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Crownfall
The gritty underworld and razor-edged found family of Six of Crows collide with the mysterious magic and sweeping intrigue of The City of Brass, all against the vivid industrial backdrop of Arcane in Michael Vadney’s nobledark fantasy debut.
Nearly a decade under the empire’s grip has left Burunt a troubled land.
Kyndel Heim knows the truth behind the Viceroy’s rise to power. After years of torture, his only goal is vengeance, but to master his powers he needs a mentor, one that won’t kill him first.
Major Jelert Egarro came to Burunt to build something better. Instead, his talents have become weapons in the wrong hands—and those hands are everywhere. He must choose between his ideals or survival.
Lady Amara Khar must renew her family’s legacy. Sharp and ruthless, she’s kept her house alive through smuggling and shadow deals, but reclaiming power means making allies as dangerous as her enemies.
In the struggle for power, justice, and survival, each of them must decide who they’re willing to become.
Nearly a decade under the empire’s grip has left Burunt a troubled land.
Kyndel Heim knows the truth behind the Viceroy’s rise to power. After years of torture, his only goal is vengeance, but to master his powers he needs a mentor, one that won’t kill him first.
Major Jelert Egarro came to Burunt to build something better. Instead, his talents have become weapons in the wrong hands—and those hands are everywhere. He must choose between his ideals or survival.
Lady Amara Khar must renew her family’s legacy. Sharp and ruthless, she’s kept her house alive through smuggling and shadow deals, but reclaiming power means making allies as dangerous as her enemies.
In the struggle for power, justice, and survival, each of them must decide who they’re willing to become.
483 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
About the author
Michael Vadney
1 book12 followersMichael Vadney is an American fantasy author and podcaster. Born in the Florida Keys and raised in the woods of Pennsylvania, Michael's love for storytelling began at an early age. His passion for fantasy literature was ignited by classics like "The Hobbit" and "Redwall," inspiring him to create his own worlds filled with complex characters and fantastic magic.
In his early-thirties, he rekindled his childhood dream of becoming an author. Balancing a full-time career in software, he dedicated nights, weekends, and many dawns to writing, learning the craft through trial and error, online videos, and the writing community.
Through his debut novel Crownfall and the Author Adjacent podcast, Michael explores themes of power, justice, and survival while sharing the challenges and victories of the writing life. His approach to storytelling emphasizes complex characters facing impossible choices, intricate world-building that serves the narrative, and themes that resonate with real human experiences, even in fantastical settings.
In his early-thirties, he rekindled his childhood dream of becoming an author. Balancing a full-time career in software, he dedicated nights, weekends, and many dawns to writing, learning the craft through trial and error, online videos, and the writing community.
Through his debut novel Crownfall and the Author Adjacent podcast, Michael explores themes of power, justice, and survival while sharing the challenges and victories of the writing life. His approach to storytelling emphasizes complex characters facing impossible choices, intricate world-building that serves the narrative, and themes that resonate with real human experiences, even in fantastical settings.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 2, 2026
Even broken things can last if you're stubborn enough to keep patching the cracks
March 14, 2026
An excellent debut novel. Crownfall brims with a captivating cast of complex characters and a mesmerizing world of hope and darkness. This is a perfect read for fans of Arcane, Robert Jackson Bennett’s Foundryside, or Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.
April 24, 2026
4.2
Crownfall is a really good time. The book follows the POV of three characters, Amara, the leader of a fallen noble house, Kyndel, a magic wielder hellbent on revenge against the Viceroy, and Jelert an imperial engineer looking to do good without making machines of war. The story is reminiscent of a more modern Mistborn in many ways and if you liked that you will certainly like this. There’s heists, cool magic, and yes- balls.
The magic system here is cool and honestly, gets progressively cooler as you go and builds alongside the world building. But the magic fuels the technology that brings this Mistbornesque story out of the Middle Ages into a more industrial modern society. Which in itself was refreshing.
I really enjoyed Amara’s character who really kept me interested throughout the beginning of the book which was otherwise a little uneven for me. Amara’s mother has dementia and Amara struggles dealing with that while holding the pieces of her house together despite horrific circumstances that have converged to cause her family’s ruin. Anyone who has experience dementia and senility with empathize with this character.
Jelert I also really enjoyed. His roll as a rising Star engineer kind of reminded me of the 1950’s “working at the lab” stories. I don’t have a better way to explain that. But his moral conundrum, and frankly his social conundrum were phenomenally realized.
Kyndel I really disliked. Like he never seems to get it, doesn’t seem to learn. Even at the very end- his attitude is just grating. He at times made me so frustrated I had to put the book down. That said, he is given some absolutely wild moments in this story that I GUESS mitigates some of my issues with him.
I really loved the gang leader Heraldur. Who is kind of an interesting spin on the old crotchety mentor.
Vadney begins the story with a good amount of action but despite the fast moving pace of the story the early portions still felt uneven focused a lot on world building without bringing us to the plot sooner. But once it gets going it gets going. That said this book is really good, and you will have a lot of fun unraveling the twists and turns as they come about. I’m am excited to see more in this world and more from Vadney.
