Sword of Honor: Book Two of Boundary's Fall

Sword of Honor: Book Two of Boundary's Fall
Bret Funk
2003, Tyrannosaurus Press
ISBN 0-9718819-0-1

SPECIAL TO THE HARROW from AUTHOR BRET FUNK:

I have been authorized to offer your readers a 50% discount on the titles if they order directly from T-Press (www.TyrannosaurusPress.com). Anyone who mentions your review with their order can have the titles for $10.00 each (+$2 shipping), and of course, I'd be happy to autograph and/or personalize any and all orders. Orders can be mailed to:

Attn: Incoming Orders
Tyrannosaurus Press
PO Box 8337
New Orleans, LA 70182-8337

Sword of Honor is the second book in Bret Funk's series Boundary's Fall, following Path of Glory. In this book, new alliances between the three surviving races are being negotiated while the Darklord's influence spreads over the mountain Boundary of his kingdom in exile.

At the end of Path of Glory, our three friends had split up. Jeran and Prince Martyn were headed into the elven kingdom of Illendrylla to attempt to forge a new alliance with the elves and their ancient emperor, while Dahr headed into the Garun'ah lands to explore his ancestry and warn the tribes of Darklord Lorthas' attempts to break out of Ael Shataq behind the Boundary. But as the three seek to complete their missions, each must also come to terms with moral and personal choices.

Jeran is troubled by an uncontrollable increase in his spontaneous Readings, seeking to master his unwanted magical powers while avoiding any suggestion of becoming a mage. At the same time, his interactions with Emperor Alwellyn the Eternal teach him more about the world he lives in, the powers that rule it, and the relationship of magic and nature. In the meantime, Darklord Lorthas has reached him through his dreams and seeks to tell Jeran his side of the story of the Mage Wars. Jeran, remembering the words of his old friend Tanar, agrees to listen, to the chagrin and horror of those around him.

Prince Martyn, on the other hand, must grow into his rank, dodging assassination attempts and near-fatal accidents while reaching out to the standoffish elves to complete his diplomatic mission. But when he falls in love, he must choose between the woman he loves now and the woman his father has promised him to back home.

Dahr, while having no conflict in love — his devotion to Katya is unquestionable — is grappling with his heritage, the inner conflict he senses between beast and man. To become whole, he must earn acceptance among the Garun'ah and come to peace with his own inhuman abilities. To make matters worse, Lorthas has reached out to him in dreams, as well, and all too often Dahr finds himself sympathizing with the albino mage's tales of persecution and revenge.

Sword of Honor is a smoother and more consistent novel than Path of Glory, continuing to offer the reader rich fantasy characters and settings. The elven kingdom of Illendrylla will remind readers of Lothlorien, but it is described in more detail, successfully bringing to life a plausibly organized and strictly controlled forest society that is in danger of being torn asunder by ancient racist tensions. The tribal lands of Garun'ah, too, are reminiscent of barbaric fantasy epics, with a strong Native American feeling to the society. The contrast between the overly disciplined, nature-controlling elves and the nomadic, predatory Garun'ah is subtly drawn, and the presentation of both people's linked origin stories nicely illustrates the difference between their philosophies. Can they reconcile their differences? Or is that the job of humans, the last of the four races left now that the nature-loving Orog have been lost in Ael Shataq?

While diplomatic tensions are high, the Darklord isn't remaining quiet. His servants, Tylor and Salos Durange, have spies and assassins at work, seeking to destroy any chance at a new alliance between the races. The end of Sword of Honor is thrillingly dark, certain to leave the reader eager to pick up the next book of Boundary's Fall.

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