It is Friday and that means it is
time for Friday’s Forgotten Books hosted by Patti Abbott.
Having literally just finished the powerful
sequel BLOOD SWORD, it seemed fitting to again cover the excellent first
book, FLANK HAWK. I can’t
recommend these books highly enough.
Zombies are never a good
thing. Souled zombies, ones that can independently think and act, are
even worse. Then there are the goblins, ogres, seers, wizards, and more in this
time nearly 3000 years in the future where magic is prevalent, dragons fly, and
the evil necromancer king seeks to rule the world. The good people and
creatures are far outnumbered by those bent on war and conquest. Those that can
harness the most magic can turn the tide of battle –at least for now.
For Krish and his cousin Guzzy, the
recent battles outside of their small village have been more then the annual
minor attacks designed to disrupt the yearly harvest. The young men fight to
defend their village, Pine Ridge, and to protect all they hold dear. With
swords and spears protected by magic and salt, they fight on as the enemy in
many different forms continues to press the attack and people they know die
around them. Back up is on the way as kingdoms make alliances in order to slow
the advance of those loyal to the evil necromancer king. One such alliance
allows Prince Reveron of Kreese to eventually take over and lead the small
group Krish is part of into battle. Krish becomes noticed not only by the
Prince but by others and gradually works his way deeper and deeper into the
circle of those that Prince Reveron trusts. While Krish may not have had formal
military training, he acquires battle skills at a rapid rate and has certain
other skills that he continues to try to keep hidden from those around him.
Nearly any fantasy story has to have
an epic quest. The one Krish is sent on is huge and could mean the fate of the
world as well as what is left of humanity, forever changed in our times, could
massively change again. That is assuming he can survive and complete a quest
that is nearly impossible from the start. The good thing is he will get some
help. The bad thing is that the little help he gets most likely will not nearly
be enough.
Blending a fantasy line set nearly
3000 years in the future heavily reliant on magic with a modern day cold and
dispassionate tale of technology mercilessly doing exactly what it was designed
to do resulting in horrific results, is not easy. Author Terry Ervin makes it
look easy as he captivates readers for 288 pages in this very complex book.
Filled with interesting characters,
this fully formed world is strangely different and yet at times very relevant
to our modern day world of today. Krish is a man who develops throughout the
book while never losing his awe at what forces are arrayed against him. Nor
does he lose his own sense of purpose and place despite realistic periods of
self-doubt and contemplation. The same core values that come across in the
first few pages are still there at the end in a smarter more seasoned
character.
In a world where nightmares and
worse of a child are very much real and life does not last long, Krish battles
and delights readers. It is a world that could happen. May even happen as
technology spreads and is always vulnerable to use by those bent on power and
greed.
The book is highly recommended as FLANK
HAWK: A First Civilization Legacy Novel is a mighty good read.
FLANK HAWK: A First Civilization’s
Legacy Novel
Terry W. Ervin II
Gryphonwood Press
July 2009
ISBN# 978-0-9825087-0-1
Paperback (also available on the
Kindle)
290 Pages
$12.99
Material provided by the author in
exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2011, 2012
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