This is the prologue of the fourteenth book in an epic fantasy saga. You're not likely to read it without reading and liking the previous thirteen books, so this review is just an excuse to spread my excitement.

Of course the prologue was amazing - it had pretty much everything you could ask for. The plot is advanced, a few questions from previous books are answered, and we see how the whole world is preparing for the Last Battle, from the Chosen to the protagonists to simple soldiers and citizens. There are heroic battles that bring out the best in people, there's a sympathetic point of view from a character we've only seen being utterly evil, there are secondary characters preparing to fulfill prophecies made a long time ago. There are schemes and surprises. And there is Talmanes of the Band of the Red Hand, who I'm now in love with.

Waiting for January 8, 2013 was hard, but it just got a lot harder. ( )

Well that was exciting.
C'mon January 8th. ( )