This is a great follow-up to the first book. Though it jumps right in and doesn't give much back story at all, so if you haven't read the first book I really recommend you do. While the story itself can easily stand alone, you would get much more from it if you know what has led the characters to take this journey. With that said, this story is a traditional quest story involving dragons, demons, and corrupt nobility. Unlike some other quest stories, the item is retrieved halfway through and then the journey back is full of its own new pitfalls and dangers. And the ending is particularly unexpected and has an ironic twist that leaves Vanx free to go on to the next step in his journey. I won't say more than that, but I was certainly surprised. This e-book includes the first couple chapters of book three which I think was a great idea. This book ends in a way where, if Mathias chose, he could stop the tale. Giving a teaser for the next book lets the reader see the direction it's going and makes us want to get number three. I'm not really a hard sale (you can see my reviews of many of his other books if you like), but I appreciate seeing what's in store.
Vanx is a strong character who has had trial after trial. This book is no different. He is on a quest to save the life of a young woman who saved his. He is a good man with a shady past, but you have no trouble rooting for him. His companions are a mixed lot who don't always agree but who all want to save the girl. It makes the journey easier since the internal squabbling is less than one might expect when you throw these guys together for a long, treacherous quest.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the detailed cultural explanation. All of Mathias's books have this aspect, but I feel it's stronger here than in the others. Vanx is half human and half Zynthian--two cultures who traditionally want nothing to do with each other. The readers learn more and more about the Zythian culture as they go and I feel that this clash is second only to humans and dragons which is also played out here but is treated specifically in the Dragoneers saga. While most fantasy readers are familiar with the standard dislikes of the main mythical species, I feel that's no excuse for authors to breeze by and assume the reader is keeping up. Mathias creates such a unique world here and he's willing to take the challenge of explaining how all these groups interact. While I love adventure stories that are nonstop action, I'm a reader that prefers to understand the whole society and background. But there's plenty of action here, too, if that's your biggest interest. You won't feel bogged down by the cultural lessons. There's always something happening in this quest. It's certainly not just a long walk.
This book also has a lot of dragon involvement. The first half shows all dragons as mindless carnivores (much like you might expect). The second half tempers that a bit as one of the dragons turns out to be helpful and actually saves the day. It's a great introduction to the way dragons are characterized in the Dragoneers saga. If you haven't read that series, I'd recommend going to it next. Particularly if you're interested in dragons as positive characters.
The Vanx books, to me, stand out as more straightforward story-telling than other books by Mathias. I don't mean that as a negative or positive, just an observation. It focuses more on one person than the others which makes sense since it's the story of his own legendary life. It touches on a lot of elements that are more prevalent in the other books: demons, dragons, etc. So if you like more variety in a one-man tale, this is where to start (though go get book one first). After reading many of the more intense and complex books by Mathias, it was a nice change to check out Vanx Malic. You can focus on one man and feel like it's safe to get attached (Mathias has no fear of killing off beloved characters). But I love both types of writing and will recommend anything by him. If you haven't read anything by him, this series might be the best place to start because it doesn't throw a half-dozen plot lines together. You can be introduced to the world without the risk of feeling like you're taking in too much information at once.
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Top reviews from other countries
Aaron Withers
A book fit for a king
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2014
Kaikai Camilleri
Doesn't disappoint
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2014
