This sixth book in the author's Grey Rider series has most of the action occurring across two fronts. On a smaller scale, but no less important, is the quest taken on by the little band of former sell-swords known as the Grey Riders. They are desperately searching for something powerful to gain an advantage against the daemons and their armies. On the other front are those steadfast defenders doing their best to protect townspeople and slow the momentum of the daemon’s dark tide army as it sweeps across the land. Facing terrible odds, these brave individuals often fight losing battles to allow those unable to resist time enough to flee.

Badzey’s high fantasy is packed with diverse races, monsters, and magic. He writes entertaining and compelling battle scenes, whether small skirmishes or sieges on walled cities. The pace and structure of his writing keep the plot moving and the story epic in scale. Readers familiar with the Forgotten Realms books will feel right at home in Badzey’s fantasy environment. Additionally, Badzey manages diverse religions and the inclusion of Christianity in a competent and interesting manner. Although engaging in their own right, the characters are not heavily nuanced. For example, the protagonists are steadfast and honorable, while the antagonists are pure evil, with very little gray area on either end of the spectrum. Still, readers who are already Grey Rider fans are going to be completely satisfied and looking forward to Badzey’s next book in the series, while those new to his novels and fans of high fantasy can expect an entertaining adventure filled with the type of characters, creatures, and magical world they would anticipate.

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