I read this book a few years back and didn't realize the second in the series was released. Since time had passed I decided to give this a second read to refresh myself on the details before picking up book two.
In short this novel is everything I remembered and more. It is well done with a small but also great world. The magic is not extraordinarily unique or complex, but the way the characters develop to use it is. The story is a fulfilling of a prophecy, but one which we are not fully told about. When a new magic enters the plot with the ability to effect or carry out the prophecy everything has the ability to change. It is this not knowing what will happen, even in a book based on something which we are told is going to happen that makes this story so interesting.
The story starts off slow, but that is something I expect with an epic fantasy. Something about this book being written in German and then converted to English gives it a different feel. It reminds me of old fantasy novels, but with a modern twist. It is hard to place my finger on exactly what it is; something to do with sentence structure, tone, word choice, and pacing. All I can say for sure is I enjoy it, and find it a nice change from modern fantasy.
The characters here are so well done. I can understand how they could come across unfinished by some, but for me it is the opposite. They are quite simple on the surface, but complex at the same time. Through their actions and their reactions to certain situations it is quite easy to understand them and their motives. They start by only reacting to situations and others, but that quickly turns into action and this is when the book really shines. This happens in sync with the plot picking up momentum, and before you know it the book has swept you up and you are being drawn along for the ride.
I can't wait to continue the series, and I fully expect book two to be as good as book one.