This book tells a great tale of Edyis, who is supposed to go on a long journey in order to save the world from impending doom, along with a few others who are seemingly under qualified, just as she is. Together, they need to figure out a way to stop the evil that is coming for the Earth, which sometimes seems like a large feat all in itself. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, the story reminds me of Lord of the Rings. ( )

Eydis is chosen by the First Mother to undergo a quest to save the world from destruction by a risen foe named Rathnakar. Along with her companions, a barbarian and a budding mage, she sets out to save Asincourt, and the rest of the world.

Interesting plot, somewhat reminiscent of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I enjoyed the book. It was a nice easy read and completely leaves the reader hanging to see what happens next. This is very obviously only the first stage of the quest for these heroes. ( )

I received this book in exchange for a review. As a fan of fantasy, the description was attractive to me. However, I found that I never got a feel for the world in which the action occurs. Yes we have a goddess influencing the action, and there is a clearly nasty bad guy. But, the dynamics of the world, it's power structures, its history and the role of religion remain uncertain to me. At first I thought the mother-father religion was powerful and dominant, but the action didn't bear that up. And there was nothing to let me know whether that was good or bad or if there were specific reasons. The characters were rather 2-dimensional, hinting at deeper stories, but without real depth. There were a few times when there were some discontinuities in the story, with someone knowing something that they didn't in a previous scene. And the book ends on something of a cliffhanger, although the author does tell us what is happening with each character first. I liked that touch. Overall, the book was a quick read, but I am not drawn to read the rest of the series as I didn't get attached to any of the characters. ( )

I was especially happy about winning a copy of this book to review. I had never heard of this series or author before but the description sounded promising. I was not disappointed!

First off one of my favorite things about this book is the strong female main character. Eydis has a little bit of all my favorite qualities from fantasy characters. She is the stoic but mysterious leader, she is the magic wielder and she is the courageous but sometimes unwilling participant.

Eydis is given a chance through her visions to try and change the course of the coming war. Eydis’s two companions, Geveral and Orrick, complete the company by adding their own unique qualities. The three play off each other very well even when they are doubting each other. Geveral has a completely different magical talent than Eydis, while she has the life-touch and can change her or someone else’s appearance, he has some small control over the weather and plants. He must struggle to find his magical potential and ultimately the limit to his power and strength. Orrick is hell bent on revenge and he knows the only way to find the man he searches for is to help with Eydis’s mission. I’m still not sure where Orrick’s loyalties lie. He is an interesting character I hope to learn more about.
This is a good, fast paced fantasy adventure. There are enough plot twists, adventure and fantastical creatures that you’ll be asking yourself how you finished the book so quickly!

I’m hoping that in the second book I get to find out more about the Kroadians and how they came to have heightened senses. They seem like an interesting race. I am interested in finding out why Eydis did not use her talent for masks on Orrick but maybe that will be explained more in the second book as well. All in all this was a very enjoyable first in the series. I would really recommend this to anyone but if you are starting out in fantasy this seems to be a good place to start! ( )

I won this book in a giveaway.

I love a good quest. But what I love even more is a good quest where the major players are underdogs.

Eydis is the leader of this band of misfits. She is a lovely character - honest, strong-willed, brave, and brilliant. After her pilgrimage, Eydis was planning on leading a life of solitary devotion in a seclusionary but the visions she was given at the very end of this pilgrimage changes these plans, as well as, the course of her life.

She must first find the other members - the Catalysts - that are to make up her motley crew. Orrick, a Kroadian, aka Betrayer of Blood, is a traitor sentenced to die. Can Eydis trust him? And, a Dryad mage who turns out to be Geveral, a young man who, at first glance, isn't magically gifted whatsoever. But, Eydis trusts the visions and she insists Geveral is the mage that must join them. And, of course, she is right.

I love the fact that these characters are each "flawed" in some manner. It makes you want to root for them even more. But, more that that, It also brings a realism that helps to immerse you into the fantastical world these characters live in.

I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. ( )