Reviews of "Arch Enemies"
(excerpts)
The young bard, Terin Ostler, is astounded when two squires arrive to take him into the Duke’s presence – even more astounded when he learns that he is the one foretold in a prophecy to ensure the Arch remains sealed to imprison the evil Thessi within. The atmosphere of the quest that follows is heightened by intrigues and by Terin’s doubts about who tells the true account of the prophecy, since he is not allowed to read it. The action is lively when the two squires, Rendel and Darlissa, face repeated attacks to protect the timid bard – while he gradually grows in maturity, courage, and character.
Terin’s sardonic observations bring the quest to life, and the suitably convoluted events of the final crisis close the prophecy and the story in fine style. The world of these humans, gryphons, elves, dwarves, and many other magic creatures is a constantly fascinating place for the lover of fantasy to discover within these pages.
This is no raw transcription of random events but a tightly written and plotted work that will keep the reader enthralled until the last word is read.
Christopher Hoare, Muse Book Reviews
What does work is Ventrella’s conception of an entirely new race. Yes the old fantasy stereotypes are all still here (goblins, elves, dwarves, etc.) but with the addition of the biata, a feathered people who refreshingly aren’t just a recycling of the aforementioned genre archetypes. This is good because in many ways the biata need to work, since the plot is based so heavily on their history.
Despite the rather patchwork beginning of events in Arch Enemies, a late twist lends the entire novel a surprisingly tight narrative.
Clever, funny and suspenseful. Normally, I would rather eat bees than read fantasy novels, but this one is great.
Mark Waid, writer, Kingdom Come, Fantastic Four
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