Antilia: Sword and Song

Sword and Song is the first book in the two-volume “Antilia Chronicles”, a fantasy tale set in a parallel world and told through the eyes of two high school age protagonists, Rowan and Ophelia. They meet at a protest set in an unnamed Canadian city (Toronto or Ottawa?). Unknown to them, they both have imaginary friends and both frequently escape to an island they visit in their childhood daydreams. Only these dreams are real. The island of Antilia exists as a magical place where humans walk among minor gods and mythological beings. Something drastic is now happening in Antilia. A large volcano is awakening. Before Rowan and Ophelia can realize their shared visions, they are swept away to two different cities on the island, Ophelia to Calabar in the south of the island, and Rowan to Kalmar in the north near the volcano. Neither knows the other is now on the island. To assist readers in following the story, a map of the island is provided at the beginning of the book.

Rowan meets up with his “imaginary” friend Ari while Ophelia is connected with her friend, Pim. Kalmar is under the heel of a dictator, and Rowan finds himself part of a resistance group. Down south, Ophelia discovers Calabar to be in chaos with gladiator-like events and sacrifices. Both cities are in fear of the volcano and the island being split in half or sinking. Both cities have been damaged by earthquakes and tsunamis. Sword and Song comes to a close with Ophelia being declared the “chosen one” and on a ship, part of a fleet sailing from Calabar to “rescue” Kalmar and save it from the false Renderer. Rowan’s attempt to free the prisoners from the Renderer has failed and resulted in a massacre by his troops. The volume concludes with Rowan fleeing the erupting volcano and Ophelia’s ship being caught in a storm and breaking up.

Sword and Song is a well-written and imaginative story with vivid descriptions. With its descriptive and complicated plot and well-drawn characters, the novel should appeal to readers of adventure and fantasy tales. The ending will leave readers eagerly waiting for the second and final volume, Seer and Sacrifice.