Acacia: The War with the Mein

I went back and forth on this one, almost setting it down a few times, and then getting excited in places. It was a bit of an odd read for me as it felt so much like the cliche fantasy that I thought I knew what was going to happen around every corner, after a few surprises, I began to think they would obviously be doing things differently and a cliche would ambush me again. Overall I liked it, and will read the second book, but if it continues the slow meander this one did for the first 3/4, I might think of putting it down. Only to probably have it suck me in again. Gah, reading roller coaster.

With this book the author leaves behind his historical novels and begins a foray into fantasy. And, as fantasy novels go, this one is excellent. There are several detailed characters, a fascinating world with its own varied history full of legends and hidden secrets, and numerous surprises in store for the reader. Acacia is the name of an empire ruled for generations by the Akaran dynasty, currently headed by Leodan Akaran. The rulers live on an island of the same name known for its many acacia trees. But from the very beginning you know that Leodan's days as ruler are numbered. A people known as the Mein, long ago banished to the icy northern climate, have sent an assassin and are amassing for war. Leodan's four young children are successfully spirited away in the ensuing conflict. The children, two sons and two daughters, each go on to live wildly different lives since the start of the war. It's all very interesting and engrossing reading. Woven into the story are themes of slavery, oppression, a sinister drug trade, and the Akarans own revisionist history. It's exciting and fascinating to see how events unfold, especially in the last two thirds of the book. This is the first of a planned trilogy and I am eagerly awaiting the next book. One of the best fantasies I've come across in years. According the author's blog, “Acacia has been put into early production to be a feature film by Relativity Media and Michael De Luca Productions. The screenwriter Andrew Grant is at work on the film adaption now.” Cool!