Acacia

Author: David Anthony Durham
Published: 2007

The Akaran line has ruled Acacia for 22 generations. The Mein, banished to the northern wastes for just as long, are poised to attack. On the eve of destruction, the Akaran king disperses his children to the four winds and, he hopes, to safety.

Thus begins Acacia, Anthony's fourth novel, but first fantasy. The volume is book one of I would think and hope at least three. The second is due out this month I believe. At nearly 600 pages, Acacia is certainly a commitment. There were times when I was impatient and scanned paragraphs here and there. It was worth the effort to get to the end.

One concern I have with epics is too many loose threads and cliffhangers. While there are hints of future conflicts, most threads in this tapestry are tied off by the end.

Another concern is a predictable story arc. About three quarters of the way through, I was struck by the similarities with Dune: a noble family displaced from power, an heir who transforms himself into a desert messiah, and man-to-man battle with the arch-enemy. Anthony throws in some wicked curves to strike out my pre-conceptions, leading to a very interesting and satisfying ending.