SYNOPSIS: The race of man is extinct…
A new breed has risen...
Anumalkind shall inherit the Earth...

After merging human and animal DNA together, the Anumal race turned against their creators and wiped them out.

Now, millennia later, an ancient pact between warring clans has been broken. Dark powers are surfacing, threatening the survival of this hybrid race…and the fate of the Anumal species lies in the paws of a single lion; Clinton Narfell.

Hailing from the desert village of Wooburn, Clinton’s meager life is catapulted out of control the day he steals food to feed his younger brother. As an extraordinary chain of events begins to unfold, Clinton is forced to use skill and cunning to keep himself alive…and is hurtled towards a destiny he did not realize he was born to fulfill.

Facing savage scavengers, vicious anumal clans, and worse, Clinton soon realizes that power does not come from books or spells, but from something far deeper within us all.

THOUGHTS:
This book in a nutshell:  The Hunger Games meets The Lion King

Wow. This book was nothing like how I expected it would be. It has a very unique plot, definitely not your average dystopian story. It won me over since the first chapter. And as the story progressed, it had me gasping for more.

Lazarball is actually a hunger games-ish, well, game that reminded me so much of Blitzball. They are completely different though, with Lazarball being more intense and dangerous. Anumal Empire: Lazarball is filled with adrenaline-fueled scenes that will take your breath away. It's full of adventure, and action scenes will jump at you from almost very angle.

The hero, Clinton Narfell is now on my list of hottest fictional lions. I loved him from the start. He was a sweet kid who loved his family, but when the world took his parents away from him he toughened up to protect his little brother. He reminds me of Tidus from FFIV, strong-willed and full of determination. He will do anything to protect his family and their honor, even if it meant defying the most ruthless and dangerous beasts around. I like how the authors armed Clinton with a shield of cunning and bravery without sacrificing his good heart, his strong relationship with the people he loved, and his sense of humor.

David and Darren created a world that was so vivid, so real. The characters in this story are called "anumals", animals forced to fend for themselves after the humans disappeared from the world. These anumals had very humane characteristics though, and I completely forgot that they were animals.  I guess the best thing about the Anumal Empire world is how it is very much like ours. Discrimination, poverty, and corruption are some of the problems in the story, and I felt that the anumals' situation was similar to ours. I guess that shows how incredibly savage humans have become these days.

Overall, Anumal Empire was one of the best fantasy novels that I have ever read. Haunting, terrifying, and dangerous; never a boring moment. That, and gorgeous writing, a brilliant unique plot, nicely paced, and the most diverse set of characters. What more can you ask for? The next book to come out ASAP, that's what!

THE NUB AND GIST:
A gem of a book with great potential. Highly recommended.