During ages past the world where Marak lives was overrun by imposing armies engrossed toward shaping a new home for themselves wherein the indigenous people become slaves working for the elite few.
A few of the genial native peoples were successful in running away from the ravaging Khadoran swarm. Most did not succeed in finding safe hiding places.
Marak is not the usual clan soldier. His mother is a mage slave to the clan lord, as such Marak is not allowed to even speak to her. His unknown father is supposed to be dead.
The fearsome Chula cat people have been decimating the clan lord’s slave lumbermen as they work to bring in the quota of timber from the Stari Valley. Situ soldiers are sent to protect the lumberman.
As a warning to those waiting for the logs Togi alone is left alive to carry back the shredded bodies. Following the attack Marak is sent on a fool’s errand against the Chula. What sets Marak apart from the other soldier slaves is his antipathy for Khadoran civilization.
In Khadoran civilization the mages are most always slaves who mind fields, soldiers are taught to follow orders without thought of consequence. The workers on the various clan estates are treated much as are the actual slaves.
The young soldier sets out to effect near impossible changes by using his military deftness, penetrating militant mind and even a little of his mother’s powers. Marak does not know how the local population will relate to his innovative thoughts. However he is determined to begin a reformation of the society into which he has been born.
It is not long before Marak faces the Chula, the clan to which he belongs, rival clan lords and what seems to be near impossible odds against success. Along his journey the young soldier is astounded to learn his father is not dead, and his own mantle as slave is not one he will always wear.
Writer Tuttle has a fine start on a fantasy series based on another world filled with well developed situations, people, locations and mores.
The Young Lord of Khadora is a fast paced action filled work that reaches out to grab the reader from the opening scenes when we begin to understand what this strange and often time dangerous world the land of the Khadoran’s is all about.
Tuttle’s main character is a likeable young man torn between his duty as military squad leader and his love for the only parent he has known.
The Young Lord of Khadora is filled with gritty scenes and gritty dialogue sure to keep the reader on the edge of the seat. Marak faces not only the unfairness of having to pretend his mother is not right before him most of the time, but his commanding officer wants to cause Marak a problem that will lead to the youngster becoming a slave as is his mother.
The reader is drawn right into the turmoil by Tuttle’s clever use of language. Before long the reader is cheering as Marak begins to see his life improving a little.
The Young Lord of Khadora is a must read for those who enjoy ‘other world’ and fantastical characters presented in a plausible manner by a skilful weaver of tales.
Good read recommended.
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Reviewed by Molly's Reviews molly martin
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I was sent ARC by author for review
MOLLY’S REVIEWS
