Sword of Souls is the first book of the mystifying series called the Chronicles of Caledon. The book also introduces the people and kingdoms of this distant world as well as setting the stage in a powerfully rich and dynamic saga.

I found the story, and the beginning of the series very captivating with a new look on the genre along with the refreshing look on the highlights of traditional fantasy and science-fiction.

Sword of Souls, to my understanding is named after the very powerful translation of "Talquardez-Solstas" from the language of its mysterious maker, an apparition in so many words called Mydyr.The Sword of Souls launches just after the fall of the Ramadan tribes by the merciless red bearded Tarvas people who invade sparing only the women and the young children in their brutal endeavors of destruction.

Sword of Souls also introduces the main character of the book, a young orphan of this war by the name of Lithius. Lithius manages the miraculously escaped from the bondage of the Tarvas warriors and his life's journey begins spiraling down through the Catanbar Mountains along the Thunder River and through the Ramadan Steppes embracing his destiny in a dark and foreboding isle of the "dragons" known as Draccus.

Lithius through his acquired strength and magic begins his ascension only to embrace the formidable armies and darker secrets of the evil Lord of Draccus, Morderra-Atrauis.

In this story, this saga, we as readers are introduced to this world mainly through the eyes of the main character and his understanding of the people, history, technology, and surroundings of this world. We as the readers are propelled by the author to the young lad's experiences as he grows to become a powerful and in my opinion, an enchanting personality.

I would also like to speak upon the blend of fantasy, the use of the dark magic, and the over-all view of the author's choice of "good verses evil." This dynamic is rather different, I mean to say, there seems to be only shades of gray rather than something so striking as just white and black.

Lithius is the hero of the first book, however, he is not without some flaws as told with his dealings in Draccus. The Sword of Souls, a very powerful and gifting weapon only enhances the character traits of both good and bad qualities within him. I also like the fact that the Character does not give into the darker ambitions one would or might have if they, those of us obtained such a weapon.

The world, this planet called Caledon is an amazing place that in my opinion, does not overwhelm the non-traditional or new reader to the genre while tantalizing the seasoned veteran fan. I would also like to use the remarkable passages of this world's history woven into the very fabric of the story without burdening the reader, but rather adding to the rich flavor of the adventure.

Overall, I found the book as a wonderful and amazing story that certainly convinces one as to not lay it down, it is something I found I just couldn't leave it alone. The characters, those others in the book outside the main focal points also seemed to walk right off the pages. The author has a wonderful gift of storytelling and coaxing one's imagination to join in.

I am looking forward to the sophomore, the second of this new author's great series as well as other works by him.