Re: Delver Magic Book 1 (Sanctum's Breach) by Jeff Inlo

**lankylil** on Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:26 am

25. Delver Magic Book III: Balance of Fate by Jeff Inlo

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delver-Magic-Book-III-ebook/dp/B0030ZRWA8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1334479005&sr=1-1

"Ryson Acumen finds that his time of service to the people of Uton is not yet complete. Together with Holli Brances and Lief Woodson, they must work together once more to end a growing threat and to meet their own undeniable destinies. Their cause is not without loss or sacrifice as they struggle to battle grotesque forces of malevolence. Under the conniving guidance of the serp Sazar, legions of dark creatures rise out of Dark Spruce Forest and the serp turns his lustful eyes eastward. Targeting the outposts and farmlands surrounding Connel, Sazar forms a dark army to conquer the human city.

Even as Ryson and his elf friends struggle against such foes, they look to the powerful wizard Enin for aid, but the spell caster remains withdrawn from nearly every clash. It is within him to decimate the entire horde, but the consequences of such intended actions trouble Enin's very soul. An understanding of balance has taught the wizard more than caution; it has led him to the presence of a being of equal power, but a creature with intentions of malice. Enin's unwillingness to interfere in the choices of individuals is born of the belief that he must allow all those around him to seek their own path as well as their own ultimate fate."

This is the third book in this series. Once again the friends are called to defend. To defeat the dark magic that is pervading the whole land. The Serp that was introduced earlier in the series has once more reared his ugly and greedy head. This time he seeks yet more power and approaches a talented sorcerous to help him. Whilst everyone is preoccupied in defending against this new threat, an even greater one lurks ready to pounce!

Enin frustrated me a lot in this book. It wasn’t so much his inaction but his way of talking and thinking. I felt like screaming at him to “get to the point”. Whilst I appreciate this was a way of showing the Wizards character and personality, it did get very frustrating as he over-explained so many things. It did make me begin to dread some of the passages that he was featured in.

There was a shock when one of the friends, one of my favourite characters, is killed. I sat staring at the page in disbelief, waiting for this person to leap out and explain how they had escaped … but they did die.

I keep waiting for Hollie and Sy to become romantically involved … I know that she is an Elf and he is a human … so I don’t know if they’d even be allowed to have a relationship but I keep thinking how well suited they are!

I enjoyed this book … my only criticism is one that I have already mentioned (Enin). I believe that anyone that enjoys the Lord of The Rings books would enjoy this series too. The plot continues to be well thought out and explained. The characters are likeable and hateful (depending on who they are). The story is thought provoking as it encourages the reader to think about good and evil, balance, action and inaction, consequences and repercussions. I am now reading book 4 in this series.

**lankylil** on Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:33 am

Delver Magic Book IV: Nightmare's Shadow by Jeff Inlo

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delver-Magic-Book-Nightmares-ebook/dp/B005QA29XA/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1334611667&sr=1-4

“Ryson Acumen battles frustration and fatigue as another struggle unfolds before him. A growing conflict threatens to engulf Uton from the western shores to the eastern plains. Illusions abound after the magic from an erratic sorceress alters the corridors of life and death, and the delver faces internal doubts as well as horrific monsters.
A treacherous creation first hunts the dark creatures of a nightmare realm, but the danger quickly falls back upon Uton. Forced to choose between divergent paths, Ryson must rely on others to defend the person he cares about the most. He can only hope his friends are able to defeat a new menace that revives old fears.
While the delver ventures into the Lacobian Desert, cliff behemoths vow to protect his wife, Linda, just as the elf guard, Holli Brances, leads spell casters against an unknown and dangerous foe in the abandoned town of Pinesway. Even the powerful wizard, Enin, enters the clash in hopes of ending the conflict before too many lives are lost. It is ultimately up to Ryson Acumen to defeat his inner demons and to find the answers that will save Uton and all its inhabitants.”

What a great read! Something dark and powerful is seeking to control Uton. It is trying to obliterate everything good by sending out dark creatures. These dark creatures have always been disorganised and self-seeking, except when they’d previously been under the control of Sazer, the Serp. Now they are united again, driven by the false promises and desires of this dark monster.

Now the races must unite again if they have any chance of succeeding before the dark forces move to rid Uton of everything good. The Dwarves are eager to redeem their past transgressions but not all races are quick to forgive. An old friend reappears to redeem himself. I was happy to see Dzeb enter the story again as I love this character.

Ryson, Linda and Enin seem to be particular targets of the dark power, so they must part company to spread the dark forces further apart. Ryson understandably rebels at the idea but it’s more than that … he begins to doubt himself. He is tired. More than tired. He longs for an ordinary life. His recent life seems to have been battle after battle and he begins to doubt as to whether his interference and sacrifices have really made a difference.

The story moves quickly towards the battle of good against evil. It reminded me of the end of the days (Revelations). It’s nail-biting reading!

I think that one of the reasons that I have enjoyed this series so much (aside from the wonderful characters) is that there are no loop holes that leave me wondering about how something could have happened. Everything that happens is well thought out and makes sense. Every thread of plot interweaves perfectly into the bigger story. The story may be a fantasy but the fantastical does make sense when you lose yourself in the plot.

I look forward to reading book 5.

**Weave** on Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:06 pm

Great review hen, I have the earlier books on my kindle cheerful

**lankylil** on Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:03 am

Delver Magic Book V: Chain of Bargains by Jeff Inlo

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delver-Magic-Book-Bargains-ebook/dp/B00816QXP6/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339797661&sr=1-5

“The western cites of Uton are overwhelmed by a massive exodus from the Great Valleys. Pressed from their homes by a growing distress, humans flee across the central plains in hopes of finding refuge from the suffocating fear that swells with each passing day. As the wizard Enin tries to maintain control in Connel, he works with dwarves and humans to quell the growing crisis. He sends Ryson Acumen along with Holli Brances to investigate the strange occurrences reported by the displaced farmers and merchants.
While exploring the eastern valleys, the delver and the elf uncover bizarre circumstances that contradict their understanding of rational behavior. Each mysterious revelation adds to an ever expanding puzzle. Goblins have infested the cities and the farmlands, but not by force. With the consent of local authorities, dark creatures inundate the eastern lands, taking ownership of farms and claiming residence within human towns without outward conflict or apparent treachery.
As humans and goblins are forced to coexist throughout the region, order is enforced by half-demons, but a tense apprehension grips the citizens of nearly every village and city. Many decide to escape the valleys. Farmers abandon their fields and merchants leave their shops. The flow of refugees grows, putting a greater strain on the western towns of Connel and Burbon.
Ryson and Holli continue their search for answers only to meet with opposition from local councils, town guards, and a powerful regional steward. They struggle against goblins and half-demons and even attempt to enlist the aid of dwarves from the underground city of Sterling. Throughout their efforts, goblins continue to pour into the valleys just as more humans abandon their homes. A twisted plan of deceit gradually takes shape as Ryson and Holli follow a chain of bargains meant not only to remove all the people from the valleys, but to destroy the entire human race.”

This is book 5 in the Delver Magic Series by Jeff Inlo. There has been a massive influx of refugees from the Great Valleys. The increased population in Burbon and to a lesser degree, Connel, is creating a huge security risk. Goblins have already started to raid the refugee tents outside the town walls. However, the refugees either can’t or won’t explain why they have left their farms and homes to live in the refugee camps.

Ryson and Holli have therefore been despatched to the Great Valleys to investigate the reasons behind the exodus. What they find instead, are more puzzles and mysteries. It is clear that there is corruption amongst the humans in power but more disturbing are the goblins walking freely in the towns, associating in human premises. The strange wave of magic that seems everywhere but appears to have no purpose. Bloat spiders and Inferns loiter around all but one exit from the Great Valleys. The deadly Inferns are also guarding the human towns, despite the fact that they are half demon dark creatures. The fact that humans would give them power mystifies the Delver and the Elf. They gradually uncover a twisted plot, so deliberately convoluted that not even the people in it are aware of everything that is involved … finding more evidence that evil, dark forces are at work in the land.

Meanwhile Enin and Jure continue to work with the ever expanding towns, spending the little free time they have with Heteera, who remains in a coma-like existence. She hates the fact that she has a practically limitless ability to draw magic into herself and yet cannot control it. She has therefore drawn into her own mind, isolating herself from everything around her.

When Holli is fighting in the tunnel (to save Ryson) I did wonder why she didn’t use the light from the sword to blind the dwarfs, as the passage did mention that light (that the sword could have used) reflected strategically.

My favourite passage from the book ~

"It's not easy to have faith. I have to accept things I can't see or touch. I have to live in a land that seems to test that faith everyday. The book I'm supposed to rely on often seems to be one big puzzle. I try to fit all the pieces together but I can't. I have to realise that it was never meant for me to grasp every little detail. That there care certain things that are just beyond me"

I also liked the way that Rachael explains how she believes that prophecies do not nullify free will.

I think that like Lewis Caroll, Austen and other great authors, Jeff Inlo has the talent to not only spin a story that will capture and entrance but also uses that text to explore other themes and issues faced by people today.

This, like the other books in the series, was another great read. Any fan of The Lord of The Rings would love this series. Jeff Inlo has a skill with language that enables him to paint written picture of the world and creatures that he has created, without over-burdening the text with adjectives. The stories always flow nicely, are action-packed and keep the reader trying to solve the very puzzles that the Delver struggles with. A lovey series of books that would make great movies.

I would heartily recommend this series and I eagerly await book 6.