Soldier Son (The Teralin Sword Book 1) by D.K. Holmberg
Endric wants only to serve, but he’s destined to lead.
As the second son of the general of the Denraen, Endric wants only to fight, not the commission his father demands of him. When a strange attack in the south leads to the loss of someone close to him, only Endric seems concerned about what happened.
All signs point to an attack on the city, and betrayal by someone deep within the Denraen, but his father no longer trusts his judgment. This forces Endric to make another impulsive decision, one that leads him far from the city on a journey where he discovers how little he knew, and how much more he has to understand. If he can prove himself in time, and with the help of his new allies, he can stop a greater disaster.
Endric is the second son of Dendril, the general and leader of the elite fighters known as the Denraen. His father wants him to step up and lead, but Endric is impulsive and only wants to fight while resenting both his father and his situation. Yet fate has other plans for him.
Fans of D.K. Holmberg’s “The Lost Prophecy Book” series will recognize Endric as the great and legendary general of the Denraen. But what events and actions shaped him into the man he would become? The Teralin Sword series examines Endric’s past and the trials he went through to rise to that position.
Before he was a general, he was a soldier.
Before he was famous, he was infamous.
Before he became loved, he was hated.
Before he became wise, he was a fool.
The story is written from Endric’s viewpoint and filled with involved plots, unexpected surprises and a detailed exploration of his character. Endric struggles as past assumptions are destroyed and he finds a growing maturity the only way to survive. Endric is flawed and relatable, but also talented and capable of change. Sometimes, the story gets a little too introspective as Endric works through his issues and slows down, but never for long.
I found many secondary characters to have hints of deeper and more mysterious pasts, such as his friend Pendin, who were not as well defined as I would like. One favorite is Brohmin, who would benefit from a little more development. I would definitely like to hear more about his story.
The themes of good and evil, protection and destruction are lightly explored in the book’s concepts of Urmahne and Deshmahne respectively. While priests and magi are mentioned, overall there is no overtly religious content, but rather these mentions serve as a background for the story making it an enjoyable read for both non-Christians and Christians. Various gifts and powers are displayed at times, but their sources and details are vague, although somehow tied into the book’s concepts of Urmahne and Deshmahne. Both Endric and I struggled at times with what these concepts really meant.
There are various fantasy fighting scenes, but violence itself is not glorified and the details of the fights are sparse and only as needed to move the story along.
I have read much of D.K. Holmberg’s work and am pleased to find this story as interesting and enjoyable as when I first read it. Those fans who like detailed and growing characters, story surprises and involved plots will find this an enjoyable read, but those looking for gratuitous violence will be disappointed. I recommend it for fantasy fans 10 and up.
Themes of good and evil, discovering the truth of the world and oneself
Genre: YA Fantasy
Heat: None
Cursing and Profanity: None explicitly
Violence: Limited fantasy fighting, but battle detail is sparse and only as needed.
Dave Joutras wrote stories when he was a teen, made up worlds when he was in college, told cliffhangers to his kids at the bus stop, and hasn’t stopped creating new tales at any point in between or since. A devoted Christian, husband, and father of four, Dave loves Kindle Unlimited and all of his published novels can be found there including the Christian inspired fantasy series: The Mole Chronicles , the supernatural Meaghan’s Angel and the superhero series Brother’s Keepers. Some of his favorite authors are Ian Rodgers, Fred Faller, and Marc Secchia.
