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Arcura #1
Shatterbound Reign
Delve into the mysterious realm of Arcura with Arathyn and Vexxyra in a fast-paced, first-person epic fantasy that will grab you by the teeth and won't let go.
Within a realm of beastly heritage and mystery, Arathyn Lycanheart and his companion, Draygar, live in the village of Turinfall.
When ordinary life is suddenly shattered, turning everyone against each other, Arathyn finds himself in a deadly mystery: villains bent on manipulation and to reshape human life.
He will need to tread a careful path, powered by long-lost spirits - a path with a curse that withers the soul. Who will prevail and at what cost?
Arathyn cannot do it alone. He will need allies in his crusade, to nurture bonds of trust and companionship in the midst of cursed distrust.
Will peace finally return or will the clutches of death rip apart any chance of normality?
Within a realm of beastly heritage and mystery, Arathyn Lycanheart and his companion, Draygar, live in the village of Turinfall.
When ordinary life is suddenly shattered, turning everyone against each other, Arathyn finds himself in a deadly mystery: villains bent on manipulation and to reshape human life.
He will need to tread a careful path, powered by long-lost spirits - a path with a curse that withers the soul. Who will prevail and at what cost?
Arathyn cannot do it alone. He will need allies in his crusade, to nurture bonds of trust and companionship in the midst of cursed distrust.
Will peace finally return or will the clutches of death rip apart any chance of normality?
- GenresFiction
286 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2025
2 people are currently reading
3179 people want to read
About the author
Simon Leith
1 book13 followersSimon Leith is an emerging author from the Central Coast of NSW, Australia. With a passion for the fantasy genre born from years of gaming, he writes, influenced by brands such as Warcraft.
He is a train driver by night, writer by day. With a loving family that supports his work, he looks forward to more releases in the future.
'Five years ago I had a dream after playing World of Warcraft until an ungodly hour. One which filled my head with a story of great mystery. Later, I thought, how cool would it be to make this into an epic story? - a story that mixes beastly spiritual lore, human life and death, one with such circumstance and consequence. Would Arathyn know the magnitude of what he's really getting into? No.'
He is a train driver by night, writer by day. With a loving family that supports his work, he looks forward to more releases in the future.
'Five years ago I had a dream after playing World of Warcraft until an ungodly hour. One which filled my head with a story of great mystery. Later, I thought, how cool would it be to make this into an epic story? - a story that mixes beastly spiritual lore, human life and death, one with such circumstance and consequence. Would Arathyn know the magnitude of what he's really getting into? No.'
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 6, 2026
I am grateful to the author for sending me a copy of his book! I was delighted and honoured to be asked to read it and review it.
Firstly, I’d like to say that I have some good things to say and critiques which I have already spoken to the author about. These are my opinions and so people may take them as they will and either be encouraged to read the book or not.
Starting with the good bits! It’s clear that the fantasy world system has really been thought upon and the names of all the characters, groups were brilliant. I also enjoyed the concept of the magic system with spirits and each spirit representing something different. I can see glimpses of mythology and a deep insight into the world the author is trying to create. It’s hard enough creating a whole world from scratch, but Leith does it really well!
The second part I liked were the battle scenes- they’re very animated and worded in a way that makes it easy to imagine the scenes in real life. It took a while to get used to the pace, but I found the fast pacedness of the battle scenes suited it and allowed for a more immersive read!
Now onto critiques- I think the entire book itself is fast paced with not a lot of time to rest in between. It did feel a lot of the time that we brushed over bits too quickly or assumptions/presumptions were made to aid the quickness of the story. The fast pace also meant you had to keep up with the new terminology and this meant that understanding the sigils and what they meant and the whole fantasy section was confusing to begin with. I found myself going back and rereading because I didn’t always understand what had happened.
Unfortunately, I am still somewhat confused by some of the concept which took away some of the enjoyment of the book for me.
A book with great potential and some improvements to consider moving forwards.
Firstly, I’d like to say that I have some good things to say and critiques which I have already spoken to the author about. These are my opinions and so people may take them as they will and either be encouraged to read the book or not.
Starting with the good bits! It’s clear that the fantasy world system has really been thought upon and the names of all the characters, groups were brilliant. I also enjoyed the concept of the magic system with spirits and each spirit representing something different. I can see glimpses of mythology and a deep insight into the world the author is trying to create. It’s hard enough creating a whole world from scratch, but Leith does it really well!
The second part I liked were the battle scenes- they’re very animated and worded in a way that makes it easy to imagine the scenes in real life. It took a while to get used to the pace, but I found the fast pacedness of the battle scenes suited it and allowed for a more immersive read!
