Legacy of Obsidian

Winter Mage #1

by Nerine Dorman, Catriona Ross (Contributor), Daniel Hugo (Cover Art)

Winter is here.

And in a world choked by ice and snow, a peninsula is all that remains to the clans who seek to rule this narrow strip of land while battling a relentless, flesh-hungry foe that swarms against them.

Prince Linnard Skylark is destined to rule Sky Clan, yet his path to the throne is not clear, and he must face treachery and turmoil before he can take his rightful place. Protected and harbouring a secret that might spell the end for his clan, he must grow to manhood and stand against an evil that threatens to overwhelm them all.

Divided, the clans will fall, and a greater darkness will rise.

386 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2026

About the author

Nerine Dorman is a South African author and editor of science fiction and fantasy currently living in Cape Town, with short fiction published in numerous anthologies. She is a contributor to the Locus Award-winning Afro-Centered Futurism in Our Speculative Fiction edited by Eugen Bacon (Bloomsbury, 2024). Her novel Sing down the Stars won Gold for the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2019 and The Percy Fitzpatrick Award for Children's and Youth Literature in 2021. Her YA fantasy novella, Dragon Forged, was a finalist in the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2017, and she is the curator of the South African Horrorfest Bloody Parchment event and short story competition. Her short story “On the Other Side of the Sea” (Omenana, 2017) was shortlisted for a 2018 Nommo award. Her novella The Firebird won a Nommo for “Best Novella” in 2019. In addition, she is a founding member of the SFF authors’ co-operative Skolion.

Reviews

[Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exciting page-turner from start to finish. The world-building is rich and detailed, with a fascinating system of clans that makes the setting feel alive and immersive. The characters are well developed and easy to invest in, and the story moves at a fast pace without ever feeling rushed.

The plot is clever and layered, with plenty of complexity, yet it is written in a way that makes everything easy to follow. Each chapter pulled me further into the adventure and kept me wanting to read just one more page.

I can’t wait to read the next book and see where the story goes from here.

[MM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly didn't know what to expect as I had never read anything by this author before. I was immediately drawn in by the striking book cover, and this continued as I started to actually read the book. I judge a good book by its ability to hook me in the first chapter or 2. This one definitely did that. I was quickly invested in the characters and struggled to put the book down. It's not perfect, but the story and the characters make up for it. This book actually surprised me, and can't wait to read the next one!

[Ann Mclachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great and well written start to what I can only imagine will become a fantastic series. The writer does an excellent job of introducing the characters and setting, creating a world that immediately pulls you in and makes you want to know more. The characters are interesting and well developed, I already have a favourite! I am keen to see what might happen to them as the series unfolds.

[Xander Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I just finished this banger of a book. Highly addictive.

I am a sucker for coming of age stories and this was epic.

The pacing and prose were superb and while it could be quite trope-y at times, there was enough uniqueness to it prevent me from losing interest. I also have a few other minor nitpicks, but at the same time, I just couldn't stop reading it. Linnard is genuinely a fantastic protagonist.

I am fully invested in this series now. I am so glad I got book two along with it.