Crownfall is a really good time. The book follows the POV of three characters, Amara, the leader of a fallen noble house, Kyndel, a magic wielder hellbent on revenge against the Viceroy, and Jelert an imperial engineer looking to do good without making machines of war. The story is reminiscent of a more modern Mistborn in many ways and if you liked that you will certainly like this. There’s heists, cool magic, and yes- balls.
The magic system here is cool and honestly, gets progressively cooler as you go and builds alongside the world building. But the magic fuels the technology that brings this Mistbornesque story out of the Middle Ages into a more industrial modern society. Which in itself was refreshing.
I really enjoyed Amara’s character who really kept me interested throughout the beginning of the book which was otherwise a little uneven for me. Amara’s mother has dementia and Amara struggles dealing with that while holding the pieces of her house together despite horrific circumstances that have converged to cause her family’s ruin. Anyone who has experience dementia and senility with empathize with this character.
Jelert I also really enjoyed. His roll as a rising Star engineer kind of reminded me of the 1950’s “working at the lab” stories. I don’t have a better way to explain that. But his moral conundrum, and frankly his social conundrum were phenomenally realized.
Kyndel I really disliked. Like he never seems to get it, doesn’t seem to learn. Even at the very end- his attitude is just grating. He at times made me so frustrated I had to put the book down. That said, he is given some absolutely wild moments in this story that I GUESS mitigates some of my issues with him.
I really loved the gang leader Heraldur. Who is kind of an interesting spin on the old crotchety mentor.
Vadney begins the story with a good amount of action but despite the fast moving pace of the story the early portions still felt uneven focused a lot on world building without bringing us to the plot sooner. But once it gets going it gets going. That said this book is really good, and you will have a lot of fun unraveling the twists and turns as they come about. I’m am excited to see more in this world and more from Vadney.
April 11, 2026
So I loved this book.
I came across Micheal Vadney on YouTube talking about Crownfall and I was immediately interested. I found the cover art intriguing, the description sounded right up my alley, and I found I simply could not wait for it to be published. I have never requested an ARC copy before, and I’m so thankful to Micheal Vandney for sharing a copy of this book with me!
I had built up such anticipation for Crownfall in my mind, and it did not disappoint! It contains exciting, high stakes action sequences, characters I came to love and could relate to, and an interesting world. Crownfall was a fun story to read, and I will be looking out for the next book!
I came across Micheal Vadney on YouTube talking about Crownfall and I was immediately interested. I found the cover art intriguing, the description sounded right up my alley, and I found I simply could not wait for it to be published. I have never requested an ARC copy before, and I’m so thankful to Micheal Vandney for sharing a copy of this book with me!
I had built up such anticipation for Crownfall in my mind, and it did not disappoint! It contains exciting, high stakes action sequences, characters I came to love and could relate to, and an interesting world. Crownfall was a fun story to read, and I will be looking out for the next book!
April 25, 2026
Crownfall
By Michael Vadney
Amara is my favorite. Just putting that right out there. But let’s start with the other two first.
Kyndel:
Possibly the least amount of character growth but I’ve definitely met this kind of person. Bashes through life and doesn’t seem to really take in any of the lessons he’s going through. You want to shake him but you know it wouldn’t do any good. He has a singular focus which means he constantly has self-inflicted blinders on.
Jelert:
Could also make a case that he keeps having to learn the same lesson over and over, but he really does try. His heart is in the right place. Maybe just a bit naive.
Amara:
I really thought her character was nuanced. She’s barely keeping her family and house together and dealing with her mother’s mental decline. So it makes sense that she hasn’t had the mental space to question any of the information she’s been told. But then that gets challenged and her turn around is so believable. And where her character arc ends up just makes so much sense.
Beyond them, I’ll just say I love when science and magic go hand in hand, so the magic system was super cool to me!
Thanks to the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
By Michael Vadney
Amara is my favorite. Just putting that right out there. But let’s start with the other two first.
Kyndel:
Possibly the least amount of character growth but I’ve definitely met this kind of person. Bashes through life and doesn’t seem to really take in any of the lessons he’s going through. You want to shake him but you know it wouldn’t do any good. He has a singular focus which means he constantly has self-inflicted blinders on.
Jelert:
Could also make a case that he keeps having to learn the same lesson over and over, but he really does try. His heart is in the right place. Maybe just a bit naive.
Amara:
I really thought her character was nuanced. She’s barely keeping her family and house together and dealing with her mother’s mental decline. So it makes sense that she hasn’t had the mental space to question any of the information she’s been told. But then that gets challenged and her turn around is so believable. And where her character arc ends up just makes so much sense.
Beyond them, I’ll just say I love when science and magic go hand in hand, so the magic system was super cool to me!
Thanks to the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2026
4.5/5
This was a really fun, fast-paced read. Amara is my GOAT, and I'm a sucker for any sort of "down with the system" story. I was also super intrigued by the magic system, although I wish we got even more of it (nitpicking, I know, but it was great!!). I'm excited to see what happens with these characters next as they (hopefully) rebuild a better world.
