The Tower at Moorkai

The Tower at Moorkai, H. David Blalock, Booklocker.com, 2004

Here is the third in a series about the island of Adylonis, and the Houses vying for control of the island. After many years of vacancy, Andalarn Thran, leader of House Thran, is named Ascendant (in effect, Prime Minister of the island under the Emperor on the mainland). This is guaranteed to upset a lot of people, starting with House Suum, a military House who makes no secret of its desire to become Ascendant, and wipe House Thran off the map.

At the end of the previous volume, Thran's son, Daepar, who was left in charge of House Thran, is found dead. Thran vows revenge on House Suum, the most likely suspect, with or without the consent of the Council at Moorkai, Adylonis' governing body. War is declared, and after many have died, Thran is presented with evidence that Suum really is innocent. The real culprits are the verni, an ancient reptilian race with their own agenda. Thran resigns from the Ascendancy, knowing that it will be given to House Suum.

Years later, Andalarn the Younger occupies a senior position on the Council, but watches as the Ascendancy goes to House Djemo. Andalarn discovers that Djemo has gotten assistance from some dangerous, and very illegal, sorcery. He is offered the Ascendancy in exchange for his silence. An attack is launched, with Andalarn at its head, against Moorkai, Adylonis' capital, and Djemo's headquarters. He has imposed martial law on the city, and has plenty of weapons against an attack.

This is another strong, well-done fantasy story. It is interesting, with good characters, and the reader will not be disappointed.

The Burning House

The Burning House, H. David Blalock, Booklocker.com, 2003

This is part two of a six-part fantasy series about Andalarn Thran, Jarl (leader) of House Thran, one of several Houses on the island of Adylonis. For several centuries, no House has had the power to become Ascendant (to become "Crown Prince" of Adylonis, under the Emperor on the mainland). Therefore, the choice of Andalarn Thran, by the Council at Moorkai, to become Ascendant, is guaranteed to upset a lot of people. Foremost among these is House Suum, a military House who would like nothing more than to wipe House Thran off the map.

With Andalarn's promotion, he must move to Moorkai and hand over House Thran to Daepar, his son. Daepar knew this day would come, but he still dreads the responsibility. House Suum is on the move, and Daepar is reluctant to send troops, against the advice of his advisors. His wife's father, a member of the Council at Moorkai, is assassinated, and she demands revenge. Daepar meets, and is smitten with, the daughter of another House, and they enter into a political marriage, while he is still married (legal, but unorthodox). Andalarn and his wife are very overdue at Moorkai; the first thought is that they have been captured by House Suum. Daepar takes several men, and goes to search for them, also against his advisor's wishes. Andalarn is found, and when he hears about how bad things have gotten at House Thran, he removes Daepar as Jarl, and appoints Lady Mara, Daepar's wife, as regent until their young son comes of age. This is undone by the Emperor. Finally, Daepar realizes that, on several different levels, he has messed up, big time.

This is another strong, well done piece of writing. It has good characters, it's just weird enough to be interesting and fantasy fans will love it.

Thran Reborn

Thran Reborn, H. David Blalock, Booklocker.com, 2003

Andalarn Thran, head of House Thran, is attempting to reestablish his family on the island of Adylonis. The House was exiled to the mainland several hundred years previously when it took sides against another human House who had attacked a race of dwarves called the Telmet. Andalarn is not the hero type, being a merchant with five children. With help from an elven healer named Baliak, he appeals to the Telmet for help in restoring House Thran to its former position.

Standing in Thran's way is House Suum, a military House that makes no secret of its desire to wipe out House Thran, once and for all. Also in the way is the priestly caste called the Tialsar who play the Houses off against each other for their own advantage. The referee between the Houses is the Council of Mages in the city of Moorkai, the actual seat of power on Adylonis.

No House has the power to become Ascendant on its own, so the choice of the Council will have plenty of authority on the island. Underlying all of this are rumors and uneasiness about a legendary being called the Great Diur, whose return would mean the end of everything on the island. Many believe that anything, even death, is better than the Great Diur's return.

Fans of Robert E. Howard will love this book, for his influence is all over it. Otherwise, it's a really good dark fantasy story (the first of a series). It has good characters, elves and dwarves, a bit of blood, ancient forces best left alone; in short, it's got everything a reader needs. Keep an eye on this series; it's really worth reading.</p>