REVIEWS/THE CALL OF THE SWORD

Book one of the Chronicles of Hawklan.

For publication information and a synopsis, please see the corresponding pages.

Reviewed by: Andrew Findlay

When starting to read "The Chronicles of Hawklan" you can immediatly tell that the author has been heavily influenced by Tolkeins "The Lord of the Rings" but as you read more and more you will begin to relise that the style of Roger Taylor is very unique. The story is very traditional, that of the "Ancient Enemy" with vast powers and of the "only one man can stop him" but here is where Taylor shows how good an author he is, by telling the story with a new outlook and very clever character development.

We start the Chronicles with "The Call of the Sword" in which we are introduced to the hero, Hawklan's, world. And so we begin in the village of Pedhavin which lies in the shadow of the huge castle, Anderras Darrion, where Hawklan lives quietly as a healer.Then from out of the mountains comes a seemingly innocent trader selling his wares and the peace of Pedhavin is shattered by stange accidents. But it is soon discovered that the trader is to blame and so Hawklan sets out to find the reason for the tinker's visit to his home. It is a very easy story to get into at the begining but this is all "The Call of the Sword" is, a beginning. It's sole purpose is to intoduce us to the characters and setting the scene for something much greater.

Don't discount this book as simply a mere prologue, however.The adventures of Hawklan in this book alone should only whet your appetite for things to come. Liken it, instead, to "The Hobbit" which is a fabulous story alone but is much better as the start of the bigger picture. It is ideal for fans of the genre and can be read by anyone of any age or by someone who is looking for that something a little bit different. "The call of the Sword" is great reading and highly recommended.

Reviewed by Reinhold Michalak (Note: Originally written in German)

The first book of the Chronicles of Hawklan starts with a bold beginning. Hawklan coming from no where with no memory of the past opens the gigantic gates of Anderras Darion. A huge castle closed since people can remember. Taylor shows mastership in introducing the land and the people for the reader. There is no superficial detail and no shortage in story you would miss in this introduction. Only Hawklan's origin stays a mystery.

There are only some minor critics. One is the conflict of the four lords with the king Rgoric because of the violation of law from king Rgoric initiated from the evil counselor and physician Dan Tor. It is a dramatic scene but Taylor transforms this not proper in his writing. Second is the evil trap Hawklan is confronted in the big market Gretmearc. The evil chair absorbing the body who sits in is a good idea but all around this scene fails to be good or is very bad transformed on paper.

Certainly Taylor is far better than many other writers clattering this field. Even better than some "bestseller" authors. But still there is place to grow, to improve and to find the golden path of epic fantasy story telling.