The Wells of Callystra

by Elizabeth Klein

Through sheer desperation and a perilous journey, Aeron Bregolas manages to unite his elven people with the largest dwarf kingdom in Bethloria. But at what cost? To save both himself and his men, he is forced to activate an ancient talisman with devastating consequences to himself. His one salvation is to travel to Mount Callystra where the waters of a mythical well alone can reverse its deadly effects.

Truths will be revealed. Allies will be forged and traitors exposed. Above all, the spark of love will ignite two hearts.

318 pages, ebook

Published October 31, 2025

About the author

Elizabeth Klein, grew up in a small village in New South Wales. She trained as a teacher and taught for almost thirty years, but in 2015, she and her husband left Sydney to travel around Australia in a caravan. She’s written three YA books, two junior fiction and two educational texts, with four more to be released soon. She has also written many short stories, articles, plays and poems.

Reviews

[Adele Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wells of Callystra is book eight in Klein’s Bethloria fantasy series and launches the reader into a convergence of good versus evil in the battle against warlord-sorcerer, Morgran’s evil magic and “the rot” that he is using to weaken and pervert the realm. From the first page, it is clear Aeron Bregolas, heir to the throne of Fiora, is in dire trouble. He is dying after activating an ancient dwarven talisman to save he and his men from ferocious otherworldly wolf-men along their way to Silver Heim. Their purpose is to form a peace agreement with the dwarf king, Grimla Ironheart, and his people. Klein injects an intensity of mounting suspense as the prince and his men join forces with the men of Silver Heim in a fledging attempt a unity, whilst trying to save Aeron’s life under the care of Shalia, the king’s personal healer—a young woman who is from both dwarven and elven parentage. Against a backdrop of flesh-thirsty monsters that could have crawled from the depths of darkness, Klein skilfully interleaves a tentative romance that is both gritty, tender and honest, around treasonous betrayals and subterfuge as Prince Aeron fights to save not only his life, but the realm. With artful description that pulls readers into each page, and a story that is both heart-stopping and warming in turn, this Tolkienesque tale will leave readers hungry for the next adventure and the fate of this fledgling resistance against Morgran’s evil domination of Bethloria.

[Julie obrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story, written so descriptively, I felt like I was there struggling alongside the adventurers.
I loved every moment.
jules56

[Michael Chilcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

After coming into possession of a copy of "The Wells of Callystra" penned by Elizabeth Klein, I found myself immersed in a story of what I would describe as adult fantasy and magic. New to this form of writing, I found the novel both interesting and engaging. The way Elizabeth constructed the events and characters of this book ignited my imagination in a way like I have never experienced before. In my view this is an excellent story and a good read. I am looking forward to more work by Elizabeth Klein.

[Debra Clewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elvin prince, Aeron Bregolas, has a dire problem. He has activated a forbidden dwarf talisman in order to save himself and his men from total annihilation at the hands of the murderous wolfmen. In doing so, Aeron has brought a serious injury upon his arm, which grows worse each day. Several healers are unable to produce a solution, a healing of any sort, as the damage continues to spread. What is he to do?
At the same time, Aeron seeks an audience with the dwarven king Grimla Ironheart, in an attempt to unite the elf and dwarf communities to join forces against the common enemy. He returns the talisman to the king, and talks ensue. However, his arm continues to worsen despite the best efforts of the dwarven healers.
The king’s personal healer, a young half Elvin, half dwarf woman healer, Shalia, has seen a vision from The Morning Star, in which finding a mythical well is revealed as the only solution for Aeron to be healed. However, when she suggests travelling to Mount Callystra to find the well, Aeron is angry, defiant and resentful of the suggestion. (Reminiscent of the servant girl telling Naaman in the Old Testament that the only way for his leprosy to be healed is to bathe seven times in the Jordan River).
It is a holy place where only the pure in heart may enter. Aeron eventually relents. He travels with a small contingent of dwarves, his men and Shalia to find the long-lost well of legend. Along the way, there is violence and bloodshed as the party encounters more evil predators who seek to annihilate them. But they persist in their quest, even suffering the loss of party members, because there is so much at stake, including the defeat of vicious and murderous enemies.
Elizabeth Klein has woven a gripping tale of intrigue, opposing forces uniting in an epic battle and a defiance to overcome all. And it’s nice to see a touch of romance along the way as well.

[Li Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, adventure-filled fantasy. As the evil Morgran begins conquering Bethloria, the elven prince Aeron Bregolas and his friends and fellow warriors risk their lives to form an alliance with dwarven King Ironheart to rally both their peoples against Morgran and his forces. Bearing a dwarven talisman lost to the dwarves many years ago, Aeron and his friends intend to return it to King Ironheart, but when they are attacked by monsters, Aeron must use it to save them.

However, the talisman is only meant to be used by dwarves, and now Aeron is slowly dying because of it. His only means of survival are the Wells of Callystra, but the Wells are located in a city long ago abandoned by dwarves and currently inhabited by the monsters that drove them out. Joined by the half-elf, half-dwarf healer Shalia and several dwarven soldiers led by a dwarf named Boran, Aeron and two elves from his party set out for the Wells. But Morgran’s monsters are not the only dangers they face on their journey. Traitors threaten their fragile alliance too.