Now onto critiques- I think the entire book itself is fast paced with not a lot of time to rest in between. It did feel a lot of the time that we brushed over bits too quickly or assumptions/presumptions were made to aid the quickness of the story. The fast pace also meant you had to keep up with the new terminology and this meant that understanding the sigils and what they meant and the whole fantasy section was confusing to begin with. I found myself going back and rereading because I didn’t always understand what had happened.
Unfortunately, I am still somewhat confused by some of the concept which took away some of the enjoyment of the book for me.
A book with great potential and some improvements to consider moving forwards.
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January 27, 2026This was a fast paced book. Everything happens very quickly and consumes the majority of the book. That said, I loved this story. I got very emotional in the last chapter that leaves me champing at the bit for book 2.
I loved the first few chapters, learning about the MMC, Arathyn and his companion, Draygar. I loved the companion element. Apparently, that is something that only happens in his village. I particularly enjoyed the storyline around the Proving Grounds and bonding with a companion. I need a Featherkin for myself lol.
The story focuses on the MMC being out in the world and touching an altar in a ruin that sets off a curse. I really enjoyed the magical system in this book. This curse affects everyone. There are 5 sigils all of different colours that represent 5 gods/goddesses and when this curse is let loose, all the people are assigned one of the 5 sigils. This causes mayhem and death. The MMC is allocated to Enmara, the goddess of Peace. His whole journey and purpose is to bring everyone under the banner of peace and eradicate the curse.
I loved this book.
I loved the first few chapters, learning about the MMC, Arathyn and his companion, Draygar. I loved the companion element. Apparently, that is something that only happens in his village. I particularly enjoyed the storyline around the Proving Grounds and bonding with a companion. I need a Featherkin for myself lol.
The story focuses on the MMC being out in the world and touching an altar in a ruin that sets off a curse. I really enjoyed the magical system in this book. This curse affects everyone. There are 5 sigils all of different colours that represent 5 gods/goddesses and when this curse is let loose, all the people are assigned one of the 5 sigils. This causes mayhem and death. The MMC is allocated to Enmara, the goddess of Peace. His whole journey and purpose is to bring everyone under the banner of peace and eradicate the curse.
I loved this book.
January 16, 2026
A beautifully intense epic romance I couldn’t put down
The Shatter Bound Reign completely pulled me in from the first chapter and never let go. This isn’t just a love story , it’s a sweeping, emotional journey wrapped in power struggles, loyalty, heartbreak, and hope.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of the characters. Their love felt earned, not rushed, and every obstacle between them added weight to their choices. I found myself genuinely rooting for them, frustrated when they stumbled, and relieved when they fought their way back to each other.
The Shatter Bound Reign completely pulled me in from the first chapter and never let go. This isn’t just a love story , it’s a sweeping, emotional journey wrapped in power struggles, loyalty, heartbreak, and hope.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of the characters. Their love felt earned, not rushed, and every obstacle between them added weight to their choices. I found myself genuinely rooting for them, frustrated when they stumbled, and relieved when they fought their way back to each other.
December 2, 2025
Not a great writer of reviews so Ill keep it short and sweet ( and spoiler free )
The book starts out a little quick setting up the characters, world and story. It definitely gets better and made reading it easier and easier as I progressed through the chapters.
Simon tells a great story and I found my self wanting to " Just read 1 more chapter before bed " on more than one occasion.
Characters, world and general story is well thought out and progression of the character arc is nice. I eagerly await book 2 and 3.
The book starts out a little quick setting up the characters, world and story. It definitely gets better and made reading it easier and easier as I progressed through the chapters.
Simon tells a great story and I found my self wanting to " Just read 1 more chapter before bed " on more than one occasion.
Characters, world and general story is well thought out and progression of the character arc is nice. I eagerly await book 2 and 3.
November 13, 2025
*Early Reader Review*
When I picked up this book I was definitely in the pits of a reading slump. Im usually an avid fantasy reader but lately found myself being a bit stand offish to so many of the common fantasy novels that get pushed by every big booktoker as most just have the same magic systems regurgitated from other series and are indeed victims of lack lustre pacing and a wholeeee lot of info dumping to set up the world in which the book takes place in. But this book?
Boy was it such a good shock to the system.
Had me hooked from the first 50 pages, couldn’t predict at all where the story was going and how it was going to play out… an experience which is starting to become a rarity with fantasy novels these days. Now lets talk about my favourite points:
- Fast pace without losing detail
- Unique magic systems which mention had no idea who the “good guys” nor the “bad guys” were gonna be
- The dialogue reads genuine and had me audibly chuckling in moments. The author has got the voice of sarcasm from Vorathen down pat.
Overall incredibly strong first novel in the series and will be eagerly waiting the next novel.
When I picked up this book I was definitely in the pits of a reading slump. Im usually an avid fantasy reader but lately found myself being a bit stand offish to so many of the common fantasy novels that get pushed by every big booktoker as most just have the same magic systems regurgitated from other series and are indeed victims of lack lustre pacing and a wholeeee lot of info dumping to set up the world in which the book takes place in. But this book?
Boy was it such a good shock to the system.
Had me hooked from the first 50 pages, couldn’t predict at all where the story was going and how it was going to play out… an experience which is starting to become a rarity with fantasy novels these days. Now lets talk about my favourite points:
- Fast pace without losing detail
- Unique magic systems which mention had no idea who the “good guys” nor the “bad guys” were gonna be
- The dialogue reads genuine and had me audibly chuckling in moments. The author has got the voice of sarcasm from Vorathen down pat.
Overall incredibly strong first novel in the series and will be eagerly waiting the next novel.
December 30, 2025
⭐⭐ – a debut with passion and potential
Firstly I would like to thank the author for kindly sending me a copy of his debut in exchange for an honest review.
Shatterbound Reign is an ambitious debut with a really creative premise. The sigil-based magic tied to ancient beasts is genuinely interesting, and I enjoyed how the appearance of the sigils began to influence identity, belief, and conflict across the world. You can feel the passion and imagination behind the story, and the themes of unity, faith, and power had a lot of potential.
For me personally, the execution didn’t quite land in a way that matched the strength of the ideas, and this ended up not being the right fit for my reading taste. The pacing is very fast, especially around major emotional and formative moments. Big events — including deaths, banishment, romance and major shifts in loyalty — often happen rapidly and are quickly moved past, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters or feel the emotional weight of those scenes. I frequently found myself wishing for more time in the quieter beats between the action, with space for reflection and conversation.
On a prose level, the writing style wasn’t quite for me. The heavy use of ellipses and italicised inner monologue often interrupted the flow and pulled me out of the story, and some of the analogies and descriptive choices felt uneven. The dialogue, too, sometimes read quite plainly, which made it difficult for me to get a strong sense of distinct character voices or deeper relationships between them.
The magic system itself is one of the book’s strengths, but I personally would have liked a clearer sense of how characters learned to use their abilities and how everyday life in the world functions beyond the sigils. Characters sometimes seemed to accept major revelations and fall into roles such as leader, follower, or villain very quickly, and I struggled to fully believe those transitions or to feel emotionally invested in the connections between them.
All of that said, this is a debut with an original and imaginative central concept, and I think there will definitely be readers who connect with it more than I did — particularly those who enjoy fast-paced fantasy driven strongly by magic and action. While it ultimately wasn’t the book for me, I can see the creativity and heart behind it, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to read it.
Firstly I would like to thank the author for kindly sending me a copy of his debut in exchange for an honest review.
Shatterbound Reign is an ambitious debut with a really creative premise. The sigil-based magic tied to ancient beasts is genuinely interesting, and I enjoyed how the appearance of the sigils began to influence identity, belief, and conflict across the world. You can feel the passion and imagination behind the story, and the themes of unity, faith, and power had a lot of potential.
For me personally, the execution didn’t quite land in a way that matched the strength of the ideas, and this ended up not being the right fit for my reading taste. The pacing is very fast, especially around major emotional and formative moments. Big events — including deaths, banishment, romance and major shifts in loyalty — often happen rapidly and are quickly moved past, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters or feel the emotional weight of those scenes. I frequently found myself wishing for more time in the quieter beats between the action, with space for reflection and conversation.
On a prose level, the writing style wasn’t quite for me. The heavy use of ellipses and italicised inner monologue often interrupted the flow and pulled me out of the story, and some of the analogies and descriptive choices felt uneven. The dialogue, too, sometimes read quite plainly, which made it difficult for me to get a strong sense of distinct character voices or deeper relationships between them.
The magic system itself is one of the book’s strengths, but I personally would have liked a clearer sense of how characters learned to use their abilities and how everyday life in the world functions beyond the sigils. Characters sometimes seemed to accept major revelations and fall into roles such as leader, follower, or villain very quickly, and I struggled to fully believe those transitions or to feel emotionally invested in the connections between them.
All of that said, this is a debut with an original and imaginative central concept, and I think there will definitely be readers who connect with it more than I did — particularly those who enjoy fast-paced fantasy driven strongly by magic and action. While it ultimately wasn’t the book for me, I can see the creativity and heart behind it, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to read it.
