VICTORY AND DEATH

A brave general aims to overthrow an immortal wizard, whose ambitions could lead to an unprecedented age of darkness in Frans’ fantasy novel.

This first book in The Planewars Saga introduces readers to a multiverse consisting of 27 known worlds, in which the seemingly immortal wizard Lord Brakken (known, among other names, as “the War Maker”) has at least partial control of four—and has his eyes set on the rest. But there is a growing faction of creatures—human, elves, dwarves—who are willing to rise against the dark wizard to finally find freedom. This group is led by Artorus Vallon, a grizzled general who has finally had enough, and his brave half-sister, Mala. As their rebellion grows, they seek help from a Sage (an immortal race who act as knowledge keepers for all the known worlds) named Kellos. Together, they will learn all they can about the wizards—including the three branches of magic that allow them to manipulate matter, teleport, and control people’s thoughts. But as the fight escalates and things turn increasingly violent, Artorus and his army of rebels hurtle toward a shocking conclusion. Frans has crafted a sprawling first-in-series that manages to be action-packed while still leaving plenty of room for more. The blend of fantasy and sci-fi (Lord Brakken picks fights with other planets through a “worldgate”) provides a fresh spin, while Artorus’ consistently compassionate leadership and distaste for violence makes for a genuinely inspiring hero: “‘This ruthlessness, this fear and death,’ Artorus hissed, ‘this is the stuff of Wizards; of madmen and of warlords.’” A sophisticated formal narrative voice and crisp dialogue help transport readers into Frans’ panoramic multiverse. While fantasy beginners may find the book’s 500-plus pages and lengthy glossary of characters intimidating, those who know and love the genre will delight in Frans’s intricate world(s) building.

A delicate balance of political intrigue, elaborate world building, and thrilling action merges into an epic medieval fantasy.