Title: Acacia: The War with the Mein
Author: David Anthony Durham
First published June 12, 2007
576 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780385506069 (ISBN10: 0385506066)
Rating: 3.57
Overview
In David Anthony Durham’s epic fantasy novel, Acacia: The War with the Mein, Leodan Akaran rules over the prosperous empire of Acacia. Though he loves his children dearly, he struggles to shield them from the ugly truth of the drugs and human trafficking that fuels their way of life.
But when an assassin from the exiled race known as the Mein strikes at the heart of Acacia, Leodan’s carefully constructed world begins to crumble. In his dying breath, Leodan sets into motion a plan to save his children and restore freedom to his empire.
The Akaran siblings must embark on a dangerous journey to avenge their father’s death and bring about a new era of peace for Acacia. Filled with political intrigue, action, and adventure, Acacia: The War with the Mein is a thrilling tale of family, power, and the fight for justice.
About the Author
David Anthony Durham was born in New York City to parents who hailed from the Caribbean. While he spent most of his childhood in Maryland, he’s been on the move for the past fifteen years, living on both the East and West Coasts and even venturing to the Rocky Mountains, Scotland, and France a few times.
Currently, he’s living in New England, though he recently resided in Edinburgh, Scotland.
As an author, David has written several books, including a trilogy of fantasy novels known as The Sacred Band, The Other Lands, and The War With The Mein. He’s also published historical novels such as The Risen, Pride of Carthage, Walk Through Darkness, and Gabriel’s Story.
His writing has earned him numerous accolades, such as the John W Campbell Award for Best New Writer, a Legacy Award, and a spot as a finalist for the Prix Imaginales. Additionally, his books have been named NY Times Notable Book of the year twice.
His novels have been translated and published in many languages, such as French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. Furthermore, three of his novels have been optioned for feature film development.
David earned his M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Maryland and has taught at various universities such as the University of Maryland, the University of Massachusetts, The Colorado College, Cal State University, and Hampshire College. He’s currently on the faculty of the Stonecoast MFA Program.
When he’s not writing or teaching, David reviews books for The Washington Post and The Raleigh News & Observer. He’s also been a judge for the Pen/Faulkner Awards.
In addition to his own writing, David also contributes to George RR Martin’s Wild Cards universe. He finds it to be a challenging and exciting experience that exercises his creativity in new ways.
Editoral Review
Acacia: The War with the Mein by David Anthony Durham is a stunning epic fantasy novel that delivers on all fronts. Durham has crafted an intricate world full of diverse cultures, fascinating characters, and intricate politics.
His writing style is accessible, but sufficiently descriptive to bring the world of Acacia to life. The novel takes place in the kingdom of Acacia, where Queen Corinn rules with an iron fist.
She governs a massive empire built on the backs of slaves and war. However, when the queen is threatened by an ancient enemy known as the Mein, all of Acacia is at risk of collapsing.
Durham has created a world that feels both familiar and exotic, with fleshed-out cultures, unique religions, and believable characters. The four Akaran siblings – Aliver, Corinn, Dariel, and Mena – are the heart of the novel, and each one of them brings a different perspective on the world around them.
The characters are not merely archetypes; they are fully-realized people with flaws and motivations. The pacing of the story is spot-on, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged throughout.
The themes of power, trust, and the consequences of one’s actions are explored with nuance and skill. Durham has created a world that feels real, with an intricate political structure and believable characters.
While the book is a phenomenal read, it is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the sheer scale of the story overwhelming, as there are multiple POV characters, complex world-building, and a myriad of political factions to keep track of.
Additionally, some may find certain elements of the story predictable. Overall, Acacia: The War with the Mein is a fantastic debut novel from David Anthony Durham.
It’s an epic fantasy that delivers on all fronts – incredible world-building, engaging characters, and a riveting story. Any fan of the genre will find something to love about this book.
It’s a must-read for anyone who loves immersive, richly-detailed worlds and characters that feel like real people. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
