Customer Reviews

Forge of the Gods - The Last Knight

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Forge of the Gods - The Last Night by Eric Fogle is the first novel in what I expect to be a very good fantasy series. Being a first time author, Mr. Fogle has no reputation to live up to, no standards to meet, yet that does not stop him from forging his way into the genre with nothing held back. He obviously has talent and a knack for writing a griping story. When reviewing first time authors, I sometimes want to compare them to other more established authors. However, that really isn't fair to the new author as it immediately creates a comparison instead of letting that work stand on its own.

The plot of this book has several elements and a couple sub-plots sprinkled in for good measure. The main arc of this novel follows the young Squire Areck through a maturation process as he gains more responsibility, as well as facing some very challenging circumstances. One of the sub--plots deals with an upheaval in Heaven and how a group of angels are not only trying to figure out the cause, and solution, to the problem. But they are also facing a problem of their own that could lead to dramatic change to life as they know it. The second sub-plot again involves the gods, this time searching out a mysterious cause to something they do not even understand. So, the gods send Champions to find what they do not know they are looking for. The two sub-plots are not given very many chapters to fully develop, but, at times less is more. That certainly applies here. Mr. Forgle tells us just enough to keep us interested in these sub-plots but not enough to where they take over the main focus of the story, that of Areck.

The characters in this book had some obvious planning behind them. Every character that's talked about has a part to play in the overall book. There is certainly a great deal of character development with Areck and what he goes through. The character of Lord Bowon has a tremendous amount of development at well. I can't go into details, because I don't want to spoil things for anyone. While there are certainly some good, solid characters in this novel - the real strength of the novel comes from the plots and the overall story arch. I don't mean that as the characters are bad in any way, it's just meant the story if the thing of greatest import and at times the story seems to pull the characters along with it.

I have a few minor criticisms about this novel. First off there are a few times where I would have liked to read more descriptions about people, setting etc. What I mean by that was there were a few times when I had a hard time visualizing what it was I was supposed to see. This doesn't detract a great deal from the overall enjoyment of the novel, just a small nuisance. The very beginning of the book seemed a little jumbled to me. Mr. Fogle tried to introduce a lot of characters and many settings all in the span of about thirty pages. I don't know if this was due to word count limits or other necessities, but it felted rushed and I had a hard time following everything.

With that said, I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. It set up future events very well. For a new author, Mr. Fogle has penned a tale that is yet unfolding. This first installment is a very good addition to the fantasy genre and one the serious fantasy fans will enjoy. If you are looking for large scale battles, magic users throwing spells, or hoards of monsters - this may not be the book for you. Yet, if you are looking for a well constructed story that has deep ties to religion and the workings of faith do not hesitate to pick this up. This is not your typical mass market fantasy. At times the reader is required to think, and that, is a good thing. I know I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

Overall:

The quality of this novel, especially for a first time author, surpassed my expectations in all areas. The only major complaint I have regarding this story is that it ended on a cliff-hanger. Which is why I say, for those of you thinking of reading this tale...it desires a conclusion, which I'm sure will be present in future books, but for now, leaves you wondering. Saying that, the entirety of the book is well-paced and well-constructed, making logical transitions between people, places, and events. The strongest aspects of the novel, I thought, were the characters. Main characters are given good depth and supporting characters are given vibrant personae. While some of these supporting characters fall into tried-and-true clichés (i.e., the High Lightbringer's fanaticism and the Duke of Aresleigh's noble line), they are written well enough within their archetypes that they don't feel like rehashed versions of another author's characters.

Character Impression:

The main characters in this novel are written brilliantly, considering I have never even heard of this author before. In fact, the main character's personal development through the novel is nothing short of astonishing. In virtually all other fantasy I have read, which number in the low hundreds, the main character is nigh-inviolate - their views, even when contrasting with the situation, are stoic and unwavering. I know fantasy fans know of which I speak. :) These are type of characters that are able to "steamroll" everything in their path with a stubborn determination that ends up, through some quirk, working in their favor. Areck (The main character), on the other hand, constantly has his faith tested throughout the story. While he ends up in much the same place he began, it is clear that doubt has seeded itself into his thoughts by the end of the novel. This change is simultaneously refreshing and terribly interesting, since it gives rise to the whole theological background of the book. (I will get to this later.)

The "bad guys," too, are well-written and interesting. The author has given life to several new divine races...and at the same time brought a new refreshing outlook to angels, demons, dragons, and knights. Ok, back to our bad guys. The first of these are the ***SPOILER ALERt*** Olthari Thurm and the Dark God Illenthuul, who are both among the most interesting antagonists I have ever seen. Many novels, disregarding genre, utilize that same type of "lets make everyone suffer, rule the world, and enslave all humantiy" type of evil, leaving their characters predictable and boring. To be more precise the antagonists in this story, at least in my mind, are manipulators that will use whatever and whomever they can to accomplish his goals before destroying them utterly. Not to mention, the author will make you...err well at least 'me', actually feel for his villians. This sort of character, whose ambitions can often seem good to those around him, comes across to me as far more engaging than the straight-forward "kill them all" evil of generic villains.

