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The Well of Time: Book 2 of Sean's Saga
Hey, it’s Sean again. It’s time for midterms at Runnymede, and since that includes a Bardic contest where the prize is a taste of the gods’ magic mead, it’s a pretty good bet that the school year will be even busier than summer vacation. Especially since a traitor Bard is helping the enemies of the gods rewrite history, so Ragnarok will be over before it even begins. When you need a team of heroes and Valkyries for a hopeless quest where you need to think up cool names for all the alternate timelines just so you can keep them straight, who are the gods going to call? Spoiler: me, Fiona, Parvati and Arturo. And the first thing on our to-do list is: Rescue Loki.
369 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
About the author
Eric Tanafon
8 books34 followersEric Tanafon writes software by day and fantasy fiction by the light of the moon. He lives in New Hampshire with his lovely wife and children in an old house, which unfortunately isn't haunted.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 12, 2026
There's a moment early in this book where the main character is standing in the middle of a live chess match — except the pieces are actual people armed with swords and spears, the board is painted on the floor of his school hall, and his incompetent new battle partner has just accidentally stabbed him in the foot with a wooden spear. He waves it off like it's Tuesday. That moment tells you everything you need to know about whether this book is for you.
What Tanafon does remarkably well is balance genuine stakes with a light touch. Ragnarok — the Norse apocalypse — is looming like a storm on every single page, heroes are dying, the world is literally shrinking, and yet the story never becomes heavy or exhausting. Sean's voice carries you through the darkness with a wry, self-aware humor that feels completely natural rather than performed. He's not cracking jokes to avoid the pain. He's just a kid who has processed enough supernatural chaos that gallows humor has become his first language.
The emotional core of the story surprised me. I expected action and mythology, and I got plenty of both. What I didn't expect was how much the quieter moments would stay with me — Sean and Parvati standing at the edge of a boat watching waves, not saying much, after a painful falling out. Arturo pretending to study wave patterns so his best friend doesn't have to talk about his feelings. These small human touches make the bigger dramatic moments land so much harder when they arrive.
The world-building deserves special mention. The idea of a hero school on a Pacific Northwest island, staffed partly by people raised from the dead to address a faculty shortage, with sea serpent polo as a physical education option and a bardic poetry competition running alongside a battle strategy exam — it's absurd and completely committed to itself at the same time. The mythology feels lived-in rather than researched, which is a rare thing.
The only honest caveat is that the opening chapters carry a fair amount of setup weight, and readers who like to be dropped straight into the action may need a little patience. But the payoff is substantial. When the story shifts into its alternate timeline twist, it does so with the kind of confidence that makes you realize the author knew exactly where he was going all along.
Funny, emotionally honest, and genuinely inventive. This one earned its place on the shelf.
What Tanafon does remarkably well is balance genuine stakes with a light touch. Ragnarok — the Norse apocalypse — is looming like a storm on every single page, heroes are dying, the world is literally shrinking, and yet the story never becomes heavy or exhausting. Sean's voice carries you through the darkness with a wry, self-aware humor that feels completely natural rather than performed. He's not cracking jokes to avoid the pain. He's just a kid who has processed enough supernatural chaos that gallows humor has become his first language.
The emotional core of the story surprised me. I expected action and mythology, and I got plenty of both. What I didn't expect was how much the quieter moments would stay with me — Sean and Parvati standing at the edge of a boat watching waves, not saying much, after a painful falling out. Arturo pretending to study wave patterns so his best friend doesn't have to talk about his feelings. These small human touches make the bigger dramatic moments land so much harder when they arrive.
The world-building deserves special mention. The idea of a hero school on a Pacific Northwest island, staffed partly by people raised from the dead to address a faculty shortage, with sea serpent polo as a physical education option and a bardic poetry competition running alongside a battle strategy exam — it's absurd and completely committed to itself at the same time. The mythology feels lived-in rather than researched, which is a rare thing.
The only honest caveat is that the opening chapters carry a fair amount of setup weight, and readers who like to be dropped straight into the action may need a little patience. But the payoff is substantial. When the story shifts into its alternate timeline twist, it does so with the kind of confidence that makes you realize the author knew exactly where he was going all along.
Funny, emotionally honest, and genuinely inventive. This one earned its place on the shelf.
July 18, 2026
I was eager to pick up the second book in Sean’s Saga after reading the first. The book picks up in Ruddymeade shortly after the first books ended and I enjoyed hearing more about the lore and history of the school, especially on the sport, taafl, which had interesting rules and commentary. The characters are consistent with the first book and Arturo was still my favourite for his size and brawn. Him and Sean, as well as Fiona, all had good natural dialogue and played off each other with comments and jokes.
