Knight of Endrell: Book One: The Red Empire

by Melvin Bellinger II

“There are those who cannot help themselves to food, water, or peace of mind, mostly among the poor, and I do what I can for those that need it most. All of us myself and the knights. There are children in the streets that are left to die every day, and we come to them to offer hope and let them know that they do not have to die – that their lives are not without value.” Kinai Aminseth.Kinai is a knight trying to keep hope alive in the once agricultural city of Endrell, after its people relinquished their independence in exchange for the rule of the Gisic Empire, otherwise called the Red Empire. It occurred under the overwhelming pressure of war, incited by the undermining threat of invasion, when a foreign emperor branded Endrell’s independence as anarchy. It began as the mission of an altruistic king named, Michamsai, to give freed slaves and former citizens the opportunity to forge their own lives, without one person or party to govern them. Thirteen years after the war, 19 year old Kinai Aminseth sets out with the last of a dying order of knights to somehow end the rule of the Red Empire, and discover what went wrong in the first place. Nevertheless, his first great discovery is that there is so much more that stirs the conflict between King Michamsai and the Gisic Emperor than this little known city called Endrell. Set in a uniquely depicted Medieval Era, Knight of Endrell, Book The Red Empire is a young adult fantasy novel that follows the journey of Kinai Aminseth as he endeavors to unravel the twisted compromise of Endrell’s independence, while discovering how to release its people from their ill-fated captivity. It is a wonderful story steeped in deep lore, hidden magic, and the struggle between an agricultural city and a conquering emperor who despises the idea of mankind living outside of the jurisdiction of a higher power. It directly challenges the much presumed necessity for government, the destructive abuse of religious persuasion, and how those ideas impact the very basic value of life, human or otherwise.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2014

Reviews

[Tai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book has a great potential to be a series. The characters were well described and the setting was amazing and even though it wasn't quite earth it made you feel as if it were. The author brought the reader to to the brink of his/her humanity. Truly a fantasy adventurers story line. I would highly recommend those who love monsters, great fight scenes and the nobility of man vs. self to read this book.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is not the genre that I typically read, I thought this book was very creative. The author is very talented and I think this will make a good series.

[Sil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great premise with classic Good v. Evil overtones. Visceral and creative.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of fantasy and the human fight for survival. Really enjoyed this author's first book and look foward to a series of this adventure.