Synopsis
Fog looms over Entervia, bringing with it a long-dead legend and a dangerous power.
Zercien Volnaire, a young history teacher in the capital city of Entervia, was only a child when he last saw the fog and the demon in red robes within. But when war descends upon his home, the fog returns, and his mind becomes the vessel for a long-dead legendary hero’s return.
Now the spurned army from Ankarth, led by one who casts forbidden magic known as Pariah, marches ever closer to Entervia, its every step a warning of impending annihilation. And a depraved madman wanders the plains to the east in search of a throne, ever-vigilant for his next blood tithe.
Zercien finds himself possessed by the hero of old, and is granted unmatched strength and an unnatural immunity to forbidden magic. But with it comes a choice that will determine the fate of his homeland: embrace his loathsome alter ego and lose himself to the allure of power, or reject his gift and risk the destruction of Entervia.
The fog consumes.
The fog corrupts.
But the fog emboldens.
Review
I had a copy of this for too long, so apologies, but thanks to the author for the copy! My friend, Richard, really praises this one!
This is a reluctant hero story that is just as lighthearted at times as it is clever. Our lead, Zercian, a teacher, finds himself drafted into the Entervian military through no fault of his own (or is it?). His mind is being commandeered by an ancient legendary hero, and that hero, simply will not leave him alone. But the thing is, over time, Zercian’s fear dissipates, his anticipation rises, and suddenly, he’s not so reluctant anymore. Is this solely because of his being fogbound, or was the inner hero—not the actual legendary being inhabiting his mind—there all along?
This played with the idea of choice in a cool way. While Zercian is most definitely compelled, afraid of the danger, in the middle of teaching, and is in love and hasn’t proposed yet, hasn’t his life become just like the stories he teaches? And surely he won’t miss out on the chance to save kin and country? But still there’s the underlying debate on choice. Not only what would happen if he wasn’t compelled, but while he is, is he even the one steering the wheel anyway? It felt like a very old school trope coming to life. Making me think of Gandalf directing Frodo as they leave Rivendell in the movie, or Eragon telling Brom, “I didn’t ask for any of this.” Why do we torture our fantasy folks with such journeys? What I love was the fact that Zercian has so many reasons to stay and so many to go.
The cast of characters has great banter, differing skills, personalities, and connections, and all service the novel in their own unique way. There’s tidbits of intrigue, mentions of the world beyond, and setup galore for the coming series. This is an underrated indie release for sure, bump it up in your TBR if you respect my opinion at all!
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