The quests are longer and more dangerous in this second part and the Well of Time opens up a new dynamic as they hop across the different realms and through time. Again, the gods play an important part in their quests and I really liked the inclusion of specific parts of the Norse mythology, such as the role of Odin’s crows, the World Sepeant, Mimir and the enemies they faced, such as the Jotun. They meet other mythological characters on the way to rescue Loki and Mjollner which will please any fan of the ancient stories.
The writing style is relaxed and informal on occasion but does not sacrifice the danger and peril the characters face. I am more than eager to see how Sean’s story ends in the next part of the trilogy.
The quests are longer and more dangerous in this second part and the Well of Time opens up a new dynamic as they hop across the different realms and through time. Again, the gods play an important part in their quests and I really liked the inclusion of specific parts of the Norse mythology, such as the role of Odin’s crows, the World Sepeant, Mimir and the enemies they faced, such as the Jotun. They meet other mythological characters on the way to rescue Loki and Mjollner which will please any fan of the ancient stories.
The writing style is relaxed and informal on occasion but does not sacrifice the danger and peril the characters face. I am more than eager to see how Sean’s story ends in the next part of the trilogy.
July 4, 2026
Norse myths slam into everyday Seattle life
Early on, the protagonist finds himself in a chaotic live-action chess game where students wield real weapons on a painted school hall floor. His clumsy partner nicks his foot with a spear, yet he shrugs it off casually. This scene perfectly captures the book’s wild blend of absurdity and adventure.
Tanafon masterfully mixes high-stakes Ragnarok threat…dying heroes, a shrinking world..with witty, self-deprecating humor that feels authentic. Sean’s narration keeps things engaging without undermining the tension. I loved the heartfelt quieter beats too, like friends awkwardly supporting each other amid emotional fallout, which amplify the epic clashes.
The inventive world-building shines: a Pacific Northwest hero academy with undead staff, sea serpent sports, and poetry battles alongside strategy tests. It’s delightfully committed and immersive. The only minor gripe is the setup-heavy start, which might test impatient readers, but the clever alternate timeline payoff makes it worthwhile.
A funny, touching, and original gem that blends myth and modernity brilliantly. Highly recommended.
Early on, the protagonist finds himself in a chaotic live-action chess game where students wield real weapons on a painted school hall floor. His clumsy partner nicks his foot with a spear, yet he shrugs it off casually. This scene perfectly captures the book’s wild blend of absurdity and adventure.
Tanafon masterfully mixes high-stakes Ragnarok threat…dying heroes, a shrinking world..with witty, self-deprecating humor that feels authentic. Sean’s narration keeps things engaging without undermining the tension. I loved the heartfelt quieter beats too, like friends awkwardly supporting each other amid emotional fallout, which amplify the epic clashes.
The inventive world-building shines: a Pacific Northwest hero academy with undead staff, sea serpent sports, and poetry battles alongside strategy tests. It’s delightfully committed and immersive. The only minor gripe is the setup-heavy start, which might test impatient readers, but the clever alternate timeline payoff makes it worthwhile.
A funny, touching, and original gem that blends myth and modernity brilliantly. Highly recommended.
August 15, 2026
I came into this one already sold on the world from the first book, so my real question was whether the second entry could keep the same voice without leaning too hard on what already worked. It does!
The engine this time is the Well of Time, which lets Sean and the crew move between realms and back through history. The trouble kicks off when someone on the inside starts helping the gods' enemies edit the past so that Ragnarok is finished before it can even begin. That gives the book a satisfying shape to work with, since every jump risks breaking something further down the line. The recurring bit where they have to label each new branch of the timeline, mostly so nobody loses track of which version they're standing in, turns out to matter more than it first looks. It's the thing that keeps you oriented as a reader.
Tanafon doesn't use the Norse material as set dressing. The Jotun, Mimir, Odin's birds, the World Serpent, they all show up doing real work in the plot instead of sitting there to prove someone did the reading. I went in with only a loose grasp of the myths and came out wanting to look a few of them up, which feels like the right effect for a book like this.
The engine this time is the Well of Time, which lets Sean and the crew move between realms and back through history. The trouble kicks off when someone on the inside starts helping the gods' enemies edit the past so that Ragnarok is finished before it can even begin. That gives the book a satisfying shape to work with, since every jump risks breaking something further down the line. The recurring bit where they have to label each new branch of the timeline, mostly so nobody loses track of which version they're standing in, turns out to matter more than it first looks. It's the thing that keeps you oriented as a reader.
