Customer Reviews

The Third Sign (The Chronicles of Klune) (Chronicle of Klune)

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The country of Klune is a land surrounded by hostile elements bent on its destruction. It is populated by humans that live in a rather medieval world. Beyond its borders the world is filled with unusual and supernatural creatures. While the land has been peaceful for the last ten years, something strange is afoot.

Calen Gollnet is a young man who lives in one of the larger cities in Klune. He is a student, though not particularly serious, but his father is a noted scholar and teacher of ancient myth, language and history. When their city is invaded by outside forces, Calen is forced to flee alone into the dangerous Razorwood forest to the south. He has a message for the king of Klune - the ice tomb of the evil Ek'thon has begun to melt. Calen has the idea that the hero, Arvan, the forestwalker who is said to live in the forest, may be able to help him get his message to the royal family.

In the style of J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert Jordan, this fantasy epic is filled with political intrigue, tests of loyalty and strength, fearsome battles, as well moments of kindness, familial love and friendship between both men and other creatures. There is prophecy of doom and destruction, but a will for good to triumph over evil.

Because this is only the first in a planned series of books, a fair amount of time is spent introducing the characters and developing their place in the plot scheme. Once the action begins it moves at a fast and furious pace. Also, because it is the first in a series, the story doesn't really reach a conclusion. Instead, a battle is fought but the war has only begun.

I enjoyed reading The Third Sign and wish that succeeding volumes were already written since I'm not happy waiting months or years for the completion of the plot. However, that does not make this any less of a fine tale.

Gregory A. Wilson has done a terrific job with his first book. I'm sure that this new writer in the genre will excite fantasy readers.

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The Third Sign is a high fantasy epic. The story takes place in Klune, a fictitious world full of humans and otherworldly beasts of great power. As with many fantasy novels, there is a prophecy, one that tells of the return of a great evil. Three Signs must be fulfilled before the great prophecy is realized and this book deals with the fragile balance the world finds itself in as a great evil threatens to destroy the steady peace it has realized for 10 years.

Calen Golnet is one of the main characters of the novel. He's a teenage boy (perhaps 16 or 17) that finds himself thrust into the middle of critical events that will likely decide the fate of Klune.

Wilson does a wonderful job of carefully balancing character development and pace, blending both elements into a strong story with a diverse band of characters.

If you're looking to complete a series right away, this probably isn't the buy for you as it seems the series won't be re-continued for another couple years (perhaps 2013-14), but if you're willing to start and wait, this tale has all the makings of being a truly special series. I've read it twice already and will likely re-read it a third time once the series continues after its hiatus. I very much doubt you'll be disappointed with the read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Full disclosure - my friend wrote this book so I may be a bit biased.

Though there are elements of this story that echo more famous epic fantasies, particularly Tolkien (the main threat comes from the east, "let's ride out to meet it despite our diminished strength", a last minute troop surge gathered from the south) it stands on its own as a unique, gripping tale that deserves a place alongside its genre counterparts.

The author has clearly spent a lot of time dreaming up this world - the races have clear motivations and histories, the geography helps to enhance the story rather than sit alongside it, etc. This makes reading the story a much richer experience. I particularly dig the arlics myself. I thought further information about the spellcasters backgrounds (where do they come from, are there likely to be more of them found in Klune (if so, where are they?), do they operate under some centralized order or independently) might have helped strengthen the pivotal scene involving one of them. (Sorry to be vague but don't want to spoil).

Of course I am pleased that the requisite chick power was present, through beautifully named Senavene (and I was pleased she did not echo Eowyn in being responsible for the death of a main threat - just helping out a bit).

I also think the book does great at being a stand alone story, but one that leaves you wondering what happens next--



(SPOILERISH QUESTIONS)




Who is Calen, really?
Where is Vourne?
What else does our devious merchant have planned?
What else can you tell me about Arvan?
(and because I have been, am, and will always be a shipper...)
Will Calen and Senavene get together eventually? ;)