NOBODY'S QUEST

In Day’s fantasy series-starter, a young woman fights the forces of evil while battling with her own depression.

Twenty-year-old Solitude “Soli” Graymind doesn’t seem special, but the careful wording of a prophecy makes her exactly who the troubled kingdom needs. She leaves a life of indentured servitude to bear the burden of a magical amulet that belongs to the goddess Artemisen, who’s trapped in a crystal tomb and communicates with Soli as the young woman goes on a journey to rescue her. Along the way, Soli battles depression as well as the machinations of evil goddess Corvynne’s henchmen. The author sets up a world where princes are orphaned, magic is alternately reviled and revered, goddesses clash, and a mere mortal struggling with mental illness must save the day. The book is, at its best, a straightforward quest adventure; the depiction of Soli’s internal battles is a bit heavy-handed, but her fight against her illness—and against the stigma that her society places upon it—will appeal to readers who have similar struggles or know others who do. The tale also features romantic elements, and they aren’t presented as a slow burn; indeed, Soli and a prince fall in love and begin a physical relationship quite quickly. Refreshingly, the prince comes with his own emotional baggage and reservations, and lovers of romantasy will enjoy the pairing. Classic fantasy fans will connect with the worldbuilding, which features exciting magical creatures, intriguing locations, and determined evildoers. The narrative only gets halfway through Soli’s quest to free the goddess in this installment, and the pitfalls that she and other heroes face come across as a touch simplistic at times, with few surprises, and villains tend to announce themselves. Hopefully, more exciting twists await readers in an upcoming sequel.

An often charming, if predictable, story featuring a main character who tackles some intriguing challenges.