The Awakening of Entropia is the first volume in a saga of seven books, more widely titled The Seven Relics. This work is a fantasy novel written by Joffrey Lebourg, released by Des Auteurs Des Livres. Over the course of 359 pages, the reader follows the path of the main heroine, Cordélia. Without giving away any spoilers, the typical genre plot takes on popular and well-worn forms across different media. In an alternative medieval atmosphere, the characters are entrusted with a quest that seems impossible… And that is the very essence of this saga, which promises to be very long and particularly full-bodied. In fact, this first volume includes a wealth of information that will be crucial for understanding all the stakes of these Seven Relics.
First, the heroine Cordélia is a tough character who lost her parents under more than strange circumstances. In reality, she is designated by the gods to protect the world. The chosen one has no choice but to bow to the will of the higher beings and the angel that brings her this news. It’s actually not a bad thing, since Cordélia is bored with her dull life, where she is not respected.
The presence of a strong female character is always a plus in literature: it breaks stereotypes and allows female readers to identify with her. Far from being a “lady” or a princess held captive in a dungeon tower, Cordélia is a rebel at heart. Despite the mistreatment, she does not avert her gaze, even if it means being severely reprimanded.
A divine quest to escape this situation seems to be an almost ideal option for someone who has long been a victim. The reader is thus relieved for her, as “divine justice” has chosen a female figure who doesn’t display anything heroic, except for a fiery personality.
The author’s style reveals potential that deserves to be explored and matured. With his lively adventure, Joffrey Lebourg unveils a rich and ambitious imagination. Some factors left unresolved will undoubtedly be refined in the upcoming volumes, which is why the chapters might feel unfinished. The world of Alkymia (as the universe where the protagonists evolve is called) resembles the Middle Ages. However, many references to other planets slip into the text. As a result, the reader is faced with a work that initially belongs to heroic fantasy, with elements of science fiction. An original gamble that evokes the attire of the feudal Japan Jedi and their code very close to the Bushido of the samurai…
Among the strengths of the narrative, physical descriptions allow readers to get a really precise idea of Cordélia’s companions, as well as the heroine herself. These are dream-visual characters, prominently featured as robust and unbeatable allies. Due to these somewhat overly powerful talents, the path is easily traversed. The reader rarely worries about these characters, who seem invincible. This might be the touching fragility of this first volume.
This coming-of-age journey is a beautiful representation of the eternal struggle between good and evil. Nourished by solid references to heroic fantasy, this action-packed introduction offers many surprises for the next six volumes.
The book’s website: https://les-sept-reliques.fr/
