Eleventh Cycle (Mistland Book 1)

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The narration is... I'm sorry. The readers worked hard and you can feel it, but not all effort gets you where you want to be sometimes. There are other issues (so much passive voice worsening the word economy, and Nora's entire narrative is too bad YA high school drama for the setting and story it's trying to be) but they all pale in comparison to this one and I suspect it will make or break this book for the audience. And now I shall sign off so I can go and read the remaining 42% of the book, but if Dr Mauro's review is anything to go by, this will be an unrelenting emotionally powerful journey all the way through to the gritty end. Disclaimer: I am an ARC reader for Kian, I am doing this of my own volition because I am simply adoring this book near 40% in. With its epic worldbuilding, hauntingly beautiful aesthetic, and well-realized protagonists, Eleventh Cycle is a tour de force of grimdark fantasy and a bold statement from emerging indie author Kian N. Ardalan. The novel takes place in the mist-encircled land of Minethria as the prophesied Eleventh Seed is born. This offspring of the Elder King may, perhaps, serve as savior to the mortal beings of this war-torn land.

Kian N. Ardalan | Eleventh Cycle

The misty world feels claustrophobic at times which is just a sign of how good the author is at drawing you into the setting.Multiple races are introduced, enemies between them, in wars that only bring destruction and despair to the land; using different 1st person POVs helps transmit how each one of them sees the world. Ardalan uses a really particular style of narration, mixing these 4 main characters narrating from their perspective to a fifth voice written in 3rd when related to the Seed.

Eleventh Cycle - Why you should be excited for this Dark Eleventh Cycle - Why you should be excited for this Dark

In addition to the four first-person protagonists, we also read the third-person story of the Eleventh Seed. Despite the glorious prophecies, the Eleventh Seed is just an innocent child trying to understand human emotions and make sense out of this complex, violent world. Apparently there are 4 or 5 future books planned for the series. I am so excited to see more of this world! THAT COVER! I mean oh my goodness me, it pops right off the screen doesn't it, but in real life, I can confirm it is even better! Such a striking image. Nora: An warrior in Erefiel's battalion, seeking to run from her abusive past. Her family defy the Elders and are part of a religious group called the Witnesses. She has a hatred for the Akar, and a stubborn and defiant will. Her brother Jeremiah is good friends with Dalila.By the end I am sure I will need a mountain of tissues! So far it's been a few tears, which is very hard to get from me in a book, and I have been assured by my friends whom have read it, that it only gets more emotional from here on out! Naturally, the book is a fantastical commentary on the subject of colonialism and the destruction of indigenous way of life, as well as culture. James did not shy away from highlighting the ruthlessness of colonialist rhetoric which made the book quite adept at stoking my anger. Kian N. Ardalan was born in Germany, Dusseldorf to Persian parents and has since travelled between so many places that he sees himself as a person of the world; well, with one exception. Despite his teacher’s warnings, Kian decided to lean into that realm and now invites others to also explore these vibrant (and perhaps worrying) reflections of his own psyche.