Crucibles of Power – EBook
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EBOOK
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The world is young, dark, and rough. But the bright light of civilization illuminates the highly advanced Island Nation of Athlan, a country of order, balance, and progress.
However, the world is changing, and what is solid becomes fractured. Amidst this epic era of devolution, the never-ending cosmic battle for control of earth has centered on Athlan. While celestial forces gather, wielding power unimagined, the Marfach Gardai, human defenders of Athlan, ready themselves for the final conflict with the lethal, mindless Armies of the Night. Athlanians, great and small, men and women, will die in bloody droves, incapable of understanding or escaping their fate as Great Athlan destroys itself. Witnessing the battle for her planet, Mother Earth joins the fray with a small but extremely potent cadre of once-women who defend the earth with their lives. In the end, everyone will become a pawn on the empyrean board of life and death, and the game is in doubt . . .
EBOOK
The island nation Athlan is a civilized light in the darkness of the world in Crucibles of Power...but nothing lasts forever, and it too faces the threat of instability and destruction from dark forces. Only the defenders of Athlan, the Marfach Gardai, can prevent disaster in Book 1 of the Threat of Angeals series.
Epic fantasy readers who look for vivid settings and descriptions receive a healthy dose of each in this story, Book 1 in a four-book series, which benefits from C.T. Fitzgerald's strong descriptions: "Cean stood before the main gate of the Ban Castlean, the Ivory Castle, chest heaving, eyes bright. Pushed by some otherworldly force, he had run for two days and nights to arrive on time. The walls were massive and carved with runes. The rock of the fortress was white, glowing in the sunlight, on an island nation where all other rock was hard, black basalt. There was no explanation. The entire castle was carved from the living rock of Radahar."
Cean Mak-Scaire is ready for battle and indeed shows his prowess with sword and courage as he is summoned to battle a deadly ancient opponent. Exhausted by a series of confrontations which test his abilities even before his goal is reached, he journeys through a land that holds equal opportunity for defeat and promise.
As a fisherman's son turned warrior faces the challenges of Angeals, he also discovers a higher purpose in their involvements in his world: "I am the Cath Angeal: the Death Angel. I decide who lives or dies. You will be put into situations. You will have to make decisions. Your decisions will have consequences in the real world. If you choose to save people, they will be saved. If you kill, they will die. Your decisions will determine your fate. I can tell you no more. Remember, be true.”
But, are they relics of the past or portents of his future? As the timeline becomes mercurial and he is charged with protecting his people, Cean finds within himself power, determination, and most of all, the hope for a better future.
As Mother Earth herself joins the fray, a host of characters on both sides struggle for survival and a world revision which may consume the last vestiges of civilization.
Readers seeking an epic fantasy replete with battles, strong forces, convincing characters, and men and women who confront Gaia and other forces at odds with their world's survival will find Crucibles of Power fits the bill for an invigorating, compelling read that builds a series of confrontations and special interests.
Supernatural warriors require extraordinary heroes to defeat them, and these forces are in place in a story that probes the nature of good, evil, and the choices and consequences of warriors and ordinary individuals called upon to be heroes.
C. T. Fitzgerald creates a compelling blend of battle scenes peppered with philosophical and psychological insights. These draw readers into a story that is hard to put down, following Cean's evolution into a Warrior worthy of participating in the biggest battle of all.
Epic fantasy readers are in for a treat.
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REVIEWS:
"Fast paced first in a series of a post apocalypse world.
The story evolves quickly and clearly even though it is preceded by cataclysmic events of the past. It's somewhat apocalyptic but then emerges as a story of both conflict and hope. The most charismatic characters are female and not in a cliched manner. There are well drawn villains but at least in this first of a series no obvious singular heroes. The book leaves you wondering who will emerge as a protagonist, if any. The dialogue is somewhat stilted but appropriate for the genre and setting. This first in a series is about 175 pages and moves quickly and enjoyably. I feel excited about the battles and challenges to come as Mr. Fitzgerald is drawing us into this world very skillfully."
- Kenneth M.
