When the Heavens Fall

March 2, 2015
Debut author Turner’s epic fantasy trilogy launch—heavily populated with warriors, mages, gods, fearsome creatures, and even an undead army—provides plenty of frenzy but little momentum. Mayot, a rogue mage, has stolen an ancient tome with the power to harness the dead; with differing motives, several players move from distant locales to reclaim it. Bits of backstory are draped on each character, but the bulk of the novel involves traveling, fighting a little, then traveling some more. Disaffected mage Luker’s journey with a military attaché who may be an enemy blurs with newly crowned king Ebon’s journey with a military attaché who may be an enemy. The necromancer Parolla is so poorly characterized that her third-act impact on the story is utterly bewildering. High priestess Romany, a delightful mix of ruthlessness and entitled haughtiness, serves the Spider, an indistinct deity whose role is never clarified. The story lines finally coalesce in one more massacre of undead extras amid blasts of magical fire and wind. Weary readers perplexed by the inexplicable resolution will have little reason to look for the sequels. Agent: Andy Zack, Zack Company.

March 15, 2015

Renegade mage Mayot Mencada has stolen a very dangerous tome, the Book of Souls, which gives him power over the dead. He must be stopped before he finishes setting massive armies of long-dead warriors on the warpath. Various forces follow the tendrils of power from the ancient relic to oppose Mayot including Ebon, the heir to the Galitian throne, and Parolla, a necromancer who wants the power of the book. Romany, a priestess of the Spider, may have set it all in motion, but even she may not be able to control the powers unleashed. VERDICT Turner sets a lot of players on the board for his debut epic fantasy. Rival factions within realms, warring nations, gods and goddesses, and the resurrected dead from past civilizations all crowd the stage. Ambitious and action packed, this title is also occasionally muddled, as rapid shifts in perspective are juggled and various forces converge on the Book of Souls. As a series opener, it shows promise.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.