Magic, action, and mystery unite to set an immersive stage perfect for battling evil. Two timelines dominate the story: the ancient past, from early 300 A.D. to the12th century, and the present that past has shaped and shaken. While the past offers tense skirmishes and useful insights, some contemporary readers may feel the present timeline provides more engaging, fast-paced drama. The large cast ensemble find themselves in nail-biting clashes where their lives are often on the line. Combined with secret portals, teleportation, and time reversal, Howard takes readers on a wild high-stakes ride packed with mystical fanfare.

Readers jumping head-first into the series with the fourth book may wish to pause and visit the earlier novels to get a stronger sense of the characters’ prior relationships and to better understand the historical elements of the footnail; however, those eager to dive in will appreciate Howard’s interludes, which provide ancient context about Gen’s visions. In addition, readers can browse the “Historical Context'' endnotes to assist filling any gaps in knowledge about Jesus, the Holy Grail, and the footnails.

Takeaway: Thrilling fantasy of holy relics, ancient adventure, and wild tech and magic.

Comparable Titles: Mark E. Fisher’s Days of the Apocalypse Series, D.L. Hennessey Neirgel Chronicles Series

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A