Vroege RecensentenJohn Brown

The debut novel and launch of an intriguing new fantasy series from a writer to watch. An epic fantasy, a coming-of-age tale, a story about families and the ties—-and the secrets—-that bind, Servant of a Dark God is all those things. “Brown’s first novel, the opener in a new fantasy series, creates an elaborate new world with a rich and deep spiritual and political background … this well-wrought tale of families in conflict against both politics and religion represents a welcome addition to large-scale fantasy.” —Library Journal Starred Review “A smart setting and a great story.” —Brandon Sanderson “Thoroughly engrossing from the first page to the last...A writer with remarkable depth and power. I haven’t seen a debut novel this good in years!” —David Farland “A complex and intricate world, filled with all the permutations of human good and evil … Neither heroes nor villains are quite what they seem at first.” —L.E. Modesitt Servant of a Dark God introduces an elaborate new world, a strange and dark system of magic, and a compelling cast of characters and monsters The novel opens up with the young protagonist Talen living a seemingly ordinary existence with his family in a small village. At first, rumors of a dark and twisted magic—wrought by people beloved for years and thought of as family—are heard from neighboring villages. Then Talen, sent on a mission to outside cities, runs into age-old conflicts and rivalries and the surprising beginnings of a possible war, one to include everyone around him and stretch to the almost mythical lands beyond the seas. If only humans were the only ones involved in the ominous developments. For an ancient and terrible force has awakened and begun to stalk the land and gather souls. Many have been in denial on the forces existing underneath everyday life, and a witch hunt begins among the villages. No one is certain of friend or enemy, those untouched by magic and those tainted by it. Dark days are ahead as Talen and those close to him must come to terms with a wild and unwieldy magic—one that can exact a great price if used wrongly—as well as the many strange and unpredictable elements being revealed in the world around them. Talen’s peaceful village life becomes a thing of the past, as he begins to see the true sides of the world and people around him, even his own family. He must reevaluate his definitions of good and evil and come to terms with who he is and what kind of stand he will make if forced to take sides in the coming events.

"The launch of a towering new fantasy series introduces an elaborate new world, a strange and dark system of magic, and a cast of compelling characters and monsters. Young Talen lives in a world where the days of a person’s life can be harvested, bought, and stolen. Only the great Divines, who rule every land, and the human soul-eaters, dark ones who steal from man and beast and become twisted by their polluted draws, know the secrets of this power. This land’s Divine has gone missing and soul-eaters are found among Talen’s people. The Clans muster a massive hunt, and Talen finds himself a target. Thinking his struggle is against both soul-eaters and their hunters, Talen actually has far larger problems. A being of awesome power has arisen, one whose diet consists of the days of man. Her Mothers once ranched human subjects like cattle. She has emerged to take back what is rightfully hers. Trapped in a web of lies and ancient secrets, Talen must struggle to identify his true enemy before the Mother finds the one whom she will transform into the lord of the human harvest."