The Scales of Balance
A Vengeful Realm, Book One
by
Tim Facciola
Audiobook narrated by Landon Soelberg
Epic Fantasy
Publisher: First Torch Books
Publication Date: October 24, 2023
Listening Length: 16 hours, 6 minutes
SYNOPSIS:
Peace bought by blood seldom lasts, for vengeance knows no end. The same is
true for mortals and gods alike. Decades, centuries, and even eras may pass,
but the cycle remains. As war and revolution rise again, Zephyrus finds
himself at the center of it all. Chosen by the gods, hailed as a prophet of
liberation, and forged as a weapon to break the kingdom and restore balance
to the realm, hope rests squarely on his shoulders.
If only he could remember....
Enslaved as a gladiator and thrust into a prince’s game of espionage,
Zephyrus has only two clues to help unlock his shattered past: a prophecy
foretelling destruction, and a letter to the enemy king, promising peace.
Now Zephyrus must survive the dangers of the gladiatorial arena, the cunning
fury of the prince’s enemies, and the gods’ torment if he is to
find the truth of his identity and fulfill his fate. But to have any hope of
breaking the cycle, first he must secure his freedom—and not just from
his slavers.
Within this vengeful realm, a queen protecting her kingdom, a prince
defending his father, and a gladiator slave haunted by a prophecy each
contend for their own brand of freedom. But the gods have an agenda of their
own, and they'll use any vessel—patrician, plebeian, or slave—to
see it done.
The scales must be balanced. By peace. Or by blood.
Praise for THE SCALES OF BALANCE:
"Arena-set action sequences shine ... but even more impressive is the constant political maneuvering, as characters mingle with enemies while plotting against them. There is, of course, plenty of mystery, and Facciola amps up excitement with signs of magic, appearances from gods, and betrayals."
— Kirkus Reviews
"A captivating fantasy with strong characters and even stronger combat scenes ... It is difficult to overstate the storytelling prowess of author Tim Facciola."
— Independent Book Review
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REVIEW:
4 stars!
A great audiobook performance of THE SCALES OF BALANCE, the
first book in the epic A VENGEFUL REALM, a world reminiscent of ancient Rome.
The Scales of Balance is author Tim Faccioli’s first novel in his epic fantasy series, A Vengeful Realm, a story set in a world similar to ancient Rome. The author sets a high bar for himself with an intrigue-laden plot, complex and competing religious systems of deities, and characters with redeeming qualities and principles on both sides of a political conflict.
With several sympathetic main characters from both sides of
the plot’s conflict, I was torn over who I wanted to root for; there were compelling
reasons for the differing points of view. However, Zephyrus, the enslaved gladiator,
with his loss of memory and desire to always follow his deeply ingrained internal
moral compass, was a clear favorite. It was interesting to watch as he pursued
his goal to end slavery, an institution propping up much of the elite’s way of
life. The naturally mixed results of his efforts to change the opinions of free
citizens and enslaved are fascinating, with opponents, even among the other gladiators,
wanting to maintain the status quo. He does meet with at least one success, revealed
in a great plot twist.
Most of the conflict concerns the differences in the religions
of the people in power and those who have been conquered. There are gods, judges,
and the second comings of three figures, the Prophets of the Return – the Wielder, the
Harbinger, and the Herald. I had difficulty sorting the two religious systems
out and was left feeling unclear about their mythology. The story is intricate
and filled with political intrigue. Some characters keep their true
affiliations hidden, so there are traitors and turncoats among the family groupings,
leading to additional plot twists when these are finally revealed.
I enjoyed the camaraderie of the gladiators in the ludus,
even with the internal conflicts and jockeying for supremacy in the arena. The fight
sequences are vivid, fast-paced, and brutal, and the author does a great job choreographing
the action. These scenes were visceral, invoking all the sights, smells, and
rushes of adrenaline possible, and I had no trouble visualizing what was going
on at all.
The narrator of the work for the audiobook is Landon Soelberg,
and I was so happy with how he voiced the different characters, both male and
female, altering pitch or accent. I sometimes forgot I was listening to one single
individual reading rather than several. The production quality is great, easy
to hear, and well-paced.
I recommend THE SCALES OF BALANCE to readers who enjoy epic
fantasy stories that are complex and filled with heroes and villains, magic,
and swordplay.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
When Tim isn’t writing epic fantasy, he can often be found in his
garage-gym or in the mountains where he lives. A virtual fitness
professional by trade, he integrates his creative passions into movement,
training with maces, clubs, staves, and swords to unlock his inner
gladiator. More than writing, reading, gaming, playing music, hiking, and
paddle-boarding, Tim loves story. If he’s not working on his own
story, he’s helping others develop theirs as an author coach. Living
in Arizona with his wife, Colleen, Tim continues writing epic fantasy novels
while exploring different storytelling mediums so he can inspire others to
hope. To live. And to believe.
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