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Sacrificial Flame
The Wycaan Master never went after the wounded and defeated Emperor. He let his enemy flee and focused instead on creating a free Odessiya and building his dream Wycaan Academy. He settled down to raise a family and build the Wycaan Order anew.
Now the Emperor is back, and even more dangerous than before. He has powerful allies from a shadowy past that Seanchai is oblivious to. The Emperor’s minions threaten from the north and the south: Odessiya has never been so vulnerable.
Worse yet, the Emperor knows how to hurt the Wycaan Master, and he will not hesitate to implement his plan. The stakes are rising, for nothing is more terrifying than a powerful Wycaan father who loses all self-control.
Mharina is no Wycaan like her father or siblings. But she possesses her mother’s warrior spirit and a mysterious power waiting to be released. She needs a teacher who can recognize and understand her dormant magic and help her fulfill her true potential. But Mharina must pay a terrible price for the tuition by sacrificing all she holds so dear.
Now the Emperor is back, and even more dangerous than before. He has powerful allies from a shadowy past that Seanchai is oblivious to. The Emperor’s minions threaten from the north and the south: Odessiya has never been so vulnerable.
Worse yet, the Emperor knows how to hurt the Wycaan Master, and he will not hesitate to implement his plan. The stakes are rising, for nothing is more terrifying than a powerful Wycaan father who loses all self-control.
Mharina is no Wycaan like her father or siblings. But she possesses her mother’s warrior spirit and a mysterious power waiting to be released. She needs a teacher who can recognize and understand her dormant magic and help her fulfill her true potential. But Mharina must pay a terrible price for the tuition by sacrificing all she holds so dear.
488 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2014
About the author
Alon Shalev
14 books122 followersAlon Shalev lives and writes in two worlds. He is the author of three social justice-themed novels and a series of Young Adult Epic Fantasy. He swears there is a connection.
In 2010, while on a family camping trip in Northern California, Shalev began writing an epic fantasy novel to read to his sons around the campfire. Over the next five years, both sons and the ancient redwood forests bore witness to the summoning of the Wycaan Masters.
His first epic fantasy novel, At The Walls Of Galbrieth, won the 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Award - YA Category and was a Grand Prize Finalist. The sequel, The First Decree, was released in March 2013, and there has been a book every year. In September 2015, From Ashes They Rose - Wycaan Master Book 5, was released and Calhei No More, the final book in the series, was released in November 2016. All books are published by Tourmaline Books.
More details of these novels and future projects can be found at the author's website (www.alonshalev.com) and he blogs at www.elfwriter.com.
Shalev's also explores using fiction as a platform for social justice. In 2012 Unwanted Heroes (pub. Three Clover Press) was released. Unwanted Heroes brings together an old, battle-scarred Chinese American war vet and an idealistic and pretentious young Englishmen, who share a love for San Francisco, coffee and wine. They soon discover they share even more when repressed memories bring them together as they find in each other unlikely allies to set themselves free from the tragic past that binds them both.
Other novels include:
A Gardener's Tale: a story of healing of family, land and community, along with a look at the Pagan religion and its time-honored impact upon rural communities.
The Accidental Activist: a fictional account of the astonishing 'McLibel' trial that captivated Britain in the 1990's, a David .v. Goliath court case that highlights the treachery and ruthlessness of the multinational corporations and how the advent of the Internet can curb them, when a few individuals refuse to back down. It is a defense of Freedom of Speech and the acknowledgment of the Internet as a tool for social change.
In 2010, while on a family camping trip in Northern California, Shalev began writing an epic fantasy novel to read to his sons around the campfire. Over the next five years, both sons and the ancient redwood forests bore witness to the summoning of the Wycaan Masters.
His first epic fantasy novel, At The Walls Of Galbrieth, won the 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Award - YA Category and was a Grand Prize Finalist. The sequel, The First Decree, was released in March 2013, and there has been a book every year. In September 2015, From Ashes They Rose - Wycaan Master Book 5, was released and Calhei No More, the final book in the series, was released in November 2016. All books are published by Tourmaline Books.
More details of these novels and future projects can be found at the author's website (www.alonshalev.com) and he blogs at www.elfwriter.com.
Shalev's also explores using fiction as a platform for social justice. In 2012 Unwanted Heroes (pub. Three Clover Press) was released. Unwanted Heroes brings together an old, battle-scarred Chinese American war vet and an idealistic and pretentious young Englishmen, who share a love for San Francisco, coffee and wine. They soon discover they share even more when repressed memories bring them together as they find in each other unlikely allies to set themselves free from the tragic past that binds them both.
Other novels include:
A Gardener's Tale: a story of healing of family, land and community, along with a look at the Pagan religion and its time-honored impact upon rural communities.
The Accidental Activist: a fictional account of the astonishing 'McLibel' trial that captivated Britain in the 1990's, a David .v. Goliath court case that highlights the treachery and ruthlessness of the multinational corporations and how the advent of the Internet can curb them, when a few individuals refuse to back down. It is a defense of Freedom of Speech and the acknowledgment of the Internet as a tool for social change.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 24, 2015
While I will try to keep this review spoiler free, there are three books prior to this so please be prepared to be spoiled on those. The original trilogy took us on the adventure of Seanchai growing into the Wycaan master to face down the evil emperor. We met exciting new races and loved and lost with the protagonists. (Did an author really kill a main character? Could he actually be so realistic about the harsh world of revolution?) Now we have jumped a decade forward as peace has settled across Odessiya and Seanchai has become a father.
There is a complacency forming as Prince Shayth builds a strong united peoples. Elves, dwarves, humans, and pictorians have had time to heal their diversity and develop a place of acceptance and shared knowledge. The Wycaans have increased in population and opened an academy for any wanting to learn. People focus on healing and growing. It's wonderful.
Then the Emperor pops out of some unknown wasteland with a great (new) race the Taragusii. (Seriously Shalev makes up some of the most fascinating species.) We also get to deal with what really makes a villain. Just because they are the antagonist, are they evil? The Taragusii capture children, but they do not harm them and even show some respect. So much thought provocation on the concept of good and evil in these stories.
While the writing is absolutely mind-bending, the editing can cause some serious hiccups and break the imagery a little. These books could be a serious contender in the epic fantasy category of history without those little snags. There are quests, epic journeys, life lessons, villains worthy of the greats, realistic protagonists, and outstandingly developed races. This and the previous three Wycaan master novels are a must read for YA and adults alike. Go visit Shalev's website for great details and where to buy your copy. (And seriously, these books are $2.99 a piece so no excuses to not get a copy.)
There is a complacency forming as Prince Shayth builds a strong united peoples. Elves, dwarves, humans, and pictorians have had time to heal their diversity and develop a place of acceptance and shared knowledge. The Wycaans have increased in population and opened an academy for any wanting to learn. People focus on healing and growing. It's wonderful.
Then the Emperor pops out of some unknown wasteland with a great (new) race the Taragusii. (Seriously Shalev makes up some of the most fascinating species.) We also get to deal with what really makes a villain. Just because they are the antagonist, are they evil? The Taragusii capture children, but they do not harm them and even show some respect. So much thought provocation on the concept of good and evil in these stories.
While the writing is absolutely mind-bending, the editing can cause some serious hiccups and break the imagery a little. These books could be a serious contender in the epic fantasy category of history without those little snags. There are quests, epic journeys, life lessons, villains worthy of the greats, realistic protagonists, and outstandingly developed races. This and the previous three Wycaan master novels are a must read for YA and adults alike. Go visit Shalev's website for great details and where to buy your copy. (And seriously, these books are $2.99 a piece so no excuses to not get a copy.)
January 29, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed it until the end. I wanted the hero and heroine to win the day, but it was a different character. Despite my personal preference, I can hardheartedly recommend the book as a good read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews