Dawn of Adakia: Silvan Outlands, Book 1

Silvan Outlands #1

by R.K. Lander, Daniel Thomas May (Narrator)

From epic fantasy author R. K. Lander comes Silvan Outlands, a new high fantasy series in the Silvan Saga.

All Fel'annár wants is to find solace in family, companionship after a lifetime of war. But his arrival in Boscandia sparks hope for unity amongst the warring Adak tribes who seek independence for Adakia, ancestral lands they mean to claim from the ruling Scandic elves. To others, his presence is a danger that must be swiftly dealt with.

As a sinister enemy rears from the shadows of exile, Fel'annár finds himself caught in the midst of conflict once more, torn between a land war and a treacherous move on the throne. With the fate of Boscandia hanging in the balance, Fel’annár must reunite The Company, but with his powers gone, not even they may be enough to stop the inexorable rise of Tarwenol Antadak and his army of Acolytes.

Dawn of Adakia is a riveting, action-packed tale of courage, loyalty, and the enduring quest for freedom amidst a world filled with arcane secrets and ancient powers. If you enjoyed the epic fantasy of the Silvan Saga, you won't want to miss this heart-pounding instalment.

Genres: Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

I am a British author living in Spain, best known for my epic fantasy series The Silvan.

From a young age, I was influenced by science fiction and fantasy, reading authors such as Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and J.R.R. Tolkien. My fascination with elves and my desire to explore their lives, social structures, and politics led me to create my own saga.

I strive to create coherent imaginary worlds and deep, complex characters. My writing is characterised by exploration of the warrior's mind, intense emotions, and well-developed magical systems I truly hope you will enjoy.

When I'm not writing in Shedquarters, I enjoy cooking, gardening, and spending time with my dogs. I am active on social media and platforms like Goodreads and Bookbub, where I love engaging with readers.

For more about my works and updates, you can visit my official website rklander, or sign up for news on my substack rklander.

Reviews

[Trudy Patricia]

The way old characters develop and new ones steal your heart is masterful writing and true story telling.


Original Silvan readers… remember how it felt like RK Lander took away our chance for stories of Fel’annár the husband, the son and most importantly - the father! His death was shocking, his return from depths of it so very heart wrenching throughout the Shirán series.

You get it all, woven into an adventure of as many firsts as there is reconnections… and so so much more as we meet Fel’s family in blood and the family he chose in The Company!!

As an ARC reader I feel so excited for release day! You will love this journey as much as me, I am so sure!

[Evelyn Ziegenhagen]

I just finished my ARC copy of the first book in a new series by R.K. Lander.
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the Dawn of Adakia as a sequel to Silvan Chronicles. I really enjoyed the first series because of the characters, worldbuilding, and eloquent storytelling.
This book picks up soon after the series ends and follows Fel’annár in his new adventure in the Second Elven World of Naz’arán. You will find old friends, make new friends, and their are new villains to overcome. It's an action filled, sometimes emotional ride that will leave you saying, 'Wait! I want more!'. Grab this one and hold on tight. You won't be disappointed.

[Donna Navarro]

The Beginning of Another Brilliant Series

Dawn of Adakia is, once again, a true example of R. K. Lander’s ability to create a world that will draw the reader in and captivate the imagination. The characters, both old and new, are believable and well balanced. This book will keep you turning the pages, well after bedtime. As a continuation of R. K. Lander’s previous book series, The Silvan & Elven Worlds, Dawn of Adakia is the first book in another brilliant series. As an ARC reader I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be waiting expectantly for the next book.

[Claire Stewart-wilson]

Fel'annár's journey continues, as he searches for his parents and old friends who passed along the short road years before, he must protect his family as enemies conspire against him. A land in turmoil and natives who look to him as a saviour, will Fel'annár be reunited with his mother, or will the trails and tribulations separate them forever? R.K.Lander weaves a world so convincing I feel you can touch and taste it. Her writing brings a depth to the characters that make you feel like you can step into the deep woods and you will chance apon them by a fire.

[Theresa]

First in a continuation series after ‘The Silvan” series. Beware, there are some critical action stuff left unresolved until next book.

Fel’annar has fulfilled his destiny, defeated the foes of the elven world of Bel’aran as prince and Ari’ator and restored peace. Now he must begin a second lifetime of service to the Mothergod Aria as a Shiran warrior. This is the chronicles of his second lifetime in the second elven world: Naz’aran

For those who remember the characters from the previous series. Galdith of the Company is now a captain in King Uwendo’s Scandic army. Fel’annar is searching for a safe home for Llyniel and Talanor before searching for his parents. Thargoden and Lassira are reunited again living peacefully in Boscandia as winemakers as they await the arrival of their son.

New characters: King Uwendo: still morning for his first wife. Queen Duanib who is haughty, scheming and cruel and only allows her own Scandic people to shine. Crown Prince Yasei from Uwendo’s first wife. Princess Adira: Duanib’s daughter for whom she has ambitions.

Footnote: 1) Why didn’t two of them get into the boat before they lowered it?

Fave scenes: Yasei attacking the revenant’s, Talador & the Adak warrior, meeting the Elderak and family meetings & reunions.

[Reed Fallow]

Prepare for a journey into wonder !

First , I would like to thank Ms. Lander for sharing this world with me. I have read all her books of the Sylvan and they are a triumph of wonder . This continuation of his story was indeed masterful . She takes us all on a journey throughout a mystical world ! For her writing , brings to me , tears of joy . Can't wait for her next book in
this series . Thanks Mademoiselle very much !

[Jodie Rosenburg]

Dawn of Adakia

Oh my God ! I have loved ALL of the books from the beginning. This Silvan Outlands Book was so amazing! The reunions withFel'annarr's family was exquisite! If anyone has been following Fel'annar ,The Company,all of their adventures, this series is so good. I cannot wait for the next installment. I know there will be some incredible action.
Thank you R.K. Lander

[Alayne]

Four and a half stars. This new series in the Felannar books was excellent, except for some proofreading errors. Although, I did find the new villain to be rather extremely villainous! The re-introduction of so many old friends from the first series, as well as new family and friends, was so good. Looking forward to book 2.

[Rhonda Broadway]

Great start to a series

Loved it. Wonderful to see characters reunited and new ones added. Keeps you on edge. Cant wait for next book!

[Pam]

Wish I could give it 10☆☆☆! Anxiously awaiting book 2!!

If you liked reading the Silvan Saga or Elvan Worlds, this new series with old friends is a MUST!

[Evelyn Ziegenhagen]

Grab it & hold on tight!

I just finished the first book in a new series by R.K. Lander.
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the Dawn of Adakia as a sequel to Silvan Chronicles. I really enjoyed the first series because of the characters, worldbuilding, and eloquent storytelling.
This book picks up soon after the series ends and follows Fel’annár in his new adventure in the Second Elven World of Naz’arán. You will find old friends, make new friends, and their are new villains to overcome. It's an action filled, sometimes emotional ride that will leave you saying, 'Wait! I want more!'. Grab this one and hold on tight. You won't be disappointed.

[darlene bloniarz]

good read

Awesome book can’t wait for the next one only wish I don’t have to wait long. They be have all been so good couldn’t put them down

[Kathryn]

Thank you to Net Galley for providing this as an audio-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 ⭐️

I had such a great time with this book!! First thing to address before getting into this review: can you read this book if you haven’t read the first series? Yes, you can, but I don’t know that I specifically recommend it. There is a vast quantity of lore and history and characters that were established in the original series that maybe weren’t fully explained this time around and so there were quite a few points where I was confused af. That being said, the characters, plot, system of magic, lore, and generally the writing, were all of such a high quality that I was willing to just roll with it. (*More said at the end).

This was a total impulse request on Net Galley – the cover design was sick and the description gave my that classic Old Man Fantasy kinda vibe which instantly grabbed my attention. And that was exactly what was delivered: a rich, nuanced story that had a great balance of character and narrative driven plot. I really cannot stress enough how perfectly this balanced between the plot/lore and the characters – I’m not sure the last time I read a story that managed to blend the two so seamlessly and it made for such an excellent reading experience.

I want to offer more in-depth commentary on the characters etc but having listened to the audiobook I haven’t got a single clue how to spell even a single characters name haha! Suffice to say that I was a huge fan of them all. The only real criticism I have is for Queen B – I am going to trust the process and assume she will get more development in future stories but from book 1 she felt like a slightly hollow caricature of Evil Hottie Queen Hates Everyone for Reasons (trademark). This was especially noticeable thanks to the contrast between Queenie and all the good guys (rich, deep histories, motives, personalities etc).

So, to summarise, the only reason this lost some points from me was that I like a complex villain, and that I was so freaking lost (the short and long road thing needed at least some/more explanation, even if it was explained in the first series). Otherwise, this was a huge, slightly unexpected, win and I deeply enjoyed my time with it. Shout out to the narrator who did a pretty great job (loved how each character had a unique voice, hated that one female character where he just sqwarked the whole time). I plan to read Lander’s first series soon because this book tantalised me so damn much!

(*The best comparison I can offer here will only make sense to those who have seen Firefly/Serenity. Many many moons ago, I begged my dad to get Serenity as an overnight DVD rental bc “it was made be the same guy as Buffy” – Buffy being a newly discovered and beloved show (and Joss Whedon’s shittiness an as yet unknown factor). I had no clue for about 60% of the story and there were a lot of scenes which were emotional but also kinda meaningless. Until I discovered that it was the sequel to a TV series which I then binge watched and now have a whole new appreciate (devastation) for the movie.)

[Christopher Edwards]

I fell in love with The Silvan Saga written by R. K. Landers. I found that I loved her books so much I became a Beta reader. I found the job of a beta reader was a double-edged sword. On the one hand you get to read the chapters as they are released but found patience tested having to wait for the next chapter and dying to read it. Fortunately, R. K. Landers is so awesome at writing and the patience is rewarded.
I thought that the Sylvan series was a tough act to follow. I can’t tell you how happy I was to have Ms. Landers prove me wrong. October 2024 marks the return of the ex-Warlord of Ea Uaré.
The Dawn of Adaki is full of intrigue as Fel’annár of Lan Taria enters a land and weaves his way through ancient mysteries and tribal divides.
Although Fel’annár’s arrival sparks hope for unity among the warring Adak tribes.

But as he seeks some peace with family and companionship, that not all the occupants of the new lands find his coming a welcome thing, although his family doesn’t wish him harm like certain factions in the land’s occupants do. Ms. Landers threads the story line with betrayal, action scenes that get your adrenaline rushing and heart pounding.
Will Fel’annár and his allies overcome the intrigue and back stabbing? Only reading this book will answer the fate of Adakia that’s hanging in the balance, but you won’t be sorry if you do read it.
Dawn of Adakia” is one of the most fantastic tale of courage, loyalty, and the enduring quest for freedom in a world filled with arcane secrets and ancient powers. If you enjoyed the epic fantasy of The Silvan Saga as much as I did, you won’t want to miss this action-packed sequel.

[Kaitlyn]

Thank you Tantor and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook.

I didn’t realize this was a continuation series, so this was my introduction. While you can read this without reading the previous series, I’d recommend starting with the previous series if this book sounds interesting. While I understood everything happening, I still felt like I was missing some backstory that would have improved my experience.

What really drew me to the book was the blurb said it was for fans of Sanderson, Tolkien, and Hobb, which are three of my favorite authors. I definitely agree with that. It has the straightforward and understandable prose of Sanderson, the world-building and lore-dump style of Tolkien, and then the slow but impactful character work of Hobb. I found the details of all the cultures to be interesting and made me want to know more and then had fun watching how the different characters’ motivations play out. The writing itself was easy to follow and had plenty of moments where I was like “that was such a cool way to describe that”.

The narrator did such a great job with all of the different voices. I always knew who was talking based on their voice which really helped me get a grasp on all the different characters. I think I would have had an easier time with the names if I had read the first series or done a visual format, but once you get past the beginning, it is easy to follow along.

