Book Review: Thomas Blackwing & The Crystal Heart (The Immortal Chronicles BookI Parts One & Two) by VM Grimm

 

The fate of two orphans, Thomas and Will, becomes intertwined when the kingdom of Ariestonia loses its ruler and his family to an assassin. With no heir, the ruling council is forced to seek out a new inhabitant for the empty throne, thus, proposing a contest to select a new king or queen. Fourteen-year-old cadets of knights, wizards, witches, and rangers will be selected from the three prestigious schools in the kingdom to compete in the King’s Candidate event, offering them fame, power, and a secure spot in history.

Although their participation in the contest thrusts them together as foes, they quickly form an alliance after realizing a bigger threat looms on the horizon, a weapon powerful enough to destroy the land of Eartheenia if wielded by the wrong hands. The crystal heart is a mystical weapon said to have belonged to one of the seven immortals, Aelrendel. While it was thought to be only a legend, Thomas learns that not only is the crystal real, but evil constituents are after it.

Together, Thomas, Will, and their schoolmates unravel an ancient mystery and a sinister game of deception as they seek to protect the crystal from a mysterious entity that bends on possessing it.

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REVIEW

Set up to be a sweeping saga, Thomas Blackwing & The Crystal Heart is a bit of fantasy academia meets with Lord of the Rings as we enter the land of Eartheenia, where immortals were said to land founded with the seven races of man. The primary 4 are the Khazorians (Khans) or barbarians, Aries, the knights, Rohrhun (Huns), the forest lovers, and the Whalens or wizards.

 We soon meet our heroes, Thomas and Will. Thomas enroute to the academy, and several other first-year students, their coach is attacked by the Barbarian Khans. Thomas amazingly saves the future students, but not without meeting the mysterious Huns of the forest who let slip something about the bearer of the Helcrees. They arrive at the academy safely, and Thomas meets fellow students Will; the two orphan boys become fast friends, but something haunts Thomas what the Helcrees are? Determined to investigate and find out after befriending twins Edmund and Elyse, they get tangled in a political plot for Eartheenia’s royal crown.

Young adult epic fantasy lovers will immediately get swept up in this epic tale. Grimm creates good detail and a large world that makes you feel truly transported to this magical land.

While not a tremendous fan of the YA epic fantasy genre, Grimm managed to keep me entertained. Each character is well-rounded, and I enjoyed how Grimm gives each character enough life, depth, and purpose. No one character is two-dimensional, which helps emerge you into the story. 

Take heed, though, as Thomas Blackwing and the Crystal Heart is a hefty read containing parts one and two. Grimm rewards the reader near the end.

 That is why I rate Thomas Blackwing and The Crystal Heart (Parts 1 and 2) 4 out of 5 stars.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. V. Grimm is an author with a love and passion for mystery and fantasy stories. He currently works doing odd jobs while concentrating most of his attention on a flourishing writing career. Thomas Blackwing and the Crystal Heart is M.V Grimm’s first novel and is a fantasy story.

His hopes for the future are to carry on writing fantasy novels full-time and to bring them to as wide an audience as possible when he has some time to himself. He enjoys fishing, which helps to clear his mind of troubles and all thoughts for a few hours before dreaming up new stories and adventures.

You can contact M. V. Grimm on his blog at immortalschronicle.wordpress.com