The Poet's Eye

by Laura VanArendonk Baugh

Galen was unhappy in his overcrowded farmhouse even before learning his uncles murdered his father for the spoils of a robbery. Now the only way to keep his family from killing each other—again—is to steal the magical amulet they’re fighting over. Too bad it turns out to be a hoax. Now he's on the road with a snarky and infamous sorceress, taking odd jobs as they go.

A coup leaves Kayvin entrapped by the usurper, with his mother hostage in an icy prison. To save her life, he must venture alone into a hostile land to collect legendary artifacts. He can trust no one but a beautiful dancer and a young man trained to be the perfect luxurious companion—and perhaps not both of them.

When Galen and his notorious sorceress partner find themselves on the front line of an inhuman invading horde, Kayvin is the unlikeliest of allies. But how can so few stop a magic-wielding queen bent on saving thousands of lives?

Surely you mean “ending thousands of lives”?

I said what I said.

If you like deeply realized characters, sweeping adventure, and multilayered storytelling, then you’ll love this new epic fantasy series.

Genres: Fantasy

494 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2025

About the author

Laura was born at a very early age and never looked back. She overcame her childhood deficiencies of having been born without teeth and unable to walk, and by the time she matured into a recognizable adult she had become a behavior analyst, an internationally-recognized and award-winning animal trainer, a costumer/cosplayer, a chocolate addict, and of course a writer.

Laura writes fantasy in a variety of subgenres as well as non-fiction in the art and science of behavior and training.

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Reviews

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this story down. I liked the unexpected rhythm to how it was told between different perspectives, going from the heart of the conflict to its echoes. The characters felt real, the world is immersed. Even things I don’t typically enjoy like court politics still held my attention because it was entwined with the driving force of the story and we consistently got to see the consequences far removed from court with Galen and Lizveth. I was thrilled to dive straight into book 2 after finishing this one, and I could’ve spent another 500+ pages with these characters.

[Answer Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura VanArendonk Baugh’s The Poet’s Eye is a masterclass in multi-threaded fantasy, weaving together the fates of two unforgettable protagonists with such skill and narrative verve that you’ll be breathless by the final page. This is epic fantasy at its finest: deeply human, wildly imaginative, and threaded with a wit as sharp as any dagger.
From the claustrophobic tension of a murderous farmhouse to the glittering, treacherous courts of usurpers, Baugh crafts a world that feels instantly lived-in and vast. Galen’s journey from a desperate theft of a fake amulet to an unlikely partnership with a “snarky and infamous sorceress” is a perfect blend of grounded desperation and sparkling banter. Their dynamic alone is worth the price of admission, offering humor and heart in equal measure as they take on “odd jobs” that inevitably lead toward cataclysm.
Parallel to this, Kayvin’s story is a pulse-pounding thriller of political intrigue and frozen prisons. His mission, forced upon him by a usurper holding his mother hostage, is a desperate quest that forces him to rely on the most uncertain of allies: a beautiful dancer and a “perfect luxurious companion.” The tension in these chapters is palpable, a knife-edge of trust and deception.
The true genius of the novel reveals itself as these threads converge. When Galen and Kayvin meet on the front lines of an “inhuman invading horde,” the alliance is as electric as it is improbable. And then, Baugh delivers her masterstroke: the enigmatic, morally complex queen whose motive to save thousands of lives, even by horrific means turns a simple battle into a profound philosophical conflict. The playful authorial note, “I said what I said,” is a perfect hint at the narrative depth and daring to come.
Baugh’s promise of “deeply realized characters, sweeping adventure, and multilayered storytelling” is not just fulfilled it is exceeded. The prose is precise and evocative, the pacing flawless, and the world of Mandoral is richly detailed without ever slowing the breakneck plot.
The Poet’s Eye is a spectacular beginning to The Eyes of Mandoral series. It is clever, emotionally resonant, and brilliantly subverts expectations at every turn. For fans of epic fantasy that prizes character as much as conquest, and moral complexity as much as magic, this book is an absolute treasure. A dazzling, 5-star triumph.

[Jeri Hirvela · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read in a unique fantasy setting! One of the things I appreciate about Laura’s writing is the depth she gives to her characters. They have unique motivations for their actions, with deep beliefs about their own moralities. Each was well-described, and was necessary to the story.

I especially enjoyed the character of Lisveth and her snarky commentary, although Dielo is another favorite.

Small warning that this book ends on a cliffhanger, but the sequel is out and there’s no need to wait.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, but I’ll round to 4 because most of my feelings have to do with personal preferences and not the quality of the book.

I liked this story a lot. Laura’s writing style is once again fantastic. I loved the attention to detail, as well as the unique spin on classic fantasy tropes. I even loved that the male and female leads are longtime partners with nothing romantic between them. I guess a peeve I had was that none of the characters seemed to like or trust one another. There’s a lot of squabbling, and it seemed to drive characters apart rather than bring them together. I guess because of this I still don’t feel totally connected to anyone yet.

I will say, the one character I really loved was the “villain” (yes, there is a reason for the italics). She was great; perfectly threatening and complex. If you like masterfully crafted villains with complicated motives, you will love her, and I can’t wait to see what move she makes next.

My other peeve was that there wasn’t much of a climax. Other than a few scenes in the beginning, there wasn’t much action either. This book really takes its time setting the stage, and most of the plot happens through conversations, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing; I personally just wanted more action.

Overall, this is a high-quality fantasy with tons of detail and an intricate plot. The characters are interesting enough, the plot is coming together, and two different groups are about to merge to hopefully take on the greater threat as a team. I just hope for more trusting friendships and action in the sequel.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded down.

I fully expected to love this book, and was surprised when I didn't. Her books are usually always enjoyable.

I think the characters were the problem this time around. The story centers on two, (Galen and Lisveth), for basically nineteen chapters before changing characters to focus on three others, (Kayvin, Dielo and Yovela). The first two hadn't been properly developed but their storyline was at least engaging. I couldn't care less about the other three. I think it was expected that the reader would feel empathy for them, but for some reason, this reader didn't. Their sections were a chore to wade through! As a result, the entire book just fell flat.

There is a sequel already on my Kindle, although I'm not in a rush to read it. (I bought both via the author's kickstarter campaign.) Perhaps the characters gain more depth in it, or maybe become loveable, I don't know. It remains to be seen if I'll read it.

[Lila Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of The Poet's Eye, but all opinions are my own.
The Poet's Eye was a gripping, richly built tale of fantasy, from the worldbuilding to the complicated villains to the character dynamics. It was impossible to put down. 10/10 would recommend to any fantasy lovers!

[Jean Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, solid prose, good character development, interesting tale.