Description
All that stands between evil and victory, is a weapon forged out of darkness.
On the fringes of a war-ravaged Delnorian Empire, a mysterious sect harbours an unbelievable secret: an ancient prophecy foretelling the return of a legendary king who will usher in a golden age for humankind.
Amidst the chaos, Malina, a rebellious slave, is unwittingly thrust into the heart of destiny when she’s sold at auction and taken to the Mountain of Souls—a dark, mystical place where her future becomes irrevocably entwined with the prophecy.
For if she can survive the deadly training that awaits, she’ll attain sufficient skills, knowledge, and power to join The Chosen, a fearsome cohort assigned to overcome the malevolent forces standing in the way of the king’s ascension.
Failure means certain death and even success will come at a terrible cost: a conscience stained by blood, deceit, betrayal and the sacrifice of her very soul.
But is it a price she’s willing to pay?
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Excellent grim dark fantasy!
This is an excellent grim dark fantasy tale which I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end.
The action starts without preamble on the first page and re-caps (to explain how the narrator got to where she is now) don’t slow the narrative at all.
If found this a really interesting perspective for a fantasy tale. Malina and other orphans are subjected to horrendous trials in which only the strong survive. It was interesting to see how exposure to brutal death and being forced to kill, desensitised the young people incredibly quickly.
Malina’s dead brother acts as her conscience, or perhaps he is her conscience? She constantly questions why they are being asked to do such terrible things, but, even when she discovers they’re being conditioned, (using drugs and magic) she accepts her new, merciless role in life, because she is, for the first time, happy being well-fed, well-clothed and is in love.
This tale has a detailed plot that doesn’t confuse the reader but surprises at every turn. Excellent ending that leads into the next book.
Suitable for consumption by all dark fantasy and grim dark fantasy readers!