Medalon

Any one who likes dragon's.

I'm not a fan of starting new series, so I was a little hesitant to start this one. (especially since the cover came across as a little too childish) It was only by a great recommendation that I picked this one up, and thank god, I absolutely loved it! After the first chapter you will be drawn in up until the very last book.

From the minute that I picked this book up, I was sucked in. The pace was set perfectly, with the right amount of action and calm. Although some of her characters are slightly cliche, Fallon gives them a slightly new twist and adds other more unexpected characters into the mix, keeping it refreshing. One of my favorite things about this book is its play on religion. You've got the main group in the story, the Meladonians, who are fiercely athiest. Then there are the pagans, whose gods are actually real and behave (I say this fondly) like the Greek gods. The Harshini are basically demi-gods themselves, but naturally everyone thinks they're evil (except the pagans) when they aren't. And finally, there are the monotheists whose god actually exists as well, but he's not the only god. Associate each group with assorted countries, put it together and you've got some fascinating politics. This isn't a completely new world by any means, but by putting together many elements of fantasy it all becomes new again. "Medalon" is well written, in-depth, and incredibly enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

Medalon is a place ruled by a group called the sisterhood and the Defenders are the warriors sworn to protect and defend the Sisters from heathen corruption. The sisterhood and their followers believe that those that worship multiple gods are heathens and would love to get rid of all heathen taint. The Harshini, a race that is believed to be extinct, are beings whom pocess powerful magic; the heathens are the only ones that seem to only believe in the existence of the Harshini, whilst to most they are a myth. There is a legend that says that the last Harshini king had sired a child with a human, the child has become known as the demon child, who was created to annihilate a god named Xaphista, the Incidental God. R'shiel is the daughter of the First Sister of the Blade (the leader of the sisterhood), Joyhinia. She has become a disappoint to her mother because she shows no remote interest of becoming a Sister or following her orders. R'shiel's half-brother, Tarja is a captain for the Defender cause and a more greater disappointment to their mother. Joyhinia is the type of person that one will love to despise, she only attained the position of the First Sister by upsurping another, Mahina, who was more qualified. While on duty guarding the northern border, Tarja finds out that his so-called little sister isn't who she was led to be, heritage-wise. Joyhinia has decieved many. Tarja confronts Joyhinia in front of many others and ends up having to flee for his life, along with R'shiel, whom he already disclosed Joyhinia's horrible deceit to. Tarja and R'shiel get caught up in a rebellion against the Sisterhood. Those of you that enjoy Greek Mythology will enjoy the devine interventions from the heathen Gods in this series. My favorite God so far in this series is Dace, a boy god of thievery; he is just so darned amusing! In the last couple of pages there is a character glossary. There's a lot of characters for one to memorize, so the glossary is quite helpful. Is a wonderful read for all fantasy lovers. Fallon is now one of my favorite authors. Her sense of humour in this book is quite amusing, even during serious moments. I can't hardly wait to get hold of her 2nd book. Check out Fallon's official site --> www.jenniferfallon.com

The UK paperback jacket of Jennifer Fallon's opener in the Demon Child trilogy (Hythrun Trilogy in the US) caught me off guard slightly as it has a distinctive science fiction approach to its artwork. Having never come across Fallon, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fantasy novel that looks to combine the best of Jordan and Modesitt.The story concerns Tarja Tenragan, a dashing, battle hardened and somewhat cynical Defender of the Medalon realm whom we first encounter punching out an overly arrogant captain called Loclon, and R'Shiel, his half-sister, a Probate the the Sisterhood - a firmly secular group who rule this central state, surrounded on all sides by god-fearing heathens, if you believe the propaganda. The irony that this state atheism is actually incorrect as we meet the Primal and Incidental Gods fairly early on in this adventure - the God of Thieves and Goddess of Love featuring heavily during an episode at the prisoner town of Grimwild. Tarja and R'Shiel come to realise that they are not, in fact related and that R'Shiel is the Demon Child, fated to kill the God Xaphista or die trying. At a human level their adversary is the resplendant wicked stepmother, Joyhinia, whose ruthless cunning secures her the leadership of the Medalon sisterhood after ousting Mahina and with complete disregard for her childrens' wellbeing gets them captured during a growing insurgency and carted off to Grimwild. At a deified level she is being hunted by the God Xaphista and his horde of fanatical Kairen Priests.What follows is a race through Medalon as they first escape, prove to their rebel friends that Tarja did not betray them and R'Shiel gets captured by a Kairen priest and Lord Pieter, the Kairen Envoy. One explosive moment later on the boat we finally get to hear the truth behind her heritage as demon-created dragons enter the fray and we learn that the once-thought extinct Harshini are in fact alive and that R'Shiel is the daughter of Lorandranek te Ortyn, the dead brother to King Korandellen.With it comes the explanation that the demon child has unlimited access to magic (normal Harshini can only access small amounts - more with a God's help) but her human blood means she can use it to destroy. All in all a potent weapon.Fallon's opener in the trilogy is explosively impressive combining powerful plot, plausible characterisation and effortless writing style to create a novel that is as thrilling to read as any Eddings or Feist. There has been a dearth of quality new fantasy writers over recent years and Fallon's advent has come at exactly the right time. Any fan of this genre must read this.