Fezariu's Epiphany

Feb 10, 2012 Avry15 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

originally appeared on:Bookshelf Confessions

*I won a free copy this e-book in a LibraryThing Member Giveaway*

this is a fantasy story..that grips on reality..
it shows the flaws of human decisions and it's consequences-well,to err is human! the story is well-written,..it's development is fascinating as well as the characters'.. giving the readers different moods, excitement, predicting, angry, pity, etc..
there are times ..the readers could even say.."yah, i know that will happen",...the book is re...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Anastasia Pergakis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, 2011-reads

I must say, I fell in love with this book. At first, I wondered why the book started before the hero of the story was even born, in his Mother's POV, but as I continued to read I realized that without those first few chapters from the Mother, I don't think I would've felt as connected with her or Fezariu. David handled the passage of time rather well as we follow Fezariu's life as he grows up. Through the use of letters the hero writes to his childhood friend, we get a full few of what is happen...more I must say, I fell in love with this book. At first, I wondered why the book started before the hero of the story was even born, in his Mother's POV, but as I continued to read I realized that without those first few chapters from the Mother, I don't think I would've felt as connected with her or Fezariu. David handled the passage of time rather well as we follow Fezariu's life as he grows up. Through the use of letters the hero writes to his childhood friend, we get a full few of what is happening to him without the scenes dragging on. It was a unique feature that I don't see often - and even then it's usually not done well. David, pulled it off perfectly! Also, I feel that having the passage of time expressed in the form of letters from Fezariu, allowed me to connect with his friend - her loss, her missing him, etc. It was great to be able to connect emotionally with so many characters in this book, instead of just the hero.

Now, before people that know me scream at me - yes, I know I've said before that I'm not a fan of most fantasy novels as they are crowded with flowery words that take away from the plot. Well, David doesn't do that - and if he did, the plot itself was so amazing, I didn't notice!

Fezariu's life is affected by the White Oak, a famous brothel in Clarendon - indirectly. As a small boy, he decides he's cursed - after his mother's disappearance and his step-father's death. He runs away to the Meralax Mercenaries before anyone else he cares about gets hurt. He devotes himself completely to the mercenaries, throwing himself into the dangerous missions without hesitation. Fezariu just wanted to forget his past - and be rid of his curse. But he couldn't risk ever being close to anyone. Fezariu eventually realizes he has to face his past in order to be free of his curse.

This book is just great all the way around. I think honestly, my only disappointment is not seeing a map of Elenchera at the beginning of the book. However, the details about the world and the locations were clear enough in the that I knew where everyone was. I'm such a visual person though, it would have been a nice touch to actually have a map.(less)

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Jul 17, 2011 Nanci Arvizu rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am loving this book. Fantasy story set in a world with 47,000 years of history created by an incredibly talented story teller. Thankfully this is not the only book planned - with such a rich background of history, this is a series that could go on forever. Buy it from Smashwords this month during their July sale!

UPDATE: Just finished it. WOW. This is a fantastic story, very well written (and edited & formatted!). Had me hooked until the very end - and then I was sad to have finished it! Th...more

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Mar 05, 2012 sandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received this book for free from Goodreads Firstreads.
Well, I have to say do not look at the cover, I didn't like it at before I still don't like it now. ( the new cover is really great I love it)
It doesn't do justice to the book.
So many things happen in this book.
We follow Fezariu from before is birth, we see him grow up, we see him become a man.
it was a bit difficult at first to follow the story with too many names and references for me to follow but after a wile I got more familiar with...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Lorena rated it 2 of 5 stars

"12-year-old Fezariu thought his mother died when he was little, but when his beloved stepfather dies the boy discovers she is alive and well - and working at the most famous brothel in all of Elenchera. When she cruelly rejects him it's more than he can bear, and he runs away to join a band of ruthless soldiers for hire. The Merelax Mercenaries will fight for anyone who can pay them, no matter the justice of the cause.

Fezariu grows up among the soldiers and becomes one of them. He thinks his ti...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, non-erotic, science-fiction-fantasy

Originally posted at: http://lasrsff.blogspot.com/2012/05/f...

