The Darkest Dusk by D.W. Ross
Setting the Stage for the Final Battle
An Indie Book Review by Joseph Poopinski
4 stars
This is the second book in the Onyxborn trilogy. From the prologue introducing a new character to the chapters describing Nadreth & Nevea’s forces, we see the scope & magnitude of the looming prophesized battle vastly increase. Alliances & betrayals abound. Rediscovered or empowered fantastic weapons enter the equation. As our heroes & their enemies both prepare & amass, there are skirmishes, voyages & schemes but the biggest battle occurs halfway through, a forgone conclusion, deciding nothing but demonstrating the wicked god Cormag’s dark powers! Yet, the final, nigh-inevitable outcome awaits us in the third book.
“The prince” had me guessing sometimes, since, by my count, two or three other princes (besides Danrin) warranted mention from messenger ravens or their comings & goings. A few minor editing lapses were entirely non-problematic. A bottomless chasm in the first book seemed sketchy at the time, but now, with more examples of those bygone mages’ unique geological/architectural structures (especially the outstanding waterfall citadel), it’s easily accepted as just another magical marvel. I loved learning of those evil men’s incongruent motivations. Should the Order of Maledict prove victorious, however, I doubt many would settle down peacefully: My hunch is they’d soon squabble & war amongst themselves, perpetually vying for more power & resources like Brait’s fools! Who would tend the chickens?
“The prince” had me guessing sometimes, since, by my count, two or three other princes (besides Danrin) warranted mention from messenger ravens or their comings & goings. A few minor editing lapses were entirely non-problematic. A bottomless chasm in the first book seemed sketchy at the time, but now, with more examples of those bygone mages’ unique geological/architectural structures (especially the outstanding waterfall citadel), it’s easily accepted as just another magical marvel. I loved learning of those evil men’s incongruent motivations. Should the Order of Maledict prove victorious, however, I doubt many would settle down peacefully: My hunch is they’d soon squabble & war amongst themselves, perpetually vying for more power & resources like Brait’s fools! Who would tend the chickens?
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