Las Vegas Review-Journal - The Book Nook

  Las Vegas author Maxwell Alexander Drake admits that while growing up he was “more geek than anything,” holding late-night Dungeons & Dragons sessions with his friends, collecting comic books and attending conventions.
  His early interest in fantasy has paid off for him, and fans of the genre as well, with his new novel, “Farmers & Mercenaries.”
  The book, the first in the six-part “Genesis of Oblivion” saga, follows a handful of characters as they find themselves on a road to adventure, willingly and unwillingly.
  Klain, a lion-man creature, is born into slavery and forced to entertain savage crowds in battles to the death. When a benefactor steps in on Klain’s behalf, he finds himself having to adapt to a world foreign to him.
  Arderi Cor, brother of Alant who was found to be a powerful master of the magical Essence, is about to undergo testing to see if he also possesses the rare ability. The results of the test put Arderi on a dangerous path to his destiny.
  Clytus Rillion, the leader of a mercenary troop, embarks on a perilous journey to save his sick son’s life, but the cure he seeks could come at the ultimate price.
  And creeping around behind the scenes are the Elmorians, powerful creatures who are feared and respected, and some might have ulterior motives when interacting with humans.
  “Farmers & Mercenaries” mainly will appeal to fans of fantasy; after all, there is a lion-man creature and the Elmorians do look like the traditional alien grays. But for a new author in the genre, Drake succeeds where many others have failed.
  The characters in “Farmers & Mercenaries” are well-developed. Their stories are told in alternating chapters, and readers easily become invested in the fate of each. The pace of the book is quick and the story lines solid. Readers will turn pages late into the night just to find out what will happen next.
  I for one am grateful for Dungeons & Dragons and the creativity it has sparked in many a geek's imagination. With “Farmers & Mercenaries,” fans of the fantasy genre have another group of characters to get to know and love. I can't wait for the next in the series.
  For more information about Drake and the “Genesis of Oblivion” saga, check out the author’s Web site at  www.maxwellalexanderdrake.com.