There are several humanoid cultures, but not the trope elves, dwarves etc. ~demons' but none of those categories match religious cliches or fantasy tropes. Atypical, angelic warfare: The overriding conflict is essentially '~angels/humans vs. Somehow every story arc is concluded in a satisfying way, but that doesn't mean you'll stop at this first installment. so it is tough to share a summary without spoiling (the official Book Blurb is a good overview). Complex, fun story: There are tons of plot twists, betrayals. Inherently, first-person indicates the narrator will always survive, but Seyonne and his friends, family, etc. Most fantasy epics are omniscient third person. Perspective: It is written in first-person perspective, and at 450 pages it's a decent size. It is highly recommended for fantasy readers. Transformation is epic, but feels fresh, and is very engrossing. It is one of Carol Berg first novels, and she is still cooking up new fantasy (pen name Cate Glass, An Illusion of Thieves). Transformation has been on my to-read list for almost two decades, and I'm glad to have finally focused on it. Carol Berg has created an interesting world with full cultures that interact with the characters to help make this a fascinating story. The characters are very interesting and the story is well-told. At this point I found the book quite compelling and easy to read. Once he starts seeing things, his tie to Aleksander become stronger and their relationship really starts to develop.

He things nothing of withholding food or punishing Seyonne.

At the same time, Aleksander sees him only as property and a tool. It deals with punishment, his attitude on survival and his slave past. The early story of the slave is very graphic and, for me, difficult to read. He had been a Warden, a man with some magical abilities skilled at fighting demons. His magic was taken from him in a ritual when he was captured.

It becomes apparent that he has some special abilities to recognize or see things others cannot. At the start of the book, he lives solely in the present, his past repressed or forgotten, the future irrelevant. The story is told from the Seyonne’s point of view.Ĭarol slowly builds the character of Seyonne. Transformation is a fantasy novel about the relationship between a contemptuous and overbearing prince, Aleksander, on his way to becoming emperor, and his slave, Seyonne.

Transformation by carol berg