Review by Ruth Fuller -- Riven Calyx by Mark Leon Collins
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Review by Ruth Fuller -- Riven Calyx by Mark Leon Collins
[Following is a volunteer review of "Riven Calyx" by Mark Leon Collins.]
This is a review of Riven Calyx, by Mark Leon Collins. The opening of the story puts us in the midst of an attack on the final citadel in Escavia called Nan-Enn. This attack is led by Prince Tabor who is brother to King Tell of Escavia. During the battle, one of his knights, Mordrak, hated seeing the women and children fighting alongside their men and hoped they would surrender in order to save their own lives. Instead, the people began to torch their own city so as to give nothing away to their invaders. There even came a point when Mordrak had no choice but to kill some attacking children in his and his companion's defense even though he begged them to run from him instead. The act left him distraught and physically sick because, in his heart, he knew that orphans were "the true war heroes". All of these things made Mordrak realize that there was an enchantment over the city that encouraged the people to fight for their late king. They were even committing suicide each day.
Even King Tell appeared to have a derangement over him that was attributed to some sort of power there. Because of all these things, Mordrak was sent to search for a certain wizard in order to bring him back with him to lift the enchantment and thus break the curse. Mordrak also felt this enchantment in the form of taunting spirits that he wanted to rid himself of. In the midst of his search for the wizard, his sister Adriselle was reported missing by her friends. Now Mordrak had two situations weighing heavily on his heart and mind that he felt personally responsible to rectify.
I have never read a fantasy novel before, but this one immediately drew me into the story. The characters were well described in their thoughts, emotions, and physical appearance. The Norse mythology aspects of the story got me intrigued and have given me a curiosity about a subject that I had never even thought about before. I also thoroughly enjoyed what I found to be analogies interwoven throughout various scenes of the novel while describing fighting in various realms, (physical or ethereal), or in describing a location, building, or people. I was able to draw concepts from various parts of the story and relate them to parts of my own personal spiritual beliefs and experiences. Because of this, I now have a deeper interest in the fantasy genre than I have ever had before.
Collins doesn't spare any details in describing the sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and emotions of what is happening at any given moment, and thus effortlessly immerses the reader directly into each character's experience. I encountered full adventure, bravery, and intriguing mind games. I found nothing not to like about this novel and now find myself curiously waiting for his next one to come out as well. The novel appears to be professionally edited and I did not notice any typos. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars for the reasons that I wrote above.
Fans of swordplay, magic, faerie realms, elves, goblins, and the like will enjoy this novel. Beyond that, I found a story of courage and learning to trust one's comrades in the midst of fearsome tribulation, developed throughout. Anyone who enjoys a story that makes them think deeply and ponder parts of their own life, while also granting them an amazing adventure to boot, should thoroughly enjoy this novel.
******
Riven Calyx
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
This is a review of Riven Calyx, by Mark Leon Collins. The opening of the story puts us in the midst of an attack on the final citadel in Escavia called Nan-Enn. This attack is led by Prince Tabor who is brother to King Tell of Escavia. During the battle, one of his knights, Mordrak, hated seeing the women and children fighting alongside their men and hoped they would surrender in order to save their own lives. Instead, the people began to torch their own city so as to give nothing away to their invaders. There even came a point when Mordrak had no choice but to kill some attacking children in his and his companion's defense even though he begged them to run from him instead. The act left him distraught and physically sick because, in his heart, he knew that orphans were "the true war heroes". All of these things made Mordrak realize that there was an enchantment over the city that encouraged the people to fight for their late king. They were even committing suicide each day.
Even King Tell appeared to have a derangement over him that was attributed to some sort of power there. Because of all these things, Mordrak was sent to search for a certain wizard in order to bring him back with him to lift the enchantment and thus break the curse. Mordrak also felt this enchantment in the form of taunting spirits that he wanted to rid himself of. In the midst of his search for the wizard, his sister Adriselle was reported missing by her friends. Now Mordrak had two situations weighing heavily on his heart and mind that he felt personally responsible to rectify.
I have never read a fantasy novel before, but this one immediately drew me into the story. The characters were well described in their thoughts, emotions, and physical appearance. The Norse mythology aspects of the story got me intrigued and have given me a curiosity about a subject that I had never even thought about before. I also thoroughly enjoyed what I found to be analogies interwoven throughout various scenes of the novel while describing fighting in various realms, (physical or ethereal), or in describing a location, building, or people. I was able to draw concepts from various parts of the story and relate them to parts of my own personal spiritual beliefs and experiences. Because of this, I now have a deeper interest in the fantasy genre than I have ever had before.
Collins doesn't spare any details in describing the sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and emotions of what is happening at any given moment, and thus effortlessly immerses the reader directly into each character's experience. I encountered full adventure, bravery, and intriguing mind games. I found nothing not to like about this novel and now find myself curiously waiting for his next one to come out as well. The novel appears to be professionally edited and I did not notice any typos. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars for the reasons that I wrote above.
Fans of swordplay, magic, faerie realms, elves, goblins, and the like will enjoy this novel. Beyond that, I found a story of courage and learning to trust one's comrades in the midst of fearsome tribulation, developed throughout. Anyone who enjoys a story that makes them think deeply and ponder parts of their own life, while also granting them an amazing adventure to boot, should thoroughly enjoy this novel.
******
Riven Calyx
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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