Infernal by Mark de Jager
The Blurb On The Back:
Stratus wakes alone, with no memory of his past. All he knows is his name and that he is not human. Possessing immense strength, powerful sorcery and an insatiable hunger, he sets out across a landscape torn apart by war, as a dark magic drives the world to the brink of destruction.
Disorientated and pursued relentlessly by enemies, he will have to learn what he truly is, or risk bringing the world into ruin …
Stratus wakes up naked in grasslands, vultures circling him overhead. He doesn’t know how or why he’s there. All he knows is his name, that he possesses magic and that he is not human. Rescued by a religious man, Stratus sets out on a journey of self-discovery across a kingdom under siege by the Worm Lord and his dread hordes. Finding himself in a city preparing for war, he falls in with Prince Lucien and his protector, Tatyana. But Stratus’s desire for answers puts him in the middle of a battle for control of the army between Prince Lucian’s brother, Prince Jean and a secret faction intent on taking control of the kingdom whatever the cost …
Mark de Jager’s debut fantasy novel (the first in a series) shows promise with a fascinating central character, deadpan wit and world building that promises an epic scale but there’s a lot of set-up here, which slows the pace and some of the supporting cast get lost under the weight of Stratus’s backstory. Stratus has a lot of potential - driven and yet quite ignorant of the world he finds himself in - the reader learns the world’s politics, religion and geography at the same time as he does, which makes for an immersive read. I particularly liked the literal way he interprets instructions, which leads to some deadpan moments but he is no hero in he traditional mould (as witnessed by some of his more gruesome tastes or his casual attitude towards death). I think the reader will be faster to catch on to the secret of Stratus’s past than he is, but the journey there held my attention. Unfortunately, Prince Lucien disappears about half way through while Tatyana (who has a lot of potential as an arse kicking character in her own right) is reduced to complaining about what Stratus does and following him around as they stumble on some of the plots that seek to undermine the city. I was also a little confused at times by the end game of the plotters, which seemed counterproductive (although this is something that will no doubt be developed in the sequel) and Status’s flashbacks slow down the plot at points. Ultimately I thought that while there are weaknesses, this was a solid debut that kept my interest and I will definitely check out the sequel.
The Verdict:
Mark de Jager’s debut fantasy novel (the first in a series) shows promise with a fascinating central character, deadpan wit and world building that promises an epic scale but there’s a lot of set-up here, which slows the pace and some of the supporting cast get lost under the weight of Stratus’s backstory. Stratus has a lot of potential - driven and yet quite ignorant of the world he finds himself in - the reader learns the world’s politics, religion and geography at the same time as he does, which makes for an immersive read. I particularly liked the literal way he interprets instructions, which leads to some deadpan moments but he is no hero in he traditional mould (as witnessed by some of his more gruesome tastes or his casual attitude towards death). I think the reader will be faster to catch on to the secret of Stratus’s past than he is, but the journey there held my attention. Unfortunately, Prince Lucien disappears about half way through while Tatyana (who has a lot of potential as an arse kicking character in her own right) is reduced to complaining about what Stratus does and following him around as they stumble on some of the plots that seek to undermine the city. I was also a little confused at times by the end game of the plotters, which seemed counterproductive (although this is something that will no doubt be developed in the sequel) and Status’s flashbacks slow down the plot at points. Ultimately I thought that while there are weaknesses, this was a solid debut that kept my interest and I will definitely check out the sequel.
Stratus wakes alone, with no memory of his past. All he knows is his name and that he is not human. Possessing immense strength, powerful sorcery and an insatiable hunger, he sets out across a landscape torn apart by war, as a dark magic drives the world to the brink of destruction.
Disorientated and pursued relentlessly by enemies, he will have to learn what he truly is, or risk bringing the world into ruin …
Stratus wakes up naked in grasslands, vultures circling him overhead. He doesn’t know how or why he’s there. All he knows is his name, that he possesses magic and that he is not human. Rescued by a religious man, Stratus sets out on a journey of self-discovery across a kingdom under siege by the Worm Lord and his dread hordes. Finding himself in a city preparing for war, he falls in with Prince Lucien and his protector, Tatyana. But Stratus’s desire for answers puts him in the middle of a battle for control of the army between Prince Lucian’s brother, Prince Jean and a secret faction intent on taking control of the kingdom whatever the cost …
Mark de Jager’s debut fantasy novel (the first in a series) shows promise with a fascinating central character, deadpan wit and world building that promises an epic scale but there’s a lot of set-up here, which slows the pace and some of the supporting cast get lost under the weight of Stratus’s backstory. Stratus has a lot of potential - driven and yet quite ignorant of the world he finds himself in - the reader learns the world’s politics, religion and geography at the same time as he does, which makes for an immersive read. I particularly liked the literal way he interprets instructions, which leads to some deadpan moments but he is no hero in he traditional mould (as witnessed by some of his more gruesome tastes or his casual attitude towards death). I think the reader will be faster to catch on to the secret of Stratus’s past than he is, but the journey there held my attention. Unfortunately, Prince Lucien disappears about half way through while Tatyana (who has a lot of potential as an arse kicking character in her own right) is reduced to complaining about what Stratus does and following him around as they stumble on some of the plots that seek to undermine the city. I was also a little confused at times by the end game of the plotters, which seemed counterproductive (although this is something that will no doubt be developed in the sequel) and Status’s flashbacks slow down the plot at points. Ultimately I thought that while there are weaknesses, this was a solid debut that kept my interest and I will definitely check out the sequel.
The Verdict:
Mark de Jager’s debut fantasy novel (the first in a series) shows promise with a fascinating central character, deadpan wit and world building that promises an epic scale but there’s a lot of set-up here, which slows the pace and some of the supporting cast get lost under the weight of Stratus’s backstory. Stratus has a lot of potential - driven and yet quite ignorant of the world he finds himself in - the reader learns the world’s politics, religion and geography at the same time as he does, which makes for an immersive read. I particularly liked the literal way he interprets instructions, which leads to some deadpan moments but he is no hero in he traditional mould (as witnessed by some of his more gruesome tastes or his casual attitude towards death). I think the reader will be faster to catch on to the secret of Stratus’s past than he is, but the journey there held my attention. Unfortunately, Prince Lucien disappears about half way through while Tatyana (who has a lot of potential as an arse kicking character in her own right) is reduced to complaining about what Stratus does and following him around as they stumble on some of the plots that seek to undermine the city. I was also a little confused at times by the end game of the plotters, which seemed counterproductive (although this is something that will no doubt be developed in the sequel) and Status’s flashbacks slow down the plot at points. Ultimately I thought that while there are weaknesses, this was a solid debut that kept my interest and I will definitely check out the sequel.