In Times of War: A Tale of Ardalencor

by Andrew Zimba

Ardalencor is at war and again the victim of foreign invasion.

A great battle ends in disaster as the army of Ardalencor is split by treason. High Lord Eadolan is forced to flee the field, narrowly escaping back to the fortress of Thavodyn. Desperate to raise new armies to expel the invaders and crush a rebellion in the Southwest, the High Lord must quickly sort friend from foe. As battle lines are drawn and loyalties tested, a powerful and mysterious order of wizards could shift the balance of power.

With Ardalencor sliding towards chaos, Bambenek and Dronor, a scout and a half-orc mercenary who survived the battle, must find their own paths in an uncertain future. Will they and others rally to the High Lord’s standard in the fight for Ardalencor?

436 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

Andrew Zimba is a lifelong storyteller. An avid historian, he grew up reading stories of kings and kingdoms as well as tales of myth and magic. A native Minnesotan, he holds degrees from the University of Minnesota and also studied in Poland. Andrew and his wife currently reside in Texas.

Reviews

[Luis Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the title alone you get a sense of what the story will be about, but what you discover is so much more than just another fantasy story about war. Andrew Zimba masterfully creates a world that feels lived in, and though a fantasy, almost tangible. From beginning to end I felt that Andrew made sure his world felt entirely his own and not just a derivative of other fantasies. There are no doubt inspirations from other literary works, but Andrew is great at making his inspirations feel part of his world. From the religion of Indalos, which feels unique and intrinsically part of the people of Ardalencor, to the complex political system, Ardalencor feels like a real place facing the struggles of a nation at war. Not only does Andrew draw inspiration from fantasy, but also from history. Throughout the story he meticulously and accurately describes weapons, armor, equipment, battle formations, etc. that would have been used during a medieval society. For anyone looking for fantastic Fantasy tale that not only has a complex magic system but also a realistic take on complexity, betrayal, and horrors of war, look no further than Andrew Zimba's In Times of War: A Tale of Ardalencor.

[Carrie Rannow · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Times of War: A Tale of Ardalencor, Andrew Zimba crafts a complex world where Ardalencor is at war and High Lord Eadolan is doing what he can to stop the rebellion. The book was well-written. I enjoyed the banter between characters, the battle scenes, an emphasis on wizardry and magic, and especially the setting. Great details throughout made me feel like I was witnessing the war first-hand. I loved the characters Bambenek and Dronor and their friendly comradery with each other. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, to see how the war and characters evolve.

[Marcy Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In Times of War: A Tale of Ardalencor” is an epic tale of battle and betrayal set in a world rich with history, cultures and magic. The various facets and factions of the struggle for power within Ardalencor are told through multiple POVs from an array of fascinating characters. Author Andrew Zimba’s masterful worldbuilding and attention to detail is evident throughout the novel. With many plot pieces now in motion on the story chessboard, epic sequels are sure to follow. If you’re a fan of medieval battles and feats of wizardry, you’ll surely enjoy this saga!

[Nadezhda Tian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! "In Times of War: A Tale of Ardalencor" is an incredibly captivating book filled with epic battles and breathtaking adventures. The narrative is rich with various emotions and intriguing plot twists, featuring vivid characters. I am amazed at how detailed and vividly the author describes the characters, their outfits, and the entire universe of the book. Each character reveals themselves in unique ways as you progress through the story. The book intertwines different fates and narratives so organically that reading it is a true pleasure.
I highly recommend reading this book; it will leave no one indifferent.

[Benjamin Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good piece of military fantasy

I have not read much military fantasy, and that is what I am classifying this as.

The author has a good command of formations, battle descriptions, and world building.

There are many names to keep track of which can be daunting.