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EverBright
As a fatherless half-halfling servant, young Tiernan dreams of a life beyond his station. Inspired by a master hunter and a charismatic musician, he embarks on a journey of apprenticeship, mastering both the yuke and the crossbow. But as a primordial evil known as the Vorlox emerges from the forest, Tiernan must trade his ambitions for duty, joining a desperate fight to save his world and confront the legacy he never knew he had.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
3 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Craig Phillips
1 book4 followersCraig Phillips has been teaching over 20 years. His love for fantasy began in 3rd grade when his class read Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth. EverBright is is first novel. It took him eight years to finish, and he hopes the sequel will take much less time.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 11, 2025
The characters are exceptionally well-developed, showcasing a rich tapestry of character development, distinct personalities, and clear character distinctions that allow readers to easily differentiate between each individual. This depth of characterization not only enhances the narrative but also facilitates a strong connection between the readers and the characters, enabling them to journey alongside them visually through the text and story.
Tiernan, our male protagonist, exhibits remarkable growth throughout the novel. His evolution as a character is compelling, as he navigates the complexities of friendship, the responsibilities of being a son, and the challenges of personal development. Tiernan embodies traits such as loyalty, friendship, love, and an open-mindedness that is refreshing. His kindness and determination shine through, as does his inner strength, both of mind and heart, which ultimately positions him as a natural leader among his peers. As readers follow Tiernan’s journey, they witness his struggles and triumphs, making his character arc not only relatable but also inspirational.
In contrast, the Vorlox serves as a formidable antagonist, intriguing readers with its enigmatic thoughts, actions, and the mysteries surrounding its origins in the forest. The complexity of the Vorlox adds layers to the story, prompting readers to ponder its motives and the history that shaped it. This villain is not merely a source of conflict but a well-crafted character that invites curiosity and engagement, enhancing the overall narrative.
The settings within the story, ranging from bustling shops to serene forests and the intimate homes of the characters, are vividly described, immersing readers in these environments. Each location feels alive, serving almost as a character in its own right, contributing to the atmosphere and emotional depth of the narrative. The detailed descriptions allow readers to visualize the world alongside the characters, enriching their experience and drawing them deeper into the story.
While the writing is generally descriptive, engaging, and immersive, there are moments when it can feel somewhat clustered. This density may occasionally disrupt the pacing of the story, causing certain sections to slow down. However, the interludes sprinkled throughout the novel are skillfully placed, providing essential backstory and new information that maintain the mystery aspect of the plot. These chapters are crucial, as they contain significant insights into character development, particularly regarding the Vorlox, and should not be overlooked by readers.
The plot itself is intricately woven, detailed, and features a delightful blend of mystery, contemporary themes, historical elements, action, and adventure, all laced with a touch of magic. This combination keeps readers engaged and on the edge of their seats until the final pages, allowing them to connect with and accompany the characters on their journey. The effective use of time jumps adds an additional layer of complexity to the narrative; however, readers must pay close attention to fully grasp the important plot points and character developments that occur, as overlooking these details could hinder their reading experience.
The story imparts valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, personal growth, self-discovery, determination, and the importance of hard work, making it a beneficial read for individuals of all ages. It is worth noting that while the book is primarily targeted toward middle-grade readers, it possesses qualities that could resonate with young adult and even adult readers as well. However, potential readers should be aware that the narrative includes mentions of animal and human deaths, which might be distressing, particularly for younger audiences. These elements, while significant to the plot and character development, are not depicted in a graphic or overly frightening manner, ensuring they serve a purpose within the story rather than existing solely for shock value.
"Everbright" by Craig Phillips stands out as a remarkable debut novel, brimming with action, learning, adventure, friendship, and the exploration of both good and evil magic. The narrative evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of a blend between the tales of Robin Hood, with its themes of archery and hunting, and the darker undertones found in characters like Venom, thanks to its intriguing villain. This multifaceted story promises a captivating experience for readers, inviting them to delve into a world where adventure and moral lessons intertwine seamlessly.
Tiernan, our male protagonist, exhibits remarkable growth throughout the novel. His evolution as a character is compelling, as he navigates the complexities of friendship, the responsibilities of being a son, and the challenges of personal development. Tiernan embodies traits such as loyalty, friendship, love, and an open-mindedness that is refreshing. His kindness and determination shine through, as does his inner strength, both of mind and heart, which ultimately positions him as a natural leader among his peers. As readers follow Tiernan’s journey, they witness his struggles and triumphs, making his character arc not only relatable but also inspirational.
In contrast, the Vorlox serves as a formidable antagonist, intriguing readers with its enigmatic thoughts, actions, and the mysteries surrounding its origins in the forest. The complexity of the Vorlox adds layers to the story, prompting readers to ponder its motives and the history that shaped it. This villain is not merely a source of conflict but a well-crafted character that invites curiosity and engagement, enhancing the overall narrative.
The settings within the story, ranging from bustling shops to serene forests and the intimate homes of the characters, are vividly described, immersing readers in these environments. Each location feels alive, serving almost as a character in its own right, contributing to the atmosphere and emotional depth of the narrative. The detailed descriptions allow readers to visualize the world alongside the characters, enriching their experience and drawing them deeper into the story.
