Eleventh Cycle (Mistland Book 1)

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Eleventh Cycle has one of the best levels of worldbuilding that I've seen in a long time, with a really dark and grim execution. This book is not shy of showing the dark realities that are associated with war and violence.

Eleventh Cycle by Grimdark Fantasy + Berserk and Dark Souls | Eleventh Cycle by

A soft and gentle breeze rustled the long field of grass as if grooming it with an invisible tongue. The orange glow of an egg yolk covered it all and the soft touch of grey began to grow like mould over its tapestry.' Multiple races are introduced, enemies between them, in wars that only bring destruction and despair to the land; using different 1st person POVs helps transmit how each one of them sees the world. Ardalan uses a really particular style of narration, mixing these 4 main characters narrating from their perspective to a fifth voice written in 3rd when related to the Seed. Despite his teacher’s warnings, Kian decided to lean into that realm and now invites others to also explore these vibrant (and perhaps worrying) reflections of his own psyche.

Read Eleventh Cycle by Kian N Ardalan

A lot have questioned how exactly a Dark Souls inspired book would work. Well in this case, its through the delivery of the worldbuilding. Of course you still have your typical fantasy bard that delivers tales of yonder, as well as some good old fashioned exposition. But that is far and few between, the vast majority of the worldbuilding takes place within epigraphs before each chapter, a little snippet of an in-world tome. The prose are trying too hard for their own good and that's not too bad (there are times where I think it aids the atmosphere) but the narrators are trying too hard too. They insert inflections, pauses, and odd emphasis in the worst ways and the end result is that they end up highlighting how hard the prose are trying. But this is not some kind of 'trauma porn', there is still light and hope in these books. These characters are inherently flawed but good people. They are fiercely loyal, compassionate, trying to do the right thing to survive their way in this miserable world. THAT COVER! I mean oh my goodness me, it pops right off the screen doesn't it, but in real life, I can confirm it is even better! Such a striking image. If there's another aspect that is at the same level with worldbuilding, is how in contraposition with the darkness of the world, we are given characters we get to connect with them. Ardalan builds deep connections to these characters, which get reinforced by the use of a first-person voice for each one of them, creating a more close connection to them, and giving more impact to what will happen to them. Despite being characters with really different origins, all of them share themes in their experiences, such as friendship, love, and acceptance.

Eleventh Cycle by Kian Ardalan First Impressions : r/Fantasy Eleventh Cycle by Kian Ardalan First Impressions : r/Fantasy

I'm setting up a Goodreads group for anyone who is interested in The Children of Gods and Fighting Men and The Gael Song series. And now I shall sign off so I can go and read the remaining 42% of the book, but if Dr Mauro's review is anything to go by, this will be an unrelenting emotionally powerful journey all the way through to the gritty end.Dalila, Nora, Chroma, and Erefiel Numaya are the POV characters. They all feel distinct and are incredibly well written. Yes I can say that with certainty because We Break Immortals came out last year so I don't have to decide between my love for the two!!! Then learn to love yourself, learn to believe in life and to help others because you want to. You are like Igura’s compassion, aimless and alone you wander the world and fill your self-worth by making sure that others are happy. You give more and more of yourself until there is nothing left, like Mimir the Mad. You want to heal the world? Start by forgiving yourself and opening yourself up to the possibilities again.” It is time for my stop on the Escapist Book Tours Co. book tour of Eleventh Cycle, a big chonky grimdark self-published fantasy book!