Hunt for Valamon by DK Mok

9/10

The Hunt for Valamon was a hilarious and endearing fantasy to read. Mok blends humour and gravity together magnificently, in a way that reminds me of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. It’s lighthearted but not so lighthearted that it’s lacking drama to push the plot along.

Prince Valamon has been kidnapped, and Seris and Elhan (also known as the Kali-Adelsa, the girl cursed to bring about the destruction of the empire) are charged with the task of rescuing him. The novel alternates between Lord Qara and Prince Falon, Valamon and Lord Haska, and Elhan and Seris, each point of view adding greatly to the story. I thought the characterization of Prince Valamon was such a change from typical princes in high fantasy, and I can tell that this novel will definitely stay with me for a while. I read this after finishing my final exams, and it didn’t overload my mind with anything that seemed unnecessary to the plot. It was straightforward and unabashedly accentuated, which is what made it different from other high fantasies.

There was no love story, save for one of friendship and familial love, and the hero was a girl cursed with destruction. I can safely say that this is one of my favourite stand alone fantasy novels, and that I definitely recommend it to everyone who enjoys fantasy.