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A Tale of the Nine Lands: A fantasy novel
The magic within will set you free… Spread your wings through the fire and fly…Powerless and weak, humans and dwarves have suffered under the whip and wand of giants and witches for centuries. Built upon the blood of slaves, the Nine Lands is a world of unimaginable wealth and power, but something is shifting on the mythical continent. An ancient, forgotten magic stirs in the veins of those bound by its evil chains.
Brought together by fate, an unlikely trio holds the key to release the Nine Lands from the shadows.
Theo, a young, rebellious human slave, searches for courage to free the ones he loves. When the cruel taskmaster harbours a sinister affection for his best friend, they must find a way to escape the prison they have always called home.
Ash, a palace servant, finds her mere thoughts can kill those who hurt her. She only wished the apple was poisoned. So how did the prince die?
Exiluk, a horned keradin, should return home. But the Nine Lands call to him for one last adventure that threatens to darken his destiny. Abandoning his humble upbringing, he is entranced by the treasures of the Nine Lands.
On separate journeys connected by destiny, the three must face their inner shadows and draw on their deepest powers to spread their wings and fly…
In A Tale of the Nine Lands, discover the uprising of ancient magic that could topple the empires of witches and giants once and for all. Read J. K. F. Sandham’s debut novel in the Elderworld series.
Brought together by fate, an unlikely trio holds the key to release the Nine Lands from the shadows.
Theo, a young, rebellious human slave, searches for courage to free the ones he loves. When the cruel taskmaster harbours a sinister affection for his best friend, they must find a way to escape the prison they have always called home.
Ash, a palace servant, finds her mere thoughts can kill those who hurt her. She only wished the apple was poisoned. So how did the prince die?
Exiluk, a horned keradin, should return home. But the Nine Lands call to him for one last adventure that threatens to darken his destiny. Abandoning his humble upbringing, he is entranced by the treasures of the Nine Lands.
On separate journeys connected by destiny, the three must face their inner shadows and draw on their deepest powers to spread their wings and fly…
In A Tale of the Nine Lands, discover the uprising of ancient magic that could topple the empires of witches and giants once and for all. Read J. K. F. Sandham’s debut novel in the Elderworld series.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2024
115 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
J. K. F. Sandham
4 books41 followersLegend has it that J. K. F. Sandham’s DNA is coded in prose. His dream of becoming an author started at age six, selling illustrated stories of dragons to his mother’s friends for twenty pence apiece. Now, with a BA in English Literature, an MA in Creative Writing, fifteen years of copywriting experience, and a black belt in overcoming self-doubt, he’s bringing his dream to life, one book at a time, one reader at a time.
J. K. F. also writes gritty British crime as Jameel Sandham
@jkfsandham
J. K. F. also writes gritty British crime as Jameel Sandham
@jkfsandham
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 2, 2025
Really well written story! It had me hooked in the beginning after getting to know every character and their stories.
It felt rushed towards the end and not thaaat good anymore, but still a very enjoyable story.
It felt rushed towards the end and not thaaat good anymore, but still a very enjoyable story.
August 30, 2024
ARC Reader
Warning: This review contains spoilers
This book has a different POV of one of the 3 characters every chapter - I absolutely love that addition to this book it helps to enhance the character development as the story progresses. The development of Theo's character from a coward who was fearful of everything to fighting a giant to save the girl he loved was awe inspiring. The way that Nifty's character was always happy go lucky and would do anything for his friends including stealing made me love his character that much more. The way that Ash was finding herself and learning how to use magic after being a servant for her whole life was inspirational. I could go on and on about how much I love each one of the main characters that is presented in the book, but I will save from spoiling too much. I highly recommend reading this book if you love Fantasy, I can't wait for the next book to be released.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a review copy it was a fantastic read!
Warning: This review contains spoilers
This book has a different POV of one of the 3 characters every chapter - I absolutely love that addition to this book it helps to enhance the character development as the story progresses. The development of Theo's character from a coward who was fearful of everything to fighting a giant to save the girl he loved was awe inspiring. The way that Nifty's character was always happy go lucky and would do anything for his friends including stealing made me love his character that much more. The way that Ash was finding herself and learning how to use magic after being a servant for her whole life was inspirational. I could go on and on about how much I love each one of the main characters that is presented in the book, but I will save from spoiling too much. I highly recommend reading this book if you love Fantasy, I can't wait for the next book to be released.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a review copy it was a fantastic read!
July 9, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I did enjoy this book. In honesty, it felt like three different books in one. The book contained 3 different adventures with none of the characters in each story ever meeting. I wish they would have. Maybe they will in the next installment. I did really love each story. The adventures the characters experienced in each story were really amazing. It was also a quick and easy read. And I am looking forward to the next book.
I did enjoy this book. In honesty, it felt like three different books in one. The book contained 3 different adventures with none of the characters in each story ever meeting. I wish they would have. Maybe they will in the next installment. I did really love each story. The adventures the characters experienced in each story were really amazing. It was also a quick and easy read. And I am looking forward to the next book.
June 17, 2024
ARC Reader
An engaging read! The scene was well set at the start and introducing the characters who develop throughout the plot. It takes you on an exciting journey through a fantasy world with a perfect mix of fantasy ingredients: magic, humans, giants, witches, dwarves, elves and other mythical creatures. Good writing style, themes and descriptions that allow you to immerse yourself into the Elderworld easily.
The story explores themes of bravery and resilience. Theo’s transformation is inspiring and I loved positive little Nifty!
The story is captivating and at 224 pages long it was just perfect reading for me. As a fantasy freak I loved it. I’m so excited for the next instalment….
An engaging read! The scene was well set at the start and introducing the characters who develop throughout the plot. It takes you on an exciting journey through a fantasy world with a perfect mix of fantasy ingredients: magic, humans, giants, witches, dwarves, elves and other mythical creatures. Good writing style, themes and descriptions that allow you to immerse yourself into the Elderworld easily.
The story explores themes of bravery and resilience. Theo’s transformation is inspiring and I loved positive little Nifty!
The story is captivating and at 224 pages long it was just perfect reading for me. As a fantasy freak I loved it. I’m so excited for the next instalment….
July 23, 2024
This book grips you in from page one. This is an enchanting start to epic worlds. The characters were amazing. I would like to know more about Eliluk though. My two favorite characters were Nifty, he has the biggest heart, and Toarer, a giant with empathy.
The world's were stated so surreal that I could actually put myself in them. I could feel the love and pain each character was put through. Like all my reviews I don't like to spoil so go on and get off here and READ IT!
The world's were stated so surreal that I could actually put myself in them. I could feel the love and pain each character was put through. Like all my reviews I don't like to spoil so go on and get off here and READ IT!
July 13, 2024
I honestly loved the story! It held my attention throughout the entire book. If I had to pick one flaw, it's that it's a bit short, but that's only because I want to know more about the characters and their adventures.
Something that stood out to me is the structure of the story. JKF very cleverly weaves multiple character plots and timelines by dedicating each chapter to one of the three protagonists (Theo, Exiluk, and Ash), which when done well (as in this instance), I am a big fan of! His writing style is easy to follow and engaging, and with this format, I felt like I had three stories in one!
I would definitely recommend 'A Tale of The Nine Lands' to anyone who loves high fantasy and dark fantasy. There are many elements of pure brilliance in this first book, and I genuinely can't wait for him to release more of the story!
Something that stood out to me is the structure of the story. JKF very cleverly weaves multiple character plots and timelines by dedicating each chapter to one of the three protagonists (Theo, Exiluk, and Ash), which when done well (as in this instance), I am a big fan of! His writing style is easy to follow and engaging, and with this format, I felt like I had three stories in one!
I would definitely recommend 'A Tale of The Nine Lands' to anyone who loves high fantasy and dark fantasy. There are many elements of pure brilliance in this first book, and I genuinely can't wait for him to release more of the story!
July 13, 2024
Great book, looking forward to the next one in the series. Captivating, I read the book in just a few days! I read a free copy from Voracious Readers.
June 2, 2024
Middle of the Road 2.75 stars rounded up fantasy adventure novel.
DISCLAIMER: I received this ARC via VoraciousReadersOnly in exchange for an honest review. All my thoughts are my personal opinions.
“A Tale of Nine Lands” is an entryway to an eventual in-the-works series revolving around species and races of the Nine Lands in their struggles for power and hoarding magic, and the oppressed rising against the abuse and misinformation beaten into them.
I consider this book an…allegedly interesting entry point into a WIP series.
In the blurb, it speaks of three protagonists: Theo, Ash, and Exiluk. And, to the book’s credit, it steadily and consistently patterns their POVs, each one disconnected from the other. But the blurb also states, “Brought together by fate, an unlikely trio holds the key to release the Nine Lands from the shadows”.
By the end of the book, however, none of these three have met or have a relation to each other.
…
I think this book served not as an entry point but as a prologue book or a Book 0 novel. It gave backstory, but it didn’t do what the blurb set out to accomplish. Once the protagonists are all with each other, I’ll consider the main narrative has started.
I had a few other issues and compliments for the book.
POSITIVES
• I did enjoy this had multiple species and would be a globetrotting book, essentially.
• I enjoyed some of the platonic relationships in this book.
• Peeling back some of the storytelling devices, the bones of the characters showed good promise.
• Nifty. Nuff said.
• Cover is gorgeous.
NEGATIVES
• Stylistic choices. Much of the writing is “He did this. And then she did that. And he could sense… And he could feel…”. Now, some authors get away with this. Rather than using more varying structures in their prose, they’re more repetitive and straight. This is a stylistic choice. But even then, there’s still something about the characters that makes the story worth listening to. This leads me to my next negative…
• Characters. I wasn’t really engaged in the characters or their motivations. By the end, I couldn’t comprehend why Ash went to great lengths for Serene. We’re told it, so I know t. But I couldn’t understand or comprehend. Theo is repeatedly a coward who is more entertained by a pretty girl than much else in life. And I couldn’t really understand Exiluk nor his motivation.
• The Nine Lands. For all that was spoken, while the races/species had their charms, the lands we’re introduced to did not. I’m more of an enjoyer when places have more distinct features and cultures and everything is very homogenous. This could be because I didn’t invest highly in the writing, however.
OVERALL
This was more like a prologue, book 0, or prelude act rather than a Book 1 entry point into the world of ATONL. I would have removed “Brought together by fate”, as the protagonists don’t meet each other in the end. This isn’t the type of Book 1 to get me into a series, but it may very well work for others. The author has a vision, and I hope he can successfully translate it into the rest of the series.
DISCLAIMER: I received this ARC via VoraciousReadersOnly in exchange for an honest review. All my thoughts are my personal opinions.
“A Tale of Nine Lands” is an entryway to an eventual in-the-works series revolving around species and races of the Nine Lands in their struggles for power and hoarding magic, and the oppressed rising against the abuse and misinformation beaten into them.
I consider this book an…allegedly interesting entry point into a WIP series.
In the blurb, it speaks of three protagonists: Theo, Ash, and Exiluk. And, to the book’s credit, it steadily and consistently patterns their POVs, each one disconnected from the other. But the blurb also states, “Brought together by fate, an unlikely trio holds the key to release the Nine Lands from the shadows”.
By the end of the book, however, none of these three have met or have a relation to each other.
…
I think this book served not as an entry point but as a prologue book or a Book 0 novel. It gave backstory, but it didn’t do what the blurb set out to accomplish. Once the protagonists are all with each other, I’ll consider the main narrative has started.
I had a few other issues and compliments for the book.
POSITIVES
• I did enjoy this had multiple species and would be a globetrotting book, essentially.
• I enjoyed some of the platonic relationships in this book.
• Peeling back some of the storytelling devices, the bones of the characters showed good promise.
• Nifty. Nuff said.
• Cover is gorgeous.
NEGATIVES
• Stylistic choices. Much of the writing is “He did this. And then she did that. And he could sense… And he could feel…”. Now, some authors get away with this. Rather than using more varying structures in their prose, they’re more repetitive and straight. This is a stylistic choice. But even then, there’s still something about the characters that makes the story worth listening to. This leads me to my next negative…
• Characters. I wasn’t really engaged in the characters or their motivations. By the end, I couldn’t comprehend why Ash went to great lengths for Serene. We’re told it, so I know t. But I couldn’t understand or comprehend. Theo is repeatedly a coward who is more entertained by a pretty girl than much else in life. And I couldn’t really understand Exiluk nor his motivation.
• The Nine Lands. For all that was spoken, while the races/species had their charms, the lands we’re introduced to did not. I’m more of an enjoyer when places have more distinct features and cultures and everything is very homogenous. This could be because I didn’t invest highly in the writing, however.
OVERALL
This was more like a prologue, book 0, or prelude act rather than a Book 1 entry point into the world of ATONL. I would have removed “Brought together by fate”, as the protagonists don’t meet each other in the end. This isn’t the type of Book 1 to get me into a series, but it may very well work for others. The author has a vision, and I hope he can successfully translate it into the rest of the series.
June 30, 2024
Overall, this was a good book. There are some things that could be improved to make it even better, but it was a solid start.
Characters: 3/5
Throughout the book, each chapter focuses on one of three main characters: Theo, Exiluk, and Ash. I struggled with Theo’s early chapters as I found the constant negative self talk a bit annoying. I just felt like okay, we get it. You’re a coward. Please stop telling me about it. He did improve throughout and his chapters became some of the most interesting, though he still had annoying moments.
I had hope for Exiluk, because at first he seemed to listen to destiny calling him and to just dive headfirst into whatever situation that landed him in. It seemed like he would be a fun, unpredictable character. However, he lost that spark fairly quickly and became pretty single minded, at which point I stopped enjoying reading from his perspective. I liked Ash the longest, although toward the end I didn’t like the way her character began developing, similar to the way I felt about Exiluk. At this end of the book, I don’t feel like she’s necessarily stuck in that trajectory and she could become more likable again in the next book.
The only characters I consistently liked were side characters. Nifty was great. I enjoyed Toarer and Pika as well. I’m not really sure how Tico really plays into his group, because he simultaneously seems to be included as a part of Theo’s crew and yet he seems to be left out of almost everything.
Plot: 2/5
The plot is a bit slow for me. It is definitely clear this is the beginning to a series, and this book does not feel complete. The ending definitely did not feel like the end. While there was technically a resolution to one problem near the end, we end with a cliffhanger for Ash’s portion of the story and we have no clue what is happening with Theo’s crew or with Exiluk. There wasn’t a sense of closure. Another thing to note is that the blurb makes it seem as if these three characters will meet and work together to do something to save the Nine Lands, but Ash never comes into contact with either of the other two, and Theo and Exiluk never speak or interact besides seeing each other in a room. That part of the blurb is describing what must be the plan for the entire series.
Writing: 3/5
The writing was good. The only time that I was distracted by the writing was in one of Ash’s early chapters. It just said “Flashback to (event -not writing the event because I don’t want to spoil anything)” to indicate that Ash had a flashback. But the flashback wasn’t actually described beyond that phrase. It almost felt like when you’re writing an essay and type something like “title goes here” and forget to go back and actually write a title lol. Otherwise, it was fine. No major errors.
Overall, I liked parts of it and didn’t like others. I would probably not read the next book in the series.
Characters: 3/5
Throughout the book, each chapter focuses on one of three main characters: Theo, Exiluk, and Ash. I struggled with Theo’s early chapters as I found the constant negative self talk a bit annoying. I just felt like okay, we get it. You’re a coward. Please stop telling me about it. He did improve throughout and his chapters became some of the most interesting, though he still had annoying moments.
I had hope for Exiluk, because at first he seemed to listen to destiny calling him and to just dive headfirst into whatever situation that landed him in. It seemed like he would be a fun, unpredictable character. However, he lost that spark fairly quickly and became pretty single minded, at which point I stopped enjoying reading from his perspective. I liked Ash the longest, although toward the end I didn’t like the way her character began developing, similar to the way I felt about Exiluk. At this end of the book, I don’t feel like she’s necessarily stuck in that trajectory and she could become more likable again in the next book.
The only characters I consistently liked were side characters. Nifty was great. I enjoyed Toarer and Pika as well. I’m not really sure how Tico really plays into his group, because he simultaneously seems to be included as a part of Theo’s crew and yet he seems to be left out of almost everything.
Plot: 2/5
The plot is a bit slow for me. It is definitely clear this is the beginning to a series, and this book does not feel complete. The ending definitely did not feel like the end. While there was technically a resolution to one problem near the end, we end with a cliffhanger for Ash’s portion of the story and we have no clue what is happening with Theo’s crew or with Exiluk. There wasn’t a sense of closure. Another thing to note is that the blurb makes it seem as if these three characters will meet and work together to do something to save the Nine Lands, but Ash never comes into contact with either of the other two, and Theo and Exiluk never speak or interact besides seeing each other in a room. That part of the blurb is describing what must be the plan for the entire series.
Writing: 3/5
The writing was good. The only time that I was distracted by the writing was in one of Ash’s early chapters. It just said “Flashback to (event -not writing the event because I don’t want to spoil anything)” to indicate that Ash had a flashback. But the flashback wasn’t actually described beyond that phrase. It almost felt like when you’re writing an essay and type something like “title goes here” and forget to go back and actually write a title lol. Otherwise, it was fine. No major errors.
Overall, I liked parts of it and didn’t like others. I would probably not read the next book in the series.
September 12, 2024
The Tale of the Nine Lands is a dark, intense fantasy where humans and dwarves have been crushed under the control of giants and witches for centuries. The story revolves around three unlikely heroes—Theo, Ash, and Exiluk—who all find themselves facing brutal oppression and are driven to fight for their freedom.
Theo is a rebellious human slave who's trying to find the courage to protect his loved ones, especially when his best friend becomes the target of a cruel taskmaster’s obsession. Ash, who works in a palace, discovers that her thoughts can kill, leading to unexpected and dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, Exiluk, a horned keradin, is pulled into one final adventure that could reshape not only his destiny but that of the Nine Lands as well.
The book is filled with ancient magic, dark twists, and the harsh reality of fighting back against tyrannical forces. There’s a sense of danger and tension throughout, with the characters having to navigate both internal struggles and external threats. While the story is gritty and violent, it’s also about finding strength when you're at your weakest.
One of the standout features of this book is how it explores the idea of rising up against impossible odds. The characters are flawed, but that makes them relatable as they struggle to find their power and rise above the horrors they've been trapped in. The world-building is rich, though some readers might find themselves wishing for a bit more background on why certain groups like humans and dwarves are viewed as weak or worthless. The story throws you in, and you have to catch up as you go, which can be a bit confusing at times, especially with some of the new fantasy elements.
Overall, A Tale of the Nine Lands is perfect for fans of epic fantasies like Shannara or Dragonlance. It's a promising start to a series that will likely get darker and more intense as it continues. If you enjoy stories about rebellion and self-discovery with a touch of magic, this one is worth checking out.
Theo is a rebellious human slave who's trying to find the courage to protect his loved ones, especially when his best friend becomes the target of a cruel taskmaster’s obsession. Ash, who works in a palace, discovers that her thoughts can kill, leading to unexpected and dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, Exiluk, a horned keradin, is pulled into one final adventure that could reshape not only his destiny but that of the Nine Lands as well.
The book is filled with ancient magic, dark twists, and the harsh reality of fighting back against tyrannical forces. There’s a sense of danger and tension throughout, with the characters having to navigate both internal struggles and external threats. While the story is gritty and violent, it’s also about finding strength when you're at your weakest.
One of the standout features of this book is how it explores the idea of rising up against impossible odds. The characters are flawed, but that makes them relatable as they struggle to find their power and rise above the horrors they've been trapped in. The world-building is rich, though some readers might find themselves wishing for a bit more background on why certain groups like humans and dwarves are viewed as weak or worthless. The story throws you in, and you have to catch up as you go, which can be a bit confusing at times, especially with some of the new fantasy elements.
Overall, A Tale of the Nine Lands is perfect for fans of epic fantasies like Shannara or Dragonlance. It's a promising start to a series that will likely get darker and more intense as it continues. If you enjoy stories about rebellion and self-discovery with a touch of magic, this one is worth checking out.
June 3, 2024
I received an arc copy for an honest review.
I want to like this book more than I actually do. The 3 POV characters never meeting or interacting is probably the creation of my biggest issues. It was hard to keep all 3 stories straight while jumping around chapter by chapter. The 2 male POVs, Theo and Exiluk, seemed to muddle a bit, making it even harder to keep their perspectives straight. The 3rd POV, Ash, was by far my favorite with being very distinctive from the other 2. I understand why these chapters do jump between POVs to stay in chronological order, but I really wish they were separated by section if not entirely split into their own books/novellas. I do like the basis of the characters we get from this book but it definitely feels like it should have been a prequel. Once we know who these characters are together in the rest of the story coming back to these 3 separate POVs. I believe this would have made it easier, for me anyhow, to follow and care about each POV.
The writing level and style was mediocre at best. I think it got to me more due to not being able to immerse myself in the full story. I'm not usually one to pick apart writing.
Overall I really enjoy the world this book is set into and even most of the characters. There are some great ideas and plot lines that I hope come through in the rest of the series. I look forward to following these characters, though I hope it is together and not as completely individual story archs again.
I want to like this book more than I actually do. The 3 POV characters never meeting or interacting is probably the creation of my biggest issues. It was hard to keep all 3 stories straight while jumping around chapter by chapter. The 2 male POVs, Theo and Exiluk, seemed to muddle a bit, making it even harder to keep their perspectives straight. The 3rd POV, Ash, was by far my favorite with being very distinctive from the other 2. I understand why these chapters do jump between POVs to stay in chronological order, but I really wish they were separated by section if not entirely split into their own books/novellas. I do like the basis of the characters we get from this book but it definitely feels like it should have been a prequel. Once we know who these characters are together in the rest of the story coming back to these 3 separate POVs. I believe this would have made it easier, for me anyhow, to follow and care about each POV.
The writing level and style was mediocre at best. I think it got to me more due to not being able to immerse myself in the full story. I'm not usually one to pick apart writing.
Overall I really enjoy the world this book is set into and even most of the characters. There are some great ideas and plot lines that I hope come through in the rest of the series. I look forward to following these characters, though I hope it is together and not as completely individual story archs again.
March 24, 2024
It was a great book. I argued with myself on four or five stars but if there was an inner argument I decided to go with four.
Each chapter revolves around one of three key characters. I loved two of the characters, Ash and Theo. Exiluk was just as well written but I never felt connected to him. There was certainly character development and there were certainly moments I got more interested in him. Still, I always wanted to rush past him to get to the other two. Especially Theo.
Theo is the exact style of character I love. I want to explain why but I don't want to give spoilers. He came to life though, I emotionally felt his pains, wonders and joys.
There was another character I loved, Nifty, not as central as some of the others but knowing he wasn't a main character when he got in trouble I got worried they were going to kill him. I didn't want him to die! Though I also imagined how it could affect the others and what sort of catalyst such a thing might be.
Did he die? read! to find out.
I also wished the book was a bit longer. The book is about half the sized of most I read.
There is more I'd love to say but I fear giving up anything. Since I want to read more I 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories. Where the nobodies have to fight with little going for them and how it ripples through the lands.
Each chapter revolves around one of three key characters. I loved two of the characters, Ash and Theo. Exiluk was just as well written but I never felt connected to him. There was certainly character development and there were certainly moments I got more interested in him. Still, I always wanted to rush past him to get to the other two. Especially Theo.
Theo is the exact style of character I love. I want to explain why but I don't want to give spoilers. He came to life though, I emotionally felt his pains, wonders and joys.
There was another character I loved, Nifty, not as central as some of the others but knowing he wasn't a main character when he got in trouble I got worried they were going to kill him. I didn't want him to die! Though I also imagined how it could affect the others and what sort of catalyst such a thing might be.
Did he die? read! to find out.
I also wished the book was a bit longer. The book is about half the sized of most I read.
There is more I'd love to say but I fear giving up anything. Since I want to read more I 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories. Where the nobodies have to fight with little going for them and how it ripples through the lands.
September 10, 2024
I give this book 4/5 stars. Overall a good easy read. I do plan to read the next book in the series. Here are a few of my thoughts and opinions.
Writing Style: I like how each chapter was written from the view point of the three main characters.(Theo, Exiluk, and Ash) I enjoyed experiencing and learning about this fantasy world through their eyes. After chapter 3 Ash had me locked in to finish the book.
Pace: This book develops its characters quickly. I believe the author does a good job communicating the characters personalities. But the pace and character development gets a bit slower to the middle of the book. But it isn't a long book so this wasn't a big issue for me.
The World:I like the world that has been created. Witches, giants, humans, dwarves and other creature. The only criticism I have about overall world is I wanted more depth and understand of it. There are so many things I wanted the author to dive deeper into. It sometimes read or felt like a screen play vs. a deep dive into the lore of the Nine Lands.
Overall: I think this is a very good start to a potentially solid fantasy series. This book feels more like a prequel than book one. This book will probably leave you hungry for the next book from J. K. F. Sandham. That is how I felt when I finished. I plan on reading the next book when released.
Writing Style: I like how each chapter was written from the view point of the three main characters.(Theo, Exiluk, and Ash) I enjoyed experiencing and learning about this fantasy world through their eyes. After chapter 3 Ash had me locked in to finish the book.
Pace: This book develops its characters quickly. I believe the author does a good job communicating the characters personalities. But the pace and character development gets a bit slower to the middle of the book. But it isn't a long book so this wasn't a big issue for me.
The World:I like the world that has been created. Witches, giants, humans, dwarves and other creature. The only criticism I have about overall world is I wanted more depth and understand of it. There are so many things I wanted the author to dive deeper into. It sometimes read or felt like a screen play vs. a deep dive into the lore of the Nine Lands.
