What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadow of the Elders
A plant grows from a single seed. The same is true for power.
When a drought strikes the continent of Bas, family and friends are ripped apart, ancient grudges are revived, and a strange magic is sought that threatens to plunge the world further into chaos.
Savique, a new father, works on an estate shaping stones for the Foreman. After an ill-fated theft, his life begins to unravel and not even the vague prophecies of mystics can stop it. Cast out from his home, without friend or family, Savique will be forced to discover why an old enemy would come to his rescue.
Friends Vaten and Ajeau walk the dying world until a mysterious group of raiders separates them. Vaten is abducted and forced into the life of a prisoner. Taken to a distant land, he must rely on new friends to help him escape. But alliances are never quite what they seem.
From the moment Vaten is taken, Ajeau vows never to give up searching for him. She must journey to the great city of Nouv'eau, the place of her birth, in hopes of discovering a clue to his whereabouts. Little does she know, her return to the city has been expected by a powerful force. One that promises to reunite her with Vaten. And so much more.
Lose yourself in a new epic low fantasy series featuring a cast of morally grey characters who uncover legendary secrets, battle ruthless assassins, and navigate an ancient society full of mystery. Shadow of the Elders is the first book in the Sylvan Record.
When a drought strikes the continent of Bas, family and friends are ripped apart, ancient grudges are revived, and a strange magic is sought that threatens to plunge the world further into chaos.
Savique, a new father, works on an estate shaping stones for the Foreman. After an ill-fated theft, his life begins to unravel and not even the vague prophecies of mystics can stop it. Cast out from his home, without friend or family, Savique will be forced to discover why an old enemy would come to his rescue.
Friends Vaten and Ajeau walk the dying world until a mysterious group of raiders separates them. Vaten is abducted and forced into the life of a prisoner. Taken to a distant land, he must rely on new friends to help him escape. But alliances are never quite what they seem.
From the moment Vaten is taken, Ajeau vows never to give up searching for him. She must journey to the great city of Nouv'eau, the place of her birth, in hopes of discovering a clue to his whereabouts. Little does she know, her return to the city has been expected by a powerful force. One that promises to reunite her with Vaten. And so much more.
Lose yourself in a new epic low fantasy series featuring a cast of morally grey characters who uncover legendary secrets, battle ruthless assassins, and navigate an ancient society full of mystery. Shadow of the Elders is the first book in the Sylvan Record.
- GenresFantasy
521 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Will Elm
1 book4 followersWill Elm is an independent author who loves all things fantasy and science fiction. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children who keep him endlessly busy. There, in a small basement office, he creates worlds full of stories and writes them down. When not writing or parenting he plays board games, hikes, rides his bike, and endeavors to find a perfect cup of tea.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 30, 2025
A FRACTURED REALM. A FORBIDDEN LEGACY. A FANTASY THAT FIGHTS FOR THE LIGHT BEYOND TRAUMA.
Fans of Robin Hobb and The Broken Earth Trilogy will be deeply moved by this emotionally resonant epic, which balances dark truths with glimmers of defiance, resilience, and quiet power.
In Shadows of the Elders, Will Elm builds a detailed fantasy world full of deep wounds and stubborn hope. With complex characters struggling under the weight of history, oppression, and personal loss, this novel doesn’t just deliver magic—it asks what it means to survive when you’ve been broken by the systems meant to protect you. What happens when tradition becomes a weapon? What survives when the old powers fall? This is not a story of endless battles and clean victories. It’s about reclaiming what was stolen and reimagining what could be.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This novel contains content that may be distressing to some readers, including depictions of physical and emotional abuse, trauma, and discrimination. These scenes are not gratuitous and are treated with care, always in service to the story’s healing arc.
🌟 WHAT WORKED WELL
• Emotional honesty: Characters grapple with depression, grief, and legacy in ways that feel deeply human.
• Richly developed world: From maps to myths, every aspect of the worldbuilding is intentional and immersive.
• Poetic prose with depth: Will Elm’s writing is both lyrical and grounded, balancing darkness with quiet hope.
⚠️ WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• The pacing may feel slow in early chapters for action-focused readers—it’s more reflective than plot-heavy at times.
• The in-world terms and lore require some acclimation, which could benefit from a glossary.
🙋♀️ RECOMMENDED FOR
Readers of mature high fantasy who value emotional realism, complex trauma arcs, and stories that prioritize healing and resistance over spectacle. Ideal for fans of Naomi Novik, N.K. Jemisin, and Tasha Suri.
