Into
the Vortex – Book 2 of The Vortex of Worlds Series
By – Charles E. Gannon
I’ve been a fan of Chuck
Gannon for quite a while, having discovered his Caine Riordan novels about ten
years ago. The time and effort he puts into his world building really pays off
in the substance of his writing. So, when I discovered he was branching out
into fantasy, I just had to take a look.
The first book of his The
Vortex of Worlds Series – This Broken
World – was an absolute treat to read, and you can find out what I thought
in the link provided at the end of this review.
Into the Vortex
continues Druadaen’s adventures– and indeed, those of his erstwhile companions
– as they try to discover the disparities riddling the land in which he lives,
and especially, why knowledge of the truth might prove so fatal.
Here’s the blurb:
**********
A little bit
of knowledge can be a dangerous thing . . . but knowing the full truth might
get you killed.
Druadaen, Outrider for the once-mighty Dunarran
Consentium, has proven that there are irreconcilable contradictions between
magic and physics on Arrdanc, the world of his birth. And what is his reward
for this important discovery, made against all odds and at considerable
personal risk? Exile—organized and compelled by nervous temple hierarchs.
However, Druadaen remains determined to uncover
what several ancient persons and beings have urged him to seek: “the truth of
the world”—which might only be gained by traveling beyond it. Indeed, the
mysterious Lady of the Mirror speculates that he might find the answers by
journeying to the other side of her unusual looking glass: a reflective,
ethereal portal that she calls a “shimmer.”
But there’s a catch: because the mysterious
portal only allows a single person to pass through, Druadaen must leave his
companions behind. Unfortunately, once he has, they discover that the “shimmer”
only allows travelers to leave Arrdanc, not return to it. So his friends, led
by stalwart swordsman Ahearn, resolve to find another means by which they can
retrieve Druadaen—and with him, the truth of the world.
There’s just one small problem with their quest:
the closer they come to finding a solution, the more obvious it becomes that
various powers on Arrdanc don’t want them to succeed. In fact, they’d rather
Druadaen doesn’t return at all.
**********
Yes, the reaction of those in
power doesn’t add up. After all, why would they exile someone if all they were
doing was searching for the truth?
We begin to see the answer to
that question when Druadaen and his companions actually seek counsel with the
Lady of the Mirror, and Druadaen ends up stepping through a mysterious portal
into an entirely different world. He discovers people there, much like those
from home, who have also endured chaos at the hands of an unknown power – from
long, long ago – the likes of which was unmatched by all but the gods. And get
this. The echoes of that chaos are similar to that on Arrdanc.
Of course, his friends are
left floundering in his wake, so they also begin trying to fit the pieces of
this larger puzzle together. In doing so, they begin to appreciate that the
real truth as to the origins of Arrdanc has been hidden from mankind. And if
they want answers, they’ll need to follow in Druadaen’s footsteps and journey
across time and space to find them.
Thereafter, our story is told
from two perspectives: By Druadaen, after his journey through the shimmer; and
by his friends, who continue their efforts to be reunited with their friend, as
they also strive to uncover the truth.
As before, the story arc is
as compelling as it is thoroughly entertaining. It’s vivid, it’s bright, and
dark and menacing. Murder, mystery, and mayhem, and abound in equal measure.
That, along with engaging characters and an appealing, ‘you’re one of us’
dialogue helps to immerse you in the trials and tribulations of the gang as
they begin to pick apart the scales masking the truth, to reveal a truly
astonishing revelation As they do so, a bigger, much more complex, and
insidious picture begins to emerge. (Fantastic world building there), which
really adds an additional weight to an already well-established foundation.
Now, as to what that maleficent cancer is, you’re given plenty of clues (adding
to those sprinkled throughout the first book). And as it continues eating away
at the fabric of the world, you can only begin to imagine what’s coming. And
whatever it is, it’ll be huge. The tension is building, and I for one can’t
wait to see what happens.
And isn’t THAT what it’s all
about?
Go on, enjoy yourself. It’ll be
one hell of a ride.
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