Book Review and Giveaway-Antiquitas Lost

Antiquitas Lost

Book 1-The Last of the Shamalans

By Robert Louis Smith

Illustrations By Geof Isherwood

From the Back Cover:

This epic fantasy tells the story of a 15 year old boy named Elliott, a bullied kid with deformities on his hands and feet who is uprooted from his home after his mom falls gravely ill. When they move to New Orleans so his grandfather can help care for her, Elliott learns that the old man's eighteenth century mansion hides an ancient secret. From a dungeon-like basement far beneath the estate, Elliott strays through an ancient doorway into Pangrelor, a tumultuous parallel world full of bizarre creatures and warring races. Unable to return home, he discovers wondrous abilities he never dreamed he possessed, and an abiding connection to the primitive, alien world that will change him forever.

But he must proceed carefully. For he soon learns that his actions in the ancient world will impact the upcoming battle for Harwelden, Pangrelor's mightiest civilization, and will resonate all the way back to New Orleans, perhaps deciding whether his mother lives or dies.

My Thoughts:

I'm not usually a reader of the fantasy genre-only because I lack the imagination it requires to get through a story.

When I was approached to review this book the big seller for me was the illustrations-I liked the fact that this fantasy novel had pictures. When I got it in the mail I was a little surprised by the length of 600 plus pages. But the story included 70 plus pages of black and white art work by the famous comic book illustratorr Geof Isherwood who has worked with Marvel Comics for years.

The story of Elliot grabbed me right away. He is a kid that is struggling with a move to a different city, a mom is is very sick and bully issues. I was on his side immediately as he tried to sort out his sadness and the situation he was in.

After exploring his grandfather's basement Elliott discovers a doorway to a different world called Pangrelor. A world that was very easy for me to picture thanks to the awesome illustrations.  Pangrelor included creatures called greyfarers, serpans gimlets, susquatanians and darfoyles. I easily tell that some characters were inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and well as C.S. Lewis. 

But the story is not carried by Elliott alone. It also tells of a princess desperate to hold together a corrupt and crumbling kingdom, a susquatanian looking for redemption, and a serpan hell bent on revenge.

And then there's Elliott who brings them all together in a battle of the ages as he discovers that he has the powers to make or break a kingdom and possibly a world.

If I had to choose a favorite character from Antiquitas Lost I would have to say Elliott-and here's why. I loved Elliott through out the story simply because he didn't become a hero over night. He came into Pangrelor with fear and doubt. He struggles with the fact that he is a shamalan and what his role is suppose to be in this new, strange world. In a battle faced with roaring, fire breathing monsters and serpans welding deadly weapons-Elliott runs. I loved that about him!! 

Elliott does grow and mature through out the story but it's not at a break neck speed. As the story came to an end I found that I didn't want to say goodbye to Elliott or this amazing new world called Pangrelor. I really enjoyed Antiquitas Lost and look forward to more written by Robert Louis Smith.

This book was sent to me by FSB Associates for an honest review.

This book is now going to be used as a giveaway prize and sent to one lucky Mug of Moxie follower.

***To enter this GIVEAWAY-

Please leave your follower name and contact information.

This contest is international.

You must be 13 years old to enter.

Winner will be drawn by random.org

Contest runs from today Feb.2 thru Feb. 20

Good Luck!!