Fezariu's Epiphany is one of those books that, as intrigued as I was by the set-up, I had a hard time getting into. The first few chapters left me with a serious sense of deja-vu, as if I'd read the same story before. It wasn't only the story itself that seemed familiar, but the way in which it was told. By the time I reached the series of letters (first between Jessamine and Peter, and then between Fezariu and Alycea), the sense of "Oh, please - not another of these kind of stories" was so strong that I was ready to give up.

In all likelihood, if David hadn't stopped by my Bibrary Bookslut blog last month to share his thoughts on the book, I likely would have stopped there. Fortunately, he'd talked enough about the larger story, and the way characters would weave in and out of it, that I still wanted to see where things would go.

Where it went, I am very pleased to say, is up.

If the first third disappointed me (and it did), the second definitely validated and renewed my interest, while the final third delighted me in the way it progressed. This is, largely, a dark and sombre tale, full of mistakes, misinterpretations, and misguided actions. There were times when I sighed and thought "I knew that was going to happen" but, at the same time, I couldn't fault the characters. They were true to themselves, and they (particularly Fezariu) surprised me.

While definitely a fantasy novel, this is a very realistic story about men and women, lovers and prostitutes, and mercenaries and bakers. It takes some novel turns, and I hints at what I suspect is a much larger story still to be told. The ending (Fezariu's 'epiphany' and beyond) was both unexpected and taken for granted, precisely what I wanted to see happen, but which I didn't really expect to have come about.

Overall, the first third of the novel could definitely use some polishing, and the middle third could benefit from a bit of elaboration, but the story ably redeems itself in the end. While I wasn't originally sure I would finish the book, I would be quite happy to read a sequel. ( )

From the reviews I read, I expected more from this novel. While the author turns a few particularly lovely phrases here and there, I found the stilted language of the characters exactly matches that of the narration, whether the scenes are appropriate to such floweriness and/or melodrama or not. Anachronisms continually break the fragile sense of setting, point of view wavers from paragraph to paragraph, and there is little if any real tension. Without tension, there is nothing to invest the reader in the fate of the characters. When the possibility of conflict does arise, the protagonists immediately surrender.

We are told the alleged antagonist is dangerous and frightening, but he does nothing particularly sinister beyond a few threats that have little weight behind them. In spite of this, a woman gives up her family and comfortable life at his bidding to serve him as a prostitute; her 'loving' husband sighs at her sweet sacrifice and lets her languish. People drop like flies in this tale, but they have not been given enough character for the reader to care about them.

The underlying dramatic framework holds a lot of potential. The author clearly put considerable time into developing the framework of history and and various societies, but there is far too much telling rather than showing (particularly between characters that would - or should - clearly know the information). It's as if the tale is told from a distance, and we are only occasionally allowed into the actual lives and thoughts of the characters, and usually only for a few brief moments (usually at a tavern) while they tell each other how things are.

Again, plenty of potential in the emotional circumstances and in the idea of the world, but an unfortunately poor follow-through.
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Book: Fezariu's Epiphany
Series: The Elencheran Chronicles
Author: David M. Brown
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Length: Approximately 387 Pages

FEZARIU'S EPIPHANY by DAVID M. BROWN at times had me in tears, madder than hell, sitting on the edge of my seat, gasping for breath and completely exhausted when I finished it.

This is the story of Fezariu. We first meet him when his tortured mother running from her past gives birth to him. We follow him through his early years filled with love and laughter, and then his mother's past catches up with her. Out of love, she makes the ultimate sacrifice for him, returning to her unspeakable past to spare his life and those she has come to love as her own.

After a series of tragic events, Fezariu and Alycea, the small girl he grew up with, find themselves living in a new land with Alycea's uncle. It is here he learns that his mother has not died as he was told, but working in a brothel. As a mother myself, I was heartbroken when Fezariu was reunited with his mother. To save the child's life from the monster that runs the White Oak brothel, Jessamine cruelly turns her back on Fezariu after seeing him. I needed many tissues to get through this part of the book.

For a twelve-year-old boy, feeling the weight of guilt for all of those he's loved and lost in his short life, blaming himself, he makes a conscious decision to never allow anyone close to him again. He abandons Alycea and runs to the Archangel University to train as a mercenary to become a man with strength and honor. Being too young to train when he arrives, he has taken on years of servitude to the University until he is of age. We follow Fezariu through his three-year training and then his battles employed as a great mercenary.

Mr. Brown has written a book that introduces the reader to such an extraordinary cast of characters, and a book that is entwined with several storylines that come together flawlessly. We are taken into the lives of the mercenaries and the battles they fight, both right and wrong. We are introduced to new lands with such a rich history. Every detail is well thought out and beautifully written.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading FEZARIU'S EPIPHANY by DAVID M. BROWN. This book has something for everyone in it. It took me through every emotion possible and left me exhausted and with a smile on my face when I finished it. This is one of those books that I will be thinking about for some time to come. This is one of those special books that I highly recommend and wish I could give it more than a measly 5 Stars. It deserves so much more than that. ( )

This was a pretty good story. I really liked the world it was set in. All I needed is a map but definitely a good job in constructing a different fantasy world. The characters are easy to like and easy to relate too. Fezariu is a bit on the over-acting side though. :) I love the story and the story-telling. It has a nice pace, not too fast but not too slow also. The only problems I had with it are that everybody keeps dying and a lack of romance! I would love to read a book about Fezariu and Alycea's story. A sequel please! ( )

Nice adventure story with lots of good action. Follow Fezarius and his companions as he tries to run front his past.Good writing style keeps you interested in the story. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon in the sun. ( )