Tears of the Aeon
The Gothic War
by R. F. Pina
In the crucible of history, where the flames of empires clash, and the destinies of civilizations are forged, there exists a chapter often overlooked—a tale obscured by the dust of ages. It is a saga of untamed lands, ancient conflicts, and beings whose destinies were bound to the cosmic threads of gods and mortals alike.
Within the shadows of the Roman Empire, during the fateful year of 376 AD, a narrative unfolded that would echo through the corridors of time, leaving behind a legacy woven with threads of love, war, and the supernatural.
"Tears of The Aeon: The Gothic War" unravels against the setting of a world grappling with the chaos of an impending conflict between the mighty Roman Empire and the desperate Visigoths led by the enigmatic Chieftain Fritigern. Faced with the dual threats of the Roman legions and the merciless Huns, Fritigern makes a desperate plea to Emperor Valens for sanctuary within the borders of the empire. This plea sets in motion a series of events destined to reshape the fate of nations.
A warrior, blessed with strength and abilities that defy the laws of men, embarks on a journey marked by love, and destined to attract the gaze of gods. Bound by an inexplicable connection, he finds himself entangled with a young Gothic woman from the Taifali Tribe, their union becoming a focal point for the unfolding cosmic drama. As the gods themselves take notice, the stage is set for the initiation of the end of the world.
"Tears of The Aeon" invites you to traverse the realms of history and myth, where the fates of empires and the whims of divine beings converge in a tale of love, war, and the enduring echoes of an age-long past. In the shadows of forgotten forests, where the tears of the Aeon fall like rain, the Gothic War awaits its chronicler.
“But even gods can die as you might wonder,” the old man continued, “heed my words, General, for they are true. The gods of Rome are in desperate need of your support at this very moment. The enemy has come out of thin air, from nowhere, large armies of beings wielding great power. No god has ever seen creatures like these. They fly upon wings of feathers as they force their way into Olympus as we speak. Not only do they wish us harm, but they desire to enslave mankind and become their supreme rulers, crushing those who stand in their way in the process.”
The war of the gods has begun, and it has ramifications for all who live in the mortal world.
Tears of the Aeon: The Gothic War by R. F. Pina is an enthralling and incredibly successful story about the Roman-Gothic War as well as the conflict between Roman and Christian deities. This book is as impressive as it is immersive and a must-read for fans of historical fantasy set within a fictional world.
There is a huge cast of characters in this novel, and if the reader is not familiar with this era of history, they may initially struggle to keep up with who is who. A glossary of the characters at the beginning of this novel would be helpful so the reader can refer back to it. As the story progresses and the principal players take control of the narrative it becomes much easier to remember who is who and what their role is in the story. Pina does on occasion bring in new characters, such as Aldred, for a short while, simply to help advance the plot.
This novel follows the historical timeline of Roman Emperor Valens life, starting with the defeat of the usurper Procopius and continuing until his death at the battle of Adrianople. Pina sticks very close to the historical truth of Valens’ reign. His administration is ruled by a fear of death mirroring Caesar’s; he’s anxiously preoccupied with his personal safety, fearing assassination from within. Though a cautious statesman who listens to his advisors, he doesn’t always concur, ultimately bearing the weight of every decision—a burden he finds challenging. Valens faces battles on all sides, as his personal life mirrors the complexity of his political career. Valens is a complicated man with an equally complex life. This story illustrates the intricate difficulties and heavy responsibilities Valens faced governing the Eastern Roman Empire at that time. With skilful strokes of the quill, Pina has breathed new life into Valens, bringing his story to a new generation of readers.
Empress Albia (Domnica) is depicted as an intelligent woman, who has an aversion to her husband but is determined to protect the empire. Albia elicits diverse responses from the reader based on her behaviour. Her behaviour fluctuates between cruelty and kindness, making her an interesting character to read about although not one the reader will necessarily like. She is much more decisive than Valens and she sometimes succeeds where he fails.
