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The Relicant Chronicles #1
Bones of Empire
Long ago, Ritakhou was a flourishing empire filled with light, life, and magic. Then came the Schism.Now the kingdom is called Rimbaku and is a pale shadow of its former self, a land stripped of its glory and its power. The only magic left comes from aitachi, the Relicant Touch - the ability to absorb skills and memories by consuming the bones of the dead.
Rimbaku's enemies are circling, testing the nation's borders. They know the empire is weak and are determined to push it over the edge, and then strip its bones as it has done to its dead for so long.
Meanwhile, the brothers Kagiri and Noniki set out from their small village with a handful of aishone and a great deal of hope. They soon find the world a bigger, darker place than they imagined and are forced to accept a dangerous proposal, one that will put both of them at risk for not only their lives but their very souls - and that may change the Relicant Empire forever.
This is the first book in The Relicant Chronicles, an exciting fantasy series from international bestselling author Aaron Rosenberg, who brings his characteristic flair and world-building to this thrilling new fantasy series.“Memorable characters in a vivid world full of adventure and magic!” —Gail Z. Martin, award-winning author of A Novel of Darkhurst
Rimbaku's enemies are circling, testing the nation's borders. They know the empire is weak and are determined to push it over the edge, and then strip its bones as it has done to its dead for so long.
Meanwhile, the brothers Kagiri and Noniki set out from their small village with a handful of aishone and a great deal of hope. They soon find the world a bigger, darker place than they imagined and are forced to accept a dangerous proposal, one that will put both of them at risk for not only their lives but their very souls - and that may change the Relicant Empire forever.
This is the first book in The Relicant Chronicles, an exciting fantasy series from international bestselling author Aaron Rosenberg, who brings his characteristic flair and world-building to this thrilling new fantasy series.“Memorable characters in a vivid world full of adventure and magic!” —Gail Z. Martin, award-winning author of A Novel of Darkhurst
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2018
8 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Rosenberg
233 books117 followersAaron Rosenberg is an award-winning, bestselling novelist, children’s book author, and game designer. He's written original fiction (including the NOOK-bestselling humorous science fiction novel No Small Bills, the Dread Remora space-opera series, and the O.C.L.T. supernatural thriller series), tie-in novels (including the PsiPhi winner Collective Hindsight for Star Trek: SCE, the Daemon Gates trilogy for Warhammer, Tides of Darkness and the Scribe-nominated Beyond the Dark Portal for WarCraft, Hunt and Run for Stargate: Atlantis, and Substitution Method and Road Less Traveled for Eureka), young adult novels (including the Scribe-winning Bandslam: The Novel and books for iCarly and Ben10), children's books (including an original Scholastic Bestseller series, Pete and Penny's Pizza Puzzles, and work for PowerPuff Girls and Transformers Animated), roleplaying games (including original games like Asylum and Spookshow, the Origins Award-winning Gamemastering Secrets, and sections of The Supernatural Roleplaying Game, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, and The Deryni Roleplaying Game), short stories, webcomics, essays, and educational books. He has ranged from mystery to speculative fiction to drama to comedy, always with the same intent—to tell a good story. You can visit him online at gryphonrose.com or follow him on Twitter @gryphonrose.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 27, 2019
And epic in every sense of the word. Wonderful world building, great characters, and a nice twist on fantasy magic. Well done!
I'll be picking up the second book in this series as soon as it hits the shelf.
I'll be picking up the second book in this series as soon as it hits the shelf.
February 15, 2022
This is an epic fantasy that follows many characters. There is even a list of characters at the front of the book to help keep them straight. The world is a bit like ancient Japan and incorporates a lot of Japanese-sounding words. I got used to them after awhile, but there is a glossary at the end of the book. It was the çast of characters I sometimes had to pause to think about when they reappeared. They don't seem to have much in common, at least in this book, and one character that we spent a lot of time getting to know doesn't appear to have survived the book!
The dominant culture in this world lives off the knowledge, skills, and accomplishments of one's ancestors. This is accomplished by consuming the bones of the dead. The knowledge or skills don't last though, so this has to be repeated over and over. Alternatively, one can buy or steal the bones of others to obtain skills, power, or money. Those who are unable to absorb the skills or knowledge of the dead are outcasts who aren't considered fit for even menial labor. It's an interesting world to explore, and I liked some of the characters, but there were some whose stories seemed irrelevant to the overall narrative. I also felt there were too many typos.
The dominant culture in this world lives off the knowledge, skills, and accomplishments of one's ancestors. This is accomplished by consuming the bones of the dead. The knowledge or skills don't last though, so this has to be repeated over and over. Alternatively, one can buy or steal the bones of others to obtain skills, power, or money. Those who are unable to absorb the skills or knowledge of the dead are outcasts who aren't considered fit for even menial labor. It's an interesting world to explore, and I liked some of the characters, but there were some whose stories seemed irrelevant to the overall narrative. I also felt there were too many typos.
April 18, 2020
A multi-POV epic fantasy with an Asian flair. The magic-based system takes ancestor worship a step beyond. When you eat the powdered remains of your relatives, you may gain some of their abilities. How quickly, how long, and how completely depends on a person's natural abilities.
This is clearly the first book of a longer series, introducing the world, the point-of-view characters, and setting up the situation.
I mixed up two of the women POV characters a couple of times, but eventually I got them straight in my head.
Great defining of magic and great plot setup. But it is only the setup - whether this is a great series will depend on Book 2.
This is clearly the first book of a longer series, introducing the world, the point-of-view characters, and setting up the situation.
I mixed up two of the women POV characters a couple of times, but eventually I got them straight in my head.
Great defining of magic and great plot setup. But it is only the setup - whether this is a great series will depend on Book 2.
February 6, 2022
An intriguing high fantasy feel with a different plot. No great beast to slay, no prophecy to fulfill. This kingdom simply has been relying on the skills of its ancestors without the need to develop skills of their own, and the deterioration of the kingdom is showing.
Following a myriad of characters whose paths likely cross (though I haven't seen it all yet) keeps the intrigue high, and the magic system is both concrete, yet varied, allowing for a vast variety of possibilities.
Following a myriad of characters whose paths likely cross (though I haven't seen it all yet) keeps the intrigue high, and the magic system is both concrete, yet varied, allowing for a vast variety of possibilities.
September 25, 2024
Rosenberg does a good job of distinguishing between multiple POVs. You get a good sense of who each character is. However, it is largely set up for events that will pay off later in the series. As such, the quality of this book is dependent on the sequels sticking the landing.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews