Synopsis
Ruin follows in the wake of Torrlond’s victorious army and the beasts its priests enslave, leaving no corner of Eormenlond untouched by the inferno of its war. Kingdoms and tribes line up on opposing sides as the conflict rages, rekindling ancient hatreds and avenging old wrongs. As Dayraven struggles to contain the vast power of his curse, he and Sequara confront the destruction of all they hold dear. To salvage their world, they must sacrifice what most makes it precious. With twists as wrenching as they are unexpected, The Prophet of Edan reveals the War of the Way’s culmination.
Review
An excellent second installment of the Edan Trilogy. Chase manages to pull off a story even more compelling than the first book. In this tale, our protagonist, Dayraven, stops denying his dubious gift, and instead accepts training with hopes of learning to control it. The first portion of the book is dedicated to this training. In the process, Dayraven forms and deepens some important relationships, while surrounded by powerful sorceresses and wizards.
In the meantime, his merry band of warriors helps train a fighting force before going off on their own. My favorite of these warriors is Gnorn, a dwarf-like character. He often made me chuckle, particularly over his hatred of sailing the high seas.
Elsewhere, other factions appear, forming alliances and choosing sides. And of course, the antagonist, the Supreme Priest Bledla, is oh so pious and sure of himself. There is no doubt that he is a force to be reckoned with. I listened to the audiobook, and Bledla’s voice is reminiscent of Darth Vader, making him all the more menacing.
Chase weaves an intricate tale in a detailed world. Some of the strongest aspects are his depiction of the forces that those with “the gift “wield. It is clear Chase has a background in world religions, and he succeeds in communicating some beautiful, esoteric concepts in the natural flow of a high-fantasy epic. He also draws from mythologies that lend depth and texture to his unique world.
There are many poignant moments and high stakes. The final third of the book is a protracted battle, with many wonderful scenes that I won’t spoil for you. Chase wraps it up with a satisfying conclusion, with several seeds planted for the final book of the trilogy. I’m looking forward to it!
The audiobook, narrated by Allen Walker, is excellent. I call him the “man of many voices.” Seriously, he is amazing. And every time he sang the Songs of Origin, it made me smile. Oh, and the voice of… the low, slow, grumbly voice. Do you know who I mean? Incredible!
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