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A Fractured Balance #1
A Shroud Undone
A thousand years of war. A sacred light built on a lie. Two enemies beneath it—and a truth that could end the world.
For centuries, the Mountain Temple has burned in an endless cycle of slaughter. Within it blazes the Stillight—a double helix of red and gold—worshipped as divine, blamed for the war, feared as a power no one understands.
Every soldier believes the light demands their sacrifice.
They have all been deceived.
Theron lives in quiet penance, feeding a starving village and asking nothing in return. Atonement is all he has left for the choices that shaped the war.
Nyra commands the Sylphar legions with ruthless precision. Her enemies fear her. Her soldiers revere her. Only total victory is permitted. Failure is not an option.
When battle erupts once more at the Mountain Temple, their paths collide beneath six empty thrones—relics of gods long thought dead or forgotten.
One seeks forgiveness. The other seeks freedom.
Neither is prepared for the cost of truth.
As ancient secrets surface and the nature of divinity itself unravels, ending the war may require destroying the very forces that have kept the world alive. Some truths can end a war. Others can doom a dying world.
Perfect for fans of dark epic fantasy, grimdark action, and morally gray heroes.
If you devoured Brandon Sanderson's intricate magic and worldbuilding in The Way of Kings, Joe Abercrombie's brutal, conflicted characters in The Blade Itself, or Robert Jordan's sweeping scope in The Eye of the World—you'll be hooked by this story of gods, prophecy, war, and impossible sacrifice.
A Shroud Undone Divine deception and fallen immortal gods Sword and sorcery action with high-stakes battles A failed hero seeking redemption Military warfare and world-shaking revelations No easy answers—only the terrible price of truth.
The war has raged for over a millennium. The gods have been silent. And two opposing forces are about to discover why.
For centuries, the Mountain Temple has burned in an endless cycle of slaughter. Within it blazes the Stillight—a double helix of red and gold—worshipped as divine, blamed for the war, feared as a power no one understands.
Every soldier believes the light demands their sacrifice.
They have all been deceived.
Theron lives in quiet penance, feeding a starving village and asking nothing in return. Atonement is all he has left for the choices that shaped the war.
Nyra commands the Sylphar legions with ruthless precision. Her enemies fear her. Her soldiers revere her. Only total victory is permitted. Failure is not an option.
When battle erupts once more at the Mountain Temple, their paths collide beneath six empty thrones—relics of gods long thought dead or forgotten.
One seeks forgiveness. The other seeks freedom.
Neither is prepared for the cost of truth.
As ancient secrets surface and the nature of divinity itself unravels, ending the war may require destroying the very forces that have kept the world alive. Some truths can end a war. Others can doom a dying world.
Perfect for fans of dark epic fantasy, grimdark action, and morally gray heroes.
If you devoured Brandon Sanderson's intricate magic and worldbuilding in The Way of Kings, Joe Abercrombie's brutal, conflicted characters in The Blade Itself, or Robert Jordan's sweeping scope in The Eye of the World—you'll be hooked by this story of gods, prophecy, war, and impossible sacrifice.
A Shroud Undone Divine deception and fallen immortal gods Sword and sorcery action with high-stakes battles A failed hero seeking redemption Military warfare and world-shaking revelations No easy answers—only the terrible price of truth.
The war has raged for over a millennium. The gods have been silent. And two opposing forces are about to discover why.
- GenresFantasy
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2026
About the author
A.M. Woodbury
6 books37 followersA.M. Woodbury writes epic fantasy rooted in myth, divine influence, and the fragile balance between light and darkness. His stories focus on flawed heroes, broken systems, and the cost of standing against forces far greater than oneself.
When he is not writing, he is usually reading epic fantasy, overthinking fictional magic systems, or talking story ideas with anyone who will listen.
When he is not writing, he is usually reading epic fantasy, overthinking fictional magic systems, or talking story ideas with anyone who will listen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 22, 2026
I have a friend who read this book and praised it over and over. I was told it had strong Game of Thrones vibes, which is right up my alley. I’ve read all of George R. R. Martin’s GOT and some of his smaller works. So naturally, I just had to read it!
I will say the world building in this book was so easy to follow. Information was presented conversationally, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
I can honestly say I can see why the hype exists! The prologue starts out heavy in action and details a brutal battle that is lost by our MMC, Theron. From there, we see he’s burdened by his failures and simply surviving, doing what he can for others to atone for his grief and loss. I felt this really set the scene to learn more about Theron. His character is so admirable, dependable, and easy to root for.
When the ongoing war comes to his town, he’s forced to stand up for the small towns people he has grown to care for. From there, the action of the book really picks up. He builds friendships and finds community with the other soldiers. The brotherhood seriously felt real and natural. I especially grew to love Rook, who was entertaining but also a found brother.
The battle scenes were so raw and realistic. It felt as real as watching Battle of the Bastards from the HBO show. No one is safe in battle, so expect to feel some kind of way.
Going into the third act, the story just blows your mind. I reread the last 20%, give or take, of the book again because it’s that good!
Definitely a must read if you enjoy fantasy, brutal battles, the found brotherhood soldiers develop in war, and mystery.
I will say the world building in this book was so easy to follow. Information was presented conversationally, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
I can honestly say I can see why the hype exists! The prologue starts out heavy in action and details a brutal battle that is lost by our MMC, Theron. From there, we see he’s burdened by his failures and simply surviving, doing what he can for others to atone for his grief and loss. I felt this really set the scene to learn more about Theron. His character is so admirable, dependable, and easy to root for.
When the ongoing war comes to his town, he’s forced to stand up for the small towns people he has grown to care for. From there, the action of the book really picks up. He builds friendships and finds community with the other soldiers. The brotherhood seriously felt real and natural. I especially grew to love Rook, who was entertaining but also a found brother.
The battle scenes were so raw and realistic. It felt as real as watching Battle of the Bastards from the HBO show. No one is safe in battle, so expect to feel some kind of way.
Going into the third act, the story just blows your mind. I reread the last 20%, give or take, of the book again because it’s that good!
Definitely a must read if you enjoy fantasy, brutal battles, the found brotherhood soldiers develop in war, and mystery.
April 10, 2026
Thank you A.M. Woodbury for the advanced reader copy of your debut Epic Fantasy Novel!
A Shroud Undone immediately pulls you in! The prologue hits the ground running, dropping straight into the action. The imagery made every scene feel like I was watching it unfold and living it, rather than simply reading it.
The story was divided into phases. Each section carried its own deep emotional weight and purpose. The look into the past. The calm before the storm, focusing on atonement and trying to find peace/outrun what came before. The embracing of destiny, building camaraderie, and facing moments of intense, shocking violence. And just when it felt like I understood where everything was heading, BOOM a huge reveal that changed everything!
Overall, this story was incredible. The action and emotions had my heart pumping and breaking in equal measure.
If you like an epic fantasy that unfolds in layered stages, with visuals that make you feel like you are actually there, and a twist that hits hard, don’t skip this one! And the next one is out THIS SUMMER!
A Shroud Undone immediately pulls you in! The prologue hits the ground running, dropping straight into the action. The imagery made every scene feel like I was watching it unfold and living it, rather than simply reading it.
The story was divided into phases. Each section carried its own deep emotional weight and purpose. The look into the past. The calm before the storm, focusing on atonement and trying to find peace/outrun what came before. The embracing of destiny, building camaraderie, and facing moments of intense, shocking violence. And just when it felt like I understood where everything was heading, BOOM a huge reveal that changed everything!
Overall, this story was incredible. The action and emotions had my heart pumping and breaking in equal measure.
If you like an epic fantasy that unfolds in layered stages, with visuals that make you feel like you are actually there, and a twist that hits hard, don’t skip this one! And the next one is out THIS SUMMER!
September 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Shroud Undone falls into a really enjoyable space between slow, sprawling fantasy and the nonstop action and emotional warfare of something like Rebecca Yarros.
The world feels expansive without requiring a history degree to understand it, and the magic system is especially intriguing because power comes with real consequences. I also appreciated that the conflict isn’t reduced to hero versus villain. Both sides of the war are given humanity, history, and understandable motivations, adding complexity to a story that could easily have become another simple good-versus-evil fantasy.
The characters were the strongest part for me. Theron’s mystery kept me curious, Rook added much-needed humor and heart, and Nyra quickly became one of the most compelling perspectives in the book. The friendships and found-family elements added an emotional layer without overpowering the larger story.
The pacing isn’t relentless—there are slower sections involving training, traveling, and world-building, and some descriptions felt repetitive. However, once the larger campaign begins, the momentum builds considerably, and the final third delivers battles, emotional weight, satisfying revelations, and a conclusion that makes continuing the trilogy feel worthwhile.
This wasn’t an SJM-style fantasy epic that spends hundreds of pages immersing you in every detail, but it also wasn’t a Rebecca Yarros-style roller coaster where someone is constantly fighting, dying, revealing a secret, or emotionally destroying you. It lands comfortably between the two: immersive, character-driven, and action-filled when it matters.
A solid four-star fantasy and a strong beginning to the trilogy. I’m genuinely curious to see where the story goes next.
A Shroud Undone falls into a really enjoyable space between slow, sprawling fantasy and the nonstop action and emotional warfare of something like Rebecca Yarros.
The world feels expansive without requiring a history degree to understand it, and the magic system is especially intriguing because power comes with real consequences. I also appreciated that the conflict isn’t reduced to hero versus villain. Both sides of the war are given humanity, history, and understandable motivations, adding complexity to a story that could easily have become another simple good-versus-evil fantasy.
The characters were the strongest part for me. Theron’s mystery kept me curious, Rook added much-needed humor and heart, and Nyra quickly became one of the most compelling perspectives in the book. The friendships and found-family elements added an emotional layer without overpowering the larger story.
The pacing isn’t relentless—there are slower sections involving training, traveling, and world-building, and some descriptions felt repetitive. However, once the larger campaign begins, the momentum builds considerably, and the final third delivers battles, emotional weight, satisfying revelations, and a conclusion that makes continuing the trilogy feel worthwhile.
This wasn’t an SJM-style fantasy epic that spends hundreds of pages immersing you in every detail, but it also wasn’t a Rebecca Yarros-style roller coaster where someone is constantly fighting, dying, revealing a secret, or emotionally destroying you. It lands comfortably between the two: immersive, character-driven, and action-filled when it matters.
A solid four-star fantasy and a strong beginning to the trilogy. I’m genuinely curious to see where the story goes next.
October 3, 2026
A thousand years of fighting over something nobody truly understands? And everyone believes they're fighting for the right reasons? Now that's an interesting way to start a fantasy series! A Shroud Undone by A.M. Woodbury introduces us to Theron, a man carrying the weight of his past, and Nyra, a fierce commander who refuses to accept defeat. They're on opposite sides of a war that has lasted for centuries, but neither fully understands the truth behind it. What really caught my attention was Theron's struggle with guilt and his desire to make up for the decisions he's made. I love characters who aren't perfect and have complicated pasts. Nyra brings a completely different perspective to the story, and I liked that the conflict isn't simply about good versus evil. The world-building, ancient gods, mysterious Stillight, and secrets surrounding the war give this story so many interesting layers. I also appreciate fantasy stories where decisions have consequences and characters are forced to question everything they've always believed. If you enjoy dark epic fantasy, morally gray characters, intense battles, ancient magic, and stories filled with secrets, this is definitely one to consider! With this being the first book in the trilogy, there's plenty of room for the story to grow, and I'm interested in seeing where Theron and Nyra's journeys lead next!
September 30, 2026
A Shroud Undone is a really fabulous piece of work! Woodbury's prose is what really struck me and I'm very pleased with that aspect of it. The world building and magic systems are simple but engaging. I will say that some of the character development fell a bit flat due to the unknown. We're kept in the dark about Theron's (MC) past and rightfully so in most regards. However, when one of his loved ones is revealed to not be dead like he thought, I didn't care. And that is primarily due to having no prior knowledge of said character so when that scene happened, all of the emotion I was supposed to be feeling wasn't there. Even still, I'm very happy with this read and I'm really excited to read more from him!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2026
THIS is epic fantasy.
A Shroud Undone sucked me into a world that feels dark, brutal and human at the same time. There is war, violence, loss, secrets and so much history buried underneath everything, but what really got me was how emotional this story is !!!!!
