Eleventh Cycle (Mistland Book 1)

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The narration is... I'm sorry. The readers worked hard and you can feel it, but not all effort gets you where you want to be sometimes. There are other issues (so much passive voice worsening the word economy, and Nora's entire narrative is too bad YA high school drama for the setting and story it's trying to be) but they all pale in comparison to this one and I suspect it will make or break this book for the audience. There is a steep learning curve in Eleventh Cycle but it’s well worth the time and effort you put in. You might initially feel a little confused or overwhelmed with the character names, places, lore etc, and I think that’s kind of the point! By the end I am sure I will need a mountain of tissues! So far it's been a few tears, which is very hard to get from me in a book, and I have been assured by my friends whom have read it, that it only gets more emotional from here on out! On the other hand, The Fantastically Underwhelming Epic wonders why the hero of the story always has to be some all-powerful child of prophecy? Why can’t it just be about a clueless, young bard who is simply tryin Kian N. Ardalan was born in Germany, Dusseldorf to Persian parents and has since travelled between so many places that he sees himself as a person of the world; well, with one exception. But this is not some kind of 'trauma porn', there is still light and hope in these books. These characters are inherently flawed but good people. They are fiercely loyal, compassionate, trying to do the right thing to survive their way in this miserable world.

Eleventh Cycle (Mistland, book 1) by Kian N Ardalan

Each character is very distinctive with their own burdens to carry, and all seemingly running from something in their lives. Getting to experience these characters has been an honour so far, and an incredibly emotional experience. I mean Kian has made me cry about three times already!\I'm sure a lot of you have heard of the esteemed Grimdark Magazine in the fantasy community, well recently Eleventh Cycle got a glowing review. I'll post the link and the last few summary lines below

REVIEW: Eleventh Cycle by Kian N. Ardalan - Grimdark Magazine

The story itself begins as fragments told from these multiple perspectives, allowing us to build emotional connections to each of the individual characters before their plot lines eventually intersect. It’s especially rewarding to see how everything comes together in the latter part of the book, as many of the subtle connections become clear. Ardalan also keeps us guessing through a variety of unexpected plot twists. The hanging heads could be seen as depressed and sullen, but I preferred to see it as veneration— to me, the flower heads were bowing to us passing visitors.' Don’t go. I love you. It’s not your fault. The words refused to come as I watched *redacted* storm away.Disclaimer: I am an ARC reader for Kian, I am doing this of my own volition because I am simply adoring this book near 40% in. Inspired by Beserk and the Dark Souls games, you can feel the influences throughout the book – especially in the tone and atmosphere. Minethria is a rich, well developed world with a huge amount of lore that I loved learning more about. I'm setting up a Goodreads group for anyone who is interested in The Children of Gods and Fighting Men and The Gael Song series. On its own it may not move you to tears as it did I, but within its context this was a heartbreaking line that gave us magnificent insight into this character's inner turmoil, this struggle with this hero complex they have thrust themselves into as a distraction from their grief and trauma. With its epic worldbuilding, hauntingly beautiful aesthetic, and well-realized protagonists, Eleventh Cycle is a tour de force of grimdark fantasy and a bold statement from emerging indie author Kian N. Ardalan. The novel takes place in the mist-encircled land of Minethria as the prophesied Eleventh Seed is born. This offspring of the Elder King may, perhaps, serve as savior to the mortal beings of this war-torn land.