review 1: This is the story of a middle aged man named Alastair who is haunted by his past as an assassin for the evil King Morlan. But new hope arises as he spots the sword in the stars: a sign that the coming savior, the halfanin, has arrived. But will Alastair find the halfanin before it is too late?This tale by author Wayne Thomas Batson is one of the most touching I have ever read. He really gets you 'in touch' with all of the cast, while keeping you interested with an action-packed and suspense filled plot.I would recommend this book to anyone twelve and older. It is violent, so some scenes may disturb younger readers. But for any teen, young adult or adult, this novel is everything you could want in an ornate fantasy. review 2: Mystery abounds in Wayne Thomas Bats... moreon’s epic start to the Dark Sea Annals. Alastair Coldhollow is waiting for a sign . . . the fabled aligning of the stars into the shape of a sword, signaling the coming of the Halfainin. He’s also battling an addiction to “the black”, also known as Witchdrale. But in spite of his flaws and his past, Alastair is a hero. From this beginning, Mr. Batson takes us on an amazing journey through the forests and cities of Myriad, following Alastair, his friend Abbagael, a child entrusted to Alastair. Along the way, there is action. There is danger. There is conflict between good and evil, a splash of romance, and a good premise. This book has it all! If you enjoy fantasy, you don’t want to miss this one. It will be worth both your time and your money . . . and you’ll definitely want to move on to the second! less
