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The Darkin Saga #2
Darkin: The Prophecy of the Key
After the Battle at Dinbell Wall, Adacon and his friends learn that Aulterion, nemesis of the East, was but a pawn of the true evil threatening the world.
United with his band of heroes, and Calan his love, Adacon feels as though nothing can stand against the power of righteousness any longer: They will travel home and destroy the last remnant of darkness.
As doom covers the world, a new star appears in the sky, growing larger each night. The dwarves claim that the Prophecy of the Key is at hand--that the departed race has returned.
But a powerful secret has been revealed by Flaer, now that his curse is lifted and he can speak; the fate of the world balances upon a thread: An ancient magic has been unleashed, more powerful than any before it, and an ancient race has returned to the planet to claim a beloved treasure.
Is there any hero with might enough to stand against Vesleathren? Can anyone stop the departed race before the prophecy is fulfilled? Will Adacon's love endure?
United with his band of heroes, and Calan his love, Adacon feels as though nothing can stand against the power of righteousness any longer: They will travel home and destroy the last remnant of darkness.
As doom covers the world, a new star appears in the sky, growing larger each night. The dwarves claim that the Prophecy of the Key is at hand--that the departed race has returned.
But a powerful secret has been revealed by Flaer, now that his curse is lifted and he can speak; the fate of the world balances upon a thread: An ancient magic has been unleashed, more powerful than any before it, and an ancient race has returned to the planet to claim a beloved treasure.
Is there any hero with might enough to stand against Vesleathren? Can anyone stop the departed race before the prophecy is fulfilled? Will Adacon's love endure?
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2012
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Joseph A. Turkot
49 books110 followersJoseph Turkot is the author of eight novels and many short stories. He began writing as an independent author, and The Rain is his first release with Blackstone Publishing. He lives in South Jersey, and when not writing, he dreams of the day when he’ll be able to open an animal sanctuary.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 5, 2013
Darkin: The Prophecy of the Key is the sequel to author Joseph A. Turkot's fantasy novel Darkin: A Journey East. The first book in the Darkin saga, which is available for free, ends with a rather fascinating cliffhanger. So I was very interested to see what the author had in store for his characters in Darkin 2. An unbelievably powerful force of evil threatens to destroy everything that is good and free in the world of Darkin, and only the newfound powers of a young 'Welsprin' can hope to challenge the darkness that approaches. But as the free people of Darkin gather to confront their enemy, an entirely new danger appears...
But the strange twist that the author throws into the story is so unexpected that I won't say anything more about it here. All I can say is that it is truly a unique take on fantasy - at least, in the fantasy literature I have read.
The characters and peoples in Darkin are all unique, each on having their own ideas, customs, personalities and quirks. Some are noble, some not so noble, some are overly proud, some are rash and some are careful and patient. The character Remtall, a vengeful and fiery gnome, reminded me a lot of the character Schaibar from the Arabian Nights story 'Prince Ahmed and The Fairy Perie Banou' (one of my very favorite stories, so it was a very pleasant reminder) - if you read both stories, I think you will understand why.
The author also manages to seamlessly integrate a great many fantasy races into his story, from golems to trolls, gnomes, dwarves, elves, ghosts and more - some so unexpected that I can't really say anything about them without spoiling the story a little. The monsters are also somewhat unique - there are giant centipedes and strange creatures from the sea, not your stereotypical fantasy-fare.
The author wraps up many of the loose ends of the previous book in The Prophecy of the Key, but there are numerous hints given as to what will come next for the world of Darkin. But given the author's tendency to throw you for a loop, who can really tell what will come next?
There are also some interesting themes regarding the spirit/force Gaigas, which is the source of magic or 'Vapoury' as it is called in Darkin. I will be very interested to see what the author reveals in the sequel, which is set to be released sometime this year (2013) I believe.
But the strange twist that the author throws into the story is so unexpected that I won't say anything more about it here. All I can say is that it is truly a unique take on fantasy - at least, in the fantasy literature I have read.
The characters and peoples in Darkin are all unique, each on having their own ideas, customs, personalities and quirks. Some are noble, some not so noble, some are overly proud, some are rash and some are careful and patient. The character Remtall, a vengeful and fiery gnome, reminded me a lot of the character Schaibar from the Arabian Nights story 'Prince Ahmed and The Fairy Perie Banou' (one of my very favorite stories, so it was a very pleasant reminder) - if you read both stories, I think you will understand why.
The author also manages to seamlessly integrate a great many fantasy races into his story, from golems to trolls, gnomes, dwarves, elves, ghosts and more - some so unexpected that I can't really say anything about them without spoiling the story a little. The monsters are also somewhat unique - there are giant centipedes and strange creatures from the sea, not your stereotypical fantasy-fare.
