Rebirth

Divinity's Twilight #1

by Christopher Russell

A world consumed by war . . .

An ancient evil resurrected . . .

A millennia old bargain comes due . . .

When two blades clash, the third will fall, and the fate of all will be jeopardized. To save Lozaria, the failures of the past must be atoned for by a new generation of heroes. The time has come for mortals to cast off sight and, in doing so, truly come to see . . .

Victory is never absolute.

Seven centuries ago, the forces of order won the Illyriite War on the plains of Har'muth. Darmatus and Rabban Aurelian slew their elder brother, Sarcon, the despotic architect of the conflict, then sacrificed themselves to banish the cataclysmic vortex opened with his dying breath. The first advent of the Oblivion Well was thwarted. Even without their vanished gods, the seven races of Lozaria proved themselves capable of safeguarding their world.

Or so the story goes.

The year is now 697 A.B.H (After the Battle of Har'muth). Though war itself remains much the same, the weapons with which it is waged have evolved. Airships bearing powerful cannons ply the skies, reducing the influence of mages and their spells. Long range communication has brought far flung regions of Lozaria closer than ever before. At the center of this technological revolution are the three Terran states of Darmatia, Rabban, and Sarconia, who have fought a near ceaseless campaign of 700 years in an attempt to best each other. The roots of their enmity lie buried beneath the wasteland of Har'muth, a place all three nations consider best forgotten.

However, an ancient power sealed within Har'muth has not forgotten them, and the descendants of those who fought on that field must now take a stand to rectify the mistakes of the past.

—Winner of the American Fiction Award for Best Epic Fantasy of 2021

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Steampunk, Science Fiction, Magic, High Fantasy, Fiction

464 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2020

About the author

I'm Christopher Russell, a weaver of words and the wondrous worlds that spring from them. I might also be a fan of alliteration.

My gripping epic fantasy series, Divinity's Twilight, follows a band of military cadets torn from their peaceful lives when a tragic failure by their ancestors, a mistake seven centuries old, dredges itself from an all too shallow grave. Book one, Divinity's Twilight: Rebirth, is currently available from all major retailers. Book two is set to release in February or March of 2022.

Sample chapters from the novel and assorted short stories are available at the "Free Reads" tab of my website (christopherrussellauthor.com)--and check out the rest of my site for setting details, character previews, new projects, and more.

About The Author

Christopher Russell (native of Williamsburg, VA) is a 28-year-old mechanical and aerospace engineer (graduate of the University of Virginia) who has loved reading since the day he picked up a book and writing since he could scrawl his first letters. After voraciously consuming titles from every genre—ranging from Star Wars to Lord of the Rings—he decided to combine the expertise from his professional education, passions, and Christian faith into a fantasy epic bridging the gap between magic and science. He currently resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his loyal dog, Vallen, named after the protagonist of his first work. For behind-the-scenes information on all of Christopher Russell’s works, visit christopherrussellauthor.com.

Reviews

[Petrik · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars

This was good, an ambitious SFF debut to what I foresee will be a large series.

Due to my TBR pile that continues to exponentially grow uncontrollably, I have to say that I rarely accept an ARC/review copy from an unknown author these days. My gut, however, told me to accept the request to review Christopher Russell’s debut, Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth, and I’m glad I gave this one a go. I mean, how could I say no when Russell himself said that he’s a huge fan of The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson; the inspirations from that epic series was evident in his debut.

“The road to Oblivion is paved with good intentions.”

Rebirth starts off with a bang. I can’t remember when was the last time I read a prologue that lasted for 45 pages long; this prologue shows the truth behind the Illyrian War in Har’muth between Darmatus, Rabban, and Sarcon. The prologue, though slightly too long to be called a prologue, was executed magnificently. The event and aftermath of the battle of Har’muth became a solid foundation in which the main story takes place 697 years after the Battle. The setting, theology, and religions are all built based on the ideology that the three brothers who fought in that war had. Rabban believed that technology would lead to progress and prosperity necessary for peace; Darmatus believed that trust and understanding would bring peace; Sarcon believed that only strength and dominance could force peace upon the world. The respective followers of these three brothers that weren’t at the battle of Har’muth continue to strengthen their distinct guiding principle; hence causing almost 700 years of conflict.

“Some philosopher or another had once remarked that “it was lonely at the top.” Truer word had never been spoken. A merchant puts away his abacus and books and becomes a normal man. A pilot might exit his ship and return home to his ordinary family. But an emperor? An emperor is defined by his occupation. Everyone everywhere knows who you are at all times. There is no escape, your fate inextricably tied to the title you have now obtained.”

Although the story was predictable, there’s still a lot to appreciate in Rebirth. As shown in the prologue, Russell excels at writing history and flashback sequences; I personally think ALL the flashback scenes—prologue included—were the best parts of this debut, and I do wish there will be more to come in the sequels. I loved the prologue, Part 1, and several sections in Part 3 of the novel, but unfortunately, I have to also admit that I struggled through reading most of the action scenes. I wouldn’t call the action sequences poorly written, there was some excess of words, but the combination of magic and sci-fi that worked is something I always appreciate in my reads. Most of my nitpicks came from Russell’s decision to plunge the main characters into big confrontations before prioritizing the characterizations first, which is a bit of a shame because, in my opinion, Russel is really good at establishing character’s background through well-executed flashbacks. The characterizations and the character’s development came in Part 3 of the novel, and there’s nothing wrong with doing this; it’s just my preference to read about the characterizations first so I care about their lives—especially in a high fantasy series—before they engage in big action scenes. Excluding the three brothers from the prologue, Matteo, Vallen, Sylette, and Velle were characters I ended up caring but I definitely preferred I cared about them sooner than later.

“…kindness breaks this cycle of despair. By aiding others—regardless of what they’ve done, or the acts they’ve committed, and without expecting anything in return—we show them that there’s still good in this world. That there’s still hope for a better tomorrow. And, though it may sound hollow since it’s just me saying this, if enough of these tiny acts of kindness pile up, we really can change the world.”

Overall, though, despite a few minor issues, I do believe that Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth is a well-executed SFF debut. The combination of magic, fantasy, and technology was executed wonderfully. Rebirth definitely felt like a foundational volume to an ambitious series; the world-building and the characters have been established by the end of this book, and I foresee the series will only improve from here on out.

“The steward’s tired eyes sparkled at seeing his dearest companions, the stories and accounts, true and fictional, with which he’d shared countless hours. To the world, he was a middle-of-the-road politican, a nearly eighty-year-old man who let the winds of the world move him without ever takng a hard stance. But here he was an eternal student, a being of insatiable curiosity who could always learn more, no matter how many years passed him by.”

You can order the book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository (Free shipping)

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions

Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!

My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Devin, Hamad, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Zoe.

[Andrews WizardlyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say other than I loved this fantasy debut! I personally feel this is an undiscovered gem in the SFF community. Fans of Sanderson Cosmere are in for a surprise. I truly think that Russell has captured the FEEL of that easily digestible prose while elevating it and making it his own.

The PROS of this story are many. Great action sequences, lore, and world-building, awesome mix of fantasy and steampunk plus dynamic characters even if they can be incredibly hard-headed at times. Rebirth feels like the start of an incredible journey.

CONS super long prologue that is balanced out by being action-packed. A couple like
Minded incredibly hard-headed characters that I think will grow as the series progresses. Flashback chapters that fill out the backstory. These particular chapters are enjoyable to read but require time away from the main story.

Overall I am so happy to have read this story with a great magic system and already a ton of lore to explore!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

rounding it up to 4 impressive stars

'A story needn't be complex for its message to be profound.'

And yet, Rebirth is both. This SFF debut is both incredibly ambitious and complex, intricate and profound. The tale in itself is predictable - standard war story and recruits thrust smack down in the middle of a conflict that will either make or break them. But this is where predictability pretty much ends and complexity begins.



