When Peter Gaulon announced it would release a fantasy saga, I was immediately curious. Having loved his first two novels thrillers, I thought it was also necessary that I try his new saga, which was completely changed. So I was very curious and delighted to discover it in another universe where magic is predominant. It is with great pleasure and very few doubts (if any) I started reading. And I confirm it again: Pierre Gaulon is an author to find out as much in the police than in fantasy. This first volume promises a highly compelling and heartbreaking on.
Blizzard, an old magician and his pupil, Hunter, living in a small house, away from civilization and especially away from the Inquisitor, wishing to exterminate any kind of magic, and therefore Blizzard itself. It is now ten years that they live in peace and in secret. Until they are discovered, and Hunter has to flee. Until the day these same guards attack and destroy the entire village of Iak, a young trainer Ice Tigers. These two men, even if they do not know, have one mind: revenge. Despite the distance between them, they will be inhabited by the same feeling, and may be required to meet.
The universe that depicts the writer is really addictive and very well led and work. The pressure of the Inquisitor on the whole people is really something horrible. He washes their brains and gets rid without any remorse of those who gets in his way. Throughout the reading, I was in constant stress, whether the characters were going to get out, or if they were going to leave relatives behind. And then you will tell me: no blind fantasy is not fantasy! And I quite agree. Here the author does not hesitate to get rid of them without remorse either. In a sense, I appreciate that side, but in another, there is time to focus on them and the disappointment is greater.
During his journey, Hunter will meet people on whom he can count. In that he can trust. What goes much help get through the loss of his teacher and secrets that will be revealed to him in small doses. He will soon realize that having made his hermit for ten long years was not the best solution. That what he is about to experience beyond anything he could have imagined.
What I also liked in the novel in the third person, is that even if Hunter and Iak are far from each other, we follow the alternate, although chapters on Hunters are more present. Thus, it allows us to see the evolution of the one and the other, which is not negligible. Iak is a character that I enjoyed and that made me enormously affected by what he went through. In fact, all the characters the author has created are engaging for different reasons. But most important is that they are strong. They are very resilient, despite all they live under the yoke of the Inquisitor and that's what makes the actual reading.
The author's pen is always so pleasant and powerful. One is struck by the story, whether fantasy or police. Whatever, the pen does not change, still as mesmerizing. And even if the pages are beginning to know the universe, in one sentence, it manages to surprise us, chamboulant everything we thought.
A word still on the cover. I must admit that when I received my first reaction was: "Wow! In truth it makes it really fun! ". Is the picture, you see the round with symbols? Yes? Well aware that they are embossed and that when you move the book, they become more visible when the book is placed on a table and sets. It's just really beautiful!
I'll tell you a little something that rarely happens to me that veeeeeery. In writing this column, I have only one desire: to open the book again and read a second time so ... I just finished. If that's not a sign that you discover it your turn!
In summary, even though my column seems short and messy, know that this first volume is far from it. We feel that there has been work, research, sleepless nights (almost). The author offers us a new way of knowing his pen through a fantasy world to live up to my expectations. I would really like to tell you more, you describe my reactions at times, but I will not do it. For you to discover your turn and react (or not) in the same way as me. A very good first volume, which promises an explosive result and I am looking forward to discover! Deeply the exit!
* I thank Pierre Gaulon Mnémos editions and for their confidence! *
Justine P.
