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Anagovia #1
When the World Starts to Fray
Forty years ago in the midst of war, an Anagovian soldier discovered the incredible ability to manipulate the very fabric of reality. Without thought of the consequences, man-kind used it to every advantage, winning the war and sending Anagovia into an age of peace and prosperity. Weavers grabbed hold of the Threads of reality and shaped them to their will. They are considered by most to be a blessing from the gods themselves. But a darkness is seeping in through the Fabric that none of them anticipated. Scores of men and women are going missing and beasts that normally keep to the dark corners of the world are moving in growing numbers.
Li’or is a mercenary. She takes any job that pays well and keeps her moving- no matter how dangerous. One night while she’s setting up camp, a young Weaver named Hashkan stumbles in and throws her careful plans off course. Before they realize it, they find themselves tangling with armies of monsters and madmen as they try to unravel the schemes of a tyrant. But will their small band of hired swords be enough to save Anagovia?
Li’or is a mercenary. She takes any job that pays well and keeps her moving- no matter how dangerous. One night while she’s setting up camp, a young Weaver named Hashkan stumbles in and throws her careful plans off course. Before they realize it, they find themselves tangling with armies of monsters and madmen as they try to unravel the schemes of a tyrant. But will their small band of hired swords be enough to save Anagovia?
362 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2020
70 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
About the author
Sam Parrish
4 books21 followersSam Parrish was born and raised in the woods of central Florida. When she isn’t working or writing, she enjoys playing music, camping, fly fishing, and riding her motorcycle. She still lives in Florida (despite her escape efforts) with her ornery cat and a trio of crotchety horses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 23, 2024
Classic epic fantasy at its finest.
There is just a sense of nostalgia within When the World Starts to Fray, one that reminds many readers why they got into the fantasy genre to begin with. That sense of wonder, that sense of a quest, of a journey. That’s what makes this story work so well for me, and I hope hope hope, many others.
For me, I enjoy nearly all sub-genres of Fantasy – grimdark, steampunk, fairy-tale retellings, etc. – but that classic epic fantasy is where I was raised. Many authors shy away from the genre these days, or try to invert/subvert the classic tropes. Try to make everything too realistic like the real world, too many shades of grey. And that’s all great.
When the World Starts to Fray doesn’t do this, it adheres to those tropes of classic epic fantasy. You know the ones: inherently good heroes with trials to overcome, elves and wizards, an evil over/dark lord, a simple, yet very effective magic system, and of course, a journey/quest. I enjoy a good story about a small group of people – whether they are warriors, wizards, or orphans – who come together for a heroic quest and grow along the way.
The cast of WtWStF is quite small. We have Li’or (of the tropey apostrophe in a name for elves, because you know, elves like apostrophes), who is a half-elf mercenary. She dislikes her elf side and she’s very aloof, doesn’t want attachments, and just likes to do her job and get gone. Li’or also has a smidgen of untapped magical ability that plays a nice part in this story. Unfortunately, she meets young, up-and-coming Weaver, Hashkan, who is fresh out of Weaver school. Hashkan is definitely uppity and thinks Weavers are the bees knees. Boy does he get a comeuppance. And along the way this merry duo of forced companions meets Emond, the lovable oaf who swings a good weapon and gets all the ladies while exclaiming ‘ack’ left and right. This cast has all your needs. They are funny, they are snobbish, they are broken, they are goofy, they are fully able to grow and learn as they travel together while they solve the issues surrounding the Threads (oh yes, there is tapestry magic afoot here and I am all for it!). There is so much growth between Li’or and Hashkan, it’s probably the best part of the story.
That isn’t to say the plot is not great either, far from it! And while there are ‘entire world is gonna go to pot’ type plotting here, the story rightfully keeps it grounded with our three heroes and their immediate concerns. Yes, it’s a little unbelievable that three nobodies like them are meant to save the world, but isn’t that the whole point of classic epic fantasy??? The plot revolves around some mysterious people being manipulated by an unnamed entity, one guy in particular is recruited to create an army of wolf-like beasties to rebuild an ancient fortress. People are turning up missing all over Anagovia and it is upon our heroes to uncover why (there may or may not be a small link to Li’or’s past, but let’s not spoil that shall we?). I think this was smart because all too often, authors tend to do massive world stakes far too quickly, thus bogging down the story. Instead, by keeping this plot concise, it allows the heroes to solve a task while also slow-dripping the world lore. It’s great and simplistic. It also helps that this story ends with, not a cliffhanger per se, but definitely hints at a much bigger problem.