At the center of it all is Theron, and I loved reading through his journey . This isn’t just about surviving battles or defeating an enemy. There is grief. Regret. Friendship. Sacrifice. That desperate need to protect the people beside you even when you have absolutely no idea if any of you are making it out alive.
And the friendships!!! Probably one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
The worldbuilding is HUGE. You definitely had to go through discoveries and There were definitely moments where I was sitting there thinking, okay… what exactly is happening here?! 😂 But the deeper I got, the more pieces started falling into place. And then suddenly I realized some things I thought I understood… I absolutely did not.
That ending??? EXCUSE ME.
The story just keeps getting bigger until everything explodes. The last part had me flying through the pages because there was no way I was putting it down at that point.
Definitely one for epic fantasy readers.
Thank you to A.M. Woodbury for the ARC!
A Shroud Undone sucked me into a world that feels dark, brutal and human at the same time. There is war, violence, loss, secrets and so much history buried underneath everything, but what really got me was how emotional this story is !!!!!
At the center of it all is Theron, and I loved reading through his journey . This isn’t just about surviving battles or defeating an enemy. There is grief. Regret. Friendship. Sacrifice. That desperate need to protect the people beside you even when you have absolutely no idea if any of you are making it out alive.
And the friendships!!! Probably one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
The worldbuilding is HUGE. You definitely had to go through discoveries and There were definitely moments where I was sitting there thinking, okay… what exactly is happening here?! 😂 But the deeper I got, the more pieces started falling into place. And then suddenly I realized some things I thought I understood… I absolutely did not.
That ending??? EXCUSE ME.
The story just keeps getting bigger until everything explodes. The last part had me flying through the pages because there was no way I was putting it down at that point.
Definitely one for epic fantasy readers.
Thank you to A.M. Woodbury for the ARC!
April 17, 2026
⚔️ Arc Book Review ⚔️
WOW! Just wow! I haven’t read an epic fantasy in a while, and this did not disappoint. Our hero Theron has secrets, lots of them. He isn’t living but surviving, surviving demons he has buried deep, and when the war reaches his doorstep, he has to make a choice. Along the way, he finds community and friendships, something worth dying for. And while this war may be bigger than his friends realized, there’s something even bigger brewing inside of Theron.
Can he right the wrong he created in the first place?! You have to read it to find out!!
WOW! Just wow! I haven’t read an epic fantasy in a while, and this did not disappoint. Our hero Theron has secrets, lots of them. He isn’t living but surviving, surviving demons he has buried deep, and when the war reaches his doorstep, he has to make a choice. Along the way, he finds community and friendships, something worth dying for. And while this war may be bigger than his friends realized, there’s something even bigger brewing inside of Theron.
Can he right the wrong he created in the first place?! You have to read it to find out!!
September 8, 2026
This is a difficult book to review, it has very good and very bad aspects to it. It is absurdly long for the story it's trying to tell. Once you have the entire story, it is a good story. There are a lot of bits and bobs that are completely useless. There is a lot of death. I don't mind a good story revolving around a war. But this does not make you love all that many characters. There's very little character development and mostly world building. While I understand the only character that really matters is the main character, then, why do we have to witness so many other deaths that really don't have any weight while reading. The overall story is good. It should have been cut down a little bit to make it better.
September 17, 2026
POV: the book that made me rethink my “I don’t read war-heavy fantasy” rule. 👀⚔️
A thousand-year war. Lying gods. A sacred light built on a MASSIVE lie. And two enemies uncovering a truth that could literally end everything. 😮💨🔥
The twists? RUDE.
The gods? 🚩🚩🚩
The moral grey area? DELICIOUS.
The war? Brutal, costly, and definitely not romanticised.
Yeah… I’m officially reconsidering my fantasy-with-war agenda. 🫠📖
Thank you to the A.M. Woodbury and The Space Network for the opportunity to read this! 🖤
A thousand-year war. Lying gods. A sacred light built on a MASSIVE lie. And two enemies uncovering a truth that could literally end everything. 😮💨🔥
The twists? RUDE.
The gods? 🚩🚩🚩
The moral grey area? DELICIOUS.
The war? Brutal, costly, and definitely not romanticised.
Yeah… I’m officially reconsidering my fantasy-with-war agenda. 🫠📖
Thank you to the A.M. Woodbury and The Space Network for the opportunity to read this! 🖤
September 25, 2026
That ending is not what I was expecting. This is a no spice book with secrets, betrayal and magic. Thank you to SPACE Network for an e-ARC!
September 27, 2026
Thank you to the author and SPACE for the review copy of this book.
This is book one of an epic fantasy. This has world building, detailed and beautiful writing, and will leave you with lots of questions. I think it’s worth taking a chance on, even if you’re not typically an epic fantasy reader. Looking forward to diving into book 2!
This is book one of an epic fantasy. This has world building, detailed and beautiful writing, and will leave you with lots of questions. I think it’s worth taking a chance on, even if you’re not typically an epic fantasy reader. Looking forward to diving into book 2!
August 25, 2026
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Spice Rating: 0 out of 5
Pros:
- Lore of the God's is hinted at throughout the story.
- The friendship between Rook and Theron is a nice touch.
- The ending was good. It left openings for questions to be answered. A lot of questions.
Cons:
- I feel like the battles/training throughout the plot overshadowed the potential to feel connected to the characters in the way I wanted.
- I didn't understand the characters' motivations for most of the book. Aside from 'get to the temple', I wasn't finding anything in the plot as to what drove that ambition.
Spice Rating: 0 out of 5
Pros:
- Lore of the God's is hinted at throughout the story.
- The friendship between Rook and Theron is a nice touch.
- The ending was good. It left openings for questions to be answered. A lot of questions.
Cons:
- I feel like the battles/training throughout the plot overshadowed the potential to feel connected to the characters in the way I wanted.
- I didn't understand the characters' motivations for most of the book. Aside from 'get to the temple', I wasn't finding anything in the plot as to what drove that ambition.
June 15, 2026
A Shroud Undone by A.M. Woodbury: A Fantasy That Earns Every One of Its Secrets
I almost didn't know what to do with myself when I finished this book. While I love Fantasy Comics, Graphic Novels, Movies, and Shows, I’ve never been big on reading books of this nature. Not sure why exactly. But this surprised me. I sat with it for a while, turning the ending over in my mind the way you do when a story has genuinely surprised you, not just with a plot twist, but with something that feels earned on a much deeper level. A Shroud Undone is that rare kind of fantasy: the kind that plants its seeds so quietly in the early chapters that you don't realize you're reading toward something profound until it's already happened to you.
If I have one small note, it's that the middle section sprawls slightly, and there are moments where the pacing asks you to be patient. But I found that patience rewarded every single time. The world is rich enough that even the slower passages feel like time well spent.
A Shroud Undone is a confident, deeply felt debut that announces A.M. Woodbury as a fantasy writer worth following closely. Book Two cannot come soon enough.
I almost didn't know what to do with myself when I finished this book. While I love Fantasy Comics, Graphic Novels, Movies, and Shows, I’ve never been big on reading books of this nature. Not sure why exactly. But this surprised me. I sat with it for a while, turning the ending over in my mind the way you do when a story has genuinely surprised you, not just with a plot twist, but with something that feels earned on a much deeper level. A Shroud Undone is that rare kind of fantasy: the kind that plants its seeds so quietly in the early chapters that you don't realize you're reading toward something profound until it's already happened to you.
If I have one small note, it's that the middle section sprawls slightly, and there are moments where the pacing asks you to be patient. But I found that patience rewarded every single time. The world is rich enough that even the slower passages feel like time well spent.
A Shroud Undone is a confident, deeply felt debut that announces A.M. Woodbury as a fantasy writer worth following closely. Book Two cannot come soon enough.
September 12, 2026
3.5 rounded up... This book is more world building than anything. I was very intrigued with Theron and why he was so guilt ridden. Nyra seemed extremely cruel but as you read on you find yourself understanding her more. By the time I finished this I was ready to see where what they learned goes. If you enjoy high fantasy life LotR and WoT series... Fractured Series is definitely for you.
March 6, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ thank you to the author for the ARC!
A Shroud Undone is a brilliant fantasy story that for the most part follows one soldier’s journey through the endless war, full of newly kindled friendships and losses and certainly doesn’t shy away from the brutality of war. The author writes in a brilliant, understated way reminiscent of Eddings, Feist, and other early greats of the fantasy genre, but still so full of emotion. The pacing of the book starts gently, giving the reader an insight into Theron’s character, before ramping up the further into the story you delve and if you’re anything like me the last 100 pages will have you on the edge of your seat! We’re given glimpses into the wider world of the novel, with details deliberately kept a mystery that I am very excited to explore in later books.
I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone looking for a fantasy epic with all the feelings of a classic in the making!
A Shroud Undone is a brilliant fantasy story that for the most part follows one soldier’s journey through the endless war, full of newly kindled friendships and losses and certainly doesn’t shy away from the brutality of war. The author writes in a brilliant, understated way reminiscent of Eddings, Feist, and other early greats of the fantasy genre, but still so full of emotion. The pacing of the book starts gently, giving the reader an insight into Theron’s character, before ramping up the further into the story you delve and if you’re anything like me the last 100 pages will have you on the edge of your seat! We’re given glimpses into the wider world of the novel, with details deliberately kept a mystery that I am very excited to explore in later books.
I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone looking for a fantasy epic with all the feelings of a classic in the making!
August 30, 2026
3.5⭐️ This is what I expected. Slow world building, but still captivating, and I cannot wait for more of Theron’s story!
April 24, 2026
This book has some of the most beautifully written storytelling I’ve seen in a long while!
I am knee deep in the Cosmere and this has the similar vibe and style that you can see within Sanderson’s work. The description (especially of the battle scenes) are something else entirely. I love so many of the characters, they all hold “something” special that you can resonate with. I was confused, I do not deny as there is a lot to take in. I feel like I was there, the majority of the time I was trying to work everything out 😅
I think everything was covered incredibly, and although this took me longer to get through, life has been busyyy so I don’t want it to reflect. This is a great book! Book 2 seems interesting and I want to knowwww MORE 👀
The last 20%? Of the book really does take you on a ride 🥲
I am knee deep in the Cosmere and this has the similar vibe and style that you can see within Sanderson’s work. The description (especially of the battle scenes) are something else entirely. I love so many of the characters, they all hold “something” special that you can resonate with. I was confused, I do not deny as there is a lot to take in. I feel like I was there, the majority of the time I was trying to work everything out 😅
I think everything was covered incredibly, and although this took me longer to get through, life has been busyyy so I don’t want it to reflect. This is a great book! Book 2 seems interesting and I want to knowwww MORE 👀
The last 20%? Of the book really does take you on a ride 🥲
June 21, 2026
A Shroud Undone by A.M. Woodbury is a dark epic fantasy novel about a world trapped in an ancient, exhausting war between humans and the Sylphar, with the mysterious Stillight sitting at the center of both faith and bloodshed. The story follows Theron, a haunted hunter with a hidden past, as he is pulled from the quiet hardship of Wyrnhollow back into the machinery of war. What begins as a tale of survival and reluctant duty grows into something larger, touching on old gods, broken belief, impossible choices, and the terrible cost of trying to end a conflict that has shaped generations.
What struck me first was the weight of the writing. This is not a light fantasy adventure, and it does not pretend to be. Woodbury writes battle with grit and patience, letting the mud, ash, cold, and blood pile up until the reader feels worn down alongside the characters. The violence has impact because it is rarely treated as spectacle alone. Even when the action is intense, the book keeps circling back to grief, memory, and the small human moments that survive inside chaos. A joke between soldiers. A shared meal. Someone trying to keep another person alive for one more day. Those details give the story its pulse.
I also found myself drawn to the author’s choices around perspective. Theron is the emotional center, but the book becomes more interesting because it does not let only one side own the pain. Nyra Draeven, on the Sylphar side, gives the war another face, and that choice keeps the story from becoming too simple. I liked that the book asks what happens when both sides have suffered long enough to believe their cruelty is necessary. The pacing is deliberate, which suits the novel’s grim atmosphere and gives the emotional moments room to land. Rather than rushing from one battle to the next, the book lets the sorrow and violence settle in, making the war feel like a wound that keeps reopening instead of just a backdrop for heroic action.
A Shroud Undone will appeal most to readers who like their epic fantasy bleak, layered, and morally uneasy. I would recommend it to fans of stories about reluctant warriors, ancient powers, religious mystery, and battles where victory never feels clean. For readers who enjoy a grounded and bruising fantasy novel with a strong sense of history and consequence, this is a thoughtful and immersive start to A Fractured Balance.
