displayed.
Splendid craft.
March 6, 2015
'Oblivion's Forge (Aona series Book 1)' by Simon Williams is the first in a promising dark fantasy series.
It's the story of several believable characters in dangerous insecure times. Some people have visions and dreams called Gatefever, whilst others are dying from a terrible sickness. Some are even controlled by a powerful curse, such as Vornen who is basically a human lodestone and has Gatesight; he is helplessly drawn from time to time to a Gate or a portal to other worlds, or Amethyst who is a human compass and plagued with crippling pains if she doesn't go in the direction her inner compass tells her to go.
They are all played out by mysterious forces. A new dawn is at hand, but who is behind all this and why? Can any lightness come out of this darkness?
This is a well-written traditional fantasy with great vivid description and visions so that one can easily step into the worlds the author has created. The characters are well-fleshed out with their own predicaments and thus very realistic, not just black and white. I liked Jaana best, a healer who feels powerless because she can't heal the sickness that has taken over their world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward in reading the next installment!
It's the story of several believable characters in dangerous insecure times. Some people have visions and dreams called Gatefever, whilst others are dying from a terrible sickness. Some are even controlled by a powerful curse, such as Vornen who is basically a human lodestone and has Gatesight; he is helplessly drawn from time to time to a Gate or a portal to other worlds, or Amethyst who is a human compass and plagued with crippling pains if she doesn't go in the direction her inner compass tells her to go.
They are all played out by mysterious forces. A new dawn is at hand, but who is behind all this and why? Can any lightness come out of this darkness?
This is a well-written traditional fantasy with great vivid description and visions so that one can easily step into the worlds the author has created. The characters are well-fleshed out with their own predicaments and thus very realistic, not just black and white. I liked Jaana best, a healer who feels powerless because she can't heal the sickness that has taken over their world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward in reading the next installment!
September 17, 2016
"Oblivion's Forge" by Simon Williams is a gripping, multi-layered, and complex dark fantasy. The author draws the reader in from the first page, holds on tight, and never lets go. The world of Aona is presented in rich and engrossing detail, making you invested in the place and the events that transpire there. This is world-building at its best. Williams does not rush. He does not race along from plot point A to plot point B. Rather, he weaves a moving and many-threaded tapestry, daring the reader to become more invested with the turning of every page. Perhaps best of all, "Oblivion's Forge" is peopled with flawed and very real characters. Sometimes, fantasy literature is thick on plot, but short on character. "Oblivion's Forge" shines on both fronts. The characters in this book jump off the page--they are complex, tortured, and refreshingly original.
In short, if you're looking for a light, fun read to while away an afternoon, "Oblivion's Forge" is probably not for you. But if you want to become enmeshed in a dark world, inhabited by scarred, three-dimensional characters, if you want to read first-rate prose that is often lyrical in nature, and walk with the author down a shadowy path full of surprises, then I highly recommend this magnificent book.
In short, if you're looking for a light, fun read to while away an afternoon, "Oblivion's Forge" is probably not for you. But if you want to become enmeshed in a dark world, inhabited by scarred, three-dimensional characters, if you want to read first-rate prose that is often lyrical in nature, and walk with the author down a shadowy path full of surprises, then I highly recommend this magnificent book.
August 16, 2011
All is not well in the world of Aona,
Aona's peoples are afflicted by bad dreams and visions, the winter is harsh, all portents suggest that what is coming is not to be wished for.
In this shadowy epic, which puts me in mind, at times, of Tad Williams and Michael Moorcock, the wizards are old and weakening, healers can no longer heal and mysterious, nightmarish things lurk around every corner, the cursed characters fight to say alive and sane, their lives driven by unfathomable forces.
This dark land, written in evocative detail, is seen through the eyes of inhabitants like Vornen, scarred, almost broken man, with a compulsion to follow the Gates. Despite his harsh life, he carries a small flame of hope. Jaana is a disillusioned woman who sees things others cannot and is on a journey of discovery she couldn't have imagined and Amethyst, compelled to travel towards a goal she did not choose or face unbearable pain.
There are many threads to the story, a complex cast of varied characters and environments which all bode well for a series of books, I enjoyed stepping into this bleak fantasy world, but I wouldn't want to live there.
Aona's peoples are afflicted by bad dreams and visions, the winter is harsh, all portents suggest that what is coming is not to be wished for.
In this shadowy epic, which puts me in mind, at times, of Tad Williams and Michael Moorcock, the wizards are old and weakening, healers can no longer heal and mysterious, nightmarish things lurk around every corner, the cursed characters fight to say alive and sane, their lives driven by unfathomable forces.
This dark land, written in evocative detail, is seen through the eyes of inhabitants like Vornen, scarred, almost broken man, with a compulsion to follow the Gates. Despite his harsh life, he carries a small flame of hope. Jaana is a disillusioned woman who sees things others cannot and is on a journey of discovery she couldn't have imagined and Amethyst, compelled to travel towards a goal she did not choose or face unbearable pain.
There are many threads to the story, a complex cast of varied characters and environments which all bode well for a series of books, I enjoyed stepping into this bleak fantasy world, but I wouldn't want to live there.
April 3, 2014
Simon has built an amazingly multifaceted world for his book “Oblivion’s Forge” and I found myself easily drawn into the scenes he described, to the point where I could almost visualise myself in these places. The plot was as equally complex, and I did have to concentrate when shifting from one character to another. If I had to nit-pick, I’d say better segues between characters and/or chapters, in some cases, would have been good.
Saying that–I loved the way Simon introduced us to each of the main players. As a reader I came to know each one, their background and their hopes, dreams and fears, before they were all brought together for the final conflict.
By the end of the book, Aona and its waring inhabitants seemed as familiar to me as our very own green planet and I can’t wait to visit it again. I think that Simon did a great job in introducing us to both the characters and an intriguing plot, dripping with good and evil, yet I can’t help but think that the best is yet to come.
Saying that–I loved the way Simon introduced us to each of the main players. As a reader I came to know each one, their background and their hopes, dreams and fears, before they were all brought together for the final conflict.
By the end of the book, Aona and its waring inhabitants seemed as familiar to me as our very own green planet and I can’t wait to visit it again. I think that Simon did a great job in introducing us to both the characters and an intriguing plot, dripping with good and evil, yet I can’t help but think that the best is yet to come.
May 20, 2012
I don't normally read that much fantasy, but this book was intriguing, enjoyable and definitely one of the more original works within the genre. Not being a fan of the "dragons, elves and dwarves" sort of fantasy so much, I was pleased to find early on that this wasn't going to be anything like that. Instead the author has created an array of original races and creatures. There are swords, there is sorcery, but it isn't really traditional sword & sorcery- it's quite a different take on the whole fantasy genre.
Oblivion's Forge is written in an evocative way that paints a description of the world without being pointlessly over-descriptive, so it flows well and by the time you reach the end you definitely want to reach for the next book.
I've now also read the sequel, Secret Roads, but that will be a separate review!
Oblivion's Forge is written in an evocative way that paints a description of the world without being pointlessly over-descriptive, so it flows well and by the time you reach the end you definitely want to reach for the next book.
I've now also read the sequel, Secret Roads, but that will be a separate review!
February 4, 2015
I was asked to read this book and thought it an excellent read.
It is set within an imaginative fantasy world where realistic and well-detailed characters set forth on a journey - one that involves a complete change to each of the races and one that may see the end of them all.
This is a well written and descriptive tale, which brings alive new worlds and characters to make a compelling read.
I don't give spoilers but will say that I loved this book from beginning to end, appreciating both the intelligence and imagination that created it.
Highly recommended.
It is set within an imaginative fantasy world where realistic and well-detailed characters set forth on a journey - one that involves a complete change to each of the races and one that may see the end of them all.
This is a well written and descriptive tale, which brings alive new worlds and characters to make a compelling read.
I don't give spoilers but will say that I loved this book from beginning to end, appreciating both the intelligence and imagination that created it.
Highly recommended.
November 6, 2012
This is a wonderfully described work with great,intriguing charicters and a harsh,unforgiving world where forces beyond their comprehension are stirring.I was taken by how easy I was pulled into the story;the author writes with the knack of conjuring up a powerful atmosphere which makes for a superb read and works well with the dark,sometimes brutal subject matter.I enjoyed Oblivion's Forge immensely.
January 18, 2015
People of several races are on the move, either motivated by light or dark dreams, or by other impulses or the need to flea areas of Aona. Some believe that an ancient war between light and dark is returning while others are sure an invasion of beings from outside the world is imminent. Mr. Williams has created a fascinating world and peopled it with flawed and interesting characters.
September 17, 2016
With a big kind nudge from author I finally got to read this book.
This has been sitting on my Kindle for a while and I never got round to reading it.
It was a very good book and really enjoyable.Quite dark in bits but the story grew and I am looking forward to reading some more from author.
Hopefully quicker this time.
This has been sitting on my Kindle for a while and I never got round to reading it.
It was a very good book and really enjoyable.Quite dark in bits but the story grew and I am looking forward to reading some more from author.
Hopefully quicker this time.
December 20, 2014
Can't wait to read on to find out what happens next. Excellent start to a series.
September 3, 2015
This book has an interesting peculiarity in that its greatest strength is also its potential Achilles’ Heel. Williams is in no rush to reveal his Aona to the reader and I rather enjoyed my slow immersion as I started exploring this new world with the three main characters: Roguish Vornen, unfortunate Amathyst and emphatic Jaana. The style reminded me of Williams’ Summer’s Dark Waters - written later but it was the first book by this author which I had read. Reviewing that book I wrote: “We don’t know much about the world. Enough to get by but that is all and suddenly the horizon….is shrouded by veils of mystery.” This pretty much applies to Oblivion’s Forge as well – we catch glimpses of a world from its wilder edges and Williams shows his craft in providing sufficient detail to supply the basis of imagery which the reader is allowed to colour in with their own imagination in spectacularly grim but fascinating places such as the hivelike Culvanhem and grimy Ethanalin Tur-morn. At first all we know is that Vornen, Amathyst and Jaana follow their paths in the same world without much indication as to their topographical presence vis-à-vis the others. Williams is not one for long-winded exposition – he allows a peek here and a glimpse there to be followed by a sudden short realisations before casting us out in the wilderness again. This experience is almost exactly what the characters are experiencing so it rings very true and slowly various puzzle pieces start to come together on various levels: Insight into the motivation of the main characters, a growing awareness of the manner in which the settings are connected with regard to topography and socio-economic factors as well as the dawning realisation that something is rotten in Aona. Rotten to the core. It is here that the reader starts to gain an advantage over the protagonists because we are allowed to see the collective puzzle pieces whilst they only have access to their own. That leads to an increasing curiosity as well as speculation: in other words, Williams has hooked you but used sparse bait leaving you wanting more and more.
It is this process of assembling puzzle pieces that is a driving strength of Oblivion’s Forge . In order to meet the reader’s increased appetite to discover more about Aona Williams starts introducing secondary characters and suddenly we are released; free to move from place to place - including the ‘civilised’ cores of Aona - to witness more and more elements of a world which seems to be unravelling even as we begin to understand it. This is clever writing; these new perspectives drive the reader along faster and faster in the process of discovering a wider Aona and there is a sense that things are beginning to merge; brooks rushing headlong to join streams which start to converge into rivers. On those rivers, however, the three main characters have maintained their slower meandering course which means that towards the end of the book there is a need to shift gear which makes for a somewhat erratic narrative pace. That is the potential Achilles’ Heel of Oblivion’s Forge though Williams pulls it off because it fits into the context of the manner in which truths are revealed – not by means of a helicopter view provided by a handy news summary but through careful shifting through available facts and intriguing clues. That is made possible by the protagonists. Although these are distinctly different from each other they all share the determination to figure out what is going on and as a reader I felt I shared their tenacity in this. Williams is a master of exposition and I imagine him grinning evilly at the reader’s eagerness to put all the puzzle pieces together to satisfy yearning curiosity. In that Oblivion’s Forge ends with the reader fully committed to move to the second book of the Aona series: Secret Roads. My main complaint would be that my curiousity is far from satisfied; I want more Aona but I suspect that Williams, like any author, could only experience delight at that particular grumble.
All-in-all Oblivion’s Forge is a must read for those searching for a fresh approach to fantasy. The harsh realities of Aona and Williams’s nitty-gritty style should appeal to readers tired of formulaic sterile elvish splendour, brave new worlds and flawless heroes. This stuff is real and I intend to return to Aona’s moody underbelly and stark austerity as soon as I can.
It is this process of assembling puzzle pieces that is a driving strength of Oblivion’s Forge . In order to meet the reader’s increased appetite to discover more about Aona Williams starts introducing secondary characters and suddenly we are released; free to move from place to place - including the ‘civilised’ cores of Aona - to witness more and more elements of a world which seems to be unravelling even as we begin to understand it. This is clever writing; these new perspectives drive the reader along faster and faster in the process of discovering a wider Aona and there is a sense that things are beginning to merge; brooks rushing headlong to join streams which start to converge into rivers. On those rivers, however, the three main characters have maintained their slower meandering course which means that towards the end of the book there is a need to shift gear which makes for a somewhat erratic narrative pace. That is the potential Achilles’ Heel of Oblivion’s Forge though Williams pulls it off because it fits into the context of the manner in which truths are revealed – not by means of a helicopter view provided by a handy news summary but through careful shifting through available facts and intriguing clues. That is made possible by the protagonists. Although these are distinctly different from each other they all share the determination to figure out what is going on and as a reader I felt I shared their tenacity in this. Williams is a master of exposition and I imagine him grinning evilly at the reader’s eagerness to put all the puzzle pieces together to satisfy yearning curiosity. In that Oblivion’s Forge ends with the reader fully committed to move to the second book of the Aona series: Secret Roads. My main complaint would be that my curiousity is far from satisfied; I want more Aona but I suspect that Williams, like any author, could only experience delight at that particular grumble.
All-in-all Oblivion’s Forge is a must read for those searching for a fresh approach to fantasy. The harsh realities of Aona and Williams’s nitty-gritty style should appeal to readers tired of formulaic sterile elvish splendour, brave new worlds and flawless heroes. This stuff is real and I intend to return to Aona’s moody underbelly and stark austerity as soon as I can.
June 10, 2015
4.5 stars
As sci-fi and fantasy mashups go, this one is particularly engaging. Weighted far more towards the fantasy end of things, as is the Game of Thrones franchise, I imagine that will make the series all the more accessible to a broader swath of people.
The writer has a style that forces you to slow your reading down a bit, and requires a bit more mindfulness. But there’s no denying the well-crafted prose is worth the effort. The world building is great, the characters vivid enough to leap off the page. And the premise of the story is downright fascinating. The idea that someone who is drawn to wormholes and compelled to leap through them, slowly discovers not just the way the universe is laid oud and interconnected, but that an ancient evil is coming to reclaim worlds that for all we know it once seeded. The suspense behind what exactly the agenda is of this ancient race keeps you turning the pages.
But in addition to that there’s just the adventure of following our hero along into one magical realm after another, meeting up with remarkable men and women, or should I say warlocks, witches, and village shamans/elders. There is also a Jason Borne-like element where our hero is constantly fighting to recall all that he learned traveling through the various wormholes, and to identify what he is to do with this knowledge. Can he use it to save people? What is his role in things exactly? And how will he recall enough from his travels to make a difference to the worlds that will be affected by the coming horror? And in this sense, the series has a Matrix-like quality with our hero trying to awaken from his own self-delusions, faded memories, tampered-with mind, and open his eyes to the hidden nature of a reality that no one but he even suspects exists. Some ancient ones remember tales from the past though. Can he get them to assist him on his mission? This and many more questions and the answers to follow contribute to the page turning effect.
Last but not least, as the various colorful characters are introduced in act one you can’t help but wonder how their fates will come to be intertwined, and how each of the puzzle pieces they all hold will ultimately fit together to help them against this ominous evil.
There were times when I was reminded of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with all the questing going on, and various creatures of magic at odds with one another. But despite all these classics filtering through my mind as I read, the book and this series is undeniably its own thing. So don’t misunderstand me there.
My one nitpick is I would like to have seen more of the hero in act one; but the epic tale that this is, it’s also not surprising there was a large ensemble cast to grapple with.
Recommended for lovers of dark fantasy set on other worlds.
As sci-fi and fantasy mashups go, this one is particularly engaging. Weighted far more towards the fantasy end of things, as is the Game of Thrones franchise, I imagine that will make the series all the more accessible to a broader swath of people.
The writer has a style that forces you to slow your reading down a bit, and requires a bit more mindfulness. But there’s no denying the well-crafted prose is worth the effort. The world building is great, the characters vivid enough to leap off the page. And the premise of the story is downright fascinating. The idea that someone who is drawn to wormholes and compelled to leap through them, slowly discovers not just the way the universe is laid oud and interconnected, but that an ancient evil is coming to reclaim worlds that for all we know it once seeded. The suspense behind what exactly the agenda is of this ancient race keeps you turning the pages.
But in addition to that there’s just the adventure of following our hero along into one magical realm after another, meeting up with remarkable men and women, or should I say warlocks, witches, and village shamans/elders. There is also a Jason Borne-like element where our hero is constantly fighting to recall all that he learned traveling through the various wormholes, and to identify what he is to do with this knowledge. Can he use it to save people? What is his role in things exactly? And how will he recall enough from his travels to make a difference to the worlds that will be affected by the coming horror? And in this sense, the series has a Matrix-like quality with our hero trying to awaken from his own self-delusions, faded memories, tampered-with mind, and open his eyes to the hidden nature of a reality that no one but he even suspects exists. Some ancient ones remember tales from the past though. Can he get them to assist him on his mission? This and many more questions and the answers to follow contribute to the page turning effect.
Last but not least, as the various colorful characters are introduced in act one you can’t help but wonder how their fates will come to be intertwined, and how each of the puzzle pieces they all hold will ultimately fit together to help them against this ominous evil.
There were times when I was reminded of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with all the questing going on, and various creatures of magic at odds with one another. But despite all these classics filtering through my mind as I read, the book and this series is undeniably its own thing. So don’t misunderstand me there.
My one nitpick is I would like to have seen more of the hero in act one; but the epic tale that this is, it’s also not surprising there was a large ensemble cast to grapple with.
Recommended for lovers of dark fantasy set on other worlds.
May 27, 2017
Mirandal is closing in on the world, bringing about the end of an age. Humanity and the other young races must face the old races in a return that some look forward to and others dread. Jana is a healer, troubled by the fact that she can’t cure a new mental illness plaguing the land. Amethyst is compelled east, despite the unsavory sort she must mix with to get there. Bordan is a traveling swordsman who battles demons from his past. Will they and the rest of humanity be prepared to face the end of their age?
There were three primary POV characters, each was well developed. They had their own tone, back story, and stakes in the changing world. Other POV characters pop in to help We the Reader get the big picture. This is an epic after all! It would be tough to get the whole story that affects a world, far removed from modern day Earth, from a single source.
The end delivered! Some of my favorite epics are guilty of simply slapping covers between chapters in order to make the story manageable for the reader. I tolerate it if the story is good enough, but I prefer that each book in a series like this has its own distinct beginning, middle, and end. Like the little story inside the big story, or like those little Russian dolls that fit inside one another.
I received a free copy in exchange for a review. Any review. That fact that it’s a good one is because the book is good. Which has nothing to do with how awesome I am. You’ll have to find that out for yourself @S_Shane_Thomas on Twitter.
What a great beginning to an epic fantasy series! Oblivion’s Forge delivers a great, and sometimes gritty, story with the promise of a greater epic plot arc.
There were three primary POV characters, each was well developed. They had their own tone, back story, and stakes in the changing world. Other POV characters pop in to help We the Reader get the big picture. This is an epic after all! It would be tough to get the whole story that affects a world, far removed from modern day Earth, from a single source.
The end delivered! Some of my favorite epics are guilty of simply slapping covers between chapters in order to make the story manageable for the reader. I tolerate it if the story is good enough, but I prefer that each book in a series like this has its own distinct beginning, middle, and end. Like the little story inside the big story, or like those little Russian dolls that fit inside one another.
I received a free copy in exchange for a review. Any review. That fact that it’s a good one is because the book is good. Which has nothing to do with how awesome I am. You’ll have to find that out for yourself @S_Shane_Thomas on Twitter.
What a great beginning to an epic fantasy series! Oblivion’s Forge delivers a great, and sometimes gritty, story with the promise of a greater epic plot arc.
February 2, 2015
I was asked to read this book and thought it an excellent read.
It is set within an imaginative fantasy world where realistic and well-detailed characters set forth on a journey - one that involves a complete change to each of the races and one that may see the end of them all.
This is a well written and descriptive tale, which brings alive new worlds and characters to make a compelling read.
I don't give spoilers but will say that I loved this book from beginning to end, appreciating both the intelligence and imagination that created it.
Highly recommended.
It is set within an imaginative fantasy world where realistic and well-detailed characters set forth on a journey - one that involves a complete change to each of the races and one that may see the end of them all.
This is a well written and descriptive tale, which brings alive new worlds and characters to make a compelling read.
I don't give spoilers but will say that I loved this book from beginning to end, appreciating both the intelligence and imagination that created it.
Highly recommended.