March 1, 2026
Shatterbound Reign hooked me from the very first pages and never loosened its grip. The story wastes no time pulling you into its world, and once you’re in, it’s almost impossible to put down.
The battles are epic, high-stakes and vividly written; but what makes the book incredible is the beastly creatures that bring the mythical landscape to life. The book feels rich and immersive, creating a setting that’s both dangerous and breathtaking.
Woven through the action is the subtle beginning of what promises to be a beautiful romance. It never overwhelms the story, instead unfolding naturally alongside the adventure, adding depth and emotional pull.
This is fantasy done right: gripping, atmospheric and filled with mystery. I’m already counting down to the next instalment to see where this dark and compelling journey leads.
The battles are epic, high-stakes and vividly written; but what makes the book incredible is the beastly creatures that bring the mythical landscape to life. The book feels rich and immersive, creating a setting that’s both dangerous and breathtaking.
Woven through the action is the subtle beginning of what promises to be a beautiful romance. It never overwhelms the story, instead unfolding naturally alongside the adventure, adding depth and emotional pull.
This is fantasy done right: gripping, atmospheric and filled with mystery. I’m already counting down to the next instalment to see where this dark and compelling journey leads.
January 4, 2026
I’ve just finished the book and I wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. The story hooked me right from the beginning, with the action starting straight away and the world and characters revealed so naturally throughout. I really appreciated not having long blocks of explanation, but instead discovering the world as the story unfolded.
The suspense was excellent, and the fight scenes were so well written and detailed that I could picture every moment. It captured the tone of a Warcraft-style adventure perfectly, and I genuinely didn’t want to put it down.
Your book has completely reignited my love for this genre, and I’m already looking forward to the next adventure. Thank you for such a brilliant read.
The suspense was excellent, and the fight scenes were so well written and detailed that I could picture every moment. It captured the tone of a Warcraft-style adventure perfectly, and I genuinely didn’t want to put it down.
Your book has completely reignited my love for this genre, and I’m already looking forward to the next adventure. Thank you for such a brilliant read.
November 13, 2025
*Early Reader Review*
The author shows his creativity and originality in this his first novel. It is the first in a planned trilogy.
The main character, Arathyn, is led on a fantastical journey with his beast companion, Draygar. We are taken through a very well-constructed and thought-out adventure with perilous turns and exciting conflicts.
Written in dual perspective and in first person, Simon is profound in capturing the essence of a great mystery. We will certainly be reading the sequel to see how this continues.
The author shows his creativity and originality in this his first novel. It is the first in a planned trilogy.
The main character, Arathyn, is led on a fantastical journey with his beast companion, Draygar. We are taken through a very well-constructed and thought-out adventure with perilous turns and exciting conflicts.
Written in dual perspective and in first person, Simon is profound in capturing the essence of a great mystery. We will certainly be reading the sequel to see how this continues.
December 22, 2025
First chapter threw me off a little but once your past that its a grab your attention book , fast paced and action packed full ! Made me go back for a second book and well im looking forward to the second book ! Kept me locked in and interested in the story For a first time writer they have shown excellent writing and skill in their writing definitely would recommend this to anyone i know
Keep up the great work looking forward to the rest of the series 😁
Keep up the great work looking forward to the rest of the series 😁
November 14, 2025
*EDIT* Early Reader Review. Pre-release version.
Delve into a new world and try to keep up!
I'm always on the lookout for new and upcoming authors. It often exposes one to a new and different take of whatever genre the book is about. Typically, I'm not too critical of an author's debut novel because they're finding their feet and exploring a medium already heavily explored.
This novel surprised me and kept me turning pages!
From the first chapter, you enter a world of fantastical beasts and tribal structure. A world where honour and integrity is valued. A world where each must have a purpose and play a part of a bigger picture.
Death and tragedy have a role and this strengthens the protagonist, much to the chagrin of each antagonist. Our hero experiences pain, love, happiness, loss and ultimately, personal growth into something new and unexpected!
I'm eagerly awaiting the second novel and will absolutely be rereading this amazing first adventure prior. Highly recommended!!
Delve into a new world and try to keep up!
I'm always on the lookout for new and upcoming authors. It often exposes one to a new and different take of whatever genre the book is about. Typically, I'm not too critical of an author's debut novel because they're finding their feet and exploring a medium already heavily explored.
This novel surprised me and kept me turning pages!
From the first chapter, you enter a world of fantastical beasts and tribal structure. A world where honour and integrity is valued. A world where each must have a purpose and play a part of a bigger picture.
