Rival Gates' "Mandrean Revenge"

Title:  A Thrilling Journey

“Mandrean Revenge” by Rival Gates

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

9/12/16

9:36 pm

Half-elf, Linvin Grithinshield, has seen much in his life as he journeyed across the world of Lavacia to claim the Red Sapphire, a powerful magic stone. However, the nefarious Lord Mandrean carries out a search to fully empower the Red Sapphire’s parallel Blue Sapphire, with the intentions of using its power to destroy Linvin. With a string of assassins set on hunting Linvin down, the main character finds himself journeying across nations to free his kidnapped uncle and to put an end to Lord Mandrean’s plots, once and for all.

Despite the massive amounts of success and wealth Linvin has gained in his past adventures, he is a likable character who does not allow his accomplishments to identity him. He is prone to helping the less fortunate and is weary towards the burden of his name and fame, something unseen in many other novels where characters are well-known. This makes Linvin a much more compelling hero than is often found in fantasy, and a hero readers are sure to become attached to.

The downside to this read, the novel dragged with in-depth discussions of politics and business that at times seemed unnecessary to help carry the plot forward. The plot was also liable to employ clichés, but author Rival Gates navigates through it with her stellar characterizations. Readers come to understand the many relevant characters’ motivations and schemes, giving a more full appreciation of the mechanizations of the novel. While Lord Mandrean is framed as the villain, readers still have the opportunity to appreciate and sympathize with him.

Gates has an ability to make characters that surpass their archetypes and become characters that entrance and enthrall readers. This, paired with the adventure and action of the narration, make this novel an excellent, must read.

I give “Mandrean Revenge” 4 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy,

M. Windholtz