September 2, 2022
For a book that's been around for over ten years, Oblivion's Forge seems less well-known than many newer books of its genre and I feel like people are missing out. There's a ton packed into its 300 or so pages, and it is extremely well written. It's dark and gripping as the tale of a world on the verge of ending one era and moving into other, a la Ragnarok. The plot is complex and not all is revealed as this is a five-book series. If you like your epic fantasy dark and gritty, then this should be on your TBR.
September 11, 2017
Oblivion’s Forge (Aona Series Book 1) by Simon Williams, 346 pages, May 12th 2012, Genre: Epic Fantasy. Warning: May Contain Spoilers.
Review by Leigh Holland.
Oblivion’s Forge is the first in a four book epic fantasy series by Simon Williams. In this installment, we follow four viewpoint characters whose destinies are irrevocably intertwined with the fate of Aona, their world. Each chapter follows a different character along their path. While some readers may find this style difficult to follow, I adjusted to it rather quickly and enjoyed the focus on the characters.
The plot is straightforward and, for Aona, inescapable. What happened long ago is happening again. People are falling prey to a strange malady that imparts dreams and visions of beings of light, the Marandaal, emerging from a gate. The malady drives its victims into despair, madness, and eventual death. Ancient lore says that these beings of light will wash over the world of Aona and seek the destruction of all life. They’ve been here once before and were defeated. However, lore did not record how they were defeated. What will the characters do when the Marandaal come?
My favorite characters were Jaana, the human healer, and her traveling companion and friend Lyya. Jaana was relatable, kind-hearted, friendly, and compassionate. Lyya is a loyal friend and knows her own flaws and strengths. I also liked Vornen, an exile from his home city who is attracted to The Gates, the gateway through which the Marandaal will arrive. Although I didn’t much care for Iyoth, I’m curious to know if he changes over the course of the rest of the books.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of epic fantasy novels. It’s a promising beginning to the series.
Review by Leigh Holland.
Oblivion’s Forge is the first in a four book epic fantasy series by Simon Williams. In this installment, we follow four viewpoint characters whose destinies are irrevocably intertwined with the fate of Aona, their world. Each chapter follows a different character along their path. While some readers may find this style difficult to follow, I adjusted to it rather quickly and enjoyed the focus on the characters.
The plot is straightforward and, for Aona, inescapable. What happened long ago is happening again. People are falling prey to a strange malady that imparts dreams and visions of beings of light, the Marandaal, emerging from a gate. The malady drives its victims into despair, madness, and eventual death. Ancient lore says that these beings of light will wash over the world of Aona and seek the destruction of all life. They’ve been here once before and were defeated. However, lore did not record how they were defeated. What will the characters do when the Marandaal come?
My favorite characters were Jaana, the human healer, and her traveling companion and friend Lyya. Jaana was relatable, kind-hearted, friendly, and compassionate. Lyya is a loyal friend and knows her own flaws and strengths. I also liked Vornen, an exile from his home city who is attracted to The Gates, the gateway through which the Marandaal will arrive. Although I didn’t much care for Iyoth, I’m curious to know if he changes over the course of the rest of the books.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of epic fantasy novels. It’s a promising beginning to the series.
March 2, 2022
After reading the reviews I was quite excited to get stuck into this book, I've just finished it and I'm genuinely not sure if I read the same book as everyone else.
The pacing is all over the place, about 75% of the way in nothing had actually happened, a lot of people travelling for very vague reasons (we don't know more then they have an urge), forgettable characters with no backstory, for a book with so many adjectives very little were used to describe the races themselves so again not sure what races inhabit this world.
Now when I say a lot of people travelling, I don't me in the epic journey sense, I mean there is a lot of trudging in snow and stopping to make camp. Nothing really happens along the way. I'm used to books with slow build ups or authors who like to hold back on lore or drip feed us information. But this is next level but this is ridiculous.
I've never read a book where the blurb gives me more information about the plot then I learned reading it, honestly I'm just left confused and disappointed.
The pacing is all over the place, about 75% of the way in nothing had actually happened, a lot of people travelling for very vague reasons (we don't know more then they have an urge), forgettable characters with no backstory, for a book with so many adjectives very little were used to describe the races themselves so again not sure what races inhabit this world.
Now when I say a lot of people travelling, I don't me in the epic journey sense, I mean there is a lot of trudging in snow and stopping to make camp. Nothing really happens along the way. I'm used to books with slow build ups or authors who like to hold back on lore or drip feed us information. But this is next level but this is ridiculous.
I've never read a book where the blurb gives me more information about the plot then I learned reading it, honestly I'm just left confused and disappointed.
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