The author wraps up many of the loose ends of the previous book in The Prophecy of the Key, but there are numerous hints given as to what will come next for the world of Darkin. But given the author's tendency to throw you for a loop, who can really tell what will come next?
There are also some interesting themes regarding the spirit/force Gaigas, which is the source of magic or 'Vapoury' as it is called in Darkin. I will be very interested to see what the author reveals in the sequel, which is set to be released sometime this year (2013) I believe.
June 19, 2013
Moving on from Darkin: A Journey East, there is a clear change of pace and of focus. Given the way that the action is spreading, I believe that this was the right thing to do, especially as our hero, Adacon, has done a Luke Skywalker and headed off to find a guru, taking him out of a lot of the action.
Instead we find the drunkard gnome Remtall off in a quest for a magic staff, we meet some new characters from the village of Rislind, we follow Flaer, Slowin and Erguile at the forefront of battle, and the dwarves and elves are on their way. And there are also some new kids on the block who add a new sci-fi dimension to the swords and sorcery fantasy.
The forces of evil are now mobilised across the western continent, taking cities in their stride. Only the fortress city of Wallstrong stands in the country of Hemlin, and it guards the pass into Arkynshyr. Here in this key location, new battle lines are drawn.
Throughout this book, the ideas about magic (Vapoury for the forces of Good, Wizardry for the forces of Evil) are complemented by a third type of magic, that of the Welsprin, who hold a more neutral position, but seems to be more on the side of goodness. There is also the subtle defensive magic of the warrior druids of Hemlin, which seems to surprise the leader of the Feral Brood. The revelations in the last chapter tell of more revelations in store about magic.
The sci-fi element sits a little awkwardly, but the incongruences are handled well. The technology of the aliens baffles and defeats the natives, but the magic of the natives baffles and defeats the aliens, but only in certain circumstances. Their part in the story cuts across the book as they have only their own mission to perform and that has nothing to do with barbarian armies. Unfortunately it does impact on the story line in very deep and personal ways.
The third book, called The Academy of Gaigas, is due out later this year.
Instead we find the drunkard gnome Remtall off in a quest for a magic staff, we meet some new characters from the village of Rislind, we follow Flaer, Slowin and Erguile at the forefront of battle, and the dwarves and elves are on their way. And there are also some new kids on the block who add a new sci-fi dimension to the swords and sorcery fantasy.
The forces of evil are now mobilised across the western continent, taking cities in their stride. Only the fortress city of Wallstrong stands in the country of Hemlin, and it guards the pass into Arkynshyr. Here in this key location, new battle lines are drawn.
Throughout this book, the ideas about magic (Vapoury for the forces of Good, Wizardry for the forces of Evil) are complemented by a third type of magic, that of the Welsprin, who hold a more neutral position, but seems to be more on the side of goodness. There is also the subtle defensive magic of the warrior druids of Hemlin, which seems to surprise the leader of the Feral Brood. The revelations in the last chapter tell of more revelations in store about magic.
The sci-fi element sits a little awkwardly, but the incongruences are handled well. The technology of the aliens baffles and defeats the natives, but the magic of the natives baffles and defeats the aliens, but only in certain circumstances. Their part in the story cuts across the book as they have only their own mission to perform and that has nothing to do with barbarian armies. Unfortunately it does impact on the story line in very deep and personal ways.
The third book, called The Academy of Gaigas, is due out later this year.
May 28, 2013
The second book of the series continues the fast moving action we knew from the first book. Mr Turkot is good at describing battles as seen from grass root level, and this book offers good scope for that. On the other hand ‘The Prophesy of the Key’ does not shy from emotional and philosophical issues, which adds to its interest.
To me this book made me think of ‘Starwars’ more than anything, as we follow an ever growing group of heroes who are playing out their roles in Darkin history. As in ‘Starwars’, promotion is quick— for the right person—and not necessarily based on seniority, training, and/or experience. Nor does promotion seem to stop them doing the down-to-earth things they did before.
Seeing how well matters have been sorted out at the end of this book, I am very curious to see what the third installment of the Darkin trilogy will be about.
This was an enjoyable and interesting read, which I am happy to recommend to any fantasy fan.
To me this book made me think of ‘Starwars’ more than anything, as we follow an ever growing group of heroes who are playing out their roles in Darkin history. As in ‘Starwars’, promotion is quick— for the right person—and not necessarily based on seniority, training, and/or experience. Nor does promotion seem to stop them doing the down-to-earth things they did before.
Seeing how well matters have been sorted out at the end of this book, I am very curious to see what the third installment of the Darkin trilogy will be about.
This was an enjoyable and interesting read, which I am happy to recommend to any fantasy fan.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews