Okay, it's been nearly a year since my last blog post, which was a review of the first book in this series, The Dark Lord's Tale (click here for that review). Changes in my schedule last spring, along with my life getting busier caused my blog to fall along the wayside. Now, as I restart my blog, it seems fitting that my first post upon returning is a review of the second novel in this series.
The Dark Lord's Tale established Corban Vayd as a young man who, on his eighteenth birthday is endowed with great power, a magic he discovers is a result of a curse placed on his family generations ago. Corban comes from a family of Dark Lords, beginning with Kaiser Vayd, the rebellious brother of the Realm's first king. The most recent Dark Lord, Corban's father Oren Vayd, died in combat against King Ambrosius the day Corban was born. Although he now possesses this power and is the chosen heir to the title of "Dark Lord," Corban wants nothing to do with the title or the power that goes with it, thus beginning his quest to discover some way to rid himself of the Dark Power before it consumes his soul forever.
The Sword of Fire begins with Mandan Aherne, the White Wizard who befriended Corban in TDLT, now praying and seeking God's counsel. Mandan has become consumed with hatred toward Corban, whom he blames for the death of his wife, Althea. The White Wizard has become embroiled in an intense struggle between his desire for vengeance and his longing to serve and please the God to whom he has pledged his life.
Meanwhile, Prince Mogens, the Regent who has ruled the Realm since the death of his brother, King Basilius, seeks to remain on the throne permanently and prevent his nephew, Prince Lange, from becoming King. Mogens requests a meeting with Corban Vayd to propose an alliance between them rather than starting a way between the Dark Lord's forces and the Realm. The Regent uses this alliance to set into motion a plan to remove two potential enemies, Prince Lange and the Dark Lord himself. Although Corban suspects a trap, he plays along with the Regent's plan to discover Mogens' true intentions.
Part of Mogens' game involves asking Corban to kidnap his own, Princess Rebekah, Prince Lange's sister. Corban complies, taking the princess back to Castle Obsidian, the Vayd family home. While keeping Rebekah at the castle, Corban finds himself falling in love with the princess, who also has fallen in love with him. However, Corban fears that pursuing this relationship while he is possessed by the Dark Power would be destructive to both Rebekah and himself, especially if they were to bring a child into the war.
As he prepares for an unwanted war that threatens to erupt between his fief of Ebonland and the Realm, Corban realizes he may likely find himself fighting Mogens, the White Wizard Mandan and Prince Lange. Mandan possesses the White Staff, a talisman containing great Holy Power while Lange has possession of the Sword of the Archangel, another holy talisman. Corban has the Black Staff, which he had regained from the Black Witch Zenobia who had stolen the staff from Corban's father years ago. But in order to have any real chance of surviving--let alone winning--against Mogens, Corban must seek out another talisman of Dark Power, the Sword of Fire, which was taken and hidden away following the downfall of the last Dark Lord. Corban's quest for the Sword of Fire takes him to the Isle of Skulls, an island saturated with powers which can destroy even a Dark Lord.
TSoF features many returning characters from the first book, including Mogens, Mandan, and Norval, Corban's trusty gryphon as well as Galya, one of the Garganites in service to the Dark Lord, yet one of Corban's most trusted friends. We also see the return of the Holy Triad, this series' representation of the Trinity, who appear periodically to offer counsel to both Corban and Mandan. This novel continues to follow the Christian themes introduced in the first book as the temptations Corban struggles with become ever stronger. I also liked following Mandan as he wrestles with his hatred towards Corban and his desire for revenge.
The Sword of Fire is an immensely enjoyable read, continuing this fascinating story of the reluctant villain, Corban Vayd. Borgan has done a fine job of further developing his characters in this installment, especially with Corban and Mandan. These books are great reads for anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction. I am definitely looking forward to Borgan's forthcoming conclusion to this trilogy, The Dark Lord's End.
The Sword of Fire is available in the Kindle format at Amazon.com. You can learn more about Kevin Borgan and find more of his books by visiting his Amazon author page. I have reviewed two other novels by Kevin Borgan in previous posts here. You can read those reviews by clicking the links below.
Isolated
The Dark Lord's Tale
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