Review of Riven Calyx

[Kalohe]

[i][Following is a volunteer review of "Riven Calyx" by Mark Leon Collins.][/i]

[rwc=id448761-125]4 out of 4 stars.[/rwc]You really ought to read [i]Riven Calyx[/i] by Mark Leon Collins. It deserves a [b]4 out of 4 stars[/b] rating. This book pulls you in fast and drives you to want to read it straight through. The early battle scene is described so well you feel that you are there. The characters and the emotions they experience are described just as well as the action sequences. Fantasy can sometimes be a formulaic, but Mr. Collins has a flair for writing that immerses you and involves you in what you are reading. Fantasy fans will love this novel. I would point out that I had the pleasure of reading [i]Riven Calyx[/i]’s 2nd edition that has been revised and re-edited. Be sure you read that edition as well.



[i]Riven Calyx[/i] does have the standard Fantasy fare of questing, wizards, ogres, elves, and other mystical creatures, but they exist to advance the story and are not just there as ornaments. The battle sequences are so vividly described that at times I caught myself holding my breath as I read. Any summary of this book is fraught with the possibility of spoilers, but let’s dive in.



Mordrak proves himself in battle early in the novel by killing an ogre and saving his mentor’s life. However, in that same battle he is forced to kill what he at first sees as little people, but soon finds are 7 children intent on dying in battle. His killing of those children haunts him from that day onward. His torment may be fueled by more than just the fact that he killed children. Are there other evil influences as well? King Tell also falls under a dark spell while he tours the battle scene.



Despite having previously banished wizards, King Tell sends Mordrak on a quest for a wizard to replace his former advisor. Mordrak’s sister, Adriselle, accompanies him on the quest. After a fraught journey to find Ifhrd, the wizard, life only gets worse for Mordrak. After a battle in Ifhrd’s tower, described in breath-taking detail, the challenges and difficulties of the quest compound. Ifhrd is killed by Mordrak while he is attempting to kill the murderous and hideous troglodyte who has attacked Ifhrd. Adriselle is rescued and transported away by the wizard Astocath leading to her own special complications.



Mordrak must then retarget his quest to another wizard. Astocath seems the logical choice and the adventure redoubles. While traveling through Escavia Mordrak and his traveling companions are able to enlist Astocath to their cause. Their journey takes them to an elven kingdom best described as awesomely wondrous. Ultimately the group is transported to Faerie and they experience both its good and its bad aspects. The last battle of this book takes place in Faerie and is so well described that the reader can’t help but live its action.



There is more to come in the next installment in this series of novels. I can’t wait to read it as well. It has been some time since I read a novel by someone who can write action sequences so vividly and describes emotions so well that you can feel the heaviness weighing on the characters when their melancholia clouds their minds. Mr. Collins has that knack and uses it well. I was often so drawn in by his writing that I lost track of time until noting that the sun had gone down. I recommend [i]Riven Calyx[/i] and, as I said, I look forward to the future novels in this series.

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[i]Riven Calyx [/i]
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