Rating: 8/10

-Norbert Zsivicz first book, the Hungarian Literary Award winner Sealed Empire now available in English by the famous translator Tamás Pétersz (Game of Thrones).

Blurb

Ser Edward, an experienced sailor, embarks on perhaps the most daring expedition of the Kingdom of Esenworth so far. His mission is to try to earn the blessing of the Reverend Sven, who is none other than his love’s father, probably the most influential man in the realm. But on his journey beset by fierce storms, he and his men encounter something that could shake to the core not only their faith, but their very concept of the world as well. Meanwhile, far from the oceans, his love, Emma, is trying to disentangle herself from the spider’s web of intrigue and scheming, into which she is being drawn ever deeper by Erick the new king.

And the dark clouds just keep gathering above – ancient beasts, stranger than ever, appear at sea, on land and even in the skies more and more frequently. They roar with a metallic screech, their eyes glow with an unnatural light, their skin hard and rigid as armor.

Can order be upheld in this age blind to divine prophecy, in the largest kingdom of the North, where the monarch’s mind is coming undone just like reality itself?

Our heroes must struggle ceaselessly to understand the hidden secrets of their world and their own origins. But what are they going to do once they have the answers?

Review

Sealed Empire was a novel that got me engrossed in its good world-building. The characters of Edem, Edward and Emma got me immersed in this fancy but brutal Medieval World. It’s a story filled with engaging characters, with high stakes and showing the madness that is humanity. It’s a classic mix of some sci-fi elements combined with Medieval Madness. That said, sometimes it did tend to slow down in pacing, and it also went into some traditional fantasy tropes that I would have not needed, but it was a good introduction to this new world.

And here’s the thing; it’s characters each have an arc of their own and proper goals of how they want to live their lives. And King Erick? Boy. This man is a servant of the darkness, someone you never want to serve. He’s an amalgamation of Nero and Commodus, the worst of the worst. You will see exactly why I say this. I’m trying to avoid story spoilers because there are some fantastic twists and turns in this novel.

Sealed Empire magnifies the traditional trope of fantasy and gives its unique twist similar to Michael J Sullivan’s works. I’d compare the idea that their works are similar; engaging characters in a mad medieval world filled with magic and high stakes; conspiracies and character arcs that satisfy that goal. I was so engrossed I kept reading and reading. I want MORE. I want MORE of that desert world, I just need more. A glossary is also needed, however. It’s 8/10, and you need to GET THIS NOW! It’s that GOOD!