The Third Sign: Book One in the Chronicles of Klune

by: Gregory A Wilson

Published by: Five Star

Reviewed by Beth Cummings

The country of Klune is a land surrounded by hostile elements bent on its destruction. It is populated by humans that live in a rather medieval world. Beyond its borders the world is filled with unusual and supernatural creatures. While the land has been peaceful for the last ten years, something strange is afoot.

Calen Gollnet is a young man who lives in one of the larger cities in Klune. He is a student, though not particularly serious, but his father is a noted scholar and teacher of ancient myth, language and history. When their city is invaded by outside forces, Calen is forced to flee alone into the dangerous Razorwood forest to the south. He has a message for the king of Klune – the ice tomb of the evil Ek’thon has begun to melt. Calen has the idea that the hero, Arvan, the forestwalker who is said to live in the forest, may be able to help him get his message to the royal family.

In the style of J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert Jordan, this fantasy epic is filled with political intrigue, tests of loyalty and strength, fearsome battles, as well moments of kindness, familial love and friendship between both men and other creatures. There is prophecy of doom and destruction, but a will for good to triumph over evil.

Because this is only the first in a planned series of books, a fair amount of time is spent introducing the characters and developing their place in the plot scheme. Once the action begins it moves at a fast and furious pace. Also, because it is the first in a series, the story doesn’t really reach a conclusion. Instead, a battle is fought but the war has only begun.

I enjoyed reading The Third Sign and wish that succeeding volumes were already written since I’m not happy waiting months or years for the completion of the plot. However, that does not make this any less of a fine tale.

Gregory A. Wilson has done a terrific job with his first book. I’m sure that this new writer in the genre will excite fantasy readers.

Armchair Interviews agrees.