***** Honor, Magic, and Betrayal —-Review by Rox Burkey
“Thaddeus and the Emperor” by Louis Sauvain is the captivating second installment of the Tower of the Cin Trilogy. Thaddeus embarks on a thrilling journey to discover the one-thousand-year-old former West emperor, Tyrannus Superbus, imprisoned within a crystal dome. The stakes are high as Thaddeus navigates the complex political landscape of the capital city of Cinoton while grappling with the teachings of his first Master and the influence of his new Cin Master, Wy-Jinge, the Ancient One.
Mr. Sauvain’s masterful prose shines as Thaddeus shares his past, including his encounters with a corrupted Master and Daemon with the Emperor of Cin, creating an emotional resonance that elevates the second apprentice’s access to the palace. The blend of magical elements and character development maintains the intensity that characterizes the series. The author adeptly intertwines Thaddeus into a web of intrigue where recovering his magic could force him to compromise his values, and using his Green Dragon flute could help him communicate with Tyranius Superbus. Detailed maps of the inspired world allow readers to join this adventurous journey between good and evil.
Thankfully, Thaddeus’ trusted companion, Asullus, continues to inject humor and personality into the narrative, showcasing the author’s ability to create memorable and dynamic characters. Thaddeus’s brothers from the College of Sorcerers and his love interest receive random communications, ready to rush to his aid but realize their friend must reach his goals on his own. His new Apprentice Brother, Tai-Pown, helps negotiate Cin’s political landmines. Thaddeus’s reflections on his past and soul-searching for the correct steps highlight his honorable character as he navigates Cinoton.
The opulent setting of the Imperial Palace in Cinoton serves as a captivating backdrop, with the author’s meticulous attention to detail evident in the lavish descriptions of clothing, architecture, and culinary delights. The political intricacies come alive through Thaddeus’ interactions, particularly with the Emperor of Cin and his family, adding suspense, mystery, and surprising engagements to the plot. The dialogue flow is aligned perfectly with each of the subplots. Thaddeus is forced to outmaneuver the intricate layers of greed and power struggles, feeling ill-prepared to win.
Each book is a testament to Louis Sauvain’s limitless imagination, extensive world-building, and adept storytelling dexterity. The characters are intricately woven into a world rivaling the complexity of epic fantasy tales “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis and J.R. R. Tolkien, including “Lord of the Rings.” With every turn of the page, readers are drawn deeper into the adventure, making this series a highly recommended gem for fans of fantasy literature.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Using my background in healthcare, I have always been interested in how people employ fantasy to escape their current circumstances and, sometimes, their pain. Before running to writing full-time, I knew that such a distraction could help create an ability to tolerate what might be momentarily unbearable.
A retirement loomed, there was finally time available to free creative juices that allowed my fingers to flow, creating characters, and scenes unfolding wat I hoped would become epic stories. And as they flowed, the characters spoke up, guiding how they would respond when scenarios were created. The muse on my shoulder took the form of my high school English teacher who pushed with her trusty red pencil and supported my creativity and love of words.
Now, writing epic fantasy, my books have become an allaying salve for pain, relief and escapism to abandon, for the moment, this world and embrace, for a time, another. Sometimes it’s for myself…and always for those who are just looking for a worthwhile read.
Born and bred in the Midwest, I call Wisconsin home. My reveal: Most of my ideas come in the shower when I ask my characters, “Okay, where are you going to take me today?
My challenge becomes…how to bring YOU…my readers…along so that you, too, can enjoy my path to completing each book’s storyline. To me, that’s gold.
Find and Follow Louis Sauvain on:
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