The novel opens with an impressive battle scene- the Illyriite War on the plains of Har'muth where the forces of order led by two brothers - Darmatus and Rabban Aurelian - fight against those of their elder brother, Sarcon. Darmatus and Rabban end up sacrificing themselves to banish a cataclysmic vortex opened with Sarcon's dying breath, thus thwarting the first advent of the Oblivion Well.
Or so the story goes.

700 years later, war is still waging on Lozaria and at its very center are the three Terran states of Darmatia, Rabban, and Sarconia. On a ceaseless campaign to best each other, each of these empires follow into the footsteps set by the three brothers. The state of Rabban develops the best technology since their ancestor had been convinced it would lead to progress and peace; the state of Darmatus tries to achieve the same prosperity and peace through trust and understanding; while the empire of Sarcon seeks to conquer and dominate - of course for the noble purpose of forcing peace onto the world.

'The road to Oblivion is paved with good intentions.'

And just when you were given a solid insight into this complex conflict and downright impressive world, you are introduced to a whole new cast of young protagonists. Matteo, Vallen, Velle, Leon, Lilith, Sylette, Unter, and Renar. Each of them different from the other and representing the different races of Lozaria, they need to not only accept each other but also work together to foil the plans of a returned Sarcon. Each and every one of these new characters comes with a beautifully fleshed out backstory that complements and enhances both context and setting as a whole. Their individual threads are wonderfully interwoven and slowly built upon, changing before the reader's eyes.

Rebirth starts with a pretty big bang in the form of perhaps the lengthiest prologue I've ever encountered. And yet, despite being lengthy, it is beautifully executed and provides a solid base for the rest of the tale. From there on the story picks up and is wonderfully paced making the pages fly by. History and flashback sequences seamlessly combine with action, magic and sci-fi battle scenes, all of it very cinematic and wonderfully done. And don't even get me started on that mix of magic and technology, fantasy and sci-fi - absolutely brilliant!

Intricate word-building and fascinating cultures serve as background for a tale with all the makings of an amazingly detailed and fabulous sprawling series. Food for thought included.

'...why do men fight?
'Because we're all protecting different dreams.
'Exactly. We fight because you are you and I am me. What I cherish is not what you cherish, and what I cherish may require what you cherish to fall by the wayside. For my dream to be realized, it may be necessary for your dream to be crushed. And when one individual refuses to let another destroy the dream that means more to him than his very life, conflict is born.'

There are many praise-worthy things in this daring debut. Depth and motivations, races and setting, the magi-tech system and political intrigue, each and every single one of them wonderfully represented.
Then why the 4 stars you will ask?
Because as much as I love all of the above, I found the characters lacking. Partly because they were introduced pretty late and their development delayed till the last third of the book. And partly because they seem a little bit driven to the extreme. Both pitch black and blinding white, but drawn in such a way that the extremes didn't really connect. Which, in turn, made it impossible for me, as a reader, to connect. There is room left for improvement and each and every one of them grew and changed by the end of the book. And yet, that wasn't quite enough for me.

That being said, Rebirth lays the foundation for a superb story. Daring, ambitious and very well executed, it sets a pretty high bar for future volumes and I am looking forward to the sequel.

If you love complex epic fantasy with a brilliant mix of magic and technology, superb word-building peppered with great food-for-thought, Rebirth would be the perfect choice.
Give it a try and you won't be disappointed.

Happy reading Bookdragons
and always remember...

'…kindness breaks this cycle of despair. By aiding others—regardless of what they’ve done, or the acts they’ve committed, and without expecting anything in return—we show them that there’s still good in this world. That there’s still hope for a better tomorrow. And, though it may sound hollow since it’s just me saying this, if enough of these tiny acts of kindness pile up, we really can change the world.'

Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

100% spoiler free

"Time passes, but the actors and their actions are merely replayed from age to age."

The story opens up and we are thrown into an ongoing war, between two brothers and their allies against a third brother. This all takes place 697 years before the events of the story happen. It sets the stage while giving us a history of a of the power and destruction of said third brother.

Fast forward to the present time and the land of Lozaria is still at war, the states/kingdoms of Darmatia, Rabban, and Sarconia named for the three brothers, at the center.

Rebirth is the first book in a epic fantasy series Divinity's Twilight by debut author Christopher Russell. It is the start of what will be a much longer story arc. Like many epic fantasy's the first book is the info dump. The world building, the character introduction and magic systems while the plot is being set up to follow us through out the rest of the books.

This particular book is mix of the traditional epic fantasy and science fiction, more so steampunkish. From fly airships, to the magetec. With a lot of attention on war.

There is a large cast of characters, that once we get finished with the prologue we get introduced to. I have some favorites. Spunky Sylette, fearful Matteo and egotistical Vallen to name a few.

I really like the different magic systems in this book, from sensory to weapon shifting.

The over all story kept my attention, I'm so very interested to know more. But I can't lie I found my mind drifting during some of the battle scenes, which made me place the book down for a moment. And by me saying this has zero reflection of the book it's self, because there are others who probably loved each moment. I personally think they could have been cut a little shorter, the prologue alone was longer then most. With that being said, it was well written and you can tell that the author put a lot of time and heart into this story, which is a great story with the potential to be an even greater series. Which is precisely why I kept on picking it back up. For me, and I'm just speaking about me, this is a book that needs to be savored, like a fine wine not sucked back like shot of whiskey.

If I was to compare Rebirth to another author, it would be Mr. Brandon Sanderson. I also savor his books to. So Christopher Russel you're in good company.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded to 4

https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/09...

Rebirth was a really interesting book to read. Different than I expected, with a unique world that is set up in a way that allows it to stick out from other epic fantasy out there. With air ships and technology and the like, the face of war has changed, and Russell explores these changes and their impacts throughout to book in his carefully woven story.

The prologue drops you right into the action. In about 50 pages, we are shown a historical time in which a battle rages between three brothers. There are sacrifices and a lot of pain in a battle that pits good against evil. It’s gripping, and real, with brilliantly done character moments and action. And I will say this is both a positive and a negative, as I got so invested in this lengthy prologue and the characters in it, that when it’s over and we flip to about 700 years in the future and none of those characters I liked were present anymore, I felt a bit of whiplash.

Where Russell really shines is his pacing and world building. There was never a dull moment. The book moved forward at a steady, almost relentless clip. I wasn’t ever bored, and I was interested in where the story was going, as well as where it had been. A big reason for that is because the world building was incredible. Russell packs so much detail into his world, it truly comes to life as you read. And it’s different enough from other epic fantasy out there, I was genuinely fascinated in what he’d created and how he’d done it. Not just the world as it is presented, but all of the history and conflict in it as well.

Russell has a way with writing that keeps the reader engaged and wanting to read the next page, and the page after that. There’s always something exciting happening, something going on somewhere that I want to know more about. Though I will say, sometimes the book felt a bit too wordy, quality of the prose sacrificed for pacing (this is a personal bugaboo of mine), however, the sheer relentless nature of the movement of the story kept me engaged, no matter what.

The world itself is split into three different empires: Darmatia, Sarcon, and Rabban, named after the three brothers you’ll meet in the prologue. Each empire has its own distinct personality and ruling style, and each empire exists in a constant war with all the others. This conflict, which has spanned centuries, has become part of the identity of the people who live in these empires, and it’s fascinating and so interesting how Russell has captivated that part of the human experience. There’s a lot of political intrigue, and the interesting evolution of technology has added another layer of complications to the world and the people who inhabit it.

The story is told through numerous points of view, all of them carefully crafted and chosen for their unique position to give readers a different perspective on what is going on. They all fit together well and show numerous sides of the conflict that is taking place, giving me both a window into the world itself, and an understanding of the complexities involved. Furthermore, I truly loved how Russell added some quieter moments that pulled characters together. I enjoyed the bonds of friendship and camaraderie formed, which balanced out these bolder action scenes with personal moments that were just as compelling as anything else taking place.

