The Binding of the Blade

The Binding of the Blade is an epic fantasy series by L. B. Graham, set upon the imaginary continent of Kirthanin. It tells the story of the last rise of Malek, especially of the prophets of Allfather: Joraiem Andira and Benjiah Andira, as well as others, such as Aljeron Balinor, Saegan of Tol Emuna, Rulalin Tarasir, and the prophet Valzaan. Graham makes no attempt to conceal that his books, while not allegorical, are highly religious, and sold primarily if not wholly by Christian publishers.

The five books in the series are "Beyond the Summerland", "Bringer of Storms", "Shadow in the Deep", "The Father of Dragons", and All My Holy Mountain. It has been debated to exactly what the Blade in the title is.

There are several obvious similarities, perhaps influences, from Tolkien. Among them are the following:

*The name Ulmindos, the ship-master, probably comes from Ulmo

*The twelve Titans recall the Valar

*As Malek was one of the Titans, so Morgoth was one of the Valar

*The hurling of Malek down from the peaks by Alazare recalls Gandalf and the Balrog in the Battle of the Peak

* "Allfather" is a translation of Tolkien's "Ilúvatar"; both of which hold the position of "God"

*Amaan Sul is reminiscent to amon sul the watch tower on weathertop

Characters

Young Novaana who went to Sulare

*Aljeron Balinor was a young Novaana of Shalin Bel and one of the primary characters. He had received three scars across his face from a fight with the Malekim, and also a battle-brother, a tiger named Koshti.
*Joraiem Andira is a prophet of Allfather, and is murdered by Rulalin at the end of the first book, "Beyond the Summerland". Joraiem's favorite past times included running and archery, both at which he excelled.
*Wylla Someris is Joraiem Andira's wife and widow, as well as heir to the Enthanin throne.
*Rulalin Tarasir is a secretive young Novaana who goes for training to Sulare. He had fallen in love with Wylla Someris, heir to the throne of Enthanin, and rejected Mindarin Orlene. When his good friend Joraiem Andira fell in love with Wylla, and she with him, his jealousy, egged on by Synoki, caused him to murder his best friend and flee to his hometown, Fel Edorath.

Other Later Novaana

*Benjiah Andira is the son of Joraiem Andira, a Novaana-prophet of Dal Harat, and Wylla Someris, the Queen of Enthanin. Valzaan, an ancient prophet, decided that he was the one chosen to bring about the Fall of Malek. After Valzaan fell, he took up his staff, and continued to fight against Malek. In the third book of the series, "Shadow in the Deep", he killed a Grendolai, summoned the Dragons and the Great Bear, delivered the prophecy of the Four Kindreds, and at the end of the book was captured by Malek.
*Evrim Minluan is Joraiem Andira's best friend in Dal Harat, his home town. Married Joraiems sister, Kyril, although he himself is not one of the Novaana nobility.

Other "Good" Characters

*Valzaan is a prophet. He was very ancient by the time period of the first book, where he first demonstrated his power by causing the sharp-tongued Mindarin Orlene to be mute for a short period of time. He came to Joraiem Andira in several dreams as well as "torrim redara", and revealed to him that Joraiem himself was a prophet. At first Valzaan believed that Joraiem was the one chosen to destroy Malek, but after his murder became certain that it was actually his son, Benjiah. He was presumably killed at the end of the second book, being blasted into the sea by Cheimontyr, leader of the Vulstyrim.
*Caan is the arms-instructor in Sulare
*Ulmindos is the ship-master in Sulare

Evil Characters

*Malek was one of the Titans, who rebelled in the First Age, and caused weapons to be forged for Andunin and the Nolthanim. Malek is the primary villain of the story, who heads the evil side against Allfather.
*Vulsutyr is the Father of the Vulsutyrim, he sheltered Malek and his battle-worn army, welcoming them to the Forbidden Isle. He was killed in a great battle against Sulmandir, the Father of the Dragons.
*Cheimontyr is a Vulsutyrim who is called the "Bringer of Storms." He is the leader of all the Vulsutyrim, after Vulsutyr was killed. Cheimontyr possesses the ability to affect the weather, thus the name "Bringer of Storms."
*Farimaal is the leader of the Nolthanim forces, under Malek. Farimaal successfully killed one of the Grendolai and was given time as a reward.
*Synoki is a servant of Malek. Much of Synoki's history has not been revealed. In Beyond the Summerland, Synoki was a stranded man on the Forbidden Isle, or so he said. Later, he appears again to Rulalin in the mountain and reveals that he is really a servant of Malek. He goes on the journey with Aljeron and some others to Nolthanin, and seeks to assassinate Aljeron.

