The Cycle of Eden
The Young Revolution
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The Cycle of Eden: The Young Revolution by Daniel Varona is a riveting tale that transports readers to the world of Eden – a land engulfed by darkness and in dire need of a savior. At the center of this epic adventure is Seth, a young hero who must rise to the challenge of restoring light to Eden before it’s too late. As the son of a legendary figurehead who once guided the prosperous state of Eden, Seth is burdened with the daunting task of living up to his mother’s legacy. However, his tactical skills pale in comparison to his mother’s, and he is left to navigate this treacherous landscape alone.
Varona’s prose takes readers on an exhilarating ride as Seth and his companions encounter a host of creatively written monsters and face a variety of challenges that are both well-described and original. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the book is the inner dialogue of the characters, particularly Seth, whose thoughts are laugh-out-loud funny and offer a lightness to the otherwise tense situations they find themselves in. The world-building and plot are intricately woven, and readers will appreciate the vivid descriptions of the various landscapes and characters that populate this richly imagined universe.
One of the standout characters in the story is Chase, Seth’s loyal animal companion whose unwavering friendship is a testament to the age-old adage that dogs are indeed man’s best friend. Their bond is heartwarming and adds a relatable quality to the story that will resonate with readers of all ages. Varona’s writing is clever and full of unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. This novel is a page-turner from start to finish, with recurring themes such as self-discovery woven throughout Seth’s journey as he navigates the choices he must make to restore Eden and its people.
Overall, The Cycle of Eden: The Young Revolution is a highly engaging and imaginative space opera. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling science-fiction adventure that combines action, creativity, and a touch of humor.
Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
The Cycle of Eden: The Young Revolution is a fantasy space opera that introduces the “young revolution” of Eden, a world based on rebirth, where the living are caught in an ongoing struggle between darkness and light which never seems to resolve.
Wars decide how Eden will be reborn in a new cycle, and this current situation isn’t any different. Daniel Varona provides the insights and introduction to this scenario which are essential for understanding the impact of Eden’s patterns and why things are different now.
Varona is skilled at capturing a “you are here” feel of the atmosphere: “The mounted cannon ejected the harpoon with a metallic sting, ringing for a few seconds. The depth of the giant spear was tracked by the number of clicks the metal wire sounded off, like a machine gun. The connection suddenly halted and seized its tightening grip on whatever it hit. A full second later, a deep and mournful roar erupted from the gloomy blue, causing a shockwave to rattle the once calm waters.”
As Seth’s purposes merge with those of Valentina (who is fighting against forces that would make slaves of her people) and other characters, a conjoined mission of disparate individuals evolves. Each, in their different way, becomes a force for promoting the Age of Light against the darkness Eden seems destined to fall into.
The pace and action are fast, the characters many, and the intricacies of Eden’s political, social, and psychological influences are intriguing. Readers can expect a fantasy that works on both an entertaining leisure read world-building manner, and one which injects a degree of complexity into the changing scenarios of Eden and those who struggle through its cycles of promise and failure.
The dialogue between characters as they fight and confront myriad forces is also very nicely done:
“Damn, girl! I ain’t seen a chick move like that before! Now how may I repay ya?” greeted the reckless man in a far-too-friendly manner.
Valentina aimed a fist at him. “Shut it before I shut it for you. You’re not the first man I’ve saved.”
Fans of space opera and world-building fantasies will find this first book in the series compelling, concluding with a powerful vision of world-changing gods and attempts to free Eden from its curse that conclude in a cliffhanger for future books to explore.
Libraries seeking vivid, complex world-building fantasies will find The Cycle of Eden: The Young Revolution a compelling tale worthy of acquisition.