The story revolves around a fourteen year old boy named Thorgrin, who everyone calls Thor. Thor dreams of joining the King’s guard and although he is not picked to join, Thor knows it is his destiny to join the King’s Legion and protect the Ring from all manner of creatures on the other side of Canyon. Against all odds, he is successful in convincing the Legion that he is worthy. Shortly thereafter, he befriends the King’s youngest son, and even falls in love with the King’s favorite daughter. When the King is forced to choose a successor, dangerous enemies are made and twisted plots are put into play.
Thor is not particularly strong or skilled, but there is something special about him: supernatural powers and premonitions that he struggles to control. The King’s sorcerer, and the King himself, take a liking to him. Eventually, they divulge that his mother came from a faraway land beyond the Canyon alluring Thor and the reader to find out more.
This book had it all: action, adventure, magic, mystery, love and betrayal. It was also a tantalizing read; Thor’s powers develop slowly and he is only given small tidbits of information about himself and his dreams allude to future events that will change his world. Right from the beginning, before Thor sets out to govern his own fate, he meets the King’s sorcerer and learns that he is different and has a very special destiny. Of course, the sorcerer never divulges too much; only just enough to entice you and keep you reading to discover the truth. Before I knew it the book was over; left off on a massive cliffhanger, which led me to start the second book that very night.
I think anyone would enjoy this story of the underdog rising up through faith in himself, hard work, with a dash of magic and a hint of mystery.