There is quite a lot to like about Heir of Autumn. There are some interesting new twists on traditional components of epic fantasy (although this novel also seems to be part of a recent trending in such tales which focus quite a bit upon bodily functions and excrement). The authors also strive to emphasize a sense of medieval realism: the world here is frequently a brutal, unfriendly place, especially for a young idealist like Brophy. And the narrative itself flows well. The notion of Krellis as something of a human Trojan Horse is intriguing, and the shifting loyalties of many of the players adds intrigue.
However, Brophy's season in Physendria learning the intricacies of Nine Squares tends to drag a bit, while Brophy's quest to the north is amazingly brief and truncated despite its seemingly greater importance. His romance with the queen of Physendria is also rather predictable, although it might be possible to argue that predictability is intentionally done (as in, the outcome of the relationship was obvious to everyone but young Brophy). Carwyn and Fahnestock also manage to underuse their most compelling characters, including Scythe. All of this gives the latter portion of the novel a rushed pace. Given that the book is obviously the opening of a new series, one wonders why the authors felt the need to rush to the story's conclusion; perhaps subsequent installments will eliminate the uneven quality produced by this pacing issue. Otherwise, fans of epic fantasy may well enjoy Heir of Autumn.
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