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The Warden's Son #1
Child of Vanris
At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a child of the enemy.
Everything changes when mercenaries arrive hunting for Kasiel. The last people he expects to come to his rescue are Vanrian soldiers, one of whom claims to be his spirit brother, whatever that means. They plan to take him across the war zone to deliver him to his real father, a man whose name strikes terror in his enemies.
With his secret exposed, Kasiel can’t return to his old home. This is his chance to find out who he was supposed to be. It means traveling to a foreign land where they have unusual psychic abilities he may share. It also means leaving behind everything he’s ever cared about. If he is to survive, he will need to learn their language and culture and earn his place in their society.
Meanwhile, the man who cut Kasiel’s ears will do anything to keep him out of his true father’s hands, even if it means killing him.
Everything changes when mercenaries arrive hunting for Kasiel. The last people he expects to come to his rescue are Vanrian soldiers, one of whom claims to be his spirit brother, whatever that means. They plan to take him across the war zone to deliver him to his real father, a man whose name strikes terror in his enemies.
With his secret exposed, Kasiel can’t return to his old home. This is his chance to find out who he was supposed to be. It means traveling to a foreign land where they have unusual psychic abilities he may share. It also means leaving behind everything he’s ever cared about. If he is to survive, he will need to learn their language and culture and earn his place in their society.
Meanwhile, the man who cut Kasiel’s ears will do anything to keep him out of his true father’s hands, even if it means killing him.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2024
About the author
Nikki McCormack
30 books322 followersOutside of her career as an author, Nikki is a professional technical and creative writer, spider wrangler, animal lover, and devoted cat mom. Writing fantasy and science fiction stories has been a lifelong passion for her. She loves to draw upon her myriad life experiences doing everything from wild cave exploration and competitive horseback endurance riding to practicing iaido and archery. She invites you to join her for some fantastic adventures.
Grand Prize Winner of the Dante Rossetti Award for Young Adult Fiction for The Girl and the Clockwork Cat
Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards for The Keeper
Finalist in the Cygnus Award for Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction for Dissident
Writers of the Future finalist with the short story In Silence Waiting.
NOTE: No generative artificial intelligence (A.I.) or predictive language software has been or will be used in any part of the creation of my books.
Grand Prize Winner of the Dante Rossetti Award for Young Adult Fiction for The Girl and the Clockwork Cat
Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards for The Keeper
Finalist in the Cygnus Award for Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction for Dissident
Writers of the Future finalist with the short story In Silence Waiting.
NOTE: No generative artificial intelligence (A.I.) or predictive language software has been or will be used in any part of the creation of my books.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 14, 2024
A brilliant opening to a YA Epic fantasy series.
Kasiel is forced on a life changing journey when he discovers his adopted father has deceived him, mercenaries abduct him from his home, and the people he's been taught are the enemy come to his aid.
It's an intense journey of self discovery, overcoming trauma, adapting to new cultures, and embracing friendship, power and destiny, and he has Jethan by his side every step of the way as his bonded brother helping him adjust to his new life.
With found family bonds, animal companions, emerging abilities, dire stakes, romance, twists and conflicts, this is an entertaining adventure with creative worldbuilding and character development.
Looking forward to the next book and seeing more of these characters and seeing Kasiel's abilities develop.
Kasiel is forced on a life changing journey when he discovers his adopted father has deceived him, mercenaries abduct him from his home, and the people he's been taught are the enemy come to his aid.
It's an intense journey of self discovery, overcoming trauma, adapting to new cultures, and embracing friendship, power and destiny, and he has Jethan by his side every step of the way as his bonded brother helping him adjust to his new life.
With found family bonds, animal companions, emerging abilities, dire stakes, romance, twists and conflicts, this is an entertaining adventure with creative worldbuilding and character development.
Looking forward to the next book and seeing more of these characters and seeing Kasiel's abilities develop.
February 2, 2024
The author was kind enough to provide me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fantastic start to a new epic fantasy series. I really enjoyed this book, because it has a lot of the things I really enjoy, especially the academia-trope and a really well executed culture-clash.
Quick recap: At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Since then, he lived a peaceful and rather reclusive life in a small village with the man who found him and took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears and wearing a cowl when going outside help him hide the fact that he is born Vanrian, a child of the enemy. But his life turns upside down when mercenaries arrive in the village and kidnap him. Right before that he found out that the people he grew up with seem to have been keeping secrets, especially about his heritage. Coming to his rescue are a small group of Vanrian, the people he was taught were his enemies. They want to take him back to his biological father.
All of this actually happens in the very beginning of the book. What follows is the above-mentioned culture clash when Kasiel comes to Vanris. This means lots of new experiences, misunderstandings, lots of learning, adapting to a new culture, overcoming his upbringing and his prejudices, coping with trauma, making new friends and enemies, learning about new abilities. And I loved every bit of it. Oh, and did I mention there are animal companions, too? And special psychic abilities? And tattoos?
The story is centered on Kasiel as the main character and POV. He is likable and relatable, although I have to admit that I thought him a little bland at the beginning. That changed in the course of the story, though, and the secondary characters also more than made up for this. The writing is really smooth and well-polished, the story fast-paced, still leaving enough room for reflection, introspection and character growth. I honestly didn’t know the author before but found out that she has quite the back-catalogue. I definitely have her on my radar now. The world-building is very well executed, we dive into a new world with Kasiel and learn everything through him. There are no info-dumps or overly long descriptive parts, the author paints a vivid picture of the world. Talking about pictures: I really hope for a special edition with lots of pictures of the animals, the tattoos, etc. in the future (wink, wink).
I really cannot wait for the story to continue!
This is a fantastic start to a new epic fantasy series. I really enjoyed this book, because it has a lot of the things I really enjoy, especially the academia-trope and a really well executed culture-clash.
Quick recap: At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Since then, he lived a peaceful and rather reclusive life in a small village with the man who found him and took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears and wearing a cowl when going outside help him hide the fact that he is born Vanrian, a child of the enemy. But his life turns upside down when mercenaries arrive in the village and kidnap him. Right before that he found out that the people he grew up with seem to have been keeping secrets, especially about his heritage. Coming to his rescue are a small group of Vanrian, the people he was taught were his enemies. They want to take him back to his biological father.
All of this actually happens in the very beginning of the book. What follows is the above-mentioned culture clash when Kasiel comes to Vanris. This means lots of new experiences, misunderstandings, lots of learning, adapting to a new culture, overcoming his upbringing and his prejudices, coping with trauma, making new friends and enemies, learning about new abilities. And I loved every bit of it. Oh, and did I mention there are animal companions, too? And special psychic abilities? And tattoos?
The story is centered on Kasiel as the main character and POV. He is likable and relatable, although I have to admit that I thought him a little bland at the beginning. That changed in the course of the story, though, and the secondary characters also more than made up for this. The writing is really smooth and well-polished, the story fast-paced, still leaving enough room for reflection, introspection and character growth. I honestly didn’t know the author before but found out that she has quite the back-catalogue. I definitely have her on my radar now. The world-building is very well executed, we dive into a new world with Kasiel and learn everything through him. There are no info-dumps or overly long descriptive parts, the author paints a vivid picture of the world. Talking about pictures: I really hope for a special edition with lots of pictures of the animals, the tattoos, etc. in the future (wink, wink).
I really cannot wait for the story to continue!
August 28, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFFINSIDERS.COM
Full video review on my BOOKTUBE CHANNEL
NOT ONLY OBVIOUS ENEMIES
Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack was one of my reads for this year's SPFBO (Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off), and it turned out to be a well crafted story.
This epic fantasy novel centers on a young man from an elf-like tribe who’s been raised in a different land, living a peaceful life until a tragic event forces him to leave it all behind. The beginning of the book hits hard, as our protagonist is thrust into a harsh world where he must quickly shed his naivety and learn how to navigate the complexities of life.
Right from the start, the atmosphere of tension and distrust is palpable; he suddenly realizes that his world is filled to the brim with uncertainty. Fear lurks around every corner.
The protagonist, Kasiel, is swiftly and dramatically thrust into a situation where he must question everything he once knew. This shift is particularly heartbreaking as he begins to fear for his life, not only from obvious enemies, but also from those he once considered friends and loved ones.
COMING-OF-AGE
Leading the way for much of the story is the protagonist’s frailty and his gradual journey to gaining confidence, understanding friendships, and learning how to stand up for what he believes in. It’s a strong coming-of-age story, even though some early scenes felt a bit jarring with abrupt jumps that left me questioning the author's intent. The characters, however, are generally well-developed, and their relationships are engaging, particularly the protagonist’s reconnection with a childhood friend in a culture where such bonds are almost sacred.
ORIGINS AND DISTRUST
Kasiel's internal struggle as he returns to his original culture resonated with me on a personal level, drawing parallels to the journey of growing up and the harsh lessons we learn about trust, friendship, and self-acceptance. His return is marked by a deep, instinctive desire to blend in with the people he was born into, to find comfort in the familiarity of his roots. But this desire is constantly at odds with the gnawing distrust that has taken hold of him after barely surviving a betrayal by someone he once considered family.
It’s heartbreaking to watch him navigate this treacherous path, especially as his relationship with Jethan—a person he was supposed to be bonded with since birth—becomes a focal point of this internal battle.
The bond that was meant to symbolize a lifelong connection of trust and loyalty now feels like a fragile thread, easily severed by doubt and suspicion. Kasiel’s struggle mirrors the painful realization many of us face as we grow older: that not all friendships withstand the test of time, and that trust, once broken, is difficult to repair. His journey becomes an exploration of self-acceptance, as he must reconcile the person he has become with the expectations of a culture he no longer fully understands or trusts. This tension, this push and pull between wanting to belong and the fear of further betrayal, is a powerful reflection of the challenges we face in learning who we are, who we can trust, and ultimately, how to accept ourselves even when the world around us feels unsafe and unfamiliar.
PROGRESSION
While the pacing starts slow, especially in the first third of the book, it picks up as the story progresses. The action scenes are well-described and they all help to flesh out the whole plot; they never feel gratuitous or superfluous.
The book manages, quite well, to set the stage for the rest of the series. I do wish there had been more depth in world-building and lore, as epic fantasy often thrives on rich backstories and detailed settings. But for readers who prefer character-driven stories, Child of Vanris delivers, though it left me wanting a bit more in terms of world complexity.
Whether this book is aimed at young adults or straddles the line between YA and adult fantasy is unclear to me, but it’s accessible, well-delivered, and a solid start to a series that promises more.
If you enjoy fantasy with a focus on character relationships and are looking for a new series to dive into, this one is worth checking out.
Full video review on my BOOKTUBE CHANNEL
NOT ONLY OBVIOUS ENEMIES
Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack was one of my reads for this year's SPFBO (Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off), and it turned out to be a well crafted story.
This epic fantasy novel centers on a young man from an elf-like tribe who’s been raised in a different land, living a peaceful life until a tragic event forces him to leave it all behind. The beginning of the book hits hard, as our protagonist is thrust into a harsh world where he must quickly shed his naivety and learn how to navigate the complexities of life.
Right from the start, the atmosphere of tension and distrust is palpable; he suddenly realizes that his world is filled to the brim with uncertainty. Fear lurks around every corner.
The protagonist, Kasiel, is swiftly and dramatically thrust into a situation where he must question everything he once knew. This shift is particularly heartbreaking as he begins to fear for his life, not only from obvious enemies, but also from those he once considered friends and loved ones.
COMING-OF-AGE
Leading the way for much of the story is the protagonist’s frailty and his gradual journey to gaining confidence, understanding friendships, and learning how to stand up for what he believes in. It’s a strong coming-of-age story, even though some early scenes felt a bit jarring with abrupt jumps that left me questioning the author's intent. The characters, however, are generally well-developed, and their relationships are engaging, particularly the protagonist’s reconnection with a childhood friend in a culture where such bonds are almost sacred.
ORIGINS AND DISTRUST
Kasiel's internal struggle as he returns to his original culture resonated with me on a personal level, drawing parallels to the journey of growing up and the harsh lessons we learn about trust, friendship, and self-acceptance. His return is marked by a deep, instinctive desire to blend in with the people he was born into, to find comfort in the familiarity of his roots. But this desire is constantly at odds with the gnawing distrust that has taken hold of him after barely surviving a betrayal by someone he once considered family.
It’s heartbreaking to watch him navigate this treacherous path, especially as his relationship with Jethan—a person he was supposed to be bonded with since birth—becomes a focal point of this internal battle.
The bond that was meant to symbolize a lifelong connection of trust and loyalty now feels like a fragile thread, easily severed by doubt and suspicion. Kasiel’s struggle mirrors the painful realization many of us face as we grow older: that not all friendships withstand the test of time, and that trust, once broken, is difficult to repair. His journey becomes an exploration of self-acceptance, as he must reconcile the person he has become with the expectations of a culture he no longer fully understands or trusts. This tension, this push and pull between wanting to belong and the fear of further betrayal, is a powerful reflection of the challenges we face in learning who we are, who we can trust, and ultimately, how to accept ourselves even when the world around us feels unsafe and unfamiliar.
PROGRESSION
While the pacing starts slow, especially in the first third of the book, it picks up as the story progresses. The action scenes are well-described and they all help to flesh out the whole plot; they never feel gratuitous or superfluous.
The book manages, quite well, to set the stage for the rest of the series. I do wish there had been more depth in world-building and lore, as epic fantasy often thrives on rich backstories and detailed settings. But for readers who prefer character-driven stories, Child of Vanris delivers, though it left me wanting a bit more in terms of world complexity.
Whether this book is aimed at young adults or straddles the line between YA and adult fantasy is unclear to me, but it’s accessible, well-delivered, and a solid start to a series that promises more.
If you enjoy fantasy with a focus on character relationships and are looking for a new series to dive into, this one is worth checking out.
July 20, 2024
I fell in love with this world and this tale of found family filled to the brim with support and loving banter. I also loved the conlang so much.
Kasiel was a lovable protagonist, floundering after intense betrayal and trying to figure out who he is after his culture was ripped from him when he was taken from his family at the age of 5 and mutilated. I loved the sympathetic characters on both sides of the war and watching Kasiel trying to integrate into the culture he had been meant to grow up in, finding support in a found family (tehsheyn) including a spirit brother (tehnaak), especially when his birth father, the only one left of his birth family, rejects him and his queen is suspicious of him.
There are so many amazing quotes here, it felt like a warm blanket wrapped cozy around me even in the face of darkness and epic fantasy. I don’t read much YA and I was worried this would be to YA for me, but I found I didn’t have trouble with it at all.
How can you fail to love his tehsheyn with quotes like these?
“We’re both dealing with unusual circumstances. We’re going to make mistakes along the way. I’m not foolish enough to expect you to trust me yet. I will earn that. Until then, I promise I will try to do my best by you, if you promise to tell me when I fail.”
“If you ever need anything—help with training, a night at the tavern, someone to punch a calloch for you—don’t hesitate to reach out to one of us.”
“That’s Avris, Merrin, Darro, and the one with no manners is Kince.”
“Hold on, Kas.” Avris gave him a pout as if to suggest he had hurt her feelings. “I haven’t got any manners either.”
“You know, Kas, you are allowed to miss what you had. You may realize now that it wasn’t the peaceful, perfect life you thought it was, but that doesn’t mean every happy moment you had there is no longer valid. Those moments were real. There’s nothing at all wrong with you if you remember that peace and happiness fondly and even long for it sometimes.”
In worldbuilding and prose and style, it reminded me of Wheel of Time, though the magic system is much different. We have a medieval-Europe-esque world with strange new creatures to learn about, and we learn about them along with our protagonist Kasiel, as he learns to use his animal-bonding ability. There’s some brief magic school mentions but most of it is adventure and finding a sense of belonging, along with a romance.
There's also amazing quotes like this one:
“Kasiel looked for patience. All he found was a blackness that reminded him of the gaping dark hollows that had taken the place of his father’s eyes and the shadows that had stolen Danica away from him in his nightmares.”
Kasiel is torn a bit between the budding love he has for Danica, who he grew up with, but left behind with his old life when he ran because his father and hers were going to kill him, and his new crush on a healer-in-training in Vanris. However,
It was easy to keep going, wrapped in the adventure and culture shocks and exploration. Even when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about this story!
Kasiel was a lovable protagonist, floundering after intense betrayal and trying to figure out who he is after his culture was ripped from him when he was taken from his family at the age of 5 and mutilated. I loved the sympathetic characters on both sides of the war and watching Kasiel trying to integrate into the culture he had been meant to grow up in, finding support in a found family (tehsheyn) including a spirit brother (tehnaak), especially when his birth father, the only one left of his birth family, rejects him and his queen is suspicious of him.
There are so many amazing quotes here, it felt like a warm blanket wrapped cozy around me even in the face of darkness and epic fantasy. I don’t read much YA and I was worried this would be to YA for me, but I found I didn’t have trouble with it at all.
How can you fail to love his tehsheyn with quotes like these?
“We’re both dealing with unusual circumstances. We’re going to make mistakes along the way. I’m not foolish enough to expect you to trust me yet. I will earn that. Until then, I promise I will try to do my best by you, if you promise to tell me when I fail.”
“If you ever need anything—help with training, a night at the tavern, someone to punch a calloch for you—don’t hesitate to reach out to one of us.”
“That’s Avris, Merrin, Darro, and the one with no manners is Kince.”
“Hold on, Kas.” Avris gave him a pout as if to suggest he had hurt her feelings. “I haven’t got any manners either.”
“You know, Kas, you are allowed to miss what you had. You may realize now that it wasn’t the peaceful, perfect life you thought it was, but that doesn’t mean every happy moment you had there is no longer valid. Those moments were real. There’s nothing at all wrong with you if you remember that peace and happiness fondly and even long for it sometimes.”
In worldbuilding and prose and style, it reminded me of Wheel of Time, though the magic system is much different. We have a medieval-Europe-esque world with strange new creatures to learn about, and we learn about them along with our protagonist Kasiel, as he learns to use his animal-bonding ability. There’s some brief magic school mentions but most of it is adventure and finding a sense of belonging, along with a romance.
There's also amazing quotes like this one:
“Kasiel looked for patience. All he found was a blackness that reminded him of the gaping dark hollows that had taken the place of his father’s eyes and the shadows that had stolen Danica away from him in his nightmares.”
Kasiel is torn a bit between the budding love he has for Danica, who he grew up with, but left behind with his old life when he ran because his father and hers were going to kill him, and his new crush on a healer-in-training in Vanris. However,
It was easy to keep going, wrapped in the adventure and culture shocks and exploration. Even when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about this story!
January 21, 2024
*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
My first 5 star read of 2024! This book is incredible. I was absolutely hooked in the first chapter. Nikki's writing has the hallmarks of a very experienced storyteller (Which I found out she clearly is after I finished this and discovered her back catalogue).Kaisel as the MMC is believeable and loveable. I am not a lover of the whole "trope" designation of books but I will say, lovers of Slow Burn, Found Family will love this book. The characters are rich and 3 dimensional, the world is vivd and extremely well formed. There is a light touch of spice. If you have a mature/advanced teen reader or NA reader, this could be a good book for them (Caveat - this is the first book in a series, I cannot speak for how it will develop).Series fans will adore how Nikki has set this foundation book up for the rest of the series. There is some Romance for the "Romantasy" readers but this is definitely Fantasy forward. Fans of Robin Hobb, Trudi Canavan and Brent Weeks will love this book. As soon as I submit this, I am hitting buy now on the book and looking forward to being able to get my hands on the second.
My first 5 star read of 2024! This book is incredible. I was absolutely hooked in the first chapter. Nikki's writing has the hallmarks of a very experienced storyteller (Which I found out she clearly is after I finished this and discovered her back catalogue).Kaisel as the MMC is believeable and loveable. I am not a lover of the whole "trope" designation of books but I will say, lovers of Slow Burn, Found Family will love this book. The characters are rich and 3 dimensional, the world is vivd and extremely well formed. There is a light touch of spice. If you have a mature/advanced teen reader or NA reader, this could be a good book for them (Caveat - this is the first book in a series, I cannot speak for how it will develop).Series fans will adore how Nikki has set this foundation book up for the rest of the series. There is some Romance for the "Romantasy" readers but this is definitely Fantasy forward. Fans of Robin Hobb, Trudi Canavan and Brent Weeks will love this book. As soon as I submit this, I am hitting buy now on the book and looking forward to being able to get my hands on the second.
May 27, 2026
Child of Vanris starts in a similar way to many fairy tales and fantasies, a young child is found by an old man and adopted and raised by him. The child is Kasiel, and when he was found the pointed ends of his ears had been cut off. As he grows Kasiel wears cowls and would grow his hair long to hide his mutilated ears. Of course they would reveal that he was actually a Vanrian, an enemy of the people of the small village.
His quiet peaceful life comes than end when a band of brigands arrive to carry him off, but the the Vanrian’s arrive to save the day. Once Kasiel goes with the Vanrian’s he is opened up to a whole new world and has to address what he thought he knew about them and the world.
While I initially thought the story might be a little generic and heavily hitting a lot of tropes, the orphan child, the adoptive parent, the attack, the found family etc etc I really started getting into it as it went along. This was largely due to the author's excellent characterisation work. I really started to care for Kasiel and enjoy his journey. The worldbulding and writing is all professionally done and solid. But it was the characterisation that won me over.
It was a finalist in BBNYA 2025 and deserved it.
His quiet peaceful life comes than end when a band of brigands arrive to carry him off, but the the Vanrian’s arrive to save the day. Once Kasiel goes with the Vanrian’s he is opened up to a whole new world and has to address what he thought he knew about them and the world.
While I initially thought the story might be a little generic and heavily hitting a lot of tropes, the orphan child, the adoptive parent, the attack, the found family etc etc I really started getting into it as it went along. This was largely due to the author's excellent characterisation work. I really started to care for Kasiel and enjoy his journey. The worldbulding and writing is all professionally done and solid. But it was the characterisation that won me over.
It was a finalist in BBNYA 2025 and deserved it.
May 21, 2024
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this book. I loved every bit of it. At the start, whenever I begin a book, I do so tentatively, unsure of how I'll feel about it. So of course, I did so with this one and it took me no time at all to become completely hooked. I was quickly invested in Kasiel's story and where things would go for him.
Not just Kas, but those he'd come to grow close to. Those relationships he'd built with his new tehsheyn (love the language incorporation), and his tehnaak—these special bonds between each of them just shows so much depth in their relationships. And the bond with the tethdrak reminded me so much of "How to Train Your Dragon" (which I LOVE).
All of it made this book impossible for me to put down.
I love this little band of heroes and can't wait to see what comes next in Blood Of Vanris. I'll be honest, I didn't realize this was a series when I started it, and I'm so glad it is. I can't get enough!
Not just Kas, but those he'd come to grow close to. Those relationships he'd built with his new tehsheyn (love the language incorporation), and his tehnaak—these special bonds between each of them just shows so much depth in their relationships. And the bond with the tethdrak reminded me so much of "How to Train Your Dragon" (which I LOVE).
All of it made this book impossible for me to put down.
I love this little band of heroes and can't wait to see what comes next in Blood Of Vanris. I'll be honest, I didn't realize this was a series when I started it, and I'm so glad it is. I can't get enough!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2024
The language in this book is so wonderfully crafted that I could read it and could almost "watch" it in my head as it unfolded. Loved the MC and his supporting posse, and the worldbuilding! Broad, cinematic, always interesting, and also "just right." I think we've all read authors whose worldbuilding will include a 2-page treatise on the appearance of a fern. McCormack gets the job done VERY well, and in such a matter that the worldbuilding, the exposition, are all handled well, but expediently so as to not derail you from the story. And it's a GOOD story.
A la Herbert, this book is about more than one thing. It's about family. Betrayal. Self-discovery. Love of animals. Also, I want a tethdraak puppy. Stat.
This was my first time w/this author, and I will be going back for more. I was upset when I realized I was going to have to wait for the next book! ARGH! Don't George RR Martin us on this one, Ms M.
A la Herbert, this book is about more than one thing. It's about family. Betrayal. Self-discovery. Love of animals. Also, I want a tethdraak puppy. Stat.
This was my first time w/this author, and I will be going back for more. I was upset when I realized I was going to have to wait for the next book! ARGH! Don't George RR Martin us on this one, Ms M.
May 26, 2026
I picked up Child of Vanris thanks to it being a finalist in BBNYA 2025.
Child of Vanris is book 1 in The Warden's Son series. It is a super enjoyable epic fantasy that revolves around identity, betrayal, trust and growth. The heart of the book is Kasiel, a wonderfully nuanced and relatable character. To disguise his ancestry his ears were mutiliated as a child, but despite that his early years were peaceful and quiet. Of course, as usual in such tales that soon comes to an end in dramatic fashion.
What I liked most about Kasiel, and by extension the book, was that rather than relying on the old chosen on tropes, the author focuses on making him real and relatable. You come to believe in the character. Quick shout out to the worldbuilding and Spirit Brother dynamic.
Child of Vanris is book 1 in The Warden's Son series. It is a super enjoyable epic fantasy that revolves around identity, betrayal, trust and growth. The heart of the book is Kasiel, a wonderfully nuanced and relatable character. To disguise his ancestry his ears were mutiliated as a child, but despite that his early years were peaceful and quiet. Of course, as usual in such tales that soon comes to an end in dramatic fashion.
What I liked most about Kasiel, and by extension the book, was that rather than relying on the old chosen on tropes, the author focuses on making him real and relatable. You come to believe in the character. Quick shout out to the worldbuilding and Spirit Brother dynamic.
July 13, 2024
"Child of Vanris" by Nikki McCormack is a gripping fantasy tale of identity and survival. Kasiel, discovered with his ears mutilated, has hidden his true heritage for years. When mercenaries target him, he's rescued by Vanrian soldiers, revealing his lineage as a child of the enemy. His supposed spirit brother guides him through dangerous lands to meet his feared father. Kasiel must navigate new psychic abilities and an unfamiliar culture, leaving his old life behind. This riveting story of self-discovery and bravery is beautifully crafted, making it a must-read for fans of epic fantasy adventures.
June 5, 2026
A brilliant BBNYA finalist that could have finished even higher!
Child of Varnish is a really fantastic book and start to a new fantasy series. The heart of the story is Kasiel, who at just five years old was fond with his ears mutiliated. He is taken to a small village and lives out his early years there, but one day brigands kidnap him. But he escapes with the aid of a group of Vanrian’s who take him his biological father. From there we get a story of friendship, treachery, found family and more.
Its well written, fast paced and highly recommended.
Child of Varnish is a really fantastic book and start to a new fantasy series. The heart of the story is Kasiel, who at just five years old was fond with his ears mutiliated. He is taken to a small village and lives out his early years there, but one day brigands kidnap him. But he escapes with the aid of a group of Vanrian’s who take him his biological father. From there we get a story of friendship, treachery, found family and more.
Its well written, fast paced and highly recommended.
January 14, 2024
When I started reading this book I was immediately impressed with the descriptions and the way the world was being built. Then the story dragged me in. I ended up loving Kasiel, and the journey of growth he went on. His character expanded without betraying who he was in the first place. About midway, the story did slow down, but it picked up again and went on to a great finish. I would definitely recommend this book, and can't wait to read the next one.
January 21, 2024
Child of Vanris is my favorite book of 2024 so far. This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
As I got to the last 5 chapters and was torn between reading through the night because I needed to know how it ended or slowing down to make it last for one more day.
Child of Vanris is action-packed with fabulous worldbuilding and features a wonderful cast of characters. I cannot wait for the release of the second book.
As I got to the last 5 chapters and was torn between reading through the night because I needed to know how it ended or slowing down to make it last for one more day.
Child of Vanris is action-packed with fabulous worldbuilding and features a wonderful cast of characters. I cannot wait for the release of the second book.
February 28, 2024
"Wow"! What a terrific book!
Impressive storytelling! I became completely immersed very early in the story. This has a great plot, it is fast paced and exciting. The characters felt so genuine and are so charismatic. I wanted to join them, to be part of the adventure. For me this was a compelling and emotionally charged story. I could not put it down. It was a breathtaking journey.....
Impressive storytelling! I became completely immersed very early in the story. This has a great plot, it is fast paced and exciting. The characters felt so genuine and are so charismatic. I wanted to join them, to be part of the adventure. For me this was a compelling and emotionally charged story. I could not put it down. It was a breathtaking journey.....
April 3, 2024
Child of Vanris is an exciting start to a new fantasy series. That follows Kasiel through his interesting story of being stuck between two cultures and not quite fitting into either. It has a wide cast of characters that fill the story with funny moments and a few heart breaks. I would recommend this to anyone seeking a "Lord of the rings" style world and a deep dive into a new and interesting culture. Great read!
December 16, 2024
Found family & great character journey
Kasiel was kidnapped as a kid and raised in enemy territory by a kind professor. His life turns upside down again as a young adult when both mercenaries & his own people come to claim him. With his old life closed to him, Kas now has to adapt to the culture of the people he was born to, find new friends, and meet his birth father. This was an excellent character journey, with a magical creature companion, and a great found family.
Kasiel was kidnapped as a kid and raised in enemy territory by a kind professor. His life turns upside down again as a young adult when both mercenaries & his own people come to claim him. With his old life closed to him, Kas now has to adapt to the culture of the people he was born to, find new friends, and meet his birth father. This was an excellent character journey, with a magical creature companion, and a great found family.
January 20, 2026
This is an interesting twist on the village boy being thrown headlong into noble shenanigans. I sympathize with Kasiel's bewilderment, confusion and anger. The way his world got upended multiple ways in a short time was painful to empathize with, so I was impressed with his resilience and his way of getting his footing in troublesome circumstances. I would recommend this to fans of Ryan Kirk and Rory Surtain.
January 15, 2024
I was given the opportunity to read a pre released copy of the book. I was engaged from the start! The character development was great and I felt immersed in the world. The fast paced storyline had me rapidly turning the pages; I didn't want to put the book down. I am eagerly awaiting the next book to see how the story continues.
January 14, 2024
Excited for book 2
I received an early release copy of this book to review. The characters are well written, and the story is engaging. Fantasy is my favorite genre, and this book did not disappoint. I like the MC, and for me, that is very important.
I received an early release copy of this book to review. The characters are well written, and the story is engaging. Fantasy is my favorite genre, and this book did not disappoint. I like the MC, and for me, that is very important.
May 12, 2024
Loved the book. Got pulled in from the first chapter, and couldn't put the book down. Nikki weaves a compelling story with such a vivid world, and well written characters, that leaves you wanting to read more. Can't wait to read the second book.
October 22, 2024
Enthralling, exciting adventure story
It was easy to become immersed in this world and story. The characters and world were crafted well . It was full of excitement, misadventures and thrilling moments. I am looking forward to reading the next in this series.
It was easy to become immersed in this world and story. The characters and world were crafted well . It was full of excitement, misadventures and thrilling moments. I am looking forward to reading the next in this series.
December 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and devoured it in a day and a half. The pacing was great and the action was gripping. I felt really connected to the characters and felt real emotions at their situations.
I'm really looking forward to the reading the rest of this series.
I'm really looking forward to the reading the rest of this series.
Want to Read
July 11, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBOX contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A young man raised in a backwater by a disorganized wizard debates whether to reveal his true (and often reviled) race to his first love in this cozy opening that takes a dangerous turn!