Places and People

*The Novaana were the noble class of Men. Every seven years Novaana between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five would assemble for training at Sulare, or the Summerland, which is part of the framework for the first book in the Binding of the Blade series, Beyond the Summerland. The Novaana are responsible for the leadership of the world and are looked to as role models and leaders.
*The Titans were twelve servants of Allfather, set down to rule Kirthanin. Among the greatest was Malek, who rebelled, and Alazare, who threw him down from Agia Muldonai.
*Dal Harat is the hometown of Joraiem Andira. It is a small town in the northwest corner of Suthanin.
*Amaan Sul is the capital of Enthanin. The royal family of Enthanin resides in this city.
*Kirthanin is the name of the continent in which the books take place. Kirthanin includes all parts of the world, except for the Forbidden Isle.
**Werthanin is the western section of Kirthanin, that is, west of Agia Muldonai and north of the Taralin Forest.
**Nolthanin is the northern section of Kirthanin, north of the Kiruan River and the Zaros Mountains, where Andunin once dwelt. After the wars of Malek it was abandoned to snow and ice. The Nolthanim dwell in the mountain with Malek.
**Enthanin is the eastern part of Kirthanin, and the only country to have its own king. It is located to the east of Agia Muldonai.
**Suthanin is the southern part of Kirthanin, south of the Kellisor sea. Among its cities is Sulare, the Summerland. It is the closest to the Forbidden Isle. This is also the largest and most diverse country in Kirthanin.

Races

Evil

*Malekim are huge voiceless creatures that were created by Malek in the Second Age, during his exile in the Forbidden Isle. They make up the greater portion of his armies, and despite their figure and intelligence are still regarded as thoughtless animals in his books.
*Black Wolves are large wolves of extremely dark hue, but if one is bitten by one the wound takes a long time to heal. After they die, they are supposed to be burned by the Novaana. Those that are not burned are devoured by maggots that hatch after death. They also are creatures of Malek made in the Second Age.
*Vulsutyrim are sons of Vulsutyr the Fire Giant. They were not created by Malek, though he found them in Nal Gildoreth on the Forbidden Isle, who than forged an alliance with the giants. They are the most powerful land troops in Malek's army. They are hated by the dragons, especially, because their father, Sulmandir, left them after defeating Vulsutyr. The current leader of the Vulsutyrim is Cheimontyr, the Bringer of Storms.
*Grendolai are twelve creatures created by Malek on the Forbidden Isle. Their job was to kill the dragons by waiting in the dragon towers and attacking from below. They are shorter in height than the giants, but are much wider and have longer arms and hands. They currently dwell in the dragon towers, except for two, who were killed by Farimaal and by Benjiah. The dragons call them dark thieves.
*Kumatin is an extremely powerful sea creature, capable of destroying ships and anything else in the water. Not much else is currently known about Kumatin. It was created by Malek under the Forbidden Isle during the time of Joraiem and Aljeron.

"Good"

*Dragons are powerful creatures, created by Allfather. They are the sons of Sulmandir the Golden. All other dragons have a red, blue, or green hue to them, though from a distance they all look gold. They are unmatched in strength and power. Rivalry and hatred between the Vulstryrim and Dragons are great, both match the other in battle.
*Humans are, for the most part, the primary characters in the story. Humans can possess some degree of wisdom and strength, but are set apart from the other races by their creativity and adaptability. They are looked at suspiciously by the dragons and the Great Bear because of the great betrayals of Andunin and Corindel.
*Great Bear are giant bears who can talk and are known for their wisdom and fighting prowess. Masters of camouflage, they live in the great woods of Kirthanin. They are divided into Draals according to the forest they live in; for instance, the Great Bear who live in the Lindin wood are called the Lindindraal. They are also know as the "Bane of the Voiceless."The Leviathin is a giant sea creature. It saved Valzaan in the 4th book by holding him in his mouth. It is possible that this is the fourth good race that must unite to save Kirthanin; however, it turns out to be the Vulsutyrim.

Books

# Beyond the Summerland
# Bringer of Storms
# Shadow in the Deep
# Father of Dragons
# All My Holy Mountain

External links

* [http://www.bindingoftheblade.com/ Official Binding of the Blade site]
* [http://www.vnoel.com/content/view/62/54/ Review: "Beyond The Summerland"]
* [http://www.vnoel.com/content/view/122/54/ Review: "Bringer Of Storms"]
* [http://www.vnoel.com/content/view/150/54/ Review: "Shadow In The Deep"]