The Broken Heart of Arelium

This book sucked me right into its world and lore. Robins has a meticulous writing style that paints a vibrant and sometimes violent picture of the horrible war raging between the realm and the Greylings, barbaric monsters who turn out to be very formidable foes, tearing men limb from limb with ease. Though, as the story moves on, we begin to understand that humans are the most vicious monsters as the politics of Arellium come into play, and no one is as they seem.

I was given a free review copy of this audiobook, at my request, and I have voluntarily left this review. Arelium’s gritty, windswept setting, well-drawn characters, and fast-paced action hooked me immediately. This is a richly detailed world inhabited by an engaging cast of characters. There’s plenty of court intrigue and exciting battle scenes, interspersed with legendary tales of past deeds: the history behind the present dangers. What almost kept me from five-starring this fine book were the long passages of fluent dialogue, delivered calmly, almost leisurely, by characters so exhausted or so badly wounded that they should not have been able to do more than gasp out a few broken sentences. One nobleman, his bones broken and his teeth knocked out, eloquently described the battle in which he’d suffered his wounds. His ability to express himself so articulately seemed at odds with his injuries: he should have been barely able to speak. I would have preferred a separate chapter in which readers experience that battle alongside the nobleman, rather than hear him relate the events, lengthily, after the fact, when he should have been barely conscious. During the siege of Arelium, too, several characters find time and energy for long conversations, when they seemingly should be too bruised and battered to do more than grunt a few words. The dialogue is beautifully written, expressive and eloquent, but it did take me out of the story and leave me slightly impatient with all the talking, as I awaited a return to the action. Overall, however, this is a gripping story with immersive world-building in which the characters come to life. The narrator has a great voice and a smooth, clear delivery that draws you into the action. You won’t go wrong with this book if you enjoy military fantasy peopled by noble knights, courageous foot soldiers, determined old veteran captains, brave young women, and duplicitous dark villains. They’re all here, fighting for survival against monstrous enemy hordes. This is the first book in the War of the Twelve series. It’s not a standalone. It ends with many questions unanswered. The second book in the series, The Ashen Hand of Kessrin, is out now in ebook and paperback, but I’ll wait for the audiobook. I really like this narrator.