HALF A LION offers plenty of violence, but none of the sex that is so frequently a staple of the genre. Sharpened steel flashes and nocked arrows fly as the jungle tribes battle for supremacy, while the lush setting and exotic beasts give HALF A LION a unique footprint in the sword and sorcery genre. The novel is at its best when tribal code butts up against personal honor and warriors face moral conflict, themes first pondered by the ancient Greek playwrights, but Oswald’s characters could use a touch more humanity. Military clashes and tactical attacks comprise a good portion of this novel. The author has a great knack for crafting compelling action sequences. Oswald’s fantasy world includes some unique elements - like war elephants and wildebeest riders - combined with traditional heroic tropes. Oswald’s HALF A LION is the story of clashing tribes in ancient Africa. Exiled with his ailing and falsely disrespected mother, Sakhan survives enemy capture, slays the fabled and feared Cirrian wolf, and becomes a leader in his own right. But it’s their half-brother, Sakhan, who shows he has the heart to lead the Lion tribe. King Kheng is dead - likely murdered - and rival sons Neneh and Haikachi are vying for the throne.
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