What struck me first was the weight of the writing. This is not a light fantasy adventure, and it does not pretend to be. Woodbury writes battle with grit and patience, letting the mud, ash, cold, and blood pile up until the reader feels worn down alongside the characters. The violence has impact because it is rarely treated as spectacle alone. Even when the action is intense, the book keeps circling back to grief, memory, and the small human moments that survive inside chaos. A joke between soldiers. A shared meal. Someone trying to keep another person alive for one more day. Those details give the story its pulse.
I also found myself drawn to the author’s choices around perspective. Theron is the emotional center, but the book becomes more interesting because it does not let only one side own the pain. Nyra Draeven, on the Sylphar side, gives the war another face, and that choice keeps the story from becoming too simple. I liked that the book asks what happens when both sides have suffered long enough to believe their cruelty is necessary. The pacing is deliberate, which suits the novel’s grim atmosphere and gives the emotional moments room to land. Rather than rushing from one battle to the next, the book lets the sorrow and violence settle in, making the war feel like a wound that keeps reopening instead of just a backdrop for heroic action.
A Shroud Undone will appeal most to readers who like their epic fantasy bleak, layered, and morally uneasy. I would recommend it to fans of stories about reluctant warriors, ancient powers, religious mystery, and battles where victory never feels clean. For readers who enjoy a grounded and bruising fantasy novel with a strong sense of history and consequence, this is a thoughtful and immersive start to A Fractured Balance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Fracture Balance: A Shroud Undone takes place in the world of Vaelorian and opens with humans and Sylphar locked in battle over the Stillight hidden within the Mountain Temple. As the prologue unfolds, the humans are on the verge of finally breaching the temple, and I was immediately pulled into the story.
Chapter 1 jumps forward four hundred years and introduces Theron. He is a simple man who hunts and provides food for the village he calls home. The ongoing war with the Sylphar, however, is reaching a turning point, and the Luminarch Dominion begins conscripting all able-bodied boys and men. When a village does not have enough people to give without the risk of collapsing altogether, Theron finds a loophole that many have long forgotten.
As the story moves forward, Theron finds himself within the ranks of the Luminarch Dominion, essentially going through boot camp. After a long march from Wyrnhollow, he forms friendships along the way, most notably with Rook and eventually Caulin. Without getting into spoilers, Theron is later assigned to a group tasked with marching straight into what feels like an unavoidable deathtrap as the humans attempt to reclaim the Stillight from the Sylphar.
This book is packed with action, but it never feels excessive. The balance of detail makes the combat scenes feel cinematic without dragging them out. The adventures, the scouting, the battles, and even the quieter moments are all well thought out and executed. I had a hard time putting the book down and constantly found myself wanting the story to keep going. The twist at the end completely caught me off guard and worked incredibly well.
The author shows a careful and deliberate approach to character development, revealing details at the right pace without giving too much away too soon. Each character grows naturally alongside the story, which makes the world feel alive and believable. For a debut novel, this was impressively confident and well executed.
I give A Fracture Balance: A Shroud Undone 5 out of 5 stars. The story is gripping, the world is engaging, and it left me genuinely eager to continue exploring Vaelorian.
Chapter 1 jumps forward four hundred years and introduces Theron. He is a simple man who hunts and provides food for the village he calls home. The ongoing war with the Sylphar, however, is reaching a turning point, and the Luminarch Dominion begins conscripting all able-bodied boys and men. When a village does not have enough people to give without the risk of collapsing altogether, Theron finds a loophole that many have long forgotten.
As the story moves forward, Theron finds himself within the ranks of the Luminarch Dominion, essentially going through boot camp. After a long march from Wyrnhollow, he forms friendships along the way, most notably with Rook and eventually Caulin. Without getting into spoilers, Theron is later assigned to a group tasked with marching straight into what feels like an unavoidable deathtrap as the humans attempt to reclaim the Stillight from the Sylphar.
This book is packed with action, but it never feels excessive. The balance of detail makes the combat scenes feel cinematic without dragging them out. The adventures, the scouting, the battles, and even the quieter moments are all well thought out and executed. I had a hard time putting the book down and constantly found myself wanting the story to keep going. The twist at the end completely caught me off guard and worked incredibly well.
The author shows a careful and deliberate approach to character development, revealing details at the right pace without giving too much away too soon. Each character grows naturally alongside the story, which makes the world feel alive and believable. For a debut novel, this was impressively confident and well executed.
I give A Fracture Balance: A Shroud Undone 5 out of 5 stars. The story is gripping, the world is engaging, and it left me genuinely eager to continue exploring Vaelorian.
April 12, 2026
Thank you to the author for an ARC. I really enjoyed the bones of this story, but feel as though there are many opportunities to flesh it out. I felt that even though there was intentional mystery behind the main character’s traumatic past and his stoicism, I didn’t really understand much of why until the very end of the book. The descriptions of the setting were well thought out and portrayed, but felt like those portions of the book took away too much page time from the characters. If that page time was given to showing the reader a bit of the characters’ thought processes and fleshed out emotional reactions and back story, I think I would have become more attached to them. The Theron/Rook combination reminded me a bit of Geralt and Dandelion from the Witcher series, and that kind of character dynamic can be an excellent driver to a great story.
I loved the concept of the scarlet and golden intertwined lights representing balance, and the consequences of never ending war constantly trying to tip that balance. The magic was also good in theory, but i didn’t really understand it fully until i read through the appendix. (That could also just be a me problem). The subtle influencing of natural order is an attractive magic system and one that i do enjoy, having to use each instance with intelligence and foresight.
As I’m giving this book 2 stars, that is not to say that it is a bad rating. I also gave 2 stars to ACOTAR. While romantasy is not my cup of tea, I did enjoy reading it. I think that you have a lot of great potential as an author as your world, magic systems, and characters have a good foundation. I think if I as a reader was shown more of the emotional thought processes of the characters I would have been grabbed a bit more.
I will be keeping an eye out for your future releases as I’m curious to see your development from your first release! Congratulations on publishing! I know that is not an easy thing to do, and you should be very proud!
“If you finish a novel, you are my colleague” -Brandon Sanderson
I loved the concept of the scarlet and golden intertwined lights representing balance, and the consequences of never ending war constantly trying to tip that balance. The magic was also good in theory, but i didn’t really understand it fully until i read through the appendix. (That could also just be a me problem). The subtle influencing of natural order is an attractive magic system and one that i do enjoy, having to use each instance with intelligence and foresight.
As I’m giving this book 2 stars, that is not to say that it is a bad rating. I also gave 2 stars to ACOTAR. While romantasy is not my cup of tea, I did enjoy reading it. I think that you have a lot of great potential as an author as your world, magic systems, and characters have a good foundation. I think if I as a reader was shown more of the emotional thought processes of the characters I would have been grabbed a bit more.
I will be keeping an eye out for your future releases as I’m curious to see your development from your first release! Congratulations on publishing! I know that is not an easy thing to do, and you should be very proud!
“If you finish a novel, you are my colleague” -Brandon Sanderson
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I don't usually write reviews. I finished this book at an ungodly hour on a weeknight, stared at my ceiling for ten minutes, and decided I had to.
A Shroud Undone opens with a premise that feels familiar a millennium-long war, a sacred flame at the center of it, two soldiers on opposite sides and then quietly, methodically, dismantles everything you think you understand about it. Woodbury is patient in the best possible way. The truth doesn't arrive all at once. It accumulates. And when it finally lands, it lands hard.
Theron is a man doing penance in the only way he knows how feeding people, staying small, asking nothing of the world. He is not trying to be redeemed. That distinction matters more than I expected. Nyra is his opposite in almost every way: precise, feared, relentless. What surprised me is how much I understood both of them before they even met.
The Stillight the double helix of red and gold burning at the heart of the Mountain Temple is the kind of world-building detail that stays with you. It's worshipped, blamed, feared, and utterly misunderstood. The moment the story reveals what it actually is and what it has always been, the whole shape of the war reframes itself in your mind. I had to put the book down for a moment just to sit with it.
The six empty thrones are haunting in a way that's hard to explain without spoilers. Gods who are absent somehow weigh more than gods who are present.
If I had one gripe, it's that the book ends and it ends at precisely the moment I was least prepared for it to. That's not a flaw. That's just cruel authorship, and I mean it as a compliment.
Fans of Sanderson's layered magic systems, Abercrombie's morally complicated soldiers, and Jordan's sense of mythic scale will feel at home here. But A Shroud Undone has its own voice. It earns its darkness and it earns its weight.
I'll be thinking about those thrones for a while.
A Shroud Undone opens with a premise that feels familiar a millennium-long war, a sacred flame at the center of it, two soldiers on opposite sides and then quietly, methodically, dismantles everything you think you understand about it. Woodbury is patient in the best possible way. The truth doesn't arrive all at once. It accumulates. And when it finally lands, it lands hard.
Theron is a man doing penance in the only way he knows how feeding people, staying small, asking nothing of the world. He is not trying to be redeemed. That distinction matters more than I expected. Nyra is his opposite in almost every way: precise, feared, relentless. What surprised me is how much I understood both of them before they even met.
The Stillight the double helix of red and gold burning at the heart of the Mountain Temple is the kind of world-building detail that stays with you. It's worshipped, blamed, feared, and utterly misunderstood. The moment the story reveals what it actually is and what it has always been, the whole shape of the war reframes itself in your mind. I had to put the book down for a moment just to sit with it.
The six empty thrones are haunting in a way that's hard to explain without spoilers. Gods who are absent somehow weigh more than gods who are present.
If I had one gripe, it's that the book ends and it ends at precisely the moment I was least prepared for it to. That's not a flaw. That's just cruel authorship, and I mean it as a compliment.
Fans of Sanderson's layered magic systems, Abercrombie's morally complicated soldiers, and Jordan's sense of mythic scale will feel at home here. But A Shroud Undone has its own voice. It earns its darkness and it earns its weight.
I'll be thinking about those thrones for a while.
April 26, 2026
Format: Book 📕 (ARC)
Thoughts 💭
The prologue immediately hooked me. It’s grand in scope, cinematic, and propulsive, with a tone that feels reminiscent of Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson.
After the prologue, the story narrows its focus, following Theron in a small, forgotten village. The worldbuilding unfolds gradually, grounding us in the story before escalating in scope. What starts small builds with intention. The stakes rise, the action intensifies, and the band slowly comes together, forming a compelling ensemble. By the time we reach the climax, the story delivers on its promise, secrets are revealed, and pasts are confronted. The path forward feels exciting, new, but unclear, and full of questions.
There’s a lot that I appreciated in this book. The characters feel real in their imperfections and their journeys, especially their fight for survival, are engaging and emotionally grounded. The prose is rich, descriptive, and cinematic without losing momentum, making it easy to stay immersed in the world.
Overall, this was an incredibly satisfying read and a strong start to what promises to be an epic journey. I had a great time with it and can’t wait to dive into book two!
Would I recommend? YES!
Would I continue with the series? Obvs! Can’t wait for book 2!
Rating:
Zero stars: DNF (Did Not Finish)
💫 Should’ve DNF’d
⭐️: Rough Read
⭐️ 💫: Missed Mark
⭐️ ⭐️: Below Average
⭐️ ⭐️ 💫 : Average
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️: Decent
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫: Good
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️: Very Good
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫: Excellent
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️: Infinite Stars – Impressive. Captivating. Left me in awe, thinking about it long after the last page. A masterpiece Amazing story!
Thoughts 💭
The prologue immediately hooked me. It’s grand in scope, cinematic, and propulsive, with a tone that feels reminiscent of Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson.
After the prologue, the story narrows its focus, following Theron in a small, forgotten village. The worldbuilding unfolds gradually, grounding us in the story before escalating in scope. What starts small builds with intention. The stakes rise, the action intensifies, and the band slowly comes together, forming a compelling ensemble. By the time we reach the climax, the story delivers on its promise, secrets are revealed, and pasts are confronted. The path forward feels exciting, new, but unclear, and full of questions.
There’s a lot that I appreciated in this book. The characters feel real in their imperfections and their journeys, especially their fight for survival, are engaging and emotionally grounded. The prose is rich, descriptive, and cinematic without losing momentum, making it easy to stay immersed in the world.
Overall, this was an incredibly satisfying read and a strong start to what promises to be an epic journey. I had a great time with it and can’t wait to dive into book two!
