Voidoxity
The Eternal King
The dark fantasy novel Voidoxity: The Eternal King sets up exciting possibilities for future bloody battles and existential challenges in the rich world it establishes.
James L.P. Thompson’s elaborate fantasy novel Voidoxity: The Eternal King blends mind-melding with a classic battle between good and evil.
Awakening after 1000 years of memory-stripping imprisonment, Aergos is on a quest to avenge the deaths of his wife and son, who were murdered by the Holy Priestess Elysium. Unable to re-enter the physical realm from which he has been exiled, he negotiates with a beautiful young slave woman, Kisara, to use her body as the corporeal vehicle during his quest. He shares his knowledge and power with Kisara via a telepathic link. Together, they determine to return balance to the universe, avenge the murder of his family, and secure her freedom. The twist: Elysium is Kisara’s older sister, and Aergos is not quite sure how to manage the power that Kisara has at her disposal in the form of a magical gauntlet. Alliances are formed, evil forces are defeated, and romance blossoms as the duo works to destroy Elysium and restore order to the world.
Voidoxity is built upon a clever reversal of the good-evil binary. Although he is known as the Demon King, leader of the faction of Darkness, and on the side of Chaos, Aergos is, in fact, the bringer of peace, order, and good government to the people of the kingdom. In direct opposition is the Holy Priestess Elysium, who wreaks havoc on her subjects despite her alignment with the faction of Light and the side of Ascension. This shifting of traditional symbols results in interesting explorations of assumptions about power, quests, and the roles assigned to good and evil in the world.
More familiar is the intricate tapestry of lineage and historical recounting that sometimes threatens to overwhelm the first half of the novel. Characters’ backstories come in quick succession, and the narrative loses some momentum as a result. But the novel’s second half assumes a more natural pace, following along as the linked duo uncovers secrets and magic, learns about their collective powers, and confronts Elysium in a battle of epic proportions.
The book comes with a warning about its graphic violence and sexual content, but neither element is gratuitous. Both are logical extensions of the story that add necessary details, underscore the developing themes, and address the issues that arise when two beings inhabit one body. The final chapter, “Lost Art,” is a nice addition that showcases ten of Thompson’s original illustrations for the novel.
The dark fantasy novel Voidoxity: The Eternal King sets up exciting possibilities for future bloody battles and existential challenges in the rich world it establishes.
Reviewed by
Klay Dyer
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
