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Legends of Arvalast: Shadows in Woodend

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`If the light grows dim, and Shieth again awakens, look to the green sea over the hills and beyond the plains. Three will arise- servants of the King. Three more will follow- warriors of the light.'

The days grow dark in the land of Arvalast, people have forsaken the King and the prophesy has been forgotten by most. Blinded by ignorance, the town of Woodend is unprepared by the assault of evil. Yet despite their grave danger, the people of Woodend seem oblivious of what is exactly happening or how pivotal the survival of their small town truly is. Once before they had fought against evil and gained a partial victory, but the enemy has amassed itself and is striking again. The enemy, the Shieth, know that the prophesy must not be allowed to be fulfilled in order to defeat Woodend.

Woodend's governor, Willerdon, is on the verge of resigning and the townspeople are becoming increasingly restless and agitated. It seems unlikely that anyone will arise with the strength and courage to resist the enemy as the Shieth lord, Wrathar, sends his evil servants to take over the town. However, in these troubled times, the King of Arvalst has sent his messenger, Gildareth, to Woodend to aid the town and its inhabitants.

Shadows in Woodend by Peter Dudek was a well-written book. I thought it was sort of a cross between a Frank Peretti novel, with the spiritual aspect, and a fantasy novel. The story ends at a climatic spot, promising an exciting second book. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

The days have grown dark in the lands of Arvalast. The people have forgotten about their King, and the light is fading from the countryside. As the stories of the King of Arvalast and His long ago holy rule passes into the annals of myth and legend, dark things prowl the woods, and shadows grow long.There is evil afoot, as the last days descend upon Arvalast.

The light of the Illumina, magical flasks of holy, pure light that all Arvalast citizens carry with them, is dimming, as their collective faith in their King becomes trite, ritualized. Woodend, a great walled city in the Northern Regions of Arvalast, is a last bastion of light and good, holding true to the stories of their once and forever High King. However, the shadow wraiths of an ancient enemy are returning, and the baser emotions of mankind; sloth, envy, hatred, are spilling over as these wraiths worm their way into the hearts of the people.

Enter a mysterious stranger on a dark, windblown night, astride a mighty steed. Gildareth has come at last; a long-awaited herald of the long absent King of Arvalast; so long awaited that none expect his arrival, nor heed it. He comes to warn of a growing evil in the lands of Arvalast, and he brings with him the full light and power of the Illumina.

On the inside of Woodend, Willerdon, a tired, exhausted town governor who fears for his family and his people sits paralyzed by his own lack of faith, unaware that his son Tarin sits on the very edge of the epic conflict of good and evil. All the while, the forces of the enemy draw closer, as the hour becomes desperate.

In his first novel, Dudek has created an epic fantasy reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis's classic Narnia series, with many key plot elements in common. Like Tolkien's tale; the future rests in the hands of a simple boy, Tarin, (who is perhaps not as noble as Frodo Baggins but is not a needlessly idealized hero either), and Gildareth, as the Kind's Herald, evokes images of Tolkien's Aragorn.

With the shadow wraiths, Dudek plays with the subtle influences of evil on those who lack faith, and the Illumina as a talisman symbolic of faith is a nice twist, serving as almost an `anti-ring'.

Fans of Arthurian legend will appreciate the "absentee king who promises to return" theme, and surely all Christians can recognize the symbolism of Christ. Dudek has also shown the same attention to detail in creating his world as both Tolkien and Lewis, starting the novel with diaries and historical accounts, setting the foundation for the story.

Shadows of Woodend finishes off with a cliffhanger ending, leaving the reader wanting more, and though this is Dudek's first novel, he crafts his story well enough for it to be engaging. A major plus of this new fantasy series is that, like LOTR and Narnia¸ parents can be sure their children are reading something that is edifying and pure, as well as a creative and imaginative.

Shadows In Woodend can be purchased through Amazon.com, or at the author's website at: www.arvalast.com Peter Dudek is currently wrapping up the final stages of the longer, more fully fleshed out sequel, Crimson Light. Excerpts and concept art are available on his website, and he also responds regularly to questions and comments from his readers on his writing forum.