Content levels
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Synopsis
A world in which people increase their wit, beauty, brawn, stamina, vision, hearing by receiving endowments from others, who are then left witless, ugly, weak, blind, deaf; but well cared for as dedicates. The tale follows the exploits of Prince Gaborn Val Orden of Mystarria, a young Runelord who hopes to win the hand of Princess Iome, heiress to the throne of Sylvarresta, and thereby unite his and her lands. He finds Sylvarresta under attack, however, by the forces of Raj Ahren, whose endowments number in the thousands, making it nearly impossible to kill him. As Gaborn works to save Iome and her father, who have been coerced into giving endowments to Raj Ahren, the young prince faces not only danger, but also his fate to be crowned the new Earth King, with command of the ghosts of his forefathers.
Is The Sum of All Men appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
Parents should know this book features a magic system based on people permanently losing physical and mental abilities (becoming deaf, blind, witless) to empower others, creating ethical complexity and body horror elements. Wartime violence and political manipulation are central to the plot.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include captivity, violence, and body horror (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens who love epic fantasy with unique magic systems and heroic princes facing impossible odds will be captivated by this quest to save a kingdom.