This was a really fun, fast-paced read. Amara is my GOAT, and I'm a sucker for any sort of "down with the system" story. I was also super intrigued by the magic system, although I wish we got even more of it (nitpicking, I know, but it was great!!). I'm excited to see what happens with these characters next as they (hopefully) rebuild a better world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
**This review can also be found at: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-crownf...
Michael Vadney listed a ton of comparable works for his debut novel, Crownfall, from Six of Crows to The City of Brass and Arcane. All of those present themselves to a certain degree, but as I was pulled into Vadney’s fantasy novel, I couldn’t help but remember how I felt when I first read Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series. The setting and characters all feel a smidge familiar in some ways. Vadney also brings an interesting but fairly grounded magical system to play with into a land with political intrigue, scientific intellect, and armies poised to fight over pieces of an empire. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Crownfall, and desperately snuck in a page or two whenever I had a free minute as the book neared the end. With this novel, Vadney has secured a solid debut with characters that jump off the page, each striving towards their own goals, but eventually coming to realize those goals are not solitary tasks, but instead are better accomplished together.
Kyndel Heim is very much constructed in the vein of a typical Sanderson hero, ala Kaladin (from the Stormlight Archive) or Vin (from Mistborn). Wide-eyed with wonder, touched with a taste of magical power, and burdened with vengeance, Kyndel has a big journey ahead of him in Crownfall. As a character, he may have the lowest of the lows, but may also have the highest of the highs when it comes to moments throughout the book.
For a good chunk of the first part of the book, I wanted to shout at Jelert Egarro -- which I suppose may have been the point. While extremely smart and innovative when it comes to the science of Vadey’s fantasy world, he tends to be very pure and innocent, and perhaps a tad (or a load) gullible.
And our final POV character, Lady Amara Khar is doing her best to guide her house through the political and economic uncertainty of their island after the death of her father and the illness (similar to Alzheimer’s) of her mother. Out of the three, Amara’s morals are perhaps the most flexible as money and ambition are her driving factors through much of the book.
Vadney expertly and efficiently alternates between these three characters as POV perspectives, almost flawlessly weaving their stories together. For the first third to half of the book, there was some interaction between the three, but in many ways Michael Vadney could have written three separate books featuring Kyndel, Jalert, and Amara. As the plot moves along, we start to see the transparent threads that are binding and bringing our characters together. The conversations are natural and each of the characters has unique qualities that showcase them in their own ways.
One of my favorite chapters in the book actually may seem like a bit of a throwaway chapter. About a quarter of the way into the book, Jelert and Amara go on a date. There isn’t a lot that happens, but we learn a ton in the process. Each character reveals portions of themselves and what makes them tick and we learn a bunch about the political, military and economic situation they’re in. But the part that really makes that chapter work…is that it’s just two somewhat nervous people eating dinner together. It feels so natural even though it’s clearly entrenched in a completely different world. Vadney makes his characters absolutely relatable and sympathetic as they sometimes have to work through tragic backstories as well as difficult futures.
Vadney calls Crownfall an example of “Nobledark,” which is laid on a foundation of grimdark, but, “The settings are still harsh. Kingdoms still rot from the inside. Magic still maims. Empires still exploit. The victories, when they come, are partial and hard-won. Yet within that same brutal landscape, more stories are doing something quietly radical. In the middle of all that darkness, characters are choosing kindness and hope anyway.”
For each of our main characters, their moment when they’re eyes are truly opened for the first time to what’s really happening behind the curtain happens nearly simultaneously. Each reacts and handles that moment differently, but they each move towards the light. Each of them could wallow in darkness (and no one would blame them at all), but choose the noble path anyway. Kyndel, Jelert, and Amara each go on their own journeys with complete character arcs -- frankly pretty impressive for an indie debut.
I thoroughly enjoyed Crownfall by Michael Vadney and will gladly pick up the next work they put out. His characters are deep and memorable, the conflict puts them all in terrible positions, but ultimately their choices make them better on the other side.
Michael Vadney listed a ton of comparable works for his debut novel, Crownfall, from Six of Crows to The City of Brass and Arcane. All of those present themselves to a certain degree, but as I was pulled into Vadney’s fantasy novel, I couldn’t help but remember how I felt when I first read Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series. The setting and characters all feel a smidge familiar in some ways. Vadney also brings an interesting but fairly grounded magical system to play with into a land with political intrigue, scientific intellect, and armies poised to fight over pieces of an empire. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Crownfall, and desperately snuck in a page or two whenever I had a free minute as the book neared the end. With this novel, Vadney has secured a solid debut with characters that jump off the page, each striving towards their own goals, but eventually coming to realize those goals are not solitary tasks, but instead are better accomplished together.
Kyndel Heim is very much constructed in the vein of a typical Sanderson hero, ala Kaladin (from the Stormlight Archive) or Vin (from Mistborn). Wide-eyed with wonder, touched with a taste of magical power, and burdened with vengeance, Kyndel has a big journey ahead of him in Crownfall. As a character, he may have the lowest of the lows, but may also have the highest of the highs when it comes to moments throughout the book.
For a good chunk of the first part of the book, I wanted to shout at Jelert Egarro -- which I suppose may have been the point. While extremely smart and innovative when it comes to the science of Vadey’s fantasy world, he tends to be very pure and innocent, and perhaps a tad (or a load) gullible.
And our final POV character, Lady Amara Khar is doing her best to guide her house through the political and economic uncertainty of their island after the death of her father and the illness (similar to Alzheimer’s) of her mother. Out of the three, Amara’s morals are perhaps the most flexible as money and ambition are her driving factors through much of the book.
Vadney expertly and efficiently alternates between these three characters as POV perspectives, almost flawlessly weaving their stories together. For the first third to half of the book, there was some interaction between the three, but in many ways Michael Vadney could have written three separate books featuring Kyndel, Jalert, and Amara. As the plot moves along, we start to see the transparent threads that are binding and bringing our characters together. The conversations are natural and each of the characters has unique qualities that showcase them in their own ways.
One of my favorite chapters in the book actually may seem like a bit of a throwaway chapter. About a quarter of the way into the book, Jelert and Amara go on a date. There isn’t a lot that happens, but we learn a ton in the process. Each character reveals portions of themselves and what makes them tick and we learn a bunch about the political, military and economic situation they’re in. But the part that really makes that chapter work…is that it’s just two somewhat nervous people eating dinner together. It feels so natural even though it’s clearly entrenched in a completely different world. Vadney makes his characters absolutely relatable and sympathetic as they sometimes have to work through tragic backstories as well as difficult futures.
Vadney calls Crownfall an example of “Nobledark,” which is laid on a foundation of grimdark, but, “The settings are still harsh. Kingdoms still rot from the inside. Magic still maims. Empires still exploit. The victories, when they come, are partial and hard-won. Yet within that same brutal landscape, more stories are doing something quietly radical. In the middle of all that darkness, characters are choosing kindness and hope anyway.”
For each of our main characters, their moment when they’re eyes are truly opened for the first time to what’s really happening behind the curtain happens nearly simultaneously. Each reacts and handles that moment differently, but they each move towards the light. Each of them could wallow in darkness (and no one would blame them at all), but choose the noble path anyway. Kyndel, Jelert, and Amara each go on their own journeys with complete character arcs -- frankly pretty impressive for an indie debut.
I thoroughly enjoyed Crownfall by Michael Vadney and will gladly pick up the next work they put out. His characters are deep and memorable, the conflict puts them all in terrible positions, but ultimately their choices make them better on the other side.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crownfall is an exciting and fun read. Despite its share of violence and bitter consequences it doesn't dwell on darkness or an overly oppressive atmosphere. It keeps things serious without indulging, and has a great crescendo.
The story unfolds through three POV and a small sidecast, centered around a recently colonized Island state, scars left from the takeover and the development of specific magitech which is front and center to the story. Revenge, restoration, innovation and perhaps a bit of redemption start out as the protagonists' main aims as each of them wades into murky waters, taking risks as they position themselves according to their drives and morals--against the governing forces.
Considering how this story ends, I'd say it starts relatively slow. There's action but the emotional investment and the depth of the stakes only really develop with time, dragged out a little by the switching POV. Not a flaw, just a technical fact in this kind of narration, and Crownfall is a great example of how rewarding it is to stick around and let the story grow on you.
The last third of the book really accelerates and holds the tension exquisitely as events cascade in a high octane and satisfying unraveling. Also greatly satisfying: how the three storylines converge and diverge throughout the book.
Characters and side characters are believable and distinct though on a personal note I failed to bond with any of them deeply. Mostly because I found their thoughtprocesses a bit too linear. Again, technically not a flaw, as it gives the story clarity, but for me it was just a touch too clear or simple to fully click in that regard.
This a small criticism for an otherwise outstanding book with an intriguing plot and an exhilarating conclusion. The worldbuilding with its magical technology are very cool and are exactly the kind of fantasy I want more of. No need for epic threats or journeys, this plot delivers schemes, action, danger, a satisfying antagonist who isn't just a cardboard villain (in fact though he has very little screen time and does terrible inexcusable things, he might have been my favorite character for his schemes behind the villainy), plus some beautiful catastrophies.
Absolutely recommended--for a wide range of fantasy readers, especially if you enjoyed Mistborn and similar works, for themes of rebellion.
The story unfolds through three POV and a small sidecast, centered around a recently colonized Island state, scars left from the takeover and the development of specific magitech which is front and center to the story. Revenge, restoration, innovation and perhaps a bit of redemption start out as the protagonists' main aims as each of them wades into murky waters, taking risks as they position themselves according to their drives and morals--against the governing forces.
Considering how this story ends, I'd say it starts relatively slow. There's action but the emotional investment and the depth of the stakes only really develop with time, dragged out a little by the switching POV. Not a flaw, just a technical fact in this kind of narration, and Crownfall is a great example of how rewarding it is to stick around and let the story grow on you.
