Truth or Darkness

The Afterworld #1

by Craig Aird

It was the only truth the Gods feared…
Beyond the living world, a dark secret is kept from humanity. Demons guard the bridge to heaven, and cast the souls of everyone that dies to fire and ash. A group of immortal mages fight a shadow war to destroy the demons, but at a great cost to themselves and those around them.
Within the valley of an ancient crater, the city of Elrancia is built upon the greed of kings and the blood of its people. It is a cauldron of chaos embroiled in a vicious holy war enacted by vagabond high priest, Vladnar. He searches for the Necromanex, a powerful text written by the mages.
Leoh is a young merchant struggling with his father’s disappearance and his own inner demons. When Vladnar accuses him of hiding the Necromanex, he is chased across Elrancia in search of the reason why. With religious zealots, assassins, and powerful mages after him, Leoh fights not just to save his life in this world, but his soul in the next.

Genres: Fantasy

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2018

Reviews

[Aria Nocturne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, interesting and imaginative. I enjoyed the authors pacing and the cost of magic was something I hadn't seen before. Good book.

[Karen Ogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught me by surprise. It packs a punch for being a debut and is filled to the brim with action. The multiple POV works well and even though it is a quick read, there is plenty depth to the characters. I had Polanski’s low town in mind for the setting, but it’s shown throw the eyes of strikingly different characters that add their own perspective.

The magic system was interesting and original with characters losing their memory in exchange for power.

There were a few moments where I wished the author spent more time world building, but the plot and character building was strong.

Pretty exciting read. Interesting characters. Can’t wait for book 2.

[Lachlan Hosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth or Darkness is a fast paced, gripping tale of a young man called Leoh and his struggle with his past, that comes to shape the man he will become, in his life and the next. The distinct dark and murky writing style, reminisce of Mark Lawrence, sweeps you up in Leoh's dark journey in search of the ancient tome that details the path to the afterlife. His three unlikely companions find they share common enemies and a common goal in the tome, but each is willing to step on the others to claim the book for themselves. Great read.