Rating: 8/10
Synopsis:
*In 2020, The Story of Evil series was re-edited and condensed from a five-part series into a trilogy. The volumes Heroes of the Siege and Escape from Celestial have been combined to form the first book of this trilogy, A Hero’s Downfall.
During an entertaining jousting tournament, a mysterious villain attacks the capital with his army. Because of this disastrous event, Stephen Brightflame, a nineteen-year-old who aspires to become a knight, embarks on a quest to save the kingdom from further destruction. He joins up with a convicted felon, an arrogant warrior, and a Halfling woman, but quickly learns their pasts are just as dark and disturbing as his own. Experience the first book in an epic fantasy trilogy that’s been called, “fascinating and captivating” featuring “well-rounded, enjoyable characters, intense action scenes, and riveting twists” (The US Review of Books and Self-Publishing Review)
Review
This was one of the most emotional and heartbreaking stories I’ve ever read. It is traditional fantasy, and while it takes the tropes of fantasy and grapples it side by side, man. The story really gets moving at the later paces of the novel and this is a good thing. I’m filled with sadness writing this. The writing was good, but many places could have been improved. Some parts did drag within the story, and I felt a shorter tightening would have been better. It is because of one tournament that everything goes up side down. And Grizz was my favorite character. Poor Griz.
It is impossible for me to summarise this story’s plot – because its a story full of revenge and loss, horror and hope. There are so many secrets in this novel you’ll be surprised. The world building is excellent and I can hopefully tell, that the author has spent his time playing World of World of Warcraft, Guild Wars II and ESO/Skyrim. There’s a lot of influences from that. I really enjoyed all the characters in this except the arrogant crown prince and his father. The novel itself is really a set up of what is to come.
I loved Ty so much, and I felt that Kari was a good character but I wanted to see more of her developing her own personality as opposed to being juxtaposed between Steve and Ty. There are tales of heartbreak, tales of love, fighting monsters and there’s the brave resistance, the hope that you’ll fight back against over-whelming evil. And in a way, it represents the nature of warfare itself. Young people dying for nothing but for the whims of old generals. I suspect there’s a lot more to this world.
Its a very big novel, and all I will say is, go read this. You won’t regret a single moment. Its a massive collection of a story and I want to see what happens in the next novel!
Leave a Reply