From the moment of conception, it seems as if life was out to get Fezariu. Starting with a mother who abandons a life of prostitution to bear her son, his life leads to one loss after another. Fezariu finds his life to be a difficult one until he discovers the Merelax Mercenaries and discovers a home he can be happy in. Or can he? Life as a mercenary can be a tricky thing and in the end, it might lead him right back to what he vowed h...more Originally posted at: http://lasrsff.blogspot.com/2012/05/f...

From the moment of conception, it seems as if life was out to get Fezariu. Starting with a mother who abandons a life of prostitution to bear her son, his life leads to one loss after another. Fezariu finds his life to be a difficult one until he discovers the Merelax Mercenaries and discovers a home he can be happy in. Or can he? Life as a mercenary can be a tricky thing and in the end, it might lead him right back to what he vowed he’d never have, nor want. It’s bound to be a grand adventure, however.

Fezariu is an intriguing character and shows a considerable amount of growth throughout the story. As a boy, he’s curious, considerate, and strong-willed. As a man, he’s seen too much and been through too many battles. Despite the fact that he’s seen so much loss and has hardened his heart to the world around him, he maintains a soft spot for his trio of friends and the girl that had been raised as his sister, Alycea. Both his friends and his constant thoughts of Alycea keep his mind on the task at hand and remind him of why he’s doing what he's doing, even when the doubt creeps in. Even with all his conflicting thoughts and actions, he is eventually able to pull it all together into something that not only works for him but makes sense in the world he’s living in. His struggles throughout the novel have a lot to tell us about how we handle our relationships in our lives.

Every hero needs a trio of good friends, right? Fezariu definitely has a good band of companions to help him along the way to his epiphany. Tessera is a tough but kind-hearted girl who really becomes his closest companion. With her purple hair and sharp shooting skills, she’s an attractive and useful member of his party. Vintaro is by far the most interesting – and entertaining – companion. He’s a toldere which is a wolf-like creature covered in fur but walks upright like a man. He is definitely there for comic relief a lot of the times and to have your back the rest. Arshea is the lonely heart of the group, having joined the mercenaries to make a fortune and return home to be with his love. Together with Fezariu, they make a well-rounded bunch of friends, each with their own needs and skills to make a functional and successful group of mercenaries.

Fezariu’s Epiphany has everything a good fantasy novel needs. Heroes, villains, a group of inseparable companions, and more action than you can shake a stick at. The one issue I had was with the writing voice. At times it was a bit flat for my tastes. However, in these moments, the story and the characters took over and pulled me through the rough spots. If I could have one wish, it would be to learn more about the trio of friends he has as we’re given only enough to know the basics. But that is personal preference, I do like to know all I can about the characters I’m reading.

Fezariu’s Epiphany is an exciting journey through a foreign land with a group of mercenaries that suddenly wind up as your friends.(less)

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Mar 31, 2012 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-of-age, scifi-fantasy, relationships

Set in the carefully constructed medieval world of Elenchera, David M. Brown’s Fezariu’s Epiphany is an epic-length fantasy telling the story of a young man growing up in search of love and identity. Childhood takes place around the streets of small cities where Fezariu and his “sister” live, loved by father and mother, warmed and fed at the fires of the family bakery. But Fezariu’s father is not his father, and his mother deserts him, leaving Fezariu to wonder what value remains in love and rel...more Set in the carefully constructed medieval world of Elenchera, David M. Brown’s Fezariu’s Epiphany is an epic-length fantasy telling the story of a young man growing up in search of love and identity. Childhood takes place around the streets of small cities where Fezariu and his “sister” live, loved by father and mother, warmed and fed at the fires of the family bakery. But Fezariu’s father is not his father, and his mother deserts him, leaving Fezariu to wonder what value remains in love and relationships.

As is the wont of rejected teens, Fezariu sets off to become a soldier, specifically a well-trained mercenary. Soon he has new friends, but no loves, and battles take him to exotic locales where war proves as ambivalent a source of good government as in real life.

In the final third of the book, Fezariu balances disillusionment and loyalty. But an epiphany awaits, its secret hidden in the letters the young man writes.

