First Review of The Call of Agon

The first review of my debut epic fantasy novel The Call of Agon is in:

The hurdle that every writer of fantasy fiction must face is that of being compared with the master of the genre – J.R.R. Tolkien. As soon as wizardry, dark forces or a pedigree of ancestors is detected, a disparaging cry will go up from some quarter. Dean F. Wilson need have no anxieties on this score. At no point in his first novel, ‘The Call of Agon’, must we endure hearing about some mediocre Middle Earth. This is an original, gripping saga with, above all, deep insights into human motives and desires. Warriors – like the battle-scarred Herr’Don – contrast tellingly with characters who are not born to combat, like the poet Yavun. [Ifferon] is by far the most enigmatic figure, and it would not be fair to reveal too much of his pivotal role in the tale.

An air of fear often dominates the story, and Wilson depicts this debilitating emotion masterfully. The Shadowspirits drive men to madness, and they are never far away. But this is not a depressing tale, love that once shone in the Past is rekindled, faith is transformed into hope through courage. Lyrical songs are dispersed throughout the text and serve to lighten the mood. When magic appears, it is introduced subtly and unexpectedly, thus it is all the more marvellous

‘The Call of Agon’ tells us that dreams and reality are interchangeable, if not inseparable. The major riddle of the tale, ‘In whose veins does the sacred blood run?’ is answered, partly with scholarly reasoning, but mostly through the logic of its own myths. Even in the midst of battle – scenes described with a skilful and dispassionate touch – profound moral questions always remain. The most powerful symbol appears at the conclusion of the tale, most fitting as the excitement does not let up until the final page…and this is only Book One!

— Gordon Strong, author and speaker.