“This is not a tale of heroes, but of choices.” Nobody knows the burden of choices better than Taral, a man unable to outrun his fate. He loves his family and is loyal to his people, but his decisions as a fighter have taken their toll. And now, Taral senses a shift in the land, in the water, and even in the air. He can no longer hide away in the eastern slopes, farming and pretending that a darkness is not rising around Stonebridge. The Listening Stone has awakened, so Taral and his companions journey to the stone for assistance. Meanwhile, Falkvar, Taral’s duty-bound and lovesick son, embarks on an adventure of his own to help defend his homeland. After all, Stonebridge might be a literal island, but the Council knows that isolation can be as much a weakness as a protection, and its people can’t forever exist in blissful ignorance. But in this life, enlightenment is not free, and the awakening is neither small nor localized. Everything has a price, every choice has consequences, and everything is connected. Taral feels the weight of a lifetime of sacrifices, Falkvar feels the pull of his blade, and Stonebridge’s Council feels the burdens of the past. Darkness, ash, and shadows are taking new forms and pressing in, but even with the help of neighboring lands, can Stonebridge stand? And if they do, at what cost?
Epic fantasy takes on a dreamlike glow in Mike Medeiros’s The Darkness Rises. Metaphor underpins much of the writing, setting the tone and influencing how the deeply mythic world is presented. Rather than leaning toward plot‑ or character‑centric storytelling, the novel moves at the pace of its impressive setting and ancient lore. The book favors elliptical, oracular dialogue and narration, full of riddles, portents, and inherited wisdom, which slowly reveals the significance of the Chain, the Pillars of Light, and other in-world relics. Classic fantasy elements showcase an intense cast embroiled in battles, though not always with weapons. When Falkvar is off delivering a vital message and is looking for a place in the forest to sleep for the night, he encounters an inscrutable figure who promises safety if Falkvar passes a test administered in so-called old-oath logic. This trial, to answer three questions truthfully, is just one of many that help establish the fortitude of these morally rich characters. Intricate illustrations drop in between chapters and contribute their own momentum, shaping the reading experience in ways the text alone cannot. As sweeping as this tale is, conspicuous editing errors break the illusion of a fully controlled narrative, diminishing the reading experience. But audiences who appreciate a high-concept fantasy in a lore-rich world will find plenty to love in this first entry of The Chain Saga. Patience, truth, unity, and sacrifice come together in The Darkness Rises, an adventure for the soul as much as for the senses.
