Reviewed by Cinnamon for TeensReadToo.com
Relic Master Galen Harn and his apprentice, Raffi, know that all is not well the moment they set foot in the settlement that had boldly requested their help a few days before. Drawn by curiosity and the possibility of discovering a relic, the pair nevertheless decides to venture into the castle-like fortress that is the settlement's stronghold and soon come to regret the decision.
After an unpleasant meeting with the leader, Alberic, Galen and Raffi are off once again - this time in search of a thieving Sekoi who had ravaged the settlement, and the Crow, who, if found, would prove to be very helpful to Galen indeed. Carys, an orphaned girl in search of her father, soon joins the group on their journey to the dark city of Tasceron, where both the Sekoi and the Crow are rumored to be found. However, the Watch is always present at every turn; their deception knows no bounds.
Having read and tremendously enjoyed Ms. Fisher's INCARCERON duology, I was, to say the last, excited to get my hands on the RELIC MASTER series. While INCARCERON seems to be geared more towards young adults, THE DARK CITY reads more like a middle grade novel to me, albeit an intense and still relatively interesting one.
The world-building present in THE DARK CITY is subtle and yet comprehensive. The use of magic by Galen and Raffi, while not extensively clarified, was explained enough to be understandable and not overwhelming. The cast of characters were quite darling, also, with their own little quirks and secrets. Even though the plot tended to drag noticeably in the beginning and middle parts of the novel, I think the ending was a success overall.
Book one of the RELIC MASTER series will appeal to middle grade fantasy lovers and readers who are willing to plunge into the fantastical world of the magic-wielding Order and the seemingly omniscient Watch.
Relic Master Galen Harn and his apprentice, Raffi, know that all is not well the moment they set foot in the settlement that had boldly requested their help a few days before. Drawn by curiosity and the possibility of discovering a relic, the pair nevertheless decides to venture into the castle-like fortress that is the settlement's stronghold and soon come to regret the decision.
After an unpleasant meeting with the leader, Alberic, Galen and Raffi are off once again - this time in search of a thieving Sekoi who had ravaged the settlement, and the Crow, who, if found, would prove to be very helpful to Galen indeed. Carys, an orphaned girl in search of her father, soon joins the group on their journey to the dark city of Tasceron, where both the Sekoi and the Crow are rumored to be found. However, the Watch is always present at every turn; their deception knows no bounds.
Having read and tremendously enjoyed Ms. Fisher's INCARCERON duology, I was, to say the last, excited to get my hands on the RELIC MASTER series. While INCARCERON seems to be geared more towards young adults, THE DARK CITY reads more like a middle grade novel to me, albeit an intense and still relatively interesting one.
The world-building present in THE DARK CITY is subtle and yet comprehensive. The use of magic by Galen and Raffi, while not extensively clarified, was explained enough to be understandable and not overwhelming. The cast of characters were quite darling, also, with their own little quirks and secrets. Even though the plot tended to drag noticeably in the beginning and middle parts of the novel, I think the ending was a success overall.
Book one of the RELIC MASTER series will appeal to middle grade fantasy lovers and readers who are willing to plunge into the fantastical world of the magic-wielding Order and the seemingly omniscient Watch.