I will say, I think characterization might be where Russell struggles a bit. I think this also might have been sacrificed in favor of plot and action. The characters never really reached below surface level for me, though there is a lot of potential for that. There were a lot of character tropes I felt had been recycled, resulting in individuals that didn’t really feel unique enough to match the world itself. That being said, this is the first book in a series and I fully expect Russell to build upon what he’s developed here, which, while flawed, shouldn’t be seen as terrible, just not up to the caliber of his world building.

While I do have some criticisms, I really need to pit them against the fact that Rebirth really was a lot of fun. I loved every minute I spent reading it. Maybe it wasn’t groundbreaking, but the series absolutely has potential to be groundbreaking. The world is a unique blend of technology/steampunk/epic that really worked for me. The pacing was relentless, and the world was fantastically crafted. The cliffhanger ending promises more excitement in future installments. Russell has a strong foundation upon which to build the rest of his series.

I can’t wait to see where he takes me next.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Three kingdoms, with vastly different ideologies, reign, reflecting the three brothers who provided the inspiration for the founding theologies of each. The kingdoms they left behind do not get along, fighting for control of the continent or their own safety; the Sarconians, in particular, wish to conquer. When an ancient evil from the time of the three brothers reappears and takes a side, it greatly affects the entire world. Death and destruction follow, ushering in a dark era like so many others sought to prevent several hundred years ago.

The world-building in this book is extremely impressive. Masterfully done, it transports the readers to a world where magic and science work together in harmony. Society functions thanks to both new and improving technologies as well as magic. The author does a wonderful job of blending the two to create weapons, transportation, combat techniques, etc. If you need any assistance keeping track of things, there are some very helpful resources in the back of the book for reference!

There is a wide cast of characters in this book. The reader switches back and forth from the perspectives of various characters as the story moves along. Sometimes a perspective is introduced seemingly at random only for it to fit into the story later. I really enjoyed getting the hear the thoughts of several of the characters as the story moved on—some of the thoughts they have are very interesting! One of the good characters has an intense internal struggle regarding their past and desire for revenge at times and another is a coward trying to find a way past their fear and take a stand for something. The main characters are really a ragtag bunch and I enjoyed watching their attempts to get along and survive together. Watching them grow as the story progressed was also a cool thing to see! A lot of the other perspectives from other characters were also entertaining, though I shall refrain from mentioning names to prevent from spoiling things for future readers!

Ultimately, I was blown away by this book! From the sheer impressiveness of the world and everything in it, to the variety of characters, to the storyline itself, this book takes the reader on a journey like no other. I loved embarking on this journey with the characters, and it was truly an enjoyable experience! For readers who love a good epic fantasy or beautiful and extensive world-building, this book is definitely something you should grab a copy of!

[Holly (The GrimDragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars~

"Stone went soaring through the air, doing more damage than the primary collision as shrapnel shredded flesh and hunks of granite crushed armor and bone. Since the shields directed the debris upwards, most of these casualties were still among the Terran ranks, who couldn't defend themselves from the sudden hail. Kanar'kren covered Darmatus and Rabban with his own shields, mouthing an apology that went unheard as sharp splinters plinked against the upraised metal. When the vicious rain finally stopped, all that remained of the Pyrevants was an ashen pall mixed with floating illyrium dust."

Divinity's Twilight is the debut novel, and first in a projected six book series, from Christopher Russell.

The gorgeous cover by Christian McGrath and designed by Chris Treccani gave me all the vibes! It's honestly why I signed up for this particular book tour. McGrath is seriously one of my favorite cover artists working today!

This beast of a book begins with a rollicking prologue that extends nearly 45 pages. AND I BLOODY LOVED IT! I am not one of those people opposed to prologues, not at all. GIVE ME ALL THE PROLOGUES & EPILOGUES THANKYOUVERYMUCH!

Ahem.

That is to say, Russell's prologue is beautifully executed. The rest of the novel? It's a promising start to what feels like a fascinating, ambitious new series!

Telling the story of Darmatus, Rabban and Sarcon three Aurelian brothers who are at odds, Divinity's Twilight starts on the battlefields of the Illyrian War in Har’muth. Action abounds!

Jumping ahead 697 years after the events which unfold in the prologue, the main story is shaped and molded into what it is because of what transpired between the feuding brothers. Their ancestors are continuing the fight, divided into separate kingdoms that follow in the theologies set before them. Inspired by each leader - The Sarconian Empire, The Rabban Imperium and Kingdom of Darmatia, believe in wildly different world views, including that of religion, politics, technology and magic.

Bridging the gap from the background story to a more modern setting, the reader is introduced to a new group of characters that offer plenty of variety. Matteo, Vallen, Sylette, Lilith, Renar, Velle and the Sylph. Did I miss someone? I may have missed someone. There are a lot of characters to keep straight! I don't mind a large cast of characters, but too many POV's can overwhelm the plot at times, which I found happened here on a few occasions. Because this is the first book of many to come in the series, it's understandably a bit of an info dump. For instance, part two slowed things down dramatically, but Russell managed to get things back on track to finish strong.

Revenge, murder, airships, THE PLAGUE, magic gems and crystals, sorrow, loyalty, a doomed mission, MUTATED KNIGHTS. I tend to be a fan of books that weave fantasy and science fiction together, and Divinity's Twilight carries out this combination well. With a healthy sprinkling of steampunk! I was instantly reminded of Brandon Sanderson's style of writing. They even have the same cover artist in Chris McGrath!

Christopher Russell has a solid fantasy with Divinity's Twilight. He clearly has a knack for telling a story, one that I'm excited to see take shape. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

(Thanks to Storytellers on Tour for inviting me to be a part of the Divinity's Twilight Bookstagram/Blog tour! Be sure to check out the rest of the rad reviews, author interviews and spotlights! If you are interested in becoming a future roadie for this fantastic new service promoting indie SFF books to a broader audience, you can sign up on the website. DO THE DAMN THING!!)

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.
I had to put this book down every once in a while because eating and sleeping are necessary but I didn't want to do that as it is such a very good well written story.

[K.D. Marchesi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up.

Divinity’s Twilight Rebirth was an epic genre mash up of fantasy, military, sci-fi and horror elements that sets the stage for something spectacular.

The year is 697 After the Battle of Har’munth, an epic battle between three godlike brothers that divided the world. Only the war never ended, not really. As Scion is sealed in a tomb protected by creatures of your nightmares the world is split into three nations, each with the ideals of one of the brothers at its head. But the ancient power in the heart of Har’munth has never forgotten the events of all those years before and is ready to unleash itself on the world. Weakened, it will have to use the bodies of others to exact its revenge, and it is willing to use as many as it takes.

As tensions rise between different belief systems, it is up to a new band of unlikely heroes to step up and find their place in the world, all while trying not to kill each other first. These students, not yet graduated are about to get one hell of a lesson in politics, magic and technology as they remind themselves, they are all on the same side. This book has a character for everyone, from the coming of age character, the unlikable, brooding character with a back story and a few that just kick ass along the way.

Divinity’s Twilight Rebirth has a lot to take in, but there are several places where it shines; the worldbuilding starting with an EPIC prologue, the genre blending, and the enhancement of magic all kept me turning the pages.

[Abel Montero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digitalARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Fantasy literature has always embraced its reiterative nature. Drawing from shared imagination, very personal points of view and the desire to tell universal themes, modern fantasy gives us visions of worlds that are very different from ours and use them as a mirror to tell our reality.

This dynamic also happens in other genres. One could reasonably argue that detective and romantic literature are based on the same drawing on themes already recounted and recurring mechanisms. And it also happens in other media. Broadway made its fortune by basing a multimillion-dollar business on the recycling of music and concepts that are basically always the same.

But fantasty literature is different. Perhaps because of the scope of the imagination it draws from, perhaps because of the simple, powerful desire to amaze and entertain.
Those mechanisms of reiteration and rebirth create true wonders in fantasy literature.

Wonders such as Divinity's Twilight Rebirth, first feature by Christopher Russell.
Just read the plot of this novel to understand the reasons for my long introduction to the review:

Lozaria is a world that bears the scars of its tumultuous heritage. Jagged, misty peaked mountains mar the center of the continent. Arid desert wastes have scoured the southern reaches of all but the hardiest creatures and vegetation. Eddies of mystical energy course across the land, constant reminders of ancient powers better left undisturbed. And some places, like Har'muth, are completely barren - devoid of even the smallest fragments of life. This battleground, where clashing magical forces rent the very fabric of existence, offers the tiniest glimpse of Oblivion, the black maw of the Void from which all things are rumored to have originated.
Time marches on, and though war itself remains much the same, the weapons with which it is waged have changed. Airships bearing powerful cannons ply the skies, reducing the influence of mages and their spells. Long range communication has brought far flung regions of Lozaria closer than ever before. At the center of this technological revolution are the three Terran states of Darmatia, Rabban, and Sarconia, who have fought a near ceaseless campaign of 700 years in an attempt to best each other. The roots of their enmity lie beneath the wasteland of Har'muth, a place all three nations consider best forgotten. However, an ancient power sealed within Har'muth has not forgotten them, and the descendants of those who fought on that field must now take a stand to rectify the mistakes of the past.

This description (also thanks to the phenomenal cover made by Chris McGrath) immediately projected clear images into my mind:
First these:
The Last Exile





And then these, also mentioned by the author as seminal works from which he drew inspiration:
The Stormlight Archive




The enthusiasm and desire to know more about this story (which I was already sure would have gone far beyond those suggestions that I had perceived on the surface) prompted me to read it immediately.
I discovered a novel that is the brainchild of a young mechanical and aerospace engineer, who has put his know-how to good use to create a world in which magic and technology live a complex relationship, eternally poised between profound exchange and confrontation. A world where historical heritage and desire for innovation end up colliding.
The result is a story that literally embraces hundreds of years through the views of many characters.
Rebirth's worldbuilding is impressive. It tells of a world populated by different races (many non-human) divided into kingdoms that live a continuous race, and run after, to military and cultural superiority. A long prologue explains the bases, sociological and political of the status quo. It does so by staging the climax of a fierce battle that rewrites the balance of power of the kingdoms of the time, and ends up being fertile ground for the birth of the current ones: The Sarconian Empire, Kingdom of Darmatia and The Rabban Imperium. Without going into detail, and in order not to cause unforgivable spoilers, suffice it to say that the events of the prologue (set almost 700 years separate it from what happens in the first chapter) make the distinctive features of the three modern nations immediately evident. Each of them rests on a profoundly different world view and creates a contrast of priorities on the global scenario: Power, expansionist aims, love for culture and innovation or the desire to create a stable and peaceful universal civilization.
Each nation generates different life models, and is narrated by protagonists resulting from a specific social setting.

Russell tells this world with great richness of details and effectively transmits the different atmospheres, often giving us deep reflections on the way in which those different environments influence the life of the characters we follow.
This is one of the greatest strengths of the novel, because the author has a rather firm grip on the minutiae of the world he created and on the peculiar mix of magic and technology that it exploits. But sometimes it also turns into a weakness, given that in different sections of the novel the abundance of information and explanations turn into overexposure. The risk of forcing the reader to derail from the main focus and losing interest in the story is real, but one always ends up overcoming it.

Rebirth stages powerful images, halfway between classic high fantasy and a fascinating steampunk aesthetic. Huge airships ply the skies and give battle, creating terrifying explosions of light. Far from invincible warriors fight with fiery blades and bend the very nature of the world around them, exploiting forces that we cannot even imagine (but which the author explains in detail, and appear completely credible).

Rebirth fills the reader with wonder, thanks to the great extent of the staging of events. The scope of the main conflict that is the backbone of the story is enormous, as are its political repercussions and consequences on a personal level.

Unfortunately, so much imaginative power stumbles when the story becomes more intimate. Many of the characters are hatched in a detached way and it is not easy to empathize with them. There is no shortage of information about their past, but it is the way we learn about it that is weak. It happens all too often to find yourself reading paragraphs and paragraphs that tell us about the events that a specific character experienced before finding himself in the main action and taking part in the current storyline. They are interesting facts, they should help us put ourselves in the shoes of the character in question, but they are proposed to us aseptically. Certainly more could have been done to provide the same information in a more elegant, and above all, emotionally engaging way.

This does not mean that it is not possible to become attached to the cast. It is easy to cheer on Matteo, an adorable misunderstood genius and a great coward. Its history is by far the most captivating and engaging.
Thanks also to the beauty of the dialogues, always well written, interesting and coherent, never out of character, the reading flows very smoothly. The general rhythm of Rebirth is captivating and pressing. It's fun to watch the interactions between the characters and watch them fight for what they think is important (or just try to survive)
Occasionally the use of various points of view leaves something to be desired. Russell could have delved more into the characters' introspection and motivations. A missed opportunity, for sure, but since it is the first volume of a series, it is legitimate to hope for a greater depth in the next episodes.
Going further into the details regarding the development of the plot would be a crime, you will have to make it enough what you learned from the description on the back of the book. Suffice it to say that the conflict described in this volume is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. The final lines of the novel, especially its epilogue, point to very, very interesting future developments.

Divinity's Twilight Rebirth is a splendid demonstration of Christopher Russell's narrative talent.
It is a novel that does very well on many fronts, but also has several weaknesses. It remains a recommended, fun and rather profound work on many fronts.
There is the strong impression that this series (which promises to be very long and articulated) can become better with each new volume, just like many of the long-lived fantasy sagas that we all love.

Rebirth is the beginning of a story that has all the potential to go far and fly very high.

[Samuel David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, when I saw a Facebook ad for this book I said why not it’s five buck but holy cow was is this book good. We don’t really follow one character throughout the story getting insight from just about every important character. Normally I would hate this but it is done in such a masterful way that it only elevates the book since we see the story from all perspectives, beliefs, and motives from both sides of the conflict. The characters were also very well done the character who we follow is really interesting and well fleshed out. The main "villain" wasn't your typical mustache-twirling evil guy he would provide some kind of motive behind what he was doing. Even though it was very twisted a point his twisted logic was still logical. I wish that a few of the side characters got a little more attention but from my understanding, this is going to be a series so there is still time for the author to do this.

I could talk forever about the opposing philosophies that were presented in this book and meta debate that was happening between the pages and between the characters. From the needs of the many vs the few and what happens when people opposing dreams meet. It was done incredibly well presenting both sides of the argument that made even the evilest characters in the book a little more grey.

Unfortunately, This is the first book in the series which means I have to wait for the next books but I will eagerly wait to dive into the World that Christopher has brought us.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a promising debut novel by Christopher.

The book took a short while to get into after the prologue, but the nearly 50 page prologue was quite explosive and gave a good backdrop to the world and previous events that started it all.

I did find myself caring about certain POVs more than others and sometimes I felt some chapters/POVs were cut short but that was most likely down to my own interest in certain individuals over others.

This was a solid first book, with a lot of different cultures, magic and worldbuilding which felt very expansive and well written in most areas. The start of the book felt a bit overwhelming with information, lore and worldbuilding but once past this I was more invested in the characters.

Again, a good debut novel, thanks for the copy!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Such is the tale in its entirety, and though it may only be a myth, it is certainly a reasonable explanation of the current conflict that plagues us…Peace is but a dream that few, such as myself, cling to with failing hope.” Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight

Divinity’s Twilight is Christopher Russell’s imaginative and exceptional debut fantasy novel. With a unique magic system, amazing world building, incredible battles with flying airships, and well-developed characters, this novel was one I couldn’t put down. One of the first surprising parts of Divinity’s Twilight is the very long prologue. While I have never read a prologue this long, it serves and important purpose to set the stage for the rest of the story, which simply cannot be told in a few pages. We need to fully understand the events of the past to see what is happening in the present. It not only was unusual, but an excellent choice on the part of Mr. Russell. In the past, we discover three powerful brothers and a terrible war, the War of Har’m.uth. Two gave up their lives to imprison for eternity the architect of the horrors of this war, their brother Sarcon. In the present, war between the Kingdom of Darmatia and the Sarconian Empire still wages on. It is the Sarconians who want to release Sarcon and once again rule the world. This sets the stage for the story in Divinity’s Twilight.

