by Ian Graham
Monument is a single volume fantasy tale. Bloodthirsty, with all abhorent human vices woven into the main character, the story centers on one man’s search for an elusive land, away from the Papal church.
Anhaga Ballas is a post-middle-aged man who spends his days robbing others to drink himself stuporous at night, until one night, he steals the wrong thing - a stone encrusted iron disc that the church will stop at nothing to reclaim.
Thinking to sell the obviously-valuable item to the church, the priests immediately recognize the artifact and send assassins galore after the lone homeless man. Amazingly, the street-hardened scapegoat eludes all murder attempts and sets out on a journey to find the fabled land of Belthirran, shown to him in his dreams.

The story winds through numerous murders, fatal friendships, close calls, non-human mage-priests, and harrowing adventures to end at a high wall… and then, the unexpected ending.

I thought I saw the end coming, and if it wasn’t one ending it was another - but I was wrong. Boy was I wrong.

I am grateful to say that the experience was not worthless. The book remains on my shelf for yet another reading at a later date.

Personal Rating: 7
The story was good, interesting, refreshing, and above all, unexpected. One would not have seen it coming. Are you curious yet?

Content Rating: M
Sex, language, adult themes, disgusting scenes, violence and gore - you name it, Monument has got it.