"Age of Myth" by Michael J. Sullivan

[Levi]

"Age of Myth" is the first installment of Michael J. Sullivan's high fantasy series the Legends of the First Empire - and what an enthralling prequel it is to his "Riyria Revelations" series. This first book draws us into a world dominated by false gods - the Fhrey - whose cruelty and deception has kept the human race imprisoned in technological and intellectual stagnation. Believing the lies fed to them by the immortal overlords who rule them, the humans of Elan remain subordinate - but everything changes when a mortal man kills one of the (im)mortal Fhrey. This single event is the catalyst to Sullivan's ingenious series and this first novel acts as a stunning preface to the adventures to come in the series. Grappling with power dynamics, gender roles, the power of ignorance, and the values of leadership, Sullivan crafts a fantasy that is not only notable for its ambitious world building but also its dynamic character development and storytelling features. While our protagonist - Raithe - is quite unlikeable, I found the majority of the other characters to be far more interesting and, luckily, likeable. But it is the protagonists' seeming apathy that makes the tension in this story even more enjoyable.

I recommend this novel to lovers of Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, Christopher Paolini, and all high fantasy aficionados looking for a new series to jump into.

Rating: 4.5/5