Aaron den Per is the son and great-grandson of Imperial Knights, fearsome warriors and great captains of the Empire, men and women who have led resurgent Imperial armies to celebrated victories over alien races and vanquished the enemies of Humaniti to reclaim worlds long lost in the aftermath of the Great War a hundred centuries before.
Newly qualified from military college in the outlying system of Gelavan, the eager young man travels with his restless twin sister Maxima to a distant world, to the great chapterhouse fortress of the renowned Military Order of Avanti Azur Apollon, to follow in the footsteps of their father and great-grandfather, to take his own place as one of the Imperium’s illustrious heroes, to transform himself into an Imperial Knight.
Assessment:
Plot: A gripping sci-fi plot that spans a vast universe. Combining exciting adventure with political intrigue, the plot is fast-paced and sprawling, with a satisfying build up and conclusion. While part of a larger series, the novel features a standalone plot that is satisfying in its arcs.
Prose: The novel features strong writing, which clearly depicts a sprawling fictional universe without dwelling overly long on details. Action scenes are fast paced and exciting.
Originality: The novel echoes classics like Dune, without being reliant or derivative. The world, characters, and split are original and unique.
Character/Execution: The novel largely functions to develop characters for the larger series. The characters are robust and well-depicted, while room remains for growth and dynamism in later installments.
Date Submitted: August 28, 2020
