Energy and vivaciousness flow throughout The Fate of Our Union, with language and tone more in step with the myth-works of olde than most modern fantasies. Characters wear their philosophies and ideologies on their sleeves here; they are powered by them, desirous of greatness beyond measure and glory that “pleases the soul,” making them more confidently ambitious than relatable. Still, an earnestness lurks in Hermannson’s approach, proving hypnotic despite somewhat inconsistent prose and a lore-heavy backbone that, by the story’s end, leans more toward moral lecturing than a resolute denouement.
Inspired by Indo-European literature and Western philosophy, Hermannson “venerates the heroes and philosophers who honorably embraced their fate” and “weaves their stories into new adventures using their inherited style,” which can be felt in the oft-painterly prose—"blood turned the spring forest autumn red”—and deep research undertaken to bring the various tribes of man, their beliefs, and the Stoicism rooted at its center to life. An ambitious undertaking, The Fate of Our Union overshadows mechanical issues with a dazzling refraction of ancient history and mythology through a philosophical prism, revealing compelling arguments for mankind’s inalienable unity—a timely message sure to resonate with readers.
Takeaway: A thought-provoking fantasy epic that unites mythology and philosophy.
Comparable Titles: Poul Anderson’s War of the Gods, A.E. Rayne’s Winter’s Fury.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
