In a world where magic has disappeared, rival nations vie for power in a continent devastated by war.
When a young farm girl, Livia, demonstrates magical powers for the first time in a century there are many across the land that will kill to obtain her power. Duke Gothelm's tallymen, the blood-soaked Qeltine Brotherhood, and cynical mercenary Josten Cade: all are searching for Livia and the power she wields.
But Livia finds that guardians can come from the most unlikely places ... and that the old gods are returning to a world they abandoned.
About the Author :
R.S. Ford originally hails from Leeds in the heartland of Yorkshire but now resides in the wild fens of Cambridgeshire. His previous works include the raucous steampunk adventure, Kultus, and the grimdark fantasy trilogy, Steelhaven.
A native of the United Kingdom, Audie and AudioFile Earphones Award winner Derek Perkins's audiobook narration skills are augmented by a knowledge of three foreign languages and a facility with accents. He has narrated numerous titles in a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA.
Review :
"Beautifully crafted, hypnotic, darkly comic, and brutal."
-- "Andy Remic, author of The Dragon Engine"
"Exciting and fast-paced. Fans of the author's Steelhaven trilogy will look forward to this proposed fantasy trilogy."
-- "Booklist"
"Narrator Derek Perkins is a master at delivering the world-building in this first installment of a new fantasy trilogy. An engaging storyteller, he assists the listener in differentiating the threads of the plot before they come together...Perkins captures the friendship and loyalty among various characters who inhabit this brutal culture. His narration adds to their likability and provides relief from the otherwise ceaseless hardship of their lives."
-- "AudioFile"
Launching the War of the Archons epic fantasy series, Ford establishes an engrossing world on the brink of a new era, but the story is sometimes confusing and tedious. Magic abruptly disappeared from the land in an event called the Fall, leading to escalations and shifts in ongoing wars as well as the development of various superstitions and gruesome rituals. Over 100 years later, humble farmer Livia Harrow develops sudden, uncontrollable magical powers. She is ripped from her comfortable life and thrust into a world in which mercenaries, political operatives, and blood cults all want to capture her for their own ends. Meanwhile, long-exiled and inscrutable ancient gods called Archons make plans of their own. Readers learn more about the world as each new character is introduced, but the connections between their stories remain nebulous for long stretches as Ford jumps around among eras and places. Shopworn archetypes (particularly Livia, a sweet and pretty nonentity who gets passed around like a football by other characters) further mar this otherwise promising tale, giving readers little reason to wait for volume two.
-- "Publishers Weekly"
