I loved this book, I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved the writing. This is a fantasy novel that is so much more about people than about magic. Although I did get bored with the descriptions of battles, I am aware that they were important in the narrative and moved the story along effectively. I wish I could read it again for the first time, and I cannot wait to read more from this author. I have had very mixed success with self-published books, but it's ones like Scriber that make it worth taking the chance on new names. This book came so close to getting a full five stars but there are a couple of missteps.Dennon Lark is an interesting protagonist because he is so flawed. He's downright annoying in the early chapters of the book. Perhaps a little *too* annoying in fact. But I see what the Ben S. Dobson was going for. It's a redemption/growth story. And as Lark begins to grow, he becomes a more likable character and less frustrating to read about.While in some ways this is a familiar fantasy trope, a kingdom under threat from an evil mystical force, there's a depth here that many fantasy books just fail to offer. The Kingsland has a history and that history has layers of truth to it. We get offered information as we go along through the book, but it never feels like a full on info-dump. Which is a difficult balance to hit often.The secondary characters have a depth to them too. Not all of them admittedly but certainly the main ones. And one thing the author does that writers frequently fail to do, is acknowledge that people can seem very different when viewed from another perspective. More than once we discover that someone who seemed merely shallow and selfish actually has another side to them. If you want to see strong women in your fantasy, you'll have a variety to pick from here. Granted they're not the view-point character, but they are fully realized.Magic is used cleverly here too. It exists, but most don't believe in it and no one understands it. Which makes it terrifying. The enemy could just have been yet another zombie horde, but it's much more malicious and dangerous than that.So what stops this being five star? It's small things really. I don't like the trick of using an otherwise unrelated character from the future to bookend the story. A personal thing perhaps, but I'd rather have my stories operate in the "present" as it were.And early on Dennon Lark is just too frustrating. He's too selfish, too whiny and his refusal to deal with what is going on might work for the story but it just grates for someone who is used to reading fantasy.Even so I'm definitely recommending that anyone who enjoys fantasy should get this book.
What do You think about Scriber (2011)?
Slightly unusual male protagonist with a mostly female cast.
—nekes
Excellent book. Will be looking for more by this author.
—Rik