Elencheran society is intricately woven and carefully told, filled with weighty history and social mores. There are no huge characters dominating the scene. The story rests rather on the shoulders of regular people enduring the everyday grievances and suffering of their world. But the themes are large and the book is long, slowly adding more complexity to the locales and filling in gaps in each character’s thoughts and memories.

There’s a distinctively English flavor to the writing, told with third person omniscience, every inner thought or outer expression laid bare. And there’s an epic urgency in the global scope of the tale. But the telling is slower and more formal than similar works, with repetition sometimes dominating effect and some oddly jarring word choices. Elenchera clearly has scope to fuel many more novels, and Fezariu’s journey provides an excellent, if slow, introduction to the world, with a wise message and even some wise and relevant social commentary.

Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel from Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for my honest review.(less)

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Mar 22, 2012 Mindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book Cover and Synopsis
Title: Fezariu’s Epiphany
Author: David M. Brown
Genre: Epic Fantasy
12-year-old Fezariu thought his mother died when he was little, but when his beloved stepfather dies the boy discovers she is alive and well - and working at the most famous brothel in all of Elenchera. When she cruelly rejects him it's more than he can bear, and he runs away to join a band of ruthless soldiers for hire. The Merelax Mercenaries will fight for anyone who can pay them, no matter the justice o...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Lisa Markson rated it 5 of 5 stars

In my opinion:
Fezariu's Epiphany by David M. Brown I was not sure of the book when I first started reading it. I typically stay within the paranormal genre, vampires, witches, fae, werewolves. But as I started to read more into the book I was captivated. Jessamine was a woman who risked her life in order to bring her unborn child into the world. Fate brought her to a bakery were she met Peter. Life seemed to take a turn for the good until one fateful day that threatens the lives of many. Fezariu...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Melissa Haggerty rated it 5 of 5 stars

I haven't read many epic fantasies but Fezariu's Epiphany by David M. Brown pulled me in and kept me wanting more. I didn't want to put this book down, and I was sad to see it end.

Fezariu is an amazing character. His fears and worries are something people can relate to. As he struggles to leave his hard past behind he becomes a well respected mercenary. His journey in life is full of obstacles but he overcomes them all. I felt bad for Fezariu at times. He truly got dealt a rough hand in life.

A...more

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Dec 16, 2011 Robin rated it 2 of 5 stars

From the reviews I read, I expected more from this novel. While the author turns a few particularly lovely phrases here and there, I found the stilted language of the characters exactly matches that of the narration, whether the scenes are appropriate to such floweriness and/or melodrama or not. Anachronisms continually break the fragile sense of setting, point of view wavers from paragraph to paragraph, and there is little if any real tension. Without tension, there is nothing to invest the rea...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Heavensent1 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fezariu's Epiphany is Book One in the Fantasy series, "The Elencheran Chronicles".

The story begins as a young man lies his dying comrade on the ground; the man is tired, hurt and can go no further. As he lies there in the cold and snow, he remembers his past, waiting for his death to come.

Jessamine a.k.a. "Wild Jessamine", was but a young woman when she was found on the streets by rich and powerful brothel owner, Vincent Birchell. He molds her into a high-priced prostitute and his most prized po...more Fezariu's Epiphany is Book One in the Fantasy series, "The Elencheran Chronicles".

The story begins as a young man lies his dying comrade on the ground; the man is tired, hurt and can go no further. As he lies there in the cold and snow, he remembers his past, waiting for his death to come.

Jessamine a.k.a. "Wild Jessamine", was but a young woman when she was found on the streets by rich and powerful brothel owner, Vincent Birchell. He molds her into a high-priced prostitute and his most prized possession.

Jessamine believes herself to be in love with Vincent and follows his direction in everything, that is, until she becomes pregnant by one of her many customers. She is hidden away to await the birth of her child and as business dwindles, the greedy Vincent tells Jessamine that as soon as her bastard child is born, he will kill it and put her right back to work.

Jessamine is horrified and believes she has no where to turn until Naira, an old prostitute at the establishment helps Jessamine to escape. Naira steals money and with the aid of her friends, they sequester Jessamine out of town and across the sea to escape the evil clutches of Vincent.

Upon her arrival, she stops at a bakery to eat and ends up going into labour. Peter, the owner, is a kind and benevolent man and helps Jessamine, after Fesariu is born, she stays with Peter and her life becomes idyllic.

Then one day, the Fates put Vincent back into Jessamine's path and through his manipulation, he steals her back to the White Oak brothel; leaving Peter to look after her son. Fezariu dreams of the day his mother will return until he learns she has died of pneumonia. His guilt continues to build as those he loves dearly die, he feels he can never love and becomes a mercenary for the Merelax Mercenaries, a highly honoured band of warriors who travel distant lands to aid those in need.

Through his campaigns, Fezariu begins to learn of his past and must come to terms with his involvement in everything around him. He has many lessons in life to learn, however, the Fates have decided to throw many twists and turns and secrets to be uncovered. Will Fezariu have the strength to deal with his inner demons and make the correct decisions or will he be swallowed in his misery to die a horrific death at the hands of another?

I thought this was a very well written book. I quickly fell in tune to the characters and was easily transported to the lands of Clarendon and Odrica. Though the names were different, there was an old medieval charm to the book that blended well with the characters and the scenery.

I enjoyed how the author set up the ending of some of the chapters, giving the reader a hint of mystery, encouraging you to continue reading. At times I found myself unable to put the book down, convincing myself I was only going to read just ONE more chapter. For a debut novel, author David M. Brown, has what it requires to join the realms of Fantasy writing. I'm thinking his writing style is only going to get better with more experience and folks like myself whispering in his ear.

I thought the print cover didn't describe the personality of the book very well. It certainly didn't justify the story that was to be found within the pages. I also thought that there could have been more oomph to the battle scenes, they fizzled in comparison to the rest of the novel. I think with a few more realistic battle scenes instead the "Dungeon and Dragons" feel that the scenes did have, this series will be phenomenal.

I would give Fezariu's Epiphany a four out of five stars. It is a story about life and journeys, redemption and absolution, heartache, love, joy and pain. The ending is well written, leaving the reader with a hint of mystery and imagination. I look forward to continue to reading "The Elencheran Chronicles".(less)

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Oct 16, 2011 William Bentrim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-for-swap

Fezariu’s Epiphany by David M. Brown

This is a tale of sadness, sacrifice and misunderstanding.

Fezariu bases his life on incorrect assumptions. His misery and withdrawn behavior may be a metaphor for life’s misunderstandings. I found myself wanting to point in the direction of his redemption. He and his 3 Merelax Mercenaries’ companions discover truths about themselves as the fulfill the duties and obligations thrust upon them.

The settings of a declining metropolis, a prominent brothel, demoral...more

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Aug 15, 2011 Pamela Todd rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, fantasy, read-in-2011

The author weaves an amazing world, bringing to life both characters and locations. Many fantasy novels get lost in the fantasy, too concerned with the worlds than the actions of the characters. Considering it is the characters who lead the reader through the story, this is a major faux pas.

Fortunately for Fezariu’s Epiphany, this is not the case. The surroundings for the author’s cast of character practically becomes a character in itself. The smell of baking bread and delicious cream pastries...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Alyssa Archambo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: epic-fantasy

Fezariu's Epiphany is an emotional story centering on a young man named Fezariu. The tragedy that follows him throughout his life seemed realistic to me and it was the tragedy that he went through as a child that made me invested in his character. Because of his origins and his early life, I desperately wanted something good for him. However, while I was interested in Fezariu's story, I did have some problems getting into the story.

Brown's style is much more wordy than I prefer, and his characte...more Fezariu's Epiphany is an emotional story centering on a young man named Fezariu. The tragedy that follows him throughout his life seemed realistic to me and it was the tragedy that he went through as a child that made me invested in his character. Because of his origins and his early life, I desperately wanted something good for him. However, while I was interested in Fezariu's story, I did have some problems getting into the story.

Brown's style is much more wordy than I prefer, and his characters' dialogue is quite flowery and formal. I like writing to be concise and efficient, so this did get in the way of my enjoyment, but it is a personal preference and many others might not be bothered by it.

I would have liked more character development. It was hard for me to relate to these characters, because they were kind of flat. Each character was as s/he seemed to be; there were no shades of grey, and at no point did any of the characters surprise me. The good people were good, the corrupt people were corrupt. I also would have liked to see Vincent even darker than he was portrayed. Everyone was afraid of him, and I didn't really see the menace he was supposed to represent, which brings me to my next point.

