Oppressed supernatural creatures make a stand against tyranny in Micciola’s fantasy novel.

In a fantasy world where magical beings such as lycans, sprites, satyrs, and goblins were transported to a human realm to escape persecution, they only met more danger and prejudice in their new home. Nine years ago, Weylyn’s father was tortured and executed for the crime of being a lycan who stood up to the oppressive structures keeping all magical beings endangered and subjugated. Now, Weylyn leads the resistance movement, assisted by his closest friends, including Brina and Keagan (fellow lycans), Olwen (a sprite), and his human girlfriend, Rosalie. They ask Queen Sophia of Tudrose for aid, and she agrees to assist them—but only if they encourage rebellions and further resistance across the land. They leave Rosalie at home to lead the resistance there while Weylyn goes with Brina and Olwen goes with Keagen to foment resistance on multiple fronts. There is danger lying ahead greater than the expected enemy soldiers, gladiator tournaments, and dangerous mines: The Dove is a masked witch set on killing them, and the only hope against her may be Weylyn’s secret magical abilities (“You don’t know? Mystic Bloods are descendants of Druids. You all have the gift of magic wielding”).The author has created a complex and engaging world full of a range of characters, classes, lands, and languages. The different points of view that track Weylyn and his friends (and occasionally his enemies) keep the plot engaging and the stakes real. At times, the narrative can feel heavy with exposition, but this extra information aids in the reader’s immersion into the novel’s vivid reality. Weylyn’s heroic arc drives the plot forward and highlights the emotional core of the story. This is an enterprising fantasy that is ambitious in its scale and successful in its worldbuilding.

A fun adventure in a fantastical land.