The main characters were a motley mix of graduate cadets from the Darmatian Military School. Magic manifests in these cadets, with varying degrees, and they typically can wield certain types magic, but rarely more than one. By far the most powerful is Vellan, who is a rare Triaron, the only one in the kingdom. He is an elementalist sorcerer, who can “cast any element from any weapon…without needing to speak.” Vellan is also arrogant, rude, and over-confident. Sylette, is Vellan’s greatest competition in school’s war games, and she is much like him, cold and arrogant. Matteo is the one who is book smart and not particularly brave. Velle is talented and Vellan’s girlfriend. Leon is the lighthearted member of the group and close to Vellan. Rounding out the cadets is Lillith, adept at fire magic, and Renar, the classic class bully. The final test for their graduation is a war game, where magic is allowed, in addition to skill and ingenuity. There are divided into teams, and though each of many are on opposing teams. However, the games are never finished as the Sarconian Empire chooses to attack, throwing these untried cadets into war.

We are also introduced to characters in the Sarconian Empire. The Emporer himself, Sychon, is a cruel man and powerful sorcerer, bent on destroying Darmatia and the surrounding lands. With the resurrected Sarcon, he seems unstoppable. Another character of note is Rittermarschal Valescar, who serves Sychon and will do as commanded, though sometimes he clearly may not want too. I did not feel sympathy for his dilemma. Valescar can choose to do what’s right, but he doesn’t and in his service, he can be completely deceiving and cruel.

The character arcs were well developed. While on the surface, they seem like high school students in “cliques”, is runs so much deeper. They are older, and we know no matter how old someone is, they can still carry the traits they have always had. Some of them come with a past hurts that are hard to come to terms with, and build a wall around themselves. The person they project is not truly who are they are. When they find themselves together, they need to get past the resentment and work together. For the most part they do. However, Vellan’s pain runs deep, and Leon knows it:

“In effect, they were actually quite similar. Both had a void in their hearts they were trying to fill, and both sought after they could never possess. But while he had grown and found peace in their time together, Vallen remained mostly unchanged. Leon might be the prodigy’s closest friend, but even he was blocked from ever knowing the real him.” Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight

The pacing and prose were excellent. The pacing was even and we see character development as well as they story as it unfolds. The battle scenes were particularly exciting. The metal airships were so creative, and both the Saronian Empire and Darmatia possessed them. It becomes a battle waged in the sky. Mr. Russell takes the reader right into the action, and the strategy of waging a war with air ships. They were armed with magetech (magic), canons, and other weapons. It was a refreshing change from ground battles we often see in fantasy. The thought and creativity put into these amazing crafts is brilliant. It easy to picture this war being waged in the sky.

“In the near distance, passing in and out of the occasionally puffy clouds before them, was the rest of the Darmatian air fleet…about them all was the soft glow of magic energy…” Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight

The book is told in the third person narrative of many characters. Chapters are not devoted to one particular character, but it is cohesive and never confusing. We become privy to the past of the main characters, which reveals much of what drives them. Sarcon is freed, and we see the evils of the Sarconian Empire. Mr. Russell does not give us a one-sided story with the characters. While the cadets are the main protagonists, we do get see main players on the other side as well. Through the war, and the pain of the characters, there are moments of absolute beauty, part where I cried. One part in particular is called Lanar’s Lullaby. That is all I will say since it will lead to spoiler territory. Rather than write the lullaby, Mr. Russell graciously shared with me a recording of him singing the song. He has an amazing voice and I am honored that he shared it with me. I hope you will listen. It still makes me cry.

Overall Thoughts
Christopher Russell’s debut novel, Divinity’s Twilight, is an excellent addition to epic fantasy. With its unique magic, world building, amazing battles with airships, and great characters, I was drawn into this novel from the first page. The long prologue, unusual for a book, was an excellent choice as the detail was needed to set the stage for the remainder of the story. Airships battles took the reader right into the action, with their weapons powered by magic. The cadets, thrown untrained into battle, must overcome their mistrust and dislike of each other to form a unit to fight the Sarconian Empire. They were all unique, each flawed and dealing with past hurts that they must come to terms with. We see both sides of the war, including Sarconians who wreak terror, as well as the Darmatians, most notably the main protagonists. Told in the third person narrative, it flows smoothly and seamlessly. I found this novel to be a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend Divinity’s Twilight to all fantasy fans.

My sincere thanks to Christopher Russell for gifting me a copy of the book and Escapist Tours for an eBook
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[Blaise · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/202...

Today is my stop on the Escapist Tour! I recieved a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. What we have here is a true genre blender of fantasy and sci-fi I hope to see more authors use in the future. Hidden in the struggles of war are the secret histories of how the kingdom was formed. Three brothers fighting on different sides of the conflict are called to arms to battle over power. Historical texts have been written about this struggle but what if the stories past down through the centuries are incorrect. This is the story of finding that lost history no matter the costs.

My review is going to be mainly on the prologue which I believe is the perfect set up for what you should expect in the book. The prologue takes place seven hundred years in the past and tells the story (as we believe to be) of Darmatus, Rabban, and Sarcon. With advanced technology giving us a taste of the science the world has to offer, we still see plenty of magic. As you will find out the further you get into the series there is a plethera of magical attributes and types of mages left to explore. The three brothers contain traces of Men’ar in the blood which enhances there the use of magic. Driven the the edge of destruction from undead creatures and psychic attacks Darmatus finally reaches his brother Sarcon. Sarcon in his final act unleashes a weapon upon the world and Darmatus makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his people. This is what the histories have told you but that isn’t even half of the true story.

Christopher Russell’s debut novel leans just as much on the atmosphere of the world as it does the plot. Each chapter is riddled with tremendous amounts of worldbuilding in a slow burn buildup towards the finale. Some would actually say that the first half of the book may have too much packed into it but I will say that this is done for a reason. Once the main storyline is introduced we are always brought back to that titanic prologue as its effects will be felt continuously. The writting style can come across as dense but given the number of talented authors I have read this past year, this was right up my alley. Never expect that you will know the answer to the questions this story has to offer. Especially since I have plenty more as I patiently wait for book 2.

The landscape of the world has changed dramatically since the Illyriite War seven hundred years in the past. Alliances have been made a destroyed but the mysteries of the land remain. History is always told by the victors but what is that history is based on a lie? Be sure to read this novel and find out.

Cheers!

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Russell blows us away with an exciting fantasy war epic in Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth! Three nations have been battling for domination of Lozaria for 700 years, but as an ancient evil stirs they will have to overcome their differences or perish. I loved Russell’s unique steampunk-esque world and the depth of the history and politics built into every aspect! Russell has the perfect mix of action, deep politics, worldbuilding, and characters that makes Divinity’s Twilight so much fun! If you’re looking for an epic fantasy war in a vibrant world, hop in your airship and come to Lozaria!

[C.J. Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this in order to get into the e-ARC for Remnant, and truly, if I had researched how long it was, I would have known I wouldn’t finish in time. So sorry! So glad to have read it though. And I’m definitely reading Remnant ASAP.

First and foremost, the prologue to this was a wild ride. This novel is truly on such an epic scale. Not only was it practically the length of a novella anyway, but it covered the amount of things you could see happen in a book itself. A great introduction to the world, lore, and magic system.

This is one of the best fantasy and science fiction blends I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. The prologue starts with swords, shields, axes, and the remainder of the novel progresses further with firearms, ships, and futuristic technologies. Hand-to-hand weapons are still prevalent, but the blend feels kind of steam punky or flintlock-era-ish (w.o pirate feels).

The magic is superb. There are certain characters with truly unbelievably amounts of power, but even then there is always a cost. The balance is there, and I thought it was really well done. Men’ar, or the blood and being all around you, can be harnessed by some and used in amazing ways. I loved that it wasn’t to the point where the weapons and enemies seemed helpless or pointless.

The only little nitpick I had was character development. I know with there being a sequel, meaning this is most likely a series, that there will obviously be time for development. I was just a little surprised with the length of the first novel that no one has seemed to grow very much, or it’s begun only with the final chapter or two. Like I said though, this is a small needle.

Personally a 5/5* read for me, can’t wait to get into more.

[Rowena Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of prologues, and Rebirth is a perfect example of a prologue being masterfully executed and setting a firm foundation for the main narrative set centuries later. It’s long for a prologue, which surprised me, but I would say that the length was entirely warranted and started the book off with a bang, with an impressive battle scene that both captures the essence of the book as well as setting the scene for a world shaped by the events of that prologue.

Where Russell’s writing really shines through is when he is writing about the history of the world and the conflicts, as well as in the backstory of the characters, shown through the unusually skilful use of flashbacks – including that prologue, and I found myself looking forward to those parts the most and hope to see more of this in future books. The characterisation and character development are also done well, albeit a little late in the book, and while we know a lot about them through flashbacks and backstory, I feel that it might have added a little more depth and impact to the conflict earlier in the book if we’d had a slightly better grasp of the characters as they are in the here and now. It was harder in some places than others to be invested in the stakes the characters were facing until we got to know them better. That said, I felt that each of the main cast had a unique voice and that their individual stories and backstories, were brought together into a cohesive, engaging story, and in the end, you can’t help but care for all of them and want to see what will be befall them next, and in particular I found myself enjoying Matteo in particular.

There is a lot of action in this book, and for the most part, there is an almost cinematic feeling particularly with the larger scale conflicts, which is due in part to the balance of action, magic and technology that immediately propels the action to another level. There were a couple of places, where it ran on a little long or felt a little wordy, but this was soon lost in the flow of the story. It can be difficult to balance sci-fi/technology and magic, but it was done magnificently here and was my favourite part of the action scenes.

There is a degree of predictability to Rebirth, but that is by no means a bad thing, because it is balanced with the complexity of the worldbuilding, especially the history and cultures that Russell has created as a background for what promises to be an epic and expansive series filled with action, political intrigue and left this book feeling anything but predictable by the end. There was also an almost philosophical edge to some of the writing, not enough to take you out of the world or the flow of the writing, but which left you with food for thought even when you weren’t actively reading, and added an extra dimension to the story that I loved.

There is room for further development especially with the characters, which is something to look forward to rather than a detriment, and there is a feeling that this a foundation for a broader series, but this was as beautifully executed debut and a masterclass in the use of flashbacks and backstory. I thoroughly enjoyed Rebirth from that epic prologue right through to the very end, and I will be keeping an eye out for further books by the author, especially within this series.

https://beneathathousandskies.com/202...

[LordTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 7.5/10

Thanks to the author for a copy of Rebirth (Divinity’s Twilight #1) for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions.

Rebirth is quite an epic debut; one that is both captivating and, at times, a tad long-winded. Fans of both the fantasy and science fiction genres will find plenty to like here, and I believe will continue along for the ride to come (which I hear is six (6) novels!). Russell definitely knows how to tell a story and knows what it takes to capture a reader’s attention, which will pay dividends down the road.

Picture the first time you read/saw the Battle of Helm’s Deep (or the Battle of the Hornburg for you super-nerds) in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Now put it at the beginning of the story and you have the 45-page prologue to Rebirth. There is action, death, blood, magic, monsters, ancient powers, and much more. I mean, pretty much a fantasy lover’s wet dream. It is intense, insane, and impossible to look away from. It may be one of the longest prologues I’ve ever come across and felt as if I was reading the culmination of an entire series rather than the beginning.

My main concern with the style with which this story unfolds is the characters. Not that they aren’t fascinating, but moreso that they felt very surface-level for quite some time. I’ve harped for a very long time in book reviews about being able to find a character that I can connect with for the long-haul, and considering the prologue lasted for so long and then I’m given new characters, it sort of… threw me a bit. Darmatus was my boy, and then he wasn’t. Now I have a whole slew of new characters left to pick up the pieces and they took their sweet time doing it. Characterization over balls-to-the-wall action every time.

Having said that, another piece of the puzzle is world-building and Russell packs in enough where you open the bag and there are chips falling out (wouldn’t we all love that? An actual bag of chips that is filled to the brim. I mean, I get why there is air… but like, can you fit a few more in?)

Sorry… back to the review.

But yeah, Russell really excels at world-building, but this is also where the “long-winded” piece of my blurb comes to play. See, descriptions are great, but you can also be beaten to death with them. Become too wordy, and I start to gloss over a bit. But the world he has built is simply amazing, and to see where it is 697 years after the prologue is quite a sight. Instead of magic, we have airships with giant canons. STEAMPUNK FTW.

Can’t finish my review without a shoutout to Chris McGrath. LOVE his artwork. It is part of the reason I was so interested in checking Rebirth out. He has done some fantastic covers in the past for the likes of Sanderson, Butcher, Gladstone, Stout, and many more. Russell chose wisely, and I expect he will continue use McGrath for future novels (DO IT!)

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In exchange for receiving an early copy of the book, I have agreed to write a review.


WOW! Absolutely amazing, Tolkien would have been more than proud. Fantasy lovers will not be disappointed. The detail was stellar and the characters are unforgettable. Never have I read a book with so many distinguished, and even insecure characters. Eight characters going on an epic adventure to save their home. The best part, you can’t have one character without the next. They each have a story to tell and somewhere in that story, each of the other characters has their turn to play their hand. Don’t let Sylette’s pretty silver hair fool you, she is as tough as they come, but not without her fair share of hard times and it hasn’t ended yet. Matteo is more than his scatterbrain disposition may suggest. Vallen is much more than just a rock with jagged edges as he certainly seems like. The depth of these characters and others is staggering. Neither Harry Potter nor Percy Jackson had as much depth as even one of Christopher Russell’s characters.

Both sides of the good and evil spectrum had great characters. There isn’t just one evil character, there’s a team of evils. Voldemort is a mundane little fellow compared to Sarcon. Sarcon actually has a past and he has real character, sometimes I was even rooting for him.

I kept waiting to get another perspective. I never could tell what I was getting into until I was there. Some may see this as a bad thing, but I see it as an amazing thing. I was on my toes reading as fast as possible to see what new obstacle was in the way.

I must say that the prologue was a bit long. The fact that it is full of action kept me going though, even if it took a couple of sittings to get through it. The fact about Divinity’s Twilight is that once you are in the world, you can’t get out of it. The detail and description are far better than many books I have read even from favorite authors. It takes little effort to picture what the world looks like, it just is.

If you read Harry Potter and were waiting for someone to close the gap between a world of confusing magic and a world of technology, wait no longer. Christopher Russell’s magic has rules and mechanics behind it. The engineering that had to have gone into such detail of the airborne warships is astonishing. Yes, airborne warships. Not only this, but my favorite invention of Chris’s, seven-sided chess. I guess you’ll have to read to find out what I’m talking about.

A new world of reignited battle and very fine lines between what is good and what is bad has been created, and I can’t wait to continue and see where it ends up.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author for sending me this book!

7/10 stars to this epic fantasy debut!

The book started out by dropping you into the middle of an epic large scale battle between 3 brothers. The prologue is quite long, but its action packed and keeps the pages turning as you have to find out what happens next.

We zoom ahead almost 700 years and we find Lozaria split into 3 separate empires, each honoring a different brother. The world building in this book was epic and probably one of my favorite aspects of getting to read this novel. Russell sets up a diverse land totally fleshed out where it's so easy to imagine. He has a full cast of races and species that inhabit this world that are incredibly unique and fun to read about. The magic system is unique and I hope to learn more about its rules and get even more in depth with how that works with the sequel. It was lots of fun!

