A grand otherworldly adventure with an appealing protagonist at the helm.
A young man scours unknown lands hunting for legendary runes in Gardner’s debut fantasy novel and series launch.
Nall lives in peace and solitude on remote Clearwater Island. His parents died when he was a boy, but the 22-year-old is close with several islanders, particularly Tengar, the childhood friend he’s fallen for. Nall craves adventure out in the bigger world and finds his chance with a vacant spot on a merchant ship. The action picks up when the crew docks on the Southern Continent and Nall meets treasure hunters Bright and Steiner. They’re looking for famed explorer Ohlegan’s mysterious, powerful runes, which he has hidden in “dangerous and isolated spots.” Bright and Steiner know where one rune is, but the remaining three are secreted on other continents. They take to the seas, traverse a barren desert, and try not to incite locals at pubs. In exotic locations (such as an ancient temple), the three men, soon joined by a fourth adventurer named Ruby, tackle potentially deadly puzzles and navigate mazelike interiors to unearth the runes. Gardner eases readers into this story with the warmhearted, instantly likable Nall and his quiet life. As his journey begins, the mysteries enjoyably pile on, including the runes’ ties to an uninhabitable “Lost Continent” and a stranger apparently shadowing the treasure hunters. The author’s straightforward prose presents an unknown world with sights that feel familiar, from a rusty-colored river and forests to Clearwater’s annual festival. At the same time, Nall and company run into several packs of ghastly creatures—ones that move with “contorted and spasming” legs and horned, spike-tailed beasts that spit a “vile brown liquid.” A few answers gradually come to light, some coming from Ohlegan’s journal excerpts (though he certainly doesn’t give the precise location of the runes). Many threads are left hanging, and it’s clear that the hunters’ quest is far from over.
A grand otherworldly adventure with an appealing protagonist at the helm.Pub Date: Feb. 9, 2024
ISBN: 9780578350554
Page Count: 201
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Unrelenting, and not in a good way.
A young Navarrian woman faces even greater challenges in her second year at dragon-riding school.
Violet Sorrengail did all the normal things one would do as a first-year student at Basgiath War College: made new friends, fell in love, and survived multiple assassination attempts. She was also the first rider to ever bond with two dragons: Tairn, a powerful black dragon with a distinguished battle history, and Andarna, a baby dragon too young to carry a rider. At the end of Fourth Wing (2023), Violet and her lover, Xaden Riorson, discovered that Navarre is under attack from wyvern, evil two-legged dragons, and venin, soulless monsters that harvest energy from the ground. Navarrians had always been told that these were monsters of legend and myth, not real creatures dangerously close to breaking through Navarre’s wards and attacking civilian populations. In this overly long sequel, Violet, Xaden, and their dragons are determined to find a way to protect Navarre, despite the fact that the army and government hid the truth about these creatures. Due to the machinations of several traitorous instructors at Basgiath, Xaden and Violet are separated for most of the book—he’s stationed at a distant outpost, leaving her to handle the treacherous, cutthroat world of the war college on her own. Violet is repeatedly threatened by her new vice commandant, a brutal man who wants to silence her. Although Violet and her dragons continue to model extreme bravery, the novel feels repetitive and more than a little sloppy, leaving obvious questions about the world unanswered. The book is full of action and just as full of plot holes, including scenes that are illogical or disconnected from the main narrative. Secondary characters are ignored until a scene requires them to assist Violet or to be killed in the endless violence that plagues their school.
Unrelenting, and not in a good way.Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781649374172
Page Count: 640
Publisher: Red Tower
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
