Review: Heirs of Nimeya (Conquerors of Nimeya Book 2) by Kelvin S. Douglas

In Heirs of Nimeya, Book 2 in the Conquerors of Nimeya series by Kelvin S. Douglas, readers are welcomed into a fantasy universe, but there are strange parallels between this fictional land and the world we know, adding a fascinating layer of reality to this work of fantasy fiction.

Captain Duncan Shay is the focal point around which this story spins, and despite being a ship’s captain that must often bend the rules – or break them entirely – to keep his crew happy and fed, he is ultimately a good man and a hard worker. His normalcy is what makes him such a compelling protagonist; he is an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary situation to defend his freedom and protect those he cares about. When a world war brews on the horizon, Captain Shay knows that this is not the time to sit on the sidelines, and he takes the fight to the man responsible, the same vicious man who once employed him.

Wrapped around this swashbuckling tale of war and personal revolution are peripheral scenes and characters that support the general storyline – a generation-defining conflict that will pit many different sides and motivations against one another. The specificity of the characters, and their varied demographic origins, lends this book a surprising level of philosophical depth. By having the perspectives of so many different groups – from the wealthy and powerful to the lowly and oft-forgotten – the shape of this world begins to come into focus, and it is surprisingly recognizable.

Vaguely based on the historical events surrounding the transition from post-Civil War America to the advent of the First World War, this novel is a clever and consciously written tale that exposes some of the most universal themes in human nature – the desire to be respected, the chance to live a life free of oppression, and self-reflection on the choices we make that define who we are. A potent mix of fantasy and historical fiction, these themes are artfully discussed, making the novel entertaining and enlightening, though subtle enough that the historical themes don’t overwhelm the fantasy story, which is the main driving force of the narrative.

Technically speaking, the book could use some improvement, particularly in the flow of language and the pacing of scenes. Some of the action feels subverted by a rushed end to a chapter, or the feeling of an interaction not being fully explored in its impact or significance within the plot. Certain sections are patiently conveyed and vivid in their descriptions, while others feel short-changed, as though the author didn’t think of it as important, and thus left it unpolished. Some of the narration is a bit too on the nose as well, filling in too many details and leading the reader, as it is important to give readers enough credit to put the pieces together themselves.

Generally, however, Heirs of Nimeya is a complex and fascinating story that pits historical fact against fictional creation, making for an unpredictable and enjoyable ride, and a unique work of fantasy.