. . . a coming-of-age saga, a quite complex spiritual and moral quest which will resonate in the hearts of the readers, and the world-building skills of the author is remarkable, as well as the unique voice and writing style which truly brings a reader into this ancient world. All of the ancient customs, beliefs, and traditions are woven into the narrative in an outstanding way, so much so that the reader is gifted an educational thought-provoking experience along with the entertainment value of this novel. While a quite lengthy novel, this is one to savor and take your time in reading, letting the words saturate your soul as the narrative threads through your heart and mind. The time taken is well worth the effort and you will not be disappointed.
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- the Historical Fiction Company
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. . . . the descriptions are vivid and immersive; indeed, readers find themselves thrust right into the action, be it fighting to survive the elements or in the midst of battle. The story takes the reader back in time most amazingly. One wonders how early man managed to survive, how they learned to create tools, to make clothing, shelter, medicines, all the things that the modern reader wouldn’t give a second thought. Social constructs and mores, traditions, customs, and laws are explained by seamlessly integrating them into the plot. The themes of spirituality and worship, and the place of nature in an emerging society’s ethos are clear. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, although the prologue starts with action and mystery, and death. This is an epic adventure and one that belongs not only to Vratu, but to the communities he encounters and the people he calls his friends and companions. A thought-provoking, instructive, and extremely enjoyable read.
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- Fiona Ingram, Readers Favourite
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. . . a story of coming of age, compassion, love, horror, and genocide . . . the detailed and descriptive narration brings the characters alive and makes the scenes vivid. The imagery is exquisite and the author enhances it with his clever wordplay. I liked the element of shamanism that runs through the plot. Since it is set in primitive times, there is a sort of rawness and crudeness in the behaviors of the characters depicted.
The storytelling is exceptional and each scene segues into the next one effortlessly. There is a bit of violence that is demanding of the plot and the era it has been set in. There are many characters in the story and I like the way the author has knitted them around Vratu without sounding forced. There is a lot of action happening hence there is not a dull moment in the story till it ends. The character of Vratu has been portrayed in a way that he dominates the plot till the end, whether he is there in the frame or not. A story for fans of ancient history and those who wonder about early man.
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- Mamta Madhaven, Readers Favourite
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. . . Szabo really has a good hand when it comes to pacing and making you feel connected to what is happening on the pages . . . plot has great action and, overall, it is an enjoyable read. If you don't mind emotions while reading (which I enjoy), it really makes this book a perfect story. I recommend you grab it and curl up for a great read.
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- Kathryn Bennett, Readers Favourite
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