The Chosen of Azar

The Chosen of Azar, Carol Kluz, WestBank Publishing, 2007

In the Fifth Age of Life, it is time to prepare for the long-prophesied battle between the forces of the gods Azar and Condragon. The Chosen of Azar, five young people who were chosen at birth, and have no idea of their status, are brought to a castle called Haven's Hold for training. Among them are Jenda, who believes that rules are made to be broken (or severely bent), and Beni, whose magic is wild and untamed, but may be as powerful as that of Mo Demz, a nearly immortal wizard who is leader of Haven's Hold. As time goes on, everyone realizes that when Beni says that danger is coming, the warning is taken very seriously.

As part of their training, the Chosen are sent into the wilderness, in small groups, to find their talismans. These are small items, about one or two inches square, that will help them in the coming battle. The Chosen have no idea just where the talismans are, but feel a sort of spiritual magnetic field when they are getting close. Naturally, the talismans are not just sitting on the ground, or on a rock, waiting to be found. They are well hidden, and are guarded by hideous creatures like churls. These are man-sized beasts that are all sharp teeth and claws, and can kill a person in an instant.

Meantime, Condragon is not idle. Zorad, one of his disciples, is already spreading evil throughout the land, so the training of the Chosen, back at Haven's Hold shifts into high gear. Part of the prophecy is that everything will be decided by an ultimate battle between Condragon and one of the Chosen.

Part one of a series, this is surprisingly good. It has good characters, and an engaging story. This is also a fine book with which to introduce young people to the rest of the fantasy field.