"Let me start by saying, I loved the writing style.
The author somehow magically wove in the tiniest details (scent, environment, emotion, etc) without being overly wordy about it. It was almost like being there with the characters or living through them.
The characters were dynamic and so perfectly “flawed human” that it was easy to sympathize with them one moment and hate them the next. Their environment, personalities, and mood were constantly changing to fit the situations they were put into it. I really liked that, unlike most fantasy books, there are shades of gray here. Sure, the focus of the book was essentially good vs evil but it was presented in a way that it wasn’t just “Paragon” or “Renegade” choices. Instead it weaved in unexpected twists and situations that totally turned things on its head.
It has the perfect amount of fantasy, mixed with the action one expects from fantasy. The fact that magic existed but the plot didn’t revolve solely around it was refreshing, it makes it easier for people who aren’t huge fantasy fans to get engrossed in the complexities of this world just as well as an avid fantasy reader."
— Kristin, Goodreads
"A story for fantasy and non-fantasy readers alike.
It is sure to become a book you have a hard time putting down. The characters are deeply evolved and troubled, struggling with what to make of their ever-changing surroundings: the death of loved ones, the emotional upheavals of their leader Madros, the potential loss of their kingdom to evil forces and the dark world of Doru. One of my favorite characters was Fin, one of the main protagonists with an eye on everything going on in the kingdom and on Madros. His relatable struggle of maintaining love, answering his calling, sacrificing himself for a greater good (or evil) creates a tension that will leave you rooting for the underdog. A main theme throughout the book is the contention between good and evil, light and dark, love and hate; struggles applicable to the world that we currently live in. We see the characters battle our same struggles while changing and developing as humans to better deal with them.”
— Justyna, Author
"What sets J Carson Rose's story apart, beyond her rich imagination, is her carefully drawn characters. Whether kings and queens or warriors and slaves, J Carson Rose's people are compelling and sympathetic. A great read!"
~ Susan Breen
(Author of The Fiction Class)
“This novel is mainly about Madros and his fall from grace, the dichotomy of his character--why he is the way he is--his motivations for doing horrible things. It's a love story between him and Eamin and it's also a love story between him and his country—and this was seriously a delight to read. What you’re doing, it’s working.”
~ Chuck Sambuchino
(Editor for Writer's Digest)
“In J.Carson Rose's able hands, we are led into the fantastical world of the Grey Woods and beyond, where Time is but a noble concept. There is a rich cast of characters here, as well as love, intrigue, war and loss. I highly recommend spending some time in this world and losing yourself in its endless possibilities.”
~ Sandi Perry
(Author of The Art of Stealing)