Lyon is keyed into the mythic, and for all the complex worldbuilding, a simple, powerful current of adventure surges the narrative along. Astar’s friend has been hauled into the depths by colossal Devourers, harbingers of the greater conflict to come: an assault on the Temple of Valor, a vital house of healing, led by the villain Zorn. With the aid of young historian Aberfell, Astar must take action. He arms himself with the golden blade Soothsayer, “the most dangerous weapon in the known world,” the soul-feeding last remnants of the goddess Ehlona. Wielding the blade means resisting its urge to slay, and Astar’s first words once he feels its power suggest this will be a battle: “I am the one true God in this world. The one all will fear!”
The tale might sound familiar in outline, but Lyon, a devotee of the genre, continually offers fresh takes, surprise twists, and innovations. Astar’s power to duplicate himself is put to clever use, the demon Grim reveals unexpected depth, and figures returning from earlier books, like Kilmer, have weight and majesty. The climax and denouement are suitably grand, but what lingers is the book’s crisp prose and playful spirit.
Takeaway: This fantasy epic blends inviting prose, rich worldbuilding, and inventive magic and action.
Great for fans of: Raymond E. Feist, Brent Weeks.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
Must read 🏆
We are giving an amazing climax to one story, and left wondering about another! As always Joe Lyon delivers an amazing world to wander.
SYNOPSIS
The exciting adventures continue. Astar has grown to have unbelievable powers he can barely control. As a new terror rises from the depths, he is joined with the magical dagger, reuniting the final piece of the ancient God inhabiting him. Astar becomes the most powerful creature in the Universe, and using cunning and raw power, he is capable of shaping world events according to his will. Yet, he discovers some things are beyond even his reach.
Temple of Valor is the third book of the Astar's Blade series, though it can also be an enjoyable stand alone.
Temple of Valor is the third book in Joe Lyon’s Astar’s Blade series. In this third installment, we finally get to see the titular character of the series wield the blade in question as the story that had started two books ago finally comes to a dramatic and in some ways surprising climax. With all the loose ends tied up, Lyon wraps up his gift to the fantasy world with a pretty little ribbon on top, another cliffhanger! One I can genuinely say I did not know was coming. I will not go into the fine details and risk ruining this fantastic turn of events, but I know it will leave you wanting to read more of what Joe Lyon has planned for this amazing world he has created.
In Temple of Valor, we start with a young adult Astar, a boy of eighteen as he is referred to in the book, as inexperienced but once he comes into his own, we see him grow into the character that he has been destined to become from the start of the series when aspects that we had no idea would come to play worked into the complicated web that finally resulted in this tale. We go deeper than just Astar finally having his blade, however, nor the people who work with him. We are also given a down and dirty view of the Zorn and his demon followers and their connections to one another and those who have been their sworn enemies for hundreds of years. The children of the gods have failed the people of this world. Now it is time for mortals to try their hand at it. A bit of a Tolkien-esque concept but a satisfying note to end a story on. As with the previous books in this series, it is a must-read for every fan of fantasy.
REVIEWED BY
Tawny Molina
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