Tanafon doesn't use the Norse material as set dressing. The Jotun, Mimir, Odin's birds, the World Serpent, they all show up doing real work in the plot instead of sitting there to prove someone did the reading. I went in with only a loose grasp of the myths and came out wanting to look a few of them up, which feels like the right effect for a book like this.
September 2, 2026
The Well of Time is such a fun, chaotic ride! Eric Tanafon totally nails the sequel here.
Following Sean and his friends (Fiona, Parvati, and Arturo) navigating midterms at Runnymede while trying to stop a traitor bard from rewriting history for Ragnarok is brilliant. I loved how the Well of Time opens up the multiverse aspect, letting them hop across realms and timelines.
The banter between the friends feels completely natural, and the mix of modern snark with deep-cut Norse mythology like the Jotun and Mimir keeps you hooked. My only minor gripe is that the beginning takes a little while to get going with all the setup, but once they are off on their quest to rescue Loki, it’s impossible to put down. Definitely a solid four-star read for anyone who loves myth-meets-modernity adventures!
Following Sean and his friends (Fiona, Parvati, and Arturo) navigating midterms at Runnymede while trying to stop a traitor bard from rewriting history for Ragnarok is brilliant. I loved how the Well of Time opens up the multiverse aspect, letting them hop across realms and timelines.
The banter between the friends feels completely natural, and the mix of modern snark with deep-cut Norse mythology like the Jotun and Mimir keeps you hooked. My only minor gripe is that the beginning takes a little while to get going with all the setup, but once they are off on their quest to rescue Loki, it’s impossible to put down. Definitely a solid four-star read for anyone who loves myth-meets-modernity adventures!
September 8, 2026
Oh my word, what a continuation of the series! The word should really be Saga though as this second book in the trilogy absolutely cements this story as just that.
Right from the start the reader is held captive throughout this episode and pages turn faster as the story plays out. The characters continue to grow, along with the incredible tale based on the Norse traditions of Valhalla and The Gods of Asgard. There is action, prophecies being lived and all the things that can be looked for in true Viking style glory, including visits from/with The Gods and the slippery trickery from Loki.
I was held completely in thrall to this Saga of Heroes, their Valkyries, The Gods and their enemies and I heartily recommend this book to readers of all ages who enjoy an epic, thrilling read.
I own a softback copy of this book.
Right from the start the reader is held captive throughout this episode and pages turn faster as the story plays out. The characters continue to grow, along with the incredible tale based on the Norse traditions of Valhalla and The Gods of Asgard. There is action, prophecies being lived and all the things that can be looked for in true Viking style glory, including visits from/with The Gods and the slippery trickery from Loki.
I was held completely in thrall to this Saga of Heroes, their Valkyries, The Gods and their enemies and I heartily recommend this book to readers of all ages who enjoy an epic, thrilling read.
I own a softback copy of this book.
September 14, 2026
This is the second in the series. I haven’t read the first one, but it really wasn’t too bad getting to know what was going on. It’s a really interesting take on Norse gods and heroes. The story follows Sean, one of the heros, as he goes on quests. It’s a bit mind bending as they end up going through a well of time and entering different timelines. Of course, there are great battles and strategies that come into play and they are told well. What I liked most of all was the tongue in cheek manner of writing that the authors carries us through the book with. I thought I might get bored as the group goes through different struggles in different timelines, but they were different and creative enough that they kept me going. A great read.
October 25, 2026
Eric Tanafon’s The Well of Time is a brilliantly thrilling continuation of Sean's Saga. Blending Norse mythology, high-stakes adventure, and witty humor, this middle installment easily captures the imagination.
From high-energy academic trials at Runnymede to a daring mission to rescue Loki and outwit giants, the pacing never lets up. Tanafon expands his rich fantasy world with clever plotting, vibrant lore, and deeply endearing characters. Sean, Fiona, Parvati, and Arturo make for an unforgettable team of heroes. Fast-paced, imaginative, and endlessly entertaining, this book completely cements the series as a must-read epic for fantasy fans of all ages. Great work.
From high-energy academic trials at Runnymede to a daring mission to rescue Loki and outwit giants, the pacing never lets up. Tanafon expands his rich fantasy world with clever plotting, vibrant lore, and deeply endearing characters. Sean, Fiona, Parvati, and Arturo make for an unforgettable team of heroes. Fast-paced, imaginative, and endlessly entertaining, this book completely cements the series as a must-read epic for fantasy fans of all ages. Great work.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews