The Baron of Death

The Baron of Death (Luna #1) by Soren Lauritzen (Athena, 2013, 269pp.)

This fantasy story takes place in the fictional country of Midgaard, a land that includes sorcery, giants, and dwarves. Luna is human, a thief living by her wits alone—well, that and some nifty enhanced abilities, thanks to the dark elf blood in her family. The titular Baron of Death refers to a mysterious drug-baron in the north who makes himself rich from the production of a dangerously addictive drug called orkiljin. Luna joins a quest to stem the flow of the drug in her city, and destroy the hold the Baron has on the north. Luna is a funny, entertaining narrator à la Anita Blake, and while Lauritzen doesn’t exactly reinvent fantasy with his novel, he does put the genre’s props to good use. Recommended for any fan of fantasy.

If You Favor Plot-Crafting Over Character Development, This Fantasy is For You

The Brotherhood of Piaxia by Michael Drakich (Traanu Enterprises, 2011, 294pp.)

Twenty years ago, in the land of Piaxia, the corrupt royal family was put to the sword by a group of determined warlocks known as the Brotherhood. In the present, the now-ruling warlocks each hold sway over individual towns. The story begins when Kurmia, warlock lord of the town of Lia, takes steps to eliminate the other warlocks and assume the title of emperor over the land of Piaxia. Soon, rumors arise that as least one royal family member survived the slaughter years ago, one who now has a rightful claim to the throne. Among the many searching for this long-lost princess—and a way to halt Kurmia’s climb to power—is Master Capolidu, master trainer of the Brotherhood, his brave apprentice, a shepherd with mysterious powers, and a crafty merchant. The plot builds slowly, and the royal survivor element, which was the driving interest factor for me, personally, is introduced quite a ways into the story. While it’s a perfectly nice plot-driven fantasy, very few of the characters stood out to me at all—a major flaw in my mind, at least. But for those who don’t mind a story that focuses on plot-crafting rather than character development, this story is for you.

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