Review by Booklist Review
The ever-living took a vow: no thrones, no churches, and no sharing radiance with humanity. They took this vow because their control over radiance, a kind of magic, plus their inability to die, means they can easily upset humanity's systems. Eder, one of a set of six ever-living siblings, has broken this vow; he has established a church that revolves around purging the sin of a person's soul, even from past lives. Eder's religion is cruel, unforgiving, and leads to a lot of human deaths. His siblings, particularly Faron and Sariel, want to stop Eder's grip on the human world. They have different motivations, with Faron wanting to uphold the vow and valuing humanity, and Sariel holding a grudge. In order to overthrow Eder, the brothers will need an army, a new ruler, and a lot of luck. Dalglish (The Sapphire Altar, 2023) is a master world builder. The complex world of this series starter comes together seamlessly on the page. The high fantasy and highly political story will appeal to all readers of fantasy.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this riveting high fantasy, Dalglish (Level: Unknown) takes on the familiar trope of squabbling supernatural siblings working secretly to steer human history, but stirs in an exciting mix of reincarnation, politics, and body horror. Faron is one of six immortal siblings who have vowed to stay out of mortal affairs. When he completes his most recent reincarnation, however, he comes back to find his brother Eder breaking this promise and encouraging humans to worship him. To stop him, Faron forms an uneasy alliance with his most unpredictable brother, Sabriel, and the pair take up the cause of Princess Isabelle, a human who claims divine approval and exhibits powers that the brothers believed were limited to their family . Tensions ramp up as Eder plots to revive ancient technology and smash the interdimensional barrier that prevents the siblings from directly contacting their creator. Dalglish makes the familial relationship wonderfully multilayered while illustrating the distinct personalities of each sibling. Readers will need a tolerance for gore to get through some of the reincarnation scenes but will be rewarded with a solid saga full of loneliness and longing. It's an exciting start to the series. Agent: Michael Carr, Veritas Literary. (Mar.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
The start of Dalglish's ("Vagrant Gods") latest epic fantasy series is effortlessly engaging, following six immortal siblings who are swept into a holy war. Faron, too softhearted to endure the endless cycle of lives, burns to erase the passage of years. When he reawakens, he's recruited by his embittered brother Sariel to overthrow their brother Eder, who has broken their sacred vow of peace. Eder now leads the overreaching Astral Kingdom and has delivered the power of radiance--the power of gods--into human hands. Their best chance to stop him is to ally with Princess Isabelle as she stokes the fires of rebellion. The dynamics of a broken family are the standout feature of this ruthless saga, with relationships fraught with tension, reflecting the uncertain world. Characters carry the scars of lifetimes, and such personal strife influences the larger political conflicts. Readers are plunged right into the thick of battle, unfolding in a world that is both ethereal and fey. The action is balanced by an introspective tone that explores the nature of souls and the fallacies of humanity. VERDICT Perfect for fans of Richard Swan and Anthony Ryan.--Andrea Dyba
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