Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Dhulyn and Parno Novels Volume One - Violette Malan

The Dhulyn and Parno Novels Volume One
Violette Malan
DAW, Feb 3 2015, $9.99
ISBN: 9780756410469

"The Sleeping God."  The Mercenary Brotherhood assigns psychic Dhulyn Wolfshead and former noble Parno Lionsmane to escort orphaned Mar-eMar to her royal relatives at Tenebro House in Gotterang, Imrion.  The pair expects no trouble, but the supernatural magical Marked have reasons known only to them to prevent them from succeeding.  The zealous New Believers think that the Marked are conjuring a way to awaken the Sleeping God and consequently destroy the world. They want Parno and Dhulyn stopped. Neither adversary nor the Brotherhood knows the Green Shadow is playing on everyone’s fears.  Aware their mission could prove lethal; Parno and Dhulyn risk their lives to keep Mar safe.  

“The Soldier King.”  At the Valley of Limona battlefield the war ends with the Nisveans accepting the surrender of Tegrian’s Prince Edmir.  Though on the winning team, Dhulyn and Parno quickly become appalled when their side’s leadership violates acceptable battlefield practices and the surrender agreement with a plan to use the prince as a hostage.  Accompanied by Edmir, Dhulyn and Parno flee camp to escort the young royal to his kingdom only to find the Blue Mage has made the prince’s home unsafe.

This omnibus reprint of the first two Dhulyn and Parno fantasies (respectively published in 2006 and 2007) contains sensational sword and sorcery tales.  Both are fast-paced and anchored by the heroic pair’s trusting camaraderie of only each other.  Although somewhat typical of the sub-genre and the lead duet do inane things out of character, fans will marvel at the adventures of Dhulyn and Parno who know years before The Black List’s Redd that your enemy's enemy is most likely also your enemy.


Harriet Klausner

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