A review by skconaghan
Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Well. This doesn’t begin where it should, beginning at a sort of beginning, and thus it seems rushed in order to lay the foundation, which is to say it isn’t well written at the start...

But THEN, once the scene is set, which really only takes a tenth of the novel, it gets thick with plotty plot and comes alive with character, witty banter, and the darkly humorous quest of a reluctant hero.

This is a sword-wielding adventure, full of bizarre characters from all the fantasies and fairytales, twisting every expectation and dumping it on its head.

To say it’s similar to Robert Jordan’s Eye of the World is a bit of an understatement since it uses many of the same symbols, themes, characters (in different bodies) and plot devices throughout. Although, the journey itself doesn’t drag nearly as heel-heavy as Jordan’s multiple lengthy tomes.

If you want fantasy adventure without the political complexities and an infinity of pages of being lost in the woods and stranded on unknown islands, read this one instead of the fine-print door-stops of Martin, Tolkien, Jordan and other epic writers of the genre.

This is the McDonald’s version of a gourmet fantasy burger: Ready fast, over fast, not nearly as filling as others, immediately satisfying but not long-lasting, and always good in a pinch—oh! and slightly addictive because of that secret sauce, the je ne sais quoi that keeps us coming back.

I do like a dark, broody-type for a reluctant hero though, so Aslo has my full attention for this and any more to come…