Kristoniverian Holsonae, Ren’Lorus and protector of the sprawling continent of Laurone, is renowned for his unwavering duty and fierce devotion to his luminous queen, Ulanea. But enemies abound, and not all threats come from foreign shores. As shadows gather over the proud city of Schorelane, Kris's steadfast refusal to wield jaduri—dangerous dark magic—has made him vulnerable to the sinister machinations of Yaqvon, an ambitious crime lord intent on exploiting every weakness.
Favoring cunning diplomacy, military might, espionage, and strategy over the unpredictable forces of sorcery, Kris soon faces a grim choice: watch his kingdom succumb or forge a perilous alliance with an enigmatic sorceress. His principles are clear, but when darkness descends and loyalties fray, how far will he truly go to prevent Laurone's collapse?
Kristoniverian Holsonae, Ren’Lorus and protector of the sprawling continent of Laurone, is renowned for his unwavering duty and fierce devotion to his luminous queen, Ulanea. But enemies abound, and not all threats come from foreign shores. As shadows gather over the proud city of Schorelane, Kris's steadfast refusal to wield jaduri—dangerous dark magic—has made him vulnerable to the sinister machinations of Yaqvon, an ambitious crime lord intent on exploiting every weakness.
Favoring cunning diplomacy, military might, espionage, and strategy over the unpredictable forces of sorcery, Kris soon faces a grim choice: watch his kingdom succumb or forge a perilous alliance with an enigmatic sorceress. His principles are clear, but when darkness descends and loyalties fray, how far will he truly go to prevent Laurone's collapse?
After a long and boring meal with the Var’Kolzunian and Salvonian representatives, Kris sat in his grand study, surrounded by maps and ledgers, as he oversaw the vast region known as Laurone. He had much to attend to, but his thoughts often strayed to his wife, Ulanea, and their two children, Kelzi and Orphrelus. Kelzi, his youngest progeny, was a curious young woman, always eager to learn more about the world and its secrets. She had a particular interest in the old myths and legends of the realm, and it was common for her to be found pouring over ancient texts in the library.
“Father, watch this.” Kelzi threw a spherical ball about the size of a human fist into the air toward the ceiling. Rather than fall to the ground, it stopped exactly a third of the way between the ceiling and the floor. She stood before the floating ball and watched as it rotated clockwise. Kris stood up and observed the rotating, black sphere. “Where did you find that?” he asked.
“It’s called a lumexoid, I think. These words are difficult to pronounce. It was in the chest that grandfather left us, but you haven’t even seen the best part. Look…”
“Kelzi, I just spent hours dining with the most boring individuals in Ereshmar and secured a massive shipment of zaphren and nathrakean livestock to Laurone. I just want to relax for a few moments before heading out again, and I think I’ve seen enough excitement for now.”
Kelzi placed the book onto a table and removed a cylindrical rod and knife from a drawer. “Do not display concern when you see this, father. I’ve tried it before, and I know it works.”
Kelzi cut into the flesh within her left palm using the knife and deliberately allowed blood to drop from her hand onto the floor.
Kris’s eyes widened as he watched his daughter deliberately mutilate her hand. “Are you insane?! What have you done?!”
“Calm down, my lord. Just trust me,” she said. “I know what I’m doing.”
She placed the blood-stained knife on the table next to the book and waved the cylindrical rod over her wound. Kris watched with increased interest as the wound slowly began to close and eventually disappeared completely. Kelzi wiped the remaining blood from her hand onto the cloth covering her right shoulder and displayed the woundless palm to her worrisome guardian. “You see, my lord. It’s like it was never there at all!”
She smiled with excitement. “According to my readings, grandfather called this Ouxima’s wand. Imagine what it could do for miners, builders, and soldiers. We should use it. You know… out there. To help people in Schorelane.”
Kris sighed. “It’s quite impressive, Kelzi, but we only have one of them. People would quarrel over how best to use it and who would get priority. Further, if it is a jadurical relic, it probably comes with some kind of price. With jaduri, there are always consequences, it seems. This is why I avoid it. It’s why you should as well.”
“You’re ignoring all the good sorcery could do if properly controlled. Watch this…” Kelzi picked up the book she was holding before and looked up at the floating sphere.
“Tand Sju!” she shouted while reading a book in her hand. The sphere instantly became very bright and illuminated the entire study.
“We have candles and torches for light, Kelzi. We do not need jaduri,” Kris said while squinting his eyes.
“Not bright enough for you? Okay then… tand tjugotvå!” She shouted. The room became so bright that Kris could barely see. The blinding light only made Kelzi smile even more with excitement. Kris could feel the heat radiating from the sphere, slightly burning his skin as Iodva on a cloudless day. He squinted his eyes and shielded his face with his hands.
“That’s not all, father. Watch this.” Kelzi threw twelve much smaller spherical objects into the air, and rather than hitting the floor, they also began to float in the air and rotate. Kris could already tell where this is headed.
