Patricia Bray

The book looks like it should be classic sword and sorcery of the Conan variety - and it does hit a lot of the key tropes - barbarian warrior who wanders into civilization after the death of his family and ends up saving everyone, secretive evil sorcerer, brave but clueless sidekick...

But somewhere it takes a left turn. In fact, it takes a left turn almost immediately, because Devlin is not your classic sword and sorcery hero. He was a farmer and a blacksmith. And he doesn't want fame or glory or fortune. The only thing he wants is to repay his debts and find an honorable death. He thinks becoming the Chosen One of Jorsk will give him both, but is wasn't counting on the gods or his own sense of duty...

From Captain Drakken of the Palace Guard to the minstrel Stephen and Duke Gerhard of the King's Council, Devlin's journey brings him into contact with a number of characters who will help and hinder him. And it the actions and interactions of these characters that takes this book from cliched sword and sorcery to gripping tale of rebirth - the rebirth of a man and the rebirth of a kingdom.

I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys classic fantasy, but is tired of seeing the same old muscle-thewed barbarians cut their way through the same old enemy hordes.… (meer)

The most satisfying conclusion to a trilogy or series I have read in a long time. The book as a whole is well written, and the series is one of the very rare sword-and-sorcery type books that I truly enjoy. There is enough depth and connection to the characters to truly engage me, but the story is fast moving and never quite does the expected.

In the first book, Devlin became Chosen One of Jorsk because the position paid enough gold he could be sure his brother's wife and children would be able to live well after the death of their father. Once he sends the money off, he just hoped the job would kill him quickly (like it had all of his predecessors. Instead he survived, and found a new reason to live. As Devlin's Justice begins, he is returning to Jorsk with a long-lost artifact and walks into a betrayal beyond his imagination.

The first half to the book follows to storylines, Devlin's friends and allies, as they try to find out what happened to him, and Devlin's as he tries to escape the trap he finds himself in. Eventually the two story lines come together, and of course (sword-and-sorcery style) good triumphs over evil

It is rare that I put down that a book completely satisfied. Neither clamoring for more nor disappointed in some aspect. Patricia Bray manages a realistic ending that avoids being saccharine and is totally in keeping with the characters she introduced us to throughout the series. The story is clearly over, but the world will go on.

Very much looking forward to picking up more of Patricia Bray's work.… (meer)