"The start of a fine epic fantasy series"
The Forelands consist of seven dukedoms reporting to a
central monarch. The land is sent into turmoil with the
deaths of the current king and his heir until the RULES OF
ASCENSION prevail with Javan becoming the ruler and his
self-centered teenage son Tavin next in line. As required of the rite of passage of a sixteen-year-
old, Tavin visits a Qirsi seer to learn his fate. Instead
of glorious royal trappings, Tavin sees a future in chains
inside a dark dungeon. Not long afterward, the foretelling
occurs as Tavin is incarcerated for murdering his
girlfriend based on strong physical evidence that include
the means and opportunity. The incident leads to war among
the dukedoms. To prove his innocence, save his life, and
ultimately the kingdom Tavin reluctantly turns to the
Qirsi, but that race is divided between loyalty to the
throne and a desire to take the crown. On the surface RULES OF ASCENSION is a typical sword
and sorcery epic adventure set in a feudal land. In
actuality, the first novel in David B. Coe's Winds of the
Forelands is a fast-paced story line loaded with political
intrigue that would have awed the whole line of King Henrys
and a conspiracy who-done-it for mystery aficionados. The
charcaters and the land feel genuine so that the audience
accepts the authenticity of the magical abilities of
the Qirsi. Fantasy lovers will fully enjoy this tale that
can stand alone, but the author has cleverly planted the
seed for book two. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 12, 2002
SummaryDavid B. Coe, winner of the William L. Crawford Award for
Best First Fantasy Series for the LonTobyn Chronicle,
continues his rise to the top rank of fantasy writers with
Rules of Ascension, the first novel of an exciting new epic
fantasy quartet, Winds of the Forelands.
For centuries the Forelands were disputed by several tribes.
Then came the magically gifted Qirsi--physically no match
for their foes, but capable of mindsight, creating and
controlling mists and fire, and bending solid matter to
their purpose. After a Qirsi traitor betrayed his race to
save himself, the Qirsi were defeated and dispersed among
the seven realms of the Forelands. Those specially endowed
Qirsi capable of multiple powers, the Weavers, were all put
to death.
For centuries the Forelands enjoyed relative peace. But when
Tavis, the heir to the Kingdom of Curgh, is wrongfully
blamed for the murder of a noble, the accusation sets in
motion a series of events culminating in civil war. The
ensuing chaos topples the throne in Eibithar and threatens
to rain chaos on all the realms of the Forelands. Tavis,
thrust into the center of deadly controversy and stripped of
the protection of his family's nobility, turns to the Qirsi,
his last remaining hope for redemption. But another Qirsi
traitor, secretly fomenting fear and mistrust among the
Dukedoms, seeks to destroy Tavis. Tavis must survive long
enough to clear his name and save an entire kingdom. A
powerful, compelling tale set in an unforgettable land,
rules of Ascension will capture your heart and fire your
imagination.
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