The Twilight Herald: Book Two of the Twilight Reign (Twilight Reign)

The Twilight Herald is the second book in Tom Lloyd's Twilight epic fantasy series. Newcomers should start with the first book, The Stormcaller. Isak, Chosen of the storm god Nartis, has become the new ruler of the Farlan people after the death of Bahl, previous ruler and young Isak's mentor. Now he rules a nation beset by dangers on multiple fronts. Traitorous lords seek to undermine his rule. The conqueror Kastan Styrax, ruler of the Menin, continues to expand his empire. Meanwhile, in the city of Scree to the south, great powers are converging, and something evil is strengthening and preparing to announce itself to the world. The Twilight Herald is an excellent continuation of the series, adding to the world introduced in The Stormcaller. The plot is intriguing and builds to an explosive climax, and Lloyd has a particular flair for action scenes. Highly recommended for fantasy fans. Reviewed by John Markley

As with the first in the series Lloyd has created a fantasy feast of well written characters and a beautifully vivid world full of magic, war and turmoil. Isak as always is a great character, one of my personal favourites in the fantasy genre, he is young, powerful and often times brutal but we still see is vulnerable side when he is with his friends, this makes the main character much more in depth and satisfying to read. In this story Isak has to comes to terms with the voice of an ancient Elven King inside of his head and the treason of one of his most powerful Lords. As if this is not enough he is forced to send out his army to a small town called Scree were an enormous amount of magic is being used. In this small town all the powers of the lands are represented there, both good and evil, there in this small town we'll see assassinations, demons raised from the pits of hell and awe inspiring battles. Will the be to much for the young Lord Of The Farlan to control? Or will he rise above the expectations of the world? If you love fast paced with huge battles, politics and everything in between then Lloyd's work a go. You won't be disappointed!

The "White Eye" Isak has become Lord of the Farlan tribe following his victory at Narkang (see STORMCALLER). Aiding his claim to overall rule of the Land is possession of two crystal skulls and the sharing of his brain with the soul of dark Elf Aryn Bwr although he is not sure how much help that provides him. Still Isak returns to Tirah in triumph, only someone tries to kill him whom he assumes is baffling Azaer or perhaps a member or the entire group of the deadly White Circle. He suspects seditious actions by others, who either feel they should be in charge or he is unworthy. Although he knows he must focus on those planning seditious acts and assassination attempts, he sees an opportunity to avenge the downfall of Lord Bahl. He heads to the divided city Scree where insanity rules due to a seemingly "controlled" drought leading to no one trusting anyone and death and danger are everywhere. Isak does not care or fear anyone even those trying to kill him; for he is on a mission of vengeance, which many of the Farlan believes means razing the small city as an example of Isak's power. The Twilight Herald is a complex well written fantasy filled with political intrigue and backstabbing that make the Democrats and Republicans look like friendly playmates. The story line is loaded with several major action-packed subplots though most remain dangling for the future; but to truly digest especially the first quarter of the novel with so much happening from the onset the audience needs to have read THE STORMCALLER. Isak successfully takes over the role of solo star with Bahl gone as Tom Lloyd provides a deep complicated political fantasy in which Machiavelli and Borgia would feel at home. Harriet Klausner

Even more enjoyable than the first. Twilight Herald takes the world of the Stormcaller and drives everything further - the world's even more detailed, the plot's intricate and clever and I loved the way gods could subsume each other, haven't seen that in any other book and it worked really well!