The Birth of Damnation

The only hope for Anara, a world crumbling to devastation, lies in master, his apprentice, and the mysteriously powerful and illegal ancient relics they collect. A secret relic with great power has been hidden for centuries, and as Raffi and Galen search for it, they will be hunted, spied on, and tested beyond their limits. For there are monsters – some human, some not – that also want the relic’s power and will stop at nothing to get it.

AUTHOR: CATHERINE FISHER

Catherine Fisher is the critically-acclaimed poet and novelist of many genre-busting books for young people, including the New York Times bestselling Incarceron and Sapphique. These have been named Best Books of the Year by The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly to name just a few. Ms. Fisher was called “one of today’s best fantasy writers” by the London Independent. She lives in Wales.

1. Once the full unappetizing effects of eating the same dish manifest, a slice of citrus fruit or a spoonful of luscious chocolate dessert will do the trick. Reading the same genre is like dining on the same dish for a whole week, digestible but not desirable. The ennui is a killer but one undergoes such practice sometimes because of convenience and nothing else. I have been on a serious reading binge (as in political stuff) for some time and felt the need for a total break. Something magical shall do the trick. Enter: the Relic Master.
2. It is not difficult to see the charm of the Relic Master series: the promise of the powerful ancient relics, the battle of ideas of authorities at odds, the improbable quest of three disparate characters and the secrets a once proud kingdom holds. You look at the cover and see an iron mask. You learn more about the succeeding series and see a grail and it is a matter of time before falling for the proverbial hook-line-and sinker.
3. Galen, the referenced relic master, endured a most drastic transformation – from impotent to potent – in a span of three-hundred plus pages. His apprentice Raffi, performed most of the magic but not much has been discussed about his past. Succeeding chapters might furnish us the needed facts. Their other companion, Carys, activated the narrative as a consequence because of the nature of her character. If she is not part of the quest, then it would have been nothing but a stale pursuit of a master and his apprentice for some – I guess – important ancient relics.
4. I hope to learn more about the relics. There. I said it. The biggest problem I encountered concerns not understanding enough about the damn relics.
5. Did I read the first instalment of the Relic Master too fast and missed something in the process? I just did not connect with it at all. I hope it is a simple case of failing to notice the good stuff and not the absence of the goods because am still going to complete the series.