🎯 FINAL TAKEAWAY
Shadows of the Elders is an unflinching and soulful journey through the ruins of tradition toward something radical: freedom, chosen family, and strength through survival.
Heat Rating: 🔥 (Very mild. Some intimacy themes, but primarily emotional.)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
This review appears on my website 07.18.2025
Fans of Robin Hobb and The Broken Earth Trilogy will be deeply moved by this emotionally resonant epic, which balances dark truths with glimmers of defiance, resilience, and quiet power.
In Shadows of the Elders, Will Elm builds a detailed fantasy world full of deep wounds and stubborn hope. With complex characters struggling under the weight of history, oppression, and personal loss, this novel doesn’t just deliver magic—it asks what it means to survive when you’ve been broken by the systems meant to protect you. What happens when tradition becomes a weapon? What survives when the old powers fall? This is not a story of endless battles and clean victories. It’s about reclaiming what was stolen and reimagining what could be.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This novel contains content that may be distressing to some readers, including depictions of physical and emotional abuse, trauma, and discrimination. These scenes are not gratuitous and are treated with care, always in service to the story’s healing arc.
🌟 WHAT WORKED WELL
• Emotional honesty: Characters grapple with depression, grief, and legacy in ways that feel deeply human.
• Richly developed world: From maps to myths, every aspect of the worldbuilding is intentional and immersive.
• Poetic prose with depth: Will Elm’s writing is both lyrical and grounded, balancing darkness with quiet hope.
⚠️ WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• The pacing may feel slow in early chapters for action-focused readers—it’s more reflective than plot-heavy at times.
• The in-world terms and lore require some acclimation, which could benefit from a glossary.
🙋♀️ RECOMMENDED FOR
Readers of mature high fantasy who value emotional realism, complex trauma arcs, and stories that prioritize healing and resistance over spectacle. Ideal for fans of Naomi Novik, N.K. Jemisin, and Tasha Suri.
🎯 FINAL TAKEAWAY
Shadows of the Elders is an unflinching and soulful journey through the ruins of tradition toward something radical: freedom, chosen family, and strength through survival.
Heat Rating: 🔥 (Very mild. Some intimacy themes, but primarily emotional.)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
This review appears on my website 07.18.2025
May 18, 2025
Shadow of the Elders is a fast-paced epic fantasy that is hard to put down. The characters are rich, deep, and wildly entertaining. They are all flawed in some ways but that makes them all the more interesting. This is not a book full of heroes and villains, but of people that feel real. Even the supporting cast feels like characters who deserve their own story. I can't wait to read more of them. Also, the banter between them throughout is so much fun.
The plot is pulls you in and does not stop. From the very first page you are thrown into action and Will does a masterful job bringing you along and developing a story that is full of adventure and mystery. The clues dropped throughout keep you engaged while the story never lags. You want to find out what happens next and I could not stop reading until I did.
The world is very similar to earth, there's no dragons or mages or anything like that here, but it works well for the story. Fantastical elements do exist, though they do not overwhelm. There are mystics and prophecies and the occasional magic but it is developed in logical and clever ways. They fit within the world perfectly. The drought that's happening in the world gives a sense of pressure and purpose to all the characters' actions and is something they always have to cope with. This affects them in unique and surprising ways and leads to the climax of the book.
I want to add that the ending of the book is absolutely wild and explosive. I never saw it coming but I loved it. It opens up the story and gives so much meaning to what happened before. This is a book you can go back and read again with knowledge of the ending and have it take on whole new meanings.
If you are a fan of epic fantasy, you'll no doubt love this book. As the start of a series, it is so promising and I can't wait to see what happens next.
The plot is pulls you in and does not stop. From the very first page you are thrown into action and Will does a masterful job bringing you along and developing a story that is full of adventure and mystery. The clues dropped throughout keep you engaged while the story never lags. You want to find out what happens next and I could not stop reading until I did.
The world is very similar to earth, there's no dragons or mages or anything like that here, but it works well for the story. Fantastical elements do exist, though they do not overwhelm. There are mystics and prophecies and the occasional magic but it is developed in logical and clever ways. They fit within the world perfectly. The drought that's happening in the world gives a sense of pressure and purpose to all the characters' actions and is something they always have to cope with. This affects them in unique and surprising ways and leads to the climax of the book.
I want to add that the ending of the book is absolutely wild and explosive. I never saw it coming but I loved it. It opens up the story and gives so much meaning to what happened before. This is a book you can go back and read again with knowledge of the ending and have it take on whole new meanings.
If you are a fan of epic fantasy, you'll no doubt love this book. As the start of a series, it is so promising and I can't wait to see what happens next.
