the Seventh Friend by Tim Stead

 

The Seventh Friend by Tim Stead is an Epic Fantasy of phenomenal proportions. It is a complicated tale encompassing a whole continent. Four hundred years before the Seth Yarra came to the shores of Terras. The religious fanatics tried to convert the people of Terras by sword but did not make it further than Afael. They met with the fury and vengeance of Wolf Narak, the Wolf god, one of the Benetheon created by Pelion to look after the continent of Terras and its surrounding seas. Now, the Seth Yarra have returned and has a different tactic. As traitors show their colors and friends are lost, Narak attempts to thwart the Seth Yarra invaders. The most unlikely heroes arise and come together at the gate on the Green Road between  Telas and Berash, the gateway to the rest of Terras. In this first book of the Sparrow and Wolf series, we meet the core characters and the battle for the gate against staggering odds.

 

Tim Stead has written a tome of a fantasy novel, an epic story with charismatic and flawed characters. The novel takes a hard look at human relationships, honor and loyalty. The topic of redemption is clear from the novel's beginning until the end. Most of the main characters feel they need to prove themselves either because of their physical shortcomings or circumstances created by their families. The novel delves into what motivates men and women and the personal growth gained from making and correcting mistakes. The novel is serious, fast-paced, and written in beautiful language, bringing Terras and its champions to life. From running through the woods with Narak to facing the attackers on the Green Road, the reader is taken on a journey where you can almost touch and smell the surroundings. The world-building is excellent, and the characters carry a story of intrigue and mystery.