SHADOWS IN THE MONASTERY

A young boy plagued by visions grows into his magical powers in Masser’s fantasy novel.

At age 7, Rain, the son of an indifferent farmer father and a timid mother, finds himself incapacitated by images that he doesn’t comprehend. But on the way home after a psychic onslaught, he discovers what he hopes could be the solution to his problem: a monastery run by the Pratyan monks, a charitable order that treats the sick and houses orphans. Rain overcomes his mother’s concerns and persuades his father to allow him to join the monastery, which becomes his home away from home as he matures. It is there that he meets the amber-eyed boy with no name who becomes his best friend. He also attracts the attention of Preceptor Chaya, a mysterious monk. Chaya gives Rain private lessons in shadowcraft (“That first month we focused mostly on stealth and pickpocketing”). During his decade at the monastery, Rain gains other abilities, including telepathy and healing, and develops hyper-acute senses. Rain and his friend reach the status of Shaktar (ascension) simultaneously and are renamed Parjan and Aikyam, respectively. Rain’s reputation grows after he rescues a young noblewoman from bandits. Actions taken by Rain’s mentor, Chaya, herald profound changes at the monastery while Rain readies for a mission that promises intrigue and danger. Masser’s debut novel is frustratingly long on potential but short on payoffs. It reads as the first volume of a series, with much of the narrative taken up by establishing the world in which the Pratyan operate. While the author does an admirable job of evoking the Kingdom of Ephram, aside from a couple of maps, the book has precious little reference material to orient readers in the elaborate world; a fuller explanation of the kingdom’s political situation would be most welcome, for example. Fortunately, Masser has built his story around a likable character in Rain.

This fantastical tale succeeds thanks to an engaging protagonist.