Review: Sordaneon by L.L. Stephens

Blurb:

Secrets sheathe swords.

A fallen world is littered with the corpses of broken god-machines, and a sheltered, angry youth is destined to re-awaken their power. But to embody a god, Dorilian Sordaneon must first learn to be human...

Dorilian is blood bound to the Rill, a quasi-living artifact that spans continents and empowers a privileged few to reap the riches of an entire civilization. Unfortunately, decades after seizing control of the remaining god-machines, those privileged few aren’t willing to give up their power—even if it means destroying the human bloodline to which the Rill is tethered.

Review:

There are times when a book has been on the radar because the cover is just so spectacular, it draws you in. Sordaneon (and all of the other books in the series) are definitely on my list because of just how beautiful they are. I finally picked it up after breaking the trance and fell in love with the world that is the Triempary. This novel is complex in so many different ways and definitely fulfills the promise that the cover gives to potential readers. There are many different threads that are being woven into a beautiful tapestry. This series has so much promise and depth, it is difficult to wrap my mind around it, but I shall do my best to explain the intricacies of what made me love this read. 

It starts with such a tragic event, my jaw dropped and I knew that I was in for a ride. We are introduced to Dorilian, who can either be liked or disliked, a person with the blood of a god that links them directly to the Rill. The Rill is something that is unique and familiar to all fantasy readers, a body of a god that is believed to be a machine by the majority of the people of the world. The belief in the Rill is such a driving force in the world and how it can be controlled is a main focus. It was interesting to see each individual character be an actual person, with their own likes, dislikes, and interests. The strength of the novel is the fact that all of the characters are trying to advance their own agendas which often disrupt the plans of other kingdoms and vice versa. The complexity that is effortlessly executed by the author is a thing of beauty. The world feels real, vibrant with emotion and an unknowing element laying in wait beneath it all. 

The one thing that could be difficult for some readers is the fact that there are a lot of characters, kingdoms, and a history that is deep and complex. Trying to keep all of this straight while understanding the story might turn away some readers. The way it is written allows the reader to just be absorbed into the world, and it makes more sense as the novel continues. I will warn that the best way for me to describe this novel for the unsuspecting reader is that it is DENSE, in all of the good ways. Political, revenge, and just all around epic fantasy at its best.

This novel is one that has stuck in my mind ever since I have finished reading it and I look forward to all of the future novels. The planning and execution is a thing of beauty and definitely shows off how a novel can be a piece of art in all forms. It has some twists and turns that will leave the reader guessing, while still leaving the mystery of what could happen in the future.  I know that I will be pondering upon it for years to come and will look forward to visiting it again in the future. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!