Would I recommend? YES!
Would I continue with the series? Obvs! Can’t wait for book 2!
Rating:
Zero stars: DNF (Did Not Finish)
💫 Should’ve DNF’d
⭐️: Rough Read
⭐️ 💫: Missed Mark
⭐️ ⭐️: Below Average
⭐️ ⭐️ 💫 : Average
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️: Decent
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫: Good
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️: Very Good
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫: Excellent
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️: Infinite Stars – Impressive. Captivating. Left me in awe, thinking about it long after the last page. A masterpiece Amazing story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ll be honest, this is not my genre. Dark epic fantasy, immortal characters, war-heavy plots… it is usually not something I naturally gravitate toward. But A Shroud Undone by A. M. Woodbury completely surprised me.
What stood out immediately was the writing.
There is a richness to it that reminded me of The Lord of the Rings, but it felt more intimate and emotionally present. It has that same depth and sense of history, but in a way that feels closer and more immersive. At times, it honestly felt like a more modern and emotionally connected version of that style.
Even the smallest moments carry weight. There is a scene where a character is simply sipping from a spoon ladle, and somehow it does not feel small at all. It feels meaningful, almost timeless. You can feel the history behind the moment, the exhaustion of war, and the quiet humanity that still exists underneath everything. That kind of writing is rare.
What I loved most was the complexity. There are no easy answers here. The book explores divinity, sacrifice, and truth in a way that feels grounded and real, even within such a vast fantasy world. Nothing is romanticized. Every choice has weight.
This is the kind of story where victory does not feel safe and truth does not feel comforting. And somehow, that makes it even more gripping.
If you already love dark epic fantasy, I think this will absolutely work for you. But even if you do not, like me, I would still recommend giving it a chance. The writing alone makes it worth it.
What stood out immediately was the writing.
There is a richness to it that reminded me of The Lord of the Rings, but it felt more intimate and emotionally present. It has that same depth and sense of history, but in a way that feels closer and more immersive. At times, it honestly felt like a more modern and emotionally connected version of that style.
Even the smallest moments carry weight. There is a scene where a character is simply sipping from a spoon ladle, and somehow it does not feel small at all. It feels meaningful, almost timeless. You can feel the history behind the moment, the exhaustion of war, and the quiet humanity that still exists underneath everything. That kind of writing is rare.
What I loved most was the complexity. There are no easy answers here. The book explores divinity, sacrifice, and truth in a way that feels grounded and real, even within such a vast fantasy world. Nothing is romanticized. Every choice has weight.
This is the kind of story where victory does not feel safe and truth does not feel comforting. And somehow, that makes it even more gripping.
If you already love dark epic fantasy, I think this will absolutely work for you. But even if you do not, like me, I would still recommend giving it a chance. The writing alone makes it worth it.
April 28, 2026
✨ **4 Stars** ✨
**Vibes first because this one?? EPIC, HEAVY, and layered with TRUTH 👀⚔️🔥**
• dark epic fantasy
• war that never ends
• morally grey heroes 🖤
• divine power built on lies
• “truth will cost everything” energy
Yeah… this one pulled me in.
A Shroud Undone doesn’t rush—it builds. Slowly, steadily, like something massive is shifting beneath the surface… and once it starts unraveling, you realize just how deep it goes 👀
A thousand-year war.
A sacred light everyone believes in.
And the possibility that *none of it is real*.
That tension?? It sits on everything.
Theron and Nyra carry completely different sides of the war—one seeking redemption, the other driven by victory—and watching those paths collide adds so much weight to the story 🖤
And the world??
Dense. Layered. Not handed to you easily—but that’s what makes it feel immersive. You have to piece things together, and when it starts clicking?? So good 🔥
What stood out most is that underlying question:
What happens when the truth doesn’t save you… it destroys everything instead?
✨ This is a 4⭐ because:
• the world-building is rich and complex
• the themes feel heavy and impactful
• the characters are morally layered
• the slow unravel keeps you invested
✨ If you love:
• dark epic fantasy ⚔️
• war-driven stories
• morally grey characters
• big, world-shaking reveals
This one is intense, thoughtful, and definitely leaves you thinking 👀✨
**Vibes first because this one?? EPIC, HEAVY, and layered with TRUTH 👀⚔️🔥**
• dark epic fantasy
• war that never ends
• morally grey heroes 🖤
• divine power built on lies
• “truth will cost everything” energy
Yeah… this one pulled me in.
A Shroud Undone doesn’t rush—it builds. Slowly, steadily, like something massive is shifting beneath the surface… and once it starts unraveling, you realize just how deep it goes 👀
A thousand-year war.
A sacred light everyone believes in.
And the possibility that *none of it is real*.
That tension?? It sits on everything.
Theron and Nyra carry completely different sides of the war—one seeking redemption, the other driven by victory—and watching those paths collide adds so much weight to the story 🖤
And the world??
Dense. Layered. Not handed to you easily—but that’s what makes it feel immersive. You have to piece things together, and when it starts clicking?? So good 🔥
What stood out most is that underlying question:
What happens when the truth doesn’t save you… it destroys everything instead?
✨ This is a 4⭐ because:
• the world-building is rich and complex
• the themes feel heavy and impactful
• the characters are morally layered
• the slow unravel keeps you invested
✨ If you love:
• dark epic fantasy ⚔️
• war-driven stories
• morally grey characters
• big, world-shaking reveals
This one is intense, thoughtful, and definitely leaves you thinking 👀✨
May 4, 2026
A Shroud Undone by A.M. Woodbury - Author is the 55th book and the magical 30th ARC I've read this year. This epic fantasy takes us through Theron being recruited into the military to save his village and the ensuing war. Theron is a quiet man that nobody can get close to or figure out. When he does speak,his words seem profound, as if he’s watching what is happening around him, and not living it himself.
Woodbury’s gritty tale shows an unromanticized view of war, where nobody feels like the winner. Everybody loses. While most of the book is from Theron’s perspective, it does occasionally flip into the view point of the Sylphar forces, giving a total view of the brutality of the war.
I never knew what was coming next as they fought over who had control over the gods’ magical favor. I left praying something would happen to give them the upper hand and was shocked at the ending, which is just the beginning. I love how unabashed the story is. It tells it exactly the way it is, without trying to soften the blow. War is costly, gory, and blurs the lines between right and wrong. The characters start as a group of strangers forced together, and end as a family as they grow together, fight together, and grieve together.
