Child of Creation (Book One of Then Came a King) by Robert Donohue

They were just getting ready to sit down for supper when the raiders came.  His parents got him on a horse and told him to ride!  They then went back to the battle.  It's hard to adjust to being an orphan in an hour's time.  He did ride and he was followed, so he had to use the skills his father taught him.  He didn't know where he was going or where he would end up but he got away.

PR by the Book and the author sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published so you can buy a copy now.

The next thing he knows, there's an elf near his hiding place and she decides to take a bath.  He's mortified.  He's a young boy, he's not familiar with women's bodies or sex.  But when he makes a noise, she notices him and confronts him.  She finally decides to take him with her on her journey.  He's not sure that's a good thing but he doesn't even know where he is, so she would at least be company and she knows where she's going.

This is a complex story about warring factions in this fantasy world.  This author builds strong characters with lots of experience and a sense of right and wrong.  All them help this young man get better versed in sword work, listen to his questions and give him answers to most (not all), and he's an asset to them.  But, first and foremost, the upcoming war must be defended against.  When you have a spies, saboteurs and you aren't sure who your enemies are, it's hard to know which way to go.

I especially liked the main characters.  The elf is a princess, another elf is prince, there's a unequaled warrior leading the troops and the young man has no idea of his place in this world.  Some know and some don't in his party of friends but they are trying to keep his identity hidden from the rest of world.

This is more about the war and how to stop it than I would have preferred.  I enjoy reading about fantasy characters and how they interact and there wasn't enough in this story to fill me up.  However, anyone who plays a war game on their computer will enjoy the detail the author gives you.  It was well worth reading.  And there will be more in this series.