Death and tragedy have a role and this strengthens the protagonist, much to the chagrin of each antagonist. Our hero experiences pain, love, happiness, loss and ultimately, personal growth into something new and unexpected!
I'm eagerly awaiting the second novel and will absolutely be rereading this amazing first adventure prior. Highly recommended!!
November 12, 2025
Early reader review
Shatterbound Reign is a great read. It's an engaging book filled with vivid world building and strong characters. The story pulls you in from the start, blending adventure, mystery, and emotion in just the right balance. With a great story line that is hard to predict, it sets the scene for other novels to follow, it leaves you eager for what comes next in this exciting fantasy series.
A thoroughly enjoyable read that is hard to put down.
Credit to the First time Author
I look forward to his future works.
Shatterbound Reign is a great read. It's an engaging book filled with vivid world building and strong characters. The story pulls you in from the start, blending adventure, mystery, and emotion in just the right balance. With a great story line that is hard to predict, it sets the scene for other novels to follow, it leaves you eager for what comes next in this exciting fantasy series.
A thoroughly enjoyable read that is hard to put down.
Credit to the First time Author
I look forward to his future works.
October 17, 2025
Simon Leith’s Shatter bound Reign is a masterfully woven fantasy that strikes a rare balance between epic adventure, emotional depth, and profound reflection. From the moment I opened the book, I was drawn into a world that feels alive full of danger, mystery, and heart. Leith doesn’t just create a setting; he builds an entire atmosphere that pulls you in and refuses to let go.
The story is rich with tension and humanity, even in its most magical moments. What immediately stands out is Leith’s ability to make his characters feel real. They’re not just heroes or villains they’re flawed, struggling, and deeply human, even when surrounded by otherworldly chaos. Each chapter digs deeper into their fears, hopes, and the sacrifices they must make, and I found myself emotionally invested in their journey.
Shatter bound Reign explores the timeless battle between light and darkness not just in the world, but within the soul. Leith writes with such care and insight that you can feel the internal struggles of his characters as they grapple with destiny, power, and the consequences of their choices. There’s an almost poetic rhythm to the way he describes courage, loss, and redemption. The themes of trust, betrayal, and survival flow naturally through the story, reminding readers how fragile and powerful the human spirit can be.
Beyond the action and intrigue, there’s a sense of wisdom in this book. Leith seems to be saying that true strength doesn’t come from domination or vengeance, but from compassion, resilience, and the courage to do what’s right even when the world around you shatters. Every battle scene and quiet moment feels purposeful, building toward something greater than mere survival: transformation.
The pacing is steady yet immersive, the world-building intricate without ever feeling overwhelming. Leith paints with words you can feel the chill of ruined lands, the warmth of fading friendships, and the electric pulse of a world on the brink of rebirth.
By the end, I was both satisfied and deeply moved. Shatter bound Reign isn’t just a fantasy novel it’s a reflection on leadership, faith, and the fragile line between power and corruption. It leaves you asking yourself what you would do if everything you loved was put to the test.
The story is rich with tension and humanity, even in its most magical moments. What immediately stands out is Leith’s ability to make his characters feel real. They’re not just heroes or villains they’re flawed, struggling, and deeply human, even when surrounded by otherworldly chaos. Each chapter digs deeper into their fears, hopes, and the sacrifices they must make, and I found myself emotionally invested in their journey.
Shatter bound Reign explores the timeless battle between light and darkness not just in the world, but within the soul. Leith writes with such care and insight that you can feel the internal struggles of his characters as they grapple with destiny, power, and the consequences of their choices. There’s an almost poetic rhythm to the way he describes courage, loss, and redemption. The themes of trust, betrayal, and survival flow naturally through the story, reminding readers how fragile and powerful the human spirit can be.
Beyond the action and intrigue, there’s a sense of wisdom in this book. Leith seems to be saying that true strength doesn’t come from domination or vengeance, but from compassion, resilience, and the courage to do what’s right even when the world around you shatters. Every battle scene and quiet moment feels purposeful, building toward something greater than mere survival: transformation.
The pacing is steady yet immersive, the world-building intricate without ever feeling overwhelming. Leith paints with words you can feel the chill of ruined lands, the warmth of fading friendships, and the electric pulse of a world on the brink of rebirth.
By the end, I was both satisfied and deeply moved. Shatter bound Reign isn’t just a fantasy novel it’s a reflection on leadership, faith, and the fragile line between power and corruption. It leaves you asking yourself what you would do if everything you loved was put to the test.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews