Changes

Once we get to know the protagonists we find ourselves plumping for both sides. Our initial loyalties are with the mercenaries and it's actually Gant, one of the Twenty who is the easiest voice to identify due to his distinctive dialect. However , I have a soft spot for Kailen himself, a man worthy of his reputation. Wily, incredibly innovative and fearless, fighting has been his life and now he's looking forward to retirement with his wife and fellow fighter Araliah.

On the other side , we grow to like Galathia, a future ruler whom the demise of the Twenty can only assist. Through her eyes we witness some particularly agonising forms of torture but war is a great leveller and Galathia has her own problems.

Some fantasy attributes are familiar, for instance the delicious suspense of realising that everyone's life is tipping precariously so we can't guess fates. Yet it's that hint of brave originality that will entice many, including gamers. Indeed from the crashing initial chapters through the gore and shocks, to the quieter back stories backstories and that final, well sewn up ending, Adrian has produced a bridge between the console and the novel that may well have a feature film in it somewhere too.