Heroes of Time Legends

May 1, 2023
With full-bellied sail, Kramer’s second book about Captain Zale “the Gale” Murdoch and the crew of the good ship Queenie charts its course for first-rate epic fantasy adventure. The emphasis this time is on the epic, as this sequel—the second in a series—offers more, more, more, doubling the original’s length and bursting with quests, escapes, ancient cities, cock-eyed crew banter, and era-crossing surprises, all without diminishing the original’s breezy charm. The action picks up right where Murdoch’s Choice ended, with Zale having chosen his own unexpected course when faced with an evergreen dilemma for fantasy heroes: what to do with the impossibly powerful artifact many interested parties would kill for? His choice—chuck it into the sea—leads to devastating fallout, as a mysterious “darkfrost” now corrupts Warvonia and its harbor, with many blaming Zale, including much of his own crew.
You don’t have to be a diehard fantasy hound to guess at the solutions to Zale’s troubles: a quest, of course—partially to undo his own act. Again setting Kramer’s appealing series apart is an infectious love of genre expectations and the skill with which he dances around them, at times gently tweaking them. “One does not simply dispose of the Grimstone,” a character says, of the MacGuffin. But Kramer’s spirited sense of fun never undercuts the stakes or the characters, as Zale’s story is always earnest and exciting, even the familiar elements, like the villains’ zeal to bring back an age of shadow.
Kramer imbues that shadow’s rise with evocative, even sumptuous detail, mining fresh possibility from light versus darkness. Zale and his crew—including strong new additions, like the grimkin warrior Enshuzu—again carry the story with buoyant spirit, the occasional chanty, and a welcome vibe of regular folks just doing what needs done, even as elements of destiny and lineages become increasingly prominent. Zale’s daughter Starlina displays exciting new growth, and the monsters, villains, and weird magic thrill.
Takeaway: Buoyant epic fantasy that enlivens the familiar and dares to surprise.
Comparable Titles: Michael J. Sullivan, Sam Sykes.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

July 8, 2024
Kramer delivers a lavish, fast-paced magical quest in this prequel to his Heroes of Time series (after Murdoch’s Choice), exploring the origins of popular character Fulgar Geth, who grows up with his downtrodden working-class parents and a healthy disdain for the oppressive labor system. Fulgar, who possesses healing powers and an inner use of magnetism enabling him to exert control over physical objects, is desperate to improve his family’s life. When his best friend, Binny, receives a talisman rumored to lead its owner to magical powers, the boys vow to channel its gift, reasoning that “it’s not that we want to rule anyone. We just don’t want anyone above us, ruling our destinies.”
Kramer has a talent for writing spirited adventure, fisticuffs, magical encounters, and battle scenes that incorporate a wide cast of diverse characters, all spotlighted in the quest that Fulgar, Binny, and their new friend, Jinx, a young amnesiac shipwreck victim they rescue from slavery, must undertake. As they search for clues to the shrine—black sparkling metal they dub blarkle, a scroll from the underground caverns of a church, the reclusive Order of Aether Diamond cult—they also must dodge the violent bounty hunter Volk Vorovka and a whip-wielding sorcerer, in the process discovering what it really means to work together (and uncovering a spark of romance for Fulgar and Jinx).
The quest puts the entire group at risk, and, as the adventure wears on, Fulgar and Jinx work to jog her memory in hopes of learning who she really is—while Fulgar finds the inner strength to face some of his worst fears. Kramer deftly hits all the right fantasy notes, boosted with copious amounts of verve, betrayal, twists, and bravery against dark foes. Readers will embrace the impressive world building, imaginative magical skills, witticism, and suspense, all combining to make this well-crafted offering a hit for fans of adventure fantasy.
Takeaway: Adventure fantasy finds three opportunists on a quest for magical powers.
Comparable Titles: Elise Kova’s The Golden Guard Trilogy, Michael G. Manning’s Wizard in Exile.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A