The Ninth Rain

A very different fantastical setting. Taking some interesting tropes but twisting them in unique ways this was a highly impressive read. Clever world building and really interesting character development lead to a highly accomplished and unique feeling fantasy.

The world is one of decay, quite a common fantasy trope, but taken in quite a clever and unique way. The race and civilization that has protected the world (Ebora) is in terminal decline. Its sustaining god has died and with it the protections granted. They have turned into an almost vampiric people, finding that human blood helps sustain them, but at the cost of eventual terminal illness.

Meanwhile, Fell Witches, women who can use other creatures life force to generate ‘winnow flame', are kept in a kind of prison, looked over by some malevolent religious cult. They are kept as almost slaves.

The alien Jure'lia invader that has left the world in its decayed state have relics dotted around the landscape, which cause all sorts of weird and strange effects in their vicinity.

The story has a strong found family bent. We follow Vintage, a strangely wealthy researcher into the relics dotted around the world, an escaped Fell Witch, and one of the Eboran vampiric type creatures. They are on a quest to understand the Jure'lian relics with implications for the future of the world.

Meanwhile, there is politics afoot as the leader of Ebora tries to heal her falling civilization.

This is all epic fantasy at its best. Plus it has giant pet bats.

The first book in the Winnowing Flame trilogy. A world where Elves and Humans live separately after a terrible war. Now a tree god is dead and the Eboran elves are slowly dying, the world of Sarn facing its own demise.

This is a fun and enjoyable journey, although there are moments of dark times and horror scenes, all formulating into a brilliant epic fantasy ride, which we are only 1 book into!

You follow the 3 main characters; Vintage - the rich and fantastic captain of the group. Tor - the serious Eboran elf with a passion for wine and human blood. Finally, Noon - the escaped witch with a tendency to set things on fire.
All 3 characters had their own views and beliefs, each with their own reason to trek on this journey. I honestly could not pick a favourite.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Superb story telling from a great author. I'm going to read this series alongside Foundryside, just to keep things fresh.

Overall 4/5 - recommend for anyone who enjoys witty characters and great characterisation, some horror elements and a nice slicing of epic fantasy.