FIRST EVIL

Debut author White presents a dark fantasy novel set in a world of disorder.

In the fantastical city of Arcatia,Finch Crushluck is a disreputable individual. He convinces others that he is a “death priest” who can speak with the deceased, though he possesses no such talent. Nevertheless, a sorcerer named Lojean brings Finch and a giant named Tolek to the body of a slain dragon, intending to interrogate the dead beast about the location of a powerful magical amulet. Meanwhile, Lowthraxinor, a dwarf on trial for treason, beats the rap by killing the entire tribunal. The dwarf empire of Kormodgeon has been on the decline, and Lowthraxinor is on a rampage to revive it. He also plans to retrieve the amulet and is merciless toward anything that stands in his way. To complicate matters, the world in general is in disarray; “a swirling morass of clouds,” known as the “Wasting,” does strange things to those who encounter it in a land called the Null (where the amulet happens to be located). Celeste Varbringer is one of the few people qualified to maneuver an airship into the Null, and she plans to venture there on a mission to find her daughter, Ingrid. Much of the excitement in the story comes from learning about the quirks of this world, such as the Null and the Wasting. Some of the material, however, is a bit dry. Earnest statements like “The Hand has betrayed the Maker. He makes pacts with demons in the wasteland” often come off as blandly generic. Fortunately, comic relief is regularly provided: Finch is both likable and capable of humor. He may be a trickster, but he feels pity for the dead dragon (as well as for himself). Taken together, engaging characters like the bloodthirsty Lowthraxinor and the endearing Finch animate a story that is violent, complex, and even funny.

A memorable epic quest with diverse characters and dashes of dark humor.