The magic of this book reminds me a lot of Wheel of Time in that this world is a tapestry full of Threads, and the magic is about manipulating each Thread to do a spell. It’s a very simple concept, but I really enjoyed the many uses Ms. Parrish employs here. Weavers are your standard mages, but their schools and their hierarchy is a neat little twist on the trope. The fact that using Threads, called Altering, causes damage to the tapestry is something I found very interesting (and plays a massive role in the rest of the series) as most of the time there are little consequences to using magic. And without spoiling anything, the Seamstress, the goddess discovered by Weavers, is such a cool bit of worldbuilding.
For the action needy readers out there, there is plenty to go around. Not only are there beastie attacks aplenty, there are many bouts of Altering. Can’t go wrong with sword stabbing and magic lobbing. The climax is chock full of both, plus with some twists along the way.
When the World Starts to Fray is a quick read with a fun, relatable cast of characters in a world that is only scratching at the surface. No shade meant, but this book isn’t going to break new ground in the Fantasy genre, but that’s not the point of this story. Instead, this is meant to be pure dumb Fantasy fun. The best thing I could say about this story is that it transports you into another world and lets you enjoy the ride. This is definitely a story for fans of DnD, classic epic fantasy, and quest stories with lots of heart.
There is just a sense of nostalgia within When the World Starts to Fray, one that reminds many readers why they got into the fantasy genre to begin with. That sense of wonder, that sense of a quest, of a journey. That’s what makes this story work so well for me, and I hope hope hope, many others.
For me, I enjoy nearly all sub-genres of Fantasy – grimdark, steampunk, fairy-tale retellings, etc. – but that classic epic fantasy is where I was raised. Many authors shy away from the genre these days, or try to invert/subvert the classic tropes. Try to make everything too realistic like the real world, too many shades of grey. And that’s all great.
When the World Starts to Fray doesn’t do this, it adheres to those tropes of classic epic fantasy. You know the ones: inherently good heroes with trials to overcome, elves and wizards, an evil over/dark lord, a simple, yet very effective magic system, and of course, a journey/quest. I enjoy a good story about a small group of people – whether they are warriors, wizards, or orphans – who come together for a heroic quest and grow along the way.
The cast of WtWStF is quite small. We have Li’or (of the tropey apostrophe in a name for elves, because you know, elves like apostrophes), who is a half-elf mercenary. She dislikes her elf side and she’s very aloof, doesn’t want attachments, and just likes to do her job and get gone. Li’or also has a smidgen of untapped magical ability that plays a nice part in this story. Unfortunately, she meets young, up-and-coming Weaver, Hashkan, who is fresh out of Weaver school. Hashkan is definitely uppity and thinks Weavers are the bees knees. Boy does he get a comeuppance. And along the way this merry duo of forced companions meets Emond, the lovable oaf who swings a good weapon and gets all the ladies while exclaiming ‘ack’ left and right. This cast has all your needs. They are funny, they are snobbish, they are broken, they are goofy, they are fully able to grow and learn as they travel together while they solve the issues surrounding the Threads (oh yes, there is tapestry magic afoot here and I am all for it!). There is so much growth between Li’or and Hashkan, it’s probably the best part of the story.
That isn’t to say the plot is not great either, far from it! And while there are ‘entire world is gonna go to pot’ type plotting here, the story rightfully keeps it grounded with our three heroes and their immediate concerns. Yes, it’s a little unbelievable that three nobodies like them are meant to save the world, but isn’t that the whole point of classic epic fantasy??? The plot revolves around some mysterious people being manipulated by an unnamed entity, one guy in particular is recruited to create an army of wolf-like beasties to rebuild an ancient fortress. People are turning up missing all over Anagovia and it is upon our heroes to uncover why (there may or may not be a small link to Li’or’s past, but let’s not spoil that shall we?). I think this was smart because all too often, authors tend to do massive world stakes far too quickly, thus bogging down the story. Instead, by keeping this plot concise, it allows the heroes to solve a task while also slow-dripping the world lore. It’s great and simplistic. It also helps that this story ends with, not a cliffhanger per se, but definitely hints at a much bigger problem.
The magic of this book reminds me a lot of Wheel of Time in that this world is a tapestry full of Threads, and the magic is about manipulating each Thread to do a spell. It’s a very simple concept, but I really enjoyed the many uses Ms. Parrish employs here. Weavers are your standard mages, but their schools and their hierarchy is a neat little twist on the trope. The fact that using Threads, called Altering, causes damage to the tapestry is something I found very interesting (and plays a massive role in the rest of the series) as most of the time there are little consequences to using magic. And without spoiling anything, the Seamstress, the goddess discovered by Weavers, is such a cool bit of worldbuilding.
For the action needy readers out there, there is plenty to go around. Not only are there beastie attacks aplenty, there are many bouts of Altering. Can’t go wrong with sword stabbing and magic lobbing. The climax is chock full of both, plus with some twists along the way.
When the World Starts to Fray is a quick read with a fun, relatable cast of characters in a world that is only scratching at the surface. No shade meant, but this book isn’t going to break new ground in the Fantasy genre, but that’s not the point of this story. Instead, this is meant to be pure dumb Fantasy fun. The best thing I could say about this story is that it transports you into another world and lets you enjoy the ride. This is definitely a story for fans of DnD, classic epic fantasy, and quest stories with lots of heart.
November 27, 2024
A brutally honest review: This book was so boring. The story could have been so cool but it was written so badly I seriously had to drag myself through a lot of it. Not to mention how one dimensional and generic the characters were, with poor dialogue and no chemistry. It was hard to care about any of the characters which only made it harder to read. It was also riddled with spelling and grammar errors.
July 19, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2021
Epic fantasy is not my typical read, but I very much enjoyed this story. And that ending! What a wild ride! I grew to love all of the main characters. Li'or is a strong female heroine and I adore her. Hashkan, while he has some growing up to do, really comes into himself. And Emond is the life of the party.
This book was well written & well paced. I especially loved the how the Weavers do their Altering. It's very unique idea and well thought out. I enjoyed this fresh take on a magic system.
I'm totally ready for book 2!!
Epic fantasy is not my typical read, but I very much enjoyed this story. And that ending! What a wild ride! I grew to love all of the main characters. Li'or is a strong female heroine and I adore her. Hashkan, while he has some growing up to do, really comes into himself. And Emond is the life of the party.
This book was well written & well paced. I especially loved the how the Weavers do their Altering. It's very unique idea and well thought out. I enjoyed this fresh take on a magic system.
I'm totally ready for book 2!!
April 8, 2023
A very good premise, I enjoyed the main characters, but it was so painfully slow. I only pushed myself to finish it because it was a book club choice.
March 9, 2025
An elven sell sword and a Weaving prodigy are thrown together by circumstance and because I think they actually like hanging out with each other in a platonic fashion. After traipsing through the woods, not once, but twice, they're sent on a grand adventure to find out why local folk are going missing.
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
Plot
The plot of this story is certainly on the slower side than I'm used to, but it makes the most of this time doing some pretty good world building. Not only is this a new land with some magical creates, but there's also an intricate magic system that is thoroughly explained through the eyes of the MMC. There was a whiff of telling, rather than showing, but this is difficult when there is so much to cover.
The area where I felt let down was in the depth of the characters. Unfortunately I felt we only got a glimpse at the surface level for the two leads and I would have loved to learn even more about them. The FMC does explain that she doesn't know a lot about her heritage, which is fine, because she's over 100 years old! All those adventures she could have discussed over the fire at night.
I also felt that the mean threat of the series was almost too mysterious. He's introduced at the beginning and is poaching people throughout the book, but is only met once again at the end and . I'm assuming that some of this is explained in the future books, but the ending felt very rushed and flat for me and I just wanted to have a glimpse at why he was rebuilding this city.
One last thing. The skull. Why? I kinda assumed this was perhaps what Ordelieus was turned into, but nah. So why does the skull feature so heavily? Did I miss something?
The Good
This world and the magic system.
The Bad
Some missing depth around the characters background.
The Ugly
No uglies .
The Wrap Up
If you need a fantasy story with excellent world building and a big adventure, this is one for you. I you need lots of character building and in-depth relationships, it may be a miss.
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
Find Me
Instagram
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
Plot
The plot of this story is certainly on the slower side than I'm used to, but it makes the most of this time doing some pretty good world building. Not only is this a new land with some magical creates, but there's also an intricate magic system that is thoroughly explained through the eyes of the MMC. There was a whiff of telling, rather than showing, but this is difficult when there is so much to cover.
The area where I felt let down was in the depth of the characters. Unfortunately I felt we only got a glimpse at the surface level for the two leads and I would have loved to learn even more about them. The FMC does explain that she doesn't know a lot about her heritage, which is fine, because she's over 100 years old! All those adventures she could have discussed over the fire at night.
I also felt that the mean threat of the series was almost too mysterious. He's introduced at the beginning and is poaching people throughout the book, but is only met once again at the end and . I'm assuming that some of this is explained in the future books, but the ending felt very rushed and flat for me and I just wanted to have a glimpse at why he was rebuilding this city.
One last thing. The skull. Why? I kinda assumed this was perhaps what Ordelieus was turned into, but nah. So why does the skull feature so heavily? Did I miss something?
The Good
This world and the magic system.
The Bad
Some missing depth around the characters background.
The Ugly
No uglies .
The Wrap Up
If you need a fantasy story with excellent world building and a big adventure, this is one for you. I you need lots of character building and in-depth relationships, it may be a miss.
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
Find Me
November 2, 2024
Three unlikely companions: Li’or, a half-Elven mercenary, who has trouble identifying with her Elven side; Hashkan, a very young, naive, and initially quite cocky scholar of the new Goddess in town, the Seamstress, who can see and Alter the elemental Threads of the world; and Emond, a tough-talking cinnamon roll of a warrior, who’s cheerful as a lover OR a fighter. They’re all three likable as all get out.
Their adversary is Ordelieus, a nasty piece of work, who can manipulate the Threads of the mind and control people’s thoughts and actions. He’s building an evil army of wolf people and working on his fortress.
The formula feels familiar – it’s solid, very readable epic fantasy, reminiscent of a really good D&D campaign, setting the stage for big things to come. What sets it apart is the scale – we see some soldiers here and there, but the focus remains on Li’or and Hashkan, their trials and tribulations and their growth–because there is plenty of character growth here, and we really get to know them well. The magic system, too, is a fascinating one, and I look forward to reading more about how it works.
Highly recommended!
Their adversary is Ordelieus, a nasty piece of work, who can manipulate the Threads of the mind and control people’s thoughts and actions. He’s building an evil army of wolf people and working on his fortress.
The formula feels familiar – it’s solid, very readable epic fantasy, reminiscent of a really good D&D campaign, setting the stage for big things to come. What sets it apart is the scale – we see some soldiers here and there, but the focus remains on Li’or and Hashkan, their trials and tribulations and their growth–because there is plenty of character growth here, and we really get to know them well. The magic system, too, is a fascinating one, and I look forward to reading more about how it works.
Highly recommended!
December 29, 2024
Hashkan, L'ior, and Edmond form an unlikely trio, brought together by chance—L'ior accidentally bumps into Hashkan, and Edmond, a massive tank of a character, saves them from monsters. Despite their differences, they become the best of friends, with each adding something unique to their dynamic. Edmond is the lovable giant, L'ior is a regal yet lethal character, and Hashkan is a rule-follower, making for a team that plays off each other perfectly.
The book’s pacing remains steady throughout, keeping the reader engaged without too many emotional highs and lows. It’s a light, happy read that doesn’t dwell on darker topics for too long. Parrish has created an easy-to-understand fantasy world with well-described but not overly complex names and settings, though at times it lacks depth.
The true highlight of the story is the friendship between Hashkan, L'ior, and Edmond. They remind me of the Fellowship of the Ring, with their classic dynamic of unlikely companions. The unique Weaver storyline adds an original twist, offering a fresh perspective on the world that keeps you hooked and curious about the universe.
While the book doesn’t offer perfect character development, especially for Edmond, I still loved reading it. It was a great escape from a reading slump, and I'm already diving into the second book, which promises more character growth. Overall, I’d give it 4 stars—it’s an original, gripping fantasy with lovable characters, an intriguing new concept, and a steady pace that will keep you coming back for more.
The book’s pacing remains steady throughout, keeping the reader engaged without too many emotional highs and lows. It’s a light, happy read that doesn’t dwell on darker topics for too long. Parrish has created an easy-to-understand fantasy world with well-described but not overly complex names and settings, though at times it lacks depth.
The true highlight of the story is the friendship between Hashkan, L'ior, and Edmond. They remind me of the Fellowship of the Ring, with their classic dynamic of unlikely companions. The unique Weaver storyline adds an original twist, offering a fresh perspective on the world that keeps you hooked and curious about the universe.
While the book doesn’t offer perfect character development, especially for Edmond, I still loved reading it. It was a great escape from a reading slump, and I'm already diving into the second book, which promises more character growth. Overall, I’d give it 4 stars—it’s an original, gripping fantasy with lovable characters, an intriguing new concept, and a steady pace that will keep you coming back for more.
March 19, 2023
4.5⭐️
0🌶
What an exciting new adventure! For being the first book in a series it has got me hooked. I believe this is a debut novel, and I am very impressed! It gave me a Lord of the Rings vibes.
I loved the two main characters, Li'or and Hashkan. Li'or is an elf who is basically a rogue character and Hashkan is a Weaver who is a mage character. It was fun to read how they met and how their friendship grew throughout the book. And I wouldn't be mad if there was something more in future installments of the series. They also team up with a character named Edmond who fills in as the muscles of the group.
The magic system is very unique and different. To be honest, it was a breath of fresh air. There are those known as Weavers who control the Threads of the world. All the Threads combined is called the Fabric. It's all very fascinating and I can't wait to see what else can be done with this power.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
0🌶
What an exciting new adventure! For being the first book in a series it has got me hooked. I believe this is a debut novel, and I am very impressed! It gave me a Lord of the Rings vibes.
I loved the two main characters, Li'or and Hashkan. Li'or is an elf who is basically a rogue character and Hashkan is a Weaver who is a mage character. It was fun to read how they met and how their friendship grew throughout the book. And I wouldn't be mad if there was something more in future installments of the series. They also team up with a character named Edmond who fills in as the muscles of the group.
The magic system is very unique and different. To be honest, it was a breath of fresh air. There are those known as Weavers who control the Threads of the world. All the Threads combined is called the Fabric. It's all very fascinating and I can't wait to see what else can be done with this power.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
November 19, 2024
I absolutely loved When the World Starts to Fray! As the first book in a series, it does an incredible job of setting the stage for what promises to be an epic journey. The story follows an elf woman, a soldier, and a weaver—a unique type of magic user who can manipulate the elements by pulling the “threads” of the world’s fabric.
The action starts quickly and doesn’t let up, keeping me hooked from beginning to end. What surprised me the most was how much depth the characters had, especially given that the book is on the shorter side. Each character felt layered and realistic, and their individual struggles added so much to the story’s richness.
I can’t wait to see where the series goes next! This book is perfect for anyone who loves fast-paced fantasy with a truly original storyline. Highly recommend it!
January 9, 2023
Received this in the Caffeine & Legends subscription box and was intrigued by the cover. I really liked it! Reminded me a lot at times of a mix between the TV The Outpost, and a kind of side quest that would have taken place near the end of Eragon when Eragon was just starting to learn the Ancient Language. It was a tight narrative despite heading through a few different plot points and directions.
November 16, 2023
Fantastic!
I've wanted to read this for so long and I actually won it in a giveaway on TikTok off my Amazon Wishlist! I didn't really know what to expect, but the cover had me instantly and the story was amazing!
The world building was really well done, it was written well, and I loved that there was very little romance, lots of action, cool magic, and unique creatures! This band is one of my favorite trios! I found Hashkan a bit tiring with his entitled attitude but I adored Li'or!
I've wanted to read this for so long and I actually won it in a giveaway on TikTok off my Amazon Wishlist! I didn't really know what to expect, but the cover had me instantly and the story was amazing!
The world building was really well done, it was written well, and I loved that there was very little romance, lots of action, cool magic, and unique creatures! This band is one of my favorite trios! I found Hashkan a bit tiring with his entitled attitude but I adored Li'or!
August 4, 2022
This is Avatar the Last Airbender meets LoTR
Finding good fantasy is like finding a dinosaur. While this isn't the brutal world depicted in a Song of Ice and Fire, this is a story about enduring young wizards, an elf so full of stab energy she's the second coming of Legolas, and a big bear of a man who makes big boys proud. This was 110% enjoyable and I wish this project well.
Finding good fantasy is like finding a dinosaur. While this isn't the brutal world depicted in a Song of Ice and Fire, this is a story about enduring young wizards, an elf so full of stab energy she's the second coming of Legolas, and a big bear of a man who makes big boys proud. This was 110% enjoyable and I wish this project well.
February 17, 2023
This was a fun read. The world building did not slow down the story telling. I’ve read other reviews calling this a “cozy fantasy,” I don’t know what that is, but it’s a great fantasy story with a world and characters that feel well established. I can’t wait to read the second book.
March 1, 2023
This book was gifted to me and I gobbled it up in about two days. It has a great hook with well developed characters and a really fun magic system. If you're into ttrpgs, this one really feels like home
June 25, 2023
Love this book. Am ready for the next installment. The characters are well described and so easy to identify with and fall in love with. Main character Li'or and the friendships developed keep you turning the page. Mystery evolves nicely - I'm hooked.
June 26, 2024
I had very low expectations - I found out about this book because of the "stuff your kindle" day & a random Instagram post. I was very pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Good world building, characters weren't one dimensional. I'll definitely be purchasing the next book
August 28, 2024
I LOVE the magic system in this book. It is such a cool concept to me. While I think the pacing is a little off in some places, the characters are very thoughtfully written with wonderful development that truly makes sense for who we see them to be. I do really like that we don’t have all their backstory just yet because it leaves something for later installments. Once you get into it, it is such a cozy and fun read. A nice little fantasy getaway.
January 5, 2025
A fun read in a classic fantasy setting with an interesting magic system. Things definitely could have been developed a bit more, but all the basics are established well. The main trio has a fun dynamic set up and hopefully will be expanded upon in the next book.
September 19, 2025
Fun adventure
Action packed adventure with twists and turns so unexpected it will keep you flipping pages.
I loved Li'or and her struggle to accept Emond and the Weaver(who's name I am not going to try to spell)
I cannot wait for book two and to find out more.
Action packed adventure with twists and turns so unexpected it will keep you flipping pages.
I loved Li'or and her struggle to accept Emond and the Weaver(who's name I am not going to try to spell)
I cannot wait for book two and to find out more.
January 24, 2023
Absolutely amazing. Very well written and detailed world building which keeps it interesting. A true adventure that's easy to get lost in.
February 8, 2023
Good, enjoyable book. The story was quick and to the point. I wish the author had done some more world building to help the reader better understand Anagovia.
March 13, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ Pacing was a bit slow for me, but it was a cozy fantasy easy read.
April 9, 2023
wonderful
A perfect group of dynamic characters. A book that’s hard to pick a stopping point at the end of the night pack with unique concepts
A perfect group of dynamic characters. A book that’s hard to pick a stopping point at the end of the night pack with unique concepts
May 20, 2023
3.5. Will write review in the morning.
August 9, 2024
I really tried to like it but 3rd person pov just killed it for me
October 18, 2025
It was a well-written fantasy, but due to life I just got bored. I'd love to come back and read it again at a different time.
November 27, 2025
Action Packed
This story is crazily packed with action. Magic and mystery also play a large part. I liked the idea of the story overall.
This story is crazily packed with action. Magic and mystery also play a large part. I liked the idea of the story overall.
February 4, 2023
Excellent book overall- it was hard to put it down! The only disappointment for me was the noticeable lack of female characters (beyond the main female elf Li’or).
May 15, 2023
Fantasy•Indie
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖
Forty years ago in the midst of war, an Anagovian soldier discovered the incredible ability to manipulate the very fabric of reality. Without thought of the consequences, man-kind used it to every advantage, winning the war and sending Anagovia into an age of peace and prosperity. Weavers grabbed hold of the Threads of reality and shaped them to their will. They are considered by most to be a blessing from the gods themselves. But a darkness is seeping in through the Fabric that none of them anticipated. Scores of men and women are going missing and beasts that normally keep to the dark corners of the world are moving in growing numbers.
Li’or is a mercenary. She takes any job that pays well and keeps her moving- no matter how dangerous. One night while she’s setting up camp, a young Weaver named Hashkan stumbles in and throws her careful plans off course. Before they realize it, they find themselves tangling with armies of monsters and madmen as they try to unravel the schemes of a tyrant. But will their small band of hired swords be enough to save Anagovia?
Huge shoutout to @caffeineandlegends for including @swampsagebooks debut novel in January’s box- A New Year For Adventure. This book wasn’t on my radar otherwise & I’m so happy it was put into my hands.
