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The First Steps of the Path: An Immersive Epic Fantasy Novel
Dive into this immersive new epic fantasy world, where feuding kingdoms vie for power, ancient philosophies compete, and hidden powers shimmer under the surface. From grand designs to shadowy assassinations to very human moments, this is a story to get lost in, and an alternate history every bit as complex as our own.
The Kingdom of Aver stands upon a knife’s edge.
In the north, Isenya Kalthane, daughter of a ruling steward, fans the flames of rebellion. Working under the aegis of a secretive group of philosophers, she schemes to take her father’s place and forge an unlikely alliance with the kingdom’s enemies, all to stand against a rising threat that few can see. Yet, walking this path will demand a cost. How much is she willing to sacrifice?
Away to the south, the spy, Grey, moves through the kingdom like a shadow, dispatched by his emperor to sow discord and fracture alliances. With two deadly assassins under his command, he is a blade in the dark, poised to disrupt best-laid plans. Yet even he is a pawn in a larger game whose true players remain unseen.
While conflict looms, young Apsalior is thrust into an adventure he neither sought nor imagined. Bound for distant shores aboard the Passing Storm, he must navigate treacherous waters—both real and political—where pirates, bandits, and the arcane mysteries of the sōng await.
As forces converge and blood is spilt, the destiny of the land will be rewritten.
The Kingdom of Aver stands upon a knife’s edge.
In the north, Isenya Kalthane, daughter of a ruling steward, fans the flames of rebellion. Working under the aegis of a secretive group of philosophers, she schemes to take her father’s place and forge an unlikely alliance with the kingdom’s enemies, all to stand against a rising threat that few can see. Yet, walking this path will demand a cost. How much is she willing to sacrifice?
Away to the south, the spy, Grey, moves through the kingdom like a shadow, dispatched by his emperor to sow discord and fracture alliances. With two deadly assassins under his command, he is a blade in the dark, poised to disrupt best-laid plans. Yet even he is a pawn in a larger game whose true players remain unseen.
While conflict looms, young Apsalior is thrust into an adventure he neither sought nor imagined. Bound for distant shores aboard the Passing Storm, he must navigate treacherous waters—both real and political—where pirates, bandits, and the arcane mysteries of the sōng await.
As forces converge and blood is spilt, the destiny of the land will be rewritten.
645 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 29, 2025
(Spoiler-free.)
The First Steps of the Path is a confident, rich debut that truly puts the 'epic' in epic fantasy. There's no denying that it's long, but it's worth it – you truly feel like you're settling in with a novel, not just a book, and thus hearkens back to the likes of Tolkien and Erikson. It even has something of Homer about it: you feel as if a historian is recounting the burgeoning reformation of an empire.
At first glance there seems to be nothing groundbreaking, here. There's political intrigue in a pseudo-European kingdom that is stirring not only old frictions with loosely-allied stewards, but kingdoms farther afield. We're carried through the story with four key points of view who are involved in or affected by this intrigue and mounting tension in different ways. But where this epic truly shines is in its confident sense of scale and, simultaneously, depth.
There are drawbacks to a novel like this, of course. Its prose (though well-written) is dense, and sometimes side characters can feel a little flat. It also took a little time to fully introduce the magic element, but it does feel unique. However, there's great depth to our four main PoV characters, who are uniquely-placed to guide us through different aspects of this historied world. Isenya, in particular, is a standout, especially as a female character – truly a cunning, driven, compelling figure. The slow unveiling of her self-imposed duty, told in both flashback and the present moment, forms the backbone of the novel and drives the narrative relentlessly onward.
Come for the traditional epic fantasy, stay for the intricate political machinations – both seen and unseen – and the complex characters.
The First Steps of the Path is a confident, rich debut that truly puts the 'epic' in epic fantasy. There's no denying that it's long, but it's worth it – you truly feel like you're settling in with a novel, not just a book, and thus hearkens back to the likes of Tolkien and Erikson. It even has something of Homer about it: you feel as if a historian is recounting the burgeoning reformation of an empire.
At first glance there seems to be nothing groundbreaking, here. There's political intrigue in a pseudo-European kingdom that is stirring not only old frictions with loosely-allied stewards, but kingdoms farther afield. We're carried through the story with four key points of view who are involved in or affected by this intrigue and mounting tension in different ways. But where this epic truly shines is in its confident sense of scale and, simultaneously, depth.
There are drawbacks to a novel like this, of course. Its prose (though well-written) is dense, and sometimes side characters can feel a little flat. It also took a little time to fully introduce the magic element, but it does feel unique. However, there's great depth to our four main PoV characters, who are uniquely-placed to guide us through different aspects of this historied world. Isenya, in particular, is a standout, especially as a female character – truly a cunning, driven, compelling figure. The slow unveiling of her self-imposed duty, told in both flashback and the present moment, forms the backbone of the novel and drives the narrative relentlessly onward.
Come for the traditional epic fantasy, stay for the intricate political machinations – both seen and unseen – and the complex characters.
January 10, 2026
This book truly is an epic fantasy. The world, which is europeean inspired, feels lived in with a history and politics. The political conflicts, intrigue and friction is built out and feels tought out.
We follow four main POVs in the book. The characters are tough out and feel well rounded, while the side characters stay a little flat. There are a lot of names. Inseya was my favourite, especially the beginning of her plotline not working out as she planned. The book is plot focused and does archive it well. The magic feels unique.
It took me quite some time to get into the book and the pacing felt a bit slow at a few points. I enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to see where book 2 will take the story.
I recived a review copy of the book trough BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
We follow four main POVs in the book. The characters are tough out and feel well rounded, while the side characters stay a little flat. There are a lot of names. Inseya was my favourite, especially the beginning of her plotline not working out as she planned. The book is plot focused and does archive it well. The magic feels unique.
It took me quite some time to get into the book and the pacing felt a bit slow at a few points. I enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to see where book 2 will take the story.
I recived a review copy of the book trough BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews