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The Lore of DayONE #1
Ivory Sword
The Elfin Emperor rules over multiple Kingdoms of Elves, Centaurs, Dwarves, Syrons, Half-elves, and Humans. One of the Imperial Princes, Morais, hires a lawless band to kidnap his own twin brother. He plans to stage a rescue and gain his father's respect. When an unexpected rebellion threatens to destroy the Empire, he acquires an Ivory Sword, hoping to influence cosmic forces and become the leader destiny requires. As the Empire shakes, Morais must gather allies. However, the kidnappers enter the rebellion and he now fears a fraternal confrontation when his twin discovers the kidnapping plot. While he procrastinates, deadly intrigues disrupt all the Kingdoms. He therefore must lure the politically impotent Humans and Syrons into an alliance. Ensuing battles with astounding, unworldly enemies might induce him to abandon his self-indulgent scheming so he can protect his father's throne.
- GenresFantasy
547 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2005
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 31, 2007
Come, and be transported into a world of alien intrigue, mystery, and politics.
The Ivory Sword of the title was a gift, given to both Prince Morais. and to his twin brother, Ils, by a Fishmonger who prophesied that the two Elves would share the sword. Ils (decreed the elder of the twins by their father, King Solay, Emperor of the Liosdoackfar (Mountain Elves) Empire) has possession of the sword.
As the story opens, Morais, wanting recognition from his father, arranges with thugs to kidnap his brother, so that he could go to the rescue, and thereby earn respect from King Solay.
Unfortunately, this plan goes awry as a battle with Fay and Swan Knights, led by King Ceagare, King of the River and Sea Elves and King Solay's vassal (and son-in-law), leaves Morais's father and brothers dead, and his twin, Ils, a prisoner. Ceagare wants the throne, and this ill-conceived plot was the impetus for his try at the throne. Morais rides off after his brother's kidnappers.
This stirring scene, resplendent with the guilty conscience of Morais, begins his journey to both rescue Ils, and to prove his worth as the new Champion to the Throne. He does not, has never wanted, to be king. He never wanted this to get out of hand.
Events spiral beyond his control and the Elf Prince, Morais, gathers companions along the journey to rescue his brother, each with his or her own reasons for allying themselves with him and his cause.
Morais sort of ends up with the sword. It's shrouded in mystery, and it seems to disappear, only to reappear at odd intervals. He has it for an initial defense, but it vanishes like an enigma, only to turn up again at the strangest times.
Will Morais solve the mystery of the Ivory Sword? Will he succeed in his quest, to save his brother and, perhaps, avenge his father's death? Will Morais's adopted emblem, the White Rose triumph over the equally enigmatic emblem of the Black Rose, the symbol for the Spectral Dragoons who stole his brother away, and killed his father and younger brother on the battlefield, along with Ceagare?
This world is a rich tapestry of many races--Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, Syrons, and others--a few of whom join the Prince in his quest, all with a single cause: to rescue, or revenge, their loved ones. This is the first book in the series and, as I came to its end, I found myself looking forward to the second book in the series.
The prologue, and the epilogue, are separate from the main story; yet, they are important to the story, overall, and not to be skipped.
The Lore of the DayONE comes from a game called DayONE or Day One. They created the game and the people in the acknowledgment play tested. The game generated some of the characters in the book. The teenage daughter of one of the authors created the Syrons.
* A. A. Wolfner is a pen name for Alan Vekich and Art Kessner.
The Ivory Sword of the title was a gift, given to both Prince Morais. and to his twin brother, Ils, by a Fishmonger who prophesied that the two Elves would share the sword. Ils (decreed the elder of the twins by their father, King Solay, Emperor of the Liosdoackfar (Mountain Elves) Empire) has possession of the sword.
As the story opens, Morais, wanting recognition from his father, arranges with thugs to kidnap his brother, so that he could go to the rescue, and thereby earn respect from King Solay.
Unfortunately, this plan goes awry as a battle with Fay and Swan Knights, led by King Ceagare, King of the River and Sea Elves and King Solay's vassal (and son-in-law), leaves Morais's father and brothers dead, and his twin, Ils, a prisoner. Ceagare wants the throne, and this ill-conceived plot was the impetus for his try at the throne. Morais rides off after his brother's kidnappers.
This stirring scene, resplendent with the guilty conscience of Morais, begins his journey to both rescue Ils, and to prove his worth as the new Champion to the Throne. He does not, has never wanted, to be king. He never wanted this to get out of hand.
Events spiral beyond his control and the Elf Prince, Morais, gathers companions along the journey to rescue his brother, each with his or her own reasons for allying themselves with him and his cause.
Morais sort of ends up with the sword. It's shrouded in mystery, and it seems to disappear, only to reappear at odd intervals. He has it for an initial defense, but it vanishes like an enigma, only to turn up again at the strangest times.
Will Morais solve the mystery of the Ivory Sword? Will he succeed in his quest, to save his brother and, perhaps, avenge his father's death? Will Morais's adopted emblem, the White Rose triumph over the equally enigmatic emblem of the Black Rose, the symbol for the Spectral Dragoons who stole his brother away, and killed his father and younger brother on the battlefield, along with Ceagare?
This world is a rich tapestry of many races--Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, Syrons, and others--a few of whom join the Prince in his quest, all with a single cause: to rescue, or revenge, their loved ones. This is the first book in the series and, as I came to its end, I found myself looking forward to the second book in the series.
The prologue, and the epilogue, are separate from the main story; yet, they are important to the story, overall, and not to be skipped.
The Lore of the DayONE comes from a game called DayONE or Day One. They created the game and the people in the acknowledgment play tested. The game generated some of the characters in the book. The teenage daughter of one of the authors created the Syrons.
* A. A. Wolfner is a pen name for Alan Vekich and Art Kessner.
June 20, 2011
The "Ivory Sword" is the 1st book in a new Epic Fantasy Series, "The Lore of DayONE". It is not an easy book and reminds me somewhat of "Dune" in that it drops the reader into the midst of a complex world, populated by congeries of sentient species all with varying doses of Natural Will (nature, instinct, deterministic) and Free Will (volition, subjective, learned, indeterministic), with strange names and sub-species which are difficult to remember on first reading. Along with this is a complex history and mythology which one must learn along the way. I have read this once for the experience. It will take re-readings to fully grok this world, as further volumes are published. Glossaries help this process, but appendices in the Tolkien style and maps are really needed at some point in this series.
The individuals are likable each in their own way and each reminds one of a part of himself. I found myself identifying with each character in part. One senses Jungian archetypes being built, in the characters, the mysterious 'divinities' and their eyes and mouths, the ravens with varying colored tails, but one cannot quite grasp onto them- yet. The hooks to hang the data on are only just being forged. The story gradually unfolds as the abilities and biases of the characters become apparent. I sense that the characterizations are far more important than the story-telling itself and that the story is a means to cause the characters to explore their own Free/Natural Will and to forge their own paths and ethical senses in their lives, rather than the story being an end in itself.
This book can be read and enjoyed as common escapist fantasy. But it works on many levels and is well worth thinking about in relation to oneself and one's philosophies. It may well change your perspectives about the nature of being. I will re-read each book as new ones in the series are published if an only if they are properly edited.
The "Lore of DayONE" has the potential to be among a good Epic Fantasy. We will just have to wait for he authors to discover their world and characters that inhabit it. The main criticism I have is that I feel the book needs a good editor. Indeed, on the copyright page is an heretofore unseen statement, "At the specific preference of the author, PublishAmerica allowed this work to remain exactly as the author intended, verbatim, without editorial input." The book could have read more smoothly. It was and agony in a lot of places to get thru a paragraph.
The individuals are likable each in their own way and each reminds one of a part of himself. I found myself identifying with each character in part. One senses Jungian archetypes being built, in the characters, the mysterious 'divinities' and their eyes and mouths, the ravens with varying colored tails, but one cannot quite grasp onto them- yet. The hooks to hang the data on are only just being forged. The story gradually unfolds as the abilities and biases of the characters become apparent. I sense that the characterizations are far more important than the story-telling itself and that the story is a means to cause the characters to explore their own Free/Natural Will and to forge their own paths and ethical senses in their lives, rather than the story being an end in itself.
This book can be read and enjoyed as common escapist fantasy. But it works on many levels and is well worth thinking about in relation to oneself and one's philosophies. It may well change your perspectives about the nature of being. I will re-read each book as new ones in the series are published if an only if they are properly edited.
The "Lore of DayONE" has the potential to be among a good Epic Fantasy. We will just have to wait for he authors to discover their world and characters that inhabit it. The main criticism I have is that I feel the book needs a good editor. Indeed, on the copyright page is an heretofore unseen statement, "At the specific preference of the author, PublishAmerica allowed this work to remain exactly as the author intended, verbatim, without editorial input." The book could have read more smoothly. It was and agony in a lot of places to get thru a paragraph.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews