THE DRAGON OF TIME

A mercenary strives to learn his true identity in a war-torn world in this fantasy.

The world of Tiamhaal is ravaged by warfare. Numerous tribes fight for deities like Zmaj, the All God. Gen. Dumar guides a small force outside Satrone, an arid territory ruled by the Kulshedrans. Zoltek, the head of these warriors from Usaj, has allowed a mysterious mercenary named Scar to lead the charge. Scar is pale, hairless, and heals quickly from any injury. When Zoltek’s son, Urdu, insists on dueling the mercenary for the right to lead, Scar beheads the arrogant whelp. Dumar, Scar, and the rest form a plan to secretly capture several towers in an effort to unseat King Gilgamesh of Satrone. If Scar can help accomplish this, Zoltek has promised to ask Zmaj about the mercenary’s true origin. But when the siege of one tower goes wrong, Dumar decides to betray Scar. The mercenary escapes, with vengeful feelings against Zoltek filling his heart. He then meets a Kulshedran named Labolas Sulas, who claims to be on a mission from Gilgamesh to retrieve Scar—whom he calls Brandt. Further, Labolas reveals that Scar is the lost ruler of an ancient nation called Alduheim. Gilgamesh needs Scar to unite all the lands under Kulshedra, God of Truth. Dennis begins his fantasy series with an intriguing mystery to spur his protagonist through a violent world. Conan the Barbarian fans will enjoy the narrative’s dour tone, punctuated by moments of intense brutality, as when Scar “bashed the paladin’s head in with three quick strikes. The helmet made an awful, wet, smacking sound upon rupturing with brains.” Readers will need patience while Scar navigates a world crowded with gods, including Drac and Naga. Scar’s own religious beliefs are: “You should not be concerned with how” someone “feels, so long as he is not imposing on you.” Generally, events sweep Scar along from one location to the next, and the plot unfolds without any direction from the protagonist. In a dream, a being called Eternus renames the mercenary Sarkany, the slayer of dragons. In the following installments, Dennis’ hero will hopefully possess more agency.

A slow, engaging, and violent fantasy series opener.