The Black Lion, Heroes of Cy

A WORLD RAVAGED BY MONSTERS, TORMENTED BY WARLORDS,
AND PROTECTED ONLY BY A FEW

Craig Crawford has created a fascinating concept behind a series of fantasy books, of which the first, The Black Lion, Heroes of Cy, has been completed. Mr. Crawford’s premise of this epic endeavor is to explore the different types of heroic figures and what motivates them to act the way they do. Not every champion comes from a flawless character inspired by altruism and humanity, but might have been created through the regret of past sins or mistakes, or the irony of fate. In this initial novel, Mr. Crawford explores the power of anguish and self-recrimination when a child pretends to be a man with great capabilities and makes a critical mistake. The consequences of his actions lead to the rise of a legendary figure the public extols, while this child-turned-man means only to subject himself to even more dangerous adventures as punishment.

The Black Lion is the story of a character who is misunderstood in the most unique way. He is not a quiet hero overlooked by anonymity, but a man who has been given celebrity status through the stellar recounting of his accomplishments by eye witnesses and rumor-mongers. Despite his desire to go through life unnoticed, the Black Lion has fallen into a trap he can no longer escape. His reputation demands that he fulfill the role the world has unwittingly created for him, and even his closest friends expect as much from him.

New author, Craig Crawford, writes a highly satisfying story where readers have a chance to enter the head of a reluctant hero and see the other side of the coin, that which is not envisioned through the rosy-colored storytelling of the paparazzi. Mr. Crawford’s ingenuity to use a medieval-style fantasy world to depict this premise is a unique approach to the fascination the public has with contemporary celebrities. It also imbues a distinctly collective consciousness between men of all places—of this world and fantasy ones—creating an affinity between readers and his fictional characters.

The Black Lion, Heroes of Cy is a great traditional read for fantasy lovers of writers like Piers Anthony and Stephen R. Donaldson. Mr. Crawford’s connection with his intended audience is unsullied by ambiguity or pretentiousness. He is clear in his narrative style, with deliberate wording directed toward a universal age of readers. The account of heroic tales has been a time-honored vocation of troubadours throughout the ages, of which Mr. Crawford has assumed through his writing. That he has made this his signature theme promises to make him a well-known name in creating literary ballads.