Book Review: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr

This is an exciting story filled with action, political and church struggles and even some young love.

The Hero's Lot
by Patrick W. Carr

• File Size: 928 KB
• Print Length: 449 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0764210440
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2013)

Genre: Fantasy Adventure, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2013
Riveting Sequel from Christian Fantasy's Most Talented New Voice
When Sarin Valon, the corrupt secondus of the conclave, flees Erinon and the kingdom, Errol Stone believes his troubles have at last ended. But other forces bent on the destruction of the kingdom remain and conspire to accuse Errol and his friends of a conspiracy to usurp the throne.

In a bid to keep the three of them from the axe, Archbenefice Canon sends Martin and Luis to Errol's home village, Callowford, to discover what makes him so important to the kingdom. But Errol is also accused of consorting with spirits. Convicted, his punishment is a journey to the enemy kingdom of Merakh, where he must find Sarin Valon, and kill him. To enforce their sentence, Errol is placed under a compulsion, and he is driven to accomplish his task or die resisting.

Review:
Errol has gone from being a drunken, obscure peasant to a famous hero and elevated to an earldom in the kingdom of Illustra. He is a rare omne and reader who can cast lots to determine important decisions. He is unaware of his importance to the kingdom, is caught up in a web of events that he doesn’t comprehend and has become a target for many enemies. On top of the political and church manipulations controlling Errol, he and the Princess Adora have developed a mutual affection that would seem impossible to hold any future.

Errol is accused by one man in the conclave of the Judicia, the Church authority, of having consorted with herbwoman, whom many view as witches or whores. Errol was healed with the help of such women so there is no way that he can deny the charges. The head of the church, the Archbenefice, knows this but plans to control the sentencing to protect Errol as a second, more serious charge of treason will be delayed until the first sentence is served. Errol is not guilty of treason but he has knowledge that would reveal actions of other friends and leaders who must be protected. Thus Errol has become a pawn between faithful, if misguided, church leaders and kingdom guard who seek to protect the balance of the people from the power hungry Weir family and their allies who would abuse through control of the throne and the church.

Unfortunately the Duke of Weir, the second accuser, manages to get Errol sentenced to a mission to seek out and kill the feared, fallen church leader, Sarin Valon, who has joined with the enemies in the kingdom of Merakh. It is clearly intended as a death sentence and a compulsion is placed on Errol to enforce his obedience.

Errol at least gets to pick his own team but his best friends, Benefice Martin, his aide, Luis, and Errol’s fighting trainer, Cruk, have left on an undisclosed trip of their own. He then picks an unexpected group: his mentor, Rale, who is a warrior retired to farming; Naaman Ru, a caravan guide who once kidnapped and threatened to kill Errol, and an elderly, defrocked priest. Their journey will be fraught with assassin attempts as the enemy has created a ring of readers who can determine where Errol is and communicate the information through the circle. The danger increases when Princess Adora sneaks away from the kingdom to join Errol on the deadly quest.

Meanwhile Martin, Luis and Cruk have come across another strange man of Deas, Karele, who has shown that Aurae, the spirit of Deas (God) will speak directly to men.  Karele, with the help of Aurae, can counteract the reader and their art of drawing lots. This team too faces perils as they change their course to find Errol and help in his task.

This book is epic and engaging. It alternates between the two groups as they forge through their dangers until they are brought together and face the enemy. I was uncertain at first at the church practice of deciding lots so I was glad when Karele made it clear that the practice was not needed in seeking the will of Deas.

The story is full of danger, action, betrayal, demon possession, friendship, love and faith. There is insanity, wisdom and good suspense. The plot is deep and well developed with some surprising twists. I was pulled into becoming invested in the well being of the characters. I have not read the first book and, although I was fully engaged jumping into the middle of the series, I recommend starting with book one so you have the complete character history, especially for Errol and his friends. I will certainly want to read the next book to see what happens.

A statement I loved said to Errol: “Do not confuse those who vie for power with those who work for good.” (Location 5409.)

I received this for an honest review as part of BookBlast tour.
Don't miss out on the two Giveaways: 

BookBlast Giveaway: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr $50.00 GC/PP. Ends 8/11/13.
BookBlast Blog Tour Giveaway: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr $25.00 GC/PP.  Ends 8/11/13.