This opening has such an invitingly calm, cozy tone to begin with, which it balances beautifully with the notes of a mysteriously violent past, and a potentially violent future for our MC.
The prose and dialogue are totally competent here and infinitely readable. The narration is 3rd person close on our MC, a youth, not yet out of his teenage years. He’s a Vanarian - a non-human race distinguished by their hair color and pointed ears.
But our MC’s ears have been cut—not that he remembers when or by whom. His wizardly father-figure to whom he is now apprenticed has advised him tell no one the secret of his race, and until now, our MC has taken care to see that he does just that.
Love has a way of making us want to reveal all of ourselves, however, and our MC has fallen for the blacksmiths daughter after she kissed him. They’d always been close, but now, he just doesn’t know what to do.
The beginning takes its time to draw us into the world of our MC, picking up after his wizard, keeping the house tidy, leaving a few drops of his blood for “research.” This is patient and precise storytelling. It’s been wonderful to read.
It doesn’t waste a second, tho. We’re always learning something. Every detail adds dimension to the characters and the world of the story, lulling us into a peaceful complacency that the first chapter brilliantly disrupts in a final stroke that left be desperate to read on.
This opening is so nice. It’s doing so much in such a short time without a single misstep. I can’t guess just what will happen next, but the story feels full of promise and mystery, and I’m already in love with her sweet boy MC! I’m in!
A young man raised in a backwater by a disorganized wizard debates whether to reveal his true (and often reviled) race to his first love in this cozy opening that takes a dangerous turn!
This opening has such an invitingly calm, cozy tone to begin with, which it balances beautifully with the notes of a mysteriously violent past, and a potentially violent future for our MC.
The prose and dialogue are totally competent here and infinitely readable. The narration is 3rd person close on our MC, a youth, not yet out of his teenage years. He’s a Vanarian - a non-human race distinguished by their hair color and pointed ears.
But our MC’s ears have been cut—not that he remembers when or by whom. His wizardly father-figure to whom he is now apprenticed has advised him tell no one the secret of his race, and until now, our MC has taken care to see that he does just that.
Love has a way of making us want to reveal all of ourselves, however, and our MC has fallen for the blacksmiths daughter after she kissed him. They’d always been close, but now, he just doesn’t know what to do.
The beginning takes its time to draw us into the world of our MC, picking up after his wizard, keeping the house tidy, leaving a few drops of his blood for “research.” This is patient and precise storytelling. It’s been wonderful to read.
It doesn’t waste a second, tho. We’re always learning something. Every detail adds dimension to the characters and the world of the story, lulling us into a peaceful complacency that the first chapter brilliantly disrupts in a final stroke that left be desperate to read on.
This opening is so nice. It’s doing so much in such a short time without a single misstep. I can’t guess just what will happen next, but the story feels full of promise and mystery, and I’m already in love with her sweet boy MC! I’m in!
February 25, 2026
Child of Vanris is Book 1 of The Warden's Son, a complete series. I got the ebook on a deal, and the book description sounded intriguing. It superseded my expectations! It has plenty of action, diverse characters, descriptive worldbuilding, and fascinating magic. One of my favorite aspects is the unique animals in the land of Vanris.
If you love a disadvantaged hero raised on the wrong side of the border, facing enemies from both sides, with tropes that include a bromance and found family, then you'll love Child of Vanris! I had withdrawal symptoms after reading it, and I'm waiting for Christmas money to read the rest.
Do you love audiobooks? Here is one of the best I've ever listened to. The narrator is a masterful voice actor. Gary Furlong brings life to the characters by unpacking all the appropriate feelings. He even laughs and chuckles naturally. Since reading the book, it has become a top favorite, and now that's also true of the audiobook.
If you love a disadvantaged hero raised on the wrong side of the border, facing enemies from both sides, with tropes that include a bromance and found family, then you'll love Child of Vanris! I had withdrawal symptoms after reading it, and I'm waiting for Christmas money to read the rest.
Do you love audiobooks? Here is one of the best I've ever listened to. The narrator is a masterful voice actor. Gary Furlong brings life to the characters by unpacking all the appropriate feelings. He even laughs and chuckles naturally. Since reading the book, it has become a top favorite, and now that's also true of the audiobook.
June 29, 2025
3.5
I picked this up because of SPFBO10 and I'm so happy I did. I really enjoyed reading this and I love a good found family situation.
It was good seeing Kas grow (and his ability!!!) as a character and in his relationships with all the new people in his life.
I picked this up because of SPFBO10 and I'm so happy I did. I really enjoyed reading this and I love a good found family situation.
It was good seeing Kas grow (and his ability!!!) as a character and in his relationships with all the new people in his life.
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