Title: Archons: The Foundling
Author: S.R. Herman
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781514468289
Pages: 378
Genre: Fiction/Action & Adventure
Reviewed by: Anita Lock
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“Where do the Gadiael come from, and why do they hate us Keepers so much?” Simmie audaciously poses a forbidden question to the only person who will give her an honest answer, her father Sable, Master Shade of the Keepers. This feud between the Gadiael and Keepers is an underlying theme in S.R. Herman’s fantasy novel titled Archons: The Foundling.
Simmie learns from Sable the stunning truth that the Gadiael and the Keepers, two immortal races, were once mortals who descended from Adam and Eve’s son Nod. But that is just a mere beginning to the vast amount of information necessary to properly answer Simmie’s query about the two opposing groups. As Sable carefully unfolds related history, one vital account includes Simmie’s roots, which goes back to 1943—a time when America is at the cusp of sending troops to fight against Hitler’s army.
Soon after attacking a vicious Gadiael Warrior, Hutch—a young Master Shade— discovers a human baby girl in a trash receptacle. Hutch would have never considered looking in that direction if it wasn’t for an angel who lures him to take a peek in the refuse. Realizing that the baby is near death, Hutch takes pity on the newborn and transforms her into an immortal. Hutch returns home to his wife Jasmine with the altered infant. While the couple is thrilled to adopt the little one, they are loath to reporting the incident to the Keeper Council for fear of disapproval. Amid their consternation, Hutch and Jasmine are unaware that their little girl is the target of sinister plans.
S.R. Herman creates a whole new realm in Archons: The Foundling. Set “deep in the Ozark Mountains” within the Mark Twain National Forest and composed of religious and mythological figures with El Shaddai at the center, Herman’s unique narrative includes a well-defined cast of mortals and immortals (i.e., angels, demons, wraiths, pixies, vampires, and werewolves) whose personas range from deeply benevolent to darkly nefarious.
The first book in the saga of the Keepers versus the Gadiael, Herman’s storyline is a necessary balance of heavier background information and limited dialogue, considering that he is introducing his audience to a modified yet new realm. Although largely replete with familiar beings, the world Herman produced has its own nuances—a key feature in his story development—that can be found throughout every aspect of his narrative. Good examples include rules, warfare training, and how age is measured
Yet amid the modifications and nuances, S.R. Herman breaks up the monotony of hefty background information with refined storytelling and builds tension between characters while allowing the audience to see human frailty amid supposed supreme beings. S.R. Herman weaves the above-mentioned literary elements into cliffhanging chapters that both alternate between the main characters while running concurrent to the storyline. This good-versus-evil themed series is certain to grab the attention of fantasy enthusiasts.
