I have been wanting a good fantasy series to read after Fool’s Assassin Fools Quest by Robin Hobbs (which I totally snarfed and enjoyed.) But let’s be real here, all you fantasy fiction lovers out there know that I am really just killing time until George R.R. Martin finally gets it together and releases the 6th book in his Song of Ice and Fire series (Hurry Up, George!) So I was pleasantly surprised to find Ken Scholes and the Psalms of Isaak series just when all seemed lost! This a great read and a great intro into what promises to be a captivating series with a new world, great characters and an incredibly complex plot line!

Neb,  a young apprentice and his father, Brother Hebda  are on the outskirts of the city of Windwir, when they suddenly realize the apprentice has forgotten the bishop’s letters of introduction and credit which are vital to their trip to the Wastes. With no other choice, Brother Hebda heads towards the city to retrieve the letters, leaving Neb to watch their things.  Feeling miserable for having caused this delay, Neb is caught unaware until a silence like he has never felt before envelops him. Along with the silence comes a wind that seems to bend the sky and both darkness and light fill his eyes. Transfixed, he watches as the ground shakes, birds scatter and the city spires and roofs tumble and collapse and a wall of fire burns everything in its path until there is nothing left but the Desolation of Windwir.

Many miles away General Rudolfo has just completed one of his rounds to the Houses of the Ninefold Forest. Having completed his duty to dispense justice and listen to the concerns of the that House’s steward he is now moving onto the next House. Traveling with his Gypsy Scouts through the wide ocean of yellow grass that separates the Houses from one another and from the rest of the Named Lands, Rudolfo is at peace for it is in these wide open spaces that he finds freedom from the duties he carries. As they turn south towards the next House, Rudolfo sees something strange in the distance. A pillar of smoke billowing high in the sky. Something that massive could only mean devastation.

Scholes has created a vast and engaging world, set far into earth’s future where once again the ability for massive destruction has been unleashed. As the leaders of the Named Lands gather around the desolation that is now Windwir, they must confront the possibility that one among them may have caused this devastation and potentially has destroyed all knowledge, for Windwir was the depository of knowledge and enlightenment in the Named Lands.

Scholes characters are engaging and interesting. He gives them different perspectives and motivations which allow us to see things from various points of view and we can see both the differences and the commonalities that allow for alliances and mutual distrust. His plot lines are complex and keep you guessing, which adds another layer of interest and intrigue. This is the first in a four part series and I am really looking forward to reading the rest to see what happens next!

Brenda’s Rating: ****(4 out of 5 Stars)    

Recommend this book to: Lauren and Marian

Book Study Worthy: yes

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