Woodbury’s gritty tale shows an unromanticized view of war, where nobody feels like the winner. Everybody loses. While most of the book is from Theron’s perspective, it does occasionally flip into the view point of the Sylphar forces, giving a total view of the brutality of the war.
I never knew what was coming next as they fought over who had control over the gods’ magical favor. I left praying something would happen to give them the upper hand and was shocked at the ending, which is just the beginning. I love how unabashed the story is. It tells it exactly the way it is, without trying to soften the blow. War is costly, gory, and blurs the lines between right and wrong. The characters start as a group of strangers forced together, and end as a family as they grow together, fight together, and grieve together.
May 24, 2026
A Shroud Undone is a masterpiece of epic proportions. A.M. Woodbury didn't just write a book, he created a world. A world in which there is darkness and light, violence and kindness, a world where there is also war and compassion and hatred and friendship. A.M. Woodbury marvelously designed a world that follows the same laws of action and consequence that our world does, where decisions matter and who the 'good guy' is depends on where you stand. The characters are all true to life with complex emotions about the path their own and their decisions reflect those emotions and the struggle that comes with fighting an endless war. If you're looking for a fantasy where everything is sunshine and unicorns, you may want to keep looking. If you're looking for a book that takes you on a journey that is bigger than any one genre and stays true to reality, A Shroud Undone belongs on your bookshelf. A.M. Woodbury created a masterpiece when he wrote A Shroud Undone and I can't wait to see what happens next.
July 24, 2026
A Shroud Undone
A.M. Woodbury
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review
A Shroud Undone is powerful and heart-rending, full of action, dark humor, and mystery.
This is a story of grief, love, sacrifice, and friendship. How far are you willing to go to keep your friends, your family, the world, safe.
The writing is descriptive and atmospheric, pulling you into the characters and story instantly. The world building smolders under the tension, growing hotter and darker with each page. The foreshadowing was laid beautifully, culminating in a great plot twist.
It’s epic, it’s gory, it’s deep, everything you want in a fantasy novel.
The conflict is brutal and remorseless. The suspense and dread consuming, it slices you to the bone as it takes your breath away.
The layered emotions of grief over past decisions and longing for redemption, no matter the cost, are raw and gut wrenching. The quiet devotion to friendship is beautiful and poignant.
Definitely a book you can’t help but stay up late reading. I highly recommend!!
A.M. Woodbury
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review
A Shroud Undone is powerful and heart-rending, full of action, dark humor, and mystery.
This is a story of grief, love, sacrifice, and friendship. How far are you willing to go to keep your friends, your family, the world, safe.
The writing is descriptive and atmospheric, pulling you into the characters and story instantly. The world building smolders under the tension, growing hotter and darker with each page. The foreshadowing was laid beautifully, culminating in a great plot twist.
It’s epic, it’s gory, it’s deep, everything you want in a fantasy novel.
The conflict is brutal and remorseless. The suspense and dread consuming, it slices you to the bone as it takes your breath away.
The layered emotions of grief over past decisions and longing for redemption, no matter the cost, are raw and gut wrenching. The quiet devotion to friendship is beautiful and poignant.
Definitely a book you can’t help but stay up late reading. I highly recommend!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you like traditional fantasy or fantasy that feels like video games (something along the lines of Skyrim), then you will like this book! As an avid fantasy fan, the world felt like a proper, tried and true, fantasy realm that is still completely grounded and believable. However, my favorite part was the concept of the story. A wandering soldier in the midst of a bloody war felt a bit different than many of the fantasy books coming out today, while also still holding many of the "tropes" that pulled me into fantasy to start with. Think of it as keeping the parts of the fantasy formula that are adored and then throwing out the rest to add something a bit more refreshing. Overall, I'd say a solid read for fantasy fans, but it is a long read and rather dark at times, so just an FYI in case you aren't into that.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fantastical tale of an individual’s inner demons set within a world with an Endless War between Humans and Sylphars, fighting all for an even more mysterious power called the Stilllight.
Meet Theron, a brooding, mysterious hunter, who may not be quite what he seems. He has hidden from trouble for years in a backwater of the empire, but trouble is about to find him.
It reminds me of Steve Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen, although not as dark. There is a tentative thread of hope, albeit quiet and somewhat neutral, that weaves through the story that I found delightful. There is this concept of Fractured Will (I don’t want to ruin any surprises), but I particularly enjoyed how it brings together an underlying morality to the tale.
I would highly recommend this for anyone interested in military fantasy. If that’s your thing, A Shroud Undone is for you.
Meet Theron, a brooding, mysterious hunter, who may not be quite what he seems. He has hidden from trouble for years in a backwater of the empire, but trouble is about to find him.
It reminds me of Steve Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen, although not as dark. There is a tentative thread of hope, albeit quiet and somewhat neutral, that weaves through the story that I found delightful. There is this concept of Fractured Will (I don’t want to ruin any surprises), but I particularly enjoyed how it brings together an underlying morality to the tale.
I would highly recommend this for anyone interested in military fantasy. If that’s your thing, A Shroud Undone is for you.
April 24, 2026
Grabbed this on a whim because the cover looked cool and I'm glad I did. The story starts kind of quiet but builds into something way bigger than I expected. Without spoiling anything, the magic system is super awesome.
Main character goes through some real growth. He starts out thinking he knows how everything works and gets humbled hard. The way he has to unlearn basically everything he believed was handled really well. Supporting cast is strong too, nobody felt like they were just there to explain things to the reader.
The last quarter of the book is nuts. I kept thinking I had it figured out and then another layer would peel back. Finished it in two days which I haven't done with a fantasy book in a while. If you're tired of the same old prophecy and chosen one stuff this is a good change of pace.
Main character goes through some real growth. He starts out thinking he knows how everything works and gets humbled hard. The way he has to unlearn basically everything he believed was handled really well. Supporting cast is strong too, nobody felt like they were just there to explain things to the reader.
The last quarter of the book is nuts. I kept thinking I had it figured out and then another layer would peel back. Finished it in two days which I haven't done with a fantasy book in a while. If you're tired of the same old prophecy and chosen one stuff this is a good change of pace.
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