Overall: I think this is a very good start to a potentially solid fantasy series. This book feels more like a prequel than book one. This book will probably leave you hungry for the next book from J. K. F. Sandham. That is how I felt when I finished. I plan on reading the next book when released.
April 18, 2025
First of all, I loved the story! But what really hooked me was the narrator. the moment I started listening, I was in. Even though the tale itself was grim at times, the narration felt like a warm hug. The combination of the book’s setting, the fantasy elements, and the warmth of the narrator made it feel like I was listening to a fairytale at times. (Not as sweet as Disney, nor as dark as Grimm. It was very well balanced!)
Overall, it was a great read, and I would definitely recommend it!
For people who enjoy TTRPGs, I’d describe this story as watching a campaign and its characters without actually taking part in the story. The way the main characters interacted with the world and the side characters they met reminded me a lot of my own D&D experiences. I especially loved that the main characters never actually met, but still crossed paths through others. hearing news of each other's troubles or sharing side characters that tied their stories together. It really feels like the story is slowly weaving their threads together, setting things up for them to finally meet in the next book and go on an epic quest together!
My only criticism? The book was way too short! I didn’t want it to be over yet! Especially because it’s abundantly clear there’s so much more to come.
Overall, it was a great read, and I would definitely recommend it!
For people who enjoy TTRPGs, I’d describe this story as watching a campaign and its characters without actually taking part in the story. The way the main characters interacted with the world and the side characters they met reminded me a lot of my own D&D experiences. I especially loved that the main characters never actually met, but still crossed paths through others. hearing news of each other's troubles or sharing side characters that tied their stories together. It really feels like the story is slowly weaving their threads together, setting things up for them to finally meet in the next book and go on an epic quest together!
My only criticism? The book was way too short! I didn’t want it to be over yet! Especially because it’s abundantly clear there’s so much more to come.
May 19, 2024
I received a free copy of this book in order to review.
There are flashes of greatness, but overall it’s just not good. It is clear the author has a talent with stories and creativity but is new to writing, and often fails in the when it comes to the standard writing practice of show don’t tell. Descriptions of any moment often took me out of the story and made it difficult to get through the book as the other would make sure too add in an extra sentence or two to tell you how deep or meaningful or beautiful the moment was, as opposed to creating a deep, meaningful, or beautiful moment through dialogue or action.
By a third of the way through I still couldn’t tell you much about any of the characters, there was no time spent to develop them, and nothing all that appealing about the small snippets of their lives we were privy too.
But there are moments of brilliance. A good story is here and with a bit more time and development I think this author is capable of bringing his vision to life, it just didn’t happen here.
There are flashes of greatness, but overall it’s just not good. It is clear the author has a talent with stories and creativity but is new to writing, and often fails in the when it comes to the standard writing practice of show don’t tell. Descriptions of any moment often took me out of the story and made it difficult to get through the book as the other would make sure too add in an extra sentence or two to tell you how deep or meaningful or beautiful the moment was, as opposed to creating a deep, meaningful, or beautiful moment through dialogue or action.
By a third of the way through I still couldn’t tell you much about any of the characters, there was no time spent to develop them, and nothing all that appealing about the small snippets of their lives we were privy too.
But there are moments of brilliance. A good story is here and with a bit more time and development I think this author is capable of bringing his vision to life, it just didn’t happen here.
December 8, 2025
Really loved this book, first came across J.K.F on TikTok in a bid to read more indie authors books. I was hooked by witches and giants and downloaded straight away.
The world building and descriptions are beautifully written, I felt completely immersed in the scenes and could easily picture the places, surroundings and characters.
It has 3 POV’s and each is exciting in their own way, I became very attached to certain characters, particularly Theo, Ash and Nifty. Im very much looking forward to reading book two and seeing what happens to each main characters on their journeys.
I would have liked to have seen the main characters come together in this book but thats what is making me excited for book two to see if their paths cross and what impact it will have on the direction of the story.
Really brilliant fantasy, gorgeous book cover and bravery and courage are paving the way for how the story continues.
The ending was abrupt and I was almost in disbelief as I needed more but thats what book two is for and who doesn’t love a cliff hanger?
The world building and descriptions are beautifully written, I felt completely immersed in the scenes and could easily picture the places, surroundings and characters.
It has 3 POV’s and each is exciting in their own way, I became very attached to certain characters, particularly Theo, Ash and Nifty. Im very much looking forward to reading book two and seeing what happens to each main characters on their journeys.
I would have liked to have seen the main characters come together in this book but thats what is making me excited for book two to see if their paths cross and what impact it will have on the direction of the story.
Really brilliant fantasy, gorgeous book cover and bravery and courage are paving the way for how the story continues.
The ending was abrupt and I was almost in disbelief as I needed more but thats what book two is for and who doesn’t love a cliff hanger?
February 21, 2025
3.5⭐️🌟
First the good part. I enjoyed reading A Tale of the Nine Lands. I kept thinking about The Ring of the Nibelung while reading this book. The world building, the general “look and feel” reminds me of Wagner’s opera. The conflicts between the different races, the dominion of witches and giants over humans and dwarves, and the enigmatic elves, make the Nine Lands a compelling place and leaves me wanting to learn more about them, and past and current events. I particularly enjoyed Theo and his POVs and was intrigued by Exiluk.
What I didn’t enjoy. The pacing feels off. Most of time, I felt like a was reading the cliff notes version of a book, rather than the book itself. It felt rushed most of the time. And with Ash, it felt both rushed and slow at times. I was never able to connect with her or Serena, and I think it was because we are immediately thrown into action without getting to known the characters first.
Overall, it was a fun read and will be continuing with the story.
First the good part. I enjoyed reading A Tale of the Nine Lands. I kept thinking about The Ring of the Nibelung while reading this book. The world building, the general “look and feel” reminds me of Wagner’s opera. The conflicts between the different races, the dominion of witches and giants over humans and dwarves, and the enigmatic elves, make the Nine Lands a compelling place and leaves me wanting to learn more about them, and past and current events. I particularly enjoyed Theo and his POVs and was intrigued by Exiluk.
What I didn’t enjoy. The pacing feels off. Most of time, I felt like a was reading the cliff notes version of a book, rather than the book itself. It felt rushed most of the time. And with Ash, it felt both rushed and slow at times. I was never able to connect with her or Serena, and I think it was because we are immediately thrown into action without getting to known the characters first.
Overall, it was a fun read and will be continuing with the story.
March 25, 2024
'A Tale of the Nine Lands' was a great read. It had my full attention right from the start and had me always trying to find time to get back for more. It was descriptive and full of substance which had my imagination running wild. I enjoyed the assortment of characters and had a soft spot for more than expected and found myself ever curious about what is coming next. It was a great read and I would recommend it for all, as it has so many different variables and different characters that all can find something that will resonate with them. It's a great choice if you are looking for something new, a new adventure which I could see many more stories to come. This feels like it is just the beginning. I'm already craving a volume 2 and I can't wait to get a physical copy to add to the bookshelf.
March 23, 2024
Immersing myself in 'A Tale of the Nine Lands' was an absolute delight! J.K.F. Sandham has crafted a gripping narrative that seamlessly blends darkness with humor, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. What struck me most was Sandham's effortless writing style, making the story not only easy to read but also incredibly engaging. Through the captivating tale, Sandham cleverly weaves in hints of socio-political issues prevalent in our world today, all while transporting readers to an enchanting realm. If you're a fan of stories like 'The Witcher' and 'Game of Thrones,' you'll find yourself thoroughly entertained by this thrilling adventure. I wholeheartedly recommend 'A Tale of the Nine Lands' to anyone seeking a captivating and immersive read.
June 30, 2024
ARC Review
Overall, I loved the idea of the story - there were a variety of characters, and their points of view were all interesting. The actual politics of the Nine Worlds and the plot were fantastic. However, my issue is I felt the story was rushed and I did not feel there was enough character/ world building. Some of it was confusing or was just brought up randomly? I wanted more of a back story set up in the beginning, then move the plot along. I also didn't find any of the main characters to be likable at all - maybe that's the intention, though. The timelines also seemed a little off. It's right on the cusp of being a great story, and I would still read the next book to see what happens.
Overall, I loved the idea of the story - there were a variety of characters, and their points of view were all interesting. The actual politics of the Nine Worlds and the plot were fantastic. However, my issue is I felt the story was rushed and I did not feel there was enough character/ world building. Some of it was confusing or was just brought up randomly? I wanted more of a back story set up in the beginning, then move the plot along. I also didn't find any of the main characters to be likable at all - maybe that's the intention, though. The timelines also seemed a little off. It's right on the cusp of being a great story, and I would still read the next book to see what happens.
October 7, 2025
A prequel that sings with sorrow, temptation, and wonder.
Elfsong dives deep into Nilinriall’s journey, a revered elf whose destiny crumbles as he’s drawn into the mortal world. What unfolds is part tragic ballad, part perilous adventure.
The writing is lush and lyrical, echoing the music that defines Nilinriall’s gift. His descent into mortal temptation, lust, fame, and indulgence felt painfully real, and watching him lose pieces of himself in this dark realm made the story impossible to forget. The settings (especially Terrethedron and the forest of Darpirith) are vividly crafted, making this feel like a movie playing out in your mind.
It’s a brilliant, emotionally layered prequel that enriches the entire saga.
Elfsong dives deep into Nilinriall’s journey, a revered elf whose destiny crumbles as he’s drawn into the mortal world. What unfolds is part tragic ballad, part perilous adventure.
The writing is lush and lyrical, echoing the music that defines Nilinriall’s gift. His descent into mortal temptation, lust, fame, and indulgence felt painfully real, and watching him lose pieces of himself in this dark realm made the story impossible to forget. The settings (especially Terrethedron and the forest of Darpirith) are vividly crafted, making this feel like a movie playing out in your mind.
It’s a brilliant, emotionally layered prequel that enriches the entire saga.
April 23, 2024
I got invested in this book pretty quickly, but the closer I got to the end, the harder it was to put down. I can't wait for the rest of the series. I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and can't wait to learn more about each character's story. I don't have a singular favorite yet and I'm perfectly okay with that as they are all written well and have relatable aspects to each of them. My favorite thing about the book was the world building. Piecing together how the world works with the bits of lore and thoughts from the characters is great and I'm eager to learn more. I will definitely be continuing this series.
