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HomeShop at BookSurgeEducationAdult & Continuing EducationEn Kharakas: Though Heavens May Fall |
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A Riveting New World to Explore!! Not to Be Missed! Mar 27, 2010
By April Cronenberg
Imagine living in a world governed by two separate deities. One good, one evil; each with devoted followers. Each deity has faithful Champions, warriors who ensure the magic and force of each Goddess. But in this world, it is the evil force that has come to dominate the land. The land is overflowing with dark magic and populated with a bloodthirsty and brutal sect of killers. The innocent worshippers of good are left to be methodically slaughtered. Welcome to En Kharakas.
As we join this tale we find our hero, the mysterious warrior Shingen, and his fellow travelers approaching a small countryside village. In mere moments, this peaceful town will be ruthlessly pillaged by a band of Malpractors. This evil gang is only one of many groups of roaming assassins whose only goal is to wipe out the followers of the good Goddess Ariel. Prompted into action by a courageous act from his selfless young companion Kirre, Shingen defends the town's inhabitants from the invaders.
Grievously injured during the attack, Shingen and his party hasten to their destination- the great Citadel of the Ancients, located on the very edge of En Kharakas, on the border of Denaii, the Great Dead Sea. Cloaked in mystery and protected by magic, this vast and impenetrable fortress has been vacant for many hundreds of years, with the exception of its sole inhabitant, the aged and cranky keeper Nikolo. As Shingen heals, the Citadel begins to fill with groups of weary refugees escaping from the violence that has destroyed their homes. Hearing tales of a mighty warrior and rumors of a possible stand against the evil forces, these worshippers of Ariel prepare to defend their deity.
Across the land, Jonas C'neth, High Priest for the evil Goddess Liera, commands from the Palace Graiselle. His only goal has been to exterminate all Champions for Ariel, and he has long last accomplished his task. Gathering every fellow Lierian Champion, they have met to witness this final glorious execution. But Jonas C'neth's evil knows no boundaries. Even though this murder has cemented all power for Lierea's followers, he kills all the remaining Lierian Champions in cold blood, even as they rejoice in their victory over Ariel. This calculated act has left him as the sole vessel through which the power of Liera can rule the realm.
Only after this plan come to fruition does he learn there is one other unfound Champion for Ariel. Through a network of associates and spies he discovers that this last barrier of his ascension is being protected at the Citadel. Enraged, he dispatches his most cunning and vicious Priestess, Alyssa, to lead an army to overtake the worshippers at the Citadel and murder the last living Arielian Champion and protector.
Alerted by the danger to Shingen, his wife, the beautiful and powerful Sorceress Lady NyteOrchid, begins a long and treacherous sea journey to the Citadel. She is accompanied by a mischievous and highly skilled companion- the Ashe Elf Sherah, a cunning creature that is part Dark Elf, part human. Together, they commandeer the Bloody Rose, a ship led by the stalwart Captain Loreth. Their task is to navigate the deadly Denaii, filled to the brim with evil creatures that seldom allow human passage. NyteOrchid must defeat these mythical enemies- it is her only chance to reach her husband, fight by his side, and help to protect the last Champion of Ariel- and indeed, all of En Kharakas.
"En Kharakas: Though Heavens May Fall" is a gripping, exuberant new entry to the fantasy genre. Sam Kerillion confidentially pulls us into his new world populated with believable and sympathetic characters. Within pages we bond with the heroes and cannot help but to instantly despise their foe. Meaningful (and frequently humorous) dialogue keeps the action flowing and never intimidates the reader. Incredibly vivid and suspenseful action scenes keep the pages rapidly turning, and deft plot twists ensure constant interest. Many fantasy genre books turn new readers off as they worry about comprehending difficult names, places and societal structures. That is not the case here! This new land is so effortlessly constructed, so authentically filled-out that we never hesitate in our embrace.
Yet the true prize of this book is the tender personal interactions that make us care genuinely about this new world and its inhabitants. We come to love the intimidating yet deeply loving Shingen, the innocent and compassionate Kirre. We are quickly in awe of the intelligent, powerful NyteOrchid and the fiercely loyal Sherah. We are left with just enough mystery about these new heroes' lives and future adventures to make us hungry for more, and lucky for us, a sequel is already on the horizon- the highly anticipated En Kharakas: Shohain. I enthusiastically recommend this tale to any and all who hunger for excitement, danger, love and legend.
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