Publisher: Quill and Flame.
Release Date: January 28, 2025.
Source: Purchased.
Category: Fantasy, Christian fantasy.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
His is a life of books and peace…until a dying warrior’s touch ignites an ancient magic within his blood.
For years, Thom Darkfell has used his cartography skills to advise Lomair’s king of the country’s shifting borders. A valued academic, Thom is excluded from the military drafts until whispers of dark abominations and mass casualties reach the king’s ears. The resulting conscription thrusts Thom into Lomair’s losing army. A realist, Thom ignores the wild myths circling through the ranks—until a monster’s jaws snap through the folds of reality and crush a man before Thom’s eyes.
With his dying breath, the Realm Walker passes an impossible task to Thom. Hours later, the visions begin. The Creator, a deity Thom knows only from rituals spoken over meals and graves, appears to him while a girl with starlight in her blood calls from beyond the veil.
Armed with a cryptic map, a biscuit-loving tutor, and the brawn of his best friend, Thom sets out to find the star daughter and lock the barrier to bind the dark realm of Zakar.
If he fails, it will be the end of all.
My thoughts:
5 stars.
Darkfell is a must-read Christian fantasy. I absolutely loved it!
Thom Darkfell loves his books and maps. A royal librarian, he is not suited to war. When all men are conscripted, Thom, along with his brother and best friend, Puck, who is much more suited to battle, join the losing army.
But there is more to this war then meets the eye.
When Thom is given the ability to become a Realm Walker, he must set off on a quest to save his world from an immortal bent on taking it over before everyone and everything he loves is destroyed.
Thom was such a relatable character. He was no warrior, and often doubted himself, but he was brave, doing what needed to be done. He had an otherwordly tutor to help him with his new Realm Walker abilities who was hilarious, and the comic relief needed to counter the darker bits.
One of the strengths of this story was the bond between Thom and Puck. Brothers and best friends, they would do anything for each other, and I loved the dynamic between them.
There was a great faith thread weaved throughout, with El’Ohim watching over everything and being there for Thom even as Thom had doubts.
Without spoiling anything, I will say that there is an awesome character that shows up in the last quarter of the book that I loved the addition of.
Let me take a moment to talk about the romance. It was so sweet and adorable, and I loved it! Give me all the Thom and Norealle scenes! These two have quickly become one of my favourite fictional couples. As much as I love a good enemies to lovers, it was nice to read a story where the pair fall for each other at the same time.
Wright has done an amazing job on her debut. Although there were some darker moments, it was epic, humourous, adventurous, and sweet all rolled into one. I highly recommend it for fantasy fans, especially if you like your fantasy faith based.
Content:
Romance: Sweet and clean, kisses only.
Swearing: None, though there may have been one instance of the word bl**dy.
Violence: I am a bit squeamish and would rate this as medium level violence. There are a few scenes where the Immortal Slager is brutal to human slaves. There are scenes of monsters attacking humans. There is also battle violence. There is one scene where a female is kissed against her will. She is placed in a tent, and it is implied what she is put in there for, but she is rescued before more harm can be done to her.
Rochelle L. Sharpe 