Fortress of Mist by Sigmund Brouwer- A Book Review – CSFF Day Three

February 20, 2013

Warning: This review may contain spoilers.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review, and in conjunction with the CSFF Tour.

Sigmund Brouwer’s Website
Buy on Amazon

Today’s book is The Orphan King (Merlin’s Immortals, Book One).

The Blurb:

The throne is redeemed, but the battle is just beginning.

In the dark corners of an ancient land, evil lurks in the shadows. Powerful druids haunt the spaces of their lost territory. Double-minded noblemen fight for domain and influence. Invaders from the north threaten the kingdom of Magnus. This land of promise and redemption is mired in deceit and corruption.

The Orphan King, once victorious in conquest, appears to be losing his grip on the seat of his power. Thomas rules Magnus, but does not know whom he can trust. His enemies anticipate his every move, thwarting him at each turn. Something is not right.

Under attack, both in the supernatural and natural worlds, Thomas must reach back into the secret layers of his past to find the strength and wisdom to fight his battles. When the mist clears, who will stand with him?

I enjoyed this book so very much. While The Orphan King threw me for a few loops with plots changes, etc, from the familiar story I’d read in my childhood, this one was simply added to.

I read most of it in one sitting (with the exception of the first twelve pages, which I read the night before), and it’s been so long since I was last able to sit down and just read. That I was able to immerse myself in the world of Magnus again only made it double the pleasure.

There was just enough in this that, as I said, I could still drop into the familiar world, but I never knew when I was going to find something new to enrich it. I especially loved the first chapter, with the encounter with Isabelle, because it added so much depth to Thomas’ inner journey and his search for knowledge. It gave him much-needed motivation that was lacking before.

I love that we get to see interaction between Katherine and Hawkwood as they plot. That we get to see Thomas more.

(SPOILER!) When the incident with Katherine disguised as the old herbalist on the battle march, and when she “died”. I just started cackling at Brouwer and thinking “I see how you expanded that plot point!”

The part of the story that always gets me, though? At the end.

“Remember this. I shall not forget the Katherine – the real Katherine – who comforted me in the depths of a dungeon and told me of God. Because of her, I cannot and shall not hold you, the deceiving Katherine, here against your will.”

That’s when I always want to start bawling.

So, I am now anxiously awaiting the next book :D. How about you?

Please visit the other blog tour participants:

Gillian Adams
Julie Bihn
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Beckie Burnham
Janey DeMeo
Theresa Dunlap
Victor Gentile
Nikole Hahn
Jeremy Harder
Ryan Heart
Janeen Ippolito
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Rebekah Loper
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Megan @ Hardcover Feedback
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Anna Mittower
Eve Nielsen
Nathan Reimer
James Somers
Steve Trower
Phyllis Wheeler