We never see much of anything. We're told a lot, but there aren't any scenes to allow us to make up our own minds about the characters. I would have liked to see Vincent do something evil, like kill someone just to make an extra gold piece. Then, I might understand the other characters' reactions to him. The same goes for the other characters, though. We're told that Fezariu and his friends are excellent mercenaries, but I never got to see them fight or compete against the other mercenaries to compare their talents. I don't think that the letters should have been reproduced word-for-ford in the story; instead, I would have liked to see those scenes actually played out.

Despite all this, the world Brown has created has definite potential. The years he spent to compile the history of the world were not wasted. The story is rich with culture and complex politics, which I really enjoyed. I liked that the mercenary life was portrayed in a genuine light, with characters having to struggle with being true to their beliefs versus earning their pay. I am interested to see how Brown's writing career progresses and what sort of stories he chooses to write about this vast world that he has created.

*I was provided a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.*(less)

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Sep 03, 2011 Ron McGhee rated it 4 of 5 stars

“ They say the life of a mercenary allows one to forget their past…”
David M. Brown’s poetic sentence in his first fantasy novel, Fezariu’s Epiphany, resonates throughout the life of the main character first as hope and later as a realization that this is never truly possible. Spanning decades of time and multiple vistas, Brown expertly crafts what every fantasy book lover desires in a story; complex characters woven together with an intriguing plot. This ‘one star shy’ of perfection book delive...more

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Jun 25, 2011 TC rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi

I'm quite picky about which fantasy books I choose to read but the synopsis for this book caught my attention and had me wondering about Fezariu's story.

Fezariu's childhood is marred by a series of deaths and upheavals, and he becomes convinced that he is the cause of these tragedies. Sadly for him childish misapprehensions cause him a lot of angst and completely change the course of his life. He sets his mind to becoming a mercenary, to gain respect and a replacement family. However he discover...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Brianna Kilcrease rated it 4 of 5 stars

First Line: “The unrelenting snow fell between the far-reaching deciduous branches of the vast forest, disguising an already barely discernible path that ran between the trees and into the heart of a steep valley. Amidst the persistent snowflakes and swirling breeze, a cruel game of cat and mouse was drawing to a close."

Lately I have been craving to read some epic fantasy books. Game of Thrones, Sword of Truth, all of Robin Hobb's books. They are my favorite series in the epic fantasy genre and...more

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Jul 20, 2011 Sally rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fezariu's Epiphany is one of those books that, as intrigued as I was by the set-up, I had a hard time getting into. The first few chapters left me with a serious sense of deja-vu, as if I'd read the same story before. It wasn't only the story itself that seemed familiar, but the way in which it was told. By the time I reached the series of letters (first between Jessamine and Peter, and then between Fezariu and Alycea), the sense of "Oh, please - not another of these kind of stories" was so stro...more Fezariu's Epiphany is one of those books that, as intrigued as I was by the set-up, I had a hard time getting into. The first few chapters left me with a serious sense of deja-vu, as if I'd read the same story before. It wasn't only the story itself that seemed familiar, but the way in which it was told. By the time I reached the series of letters (first between Jessamine and Peter, and then between Fezariu and Alycea), the sense of "Oh, please - not another of these kind of stories" was so strong that I was ready to give up.

In all likelihood, if David hadn't stopped by my Bibrary Bookslut blog last month to share his thoughts on the book, I likely would have stopped there. Fortunately, he'd talked enough about the larger story, and the way characters would weave in and out of it, that I still wanted to see where things would go.

Where it went, I am very pleased to say, is up.

If the first third disappointed me (and it did), the second definitely validated and renewed my interest, while the final third delighted me in the way it progressed. This is, largely, a dark and sombre tale, full of mistakes, misinterpretations, and misguided actions. There were times when I sighed and thought "I knew that was going to happen" but, at the same time, I couldn't fault the characters. They were true to themselves, and they (particularly Fezariu) surprised me.

