Review: Truth Unearthed: Book One of A False Dawn (The Tales of Lugon) by Eric Sparks

The first book in the A False Dawn (The Tales of Lugon) saga, Truth Unearthed touches on plenty of classic themes from some of the most beloved high fantasy series of the past, but also offers new angles and fresh characters that will entice fans of the genre.

When an unlikely young hero, Arun, has his life catapulted from serfdom into the world of the elites in Dawn – the fantasy land where this saga unfolds – he has no idea where his destiny will lead. Vera, the elf who sets the events of this story in motion, believes that he could be the warrior to free her people and defeat their greatest foe. However, before he can achieve such lofty goals, as always seems to be the case in fantasy epics, Arun must go through any number of trials and tribulations.

This begins with his elevation to the Court, due to his Gifts. It is there that he befriends Baran, a highborn with even higher ambitions in life, but their unlikely connection forms a critical element of the story, and this brotherly link delivers many of the more memorable and heartfelt moments of the book. The two young adventurers soon set off into the world, inhabited by the traditional races of high fantasy, to uncover their tightly wound destinies and overcome the countless challenges of nascent legends.

The Son of Balech is the overarching enemy in this series, at first glance, but the sides of this world-spanning battle are far from clear. This nebulous nature of good and evil is what carries the novel, as readers aren’t shown/told precisely who to root for. There are complicated allegiances on both sides, and hidden motivations that are only slowly revealed. Athaz is one such character, coerced against his will to become a Warden, while Arun and Baran similarly wrestle with their own notions of loyalty. The seemingly impossible task of dethroning the Emperor falls into their hands, and readers are sure to enjoy their slow-burn evolution into hardened heroes.

The execution of this story does stumble at times, particularly when it comes to an excess of exposition in the first half of the book, where readers are veritably deluged with information and backstory about Dawn, the various races, positions of power, historical alliances and enough mythos to outdo Tolkien. Unfortunately, this detail-oriented style often leaves the characters a bit flat, and with the exception of the friendship between Barun and Aran, there is not enough attention paid to ensuring that these figures are relatable and sympathetic. Given that this is the first book in what could potentially be an expansive saga, perhaps Sparks will dive further into the personalities of the players, but some of the character profiles presently come across as formulaic.

Additionally, the dialogue seems to be used begrudgingly, relying mostly on narration, which affects the flow of the story. The action scenes are vivid and well executed, but the overall pace of the novel is sluggish, as there is too much information to be contained in a mere 300 pages. There is a great amount of creativity on display, and the story itself is unique, but Sparks would do well to make sure his readers fall in love with the characters inhabiting this world, rather than focusing so strongly on the world itself. World building is no doubt paramount for a work of high fantasy, but it needs to be more seamlessly woven into the story.

These criticisms aside, Truth Unearthed offers a unique and expansive new fantasy world, which lays a rich foundation for further books in the series.