It took a while before we got to meet our cast of main characters which made it hard to feel as invested in the story in the beginning, but I zoomed through the second half of the book for sure. I wish we got to know our characters with a bit more depth. They occasionally felt a bit trapped within their stereotypes but our misfit crew definitely grew on my heart. Sylette was the feature star of one of my favorite chapters and she is one of my favorite characters! Tough as nails with a vengeance agenda I could root for. We got a POV from almost all characters we meet and that felt a little overwhelming at times, but Russell did a great job of giving each character a fairly distinct voice. Our big bad was sufficiently creepy and harrowing, if a tad predictable at times with his narrative.

The pacing of the novel was great. Things never felt slow or boring. DT was action packed from start to finish and transitioned between scenes extremely well.

This definitely felt like a set up novel for an epic fantasy series that has a TON of potential. We were left with a cliffhanger that left me wanting more.

You can tell that Divinity's Twilight is a debut novel, but overall it was very well done and I cant wait to read book 2 eventually and see where the story takes us next! Thank you again to Christopher Russell for sending me his debut! I loved it!

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐
Divinity's Twilight: Rebirth is the debut fantasy novel by Christopher Russell.

We start with the prologue that sets the stage for the backstory of this world, and it throws you into the action straight away as you follow the perspective of the founding brothers of 3 divided kingdoms. 

Coming into present day several hundred years later, an ancient sorcerer is resurrected bringing with it unparalleled power and his desire to conquer and finish what he started many years ago.

Combining elements of technology and magic, the story follows a group of young cadets of differing backgrounds as they fight for their survival in the midst of war brought to their doorstep.

Christopher Russell does excellently in the world building, and introducing intricate elements from the featured tech of this world and it's warfare, and you get a good feel of this world as it unfolds.
However, this would often lead to large chunks of dialogue delivery and exposition, rather than living through character experiences.

This is an action filled and fast paced read. With the different characters involved, I would have loved for it to be balanced out with more time spent on character developmental moments, to get to know them before they are thrust into life and death situations, or plot turning points for us to feel more weight behind the action. But this might be just my preferential tastes towards character focussed reads.
Having said that, you do get interesting viewpoints from the antagonist side as well, which gives the story it's depth.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and there are many promising threads for future progression.

[Tom Dutta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridging the Gap Between Magic and Science

This book intrigued me for it’s incredible imaginative content. I was overwhelmed by how descriptive and magical it was, but there was an element of science weaved into it. After reading Author Russell’s bio, discovering he is a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer I really appreciated the depth of this author’s writing.

I have read some fantasy books in my youth such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, this body of work had my heart pounding from the first chapter. From Lozaria a world of tumultuous heritage to Har’muth a barren land, the story line was excellent, the plot twisting and turning and the ending is not what I expected.

This book is so good I look forward to Author Russell’s future work.

[Caleb Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth by Christopher Russell is a cracking good debut set in an Epic, High Fantasy world with airships, magitech, and rich history. While any debut has its flaws, the many strengths keep it afloat. This debut has potential, yes sir, and it’s exciting to peruse its pages as we flip from one piece of intrigue to another. We explore the complex nature between magic and technology, loyalty and patriotism, and friendship and rivalry. All of these pieces begin to coalesce as the plot rockets on a blistering speed. Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth starts off with a bang and keeps on delivering as we push farther.

We open with the major historical set piece: a battle 700 or so years prior that established the stakes, the three kingdoms, and the antagonist. Three brothers have discovered the keys to magic, to keeping creation under their domain, but each goes about true flourishing in different ways. Of course, one wants to dominate the entire world – to end peace, have you – and the other two brothers decide that is a risk they’re not willing to take. Things go as you might think; the brothers have to sacrifice themselves to stop their “evil” brother from taking over the world.

Cue centuries time jump.

In the present day, we move through many different perspectives: A Sarconian soldier, an erudite recruit, one “best of the best” womanizer, and others scattered throughout the tale. Each provides a welcome vantage point to flesh out the world, various character perceptions, and further context for events. Yet what is the springboard for the plot? The “Dark Wizard” Sarcon is back, from which one of the three empires are named after, and he wishes to continue his plan to bring peace to creation. Others hope to step in his way. These others? A band of misfit recruits thrown into battle as the remainder of Darmatia’s Fleet has been destroyed.

As one might be able to tell, the plot isn’t the most compelling part of this story. Indeed, the plot in general pushes the characters from one part of the world to the next. We end on a cliffhanger that, while suitable for the action, can feel underwhelming if not executed properly in the second book. As I prefer standalone tales, this only hampers the story. The rest of the plot, from beginning to end, is your standard, predictable war story with new recruits, where an inciting event – the destruction of the Fleet – requires our heroes to be thrust into greatness. And while they do struggle, yes, the tension is artificial, and the progress simply needed to reach from Point A to Point B.

Rebirth has two other glaring issues: the characters and the writing style. Many of the characters are flawed and have fleshed out traits. My primary issue with our cast – particularly Vallen, Sylette, and Sarcon – is that they are unlikeable. Vallen is a Marty Sue and good at everything he does, perhaps on par with Kvothe. Sylette is your average foil to the arrogant hothead Vallen, sarcastic wit expected, and holds some pretty predictable, and often forced, character revelations. Sarcon is a mixed bag as he has a compelling interest in the story, yet his brute power overrules any empathy the reader might have with his tale. Other characters, such as Matteo, are likeable yet pigeonholed into a few character traits, such as a coward, scholar, and lesser to Vallen. This makes many of the characters underwhelming and difficult to sympathize their plight with. I hope the future books in the tale flesh out better redemptive arcs, as that would provide some level of satisfaction with these unlikeable protagonists.

For the writing style, this is probably the biggest issue I have with the novel. Much of the writing, while fast paced and well written, is extraneous fluff that could be cut. Let me be clear; I do not mean that certain scenes should be cut, but that the writing style as a whole could be trimmed down. Often, paragraphs and thoughts would go on longer than needed. As a debut author, it’s understandable to not have as strong a grasp on writing style, but an editor should have noticed these issues. Telling, over showing and passive voice should have been chopped first, and then extraneous thoughts that hamper the pacing should have been nixed next. Overall, the story could have shaved off close to 50 or so pages and not impacted the story as a whole in any regard.

But enough about the cons. What does Rebirth do well? Two things: Pacing and Setting.

The pacing rockets on. While the first chapter, the prologue, is 50 or so pages and one giant scene, it’s a breeze to run through. Much of the story functions in this same way. While the writing could be tightened, it flows exceptionally well. Russell has a way with crafting a narrative that, while might dip in quality in some areas, manages to keep your attention and compels you onward. It’s exciting every time I turned the page, as I blasted through this fun romp. This is hard to do as a debut author, as it’s easy to write clunky prose and sacrifice pacing, but Russell manages to straddle the line and push the narrative along.

As for the setting, some parts are reskinned generic High Fantasy placeholders – airships for dragons – while the world as a whole holds depth rivaling many Epic Fantasy stories. The world as we know it is split into three empires: Sarcon, Darmatia, and Rabban. They are named after the three brothers who fought at the great battle of Har’muth. Each empire has its own focus on personality, yet each wage constant war with another, giving semblance to how the brothers acted centuries prior. What gives this little lore point depth is the way citizens now internalize, rationalize, and try to contextualize their empire’s motivation by exaggerating the role each of the three brothers had in the battle, respectively, and the brothers’ own character traits. I could go deeper into the setting, talk about the colorful fantasy races, the magitech system, or the political intrigue behind every door, but you should just read the book to find out.

And that’s probably the difficulty of reviewing such a complex, yet predictable debut. This one is better read than explained. Divinity’s Twiligh: Rebirth is a story to be experienced, to enjoy, and come out of this romp with excitement, not criticism. I’m enthralled to see where Christopher Russell takes our merry gang in the next installment, and hopefully we get to fly in more airships as the story progresses.

That’s the real reason I kept on with it. I’m a sucker for airships.

*I received this ARC for my honest review.*

Rating: 6/10

[Sophia's Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebirth is the start of a new epic fantasy series and so, like many epic fantasy series, it is difficult to explain what the story is about without getting into spoiler territory. So, to keep things simple: three brothers, with different values, create nations in their image of a perfect society. However, in the words of one of our characters - "for my dream to be realised, it may be necessary for your dream to be crushed. And when one individual refuses to let another destroy the dream that means more to him than his very life, conflict is born." That conflict has continued for nearly 800 years and this is the world we are living in.

