Just as peace between Omunga and Sakova appears to be a certainty, an evil mage steals the body of the newly chosen Katana, leader of the Omungan people. As the new Katana plots the destruction of the Sakova, a strange mystical disease ravages the country producing widespread famine. Both countries stand poised to anhilate each other, but the Star of Sakova fears a greater threat, which is brewing unseen across the ocean. To confront that new threat, she must preserve the armies of her Omungan enemy. Against all odds, she embarks upon a path towards a peaceful solution to the war, a path that could likely imperil the very existence of her own people. Meanwhile, two young orphans discover that they are sisters and set out from the Sakova on an ocean voyage to discovery their roots. What they discover is enough to terrorize both the Omungans and the Sakovans, if the young sisters manage to escape the Island of Darkness to tell their story.

The small sailboat glided to a stop on the sandy beach. Aakuta’s eyes scanned the beach before he stepped out of the boat. He immediately covered his head with his hood and stood staring at the distant top of a pyramid that was just visible above the trees. He was about to start walking towards the pyramid when a creature emerged from the woods. The creature stood over seven feet tall and appeared to be related to some form of ape. Its body was covered in long hair, and it slouched when it walked, the thumbs on its feet kicking up sand. Its eyes were inset above a protruding snout, and those eyes were concentrating on Aakuta. Aakuta felt the power increasing in his arm as he prepared to defend himself.

“Forbidden!” shouted the ape-like creature.

Aakuta cocked his head slightly as he heard the creature speak. “What are you?” asked the mage.

“Forbidden,” the creature repeated as its huge arm rose threateningly as it pointed towards Aakuta.

The creature advanced steadily towards the dark mage. Aakuta’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the beach one more time. Swiftly, his arm rose and pointed at the creature. Fire leaped from Aakuta’s fingers and ignited the hairy beast. The creature screamed as it realized that it was on fire. Huge hairy arms frantically brushed at the burning torso, but all that was accomplished was to set the hairy arms on fire. The creature let out an ear-splitting howl and raced towards the ocean. It dove into the rolling surf, but it did not move after the fire was out. The body floated as breaking waves sent it bobbing back towards the beach. Aakuta turned and swiftly moved into the stand of trees where he would be less noticeable.

As Aakuta made his way through the trees, he felt someone watching him. He turned often to gaze back towards the beach, but there was no one following him. Suddenly, a woman stepped onto the trail before him. She wore a black skirt that had a golden spider web woven into its design. A red blouse matched the woman’s hat except for the black cone that extended the hat upwards from which flowed a golden scarf to match her cape. The woman had a wide smile upon her lips.

“You are a nasty one, aren’t you?” she asked. “Why did you burn the krul?”

“Krul?” echoed Aakuta in confusion as he halted before the woman.

“The hairy beast on the beach,” the woman explained as her eyes narrowed. “You are not from here, are you?”

“It attacked me,” Aakuta scowled. “It is not my fault if it has a problem with fire.”

“Not your fault?” cackled the woman. “Now that is rich. The krul was merely telling you that you had left your boat in a forbidden area. No boats are allowed on that area of the beach. All visitors to the island must use the city docks. Just who are you?”

Aakuta’s eyes narrowed as he viewed the woman as an obstacle in his way. He felt the power rising in his arm.

“Don’t even think about it,” warned the woman. “I am not a krul, and I will not be dismissed so easily.”

The woman flicked her wrists and a glowing blue aura promptly surrounded her.

“You may be able to get through these shields eventually,” she grinned, “but by then you will be dead. Let’s try this again. Who are you?”

“My name is Aakuta,” answered the visitor as he tried to measure the power of the woman. “What is your name?”

“You may call me Lady Mystic,” answered the woman, “and looks can be deceiving. I know a measuring gaze when I see one. Why do you automatically take me for an opponent? Have I tried to harm you?”

“No,” sighed Aakuta, “but that matters little to me. You are blocking my path.”

“So I am,” smirked Lady Mystic.

 

Just as peace between Omunga and Sakova appears to be a certainty, an evil mage steals the body of the newly chosen Katana, leader of the Omungan people. As the new Katana plots the destruction of the Sakova, a strange mystical disease ravages the country producing widespread famine. Both countries stand poised to anhilate each other, but the Star of Sakova fears a greater threat, which is brewing unseen across the ocean. To confront that new threat, she must preserve the armies of her Omungan enemy. Against all odds, she embarks upon a path towards a peaceful solution to the war, a path that could likely imperil the very existence of her own people. Meanwhile, two young orphans discover that they are sisters and set out from the Sakova on an ocean voyage to discovery their roots. What they discover is enough to terrorize both the Omungans and the Sakovans, if the young sisters manage to escape the Island of Darkness to tell their story.

