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2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Want a book you can't put down? This is it! Jun 14, 2007
By Ariane Richard
"Image Literaire"
If you like fantasy novels such as Lord of the Rings and Riddle Master, you will love this story. It is very original, non-linear, and has some great twists and turns. The author pulls you right into a magical world and makes you care deaply for the characters that are both humanily flawed and extraodinary. But perhaps the best thing about this book is that I couldn't figure out what would happen next, and my curiosity kept me turning the pages well into the night - which was a real pleasure beause, usually, I always figure out the plot of books.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in the story as well as other works from E P Harlow.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Sword and sorcery with heart and soul Sep 17, 2008
By Patricia N. Dance
Harlow has created a very realistic world that is filled with awe and terror, magic and might, and one that is as believable as it is enjoyable. This world is populated with characters that are thoroughly believable and enjoyable to read about. Reading these words, it is possible to feel transported to a different time and place, and yet still find something familiar in that world.
All of the characters, protagonists and antagonists, have rich strong voices that pull you deeper into their stories. It's been a long time since I found myself caring what happened to the characters in a story. Harlow makes his characters feel like friends to the reader, so much so that you'd be able to recognise them were they real people.
This is a fresh and exciting book. I hope that there is more to come!
4 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Some of the best fantasy out there! Nov 16, 2006
By Calliéan
Right from the beginning, the author pulls you into a rich and believable world with great settings and sincere characters. There's plenty of intrigue, heroism, and magic. Our heroes face terrifying foes, and they eventually start to understand their part in an epic struggle to save their home. There's love and friendship during it all, and you end up really caring for the characters.
*****CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS!*****
Conall is the main character, and he's an amazing swordsman. He's also the chosen one of the prophecy--but with a twist. Actually, he is a chosen one of the prophecy, a product of the Council of Watchers that grooms and releases a chosen one every so often.
Despite the cruel legacy, Conall is courageous, and he fights dragons, giants made of fire, and a whole host of monsters alongside his friends. There's Jaehan the wizard, Zike the elf, Mac-Lir the priest, Raedah the warrior (reminds me of Red Sonja), Ghezri the storm elf, and Andree. She's too complex to pin down with just one word. Torn between the love that waits for him back home and the love of Andree, Conall faces as many tests of his heart as he faces tests of his sword.
After the heroes meet Multhazadar-the main villain-and lose that fight, they begin to seek answers. Pretty soon, their part becomes clear, as two of Espyrea's gods briefly appear to help guide them. They travel to the deadly island of the storm elves, right as a massive storm moves in over their home. They meet Ghezri the storm elf, and together, they return to Espyrea to battle the invading army of Multhazadar (the Clockwork King).
The Clockwork King's plans are slowly revealed through the course of the story: his people are cursed by the sun and the moon, and any direct light from either kills them. They want revenge on the people of Espyrea for making them that way, and to ensure their success, he summons a thousand-year storm to blot out both sun and moon. With his army, he is set on wiping out the races of men from the world.
The fate of Espyrea is grim. The Clockwork King's shapeshifters are in key positions, his troops are on the march, and he forms an alliance with the foul and hateful oscugs who hate the races of men almost as much as he does. Cities and fortresses fall, and soon the survivors flee across the ocean to a deserted keep for their last stand. The heroes join their countrymen for a final battle on dark and stormy shores.
*****END OF SPOILERS*****
Storms of Espyrea is a tightly woven story that doesn't leave any loose ends. So much happens in it that I could hardly scratch the surface in this review, but I guess I can say it's a story about epic struggles, friendship, love, and sacrifice. It has amazing descriptions and heart-pounding battles. What more could you want from a fantasy novel? It really is some of the best I've ever read.
4 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Epic Fantasy has a new Champion Nov 15, 2006
By Coleman P. Ellsworth
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were deep and likeable, and relationships were realistic, not forced. The scene descriptions emerse you into the world that the author was trying to create without bogging you down.
The plot is original and keeps you wanting to read more. I highly recommend this book and give it five out of five stars.
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