While definitely a fantasy novel, this is a very realistic story about men and women, lovers and prostitutes, and mercenaries and bakers. It takes some novel turns, and I hints at what I suspect is a much larger story still to be told. The ending (Fezariu's 'epiphany' and beyond) was both unexpected and taken for granted, precisely what I wanted to see happen, but which I didn't really expect to have come about.

Overall, the first third of the novel could definitely use some polishing, and the middle third could benefit from a bit of elaboration, but the story ably redeems itself in the end. While I wasn't originally sure I would finish the book, I would be quite happy to read a sequel. (less)

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Mar 10, 2012 Julie Powell rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a tale weaved in fantasy, where the world created is not only believable but also fascinating. The characters, too, are so real that the reader cannot fail but to wish them well - except for the villian, an essential ingredient in every good story.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect but this story was very well written and included such themes as loyalty, loss, betrayal, power and love, and told through the eyes of credible characters. I also liked the way it swung from third to first per...more

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Nov 03, 2011 Nikki rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not a genre I read very often, but enjoyable nonetheless. The eponymous hero has a complicated story, which keeps the pages turning as you want to see how it will be resolved. I would probably recommend skipping the prologue until you are much nearer the end, however - there were too many names and references for me to follow until I was more familiar with the characters and their situations and initially it left me confused. But I'm glad I stuck with it! I look forward to reading other books se...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Beverly rated it 4 of 5 stars

My Thoughts:
This story is remarkably well written. The language is descriptive. The story flows smoothly at just the right pace to keep the reader interested and awaiting what will be on the next page.
The characters have been carefully crafted and possess their own individual querks.
My heart goes out to Jessamine for the choices life gives her and bleeds for Fezariu as life continues to throw him curves.
Be sure to check this one out and journey with Fezariu as he attempts to discover his pa...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Sandy Wolters rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, fantasy

Book: Fezariu's Epiphany
Series: The Elencheran Chronicles
Author: David M. Brown
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Length: Approximately 387 Pages

FEZARIU'S EPIPHANY by DAVID M. BROWN at times had me in tears, madder than hell, sitting on the edge of my seat, gasping for breath and completely exhausted when I finished it.

This is the story of Fezariu. We first meet him when his tortured mother running from her past gives birth to him. We follow him through his early years filled with love and laughte...more Book: Fezariu's Epiphany
Series: The Elencheran Chronicles
Author: David M. Brown
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Length: Approximately 387 Pages

FEZARIU'S EPIPHANY by DAVID M. BROWN at times had me in tears, madder than hell, sitting on the edge of my seat, gasping for breath and completely exhausted when I finished it.

This is the story of Fezariu. We first meet him when his tortured mother running from her past gives birth to him. We follow him through his early years filled with love and laughter, and then his mother's past catches up with her. Out of love, she makes the ultimate sacrifice for him, returning to her unspeakable past to spare his life and those she has come to love as her own.

After a series of tragic events, Fezariu and Alycea, the small girl he grew up with, find themselves living in a new land with Alycea's uncle. It is here he learns that his mother has not died as he was told, but working in a brothel. As a mother myself, I was heartbroken when Fezariu was reunited with his mother. To save the child's life from the monster that runs the White Oak brothel, Jessamine cruelly turns her back on Fezariu after seeing him. I needed many tissues to get through this part of the book.

For a twelve-year-old boy, feeling the weight of guilt for all of those he's loved and lost in his short life, blaming himself, he makes a conscious decision to never allow anyone close to him again. He abandons Alycea and runs to the Archangel University to train as a mercenary to become a man with strength and honor. Being too young to train when he arrives, he has taken on years of servitude to the University until he is of age. We follow Fezariu through his three-year training and then his battles employed as a great mercenary.

Mr. Brown has written a book that introduces the reader to such an extraordinary cast of characters, and a book that is entwined with several storylines that come together flawlessly. We are taken into the lives of the mercenaries and the battles they fight, both right and wrong. We are introduced to new lands with such a rich history. Every detail is well thought out and beautifully written.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading FEZARIU'S EPIPHANY by DAVID M. BROWN. This book has something for everyone in it. It took me through every emotion possible and left me exhausted and with a smile on my face when I finished it. This is one of those books that I will be thinking about for some time to come. This is one of those special books that I highly recommend and wish I could give it more than a measly 5 Stars. It deserves so much more than that.(less)

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Nov 26, 2011 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, 2011-reading

This is the first installment in the Elencheran Chronicles series by David M. Brown. As a fervent fan of the fantasy genre, I found this book to be everything I expected and more. Not only are the characters well-developed and memorable, the reader is taken away to an equally well-developed fantasy world that rivals the worlds of popular, established fantasy writers, such as Robert Jordan and Mercedes Lackey.

Brown features a vast variety of both primary and secondary characters. Some are members...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Kim (Wistfulskimmies Book Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of Fezariu, a young man born to a prostitute - who believes his mother died when he was 12. When his beloved stepfather is killed, he finds out that his mother is still alive and working in a famous brothel. After her rejection of him he goes and joins the Merelax Mercenaries. He rises through the ranks until he takes an assignment that brings him back to his old home town. There he takes stock of his life and finds out the truth about why his mother rejected him. on learning t...more

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Feb 25, 2012 David King rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Fezariu's Epiphany" by David M. Brown is the first book in a new fantasy series entitled "The Elencheran Chronicles". One of the big things I look for in a fantasy book such as this has to be the world itself and I think the author did a great thing with this one. It is rather colourful and varied place that has a lot of potential within it available for any future books in the series.

The novel itself was focused on the life of Fezariu whose life seems to have been surrounded by tragedy from ea...more "Fezariu's Epiphany" by David M. Brown is the first book in a new fantasy series entitled "The Elencheran Chronicles". One of the big things I look for in a fantasy book such as this has to be the world itself and I think the author did a great thing with this one. It is rather colourful and varied place that has a lot of potential within it available for any future books in the series.

The novel itself was focused on the life of Fezariu whose life seems to have been surrounded by tragedy from early on. Trying to escape from the perceived curse he feels that has been plaguing his young life he leaves his family and joins up with a mercenary group. After years of training and hard work he becomes a great soldier and along with his friends sets out on an adventure. However, all the time the events of his past continue to lurk in the back of his mind filling him with dread and guilt.

The first portion of the story was a little bit slow as the world and the characters were introduced to the reader, but as it progressed the pace picked up and the plot developed into quite an interesting and sombre tale. I found the overall journey that the book takes the reader on to be an enjoyable and emotional one that delved into Fezariu's life and covered so many aspects, from periods of heartache, pain and guilt to those of love, joy and redemption.

One issue I did have with the story itself was in the manner that it was actually told. There were so many sections that were related in letters or in someone's comment about a past event. As a reader, I hardly actually got to witness any of these events actually going on, it seemed like this interesting and entertaining story was mainly being told to me in a series of summaries. Perhaps the author didn't want to make this novel a massive tome, I don't know but either way I was a little bit disappointed that I didn't get to actually follow some of the events in an in depth manner.

In regards to the characters, I have to admit that I really felt something for Fezariu, the way in which misinterpretation and random events had conspired to lead him to a life of guilt and anger was rather sad to behold and I really wanted him to turn his life around. However, outside of this I think the characters on the whole were a little bit flat which was probably influenced by the use of letters and people's comments to tell large portions of the story. There were no real surprises from any of the characters and in particular, I never saw any evidence as to why anyone feared the story's main protagonist. Considering it is mainly due to his actions that Fezariu's life went the way it did, it would have been nice to see something that actually explained why people were so scared of him.

Overall, I found "Fezariu's Epiphany" to be an enjoyable fantasy novel that covers the usual hallmarks of the genre with tyranny and cruelty being offset by loyalty and self-sacrifice. Whilst, there were some flaws that I felt were related to the manner in which some of the story was told, it is still an interesting and emotional journey in a well developed world that most fantasy readers should enjoy. I now look forward to continue reading "The Elencheran Chronicles" as new books are released.(less)

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Jul 31, 2011 L.E.Olteano rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-review, reviewed, received-for-review