July 9, 2025
Shadow of the Elders is a unique story told in a dystopian, low-fantasy setting.
It is told from multiple POVs, although a few stand out as MCs: Vaten, Anjeau, and Savique. Their paths overlap and entwine as they wander this harsh, and sometimes unnecessarily cruel, world. Drought, famine, class warfare, political unrest, and power struggles are all things these characters deal with as they search for a mysterious, and seemingly lost, magic that will restore the world.
Or will it?
A lot happens in this story, and it always kept me guessing, right up until the end. Not that I was particularly a fan of how it ended (my heart died a little). There are a few instances where the timeline jumps backward or forward in time, but it's fairly easy to tell when it happens.
Overall, if you like epic low-fantasy stories with a big cast, check this book out.
It is told from multiple POVs, although a few stand out as MCs: Vaten, Anjeau, and Savique. Their paths overlap and entwine as they wander this harsh, and sometimes unnecessarily cruel, world. Drought, famine, class warfare, political unrest, and power struggles are all things these characters deal with as they search for a mysterious, and seemingly lost, magic that will restore the world.
Or will it?
A lot happens in this story, and it always kept me guessing, right up until the end. Not that I was particularly a fan of how it ended (my heart died a little). There are a few instances where the timeline jumps backward or forward in time, but it's fairly easy to tell when it happens.
Overall, if you like epic low-fantasy stories with a big cast, check this book out.
July 16, 2025
Will Elm's Shadow of the Elders blends atmospheric world-building with introspective character arcs in a way that felt immersive and deliberate. I appreciated how the narrative unraveled slowly, allowing space to absorb the mythos and underlying tension. It gave me vibes similar to darker Tolkien or early Dragon Age—heavy on lore, light on hand-holding. The tone walks a careful line between despair and determination, and I think that’s where it shines. Some transitions between scenes could’ve used more clarity, but that didn’t detract too much from the overall impact. This is definitely for readers who like to sink their teeth into layered fantasy with a cinematic edge.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
July 18, 2025
Okay, so this book was *intense* but in a cool, kinda eerie way. The world-building was
deep—I had to reread a few parts to keep up, but that made it feel more real, like a fantasy
movie you have to watch twice to really get it. I liked how the characters weren’t perfect
and had to face some pretty dark stuff. There was a scene in the middle that totally gave me
chills—in a good way. It wasn’t super romance-heavy (which I actually liked), and the
mystery kept pulling me forward. I wish the pacing was a little faster in some parts, but
overall? Very cool read. Would definitely recommend if you're into deep fantasy with a
shadowy vibe.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member
of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product
did not influence my opinion.
deep—I had to reread a few parts to keep up, but that made it feel more real, like a fantasy
movie you have to watch twice to really get it. I liked how the characters weren’t perfect
and had to face some pretty dark stuff. There was a scene in the middle that totally gave me
chills—in a good way. It wasn’t super romance-heavy (which I actually liked), and the
mystery kept pulling me forward. I wish the pacing was a little faster in some parts, but
overall? Very cool read. Would definitely recommend if you're into deep fantasy with a
shadowy vibe.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member
of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product
did not influence my opinion.
August 8, 2025
A terrible drought descends upon Bas, setting in motion a story with lots of twists and turns as the characters attempt to survive and get tangled into a deeper and mysterious plot that spans generations. Like the world it's set in, the story is sometimes brutal and relentless, making me wonder if anything will be left by the time we're through! One of my favourite aspects of the story is how everything ties together: who these characters are, what they want, and where their destinies lead them. The way in which Will plays with the timeline, particularly in the first half of the story, is quite intriguing, too!
Ultimately, family sits at the core of what Shadow of the Elders is all about, and that ensures its heart continues to pulse even as the rain stops falling!
A great debut, and I'm looking forward to seeing where we go next!
Ultimately, family sits at the core of what Shadow of the Elders is all about, and that ensures its heart continues to pulse even as the rain stops falling!
A great debut, and I'm looking forward to seeing where we go next!
June 18, 2025
Shadow of the Elders is an epic tale that blends ancient myth with futuristic intrigue. Brayton crafts a world brimming with danger, secrets, and a growing sense of urgency. With strong pacing and rich detail, the story unfolds with a cinematic quality—readers will feel as though they’re traveling through time and space alongside the characters. Fans of speculative fiction and high-stakes fantasy will find much to admire here. It’s imaginative, intense, and full of heart.
Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
May 5, 2025
An entrancing epic fantasy journey. Characters that feel very real-life and falliable, an unpredictable and exciting story line. Can't wait for the second book!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews