4 out of 4 stars
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The Sun God's Heir: Return by Elliott Baker is the beginning of the “Sun God's Heir” trilogy.
René Gilbert is a young French man who has been trained by a master swordsman since he was five years old. After his first kill, he realizes he has no desire to harm another man. He vows to never kill again. In an age where dueling is the means of settling disputes, it is no easy task for René to keep his vow. Some would even call him a coward. That matters little to René. However, it is not long before he is called upon to protect those he loves.
With an ancient Egyptian foe seeking to destroy him, René is thrust into a series of adventures on the high seas. He must be strategic to return to his family and the woman he loves. Along the way he discovers new friends, glimpses things beyond the physical realm, and gains a new understanding of life.
This is a delightful tale that engaged my interest throughout the entire book. Full of exciting adventures, bloodthirsty pirates, epic swordfights, and witty dialogue there is never a dull moment.The characters are what immediately drew me into the story. I love René’s character, although I will admit he is definitely the too-good-to-be-true protagonist. He is honorable, talented, rarely makes a mistake and is loved by everyone (excluding the villains, of course). Some people may be bothered by this, but I think it fits this book well. The story is not limited to daring young men, though. There are two really strong female characters as well. One is sassy and the other is fierce. I love them both!
With excellent descriptions and an occasional use of French or Spanish words in the dialogue, the author does a brilliant job of connecting you to the time and place of the novel. The author has a good understanding of various cultures which makes this book shine. I was able to picture everything vividly, submerge myself in that era, and even learn a few tidbits along the way.
This book reminds me of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Legend of Zorro, but with a mystical/paranormal flare. I am not sure that meshing together ancient Egypt and seventeenth century France is the best idea, but I am pleased with the way the author handles it. Although the two time periods and cultures seem jarring to me, they do not compete with each other in this book. Ancient Egypt is there, but it plays a background part to the rest of the story.
There's a lot to love about this story which is why I am giving it 4 out of 4 stars. It is excellently written. The only typo I came across was a missing period once or twice. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great swashbuckling adventure. This book is also fairly clean and may be suitable for young adults. There is one scene where sex is implied and the violence is not graphic in nature.
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The Sun God's Heir: Return
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