Age of Swords by Michael Sullivan

Age of Swords picks up shortly after the events in Age of Myth, Book One of The Legends of the First Empire by Michael Sullivan.

In Myth, Raithe proved that the Fhrey were not gods by killing two of them. As Sword opens it becomes clear that appeasement is not an option as a magical storm and an attack by giants destroys Dahl Rhen. Persephone, now chieftain of Dahl Rhen, calls all the tribes together to select a Keenig, or single ruler to lead the tribes in the now inevitable war with the Fhrey, or elves. The only advantage the Rhunes, or humans, have is numbers. Fhrey are long-lived, but slow breeding. They have better weapons, strength, and tactics, not to mention magic.

It turns out the Rhunes have a few secret weapons of their own, namely some strong and clever women. As the other chieftains bicker over who should be Keenig, Persephone strikes a deal with some dwarves who need someone to defeat a demon who has barred them from their home. Persephone agrees to lead a group to fight the demon in exchange for weapons that can be used in the war against the Fhrey. The group includes Brin, the clan record keeper, Suri, the young mystic who has demonstrated the ability to wield magic like the Fhrey, renegade Fhrey Arion, Roan, the former slave with an almost single-minded focus on inventing things, and Moya, the beautiful girl with hidden depths and strengths who takes on the role of Persephone’s protector.

One of the things that sets this series apart is the complete lack of technology among the Rhune. The sense of wonder and opportunity that come along with the invention of the items like the wheel and iron weapons are interestingly captured here. Events move steadily forward towards war with the Fhrey, even as the Rhune must learn to work together. Persephone’s practical leadership and strategic thinking propel the story forward. Time spent among the Rhune and the dwarves is the most enjoyable. Much like the first book, time spent in Fhrey society is less interesting. There is scheming and the seeds of intrigue planted there, but the lack of sympathetic characters among them are the weak point of the story. The emotional core of the story is Persephone and her group. Their determination and sacrifice drives home the magnitude and stakes of what awaits them. The very survival of humanity may depend on their success.

The audio version of the book is dedicated to its narrator, Tim Gerrard Reynolds, and it is easy to see why. His narration complements the story at every turn with distinct character voices and great pace. He conveys the emotion present in the scenes and amplifies the humor. Although the books can be enjoyed in either print or audio, Reynolds skillful narration makes the audio my preference.

Age of Swords is an excellent follow up to Age of Myth and will be sure to please fans of Sullivan’s work. I’m looking forward to the next volume. Highly recommended.

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

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