I have to admit; I bought The Cycle of Arawn 
It is the story of two orphan boys. First, there is Dante Galand who is penniless and alone but devoted to learning the dark magic called nethermancy. Then, there is Blays Buckler, also penniless and alone but even at a young age is already good with the sword. Dante hires Blays as his bodyguard. And the friendship that develops between the two of them rivals the friendship of Captain Kirk and Spock.
It is also about the tie that binds a mentor and a student. Kelly, the most powerful sorcerer made Dante his student by accident. First, it was out of necessity; later, it was out of a paternal relationship that developed between the two.
There were other secondary characters too that stood out. But the theme remains the same – friendship.
The baddies are not that bad. And it is one of the reasons why I like this series. The villains are not super powerful like the ones in Marvel Comics. They are just people who understand the magic better and can call it faster. They bleed and hurt like everyone else.
Our heroes are not super heroes either. They make bad decisions. It will be good to remember that both Dante and Blays were only 16 when the book started. Towards the end of the series, they just passed their 21st birthday.
This is another reason why I like “The Cycle of Arawn.” The heroes act their age! Of course, sometimes you will want to strangle them. But, the moment I remember they are kids, their actions actually make sense.
It took me a little over a month to finish the book. Aside from the 66 hours and 1 minute listening time, I actually only listen to it during my commute to and from work. Most of the time, I actually hated to stop listening because I have arrived at my destination. Nevertheless, the flip side is that there is another thing to look forward to at the end of the work day.
I’m not going to write a synopsis of the book. The Publisher’s Summary below actually sums up the trilogy very well. I will have to mention here though that crude language is used constantly in all three books.
Though it is YA, “TThe Cycle of Arawn: The Complete Trilogy
The White Tree (book one): In Mallon, the dark magic of the nether has been banned for centuries. Its users have been driven out or killed. Its secrets lost.
But the holy book of the nethermancers has just been found by a boy named Dante.
As he works to unlock the book’s power, he’s attacked in the street. The nethermancers aren’t gone—and they want their book back. Caught between death cultists and the law, Dante fights for his life, aided by his growing skills and a brash bodyguard named Blays. Together they’re drawn into a centuries-old conflict that brings Mallon to the brink of civil war.
Surviving won’t be easy. But if they make it out alive, they’ll step down the path to becoming two of the greatest warriors the world has ever known.
The Great Rift (book two): Dante and Blays have averted war against their new home of Narashtovik. But they didn’t do so alone. It’s time to repay their debts.
The norren who helped them remain enslaved by the Gaskan Empire. While arming the norren clans for rebellion, Dante hears one of them is in possession of the legendary Quivering Bow. If he can track down the weapon, it could secure norren independence.
But the wheels of war have already begun to turn. As Gask moves to crush the rebellion, Dante and Blays find themselves at the head of a campaign for survival—for norren and Narashtovik alike.
The Black Star (book three): Narashtovik has been saved—but Dante and Blays’ friendship has been destroyed.
Blaming the Gaskan king for the loss of his love, Lira, Blays infiltrates the enemy nobility. There he schemes to bankrupt Gask and drive its ruler from the throne. But Dante’s been waiting for Blays’ return. If he finds and exposes him, Blays will be executed as a spy.
As they squabble, strange lights shine in the east. Harbingers of a long-forgotten threat. If the signs go ignored, Narashtovik will be annihilated by an enemy it never knew it had.
©2012 Edward W. Robertson (P)2015 Podium Publishing
: The Cycle of Arawn: The Complete Trilogy by Edward W. Robertson){kind=link}
: The Cycle of Arawn: The Complete Trilogy by Edward W. Robertson){kind=link}