Admittedly, military storylines are a little tricky for me. I'm not a particularly visual reader and the combat and strategy aspects of a story can go a little over the top of my head. I did get used to them though and I feel like the author did a great job of making those portions accessible.

This is very much a multiple perspective story and, especially early on, it can be difficult to know who to route for - there's a fair amount of grey morality going on here but I actually really enjoyed that and I definitely have some favourites now (Matteo is my top favourite). The relationships between characters were also very organic and well built and I'm looking forward to seeing where things are going to go.

There's a fair amount of world building and info dumping in this first installment, as you might expect, and I really enjoyed that. Lozaria is a big place so there's plenty more of the world to come too, I'm sure. I also sensed some foreshadowing to do with the world and its cultures so I'm interested to see where that's going to go.

The plot is complex but not difficult to follow at all. The world, character and relationship building seemed to be the main focus here though and I am all about that! Having said that, this author is not afraid of consequences for his characters and so you do have to fear for your favourites. This is really important for me to feel that the stakes are real and high.

Overall I really enjoyed this first installment and I'm interested to see where the rest of this series is going to go!

(I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review. However, all views are my own and are honest.)

[Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had received an advance copy from the author in exchange for a honest review:

Overall: +7

A cracking read with a good mix of magic and steampunk. The book is essentially a place setter introducing the world and setting epic events in motion. The lack of a self contained in-book plot takes a bit of shine away, but the scope of events and brilliant worldbuilding are a joy to read. The book ties everything up in a nice arc and ends in a way that leads nicely to the next book....which I'm eagerly awaiting now.

Plot/Pace/Writing: +7

The book begins with a historical incident that sets the background for the story. Readers are dropped right into a blistering battle and caught up in the mix from get go. The story then moves to current times and we are introduced into a world with a nice mix of magic and steampunk (magetech as it is called here). Magical swordplay and spirit bullets mix freely with panzer divisions and airship fleets but all these are portrayed in a organic manner that mesh well together.The story gets told through different pov's giving us more context and understanding of the ambitions of people involved.

A minor gripe is the order of chapters. Right when the action picks up, we get a change of pov that's sometimes jarring. And the flashback scenes at the end distract a lot away from the pace and progression of the story. But then these are minor gripes that in overall gets swept in the grand tale.

The writing style is refreshing and easy to follow. Though we are dumped with a bunch of names and terms at the beginning, they get sorted out as book flows and we gain more understanding of the plot. The dialogue is immersive and avoids redundancies (which I really appreciate!).

Characters: +7

The main plot takes some getting used to and initial half of the book are spent in backstory and focus on characters that don't really play a big part in the actual plot. The later half focuses on the protagonist group of cadets and the antagonists but takes some time to get to that.

The characters are well etched, flawed and realistically portrayed. Even the antagonists are complex with their own internal politicking making for a delightful dynamic.

[Krystal Hummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My best friend Jessica introduced me to this book and this author and at first I was not sure I would like it because it is not the normal type of old school fantasy I read (Like Piers Anthony). But I was pleasantly surprised! It was very engaging and kept my attention.

Things I LOVED about this book.

The way Russell creates his own words for things and unique names. Some of the words were difficult to pronounce but it just showed off his creativity. Uhm, Matteo. I love that he made a character that is a coward. I just KNOW I will see some excellent character growth in Matteo in book 2 because he is going to overcome so much and learn not to be a coward.

Things that I wouldnt say I hated but definitely was displeased with.

VALLEN AND HIS COCKINESS. I really hope he gets a reality check in book 2 because he sees Matteo as this useless inconvienence BUT HE IS THE WHOLE REASON THINGS WENT SOUTH THE WAY THEY DID. And he got his ass handed to him for it which then snowballed everything else that happened and the fact they were carrying him around like dead weight for most of the book.

The other thing I had a hard time with, and this is the whole reason I gave it a 4 star, how LONG his chapters were. This is honestly a ME problem but I like to read a chapter here a chapter there at work when I am not busy and the chapters are so long that I usually habe to stop IM THE MIDDLE OF A CHAPTER and this irks my OCD nerve. But again, not a huge deal to most people. Hoping the next book has shorter chapters.

But overall it was an AMAZING book and I cannot wait to dive into book 2.

[Rachel Rener · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm more of a contemporary fantasy fan rather than epic, but after doing a podcast alongside Christopher about magic systems, I knew I had to read his work since his insights were so thoughtful and interesting!

Like the author, this book didn't disappoint. I've never read a book quite like Divinity's Twilight. There are only 3 "chapters" plus a prologue and epilogue. And yep, I get it. When was the last time you read a 45-page prologue? But you have to think of the book as a 4-part mini series, really. And it's an exhilarating mini series at that. 8 different characters (all of whom are interesting, multidimensional, and distinctive). A full spectrum of good and evil, with no single person being the mustache twirling baddie. In fact, you actually feel/root for the baddest baddie at times and that, to me, is always the mark of a good villain. And the magic system! It's a bit of magic and a bit of technology and a dash of steam punk - with hard and fast rules and mechanisms. Love that.

It's obvious that Christopher has an engineering background and I can't imagine the research that went into this book. It's truly epic, beautifully organized, and just so darn polished. It's a truly brilliant debut novel and Mr. Russell deserves all the accolades for it. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for this series! I have a feeling it can only get better.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth is a fascinating debut fantasy! It’s the beginning of what looks to be a very promising epic fantasy series. The world and characters are complex, and the story is well written. I particularly liked the combination of magic and technology in this book! The many races present in Lozaria can use men’ar, magic in their blood, to perform many fantastic feats, and magical illyrium crystals are now used to power all sort of technology such as lightbulbs and airships. The world building is one of this books strongest features. I could talk about it all day, but really you should just read the book!

Overall the pacing of the story is well done. Every now and then there is a slower portion to the story, but this is balanced by plenty of action throughout. At the very beginning is a lengthy prologue that ultimately explains how the current states came to be. I found it threw a lot of info at me in a short time so it took a bit to get into it despite being chock full of action. I have a feeling that if I reread this book (and I’m sure that I will) that it will be easier to read since I’m already familiar with the magic and backstory. After the prologue I was really sucked into the story as I got to know the cast of characters and see where the story was going.

I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy epic fantasy, and I eagerly await the sequel!

I received an ARC of this book and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

In exchange for an early copy of the book, I agreed to write an honest review.

I'm a big fan of epic fantasy series and science fiction, but I've never read anything that does such an outstanding job of blending the two together in a way that is credible and mutually supporting. I was left impressed by the way in which the story arc developed from a plausible set of goals by one kingdom and the consequences of their actions to achieve those goals. Oftentimes a villain/"evil empire" has a goal of "conquer the world" or somesuch nonsense that doesn't make any kind of logical sense to the reader. Not so in Russell's masterpiece- the antagonist has a very clear set of strategic aims that drives decisions and keeps the reader engaged . The means employed by both protagonist and antagonist are very plausible and even the "natural talent"/strength of one of the protagonists is rendered meaningless when not applied towards a clear outcome or goal. Remarkably for a fantasy series, I found myself cheering for the level of thought and detail put in to the mechanics of both the technology and magic and how that would serve as a limitation on characters. Overall, I found this to be the best fantasy novel I've read in a decade.

[C.P. Cabaniss · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A story needn't be complex for its message to be profound."

I had a lot of mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I think it was very well thought out and the world building was quite good. The opening scene, though a bit of an info dump in some respects, was very well done.

The thing I liked least about this book was the characters. And for me, characters really make or break a story, which is what kept this one from really becoming great. The big things that had the potential for emotional impact, happened too early for it to really have any. And the characters who got the most page time were downright unlikable.

Still an enjoyable read and I think many readers will like it, but a bit difficult for me since I couldn't connect with the characters much at all.

I was sent a copy of this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review.