Probably the most well-known literary adage is "do not judge a book by its cover," which is at once smart and foolish because everyone does. The cover literally being the point of first contact between book and prospective reader, giving that all-important first impression, which is why authors and publishers go to great lengths to make their covers as splendid and accurate as possible. In the The Sapphire Heart's case, one look at the cover gives an impression as a vast, Epic Fantasy world where every plant and animal has a distinctive name, a gloriously intricate and imaginative realm where an epic quest will unfurl to save it. A quest undertaken by a disparate yet destined band.
You know what? That would be an accurate first impression. So what makes Elorah's, the eleventh Erynvor, quest to restore Eolemar different from that of other Epic Fantasies of the classic tradition? The world-building and the fact that Elorah and crew are not facing down a Dark Lord but rather trying to resurrect the great Founding Dragons (did the cover give that away?) so as to restore their dying land. Swords are useful at times, but tis difficult to force better harvests with them and they help even less when your prime foes stalks the dream-realm of Oru Fen. The Wycche and Venge will suck the restful right out of your sleep and the vitality from your life without compassion or compunction – for she serves the Self rather than the All.
I will not lie: this book is heavy both physically and mentally. But those who, like me, enjoy inhaling a thousand names (not literally) and many characters will find themselves right at home.
(P.S. If you, dear reader, are an author/publisher and reading this review makes you want to ask me for a review too then PLEASE read my Contact Me? page.)
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