Over the last twenty years, I've seen a lot of fans of Janny's Wars of Light and Shadow series ask for more of Verrain, Master Spellbinder but not-quite-Fellowship-Sorcerer who lives in the middle of a abomination-infested swamp that contains the worst nightmares of drakespawn crossbreeds. Verrain is responsible for ensuring that nothing gets out of Mirthlvain to plague the populations of humanity that live in Melhalla and Shand, not to mention any of the Free Wilds in those areas. This novella, found in the anthology Secrets and Spells, will satisfy any Verrain fan. The anthology can be found on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYTH2G4/?tag=id2100-20
This novella is about how Verrain came to be the Guardian of Mirthlvain, and how he took up residence at Meth Isle Fortress. His background is not what one would expect of the reclusive Verrain, but it makes perfect sense in hindsight. It also ties in to the Wars' main story line showing the tensions between Townborn and Clansmen, and why they existed, and how those tensions not being managed properly at the time of the Mistwraith's invasion of Athera led to the Rebellion against Charter Law.
Janny does her usual fantastic job of combining information throughout a short novel that is almost entirely denouement. Her characteristically complex prose succeeds in forcing a slow read to understand the nuggets of information that are providing more than just Verrain's back story, but also the story of pre-rebellion Athera, showing us the underpinnings of why things were they way they were when Curse of the Mistwraith begins. We also gain more understanding about the ways of the Clans and what their role was when the Paravians still roamed the Paravian continent.
If you are not familiar with the Wars of Light and Shadow, The Gallant is not the place to begin. You will have more questions than answers. Ideally, this would be read after Destiny's Conflict, but it could be read anytime after Curse of the Mistwraith. Five star effort, once again.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYTH2G4/?tag=id2100-20
This novella is about how Verrain came to be the Guardian of Mirthlvain, and how he took up residence at Meth Isle Fortress. His background is not what one would expect of the reclusive Verrain, but it makes perfect sense in hindsight. It also ties in to the Wars' main story line showing the tensions between Townborn and Clansmen, and why they existed, and how those tensions not being managed properly at the time of the Mistwraith's invasion of Athera led to the Rebellion against Charter Law.
Janny does her usual fantastic job of combining information throughout a short novel that is almost entirely denouement. Her characteristically complex prose succeeds in forcing a slow read to understand the nuggets of information that are providing more than just Verrain's back story, but also the story of pre-rebellion Athera, showing us the underpinnings of why things were they way they were when Curse of the Mistwraith begins. We also gain more understanding about the ways of the Clans and what their role was when the Paravians still roamed the Paravian continent.
If you are not familiar with the Wars of Light and Shadow, The Gallant is not the place to begin. You will have more questions than answers. Ideally, this would be read after Destiny's Conflict, but it could be read anytime after Curse of the Mistwraith. Five star effort, once again.
