FANTASY REVIEW: The Tainted Realm 1: Vengeance - Ian Irvine

Release Date: 05/04/12

SYNOPSIS:

Ten years ago, two children witnessed a murder. Tali saw two people kill her mother, and though she is only a slave in underground Cython, she has sworn revenge. She may be nothing to those who live above ground, but she will bring the killers to justice.

Rix, heir to Hightspall's greatest fortune, watched as two masked figures murdered a woman for reasons he still doesn't understand. Even now, he is haunted by the killing.

Tali's escape from slavery leads to war with Hightspall and, when she is rescued by Rix, they're hunted through a land in chaos. As Tali and Rix set out to unravel the mystery behind her mother's death, Rix is tormented by sickening premonitions that he too will commit murder - Tali's murder.

Within days, Hightspall is close to defeat. The only way to save the realm is to unmask and defeat the killer. But how can Tali avenge herself on a sorcerer who died two thousand years ago?


REVIEW:

Ian Irvine is an author that is similar to marmite, either you love him or you don’t. Personally I love his writing style, its clean, he builds up characters well and allows them to grow from the situations that life has presented. Add to this a complex world with rules that take some time to get used to and you know that it’s a book that is going further into the realm of epic fantasy than many authors fear to tread .

Throw into the mix a distrustful lead character situation where they both have to learn how to survive together and a whole host of satisfying dialogue and the reader is in for a treat. Finally add a screwy world system and a mission for vengeance and you know that the characters within are going to change. A wonderful read all round and I really can’t wait to see where the Tainted Realm goes next.