Legacy

Rating:
Summary: delightful combining of two 1980s epic fantasies
Review: "The Heir Apparent". The wizard brought role playing college students Karl, Andrea and five other Earthlings through the Gate Between Worlds. Over time Karl became the Emperor and he and his beloved Andrea had a child Jason while the magnificent seven fought against slavery. The dwarves, elves, humans, and the dragon Ellegon mentor Jason until Ahrmin the Master Slaver apparently kills Karl. Living in the shadows of his heroic parents has inadvertently overwhelmed his self esteem and now he failed in his first battle. To prove his worthiness he believes he must kill his dad's enemy.

"The Warrior Lives". With Karl declared officially dead, Jason takes over throne, but has doubts he can come close to matching the legacy of his renowned father. Still he leads the inner circle of warriors and Ellegon to battle the deadly Slavers Guild. However, he learns that an enigmatic message has been placed on the enemy's dead. Could his father be alive as the note states: "The Warrior Lives!" Jason needs to know the truth.

GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME: LEGACY is the delightful combining of two 1980s epic fantasies that hold up quite well and seem to belong together in one longer saga though both tales can stand alone. The book is a coming of age chronicle starring a delightful hero filled with reservation and uncertainty about living up to the legends of his illustrious parents (kind of like the son of Michael Jordan playing basketball). Though similar in many ways to other epic fantasy tales, Legacy is a fabulous reading experience as the next generation struggles with living up to the bar set by his incredible parents.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Terrific
Review: I read these two books when they first came out, years ago. I was both pleased and surprised to find that they were even better.

Rating:
Summary: In his fathers footsteps...
Review: The son of an aging Emperor faces his first battle--and fails. Running scared, he realizes that he cannot return without proving himself, without making something of himself. The one thing he can think to do--something that even HE hasn't been able to do--is killing his father's greatest enemy.

The Heir Apparent carries us through this rite of passage along with Jason, reminding us that its not easy growing up, let alone growing up in the shadow of successful parents. The Warrior Lives takes us along on a search for Jason's now missing father whose shadow is still hanging over the boy. He comes into his own, making sure that the Legacy of his father not only isn't dimmed, but that the Flame burns brighter than ever.

A highly recommended read. Engaging characters and edge-of-your-seat action make it hard to put this one down.