This is not a book for anyone who doesn’t like complex names or lore dumps. But it is definitely a book for those who love epic fantasy with fleshed out worlds and a cast of characters that each stand on their own.

[Jenn]

The Dawn of Adakia completely sucked me into an incredible new world—I didn’t realize it was the start of a sequel series, but that just means I get to explore The Silvan Saga while I wait for the audiobook for Sons of Adakia to drop in June! If you have not read the first series yet, I do recommend starting there. I was able to follow along really well, but I probably spoiled some major plot points for myself by starting with the Silvan Outlands series first.

Told in third-person with multiple POVs, this is a story about family, destiny, and the cost of power. The world of Boscandia is high fantasy, dangerous, magical, and emotionally layered. If you like stories that blend tribal unrest, prophecy, and elven warlords with heart, this one's for you.

This was my first book by R.K. Lander, and I am looking forward to reading more of her work. Her imagination and world-building were truly amazing.

I received an ALC from NetGalley and LOVED the audiobook for this story. Danial Thomas May’s voice was made for high fantasy—his storytelling pulled me in completely, and the way he gave each character a distinct voice brought the world to life. Thank you to Tantor Audio for approving my ALC request for this book.

[tinynightingales]

for fans of:
- Wheel of Time
- High Fantasy

Dawn of Adakia by R.K. Lander is a continuation of the acclaimed Silvan Saga. This high fantasy novel reintroduces readers to Fel’annár, an elven warrior seeking peace after a lifetime of conflict. His journey to the forest realm of Boscandia, however, entangles him in a brewing civil war among the Adak tribes and the resurgence of a long-exiled malevolent force, the Antadak Tarwenol, who wields forbidden magic and threatens to plunge the land into darkness.

The world building in this book is insanely detailed and really immersed readers in a realm teeming with arcane secrets, ancient powers, and complex political dynamics. This is TRUE high fantasy so it is not for the faint of heart, but it will keep you reading. I haven't read any of the other books in the anthology so I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but the audiobook was fantastic so I was able to push through the initial discomfort. Dawn of Adakia offers a captivating blend of action, emotion, and intricate world-building, marking a promising start to the Silvan Outlands series and a must-read for enthusiasts of immersive fantasy narratives.

[RosieRitesReviews]

* I received a free audio copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

Dawn of Adakia is a sequel to R.K. Lander’s Silvan series—takes place in the Elven world of Naz'aran following Fel'annar. This is an epic fantasy centered around elves on the brink of war, steeped in political tension and age-old rivalries. The story unfolds with a slow, deliberate build, immersing you in the world and its stakes before launching into gripping, full-scale battle scenes that are absolutely worth the wait.

And the narration? Daniel Thomas May brings the entire world to life. His voice is melodic and expressive, capturing the emotional nuance of each scene. With distinct inflections for every character, it's always clear who's speaking, which makes for an incredibly immersive listening experience. His performance elevates the story in all the right ways.

If you’re into rich fantasy with strong character work and layered worldbuilding, this audiobook is a fantastic ride from start to finish.

[Julia]

Grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me the opportunity to experience this audiobook early through an advance listening copy.

As someone still new to The Silvan Saga, Dawn of Adakia was a captivating and rewarding introduction to this world. The first half takes its time, immersing you in the elven realm, and the Adak tribes, and introducing Fel’annár’s rich history and personal struggles. It did take me a bit to get familiar with everything, but once I settled in, the story truly took off.

The second half was packed with nonstop action, found family, and deep emotional moments that kept me turning the pages (or in this case, glued to my headphones). Fel’annár’s journey became impossible to pause, and it’s clear there’s even more to appreciate if you’ve read the previous books.

While I still have more of R.K. Lander’s world to explore, this was an epic, thrilling, and heartfelt read that has left me eager to continue the saga. Highly recommend for fantasy lovers who enjoy layered worlds, complex characters, and stories that reward patience with payoff.