June 19, 2024
The Tale Of Nine Lands
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was more than happy to review this amazing book 🦋
If you love a beautifully woven descriptive fantasy world that twists and turns and grows as you read then this is the book for you! It was like I was walking across the world with one character and battling witches with the other. Such a talent! The attention to detail makes this world really come alive! Alongside such intriguing characters who are all facing their own adversities, that seamlessly all fit together in this book makes for a delightful read!
.
I'll be awaiting book two 🙌
.
Published by Elderworld with its unbelievable artwork!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was more than happy to review this amazing book 🦋
If you love a beautifully woven descriptive fantasy world that twists and turns and grows as you read then this is the book for you! It was like I was walking across the world with one character and battling witches with the other. Such a talent! The attention to detail makes this world really come alive! Alongside such intriguing characters who are all facing their own adversities, that seamlessly all fit together in this book makes for a delightful read!
.
I'll be awaiting book two 🙌
.
Published by Elderworld with its unbelievable artwork!
December 23, 2025
A raw and ambitious epic fantasy that plunges readers into a deeply oppressive world of slavery, cruelty, and awakening rebellion. J.K.F. Sandham weaves a dark, immersive narrative around three disparate heroes Theo, Ash, and the mysterious horned keradin, Exiluk who begin to manifest an ancient, forgotten magic. The world-building is stark and visceral, and the stakes feel intensely personal. While the dense lore and unique terminology require investment, the story rewards readers with a powerful, unflinching tale of resilience and the fight for liberation. A strong, promising start to a series with explosive potential.
March 24, 2024
A very engaging and light read during which the author manages to transport and immerse you in the world he is describing. For those who enjoy grittier scenes akin to Game of Thrones, you won't be disappointed (a few more scenes of that nature wouldn't have hurt).
There are references to major fantasy classics (see The Lord of the Rings) with innovative ideas in describing new mechanisms and interactions.
The only negative point is that the action scenes flow quickly .
If you love fantasy settings with elves, dwarves, magic, terror, slavery, treasures, adventures, new unknown races, and deceit, then this book is for you!
There are references to major fantasy classics (see The Lord of the Rings) with innovative ideas in describing new mechanisms and interactions.
The only negative point is that the action scenes flow quickly .
If you love fantasy settings with elves, dwarves, magic, terror, slavery, treasures, adventures, new unknown races, and deceit, then this book is for you!
April 28, 2024
This is a good read for anyone who likes stories involving elves, dwarves, giants etc. Loved the fast paced yet detailed way of story telling. The author's story telling technique helps visualization of characters, landscapes and events with great detail.
All the main characters were given strong backgrounds and I'm looking forward to what happens to them in the part 2.
I wish the author would have given closure on what happened with Exiluk, i guess I'm gonna have to wait until part 2. Got a strange feeling he's gonna play a big role ahead (maybe even antagonistic).
All the main characters were given strong backgrounds and I'm looking forward to what happens to them in the part 2.
I wish the author would have given closure on what happened with Exiluk, i guess I'm gonna have to wait until part 2. Got a strange feeling he's gonna play a big role ahead (maybe even antagonistic).
June 25, 2024
This book had all the parts a good fantasy novel needs: great character building, multiple species, magic, needing to save the land. I loved the story line. The scenes were very well described. I felt like I was there with the characters. I really enjoyed the friendship the characters had. I’m give this 3 stars because there were times the point of view would change and I was lost. I would have to go back and figure out who I’m reading about. For this reason I found it hard to follow the 3 main characters.
July 12, 2024
This could have been a great story, and it started promising.
But even after 50%, the characters are at the same point as they were at the start of the book. I didn't connect with them. I know that they lived a hard life, but all of them were somehow whining and doing nothing more than that. I didn't care about them, so I stopped after 50%.
From the blurb, I assumed that they would go onto an adventure and meet eventually. But they are still stuck in their old lives at 50%, and there is no hint that this will change soon.
The writing was a lot of show, not tell.
But even after 50%, the characters are at the same point as they were at the start of the book. I didn't connect with them. I know that they lived a hard life, but all of them were somehow whining and doing nothing more than that. I didn't care about them, so I stopped after 50%.
From the blurb, I assumed that they would go onto an adventure and meet eventually. But they are still stuck in their old lives at 50%, and there is no hint that this will change soon.
The writing was a lot of show, not tell.
March 23, 2024
This book is fantastic!
I bought it because I was curious and that cover was awesome. It is easy to get sucked in the book and it's even harder to stop reading when you are. The book is about giants, wizards, dwarfs, elfs and has plenty of magic objects and spells in it. I love me some fantasy books, especially the ones that has detailed characters that develop along the book. Honestly, I am only halfway through for now, but I am sure I will have finished it in one or two more days. Just couldn't wait with the review.
I bought it because I was curious and that cover was awesome. It is easy to get sucked in the book and it's even harder to stop reading when you are. The book is about giants, wizards, dwarfs, elfs and has plenty of magic objects and spells in it. I love me some fantasy books, especially the ones that has detailed characters that develop along the book. Honestly, I am only halfway through for now, but I am sure I will have finished it in one or two more days. Just couldn't wait with the review.
June 8, 2024
This is a great fantasy book with giants and witches controlling the lands, with humans and dwarves in slavery. It is a wonderful tale about magic and uprising and self discovery, both positive and negative. All the characters major and minor are well written and you just can't help but like them, even the ones you dislike! I do not want to spoil the plot at all as it is well worth a read in my opinion. This is a series I will follow.
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