The God Stalker Chronicles by P. C. Hodgell
This volume collects the novel God Stalk and its sequel, Dark of the Moon.
In God Stalk, our protagonist Jame has lost her memory and arrives in the city of Tai-Tastigon looking for answers to who she is and seeking her lost twin brother, Torisen. She joins the thieves guild and gets involved in the city’s politics whilst simultaneously trying to prevent the city’s gods escaping from their temples and destroying the city. In Dark of the Moon, we get to see more of the world outside of Tai-Tastigon and learn of Torisen’s attempt to unite the houses of the Kencyrath people in order to do battle with the Horde, which is attacking their lands for the first time in thousands of years. Jame continues her search for Torisen in order to return their dead father’s ring and sword to their rightful owner, her brother. If you are looking for an easy to read, average fantasy novel, then this is for you. All the usual fantasy elements are here: teenage protagonist on a quest to return 'Important Items' to their rightful owner/find long-lost relative, pitched battles on horseback with swords against a monstrous horde, magical shape-shifters, medieval walled cities, animal helpers - you name it and these novels have it. Overall, Dark of the Moon is the better book. We get to see more of the world and are introduced to more characters than in God Stalk, which seemed rather cramped, being restricted as it was to the one city. Nothing terrible to say about either novel, but nothing particularly outstanding either. You will not have wasted your time if you decide to give either of them a go. |
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