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Submitted by Goldarrow 
(Sep 02, 2011)A destroyed man. Identical twin kings who don’t have similar plans for the kingdom. A world hanging in the balance with only One who can save it.
Alastair is a man searching; whether for peace of mind, someone to save him and the world through The Halflainin, or for relief from life in the bottom of a bottle of Whitchdrale, he is searching. I like him because he doesn't know, he is uncertain, lost even. So often in books the hero might not know what to do but they just keep pushing on, thinking it will work out. Alastair falls over and over because of his past life, he is more real then most characters in books now a days. I felt I needed to read this book, I found strength in Alastair to get me through my life. He had me thinking, if Alastair can get up so can I.
Abbagael who has so much spunk, perseverance, and determination that you can't help but love her. She is caring, smart, and funny, good with a bow as well. She is so much like me, I had to laugh at myself as I laughed at her. She reflects what I think most girls wish they were like and gives them courage. Wayne Thomas Batson didn’t make her a true warrior women which I felt was wise, so often authors make girls just a strong/fierce as the men and some girls might be like this but not all, he added depth to the whole story through her.
There are two villains, I can't decide which one is my "favorite" bad guy. Morlan the jealous, power hungry, almost above genius king. Or the psychopathic, autopsy, assassin, and right hand man Crythraul. Wayne Thomas Batson did a great job telling us about Morlan. He didn't swamp us with detail so that we understand him too much, he gave us just what is needed to wrap our minds around the traitorous things he has done and has in mind.
As for the land, Myriad, I felt like I knew in a matter of moments. With the Marinaen, who can breath underwater, the Windborne men with wings, and many more great races like:
Shepherds- their job is to give council, and fight if needed, also their rather cool powers.
Willowfolk - which you have to love becausetheytalklikethis, and are just a lot of fun.
Gorracks - which are evil in their own right, not quite human yet not a true beast, I love how Wayne Thomas Batson did that.
Now I know a lot of people will be saying “to many”. To many races, to many places, to many characters, just to many! And I will admit, there was a lot to learn in Myriad. I feel a map would have helped tremendously, but I also enjoyed having to slow down to read this book. This is a book so deep you have to stop and enjoy it.
I had fun looking within the story for references to other books I have read like: Le-Saide and Fane from the White Lion Chronicles by Christopher Hopper, or Librettowit from Donita K. Pauls Dragon Keeper series and many more which I am sure I missed. Also I knew some of the people mentioned in the book.
Sword in the Stars is a book that’s target age is older then most of Wayne Thomas Batson’s books. I like that fact, I think he is staying with his readers as they grow up as well.
Overall I really enjoyed learning of Myraid’s history in a way I have never seen an author do before. 5 Stars!
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