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Forged In Dragons' Breath
In a world scarred by the aftermath of the Purging Wars, the struggle for control over the Territories rages on. Little is known about the enigmatic dragons, once companions to mankind. But within the depths of history lies the key to ultimate power—a lost artifact that can heal the world or corrupt the one who possesses it. For millennia, the Orb of Power has passed through the hands of countless men, its influence shaping destinies. Legends speak of its mythical companion, the Scepter of Might, whispered to be joined with the Orb only once in the annals of time. Through the ages, the Scepter has remained hidden, reduced to mere legend... until now. When Kheldour stumbles upon the elusive Scepter, he unknowingly becomes a target for the last Orbwielder, a man lustful for power and dominance. Arlent seeks to claim the ancient relics for himself and wield them for dominion over all the Territories. Holding something dear to Kheldour, he sends the warrior on a quest for the Scepter as ransom. Kheldour and his wife Maryna must unite the Orb and Scepter in a desperate race against time, but Maryna holds her own secrets. The first to claim the ancient relics will determine the destiny of both men and dragons. Will Kheldour and Maryna triumph over the forces that seek to destroy them, or will their quest for redemption be their undoing?
576 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 5, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of Forged in Dragons’ Breath for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Regardless of how stories present them, dragons are an element that permeates much fiction. Forged in Dragons’ Breath is one such book that delights in these creatures. If you’re a fan of them, you’ll no doubt love their inclusion.
While dragons certainly play a part in the story, there is far more to it. At the centre of the book lies the Orb of Power and the Scepter of Might, magical MacGuffins that once combined, will grant their wielder the ultimate power and dominion over the world. The book is an epic fantasy set across the book’s world while focusing on a battle of good versus evil. While questing over magical artefacts isn’t new to the book, its story will entertain anyone who enjoyed reading about the nine rings of power in The Lord of the Rings and its sequels.
The plot is well thought out with plenty of twists and turns. These aren’t telegraphed, but they don’t come out of left field either; they're fitting moments that service the story. The overarching story is incredibly entertaining, but takes a while to get moving. While this is largely thanks to the number of characters and the amount of world building, it means the first couple of hundred pages move slower than I would have liked. As the book continues, the pacing increases and it then moves at a swift pace.
The author’s imagination is on fine display, with him crafting a world that draws the reader in. It feels entirely lived in and believable. It’s a world full of magic and quests, and yet it feels grounded.
As it's set within a fantastical land the reader has never visited, the prose describes the world in great detail. While it lacks brevity, it's written clearly. As easy as following it is, thanks to the amount of text describing the world, it remains a heavy read that takes a while to make your way through. The prose feels inconsistent; while it often hooks the reader by capturing everything in vivid detail, at other times it feels as though it’s merely describing them.
As heavy as the prose is, it's light on dialogue, without much back and forth between the characters. Instead, the dialogue serves its purpose of conveying what needs to be conveyed, while the prose does the rest. While more dialogue might suit some readers, particularly to break up the amount of prose, the relative lack of detailed conversations works. Characters speak because the story needs them to, and these moments are more effective for it. The novel features a broad cast of characters, and all their dialogue flows naturally.
Although the book features many characters, none are lacking. The POV characters all have depth, keeping the reader invested in their arcs. While the POV characters certainly have more depth than minor characters, none fall into cliche; they add layers to the book’s journey.
Although it isn’t billed as the first part of a series, it certainly feels like there’s more story to be told. It comes to a satisfying conclusion, and readers needn’t be wary of reading a book that only tells the first part of the story.
Forged in Dragons’ Breath is sure to entice epic fantasy fans. Quests for magical items aren’t unique, but its presentation entertains, showing why it’s a well-worn trope. While I would have liked some of the prose to add more flourish and the early chapters to move more quickly, it remains a great example of the genre.
My full review is available on my website. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.
Regardless of how stories present them, dragons are an element that permeates much fiction. Forged in Dragons’ Breath is one such book that delights in these creatures. If you’re a fan of them, you’ll no doubt love their inclusion.
While dragons certainly play a part in the story, there is far more to it. At the centre of the book lies the Orb of Power and the Scepter of Might, magical MacGuffins that once combined, will grant their wielder the ultimate power and dominion over the world. The book is an epic fantasy set across the book’s world while focusing on a battle of good versus evil. While questing over magical artefacts isn’t new to the book, its story will entertain anyone who enjoyed reading about the nine rings of power in The Lord of the Rings and its sequels.
The plot is well thought out with plenty of twists and turns. These aren’t telegraphed, but they don’t come out of left field either; they're fitting moments that service the story. The overarching story is incredibly entertaining, but takes a while to get moving. While this is largely thanks to the number of characters and the amount of world building, it means the first couple of hundred pages move slower than I would have liked. As the book continues, the pacing increases and it then moves at a swift pace.
The author’s imagination is on fine display, with him crafting a world that draws the reader in. It feels entirely lived in and believable. It’s a world full of magic and quests, and yet it feels grounded.
As it's set within a fantastical land the reader has never visited, the prose describes the world in great detail. While it lacks brevity, it's written clearly. As easy as following it is, thanks to the amount of text describing the world, it remains a heavy read that takes a while to make your way through. The prose feels inconsistent; while it often hooks the reader by capturing everything in vivid detail, at other times it feels as though it’s merely describing them.
As heavy as the prose is, it's light on dialogue, without much back and forth between the characters. Instead, the dialogue serves its purpose of conveying what needs to be conveyed, while the prose does the rest. While more dialogue might suit some readers, particularly to break up the amount of prose, the relative lack of detailed conversations works. Characters speak because the story needs them to, and these moments are more effective for it. The novel features a broad cast of characters, and all their dialogue flows naturally.
Although the book features many characters, none are lacking. The POV characters all have depth, keeping the reader invested in their arcs. While the POV characters certainly have more depth than minor characters, none fall into cliche; they add layers to the book’s journey.
Although it isn’t billed as the first part of a series, it certainly feels like there’s more story to be told. It comes to a satisfying conclusion, and readers needn’t be wary of reading a book that only tells the first part of the story.
Forged in Dragons’ Breath is sure to entice epic fantasy fans. Quests for magical items aren’t unique, but its presentation entertains, showing why it’s a well-worn trope. While I would have liked some of the prose to add more flourish and the early chapters to move more quickly, it remains a great example of the genre.
My full review is available on my website. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.
September 12, 2023
Great Read
Interesting characters in a immersive world with all fantasy elements you love. I would recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.
Interesting characters in a immersive world with all fantasy elements you love. I would recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews