Title: Adam Tideborne and the Greatsword of War
Series: Adam Tideborne
Author: Joshua Stevens-Shachar
Publisher: self-published
ISBN: 979-8336333145
Adam can’t wait to escape the gray and barren landscape of earth to Elysium where he’s heard the world is filled with wild colors, flowers, trees, and grass, and animals that haven’t existed on earth since the endless wars. His life has been a diet of tablets rather than real food, and high school learning about the Great War. The portal to Elysium is opening and Adam plans to join his best friend Kaya as two of the first people to cross the portal that only opens once a year for a brief time. Adam almost misses his chance when two school bullies attempt to murder him.
Thanks to the rapid healing of “nanobees,” Adam heals from his massive injuries and runs to the portal, but makes it just as the gate is closing. Fortunately, a disciple and warrior named Gerard, owner of the Greatsword and most victorious warrior of all, has been tasked with accompanying new members to Elysium. He recognizes that Adam is the son of great warriors who died to establish this wondrous place and Gerard secretly escorts Adam to the other side.
Once there, Adam discovers Kaya has also made it through and the two are paired with Amelia, a bookish leader-wannabe, and Iosefka, a runaway from a religious family. The four are expected to learn magic and weaponry so that they can continue to protect Elysium from Ascenionists, creatures, monsters, and more. They convince Gerard to be their mentor.
Initially Adam and Amelia confront each other in efforts to establish leadership. Although Adam doesn’t want to lead, he doesn’t want anyone to lead him. Amelia only wants to lead and her insatiable need weakens the team in its first challenge. But Iosefka’s praying also slows them down in battle, and Kaya’s inability to decide what he’s good at plays into unlikely success for the team. The frustrated Disciples serving as the team’s mentors continue to try to help the team recognize that each has a useful strength. By working together, this team can lead and protect Elysium.
The worldbuilding in this young adult fantasy novel is considerable and thorough. The characters are likeable and provide engaging dialogue and contentious moments as they navigate to build newfound friendships while building warrior skills. The need to protect Elysium is convincing and the drama keeps readers reading. Although this novel was extremely long and the focus seemed to be on learning to work together to become a team rather than any larger conflict, its strengths lie in the friendship building between the characters and the need to protect Elysium, all part of creating this world for the conflicts that will emerge in the second book in the series.
Reviewed by Ann Angel
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