
It is now over two years since the "event" which changed the world forever. People have been trying to survive during these two years in whatever way they could, banding together in groups based on their needs and natural inclinations.
In the area around Colorado Springs, there are three distinct groups of survivors. There are those who have sought sanctuary with Ted Craven who along with his family, friends and followers have set up The Council, on a defendable area known as The Bluffs. It is Ted's desire to recreate some level of civilisation again and to begin trading, helping and sharing the talents that everyone appears to have been imbued with following the event.
The second group of survivors has banded together under the banner of former martial arts instructor and army colleague of Ted Craven, Eric Fine, or Lord Marshall Fine as he now calls himself. Fine's group are cutthroat bandits only out for themselves and what they can pillage. The conflict between members of Fine's group and Craven's group is always very real and palpable.
Into the mix, we have thrown, The Faith, led by Sal Martino who believe the event and the strange powers are signs of the last days. The Faith considers the Mystics to be an abomination who must repent or be burned. With four young men, known only as Lord's Hammer, Martino is on a crusade to destroy the Mystics.
Add in a group of hybrids, half-animals, half-people and you have all the makings of a fantastic, epic fantasy, which is exactly what the Saga of Mystics Trilogy is. To top off the fun, we also have the appearance of a Dragon. What's a good fantasy without a dragon eh?
I have seen Walters style of writing grow and improve from book one to two. His characters are realistic and easy to identify with. The author does a very good job of tying the various arcs of the story together. I am excited now to see where this will lead, in Book Three - Plague of Mystics.
If you're a fan of epic fantasy, I have no doubt you will love this series. It has been a pleasure, for me, to read the first two books. On to book three now. A solid five stars from this reviewer.
