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The battle to restore the balance between good and evil continues in this sequel to Chronicles of Alluvia: Birthings. Abkhas, the quintessential embodiment of evil, turns his attention to Contradista, the next in a long line of civilizations fated for the brutality of Abkhas’ subjugation. With demon lieutenant Niphyus and shapeshifter Breyfirr, Abkhas takes the next steps in the campaign for total domination of Alluvia. As Contradista is infiltrated by evil and mayhem, demonic possessions plague the land. Meanwhile, Abkhas’ forces use trackers to locate the birthings.
An intricate web of concurrent plot lines chronicles each birthing’s journey. Most of the birthings are plagued with memory lapses surrounding their identities. They possess knowledge but do not know its source. They feel compelled toward a destiny they do not understand. Elves, dwarves, ogres, druids, wizards, and an unidentified power emerge to help the birthings and set the stage for the ultimate battle of good versus evil.
Deviations from conventional grammar rules sometimes make it difficult to distinguish between speakers in the dialogue, and an occasionally stilted writing style somewhat detracts from the overall flow. Still, the book is a highly entertaining medieval fantasy. Characters include one-dimensional, malicious villains as well as a wealth of well-developed heroes and heroines with compelling backstories, secret agendas, powerful abilities, and hidden legacies. Imaginative storytelling gives birth to abominable beasts and personifies insect species to create a captivating world of diverse civilizations. The author takes the reader on an epic whirlwind, constantly jumping from one absorbing plot line to the next. This second book of the Alluvian saga is an addictive adventure with tantalizing glimpses of the opposing forces’ tactics and key players. JCM skillfully builds anticipation for the next installment of the Chronicles of Alluvia, leaving readers eager for more.