When Darkness Falls: Setting Blog

The Obsidian Trilogy is set in a mythical world. It is similar to ours, except for the addition of magic and creatures such as elves and dragons. It has no specified name, and there aren't really many actual countries; mostly cities and territories. There is also no given year, but the world is medieval-style (swords and armor, primitive technology, knights, peasants).

In the first book, The Outstretched Shadow, the first part is set in the biggest human city, Armethalieh. This city is ruled by mages, and every aspect of life is affected by magic. The middle portion is set in the Wild Lands, an unorganized large area near Armethalieh's territory that is not unified, but has many scattered settlements. The latter part is set in the Elven lands, mainly in the city of Sentarshadeen, and wandering in other places on Kellen's journey.
The second book, To Light a Candle, is mainly set in the Elven Lands, on Kellen's way back from his journey, Sentarshadeen, and the army's march all around the nation seeking the hideouts of their enemies.
When Darkness Falls, the third (and current) book, so far is also mainly set in the Elven Lands, except almost entirely at the military encampments with the army. There have been so far a few trips to other Elven cities such as Lerkalpoldara and Ysterialpoerin.

I think that that most important settings are probably Armethalieh and the Elven Lands. Armethalieh, being the biggest human city and led by mages, is a key location to the outcome of the war. And the Elven Lands are where most of the series takes place.
"Magick set the scales in the marketplace and ensured their honesty. Magick at the Mint guaranteed that the square coins of the City, the Golden Suns of Armethalieh, were the truest in the world, and the most trusted. Magick kept the City's water supply sweet and uncontaminated, her markets filled with fresh wholesome food at every season, her buildings unthreatened by fire. There were entire cadres of Mages on the City payroll, dedicated to magick for the public good. If they were well paid and well respected, they had earned both the pay and the respect. Even Kellen, no friend of Mages, had to admit to that. Life in the City was sweet and easy." (The Outstretched Shadow, Pg 15) This quote describes how magic is a huge part of Armethalieh, which makes it very important to the plot.

Setting in The Obsidian Trilogy is important in the way that there are many key locations, but since the geography isn't too different from ours, it isn't as big a matter.

My prediction has been that Kellen will become more self-confident to match the increasing challenges of the war. This prediction has proven to be true, and I still predict he will continue this trend.

I rate this book 8.5/10 so far.

When Darkness Falls: Character Blog

The main character in my book is Kellen Tavadon. Two adjectives that could describe him are self-doubting and brave. These seem like opposites, but Kellen has constantly shown both of them throughout the The Obsidian Trilogy.

Kellen has shown insecurity, especially in the first book, when he doubts whether he is good enough. In book one, The Outstretched Shadow, he doubts whether he is good enough to meet the expectations of his father. Now, he is unsure if he is able to make a positive difference in the war against the Demons.

Kellen has also shown bravery. He risks his own life instead of others' when possible and tries to do the right thing, even when other people don't believe in him.

I think that as the book progresses, Kellen will lose his self doubt and become brave enough to face the growing problems.

I rate this book 8.5/10 so far.

When Darkness Falls: The Obsidian Trilogy Book 3 (Week 2)

So far, When Darkness Falls has been interesting. Not much overly exciting has happened yet, as I'm not too far in, but I can feel the suspense very slowly building up for a climax that will probably surprise me.

Not much surprising happened in my week's reading. But now that Jermayan is returning to the army base camp, I have questions about what will happen next. Has the army been successful? Has it experienced defeat? I think that probably nothing has happened but something interesting might happen soon. Otherwise I can think of nothing else.

I rate this book 8.5/10 so far.

When Darkness Falls; Book 3 of the Obsidian Trilogy (Weekly Review)

Since books in the Obsidian Trilogy are very long (~600 in large hardcovers, ~800 in small paperbacks), this week I can't review a whole book but must make my first weekly reading review.

In my reading this week, Jermayan, Kellen's (the main character) elf friend, has been sent to the Elf city of Lerkalpoldara to evacuate the children and pregnant women to a fort so they will be protected during the war. Surprisingly, when Jermayan arrives, he finds that the city is under siege by some of the Demons' creations. Also, none of the pregnant women that are there want to leave because they want to stay and help. So will Jermayan be able to defeat the monsters attacking Lerkalpoldara? Will he find a way to get the pregnant women to leave, or will he have to let them stay? I'll find out this week in my reading.

I Rate this book 8/10 so far.