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The Source of Strife
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Only stolen.
Mages feed on catalysts like Dinnie to enhance their spells, and since she’s the most formidable weapon alive, they will stop at nothing to control her. Even her parents, leaders of warring realms, wage a battle for her custody, imprisoning her to prevent the other from gaining the upper hand.
No more.
For the first time in her fourteen years, Dinnie isn’t alone. With the help of Ghost, a glum deserter shackled to his past, she intends to flee this madness. But as they witness the horrors unleashed to retrieve her, one thing becomes clear: Her parents will never abandon their claim.
Death and destruction follow in Dinnie’s wake, and she must decide if her freedom is worth the cost.
Mages feed on catalysts like Dinnie to enhance their spells, and since she’s the most formidable weapon alive, they will stop at nothing to control her. Even her parents, leaders of warring realms, wage a battle for her custody, imprisoning her to prevent the other from gaining the upper hand.
No more.
For the first time in her fourteen years, Dinnie isn’t alone. With the help of Ghost, a glum deserter shackled to his past, she intends to flee this madness. But as they witness the horrors unleashed to retrieve her, one thing becomes clear: Her parents will never abandon their claim.
Death and destruction follow in Dinnie’s wake, and she must decide if her freedom is worth the cost.
- GenresFantasy
387 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2025
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March 13, 2025
I wish to thank the author for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
If this book ever got translated to Spanish, I would have personally named it 'La fuente de la discordia', where the cause of the entire book's conflict resides on its unwitting protagonist, a preteen girl whose entire life has revolved around living imprisoned by either one of her two deplorable parents to serve their own selfish purposes.
When fantasy readers initially think of the genre, high fantasy tends to focus on the 'Chosen One Farmboy' trope. Protagonists can either be noble wannabe heroes, perfect Mary Sue/Gary Stus or some other variant of a person with an untapped skill that offers them immense benefits.
However, it isn't nearly as common to meet protagonists born with a magic ability that pretty much sucks for them in every way. One such book would be ¡Qué importa la magia cuando hay amor! by Spaniard author Álvaro Espino where the protagonist Vanessa is shunned by everyone because her only skill is to reanimate random objects like chairs or furniture that spend their time insulting her.
Probably a closer story to Dinnie's situation is Zero no Tsukaima, where the protagonist posesses highly unusual Void magic that seems more like a burden than a gift.
Any way, the magic system in The Source of Strife is quite cool. We have Channellers that are the expected mages. They can channel energy for spells such as fire, gravity, energy stones... or human life. Their opposites are Dampeners, whose more defensive abilities still come in handy by deflecting or outright absorbing energy. Finally, we get the Catalysts, who are people born to become... batteries. Yup, that's pretty much it. While it seems like some exceptional Channellers can use life energy from any source, Catalysts give them a sugar high that becomes rather addictive. Oh, and getting juiced a tad bit too often kills the Catalyst, small catch. Aaaaand... Dinnie just happens to have insanely gigantic amounts of life energy.
The biggest thumbs up from this book is how Dinnie is aware she is ignorant about the world due to her unwanted imprisonment and yearning to enjoy a normal life somewhere filled with animals. Her disengagement being dragged along a group of strangers to endure her opposite toxic parent while being unable to block or shut down her battery magic is the strongest asset of the book. And savoring a few moments of freedom and the platonic friendship she forms with the straggler Ghost will ensure she will not be the same person by the end of the novel.
Ghost is an intriguing vagrant... I mean complicated guy. It is obvious he's depressed with low self esteem. The way he resists the temptation to steal Dinnie's Source the entire novel while everyone else hoards it adds additional complexity and fun to the story. His combat style is not even regular spell casting, but to grind magic stones infused with various properties into bullets. So, yes, this book is in a strange way also a Flintlock novel. Floating cities powered by steam and gravity stones also exist, and I also believe there are trains (never shown in the novel, albeit they exist in some regions in Jadeveld).
The neighboring country where Dinnie's father resides named Ansoor on the other hand is much more medieval, where the abundance of volcanoes fuel sufficient life energy to make the populace complacent.
Now, despite how much the magic system, plot and protagonists are awesome, I did feel some parts of the book were a tad bit too much: group flees with Dinnie and give her a disguise. They get attacked by (insert enemy of the chapter here whether wild animal or soldiers sent by either parent). Ghost and Bravid argue over unresolved problems from their childhood. Dinnie (damsel in distress extraordinaire) gets into trouble. Ghost comes to save the day and the two friends spend time together. Next chapter rinse & repeat with a few modifications having characters split up here & there.
The entire part of the book where they visit the Amazoness swamplands can be entirely skipped with zero repercussions plotwise. The boat they are travelling can get attacked (insert here either army, wild animals, or the Void ghosts), and the scenes happening after their separation would have happened exactly the same way. Some readers yearning for their action scene of the day will enjoy them. I personally felt the best chapters in the book were the scant quieter ones where we learn more about Ghost's troubled past and the friendship he forges with Dinnie.
Despite the superb editing (I am certain there wasn't much work needed given the quality of the prose), I would have wanted to see more distinction between the way Jadevelds and Ansoorians view Catalysts. Rich families hoard Jadeveld Catalysts like disposable batteries, making it dangerous for one of these poor saps to wander around without a slaver/ahem bodyguard. So, when we discover Ansoorians were supposed to view Catalysts as demigods, the way we discover they enslave them as well felt confusing to me. I would have wanted a cultural rift to be forged where some important Ansoor factions are rebelling against the All-Keeper (Dinnie's dad) and others are more vocal following him because either he's the best Channeller mage in the country and/or they believe he can stop the Void rifts from opening.
I can't speak too much more about that due to spoilers, but I felt the book would have attained 5 stars if we had a more defined cultural variance of the role of Catalysts in society over monster of the chapter battles.
As for the addition of Oxelotl and Ixaatl, it was very odd for me to see words very loosely inspired by Nahuatl. From my prior reading tastes, it is obvious I enjoy reading books partially written in Nahuatl, and I was kinda wondering half of the time if Oxelotl was supposed to mean an ocelot or an axolotl with an unusual spelling. As such, Oxelotl isn't a word in nahuatl, but the suffix certainly is. From the descriptions in the book, Oxelotl is a sort of 6 eyed jaguar. Ixaatl as such doesn't have a meaning in Nahuatl, although Ixtla can mean eye or face and Ixtlatl can be valley of water. Other slight rewordings of the word can mean maguey fabric/paper. So in a nutshell, whenever I encounter Nahua words in books that aren't supposed to be inspired by Mesoamerican cultures, my head starts wondering if it was just a stylistic choice or the meaning was on purpose. In every other way, Ansoor doesn't bare any resemblance to Latin American precolumbian cultures as far as I know.
I believe I have pretty much summed my thoughts on the book. I certainly had a fun time reading this novel, and whether or not it will get a sequel (there is still sufficient loose ends to explore), it can be enjoyed as a standalone. Enjoy!
If this book ever got translated to Spanish, I would have personally named it 'La fuente de la discordia', where the cause of the entire book's conflict resides on its unwitting protagonist, a preteen girl whose entire life has revolved around living imprisoned by either one of her two deplorable parents to serve their own selfish purposes.
When fantasy readers initially think of the genre, high fantasy tends to focus on the 'Chosen One Farmboy' trope. Protagonists can either be noble wannabe heroes, perfect Mary Sue/Gary Stus or some other variant of a person with an untapped skill that offers them immense benefits.
However, it isn't nearly as common to meet protagonists born with a magic ability that pretty much sucks for them in every way. One such book would be ¡Qué importa la magia cuando hay amor! by Spaniard author Álvaro Espino where the protagonist Vanessa is shunned by everyone because her only skill is to reanimate random objects like chairs or furniture that spend their time insulting her.
Probably a closer story to Dinnie's situation is Zero no Tsukaima, where the protagonist posesses highly unusual Void magic that seems more like a burden than a gift.
Any way, the magic system in The Source of Strife is quite cool. We have Channellers that are the expected mages. They can channel energy for spells such as fire, gravity, energy stones... or human life. Their opposites are Dampeners, whose more defensive abilities still come in handy by deflecting or outright absorbing energy. Finally, we get the Catalysts, who are people born to become... batteries. Yup, that's pretty much it. While it seems like some exceptional Channellers can use life energy from any source, Catalysts give them a sugar high that becomes rather addictive. Oh, and getting juiced a tad bit too often kills the Catalyst, small catch. Aaaaand... Dinnie just happens to have insanely gigantic amounts of life energy.
The biggest thumbs up from this book is how Dinnie is aware she is ignorant about the world due to her unwanted imprisonment and yearning to enjoy a normal life somewhere filled with animals. Her disengagement being dragged along a group of strangers to endure her opposite toxic parent while being unable to block or shut down her battery magic is the strongest asset of the book. And savoring a few moments of freedom and the platonic friendship she forms with the straggler Ghost will ensure she will not be the same person by the end of the novel.
Ghost is an intriguing vagrant... I mean complicated guy. It is obvious he's depressed with low self esteem. The way he resists the temptation to steal Dinnie's Source the entire novel while everyone else hoards it adds additional complexity and fun to the story. His combat style is not even regular spell casting, but to grind magic stones infused with various properties into bullets. So, yes, this book is in a strange way also a Flintlock novel. Floating cities powered by steam and gravity stones also exist, and I also believe there are trains (never shown in the novel, albeit they exist in some regions in Jadeveld).
The neighboring country where Dinnie's father resides named Ansoor on the other hand is much more medieval, where the abundance of volcanoes fuel sufficient life energy to make the populace complacent.
Now, despite how much the magic system, plot and protagonists are awesome, I did feel some parts of the book were a tad bit too much: group flees with Dinnie and give her a disguise. They get attacked by (insert enemy of the chapter here whether wild animal or soldiers sent by either parent). Ghost and Bravid argue over unresolved problems from their childhood. Dinnie (damsel in distress extraordinaire) gets into trouble. Ghost comes to save the day and the two friends spend time together. Next chapter rinse & repeat with a few modifications having characters split up here & there.
The entire part of the book where they visit the Amazoness swamplands can be entirely skipped with zero repercussions plotwise. The boat they are travelling can get attacked (insert here either army, wild animals, or the Void ghosts), and the scenes happening after their separation would have happened exactly the same way. Some readers yearning for their action scene of the day will enjoy them. I personally felt the best chapters in the book were the scant quieter ones where we learn more about Ghost's troubled past and the friendship he forges with Dinnie.
Despite the superb editing (I am certain there wasn't much work needed given the quality of the prose), I would have wanted to see more distinction between the way Jadevelds and Ansoorians view Catalysts. Rich families hoard Jadeveld Catalysts like disposable batteries, making it dangerous for one of these poor saps to wander around without a slaver/ahem bodyguard. So, when we discover Ansoorians were supposed to view Catalysts as demigods, the way we discover they enslave them as well felt confusing to me. I would have wanted a cultural rift to be forged where some important Ansoor factions are rebelling against the All-Keeper (Dinnie's dad) and others are more vocal following him because either he's the best Channeller mage in the country and/or they believe he can stop the Void rifts from opening.
I can't speak too much more about that due to spoilers, but I felt the book would have attained 5 stars if we had a more defined cultural variance of the role of Catalysts in society over monster of the chapter battles.
As for the addition of Oxelotl and Ixaatl, it was very odd for me to see words very loosely inspired by Nahuatl. From my prior reading tastes, it is obvious I enjoy reading books partially written in Nahuatl, and I was kinda wondering half of the time if Oxelotl was supposed to mean an ocelot or an axolotl with an unusual spelling. As such, Oxelotl isn't a word in nahuatl, but the suffix certainly is. From the descriptions in the book, Oxelotl is a sort of 6 eyed jaguar. Ixaatl as such doesn't have a meaning in Nahuatl, although Ixtla can mean eye or face and Ixtlatl can be valley of water. Other slight rewordings of the word can mean maguey fabric/paper. So in a nutshell, whenever I encounter Nahua words in books that aren't supposed to be inspired by Mesoamerican cultures, my head starts wondering if it was just a stylistic choice or the meaning was on purpose. In every other way, Ansoor doesn't bare any resemblance to Latin American precolumbian cultures as far as I know.
I believe I have pretty much summed my thoughts on the book. I certainly had a fun time reading this novel, and whether or not it will get a sequel (there is still sufficient loose ends to explore), it can be enjoyed as a standalone. Enjoy!
September 8, 2025
Source of Strife was my first foray into Weird West as a subgenre, and I think it was a fabulous introduction. The settings don’t always evoke the wild west. You have the scheming monarchs and magical portals of epic fantasy, along with a smattering of zombie horror. Still, the western flavour is is in the horse riding, camp scenes and the speech patterns of some characters (I imagine Irina Deadwood in particular, speaking with a Southern twang). But I am getting ahead of myself.
Our story kicks off with a kidnapping. Dinnie, a teenager, is taken from the gilded prison that is her mother’s palace. Some of the people behind the kidnapping are known to her. We learn that Dinnie – the Sourcedaughter – is caught in a high-stakes custody battle between her power-hungry parents, the Sourcequeen and the All-Keeper.
More than a princess, Dinnie is a potent catalyst. It isn’t immediately clear what her kidnappers hope to gain from taking her. They discuss it a bit in the beginning, but I missed a lot of the implications as I was still coming to understand terms like “source” and “void rifts”. The situation becomes clearer as we’re introduced to the wider world. People are either catalysts, whose bodies contain source (a kind of nature-amplifying power that they can’t use); channellers, who have no power of their own, but can perform supernatural feats with a catalyst's source; or dampeners, who can mask a catalyst’s source.
Dinnie’s kidnappers hope to use her as part of a scheme to end the void rifts seemingly caused by her father, the All-Keeper. These horrific portals cause fiery explosions in small, isolated settlements. The void itself seems to host hoards of zombies that kill people and claim catalysts.
The character roster changes up throughout the story, but I’ll start with those who are introduced early:
Bravid is a traitor who is guided by a rigid moral compass that supersedes the code he used to live by. He is joined by Fiona and Gil, a channeller-and-catalyst couple; Rodge, a dampener; and Eddie, who now calls himself Ghost. Ghost uses sourcestones rather than people as catalysts and has become very inventive with the gadgets he creates to make best use of the stones. He has a tragic history with void rifts, and that sometimes interferes with his focus. The tension between him and Bravid is well executed and adds nuance to both characters. Bravid was once a bully, but has redefined himself. A simple man at heart, he struggles to hold onto too many conflicting values at once. Ghost is anything but simple, and he isn’t willing to let go of the person Bravid was. He also feels inferior to Bravid who doesn't seem to experience his traumas in the debilitating way Ghost does.
Content warning:
The world is full of unique scenery, from weightless rocks and inverted waterfalls to floating islands. They feel like some of the dreamscapes you see in surreal paintings. It would have been nice to linger a bit in some of these places, as we are introduced to many cultures and environments in quick succession.
I'm ending this review with some mild spoilers:
As the story progressed and the group split up, I found I was more invested in Dinnie and Ghost’s chapters than Bravid and company. Bravid’s group certainly aren't dull. They have many adventures, and Evie was a lively addition to the team, but I suppose we all have our favourites. It was good to see Ghost become something of a role model for Dinnie. The responsibility grounds him with a sense of purpose. He also helps Dinnie to develop her skillset and grow more confident. I'm eager to see where this series goes. It feels like we’ve just begun to explore this world.
Our story kicks off with a kidnapping. Dinnie, a teenager, is taken from the gilded prison that is her mother’s palace. Some of the people behind the kidnapping are known to her. We learn that Dinnie – the Sourcedaughter – is caught in a high-stakes custody battle between her power-hungry parents, the Sourcequeen and the All-Keeper.
More than a princess, Dinnie is a potent catalyst. It isn’t immediately clear what her kidnappers hope to gain from taking her. They discuss it a bit in the beginning, but I missed a lot of the implications as I was still coming to understand terms like “source” and “void rifts”. The situation becomes clearer as we’re introduced to the wider world. People are either catalysts, whose bodies contain source (a kind of nature-amplifying power that they can’t use); channellers, who have no power of their own, but can perform supernatural feats with a catalyst's source; or dampeners, who can mask a catalyst’s source.
Dinnie’s kidnappers hope to use her as part of a scheme to end the void rifts seemingly caused by her father, the All-Keeper. These horrific portals cause fiery explosions in small, isolated settlements. The void itself seems to host hoards of zombies that kill people and claim catalysts.
The character roster changes up throughout the story, but I’ll start with those who are introduced early:
Bravid is a traitor who is guided by a rigid moral compass that supersedes the code he used to live by. He is joined by Fiona and Gil, a channeller-and-catalyst couple; Rodge, a dampener; and Eddie, who now calls himself Ghost. Ghost uses sourcestones rather than people as catalysts and has become very inventive with the gadgets he creates to make best use of the stones. He has a tragic history with void rifts, and that sometimes interferes with his focus. The tension between him and Bravid is well executed and adds nuance to both characters. Bravid was once a bully, but has redefined himself. A simple man at heart, he struggles to hold onto too many conflicting values at once. Ghost is anything but simple, and he isn’t willing to let go of the person Bravid was. He also feels inferior to Bravid who doesn't seem to experience his traumas in the debilitating way Ghost does.
Content warning:
The world is full of unique scenery, from weightless rocks and inverted waterfalls to floating islands. They feel like some of the dreamscapes you see in surreal paintings. It would have been nice to linger a bit in some of these places, as we are introduced to many cultures and environments in quick succession.
I'm ending this review with some mild spoilers:
As the story progressed and the group split up, I found I was more invested in Dinnie and Ghost’s chapters than Bravid and company. Bravid’s group certainly aren't dull. They have many adventures, and Evie was a lively addition to the team, but I suppose we all have our favourites. It was good to see Ghost become something of a role model for Dinnie. The responsibility grounds him with a sense of purpose. He also helps Dinnie to develop her skillset and grow more confident. I'm eager to see where this series goes. It feels like we’ve just begun to explore this world.
March 13, 2025
3.5 ★
I enjoyed this! I thought the themes were handled very well considering how dark it got sometimes. Dinnie was also a very interesting character to read through, and I like how her relationship with Ghost was explored. I do wish the other side characters were fleshed out a little bit more in terms of personalities. I was also kind of confused by the nicknames? It took me a while to realize that some of the characters' nicknames were nicknames and not two different people.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for fantasy lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I enjoyed this! I thought the themes were handled very well considering how dark it got sometimes. Dinnie was also a very interesting character to read through, and I like how her relationship with Ghost was explored. I do wish the other side characters were fleshed out a little bit more in terms of personalities. I was also kind of confused by the nicknames? It took me a while to realize that some of the characters' nicknames were nicknames and not two different people.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for fantasy lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 25, 2025
This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders.
The cover and the premise immediately made me interested in this book. I am always impressed when authors take the time to develop hard magic systems. In these stories, magic always has limits, which can lead to some interesting plot moments. I was also intrigued when I saw comparisons to John Wick and Red Dead Redemption. Both of these franchises are character-driven and action-packed, so I was excited to see how Arch combined these 2 elements in a fantasy western.
In this novel, we follow 3 POVs: Dinnie, Ghost, and Bravid. Dinnie is a catalyst who has an almost unlimited pool of source (mana) where Mages can channel and enhance their spells. Based on this magic system, she is like a powerful support class, and cannot use her source to cast spells. With her incredible abilities, whoever has possession of her can easily destroy her enemies and accomplish incredible feats. Unfortunately for Dinnie, when we first meet her we discover how her parents are leaders of 2 warring realms, who are constantly trying to steal Dinnie away from the other.
Ghost is a deserter with a tragic past. He is a sharpshooter with crafting abilities. Through his technical expertise, he developed a way to create special ammo for his gun by channeling magical sources, which are naturally found in this environment. In some ways, he reminds me of Percy from Vox Machina. Similar to Percy, he struggles with his past and is quiet but also resourceful. After having an old acquaintance call Ghost up, he ends up joining Bravid and his team ,who are determined to return Dinnie to her father. Last but not least is Bravid, who was originally a sourceguard for Dinnie’s mother. He decides to kidnap Dinnie and betray his queen with his fellow sourceguards. They believe if Dinnie is back under her father’s custody, then he will stop opening up dangerous rifts, which unleash terrible monsters whenever they appear.
Out of the 3 POVs, I became emotionally attached to Dinnie and Ghost. Dinnie is an incredibly gifted catalyst. From the moment she was born, her gift has become a curse. You can’t help but get angry with how she has been treated and the trauma she has endured. Parents are supposed to protect their children, but in her case her parents just see her as a tool to achieve their goals. As the story progresses, we see a shy, traumatized girl find her voice and independence. It's heartwarming to see how a person can find strength when they receive support from others. Meanwhile, Ghost (an adequate nickname) floats around life filled with regret for past mistakes and is unfulfilled. The way their friendship develops is sweet and is the perfect way to show the bonds made between friends can be closer than family.
Bravid also plays a role in the story. Without any spoilers, he is someone who has always seen himself as the hero. Once he starts traveling with his crew, Dinnie and Ghost he starts to realize he may have been doing more harm than good in his life. There is also a cast of side characters we meet along the way, who are interesting, but we don’t get the same level of development as the 3 MCs. At times, I wished we learned a little more about them since it felt as if we only got a glimpse of who they were.
At first, I thought I would be overwhelmed by the magic system due to its complexity, but once I had my bearings it was quite simple. Catalysts are people or things that emit constant power. They are kind of like battery packs. There is only a finite amount of energy most catalysts have so they have to be careful they don’t deplete their energy reserves. Dinnie is the exception since she has an extraordinary amount of source that can be drawn from without killing her. Channellers are mages who can extract source from these catalysts. The last magic type is dampeners, who can suppress the power that catalysts emit. This world also includes people who have no magical abilities. Bravid is one example who is a competent fighter and is equipped with a shield to block magical attacks.
I read the ARC of this book, but Arch was kind enough to share the glossary and a diagram of the magic system, which will be in the official book. I took a look and it will make it easier to understand and visualize how everything works.
In terms of the setting, I thought Arch nailed the Western vibes. Our MCs mostly travel by horse across various types of terrain from outlaw cities to swamplands and more. Each location felt unique from one another. You could also see how the environment influenced the flora and fauna as well as the people who live there. One of my favorite and unexpected locations was Marshalla. I won’t say what makes it so unique because I think it's best to find out for yourself, but it left a lasting impression.
Ultimately, this fantasy western is a story of hope. Through the POVs, we see how each character struggles with their past. As we follow them, they are discovering what their futures could be by taking action in the present. I found this to be an incredibly moving story. It filled the western vibes I was hoping to get from the character studies to traveling in unfamiliar lands. This book is perfect for fans who enjoy going on a journey with their characters and learning more about a fantastical world filled with unique cultures and strange terrains.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an ARC of this book for an honest review. By the time this review is published, The Source of Strife will be available to purchase.
The cover and the premise immediately made me interested in this book. I am always impressed when authors take the time to develop hard magic systems. In these stories, magic always has limits, which can lead to some interesting plot moments. I was also intrigued when I saw comparisons to John Wick and Red Dead Redemption. Both of these franchises are character-driven and action-packed, so I was excited to see how Arch combined these 2 elements in a fantasy western.
In this novel, we follow 3 POVs: Dinnie, Ghost, and Bravid. Dinnie is a catalyst who has an almost unlimited pool of source (mana) where Mages can channel and enhance their spells. Based on this magic system, she is like a powerful support class, and cannot use her source to cast spells. With her incredible abilities, whoever has possession of her can easily destroy her enemies and accomplish incredible feats. Unfortunately for Dinnie, when we first meet her we discover how her parents are leaders of 2 warring realms, who are constantly trying to steal Dinnie away from the other.
Ghost is a deserter with a tragic past. He is a sharpshooter with crafting abilities. Through his technical expertise, he developed a way to create special ammo for his gun by channeling magical sources, which are naturally found in this environment. In some ways, he reminds me of Percy from Vox Machina. Similar to Percy, he struggles with his past and is quiet but also resourceful. After having an old acquaintance call Ghost up, he ends up joining Bravid and his team ,who are determined to return Dinnie to her father. Last but not least is Bravid, who was originally a sourceguard for Dinnie’s mother. He decides to kidnap Dinnie and betray his queen with his fellow sourceguards. They believe if Dinnie is back under her father’s custody, then he will stop opening up dangerous rifts, which unleash terrible monsters whenever they appear.
Out of the 3 POVs, I became emotionally attached to Dinnie and Ghost. Dinnie is an incredibly gifted catalyst. From the moment she was born, her gift has become a curse. You can’t help but get angry with how she has been treated and the trauma she has endured. Parents are supposed to protect their children, but in her case her parents just see her as a tool to achieve their goals. As the story progresses, we see a shy, traumatized girl find her voice and independence. It's heartwarming to see how a person can find strength when they receive support from others. Meanwhile, Ghost (an adequate nickname) floats around life filled with regret for past mistakes and is unfulfilled. The way their friendship develops is sweet and is the perfect way to show the bonds made between friends can be closer than family.
Bravid also plays a role in the story. Without any spoilers, he is someone who has always seen himself as the hero. Once he starts traveling with his crew, Dinnie and Ghost he starts to realize he may have been doing more harm than good in his life. There is also a cast of side characters we meet along the way, who are interesting, but we don’t get the same level of development as the 3 MCs. At times, I wished we learned a little more about them since it felt as if we only got a glimpse of who they were.
At first, I thought I would be overwhelmed by the magic system due to its complexity, but once I had my bearings it was quite simple. Catalysts are people or things that emit constant power. They are kind of like battery packs. There is only a finite amount of energy most catalysts have so they have to be careful they don’t deplete their energy reserves. Dinnie is the exception since she has an extraordinary amount of source that can be drawn from without killing her. Channellers are mages who can extract source from these catalysts. The last magic type is dampeners, who can suppress the power that catalysts emit. This world also includes people who have no magical abilities. Bravid is one example who is a competent fighter and is equipped with a shield to block magical attacks.
I read the ARC of this book, but Arch was kind enough to share the glossary and a diagram of the magic system, which will be in the official book. I took a look and it will make it easier to understand and visualize how everything works.
In terms of the setting, I thought Arch nailed the Western vibes. Our MCs mostly travel by horse across various types of terrain from outlaw cities to swamplands and more. Each location felt unique from one another. You could also see how the environment influenced the flora and fauna as well as the people who live there. One of my favorite and unexpected locations was Marshalla. I won’t say what makes it so unique because I think it's best to find out for yourself, but it left a lasting impression.
Ultimately, this fantasy western is a story of hope. Through the POVs, we see how each character struggles with their past. As we follow them, they are discovering what their futures could be by taking action in the present. I found this to be an incredibly moving story. It filled the western vibes I was hoping to get from the character studies to traveling in unfamiliar lands. This book is perfect for fans who enjoy going on a journey with their characters and learning more about a fantastical world filled with unique cultures and strange terrains.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an ARC of this book for an honest review. By the time this review is published, The Source of Strife will be available to purchase.
February 25, 2025
You know what you're doing right?
March 13, 2025
3.5, rounded up to 4.
I received this as an ARC via Netgalley. All views expressed are my own.
Worth a Try - This may not be for everyone (see point #3 in particular for more) but it’s pretty good if you can get past that, and worth a try on that basis.
Basically fantasy (I think it was nominally referred to as sci fi somewhere). No romance.
Integrated Worldbuilding
Worldbuilding is tricky. Communicating that worldbuilding is even trickier. Authors will often either throw you in the deep end and let you figure it out, or do a bit (or a lot) of infodumping to address this.
What I really enjoyed here was that the setting, which is markedly different in many ways, was gradually introduced and integrated throughout the story. It felt really organic and, therefore, less jarring to learn about the world and environment we were in. This would not have been an easy feat and is definitely commendable.
Anatomy of a Traitor
Bravid is arguably one of the main characters in this story. I promise I’m not spoiling anything by saying he’s a traitor; it’s more or less apparent within the first few pages. He’s not the bad guy here, either.
What’s interesting about seeing it from his perspective is getting an insight into what can make a staunch believer into a traitor. Because he really does believe he’s doing the right thing, and also clearly still believes in his cause, as it were. But with the glimpses into his thought processes, the conflict he feels, and the doubts that play out for him as the story progresses, it struck me as a really intriguing and compelling portrayal. I still didn’t like the guy, though.
Weird Word Choice
There’s an episode from the TV show Friends where Joey wants to write a really good letter for his friends. Because he wants to sound smart, he used the Thesaurus function in Word for every single word in his letter. Needless to say, the letter was rendered nonsensical as a result.
The usage of some words in this story reminded me of that. They were often similar in meaning, and you could see the direction the author was headed in, but they didn’t actually make sense in the context of what was being communicated. This persists throughout the story.
Similarly, the tone for different characters also wobbled at times due to the formality that you got from said weird word choices. It was annoying to me, but wasn’t a dealbreaker. I know this bothers some more than others, however, so your mileage may vary.
Hey, I’ve Got Mental Health
I hate when people say this. Folx, everyone has mental health. It’s just that some of us have conditions or illnesses that more negatively impact on our mental health, okay?
That aside, this is one of the most interesting and clear portrayals of anxiety and panic attacks I think I’ve seen yet. It doesn’t shy away from Ghost continuing to experience anxiety resulting from his past, and resultant issues. And it really sinks its teeth into what it can be like. It’s not a major story arc or anything, but I appreciated this a lot
In summary, this was a very decent read. I found myself wanting to continue with it. If you can get over the word choice issues, it’s worth a try for the worldbuilding and characters.
I received this as an ARC via Netgalley. All views expressed are my own.
Worth a Try - This may not be for everyone (see point #3 in particular for more) but it’s pretty good if you can get past that, and worth a try on that basis.
Basically fantasy (I think it was nominally referred to as sci fi somewhere). No romance.
Integrated Worldbuilding
Worldbuilding is tricky. Communicating that worldbuilding is even trickier. Authors will often either throw you in the deep end and let you figure it out, or do a bit (or a lot) of infodumping to address this.
What I really enjoyed here was that the setting, which is markedly different in many ways, was gradually introduced and integrated throughout the story. It felt really organic and, therefore, less jarring to learn about the world and environment we were in. This would not have been an easy feat and is definitely commendable.
Anatomy of a Traitor
Bravid is arguably one of the main characters in this story. I promise I’m not spoiling anything by saying he’s a traitor; it’s more or less apparent within the first few pages. He’s not the bad guy here, either.
What’s interesting about seeing it from his perspective is getting an insight into what can make a staunch believer into a traitor. Because he really does believe he’s doing the right thing, and also clearly still believes in his cause, as it were. But with the glimpses into his thought processes, the conflict he feels, and the doubts that play out for him as the story progresses, it struck me as a really intriguing and compelling portrayal. I still didn’t like the guy, though.
Weird Word Choice
There’s an episode from the TV show Friends where Joey wants to write a really good letter for his friends. Because he wants to sound smart, he used the Thesaurus function in Word for every single word in his letter. Needless to say, the letter was rendered nonsensical as a result.
The usage of some words in this story reminded me of that. They were often similar in meaning, and you could see the direction the author was headed in, but they didn’t actually make sense in the context of what was being communicated. This persists throughout the story.
Similarly, the tone for different characters also wobbled at times due to the formality that you got from said weird word choices. It was annoying to me, but wasn’t a dealbreaker. I know this bothers some more than others, however, so your mileage may vary.
Hey, I’ve Got Mental Health
I hate when people say this. Folx, everyone has mental health. It’s just that some of us have conditions or illnesses that more negatively impact on our mental health, okay?
That aside, this is one of the most interesting and clear portrayals of anxiety and panic attacks I think I’ve seen yet. It doesn’t shy away from Ghost continuing to experience anxiety resulting from his past, and resultant issues. And it really sinks its teeth into what it can be like. It’s not a major story arc or anything, but I appreciated this a lot
In summary, this was a very decent read. I found myself wanting to continue with it. If you can get over the word choice issues, it’s worth a try for the worldbuilding and characters.
August 13, 2025
This book is a ton of fun. I'm a sucker for unique magic systems, and the one here is very intriguing.
On top of that, the worldbuilding is plentiful (another thing I'm a sucker for if well-done). You can clearly see the care that Alex put into crafting different cultures. The world really feels lived-in with multiple nations, creatures, and settings that feel unique. My personal favorite is the Marshallian peoples and their cool environment (will keep it vague for spoilers).
Ghost is a great character, if not tragic. Again, I won't say much due to spoilers but his arc was awesome. The entire premise is quite tragic and not something I've seen done before in a fantasy story.
Yet another great title by an up and coming indie author with a lot of talent. Can't wait to see what Alex does next!
On top of that, the worldbuilding is plentiful (another thing I'm a sucker for if well-done). You can clearly see the care that Alex put into crafting different cultures. The world really feels lived-in with multiple nations, creatures, and settings that feel unique. My personal favorite is the Marshallian peoples and their cool environment (will keep it vague for spoilers).
Ghost is a great character, if not tragic. Again, I won't say much due to spoilers but his arc was awesome. The entire premise is quite tragic and not something I've seen done before in a fantasy story.
Yet another great title by an up and coming indie author with a lot of talent. Can't wait to see what Alex does next!
x-not-for-me-or-not-right-now
February 27, 2025Just not the right book for me right now.
May 13, 2025
The Source of Strife is one of those fantasy books that falls between classic fantasy meets Weird West meets zombie apocalypse, and it’s safe to say I am here for it! This book will go down as one of my 2025 faves, it was just that much fun.
In a world (movie trailer voice guy) where energy can be drawn from objects—including people—and transferred into magic. These are catalysts and channelers, plus a dampener who can hide a catalyst’s power. Two opposing lands are at war, fighting over the world’s most epic catalyst. The source of their strife (oh yeah, title pun!) is the fact that the two leaders of said lands are estranged hubby/wifey and the catalyst is their daughter. To get back his daughter, hubs is opening rifts where zombie-like creatures are attacking, so loyal soldiers from wifey’s side decide to kidnap catalyst and bring her to daddy to stop these rifts.
Normally I like to start with characters, but this definitely needs to start with the magic system. It’s so damn cool. I love the idea of catalysts being objects, but people? Yeah, that’s really neat. A channeler can take a person-catalyst’s energy and do some gnarly elemental magic, but it drains said catalyst (except the daughter’s), so it adds a layer of consequence to each scene. Then add in the dampener concept, I really thought this magic system was very inventive and unique.
Now, the story does shine with its characters. Dinnie is our 14 year old catalyst and she’s been nothing but a pawn/prisoner of her parents her whole life. She’s been smuggled back and forth already and essentially kept in an ivory tower. Dinnie knows nothing about the world, has very little agency, so much so, that she became a voluntary mute. I found it interesting a choice because in the early chapters, she’s basically just a McGuffin, but she really grows over the course of this story, and that only happens when she meets Ghost. Ghost is a former soldier of mama’s but has long since gone his own way. He is drawn back into this tug-of-war for plot reasons, but he was hella cool. Dude has some serious baggage and it all unfolds over the course of the story. Ghost is a channeler, but he’s also been able to create some energycasters (aka six-shooters ala Weird West) and the bullets are catalysts. His tools are just awesome. Bravid is the other POV character, and he’s the loyal soldier turned traitor. He’s got a complicated history with Ghost. There are other characters on the team and each are great in their own way.
This world is quite fun as well. Despite the plot basically being ‘sneak out of one land and into another’, there are some very interesting places we see. There’s a ‘floating city’, a people who live partially underground and is very ‘eff the patriarchy’, and then there’s just some good ole fashioned haunted places. Then you add in the rifts to a void where dead people kinda come back as zombies. It’s just really original and really awesome.
The prose is solid as it gets, and the action never stops. But don’t let that fool you, heavy topics are explored. Bullying. PTSD. Generational Trauma. Depression. Suicide. And each of these are handled with grace and tact, which can be very difficult for many authors. The arcs of the main three POVs were very steady and made sense for where this story was going. And while this might be a standalone, there is a lot of area that can be explored in future books, but the ending was incredibly satisfying.
I picked this book up based on the cover (which is baller by the way) and having seen a couple of good reviews. I’m so glad I did because The Source of Strife was really that good of a read. I hope Arch gets a ton of exposure and plaudits with this book. Go check it out!
In a world (movie trailer voice guy) where energy can be drawn from objects—including people—and transferred into magic. These are catalysts and channelers, plus a dampener who can hide a catalyst’s power. Two opposing lands are at war, fighting over the world’s most epic catalyst. The source of their strife (oh yeah, title pun!) is the fact that the two leaders of said lands are estranged hubby/wifey and the catalyst is their daughter. To get back his daughter, hubs is opening rifts where zombie-like creatures are attacking, so loyal soldiers from wifey’s side decide to kidnap catalyst and bring her to daddy to stop these rifts.
Normally I like to start with characters, but this definitely needs to start with the magic system. It’s so damn cool. I love the idea of catalysts being objects, but people? Yeah, that’s really neat. A channeler can take a person-catalyst’s energy and do some gnarly elemental magic, but it drains said catalyst (except the daughter’s), so it adds a layer of consequence to each scene. Then add in the dampener concept, I really thought this magic system was very inventive and unique.
Now, the story does shine with its characters. Dinnie is our 14 year old catalyst and she’s been nothing but a pawn/prisoner of her parents her whole life. She’s been smuggled back and forth already and essentially kept in an ivory tower. Dinnie knows nothing about the world, has very little agency, so much so, that she became a voluntary mute. I found it interesting a choice because in the early chapters, she’s basically just a McGuffin, but she really grows over the course of this story, and that only happens when she meets Ghost. Ghost is a former soldier of mama’s but has long since gone his own way. He is drawn back into this tug-of-war for plot reasons, but he was hella cool. Dude has some serious baggage and it all unfolds over the course of the story. Ghost is a channeler, but he’s also been able to create some energycasters (aka six-shooters ala Weird West) and the bullets are catalysts. His tools are just awesome. Bravid is the other POV character, and he’s the loyal soldier turned traitor. He’s got a complicated history with Ghost. There are other characters on the team and each are great in their own way.
This world is quite fun as well. Despite the plot basically being ‘sneak out of one land and into another’, there are some very interesting places we see. There’s a ‘floating city’, a people who live partially underground and is very ‘eff the patriarchy’, and then there’s just some good ole fashioned haunted places. Then you add in the rifts to a void where dead people kinda come back as zombies. It’s just really original and really awesome.
The prose is solid as it gets, and the action never stops. But don’t let that fool you, heavy topics are explored. Bullying. PTSD. Generational Trauma. Depression. Suicide. And each of these are handled with grace and tact, which can be very difficult for many authors. The arcs of the main three POVs were very steady and made sense for where this story was going. And while this might be a standalone, there is a lot of area that can be explored in future books, but the ending was incredibly satisfying.
I picked this book up based on the cover (which is baller by the way) and having seen a couple of good reviews. I’m so glad I did because The Source of Strife was really that good of a read. I hope Arch gets a ton of exposure and plaudits with this book. Go check it out!
July 29, 2025
A 3.5 starrer
This is a book that has a very interesting take on the Chosen One trope, a close parallel would be the Jason Statham starrer Safe. Dinnie, the atypical Chosen One in this case, is not someone who is going to lead or be at the forefront of great things. She acts almost as a Macguffin for 2 warring parties, who want to tap into her Source that can be used to power or channelize Magic to achieve immense things. The warring parties are none other than her parents. Just this little tweak of the Chosen One and the addition of the dysfunctional parents makes this book extremely intriguing and interesting from the get go. With Dinnie being kidnapped from one parent to be handed over to the other parent, the book just sets off an electric atmosphere right from chapter 1
Lending further interest in this milieu, we meet Ghost who is co-opted into helping this group move across and Ghost is an interesting character in his own right with a not-so-pleasent history with the leader of the captors. Ghost, while on the surfac, is an outsider and a deserter who knows the ways, in reality comes across as a rather nervous character who has survived extreme trauma and suffers from PTSD. He is suicidal to some extent but finding a purpose, he wants to do good.
The book's significant strength lies in how this dynamic plays out. The storytelling is kind of in media res for a lot of the characters but then some of the equations play out as the story proceeds and you get more information on the characters and their histories and their individualities. Everyone in the group barring Dinnie and to some extent Ghost, is chasing redemption - a set of imperfect characters trying to find a tenable spot to move on and live and the book works wonderfully well when this is explored
The action sequences are fantastic and the cost and effect of magic is also pretty well explored. In a way the book spends time moving from one action sequence to the other with some developments packed in. And this is also where I found the book to be a bit rough in terms of the writing. The reveals and developments are really good but there is a sense of predictability in terms of the placement in the book - a sense of sameness. Like development, action, development, action etc. That is where I felt the book could have been refined a bit more and in a way, took me out of the narrative
This is an extremely promising book that holds great potential. There is also a nifty twist at the end regarding Dinnie, which is hindsight is fabulously played out and the authors imagination and choice of narrative is really enticing. A little bit of tightening and refinement will add to the enjoyment of the book further
This is a book that has a very interesting take on the Chosen One trope, a close parallel would be the Jason Statham starrer Safe. Dinnie, the atypical Chosen One in this case, is not someone who is going to lead or be at the forefront of great things. She acts almost as a Macguffin for 2 warring parties, who want to tap into her Source that can be used to power or channelize Magic to achieve immense things. The warring parties are none other than her parents. Just this little tweak of the Chosen One and the addition of the dysfunctional parents makes this book extremely intriguing and interesting from the get go. With Dinnie being kidnapped from one parent to be handed over to the other parent, the book just sets off an electric atmosphere right from chapter 1
Lending further interest in this milieu, we meet Ghost who is co-opted into helping this group move across and Ghost is an interesting character in his own right with a not-so-pleasent history with the leader of the captors. Ghost, while on the surfac, is an outsider and a deserter who knows the ways, in reality comes across as a rather nervous character who has survived extreme trauma and suffers from PTSD. He is suicidal to some extent but finding a purpose, he wants to do good.
The book's significant strength lies in how this dynamic plays out. The storytelling is kind of in media res for a lot of the characters but then some of the equations play out as the story proceeds and you get more information on the characters and their histories and their individualities. Everyone in the group barring Dinnie and to some extent Ghost, is chasing redemption - a set of imperfect characters trying to find a tenable spot to move on and live and the book works wonderfully well when this is explored
The action sequences are fantastic and the cost and effect of magic is also pretty well explored. In a way the book spends time moving from one action sequence to the other with some developments packed in. And this is also where I found the book to be a bit rough in terms of the writing. The reveals and developments are really good but there is a sense of predictability in terms of the placement in the book - a sense of sameness. Like development, action, development, action etc. That is where I felt the book could have been refined a bit more and in a way, took me out of the narrative
This is an extremely promising book that holds great potential. There is also a nifty twist at the end regarding Dinnie, which is hindsight is fabulously played out and the authors imagination and choice of narrative is really enticing. A little bit of tightening and refinement will add to the enjoyment of the book further
January 28, 2025
Full disclosure: I'm probably not the target audience for this book. Fantasy isn't usually my thing, and I tend to gravitate toward stories with intricate romances. However, I decided to give The Source of Strife a shot because the author’s previous book, The Stars Within, literally blew my mind. I’m not a fan of sci-fi either, but a friend recommended it, and oh my god, it did not disappoint. That being said, I went into The Source of Strife with some skepticism, but... turns out, it was incredibly hard to put down!
Right from the start, the main character's situation grabbed my attention. I was also intrigued by the evolving dynamic between Ghost and Dinnie. I found myself as invested in their relationship as I am in most love stories. In fact, I ended up appreciating the fact that this story has no romance. It's a refreshing and original choice.
The magic system is surprisingly complex yet surprisingly easy to grasp (I know, it sounds totally geeky, and I never thought I’d say that!). At first, I was a bit confused (maybe because I am a newbie), but I really admire how the author trusts the readers. Instead of over-explaining, the story “shows” how the system works, which made the learning curve feel natural. I had to embrace a tiny bit of confusion at first, but once the pieces started falling into place, they came together smoothly and quickly, which I really appreciated.
In conclusion, I think this book has something to offer a wide range of readers. While it’s fantasy, the real focus is on the characters, their relationships, and their personal growth. The magic system is captivating, unlike anything I’ve encountered before (I’m not used to reading stories with detailed magic systems, but I’d be seriously surprised if this one isn't truly original!). Like The Stars Within, The Source of Strife subtly introduces a layer of social critique, and I’m all for it!
Right from the start, the main character's situation grabbed my attention. I was also intrigued by the evolving dynamic between Ghost and Dinnie. I found myself as invested in their relationship as I am in most love stories. In fact, I ended up appreciating the fact that this story has no romance. It's a refreshing and original choice.
The magic system is surprisingly complex yet surprisingly easy to grasp (I know, it sounds totally geeky, and I never thought I’d say that!). At first, I was a bit confused (maybe because I am a newbie), but I really admire how the author trusts the readers. Instead of over-explaining, the story “shows” how the system works, which made the learning curve feel natural. I had to embrace a tiny bit of confusion at first, but once the pieces started falling into place, they came together smoothly and quickly, which I really appreciated.
In conclusion, I think this book has something to offer a wide range of readers. While it’s fantasy, the real focus is on the characters, their relationships, and their personal growth. The magic system is captivating, unlike anything I’ve encountered before (I’m not used to reading stories with detailed magic systems, but I’d be seriously surprised if this one isn't truly original!). Like The Stars Within, The Source of Strife subtly introduces a layer of social critique, and I’m all for it!
April 8, 2025
The story is a masterclass in immersive storytelling. The author's attention to detail and vivid descriptions pull you right into the heart of the action, engaging all your senses to bring this world to life.
Each character is crafted with care, driven by their own motivations and personal stakes. Their emotions are raw and authentic — as readers, we can truly feel what each protagonist is going through:
Brave is on a path of redemption, showing the courage to face his past and make amends.
Ghost is haunted by a disturbing history, weighed down by loneliness and self-sabotage, yet driven by a deep need to fight for something — or someone — that matters to him.
Dinnie, rebellious and naive, longs for a normal life but is burdened by the immense pressure of what she represents.
The world-building is rich and thorough. The mechanisms of this universe — from its locations (complete with a map!) to the well-explained magic system — leave nothing to chance. Everything is in place to make this an unforgettable journey for the reader.
Each character is crafted with care, driven by their own motivations and personal stakes. Their emotions are raw and authentic — as readers, we can truly feel what each protagonist is going through:
Brave is on a path of redemption, showing the courage to face his past and make amends.
Ghost is haunted by a disturbing history, weighed down by loneliness and self-sabotage, yet driven by a deep need to fight for something — or someone — that matters to him.
Dinnie, rebellious and naive, longs for a normal life but is burdened by the immense pressure of what she represents.
The world-building is rich and thorough. The mechanisms of this universe — from its locations (complete with a map!) to the well-explained magic system — leave nothing to chance. Everything is in place to make this an unforgettable journey for the reader.
January 28, 2025
3.5 - To start off I’d like to say that this book was close to being very good for me, and if there was a sequel out I’d probably pick it up and read it right away. The reason for this is that this book really started to grab me towards the final third.
My biggest gripe with this book is that it felt like I was thrown into a story filled with a world and characters I should already know. It wasn’t until about 3/4 of the way through that I felt I finally had a grasp on the world and characters, and by then it was hard to get invested.
More explanation about “Ghost” and his inventions/tools would also be very helpful. My final negative, and maybe this is just me, was the use of character nicknames outside of dialogue when those nicknames had never been established by characters.
On a positive note, the author creates an interesting plot set in a unique world filled with a fun group of character. The best part of the story was the characters. Their flaws, motivations, and different skills were refreshing. The problem was I didn’t feel this way until near the end.
I think many people will enjoy this book, and I hope there is more to come in this story.
My biggest gripe with this book is that it felt like I was thrown into a story filled with a world and characters I should already know. It wasn’t until about 3/4 of the way through that I felt I finally had a grasp on the world and characters, and by then it was hard to get invested.
More explanation about “Ghost” and his inventions/tools would also be very helpful. My final negative, and maybe this is just me, was the use of character nicknames outside of dialogue when those nicknames had never been established by characters.
On a positive note, the author creates an interesting plot set in a unique world filled with a fun group of character. The best part of the story was the characters. Their flaws, motivations, and different skills were refreshing. The problem was I didn’t feel this way until near the end.
I think many people will enjoy this book, and I hope there is more to come in this story.
March 25, 2025
Gripping, Riveting, and Thrilling
The source of Strife is a thrilling story that pulls you into a world of adventure and magic. A rollercoaster ride through twists and turns that will keep you eager to turn the pages, I just couldn’t put it down.
Alex Arch created characters with flaws and dreams, constantly testing their courage and loyalty in a world of mystical creatures, challenging landscapes so well described that you will feel like you are living the story.
The Source of Strife is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction. It’s a novel that is gripping, riveting, and absolutely thrilling
The source of Strife is a thrilling story that pulls you into a world of adventure and magic. A rollercoaster ride through twists and turns that will keep you eager to turn the pages, I just couldn’t put it down.
Alex Arch created characters with flaws and dreams, constantly testing their courage and loyalty in a world of mystical creatures, challenging landscapes so well described that you will feel like you are living the story.
The Source of Strife is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction. It’s a novel that is gripping, riveting, and absolutely thrilling
July 25, 2025
What makes this novel particularly compelling is its character-driven approach. The story focuses more on the personal journeys of the characters than on a rigid plot structure. While Brave, Fiona, and Gildean seem to have a defined purpose, Ghost and Dinnie are more adrift reacting to events rather than driving them. This could be seen as a flaw, but it also adds a layer of realism to their characters. They’re not heroes with perfect plans they’re damaged people trying to do what they believe is right, even when the path isn’t clear.
The full review is posted on SFFINSIDERS.COM
The full review is posted on SFFINSIDERS.COM
May 25, 2025
If you're into fantasy with a gritty edge and a touch of western flair, *The Source of Strife* by Alex Arch might just be your next favorite read. This debut novel introduces us to Dinnie, a 14-year-old catalyst whose very existence fuels magic in a world where energy can only be stolen, not created.
The magic system is a standout, featuring Channellers who harness energy, Dampeners who absorb it, and Catalysts like Dinnie who serve as living batteries. This intricate setup adds depth to the world-building, making the stakes feel real and the conflicts intense.
The magic system is a standout, featuring Channellers who harness energy, Dampeners who absorb it, and Catalysts like Dinnie who serve as living batteries. This intricate setup adds depth to the world-building, making the stakes feel real and the conflicts intense.
March 20, 2025
The world of magic we are drawn into is fascinating and full of surprises. Each character and their relationship is so interesting and truly captivating. I also loved the way the author surprises us with revelations that will make us see each one of his characters differently. Amazing story, I couldn’t put it down.
I also downloaded the playlist, it sets the mood to a wonderful voyage into the imagination of the author.
I also downloaded the playlist, it sets the mood to a wonderful voyage into the imagination of the author.
April 5, 2025
I Couldn’t put it down!!
I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up The Source of Strife, but wow—what a ride. The story pulls you in right away and doesn’t let go. The characters feel real, the pacing is just right, and there’s this emotional depth that totally caught me off guard (in the best way). Alex Arch does a great job balancing action with quieter, reflective moments. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you after you finish. Definitely recommend!
I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up The Source of Strife, but wow—what a ride. The story pulls you in right away and doesn’t let go. The characters feel real, the pacing is just right, and there’s this emotional depth that totally caught me off guard (in the best way). Alex Arch does a great job balancing action with quieter, reflective moments. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you after you finish. Definitely recommend!
January 20, 2025
The Source of Strife by Alex Arch is absolutely stunningly written. From the very beginning, this novel was an intriguing eye-catcher that sucked me right in, and this is a shocker for me, as I am not a fan of third-person perspective for many reads.
I could feel the tension among characters, the fear and anger during battles, the intensity and questioning of what might happen, the pain of the losses no matter the size, and a general connection to each character the further I got into the novel. The in-depth personalities and emotions displayed in this novel were exceptional. The author does a beautiful job of connecting the reader to the story, which is something I personally commend as I most times struggle connecting to a story.
Breaking down the story specifically, the tone and style are highly consistent, and the plot pacing was amazing—from chapter to chapter and scene to scene—it flowed very well the entire time. Each moment felt as if it had a designated reason for being written, and nothing felt rushed. The characters, emotions, surroundings, scenes, and plot information were all described in just the right amount to give the reader that “in the story” feeling while also not bombarding them with too much at once. The author created a whole world outside of our own and did so with precision and imagination. Best of all, the plot twist was excruciatingly unexpected yet made immense sense for the story itself and was skillfully executed, and the foreshadowing that leads up to the twist is perfect.
Overall, this novel is brilliantly written, and I cannot wait to read upcoming works from the author. I absolutely loved reading this and classify it as a “reread” for the future. I would like to extend a huge thank you to the author for not only allowing me to read this before ARCs and publication but also for giving me the opportunity to proofread his novel as a last line of defense prior to others getting their hands on it!
I could feel the tension among characters, the fear and anger during battles, the intensity and questioning of what might happen, the pain of the losses no matter the size, and a general connection to each character the further I got into the novel. The in-depth personalities and emotions displayed in this novel were exceptional. The author does a beautiful job of connecting the reader to the story, which is something I personally commend as I most times struggle connecting to a story.
Breaking down the story specifically, the tone and style are highly consistent, and the plot pacing was amazing—from chapter to chapter and scene to scene—it flowed very well the entire time. Each moment felt as if it had a designated reason for being written, and nothing felt rushed. The characters, emotions, surroundings, scenes, and plot information were all described in just the right amount to give the reader that “in the story” feeling while also not bombarding them with too much at once. The author created a whole world outside of our own and did so with precision and imagination. Best of all, the plot twist was excruciatingly unexpected yet made immense sense for the story itself and was skillfully executed, and the foreshadowing that leads up to the twist is perfect.
Overall, this novel is brilliantly written, and I cannot wait to read upcoming works from the author. I absolutely loved reading this and classify it as a “reread” for the future. I would like to extend a huge thank you to the author for not only allowing me to read this before ARCs and publication but also for giving me the opportunity to proofread his novel as a last line of defense prior to others getting their hands on it!
September 2, 2025
Full review to come. 3.5-3.75 rounded up.
A ton of really cool concepts and solid character moments sprinkled throughout, paired with a climactic ending, made this a great way to start the Willow Wraith Press book club.
A ton of really cool concepts and solid character moments sprinkled throughout, paired with a climactic ending, made this a great way to start the Willow Wraith Press book club.
Read
March 13, 2025Read as an ARC. Rating on ARC account
June 6, 2025
Fourteen-year-old Dinnie is a weapon caught between warring parents who will stop at nothing to control her. With a reluctant ally, she fights to escape, but freedom may come at a deadly cost.
March 15, 2025
The Source of Strife by Alex Arch was described to me as John Wick with magical guns meets Red Dead Redemption and I have to say that really does sum it up nicely. I was really excited to get my hands on an advance copy and it certainly did not disappoint.
The reader is dropped right into the action with the kidnapping of Dinnie, daughter of the King and Queen of feuding realms, by members of the Queens's guard because she is a pawn in an ongoing custody battle between her parents. Neither parent wants the other to have custody, not because they love Dinnie too much but because she is the source of immense magical power which can be channelled and used as a weapon. This has meant that Dinnie has grown up as a virtual prisoner but at fourteen she is starting to rebel and wants nothing more than her freedom. Salvation seems to come in the form of Ghost, a mercenary and deserter with a tragic past of his own but given that Dinnie has grown up believing that the only reason people keep her around is so that they can use her will she ever be able to trust anyone ?
This is a fast paced adventure story with an intriguing if complex magical system that takes a little time to get your head around. If you are willing to trust the process and go with the flow of the story being told things definitely become clearer over the course of the book, but I can understand that readers might struggle getting to grips with it at first. I was immediately hooked by the character of Dinnie and her situation and because I was invested in her story I gave the book the time it needed to find its flow. Once Ghost was introduced the complex developing friendship between him and Dinnie became the main reason for my enjoyment of the book. Though the plot and pacing is absolutely on point and the world building is original and well done the heart of this book is just how real the characters feel and I think a lot of that is because they are allowed to be flawed and allowed to struggle with the past and the trauma it has inflicted upon them. Even the supposed heroes are allowed to be fallible, to doubt themselves and lose hope and while it may sound strange to talk about realism in a fantasy book, this added a grittiness that made the characters and their motivations feel very real indeed. Seeing the growth in the characters and how they faced up to their pasts was really impressive, it added so much to my enjoyment of the book. I was a little taken aback by how quickly the book ended, it felt a little abrupt but it did leave me hoping that we get to see more from this world and these characters.
I read a review copy courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
The reader is dropped right into the action with the kidnapping of Dinnie, daughter of the King and Queen of feuding realms, by members of the Queens's guard because she is a pawn in an ongoing custody battle between her parents. Neither parent wants the other to have custody, not because they love Dinnie too much but because she is the source of immense magical power which can be channelled and used as a weapon. This has meant that Dinnie has grown up as a virtual prisoner but at fourteen she is starting to rebel and wants nothing more than her freedom. Salvation seems to come in the form of Ghost, a mercenary and deserter with a tragic past of his own but given that Dinnie has grown up believing that the only reason people keep her around is so that they can use her will she ever be able to trust anyone ?
This is a fast paced adventure story with an intriguing if complex magical system that takes a little time to get your head around. If you are willing to trust the process and go with the flow of the story being told things definitely become clearer over the course of the book, but I can understand that readers might struggle getting to grips with it at first. I was immediately hooked by the character of Dinnie and her situation and because I was invested in her story I gave the book the time it needed to find its flow. Once Ghost was introduced the complex developing friendship between him and Dinnie became the main reason for my enjoyment of the book. Though the plot and pacing is absolutely on point and the world building is original and well done the heart of this book is just how real the characters feel and I think a lot of that is because they are allowed to be flawed and allowed to struggle with the past and the trauma it has inflicted upon them. Even the supposed heroes are allowed to be fallible, to doubt themselves and lose hope and while it may sound strange to talk about realism in a fantasy book, this added a grittiness that made the characters and their motivations feel very real indeed. Seeing the growth in the characters and how they faced up to their pasts was really impressive, it added so much to my enjoyment of the book. I was a little taken aback by how quickly the book ended, it felt a little abrupt but it did leave me hoping that we get to see more from this world and these characters.
I read a review copy courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
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