Description
Seventeen-year-old Will escapes from prison six years after his false conviction for murder. Found by a knight who lets Will serve as a squire, Will takes the knight’s mercy and follows him to war. He’ll protect against infidels, proving to the kingdom he’s not the monster they assume he is, and be seen kindly again.
As a child, when he burned a souk, Ahmed was terrified. Now sixteen, Ahmed is confident he’s improved. Seeking to become grand vizier and bring prestige to his family is everything he thought he wanted. The sultan’s test remains: bring an enemy to the capital. He heads to war believing that an enemy’s capture is a small price for the sultan’s blessing. They’re dangerous anyway.
Gems of powerful magic bring them together as kingdom and sultanate ravage each other over ignorance and religious zeal, nearing collapse. They’re mortal enemies, their monarchs say, but when Will and Ahmed meet amid fear and mistrust they learn to like each other. Their actions no longer seem right and their gems show a resolution. But who are two boys to effect change when those more likely have failed?
"In Dawn of Unity, author Nitish Sharma underscores the shared humanity of these two main characters. Will's desire for exoneration and Ahmed's thirst for knowledge and prestige provide a relatable framework for readers to empathize with. Ultimately, the tale of Will and Ahmed serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in a fantasy world, and in the face of adversity. The writing is clean and as well as the clearly-developed arcs of Will and Ahmed, others are equally compelling. For a first step in an ambitious series, Sharma's skill as a storyteller is solid."
"A dramatic fantasy novel driven by strong characters and a complex system of governance and religion. Will's story arc is deliberately paced and emotional, a journey that takes him from abandonment and disillusionment to personal agency and a clear path to redemption. A robust novel featuring a heady blend of something akin to medieval steampunk and magical fantasy, joined together to build a unique world where you're sure to be awed. Classic themes are given a new lease on life in Dawn of Unity."
"It's hard to go justice to a book like this in just a paragraph, so I'll make it short. The story is riveting and imaginative, with loveable characters you can't help but root for. Written by a talented writer with an intricate and gorgeous world in mind, this is what fantasy is all about. It's the kind of novel that sticks with you long after you're finished reading it."