Stylistic Impressions:

The novel was, mostly, well written. What I mean by this is that the editor / proof reader of the publisher must not be a paid position, as there are several errors remaining to be corrected. In truth though, most of the errors are of a ridiculous sort, such as, "theOlthari" and "the offficer went...". /shrugs

On to other stylistic effects. I know how difficult it is to write believable dialogue for characters whom all think and act differently, yet the author did mostly a terrific job in The Last Knight. The only complaint I have regarding the dialogue of this particular book is the sparse inclusion of some modern phrasing (i.e., the word "okay," which I simply don't view as something to use in what is effectively a medieval situation). Apart from a few such inclusions, the dialogue informed, at points was funny, and yet still managed to "pop."

Further, I enjoyed the methods this author uses to switch between locations, characters, and times within the story. Many authors I have read simply begin a new chapter when it's time to switch perspectives or such, but in The Last Knight, some of the POV switching actuallt occurs within each chapter. Though it is hard to unlearn the old fantasy methods, I found this style choice to be very easy to read, and helped serve to break up long stretches of story (mostly information), keeping the book fresh throughout.

The final stylistic gem in this story, which is both very unsual and very unique, was the inclusion of a snapshot segment dedicated to a Champion of Heaven. During these snapshots, which occur at the start of each Part, the author takes us through time via (no name being used): an olthari, a dragon, a knight, a murderer, and an angel, giving us their stories which all intertwine with the Main Character. When all the players were introduced, I immediately desired to read onward, simply to see how such wholly different characters could possibly be woven together into a cohesive tale. This tactic is beautifully used throughout the novel to maintain the reader's immersion without losing sight of any of the story's numerous threads. Needless to say, each of these snapshots are interesting and help retwist the longer stretches about the Protagonist.

Story Impressions:

This is very hard to say, but this novel details one of the better modern epic fantasy tales I have ever read. It's so vast...and so philosphical / spiritual, that it makes you wonder how the author thought it all up. Too many authors these days seem to be caught in an up-and-down good-versus-evil bent, and thus produce stories that are much the same as what has already been written. The unconventional choice of characters allows Mr. Fogle's story to take many unexpected turns, thus keeping the story lively. The opening descriptions of Heaven and Eternity are among the most compelling passages I have read in recent memory. After that, the story flows logically from one point to another, making good transitions through the various phases of the Main Character's experience.

Final Considerations:

This book is phenomenal, in that it is a first time author who wrote it. I vastly enjoyed it, and would absolutely recommend it to any lover of epic fantasy. The minor complaints I had with certain portions of the book are truly minor issues, including some typos that the publisher missed.

Overall, as a 1-5 rating, I would give this book a 4.5, and the only reasons it's not a 5 are the minor imperfections I described above. I cannot wait to see the continuation and eventual conclusion of this story in all its excellence!

This book started out in a way that I had high hopes for a somewhat intellectual fantasy. But, I felt, it sort of deteriated into a inmature outlook on God. I'm not a writer, but halfway through the book the author seemed to sink into a fantasy written for a teenage audience. I hope the author keeps writing because you can see that he has potential. Although I don't agree with he's seeming outlook on God it started out very interestingly.

During the 20th Eternity, the end has begun as time has stopped moving yet the godly residents of the Eternal Heavens suddenly paradoxically are aging. Though deities, none knows what caused both effects though the assumption by most is that the unexpected aging was an effect of the stoppage of time. Whatever reality was is no more; unless they can somehow restore what once was before, Armageddon is now. Four heavenly souls are chosen to destroy this still unrecognized unknown menace apparently to be found on the mortal plane; the theory of the gods is killing the cause will bring back normalcy to the celestial realm.

As the stunned Gods begin their Hail Mary desperation move, squire Areck of the Bre'Dmorian Knighthood begins to display odd powerful skills beyond anything seen in the realm before. In fact, his seemingly innate abilities prove to be beyond that of the deities as Eternal Heaven takes notice and ponders if he is the key. They consider killing him by destroying his mortal plane of existence even though that means eradicating a species. The four heavenly champions focus on Areck as they bring the apocalypse to his earthly realm.

Apocalypse fantasy readers will fully appreciate this deep exhilarating thriller though the audience will struggle with the overly packed chapter one that occurs in 1999 AD (After Devoid) as the upcoming confrontation between God, man and Areck is established. The story line never looks back as the Apocalypse begins in 2020 AD with seemingly no turning back on the mortal plane if the Eternal Heavenly plane is to move forward once again. Eric Fogle provides a deep complex look at the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as the only one who might prevent the end of the world is the one person they feel they must kill if they are to prevent the end of Heaven.

Harriet Klausner

I thought it was boring, badly written and almost unreadable. I strugglede through to the end expecting something to happen to change my opinion of this book...... but nothing happened. I was very dissapointed.

Fogle tells an amazing tale, full of adventure with a unique philosophical twist. As Areck of Brenly, a squire in the Bre D'morian Knighthood, tries his hardest to become a man worthy of the love of his god, Starsgalt, he faces many unique and challenging situations.

The book begins with a look back in time, when heaven's timeline, something more real than the gods themselves, is disrupted, immediately sending all of heaven into a panic to find the source of the disruption. Champions of the gods are sent on lifelong quests to find this source, though not one soul knows what to look for.

As the two worlds begin to collide, you are taken on a magnificent journey; one which you will not want to end.

I believe that Fogle has done an amazing job for a first-time author. I was anything but disappointed, and I am looking forward to any of his future works.

If you are looking for a fresh perspective in the fantasy genre, this is your book. Mr. Fogle has created a truly unique novel that isn't your typical formulaic fantasy. He drew me in to his very convincing and well thought out world. The end of the book is particularly exciting and left me wanting more. I can't wait for the sequel.