This fantasy is an exciting page-turner, filled with rich description that pulls you into Bethloria’s world, letting you see the devastation of Morgran’s rot upon the land and the cold, gray skies that now pervade because of him, and letting you feel everything the characters do.

I love the characters. They are my favorite part of the story.

Aeron is especially lovable, caring so much for his friends he uses the dwarven talisman to save them at terrible risk to himself. Unfortunately, he also has a mistaken view of dwarves due to a mutual hatred between the elves and dwarves that has gone on for generations, a view he must abandon if he wishes to unite both groups against Morgran. He must also recognize the evil in his own kingdom. I love how Aeron’s character grows, and I love how selfless, brave, and caring he is. I love how even though he suffers terribly, both physically and emotionally, that doesn’t affect his concern for others. I think many readers will relate to Aeron.

Shalia is also very lovable, selflessly caring for and helping others. Being part elf and part dwarf, Shalia is not completely welcome in either group, but that doesn’t affect how she cares for others. However, Shalia does suffer from a mistaken view of herself and her own value (particularly when it comes to her growing love for Aeron), which she must see for the falsity it is. I love how her character grows too. I think many readers will relate to Shalia, especially in her desperately wanting to belong, and in her flawed perception of herself.

Boran is very lovable too. He deeply loves his wife and is a very kind and caring person in general. He does not allow the generations-long hatred between dwarves and elves to affect his treatment of the elves. He treats everyone equally. Unfortunately, Boran is out of his element as the leader of the group journeying to the Wells of Callystra, as he has mostly handled records and other non-combative duties since he got years previously. I love how his character develops. I think many readers will relate to him and his challenges too.

I also love Aeron’s elf friends and how they care for him, especially Halfar, Rhyse, and Gaelin. Halfar is like a father to Aeron. I love how he takes care of him and looks after him. And I love how Rhyse and Gaelin care about Aeron too.

And I love the three regular dwarven soldiers in the group and their concern for the others, especially Boran.

And without giving too much away, I also love several other characters Aeron meets in his own kingdom.

One of the things I appreciate most about this book is its honesty about trauma, loss, and grief. Many books include depictions of them, but they fail to accurately portray them, often downplaying them, and, in so doing, downplaying others’ suffering. This book does not downplay suffering, for which I am grateful.

I also appreciate that a particular villain in this book dies. I’ve read many books where innocent characters die, but evil (usually very evil) characters do not, and I am grateful that in this book, a very evil villain does die.

This book does include good character death, but overall, I recommend it. It is a very well-written fantasy with rich, often beautiful detail, several plot twists, a clean romance, and special moments with characters you can love and relate to.

[MGB · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He called her Estelle: ‘Daughter of Starlight’." She would be a pivotal character, the elemental necessary for the future. "Should he warn her of what was to come"?

The Elves and the Dwarves need to come together to fight an evil which is bigger than both of them. But they have a chance, the fates are with them: "Nothing that happens in the world is by chance and your petition to the Morning Star was heard. Every meeting and appointment is ordered by his higher authority, as was your meeting this girl. Destinies are ordained. Planned.’"

The story carries some asides, are they dreams or are they portents of things to come? "‘I think we all need one of your tales, Storyteller,’ said Inkman, swallowing a mouthful of mead from his jug."

It is a quickly assembled crew, but it is the right grouping. This is a group, thrown together by chance and choice, which most certainly will not let each other down. They will grab the opportunity given. They are "given one slim window of opportunity by the Morning Star himself to alter their plight and the plight of the outcast community where you experienced so much peace and acceptance."

They can set their plight and that of their world right. You the reader will become part of this story as the author immerses you in this fantasy. You will cheer for them to make the ethical decisions and be glad when they can overcome the evil arrayed against them.

This is a fantasy for those who want to be pulled in and believe in the characters, the story, the guidance from the Morning Star. You will not be disappointed when you let this story take you along for the ride. It is very easy to draw parallels to what we know and believe in the world we share.

[Birgit Lehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!!! I didn´t know this author but I fell in love with her writing. The characters are so real and alive, the worldbuilding is just awesome and intriguing. I love stories which are clean and thrilling and are not shallow. The story itself is a masterpiece with real character grow and real consequences of evil deeds. Just love it and will read her other books as soon as possible.

[Linda Dowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is electric. The author doesn’t just tell you a story— she pulls you straight into the world and makes you feel like part of it. I ended up reading the whole thing in one go.
Thankyou Elizabeth for sharing your imagination with us, look forward to the next one. 😍

[J.R. Brady]

This book started out with pretty good descriptions and characters (though a bit too derivative) but then devolved into a strangely paced story with poorly executed and preachy themes (racism bad) and cringy romance. Struggled to not DNF. I know this is part of a bigger series so I didn’t bring up any worldbuilding issues I had