The last third of the book really accelerates and holds the tension exquisitely as events cascade in a high octane and satisfying unraveling. Also greatly satisfying: how the three storylines converge and diverge throughout the book.
Characters and side characters are believable and distinct though on a personal note I failed to bond with any of them deeply. Mostly because I found their thoughtprocesses a bit too linear. Again, technically not a flaw, as it gives the story clarity, but for me it was just a touch too clear or simple to fully click in that regard.
This a small criticism for an otherwise outstanding book with an intriguing plot and an exhilarating conclusion. The worldbuilding with its magical technology are very cool and are exactly the kind of fantasy I want more of. No need for epic threats or journeys, this plot delivers schemes, action, danger, a satisfying antagonist who isn't just a cardboard villain (in fact though he has very little screen time and does terrible inexcusable things, he might have been my favorite character for his schemes behind the villainy), plus some beautiful catastrophies.
Absolutely recommended--for a wide range of fantasy readers, especially if you enjoyed Mistborn and similar works, for themes of rebellion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This review is spoiler-free. Thank you to Michael for the ARC!
Crownfall is Michael Vadney’s debut. First impressions are really strong. Excellently packaged from cover to blurb, social presence, and a detailed launch schedule. It codes heavily as Skyward or Grisha. Familiar territory that sets clear expectations for the readers.
The core trio stands as a solid cornerstone. The shifting POV structure is a highlight, offering changing perspectives, while the low-barrier world-building unfolds easily without overwhelming. Short chapters keep the offering accessible and attention-span-friendly, with prose that's straightforward and YA-skewed. That said, character voices bleed together somewhat, and the story lags in places—not always gripping, with a tad predictable plot leaning on familiar tropes. It's the kind of book where the less exposure you have to reading, the more its novelty pops, much like Whispers of the Storm, for instance. The grand finish ties things up well, delivering a rewarding and mostly satisfying experience overall. A few more stories in this world could flesh out the esoteric aspects and tie up lingering strands, adding depth.
I'm outside the target audience, which colors my take, but the execution shows real acumen. What impresses most is the polish: an insane amount of diligence and intent make this one of the most refined self-pubs I've seen in the past year. That doesn't guarantee universal love, but it's impossible to overlook as competent craft shines through.
I’d recommend this book to almost anyone who enjoyed Arcane or the first era of Mistborn and could not get their fix anywhere else.
Question for the author: Self-pub's strength lies in going out of bounds with ludicrous, editor-stricken elements that beta readers might flag. When the story reads textbook-safe, designed for broad appeal, what's the point of being indie?
Young Adult Adventure for all Nobledark Devotees. — 4.25/5.00
Crownfall is Michael Vadney’s debut. First impressions are really strong. Excellently packaged from cover to blurb, social presence, and a detailed launch schedule. It codes heavily as Skyward or Grisha. Familiar territory that sets clear expectations for the readers.
The core trio stands as a solid cornerstone. The shifting POV structure is a highlight, offering changing perspectives, while the low-barrier world-building unfolds easily without overwhelming. Short chapters keep the offering accessible and attention-span-friendly, with prose that's straightforward and YA-skewed. That said, character voices bleed together somewhat, and the story lags in places—not always gripping, with a tad predictable plot leaning on familiar tropes. It's the kind of book where the less exposure you have to reading, the more its novelty pops, much like Whispers of the Storm, for instance. The grand finish ties things up well, delivering a rewarding and mostly satisfying experience overall. A few more stories in this world could flesh out the esoteric aspects and tie up lingering strands, adding depth.
I'm outside the target audience, which colors my take, but the execution shows real acumen. What impresses most is the polish: an insane amount of diligence and intent make this one of the most refined self-pubs I've seen in the past year. That doesn't guarantee universal love, but it's impossible to overlook as competent craft shines through.
I’d recommend this book to almost anyone who enjoyed Arcane or the first era of Mistborn and could not get their fix anywhere else.
Question for the author: Self-pub's strength lies in going out of bounds with ludicrous, editor-stricken elements that beta readers might flag. When the story reads textbook-safe, designed for broad appeal, what's the point of being indie?
Young Adult Adventure for all Nobledark Devotees. — 4.25/5.00
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Crownfall and got to experience the book early.
I enjoyed it!
The story revolves around a single plot through multiple narratives. It gives perspective on how far-reaching the problem goes and how many lives are affected. Without giving too much away, you have a noble, an accomplished engineer, and a victim all focused toward the same goal, but in different ways. They do collide, and while I would've preferred to see them doing more vastly different tasks, it made sense. Crownfall explores a political world but doesn't shy from getting its hands dirty when tensions rise.
I believe I see a lot of influences from Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, as well as some steampunk elements, and general fantasy - maybe LOTR? This made the world feel very thought out and fun.
I do think there are elements here that show this as is a debut novel, but mostly they revolve around habits that the author can learn to grow from, and these habits did not distract from the story - they were more things that I noticed here and there than anything that would take me out of the moment. I did not find any issue with info dumping, which I appreciated. And while I did find the MCs to be a smudge too similar, they were different enough that it didn't bother me.