Table of Contents Map of Omunga Prologue Chapter 1-First Minister of Omunga Chapter 2 - Weapon Called Food Chapter 3 - Vand’s Land Chapter 4 - Food and More Chapter 5 - Changragar Chapter 6 - A Boat for a Boat Chapter 7 - Emperor Vand Chapter 8 - The Storm Chapter 9 - Declaration of War Chapter 10 - Honor the Dead Chapter 11 - A Crack and a Cry Chapter 12 - Pointy Ears Chapter 13 - Offer for Alamar Chapter 14 - Eltor Chapter 15 - New Strategy Chapter 16 - Duran Chapter 17 - Temple of Vand Chapter 18 - Chamber of Horror Chapter 19 - Rebellion Chapter 20 - Revelations of a Spy Chapter 21 - Chula Sakovan Chapter 22 - Visit to Gatong Chapter 23 - The Blunder Chapter 24 - Attitude Adjustment Chapter 25 - Resolution at Gatong Chapter 26 - Shark Food Chapter 27 - For Love of Gold Chapter 28 - Outnumbered Chapter 29 - Assassin&rsquo's Gambit Chapter 30 - Fortung Chapter 31 - Shrinking Omunga Chapter 32 - Food to Retreat Chapter 33 - Generals Chapter 34 - Demands for Attention Chapter 35 - Magical Garden Chapter 36 - Citizens’ Voice Other titles by Richard S. Tuttle

Richard S. Tuttle delivers another enticing fantasy tale in the continuing saga of the Forgotten Legacy series. "Island of Darkness" introduces previous characters and new, all well developed and intriguing. The ability to create new stories, while interweaving the old with the new, to lead a series forward, is a great feat for any writer - a feat that Richard S. Tuttle seems to handle with ease.

Although "Island of Darkness," the fifth in Mr. Tuttle's Forgotten Legacy series, is luke-warm as compared to previous books, it is still filled with engaging action, devious deceit, ongoing friendships, triumphant solutions to a myriad of problems, and leaves me desirous for reading the next book in the series. So I recommend "Island of Darkness: Book 5 of the Forgotten Legacy," for young adults and adults who enjoy well-written fantasy tales and the never-ending imagination of the author, Richard S. Tuttle.

Synopsis: (May reveal much of the plot)

Lyra, the "Star of Sakova," is determined to have peace between her people - the Sakovans - and to their years' old enemies, the Omungans. Secret negotiations with Omunga's First Minister provides Lyra positive results for a peaceful treaty between the two nations, only if the minister is voted the "Katana" - leader of the Omungans.

But after Larst, the First Minister, is appointed Katana, he continues the 1,000-year war with the Sakovans, even with his people starving and disease rampant in Omunga. Lyra cannot understand the about-face of her friend and co-dignitary. She wonders if Larst's body has been consumed by an evil mage, and if the diseases to animals and crop fields is not magically mage related as well. So Lyra devises a plan to provide food to the Omungans, village by village, in return for their allegiance to the Star of Sakova.

During this time, two orphaned elves, Mistake and Misty Trail, are reunited. The sisters embark on a quest to locate other family members. When they are stranded on an island, they uncover a plot to destroy Sakovans and all of the free world. Flesh-eating great apes and other slave types are building ships to carry thousands of warriors to the mainland. Mistake and Misty Trail also learn that Vand, the God of Motanga, a most powerful mage of eternal life, is the plot's perpetrator, and that without their intervention, Vand may conquer and dominate the world.

 

Making the transition from President of a computer consulting firm servicing Fortune 500 companies to the reclusive life of creating new worlds is not as difficult a task as one would imagine. Both require organization, patience, and a vision of what is possible.

Richard S. Tuttle accomplishes this transition in a dramatic way with the release of fifteen novels dealing with two entirely created worlds. The Khadora Series evolves around a continent comprised of three countries with widely diverse cultures.

The Targa Trilogy and the Sword of Heavens Series deals not only with a diverse world but widely varied universes as well. His ability to create a believable world and unique characters is bound to draw a following of readers that will make Richard S. Tuttle a household name.

 

Island of Darkness by Richard S. Tuttle
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