This is one of my favorite types of stories. Classic epic fantasy adventure, world-building/ history sprinkled throughout, a group of misfits banding together & a good ol’ journey/ heroic quest.
The way this story unfolds and the plot plays out reminds me of nights gathered around the table with friends rolling dice and spinning adventures in a D&D campaign. I absolutely love it!
The characters are witty, flawed, likable, determined. Of course I found myself rooting for them every step of the way up to the harrowing encounter with the BBEG.
The magic system is simple & unique. Seeing the Weavers’ powers in action was incredibly cool. I can’t wait to see how Hashkan continues to grow.
Plus the little twists left me wanting more! In fact, I’ve already purchased the second book. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖
Forty years ago in the midst of war, an Anagovian soldier discovered the incredible ability to manipulate the very fabric of reality. Without thought of the consequences, man-kind used it to every advantage, winning the war and sending Anagovia into an age of peace and prosperity. Weavers grabbed hold of the Threads of reality and shaped them to their will. They are considered by most to be a blessing from the gods themselves. But a darkness is seeping in through the Fabric that none of them anticipated. Scores of men and women are going missing and beasts that normally keep to the dark corners of the world are moving in growing numbers.
Li’or is a mercenary. She takes any job that pays well and keeps her moving- no matter how dangerous. One night while she’s setting up camp, a young Weaver named Hashkan stumbles in and throws her careful plans off course. Before they realize it, they find themselves tangling with armies of monsters and madmen as they try to unravel the schemes of a tyrant. But will their small band of hired swords be enough to save Anagovia?
Huge shoutout to @caffeineandlegends for including @swampsagebooks debut novel in January’s box- A New Year For Adventure. This book wasn’t on my radar otherwise & I’m so happy it was put into my hands.
This is one of my favorite types of stories. Classic epic fantasy adventure, world-building/ history sprinkled throughout, a group of misfits banding together & a good ol’ journey/ heroic quest.
The way this story unfolds and the plot plays out reminds me of nights gathered around the table with friends rolling dice and spinning adventures in a D&D campaign. I absolutely love it!
The characters are witty, flawed, likable, determined. Of course I found myself rooting for them every step of the way up to the harrowing encounter with the BBEG.
The magic system is simple & unique. Seeing the Weavers’ powers in action was incredibly cool. I can’t wait to see how Hashkan continues to grow.
Plus the little twists left me wanting more! In fact, I’ve already purchased the second book. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
July 2, 2025
This novel had so much heart!
It is a true love letter to the high fantasy genre and to Dungeons and Dragons all tied into a found family hug.
The main trio work so well as a trio and I loved how organically they all met and how their respective goals aligned and intertwined so that we get a nod to the DnD party dynamic and a real demonstration of how people can show up for one another.
Li'or - our elven recluse - and Hashkan -our hot-headed monk - play off one another gorgeously and Parrish really thought through how to use their respective strengths and flaws as puzzle pieces that help them fit together. Emond is a lover and a fighter and I adore him almost as much as he adores women.
and can we take a moment to appreciate our wise monk mentor? Every conversation he has with Hashkan I felt I learned something profound from. The only other character I've ever felt that with is Uncle Iroh <3
so, should you read this book? Absolutely, it was crafted with such care and heart it's impossible not to fall in love with the world, the characters, the magic.
Speaking of magic - what a gorgeous system!
Yes, this is a must read.
It is a true love letter to the high fantasy genre and to Dungeons and Dragons all tied into a found family hug.
The main trio work so well as a trio and I loved how organically they all met and how their respective goals aligned and intertwined so that we get a nod to the DnD party dynamic and a real demonstration of how people can show up for one another.
Li'or - our elven recluse - and Hashkan -our hot-headed monk - play off one another gorgeously and Parrish really thought through how to use their respective strengths and flaws as puzzle pieces that help them fit together. Emond is a lover and a fighter and I adore him almost as much as he adores women.
and can we take a moment to appreciate our wise monk mentor? Every conversation he has with Hashkan I felt I learned something profound from. The only other character I've ever felt that with is Uncle Iroh <3
so, should you read this book? Absolutely, it was crafted with such care and heart it's impossible not to fall in love with the world, the characters, the magic.
Speaking of magic - what a gorgeous system!
Yes, this is a must read.
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