In an ancient time long lost to legend, a race of men known as the Wolven inhabited the land of Ánovén. To the north lay the land of Kânavad, home to a brutal, savage race we know today as Werewolves.
At the age of seven, the Wolven prince Mathion encountered a dying White Wolf, and received two gifts that would forever change not only his life, but the course of history itself. Centuries later, with a White Wolf at his side, Mathion gathers together a small band of warriors, consisting of both friends and family. Their mission: help the city of Kihar east of the river defend itself against an advancing army of werewolves.
Along the way, Mathion learns of a secret that he has carried with him all his life, and a power that can change the tide of a war that has raged between the Wolven and the Werewolves for over twenty thousand years. Little does he know that his enemy is well aware of this secret. And they will do anything to obtain the final piece of a puzzle that, if completed, could condemn the world to eternal darkness.
When someone close to him is captured alive by the enemy, Mathion attempts the impossible: to venture into the enemy's homeland itself, and infiltrate the Black City, the stronghold of Lord Azgharáth, the oldest and strongest of the werewolves. With this choice, events are set in motion that will hurtle these lands toward a final confrontation, and an epic journey is begun that will change everyone's lives forever.
Above is the description on Amazon for Mathion, the first book in Jeff Shanley's Mavonduri Trilogy. I put that instead of my own description because I could not have put a summary of the book as eloquently as it was put here.
I was recommended to Mr. Shanley by a mutual friend, David, and I'm so glad he briught us to work together!
Usually, when I hear that a book is influenced by Tolkien, I think, Here we go again. Mathion is not a book you'll read everyday, and I'm sorry for thinking for a second that it might be.
Imagine if Bram Stoker and Tolkien could have a lovechild. What would they write? They would write the Mavonduri Trilogy, an epic adventure full of danger and werewolves.
While the characters are very important, this is a story-driven book, not character-driven. It's vivid, it's enchanting and it's the perfect book for those of us who love fantasy and the paranormal.
There are many similarities between this and Lord of the Rings, but they are like acknowledging nods to the master of fantasy rather than blatant rip-offs.
This is a beautifully written book, and I am excited for #2!
4/5--unique!
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