In 2500 BC, a blinding light crashes into the sea, shattering the tranquil fishing village of Bodrum. A fisherman stumbles upon a dying, ethereal being on the shore. With its final breath, the creature thrusts a glowing cube, whispering, "Onu koru"—"Protect it."
Over 4000 years later, a young Napoleon Bonaparte's fate intertwines with Anne's, a spirited young girl. When Napoleon gifts her a mysterious pendant, it sets off a chain of events that will echo through time. But two decades later, the tranquil and ordinary lives of individuals are disrupted when a series of extraordinary coincidences reveal hidden secrets and unearth an ancient legacy. A force capable of wielding worlds is awakened, revealing the deep ties that bind their fates.
Amidst chaos and danger, heroes and villains emerge from unlikely places, friendships are shattered by betrayal, and the past, present, and future collide in a cataclysmic showdown that will determine not just their own lives but the fate of the very existence itself.
A rich and intricately woven story with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The prose is smooth and very readable. The characters are varied and compelling, and there are a lot of them. Some are truly despicable, some are honourable and noble, while others are mysterious. While there are a lot of them, none of the characters feel wasted or there for the sake of it. The plot throws in plenty of surprises – just when you think you know what’s coming next, something unexpected happens. This is a promising start to a unique fantasy series, and reads like the kind of fantasy they published in the 80’s and 90’s. The kind of fantasy we need more of.
"Onu koru." These were the words uttered by an alien coming to our shores more than 4000 years ago. A small cube falling from the dying creatures hand.
4000 years later, somewhere near Toulouse in 1793, Napoelon Bonaparte makes an important appearance.
"I will return for you” he says when he is giving Anne, the maiden he fell for, a pendant. Without knowing it, he sets off a chain of events that results in a book I really like.😉
We continue a little bit further in time, to another maiden, Claire, who just wants to experience anything at all. A quiet life she has, indeed.
Finally something happens, she is allowed to a fair in a neighbouring village. Here... well, here is where the book kicks off, really. Friends and foes alike.
As a part of the journey, Claire also meets Gerard and his sons, Richard and Pierrick, as destiny will have it. They truly are at the right place.
I thought it enriching that the author included such a familiar name to set the book off. I find our main characters really likeable, and the depth of intertwined destinies are so well thought out to me. The journey the characters embark on is dangerous, who are the friends, and who are the foes? Will anyone find the pendant?
So this was like nothing I’ve read before, turned out to be quite a unique experience. It’s not the kind of story I usually reach for, but I enjoy mixing things up now and again, and this definitely brought something different to the table. Which was really refreshing!
(No spoilers here!)
The writing is detailed and immersive, with a historical feel woven throughout that gave the story an extra layer of richness. There’s a lot happening in the beginning, which made it a bit harder for me to connect right away but the further I read, the more I appreciated the complexity of the world and its themes.
There are some clever twists and unexpected turns that kept me guessing, and I found the underlying messages about power, control, and becoming a better person really interesting and thought-provoking.
The ending especially caught my attention… it left me wondering if we’re heading toward a two good sisters vs. two bad brothers kind of dynamic in a sequel? If so, I’m intrigued to see where the story goes next!
While this wasn’t the easiest read for me personally, I thoroughly enjoyed reading something so unique! I admire the ambition behind it and think it will resonate with readers who enjoy intelligent, layered plots with a touch of historical depth.
This book masterfully blends historical fiction, a touch of surrealism, and a gripping mystery. A long-lost heirloom connects generations of betrayal, an old prophecy comes back to life, and just when you think you have answers, new questions keep you turning the pages. It’s the kind of story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.