From the introductory reference to H. P Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard one might expect Conanesque and Bran Mak Morn- like warriors battling under the malign gaze of all powerful cosmic demons. This isn’t however the case. Dane’s novel is a far more sophisticated work, carefully embroidering a layered tale that takes its time to flesh out the world, its politics (magical and otherwise) and introduce the characters we are to follow throughout.Although there is little action initially the tale is kept fresh and interesting through lively and entertaining conversations in Ferdy’s Tavern which also serve to convey a growing sense of menace with tales of the evil magician Raasha Oul and his hordes of Krokus, orc like creatures who are sweeping in from the East. The growing sense of danger is conveyed powerfully as the people of Corsin begin to construct a protective wall around their town.Character dynamics are well constructed, a juxtaposition of naïve, foolhardy and somewhat idealistic youth represented by Ethan, Keral and Meran and a cynical, hard bitten and pragmatic maturity represented by Artos Hestrum, a man who unlike the three youths, has “grown up surrounded by war.” Artos is the most fully developed character in the novel, a mass of contradictions, noble yet also a dissembler, honourable yet also deceiving. There is little he won’t do or sacrifice in order to prevent the Eldon Star from falling into Raasha Oul’s grip or to regain it once it does. I must confess that whilst Artos engages me as a character I find it impossible to actually like him as I do his nephew Ethan.Although not action heavy this first instalment is nevertheless perfectly paced and a compelling read. There are very few clichés in the writing, an impressive accomplishment for a fantasy tale, and the elves, trolls, snake men and giants (I’m thinking of the wonderfully drawn Ko-Jah here) are also believable and well written. Another impressive feature is the lack of any hint of heroic romanticism. Artos and Ethan’s quest in particular is one of cold, mud, rain, hunger and aching bones and muscles, and that is just when they aren’t fighting for their lives.The novel ends perfectly for a first in a series, a mixture of victory and loss with the stakes significantly higher. At the denouement we possess a new appreciation of the high intelligence, cunning and Machiavellian abilities of Raasha Oul whilst at the same time the limitations and inflexibility of Artos. Ethan and Keral however are now men, no longer “fresh faced” and “nothing like” the youths “who left Corsin.” I suspect these might very well be the dual protagonists of the next instalment. I can’t wait to find out.