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CreateSpace 2011
Available Kindle edition
ISBN N/A
On the planet Ahreele a devastating war has begun. The savage and animalistic Grol have recently acquired very powerful magic weapons from the land of the Sha’ree, a mystical people long thought to be dead. Arrin, a man living in exile for the last fifteen years has seen the devastation first hand and has gone back to his home of Lathah to warn them of the approaching doom.
Cael is a young boy whose home of Nurin has been overrun and destroyed by the Korme, who are loosely allied with the Grol, using the same magic weapons. While making a desperate run into the Dead Lands, he meets two Sha’ree who are on a mission to warn civilization, as well as gather together the bearers of far older magic to defeat the enemies of peace. Cael carries one of these ancient devices.
Domor of the Vel attempts to make his way through the Dead Lands as well, to find his family in Nurin. He, along with his blood companion, run into other enemies with magic weapons but are saved by the two Sha’ree and the Pathra, cat people who are allies of the human Lathans.
Can a small band of people from different lands join with their allies and defeat their enemies? And who is Sultae of the Sha’ree and what of the plague that supposedly killed them all? The band of hopeful heroes must also contend with the Tumult, a time when the two moons cross paths and wreak havoc on the planet.
Dawn of War, book one of the Blood War trilogy is Tim Marquitz’s first foray into fantasy fiction and he has done an exceptional job. There is a lot going on and there are many points of view to follow, but Marquitz keeps it all tight and easy to follow. Character development is very good, keeping each race of people easily identifiable. This first book introduces the various points of view and ends on just the proper note, leaving the reader wanting to read more. I’m not generally big on fantasy, but I enjoyed Dawn of War immensely. I think you will, too. It can be had for free through the Amazon Kindle store. Recommended.
Contains: violence and gore
Reviewed by: Colleen Wanglund