Cloak of Magic (Shaihen Heritage Book 1) by S.A. Rule

A review by Trevor Rowe

In Cloak of Magic, S A Rule takes the reader on an enthralling journey to far off places in a time long ago, when dragons roamed the earth and unicorns were still to be found. The world of fantasy would not normally be my choice for a good read but I was very pleasantly surprised that the more I read of this tale the more I began to change my mind. Perhaps because Cloak of Magic does not stray into the bizarre and really unbelievable, but borders on the credible, and only required a tiny stretch of my imagination.

This fascinating journey into the dark ages of history in mythical lands has turned my opinion around about books in the fantasy genre. I almost believe that dragons and unicorns really existed!

The lives of the principal characters, Kierce, the Horse Master of Arhaios, and Caras, the heir to the Chief of Arhaios and Oreath are interlinked throughout the book, not always harmoniously, to bind the people of Shaihen in resisting overthrow by the Empire of the Sacred Union. Their relationships with one another and with the other characters, family, friends and enemies, are cleverly constructed, as is the whole storyline. I found that I had to resist the temptation to read the book right through in one sitting.

Throughout, the author displays excellent descriptive powers, particularly of battle scenes, human relationships and personal conflicts between the use and misuse of power; physical, magical and governmental and, although set in a fantasy environment, many of the intriguing personal and political relationships are very relevant in today's real world.

The conclusion of Cloak of Magic left wanting me to know more. What happens next was on my mind? However, that is not a criticism; far from it as I know that there is a sequel in the pipeline. I shall certainly want to read it and I commend you to do so too - after you have read and enjoyed Cloak of Magic.