In many ways, author K. Scott Lewis’s MYTH AND INCARNATION is an ode to the underdog. Aaron, the paladin begins the novel with the mission to find the three so-called potentials and discover who among them is the prophesized Champion. According to legend only the Champion will be able to slay the Black Dragon and prevent the world from falling into darkness. He first finds Kaldor, a young wizard with so much raw talent that he was expelled because those above him viewed him as a threat. Together they encounter Sidhna, an elf essentially exiled from her people, searching for something impressive enough to make them all overlook the fact that she practices witchcraft. The third to join them is Valkrage, another elf whose people have cast him out to the human world as a “Watcher” after he was recognized as a homosexual and therefore lost his value to high elf culture. The trio faces pirates, magic, love triangles, grief, religion and all manner of other dangers and thrills as they prepare themselves both mentally and magically for the battles ahead.
In MYTH AND INCARNATION Lewis has created an incredibly rich world. He has made room not only for a grand number of species, but also a deep culture for each species and subdivision. Even the cultures of the lesser characters are explained and their habits detailed. For some readers this may come across as a bit too much, or feel like it takes away from the overall plot. For others however, this will no doubt serve as an amazing Tolkien-esque fantasy. The elfish, or sidhe culture in particular is fascinating, from how an elf will not be able to love anyone until they come of age (which takes far longer in elf-years than human) and how once an elf falls in love it is permanent and obsessive, to the way in which Sidhna needed to hide her witchcraft for fear of dishonorable banishment.
The theory and theology behind the plot of MYTH AND INCARNATION is not for the faint of heart or the casual reader. The novel raises intense questions about destiny and personal choice as well as what one is willing to sacrifice in order to preserve society and loved ones. At times it feels as though the novel could easily have been split into multiple volumes in order to spend more time on clarification. As it stands now the way Lewis plays with the concepts of souls, dragons and gods is fascinating and incredibly deep.
MYTH AND INCARNATION is an incredible fantasy story. Reminiscent of Game of Thrones with its many characters and story arcs, this is not a story to be taken lightly or skimmed through.
~IndieReader.