“Kelzi, enough!” he yelled.
The smile on her face slowly faded, and she stepped back from her slightly peeved parent. “Vilande,” she said.
Kris watched as the small spheres gradually lost their refulgence and floated to self-organization within a pouch Kelzi held out. “You’ve been catching up on your studies, I see,” he said to her. “What time is your defensive training for the day?”
She held a book in her hand titled Texniki Kitab Sahəsi Gorbillian Harmonikaları. “I’ve been reading up on some of the ancient texts.”
“Apparently. You’re much like your grandmother. I wish you could’ve met her. She studied jaduri as well, but it wasn’t enough to save her life, was it?”
She continued after a moment of contemplation. “I wish I could’ve met her too.” She put the first book down, as well as the pouch of spheres, and grabbed another text from the table. “I’ve been reading this one as well. According to this text, there is an order of sorcerers known as the Hermesin Gozou that watch over Laurone and guide its people in times of darkness and uncertainty.”
“Oh really? And just how do they provide this guidance? What can sorcerers and kouzelins do that your father, Tilman, or Freedman cannot?” he asked.
“It’s rumored that these sorcerers, which reside in Richelocke or Hovington forests, can…and I quote ‘bend the will of men possessing the weak force of will provided that the euthriss of the stone bearers is strong and the essence of the higher self is… accessed.’ What do you think that means exactly?”
“It means that for them to… guide us... as you put it, they must turn to dark jaduri, which is why I have no interest in anything that goes on in that region so long as people near it comply with local laws and protocols. Have you completed your training for the day, Kelzi?” “What if it is true, though? What if they are really influencing things from behind the scenes using jaduri whether you want them to or not? And why are you holding that bowl?”
Kris ignored her last question and hid the brown and reddish bowl behind his back. “Then they aren’t doing the best job, are they? For the first time in aniarrs, criminal activity has become the number one concern of most citizens within Laurone. We’ve gone from investigating two disappearances per month an aniarr ago to ten per month. Unexplained deaths have also increased, which is why I insist you continue to train with Tilman as your brother does with Freedman. You must be ready if I am not around to fight for you.”
“What if I wanted to study jaduri instead of combat skills? You just saw what I can do, father. I’m almost twenty-three aniarrs old, father. I should be able to choose my own path.”
“Nonsense! I forbid it. The Holsonae family maintains order in this region through discipline, training, planning, tactics, strategy, and careful execution. Not one ancestor of Holsonae has relied on jaduri or sorcery for lasting success, and it’s not going to change with you.”
“But, father, I just think…”
“Kelzi, listen to me. I appreciate your interest in this area but rest assured that the Kalnorae protect the city without lumexoids or whatever you call them. We simply do not need kouzelin or jaduri to maintain order within Laurone. Now, I insist that you report to Tilman for training. I would train you myself, but I have my own duties to deal with. Understood?”
Kelzi nodded and reluctantly placed the book back on the table. Kris felt bad about scolding his daughter, but he had learned that gold, xelite, and the sword were much more dependable than sorcery and old spells.
The Battle for Laurone wastes absolutely no time jumping into showcasing a setting that is full of political tension, whispered sorcery, and heaps of family drama. The book does an incredible job at showcasing that no matter your socioeconomic place in the world, everyone has their secrets.
As with many well-written fantasy novel, the book opens by blending splendid wonder with the ever-present possibility of danger. Kelzi's experiments will keep you on your toes, constantly wondering what the outcomes will be and whether her father regrets ever letting her into his study to conduct such experiments. A great back and forth that thoughtfully combines humor, family dynamic, and mystery exists between a daughter's ambition and enthusiasm and a father's worry for the safety and sanity of his daughter.
The book does a fantastic job by transitioning a more calm narrative into one of intensity and chaos. Starting at Vivenhale’s tavern, where we are introduced to Bet’Lana, a kouzelin whose character story depth is put on pause due to a vicious alley ambush. The aftermath showcases sorcery, reliable and resourceful ravens, and the effects of picking a fight with the wrong person. Full of action and intensity, combined with cinematic vividness, the story is incredibly well-written.
What sets the novel apart from most is its ability to dive into culture and customs. The most compelling and sure to leave a lasting impression, is the journey of Orphrelus becoming a Kalnorae warrior. It combines brutality with strong atmospheric tones that shows the internal and external struggles relating to perseverance and honor. His climb up Geluva Hill, worn and beaten, feels like a tale of myth, especially during his duel with Freedman that is full of grit and satisfaction. The final ceremony brings symbolic closure to Orphrelus' journey.
The Battle for Laurone shines best through its ability to combine intricate character development with the overall story. Each character adds a piece to the overall puzzle in a way that makes every character and scene feel important.
Powerful women take center stage in this one, effortlessly combining an epic fantasy with layered politics and action. Readers will enjoy The Battle for Laurone for its ambitious, cinematic momentum where at any moment, the world feels ready to explode.