The Conjurers [Advance Book Review]

Genre - Historical Fantasy
Year Published - 2016 [June 1st]
Length - 319 pages
Written by David Waid

Tagline: "A gritty fantasy of witches and wizards."

Rating: 4 Skulls

Plot Summary:
A war of shadows spills into the light.

The magical knowledge that returned with crusaders from the Holy Land has spread in secret among the learned few. The world stands poised on a knife's edge between two futures - science or sorcery - and a cabal of ruthless wizards pursues two young people who can tip the balance forever.

When brigands savagely attack an Irish village, Eamon, a peasant's son, flees with his family. The night of trauma and terror that follows triggers a magical ability he doesn't understand and can't control.

Four hundred leagues south, Teresa, the fiercely determined daughter of a Genovese nobleman, uncovers her brother's murder and witnesses her father's wrongful imprisonment. Soon, she too begins to manifest magical power.

The architect of their misfortune is Maestro Lodovicetti, chief of a secret order that knows the truth behind their burgeoning gifts. Lodovicetti will do anything in order to steal this magic and use it to shatter the restraints on sorcery.

Separated by a continent and the circumstances of their birth, Eamon and Teresa must come together and master legendary magic or be sacrificed as the Age of Kings comes to an end and a dark tyranny of sorcerers begins.

Review:
As you can see from the above plot summary, there is a lot happening within the pages of this book! Taking place in the 14th century, this story spans the breadth of Europe, from Geneva to Ireland.

You can definitely tell that Waid put in a lot of research while writing this book. As you read it, you quickly become immersed within its pages, and it is as if you are living in the year 1380.

Due to this being the first book (of a series/trilogy?) there is a lot of groundwork set. The story is slow-burning, but when it catches fire, hold on!
I have high expectations for the next book and expect each book to get better as the story unfolds.

If you are a fan of Robert Jordan, or a fantasy fan in general, then mark your calendars and check this book out on its release date of June 1st!

Jason