TALES OF URATH

War is brewing on the planet of Urath in this intricately built universe where the power of dragons rivals that of the gods.

Journal entries by “a visitor from another world and dimension” introduce us to the world of dragon-ruled Urath: The “light” dragons have been at war with the “dark” dragons, called drakes, for centuries. Only when nine magic pearls are brought together will the corruption of the drakes be corrected. Meanwhile, godlike beings compete for the attention of Urath mortals in a world filled with both magic and science. Dragons can shape-shift, for example, and genetic research revealed that elves, dwarves, humans, and gnomon are all descendants from the same species. The Order of the Balance keeps the universe in check with the help of a small group of Urath mortals imbued with special powers. A host of characters, including Ertha, Mistress of the Rock, and Sirenia, Mistress of the Water, attempt to keep peace. But after they induct two new members—half-elf Alira Zell and her half sister, a full-blooded elf named Al Khimia—to the Order of the Balance, they soon find themselves betrayed by one who wishes to steal the pearls and wield the ultimate power. All of this occurs amid a brewing war that may force dragons and drakes to work together in order to defend themselves from the wrath of the gods. While the prose can be stilted and occasional typos occur, the nonstop action and vivid details largely compensate for the distractions. Reminiscent of a particularly engaging Dungeons and Dragons campaign, author/illustrator Dorety combines scraps of Greek mythology (“The Divine…are powerful super humanoids, and they live and come from their own ‘immortal realms’ on the other side of astral space”) with Tolkien-esque worldbuilding. Loaded with colorful illustrations, this wholly realized universe is wildly fun.

A unique take on fantasy lit that ably tackles science, magic, and mythology.