Fantasy readers should be familiar with the term “Tolkienesque”. Like it or not, J.R.R. Tolkien’s little trilogy about a ring will be the 800-pound gorilla of the fantasy genre for many years to come. Mel Odom does not hide his admiration for Middle Earth or its short, big-footed characters. In fact, he has created his own world that is so similar the Tolkein estate might consider litigation against Odom and his furry “halfers”.
The Quest for the Trilogy is a continuation of Odom’s Alex Award-winning novel The Rover. The book is the simple tale of good versus evil in a land of “ancient threats” and “secret journals.”
The story revolves around the new Grandmagister, Jugh. He is a halfer not entirely unlike a hobbit, and his journey is to rid the world of “Kharrion’s Wrath,” the ancient threat that will put the entire world in grave danger.
Odom’s style focuses on quick dialogue that propels the story forward quickly. The action and pace helps the 1,000-plus-page book move swiftly and keeps the reader engaged. Odom’s characters are likeable and face the grand kinds of terrifying evil: the basic elements of a successful fantasy story.
The Quest for the Trilogy is the successful continuation of Odom’s own world. With his own mythology, it is safe to assume stories of Juhg and his kind will continue to please Odom’s fans in the future. This addition to bring three times the action and three times the adventure as three different, but connected, quests round out the trilogy. A good value.