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Perils of the Past: a fast-paced fantasy full of action & adventure
THE PAST LIES AHEAD
Bloodied knuckles. Sword cuts. Aching limbs. With each day of training in a mountain temple, Antarna draws closer to the power she’ll need if an assassin strikes once more. Never again will she be helpless.
When magic ravages the temple, the lives of her friends and the future of the congregation hang by a thread. A rare cure for their grave condition offers hope, and so Antarna braves a return to the city she fled as a child.
The journey ahead is fraught with thieves, traitors and tyrants who covet the cure. Lies are as thick as flies. In a desperate race against time, her past may hold vital clues—or offer only deeper peril.
"An explosive thrill ride through a lush world of terrifying monsters, treacherous politics, and deadly magic. Dizzying action never lets up in this dynamic debut"—Thomas Howard Riley, author of We Break Immortals
Bloodied knuckles. Sword cuts. Aching limbs. With each day of training in a mountain temple, Antarna draws closer to the power she’ll need if an assassin strikes once more. Never again will she be helpless.
When magic ravages the temple, the lives of her friends and the future of the congregation hang by a thread. A rare cure for their grave condition offers hope, and so Antarna braves a return to the city she fled as a child.
The journey ahead is fraught with thieves, traitors and tyrants who covet the cure. Lies are as thick as flies. In a desperate race against time, her past may hold vital clues—or offer only deeper peril.
"An explosive thrill ride through a lush world of terrifying monsters, treacherous politics, and deadly magic. Dizzying action never lets up in this dynamic debut"—Thomas Howard Riley, author of We Break Immortals
- GenresFantasyMagicEpic Fantasy
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2025
7 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Kane Williams
1 book22 followersKane Williams believes that the pen is mightier than the sword (and asks that you kindly don’t tell Excalibur he said that).
Perils of the Past is his debut fantasy novel. He also pens flash fiction and the occasional short story. His flash fiction has won a Press 53 competition and been featured in the anthology What Dwells between the Lines.
Perils of the Past is his debut fantasy novel. He also pens flash fiction and the occasional short story. His flash fiction has won a Press 53 competition and been featured in the anthology What Dwells between the Lines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 22, 2025
This novel jumps right through your front door, grabs a chicken leg from your plate, and steals your booze. Antarna (lol, I really don't know where they come up with these names), trained as an elite vegetarian sword fighter with past life regression issues, refuses to kill. She slaps men around with ease and climbs dangerous mountains on a whim so as to release her anger. She spies on mages with her cling serpent and discovers a calamity in the making. Ho-hum, all in a days work. See Antarna is not a believable character as the development is scant. She just suddenly sits in your lap, spits in your face and you are expected to like it.
Despite the lack of Antarna's development, Cal is a pretty good dood to follow. He is complex and simple at the same time. You follow his thinking process in logical progression, and it is comfortable. His responses to life, although somewhat predictable, are unique to his predicament. He is a character you root for, and that my friends, is hard writing to execute. Also, the quest into the deep dark forest has some great beasts and crazy wildlife / flora coupled with a magic system that is unique and varied.
I am glad I gave this booky a chance although I have a feeling that in successive novels Antarna will have almost super human ability while man-crushing on Cal and saving bugs. It is going to suck.
4.2/5
Despite the lack of Antarna's development, Cal is a pretty good dood to follow. He is complex and simple at the same time. You follow his thinking process in logical progression, and it is comfortable. His responses to life, although somewhat predictable, are unique to his predicament. He is a character you root for, and that my friends, is hard writing to execute. Also, the quest into the deep dark forest has some great beasts and crazy wildlife / flora coupled with a magic system that is unique and varied.
I am glad I gave this booky a chance although I have a feeling that in successive novels Antarna will have almost super human ability while man-crushing on Cal and saving bugs. It is going to suck.
4.2/5
April 29, 2025
Truths lie hidden within these mystic temples. Where the past, present & future collide. Time’s passage constantly haunting a daunting mission.
A dazzling blend of unique creatures, magic & action.Secrets, desperation & heart highlight an exciting debut!
A dazzling blend of unique creatures, magic & action.Secrets, desperation & heart highlight an exciting debut!
April 9, 2025
ARC Review Perils of the Past or as i like to call it Sleepless Night's.
Wow, what a story! Perils of the past has been a life long dream of Kane to write, and that you can clearly see with the passion he has poured into this book, because this is simply a perfect and wonderful read. And you don't want to skip this.
As soon as I started this book, i was sweeped away into this world, where you follow the path to a revengeful thief, a seer, and a badass female character. Where all of them were fantastic to read about with painfully background story with them.
The magic system is also very unique, in my opinion, with a cute tiny pet companion to one of the characters. This book is filled with an epic fast-paced journey that doesn't miss a beat and will keep you on your toes from start to finish.
As more as you progress through the story, you will be drowning inside the lore and the new mysteries inside this book that you simply can't leave unsolved, so you will just keep going to your eye's burnes.
As a bonus, you will get fantastic arts inside the book, with beautiful scene breaks pictures from each povs.
Wow, what a story! Perils of the past has been a life long dream of Kane to write, and that you can clearly see with the passion he has poured into this book, because this is simply a perfect and wonderful read. And you don't want to skip this.
As soon as I started this book, i was sweeped away into this world, where you follow the path to a revengeful thief, a seer, and a badass female character. Where all of them were fantastic to read about with painfully background story with them.
The magic system is also very unique, in my opinion, with a cute tiny pet companion to one of the characters. This book is filled with an epic fast-paced journey that doesn't miss a beat and will keep you on your toes from start to finish.
As more as you progress through the story, you will be drowning inside the lore and the new mysteries inside this book that you simply can't leave unsolved, so you will just keep going to your eye's burnes.
As a bonus, you will get fantastic arts inside the book, with beautiful scene breaks pictures from each povs.
May 22, 2025
A story told in three times. The Past, the Present and the Future.
Kane wove a fascinating story in a lush, vast and very unique world.
A world that's savage, vicious and vibrant in equal measure.
It took me about a third of the book to find my bearings, to get into the world and start to really feel it. I'd tab that mostly to the pace, it was tentative and unconvincing, and it's understandable when you're still finding your writing feet.
Kane's debut novel is a story about three people. Three very disparate people, but all very human.
Among them, Cal was the best accomplished of the three for me. What would you do if you knew the future?, and this is such a powerful question upon which to carry a character. I really want to know where he'll be taken in the next book.
Antarna's journey, on the other hand, is one through her past, and one that sees her looking for herself in that past, to see where that takes her to the future.
Perils of the past is a classic adventure story, the questions and the intrigue are well crafted and after Kane finds his stride after the first third of the book, it keeps you turning pages to discover more of it.
Above it all, is the vibrant world Mr. Williams brought to life, one full of an incredible and varied array of fauna [fuck the crustareons] and flora.
Ultimately, this is a book for lovers of the classic adventures, like me, and I sure hope to have the next book in my hands soon to keep discovering this world.
Kane wove a fascinating story in a lush, vast and very unique world.
A world that's savage, vicious and vibrant in equal measure.
It took me about a third of the book to find my bearings, to get into the world and start to really feel it. I'd tab that mostly to the pace, it was tentative and unconvincing, and it's understandable when you're still finding your writing feet.
Kane's debut novel is a story about three people. Three very disparate people, but all very human.
Among them, Cal was the best accomplished of the three for me. What would you do if you knew the future?, and this is such a powerful question upon which to carry a character. I really want to know where he'll be taken in the next book.
Antarna's journey, on the other hand, is one through her past, and one that sees her looking for herself in that past, to see where that takes her to the future.
Perils of the past is a classic adventure story, the questions and the intrigue are well crafted and after Kane finds his stride after the first third of the book, it keeps you turning pages to discover more of it.
Above it all, is the vibrant world Mr. Williams brought to life, one full of an incredible and varied array of fauna [fuck the crustareons] and flora.
Ultimately, this is a book for lovers of the classic adventures, like me, and I sure hope to have the next book in my hands soon to keep discovering this world.
May 4, 2025
Although the author has some interesting ideas on geography, races, and politics, the writing itself didn’t click with me, and the characters didn’t resonate. Your results may vary, as it is fast-moving with a lot of mystery and action.
May 27, 2025
4.5 stars, RTC! VERY excited to talk with Kane in a few days as well!
January 14, 2026
4.25⭐️
💭I really enjoyed this one! What a fantastic debut novel! It’s packed with adventure and high stakes and certainly has its fair share of tense scenes. I really liked having the three POVs. I enjoyed the magic system and how it was tied to the different gods/goddesses of the different temples. The monsters/creatures of this world were very descriptive and very cool. There was some really good dialogue and witty lines that I enjoyed. There is also an animal companion, which I always love.
I’ll admit, initially it did take me a minute to try to wrap my head around which people belonged to which temple/magic system, but eventually I caught on. There is a glossary for the different gods/goddesses but personally I would have loved a glossary of the characters and which temples/gods they were associated with.
💭I really enjoyed this one! What a fantastic debut novel! It’s packed with adventure and high stakes and certainly has its fair share of tense scenes. I really liked having the three POVs. I enjoyed the magic system and how it was tied to the different gods/goddesses of the different temples. The monsters/creatures of this world were very descriptive and very cool. There was some really good dialogue and witty lines that I enjoyed. There is also an animal companion, which I always love.
I’ll admit, initially it did take me a minute to try to wrap my head around which people belonged to which temple/magic system, but eventually I caught on. There is a glossary for the different gods/goddesses but personally I would have loved a glossary of the characters and which temples/gods they were associated with.
May 10, 2025
A classic fantasy adventure story, Perils of the Past is a fascinating story brewed with a harsh, magical world, hope, and desperation. Told in 3 different POVs and a sort of varying timelines, this was a great debut novel with tons to offer.
I won't lie and say for a short chunk of this, maybe 25% or so, I was a bit confused. Maybe that's on me, but just trying to get a feel for everything story-wise and following the flow of time had me off a bit. But once I got my bearings and understood the assignment, I was hooked. Sure, it was a tad slow at the beginning, but I still enjoyed what I was reading. Even if I was a tad bit confused.
But once the ball started rolling, it never stopped. The action and adventure were fast-paced. The magic system was really fun and interesting. I enjoyed the characters and monsters a ton! This world truly felt dangerous, and I was concerned quite a few times for our main characters! This truly was a great time, and I cannot see what's in store for Calik and Antarna.
I won't lie and say for a short chunk of this, maybe 25% or so, I was a bit confused. Maybe that's on me, but just trying to get a feel for everything story-wise and following the flow of time had me off a bit. But once I got my bearings and understood the assignment, I was hooked. Sure, it was a tad slow at the beginning, but I still enjoyed what I was reading. Even if I was a tad bit confused.
But once the ball started rolling, it never stopped. The action and adventure were fast-paced. The magic system was really fun and interesting. I enjoyed the characters and monsters a ton! This world truly felt dangerous, and I was concerned quite a few times for our main characters! This truly was a great time, and I cannot see what's in store for Calik and Antarna.
June 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley & Kane Williams for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5 stars.
Genre(s): high fantasy.
Overall impression: a high stakes, epic fantasy standalone novel with complex characters, a multi-layered plot and detailed world-building. The story took lots of twists and turns, allowing us to go on an adventure with Antarna through multiple landscapes where she faced killer plants, monsters and villains. I was hooked right from the start and couldn't predict where the story was going to end. I had a really good time reading this novel and can't wait to see what other books Kane releases.
Tropes:
➵ Stabby FMC
➵ Animal companion
➵ Found family
➵ An epic quest
➵ Reincarnation & past lives
➵ Magic
➵ Flawed characters
➵ Gods & Goddesses
➵ Royalty
➵ Arranged marriage
➵ Sword fights
➵ Beasts & monsters
➵ Botanical horror
➵ Betrayal
➵ Hidden identities
➵ Fantasy war
➵ She saves the world
⤷ Plot:
A plot-driven epic fantasy adventure with complex layers and plenty of mystery. It was highly immersive with multiple character POV's - each completely different from the other, including that of a struggling seer, rebel and survivor turned warrior. Each character tried to lead the world down a different path based on their desires, motivations and beliefs. It was impossible to predict which way the story would turn and I was surprised by a few of the plot twists towards the end.
⤷ Characters:
Antarna was one of the core characters. She was young but toughened from her past, having survived an assassination attempt and subsequent training in the mountains to learn how to better protect herself and her family. She was really likeable and self-sacrificing, which encouraged some of the other characters to undergo development and become less self-centred. Antarna was really relatable and had realistic responses to the trials that she faced.
The rest of the characters were equally as well-developed and complex. Most of them were flawed which made them more realistic and helped add depth to the story.
⤷ World-building:
Though high fantasy books are often long and part of extended series, Perils of the Past lives up to the genre through detailed world-building. Kane crafted a unique snowy world with deadly mountains, impossibly deep ice caves with frozen waterfalls, dense jungles with man-eating plants, mirror-like lakes with millions of species of plants and animals in the coral reef beneath the surface, and a medieval castle and surrounding villages. I could vividly picture all of the scenes and felt like I was exploring the world with the characters - which is the best feeling ever! There were a lot of really cool species in the novel too, some of which we got to see beautiful artwork of. It really reminded me why I love the fantasy genre so much and it felt really refreshing.
⤷ Writing:
Although the novel was complex and made up of multiple layers, I found that it was easy to follow what was going on and learn the lore of the world. The pacing was steady and information was trickled throughout the chapters, so it never felt like you were being dumped with too much at once. This would be a great book for beginners in the genre, whilst also appealing strongly to high fantasy fans (like myself). I'm excited to see what other stories Kane creates - he's an auto-buy author for me now.
⤷ Everything else:
I loved the artwork in the standard edition. The scenes chosen were all pivotal moments in the story and the drawings helped understand the strong emotions associated with them.
I could easily see this book getting picked up as a special edition one day. The Broken Binding SE or Page & Wick would do an amazing job designing endpaper art and sprayed edges that would bring the story even more to life.
Statistics:
➵ Date read: 22/04/2025-17/05/2025 (26 days).
➵ Page count: 424.
➵ Type: e-book.
➵ Volume: standalone.
➵ Special: NetGalley ARC.
Social Media Links:
Instagram | TikTok | Threads
Follow for reviews, unboxings and book aesthetic videos.
Rating: 5 stars.
Genre(s): high fantasy.
Overall impression: a high stakes, epic fantasy standalone novel with complex characters, a multi-layered plot and detailed world-building. The story took lots of twists and turns, allowing us to go on an adventure with Antarna through multiple landscapes where she faced killer plants, monsters and villains. I was hooked right from the start and couldn't predict where the story was going to end. I had a really good time reading this novel and can't wait to see what other books Kane releases.
Tropes:
➵ Stabby FMC
➵ Animal companion
➵ Found family
➵ An epic quest
➵ Reincarnation & past lives
➵ Magic
➵ Flawed characters
➵ Gods & Goddesses
➵ Royalty
➵ Arranged marriage
➵ Sword fights
➵ Beasts & monsters
➵ Botanical horror
➵ Betrayal
➵ Hidden identities
➵ Fantasy war
➵ She saves the world
⤷ Plot:
A plot-driven epic fantasy adventure with complex layers and plenty of mystery. It was highly immersive with multiple character POV's - each completely different from the other, including that of a struggling seer, rebel and survivor turned warrior. Each character tried to lead the world down a different path based on their desires, motivations and beliefs. It was impossible to predict which way the story would turn and I was surprised by a few of the plot twists towards the end.
⤷ Characters:
Antarna was one of the core characters. She was young but toughened from her past, having survived an assassination attempt and subsequent training in the mountains to learn how to better protect herself and her family. She was really likeable and self-sacrificing, which encouraged some of the other characters to undergo development and become less self-centred. Antarna was really relatable and had realistic responses to the trials that she faced.
The rest of the characters were equally as well-developed and complex. Most of them were flawed which made them more realistic and helped add depth to the story.
⤷ World-building:
Though high fantasy books are often long and part of extended series, Perils of the Past lives up to the genre through detailed world-building. Kane crafted a unique snowy world with deadly mountains, impossibly deep ice caves with frozen waterfalls, dense jungles with man-eating plants, mirror-like lakes with millions of species of plants and animals in the coral reef beneath the surface, and a medieval castle and surrounding villages. I could vividly picture all of the scenes and felt like I was exploring the world with the characters - which is the best feeling ever! There were a lot of really cool species in the novel too, some of which we got to see beautiful artwork of. It really reminded me why I love the fantasy genre so much and it felt really refreshing.
⤷ Writing:
Although the novel was complex and made up of multiple layers, I found that it was easy to follow what was going on and learn the lore of the world. The pacing was steady and information was trickled throughout the chapters, so it never felt like you were being dumped with too much at once. This would be a great book for beginners in the genre, whilst also appealing strongly to high fantasy fans (like myself). I'm excited to see what other stories Kane creates - he's an auto-buy author for me now.
⤷ Everything else:
I loved the artwork in the standard edition. The scenes chosen were all pivotal moments in the story and the drawings helped understand the strong emotions associated with them.
I could easily see this book getting picked up as a special edition one day. The Broken Binding SE or Page & Wick would do an amazing job designing endpaper art and sprayed edges that would bring the story even more to life.
Statistics:
➵ Date read: 22/04/2025-17/05/2025 (26 days).
➵ Page count: 424.
➵ Type: e-book.
➵ Volume: standalone.
➵ Special: NetGalley ARC.
Social Media Links:
Instagram | TikTok | Threads
Follow for reviews, unboxings and book aesthetic videos.
July 26, 2025
An up-front admission – Kane Williams and I were fellow members of a Sydney-based speculative fiction writers’ group while he was editing his recently-released fantasy novel, Perils of the Past.
At the time, I was intrigued by the vivid and complex world Kane had created, filled with predator animals reminiscent of the Jurassic era, and striking and varied landscapes that dominate the story’s human cultures and histories. A magical system is tied intrinsically to those landscapes, with both natural magical flows and anti-magic systems that protect some animals and the humans that harvest them. Perils’ characters, however, live within a medieval political structure that gives rise to much of the narrative’s conflict, creating a familiar world order for lovers of traditional fantasy.
Exploring Kane’s finished project, I found myself on three separate journeys within the same timeline with Antarna, Col and Zanth, who converge in the middle of the story after literally earth-shaking events, with perilous side-trips into both the future and the titular past via special character attributes. The motivations driving each of the trio felt real and relatable, and it was easy to detach the critical feedback mechanism from my readerly brain and simply enjoy the ride.
Further plus points: I don’t like much gore or torture, and Perils spared me… mostly. Neither is full-blown Romantasy my thing, and I was not icked out, enjoying Col’s fiancée predicament and the tension around possibly having his eyes put out by his ever-grumpy chancellor overlord, Zanth’s internal storage predicament of how much magic he had to spare for various impossible tasks versus what he could actually do when bearing anti-magic objects, and Antarna’s succession predicament that plays out in the countdown to save her friends. Antarna carried my heart and soul in this narrative, as she will carry yours. She has a cool familiar that you will covet, she’s everything you’d want in a best friend, down to the excitable impulsivity, and an empathetic swordswoman to boot - a skill that carries a little extra something you will have to read the book to discover.
Thanks again, Kane Williams, for the absolute privilege.
At the time, I was intrigued by the vivid and complex world Kane had created, filled with predator animals reminiscent of the Jurassic era, and striking and varied landscapes that dominate the story’s human cultures and histories. A magical system is tied intrinsically to those landscapes, with both natural magical flows and anti-magic systems that protect some animals and the humans that harvest them. Perils’ characters, however, live within a medieval political structure that gives rise to much of the narrative’s conflict, creating a familiar world order for lovers of traditional fantasy.
Exploring Kane’s finished project, I found myself on three separate journeys within the same timeline with Antarna, Col and Zanth, who converge in the middle of the story after literally earth-shaking events, with perilous side-trips into both the future and the titular past via special character attributes. The motivations driving each of the trio felt real and relatable, and it was easy to detach the critical feedback mechanism from my readerly brain and simply enjoy the ride.
Further plus points: I don’t like much gore or torture, and Perils spared me… mostly. Neither is full-blown Romantasy my thing, and I was not icked out, enjoying Col’s fiancée predicament and the tension around possibly having his eyes put out by his ever-grumpy chancellor overlord, Zanth’s internal storage predicament of how much magic he had to spare for various impossible tasks versus what he could actually do when bearing anti-magic objects, and Antarna’s succession predicament that plays out in the countdown to save her friends. Antarna carried my heart and soul in this narrative, as she will carry yours. She has a cool familiar that you will covet, she’s everything you’d want in a best friend, down to the excitable impulsivity, and an empathetic swordswoman to boot - a skill that carries a little extra something you will have to read the book to discover.
Thanks again, Kane Williams, for the absolute privilege.
May 4, 2025
Omgosh, what an exciting and thrilling adventure! I absolutely loved the whole vibe and magic of this storyline!
Lets start by saying this author is one to keep an eye one, they are so descriptive in their world building, so much so that I felt I was right there.- a character with no name just following them around. The creatures of this world seems cool yet most terrifying. except Enthriff, i genuinely feel he is the most awesome creature going, so protective, so aware, st strong, so loving.
The people are not much different - most dangerous and full of magical greed but some like Antarna and Calik are just awesome.
I really enjoyed going on this fast-paced adventure, and really hope that there's going ro be more to this storyline. it would be good to see (or read lol) what Antarna does on her return to the crater.
Lets start by saying this author is one to keep an eye one, they are so descriptive in their world building, so much so that I felt I was right there.- a character with no name just following them around. The creatures of this world seems cool yet most terrifying. except Enthriff, i genuinely feel he is the most awesome creature going, so protective, so aware, st strong, so loving.
The people are not much different - most dangerous and full of magical greed but some like Antarna and Calik are just awesome.
I really enjoyed going on this fast-paced adventure, and really hope that there's going ro be more to this storyline. it would be good to see (or read lol) what Antarna does on her return to the crater.
July 10, 2025
Perils of the Past by Kane Williams is action-packed, and there are so many twists and turns! And when I say NOTHING is easy for our protagonist, I mean it. What can go wrong does, and the adventure just gets more and more epic!
This is a multi-POV book that brings past lives, political intrigue, magic, and beast into one intense story! I loved the depth of the characters and how their POVs collided. You are thrust into the world, so be prepared to take your time in the beginning. It's worth it!
Antarna is a fierce woman who is steadfast in her mission to save her best friend. What is meant to be a quick trip turns into an adventure with a group that may not all be in alignment. Cal, the Seer, is probably my favorite character. He is in a difficult position, but I loved his thought process and his abilities.
I'm glad I read this epic fantasy, and if you're looking for a unique world and intense conflict, check this one out! 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a multi-POV book that brings past lives, political intrigue, magic, and beast into one intense story! I loved the depth of the characters and how their POVs collided. You are thrust into the world, so be prepared to take your time in the beginning. It's worth it!
Antarna is a fierce woman who is steadfast in her mission to save her best friend. What is meant to be a quick trip turns into an adventure with a group that may not all be in alignment. Cal, the Seer, is probably my favorite character. He is in a difficult position, but I loved his thought process and his abilities.
I'm glad I read this epic fantasy, and if you're looking for a unique world and intense conflict, check this one out! 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 23, 2025
I’d like to start off by saying a huge thank you to Mr Williams for reaching out and asking me to read Perils of the Past, I had a fantastic time discovering a whole new magic system, terrifying creatures, a richly built world and especially getting to know the well developed and awesome characters - mainly Antarna and Cal.
After a brutal attack on Antarna‘s temple she sets out on a perilous mission to retrieve a cure to help her friends that are still clinging to life. This is where she meets Cal and whew, the journey and perils they face are not for the weak hearted.
I loved experiencing their friendship blossom, the banter between the two, the heart stopping danger they were constantly in and the secrets they uncover had me glued to these pages and kept me reading well past my bedtime.
This truly was a unique and awesome story and I’m so glad I got to read it!
Also sorry but I couldn’t leave without also giving a special shout out to Antarnas little pet Enthriff I absolutely loved that little guy and probably one reason alone to read this book. He’s a little legend.😉
After a brutal attack on Antarna‘s temple she sets out on a perilous mission to retrieve a cure to help her friends that are still clinging to life. This is where she meets Cal and whew, the journey and perils they face are not for the weak hearted.
I loved experiencing their friendship blossom, the banter between the two, the heart stopping danger they were constantly in and the secrets they uncover had me glued to these pages and kept me reading well past my bedtime.
This truly was a unique and awesome story and I’m so glad I got to read it!
Also sorry but I couldn’t leave without also giving a special shout out to Antarnas little pet Enthriff I absolutely loved that little guy and probably one reason alone to read this book. He’s a little legend.😉
June 23, 2025
I am extremely happy that this book graced NetGalley for everyone to read. I was in a book slump, needed a pick me up, and this book stayed in my hands. I loved every page. The magic, the world building, the character development were all top notch. Antarna was a very well fleshed out character with an awesome companion. Cal's progression through the book was amazing but I have to say that the world was my favorite aspect of this book. The vibe that Kane starts with page one just sets the tone for how this book unfolds. The magic system, no spoilers, was very unique. All trying to progress through your own time while being haunted by your past life is an amazing idea that I believe Kane absolutely did an amazing job with. The world was just very well written again with details that you have to appreciate. I would put this as one of my top 5 books I have read this year. The use of gods in this fantasy were very impressive. I think that this author has so much potential and I hope this book gets the praise it deserves.
Read
June 4, 2025Why stick with one timeline when you can tell a story from the past, present, and future? In this ambitious fantasy, author Kane Williams upends genre expectations and crafts a story that is both refreshing and exciting.
The book encompasses multiple points of view. There is Antarna, who could be considered overpowered but for one slight difficulty: like many a superhero, she refuses to kill. She doesn’t shy away from physical threats, but she also doesn’t want to be the one to take a life. While I found her interesting, I wondered about whether she could grow at all, what with already being so strong.
I shouldn’t have wondered. Her relationship with Cal (one of the other main characters) allowed both of them to experience excellent development. The way they interacted with each other was great. Cal felt the most like a classic epic fantasy character to me, and I really loved that. He had his flaws and obstacles to overcome, yet he clearly had good intentions.
Danger of all kinds (human, monstrous, even emotional) wraps the main characters in a less-than-loving embrace, keeping the stakes high throughout the course of the story. The way magic works is flipping awesome, and the world is chock-full of the sort of creativity that I love to see in a fantasy novel.
If you like your fantasy epic, your storylines complex, and your villains truly villainous, Perils of the Past is the book for you.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy of this book.
The book encompasses multiple points of view. There is Antarna, who could be considered overpowered but for one slight difficulty: like many a superhero, she refuses to kill. She doesn’t shy away from physical threats, but she also doesn’t want to be the one to take a life. While I found her interesting, I wondered about whether she could grow at all, what with already being so strong.
I shouldn’t have wondered. Her relationship with Cal (one of the other main characters) allowed both of them to experience excellent development. The way they interacted with each other was great. Cal felt the most like a classic epic fantasy character to me, and I really loved that. He had his flaws and obstacles to overcome, yet he clearly had good intentions.
Danger of all kinds (human, monstrous, even emotional) wraps the main characters in a less-than-loving embrace, keeping the stakes high throughout the course of the story. The way magic works is flipping awesome, and the world is chock-full of the sort of creativity that I love to see in a fantasy novel.
If you like your fantasy epic, your storylines complex, and your villains truly villainous, Perils of the Past is the book for you.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy of this book.
May 31, 2025
Perils of the Past is a richly imagined high fantasy adventure that invites you into a world where magic, mystery, and meaning are deeply woven together. The worldbuilding is detailed and immersive, and the magical system felt refreshingly original, while also tapping into a sense of nostalgia that reminded me of the stories I loved growing up.
The creatures in this world are both awe-inspiring and unsettling, sometimes terrifying, sometimes breathtaking, but always layered with a sense of wonder. If you’ve read this book, you’ll never look at a crab the same way again… in the best possible way!
Antarna’s journey is given space to unfold with depth and respect. Each character is introduced in a way that feels intentional, and as their stories begin to intersect, you're gradually drawn into deeper layers, political intrigue, personal discovery, and a slow unravelling of the mystery that Antarna must face.
I really appreciated how much care went into building this world and its characters. The pacing held my attention, and the ending left me curious, satisfied, and hoping that this is only the beginning of a series.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The creatures in this world are both awe-inspiring and unsettling, sometimes terrifying, sometimes breathtaking, but always layered with a sense of wonder. If you’ve read this book, you’ll never look at a crab the same way again… in the best possible way!
Antarna’s journey is given space to unfold with depth and respect. Each character is introduced in a way that feels intentional, and as their stories begin to intersect, you're gradually drawn into deeper layers, political intrigue, personal discovery, and a slow unravelling of the mystery that Antarna must face.
I really appreciated how much care went into building this world and its characters. The pacing held my attention, and the ending left me curious, satisfied, and hoping that this is only the beginning of a series.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2025
This was an immersive high stakes fantasy adventure, following multiple characters on their intriguing and dangerous quests.
I enjoyed seeing Antarna confront her past lives and what it means for her future, it was a fascinating concept and I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of her visions and seeing her enemy.
She is a fierce character and I liked her compassion for others, her determination to uncover the truth, and her helpful animal assistant Enthriff.
Cal takes you on an emotional journey that navigates his guilt, fears, logic and showcases his seer abilities, and what it means to see the future.
I enjoyed seeing Cal and Antarna's bond grow and how they tackled the dangers together, they each have flaws but their characters develop with all the trials they face.
There is a lot of passion poured into this, with vivid worldbuilding, creative magic, dangerous creatures, and characters you want to root for.
The plot explores reincarnation, survival, quests for the truth, political corruption, magic and monsters in a gripping way that keeps the pages turning.
The artwork of scenes scattered within was a delightful bonus too and added to those intense moments.
I enjoyed seeing Antarna confront her past lives and what it means for her future, it was a fascinating concept and I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of her visions and seeing her enemy.
She is a fierce character and I liked her compassion for others, her determination to uncover the truth, and her helpful animal assistant Enthriff.
Cal takes you on an emotional journey that navigates his guilt, fears, logic and showcases his seer abilities, and what it means to see the future.
I enjoyed seeing Cal and Antarna's bond grow and how they tackled the dangers together, they each have flaws but their characters develop with all the trials they face.
There is a lot of passion poured into this, with vivid worldbuilding, creative magic, dangerous creatures, and characters you want to root for.
The plot explores reincarnation, survival, quests for the truth, political corruption, magic and monsters in a gripping way that keeps the pages turning.
The artwork of scenes scattered within was a delightful bonus too and added to those intense moments.
February 2, 2026
Perils of the Past is not a fantasy about becoming powerful. It is about realizing what power will cost.
At first glance, the novel feels familiar with tropes I am used to. There are gods, ancient forces, and a protagonist pulled into something far older than herself. But instead of leaning into the "chosen one" trope, the story quietly pushes back against this.
