Keys Of Powers #2 Fire And Sword [Paperback]

 

 

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If there is one fantasy writer who, in my opinion, is not getting the attention he is due, it is Simon Brown. Fire and Sword, the second novel in the Keys of Power series, not only advances the storyline begun in Inheritance in impressive style, it transforms it into an heroic tragedy of epic proportions. In Inheritance, young Prince Lynan was basically a kid who slowly found himself divested of his innocence. Looked down upon by virtually everyone in the halls of power of Grenda Lear - especially his half-brothers and half-sister - because his father was a commoner (albeit the greatest general the realm has ever seen), Lynan was forced to flee the land entirely after a malevolent coup framed him for the death of his brother on the very night of his coronation. Escaping with Kumul, the ex-captain of the palace guard, Ager Crookback, an old soldier who had served his father during the Slaver War, and Jenrosa Alucar, a student of magic who found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, Lynan made his way to the Sea of Grass, where he hoped to find safety - and possibly an army - among the Chetts, a people who once fought under the banner of his father.

As Fire and Sword opens, Lynan's transformation from a boy to a man reaches its completion - and more than that, for he now begins to act in the manner of a royal soldier-king. He also privately fights periodic urges of a bestial nature, a consequence of the life-saving blood of Silona, vampire of the woods, now coursing through his veins. The Chetts are nomadic tribes resistant to central rule, but they still revere the name of Lynan's father. With the help of Korigan, queen of the largest Chett tribe, and the compelling significance of the Key of Union he wears around his neck, Lynan does indeed find his army. Back in Grenda Lear, the new Queen Areava is enraged to learn that her murderous half-brother still lives, and she vows to see him dead, going so far as to hire mercenaries to undertake the deed. It is truly a time of great change in the land, for war is clearly coming to Grenda Lear. The neighboring kingdom is preparing an invasion force, and the preparations for her land's defense come amidst the time of Areava's marriage to the son of the King of Aman. Areava rules with an icy hand, never realizing that she is being manipulated every step of the way by the real killers of the king. Palace intrigue and a brewing drama surrounding Prince Olio give this story a subtly intriguing complexity few authors can handle in such a deft manner as that seen here.

Everything gets very complicated very quickly. Areava prepares her army to meet the army of neighboring Haxus, while both sides have sent forces into the Sea of Grass in hopes of either capturing or killing Lynan. Neither side's war plans allow for the possibility that Lynan has put together an army of his own, yet both must eventually face the Chett army of the young prince as he comes to reclaim Grenda Lear for himself.

Fire and Sword is a surprisingly dark novel, offering portentous revelations I for one had not anticipated. Lynan's band of friends begins to drift apart as this story progresses, although they remain loyal to one another and to Lynan's cause. A few moments of light comedy emerge here and there, but Lynan is now a very serious young man with a mission - one that will ultimately lead his friends into battle against their own people. The battle scenes are vividly described and pulse with excitement and danger. Having said all that, I must admit I was not prepared for the final two chapters of this novel, however. Not only do things take several dark, heartrending turns, events all over the different kingdoms are brought to a simultaneous crescendo of stunning tragedy and despair. You do not lay Fire and Sword aside lightly after you finish reading it. These lands and these people, especially the heroic band of Lynan's followers, are irrevocably changed by the course of events chronicled here, and I for one look upon the prospect of the third exhilarating book in this series with a real sense of trepidation as well as heartfelt excitement - peace and happiness in the fantasy world of Simon Brown's creation have never seemed farther away than they do right now. This is truly powerful stuff, and I only wish more readers would have the chance to experience the work of this master fantasist.

The second book in the Keys to Power trilogy far surpasses the first volume, Inheritance. The strange twist that befell the exiled Prince Lynan at the end of the first volume is showcased here, and adds a unique element to the story. There are political intrigues, intense action sequences, and even romance in this book.

In my opinion, the best thing about this series is that there are no "bad guys". Each character is flawed (just as each person is flawed in real life), and is utterly convinced of the rightness of their own actions. There is no "us against the evil force" here. All sides could reasonably be argued to be in the right.

It's a great read. Pick up Inheritance and begin the story!

It has been nearly a year since the death of prince Berayma before taking the throne and becoming king. Areava has taken to the throne quite well and has become much like her mother once was except that her youngest brother the now outlaw prince Lynan has still not be captured and killed for his crimes. Lynan has done the one thing none of the other kingdoms would ever think of uniting the clans of the the Chetts in a vast army to take on his sister and clear his name. However Lynan is plauged by dreams after having the blood of the wood vampire Silona used to heal him and shows its effects with his skin almost becoming white and gaining great strenght as well. The chetts think its a sign that the white wolf has retutned and galdly march with Lynan. Back at the court of Areaya she is being courted by the young prince of the Aman Sendarous and can not help but fall for him. The nobles are at thier wits end knowing that if the queen marries outside of its noblilty they could lose any hold on her. Intruge also sets the rest of the court under Areaya as her new Constable Dejanuas is trying to get rid of the Chancelllor Orkid unlce to the Aman prince Sendarous and the head of the religoius order Primate Northman. Meanwhile the Primate Northman senior father Powl wants to become the next primate so that he will one day know the true name of there god. The kingdom is is greater peril theny anyone can see for the plans of mice and men come crahing togeather in this second book. On a personal note this second time out the book focuses on the many chacrters and the plots they lay and the plots against them in the future. A good read

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4.0 out of 5 stars Corruption in Grenda Lear
Fire and Sword is the second novel in the Keys of Power series, following Inheritance. In the previous volume, Lynan was pursued by a unit of mercenaries sent by Rendle and was... Read more

Published on Mar 9 2004 by Arthur W. Jordin

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, enthralling and spell binding
Before she died Queen Usharna gave each of her children a Key of Power in the hope that they will work together to keep the kingdom of Grenda Lear prospering. Read more

Published on Mar 2 2004 by Harriet Klausner

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