While the writing is generally descriptive, engaging, and immersive, there are moments when it can feel somewhat clustered. This density may occasionally disrupt the pacing of the story, causing certain sections to slow down. However, the interludes sprinkled throughout the novel are skillfully placed, providing essential backstory and new information that maintain the mystery aspect of the plot. These chapters are crucial, as they contain significant insights into character development, particularly regarding the Vorlox, and should not be overlooked by readers.
The plot itself is intricately woven, detailed, and features a delightful blend of mystery, contemporary themes, historical elements, action, and adventure, all laced with a touch of magic. This combination keeps readers engaged and on the edge of their seats until the final pages, allowing them to connect with and accompany the characters on their journey. The effective use of time jumps adds an additional layer of complexity to the narrative; however, readers must pay close attention to fully grasp the important plot points and character developments that occur, as overlooking these details could hinder their reading experience.
The story imparts valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, personal growth, self-discovery, determination, and the importance of hard work, making it a beneficial read for individuals of all ages. It is worth noting that while the book is primarily targeted toward middle-grade readers, it possesses qualities that could resonate with young adult and even adult readers as well. However, potential readers should be aware that the narrative includes mentions of animal and human deaths, which might be distressing, particularly for younger audiences. These elements, while significant to the plot and character development, are not depicted in a graphic or overly frightening manner, ensuring they serve a purpose within the story rather than existing solely for shock value.
"Everbright" by Craig Phillips stands out as a remarkable debut novel, brimming with action, learning, adventure, friendship, and the exploration of both good and evil magic. The narrative evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of a blend between the tales of Robin Hood, with its themes of archery and hunting, and the darker undertones found in characters like Venom, thanks to its intriguing villain. This multifaceted story promises a captivating experience for readers, inviting them to delve into a world where adventure and moral lessons intertwine seamlessly.
November 17, 2025
A young man with ambitions develops skills that enhance his life, but a mysterious and seemingly unstoppable danger pulls him into a duty-bound fight in EverBright by Craig Phillips.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Half-halfling Tiernan has grown up working hard alongside his mother as a servant without being acknowledged by his father, yet he is filled with cheer and dreams of elevating beyond his place in life. Acquiring skills through apprenticeships in music and hunting over his early teen years from men whose talents he admires, Tiernan masters the yuke and crossbow, building a reputation as a performer and a hunter that makes it easier for him to open a store and bring him and his mother out of servitude and into a calmer life. The forest, however, has proven to be a perilous place, as a mysterious, dark ooze, the Vorlox, emerges, threatening and consuming those who venture too close as it plays games and bides its time while unleashing its horror. Conscripted into fighting against the Vorlox, Tiernan and his friends join an attack planned by the nobles and led by Tiernan’s dad, the outcome of which will have tremendous and lasting consequences for all.
Presenting distinct characters, many of whom are entertaining in their depiction and undergo meaningful bouts of developmental growth, the story progresses steadily and episodically over the course of years through time jumps, with interludes of the Vorlox that come from its perspective as it’s an entity that is also a character in its own right, adding another dimension to the narrative with a darker, tenser, and more magical nature that balances out that which is more human and emotional from all the other characters. The world blends a feeling of being both small and vast, building it up as needed through tales or tidbits of information regaled relatively organically by characters in the moment, though there are occasions of repetitiveness, that embroiders the tapestry of details necessary to progress the story forward, which brings the characters to their next engaging point of major action in the plot or in their personal advancement.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Half-halfling Tiernan has grown up working hard alongside his mother as a servant without being acknowledged by his father, yet he is filled with cheer and dreams of elevating beyond his place in life. Acquiring skills through apprenticeships in music and hunting over his early teen years from men whose talents he admires, Tiernan masters the yuke and crossbow, building a reputation as a performer and a hunter that makes it easier for him to open a store and bring him and his mother out of servitude and into a calmer life. The forest, however, has proven to be a perilous place, as a mysterious, dark ooze, the Vorlox, emerges, threatening and consuming those who venture too close as it plays games and bides its time while unleashing its horror. Conscripted into fighting against the Vorlox, Tiernan and his friends join an attack planned by the nobles and led by Tiernan’s dad, the outcome of which will have tremendous and lasting consequences for all.
Presenting distinct characters, many of whom are entertaining in their depiction and undergo meaningful bouts of developmental growth, the story progresses steadily and episodically over the course of years through time jumps, with interludes of the Vorlox that come from its perspective as it’s an entity that is also a character in its own right, adding another dimension to the narrative with a darker, tenser, and more magical nature that balances out that which is more human and emotional from all the other characters. The world blends a feeling of being both small and vast, building it up as needed through tales or tidbits of information regaled relatively organically by characters in the moment, though there are occasions of repetitiveness, that embroiders the tapestry of details necessary to progress the story forward, which brings the characters to their next engaging point of major action in the plot or in their personal advancement.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2026
Well written and full of surprises, this book weaves adventure with valuable life lessons from beginning to end.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews