5.0 out of 5 stars
The Coming of The One, July 18, 2009
This review is from: The Coming Of The One: Book One Of The Chronicles Of The Kings Of Randor (Paperback)
The Coming of the One
By Donald Drake.
ISBN: 978-1438239538
Ian Firth is Captain of the King's Home Guard. When he learns from a young woman messenger that King Arinson and his heirs to the throne of Randor have been killed in a battle with the Dark One, he realises he is now in line to the throne. Reluctant to take up the post, he hesitates before accepting the challenge by a druid to meet with the Druid Council, where he is assured of his destiny.
I must admit I am not usually a fantasy fan, but I found this novel to be a very interesting story. Author Donald Drake depicts his main character, Ian Firth, future King of Randor, as a man of honour. As I read the book, I found my sympathies leaning towards Ian, a young man torn between the suffering of his men and the need to lead them into a war against the Dark Lord and his army of Dragons, Gnomes and Dwarfs. Yet, despite his doubts, Ian knows he must save the Kingdom of Randor at any cost.
Caught up with the good versus evil mood throughout the story, I found I couldn't put the book down and read it in a matter of a few days. I understand that there are another three or four books in the series. Hopefully we won't have long to wait before we learn how Ian Firth continues his fight against the Dark Lord.
Eileen Thornton - author of The Trojan Project
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4.0 out of 5 stars
A Worthy Tale, April 10, 2009
This review is from: The Coming Of The One: Book One Of The Chronicles Of The Kings Of Randor (Paperback)
The Coming of the One is an exciting tale of dragons and treachery, fierce battles and friendship, loyalty, honor and courage in the face of incredible odds. While the Dark Lord plots the overthrow of the realm of men, Ian Firth, Captain of the Home Guard, suddenly becomes the King of Randor.
Ian Firth is not boastful, self-serving, nor conceited. Yet, this atypical king is a strong, compassionate and brilliant leader, somehow surviving a devastating dragon attack and the deaths of a goodly portion of his army, many of whom were his closest friends. The prophecy of the Ancient Ones foretells of his conflict with the Dark Lord, an evil and powerful adversary who will stop at nothing to destroy every man, woman and child within his reach.
Ian also falls in love with Mary MacGleason, the daughter of the High Elder of the High Council of Elders and a member of the Home Guard herself. Mary is used to being a soldier, not a woman, and her gradual acknowledgement of her femininity and love for Ian Firth is tenderly beautiful. Truly, Ian can think of no other woman to become his queen.
One of my favorite characters was Gregor, a crusty warrior whose sage advice is delivered in the rich brogue so characteristic of the Highlands. In my mind, I hear his words and envision a man who can be irritating, frustrating, uncouth and coarse, yet brave and honorable to a fault. In a battle of wits or might, I would wish Gregor to be at my side.
The Coming of the One is but the first book of the Chronicles of the mighty kings of Randor and is very reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We leave the queen in flight, the Dark Lord advancing and King Ian regrouping from a devastating dragon attack. One can only wonder how the Ancient Ones will guide us through the next four books in this wonderful series.
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