Genre: Epic Fantasy
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
In this gripping dark fantasy novelette for adults, the peaceful life of a young elf, Valqyer, is shattered when brutal invaders storm his town. As he fights to protect what little he has left, including his sanity, he soon discovers that he is their ultimate target.
Captured and driven to madness in a dungeon, Valqyer must endure helplessly as his mother suffers in a neighboring cell. But when the invaders’ true motives are revealed, he must make a heartbreaking decision: assist them in igniting a war or lose everything.
With Chaos devouring him from within, Valqyer must find the strength to save himself and his mother before it’s too late. This heart-wrenching tale will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Fans of dark fantasy won’t want to miss this thrilling read.
Contains adult material including adult activity, harsh language, and violence. Please note: This is a novelette (≈ 50 pages). This story is a part of book 3 of the “Encroaching Chaos” series – At the Crossroads of Swords.
The Review
In the year 814, an elf named Valqyer is an artist, philosopher, and writer of poetr, and has come of age. He lives in the city of Moonhame, where elves worship the Titans of Light, and where Valqyer will be Duke one day.
His father, Noriaki, presents him with a special gift, the Wand of Moonhame. It’s one of the Ten Wands of Elfhame used to create both the old and new Faery Realms, and The Sorrow Passage, at another time when the Fae lived in peace. Humans corrupted the land and took up arms against the Faeries because of fear. Wisdom and magic did not help, and the Fae were struck down. As the Green Faery has not been heard from, Valqyer plans a journey with Ryoichi, his friend. But he will face devastation beyond belief.
If you like dark fantasy and this novelette appeals to you, I highly suggest reading the entire “Encroaching Chaos,” series starting with “Thorns of Chaos.” The whole series is fantastic, and transports you beyond imagination. The Sorrow Passage is a part of the new novel At the Crosswords of Thorns, another fantastic addition to the series.
As with all the “Thorns of Chaos” books, the stories are heart-rending and filled with magic, lore, excitement and danger. Cain has penned an outstanding story that keeps you in suspense until the very end.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.