[Thus Kvothe The Raven]

This is a fantasy tale of elves, swords, and magic. It is a new story of characters introduced in previous books by this author. There is a rich backstory that Lander spends a lot of time discussing in bits and pieces. He does not retell old tales, he just incorporates brief descriptions as characters meet one another again, have conversations with one another, or meet new characters. The characters are interesting and the story is engaging. Daniel Thomas May does an excellent job with the narration, really bringing the characters to life.

Though his style is a more natural way of covering the past, it left this reader a tad bogged down at times. There was just so much backstory that I had difficulty keeping track of what was happening in the present.

Overall I found this a four star read. Those who have read previous books by R.K. Lander will likely enjoy this one as well. My thanks to Tantor Audio.

#fantasy #fourstarread #netgalley

[Anna]

After reading the Sylvan Chronicles, and accompanying the hero on his journey from young novice warrior to prince and warlord, I thought the story was complete. I was wrong.
Having fallen in love with the characters of the series, and all the detail that the author put into each of her books, I was very happy to receive the ARC copy of this book and reconnect with some of the memorable people Ms. Lander brought to life and see what new ones are lurking, yet to be discovered.
I’m happy to say that Dawn of Adakia, doesn’t disappoint. The same meticulous attention to detail, world-building and character description, fast paced action scenes and a compelling storyline makes me impatient to see where this series will take me. I’ll happily follow along.

[Sage]

Can you jump into this story without having read the first series? Yes, technically you can, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. There’s a lot of lore, history, and characters introduced in the original series that weren’t fully explained here, which left me pretty confused at times as I did not read the other series. That said, the high quality of the characters, plot, magic system, and overall writing kept me hooked enough to just go with the flow.

I impulsively requested this on NetGalley because I loved the cover (I chose lots of books based on the cover alone). I am so glad that I did.

I can't wait to go back and read the series!

[Brianna]

Thank you R.K. Lander, The Publisher, and Net Galley for a copy of this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Final verdict 4.0/5.0

I’ll keep this review short and sweet. This book kept me company during my commute to work, haha! If you like intense world-building, you will like listening to this. It’s a bit hard to get into at first, as you are bombarded with a bunch of complicated names, lore, and conflict. However, if you stick with it, I think you’ll be along for an entertaining ride.

Thank you again for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

[Jada]

ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So… I jumped into this w/o reading the previous series, although I think it will heighten your experience to read it, I still thoroughly enjoyed this without having read it!! Such an expansive world, built so beautifully as well as a storyline so captivating to match. Now I really need to start R.K Lander’s other series!! Daniel Thomas May also did an amazing job narrating this- I loved all the voices.

[Thomas Guaraldi]

Intriguing Story.

This book is like the first stage of the story, beautifully done and filled with vivid descriptions. We finally got to see our main character complete his personal life goal. This book builds a great plot and unites us with characters that feel like family again. Look forward and somewhat sad to the final book in this Great World.

[Ellen Roddy]

Dawn of Adakia (Silvan Outlands Book 1)

Constant change as Fel’annar’s trip back to life and renewing the strands of family; both close and standard family and the Company. It does seem that trouble follows Fel’annar’s treks. He does provoke strong following from friends and families.

[Scott]

40%

"Dawn of Adakia" is well-written. The problem that I have with it probably lies with me. For some reason, I simply can't get into the story. I don't really feel anything for any of the characters. I read the first 40% of the book. It just isn't clicking with me. I don't understand why.

I can't honestly recommend "Dawn of Adakia".

[Roger D. Lee]

The journey to find a peaceful home comes with an attack.

Traveling in secret was not enough to keep the enemy of his family from attacking him. Reunited with friends (the Company) saved our hero's life. Now to unite with family and plan to protect the land.

[Aaron]

Love this series

So friends throughout history find each other again to complete a new prophecy in a new world. With new enemies and new journeys. Everyone will come full circle and hopefully they will survive.

[Dawn Ternig]

Never enough

I have read all of the books before this one and yet I'm not tired of the story. Only one more to go and it saddens me. I hope the storyline will continue with Talanor and his adventures