Blurb
Protect the Goddess’s forest. And protect all who dwell within.
Those were the two oaths Teyerian swore to uphold when appointed to lead the rangers in their Guildmaster’s absence. But when the king makes a pact with unknown forces and magical amulets which amplifies prowess with violent spellcasting, the elves of the forest go mad and turn against the Goddess, taking up torches to burn the oldest kingdom to the ground.
Can Teyerian save the one true home of the elves by breaking the spell that compels them to lunacy?
Review
Although grimdark isn’t a genre that I read overly much in, this novella certainly seemed to fit the genre. Teyerian, given a job he’s not sure he’s capable of doing, ends up being the one holding the line between the King and the forces he seeks to unleash upon the forest, and the oaths the rangers are sworn to uphold. The tension between Teyerian and the others around him, as well as the rangers and the king is clear, and creates a page-turning, gripping story. The story ends in such a place that a reader hopes there will be a sequel, or at least further adventures forthcoming, but the plot arc is wrapped up within these pages and presents an opportunity for our heroes to move forward. I found this a compelling read, and a good introduction to the grimdark genre.