Fritigern is a crucial ally of the emperor until Valens deems otherwise. Together with Valens, he battles against the threat of his adversary Tervingi Goth leader, Athanaric. But when he appeals to Rome for protection from the Huns, his relationship with Valens deteriorates. Despite promises of safety and supplies, Rome’s shortcomings and widespread corruption damages Fritigern’s relationship with his Roman allies. The reader can only watch and wait with bated breath to see what Fritigern will do next. Fritigern is a fascinating character who really piques the reader's interest.
Ahediel has been sent from the heavenly realm to complete a series of challenges. Not only will he be tested on his physical strength but also his strength of will. Ahediel is permitted to watch the humans, but intervention is strictly forbidden. Everything in the human world is alien to Ahediel, and he marvels in the simplest of pleasures. However, his actions and reactions to certain events affect the course of his life. Ahediel is a very spiritual being, whose strength is seemingly unparalleled, but as the story progresses, he finds the challenges more and more difficult to complete. His celestial being and his god-like abilities certainly keep the reader engaged throughout the novel.
While the reader anticipates armed men in martial epics, Pina uses armour to symbolize more than just military defence. Despite his lack of abdominal muscles, Valens’ leather armour replicates them, making him look stronger than he is, but his war armour transforms him into a heroic fairy-tale figure who, like a god is seemingly immortal, despite his mortality. The shining silver of Ahediel’s armour reflects his divine being, embodying the radiant truth of the Roman’s Christian god, his armour is impervious to assault. The black armour of the ancient gods brings with it a sinister feel. Characters like Licinius feel burdened by the weight of their armour, and thus the weight of this seemingly never-ending conflict.
The novel’s exploration of light and darkness consistently challenges the reader to define each concept. With his white feathered wings and silver armour, Ahediel symbolizes the light of Christianity. Whereas black symbolises the darkness of the old Roman Gods. However, the straightforward association of light with goodness and dark with evil is more subtle than it initially appears, offering readers an intriguing concept to ponder. Is there evil hidden in the light, and goodness hidden in the dark?
This novel is historically accurate, yet it also features a compelling interwoven supernatural thread. The war of the gods is a constant presence in the reader’s mind as the story unfolds. Who will win - the Gods of Rome or the new Christian god? As the Christian religion begins to dominate, the old gods find it increasingly difficult to maintain their strength, however, they are not giving up without a fight. While the humans fight their mortal battles the gods also become fallible. Without prayers and offerings, they too can die. The conflict between the gods is a fascinating addition to the story and really helps to keep the reader engaged.
For fans of well-written historical fantasy, Tears of the Aeon: The Gothic War by R. F. Pina is an absolute must-read. Book 2 cannot come soon enough!
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
R. F. Pina
R. F. Pina is a man whose journey from a childhood allergy to literature to a passionate embrace of its power reflects a profound transformation. Born in the Dominican Republic, his life took a pivotal turn when he relocated to Queens, New York, at fourteen. Here, he discovered his gateway to imagination and creativity through the captivating world of comic books.
Initially resistant to the allure of literature, R. F. Pina’s perspective shifted gradually over time. As he delved deeper into the pages of books, he found a boundless realm where his imagination could soar unrestricted. Unlike the passive experience of television, literature offered him an active engagement, where he could shape narratives and explore the depths of his creativity.
This newfound appreciation for literature became a cornerstone of R. F. Pina’s life, providing him solace, inspiration, and a sense of purpose. As he navigated the complexities of adulthood as a husband and father of four, literature remained a steadfast companion, offering him refuge from the monotony of everyday life.
Driven by a desire for something more enduring than fleeting moments of entertainment, R. F. Pina recognized the potential of literature to bestow immortality upon its creators. With this revelation, he embarked on a journey to carve out his legacy through the written word, determined to leave a mark on the world that would outlast his mortal existence.
Today, R. F. Pina stands as a testament to the transformative power of literature, embracing its ability to transcend boundaries, ignite imaginations, and immortalize the human experience. Through his words, he seeks to entertain and inspire, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to resonate for generations to come.
Connect with R. F.:
Congratulations. I have added your book to my to-read list, it sounds brilliant!
ReplyDelete