BookView Review rated it:
Atmosphere Press
Pub date September 1, 2023
ISBN 979-8891320147
Price $19.99 (USD) Paperback, $8.99 Kindle edition
In his second installment in The Cycle of Eden series, Varona offers a well-realized fantasy world full of darkness and intrigue. A powerful and alluring Darkness has taken hold of Seth, the prophesied Young God, warping him into a bringer of evil. Trying to keep it a secret from everyone else, he fights to resist the lies in his mind. But his desperate attempts drive him further into servitude to his brother as they journey toward the Dark Continent. Magic, politics, and myth intertwine with human drama to create a vivid world that juxtaposes Seth’s inherent goodness and his gradual descent into malevolence. The fantasy elements are beautifully blended in, deepening the darkness of the story, particularly as they relate to Seth’s internal turmoil: He was built for reviving light, and the narrative beautifully leans into his struggle, raising philosophical questions about trust, belief, destiny, strength, responsibility, and human nature. As it progresses, the story increases in complexity, creating a poignant, character-based layered narrative. Readers will cheer on Valentina, Ria, Duo, and Chase who find their loyalties put to the test, and are forced to make split-second decisions in dire circumstances. While the pacing can be slow, there is enough action and intrigue to keep readers invested. A dash of romance is added without distracting from the story. A haunting and thoughtful character-based story with a dark, magical bent.
BookView Review 
Leave a comment