This year I’m going to host an Advent Book Calendar event, where Jen and me are going to pick one book every day until December 24th. Books we’ve read this year, and tell you why you should pick it up. You can check our progress in the Advent Book Calendar 2018 introduction post, where you can “open” the windows every day and find out what we have for your reading pleasure!
This day is a bit special. December 6th is Saint Nicholas day here in Hungary. Which means this morning many kids (and adults) woke up finding lots of sweets (or birch depending on if they behaved throughout the year or not) in their boots they put in the window waiting for Santa Claus to come overnight.
And since this is a mini holiday, I decided to bring 2 books I’ve read and enjoyed this year from the same author. He was the first who officially requested a review from my then newborn blog. I enjoyed both books and couldn’t really pick between them so decided to bend the rules a bit. And yes, I can do that, so shut up 😛
The Light in the Dark is a dark epic fantasy series rich with characters and story. The main character is Drangar Ralgon who had a hard past which he tries to cope with. Meanwhile a war is brewing on the horizon and the different parties have to work together to have chance against some dark powers that are about to rise. The series has really strong characters, and many, many layers that you can only see if you pay attention to the details. It also happens to feature one of my most favorite fantasy familiars ever, a squirrel named Bright-Eyes. Also this series has the most heartbreaking scene ever. I tell you.
“Shattered Dreams is like a treasure hunt where you don’t get rubies and diamonds, but some important pieces of information masquerading themselves as unimportant pebbles. You have to pay attention to all the little details, because you can never know what might be get back in your face later.”
Epic Fantasy filled to the brim with Grimdark Reality
If one looks too long into the abyss, the abyss looks back. Drangar Ralgon has been avoiding the abyss’s gaze for far too long and now he turns to face it.
For a hundred years the young kingdom of Danastaer has thrived in peace. Now their northern neighbor, mighty Chanastardh, has begun a cunning invasion.
Thrust into events far beyond his control, the mercenary Drangar Ralgon flees his solitary life as a shepherd to evade the coming war and take responsibility for his crimes.
In Dunthiochagh, Danastaer’s oldest city, the holy warrior Kildanor uncovers the enemy’s plans for invasion.
As ancient forces reach forth to shape the world once more, the sorceress Ealisaid wakes from a century of hibernation only to realize the Dunthiochagh she knew is no more. Magic, believed long gone, returns, and with it comes an elven wizard sent to recover a dangerous secret.
“Shattered Hopes is a cleverly written second book, which not only grew up to the first one, but managed to surpass it.”
Drangar Ralgon survived death… twice!
He has no idea how, nor is he any closer to unearthing why his beloved had to die.
Drowning in questions, Drangar receives aid from the unlikeliest of sources. The Chosen Kildanor, immortal warrior of a shunned god, has taken a liking to the mercenary. With his path to answers blocked by a besieging army, Drangar must do his part in defeating the enemy.
Reluctantly, Drangar once more prepares for war.
Read both of my reviews of Shattered Dreams and Shattered Hopes or get them on Amazon!
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