Fezariu’s Epiphany is supposed to be fantasy; I’m saying “it’s supposed to be” because while reading it, it doesn’t really feel like anything else but true-story, if from older times perhaps.
It kicks off somewhat slow, with a richly put together ‘historical tour’ of the world, then introduces the characters gently, in a paced but charming manner. I’d say the pace picks up later, giving the story a lead-in/lead-out sort of feeling, making me remember those tales on vinyl I used to listen to when...more Fezariu’s Epiphany is supposed to be fantasy; I’m saying “it’s supposed to be” because while reading it, it doesn’t really feel like anything else but true-story, if from older times perhaps.
It kicks off somewhat slow, with a richly put together ‘historical tour’ of the world, then introduces the characters gently, in a paced but charming manner. I’d say the pace picks up later, giving the story a lead-in/lead-out sort of feeling, making me remember those tales on vinyl I used to listen to when I was a child. There was a distinctive sound they made, just before the words started and right after all of them had been uttered, a soft, gentle warning. Well, reading Fezariu’s Epiphany I had that same feeling, as if that rich sound that I deeply loved had both introduced me to the tale, and helped me part with it when it was over.

I felt a surprisingly intense connection to some of the characters; I tend to like/dislike, (or crush upon *rolls eyes*) more then actually care about characters, but in this case, Jessamine and Alycea got glued to my heart somehow and they refused to be parted from it. Fezariu was harder for me to connect with, I’m not sure why; I was very much so interested in what happened to and with him, but more for someone else’s benefit (like his mother’s, for instance) then for his own, I’m not sure why.

I really liked the structure of the novel, the way the prologue and epilogue hugged it all together, the way the plot line was followed, the pace, everything about it. The world created by David M. Brown is nothing short of fascinating, in a fairytale like sort of way, but at the same time giving you the distinct sensation it’s all quite real. It’s a very interesting mix of worlds and words; you’ll also find some intriguing choices, as far as town names go, characters as well.

As far as writing goes, I find this to be a quite rich treat; descriptive, with something of a demure charm, the “language” of the novel is one of universal beauty and proper delight, leaning perhaps more toward the conservative written word, more of the “old-school” good writing. As much as I appreciate that style, I sometimes find it also tempers the pace of the plot, quells tensions that might have urged you to become more emotionally involved in the action itself. Of course, such things are always a matter of personal taste.
The tone is pleasurably mellow, enough so that delicate issues, such as use and abuse, tyranny and cruelty, are really easy to cope with; this is not an aggressive read, by any means, and I find that deeply comforting.

I really did enjoy this read, I found it a perfect fit for my somewhat moody, almost gloomy Sunday afternoon mood; I felt often transported to my childhood, and the tales I loved at that time, something not a lot of reads manage to pull off, and something I deeply enjoy – it’s that sens of wonder, of hidden magic that Fezariu’s Epiphany stirred within me.
I wasn’t ragingly enthusiastic, and I attribute that to my personal mood at the time of reading, and to the mellow-inducing, melancholy-rising effect David M. Brown ‘s writing had on me.

I strongly recommend this to anyone that enjoys fantasy, good writing, charming tales and rich content with lighter, non-shocking imagery.(less)

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Aug 23, 2011 Jason rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: new-fiction, fantasy

There are many plot twists and turns in this masterfully written book chronicling the life of a mercenary named Fezariu. Fezariu's Epiphany is a fantasy work on a grand scale in which you enter an imaginatively drawn world filled with many lands and spanning great periods of time. Within this landscape, Fezariu becomes a mercenary to try to escape the painful contingencies of his birth. As he forges ahead, gaining glory as a mercenary, he begins to realize that putting together the pieces of his...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: giveaways, fantasy-magic-sci-fi, books-we-own

Fezariu's Epiphany stunned me with its vivid characters and poignant moments. Although the book is almost 400 pages, the story feels much shorter because the characters are so enjoyable. This book is not plot-driven--it is character-driven--and I wanted to read more and more about these characters. I began this book late one evening, and I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. because I simply did not want to put this book down. I'm glad that this book develops Fezariu's back story so thoroughly, since it g...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Hockmangirlsmom rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you like fantasy or just beginning to read it, you must read this book. Join Fezariu through his adventures as he finally realizes what must be done, As many of us do at special turning points in our lives when we have a epiphany. You will feel a whole range of emotions as the characters come to life. You will be right there with them as your world fades away and you become part of . . . . .

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