The Last Sacrifice

The Tides of War

By: James A. Moore

Narrated by: Adam Sims

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Since time began, the Grakhul, immortal servants of the gods who choose who lives and who dies when it comes time to make sacrifices to their deities, have been seeking to keep the world in balance and the gods appeased. When they take the family of Brogan McTyre to offer as sacrifice, everything changes. Brogan heads off on a quest to save his family from the Grakhul. The decision this time is costlier than they expected, leading to Brogan and his kin being hunted as criminals and the gods seeking to punish those who've defied them.

©2017 James A. Moore (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Easy Access Fantasy

I like to try a new author every so often so when Audible trailed James A Moore's latest fantasy offering I chose him.  He's a versatile author who has written across multiple genres including horror, fantasy, action adventure and apparently even political.  All this having started writing for Marvel comics.  That's a background that has to elicit at least a little curiosity. What kind of fantasy is going to emerge from all of that?

In the end I think that most of those influences can be seen in "The Last Sacrifice", certainly the characters do have a certain comic book lustre to them and for the most part the story moves along at a brisk pace.  In fact we are barely introduced to the lead protagonist before his world is shaken apart. 

The narration by Adam Sims has a suitably hammy air and all in all I found it fairly entertaining.  It probably doesn't need to be said at this point but if you are looking for the next Rothfuss, Sanderson or Abercrombie you aren't going to find him here.  The world is actually well-painted in very efficient fashion but the magic system and the powers of supernatural beings seem to rely on being mysterious rather than showing any attempt at logic or consistency. 

There is plenty of action though and despite their rather random uses of their powers and susceptibility in combat the "Undying" are an interesting concept that it will be interesting to see develop.  There are elements of horror and the fighting is both bloody and frequent. 

In summary this does have a quasi-comic book appeal to it and I felt quite entertained listening to it.  If you are happy to take it on its own terms you'll likely enjoy it too.