What really sets this book apart is how it manages the divine authority and memory. The gods are not dramatic villains or guiding saviours. They feel distant and procedural, more concerned with balance than justice.
The pacing is thoughtful and atmospheric, focusing more on internal tension and emotional weight than constant action, which I don't mind instead of the battle after battle epic you find in fantasy.
At its heart, Perils of the Past is about the cost of remembering and the comfort of ignorance. It is a reflective, mature fantasy that stays with you after the final page, not because of firework like ending, but because of the questions it leaves you with.
If you enjoy fantasy that challenges familiar tropes and values meaning over excess, this one is well worth your time.
At first glance, the novel feels familiar with tropes I am used to. There are gods, ancient forces, and a protagonist pulled into something far older than herself. But instead of leaning into the "chosen one" trope, the story quietly pushes back against this.
What really sets this book apart is how it manages the divine authority and memory. The gods are not dramatic villains or guiding saviours. They feel distant and procedural, more concerned with balance than justice.
The pacing is thoughtful and atmospheric, focusing more on internal tension and emotional weight than constant action, which I don't mind instead of the battle after battle epic you find in fantasy.
At its heart, Perils of the Past is about the cost of remembering and the comfort of ignorance. It is a reflective, mature fantasy that stays with you after the final page, not because of firework like ending, but because of the questions it leaves you with.
If you enjoy fantasy that challenges familiar tropes and values meaning over excess, this one is well worth your time.
January 18, 2026
I finished this and immediately wanted other people to read it. This is the kind of epic fantasy built on dangerous journeys, fractured histories, rebellion, and a world that actively pushes back against anyone trying to survive it, especially when characters are forced to confront whether they’re bound by fate or destiny. The worldbuilding is immersive, with layered history, lived-in cultures, and underlying political tension that are all connected through multiple POVs. Antarna is the kind of main character you latch onto fast (I see you Enthriff), with hidden depth and a past that quietly shapes every decision she makes. The magic feels fresh, the politics hum under the surface, and the story moves with real purpose.
The final stretch is relentless as forces collide to stop history from repeating itself, and once it starts moving, it does not let up. Weapons, beasts, and long-buried consequences all come crashing together in a way that made it impossible to put down. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
The final stretch is relentless as forces collide to stop history from repeating itself, and once it starts moving, it does not let up. Weapons, beasts, and long-buried consequences all come crashing together in a way that made it impossible to put down. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
February 13, 2026
Overview
This is a sword and sorcery-type fantasy that’s on the faster end of medium-paced with sections towards the end that’re lightning-quick.
Human settlements (various people outside the traditional elves, dwarves, etc) are located in pockets safe from the extreme wilderness: a giant crater, a lake island, and possibly others.
The story follows 3 POV characters with a main focus on Antarna. She’s a warrior based in a mountain temple training to tap into the memories of her past lives to draw out their collective strength.
Life hits a snag when a spiritual explosion wastes a whole bunch of her people and leaves a mate comatose. She spends the rest of the story on a quest to find some anti-magic rocks to help the guys at the temple while also uncovering what happened.
There’s conspiracy, action, and a whole ton of freaky creatures.
Reading Experience
I prefer reading flow over details, and because there’s so many new creatures and concepts, I struggled a little with the unfamiliar, stalled while questioning the relevance of particular details, and the lengthy creature names didn’t feel like part of a lived-in world (familiar words tend to be shortened because of human laziness.) No info-dumps, just a scattering of detail, but I found myself wanting the integration to be smoother. Still, the new elements were refreshing.
At times I stumbled on the prose, but I’d say it was more gravelly rather than rocky. Someone with stronger reading chops than me would have no problem whatsoever.
Overall
I had a good time. The story moved at a decent clip, and I respect the break from the traditional fantasy structure. I give it a thumbs-up.
This is a sword and sorcery-type fantasy that’s on the faster end of medium-paced with sections towards the end that’re lightning-quick.
Human settlements (various people outside the traditional elves, dwarves, etc) are located in pockets safe from the extreme wilderness: a giant crater, a lake island, and possibly others.
The story follows 3 POV characters with a main focus on Antarna. She’s a warrior based in a mountain temple training to tap into the memories of her past lives to draw out their collective strength.
Life hits a snag when a spiritual explosion wastes a whole bunch of her people and leaves a mate comatose. She spends the rest of the story on a quest to find some anti-magic rocks to help the guys at the temple while also uncovering what happened.
There’s conspiracy, action, and a whole ton of freaky creatures.
Reading Experience
I prefer reading flow over details, and because there’s so many new creatures and concepts, I struggled a little with the unfamiliar, stalled while questioning the relevance of particular details, and the lengthy creature names didn’t feel like part of a lived-in world (familiar words tend to be shortened because of human laziness.) No info-dumps, just a scattering of detail, but I found myself wanting the integration to be smoother. Still, the new elements were refreshing.
At times I stumbled on the prose, but I’d say it was more gravelly rather than rocky. Someone with stronger reading chops than me would have no problem whatsoever.
Overall
I had a good time. The story moved at a decent clip, and I respect the break from the traditional fantasy structure. I give it a thumbs-up.
June 5, 2025
What would you do if you knew your future?
February 2, 2026
3.75 This is what I felt about, my own opinion, and I do hope you experience this book to form your own. If you like fantasy, Avatar, Sword of Kaigen slowburn politics and self-growth, a monk warrior D&D character on a journey, then jump into this.
Spoilers ahead
An adventure with a lot of good cinematic fighting scenes and worldbuilding details, especially when it comes to creature design, but I struggled with the rhythm.
The end of this first volume lacked a satisfying closure. The climax and the high points of this volume are boss fights. But plot-wise, it felt anticlimactic. We switched the focus of the main goal from hers to Cal. I wonder if the author's goal was not to give her a solution to her problem but just to have her go through the experience. Was the author's intention to shut down so many of her hopes and solutions, and leave other threads open?
A lot is happening, a magic system with very high stakes, details that stick to our minds like cutting arms to embrace magic, but then these most important and interesting stories, elements that are not part of the now but of the world building, of the setting, the environment, and vibes, so they are told instead of being experienced. I felt an unbalanced rhythm where we lingered a long time in scenes and moments that are not crucial to the plot, and rushed through others that are crucial to the plot.
It wasn't a bad experience, I appreciated Cal more than Antarna, he is more interesting to follow in the end because she is always filled with guilt and bringing her past (even reincarnations) to add to her burden. I see the author's intention, but it didn't work for me. I started being annoyed that she keeps being pulled down by guilt when she is part of royalty, and I didn't feel like she was in danger. Zanth's revenge felt like their confrontation at the end was just secondary.
Spoilers ahead
An adventure with a lot of good cinematic fighting scenes and worldbuilding details, especially when it comes to creature design, but I struggled with the rhythm.
The end of this first volume lacked a satisfying closure. The climax and the high points of this volume are boss fights. But plot-wise, it felt anticlimactic. We switched the focus of the main goal from hers to Cal. I wonder if the author's goal was not to give her a solution to her problem but just to have her go through the experience. Was the author's intention to shut down so many of her hopes and solutions, and leave other threads open?
A lot is happening, a magic system with very high stakes, details that stick to our minds like cutting arms to embrace magic, but then these most important and interesting stories, elements that are not part of the now but of the world building, of the setting, the environment, and vibes, so they are told instead of being experienced. I felt an unbalanced rhythm where we lingered a long time in scenes and moments that are not crucial to the plot, and rushed through others that are crucial to the plot.
It wasn't a bad experience, I appreciated Cal more than Antarna, he is more interesting to follow in the end because she is always filled with guilt and bringing her past (even reincarnations) to add to her burden. I see the author's intention, but it didn't work for me. I started being annoyed that she keeps being pulled down by guilt when she is part of royalty, and I didn't feel like she was in danger. Zanth's revenge felt like their confrontation at the end was just secondary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2025
Straight up FANTASY.
We are thrust immediately into the world created by Kane Williams. Our main character Antarna is in the process of figuring out her past life. If she can access this ‘power’ she has to help with her present self. This story is told in three different times; Antarna’s past, present and future. She accesses her past through a portal on a stone and she has to essentially ‘leave her body’ to see it. Think projection of sorts.
There is action, adventure, death, lies and deception and mystery that lay within the pages of this book. Nothing short of amazing. If you’re looking for a mind bending interactive fast paced let’s figure out which past life power I had then pick this novel up because you’re in for a treat!
June 24, 2025
There was a lot going on in this book. It is told from the perspective of three very different people with three very different outlooks. They see and hear and feel things differently-it's very interesting but a little bit difficult to follow. It is also a different world with new rules, new species of animals, etc. Several chapters in I felt like I finally got in the groove and was following along okay... but truly my rating for this was affected by how I felt about the ending, or what I would consider lack of one...
Honorable mention to my favorite character: Enthriff
3 1/2 💜’s.
Honorable mention to my favorite character: Enthriff
3 1/2 💜’s.
May 14, 2025
Pursuing hazardous quests to solve deadly mysteries is not easy when being haunted by your past life as a sworn enemy. Less so when every warrior, wizard, and monster is trying to kill you.
An explosive thrill ride through a lush world of terrifying monsters, treacherous politics, and deadly magic. Dizzying action never lets up in this dynamic debut. Shadows in a bottle and creature companions? Count me in!
An explosive thrill ride through a lush world of terrifying monsters, treacherous politics, and deadly magic. Dizzying action never lets up in this dynamic debut. Shadows in a bottle and creature companions? Count me in!
May 29, 2025
To be blunt, when I want a good fantasy, I want something that ticks all the boxes in the realms of magic, adventure, decent opponents and a quest that enthralls, and on top of that I want a hero that is engaging and likable. This book definately appealed on every level and was well worth the read for a solidly delightful journey into fantasy. This is one that you must try and which I am certain will appeal to you too.
May 24, 2025
She never wanted to be helpless so she trained hard to prevent that happening again. An attack will lead her to go on a journey to find a way to save all her friends. Follow her journey
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read
May 25, 2025
A good story the time between past future and present where sometimes hard to understand but i found this book a interesting read
May 28, 2025
A fun fantasy book. I loved it so much. I was given an arc and i choose to give a honest review.
June 4, 2025
With atmospheric writing, metaphysical magic, and an internal quest every bit as exciting as the external adventure, this is an inspired debut. No doubt the beginning of a marvelous career!
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