I believe this book is targetted to YA (Young Adult) or NA (New Adult), but it fits for YA and up. And the author classifies it as Noble Dark Fantasy - making this my first in that genre. Personally, I would consider checking more books by Michael Vadney in the future.
I like doing the pros cons thing, so I'll do a brief one here:
Pros:
Good worldbuilding - Decent pacing - High stakes that felt deserving - not overly predictable
Cons:
Certain wordings felt forced - Characters notably similar to each other - Motives with a couple characters were unclear (others were very clear)
I enjoyed it!
The story revolves around a single plot through multiple narratives. It gives perspective on how far-reaching the problem goes and how many lives are affected. Without giving too much away, you have a noble, an accomplished engineer, and a victim all focused toward the same goal, but in different ways. They do collide, and while I would've preferred to see them doing more vastly different tasks, it made sense. Crownfall explores a political world but doesn't shy from getting its hands dirty when tensions rise.
I believe I see a lot of influences from Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, as well as some steampunk elements, and general fantasy - maybe LOTR? This made the world feel very thought out and fun.
I do think there are elements here that show this as is a debut novel, but mostly they revolve around habits that the author can learn to grow from, and these habits did not distract from the story - they were more things that I noticed here and there than anything that would take me out of the moment. I did not find any issue with info dumping, which I appreciated. And while I did find the MCs to be a smudge too similar, they were different enough that it didn't bother me.
I believe this book is targetted to YA (Young Adult) or NA (New Adult), but it fits for YA and up. And the author classifies it as Noble Dark Fantasy - making this my first in that genre. Personally, I would consider checking more books by Michael Vadney in the future.
I like doing the pros cons thing, so I'll do a brief one here:
Pros:
Good worldbuilding - Decent pacing - High stakes that felt deserving - not overly predictable
Cons:
Certain wordings felt forced - Characters notably similar to each other - Motives with a couple characters were unclear (others were very clear)
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review for Crownfall
Crownfall is unlike anything I have read in recent memory. In Michael’s debut novel, a nobledark fantasy, I was forced to set aside all that I knew to be fantasy and allow myself to be tossed into a remarkable world that took me by surprise.
Crownfall, at its core, is fantasy. It is also so much more. The magic system is a unique blend of traditional fantasy infused with a techie punch that caught me off guard for all the right reasons. The magic in Crownfall was unique, exciting, and enjoyable to understand as Michael masterfully unraveled throughout the story the complex systems of the world.
Speaking of the story, Crownfall provides a tale that made it very difficult to take a break from reading. From political sparring and economical consequences to espionage and brutal combat, Crownfall’s story provides a variety of thrills. From the opening pages to the final words, Crownfall does not let up in its continuous progression of the main story and layered character arcs. Michael’s writing is tight, and the prose is engaging and easily digestible.
What good is a story without characters to care about? Fortunately, I never had to ponder this question while reading Crownfall, as I quickly became invested in each of the three main characters — Kyndel, Jelert, and Amara — with each character sharing near-equal point of view time. Each of the main characters has a unique involvement with the story and other side characters, and their story arcs were exciting to experience and satisfying to see concluded.
Crownfall provided me with a fun, unique fantasy experience that I did not know I needed. I’m thrilled to have explored Crownfall’s unique world and happy to have joined the main characters in their perilous adventures.
Crownfall is unlike anything I have read in recent memory. In Michael’s debut novel, a nobledark fantasy, I was forced to set aside all that I knew to be fantasy and allow myself to be tossed into a remarkable world that took me by surprise.
Crownfall, at its core, is fantasy. It is also so much more. The magic system is a unique blend of traditional fantasy infused with a techie punch that caught me off guard for all the right reasons. The magic in Crownfall was unique, exciting, and enjoyable to understand as Michael masterfully unraveled throughout the story the complex systems of the world.
Speaking of the story, Crownfall provides a tale that made it very difficult to take a break from reading. From political sparring and economical consequences to espionage and brutal combat, Crownfall’s story provides a variety of thrills. From the opening pages to the final words, Crownfall does not let up in its continuous progression of the main story and layered character arcs. Michael’s writing is tight, and the prose is engaging and easily digestible.
What good is a story without characters to care about? Fortunately, I never had to ponder this question while reading Crownfall, as I quickly became invested in each of the three main characters — Kyndel, Jelert, and Amara — with each character sharing near-equal point of view time. Each of the main characters has a unique involvement with the story and other side characters, and their story arcs were exciting to experience and satisfying to see concluded.
Crownfall provided me with a fun, unique fantasy experience that I did not know I needed. I’m thrilled to have explored Crownfall’s unique world and happy to have joined the main characters in their perilous adventures.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review for Crownfall.
To start, the story is decent enough to earn a 3 out of 5, but it has some structural issues that could drive readers away.
The narrative is split across three separate storylines following Kyndel, Jelert, and Amara. It isn't until much later that these threads converge. Until then, the POV characters only occasionally cross paths while each goes about their own life and story. That structure creates a real risk: you might connect strongly with one character and find yourself just tolerating the others.
For me, that character was Amara. Watching her hustle to keep her family afloat was genuinely compelling.
Kyndel, on the other hand, I just didn't like. He reads like an angsty teenager whose skills don't measure up to his own ego. His first conversation with Lefty has him mentally sizing the man up like a seasoned assassin and then the first time he actually goes after a guard, he nearly gets his ass handed to him.
Jelert landed somewhere in the middle for me. His sections were uneven, some genuinely dull, others almost as engaging as Amara's storyline.
This book is more about political intrigue than it is about anything else. The Draumer magic, the technology, and the plot to kill the Viceroy, all interesting, but at the end of the day it’s a political drama story. If you are not into that, this might not be the book for you.
To finish off, I just want to say that nothing about this book feels poorly done, but the separate storyline structure might put a lot of people off.
To start, the story is decent enough to earn a 3 out of 5, but it has some structural issues that could drive readers away.
The narrative is split across three separate storylines following Kyndel, Jelert, and Amara. It isn't until much later that these threads converge. Until then, the POV characters only occasionally cross paths while each goes about their own life and story. That structure creates a real risk: you might connect strongly with one character and find yourself just tolerating the others.
For me, that character was Amara. Watching her hustle to keep her family afloat was genuinely compelling.
Kyndel, on the other hand, I just didn't like. He reads like an angsty teenager whose skills don't measure up to his own ego. His first conversation with Lefty has him mentally sizing the man up like a seasoned assassin and then the first time he actually goes after a guard, he nearly gets his ass handed to him.
Jelert landed somewhere in the middle for me. His sections were uneven, some genuinely dull, others almost as engaging as Amara's storyline.
This book is more about political intrigue than it is about anything else. The Draumer magic, the technology, and the plot to kill the Viceroy, all interesting, but at the end of the day it’s a political drama story. If you are not into that, this might not be the book for you.
To finish off, I just want to say that nothing about this book feels poorly done, but the separate storyline structure might put a lot of people off.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Strength isn’t shutting everything out. It’s carrying on despite the pain.”
Crownfall by Michael Vadney
This book reminded me why I like multi-POV. I relish the way each POV shift keeps me thrumming with anticipation as to how will that character survive, increasing my attention when their POV finally returns by a tenfold. And Michael has exceeded my expectations with his flawless precision.
Another element of Crownfall that I loved, was that no character in this book had plot armour. Anyone could have lost a part, or whole, of themselves at any given time in the story. Not a single soul was safe. And that's what made me root for them all the more.
The magic system in Crownfall felt like an exotic fruit. I loved how it included both magic bearers and others in almost equal, active roles. And both the peoples had potential to alter the other's futures, may it be in betterment or otherwise.
And lastly, I was satisfied to see, that the villian was not one-dimensional. They had their own motivations, their own desires, which later turned into dangerous obsessions. They were a bad person, but not just a bad person. And that makes all the difference. I loved how well they turned out.
Crownfall is recommended to fans of fantasy, those who dare to enter the realm of grimdark fantasy (because some scenes are gory, readers be warned), those who like seeing the new ways magic could alter our realities, and those who love political intrigue.
Crownfall by Michael Vadney
This book reminded me why I like multi-POV. I relish the way each POV shift keeps me thrumming with anticipation as to how will that character survive, increasing my attention when their POV finally returns by a tenfold. And Michael has exceeded my expectations with his flawless precision.
Another element of Crownfall that I loved, was that no character in this book had plot armour. Anyone could have lost a part, or whole, of themselves at any given time in the story. Not a single soul was safe. And that's what made me root for them all the more.
The magic system in Crownfall felt like an exotic fruit. I loved how it included both magic bearers and others in almost equal, active roles. And both the peoples had potential to alter the other's futures, may it be in betterment or otherwise.
And lastly, I was satisfied to see, that the villian was not one-dimensional. They had their own motivations, their own desires, which later turned into dangerous obsessions. They were a bad person, but not just a bad person. And that makes all the difference. I loved how well they turned out.
Crownfall is recommended to fans of fantasy, those who dare to enter the realm of grimdark fantasy (because some scenes are gory, readers be warned), those who like seeing the new ways magic could alter our realities, and those who love political intrigue.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Three great characters, one great adventure!
Crownfall is a fantasy world with industrial/early modern technology available through its magic system. It is full of political intrigue and drama and is a thrilling tale from page one!
Vadney’s characters are complex, but rooted in basic human emotions that are easy to relate to, such as revenge, redemption, or survival. I loved how the three POVs intersected without the characters falling into a stereotypical “trio”.
The works felt massive, but was played out on a shark stage within a single city, which lets us as the reader immerse ourselves without needing to drink from a firehose.
The magic systems were unique and well-integrated, blending with the world and its history in a realistic way.
If you’re looking for a story full of hope and adventure, give this one a try!
Crownfall is a fantasy world with industrial/early modern technology available through its magic system. It is full of political intrigue and drama and is a thrilling tale from page one!
Vadney’s characters are complex, but rooted in basic human emotions that are easy to relate to, such as revenge, redemption, or survival. I loved how the three POVs intersected without the characters falling into a stereotypical “trio”.
The works felt massive, but was played out on a shark stage within a single city, which lets us as the reader immerse ourselves without needing to drink from a firehose.
The magic systems were unique and well-integrated, blending with the world and its history in a realistic way.
If you’re looking for a story full of hope and adventure, give this one a try!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Layered stories with intricate plots unfolding from multiple perspectives will always have a special place in my heart, and Vadney has absolutely nailed the formula with his debut. This is not a story that slowly builds up to some big bang ending or a cocoon of a plot woven around one grand idea. The Crownfall is a tapestry of many interlinked cool concepts packaged in a refreshing presentation. The plot twists and turns, lifting you upon mountains of elation one moment and then wrenching your heart in a pit of despair immediately after. For all the stuff that’s packed in, boy does it move fast!
The three primary characters each have distinct personalities and are individually interesting in their own right. And I love a competent villain. The Viceroy stays in the shadows for much of the initial part of the book, but when he comes to the limelight, his aura is undeniable.
Full review on my blog.
The three primary characters each have distinct personalities and are individually interesting in their own right. And I love a competent villain. The Viceroy stays in the shadows for much of the initial part of the book, but when he comes to the limelight, his aura is undeniable.
Full review on my blog.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review
Michael's debut is a incredible start to something fresh and exciting. Filled with hope, revenge and desperation.
Crownfall is a nobeldark fantasy that had me hooked from the start to finish, with 3 deeply written point of views. That has to navigate trough rebellion, politics and a dept higher than your tbr.
You have books you have to put down when you get too tired. Then you have books like this that just keeps you going without releasing how tired you are, because no matter where you want to stop. You will just find something to great, that it will not make sense to stop. (Until you realize your an adult, with adult responsibility...)
What side is the better side? Read Crownfall and find out. Perfect for Mistborn fans.
Michael's debut is a incredible start to something fresh and exciting. Filled with hope, revenge and desperation.
Crownfall is a nobeldark fantasy that had me hooked from the start to finish, with 3 deeply written point of views. That has to navigate trough rebellion, politics and a dept higher than your tbr.
You have books you have to put down when you get too tired. Then you have books like this that just keeps you going without releasing how tired you are, because no matter where you want to stop. You will just find something to great, that it will not make sense to stop. (Until you realize your an adult, with adult responsibility...)
What side is the better side? Read Crownfall and find out. Perfect for Mistborn fans.
Review of advance copy
Writing Crownfall has been one of the greatest joys of my life. What started as an idea turned into something that genuinely changed me—how I think about stories, creativity, and what it means to see a project through to the end. In a lot of ways, this book marks the beginning of a whole new chapter for me.
So thank you for even taking a moment to check it out. That alone means more than you probably realize.
And yes… I’m obviously biased, but I really do love this book. Honestly, if I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t have spent so many pre-dawn mornings arguing with imaginary people in my head about it.
So thank you for even taking a moment to check it out. That alone means more than you probably realize.
And yes… I’m obviously biased, but I really do love this book. Honestly, if I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t have spent so many pre-dawn mornings arguing with imaginary people in my head about it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book made me smile constantly, laugh often, and cry a few times.
The characters felt real, believably flawed and human, and showed growth through the course of the story. The author made the plot engaging and dynamic without ever needing to rely on cheap drama.
The magic system was interesting, seeming to take inspiration from the Lightbringer series.
The world-building was extensive without feeling over the top for a standalone book, but it definitely leaves room for additional books, which I would gladly read if the author decides to write them.
The characters felt real, believably flawed and human, and showed growth through the course of the story. The author made the plot engaging and dynamic without ever needing to rely on cheap drama.
The magic system was interesting, seeming to take inspiration from the Lightbringer series.
The world-building was extensive without feeling over the top for a standalone book, but it definitely leaves room for additional books, which I would gladly read if the author decides to write them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crownfall by Michael Vadney is a compelling debut perfect for fans of the complex blend of magic and technology found in stories like Foundryside or Netflix's Arcane. The story features a cast of complex characters doing their best to fight back against a rising power before it's too late. If you enjoy stories rife with political machinations, tragedy, hope, and a dash of longing romance, Crownfall needs to be on your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fun, well written fantasy read with enjoyable characters and great world building. Definitely had some dark moments in the plot. My only complaint was the plot seemed to be lacking originality and felt like a retread of a lot of other stories and tropes, and often I felt it to be pretty predictable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A nice debut! I think what I enjoyed the most about this book was being exposed to Vadney’s prose for the first time. His style and voice are strong in this novel, and I enjoyed how he gave us characters that felt like they were really moving through this second-world fantasy. The magic and engineering are also interesting. Fans of Arcane will find lots of similarities. For readers who love familiar fantasy tropes, this book is worth the read.
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